Notes to Pastors

Last Chance to RSVP! Sign up by August 5 for the August 11, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center,). Sheldon C. Good (Mennonite Weekly Review and Salford Mennonite Church) and Stephen F. Kriss (Director of Communication and Leadership Cultivation, Franconia Mennonite Conference) will present “The Age Convergence: Practical Tools for Effective Inter-generational Leadership.”

Sheldon and Steve will share personal experiences and best practices of working in inter-generational groups. Though it’s not always easy, team-based leadership is one way your ministry can be intercultural and effective across generations. Franconia Conference leaders working in all forms of ministry are welcome to attend.

A panel of intergenerational leadership teams will field questions and tell stories about what makes healthy and growing leaders rooted in missional, intercultural and formational values. Email your questions for consideration to Steve Kriss–skriss@mosaicmennonites.org. The panel is set to include Marta Castillo and Ertell Whigham from Nueva Vida Norristown New Life Mennonite Church; Andrew Huth and Donna Merow from Ambler Mennonite Church; and Adrian Suryajaya and Aldo Siahaan from Philadelphia Praise Center. Come to learn, contribute, collaborate and imagine the possibilities of the present and the future together.

A $6 donation is requested to cover the cost of the breakfast. If you are unable to attend in person but would like to join by video conference, contact Gay Brunt Miller … or watch for a link to the podcast.

Reminder-RSVP by August 5 for the August 11 Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast (8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center,). Sheldon C. Good (Mennonite Weekly Review and Salford Mennonite Church) and Stephen F. Kriss (Director of Communication and Leadership Cultivation, Franconia Mennonite Conference) will present “The Age Convergence: Practical Tools for Effective Inter-generational Leadership.”

Sheldon and Steve will share personal experiences and best practices of working in inter-generational groups. Though it’s not always easy, team-based leadership is one way your ministry can be intercultural and effective across generations. Franconia Conference leaders working in all forms of ministry are welcome to attend.

A panel of intergenerational leadership teams will field questions and tell stories about what makes healthy and growing leaders rooted in missional, intercultural and formational values. Email your questions for consideration to Steve Kriss–skriss@mosaicmennonites.org. The panel is set to include Marta Castillo and Ertell Whigham from Nueva Vida Norristown New Life Mennonite Church; Andrew Huth and Donna Merow from Ambler Mennonite Church; and Adrian Suryajaya and Aldo Siahaan from Philadelphia Praise Center. Come to learn, contribute, collaborate and imagine the possibilities of the present and the future together.

A $6 donation is requested to cover the cost of the breakfast. If you are unable to attend in person but would like to join by videoconference, contact Gay Brunt Miller … or watch for a link to the podcast.

Upcoming Breakfast: September 15 – Dr. Barbara Moses from Philadelphia Mennonite High School will present and lead in conversation about Conflict Resolution.

Kairos School for Spiritual Formation is offering Spiritual Guidance classes in Telford once a month, from September 2011 through May 2012. These classes are designed for clergy, pastors and congregational leaders—people who are called to guide the soul of persons and congregations whom they serve. This introduction to the art and practice of spiritual companioning (spiritual direction) provides essential understandings and skills for this ministry of guidance. Telford classes will be held on Thursdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and will be led by John and Sandy Drescher-Lehman.

Reminder: The August 11 Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast (8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center) will be “The Age Convergence: Practical Tools for Effective Inter-generational Leadership,” presented by Sheldon C. Good (Mennonite Weekly Review and Salford Mennonite Church) and Stephen F. Kriss (Director of Communication and Leadership Cultivation, Franconia Mennonite Conference).

Sheldon and Steve, along with a panel of Franconia Conference leaders, will share personal experiences and best practices of working in inter-generational groups. Though it’s not always easy, team-based leadership is one way your ministry can be intercultural and effective across generations. Franconia Conference leaders working in all forms of ministry are welcome to attend.

RSVP your attendance for this breakfast by Friday, August 5, by email to Gay Brunt Miller. If you are unable to attend in person but would like to join by videoconference, contact Gay Brunt Miller … or watch for a link to the podcast.

Upcoming Breakfast: September 15 – Dr. Barbara Moses from Philadelphia Mennonite High School will present and lead in conversation about Conflict Resolution.

On August 24, The Pennsylvania State Bureau of Drug & Alcohol Programs will sponsor, “Understanding the Impact of Addiction and Supporting Strategies and Tools for Clergy and Other Congregational Leaders.” This free, one-day training will raise awareness of how addiction to alcohol and other drugs affects individuals and their families. It will discuss the roles of clergy and congregations in offering information, hope, recovery and support for those affected by alcohol and drug abuse. The course will be held at Doubletree Guest Suites Philadelphia West, 640 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462-1003.  Please contact Vanessa Walker, at 610-713-2183 to register for this training.

Kairos School for Spiritual Formation is offering Spiritual Guidance classes in Telford once a month, from September 2011 through May 2012. These classes are designed for clergy, pastors and congregational leaders—people who are called to guide the soul of persons and congregations whom they serve. This introduction to the art and practice of spiritual companioning (spiritual direction) provides essential understandings and skills for this ministry of guidance. Telford classes will be held on Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will be led by John and Sandy Drescher-Lehman.

Pittsburgh Convention – Willing to share a ride? Pastor Bob Nolt, Intentional Interim Pastor at Upper Milford (robertnolt@yahoo.com) and Pastor Kathy Yoder, West Swamp (kathydyoder@gmail.com) are looking for rides to the Mennonite Church USA Convention in Pittsburgh to be part of pastors’ day on Sunday, July 3 and then home after convention. If you are willing to give them a ride, or know someone else who can, please be in touch with them. Thanks!

June 9 Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast

Peter Smith, Charlie Ness, and Scott Landes will share the vision and work for the “Adopt A Street” prayer strategy that UPPEN* that has been launched for their region. “Adopt A Street” is about changing the spiritual climate in your community. What would happen if 100% of the streets in your community were being prayed for daily for the next 12 months? The “Adopt A Street” prayer strategy brings unity to churches, energizes the church in prayer and is simple enough for a child to understand. It impacts every segment of the community and creates ongoing transformation. The strategy is one of the most powerful ways to physically implement Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8.

*UPPEN (Upper Perk Prayer Evangelism Network) is a growing network of churches in the Upper Perk region that has been in existence since 2003. Together, through prayer evangelism, they are seeing God changing the spiritual climate of their community and the surrounding region.

Location: Mennonite Conference Center, 569 Yoder Road, Harleysville, PA 19438
Time: 8:00 -10:00 a.m.

Up coming Pastors’ & Leaders’ breakfasts:
• August 11 – “Inter-generational Leadership” with Sheldon Good and Steve Kriss
• September 15 – “Conflict Management” with Rev. Dr. Barbara Moses

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Envisioning the future of youth ministry for
<text=underline>Eastern District and Franconia Conference</text=underline>

Invited: Pastors, Youth Ministers, Youth Sponsors and please bring (shoulder tap) two of your youth who have leadership gifts
Date and Time: Monday, June 6, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (pizza dinner provided)
Location: To be confirmed
Video Conference: Too far to travel? Join the conversation by video conference. (Let us know and we will send you information about how to do this.)
Objective: Come prepared to share your vision of God’s picture for youth ministry in Franconia and Eastern District Conferences. (Please make sure that your current youth sponsors have received this invitation.)
Please register your attendance: to office@mosaicmennonites.org by Friday, June 3.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of youth ministry for our conference churches and their communities. Please make a strong effort to be part of this!

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How Are Our Congregations Responding to the News of Bin Laden’s Assassination?
The EDC/FMC Peace and Justice committee is deeply concerned about the national response to the news of Osama Bin Laden’s assassination. We believe that this reaction is contrary to our calling as Christians to love our enemies, to feed them if they are hungry and to give them something to drink if they are thirsty. We are very interested in hearing about how congregations are responding to the news. Please email jason.hedrick@easterndistrict.org with a brief summary of what your congregation is doing.

Urgent Prayer Request
Larry Moyer, pastor at Rockhill Mennonite Church, fell off his porch roof on Tuesday, April 26. He is in ICU at Lehigh Valley Hospital in serious condition. He has a number of fractures including ribs, spine, shoulder and hand as well as some head injuries. He is conscious and responding to communications. We invite your prayers for Larry, Loretta, the family and the congregation.

Please remember chaplain Garland Meyers in your prayers
On Tuesday, April 26, Garland’s wife, Janice Marie (Martin) Meyers went to be with the Lord. Garland serves as a chaplain for Heartland Hospice, Chadds Ford, PA, and is credentialed by Franconia Conference. He is a member of Souderton Mennonite Church. Janice worked for three of our Conference Related Ministries—Spruce Lake Retreat, Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, and most recently for Penn View Christian School. The complete obituary is available at www.andersfh.com/index.cfm. Viewings will be held at Anders Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory on Friday, April 29 from 6-8 PM and on Saturday, April 30 at Penn View Christian School from 9 – 11:30 AM. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 12:30 P.M. at Penn View Christian School Auditorium, 420 Godshall Road, Souderton, PA. Cards can be sent to Garland at 44 Wm. Penn Drive, Schwenksville, PA 19473.

International Day of Prayer
You and your congregations are invited to participate in the International Day of Prayer being held at the Franconia Mennonite Conference Center, Thursday, May 5, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. A prayer room will be setup and a short prayer meeting will be held at the beginning of each hour lifting up prayers and praises for the work God is doing around the world and in our international community here in the US. You and your congregations are invited to participate in several ways:

1. Come to the conference center anytime during the hours of 9 a.m. –
9 p.m. on Thursday, May 5 to join others in prayer for specific persons, places and situations that involve the international community. Bring a friend or a group from your congregation!

2. Send in specific prayer requests from your congregation or international connections you have to Sandy Landes, prayer ministry coordinator, by Wednesday, May 4. These may be immigration issues, a partnership your congregation has with a church in another country, a ministry involving persons of different nationalities, etc. We will lift them up to the throne!

3. Organize a group at your church to gather together to pray that day for the international community. Sandy Landes will provide a prayer list/resources to guide your prayer time if that would be helpful.

Please share this opportunity with your congregation this Sunday.</p align>

Ordinations
Three ordinations are planned in the next month to which you are invited. Marta Castillo, associate pastor at Nueva Vida Norristown New Life, will be ordained to the Christian Ministry on Saturday, May 7, at 5:00 p.m. at the church. She has been on the pastoral staff for about 4 years. Jenifer Eriksen-Morales, LEADership Minister for Franconia Conference, will be ordained to the Christian Ministry at her home congregation, Souderton Mennonite Church, Sunday, May 15, at 3:00 p.m. Jenifer joined the conference staff in 2007.  pastors a fellowship of families from India. He will be ordained Sunday, June 5, at 10:15 a.m. in the morning worship service at his home congregation, Plains Mennonite Church. Paulus was licensed in 2007.

Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast
Monday, May 2, is the deadline to sign up for the May 5, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. Pastors’ & Leaders’ Breakfast at Methacton Mennonite Church. Andrew Bush, professor of Missions at Eastern College, has served in the West Bank and the Philippines as a missionary and still returns each summer to work in the West Bank. Bush will present and lead a conversation on “Building or Burning Bridges: Searching for a Way Forward in Christian and Muslim Relations.” A $6 contribution is requested to cover breakfast. Methacton Mennonite Church is located at 3081 Mill Road, Norristown, PA 19403 (just off of Valley Forge Road in Worcester, PA).

Upcoming Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfasts
• Thursday, June 9, 2011 – “Adopt a Street” – creating a prayer ministry for your community, presented by Peter Smith, Charles Ness (Pastor, Perkiomenville Mennonite Church) and Scott Frederick (Fredrick Mennonite Church)
• Thursday, August 11, 2011 – Intergenerational Leadership, presented by Sheldon Good (Mennonite Weekly Review, Salford Mennonite Church) and Stephen Kriss (Director of Communication and Leadership Cultivation, Franconia Mennonite Conference).
Can’t make it to the breakfasts? We are making podcasts of the Pastors’ and Leaders’ presentations and conversations that you can listen to wherever you are and whenever it’s a good time for you! Watch for notice of these postings after the meetings.

Pastors/Youth Pastors and Youth Leaders
On Monday, June 6, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., you are invited to come and strongly encouraged to bring 2 youth with leadership gifts from your congregation for a time of conversation and brainstorming about a vision for youth ministry for Franconia and Eastern District Conferences. Pizza dinner will be provided. Please reserve this date on your calendars and watch for a more formal invitation in the near future.

Pastors’ & Leaders’ Breakfast
Reminder: Thursday, May 5, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. Pastors’ & Leaders’ Breakfast at Methacton Mennonite Church. Andrew Bush, a member of the Methacton congregation, will present and lead a conversation on “Building or Burning Bridges: Searching for a Way Forward in Christian and Muslim Relations.” A $6 contribution is requested to cover breakfast. Methacton Mennonite Church is located at 3081 Mill Road, Norristown, PA 19403 (just off of Valley Forge Road in Worcester, PA).

Podcast Available
A podcast is now available of the March 17 Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast entitled, “The Why, What & How of Social Media: Engaging Your Community in the Context that is Revolutionizing the Way the World Connects.” You can hear the podcast by following this link: www.mosaicmennonites.org/blogroll/tmoyer/the-why-what-how-of-social-media-engaging-your-community-in-the-context-that-is-revolutionizing-the-way-the-world-connects

AMBS will offer three for-credit courses at the Pittsburgh convention
Two master’s level and one undergraduate course will be offered by Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary at the Pittsburgh convention of Mennonite Church USA, July 4-9. Students and instructors will meet at designated times during the convention week, and students will have reading and writing assignments to complete before and after convention week.
The graduate-level courses are
• Principles of Youth Ministry, taught by Andy Brubacher Kaethler, AMBS instructor and director of !Explore: A Theological Program for High School Youth at AMBS
• 13 Ways of looking at Zacchaeus: Luke’s Quest Stories and Transformational Bible Study, taught by Mary Schertz, AMBS professor
The undergraduate course is
• Church and Ministry, Unit 1 of the Pastoral Studies Distance Education curriculum, taught by Michael and Lois Shenk Zehr, with David Miller, AMBS professor, as a guest instructor.
These courses are open to all, regardless of any previous seminary study.