Notes to Pastors

Prayer Room at Conference Assembly
Conference Assembly is a significant time for Franconia Mennonite Conference. This year it will be held at Souderton Mennonite Church, Friday, November 12 and Saturday, November 13. During the hours of 3 – 9 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, there will be a prayer room open at Conference Assembly for you to come and spend time in prayer to prepare your heart and to intercede on behalf of the church as we meet together. You are invited to come and avail yourself of this opportunity to rest, meditate and intercede and listen to God’s voice in the midst of our meeting to worship, confer and discern.

Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast Sign Up
Sign up NOW to attend “The Naked Anabaptist” Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast on Thursday, November 4, 8 -10 a.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center. Author Stuart Murray Williams, leader of the Anabaptist Network in the U.K. (a Franconia Conference partner in mission), will be with us in person. Murray Williams will share what he sees are “the bare essentials of [our] radical faith,” also the subtitle for this book, which Herald Press is calling a “run-away best seller” for them. RSVP to office@mosaicmennonites.org by Monday, November 1, to reserve your place.

Breakfast with Stuart Murray Williams

Thursday, November 4, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. is the next Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast at the Mennonite Conference Center. Focusing on The Naked Anabaptist: The Bare Essentials of a Radical Faith, this will be an opportunity for you to converse directly with Stuart Murray Williams, author of this runaway best-seller for Herald Press. This book, whose title has its roots in the Partner in Mission relationship between the Anabaptist Network U.K. and Franconia Mennonite Conference, is helpful to Anabaptists who are trying to sort out our theology from our traditions and is helpful to a wide variety of people who are coming to Anabaptism as a “fresh” expression of Christianity. Please RSVP your attendance to office@mosaicmennonites.org by Monday, November 1. A $6 donation is requested for the breakfast.

Reminder! Monday, October 18, is the deadline to register your attendance for the “Celebrating Shared Leadership Across Gender Lines” Pastors’ & Leaders’ breakfast. Thursday, October 21, 8-10 a.m. will be an opportunity to hear from a diverse group of women and men in Franconia Mennonite Conference and to interact with one another about ways that bridging gender differences can bring the wholeness and health within congregations and organizations. Donation of $6 is requested for breakfast.

Podcasts: Franconia Conference is also pleased to announce that you can now listen to podcasts of Pastors’ and Leaders’ breakfasts.

Business leaders, pastors, and others are invited to attend “A Day Apart – A Grain of Yeast: Finding Meaning in the Workplace.” Sponsored by Kairos School for Leadership Formation, retreat leaders Rod and Lori Young will lead the day with down-to-earth reflections on ways to practice meaning and spirituality in your work life. Rod is a business owner and Lori is a Spiritual Director and Pastoral Counselor. There will also be time for your own personal reflection — on the beautiful grounds of the Jesuit Center in Wernersville, PA. For more information, click here to view the letter of invitation. To register for this Day Apart, call 717-669-2957. If you have questions about this one-day retreat, please feel free to contact Mary Etta King at 717-669-2957.

Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast

Relating across gender lines is both joyful and challenging, whether in our families or in ministry. Whether you work on a gender-diverse leadership team or not , all of us relate to lay leaders of the opposite sex and sometimes need some clues and help to make these relationships better and healthier. Thursday, October 21, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m., a diverse group of women and men leaders from across Franconia Mennonite Conference will share their experiences and lead us in conversation around the topic of “Celebrating Shared Leadership Across Gender Lines.” Please RSVP your attendance to office@mosaicmennonites.org by Friday, October 15. Suggested breakfast donation is $6.00.

Gift of the Red Bird

Paula D’Arcy was a woman who had life planned for herself and her family until they were hit by a drunk driver. Her husband and daughter died in the crash leaving her alone until her baby daughter was born seven months later. Paula tells her story in Gift of the Red Bird. She will speak on Saturday, October 30, at 7:00 pm at Neffsville Mennonite Church helping us see God in the daily stuff of life. Come listen to the wisdom she has gained in simply living. Author’s Reception with Paula D’Arcy, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Neffsville Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall featuring hors d’oeurves, deserts and beverages. Reservations for reception are required by October 20. The cost is $50 per person.

ADNet Speaker Available

Paul Leichty, Executive Director of Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADNet) is traveling to Pennsylvania in mid-November. He is available to speak in a congregation on Sunday morning, November 14. A workshop or consultation is also possible anytime that weekend depending on exact location.  If you are interested, please contact Paul at adnet@adnetonline.org or call 1-877-214-9838.

Save the Date
You and your spouses (or friend) are invited to participate in a special time of celebration and recognition of your service, Tuesday, December 14, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at Dock Woods Community. More details will follow later, but in the meantime, please mark your calendars. A very special morning is being planned for you by Franconia Mennonite Conference and Eastern District Mennonite Conference. We hope that you will be able to attend!

Envision Access: 20 Ideas for Accessible Worship
Wednesday, December 1, 12:00 p.m., Gather twenty great ideas during this free online audio conference, driven by twenty passionate individuals—pastors, thinkers, professionals and parents—whose experiences will help you rethink how you welcome people with disabilities into worship.

Call to Prayer
We serve an amazing God who is always in the process of transforming us and the world around us. You are invited to a weekly prayer gathering which will be held at the Mennonite Conference Center in Harleysville, on Thursday mornings, 8:00 – 9:30 a.m., September 23 through November 11. The focus of the prayer time will be the scripture from 2 Chronicles 7:14, repentance and seeking God for healing throughout our land, the region, the conference and churches of which we are a part. This weekly prayer gathering is open to all, pastors, intercessors and prayer team members. A note from Sandy – “I realize you all have very full schedules, but I want to encourage you to try to attend at least one of the prayer gatherings to join together in prayer for healing and reconciliation across the land and here in Franconia Mennonite Conference.” What is it that God wants for us and the world around us? How do we need to be transformed? Come to pray and seek God together. Contact Sandy Landes with any questions you may have about these gatherings.

A Place to Call Home: Our New Immigrant Neighbors
Tomorrow is the deadline to sign up for “A Place to Call Home: Our New Immigrant Neighbors.” This Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast is next Wednesday, September 29, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center in Harleysville. Starting from a biblical framework, Peter Pedemonti (New Sanctuary Movement, Philadelphia), Maria Byler (pastoral care staff member of Philadelphia Praise Center), and Bob Walden (Peace & Justice Committee and West Swamp Mennonite Church) will lead conversation about who the new immigrants in our congregations and communities are, and why they have come here. The discussion will address the difficult questions about our undocumented immigrants and provide an overview of immigration issues through personal stories of local immigrants. Also, there will be a brief review of resources for sermons and group study.
Please RSVP your attendance by tomorrow, September 24. Suggested donation at the time of the breakfast is $6.00.
Upcoming Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfasts:
• Celebrating Shared Leadership Across Gender Lines – Thursday, October 21
• The Naked Anabaptist with author Stuart Murray Williams – Thursday, November 4

Memorial Service Notice
Betty King, wife of Aaron King, former Franconia Conference missionaries to Cuba and Mexico, died Friday, September 17 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where they resided since returning from the mission field in the 1970’s. Betty was 82. She was an ordained minister in Virginia Conference, sister to the late Richard Detweiler and mother of Michael King, recent pastor at Spring Mount Mennonite Church. She and Aaron were sent as missionaries to Cuba in the 50’s and left at the time the Revolution. They then went to Mexico to assist in the mission work in Mexico City. Many may remember them for their singing as a family. Betty was a gracious woman who raised nine children, loved music, and while in Virginia served in the Hispanic community as a translator and in prison ministries with Aaron. A memorial service for her will be held at Lindale Mennonite Church, Linville Virginia, on Saturday, September 25.

9/16/10

Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast
A Place to Call Home: Our New Immigrant Neighbors will be the topic of the next Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast to be held on Wednesday, September 29, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center in Harleysville. Peter Pedemonti (New Sanctuary Movement, Philadelphia), Maria Byler (pastoral care staff member of Philadelphia Praise Center), and Bob Walden (Peace & Justice Committee and West Swamp Mennonite Church) will lead the conversation. Who are the new immigrants in our congregations and communities, and why did they come here? Starting from a biblical framework, the discussion will address the difficult questions about our undocumented immigrants and provide an overview of immigration issues through personal stories of local immigrants. Also, there will be a brief review of resources for sermons and group study.
Please RSVP your attendance by Friday, September 24, to office@mosaicmennonites.org or by calling 267-932-6050, Ext. 110.

Upcoming Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfasts:
• Celebrating Shared Leadership Across Gender Lines – Thursday, October 12
• The Naked Anabaptist with author Stuart Murray Williams – Thursday, November 4

The Divine Power of Friendship
You are invited to Peaceful Living’s Conference “The Divine Power of Friendship” at Souderton Mennonite Church on Saturday, September 25. Hans Reinders, Bill Gaventa and Ed Tick are the main presenters. Featured will be various workshops to choose from. Come and bring many of your church leaders to learn about disabilities in your church. Register now. Questions may be directed to Peaceful Living at 610-287-1200.

Youth Leaders and Pastors are invited to Zion Mennonite Church on Tuesday, September 14 at 6:00 p.m. Rachel Swartzendruber Miller, Director for Convention Planning for Mennonite Church USA and leader for denominational Youth Ministry Leadership Team will be at Zion to talk with youth leaders about the July 2011 Mennonite Church USA Assembly in Pittsburgh. She will present some details about youth convention along with answering any questions that you may have. Glen Guyton, Associate Executive Director of Constituent Resources for Mennonite Church USA will also be at Zion with Rachel. Hope to see you at Zion for an informal gathering. Pizza dinner will be served. Please RSVP by Monday September 13 to Marlene Frankenfield, mfrankenfield@mosaicmennonites.org.

Your Invited to Pastor’s Day at Christopher Dock on Wednesday, September 15. The day begins at 8:00 a.m. with Breakfast served in Longacre Center Commons. You will then have an opportunity to visit your students in their class. Chapel will follow at 9:20 a.m. and we are excited that Glen Guyton, Associate Executive Director for constituent Resources for Mennonite church USA will be the speaker along with Rachel Swartzendruber Miller, Director for Convention Planning for Mennonite church USA, and leads the denominational Youth Ministry Leadership Team. At 10:15 we will meet in the Theatre for a school update and discussion with Glen and Rachel. You will then enjoy lunch with your students in the Clemens Dining Hall. Your students look forward to seeing you. Hope to see you! Please RSVP to Mai Hazlett at 215-362-2676 or mhazlett@dockhs.org. A table will be reserved for you to eat lunch with your student. Please invite youth sponsors to join you for this event.

Mark your calendar for two exciting events that are happening in November that you will not want to miss.

Is Your Teen Almost Christian? Pastors, congregational leaders, youth leaders, teachers and parents are invited to Salford Mennonite Church on Tuesday, November 2 at 7:00 p.m. Nate Stucky, a PhD student at Princeton Seminary, will lead conversation on the new book, Almost Christian: What the Spiritual Lives of our Teenagers is Teaching the American Church, Guidelines for Translating Faith with Young People by Kenda Creasy Dean. There is more information and discussion on the Facebook page – Is Your Teen Almost Christian? Check it out and click like and you will receive updated info. If you can’t attend the event this is a book you will want to read. Almost Christan is very insightful and provides hope for the church and the next generation.

A new one day student leadership event is happening Saturday, November 20. High School youth and youth leaders will gather for a one day event for resourcing, relationship-building and worshiping in the city. The event will be held at Philadelphia Mennonite High School and will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. Workshops are being planned for an on site learning service experience. The theme Rooted in the Future – 2 Timothy 1:5-7 will shape the day. The event is sponsored by Franconia Conference and Eastern District. (taking the place of leadership retreat) Cost is $40.00 and max will be 100 youth and adults. Watch for more information or go to www.mosaicmennonites.org or contact Marlene Frankenfield – mfrankenfield@mosaicmennonites.org.