Notes to Pastors

Installation Service
The Bally Mennonite Church community, friends and family will celebrate the installation of Klaudia Smucker as pastor of the congregation Sunday, September 12. Smucker began her service August 1. Worship begins at 9:30 a.m., with pre-service music by the congregation’s worship team starting at 9:15. A reception time then a carry-in meal will follow. Preaching will be Firman Gingerich, lead pastor of the Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, a former colleague of Smucker. Ministers Noah Kolb and Jenifer Erickson Morales, congregational support staff from the Franconia Mennonite Conference, will formally confer conference credentials. A native of Morgantown, PA, Smucker served until mid-summer this year on the pastoral team at College Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana, specializing in pastoral care. Klaudia and her husband Bob reside in rural Fleetwood and have two young-adult daughters.

Webinars bring workshop content to you
Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary announces a new emphasis on using webinars to make workshop resources more accessible. These events, scheduled about once a month, require only a reliable high speed internet connection and a land-line telephone.

The first webinars of the school year are:

Five approaches to preaching a biblical story
Ryan Ahlgrim, pastor of First Mennonite Church, Indianapolis, Ind.
September 9, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Advent planning—An unexpected hour
Marlene Kropf, AMBS professor; Rosanna McFadden, free-lance artist and AMBS student
October 21, 7:30 – 8:45 p.m.

The Naked Anabaptist
Stuart Murray, chair of the United Kingdom Anabaptist Network and author of The Naked Anabaptist
October 27, 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.

No more church as usual! No! More church as usual: Young adults and the church.
Presenter: Sara Wenger Shenk
November 18, 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.

Apocalypse and Allegiance
Presenter: J. Nelson Kraybill
December 2, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Connecting to a webinar requires at minimum a computer with reliable, high-speed internet access, and computer speakers or a telephone. A computer microphone (or headset) and/or a telephone with speakerphone capabilities can also be helpful in ensuring your participation runs smoothly. After registering online, participants receive an email prior to the start of the webinar with a web link and password to access the webinar.

Questions may be directed to the Church Leadership Center, 574-296-6269 or ChurchLeadership@ambs.edu. The full list of webinars includes many that will be of interest to a wide variety of people: www.ambs.edu/webinars.

Pastors’ & Leaders’ Breakfast
Thursday, August 19, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center, Jim Ostlund (Blooming Glen Mennonite Church) and Steve Kriss (Philadelphia Praise Center and Franconia Conference Staff) will lead in a presentation and conversation titled, “An Anabaptist/Mennonite Future in Turbulent Times.” Paradigms, perspectives and populations are changing both within and around the Mennonite community. Both Jim and Steve are Generation X leaders borrowing Mennonite roots to find a way of following Jesus that extends peace, grace and hope. They invite you to hear a bit from their experience, both formally and informally, in navigating toward a hopeful future in disorienting times. This work is rooted in listening and leading alongside young adults as well as emerging Anabaptist voices both inside and outside of the Mennonite Church.

Preview of Upcoming Pastors’ & Leaders’ Breakfasts: A variety of interesting topics are being planned for the fall. Be sure to mark the following dates on your calendar so you can be part of these conversations!

Wednesday, September 29 – Conversation about immigration issues and legislation and how they impact our Franconia Conference congregations and ministries.

Thursday, October 21 – Celebrating Shared Leadership Across Gender Lines: How do men and women work together effectively in ways that utilize our God-given gifts to the fullest?

Thursday, November 4 – The Naked Anabaptist: conversation with Stuart Murray Williams, leader of the Anabaptist Network U.K., regarding his recent book by this title.

Too far to drive? Franconia Mennonite Conference leaders would also like to make these conversations available to leaders who do not live within an easy driving distance. We are currently considering the best and most cost effective ways to accomplish this.

Director of Pastoral Care Services Needed
Living Branches, a small system of Mennonite-sponsored retirement living communities in southeastern Pennsylvania, seeks a compassionate Anabaptist leader with an ecumenical approach to ministry to serve as Director of Pastoral Care Services. The Director will lead a team of chaplains/pastors to meet the spiritual needs of residents of Dock Meadows, Souderton Mennonite Homes and Dock Woods. Five years of pastoral and/or chaplain ministry required, and masters-level training and CPE preferred. To learn more, visit www.livingbranches.org or call Russell Mast at 215-368-4438.

Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast
Save the date for the next Pastors’ and Leaders’ Breakfast – Thursday, August 19, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Mennonite Conference Center. Jim Ostlund (Blooming Glen) and Steve Kriss (Philadelphia Praise Center and Franconia Conference Staff) will lead in a presentation and conversation titled, “An Anabaptist/Mennonite Future in Turbulent Times.” Paradigms, perspectives and populations are changing both within and around the Mennonite community. Both Jim and Steve are Generation X leaders borrowing Mennonite roots to find a way of following Jesus that extends peace, grace and hope. They invite you to hear a bit from their experience, both formally and informally, in navigating toward a hopeful future in disorienting times. This work is rooted in listening and leading alongside young adults as well as emerging Anabaptist voices both inside and outside of the Mennonite Church. Please RSVP your attendance by Monday, August 16, to office@mosaicmennonites.org or by calling 267-932-6050, Ext. 110.

New Youth Breeze Newsletter Format
Watch for a new Youth Breeze Newsletter format. Youth Ministry resources and upcoming events will be included in Notes to Pastors and will also be sent by email to all youth pastors, sponsors, mentors, and Sunday school teachers that are in the Franconia Mennonite Conference and Eastern District Conference youth ministry database.

Spritual Life Emphasis Week Pastor’s Day at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School will be on Wednesday, September 15. The day begins with breakfast at 8:00 a.m. followed by joining your students in class. Glen Guyton, associate Executive Director for Constituent Resources for Mennonite Church USA along with Rachel Swartzentruber Miller, director of Convention Planning for Mennonite Church, will be the speakers for the week. After chapel there will be a time to meet with Dock administrators for discussion and enjoy lunch with students.

Watch for more details coming for a parent, youth leader and pastor resource event, November 2, 7:00 p.m. to be held at Salford Mennonite Church. This event is sponsored by youth pastors and Mennonite Schools, GPS 2012, Connections Goal team. Nate Stucky, PhD student at Princeton Seminary, will be the keynote speaker on the theme, Children and Youth Faith Formation. His keynote will be taken from the book “Almost Christian” by Kenda Creasy Dean, Prof at Princeton Seminary.

There is an exciting one day youth leadership event being planned. This event will replace the past Franconia Mennonite Conference and Eastern District Conference youth leadership retreat that was held at Spruce Lake. We are now planning something new that will be held on Saturday, November 20. This event will be geared to high school youth that have leadership gifts and abilities. We are hoping to secure a location shortly. Look for more details to follow.

Mennonite Church USA Call to prayer for August 12–13 delegation to Phoenix, Ariz.
Deuteronomy 24:17-18 (NIV)
17Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. 18Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
Purpose of trip
In response to concerns raised by Iglesia Menonita Hispana, Mennonite Church USA’s Executive Board is sending a delegation to Phoenix, Ariz., to witness “on the ground” the effects of Arizona’s new immigration law, the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act. Phoenix currently is the location for the denomination’s 2013 convention.
Phoenix city government leaders, who have expressed their disappointment with the new legislation, extended the invitation to the delegation to come; the Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau will cover expenses for the trip.
The group will meet with city officials, convention planners, local Hispanic and Mennonite Church USA congregations, and human rights workers who specialize in immigration. Delegation members will gather information about the potential multi-faceted impacts of holding the denomination’s 2013 convention in Phoenix, and will discern options for staying in Phoenix, finding a different location, or canceling the 2013 gathering.
On Friday evening, Mennonite Church USA Phoenix-area churches will join delegation members for a forum on immigration to discuss the issues and guiding principles surrounding the Phoenix 2013 decision.

Delegation members
Iglesia Menonita Hispana representatives
Nicolas Angustia, Yvonne Diaz, Madeline Maldonado, Juan Montes, Jesús Muñoz
Intercultural Relations Reference Committee members
Leslie Francisco III, Kuaying Teng
Executive Board members
Ed Diller, Dick Thomas, Elizabeth Soto Albrecht, Tina Begay, Charlotte Hardt, Juanita Nuñez
Mennonite Church USA staff
Ervin Stutzman, Glen Guyton, Marty Lehman, Susan Mark Landis, Rachel Swartzendruber Miller
Racial Healing Task Group representative
Lloyd Miller
Other representatives
Marc Hershberger (pastor), Saulo Padilla (director, Immigration Education Office, Mennonite Central Committee U.S.)

Prayers for the August 12–13 delegation
Our delegation invites you to join us in prayer before, during and after our time in Phoenix. Now is the time for all members of Mennonite Church USA to dwell together in unity and in prayer to begin the journey toward sharing a holistic witness to the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thursday, Aug. 5
“Pray for the ability to listen deeply and compassionately to all involved and for willingness to openly lay all cards on the table as we discern this significant decision.”—Lloyd Miller
Friday, Aug. 6
“Ask God to help us to acknowledge that we are part of his creation and that every action we are taking is like a seed planted in the ground waiting to grow. My hope is to see the issues turn to blessings.”—Kuaying Teng
Saturday, Aug. 7
“Lord, this is a struggle for me and a struggle for all of your church. Help us to see, hear and observe how you are working in Phoenix, and to discern your will. Be with us and all of our brothers and sisters.”—Charlotte Hardt
Sunday, Aug. 8
“Pray that Jesus would show us—as people of God—opportunities to be witnesses against injustice and to bring healing and hope to those cloaked in despair. Pray that this process would bring about transformation in Mennonite Church USA.”—Glen Guyton
Monday, Aug. 9
“Pray that we would discern—not with the spirit of the world, but with the Spirit of God; and that we would seek wisdom—not of natural man, but from the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:12-16).”—Marc Hershberger
Tuesday, Aug. 10
“Pray that God would enlighten us and grant us grace during our time in Arizona and that we would be receptive to what God would guide us to do.”—Nicolas Angustia
Wednesday, Aug. 11
“Pray that God would give us a generous spirit and the ability to listen patiently to both the city officials and the needs of our Hispanic brothers and sisters as together we discern God’s leading in this important decision.”—Marty Lehman
Thursday, Aug. 12 (First day of delegation)
“Pray that the eyes of our hearts would be enlightened to discern the hope of the oppressed people of God.”—Jesús Muñoz
Friday, Aug. 13 (Second day of delegation)
“Pray that the Eternal Creator and lord of all the fullness of earth would:
– Bring emotional and spiritual healing to all the children of Abraham who flee poverty and persecution; and who in obedience to Jesus have left their family, country and culture to pursue a golden dream in the land of justice, hope and opportunity.
– That the divine Jesus would set free those without a voice and rights to defend them-selves, from the evil spirits of fear and anger.
– That the great I Am would make us more human and more sensitive to the needs and fears of the poor and undocumented in the U.S.
– That the church would model the example of the Father and the Son; when Jesus came as an immigrant from heaven, he was persecuted, mistreated and even killed, but the Father was with him at all times. The church should be with the undocumented, no matter what the system or SB 1070 says.
– Finally, the church must look to the example of Jesus’ family, who left Bethlehem for security reasons and emigrated to Egypt. I pray that the church would support those who have come to this country to protect their families.”—Juan Montes
Saturday, Aug. 14
“Pray that our church would use this critical moment to think collectively about how best to engage questions of politics, culture and faith in new and innovative ways.”—Felipe Hinojosa (invited delegation member unable to participate)
Sunday, Aug. 15
“Pray that the church would not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds—so that we would be able to test and approve what God’s will is—God’s good, pleasing and perfect will.”—Saulo Padilla
Let us know your prayers, and that you are praying for us! Send your thoughts and prayers to SusanML@MennoniteUSA.org by Aug. 10, and she will give them to the delegation.

Mennonite Church USA is a member denomination of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center. The theme for the 2010 Leadership Seminar is “Preaching and Teaching Christian Stewardship”. This event is designed for steward leaders involved in teaching others how to present stewardship concepts and ideas. The plenary speakers are teachers and will give valuable insight for presenting stewardship in your ministry setting.

Foundations of Christian Belief and Behavior – 1
What is your worldview? This series is designed for Christian laypersons, covering some of the most vital areas of Christian belief and behavior. No Christian should ever be turned off by the study of biblical truth. Sadly, this can occur when too much focus is placed on minute details and little focus paid to practical applications. Each evening will be fast paced with lively discussion led by a fascinating variety of teachers. Some of the topics covered will include: The Bible and Culture, Christ and the Gospel, Christian Leadership, The Church, among others. The course is 13 weeks, held on Wednesday evenings at Line Lexington Mennonite Church, and runs from September 15 to December 15. For more information visit Line Lexington Mennonite Church’s website at www.LLMC.org.

Spiritual Guidance Training
Kairos School of Spiritual Formation and Franconia Mennonite Conference’s School for Leadership Formation invite you to consider participating in Spiritual Guidance Training. This one-year program, designed specifically for clergy, pastors, and congregational leaders, will be held in Telford, PA. The class meets one Wednesday per month, September 2010 through May 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For a syllabus or more information call 717-669-2957.

Gateway Course offered in Fall 2010
Anabaptist History and Theology, a Gateway course, is being offered by Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Lessons will acquaint students with the almost 500-year sweep of Anabaptist/Mennonite history and experience, focusing on key turning points both
in history and belief. Karl Landis, Ph.D. and Mark Wenger, Ph.D. are the instructors. Classes will be held at Conestoga Mennonite Church, Morgantown, PA, October 1 & 2 and December 3 & 4. For more information and registration, visit www.emu.edu/lancaster/seminary/gateway.

MCC Speakers

If your congregation is looking for someone to fill an open speaking assignment this summer, consider using a speaker or speakers from Mennonite Central Committee. Nearly 30 speakers are available to share on a wide range of topics and with many different groups. To learn more about these speakers, contact Larry at 717-738-0885.

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Conference Board Communication Update
May 4, 2010

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The Conference Board met on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 and addressed the following agenda items:

Dwelling in the Word – Blaine Detwiler read Acts 2 and then led in prayer.

Approval of Minutes – The Board acted to approve its board minutes and to ratify committee minutes.

Religious Worker Visas – The growth of intercultural ministries within Franconia Conference brings new challenges. A key issue continues to be religious worker visas that allow immigrant pastors to work in the United States. The board will seek to become better informed about this process as a number of visa applications are currently in the works.

Mennonite Health Services Alliance Consultant LaVern Yutzy Report – The Board welcomed Conference Consultant LaVern Yutzy, the non-board Conference Review Steering Committee Members (Mike Derstine, Joy Sutter (co-chairs), Donella Clemens and Beny Krisbianto) and Mennonite Church USA Denominational Minister Linford King.

The Board received and considered the report and recommendations from LaVern Yutzy and acted to approve the Immediate or Near Term Considerations #1-9. The Board would like to note that this action/decision was made in the midst of considerable pressure and stress rather than processed through prayerful discernment.

Board member Yvonne Platts, of Nueva Vida Norristown New Life congregation, submitted her immediate resignation and excused herself from the meeting. Board member Karen Moyer, from the Rocky Ridge congregation, submitted her resignation the following day.

The board acknowledges that the Conference is in need of much prayer and wisdom as well as an informed and aware constituent community to enable a healthy system to emerge among us. May God grant us what is most needed for the sake of the world.