Notes to Pastors

Sandy Landis, Franconia Conference prayer ministry coordinator, will be taking a leave of absence from June 21 – September 7. Feel free to continue to submit prayer requests to her throughout the summer.

Immigration Resources
Immigration in the United States is a complex issue. Balancing biblical teaching with respect for law is not easy. Mennonite Central Committee East Coast is therefore inviting your congregation on a journey of dialogue and group study on this issue. We hope this process helps you and your church develop a theology of immigration. More than that, we hope it will lead to informed, creative advocacy that is both biblically balanced and politically responsible.

For those interested in exploring the immigration issue, Mennonite Central Committee offers a listing of resources at www.immigration.mcc.org/. Worship aids from MCC Washington Office may be found by visiting www.washingtonmeno.org/newsletter/spring09/worship-resources . A video from Mennonite Church USA Executive Director Ervin Stutzman may be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyG4JKesRY4.

A Call to Prayer
Pastors and credentialed leaders, you are invited to a time of prayer for the Franconia Mennonite Conference and the ongoing process of moving forward as God leads. You are probably aware that the nomination process for board members will be completed this month. We will meet at the Franconia Conference center, Thursday, June 10, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. and Thursday, June 17, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. You are welcome to bring a member of the prayer team of your congregation along with you to join in prayer. Come to intercede on behalf of the church.

June Prayer Gathering
The June prayer gathering of Franconia Mennonite Conference will be held on Saturday, June 19, 10:00-12 noon at Doylestown Mennonite Church. The focus of the June prayer gathering will be “Hearing God”, taught by Ruth Hendrickson, prayer minister at Washington Crossing Methodist Church. Come to learn and be inspired, to grow in your understanding of listening to God’s voice and to pray together.

Lunch and conversation with Alan Hirsch
Alan Hirsch, author and founding director of Forge Mission Training Network, will speak at a special luncheon for pastors, ministry leaders, and guests on Friday, June 25, 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Biblical Seminary, Hatfield. Alan is involved in Biblical’s online education initiatives and is the 2010 commencement speaker. He is also a part of the leadership team of Christian Associates, a missional church-planting agency focusing on Western Europe. A free box lunch is provided with registration. For more information, registration or questions, please contact Bea at 215-368-5000 x 158 or C4ml@biblical.edu.
Biblical Seminary

Spiritual Guidance for Leaders

A Spiritual Guidance for Leaders class is being offered this fall by Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation and will be taught by Mary Etta and Linford King. Congregational leaders guide the souls of the people they serve. This introduction to spiritual companioning provides essential understandings and skills for this ministry. For complete class information and brochure click here.

Disability Awareness
Paul Leichty, Executive Director of Anabaptist Disability Network will be in the larger Philadelphia area and is open to speaking to churches on Sunday, June 6 and Sunday, June 13. Paul is a pastor and father of a son with developmental disabilities. He is an advocate for persons with disabilities and mental health issues. Possible sermon topic: “Messiah’s Missional Ministry” Matthew 11:1-6; “Treasure in Clay Jars” 2 Corinthians 4; “Gifts Honored By All” 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; “Mental Health, Abilities, and Disabilities” 1 Kings 19:1-18; “Made in the Image of God” Genesis 1:24 – 2:4a & Psalm 8; “All Things New for Persons with Disabilities” Revelation 21:1-6. To make arrangements to have Paul speak at your church, please contact ADNet at 877-214-9838 or adnet@adnetonline.org. Paul may be contacted directly at pdleichty@cresoures.org

Ordination Services

Jim Laverty, Associate Pastor of Equipping and Discipling at Souderton Mennonite will be ordained into the Christian ministry by the Franconia Mennonite Conference on Sunday, May 2. The service is at 2:00 p.m. at the Souderton Mennonite Church. You are invited to be present to celebrate and encourage Jim on this solemn and joyful occasion.

Beny Krisbianto, Lead Pastor of Nations Worship Center will be ordained to the Christian ministry by the Franconia Mennonite Conference on Saturday, May 8. The service of ordination will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Nations Worship Center, 1715 McKean Street, Philadelphia. Come and join in celebrating and encouraging Beny on this significant event in his life and the life of the congregation.

All parents and youth leaders are invited to “Healthy Balance – Hope, Dreams & Wings” on Wednesday, April 7, 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Blooming Glen Mennonite Church. This free seminar will feature a keynote address by Marlene Frankenfield, Campus Pastor at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School & Conference Youth Minister, and Mary Benner, Pastor of Children & Youth at Souderton Mennonite Church. This will be followed by Breakout Seminars led by local youth pastors on current issues facing parents of and youth leaders working with jr/sr high students. For more information and details on the breakout seminars, contact Blooming Glen Mennonite Church at 215-257-3431 or visit www.bgmc.net. The conference is sponsored by Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, Deep Run East Mennonite Church, Franconia Mennonite Church, Rockhill Mennonite Church, Salford Mennonite Church, Souderton Mennonite Church, Zion Mennonite Church & Franconia Mennonite Conference.

Pastors, please share this unique opportunity with your congregation and consider joining others in prayer for the conference and the church in this region. All are invited to set aside time for prayer and fasting for the work of Franconia Conference on Friday, April 9, 7p.m. – 12 a.m. at the Franconia Mennonite Conference Center, 569 Yoder Road, Harleysville. “What is the work God has for us and what does God want?” Our prayers will focus on seeking God on behalf of the assessment process and the greater work God is doing among us. Come and go as you are able. There will be times of worship, guided prayer led by pastors, corporate and personal prayer, as well as opportunities to seek God in silence and listening prayer. For more information, contact Sandy Landes, Prayer coordinator.

Pastors, lay ministers and chaplains are invited to the “Pastoral Care to Seniors Seminar” at Dock Woods Community on Tuesday April 27, 8:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. in the Fisher Auditorium. Dr. Marcus Smucker will speak on, “Spirituality and Aging: Finding Hope and Meaning in the Later Years”. Dr. Smucker is Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology at the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary and is currently adjunct professor at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He has taught Christian spirituality, spiritual direction, pastoral care and counseling. The seminar is FREE to those who pre-register by April 21. For more information or to RSVP, contact Chaplain Merlin Hedrick at Dock Woods Community. E-mail: mhedrick@dockwoods.com or call 215.368.4438. Directions and additional seminar information are available by visiting www.dockwoods.com

The Conference Board has named a review steering team to guide the work of consultant LaVern Yutzy as the Conference moves toward a hopeful future in the midst of struggle and turbulence. The task force invites your feedback directly by email to the below questions to feedback@franconiaconferenc.org
• How have recent events within Franconia Conference affected you?
• What questions should be asked as we assess the current situation and the future of the Conference?
• What changes should be considered for the Conference?
• What should the review committee know?
• What gives you hope about Franconia Conference as we move toward fulfilling the vision of equipping leaders to empower others to embrace God’s mission?
Postcards will be sent to congregations with the same questions. The committee asks that pastors encourage delegates and members to respond by email or by mailing the postcard back by April 24, 2010. The task force covets your prayers as we find our way together, trusting that God intends a hopeful future for us together. Task force members include
• Donella Clemans, Perkasie Mennonite Church
• Gerry Clemmer, senior pastor, Souderton Mennonite Church
• Randy Heacock, pastor, Doylestown Mennonite Church
• Jim Laverty, pastor of equipping and discipling, Souderton Mennonite Church
• Karen Moyer, Rocky Ridge Mennonite Church
The steering committee is seeking a sixth member. To suggest a sixth member, email your nominations to feedback@mosaicmennonites.org by April 6 for consideration.

If you’d like to speak with LaVern personally call Melissa or Carla at the Conference Center to schedule a time. He’ll be scheduling further one on one conversations on April 8 and a second date later in the month.

4/1/10

Henry Paul Yoder died Monday, March 22 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was 81 years old. On Sunday, March 14, he had suffered a stroke. His children are Allan, Anita, Tina, and David. He is the brother of Harold Yoder, Ray Yoder, Roy Yoder, Richard Yoder, and June Shenk wife of Nelson Shenk. His wife Mildred died in 2007.

Henry was ordained by lot at the Boyertown Mennonite Church. He served as a Missionary in Cuba and then worked at the re-settlement of Cuban immigrants in Florida. Henry was called as pastor at Plains Mennonite in the late 60’s. In the 70’s and 80’s he served 14 years as Mission Secretary for Franconia Mennonite Conference. Henry Paul and Mildred served for a time in Guatemala with MCC. In the mid 90’s he moved to Tucson, AR to pastor the Tucson Mennonite Church. Henry Paul retired in Phoenix, AR. He will be remembered for his passion for missions and the church. He was energetic and expressed his beliefs and concerns very openly. He grew wise with years. He has left many memories with the years he served among us. May the family find strength and peace in their times of remembering and grieving.

The Doves Nest Collaborative, a new group dedicated to empowering and equipping Mennonites to keep children safe in their homes, churches, and communities, invites you to raise awareness of child abuse during Child Abuse Prevention Month this April. Resources for keeping children safe can be found on www.dovesnest.net.