Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Shalom Fund

Shalom Fund Ends with Extreme Generosity

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By Eileen R. Kinch 

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In June 2022, the Mosaic Shalom Fund was closed. The Fund was a mutual aid effort that began early in the pandemic with an initial goal of $50,000 to meet the immediate needs of vulnerable communities in Mosaic Conference. During its two-year life, the Fund collected $217,945.  

Jaye Lindo, the first person to donate to the Shalom Fund, said, “I knew that the only way we would get through this COVID-19 pandemic is for us to do it together.” Some donations to the Fund were larger; others were small, but the Shalom Fund had a big impact. 

The Shalom Fund was created after Leadership Ministers listened carefully to the needs of Mosaic congregations. Over the course of two years, over 130 individuals, churches, and businesses contributed to the Shalom Fund; some did so multiple times. Congregations and ministries that received help from the Shalom Fund had to be members, Partners in Ministry, or Conference Related Ministries of Mosaic Conference. They requested funds through a simple application process. 

COVID-19 affected everyone in Mosaic Conference, but students faced special challenges since schools closed to in-person instruction. Not all students have an internet connection in their homes, and others had working parents who were unable to stay at home to help them. Crossroads Community Center in Philadelphia (PA) created special learning pods for 35 students to do their schooling online. A grant from the Shalom Fund helped to feed the students and to pay the staff. 

Ripple Church in Allentown (PA) saw immediate and increased needs for food in the community.  Soup kitchens had shut down in the spring of 2020, so Pastor Charlene Smalls provided meals from the parking lot of the local bus station. “The Shalom Fund was there,” said Smalls, “and we found out what is meant by all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord.” The Shalom Fund provided food, bottled water, masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer.  The Fund also paid for a canopy so that Ripple Church could more safely worship outside. 

Mark Wenger, Pastor of Franconia (PA) Mennonite Church, explained that donating to the Fund was an opportunity for him and his wife to “bless others in our Conference family of congregations and pastors.”  Mosaic pastors and leaders worked very hard during the pandemic. Many were involved in food distribution efforts, especially among immigrant congregations in South Philadelphia.  

The Shalom Fund also had a global reach. Herman Sagastume of Healthy Niños pointed out that the pandemic made life harder for rural communities in Honduras. Children were “attending … school on an empty stomach because the only food they ate was early in the afternoon in order to last the whole day,” he said. “It broke our hearts.” The Shalom Fund provided food for these children and their families. Shalom Fund donations traveled even farther to Peace Proclamation Ministries in India, and eventually to Mennonite World Conference in Indonesia. 

The Shalom Fund is a testimony to the love and unity of the body of Christ. Paul writes, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:26, NIV).  Mosaic Conference lived into this reality in both giving and receiving during the pandemic. May we deepen in Christ’s oneness now and in the future. 

Watch this short video to get a visual representation of Shalom Fund’s impact:

Eileen Kinch

Eileen Kinch is part of the Mosaic communication team and works with editing and writing. She holds a Master of Divinity degree, with an emphasis in the Ministry of Writing, from Earlham School of Religion.

Shalom Fund Exceeds Goal!

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As of July 7, 2021, donations to the Mosaic Conference’s Shalom Fund have reached $206,874.01, surpassing the goal of $200,000, according to Conrad Martin, Mosaic’s Director of Finance.

The Shalom Fund was created in the spring of 2020 as a direct response to COVID-19 and the ensuing economic crisis experienced in Mosaic Conference and beyond. The fund supports pastors, congregations, and ministries working directly with those affected by COVID-19 or economic challenges caused by the pandemic.

“The Shalom Fund has fostered a sense of real hope in a difficult time,” said Executive Minister Steve Kriss. “I’m grateful for those who have contributed to help sustain ministries across our Conference and beyond through the reach of our Conference Related Ministries. Thousands of people have been fed, cared for, and blessed through the Shalom Fund.”

The Shalom Fund continues to enable Mosaic Conference to respond to the most vulnerable within our membership and neighborhoods by empowering local ministries to meet real needs with Christ’s love and generosity in a time of fear and anxiety. “I’m so grateful to witness how our Conference constituency responded in such a generous way in giving to the Shalom Fund,” shared Conference Moderator Ken Burkholder (Deep Run East congregation, Perkasie, PA). “This is a testimony to God’s goodness among us during a very difficult time, as well as our loving care and compassion for one another.”

From large gifts to donations of just a few dollars, the Shalom Fund has been able to do more than any of us could ever imagine. “Together, by extending God’s generosity to us, we have been a witness of Christ’s peace that surpasses all understanding,” reflected Kriss.

Some Things Don’t Change

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With so many changes in the past year, I like to notice things that have not changed in the communities I serve in the Philadelphia area. When awful things happen, we see God at work through people who care and lend a helping hand.

With the help of Mosaic Conference’s Shalom Fund, Philadelphia Praise Center was able to distribute food to struggling families. Photo provided by Aldo Siahaan.

The pandemic caused many people to lose their jobs. With the help of Mosaic Conference’s Shalom Fund, Philadelphia Praise Center received an abundance of support for nearly four months. Every Saturday we were able to share produce, instant noodles, eggs, milk, canned food, rice and other resources to help struggling families.

Many people could not pay rent, so we invited members of the church to get involved in helping cover their needs. God moved the hearts of many to share financially with each other.

Sharing reliable information is crucial among immigrant communities where English is not the first language. Providing details about vitamins for building immunity, hotels the government provides for those who are COVID-positive, nearby COVID testing venues or affordable funeral homes became instances of sharing God’s love with members of our community.

Early in the pandemic, God gave me the wisdom to create a video of a conversation between Budi Saputra, an Indonesian medical doctor in Philadelphia, and me. This became multiple videos with accurate information from a reliable source about the state of the pandemic, early symptoms to look out for, and precautions to keep people healthy. The videos were shared by Indonesians living locally, as well as those who lived in other countries.

In uncertain times, prayer becomes the believer’s breath of life. Prior to the pandemic, our community held prayer meetings every Monday. These continued by Zoom. In early December, when my wife, 4-year-old son, and I tested positive for COVID, strength and healing were possible because people prayed for us. Every day they sent love and attention through texts, phone calls, Bible verses, and even funny videos to entertain us.

It brings me joy that we were able to assist Indonesians in Philadelphia and that larger organizations have blessed us with resources to do so. During difficult times when everything is changing, let’s focus on the things that have not changed, like the blessing of sharing.

Because of your generosity, the Shalom Fund has grown beyond our expectations this year. Together, we’ve raised nearly $185,000 toward our goal of $200,000, enabling Mosaic to respond to diverse needs for food and support, impacting hundreds of families through congregations and conference related ministries.

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Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in Anabaptist World on March 30, 2021 and is reprinted with permission. 

A Year-end Request

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As we end 2020, please consider a year-end gift to the Shalom Fund. Your gift will multiply blessings of mutual aid and witness to some of the most vulnerable communities in our conference and our ministries. 

Dr. Herman Sagastume, Executive Director of Healthy Niños Honduras, a conference-related Ministry (CRM), shares, “With COVID, things have been very difficult for the remote communities in Honduras. Last month, two hurricanes hit Honduras causing destruction not seen before and affecting around 2 million people.” 

“Thousands and thousands of families are sleeping on the floor in temporary shelters, becoming more vulnerable to COVID due to the lack of social distancing, masks, and personal hygiene,” explains Dr. Sagastume. “Shalom Funds will help us enormously to continue assisting the families with meals, medicines, water, mattresses, and other necessities.” 

Gifts from the Shalom Fund have already touched thousands of lives. Join our conference goal to raise $200,000 to support congregations and ministries across Mosaic Conference in this difficult time.  Your contribution, given in faith, hope and love, is multiplied in communities nearby and around the world through our shared witness together. 

To learn more about the Shalom Fund or to donate, click here.

Shalom Fund Shatters Initial Goal

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by Sue Conrad Howes, Communication Associate

 In April, Mosaic Conference leaders recognized the financial toll that COVID-19 would take on many people in the conference and beyond. The Shalom Fund was quickly organized as an effort to raise funds to share with our most vulnerable communities. 

The initial goal of the Shalom fund was $100,000. To date, the Shalom Fund has raised $151,080.07, smashing past the original goal.  Of the funds raised, $100,000 has been distributed to a wide variety of people and organizations throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, California, and Florida, as well as Honduras, Mexico, and India. Four Conference Related Ministries and 17 congregations have received funds. Some funds assisted ministry expenses while other funds were distributed to assist congregations in their outreach to persons in need.

Beny Krisbianto, pastor of Nations Worship (Philadelphia, PA), noticed needs early on in South Philly. He rallied his congregation and, by early April, their congregation was distributing grocery bags containing basic supplies to their neighbors. They distributed about 40 bags each week.

Food is collected and distributed by members of Nations Worship (Philadelphia, PA) for their neighbors during COVID-19. Shalom Fund donations enabled the congregation to expand its weekly distribution from 40 households to 100. Photo credit: Beny Krisbianto

Eventually, Mosaic Conference offered to financially supplement the work of Nations Worship. Krisbianto was easily able to find more households in need in their neighborhood and, using Shalom Funds, the grocery bag project expanded. Soon, Nations Worship was distributing 100 grocery bags one or two times per week.  

Many of the recipients were not familiar with the congregation at first, but the church saw their needs and helped.  As a result, “Some of them ended up joining our virtual worship or coming to our church services,” reported Krisbianto. “We are able to connect and build good relationships with new people in a way that we could express the love of Jesus during this time.”

When the Shalom Fund was first introduced in April, donors responded immediately. “When the reality hit of what stay-at-home orders meant, I desperately wanted to help,” shared Dawn Moore, Souderton (PA) congregation. “I have the utmost trust in Mosaic to shepherd resources carefully to areas with the greatest need.”

Jaye Lindo, church planter for Mosaic conference in Bowie, MD, was the first donor to the conference’s Shalom Fund, which has now raised over $150,000 to help those in need due to the pandemic.

Jaye Lindo, a church planter with Mosaic Conference in Bowie, MD, did not hesitate to give when she learned of the Shalom Fund. “As a leader, Mosaic Conference had blessed me with love when I needed it the most,” reported Lindo. “When the opportunity was presented to give, I had to be one of the first.”

The donation to the Shalom Fund from Lindo and her congregation, 7 Ways Home Fellowship, was an opportunity to be a part of the conference work. “It was a heartfelt blessing for us to be able to say to our entire Mosaic Community, who may not know much about our little home fellowship, that we are here, and we care.”

The needs for food, hand sanitizer, gloves, utilities, assistance with rent, and pastoral and member support continue in our communities, so the funds will continue to be used as needed most.

“I’m really grateful for the ways that the Shalom Fund has given opportunities to share across our conference,” said Steve Kriss, Executive Minister. “I’ve been overwhelmed by people’s generosity to each other and to their communities. People have gone above and beyond.”

While the success of the Shalom Fund has surpassed all expectations, Lindo offers a further challenge. “Could we do more and are the needs being met?” Lindo said when she heard that the fund had far surpassed its initial goal. “My heart does not want anyone to lack. So I say, can we make it $250,000? God is still speaking. Are we listening and obeying?”

On Becoming Mosaic After 100 Days of Quarantine

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by Stephen Kriss, Executive Minister

We recently passed the 100th day of quarantine restrictions where I live.  By tomorrow, almost all of Pennsylvania will be in the “green phase” of reopening, lifting many of our restrictions.   It is the new normal for the foreseeable future.  For those of us in southeastern Pennsylvania, this 100 day-plus quarantine has been a refining experience.

On Pentecost, about three-quarters of the way through the quarantine, our conference took on a new name: Mosaic.  Simultaneously, unrest emerged in urban areas across our country in response to the death of George Floyd. We were under curfew in Philadelphia where I live for a week.  We have taken on a new name in an interesting time.

In the midst of this, many of our congregations have been meeting primarily online in various formats.  Pastors and congregations have learned much about editing, producing, and proclaiming thorough Facebook, Zoom, and YouTube.  Our conference raised over $135,000 through a mutual aid fund that continues to support diverse actions of response. 

We’ve been creative.  We’ve been generous.  We’ve stayed still.  We’ve missed handshakes and hugs.  We’ve missed singing together.

Pastor Beny Krisbianto (Nations Worship Center), right, assisted by John Hyer (center) and Chris Bencsik (left), prepared 21 boxes of zucchini for distribution in Philadelphia through the conference Shalom Fund initiatives. Photo credit: Chris Bencsik

We’ve also been disturbed.  

The social fabric of our country has frayed further during this quarantine time.  Our political divisions have become more evident, even as we’ve remained physically distanced.  Our racial divides have surfaced with ferocity.  Social media, which has served to connect us during this time, also divides us further.  Technology helps to record incidents of violence that some of us have found hard to process.

We are re-emerging into a new time.  I hope that we will not rush back too readily to what was before.  We have the opportunity to continue to change and live into our new name which emphasizes the value of each piece, each person, each community, created in the image of God. We are living into our new name.  We are still becoming Mosaic.  We are still becoming.

Congregations and leaders continue to respond to disruptions in the economy.  Some of us are emerging with energy to get back into doing things: haircuts, going to the gym, shopping, dining out.  Others of us are entering more hesitantly.  We will each take these steps differently.  And there is grace enough for each of us.

Board member Yvonne Platts (NVNNL congregation) joined Steve Kriss on Facebook Live to discuss possibilities and responses in a time of frustration, protest, and unrest. (Click to see the video)

We are in a context where our consciousness has been raised about the value of human connection.  Embraces and greetings raise our awareness.  Our smiles sometimes are hidden behind face coverings.  There are going to be continuing challenges in front of us.  We are going to have opportunities to continue to become whom we have heard the Spirit name us to be as Mosaic communities.

We will continue in these days ahead to find ways to speak grace and truth, to extend generosity, to listen, learn, and change as we hear the experiences of Black and Brown people in our conference and communities.  God’s work is still unfolding.  

A new thing is becoming in front of and within us.  I pray we will continue to be aware of it, empowered by the Spirit to be part of God’s making us and all things new.

A Stimulus Relief Package

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Jesus Meets the Wants Beyond the Needs

by Marta Beidler Castillo, Leadership Minister (Wellspring congregation)

Before Jesus feeds the five thousand (John 6), he sees a great crowd coming toward him and he says to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”  He asked this to test Philip, John says, because Jesus already knew what he was going to do.

Right now, I feel like Philip, who answers, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”  I am wondering where the provision will come from to meet all the needs we’re seeing just in our conference, congregations, Conference Related Ministries, and connected ministries in Mexico and beyond. Maybe it’s a test for us, since God already has in mind what God is going to do.

Luke Beidler and Marta (Beidler) Castillo working together in home office. Photo by Dorothy Beidler

Going back to the story, we remember that Jesus fed them all as much as they wanted with a boy’s offering of five small barley loaves and two small fish.  I am now the small boy ready to offer what I have and stand back to watch how God will bless, multiply, and distribute all that is needed and wanted.

 

A Stimulus Relief Package and the Shalom Fund

by Luke Beidler, Methacton congregation

This week, the Times Herald pictured President Trump signing the corona virus stimulus relief package at the White House.  The article headlined, “Relief checks are a lifeline for some, a cushion for others.”

What do these checks mean for me?  For you?

As I answer this question, I feel my identity as a follower of Jesus, as a member of an Eastern District & Franconia Conference congregation. I strongly feel my commitment to the Anabaptist faith, to feeding the hungry, and to healing the sick. This is exactly the time for us to show our colors, to put ourselves on the front lines together with first responders, doctors, and nurses.  To show ourselves willing to sacrifice that others may live! Can we join all people of faith and the secular community, seeking the welfare of the towns and cities of all the nations? Praying and supporting a fair, just distribution of required resources!

So what does it mean for me and my family?  Can I, as a landlord (I hate that term), be part of the vision to forgive late and unpaid rents, especially for those affected by the virus or loss of job?  Can my wife and I add stimulus to stimulus by matching Everence funds in our local congregation to cover some of the losses of our members and next-door neighbors?   Freely received, freely give!  How about carrying with you envelopes with a hundred dollars to give a stranger who reveals a real need?!

And can we move from our local congregations and counties to pick up the unequal burdens that our urban congregations and their populations face? Pandemics demand an out-in-the-world dynamic. Now is not the time for a scarcity mentality but a joyous generosity to give people hope one day at a time. This is the vision of the Shalom Fund that Eastern District & Franconia Conference has announced for our consideration. In a pandemic, the disadvantages of the homeless, immigrants, and lower income families grow. I would like to see each of us, with passion, pass on and multiply our stimulus checks.  I would like to see each of our conference congregations each give $10,000 for a stimulus relief offering for the healing of the nations.

May the open hand rather than the closed fist be our learning and joy!

Marta Beidler Castillo and Luke Beidler are daughter and father.  If you would like to learn more about the conference Shalom Fund or donate to the fund, please click here.