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Souderton

Strengthening Meaningful Connections with Conference-Related Ministries

October 3, 2024 by Cindy Angela

by J. Eric Bishop, Souderton Mennonite Church 

To live more fully into the congregation’s mission statement, “Strengthening Meaningful Connections with Christ, Church, and Community,” Souderton (PA) Mennonite invited a Mosaic Conference-Related Ministry (CRM) to present each week during their Summer 2024 Sunday School elective series, Gifted to Serve.    

Sarah Bergren and Maggie Herrity from the Care and Share MCC Thrift Shoppes.  

The CRM representatives presented a brief history of their organization and its purposes and goals. In an interview style format, they shared how their ministry nurtures discipleship, helps people grow in their gifts, and encourages service.  Many stories were included to illustrate an organization’s effectiveness. A congregation member connected to the organization served as host and interviewer. Some CRM representatives used media presentations and display tables. Each session began with a short teaching on spiritual gifts, led by a congregation member, which was the unifying theme among the nine Sundays.   

This elective series was designed by the Spiritual Formation Team, and the stated goals were that attendees would: learn about the work of Mosaic CRMs; think about how they are using their own time, energy, resources, and spiritual gifts, and if they are called to use them in different ways; and identify and celebrate the variety of gifts and ways people serve in order to glorify God.     

Tim Weaver Interviewing Marlene Derstine from the MCC Material Resources Center.  

The primary challenge, the Spiritual Formation Team discovered, was drawing people to hear about organizations about which they believed they were already sufficiently familiar. Congregants involved with the CRM being represented (e.g., those who serve at the MCC Thrift Shoppe Care and Share), eagerly attended those sessions. But the turnout for the session about Quakertown Christian School was low, as no Souderton families have students attending there, and the adults who did attend no longer have children in the K-12 age range.    

However, the elective averaged 45 people each Sunday, and those who attended learned much and appreciated the candid leadership of those who shared. One Souderton Mennonite participant said, “I really enjoyed the summer elective. It was enlightening to hear about the good Kingdom-work being done through our CRMs. I didn’t realize there were so many, and it was encouraging to see how the message of Jesus is being proclaimed and lived out through Mosaic Conference by these ministries.”     

Representatives from the following CRMs participated in the elective series:  

  • Dock Mennonite Academy  
  • Mennonite Economic Development Association   
  • Peaceful Living  
  • Quakertown Christian School  
  • Living Branches  
  • Care and Share  
  • Spruce Lake Retreat  
  • Mennonite Central Committee Material Resource Center  
Pastor Ken Burkholder interviewing Ed Brubaker from Living Branches. 

J. Eric Bishop

J. Eric Bishop, PhD, taught both English and German at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School (now Dock Mennonite Academy) for 37 years. He currently serves two days a week as Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Quakertown Christian School. He also produces legacy books about local businesses. Eric is married to Linda Hostetler. Eric and Linda are active members of Souderton Mennonite Church.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Care and Share Thrift Shoppes, Dock Mennonite Academy, Living Branches, MCC Material Resource Center, MEDA, Peaceful Living, Quakertown Christian School, Souderton, Spruce Lake Retreat

Joint Youth Group Service Project Honors God and Creation

August 15, 2024 by Cindy Angela

By Abby Nyce, Souderton (PA) congregation

For years as part of its community service and creation care, Zion Mennonite (Souderton, PA) has annually cleaned litter out of West Street Park in Souderton. Since the park is a block from Souderton Mennonite, and Zion wanted to cooperate with other churches in some of its initiatives, for the last two years, Zion and Souderton have worked together to pick up litter in the park on a Saturday morning in May. 

Participants from Zion and Souderton who participated in the Chestnut Park Street cleanup, with the trash that they gathered. Photo by Ned Leight. 

As someone who enjoys community service, I found that picking up trash with the youth group of another Mosaic congregation, Zion, benefited both the park and the participants. Serving the community, even in something as small as picking up trash, allows for God to influence that community by motivating us, His children, to act rightly. We are called to serve through Him and care for others as He has cared for us, reflecting that care to the public.  

I committed to more than 30 hours of community service during my junior year of high school, and I have gone on multiple mission trips with the Souderton youth group. Community service is a way for me to serve the Lord in ways that have great impact over time, and to represent the Lord in the community.  

Removing trash from a park is an act that seems small, but it preserves the creation that our good God created for His people. By doing so, we worship Him and respect the planet we call our home.  

Photo by Jess McQuade
Photo by Jess McQuade
Photo by Jess McQuade

Abby Nyce

Abby Nyce is entering her senior year at Souderton Area High School. She’s involved in the high school’s Interact Club and National Honor Society, both involving community service. 

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: formation, Souderton, youth formation, Zion

Mosaic Conference Children’s Author Finds Niche

January 4, 2023 by Conference Office

by Lucy Brubaker 

BOOK REVIEW

The Abissi family (from L-R: Mark, Maria, Gia and Frank). Many of Maria’s books are based on her family.
Photo from MariaAbissi.com

Maria T. Abissi began writing stories when her children were born and is now the author of over twenty books for children ages 8-12. Her characters, settings, and themes come from her family, friends, and real-life experiences. A unique aspect of many of her books is telling the story through the lens of a person with a disability. This creates understanding and empathy for her characters.  

Abissi, an active member of Souderton (PA) Mennonite Church, has a heart for sharing God’s love with young people. By weaving together stories of children with disabilities with an understanding of who God is, her writings demonstrate how God cares for all of us. Characters’ attitudes change when they learn to know someone else’s story. The stories teach us to have empathy for others. 

The Cousins series is a set of five books about interactions between cousins who solve problems together and learn to care for each other. Gabriella is one of the characters.  She has a genetic condition called 22q deletion syndrome. (Abissi’s daughter, Gia, also has 22q.) The reader experiences the struggle, chaos, and cousin drama from Gabriella’s perspective. Through it all, Gabriella learns that God is with her through difficult times. 

Samson, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, is the main character in the four-book series, Seasons with Samson. Samson’s adventures in each book take him through beautiful seasonal landscapes. Abissi creatively weaves text and photos collected from her friends and family into a story told from Samson’s point of view. Each book concludes with an inspiring verse. 

Book Cover from MariaAbissi.com

Abissi’s years as a teacher come through in Are You Afraid of Thunder? She starts with the misunderstandings about what causes thunder and then gives the scientific explanation along with helpful illustrations. Her encouragement to the reader is to be curious, listen, and observe.  

In the two-book series Cosmo’s Moon, Abissi incorporates information about the night sky into the story of Cosmo, a middle school student who loves studying the moon, but is challenged by a class bully.  

Abissi’s classroom experience is also evident in the book Going for Green. Mrs. O’Teri helps her students change from avoiding their classmate with a disability to understanding why he interrupts and doesn’t follow the class rules. She explains that not all disabilities are visible. She encourages them to find Michael doing something right and provides a list of “tricks” to help them all be ready to learn. 

During the pandemic, Abissi wrote a daily devotional called Who is God? It gave comfort to her daughter at a time when she and many others were feeling anxious and overwhelmed. This 31-day collection of scripture, photos, thoughts, and prayers reminds us of God’s loving presence and sweet comfort. 

We all know that life can be complicated, and in Abissi’s book, Not Just a Vase, we are reminded that many layers and details of a story are often hidden from view. In a time when we are very quick to make judgments, this story is a good reminder to all of us to be still, to listen, and to love others. 

Abissi’s books are easy reads for preteens. They can also be read aloud to younger children, and they provide opportunities for real life discussions. The books make an excellent addition to church libraries. Abissi’s books are available at her shop on Amazon.


Lucy Brubaker

Lucy Brubaker lives in Telford, PA, with her husband Ed and attends Souderton (PA) Mennonite Church. They have a daughter and son-in-law in Portland, OR. She enjoys gardening, biking, traveling, and writing. 

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Lucy Brubaker, Maria Abissi, Souderton, Souderton Mennonite Church

What One Question Can Lead To

July 7, 2022 by Conference Office

by Lisa Stenger

At the 2018 Fall Assembly, Scott Roth, Mosaic Conference Leadership Minister, asked, “What would it look like to become part of a Rooted Networking Church?” Roth encouraged us to think of the opportunities and possibilities if we connected and shared resources with other churches within our Conference.

You don’t have to ask me twice. The branches of networking began to take form in my head before I returned home from that Assembly. There is value in communing as believers in Christ, encouraging one another, and praying together for our volunteer work and workplace.

Roth’s words stuck in my head while I processed, “The key to connecting starts with conversations and creating relationships.” I thought about each place I served: church member, Conference delegate, church librarian, Elder, women’s ministry, youth sponsor, and Office Administrator. I asked myself, “How could I connect with people in these areas to “Be” and “Seek” support, so that we can grow and prosper in God’s purpose together?”

Soon after, I scheduled a time with an Elder from another Conference church for some coffee. Our relationship continues today, four years later, even though we both are no longer serving in the ministry of Elder. We continue to support one another in new areas that God has orchestrated in our lives.

I also was inspired to connect with other Office Administrators and Secretaries from some Mosaic churches located near me. Since February 2019, the Office Administrators and Secretaries from five Mosaic churches (Blooming Glen, Deep Run East, Deep Run West, Line Lexington, and Souderton) have been gathering twice a year. We eat and pray together. We also share about our professional life, share resources, and encourage and support one another. We each take turns hosting and during the pandemic we met through Zoom. It is a delightful building of relationships and valuable resource to encounter. We continue to share and inquire throughout the year even when we are not meeting.

Office Administrators and Secretaries from 5 Mosaic Churches recently gathered. Back row (L-R) Phil Detweiler (Souderton), Gretchen Cook (Blooming Glen), Robyn Hamm (Souderton); Front row (L-R) Lisa Stenger (Deep Run East), Michelle Ahn-Doettger (Blooming Glen), Heidi Murphy (Deep Run West). Not pictured, Carla Ferrier (Line Lexington). Photo provided by Lisa Stenger.

A local community need came to the Deep Run East staff and we were discerning how to respond. It prompted me with a new opportunity to reach out beyond the Conference. I wrote to a number of churches in a group email, introduced myself as the Office Administrator, and shared concern for this community need. I was able to ask for them to share their experiences and suggestions.

From my original email, this resource network has grown to include 56 contacts such as non-profits, law enforcement, and many community churches of different denominations. We share rental forms, internal office resources, names and how we assist, and so much more. Recently several different denominational churches came together to help a family in need due to this networking group. This is what I find to be a global job for Jesus, “To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:12, NIV)

There are many other wonderful relationships that have blossomed through one person’s words of encouragement. Let’s disciple through our own experiences that inspire questions and conversations to connect the greater church for God’s purpose. Become a Rooted Networking member of God’s church.


For eleven years, Lisa Stenger has been the Office Administrator for Deep Run East Mennonite Church (Perkasie, PA). In addition to her primary job, she serves on the Mosaic Nomination Committee. She is a member of neighboring Deep Run West Mennonite Church. She and her husband, Howard, live in Bedminster, PA. They have two adult sons, a daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Deep Run East, Deep Run West, Line Lexington, Lisa Stenger, Souderton

Congregational Profile: Souderton Mennonite Church

January 21, 2020 by Conference Office

By Jenifer Eriksen Morales, Pastor of Mission and Formation

When the disciple Andrew, and a friend asked Jesus, “Where are you staying?” Jesus answered, “Come and see.”  Likewise, when asked about Souderton Mennonite Church, we answer, come and see who we are so we can show you why we exist… “To strengthen meaningful connections with Christ, Church and Community.”     

This recently-adopted vision (SMC/CCC for short) shapes our efforts to move beyond our traditional Mennonite roots to embrace a calling to impact our community in tangible ways. Come and see the many ways the community at SMC loves Jesus and cares for each other. 

Come as you are to receive a warm welcome into our blended worship service. Intergenerational worship teams bring music of many genres from a-capella hymns to upbeat praise music that connect hearts to Jesus, and our pastors seek to bring Scripture to life with engaging, relevant messages. Our active prayer team is ready to pray with you after the service.

Some SMC children pose in front of a tile mural in the Children’s wing, which has recently become a share space with community organizations on week days. (Photo by Mike Landis)

The learning and care continue during Sunday school hour in classes for all ages. Children enjoy a vibrant setting where they sing, laugh, learn, play, create, and sometimes dance with dedicated leaders. Jr. and Sr. High youth meet on Sunday mornings, but their activities continue all week as they study, pray, play games, do sports, form bands and volunteer together and with energetic leaders. Attend one of our adult Sunday school classes with members ranging in age from post high to senior citizens.

During the week, our building comes to life daily with congregational and community activity; 43 distinct activities were held here one recent week!  Keystone Opportunity Center, the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit and Bridge of Hope Buxmont are the three main groups using our facilities, but we also provide space for other life-giving such as Grief Share, Divorce Care and N.A., educational groups and social activities. 

Couples strengthen meaningful connections at a marriage ministry event. (Photo by Jessica Gillespie)

Our Wednesday evening Community Meals are followed by kids’ club and youth group, as well as Bible studies, choir practice, support groups, or simply more fellowship time.

If you enjoy food, fellowship, and faith (who doesn’t?) you might try our growing home-based Table Churches.  Get to know a smaller group of individuals in a casual setting as you seek to go deeper in your spiritual walk.  Other small groups meet in restaurants and homes and care facilities for Bible study, prayer and care. 

SMC adults, youth and children connected with Jesus and each other as they practiced and performed, “Left Out,” a musical written by Timothy Bentch. (Photo by Jessica Gillespie)

Come and join us in mission and ministry.  Get to know the missionaries we sponsor and the work God is doing where they are. Be a part of a short-term mission team or pick up a hammer and join our Helping Hands Ministry team repairing homes locally for those who are not able to do the repairs themselves. Come be a part of our community outreach events such as the Concert Series, annual Easter Celebration, Vacation Bible School, and summer dance and drama camps for children. In June, come worship with us and others at the interdenominational Sunday Service in the Souderton Park. You may want to check out our Vocation As Mission (VAM) summer internship program where young adults connect, work and learn together.

We ask you to pray for the Spirit’s leading as we grow deeper in relationship with Christ, Church and Community.  We pray for the ability to be truly present with Christ, each other, and those around us as we work to build God’s kingdom here on Earth as it is in Heaven. But most of all, we ask you to pray with us that God’s spirit will shine through us and people will come and see and know Jesus.

 

Filed Under: Congregational Profiles Tagged With: Souderton, Souderton Mennonite Church

Make It Rain!

March 8, 2016 by

Make It Rain grew out of Souderton Mennonite Church‘s young adult ministry. Julie & Austin Landes, youth group advisors, found one of the best ways to engage young adults was to build community while serving the needs of people locally and globally. Individuals from Souderton Mennonite Church and numerous others have participated in Make It Rain service projects.

With the help of Franconia Mennonite Conference’s Missional Operations Grant, Make It Rain was able to successfully accomplish thier fourth and largest trip to Haiti with 25 volunteers spending two weeks in-country. This trip was a Make It Rain-initiated collaboration with Water For Life and CitiHope International with big plans to impact a school and multiple communities. The “rain made” was a downpour!

  • Medicine was needed for mobile medical clinics spear-headed by Water For Life was spear-heading. Make It Rain initiated a partnership between Water For Life and CitiHope International, a non-profit dedicated to medical distribution. CitiHope was able to procure and fly in over $3 million dollars’ worth of medicines and volunteers on this trip, including a pharmacist, were able to assist in the preparation and ground work of one of these mobile medical clinics in Roche-a-Bateau.

 

  • The team returned to Water For Life’s “Help From Above School” in Passe Bois  d’Orme where they had built classroom desks last year. This year they built several DSC_3952large cabinets from scratch to add to the classrooms. They also were able to unload the large playground set, donated by Ridgeline Community Church in Souderton, they had packed and shipped in the month leading up to the trip. It was an incredible sight to see the little ones move, explore, and get their energy out as they played on a jungle gym even kids in America would love the opportunity to go crazy on!

 

  • Over 400 toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes were handed out to the children during a dental hygiene education class also at “Help From Above School” in Passe Bois d’Orme.

 

  • A majority of the health problems in Haiti are caused by the lack of clean water and malnutrition. Less than half of the Haitian population has access to clean water,

    Solar panel installation for the well pump.
    Solar panel installation for the well pump.

    according to a 2004 study by the Pan American Health Organization. After months of stateside preparation, Make It Rain’s skilled volunteers were able to put their trades to use installing a solar well pump in the woods in Cotes-de-Fer. This particular well was strategically placed at a higher elevation to not only provide clean drinking water, but also irrigation for the local farmers; combatting two of the most prominent issues inhibiting good health. In addition to the local community, approximately 30 farmers will greatly benefit from this water source.

 

  • The Make It Rain skilled volunteers were also put to work at Water For Life’s campus in Les Cayes on various projects such as local road grading, security lighting, carpentry, siding, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, even a hand welded railing for the guest house staircase. This was a huge blessing for Water For Life’s staff as they are constantly meeting the needs of others and putting their own needs second.

 

“We were honored to have Franconia Mennonite Conference’s support this year for our recent community projects in Haiti. Make It Rain was able to once again bless many individuals in various Haitian communities by matching people’s gifting with the great needs in-country.”    – Austin Landes, Founder/President

“The most impactful moment of the trip for me was flipping the switch to the freshly installed solar well pump. It was a beautiful site as 30 Haitians gathered around to see it instantly start pumping out 12 gallons of water a minute to revolutionize the way the community lived, all thanks to free energy from the sun!” – Eric Sirianni, Project Manager

“Over nine churches were represented in our group – it was such a blessing to work alongside a broad community of believers.” – Julie Landes, Co-Founder

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Haiti, missional, MOG, Souderton

Delegates commit to waiting, hoping, discerning at Assembly

November 20, 2014 by Emily Ralph Servant

Bob & Bonnie Stevenson
Charlie Ness (Perkiomenville) and Bonnie Stevenson pray for Bob Stevenson before he brings the message during Friday night worship. Photo by Emily Ralph

by Emily Ralph, associate director of communication

“Waiting on God is expectant and hopeful,” declared Marta Castillo, Franconia Conference’s outgoing assistant moderator, at the opening of the United Franconia and Eastern District Conferences’ 2014 Assembly.  The theme of this year’s gathering, held November 14-15 at Penn View Christian School in Souderton, Pa., was “Esperando: Waiting & Hoping.”

“We’re not waiting for something, we’re waiting for somebody,” added Bob Stevenson during Friday evening worship.  “Waiting is not just a passive sitting back.  And so the word I have is that we wait ‘until’ [we receive the power of the Spirit] and then we get up and go!”

Stevenson and his wife Bonnie were called and commissioned as missionaries to Mexico at a Franconia Conference Assembly 26 years before.  They were celebrated Friday night as they reached a milestone in their ministry: the transition from raising missionary support from the States to full funding through their congregation.  “I thank the Lord for allowing us to be a part of this conference,” Bonnie responded after she and Bob were presented with a Spanish fraktur created by Salford congregation member Roma Ruth.  “There are many times on Friday morning when we have our prayer together … that we pray for each one of your congregations by name.”

praying for Danilo Sanchez
Conference leaders pray for Danilo Sanchez, Whitehall, one of this year’s newly credentialed leaders. Photo by Bam Tribuwono.

The theme of leaders raised up and called from within the Conference continued on Saturday during the joint delegate session, when the gathering recognized a number of newly credentialed leaders who were licensed out of Franconia congregations.  “Where do our pastors come from?” asked Steve Kriss, Franconia Conference director of leadership cultivation.  “They come because you invite them.”

This year also saw the credentialing of leaders from other conferences and denominational backgrounds, adding to Franconia’s increasing diversity.  “Diversity is a catalyst for growth,” reflected Jessica Hedrick, Souderton congregation, during table feedback.  Her table encouraged conference delegates to prioritize prayer and, as corporate discernment continued, to recognize “the opportunity to learn from each other instead of necessarily trying to get everyone to agree.”

KrisAnne Swartley praying
KrisAnne Swartley, Doylestown, joins in prayer for the other congregations at her table. Photo by Bam Tribuwono.

The theme of listening well and together wove through many of the stories and hopes shared throughout the weekend.  Danilo Sanchez, Whitehall congregation, named three areas that it seemed the majority of delegates were wrestling with: “Listening to the Spirit, how to sit with our differences, and how to love like Christ.”

The Franconia Conference Board asked delegates to consider what kind of conversations needed to be planned leading up to the Mennonite Church USA convention in Kansas City next summer, knowing the likelihood that Convention will include decisions about denominational structure and human sexuality.  Many delegates agreed that the questions of structure and sexuality only skimmed the surface; perhaps there were other questions that should be asked instead.

delegates conferring
Delegates discussed difficult issues around tables with grace and laughter. Photo by Bam Tribuwono.

Josh Meyer, Franconia congregation, wondered how the upcoming dialogue could form those participating into the image of Christ.  “How we have this conversation is just as important as any decisions that we make,” he said.  “It doesn’t matter what we decide in Kansas City; if we don’t treat each other as sisters and brothers in Christ, then we’ve missed the point.”

Throughout the weekend, conference leadership encouraged delegates to actively wait on the Spirit, to take time for stillness and listening, and to collaborate in acts of justice and mercy.  “We must not become paralyzed by the issues of the day,” encouraged Eastern District moderator Brenda Oelschlager, “but move forward in love … as God leads us along new paths.”

Several new paths highlighted included a new Lehigh Valley collaboration in hiring Sanchez as youth minister, welcoming two new Philadelphia congregations (Centro de Alabanza and Indonesian Light Church) into an exploration of membership in Franconia Conference, and the move of the Mennonite Conference Center to the campus of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School in Lansdale (Pa.).

Aldo Siahaan introduces new congregations
LEADership Minister Aldo Siahaan introduces two new congregations exploring membership in Franconia Conference: Centro de Alabanza and Indonesian Light Church. Photo by Bam Tribuwono.

Although 2014 saw the beginnings of new ministries and the licensing of many new pastors, it also brought the deaths of three influential church leaders: Paul Lederach, John Drescher, and Israel Bolaños.  In reflecting on their legacies, Kriss encouraged delegates to remember them by carrying on their work of teaching, writing, and mission.

“The gospel isn’t good news until someone takes it and goes with it,” Bob Stevenson agreed.  The power which sends the church is not political or force, but “a power that is a ‘preach the gospel to the poor’ power, it’s a ‘healing the broken heart’ power….  What will change this world is us, God’s people.”

Filed Under: Articles, Conference Assembly, News Tagged With: Bob Stevenson, Bonnie Stevenson, Brenda Oelschlager, Centro de Alabanza, Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, Conference Assembly, Conference News, Danilo Sanchez, Eastern District, Franconia, Franconia Conference, Indonesian Light, Israel Bolaños, John Drescher, Josh Meyer, justice, Kansas City 2015, Mennonite Church USA, Paul Lederach, Salford, Souderton, Steve Kriss, Whitehall

Christian educators gather for resourcing event

September 5, 2014 by Conference Office

by Lora Steiner, managing editor

One participant makes a creation scene out of homemade scented play dough.
One participant makes a creation scene out of homemade scented play dough.

About 50 Sunday school teachers from Franconia and Eastern District conference churches gathered on August 12 in preparation for the new school year.

Teachers met with other teachers of the same age levels and were led through a sample lesson in the new Shine curriculum, which is co-published by Brethren Press and MennoMedia.

Among the group was one person teaching for the first time, and two people who had taught for over 50 years.

The resourcing event was organized by the Franconia and Eastern District Conferences School for Leadership Formation. Perkiomenville (Pa.) congregation hosted the event and arranged logistics. Feedback from the day was very positive, and Christian educators in both conferences are looking forward to meeting again.

Jessica Hedrick, director of children’s ministry at Souderton (Pa.) congregation, offered a prayer at the event. It is printed here with permission, for all children as they begin a new year.

God, you took the children on your knee and blessed them when everyone else pushed them aside; help us to be fully present with the children in our homes, our churches, and our communities.

As we walk with the children on this journey of faith we know that you will give us everything we need.

Help us to see them with your eyes, so that we are not blind to their strengths or oblivious to their gifts.

Help us to love them with your heart, so that they may trust you more deeply and know you more fully.

Help us to listen to them with your ears, so that we may understand the significance of their thoughts and the value of their voices.

We are weak and imperfect, and we realize sometimes we may feel like we have failed.

Help us remember that you are a God who brings glory from the mess.

Help us to embrace the mess of our ministry.

When we do not have the answers, may the children be inspired by our faith.

When we make mistakes, may they see God’s grace at work in our lives.

When we feel too lost to lead, may they see our trust in your leading.

As we go into the rest or our evening, and then return home to our ministries, fill us with your Holy Spirit and renew our passion for your kingdom.

Surround us with your peace, love, and light so that we may shine brightly igniting the fire of your love in the hearts of the children.

May they see you in us and may we see you in them. 

Filed Under: Articles, News Tagged With: Conference News, formational, Jessica Hedrick, Lora Steiner, Perkiomenville, School for Leadership Formation, Souderton, Sunday School

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