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Souderton Mennonite Church

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

Jesus Love and Sourdough

June 9, 2020 by Conference Office

by Dawn Moore, Souderton congregation

Dawn Moore, Souderton (PA) Mennonite Church board chair, with a loaf of imperfect, but tasty, sourdough bread and a blob of bubbly starter.
Photo provided by Dawn Moore

There’s been a shortage of yeast across the USA during this pandemic. Like some people hoarded toilet paper, bakers bought up this key ingredient. Without yeast on hand, I called my friend, Tyler Kratz, to ask for a bit of his sourdough starter.  Tyler gladly handed over the blob, but was quite cryptic about what I should do.  “Feed it” in a few hours, he said, and then asked if I owned a kitchen scale. Huh?

The naturally-occuring yeast in sourdough starter eats ordinary flour like nobody’s business, yielding exponential growth that demands immediate baking.  It’s as ravenous as it is limitless.  Tyler gave me that first blob eight weeks ago. I have yet to master the art of sourdough baking, but have done well enough.  I’ve also given away bits of starter, with the same cryptic questions: Do you have a kitchen scale? Do you understand how to feed this blob?

Life as a whole felt quite cryptic when Montgomery County, PA abruptly went under stay-at-home orders on March 13. We at Souderton Mennonite Church had no idea what was ahead. Two things seemed certain: the crisis was just beginning and needs in our community could grow exponentially. Our response must be effective and sustainable for the long haul. We needed to learn how to “feed” our community of needs with little preparation or expertise.

A brainstorming group was formed under the direction of Pastor Jenifer Eriksen-Morales. Any idea for extending “Jesus Love” was fair game.  Immediately, some purchased and delivered food to families in need. We also donated funds and assisted in packing food for families with our friends at Emmanuel Lutheran and Zion Mennonite.  Meanwhile a thoughtful church member organized online tutoring to help frazzled parents who were now educating children at home. 

A “Little Free Pantry” was born under our carport, allowing neighbors to anonymously “give what you can and take what you need.” This place of Jesus Love is used daily, often hourly, as neighbors tangibly care for one another.  One recipient recently shared, “I prayed on my way here that I would find baby supplies. I’m so glad they are stocked as I didn’t know what I would do. Thank you!”  

The Little Free Pantry is a self-sustaining initiative located under the carport at Souderton (PA) Mennonite Church. Photo credit: Dawn Moore

As I learned how to care for and share my sourdough starter, our congregation also shared their ingredients of love, compassion, desire, and care with our broader community. We have been amazed at the way our starters have multiplied, creating more than we ever imagined. 

We also saw a need in caring for frontline workers, such as the ER doctor who has lived in a hotel to protect his family from COVID-19,  the hospice nurse who lovingly accompanies patients in their final holy moments without beloved family members, or the high school student who delivers food trays to residents in a local care facility, offering a kind word to these isolated seniors. How might we show appreciation for their sacrifices? The idea we settled on, Pay-it-Forward Frontline, has the added advantage of supporting our local economy. 

A loaf of finished sourdough bread from the novice baker. Photo credit: Dawn moore

Pay-It-Forward Frontline invites you to donate funds in any amount to local restaurants to be used as “thank you meals” for frontline workers. SMC has seeded four Souderton/Telford area establishments, with the hope that others will join locally and in other communities. 

I’ve learned to keep my sourdough in the fridge for longer stretches, bringing it to life only when time allows.  What would happen if we allowed the sourdough of Jesus Love to grow unhindered, sharing it lavishly, and growing it exponentially in our communities and beyond?

Click here to read more about the Pay it Forward frontline campaign.

Filed Under: Articles, Blog Tagged With: Dawn Moore, missional, Souderton Mennonite Church

A Hunger for God’s Word

February 25, 2020 by Conference Office

by Dimas Pezzato, Pastor of High School Youth & Young Adults, Souderton congregation

My journey into ministry can best be described as a stumbling journey of discovery.

I can’t point to one distinct moment that I can describe as my “calling.” I didn’t have a vision. I didn’t hear a voice. In fact, the further along I went, the more unexpected curves my call took. My reaction to these obstacles surprised me. Instead of weakening my desire to pursue ministry, I found myself reinvigorated, excited about facing the challenges and figuring out ways to overcome these hurdles. 

It was through this process, along with external validation from the church body, that I arrived at the conclusion that God has called me to help people discover Jesus. I am called to help people discover Jesus in Scripture, to help them fall in love with the process, and be transformed as they follow Him. So my story is the story of this “process.”

I was born and spent several years as a child living in southern California. Often I would gather my neighborhood friends together to read passages of the Bible. I enjoyed the Bible and naturally wanted to share. These were not kids that went to church. When I was ten years old, I even led one of them in the sinner’s prayer in my backyard one day after playing basketball.  

This same passion filled me during my teenage years, although it was more hidden. It was during my college years that opportunities for student leadership really ignited in me a desire to formally study the Bible. After completing my bachelor’s degree in Philadelphia, I decided to enroll in seminary in Boston to study biblical languages. My only goal was to satisfy my hunger to get as close as I could to the scriptures. 

We might not be aware of God’s guidance, but He does guide us regardless, especially if our heart’s desire is to be obedient and we are willing to be led. It was during my pursuit of this God-placed desire that opportunities for ministry arose. As I walked through doors that were opening (opportunities as a Youth Pastor in Boston and then as an Assistant Pastor for a few years in Brazil), I saw how God had been preparing me for each step. 

Now I continue that journey of pursuing my desire to know Jesus through His Word and sharing it with others in obedience to His call at Souderton Mennonite Church. It is so exciting (and at times terrifying) to follow Him. Nothing is impossible when He is around. That’s what makes things SO interesting!

Filed Under: Call to Ministry Stories Tagged With: Call to Ministry Story, Dimas Pezzato, Souderton Mennonite Church

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

Together Once More

November 13, 2019 by Conference Office

by Sue Conrad Howes, Eastern District Conference (West Swamp congregation), with Emily Ralph Servant, Franconia Conference (Director of Communication)

It was a potentially historic day for two Mennonite conferences that split over 170 years ago. 

Photo by Cindy Angela

On November 2, 2019, delegates from Franconia Mennonite Conference and Eastern District Conference met together at Souderton (PA) Mennonite Church to determine if reconciliation, which seemed unattainable in 1847, would now be possible.

It was hard to imagine that these two groups had been divided at all, as animated conversations and joyful reunions happened throughout the crowded fellowship hall as the delegates arrived. There was even an audible groan when it was announced that the Eastern District Conference delegates needed to move to another gathering room for their morning delegate session.  And so, for the morning, the two groups met separately, with the possibility of reconciliation on the afternoon horizon.

During Eastern District’s morning delegate session, leaders facilitated a discussion over the future and publicly recognized that the vote toward reconciliation was just the beginning of a new journey.  They thanked everyone who had helped to bring them to this point and then led in a time of sharing stories about where delegates were seeing God working in their congregations and ministries. 

Photo by Cindy Angela

Franconia’s morning delegate session included affirming Rose Bender Cook (Whitehall congregation) for a third term and KrisAnne Swartley (Doylestown congregation) for a second term on the Credentials Committee. Chris Nickels (Spring Mount congregation) was affirmed for a third term and Janet Panning (Plains congregation) for a first term on the Ministerial Committee.  Swartley and Panning will serve as committee chairs.  John Goshow (Blooming Glen congregation) and Beny Krisbianto (Nations Worship Center) were thanked for their nine years of service on the Conference Board.

Franconia also welcomed four new Conference Related Ministries: Peace Proclamation Ministries International (out of Plains congregation), Healthy Niños Honduras (birthed out of MAMA Project), Ripple Community Inc (out of Ripple congregation), and Taproot Gap Year (out of Philadelphia Praise Center).  The delegates welcomed a new congregation, Iglesia Menonita Ebenezer (Souderton, PA) and released West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship to transfer to Allegheny Conference.

Photo by Cindy Angela

After a meaningful joint worship in the morning, when credentialed leaders of both conferences who had passed away during the past year were remembered and newly credentialed leaders were introduced, anointed, and then commissioned to anoint others, the two conferences joined together for the afternoon session. Joy Sutter, moderator of Mennonite Church USA (Salford congregation), expressed gratitude to the delegates for demonstrating the path of reconciliation. “You are modeling a new and inspiring path for the future. As you move forward…, may you be blessed,” said Sutter.

The three-year process toward reconciliation, led almost exclusively by conference volunteers, was introduced by the Structure and Identity Task Force.  Sherri Brokopp Binder (Ripple congregation) & Rina Rampogu (Plains congregation) explained the process, the changes proposed, and the next steps, if the delegates voted affirmatively for reconciliation.

The task force had done its work, as few delegates posed questions or expressed any sense of hesitation with the proposal. The two conferences divided, for the last time, to discern and vote.

Photo by Cindy Angela

With the delegates reunited after the vote, John Goshow, Franconia Conference moderator, and Jim Musselman, Eastern District moderator (Zion congregation), shared the results of the historic vote: together, the conferences had voted unanimously for reconciliation.

Spontaneous applause and cheers of affirmation from the delegates erupted while leaders from both conferences shared hugs and broad smiles.  Together, the enthusiastic group sang, “Hosanna, Let Jesus be Lifted Up” and “Praise God from Whom” with gusto and gratitude.

Scott Roth (L) and Steve Kriss (R) lead the Conferences into a time of communion. Photo by Cindy Angela

Following the singing, Steve Kriss, Franconia Conference executive minister, and Scott Roth, Eastern District conference minister, spoke.  “I am rarely speechless,” Kriss admitted. “But we are about to do something that could not happen 150 years ago. We are about to sit together and take communion. For some of you, this split divided families, for some of you this split divided congregations. Today we celebrate the ministry of reconciliation that has been and will continue to be our life’s work.”

Roth reminisced about being charged with the ministry of reconciliation as a youth by adult leaders who knew that the reality of such a merger would be through the work of future generations. Roth shared his joy that the dream he had heard about as a youth was now being realized. “Remember,” Roth said; “although the paperwork is not completed, we are one in the Spirit and we are one in Jesus’ blood.”

Jessica Miller (Perkasie congregation). Photo by Cindy Angela

In the front of the fellowship hall, a pile of rocks had sat all morning, without mention. This column was reminiscent of the Old Testament practice of raising an Ebenezer, commemorating God’s help or celebrating memorable events. This rock structure was not to remain, however.  Instead, each church was instructed to take a rock home, paint it, and return with it to next year’s first assembly as a new conference. The rocks will then be formed into a fountain, representing the new conference, flowing with life.

Conference moderators, John Goshow (Franconia) and Jim Musselman (Eastern District) prepare to celebrate the reconciliation! Photo by Cindy Angela

The day’s events closed with a traditional action, which has been spoken by Franconia delegates to conclude their assemblies for more than a hundred years. On this day, however, delegates of both Franconia and Eastern District made the commitment together, as one gathered body:

“We affirm our desire to continue in and witness to the nonresistant and simple faith in Christ, looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

“Kami menegaskani keinginan untuk terus ikut dan menjadi saksi kesederhanaan iman dalam Kristus dan menjadi pembawa damai, terus mencari kepada berkat pengharapan serta memperlihatkan kemuliaan dari kebesaran Tuhan dan juru selamat kami, Yesus Kristus.”

“Afirmamos nuestro deseo de seguir testificando con la fe de no resistencia y sencilla en Cristo, mirando a la esperanza bendita y la venida gloriosa de nuestro gran Dios y nuestro Salvador Jesucristo.”

“Chúng tôi xin xác nhận nguyện-vọng của chúng tôi là tiếp tục và làm chứng cho giải pháp ôn-hòa và đức-tin chân thật trong Ðấng Christ, tiềm kiếm sự hy-vọng hạnh phước, và sự vinh quang của Ðức Chúa Trời đại quyền hiện ra và Ðấng Cứu Chuộc của chúng tôi là Ðức Chúa Giê-xu Christ.”

”我們重申我們的意願是繼續以和平及純正信仰去見證基督的生命,懷著美好的盼望,等候我們偉大的神及救主耶穌基督的榮耀顯現。”

Filed Under: Articles, Blog Tagged With: Beny Krisbianto, Chris Nickels, Conference Assembly, Eastern District, Emily Ralph Servant, Healthy Ninos Honduras, Iglesia Menonita Ebenezer, Janet Panning, Jim Musselman, John Goshow, Joy Sutter, KrisAnne Swartley, MAMA Project, Peace Proclamation Ministries International, PPMI, Reconciliation, Rina Rampogu, Ripple Community Inc, Rose Bender Cook, Scott Roth, Sherri Brokopp Binder, Souderton Mennonite Church, Steve Kriss, Sue Conrad Howes, Taproot Gap Year, West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship

God at Work on Our Vacation

September 10, 2019 by Conference Office

by Berdine Leinbach, Souderton congregation

My husband and I bumped into God frequently as we traveled to Tanzania to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.

His silky white beard was shaped like an Amishman’s. His skin was dark walnut. His eyes crinkled cautiously in greeting.  When the flight attendant was checking seatbelts, his body motions revealed limited neck mobility and vision issues, so I reached across and clicked in his seatbelt.

Later he struggled to put on a brand-new sneaker, which is really hard to do in an airplane seat. I unbuckled and dove under his window seat to loosen the laces and assist. Using my finger as a shoehorn felt oddly akin to foot washing.

Over the course of a long flight, multiple opportunities arose to serve him.  I felt like God had put me there on purpose. As we shared travel plans, I found he was retired professor from Bangladesh and a peace-loving Muslim. We shared our beliefs, respectfully and simply (I need more practice at that).

We prayed blessing on each other.  God was on our plane.

As we traveled along the rim of Ngorogoro Crater, the vehicle in front of us stopped. Our vehicle stopped. Just 20 feet away a huge elephant appeared out of the mist.  Our driver turned off the engine.

We watched, fascinated, as she looked at us, flapped her ears, and lifted her trunk in inquiry. A trumpet sounded from our left as another elephant appeared on that side of the road. The first one moved forward and, behind her, another younger elephant and a baby appeared, then another adult.

We were in awe of these amazing creatures, right there.  Soon the first elephant clambered down the road bank, crossed in front of our vehicle and climbed up the left side. The others soon followed.  Seconds later, nothing could be seen but mist and shrubs.

What a beautiful gift, a holy moment.  God was in creation.

Our tour company arranged for us to stop at Karatu Mennonite Church, a small outreach congregation started in 2010 by the Arusha (Mennonite) Diocese.  When we arrived, children greeted us.  We gave Pastor Peter Ojode a prayer shawl made by women from our home congregation. As I prayed aloud the prayer that goes with each shawl, I got all choked up. I sensed that this gift and prayer were aligning with something much bigger that God was already doing there.

Front row (left to right): Evangelist Nicodemus Malaki, Evangelist Meshack Shabani, Martina Victor (church treasurer), Tasiana Toway (church elder), Berdine and Steve Leinbach (Souderton congregation).  Back row (left to right): Pastor Peter Ojode (KMT Arusha), Sofia Mirobo (church elder KMT Arusha), Pastor Julius Churi (KMT Katesh), Pastor Emmanuel (General Secretary of KMT Arusha Diocese).

When the service began, my heart swelled with joy singing along to “Holy, Holy, Holy” and other songs. Thank goodness Swahili has phonetic spelling. 

When they had heard that we were coming, Pastor Emmanual Maro (general secretary of the entire diocese/conference of churches) and elder Sofia Mirobo traveled three hours on a bus from Arusha to come and translate for us, organize a brief meal, and welcome us. We are still processing the hospitality of this intercultural experience and wondering what God will do next.

Pastor Emmanuel emailed us after we returned home, “We thank God for a wonderful Sunday at KMT Karatu. We really appreciated the opportunity to exchange our views, and we do hope through our relationships with one another we are revealing the face of God to the world and advancing his kingdom in Jesus’ name.”

God is at work. May we all notice and join in.

Filed Under: Articles, Blog Tagged With: Berdine Leinbach, formational, intercultural, Souderton Mennonite Church

We Gather Together

November 1, 2018 by Conference Office

by Steve Kriss, Executive Minister

The process of gathering started last night with persons coming from California, Indiana and Mexico.  Partners and leaders began to stream toward Souderton Mennonite Church for our historic Assembly that begins tomorrow.  We have gathered together for generations each autumn as the community now known as Franconia Mennonite Conference.  It’s a massive incarnational effort involving lots of details and logistics—name tags, seating assignments, worship practice, PowerPoint slides in multiple languages and thankfully, Longacre’s Ice Cream and lunch from Landis Supermarket. 

These events have certainly changed over the years from intensive discernment among credentialed leaders on the difficult topics of the day, to equipping and celebration inter-culturally and inter-generationally with a sense of family gathering, face to face listening and conversation.  We’ve switched from Pennsylvania Dutch to English to quad-lingual with videos.  It’s a representation of who the 7,000 of us are in less than a 24-hour timeline. 

It’s hard work and it takes resources.  Yet, by gathering together we underscore the importance of the Incarnation, the love of God made manifest in real time and places.  We listen across our differences in culture, practice and even varied Anabaptist theological perspectives.  It’s ultimately a celebration of the holy tie that binds, of commitment centered in Christ that now span the globe and yet have been rooted deeply in the soil of what has become Southeastern Pennsylvania. 

We gather because we say it matters that we hear each other, that we hear the Spirit together:

That we celebrate and pray. 
That we mark the passing of another year of witness, mission, and ministry. 
That God continues to call and we continue to follow.
That God’s dream for us though yet unfulfilled is still unfolding.
Hasta pronto.  Sampai ketemu lagi.  Hẹn sớm gặp lại.  很快见到你

See you soon! 

Filed Under: Articles, Blog, News Tagged With: Conference Assembly, Conference News, Souderton Mennonite Church, Steve Kriss

Coming Together in New Ways

October 18, 2018 by Conference Office

Last year Methacton Mennonite Church experienced their community knocking on their door, as they collectively grieved the loss of “The Methacton Oak” thought to be over 380 years old. Pastor Sandy Drescher-Lehman recounts this experience in New Energy Brings the Community to Celebrate and Remember, as the community came together, “remembering and celebrating the tree that belonged to all of us and to our ancestors.”

The congregation enjoyed their time with their neighbors so much and the connections the tree helped them make, that this year on September 30, the congregation once again gathered with their neighbors to celebrate their shared stories and their diversity.

Bluegrass group with Methacton Mennonite’s worship team

On that beautiful fall afternoon, more joy and peace was added to the world; from morning worship with hymns, a cappella and praise music, to an afternoon of Aztec drumming and dancing and a Bluegrass Band, God was praised in as many ways as they could invite the Spirit to be present! 

Nicolas and Jonathan with the drum they made, and the sapling from the fallen Methacton Oak

Nicolas and Jonathan Morales from Souderton Mennonite Church created a drum from The Methacton Oak utilizing Aztec tools for part of the process. That drum and the boys were part of the indigenous dance group La Danza Azteca, who, with drum beats and dancing, blessed the land where a seedling from the old oak is growing .

Dave Benner from Methacton resurrected the Bluegrass group he’s sung with, including Merle and Floss Hunsberger and Sharon Hunsberger, and invited the Methacton worship team to join them for a grand finale. 

Garrett (4th from right) and Wilson (far right)

Also honored in the day was Garrett Campbell from a local Eagle Scout troop, who re-set 130 of the toppled gravestones, and Wilson Roth, who has also done significant cemetery restoration of the old graveyard.

Music also accompanied lots of food, crafts and lawn games, and John and Charlotte Herschal’s animal wood carving demonstration.

John Herschel demonstrating his animal wood carvings

It is truly a gift to be able to celebrate the many talents and gifts of our neighbors in and outside the walls of our meetinghouse. God continues to use The Methacton Oak even in its death.

To read more about the La Danza Azteca performance at Methacton’s Block Party, visit http://www2.philly.com/philly/entertainment/arts/traditional-aztec-dance-honors-the-great-fallen-charter-oak-at-methacton-mennonite-church-20181006.html.

Filed Under: Articles, News Tagged With: Charlotte Herschal, Dave Benner, Floss Hunsberger, John Herschal, Jonathan Morales, La Danza Azteca, Merle Hunsberger, Methacton Mennonite Church, Nicolas Morales, Sandy Drescher-Lehman, Sharon Hunsberger, Souderton Mennonite Church, Wilson Roth

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