Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Steve Kriss

Advent in the Worst and Best of Times

by

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.”

Charles Dickens

And it was Advent.  And it was the first snow-bringing Nor’easter of the pandemic.  Well, not in Florida or California, where it was barely cool enough for a hoodie, but in the northeast.  Nonetheless, it was still Advent in a pandemic.

We are well into the predicted second wave of heightened COVID-19 infections and deaths. We are responding in varied ways with courage, distress, and resignation.  

Many of us are well acquainted with our living rooms and Zoom.  Others of us continue to don protective gear for essential work in hospitals, stores, schools, and offices.  Some of us are anxiously awaiting the vaccination due to our work in healthcare.

Some of us have been sick. Or we’ve been quarantined.  We’ve masked up mostly.  Our continuing care facilities are on heightened alert to keep the virus at bay as much as possible from vulnerable populations.  Some of our churches haven’t met together face-to-face for months. There are risks all around us.  

We do what we can to mitigate and to serve the Lord with our whole hearts and with a clear conscience.  We trust in the One who walks with us through even this time of shadows in what is often a season of goodness and light. 

Still, there are needs all around us.  Our churches and conference-related ministries continue to meet needs. However, we are seeing needs increase while resources remain stressed.  As a result, the conference board executive team discerned these needs and our conference’s budget. Typically, there is a year-end appeal for the conference budget communicated at this time. However, the executive board decided that this atypical year needed an atypical appeal. 

The conference board executive team discerned to focus our annual year-end appeal toward the Shalom Fund.  We’re setting a goal to raise at least an additional $40,000 in the next few months to meet tangible needs in our communities and ministries toward an overall goal of $200,000 for the Shalom Fund. I am so grateful for all who have met needs in mutuality with time and resources.

If you have not donated to the Shalom Fund, we invite you to give during this time of generosity and goodwill. If you have already given, we thank you, and invite you to give again. To donate, click here.

The Shalom Fund is actively distributing your gifts at a somewhat accelerated pace.  Together, we’ve touched thousands of lives through congregations reaching their neighborhoods in Philadelphia, North Jersey, Souderton, PA, Allentown, PA, Sarasota, FL and San Gabriel, CA.   Through our conference-related ministries, our Shalom Fund has also reached globally, to India and Honduras.  

It’s easy to see this as the worst of times.  Most of us haven’t lived through a pandemic nor were prepared to do so.  

It has also been the best of times. Together, we have shared our resources and met real needs together.  Together we trusted in God who takes what we give in faith, hope, and love and multiplies it beyond our expectations. 

This holy season will be like no other in our lifetimes.  We are Mosaic Conference, our name given to us by God in the midst of pandemic and sociopolitical unrest.  And I believe that history will tell us: it was the worst of times, but it was also the best of times to bear witness as a community of Christ’s peace toward justice, healing and hope.

First Mosaic Assembly, Live on Zoom and from Orlando

by

The first annual assembly of Mosaic Mennonite Conference on November 7-8, 2020 was not what any of us had imagined last fall or even earlier this year.  Nearly 200 persons met together on Saturday by Zoom from their homes, offices, and vehicles and on location at Iglesia Menonita Luz y Vida in Orlando, Florida, for a condensed business session.

Moderator Ken Burkholder led the delegate business session on Saturday. Photo by Emily Ralph Servant.

While it was the first time for the reconciled Eastern District and Franconia conferences to meet under the banner of Mosaic, one of the most significant parts of business included the affirmation of eight new member congregations that were formerly part of Southeast Mennonite Conference.  These congregations had been working toward membership with Franconia Conference previous to the reconciliation with Eastern District.  In many ways, the Mosaic name was imagined anticipating this day of welcome to the Floridian communities.

Also in follow up to the Conference reconciliation documents from 2019, the conference board presented a vision and mission statement for conversation among delegates.  The proposed vision statement, “Embody the reconciling love of Jesus in our broken and beautiful world,” along with a mission statement highlighting the Conference’s working missional, intercultural, and formational priorities, received delegate feedback for further board processing and consideration.   

Meet representatives from each of the eight congregations in Florida that joined Mosaic Conference during Assembly 2020.

While Zoom allowed us to gather efficiently, we missed the hugs, handshakes, and time of fellowship together over Longacre’s ice cream and food that represents the cultural diversity of the Conference.  We missed singing together and stumbling over each other’s languages.  At the same time, the work of the church continued, and I believe the kingdom of God was glimpsed and extended through our two-hour session.

Sunday’s worship included multilingual music led from coast to coast, a children’s story, a “virtual choir” recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, and a time of honoring newly credentialed leaders.  General Secretary of Mennonite World Conference César Garcia offered an important message for our time, challenging our mutual care and witness to glimpse the reign of God “on earth as it is in heaven” (the assembly’s theme) both in the midst of our Conference’s diversity and the turbulence of the time and context.

Assistant moderator Angela Moyer Walter (Ripple congregation, Allentown, PA) and Leadership Minister Aldo Siahaan (Philadelphia Praise Center) hosted Sunday morning worship at Assembly 2020.

In a time when so much seems so tumultuous, the work of God continues.  Even in the imperfections and less-than idealness of online meeting, the beauty and possibility of the Spirit’s work with us came through.  Mosaic Conference is emerging in the midst of pandemic and social and political unrest.  The deep love of Christ grounds us, the Spirit empowers us, and the principalities and powers will not prevail.

Tami Good from Swamp congregation (Quakertown, PA) challenged children (and adults) to dream God’s dream for the world.

We will continue to trust the Spirit’s guidance, continue to work and hope, continue to use technology as best we can to connect us in these days of disconnection. Even in challenging times, and maybe even more so in challenging times, the message of Christ’s peace sustains us so that we can bear witness of the love of God in our broken and beautiful world.

Special thanks to all of the delegates who navigated the technology to be present on Saturday as well as guests who were present to bear witness to our time together.   I’m grateful for the hospitality of the Luz y Vida congregation in Orlando and their work to make sure the technicalities of connecting would be possible.  Also, much appreciation to the representatives of each of the Florida congregations who made their way to Orlando so we could be present together for this time. 

And to our assembly planning team who worked hard, carefully, thoroughly to make the virtual meeting and worship possible—Brooke, Cindy, Tami, Emily, Kristine, Hendy, and Scott—thanks for working, believing, navigating, and imagining so that our time together could be meaningful and fruitful.

Grace and peace to each of you from Florida to Vermont, New Jersey to California.  May we continue to live together as witnesses of Jesus, “on earth as it is in heaven.”

Conference Announces Growing Staff

by

by Sue Conrad Howes, Communication associate

As of September 1, Mosaic Conference has added two new staff members: Cindy Angela, full-time Digital Communication Associate, and Margaret Zook, part-time Director of Collaborative Ministries.

Cindy Angela

Cindy Angela will provide direction for digital and virtual resources, including vision-setting and implementation of social media strategy, leading the video and translation teams, and providing other artistic expressions including photography and graphic design.  She has a degree in communication from Temple University and is a member of Philadelphia Praise Center, where she coordinated much of its virtual worship services during the COVID-19 quarantine.

“Communication has been a growing edge in our conference for several years now. We continue to see the changes in our conference as opportunities to connect across cultures, languages, geographies, and theological worldviews,” said Emily Ralph Servant, Mosaic’s Director of Communication.  “Cindy is a huge gift to us at this crossroads.  She brings technical skills that we desperately need as well as relational and intercultural capacity, enthusiasm and creativity, and a passion for contributing all of who she is to joining God’s work in the world.  We couldn’t be more excited to add her to our team!”

Margaret Zook

Margaret Zook will lead the conference’s team of staff relating to Conference Related Ministries as Director of Collaborative Ministries. Before coming to this new role, Margaret served with three Conference Related Ministries, including a decade on the board of Penn Foundation (Sellersville, PA).  Margaret was also the Executive Director of Souderton (PA) Mennonite Homes for more than twenty years before serving Living Branches (Lansdale, PA) as the Director of Church and Community Relations.  She is an active member of Salford congregation (Harleysville, PA).

“Margaret brings deep commitments to the church and extensive leadership experience within our Conference Related Ministries community,” said Steve Kriss, Executive Minister.  “I’m grateful for her willingness to lead the work of strengthening relationships with our broad array of non-profit ministries that extends our work in Pennsylvania, Vermont, Honduras, India and Indonesia.”  

The staff of Mosaic Conference has grown to twenty-one full-time and part-time individuals since the reconciliation of Eastern District Conference and Franconia Conference in February 2020.  Conference staff provides accompaniment to congregations, credentialed leaders, and Conference Related Ministries, administrative support, and resourcing through youth formation, intercultural, and missional teams.  Staff members currently live in four states and work regularly in English, Spanish, and Indonesian languages while also producing materials in Cantonese, Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese.

Shalom Fund Shatters Initial Goal

by

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?”

Fall Conference Assembly Goes Virtual

by

by Emily Ralph Servant, Director of Communication

Members of Mosaic Conference will gather virtually for Conference Assembly this year.  Celebrating the theme “On Earth As It Is In Heaven,” assembly will be held on November 7-8, 2020, on a combination of platforms including YouTube, Facebook, and Zoom.

“Over the last months, we have learned the significance of physical distancing and spiritual solidarity,” reflected Conference executive minister Steve Kriss.  “We will still have important discernment and celebration work to do together in our first assembly as Mosaic Conference this fall. We’ll look forward to conversation about priorities for our reconciled conference as well as welcoming new congregations from Florida into membership.”

The move to an online assembly wasn’t taken lightly, but the decision became increasingly clear as the assembly planning committee worked through logistics like childcare, shared meals, and the space needed for table groups to safely converse.  In light of social distancing guidelines, the number of delegates, and the geographic breadth of conference communities, in-person gathering just didn’t seem feasible during this time, said assembly coordinator Brooke Martin.

“While we do acknowledge the loss of not being able to gather in person, we are confident that, for the time being, meeting virtually will provide the best community experience and conversation,” observed Martin.  “For the Saturday business sessions, meeting on Zoom will allow everyone to interact with their table groups and engage with the Mosaic community more fully.”

In order to adapt to the online format, Saturday’s business session will be shortened, running from 11am – 2pm Eastern/ 8am – 11pm Pacific, with a lunch/brunch break at 12noon/9am.  The Friday evening worship time will be moved to Sunday morning at 11am Eastern/ 8am Pacific so that the entire conference can participate, either in individual homes or as congregational gatherings, depending on current stay-at-home orders.

“Our Pentecost time together online was well-attended and meaningful,” said Kriss.  “I expect that our assembly worship will also be a time of inspiration and reflection while connecting us across geographies and distances in this critical time, as we look forward to seeing God’s dream for the world come true ‘on earth as it is in heaven.’”

This year’s theme will focus on the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Members of the conference community are invited to participate in the worship service by sending in a video of individuals or families saying the Lord’s Prayer in the language or translation of their choice (more information here).

Worship will also include singing, prayer, scripture reading, a children’s time, and a message by César García, the general secretary of Mennonite World Conference.

Although worshiping together online brings disadvantages, it also offers a gift, suggested Hendy Matahelemual, pastor of Indonesian Light Church and co-leader of the assembly worship planning team. “When we meet online, we bring something that is personal for us to the meeting; we bring our home with us,” he said.  “Even though we will be far apart physically, we will be close at heart.”

On Becoming Mosaic After 100 Days of Quarantine

by

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.

Considerations for Community Gathering During a Pandemic

by

Many churches are turning to the question of re-gathering in person for worship. How does re-opening, re-gathering, or refraining from gathering express our love of God?

by Steve Kriss, Executive Minister

Two months ago, I wrote an article about why we might postpone, cancel, or shift to online meetings. Now, many of us are approaching months of physical distancing and social/spiritual solidarity.  For most, the time has felt long. We have been challenged in ways we couldn’t have predicted.

Many of us are turning to the question of re-gathering in person.  Throughout this time as a Conference, we have emphasized the “Jesus Creed” of love of God and neighbor.   As we consider possibilities, I suggest several postures while keeping these questions at the center of our discernment:

  • How does our re-opening, re-gathering, or refraining from gathering express our love of God?
  • In our in-person or dispersed acts of community, how do we embody and extend our love for our neighbors?

Posture 1: Consider the vulnerable.

Paul reminds us that, as one body, we honor those who are vulnerable with a heightened sense of care.  Does our gathering together increase our risk?  Yes, inevitably it does.  But how can we release more vulnerable persons from responsibilities in ways that also honor their desire to be in community?

Ripple Community Inc, in Allentown, PA, did this well by introducing new precautions and by shifting staff members who are over the age of 60, to more behind-the-scenes roles. Younger staff remained in forward facing/interactive roles.

Considerations for persons over 65, immuno-compromised, and/or caregivers for vulnerable persons must be in our minds as we think about what it means to gather together again. Jesus promises that he’s present when just two or three of us are together.  How can we create environments that are welcoming, hospitable, and minimize the negatives of risk?

Posture 2: Consider guidance from local public health and government leaders.

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where Conference offices are located, had requested that religious communities not gather in person. I appreciated that this was a request not a mandate. We are reminded in our gathering of our witness as salt and light in our communities. While we understand the laws of the land do not establish our moral compass, we encourage communities to cooperate with local public health directives and government requests regarding in-person gathering. This means keeping up to date and aware of changing contexts and situations in our local communities.

Posture 3: Consider responsibilities over rights.

Sometimes in the United States, our go-to response is to point to the Bill of Rights.  We have the right to assemble and the privilege of religious freedom.  But as Christians, we know that freedom in Christ also comes with significant responsibility. For some of our congregations, this has meant using our meetinghouses to provide food for neighbors or opening our spaces for blood drives. We have the freedom to not be overcome by fear, but we have the responsibility to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.  We live in tension between seeking the common good and individual conscience.  We recognize that others might make different decisions in discernment of how to live our responsibilities as a witness of Christ’s healing and hope in our communities.

Posture 4: Consider new possibilities.

The pandemic has been an interruption in our regular lives and schedules.  It has indeed been stressful.  However it has also opened new possibilities. Some of us have moved to online worship.  Some of us have planted gardens.  Some of our churches report new faces in worship. There have been new opportunities for witness.  How do we not too quickly jump back to “what was” out of familiarity?  How might the Spirit be inviting us to change and respond?

We believe in a God who sustains, redeems, and brings transformation in the midst of struggle. As we consider how to creatively extend Christ’s peace, we have opportunity to bear witness of God’s love and care for one another, both nearby and around the world.

Creating Change through Love

by

by Jennifer Svetlik, Salford congregation

Steve KrissIn 2005, Steve Kriss was living in Pittsburgh, working in leadership cultivation with young people, and going to graduate school at Duquesne University. When he saw Franconia Conference’s job description for a role that involved cultivating young adult leaders, Steve said to himself, “How can I say no to this?”

Franconia’s vision and staff culture were a good fit for Steve.  After flourishing on conference staff for over a decade, in 2017, he was asked to serve as Executive Minister.  “I would never have anticipated or asked for this role, but it has allowed me to live into God’s calling,” he reflects.

In his fifteen years on staff, Steve has “come to love the people” of the conference, and that love was one of his primary motivations in accepting his current role. He describes his leadership posture as seeking to create change through love, which grows over time. “It is work that feels very personal, meaningful, and with people and communities I’ve come to care about deeply,” he says.

Steve works with the Conference’s executive leadership, leadership cultivation, and serves as a leadership minister. A typical workday for Steve has at least three meetings and additional contacts with lots of people in a variety of ways. Usually, this involves conversing in English or Spanish and texting in Spanish, Indonesian, and/or English. “I don’t know many professional roles that have the diversity of people that I encounter daily, and sometimes that is disorienting,” Steve reflects.

The most rewarding aspect of Steve’s work is watching people grow over many years. There are high school students that he worked with 15 years ago that are now leaders in the conference. “It is also significant to watch our conference’s intercultural transformation, and to have been around long enough to see us changing,” says Steve.

“I continue to be amazed by how our conference communities are comprised of so many gifted, committed, and compassionate people,” shares Steve. “I am amazed by the generosity of individuals and communities, feeling a sense of ‘us’ as the conference and wanting to dream together.”

Steve Kriss (right) visits with Isai Sanchez, Diana Salinas, and Gama Sanchez along with board members Angela Moyer and Gwen Groff, on a visit to CIEAMM in Oaxaca in 2018.

Recently Steve has been inspired by the work of reconciliation. “It feels like a privilege to get to lead the Conference in the time of the reconciliation work,” admits Steve. “When so much in the culture around us is divisive, we are attempting to bring the resources, strengths, and shared history of these conferences together. It has been shared and holy work.”

Steve grew up near Johnstown, PA in a three-generation household. His great grandparents were from Slovakia and many Eastern European immigrants lived near him as a child. In middle school his family moved to a more Mennonite area in a suburban setting and began to attend a Mennonite church.

Steve graduated from Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, VA), and served as a pastor for Mennonite congregations in Somerset County, PA and Staten Island, NY.

Steve lives in Northwest Philadelphia and is a member of Philadelphia Praise Center. Even though he is an extrovert, his work is so people-oriented that he really values time by himself, along with time with family and friends. He enjoys being outside and biking on trails. He prioritizes going to the gym to maintain both his mind and body. His love of planting things comes from his grandfather, for whom Steve is named. “I feel tangibly connected to him when I am working in my garden,” Steve shares.