“We practice here for what is already happening around the throne room: many nations, many languages, many tribes praising the living God.”
Whitehall
“Where in the world?”: a glimpse into the work of a conference minister
You’ll need a map of the east coast of the United States to trace Steve’s travels …
On the road with LEADership ministers
What comes to mind when you imagine Franconia Conference LEADership ministers and the work they do?
Conferences end Peace and Justice Minister role
by Stephen Kriss, Franconia director of communication After a two-and-a-half-year experiment with a new model for peace and justice ministry in Eastern District and Franconia Conferences, conference leaders ended the […]
Delegates commit to waiting, hoping, discerning at Assembly
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 […]
Even when we doubt, God fulfills promises
by Danilo Sanchez, Whitehall In my experience, waiting and doubting have a direct correlation. As the length of time that we have to wait increases, so does our doubt. Over […]
New IVEP participants join Conference communities
This fall, four young adults from around the globe will use their gifts and time to support various Franconia Conference-related ministries. All four are participants in Mennonite Central Committee’s International Volunteer […]
Three congregations credential new leaders on Pentecost
by Sheldon C. Good Many Christian congregations commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, and three Franconia Conference congregations in particular acknowledged the Spirit’s movement through the […]
Lehigh Valley congregations partner to support youth minister
by Sheldon C. Good HARLEYSVILLE, Pa. – Some of the most diverse growth in Anabaptism along the East Coast is occurring in Allentown, Pennsylvania’s fastest growing city and now a […]
MCC U.S. Summer Service Program going strong
For years Keshia Kay Littlebear of Billings, Mont., was certain where her path would take her when she was older and the summers rolled around. She was going to be an MCC U.S. Summer Service worker.
From 2002 to 2005 she was just that – spending 10 weeks of her summers serving at White River Cheyenne Mennonite Church in Busby, Mont. She worked with recreational activities and as youth ministry coordinator.
Franconia Conference gathers to celebrate, pray, confer, listen
Franconia Conference delegates and leaders gathered November 2 at Penn View Christian School in Souderton, Pa. to celebrate God still at work. With a packed auditorium for a third united assembly with Eastern District Conference, representatives gathered to listen and pray, to celebrate newly credentialed and ordained pastoral leaders, and to work alongside one another after an over 150-year rift created two separate Mennonite entities. The theme “God still @ work” was an extension of the 2012 theme, “God @ work.”
Can enemies become friends?
I guess I started thinking about this earlier in the summer. I was acting as ‘crowd control’ at a peace camp at Franklin Park in Allentown. The story teller had the kids acting out Acts 10—where Peter and Cornelius move from historic animosity toward friendship and salvation. A Jewish fisherman, a Roman Centurion, and their respective cohorts took on a decidedly urban, Latino flavor. The kids seemed to enjoy the story, but when they were asked to think about why someone like Peter would be friends with someone like Cornelius their answers were painfully honest. When asked to imagine creative ways to respond to bullies—they couldn’t seem to think of anything but fighting back. And I could see why a white woman of privilege, suggesting Jesus would have them do otherwise, didn’t necessarily sit well with them.
Update from the Ministerial Committee (April 2012)
April update from the Ministerial Committee on ordinations, licensings, installations, and closings.