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Franconia Mennonite Conference Prayer Focus - Week of May 3 – May 9, 2009
Pray for the search committee of Mennonite Church USA seeking to find and name the next executive director. Pray for wisdom and discernment led by the Holy Spirit as they are in the process of seeking candidates.

Thank you for your prayer support of Mennonite education. The Mennonite Education Agency has posted new Prayers for Faith and Learning for the month of May at www.MennoniteEducation.org/PRAYERS.

The Bel Canto Singers of Hesston College under the direction of Bradley Kauffman, along with the Souderton Mennonite Church Choir, will perform a concert of fine music at Souderton Mennonite Church on Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m. The reception following will feature history writer John Sharp sharing Hesston Centennial stories and Bel Canto on the lighter side. Alumni and friends are invited to this Hesston College special event in Franconia Mennonite Conference! Bel Canto will also sing at Christopher Dock High School chapel at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Upcoming Choral Concert! Bowling Green State University’s A Cappella choir, under the direction of Sandra Fey Stegman, will be performing a variety of quality sacred, spiritual, and secular works from throughout music history on Saturday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. Come to Zion Mennonite Church for this free event.

Quakertown Christian School will host its 50th Annual Country Auction & Fair on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. The two-day event kicks off on Friday evening with a Chicken Barbecue dinner from 4 – 8 p.m. with drive-thru service available. There will be children’s activities and games, food tent, bake sale and plant sale open from 4 – 8 p.m. The Friday evening auction begins at 7 p.m. Festivities begin again on Saturday with a breakfast from 8 - 10 a.m. The auction, held indoors in the school’s “Cafetorium”, will begin at 10 a.m. with a wide variety of certificates, gift baskets, merchandise and special collectibles. The auction for beautiful hand-made quilts begins at 11:30 a.m. Admission is free with on-site parking. Come and enjoy the fun!

All are welcome to Evening Song and Prayer in the Taizé tradition at Perkasie Mennonite Church on Sunday, May 10, from 7 - 8 p.m. Using music from the Taizé community in France, as well as hymns of the church, come to gather in a candlelit atmosphere for scripture, song, silence, and prayers for our world, communities and loved ones.

Penn View Christian School’s 48th Annual Country Fair and Auction with Chicken Barbecue will be held on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16. The event promises good food, fun for the entire family and lots of community fellowship. Come on Friday night to see the Phillie Phanatic, attend a show by master illusionist B.J. Harris, and participate in the Twilight Auction. Enjoy wonderful chicken barbeque, available on Friday and Saturday. The All-You-Can-Eat Country Breakfast is served from 7 - 11 a.m. on Saturday morning and features all of the traditional favorites. The Sensational Saturday Auction kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with the Quilt Auction starting at 11:30. Bring your whole family and share in all the fun! Visit www.pennview.org for more details and to preview all the beautiful quilts.

The May prayer gathering of Franconia Conference is planned for Saturday, May 16, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Towamencin Mennonite Church. The time together will include prayer, worship, and equipping on the topic of building prayer support for pastors and ministry leaders. Time will also be spent prayer walking and blessing the new space Towamencin Mennonite Church is completing. Come and be encouraged!

Meet the Peacebuilders on Saturday, May 16 in the Souderton Mennonite Church fellowship hall. Come at 7 p.m. for tea, coffee, sweets, and conversation with practicing international peacebuilders from Eastern Mennonite University’s Summer Peacebuilding Institute. RSVP by May 11 to Marci Myers at myersmk@emu.edu or 800-368-3383.

On Saturday, May 16, Kim and Reggie Harris, and opening act Chip Mergott and Annie Bauerlein will perform at the Perkasie Patchwork Coffeehouse in the Perkasie Mennonite Church hall. Kim and Reggie Harris, a singer-songwriter couple, have a wide repertoire, including Underground Railroad music and stories, spirituals, freedom songs, Phil Ochs music, and social commentary music. Chip and Annie’s duo performances include mostly original tunes with their music best described as “Fun Family Folk.” Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with performances at 7:30. Adults $9, Adults over 65 $7, Students 13 and up $4, 12 & under free. Tasty refreshments will be for sale. A portion of the proceeds support Pennridge FISH, the local food pantry. Visit www.perkmenno.org for directions or more information, or call 215-723-2010.

There will be a Stewards of Children Authorized Facilitator training at the Mennonite Conference Center in Souderton, PA from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10. Stewards of Children is a nationally-recognized, evidence-based curriculum that helps participants to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Participants in the Facilitator training will learn how to teach the curriculum, and may also earn continuing education units from the National Association of Social Workers. For more information or to register, visit www.franconiaconference.org.

Job Opportunities

Franconia Mennonite Conference is accepting resumes for the position of Administrative Services Associate. This position includes working at the conference center front desk, helping to maintain database and website information, distributing bulletin announcements, and generally assisting the Administrative Services Manager. The position will begin at 2 days a week in June, with hours increasing this fall. Submit your resume to Melissa Landis at mlandis@franconiaconference.org or mail to 771 Route 113, Souderton, PA 18964. Call 215-723-5513 ext. 123 for more information.

Care and Share Shoppes has an opening in the Clothing Shoppe workroom for a full-time Assistant Manager. This position requires a highly motivated, organized individual with an interest in providing a top-quality product for customers. In addition, this person must express interest and ability to motivate staff and volunteers to keep the processing flow moving efficiently to the retail floor in a timely fashion. Must be physically able to spend long periods standing and have the ability to lift up to 25 lbs. For more information, contact Sarah Bergin, Executive Director, at skbergin@careandshareshoppes.org.

4/28/2009

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Julie Prey-Harbaugh, of One Childhood Consulting, will be leading a Stewards of Children Authorized Facilitator Training at the Mennonite Conference Center from 8:30am-5:30pm on Wednesday, June 10, 2009. Stewards of Children is a nationally-recognized, evidence-based curriculum produced by Darkness to Light that helps participants to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.

Participants in the Facilitator training will learn how to teach the curriculum, and may also earn continuing education units from the National Association of Social Workers.

Click here to download a PDF with information on the training. You can register for the event here.

One Childhood Consulting is a Franconia Conference School for Leadership Formation endorsed resource which provides a variety of innovative services including Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training, Child Safety Planning and Policy Making, Clergy Ethics Training, Resourcing for Christian Worship, workshops and retreats. For more information visit onechildhoodconsulting.com.

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The Bel Canto Singers of Hesston College will present programs in Mennonite congregations and in Mennonite schools in the East and Midwest during a nearly two-week summer tour May 4-14.

The concert titled Our God is Near features an eclectic repertoire spanning renaissance to modern works. Featured composers include William Byrd, Arvo Pärt, William Grant Stills, James Clemens, and Stephen Paulus. Bel Canto Singers is conducted by Bradley Kauffman, a college music faculty member.

The 20-voice mixed ensemble was selected by competitive audition in the spring of 2008. Sopranos are Rebecca Friesen (Aurora, Neb.); Jessica Juhnke (Hesston, Kan.); Jasmine Martin (New Holland, Pa.); Cassandra Steiner (Apple Creek, Ohio); and Lauren Zehr (Wauseon, Ohio).

Altos are Kory Hiebert (Goessel, Kan.); Emily Hornung (Osage City, Kan.); Kristen Horst (Orrville, Ohio); Ana Loucks (Hesston, Kan.); and Annali Murray (Orrville, Ohio).

Tenors are Dmitry Bucklin (Mountain Lake, Minn.); Ethan Mast (Dundee, Ohio); John Murray (Hesston, Kan.); Drew Nussbaum (Apple Creek, Ohio); and Nathan Snyder (Fruita, Colo.).

Basses are Sam Kauffman (Surrey, N.D.); Logan Miller (Apple Creek, Ohio); Carson Stutzman (Beaver Crossing, Neb.); Mitch Stutzman (Middlebury, Ind.); and Jason Unruh (Peabody, Kan.).

This spring marks the completion of Kauffman’s second year on Hesston College’s music faculty where he chairs the department and directs the instrumental music program. Prior to coming to Hesston, Kauffman was director of Instrumental Music at Bethany Christian Schools, Goshen, Ind., and director of Choral and Instrumental Music at Iowa Mennonite School, Kalona, Iowa. Kauffman holds a master’s of art degree in choral conducting from the University of Iowa.

During the 2008-09 school year, the Bel Canto Singers performed at major school events, in local churches, on tour, and by special invitation.

The concerts are free and open to the public. Hesston College alumni and friends in southeastern Pennsylvania are especially invited to attend the following concerts:

• 2 p.m., Thursday, May 7, Christopher Dock High School, 1000 fort Foot Rd., Lansdale, Pa.
• 7 p.m., Thursday, May 7, Souderton Mennonite Church 105 West Chestnut St., Souderton, Pa. NOTE: This program will also feature the Souderton Mennonite Church Choir. A reception with Centennial stories by John Sharp, selections on the lighter side by Bel Canto Singers, and a Hesston College update will follow the concert.

For more information, contact the Hesston College Alumni and Church Relations Office at 866-437-7866 (866-HESSTON) or e-mail alumni@hesston.edu.

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By Marathana Prothro, MC USA

At its April 16 to 18 meeting in Rochester, N.Y., the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board approved a staff recommendation that, in the event a new executive director has not been named, current associate executive Ron Byler will serve as acting executive director for the denomination beginning Aug. 1. At the same time, current executive director Jim Schrag plans to compile a history of the transformation of Mennonite Church USA until he retires in November.

Last fall, Schrag announced his plans for retirement in November, and Byler also made more widely known his plans for a transition away from Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership following the Mennonite Church USA Convention, June 30 to July 5, in Columbus, Ohio. Byler will carry out the executive director functions until a new executive director is in place, unless the Executive Board’s Executive Director Search Committee names Schrag’s replacement by Convention 2009.

In January the Executive Board appointed a search committee to find and name the next executive director, and this group recently completed work on a job description and now is in the process of seeking candidates. According to search committee chair, Ed Diller, the committee meets every other week by phone and continues to seek prayer from across the church as they continue their work.

Schrag says this arrangement gives him an opportunity to complete a project that is close to his heart. Trained as a historian and social scientist in his undergraduate work at Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., Schrag has continued to be fascinated by history and the perspectives it provides contemporary leaders. Schrag continued this kind of research while studying at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind.

“I’ve been encouraged by historians like Robert Kreider to compile a history of Mennonite Church USA’s transformation,” Schrag said April 22. “It’s not going to be a memoir; rather I’m going to write more of a primer on the whole scope of the events that happened prior to Nashville 2001 and those that have happened since.”

The project, written from his vantage point of transformation director and executive director, won’t aim to be an all-encompassing account of area conferences and churchwide agencies’ transformation stories, Schrag said. Rather he’s going to rely on having others tell their stories so the historical record is inclusive, giving leads that encourage future historians.

Schrag’s goal is to complete the project in his last four months with Mennonite Church USA and that it will help give insight to future leaders who may experience the regular “stops and starts” that seem to correspond with the church’s progress.

“Someone else can decide if they want to publish the piece,” Schrag said. “I’m just interested in writing it so that the history will be there when people want to look back and see what led up to the merger and transformation that created Mennonite Church USA as well as get a glimpse of what our first several years were like as a denomination.”

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From Eastern Mennonite University:

Congratulations to the following 27 students from southeastern Pennsylvania who will be awarded bachelor’s degrees from Eastern Mennonite University on April 26. We celebrate their accomplishments, congratulate their parents, and thank the many EMU donors and stakeholders who enable our dedicated faculty and staff to prepare students “to serve and lead in a global context.”

Jacob Derstine, Harleysville, Biology. Satisfied cross-cultural via InterMenno in Germany. December ‘08 grad. Parents Henry and Donna.

Emily Derstine, Souderton, Justice, Peace & Conflict Studies, minors in Spanish, Sociology, and Missions. Semester in Washington Community Scholars’ Center. Parents Mike ‘86 and Dawn.

Aaron Freed, Quakertown, Environmental Science and History, minor in Biology. Middle East cross-cultural. Parents Darryl and Patti.

Jordan Good, Harleysville, Psychology, minor in Youth Ministry. South Africa cross-cultural. Parents Philip and Deborah.

Kim Gross, Perkasie, Camping, Recreation & Outdoor Ministry, minors in Sociology and Psychology. South Africa cross-cultural. Parents Dennis and Janet.

Daniel Landes, Hilltown, Communication, minor in Political Studies. South Africa cross-cultural. Parents Steven ‘80 and Sandra ‘80.

Jolie Mbuzi, Quakertown, Social Work. Cross-cultural waived as bi-cultural student. Parents Joel and Marlyne Nfongo.

Ben Ruth, Harleysville, Biology, minor in Mathematics. Honors program. South Africa cross-cultural. Parents Marlin and Sharon ‘72.

Julian Bender, Philadelphia, Psychology, minor in TESL. Middle East cross-cultural. Parents Ross and Sylvia ‘76.

Natalie Bonilla, Reading, Nursing. Peru cross-cultural. Honored as Cords of Distinction recipient. Parents Juan and Alicia.

Laura Cattell, Honey Brook, Environmental Science and Justice, Peace & Conflict Studies. Middle East cross-cultural. Honored as Cords of Distinction recipient. Parents Leslie and David.

Rachael Clemmer, Harleysville, Nursing. South Africa cross-cultural. Honored as Cords of Distinction recipient. Parents Mike ‘83 and April.

Matthew Gehman, Parkesburg, Accounting and Economics. China cross-cultural. Parents Lois ‘73 and David ‘73.

Bethany Hertzler, Telford, Nursing. India cross-cultural. Parents Ron and Laurel.

Kristina Landis, Harleysville, Biology, minor in Art. Honors program. Middle East cross-cultural. Parents Steve ‘77 and Rosemary ‘78.

Ben Moyer, Doylestown, Business Administration, minor in Economics. South Africa cross-cultural. Parents James and Pamela.

Isaac Shelly, Hatfield, Business Administration. China cross-cultural. Parents Jim and Brenda.

Emily Sims, Perkasie, Congregational & Youth Ministry, minor in Sociology. South Africa cross-cultural. Parents Troy and Brenda.

John Tyson, Lansdale, Biblical Studies. Middle East cross-cultural. Parents John and Barbara.

Jessica Caroff, Green Lane, Psychology, minors in Business Administration and Accounting. Nigeria cross-cultural. Parents Allen and Jennifer.

Mattie Horning, Morgantown, Photography, minor in Art. India cross-cultural. Parents Lavern and Patsy.

Trevor Weaver, Perkiomenville, Environmental Science, minors in Biology and Business Administration. Turkey cross-cultural. Parents Dale and Lisa.

Maria Bowman, Bally, Liberal Arts with Elem. Ed. Licensure, minor in Justice, Peace & Conflict Studies. India cross-cultural. December ‘09 grad. Parents Greg and Ellen ‘74.

Kristen Green, North Wales, Liberal Arts with Elem. Ed. Licensure. Newfoundland and Labrador cross-cultural. December ‘09 grad. Parents John and Loretta.

Miles Musselman, Harleysville, International Business. South Africa cross-cultural. December ‘09 grad. Parent Kendall ‘84 (mother Jeanine ‘85 passed away in March 2007).

Randi Neason, Reading, Nursing, minor in Psychology. Semester in Washington Community Scholars’ Center. December ‘09 grad. Parents Kelly and Lisa.

Julie Varkey, Philadelphia, Nursing. China cross-cultural. December ‘09 grad. Parents Geevarughese and Rosamma.

For more information about this year’s keynote speaker, the 2009 class gift, and more click here.

From Goshen College:

Nine Franconia Conference students are among the 236 candidates planning to receive diplomas at Goshen College’s 111th Annual Commencement April 26.

Katharine E. Derstine, daughter of John and Sheryl Derstine of Blooming Glen, will receive a bachelor’s degree in business. She is a 2005 graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and attends Blooming Glen Mennonite Church.

Lauren K. M. Eldredge, daughter of Scott and Alice Eldredge of Abington, will receive a bachelor’s degree in art. She is a 2005 graduate of Abington Senior High School and attends Ambler Mennonite Church.

Cody B. Felton, son of Jonathan and Rebecca Felton of Quakertown, will receive a bachelor’s degree in business. He is a 2005 graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and attends Perkasie Mennonite Church.

Sheldon C. Good, son of Don and Diane Good of Telford, will receive a bachelor’s degree with majors in communication and business. He is a 2005 graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and attends Salford Mennonite Church.

Evan C. Moyer, son of Robert Moyer of Harleysville, will receive a bachelor’s degree in business. He is a 2005 graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and attends Perkasie Mennonite Church.

Mercy A. Oyana, daughter of Crispin and Annette Oyana of Philadelphia, will receive a bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language Interpreting. She is a 2005 graduate of Central High School and attends West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship.

Janna E. Reiff, daughter of Dennis and Anna Mary Reiff, will receive a bachelor’s degree with a major in nursing and a minor in women’s studies. She is a 2004 graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and attends Souderton Mennonite Church.

Gregory J. Yoder, son of Jerold and Beth Yoder of Perkasie, will receive a bachelor’s degree with a major in music and a minor in secondary education. He is a 2005 graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and attends Perkasie Mennonite Church.

Lindsay E. Yoder, daughter of Kermit and Eva Yoder of Perkasie, will receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is a 2005 graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and attends Deep Run Mennonite Church East.

Dr. Stephen Ainlay, a native of Goshen and 1973 Goshen College graduate, will present the commencement address. He is president of Union College (Schenectady, N.Y.), a sociologist by training and has a distinguished record as a scholar, teacher and administrator. Commencement is at 3 p.m. in the college’s Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center on Sunday, April 26, 2009, following an 11 a.m. Baccalaureate service in the Church-Chapel, with President James Brenneman preaching.

From Hesston College:

Hesston College will grant associate degrees to 157 graduates during commencement exercises Sunday, May 3. The following southeastern Pennsylvania student candidated for a degree:

Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences – Early Childhood Education: Christine Nicole Bishop, Perkasie, Pennsylvania, Blooming Glen Mennonite Church

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Franconia Mennonite Conference Prayer Focus - Week of April 26 – May 2, 2009
Boyertown Mennonite Church recently completed a congregational assessment. Please pray that the congregation will follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as they implement new ways of being a missional “community of healing and growth” in the Boyertown area.

Karen’s Place, the coffee shop ministry of Doylestown Mennonite Church, will be open on Saturday, May 2 from 7:00 – 10:30 p.m. featuring the Young Band. Admission is free. Donations collected will go to Mennonite Disaster Service to benefit hurricane victims in the Gulf area. Join this time of Christian fellowship and music in a laid-back coffee-shop setting. For more information, please call the church office at 215-345-6377 or visit www.karensplace.org.

On Sunday, May 3, Zion Mennonite Church will host the annual Couch Derby. All are invited to come to a great family event. Franconia Conference and Eastern District area high school youth will be participating. Students have modified and decorated couches and race through an obstacle course against fellow youth groups. So put on your sunscreen and grab your chair for this fun event! Couch showing begins at 1 p.m. and the races begin at 2 p.m.

The Christopher Dock High School Touring Choir, under the direction of Rodney Derstine, will perform a sacred concert on Sunday, May 17 at 7 p.m. at Zion Mennonite Church. A variety of music will be featured by this select choir. For more information or directions, call the church office at 215-723-3592 or visit www.zionmennonite.org.

“Travel the Ancient Silk Road” on storytelling journey across Central Asia with Richard and Jewel Showalter on Saturday, June 6 at 7 p.m. at Deep Run East Mennonite Church. Richard Showalter, president of Eastern Mennonite Missions and his wife, Jewel, will share experiences from their 3 month journey across Central Asia. Enjoy their photo presentation as they share their cultural experiences, discover the history of the Christian Church in Asia, and hear stories of modern local believers. The Rice family will share about their plans to serve long-term in this region with EMM; learn about their vision and ways that you can partner with them to make a difference in Central Asia. Light refreshments will be served. Visit the facebook event page, “Travel the Ancient Silk Road”, or contact wildrice@gmail.com or 215-872-9556 for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities

Mennonite Disaster Service has an immediate need for volunteers. From May 3 through May 30, a Project Director and Skilled Crew Leader are needed in New Orleans, LA. Call if you are able to serve for any part of this time period. Crew leaders, cooks, and caretakers are also needed at various locations throughout the summer and fall. For more information, call Sarah Yoder at 800-241-8111.

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The Care & Share Shoppes’ invite the community to their annual Green Fair to be held under a big tent in their parking lot on Saturday May 2, from 10am to 5pm. The Green Fair is an opportunity for the community to met local businesses who provide earth friendly services and products. This year, a special feature will be WHYY’s You Bet Your Garden host, Mike McGrath. He will be leading two informational sessions at noon and 2pm.

Sarah Bergin, Executive Director of the Care and Share Shoppes, explained the connection between thrift shops and the environment, “If you stop and think about it, thrift shops are all about recycling! We take recycling very seriously at the Care & Share. We are committed to the reusing of the products which are donated to us. If we do not sell them in our shoppes, we take extra steps to make sure they are responsibly recycled elsewhere.”

Mike McGrath’s enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge of chemical-free horticulture will provide a wonderful compliment to other businesses who will be promoting their earth friendly products and services as well as stewardship of the earth’s resources at our event. Mike’s noon session is “Seven Secrets of Successful Organic Gardeners”, and at 2pm, “Organic Answers to your Toughest Garden Questions”.

Other vendors who are participating are: Annie’s Rag Rugs, recycling cotton and wool to make rugs; Miller Trailer Sales, promoting a method of vacationing that is environmentally conscious, economical and fun; Montgomeryville Cycle, featuring their Vectrix Electric Scooters; Reichman Enterprises, candles from vegetable waxes; Skippack Creek Farm, featuring organic produce and all natural soap; Deer Run Daylily Gardens, organic daylilys and products; Wash Tyme, recycled vegetable oil to make bio-diesel and the byproduct Gylcerin is then used to make soap; Ten Thousand Villages, promoting fair trade products; and Ethos Healthy Paints, an ecofriendly paint store and contractor.

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Reminder of Upcoming LEADership Assemblies
Pastors, congregational leadership chairs, leadership teams and stewardship facilitators or treasurers in all congregations are encouraged to attend one of the following LEADership Assemblies:

Tuesday, April 21, 7 – 9 p.m. at Perkasie Mennonite Church
Monday, April 27, 7 – 9 p.m. at Nueva Vida Norristown New Life
Thursday, April 30, 7 – 9 p.m. at Spring Mount Mennonite Church
Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m. – noon at Steel City Mennonite Church
Date and location in Vermont to be announced

These gatherings will roll out details for LEAD (Leading, Equipping and Discipling), a new direction and platform for missional oversight. The meetings will focus on the LEAD oversight model and are not related to the Corinthian Plan (healthcare access for pastors).

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