Franconia Mennonite Conference Conference Assembly 2017 November 3-4, 2017 Dock Mennonite Academy EC-8 Campus

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1 Franconia Mennonite Conference Conference Assembly 2017 November 3-4, 2017 Dock Mennonite Academy EC-8 Campus Conference Board and Committee Reports Board and Executive Committee Ministerial Committee Conference Financial Reports Executive Summary Finance Committee Report FMC Properties Charts Commissions/Taskforces Reports Faith & Life Commission Report Israel Palestine Taskforce Report Addressing Abuse Report Congregations Seeking Membership Gift Discernment Biography of Nominees Discernment Nomination Form Minutes from Conference Assembly 2016 Minutes Summary of Actions Schedule

2 Conference Board & Executive Committee Report 2017 Board Members: (*Designates Conference Board Executive Committee members) John Goshow* Gwen Groff Merlin Hartman* Jim King* Beny Krisbianto* Paula Marolewski Angela Moyer Smita Ruby Singh Kris Wint Steve Kriss *John Goshow (Blooming Glen), Moderator and Conference Board Chair Gwen Groff (Pastor at Bethany) *Merlin Hartman (Franconia) *Jim King (Plains) *Beny Krisbianto (Pastor at Nations Worship) Paula Marolewski (Elder at Perkiomenville) Angela Moyer (Pastor at Ripple) Smita Ruby Singh (Whitehall) Kris Wint (Pastor at Finland) *Steve Kriss (Philadelphia Praise Center), Staff ex officio non-voting member The Franconia Conference Board met together six (6) times since Conference Assembly, November 4, Following are some of the items on the board s agenda this past year: The budget for 2017/2018 was reviewed and approved by the board. The audit of the conference s finances was completed by the firm of Detweiler-Hershey with no significant findings identified. Smita Singh (Whitehall) joined the board in January 2017 as a delegate appointed member-atlarge. Smita s first three-year term will end December 31, The board welcomed Steve Kriss as the new Franconia Conference Executive Minister. Mary Nitzsche resigned from the board in June to accept a staff position with the conference. She began July 1 as the Conference Associate Executive Minister. The board also affirmed several committee appointments. With Mary Nitzsche s transition to staff member, the board affirmed Ken Burkholder as interim chair of the Ministerial Committee and thus a member of the board. Ken is up for a delegate vote at the 2017 Assembly. Bryan Hunsberger and Henry Longacre were appointed to the Franconia Conference Board of Missions and Charities (aka the Properties Committee) and Glen Nemath was named Chair of that committee. All three bring a wealth of experience and knowledge. Bryan is a member at Souderton and helped the conference acquire the shopping center back in Henry Longacre is a member at Swamp and a former member of Longacre poultry; He also chaired the finance committee at Dock Mennonite Academy. Glen Nemath is a member at Blooming Glen and owner of Nemath Construction and Building Services. Throughout the year the board has been working on ensuring conference policies are providing a fair and meaningful work environment for the staff. Page 2 of 30

3 Over the past year the board has welcomed staff members to share about their work at the beginning of the board meetings. This has been a time of building understanding and relationship. The Executive Committee continues to function as the Ministry Resource Fund Committee to evaluate and approve Missional Operations Grant (MOGs) requests and is working on finding a permanent Ministry Resource Fund Grant Committee. This year the conference budget includes a line item for Missions Operations Grants totaling $59,500. The conference executives continue to meet with the executives of Eastern District Conference as the two conferences continue to work together. This year s conference assembly is again a joint assembly with Eastern District; the conferences maintain a time of separate business meetings as they continue to explore the possibility of reconciliation. The board has been working with the staff in exploring relationships with, at times, up to twelve congregations wishing to join Franconia Conference. A few would be transfers from other conferences. This is an ongoing discussion and discernment for both the congregations and Franconia Conference. The Franconia Conference Board appreciates feedback on the life of the conference. Please feel free to contact the board members or conference staff listed above if you have questions about board or staff activities. Page 3 of 30

4 Conference Board Ministerial Committee Report The Ministerial Committee is responsible for the overall policies related to the calling, credentialing, training, and disciplining of those persons being credentialed by Franconia Conference. The Ministerial Committee is responsible for approving and granting ministerial credentials in keeping with A Mennonite Polity for Ministerial Leadership and A Shared Understanding of Ministerial Leadership and their designations for the status of credentialed leaders. As a subcommittee to the Ministerial Committee, the Credentials Committee interviews and recommends persons for credentialing. The Ministerial Committee develops policies for the work of the Credentials Committee that reflect the standards of faith and practice for credentialed leaders in the conference and act on recommendations from the Credentials Committee Ministerial Committee members: (* indicates the chair of the committee) Ken Burkholder* Janet Panning Jim Williams Marlene Frankenfield Mike Clemmer Josh Meyer Chris Nickels Sherri Binder Mary Nitzsche Ken Burkholder (Pastor at Deep Run East), Committee Interim Chair Janet Panning (Plains), Member-at-Large Jim Williams (Nueva Vida Norristown New Life), Member-at-Large Marlene Frankenfield (Salford; spiritual director), Member-at-Large Mike Clemmer (Pastor at Towamencin), Member-at-Large & Chair of the Credentials Committee Josh Meyer (Associate Pastor at Franconia), Member-at-Large Chris Nickels (Pastor at Spring Mount), Member-at-Large Sherri Binder (Ripple), Member-at-Large, new this year Mary Nitzsche (Perkasie), Staff ex officio non-voting member Credentials Committee (CC), subcommittee of the Ministerial Committee: Mike Clemmer Rose Bender Aldo Siahaan Kris Anne Swartley Tami Good Mary Nitzsche Mike Clemmer (Pastor at Towamencin), Committee Chair Rose Bender (Pastor at Whitehall), Member-at-Large Aldo Siahaan (Pastor at Philadelphia Praise Center), Member-at-Large Kris Anne Swartley (Associate Pastor at Doylestown), Member-at-Large Tami Good (Associate Pastor at Swamp), Member-at-Large Mary Nitzsche (Perkasie), Staff ex officio non-voting member Page 4 of 30

5 Actions taken December 2016 September 2017 by the Ministerial Committee include: Approved a License Toward Ordination for: John Engle (Souderton) Nick Lordi (West Philadelphia) Hector Quinones (Garden Chapel) Jessica Miller (Perkasie) former License for Specific Ministry Dave Mansfield (Vincent) Steve McCloskey (Taftsville) Renewed a two-year License For Specific Ministry for: Hadi Sunarto (Philadelphia Praise Center) Approved Ordination for: Aldo Siahaan (Philadelphia Praise Center) Nathan Good (Swamp) Krista Showalter Ehst (Alpha) Approved Transfers into Franconia Conference: Mark Wenger (Active at Franconia) from Lancaster Conference. Kathy Wenger (Retired Status) from Lancaster Conference. Adjusted to Active without Charge: Tom Albright formerly at Ripple. Carolyn Albright Formerly at Ripple. Mim Book finished her interim role at Souderton. Duane Hershberger ended his role as Bridge pastor at Bally. Michael King ended his time at Eastern Mennonite Seminary on June 30. Marta Castillo will be leaving Nueva Vida Norristown New Life at the end of the year. Withdrawn (nondisciplinary): Ben Stutzman Other actions: Klaudia Smucker was transferred at her request to Atlantic Coast Conference. She is not currently in a pastoral role there, but has moved to Lancaster and is now attending East Chestnut Street. Adjusted to retired: Duane Bishop Other Pastoral transitions: Jessica Miller was installed as a pastoral intern and then transitioned to Associate Pastor at Perkasie. Taftsville saw Dorcas Miller Lehman complete her interim time and then Jon Heinly (New Haven, CT) began as Interim completing his time in June Taftsville has now hired Steve McCloskey as their lead pastor. Vietnamese Gospel is enjoying the preaching of Bao (Daniel Tran) Nguyen (Queens, NY). Tami Good began as Associate Pastor at Swamp. Maria Hosler Byler began as Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Faith Formation at Salford. Mark Wenger joined Franconia Mennonite Church on July 1 as the Team Leader Pastor. John Engle joined Souderton on March 1 in the pastoral care role. Josh Jefferson left Souderton the end of March. Jenifer Eriksen Morales began at Souderton on April 1. Nathanael Johnson is now Interim Director of Youth at Souderton; he is not credentialed by Franconia Conference. Marilyn Bender was installed as a co-pastor at Ripple. Tim Moyer left Providence May 25 and began at Bally July 1. Mary Nitzsche ended her time at Blooming Glen and joined Franconia Conference staff July 1. Page 5 of 30

6 Committee highlights for this year: The committee reviewed the Women s Pastoral Resiliency research done by Anne Kauffman Weaver which was presented to those interested at a breakfast on April 25. The committee reviewed and continues to utilize the research on Women s Pastoral Resilience done by Anne Kauffman Weaver. Verle Brubaker resigned from both the Ministerial and Credentials Committee following his acceptance of an interim pastoral position in Ohio. Both committees are currently seeking a replacement. The Credentials Committee welcomed Tami Good, Associate Pastor at Swamp and Kris Anne Swartley, Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Doylestown. The committee approved a new Record Retention and Misconduct policy for credentialed leaders and revised their overall misconduct policy to include the process for general misconduct and that for sexual misconduct into one package with the advisement of the Franconia Conference Addressing Abuse Taskforce. Marlene Frankenfield was affirmed for a second term with the Ministerial Committee and Aldo Siahaan was affirmed for a second term on the Credentials Committee. Page 6 of 30

7 Conference Financial Reports Executive Summary for Revenue: Conference operating revenue comes from two main sources: conference congregations and rental income from the conference-owned properties (the Souderton Center & the Indian Creek Road farm), in the form of subsidy to the conference budget. Congregational giving to the conference operating budget this past year decreased by 2.1% from the previous year. o Congregational Giving - $383,799 o Subsidy from Properties - $350,004 o All Other Revenue Sources - $405,426 Please note that estate gifts (included in Other Revenue) received by the conference do not go into the operating budget, but rather go into Ministry Resource investment funds, which are used mostly for Missional Operations Grants. $162,521 in estate gifts was received last year. Other Revenue also includes designated contributions like those for New Missional Initiatives, as noted below. Expenses: Expenses are divided into two basic categories: Program or Ministry expenses and Support Services expenses. The industry standard for non-profits is 75%-25%, respectively, and this past year, FMC was above the standard, at 79.8%-20.2%. This is down a little from last year, mostly because designated funding for ministry projects was down and this was the off-year to send conference delegates to the MCUSA convention. o Missional Operations Grants (MOGs) - $36,175. Last year, 10 MOGs were disbursed to ministries and congregations of Franconia Conference: West Philadelphia received a grant for their partnership with Redemption Housing, a postincarceration ministry. Salem partnered with their community to support the local cemetery association. Whitehall and Ripple both received grants for their partnership in youth ministry and leadership development in the Lehigh Valley, in partnership with Mennonite Central Committee. Perkasie received a grant for their music ministry and community connections. Philadelphia Praise Center received a grant for their partnership with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program to create a mural on their building as a public beautification project for the neighborhood. Perkiomenville received a grant to assist their partnership with Project Haven. Centro de Alabanza received a grant towards the down payment of their new church building. Souderton received a grant to assist in their summer internship program. Nations Worship received a grant towards the purchase of their new church building. o o New Missional Initiatives - $40,896. These activities have received their own designated funding, eg. Philadelphia Praise Center support, an Intentional Interim Ministers Training, Nueva Vida Norristown New Life support, a Pastoral Assistance Fund and Centro de Alabanza building fund. Staff Travel - $42,214 (found in most expense departments). 63.2% of this expense went to LEADership ministers traveling in their LEADership Ministry roles. o Staff time & benefits (included contracted workers) - $530,029, which are allocated over most of the expense departments based on staff activities. This made up 68.1% of the total FMC operating expenses last year, which does not include funding-designated new missional initiatives or grant funds. Page 7 of 30

8 Conference Board Finance Committee (CBFC) CBFC Members: John Goshow (Blooming Glen), acting-chair; Jennifer Landis (Franconia), Richard Moyer (Perkiomenville), and Barbara Rice (Deep Run East); Resource person: Charlotte Hunsberger (Blooming Glen); Staff person: Conrad Martin Purpose: The CBFC is responsible for providing responsible leadership on fiscal matters pertaining to the conference and its property and assets. The committee also develops a budget based on the vision of the Conference Assembly, for Conference Board approval Updates/Activities: The CBFC spent considerable time over the past twelve months discussing issues such as: 1) examining the various investment funds held with the Mennonite Foundation (ministry and missional operations grant funds) and Univest Bank and Trust Co. (retired ministers fund); 2) insuring the financial activities are in keeping with the vision and mission of the conference; 3) discussing the financial effects on various property-related issues; and 4) determining cash flow needs (amounts and timing) for both the conference and the properties, including future capital expenditure needs of the Souderton Shopping Center and Indian Creek Road farm and how to budget for this. 5) discussing the usage of the proceeds from the sale of the New Beginnings Community Church. 6) discussing alternatives for the retirement of the mortgage being held for Christian Community Baptist church in Norristown. CBFC members routinely reviewed FMC s financial reports, and provided reports to the Conference Board regularly, ensuring the conference stays within the budget set and that adequate cash flow is maintained. CBFC members spent a couple of meetings developing a budget for the current year in line with the vision and mission of the conference. They also looked at various trends of recent years for clues to the future. Congregational giving decreased a little this past year, but it was still more than was budgeted. The CBFC members are committed to ensuring that the conference staff is being good stewards of the assets and resources that have been entrusted to FMC by the conference congregations and constituents that they are being used appropriately and in alignment with the vision and mission of the conference. FMC received a clean audit report again this past year, verifying that the funds and reports are in alignment with good accounting practices. For the complete audit report for the fiscal year , visit and look under RESOURCES then click on Stewardship Resources and then click on Congregational Resources. Ministerial Retirement Fund sub-committee. This committee, which is under the CBFC, met twice to review the financial needs of those pastors and spouses who are eligible for assistance under the Ministerial Retirement Fund guidelines. This fund provided assistance to five persons. $35,205 was distributed in retirement assistance this past year. The committee members are: Marvin Anders (Salford), Willis Miller (Salford), and John Goshow (Blooming Glen). Personnel sub-committee. This committee, which is also under the CBFC, did not meet this past year. Page 8 of 30

9 Franconia Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities Also known as FMC Properties FMC Properties Directors: Glenn Nemath (Blooming Glen), President; Henry Longacre (Swamp), Vice-President; Bryan Hunsberger (Souderton), Secretary/Treasurer; John Goshow (Blooming Glen), Finance Committee representative; Staff person: Conrad Martin Purpose: FMC Properties acts as a holding corporation for properties owned by Franconia Mennonite Conference and the properties board manages all of the property matters on behalf of the Conference Board through the CBFC. At the end of this fiscal year, FMC Properties owned property as follows: the Souderton Shopping Center, with tenants Care & Share Shoppes; Weaver, Reckner and Reinhart Dental Associates (Souderton office); TriValley Primary Care (Indian Valley office); and ParmaJohn restaurant; the Indian Creek Road farm, with tenants Living Hope Farm and Indian Creek Foundation (group home); and two church properties: Whitehall Mennonite Church and Project Haven (the former Peace Mennonite Church) Updates/Activities: FMC Properties directors completed the process on the sale of the New Beginnings Community Church property in Bristol, PA, in February The directors also discussed a new signage proposal from the Care & Share Shoppes and the location of tenant dumpsters to ensure both a good traffic flow along the rear of the building and a neat appearance of the property. The directors continue to plan for the future of the Souderton Shopping Center, to ensure the best interests of the conference are maintained. The former Peace Mennonite Church building continues to be used by Project Haven, a collaboration of several Eastern District and Franconia Conference churches. Page 9 of 30

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16 Faith & Life Commission Report Fall members included: Rose Bender (Whitehall) chair, Nathan Good (Swamp), Verle Brubaker (Zion), Josh Meyer (Franconia), Penny Naugle (Plains), Aldo Siahaan (Philadelphia Praise Center), and Kris Wint (Finland). As the group continues their work, both Kris and Verle have had to step back from the committee, so the committee welcomes the addition of Maria Hosler Byer (Salford), and Mike Menenses (Wellspring) The Faith and Life Commission (FLC) formed following the 2015 Conference Assembly with the purpose of providing space for pastors and credentialed leaders within Franconia Conference to study scripture with one another. Since their formation, the commission has met monthly as well as engaged in multiple s, to plan for the quarterly gatherings of credentialed leaders to read and discuss various passages of Scripture related to a variety of themes integral to ministry. The Commission also decided to open these gatherings to the credentialed leaders within Eastern District Conference. The topics covered in these gatherings so far are as follows: October Going to the Margins: Luke 4:15-30 February Sexual Abuse: Solomon 2:1-17, Judges 19:1-30 May Grace and Truth: Matthew 18:10-22 August Israel/Palestine conflict: Romans 11:13a, with input from Mark Wenger November TBD These meetings follow a pattern of reading and engaging with scripture followed by prayer for each other. Each gathering featured two different daytime meetings, an evening meeting, and/or a Zoom meeting. The commission has tried to be attentive to choosing their times and locations, since the credentialed leaders in Franconia Conference are widely scattered. The response to these gatherings has been encouraging, but there is certainly room for more to participate. The Commission trusts that many more credentialed leaders will be able to participate in the coming year. Israel Palestine Taskforce Report Fall 2017 Andrew Bush (Methacton), Ed Brubaker (Souderton), Preston Bush (Salford), Lynelle Bush (Salford), Jeff Hackman (Plains), Mike Merryman-Lotz (Ambler), Peder Wiegner (Norristown), and John Stoltzfus (staff liaison) The Israel Palestine Taskforce was formed following the 2015 Conference Assembly, with a mission to inform and educate Franconia Mennonite Conference churches and delegates on the new resolution related to Israel Palestine that was to be presented to the Delegates at Mennonite Church USA (MCUSA) Convention in Orlando. In order to accomplish this, the group presented a workshop at the Franconia and Eastern District Conference Assembly in 2016 and facilitated a breakfast for delegates and others at Dock Woods in April 2017, featuring both Jewish and Palestinian speakers. There is a page dedicated to this work on the FMC website, with links to help equip delegates and leaders. Taskforce members also had a chance to provide the MCUSA resolution writers feedback on several drafts of the new resolution. Contacts were made with individual MCUSA delegates in preparation for the vote at the 2017 Convention in Orlando and the resolution passed with 97% support during the MCUSA delegate session in July The Taskforce prays that this resolution will not sit on a shelf, gathering dust. May it inspire our churches to continue ministries of prayer, education and advocacy regarding Israel/Palestine. May we also redouble our efforts at interfaith dialogue with our Jewish and Muslim neighbors in our own communities. Page 16 of 30

17 Addressing Abuse Taskforce Report Fall 2017 Karen Zehr (Salford), Krista Showalter Ehst (Alpha) chair, John Drescher-Lehman (Methacton), Wayne Speigle (Blooming Glen), and Barbie Fischer (staff liaison) The Franconia Conference Addressing Abuse Task Force was established following the 2015 Conference Assembly, with the intent to oversee the implementation of actions designated by the MCUSA Churchwide Statement on Sexual Abuse within Franconia Conference. Their first priority was to develop local resources and support for adult survivors of abuse. To that end, the Task Force initiated and continues to support Survivors Safe Haven, a SNAP*-affiliated support group for adult survivors of abuse that meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm in Lansdale, PA. The Taskforce has also given much energy to making sure that church procedures and systems nurture safe spaces. In consultation with Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada s new policy for dealing with allegations of abuse against credentialed leaders, the Taskforce made policy recommendations to the Franconia Conference Board Ministerial Committee, and are working with Conference Leadership to put that policy into practice. Currently, they are also working on policy recommendations for dealing with allegations of abuse against non-credentialed leaders. Resourcing and education was another important goal of the taskforce. Two of the taskforce members received the Healthy Boundaries training offered by MCUSA and the FaithTrust Institute in May 2017, and are working to offer that training to other credentialed and lay leaders. The Spring 2017 Intersections issue compiled by Taskforce members also highlighted resources related to abuse that are available on the Conference website and in the Conference library. The Taskforce will continue their work through December Before they conclude their time together, they will be in conversation with Conference Leadership about how to continue to address the reality of abuse within congregations. *Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests Page 17 of 30

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22 Conference Board Members for Affirmation Merlin Hartman, Conference Board Member-at-Large, seeking affirmation for a second term. Merlin Hartman has attended Franconia Mennonite Church since 1968 and has served as a youth sponsor, adult Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Elder, and Board Chair. He also served on the Penn View Christian School Board for five years prior to the merger with Dock Mennonite. Through the course of his life he has lived and served in four different Mennonite communities. Merlin met his wife, Mary Ellen Halteman, while in Voluntary Service in LaJunta, Colorado. They have two daughters, two sonsin-law, and six grandchildren. Both Merlin and Mary Ellen are enjoying retirement. Merlin enjoys hobbies such as woodworking, bike riding, fishing, traveling, and reading books. He states, I feel working at Clemens Food Group for 40 years as a department supervisor with employees from nine different countries has prepared me for being part of the Franconia Conference Board. Merlin joined the Franconia Conference Board by Delegate Assembly Appointment three years ago and currently also serves on the board s executive committee. If affirmed at Assembly 2017, Merlin will continue in those roles for a second three year term. Ken Burkholder, Conference Board Ministerial Committee Member-at- Large, seeking affirmation for the role of chair. Ken was reaffirmed at last year s fall assembly for the Ministerial Committee. Since then he was asked to fill the role of interim Ministerial Committee Chair following the departure of Mary Nitzsche from the committee. Ken has done an excellent job as interim chair and the Conference Board presents him to the delegate body for affirmation to make that an official role, affirming him as Conference Board Ministerial Committee Chair. Ken Burkholder has been serving as lead pastor at Deep Run East since Previously, Ken worked in a local insurance business for eleven years. He attended Eastern Mennonite Seminary, graduating in 2005 with a Masters of Divinity degree. Ken has been a member of the FMC Ministerial Committee since He also served on the Design Team for the Future Church Summit at the MCUSA Convention in Orlando, FL this summer. Additionally, Ken has been serving on the Living Branches Board of Directors since 2008, the Living Branches Foundation Board, and is chair of the Board Development Committee. Ken is married to Karen (Frankenfield) Burkholder, and has two children, Alyssa (21) and Justin (18). They live in Dublin, PA. Ken enjoys being with family, cheering for the Phillies, reading, running, and eating at a variety of restaurants. If affirmed at the 2017 Assembly Ken will begin his first term as Ministerial Committee Chair, a term lasting three years. Page 22 of 30

23 Committee Members for Affirmation Tami Good, Ministerial Committee Member-at-Large, seeking affirmation for a first term. Tami Good grew up in the Souderton area. Following high school she served for a year and a half in Mexico City through Y.E.S.. She completed her undergraduate work at Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, VA) in Her early career was spent teaching Spanish along with Math and Music in Colorado and Pennsylvania, until feeling called to ministry in Tami then began studies towards a Masters of Divinity at Biblical Seminary (Hatfield, PA), graduating in 2014 and being ordained through Franconia Conference in Tami grew up attending Line Lexington and has served at Perkiomenville as their Minister of Worship, at Souderton as their Worship Pastor, and is currently serving as Associate Pastor at Swamp. She has also served on the Conference Assembly Committee overseeing worship times as well as serving on the Conference Credentialing Committee. Tami says, Serving both within a congregation as well as in our wider Conference has always been important to me. My grandfather once told me we do not simply come to church to warm the benches but to use our gifts to their fullest to be Christ s hands and feet. Having the opportunity to serve on the Ministerial Committee will give me the chance to not only serve, but to encourage others to function within God s body as well. Tami is married to Rob Good, and they are the proud parents of three children Camron (17), Ryan (13), Kaitlyn (10). In her free time Tami enjoys baking, reading and traveling with her family. If affirmed at the 2017 Assembly Tami will begin her first term on the Ministerial Committee, a term lasting three years with the possibility of being reaffirmed for two additional terms. Page 23 of 30

24 Delegate Gift Discernment Suggestion Form Position Name of Person Recommended Person s Congregation Person s Related Strengths, Experiences, Training, and/or Sense of Call Conference Moderator Assistant Conference Moderator Conference Board Member-at-large Conference Board Ministerial Committee Chairperson Conference Board Ministerial Committee Member-at-large Credentials Committee Member Conference Board Finance Committee Chairperson Conference Board Finance Committee Member-at-large Director of Franconia Mennonite Conference Properties Committee You re Name: Your congregation: Phone # or address where we can reach you if we have questions about your nominations: Page 24 of 30

25 Gift Discernment Form Instructions An important function of being a conference delegate is taking the opportunities to share feedback, counsel, suggestions, and ideas with conference leaders. This form outlines and describes some of the vital leadership roles that may or will be needed in 2017 and Please prayerfully review this form and recommend names and information about persons that you believe should be considered for these important ministry roles. Please return the suggestion form by November 13, 2017 in one of these ways: 1)Turn in at Conference Assembly. 2) Mail to: Franconia Mennonite Conference, 1000 Forty Foot Rd, Lansdale, PA ) form to: office@franconiaconference.org Role Descriptions: Conference Moderator chairs the Conference Assembly, the Conference Board, and the Conference Board Executive Committee, and directly supervises the Conference Executive. Moderating the conference requires gifts of leadership, vision, spiritual maturity, and deep commitment to mission and ministry. Assistant Conference Moderator serves as Vice-Chair of the Conference Assembly, the Conference Board, the Conference Board Executive Committee, and is responsible to give attention to faith and life issues. Role requires gifts of leadership, vision, spiritual maturity, and a deep commitment to mission and ministry. Conference Board Members-at-large focus on making sure that the conference is aligned with its mission and vision. They remind the board and staff of conference core values (like anti- racism and prayer) and proposed outcomes (like grace, love, and reconciliation exemplified in our relationships). Members-at-large require gifts of vision, spiritual maturity, and deep commitment to mission and ministry. Conference Board Ministerial Committee Chairperson chairs the Ministerial Committee in overseeing policies related to the calling, credentialing, training, and disciplining of credentialed leaders and in approving and granting ministerial credentials in keeping with A Mennonite Polity for Ministerial Leadership and Shared Understanding of Church Leadership The Ministerial Chairperson is a member of the Conference Board, works closely with the assigned staff representative, and relates to the Credentials Committee. Chairing CBMC requires gifts of leadership, spiritual discernment, and a strong commitment to the Anabaptist faith. Conference Board Ministerial Committee Members-at-large bring a variety of theological and spiritual perspectives to the work of the Ministerial Committee (see above). This role requires gifts of spiritual discernment, the ability to understand congregational systems, and a passion for the Church. Credentials Committee Members work on behalf of Franconia Conference s Ministerial Committee to interview, assess, and recommend persons for pastoral and chaplain ministries who are seeking to be credentialed by the conference. Credentials Committee members require gifts of spiritual discernment, theological understanding, and deep appreciation for Anabaptist pastoral leadership values. Conference Board Finance Committee Chairperson chairs the Finance Committee, is a member of the Conference Board, is an ex-officio member of the Franconia Mennonite Conference Properties Committee, and relates closely with the Treasurer and Director of Finance on matters of finances and properties. Chairing the Finance Committee requires a strong financial background and experience as well as gifts of leadership, experience with not-for-profit organizations, and a strong commitment to mission and ministry. Conference Board Finance Committee Members-at-large bring general or specific training and experience in various areas of accounting, human resources, law, investing, and/or budgeting. Finance Committee Members-at-large require gifts of financial management, understanding of not-for-profit organizations and ministries, and a strong commitment to mission and ministry. Director of Franconia Mennonite Conference Properties Committee (legally known as the Franconia Conference Board of Missions & Charities) serves as Franconia Conference s property- holding and management arm. The Properties Committee reports to the Conference Board through the Conference Board Finance Committee. This role ideally requires background either in commercial real estate, business/property management, or construction as well as a commitment to the mission and ministry of Franconia Conference. Page 25 of 30

26 Summary of 2016 Conference Assembly Minutes Saturday, November 5, 2016, 9:00 am 3:40 pm 1. Opening John Goshow (Blooming Glen), Franconia Mennonite Conference (FMC) Moderator, opened the FMC business session noting that 2016 marks 275 years of annual meetings held by FMC. Out of 214 FMC delegates, 181 or 84% registered for this year s assembly. In addition to the delegates, several tables of non-voting guests were seated in the room to observe the business session. John noted that David Boshart, Moderator-Elect of Mennonite Church USA (MCUSA) and Joyce Sutter, slated to be the next Moderator-Elect of MCUSA were both present. John gave an overview of the structure of the business session, which would include a welcome and comments from MCUSA, followed by introductions and communion with table groups. Next would be reports from commission and taskforce formed out of the 2015 Assembly Church Together Statements, including: 1) the Faith and Life Commission, for the purpose of providing at least quarterly meetings for pastors to discern and study Scripture together; 2) the Addressing Abuse Task Force; 3) the Israel/Palestine Taskforce; and not from the 2015 assembly 4) the FMC Executive Minister Search Committee. Next would be a short time for routine minutes, including approving the minutes from 2015 Assembly and a ballot to affirm candidates for FMC Board and Committee positions. A time of discernment on a proposal to study a reconciliation between Eastern District and Franconia Mennonite Conference would be next, followed by a vote on the proposal. 2. Comments from David Boshart, Moderator-Elect, MCUSA David shared that 32 years ago he and his wife Shana were married at Plains Mennonite Church. He remembers being visited by Bishop John Lapp who gave them counsel, a blessing and a hand-made fraktur. David said that Shana s childhood house no longer exists on Orvilla Road and the landscape is dramatically altered. He said that this dramatic change reminds him of the tsunami of social change in our world today. It is important to keep track of the relevant landmarks in the midst of the social change. In MCUSA, he sees four key landmarks to help us navigate the change: 1. Our vision statement, which keeps us oriented towards healing and hope; 2. Our clear and theologically reliable Statement of Faith; 3. Our Polity Statement, guiding how we call and nurture pastors; and 4. The Spiritual Priorities of our common life. These four landmarks are offered to and implemented in local congregations to build our houses of faith. 3. Table Group Communion - Mary Nitzsche Mary invited table groups to give introductions, sharing names, congregations and one sign of hope. Table groups were invited to share communion, remembering God s Unifying Spirit. We need each other in our planting and watering, and God provides the growth. Before His death, Jesus prayed that the disciples would internalize what He had taught them. We, too, should internalize His words and our oneness in Christ. Ivan and Lorene Derstine led the song One is the Body. 5. Reports Faith and Life Commission Report: Josh Meyer (Franconia) and Rose Bender (Whitehall) led the transition to the committee reports with the Faith and Life Commission report, mentioning that the Faith and Life Commission was re-established at FMC Assembly 2015 for the purpose of providing at least quarterly meetings for pastors to Page 26 of 30

27 discern and study Scripture together. The group decided on the following priorities: 1) Relationships; 2) Scripture; 3) Sharing Stories; and 4) Praying for each other. This group does not make decisions, handle disputes or take actions. The goal of the group is to create opportunities for pastors and credentialed leaders to be strengthened and to hold each other accountable. The first hour of the meeting is to dwell in the Word and to pray for each other. Rose shared that we need one another. We need folks who are different from us to learn together. We can learn to begin to trust each other. The current schedule for meetings is 1) October, 2016: Going to the Margins; 2) February, 2017: Responding to Sex Abuse; 3) May, 2017: TBD; and August 2017: TBD. Rose asked that the delegates be in prayer for the Faith and Life Commission participants. Addressing Abuse Taskforce Report: Krista Showalter Ehst (Alpha) and Wayne Speigle (Blooming Glen) shared that this group has a large and daunting task. The guiding text of the group is Micah 6:8, which states And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Wayne and Krista shared that it is important to prioritize the needs and wounds of survivors. Better avenues of support are needed. The group has focused on creating local support options for survivors and hopes to support the creation of local support groups through offering training. Congregations should contact the taskforce if they would like to explore this. The taskforce is connecting with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) which has expanded beyond the Catholic church and provides support, truth-telling and safe places for survivors. SNAP-Menno is primarily an advocacy group, the taskforce is engaging with SNAP national to best support survivors. The taskforce encourages congregations to provide resources for counseling for persons impacted by abuse. Eventually, the group would like to have resources to provide ongoing support as well as to make resources available through the FMC web page. Israel/Palestine Taskforce: Peder Wigner (Norristown New Life) shared that this taskforce has been meeting monthly since June. The goals of the group being to raise awareness, promote events, and to prepare a resolution for Mennonite Church USA Convention Orlando The taskforce is presenting a workshop later today at the Assembly called Seeking Peace in Israel/Palestine. FMC Executive Minister Search Committee: Angela Moyer (Ripple) shared on behalf of the search committee, which is chaired by Joy Sutter (Safford) and includes Henry Longacre (Swamp), Glen Nemath (Blooming Glen), Doris Diener (Franconia Mennonite) and Michael Meneses (Wellspring Church of Skippack). The group has spent time talking through and designing a selection process. Constituents are asked to talk and pray and submit nominations. The committee is sending out update s. More information can be found on the FMC website. It is hoped that the committee can recommend a candidate by December 31, Routine Business John Goshow Mim Book made a motion to accept the FMC Assembly 2015 Minutes, which was seconded by Larry Diener. The motion was unanimously approved. John thanked Tim Rice for the excellent minutes. John explained the ballot that was on the tables to affirm candidates for FMC positions. All are renewal positions with the exception of Smita Ruby Singh of Whitehall who is proposed as a new FMC Board member. 7. Conferring Time John Goshow opened the conferring time stating that the Eastern District (EDC) and FMC delegates are at this time discussing the same questions in separate business sessions regarding a proposal to explore if reconciliation between the two conferences is possible and if so, what needs to be done to accomplish this. In the 2016 Assembly Docket, and on the FMC web page there is a letter from the moderators of Eastern District and Franconia Conferences that gives the details of this proposal. Delegates were asked to discuss the following questions in their table groups: If this process is affirmed, what is your desired outcome from the process? If this process is affirmed, what ideas would you have for the ways that people could speak into the process? What affirmations, questions or concerns would you have about the proposal itself? John continued saying that we are very different now than we were in 1847 when FMC and EDC split. Why do we need a Reconciliation Proposal? EDC and FMC are working together now but we have a history. Our differences are real. In the reconciliation Proposal we are recommending that we invite Dave Brubaker and Roxy Kioko from Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) to lead us in a year-long process to study reconciliation, to review our history and our present. There is no guarantee that this process will lead us to unite. We hope that it will, but there is no Page 27 of 30

28 guarantee. We have felt the Spirit of cooperation between the EDC and the FMC that has been amazing. Today we are voting on the study. We are not voting on unity. John then turned the time to the table groups for 20 minutes to discuss the Reconciliation Proposal in preparation for the vote. 8. Table Group Reports FMC will collect and compile the complete list of comments from the table groups. A sample of comments that were shared after the table discussions are as follows: Confession is a big theme. Structure is an issue. Seeking unity is a witness to the community. We may need a new name to go with our new identity. How will our assets be owned and handled? Are there differences in polity issues that will be addressed? Women in leadership, military service? How is diversity represented in EDC? Who initiated the reconciliation discussion? If the relationship is currently working, why not leave it alone? What is the cost of the outside expert to lead the study process? Are there other options? There may be a lack of awareness around the details of the original split. Most of us don t understand the differences between FMC and EDC. What are the desired outcomes for the process? It is good to do something deliberately. Face to face time needs to be included. We hope that the final report clearly identifies differences so that they can be addressed. We want transparency and regular updates. We want to ensure that FMC is on solid ground before uniting. We desire to have feedback from the congregations throughout the process. How will polity differences be resolved? What best enables us to grow in our witness? Is this a question primarily of reconciliation or of merger? We hope that the focus of the study is not on the merger but on lingering issues that may need to be confessed. We affirm the process of taking time to understand the implications. We can learn from our past. We hope that we can learn from each other through this process. What is our structure? What are our differences? We hope that the process will be transparent and that respect and forbearance are present. Does FMC know itself before working at a merger? Can we learn from past efforts? How can we reconcile something that happened 175 years ago? Young people may be asking what the big deal is. Older people may be thinking that there are real issues that need to be identified. How do our polity and culture work together? What benefits does merger offer? We may need to deconstruct current conference structures. Historically EDC has been more missional than FMC. FMC has been more church-focused. We hope that the outcome goal is to become a stronger church. 9. Closing Reconciliation Comments John Goshow shared that if the Reconciliation Proposal is approved, the reference team will review the comments and will start work on December 31. We want to respect each other s background and history while still moving to be one. 10. Ertell Whigham John shared that Ertell has submitted his resignation as Executive Minister to the FMC Board. Ertell will remain as Executive Minister until January 31, He has been connected with FMC for 20 years. Ertell shared that he wants to thank FMC and to thank God for the opportunity to do this work. In times of challenge and testing, we learn something about ourselves, about God and about each other. Ertell has appreciated the FMC s honesty over the years, in part through critiquing, which has made him a more faithful servant. He deeply appreciated God s breathing a Spirit of Cooperation among us. We are as people of God the same as we have always been faithful, unfaithful, fearless, fearful, consistent, and inconsistent. We care for and need each other. We fear the need for transformation. John shared how much the FMC has appreciated Ertell s work and said, You have made a difference. The FMC delegates responded with clapping and a standing ovation to honor Ertell. 10. Announcements Page 28 of 30

29 11. Closing Action John Goshow led the delegates in repeating the following commitment: ACTION: 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. 12. Song Ivan and Lorene referenced I Corinthians 13 and led the group in singing Love Diving, All Loves Excelling. 13. Worship The group was invited to join the EDC delegates for worship in the auditorium. List of Actions from Conference Assembly 2016 Delegates to the 2016 Fall Assembly of Franconia Mennonite Conference acted: Action 1: To unanimously accept the minutes of the 2015 Conference Assembly. Action 2: To affirm unanimously the candidates for FMC positions. All are renewal positions with the exception of Smita Ruby Singh of Whitehall who is proposed as a new FMC Board member. Action 3: To affirm with a ninety-six percent (96%) vote the proposal for the Reconciliation Study. Submitted by Janet Panning Page 29 of 30

30 Schedule 2017 (All sessions and events are open to ANYONE, delegates and non-delegates) Friday, November 3 Afternoon Faith & Life Gathering (Location TBD) 6:30-9:00 pm Exhibits open 6:30-9:00 pm Child care available 7:00-8:30 pm United Worship 8:30-9:00 pm Ice Cream Social Saturday, November 4 8:00-9:00 am Delegate Check-In open 8:00 am-4:00 pm Exhibits Open 8:00 am-4:00 pm Child care available (8:30 am 12:30 noon & 1:30 4:00 pm) 9:00 am-10:30 am Franconia Conference Business Session New congregations looking to join Affirmation of board & committee members Reports from taskforces & commission 10:30-11:30 am United Worship Session Worship Mennonite Women 100 th Anniversary recognition Remembering our Cloud of Witnesses Newly Credentialed Leader recognition 11:45-12:45 pm Lunch 1:00-2:00 pm Joint FMC/EDC Business Session Reconciliation Exploration report 2:00-4:00 pm Franconia Conference Business Session Discernment on reconciliation exploration