Allegheny Miscellany
By: David Mishler, Conference Minister
Volume 25 - MARCH 2020
#1 – A measured response to COVID-19
As I write this portion of the Miscellany, the NBA has postponed its season and travel to Europe has been restricted. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has just dropped below 21,500, signaling an official “bear market.” Many meetings are being cancelled across the United States and schools are being closed. How shall we respond? As people who put their trust in God and follow in the path of Jesus, attempting to respond without fear is at best a challenge. Our conference of congregations stretches from West Virginia to Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania. We have not yet been in the epicenter of the virus’ spread, but it appears we will not be spared from its effect. Mennonite Church USA and Everence have developed informational statements that are quite helpful in a measured response: Everence: http://doclib.everence.com/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=31811 MC USA: http://mennoniteusa.org/news/mennonite-church-usa-managing-coronavirus/ MC USA national meetings may be postponed or cancelled. Your congregations may choose to cancel meetings based on your congregation’s profile and context. As we all make decisions for what is best, I share with you what Cindy and Michelle wrote to the Hyattsville congregation as an example of a thoughtful missive - “…please take care of yourself, wash your hands, be kind to your neighbors, call people who may feel isolated. Social distancing is recommended, keeping six feet away from people. And we still need to find ways to care for each other. Please be in touch with one of us if you need a conversation, a prayer, or if you have questions. We pray that we will all find shelter in the love of God in these days of uncertainty.” May God grant grace to the world and help us be witnesses for peace in this particular time. #4 – New Jr. Youth Retreat Cancelled for 2020 contact Joy Cotchen if you have questions joyc@alleghenymennoniteconference.org |
#2 – Allegheny delegates meet for Spring Faith & Life Gathering – March 7, 2020 More than 70 persons participated in an historic meeting at Hyattsville Mennonite Church. Two congregations – West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship and Community Mennonite Church (Harrisonburg, VA) – were welcomed into membership. A revised plan of organization was approved, where congregations may send up to seven delegates, of their choosing, to represent their congregation at conference gatherings. A balanced budget, the first in almost a decade, was approved. Several persons visited the International Guest House in the middle of an historic closure as remedies to fire code issues are being addressed. Allegheny is committed to a centered-set model of faith, life and witness - where Jesus is the center, collaboration is the approach, and place-based ministry is the strategy. We value relationships. We value diversity. We value staying at the table. We are committed to an Anabaptist-Mennonite view of the scriptures. Mennonite Church USA continues its search for a vision and identity that gives life and vitality to all its participants in the years to come. I so much appreciate how we in Allegheny our finding our way to be the most diverse conference we can imagine under the guidance of God’s Spirit
#3 – Registration is open for Spring Study Applications are coming in for the May 4-7 Spring Bible Study for pastors and leaders at Laurelville. “Embodiment and Holism: Reading the Poetry of the Song of Songs” will focus on a reading of this book which leads to creation care, healthy views of body and sexuality, and an agrarian approach to life. Sign up today! 
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Who is Allegheny Mennonite Conference?
We are a group of 14 congregations from PA, WV, MD, VA and DE who are raising two significant priorities: to be a conference whose highest priority is to walk in the way of Jesus, the center of our faith, and to be so committed to place-based ministry, ministry in our local neighborhoods, that everything we do flows out of this commitment to offer Jesus’ reconciliation in our home towns. We value relationships. We commit our delegates to be present at three gatherings each year to share what God is doing in our various places, so that we can celebrate and counsel with one another. Our pastors commit to be engaged regularly in pastor peer gatherings for sharing, education and counsel. We value diversity. We believe diversity of thought and practice will sharpen one another in extending the reign of God in our neighborhoods. We value staying at the table. Not imposing our agenda on one another, yet discerning together how God is speaking into the life of our conference and the lives of our congregations, we aspire as adult siblings to honor one another with ongoing conversation, seeking our future together. Allegheny Mennonite Conference. Jesus centered. Collaborative. Committed to place-based ministry. |
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