• Español
  • Historical Archives
  • Convention
  • Contact Us
Support the Ministry Give
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • Find a Church
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
      • Racial Ethnic Council
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
      • Wellbeing in Ministry
      • Ministerial Inquiry Form
      • Kineo Center
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
      • Pastors & Leaders | Deep Faith 2022
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
      • Peace and Justice Support Network
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of the Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Everence
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • MHS
  • Events
  • Resources
  • News & Blog
    • Blog
    • News & Media
    • Menno Snapshots
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • MennoCon
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • Find a Church
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
      • Racial Ethnic Council
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
      • Wellbeing in Ministry
      • Ministerial Inquiry Form
      • Kineo Center
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
      • Pastors & Leaders | Deep Faith 2022
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
      • Peace and Justice Support Network
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of the Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Everence
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • MHS
  • Events
  • Resources
  • News & Blog
    • Blog
    • News & Media
    • Menno Snapshots
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • MennoCon
Home / News / Two Mennonite Church USA conferences unite, healing a 172-year split
Nov 06 2019

Two Mennonite Church USA conferences unite, healing a 172-year split

Delegates applauded when conference moderators announced the unanimous vote that reconciled Eastern District Conference and Franconia Mennonite Conference, forming a new, united conference. Photo by Cindy Angela. 

By Camille Dager

SOUDERTON, Pa. (Mennonite Church USA) – There was a palpable feeling of tense excitement at this year’s Joint Assembly of Eastern District Conference (EDC) and Franconia Mennonite Conference (Franconia) on November 2, 2019, at Souderton Mennonite Church, Souderton, Pennsylvania. The anticipation exploded into applause, when James Musselman, moderator for EDC, and John Goshow, moderator for Franconia, read the results of the delegate vote that unanimously affirmed the reconciliation of the two conferences.

The reconciliation between the two Pennsylvania-based conferences ends the split that took place 172 years ago, which divided families, friends and churches over issues such as modern administration, freedom in dress and conduct, education for pastors and the creation of publications.

“I am so thankful that this historic event is taking place,” said Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) Executive Director Glen Guyton to the Assembly in a prerecorded video statement. “With God anything is possible. I know it’s taken many steps to get you to this place, but I am so proud to be a part of the church when we can work at reconciliation, heal old wounds and move forward together in the newness of Christ.”

The vote affirms a reconciliation process that began in 2011, when delegates at a Joint Conference Assembly voted to continue conversations about a shared future. The next few years drew the conferences together, as they acknowledged past hurts, offered apologies and envisioned the journey forward.  A joint reconciliation team worked to lay the foundation for the new, united conference. At this year’s Joint Assembly, delegates voted to accept the bylaws of the new conference, the Structure and Identity Taskforce’s final recommendations, and the plan of merger, including the new Conference Board.

The new conference has not been named yet, as the Taskforce’s Naming Committee continues the important work of discernment and discovery.

Following the reconciliation announcement, Hendy Matahelemual, Franconia pastor of formation and communication and Assembly worship leader, led the gathering in “Hosanna,” a global praise anthem, to represent the multicultural family and vision of the new conference. Tami Good, pastor at Swamp Mennonite Church, Quakertown, Pennsylvania, then led the Assembly in “Praise God from Whom,” sung in traditional a cappella style to represent the conference’s historical roots.

Steve Kriss, executive conference pastor for Franconia, introduced a shared time of Communion, commenting, “We are about to do something we could not have done 150 years ago.” Delegates served one another communion at their tables in a moment that evoked the Assembly’s theme, “Witness,” based on Hebrews 12:1-3, which reminds us that we are “surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses” and encourages us to, “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.”

Scott Roth, executive conference pastor for EDC, concluded the historic event, saying, “Go in peace.”

The new MC USA Conference officially will begin operations at the start of the new fiscal year on February 1, 2020.

 

  • Posted in News
  • Tagged BRINGTHEPEACE, Eastern District Conference, Franconia Mennonite Conference, Glen Guyton, Hendy Matahelemual, James Musselman, John Goshow, Peace, Praise God from Whom, reconciliation, Scott Roth, Souderton Mennonite Church, Steve Kriss
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail

News

3145 Benham Ave. Suite 1
Elkhart, IN 46517

718 N. Main St.
Newton, KS 67114
Phone: (866) 866-2872
  • News & Media
  • Español
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Convention
  • Resources
  • Give
  • Staff
  • Employment
  • Transparency in Coverage
©2020 Mennonite Church USA   |   Subscribe to PeaceMail to receive news and blogs compiled into one weekly email.   SUBSCRIBE