Thursday, April 24, 2025

"Why Pennsylvania?" I was asked. "Why make a Rejoicing Spirits gratitude road trip there?" The reason is straightforward. Pennsylvania, although it has the highest number of Rejoicing Spirits communities, no longer formally receives Mosaic’s services. We aimed to ensure that these communities were not overlooked. 

Thus, in early March, Beth Sabella, one of Mosaic’s development officers, and I took to the road with the sole purpose of saying “Thank you!”

We thought you might like to join us on the journey.  Here are just a few of the many things we learned:

  • Rejoicing Spirits was initiated 22 years ago at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Exton, Pennsylvania. Since its inception, it has expanded into a network of over 50 communities led by more than 60 congregations, with an additional eight communities in development.
  • First United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania will dedicate an autumn Sunday to education about individuals with disabilities and will host a spring “Day of Pampering” for caregivers.
  • Calvary Lutheran Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania has established a comprehensive volunteer training program for Rejoicing Spirits volunteers, ensuring that volunteering responsibilities are shared equitably.
  • Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit in Emmaus, Pennsylvania recognizes the importance of networking with other congregations and has mentored various congregations in the establishment of Rejoicing Spirits.
  • New Hanover Lutheran Church in Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania is the oldest German Lutheran congregation in the United States and marked its 325th anniversary this year.
  • Zion Lutheran Church in Jonestown, Pennsylvania raised $14,000 in one year using Thrivent Action Teams, with a portion allocated to support their disabilities ministries.
  • Pastor Linda Kozlowski at Good Shepherd UCC in Reading, Pennsylvania suggests praying with ordinary objects and recommends the book “In My Heart: A Book of Feelings.”
  • Retired Pastor Sue Lishman, a volunteer at the Trinity Lutheran / St. Paul’s UCC service in Kutztown, Pennsylvania has contributed an article to this newsletter discussing the positive impact Rejoicing Spirits has had on her grandson.
  • Pastor Kay Braun at St. James Lutheran Church in Pottstown, Pennsylvania reflects on utilizing a children's sermon from a funeral as one of her initial resources and has subsequently developed numerous additional resources.
  • Juniata United Methodist Church in Altoona, Pennsylvania holds its services on the third Sunday of each month. On the fifth Sunday, the service is integrated into the regular Sunday morning service, allowing all participants to share in the experience.

We hope you’ve enjoyed joining us on the journey. And, just for fun, we have some other resources from Pennsylvania in this edition of the newsletter as well. Enjoy!

Pastor Twila Schock