by Toby Mommsen
East Coast Regional NCN Gathering • Sept 13, 2025 Lancaster PA
On a brilliant September Saturday, seventy people did come together to share a day of fellowship on the outskirts of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Landis Valley Christian Fellowship generously gave us the use of their building, with ample space for meetings large and small, kitchen and dining areas.
A broad cross-section of faith backgrounds was represented: Catholics, Mennonites, German Baptists, Amish, Focolare, Bruderhof, Brethren, and others. Folks came from Indiana, Virginia, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Most of us had never met before.
Everyone was invited to suggest a topic for small discussion groups. After a lunch and a welcome meeting, four discussion groups met in different parts of the building.
Topics for Roundtable discussions
· Pacifism in practice: in community and as a nation
· Life in Christ in community, as alternative to national political debate
· How can denominations come together?
· Maintaining relationships with other Christians who have opposing views; healing deep divisions within families: lessons from living in community
Lay monasticism: ordinary people sharing life for discipleship of Christ
· Christian nationalism: its influence on and involvement in the state
· The centrality of Jesus in the face of iniquity and division
· Christian Pacifism
Discovering our shared convictions, hopes and longings in all these matters was the over-arching message everyone brought back to our evening gathering. Interspersed with songs, many shared reflections and hopes that we’ll be able to gather again in this region some time.
Finding new friends in these smaller gatherings is always a particular gift and encouragement.
A lively group of children added their joy to the mix. In the breaks, volunteer cooks bustled in the kitchen to get dinner ready. The photos tell the rest of the story:
Toby Mommsen lives at Spring Valley Bruderhof, Farmington, PA, and currently serves on the leadership team of NCN.