Rick Stiffney addresses assembly participants for the final time as MHS CEO. Kenneth Krehbiel/Imageworks Photography

More than 200 health and human services professionals gathered March 8-10 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to attend Mennonite Health Assembly 2018, titled “Celebrating Resilience.”

Following a Mennonite Health Services (MHS) Alliance members’ meeting March 8, the assembly opened with a general session that introduced five creative guests who were featured throughout the week: Sadie Gustafson-Zook and Ethan Setiawan contributed musical leadership, Billy Funk offered lively interpretations of resilience through video and improv, Emily Marko drew illustrations of aspects of the assembly as they were happening, and Ted Swartz of Ted & Co. provided examples of the power of storytelling.

Leaders in areas ranging from diversity, to Millennials in the workplace, to board governance, facilitated Learning Lab workshops each day of the assembly, including a pre-conference session led by Lee Schmucker on dealing effectively with workplace conflict.

A celebration of Rick Stiffney’s years of service at MHS was attended by more than 130 guests. Accolades for Stiffney were given by MHS board chair Laurie Nafziger and others.

During the general session March 9, four keynote storytellers shared stories of resilience in their lives and work. Don Tyson of Eastern Mennonite University, Vicki Pendleton of Jubilee, Everett J. Thomas of Greencroft, and Laurie Nafziger of Oaklawn each shared a testimony of withstanding struggle as part of a supportive community. “There is power in healing on a shared journey,” said Pendleton in her story. “We know it takes character, community, faith and resilience to move through it with grace together.”

Scheduled events March 9 concluded with a celebration of resilience to support hurricane recovery work in Puerto Rico. Jim Alvarez of Everence brought an update on the work of Sistema de Salud Menonita, the Mennonite hospital system in Puerto Rico, and two donors provided $1,000 matching gifts. “Pay to Play” board games, mini golf and even a hula hoop challenge allowed participants to contribute to a worthy cause, and $3,300 was raised by the end of the evening.

The assembly concluded March 10 with brunch and a closing session led by Ted Swartz. “Sometimes I wonder if resilience is simply showing up because all we can do is survive,” he said. “And other times I wonder if it’s picking our heads up, seeing the light, and looking back at how far we’ve come.”

Rick Stiffney, outgoing CEO of MHS, offered a closing reflection.

“Assembly is a time when we come together to encourage each other, build relationships, and share resources—and this has been a grand event with fresh approaches, great music, and lots of stories and fun together.” He added later, “Resilience is about clarifying our core convictions and asking if our structures have the integrity and capacity to withstand strain, as well as to adapt.”

Stiffney expressed deep appreciation for all those in attendance, concluding with joyful thanks for his years at MHS and a warm welcome to incoming MHS CEO Karen Lehman, who will begin May 1.

The next Mennonite Health Assembly will be held February 28-March 2, 2019, in Wichita, Kansas.