A Congregation Going Deeper with Jesus
Zion Mennonite Church sits on the corner of a residential block in Souderton, Pennsylvania, in the rolling farmland country of eastern Montgomery County. The motto "Going Deeper with Jesus" signals the center of gravity for a congregation that calls itself Anabaptist and tries to keep Jesus and his teachings at the heart of both worship and daily life.
Members and visitors are welcomed to a one-hour worship service every Sunday at 9:00 a.m., followed by Sunday School for all ages at 10:15 a.m. From there the rhythm of the week spreads outward into a fellowship meal that serves the wider Souderton community twice a week, a long-running nursery school, a grief support group, a food outreach to students, a solar project on the church roof, and a working cemetery in nearby Franconia Township. The congregation describes itself as centered on following Christ, with members working locally and globally, and connecting with the Holy Spirit's work across cultural and geographical boundaries.
Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
The Sunday worship service is structured but relaxed, and it includes the elements one expects in a traditional Mennonite setting. Ushers greet visitors at the door with a printed program. The service moves through singing, scripture reading, a sermon by one of the pastors or a lay leader, a children's story, and prayers for the community and the peace of the world.
Visitors are not asked to stand up and introduce themselves. Instead, an attendance pad passes through the pews, and ushers and volunteers at the Welcome Center in the foyer invite newcomers to chat after the service. Coffee is served in Fellowship Hall once worship ends, and adult Christian Education classes for all ages follow.
Dress tends to vary. Members often dress a little more formally in the winter, with some wearing ties, while others come in business casual or jeans year-round. The worship space itself is built for gathered community: high ceilings, stained-glass windows, and walnut pews arranged around a central cross.
A Worship Space Built Around the Cross
The current church building is the product of a deliberate two-year study by the congregation, who chose to work with architect Edward A. Sövik to design a space that genuinely expresses Anabaptist convictions. The result reflects two core ideas: that the church is a gathered community of believers, and that disciples are called to follow Christ's example of humility and service. Simple lines, natural materials, and an open, welcoming atmosphere carry through every part of the building.
The most striking choice is where the cross stands. Rather than being placed at the front of the room as decoration, the cross is positioned at the center of the worship space, among the gathered congregation. The arrangement says that Jesus is at the center of history and of the community's life, and that following him is not a distant idea but a way of being present with one another.
The baptismal font sits near the entrance of the worship space, in front of a red window. It is made from clay and fired into stone, a quiet visual statement that ordinary material can be shaped for sacred purpose. A towel rests nearby as a reminder that baptism, in the Anabaptist understanding, is a commitment to a life of service.
The windows around the room continue the story in color. The red of the baptismal window speaks of the suffering endured by the earliest adult-baptism believers, as well as the fire of the Holy Spirit. Blue windows throughout the sanctuary point to a future hope, drawing on the language of 1 Corinthians 13: now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. Clear windows keep the present world always in view, a reminder that disciples are called to follow Christ here and now.
The Fisk Tracker Organ
The centerpiece of the musical life of worship is the Charles Fisk Tracker Pipe Organ, Opus 51, built in 1968. Organ builder Charles Fisk worked in collaboration with architect Edward A. Sövik to match the instrument to its surroundings. The organ faces the central cross, and the congregation describes it as a reminder that it is Christ whom they worship, praising the instrument for its spare modern beauty and the many ways it can lead voices in song.
The organ has a Great division with Principal 8', Gemshorn 8', Octave 4', Night Horn 4', Mixture IV-V, and Cremona 8'; a Choir division with Bourdon 8', Chimney Flute 4', Principal 2', Sesqualtera II, Cymbal II, and Tremulant; a Pedal division with Subbass 16', Flute 8', Choralbass 4', and Bassoon 16'; and couplers for Great/Pedal, Choir/Pedal, and Choir/Great. The manual compass is 56 notes, the pedal compass is 32 notes, and the mechanical wind pressure is 1 3/4 inches.
Music in the Service
Hymns and praise songs anchor congregational singing, with the organ and piano carrying the melody and harmony. Three choirs and a bell choir add their voices to the seasons of the church year.
The Adult Choir sings at the 9:00 a.m. service about twice a month from September through May, and also on Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving Eve, and Maundy Thursday. Its repertoire centers on traditional choral music, with the occasional surprise. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings during the program year.
The Children's Choir includes children age 3 through fifth grade. After worship, the children gather in the music room to sing traditional and praise songs for children, and they usually sing about once a month from October through June.
The Bell Choir plays services on Christmas and Easter plus a few other occasions. Membership asks for the ability to read music and a good sense of rhythm. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings before choir, as needed, from October through May.
Children and the Worship Hour
Two programs serve families with young children during the Sunday morning hour.
Child care is provided during worship and Sunday School for children age two and younger, staffed with two adult volunteers.
Children's Church gathers children in preschool through first grade for learning and activities of their own during the latter part of the worship hour. After Children's Church, children move directly into children's music time and then into Sunday School. Parents pick up their children at 11:15 a.m. in the Education Wing.
Christian Education for Every Age
Sunday School meets from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. and is organized for three groups.
Children's Sunday School is offered beginning at age three, with the Welcome Center helping families locate the right room. Children who leave worship for Children's Church (preschool through grade 1) move on to children's music and then into Sunday School, with parents collecting them in the Education Wing at 11:15 a.m.
Youth Sunday School brings students in grades 6 through 12 together for a single class that studies the Bible and what it means to follow Jesus in daily life.
Adult Sunday School offers several classes. Classes are not separated by age but by interest, with sermon response, topical studies on contemporary issues, and Biblical studies offered throughout the year. A separate class for adults with developmental disabilities meets in the church library. Visitors can ask ushers at the Welcome Center or a pastor for help finding a class.
Junior and Senior High Youth
Students in grades 6 through 12 gather at the church on Tuesday evenings for fun and fellowship. The group explores who Jesus is and what a life of discipleship looks like as friendships grow and the young people serve the wider community.
Once a month the youth group volunteers together on a service project. Past projects have included Care and Share Shoppes, the Bean Bag Food Program, Bridge of Hope, and the Mennonite Resource Center. About once a month the group goes on a social outing, and a February weekend retreat and a summer mission trip round out the year.
Table of Plenty
Twice a week the Fellowship Hall at Zion opens its doors to anyone who is hungry for a meal or for company. Table of Plenty now regularly serves twenty-five to thirty people each meal. The program is described as offering a good lunch, fellowship, and a place to set your cares down, with a prayer and conversation over a cup of coffee.
Table of Plenty is held every Monday and Wednesday in the Zion Fellowship Hall. Coffee and gathering begin at 11:30 a.m., the meal is served at noon, and social time continues until 12:45 p.m. A reservation is required, and can be made by calling (215) 723-3756.
Bean Bag Food Program
The congregation supports the Bean Bag Food Program, which provides weekend meals to food-insecure students in local school districts. The church hosts quarterly family breakfasts and occasional grocery give-aways for participating students and families. Giving and donations to the program are part of the church's regular benevolence.
GriefShare
GriefShare at Zion is a seminar and support group for people grieving the loss of someone close to them. The group is led by people who understand the experience and want to offer comfort and encouragement.
GriefShare is non-denominational and features biblical teaching on grief and recovery topics. Participants learn about renewing hope for the future and are invited, as they feel comfortable, to share their own story. All are welcome to attend any session.
Creation Care Committee
The Creation Care Committee believes that all Christians are called to preserve and care for the health and beauty of the earth as God created it for the well-being and enjoyment of all. The committee works on education of the congregation, partnerships in the local community, and projects that make the church's facilities and programs more environmentally friendly. A solar array was installed on Zion's roof in 2024.
Zion Memorial Gardens
Zion owns and operates Zion Memorial Gardens, a cemetery located at 587 Bergey Road in Franconia Township (Telford, PA 18969). Plots are available for purchase by both church members and non-members.
Zion Mennonite Nursery School
The oldest nursery school in the Souderton area, Zion Mennonite Nursery School is a ministry of the church, with the motto "Kind. Caring. Creative. Happy. Responsible." The mission is to help children grow into their God-given potential, blending structured learning and play to prepare children for the next step in education.
The school year runs from the Monday after Labor Day through Memorial Day. Four programs are offered:
- My Toddler & Me: a free Tuesday-morning program from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. for toddlers and their parents or caregivers, with circle time including a short Bible story, songs, finger plays, and a simple craft.
- Nursery School for 3-Year-Olds: Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. for children who are age 3 by September 1 and fully potty trained. Class size is limited to 14.
- Nursery School for 4- and 5-Year-Olds: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., or Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Class size is limited to 16.
- Afternoon Adventures: an enrichment program from noon to 2:30 p.m. for children who want to enjoy lunch together and explore topics in science, art and creation, and bodies in motion. Days are determined upon enrollment.
The Nursery School teachers staff the work: Erin Constanzer (Director of Children's Ministry and Nursery School Teacher), Jennifer Moyer (Nursery School Director), Rachel Mateti, Melissa Karwoski, and Kate Mikulka (My Toddler & Me). Tuition is paid online through the church's giving platform.
Pastoral Staff
Zion is served by a small pastoral team. Sonya Stauffer Kurtz is the Lead Pastor. Dave Moyer is the Pastor of Congregational Care. Erin Constanzer is the Director of Children's Ministry and also teaches in the Nursery School. Jihee Choi serves as Organist and Pianist.
Jennifer Moyer serves as Administrative Assistant, Nursery School Director, and Financial Secretary. Together with the pastors, the staff keeps the congregation's Sunday, weekly, and community rhythms running.
Where to Find Zion
Zion Mennonite Church is located at 149 East Cherry Lane in Souderton, Pennsylvania. The phone number is (215) 723-3592 and the email is contact@zionmennonite.org. Sunday morning visitors can park and enter, be greeted by an usher at the door, and find their way to a pew, a Sunday School classroom, or the Welcome Center. Those who cannot attend in person can join the service through a livestream, with an archive of past services available. Giving, including nursery school tuition, is available online.