Moravian Magazine, Issue 6, 2018

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Volunteering at MOD 2018 Seminary Commencement Welcoming a new bishop Worship as an emotional journey ‌and more!

Show the world that Jesus makes your heart rejoice!

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Show pride in your church and share your faith with our new T-shirts!

These high-quality, 100% cotton Ts feature a brilliant red and white silkscreened “Jesus Makes My Heart Rejoice” design on the front, and your choice of a listing of Northern or Southern Province Moravian Congregations on the back. Available now from the IBOC Store in sizes S-XXL. North

Special Offer: For a limited time, get FREE SHIPPING* on all T-shirts!

To order or for more information, visit https://store.moravian.org today! *regular shipping charges apply to additional items on your order. © 2018, IBOC

Now Available!

Park Benches

by Bishop Kay Ward

Bishop Kay’s fourth offering is filled with reflective, funny and inspiring stories, perfect for daily reflections or just a good story to share!

For special offers on Park Benches and Kay’s other inspiring books, visit https://store.moravian.org or call 1.800.732.0591, ext. 38

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Moravian Crystal Moravian Crystal Company is pleased to present a collection of elegant renderings, highly detailed and produced in 3D laser engraved imaging into optical grade crystal. These unique gifts, designed in Winston-Salem, N.C., celebrate Moravian history, heritage and traditions.

For more information or to order, visit www.moraviancrystal.com Moravian Crystal Company, Inc. 2150 Country Club Rd, Suite 248 Winston-Salem, N.C. 27104 (336) 306-5688

The Moravian

On the cover: Looking down the road on a summers’ journey. Photo by Mike Riess.

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10 Christ and him crucified remain our confession of faith In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love

Moravian Education 6

The 2018 Graduates of Moravian Theological Seminary

Moravian History 9

Sixth Bethlehem Conference on Moravian History & Music coming Oct. 11-13

In Our Communitie 10 Volunteering at Moravian Open Door

Moravian Bishops 15 Service consecrates Tom Shelton as Bishop of the

Moravian Unity

Create In Me 18 Worship as an emotional journey

Moravians in Mission 23 Adopt-a-Village: Tabor orphans create new businesses

Moravian Writings Visit our website at http://www.moravian.org.

Letters to the editor, address corrections, and other correspondence may be e-mailed to the editorial staff at moravianmagazine@mcnp. org.

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25 “Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink...”

In Every Issue 4

Ponderings: On volunteer tomatoes

29 Offical Provincial Elders’ News 30 Obituaries: The Rev. William B. Kerner, Jr.,

the Rev. Steadman Bent 3

PONDERINGS

(ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) August 2018, Vol. 49, No. 6 Publications Agreement No. 40036408 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: OnTrac International, 121 5th Avenue NW, New Brighton, MN 55112 email: file@ontrac.com Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces

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On volunteer tomatoes...

ur church life is filled with images of gardens. When we want to start a new congregation, the process is led by church planters.

In describing the spread of the Moravian Church throughout the world, we use the image of vines and branches. Things that grow provide a central theme to many areas of the Bible. Two of my favorites are the parables of the sower and of the mustard seed.

In The Moravian, we’ve shared stories of how growing things and gardens can be a source of serving our neighbors. Stories of feeding people from our gardens, community garden projects and even fundraising with produce have graced our pages. In our May issue, we featured an article by Jeanne Ahlers of Bethel Moravian Church in Leonard, N.D. In it, she shared her love of working the soil and reflected on how worship can be like gardening, and gardening like worship. From her writing, you could tell that she is a serious gardener with a deep faith.

While my thumb isn’t nearly as green as Jeanne’s, I, too, enjoy growing things and marveling at how sunlight, water and soil combine to feed us. There’s nothing like fresh veggies from the garden, especially those you’ve tended from seedlings.

Each year, my family plants small raised beds and a patch on the side of the house in hopes of a bountiful harvest. Thanks to my daughter, this year’s plantings featured bush beans, radishes, basil, parsley, kale, tomatoes and flowers to attract pollinators.

But like so much in life, as the summer wore on, the drive and commitment to weeding, watering and pruning began to wear off. Deep into the season, we were no longer as concerned that a weed or two had found its way into the vegetable patch. By this time of year, we don’t get too hung up on the occasional rogue plant in the garden.

It was that casual approach to weeding that allowed something new to happen in our garden. Thanks to plenty of rain (those of us in east-

Published monthly, except bimonthly January-February and June/July issues, by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.

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Continuing The North American Moravian, The Moravian and The Wachovia Moravian.

Michael Riess, Editor Susan Kiefner, Communications Assistant Jill Bruckart, Customer Relations/Business Assistant Interprovincial Board of Communication Ginny Tobiassen, chair Terri Bischoff, Peggy Carter, Margaret Couch, Lance Fox, Paul Knouse, Kat Lehman, Amy Linville, Dan Miller, Jill Westbrook.

Design by Michael Riess, IBOC. Address all correspondence regarding articles, subscriptions, or advertising to The Moravian, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245 FAX: 610.866.9223 Phone: 610.867.0594 800.732.0591 e-mail: moravianmagazine@mcnp.org www.moravian.org Contents © 2018, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in America.

All rights reserved

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The Moravian

ern Pennsylvania might say too much) and warm, humid weather, things were growing well. A bumper crop of radishes came and went, string beans grew long on the vine and the basil and parsley were doing better than ever.

Yet in among the beans and the parsley, we began to notice “weeds” growing up whose leaves looked remarkably like tomato plants. Most years, we would pull those out.

But this summer, we decided to let them grow, just to see what would happen.

That decision—to allow these “volunteers” to grow in a place where they shouldn’t (they were technically weeds)— proved to be a wise one. The plants, which indeed were tomatoes growing from seeds from last year’s drops, grew healthy and began to bloom. Even before our intentionallyplanted tomatoes began to produce, these wild volunteers had bunches of little cherry tomatoes on them. And they’re adding new fruit every day!

Looking at those wild plants growing where they weren’t supposed to got me thinking: What parallels can we draw between volunteer tomatoes and our daily lives?

Intentionally cultivating plants—placing them in good soil, arranging them in orderly rows, providing nourishment and water, protecting from pests—often yields great results. The same could be said for our congregations—nurturing and growing personal faith in an intentional atmosphere, nourishing with worship and Bible study, seeking God’s love and protection through prayer—usually makes for strong followers.

But recognizing the potential of what look like “weeds” around us—those ideas, Issue 6 • 2018

opportunities and yes, even people that may not, at first glance, belong in our carefully tended gardens—can yield fruit.

What would happen if we reached out and nurtured those in our congregations and communities who seem out of place or searching for a caring environment? Or looked at ideas from other places or that don’t seem to belong? Or gave unexpected opportunities and challenges a chance to blossom instead of being dismissed or weeded out?

I believe all of these can contribute significantly to positive change. As Christians and concerned, caring members of our communities, we need to seek out and recognize those “volunteer tomato plants” and look carefully before dismissing ideas or opportunities that seem like they don’t deserve our attention. Nurturing the new or unexpected and making them part of our existing efforts can result in new life for our ministries.

And when next year’s garden goes in, I’ll be more careful about what I weed out. Allowing the unexpected to be part of my garden is making for some rather tasty salads!

I hope you enjoy this issue of The Moravian Magazine. This edition features the 2018 graduating class from Moravian Theological Seminary, reflections of volunteers at Moravian Open Door, a study of worship as an emotional journey, the consecration of Bishop Tom Shelton, and more. As always, I welcome your thoughts, comments and story ideas.

Peace,

Mike Riess, Editor

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A MORAVIAN EDUCATION

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The 2018 Graduates of Moravian Theological Seminary

he 211th academic year of Moravian Theological Seminary came to a close when 27 graduates received degrees and certificates at its commencement service on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at College Hill Moravian Church. The church was filled with friends and family celebrating the accomplishments of the graduates.

Among the 27 graduates were five Moravians who have found a variety of settings in which to continue their ministries.

Dewey Mullis, a member of Friedland Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C., graduated with a dual degree—a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling from Moravian Seminary and a Master of Social Work from Marywood University. He will be working with individuals recently released from incarceration as a re-entry specialist at Pinebrook Family Answers in Allentown, 6

Pa. At the commencement service, Dewey received the Henry Gerdsen Memorial Prize for intellectual, personal, and professional growth, as well as a commitment to involvement in the seminary community.

A member of the Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church, James Heroux earned a Master of Divinity and received the John David Bishop Prize for superior record in scholarship, development of personality suited to ministry, and participation in seminary activities. James was installed on July 8th as pastor of Freedom Moravian Church in Appleton, Wis. Andrew Craver, a member of Konnoak Hills Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, completed his Master of Divinity in December. He received the Elmer Bender Memorial Award in recognition for qualities suited for ministry in the Moravian Church.

The Moravian

Andrew accepted the call to serve as copastor of the Bethel Moravian Church in Bethel, Alaska. He was ordained on August 5th and will move to Bethel with his wife Jenna.

Naomi Solomon, originally from Bethel Village, Tobago, completed a Master of Arts in Theological Studies. She will continue to serve as a pastoral assistant at the Vanderbilt Avenue Moravian Church on Staten Island, N.Y., as well as provide full-time care to a family in New Jersey.

Recently retired from congregational ministry with the United Church of Canada, the Rev. Dr. Glen Stoudt completed the oneyear intensive Spiritual Direction Certificate and looks to serve as a spiritual director in his ongoing ministry in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

True to our ecumenical roots, students from other denominations received degrees from Moravian Seminary. Kim Adamson (Schuylkill Haven, Pa.) received a Master of Divinity and will complete ordination requirements as she looks to serve in the United Church of Christ.

The first graduates from the Seminary’s newest degree, Master of Arts in Chaplaincy, received their degrees: Elrica AdamsFinney (Easton, Pa.) and Rebecca Stump (Hellertown, Pa.).

Six students received a Master of Arts in Theological Studies: Margaret Donohue (Bethlehem, Pa.), Micah Leonard (York, Pa.), Leonard Lightner (Hellertown, Pa.), Vanessa Romero (Breinigsville, Pa.), David Schappert (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), and Mia White (Allentown, Pa.).

(Continued on next page)

2018 Moravian graduates from Seminary include (top, l to r) Dewey Mullis and James Heroux; (bottom, l to r) Andrew Craver, Naomi Solomon and Glen Stoudt.

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The 2018 graduating class from Moravian Theological Seminary.

Graduates

(Continued from previous page)

Graduating with a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling were Jessie Holden (Tawas City, Mich.), Elijah Irving (Plainfield, N.J.), Noelia Ortiz-Lightner (Hellertown, Pa.), and Jennifer Willever (Richlandtown, Pa.).

The Formative Spirituality program offered a new, one-year intensive Spiritual Direction Certificate program for individuals already serving in counseling and ministry professions. The program was offered in a blended format so that students could enroll from any location, attend via video-conference and come to campus for several intensive retreats. Graduates from the program spanned the globe: Robert Janis-Dillon (Merseyside, England), Jeanine Jones (Asheville, N.C.), Lisa Persons (Decatur, Ga.), Pamela Robertson (Summit, N.J.), Heather Ruce (San Diego, Calif.), and Glen Stoudt (Ottowa, Canada).

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Recipients of the two-year Spiritual Direction Graduate Certificate were Kristy Christian-Petrow (Bethlehem, Pa.), Jennifer Denlinger (Bethlehem Township, Pa.), and Maryann Kearns (Bethlehem, Pa.). Sharon Frye (Weatherly, Pa.) received a Graduate Certificate in Formative Spirituality.

The Rev. Dr. Jane Williams, Professor of Clinical Counseling, retired at the end of the academic year. She gave the commencement address and spoke of the importance of hope as we journey through the peaks and valleys of our lives. Jane will maintain a small private practice of counseling and spiritual direction and continue to lead workshops and retreats.

We wish Jane well in her retirement and look forward to our graduates’ unfolding ministries. n Jane Weber is director of administration for Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pa. The Moravian

MORAVIAN HISTORY

Sixth Bethlehem Conference on Moravian History & Music coming Oct. 11-13

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ow can the Moravian memoir be useful in the 21st century? What roles did women play in the Moravian missions? How can the stories of enslaved people living in Moravian communities be made meaningful for visitors to Moravian sites today? These are only a few of the many questions that will be discussed during the upcoming Bethlehem Conference on Moravian History and Music.

Historians and musicians from Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, North and South America, and Australia will meet in Bethlehem, Pa., October 11-13, 2018, to present the findings of their recent research. Anyone interested attending their presentations or hearing their musical performances is welcome to come!

Events will begin with an opening reception at the Moravian Archives at noon on Thursday, October 11. Special highlights include a lecture by Dr. Winelle Kirton-Roberts from St. Thomas on how Christian missions shaped Caribbean imaging of God, and the lecture by Dr. Craig Atwood on how the General Synod of 1957 dealt with the consequences of World War II and shaped the worldwide Moravian

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Church during the Cold War and the end of the colonial era.

Featured performances include a Night of Moravian Music, presented by the Moravian Music Foundation, and lecture/ recitals by Alissa Duryee and Christina EkstrĂśm. During the conference banquet on Saturday, Oct. 13, the David A. Schattschneider Award of Merit will be presented by the Center for Moravian Studies to Dr. Katherine Faull, Bucknell University.

Conference registration is $120 (with special rates for students and seniors). Visit the conference website for more details and to register: www.moravianconferences.org.

The conference is sponsored by Moravian College, Moravian Archives, the Center for Moravian Studies and the Moravian Music Foundation, in partnership with the Moravian Historical Society and Moravian Theological Seminary. Special funding for international travel grants has been provided by Bethlehem Area Moravians. n Dr. Paul Peucker is archivist for the Moravian Church Northern Province Archives in Bethlehem, Pa.

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IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Volunteering at

MORAVIAN OPEN DOOR

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his year, Moravian Open Door (MOD) celebrates 30 years of serving homeless adults in New York City by providing transitional housing and supportive services at Moravian House, “helping the homeless help themselves.”

MOD depends on the wonderful volunteers who come often and contribute so much to the lives of those who reside there. We asked Susan Attzs-Mendoza, MOD’s Executive Director, and a few of the volunteer groups to tell us what they do, and what this means to those who live at MOD and those who volunteer. Visit MOD’s website, www.moravianhouse.org, for more on volunteers in action at MOD.

Executive Director of MOD

Since its inception, volunteers have played an essential part in and for Moravian Open Door. Our volunteers range from pre-teens to seniors. MOD is a popular volunteer site for confirmation class participants, youth groups, adult groups, and Sunday School classes from various churches, as well as for those volunteering as part of Moravian Mission teams. Volunteers come from all 10

around the country. They have made significant contributions in preparing and providing meals for MOD clients; facilitating activities and events; performing repairs and maintenance on the building; and engaging in various fundraising activities to support our programs and services.

More recently, MOD has seen an increase in the number of volunteers from outside the Moravian Church, including The Church of the Incarnation (Episcopal), Yale Alumni, Godeed, BOMBAS, a local Boy Scout troop, and individuals from the surrounding community. Because of the level of volunteer expertise and participation, MOD saves thousands of dollars in expenses for maintenance and repair projects and for provisions for our clients. Volunteers bring joy and a real sense of worth to the clients at MOD through their concern, fellowship, and caring. Volunteers are also integral to the effective functioning and continuation of this ministry to homeless individuals ages 50 and over. –Susan Attzs-Mendoza

The Moravian

Schoeneck Senior Youth Group

Schoeneck Moravian Church’s Senior Youth Group is an enthusiastic bunch of 12 to 18 year-olds. They love to ‘hang’ together each Sunday for a meal and to plan some of their annual events. Though they love all of their community service projects, the senior youth have a special place in their hearts for Moravian Open Door.

In 2007, they raised funds to replace MOD’s Christmas tree. Every year since, they have made an annual trip in December to set up the tree and decorate it for the Christmas season. The festivities usually include baking cookies for the residents (but to be honest, many are quickly consumed by our own hungry teenagers!). However, the real appeal of the trip is hearing the stories and faith journeys of those who live at MOD. The youth group collects sheets, blankets, pillows and books for the residents throughout the year. Most recently, they’ve focused on Moravian Open Door’s ‘Feed His Sheep’ breakfast program. The new

Youth from Schoeneck decorate the MOD Christamas Tree.

focus raises money to support the program—to give a solid beginning to the residents’ morning! --Mia Francisco

Palmer Moravian Church

“When strangers become friends . . .” As a young girl, I was connected with a client at MOD and we became pen pals. We only (Continued on next page)

Volunteers from Palmer Moravian Church in Pennsylvania join MOD residents for an afternoon of board games.

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A volunteer from Church of the Incarnation paints a resident’s room at MOD.

Open Door

(Continued from previous page)

met once in person, but that visit and several years’ worth of letters formed a strong bond. This experience had a deep impact on my life, and I wanted others of all ages to have the same kind of experience.

During several visits to MOD with members of Palmer Moravian Church, I watched it happen. Strangers became friends. Through some simple work around the building and time spent playing games and having lunch together, we shared our stories and became connected as sisters and brothers. The room became filled with laughter over hands of gin rummy and growing smiles with each shout of “Bingo!”

After one memorable visit, my 7-yearold son walked out the door onto 18th Street, turned to us, and asked, “When can I see my new best friend again?” He was referring to a particular resident at MOD who had sat, talked, and played with him all afternoon. I knew that my son’s life had been changed. He would never hear the word “homeless” uttered in a generic way ever again. He would never accept the stigma or prejudice associated with homelessness. Countless faceless strangers had been replaced with the lasting image of his “best friend.”

Volunteers at MOD grow in knowledge and understanding. They feel the deep satisfaction of helping our church serve in Christ’s name. Most importantly, they form relationships that become the greatest resource we have in ministry and in life. – Rev. Melissa Johnson 12

Church of the Incarnation

The Church of the Incarnation (an Episcopal parish) is grateful to call Moravian Open Door one of our community partners. Our ministry with MOD is characterized by mutual joy in fellowship. We don’t just come to serve; we come to laugh and have fun together. This is most clearly seen and felt during our bingo nights, theme parties, and other activities that foster an environment of collaboration and celebration. Volunteers from our church cook, collect prizes, plan games and then bring it all to the MOD common room for a good time to be had by all.

While we also do projects off-site— holding a linens drive, writing birthday cards to the residents, making sandwiches and goodie bags—we most enjoy bringing the Incarnation and MOD communities together. One of my favorite events came on the heels of our “Make a Joyful Noise!”

The Moravian

campaign. The church collected over $1,000 in loose change for MOD’s breakfast program and then brought it to MOD for a coin rolling party. Our parishioners who come to MOD have nothing but heartfelt things to say: • “We love our visits to Moravian House.

It is such a warm environment and all of the residents go out of their way to make us feel welcome.”

• “MOD is a clean, friendly place for people to share and help one another,— residents, staff and us.”

• “MOD is a good thing and anything good puts positive energy into the atmosphere.”

• “This is what fellowship is all about and I want, very much, to be a part of it.”

Our goal has always been growing closer to God and to one another through service in deepening relationship between Incarnation and MOD. I knew this goal had started to materialize when one of the MOD residents called the church to tell us she was moving into her own apartment.

We wouldn’t be seeing her at our next visit to MOD and she wanted to let us know how

much Incarnation had meant to her during her stay. The converse is true as well. At the coin rolling party last summer, one of our youngest parishioners (my then 8 year old daughter) could be heard quietly singing a song as she gathered a stack of quarters.

It was “Right Where I Wanna Be” from a Disney movie. MOD is where we want to be; thank you for having us. – Members of the Church of the Incarnation

John Hus Men’s Fellowship

On Saturday, November 18, 2017, 12 men along with our pastor Rev. Michael E. Johnson visited Moravian Open Door. Our visit was an intentional one in sharing the love of God with those residing at Moravian House. We prepared a pre-Thanksgiving meal at our church and took it to MOD where we fellowshiped with the residents and staff. There was enough food for everyone with leftovers for another day. What a joy to experience the happiness on their faces and to hear their positive comments.

We also took the time to pray with them before we left. We were blessed and will do it again. --Winston Peart (Continued on next page)

Members from John Hus Moravian in Brooklyn prepared meals for MOD

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Mission group from the Midwest Just as the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor heralds welcome and shelter for those in need, Moravian Open Door responds to a pressing need for more permanent housing for homeless individuals.

The staff of MOD extends an invitation to people to visit, volunteer and meet the folks that call MOD “home.”

On several occasions I have had the privilege of supporting the MOD community by accompanying groups of young people and adults to the housing facility. Under the guidance and direction of MOD’s dedicated staff, we have provided assistance in a variety of ways: working with individuals to gain computer skills; washing down and painting hallways, bedrooms, and bathrooms; tidying the entrance to the front door and the outdoor courtyard; providing light janitorial tasks; and preparing, then sharing, meals with the residents in the dining/gathering room. We have carried bratwurst from Wisconsin for tailgate fare 14

as well as shopped local grocery stores to prepare the meals.

The highlight of our time at MOD was not in the tasks that we accomplished; rather, it was our time with the residents we met. As we became acquainted with the residents, we were given a glimpse into the experiences of their lives and the challenges they have faced that qualified them to seek and secure temporary housing at MOD. They express how grateful they are for the safe environment that the caring staff of MOD provides.

As volunteers, we intersect the residents’ lives for a brief amount of time; however, our hearts are touched by the intimate stories that we are privileged to hear. We learn of physical and mental health issues that impair the ability to find and maintain employment, the fractured relationships and estrangement from family and other support networks that result from personal addiction or substance abuse, the despair and abuse that occurs while homeless, or the accumulation of negative occurrences in life that overpower a person to the degree that they can no longer manage.

We gain a deeper understanding of the meaning and importance of venturing out from our home communities in order to interact with others where they live and the care and support we can offer in the way that God calls us. --Jill Kolodziej, Director of Antioch, Board of World Mission This article was compiled by Doris Schattschneider, President of MOD’s Board of Directors. For more information on Moravian Open Door, visit www. moravianhouse.org.

The Moravian

MORAVIAN BISHOPS

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Service consecrates Tom Shelton as Bishop of the Moravian Unity

n a beautiful afternoon in June, Friedberg Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C., hosted a large gathering to celebrate the consecration of the Rev. Tom Shelton as a Bishop of the Moravian Church.

As the Rt. Rev. Graham Rights said in the opening of his sermon, “Tom, the day has come. Your election and that of Carol’s [Foltz] I think energized the province.

We’ve been looking forward with joy and anticipation to these two occasions.” And what a lovely consecration it was!

The service opened with beautiful, gentle flowing music and an anthem sung by the choir on how powerful and striking Jesus’ name is, how his name brings about peace and an end to violence. Then the Rev. James Newsome, pastor at Friedberg, welcomed the gathered congregation to the church saying the congregation was “most honored to host” the service.

He then introduced the bishops who had gathered for this momentous occasion, including three Moravian Bishops— the Rt. Revs. Graham Rights, J. Christian Giesler and the newly consecrated Carol A. Foltz—who were joined by the Rt. Rev. William O. Gregg III, the VI Bishop of Eastern Oregon, retired and representative of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, and Bishop Timothy Smith, representing the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

Also in attendance were the Rev. David B. Guthrie, president of the Southern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference and representing the Unity Board of the worldwide Moravian Church, and Rev. Amy L. Kohls, assistant to Bishop Paul Leeland and the representative for the United Methodist Church (the Moravian Church in America’s newest full communion partner).

Following the greeting and a prayer, Brother Guthrie stood to give greetings to (Continued on next page)

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Bishop

(Continued from previous page)

Tom from the 1.2 million brothers and sisters in the worldwide Moravian Church as well as deliver the letter of regards, prayers and best wishes from the Unity Board. The congregation then took up these greetings with one of their own, singing the hymn of reception and then praying the liturgy.

Scripture for the service included Philippians 2: 1-11 and Matthew 16: 13-28, followed by the choir singing a beautiful anthem with the refrain, “I stand redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.” All three texts, including the anthem, focused on the theme of servanthood, unity and being saved through Christ, themes which were taken up by Bishop Rights in the sermon.

Bishop Rights focused primarily on the theme of unity referencing 1 Corinthians 1: 8-13, when Paul wrote to the community at Corinth to rebuke them for their divisions and asking them “Has Christ been divided?” Brother Rights then brought that

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same question to the gathered congregation at Friedberg, continuing, “When we look at the church today, we see hundreds of denominations and countless independent congregations. On the surface it appears that indeed Christ has been divided.

But Paul would never accept that…for Paul, the unity of the Christians is a given.”

He then went on to cover the historic attempts and applications of unity in the Moravian Church, referencing Jan Amos Comenius, Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf and the full communion agreements with the Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian and United Methodist Churches.

Graham then followed with the statement, “Sisters and brothers, we are making history!” He finished his sermon by asking for the Holy Spirit’s communion to be with the gathered congregation now and always.

Once Graham finished his sermon, the choir sang another anthem before Tom received the blessings offered to him by the gathered bishops. Graham led the blessing

The Moravian

and asked for God to “give to this servant the grace and power needed to serve [you] in this ministry.” In response, the choir sang a lovely anthem before Bishop Giesler spoke to Tom. Chris reflected on knowing Tom, mentioning the summer when Tom brought carloads of campers to Laurel Ridge. He said, “What I found most infectious about you Tom, is that you truly cared for each one of those young people that you brought,” and went on to mention how despite the passage of time, Tom’s enthusiasm and dedication “to being a pastor has not changed in the least.

“Thanks be to God, even retirement has not taken the pastor out of you,” continued Chris. “Pastoring is in your blood, it’s in your bones, it is who you are and there is no denying that. It is no wonder that you were elected to be a bishop of this church.” Chris then gave Tom his charge as a bishop, listing all the known duties of a bishop. In order to make it a unique charge, he then added: “This is our mission today as a church and as bishops: to unify. We, as the Moravian Church, are being called upon to show others how indeed we can disagree but yet not walk away and Issue 6 • 2018

remain in unity with each other. So, Tom, my charge to you is to simply be part of the effort that seeks to call today’s church into this awareness.”

Chris finished the charge with a prayer for Tom, saying, “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

My brother, God bless you.”

After the charge had been delivered, the congregation joined their voices in the final hymn before Tom, now consecrated as a bishop led them in the Festal Doxology as a benediction. Once the Festal Doxology was finished the congregation broke out into applause to welcome Tom as a bishop of the Unitas Fratrum, only fading once the brass choir began to play the last tune of the service.

Tom was elected a bishop of the Moravian Unity at the 2018 Southern Province Synod in April. He is now the 368th bishop to be consecrated since the beginning of the Ancient Unity and is the 306th consecrated bishop of the Renewed Moravian Church. n Anna French, IBOC intern, wrote this article; photos by Andrew David Cox.

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CREATE IN ME

Worship as an Emotional Journey

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e use journey language a lot in the church. Jesus’ disciples join him on the “Way.” We talk about being on a “journey of faith.” More practically, we know that if we want to get to a place where we aren’t already, we need to start where we are and intentionally travel along the road to our destination. It helps, for instance, to know that if you are going to Laurel Ridge from Winston-Salem, you’ll need to travel up the mountain on NC Highway 18 to get there.

The same can be said for worship.

When we come to worship, we have different emotional starting places. Sad. Bored.

Fearful. Excited. Hungry. We hope that wherever we are at the beginning of worship, something along the way will bring us to a place of comfort in God’s love and we MUSIC • LITURGY • ART • PRAYER

Create inMe

MORAVIAN WORSHIP RESOURCES 18

will find strength to “Go forth to love and serve the Lord.” We hope the emotional journey of worship—wherever it begins and wherever it takes us—will be honest and meaningful.

How does such a journey in worship happen? Start by taking inventory of the emotional landscape of the people with whom you will be worshiping. Are they tired, discouraged, puzzled, hopeful? Think about the emotional destination to which you would like to take them. Find a passage of scripture that honors where your people are and where you would like to go. Plan the itinerary of the worship experience in a way that helps them make that journey with one another and with God. Leave the rest up to the Holy Spirit.

Let me give an example of a worship

Our “Create in Me” series offers space for conversation about the ways people are shaping worship through writing songs and liturgies, using poetry and visual arts, and simply creating experiences in worship that encourage deepening faith.

Through articles, hymns and their backstories, and ideas for using worship resources in new ways, we are exploring, celebrating and sharing that diversity and including a variety of perspectives on worship, meaning and what inspires.

This month, the Rev. Dr. Lynnette Delbridge shares her ideas for creating worship that guides participants on an emotional journey.

The Moravian

service based on Psalm 22, a passage chosen to help participants at the recent 2017 Youth Convo travel from one emotional place to another. During the first part of the Convo, our youth and chaperones visited three different museums in Washington, D.C. We toured the Holocaust Museum, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the Newseum.

Each of these museums invited us to experience the way human beings have disenfranchised, dislocated and exterminated each other. These museums also showed us examples of people being strong and brave, of people standing up for themselves and advocating for one another. For those in our group with open hearts, the experience of going to all three museums left us with some heavy emotions. We wondered how we would emotionally shift and be ready for the rest of our Convo experience.

Our worship at this turning point in our time together began with the laments in Psalm 22:1-18. We divided them into three sections and used each section to remember and give voice to the laments we had heard and experienced at each of the three museums. Then, we read Psalm 22:19-21a, a prayer for deliverance. We

We hope the emotional journey of worship— wherever it begins and wherever it takes us—will be honest and meaningful... asked God to deliver us and others when we face times of trial. Next, we moved to words of hope and praise in verses 21b-31.

We remembered with thanks the courage of those who had provided God’s deliverance by hiding Jews from the Nazis and by advocating for the rights of Native Americans and African Americans. Finally, we wondered how God is calling us to be courageous people.

Thinking about our starting place and then structuring our worship around Psalm 22 helped us make the emotional journey from a heavy place of despair to a purposeful place of hope for the remainder of our Convo experience and beyond.

Sometimes, as in the previous example, we begin planning worship by inventorying our own emotional starting place, finding (Continued on next page)

Worship is rich and rewarding when we let our own emotional journeys and those in scripture and our larger history as Christians speak to one another.

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When working with such a full and rich story, it’s useful to start with a blank page and build an entire order of worship up from scratch...

Worship

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scripture that speaks to it, then planning worship around that scripture passage. At other times, we might start with a biblical story that has lots of plot and human drama and see where it will take us. Joseph and his brothers, the Exodus story, the healing of Namaan the Syrian, Jesus’ parables, and stories about Jesus and the Early Church are all good examples. We decide to travel with the characters in a story as they make their own emotional journeys from slavery to freedom, from sickness to healing, from despair to hope. As we travel with them through their ups and down, we can become more aware of the emotional journeys we make with ourselves, each other, and God. When working with such a full and rich story, it’s useful to start with a blank page and build an entire order of worship up from scratch. As much as we all appreciate the comfort of a predictable order of worship that we can contentedly sink into each week, we can gain a lot by letting go of the “usual” for a time and by letting the framework of the story with its different plot turns suggest our order of worship.

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Break the story up into several shorter readings and stop after each reading to pay attention to what is emotionally important at that point in the story. Do what the plot turn in the story suggests.

For instance, when a character needs help, offer a prayer of petition. When someone in the story gives a gift or gathers up resources, take up the offering. When a character helps someone else in the story, reflect on ways we can help others or do something concrete together. Make the most of images in the story – anything you can see, hear, smell, taste, or touch.

Instead of a sermon, try brief reflections along the way – anything from a sentence or two to make a point or transition to a paragraph to highlight the main idea you want people to take away from the service.

Involve children as much as you can. Utilize brief liturgies, dialogues, skits, songs, slide shows, videos, movement, silence and more to illustrate the emotional drama in the story.

As an example, here’s how a service based on the story of Noah and the ark might look. For each scripture passage and turn in the story’s plot, you’ll see suggestions for possible ways you could respond. This service can easily include all the standard elements we would expect in a “regular” worship service: praise, confession, petition, proclamation, offering, and benediction.

• Begin with a hymn or brief liturgy praising God for creating a beautiful world.

• Genesis 6:11-13 – God is grieved that humanity has corrupted this beautiful

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world with violence. Offer a prayer of confession.

Genesis 6:14-16 – God asks Noah to build an ark. Reflect on the question, “What impossible things has God asked us to do?” Invite your children to build an ark with painted boxes. They could sing “Rise and Shine” or “One More River.”

Genesis 6:19-22 – God instructs Noah to bring two of each kind of creature onto the ark and to gather up enough food to feed them all. Now is a good time to take up the offering for all the people we too need to care for and feed.

Adults and children could have fun with animal hats and masks. You could also reflect on the question, “Whom are we willing to welcome into the boat?”

Genesis 7:11, 17-23 – The Flood. Try a dramatic reading with sound effects (see pg 22). At the end of the reading, leave plenty of time for sad, reflective silence. Then, offer a pastoral prayer for those in our world who do not survive the trials they face and for those, like Noah, who hope against hope for the end of the storm.

Genesis 8:13-19 – Noah’s family and the animals come off the boat. Now would be a good time to reflect on what we do with the opportunities God gives us to start all over again.

Genesis 9:8-17 – After the Flood, God promises never to flood the earth again and gives the sign of the rainbow. Offer a brief reflection: God repents the use of destructive violence and vows not to use flood waters again.

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• Close with hymns of thanks for God’s deliverance and promise. Celebrate with rainbow colored streamers or scarves. “De colores” would be a great song to sing!

God created us with feelings, with the ability to appreciate plot and drama, and the need to make sense out of our daily and lifelong emotional journeys. We know what it is like to deal with conflict and to desire reconciliation, forgiveness and hope.

Worship is rich and rewarding when we let our own emotional journeys and those in scripture, and our larger history as Christians, speak to one another. The possibilities are endless and the rewards are great. n The Rev. Dr. Lynnette Delbridge is pastor at Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem, Pa. See her dramatic reading example on page 22.

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The Long, Long Rain Storm

A dramatic reading of the Flood, based on Genesis 7:11-12, 17-23 For use in creative worship. By Lynnette Delbridge In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, In the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, On that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth.

Slowly start one or two long rain sticks. Continue turning them faster and faster throughout the reading.

And the windows of the heavens were opened.

The rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.

Add a small shaker and then start shaking a gallon container of water.

The flood continued forty days on the earth; Add “hail” sounds (shake a drum or container with stones or a rattle inside). Then add goat toes and cocoa nut shells very quietly. OPTIONAL: Add snapping fingers and tapping feet.

And the waters increased, and bore up the ark, And the ark rose high above the earth.

The waters swelled and increased greatly on the earth; Goat toes and cocoa nut shells get louder and louder and continue.

Cymbal crash on the word “swelled”

And the ark floated on the face of the waters.

The water swelled so mightily on the earth…

Cymbal crash on the word “swelled’

…that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered; The water swelled above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep.

Cymbal crash on the word “swelled” After reader finishes “fifteen cubits deep” everyone plays louder until a fourth and final cymbal crash. Everyone stops abruptly after fourth cymbal crash.

LEAVE PERIOD OF SILENCE BEFORE READER CONTINUES

And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, domestic animals, wild animals, all swarming creatures that swam on the earth, and all human beings; everything on dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died.

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The Moravian

MORAVIANS IN MISSION

Adopt-A-Village:

Tabora orphans create new businesses

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he Moravian Church of Western Tanzania’s orphan program began in 2002 with the intent of keeping children in their extended families and on social and economic par with their peers.

Education quickly became the primary focus, with the ultimate goal of assisting orphan children in becoming productive citizens of their developing country.

Primary and secondary education is tuition-free in Tanzania. The church’s program provides orphans with their uniforms and school supplies as needed. Scholarships are available for those who are able to pass the country’s entrance exams to high school and the university.

Orphans who have chosen to continue their education through vocational training are also awarded scholarships. In the

city of Tabora, where the program has 305 children, training is available from VETA, the Vocational Education Training Authority, in carpentry, masonry, computers, industrial mechanics, electricity, law enforcement, sewing, driving and accounting; each of these nine curricula has significant numbers of orphans enrolled.

In 2015, the central government began encouraging graduates of these programs to group together to form new businesses.

They distributed applications for financial assistance to classrooms and workshops.

Government funding never materialized, but the new businesses did. Multiple groups began forming independently, setting their own regulations, and choosing their own leaders. Most function from (Continued on next page)

The seamstress group in Moria

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Seamstress in Moria

Tabora

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9 a.m. to 4 p.m., depending somewhat on the work available. One person is typically selected to solicit new work orders from the community.

Three of these new groups are unique; they are made up entirely of graduates from the church’s orphan program who had worked together at VETA. Each has received extensive guidance from Kefas Kabata, the person in charge of the work in Tabora.

One year ago, Pascal Theodol invited three young men who had trained with him to start a carpentry shop in front of his grandmother’s home in the Isevya parish.

Last February they borrowed $1,400 USD, a very substantial sum in Tanzania, to purchase a lathe; their enterprise has been so successful that half of their loan has already been repaid.

In the same parish, eight girls banded together to form a seamstress group headed

by Salima Issa. A Moravian family who had 24

set up a shop in front of their house offered the space to the group, which quickly accepted their invitation. Presently they have only one sewing machine, but as orders have increased significantly, they are planning to purchase three more in the next month.

A second sewing group, located in the Moria parish, consists of six young women led by Mwamvua Abed. They own one machine and are currently renting a second in order to complete their work orders in a timely fashion.

Neither of these sewing groups has access to electricity; both use treadle machines and press their finished products with an iron filled with glowing charcoal.

These 18 graduates of the Tabora orphan program, as well as many others who are working either independently or in other groups, have achieved the ultimate goal of the orphan program. They are not only able to support themselves, they are also contributing their talents to the benefit of their communities.

Drs. Bill and Peg Hoffman serve the Adopt-aVillage program in Tanzania.

Isevya carpentry group

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MORAVIAN WRITINGS

“Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink...”

Messages on Mark 9:38-50 Each week, Moravians across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean share a common message through their Sunday bulletins.

This month, we share writings based on Mark 9:38-50. This Bible text is for “Proper 21” in Lectionary Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary used by the Moravian Church.

Seeing God’s handiwork Terry Folk, pastor, First Moravian Church, York, Pennsylvania • September 28, 2008

The scenes on CNN were incredible! As the war in Iraq raged on, humanitarian aid flowed simultaneously into the country in massive quantities, trying to help meet the basic life needs of the Iraqi people. Most impressive to me were the tons of drinking water being shipped, trucked, and pipelined directly to the people. Crowds of people massed around the relief trucks with buckets and containers of all shapes and sizes for the refreshing water that would quench the thirst of family members. WhatIssue 6 • 2018

ever one’s political views with regard to the war in Iraq, no Christian could dispute the necessity of the life-giving water for those in dire need.

In the Gospel passage for today, Jesus puts Christian caring into personal terms—the gift of a cup of water from one person to another. What a simple gift Jesus speaks of here! As his followers, we are not called to do extraordinary things beyond our power or capability. We are asked to give the simple things that anyone can offer to another. In so doing, we affirm the value of another person in the eyes of Christ. Any expression of kindness, any genuine offer of assistance, any caring response to human need, proclaims the love of Jesus himself to another. It is as simple as giving a thirsty man, woman or child a cup of water.

This passage gets right to the heart of what the Christian life is all about. As disciples of Christ today, are we willing to give of our time, energy and resources to give a cup of water to another? Are we as a (Continued on next page)

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Mark 9:38-50 New Revised Standard Version

John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If you hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where the worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.

“For everyone will be salted with fire.

Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

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Messages (Continued from previous page)

church willing to step out of our comfortable sanctuaries to share the love of Christ in simple, concrete ways with those in need in our communities? As we give the cup of water to another, we share the gift of the abundant, life-giving love of our Savior .

Stay Flavored!

Corresa Whyte-Walters, elder and youth advisor, Grace Moravian Church, Queens, New York.

September 30, 2018

There is just something about salt! This multipurpose commodity comes in various forms, types, and colors. When used in the correct proportions, the kind used in meal preparation is usually for taste/flavor enhancement. True, food prepared without it can be quite satisfying to the palette, but too much spoils the taste. Over time, ingesting too much contributes to ill health.

So what did Jesus mean when he said to the disciples, “Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?” (Mark 9:49–50 NIV). Certainly Jesus meant no harm toward them.

“Salted” Christians are matured in their faith and should therefore display exemplary lives earning the respect of others. Non-Christians should be eager to emulate us. “Salted” Christians should live peacefully and harmoniously with each other, have unwavering faith, and be kind and caring. Those on the outside should be able to readily say that “they are different” in a good way. When asked, we should proudly proclaim, “Yes, we are disciples of Christ!” not denying our Savior. By our deeds they should know we are Christians.

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As “salted” followers of Christ, we are commissioned to be preserved and flavored with God’s grace and mercy; to be sanctified and armed with the word of God, as ambassadors for Christ. The tenets of goodness and upright living should exude from our pores.

When Jesus says, “Have salt among yourselves,” it is a charge to stand out in the crowd; to show love to our brothers and sisters and not be judgmental; to be in this world yet not of the world.

Let us therefore remain flavored in our Christian faith; be salted and preserved with the word of God; and be at peace with each other.

What Good Is Salt?

John D. Christman, pastor, Leaksville Moravian Church, Eden, N.C. • September 28, 1997

Jesus said on one occasion, “God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you be-

cause of me” (Matthew 5:11 CEV). It is doubtful that many of us are offensive to people because of our religion. Indeed, the church is accepted by all parts of society today. We have gained the acceptance of people, but in gaining the acceptance of society perhaps we have lost our uniqueness.

An ancient king asked his three daughters how much they loved him. One daughter said that she loved him more than all the gold in the world. One said she loved him more than all the silver in the world. The youngest daughter said that she loved him more than salt. The king wasn’t pleased with that answer. But the palace cook overheard the conversation, so the next day he prepared a good meal but left out the salt.

The king couldn’t eat the meal. Then he realized the value of salt.

Jesus was paying his disciples a high compliment when he called them salt. In the ancient world, salt was a very valuable commodity. It was used for currency in (Continued on next page)

“Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

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Messages (Continued from previous page)

some countries right up to modern times.

During an invasion of Ethiopia in the late 19th century, Italian soldiers found blocks of salt stored in bank vaults.

Salt has no food value. Indeed, doctors tell us that too much salt can cause harm to the body. Of what value is salt if it has lost its flavor?

What Jesus is saying in our lesson today is, “What good is it to be a follower of mine if there is nothing distinctive about your Christian commitment?” If by following Christ you make no contribution to the lives of others, if there is no redemptive power flowing through your life and actions, what’s the use of calling yourself a disciple?

Make a highway straight!

Steve Gohdes, pastor, Christ Moravian Church, Calgary, Alberta • September 30, 2012

People of faith would do well in highway construction. Highway construction strives toward constructing safe, straight, worry-free travel for all upon that road.

The prophet Isaiah lifted up a vision of the Messiah and those who would serve in this way to “make straight in the desert a highway for God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low” (Isaiah 40:3b-4a). Isaiah’s issue was the call to clear away obstacles for those who walk or journey in a way of faith.

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The firm and direct words of Jesus found in today’s Gospel reading deal with obstacles. My recollection of the manner in which our two children learned to walk includes lots of memories of them stumbling and tumbling and falling. Often, these falls were precipitated by something being in their path. In the early stages of walking, the toddler is most at risk of a fall when a bit of an obstacle is present. A throw rug on the hardwood floor is a perfect obstacle over which the toddler will stumble. As a toddler staggers from cement sidewalk to the fringe of the lawn, there is often the risk of a stumble or fall. Stairs are a huge obstacle for a little one at this stage of walking.

Our society and our churches have taken a serious stance on accessibility of buildings by adding ramps, elevators, lifts, etc. These steps have sought to remove known stumbling blocks or obstacles that have denied people access to churches, shops, government buildings, or schools.

Christ’s commands to those disciples present that day were to intentionally urge each to be a highway worker in having the grace of our Lord accessible to all. Jesus noted that childlike faith and innocence are within the heart of those who serve the kingdom of God’s peace. May we be at peace with one another along this pathway of faith as Jesus invites. n

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OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Prayer Day for Christian Education, September 9, 2018

The second Sunday in September is designated as a day of prayer for Christian education. The nurture of Christians of all ages in their faith is the responsibility of each congregation. Pray for your congregation’s Christian education program and for the personal growth in faith of each member.

NORTHERN PROVINCE Prayer Day for World Peace and Nuclear Disarmament August 5, 2018

In accordance with legislation enacted at the 1982 Synod of the Northern Province and affirmed by the 1990 Synod, the first Sunday in August has been designated as a day of prayer for world peace and nuclear disarmament.

Prayer Day for Public Education August 28, 2018

Congregations of the Northern Province are asked to observe Public Education Awareness Day on the last Sunday in August. Prepared liturgies, intercessory prayers for students and all who teach in and administer public schools and sermons at worship may call attention to our responsibility for public education and seek the blessing of God upon these endeavors.

Prayer Day for Church Development, September 16, 2018

Northern Province. Pray for the new congregations established in our province in recent years as they develop their unity and mission. Support the ongoing development of these new ministries. Pray also for those congregations in the redevelopment process.

Specialized Ministry

Sister Jane Gehler, who has been serving as pastor for Unionville Moravian Church, Unionville, Michigan has accepted the call to Specialized Ministry to serve as Director of Spiritual Care for Marquardt Village, Watertown, Wisconsin. Sister Gehler will begin her new work September 2, 2018.

Board of World Mission

Brother J. Christian Giesler, who has been serving as pastor for Emmaus Moravian Church, Emmaus, Pennsylvania, has accepted the call to serve as Director of Mission Engagement for the Board of World Mission. Brother Giesler will begin his new work September 1, 2018.

Union, New Jersey

Brother Michael Poole, who has been serving as part-time pastor for Battle Hill Moravian Church, Union, New Jersey, concluded his work with the congregation July 31, 2018.

Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference

The third Sunday in September is the prayer day for church development in the

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Obituary: The Rev. William B. Kerner, Sr. William Byron Kerner Sr., 89, died on Saturday, July 7, 2018, at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Born October 20, 1928, in Kernersville, North Carolina, he was the son of Essie Hankins Kerner and Rephelius Byron Kerner. Bill was educated at Virginia Episcopal School and at the University of Virginia. Following his graduation in 1951, he reported for active naval duty aboard the USS Henley in Norfolk. Upon completion of his first active duty tour in 1954, he and his wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Brewer, were married in 1955.

He enrolled in Moravian Theological Seminary that autumn.

After a break in studies during which he taught English at a private school in Connecticut, Bill completed theological studies and received a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1962. He was ordained a deacon Oct. 14, 1962, at Kernersville Moravian Church by the Rt. Rev. Herbert Spaugh, and consecrated a presbyter April 28, 1974, also

by Bishop Spaugh.

Bill served the Providence Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. from 1962 until accepting an appointment to active duty as a Chaplain with the U.S. Navy in 1965. Bill’s military service allowed his family to live and learn in a variety of places as far-flung as Newport, Rhode Island; Grosse Ile, Michigan; Naples, Italy; and New London, Connecticut. Bill retired from the Navy in 1982.

He and Betty were active founding members of Redeemer Moravian Church, in Richmond, Va.. He was later an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, where he served as a Stephen Minister and was a volunteer for a variety of social efforts, including a tutoring program, and Meals-on-Wheels.

For the past decade, Bill and Betty made a home in Charlottesville, Va., close to their children and grandchildren. Bill is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; his daughter Hilary Kerner; 30

daughter-in-law Carolyn Kerner-Shears; sons, Will and Thane Kerner; two grandchildren; and a sister. Memorial services were conducted Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, at St. Paul’s Memorial Church, Charlottesville, Va.; and Saturday Aug. 11, 2018 at Kernersville Moravian Church.

Obituary: The Rev. Steadman Bent

Brother Steadman A. Bent Omier died at Bluefields, Nicaragua, July 2, 2018, at the age of 85.

Born September 11, 1932, at Bluefields, Nicaragua, he was the son of Nicholas and Jan (Omeir) Bent. Brother Bent received his education from Colegio Moravo, Bluefields, Nicaragua; Instituto Biblico, Bilwaskarma, Nicaragua; and Seminario Biblico Latinamericano. He was ordained a Deacon in the Moravian ministry December 9, 1962, and consecrated a Presbyter January 12, 1969.

He was united in marriage to Tamar Kain Nelson March 3, 1957 at Bilwaskarma, Nicaragua. Together they served in the Nicaragua Province until December 1979. They then served the Northern Province in pastorates in New York (First) and Washington, D.C. (Faith) before reentering the service of the Nicaragua Province in 1990.

Brother Bent is survived by his wife, Tamar; daughters, Jeannette and Rhonda; sons, Craig and Daren; 15 grandchildren and 22 greatgrandchildren.

Services were held at Central Moravian Church, Bluefields, Nicaragua, on July 5, 2018.

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Ad Policy for The Moravian — The Moravian accepts paid advertising that is consistent with the magazine’s objectives and editorial convictions as they are stated in the purpose and mission of the Interprovincial Board of Communication. Advertisements for activities, services and products of specific interest to members of the Moravian Church have priority. The Moravian does not accept purely editorial advertisements that advocate specific ideas or issues. Articles, columns and letters to the editor are the appropriate vehicles for the presentation of ideas and issues. The Interprovincial Board of Communication is responsible for the content and design of the magazine, including advertisements. Ad rates and specifications are available www.moravian.org.

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Hands to work and feet to run Is your church planning its fall stewardship campaign? At the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America, we believe stewardship is a way of living that’s centered on recognizing all God has given us and using those gifts for His purposes. Whether it’s time spent helping carry in pipes for a new organ, talent spent knitting caps for people going through chemo, or treasure spent to send youth to camp.

Because we’re Moravian, we have an opportunity to see which strategies and tools work best for Moravians (and which do not). We can also provide longterm continuity and analysis, where congregational leadership changes.

We can help your congregation discern, define and develop stewardship.

Call Laura at 888-722-7923 or email her at lwatson@mmfa.info today.

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www.mmfa.info 119 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305 Winston-Salem, NC 27101 888-722-7923

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Periodicals Postmaster please send address changes to: The Moravian, P.O. Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245

Are you considering a joint replacement?

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Preregistration is encouraged.

Take the first step on your road to recovery by calling 866.955.9346 or emailing transitionalrehab@salemtowne.org Salemtowne is a nonprofit Continuing Care Retirement Community reflecting the Moravian values of respect for the individual, hospitality, lifelong learning and love of the arts.

Issue 6 • 2018