Board of Elders Canadian District of the Moravian Church
DISTRICT DISPATCH NEWSLETTER
March 2021
President’s Remarks Preparation for Easter Pray that your family, friends, and acquaintances experience calm during this time of ongoing change and upheaval. Knowing with certainty that our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer is with us in all ways and at all times is a sure comfort to our souls. Sharing confidence in Hope that is in our hearts, Love that binds us to one another, and Faith that sustains us is our call. May we accept this responsibility and our response to God’s great love for creation. Pray for those who provide leadership in its many forms. Give thanks for those who’ve concluded their work; for those who’ve entered new positions, and for those considering the call of the church to future positions. Bless all of us in our work with one another to be the hands and feet and heart of Jesus to those of whom we encounter.
News from around the District
Ongoing Pandemic Restrictions Leadership groups in our congregations and other settings (Camp Van-Es) continue to respond to the changing nature of the pandemic. Our elected Boards guide the usage of church buildings and the restrictions that need to be in place to protect one another in these troubling times. As prevention measures continue to be part of the way we go about our lives, we remain thankful for the care and consideration we afford one another to prevent the spread of disease and protect the health and safety of each other. While the vaccination process continues, we are encouraged to engage in actions to ensure our wellness! Keep being mindful of ways in which we can continue to be socially connected to one another even though we are physically distant.
Clergy Updates Pastor Eileen Edwards, currently serving part time with the Anglican Church, has accepted the call to Palmer Moravian congregation in Easton, Pennsylvania, and awaits confirmation from US immigration for a work visa for Pastor Ian Edwards who is a Canadian citizen. Over the next months prior to their move south, the Canadian District office is helping facilitate compensation from Palmer to Rev. Dr. Eileen Edwards for the part time work she is offering while resident in Sherwood Park, AB. Pastor Trina Holmberg has recently accepted a clergy position in Camrose with the Anglican Church after returning in 2019 from mission work in Nepal.
Our clergy and church staff continue to do the little things (and big ones!) behind the scenes to keep our congregations healthy. Thank you! Presenting digital expressions of community is a new challenge to which our Pastors have risen and faithfully committed themselves. Their learning and growing into this ‘other way’ of leading their flock has been a journey with many twists and turns. Be sure to encourage them along their journey with we do this new thing!
Canadian District Synod 2021 This is an update about the Special Synod being convened by the Board of Elders of the Canadian District of the Moravian Church, Northern Province (MCNP) to be conducted via video conference on Wednesday evening May 19th at 6:30 pm and tentatively the next evening should the need arise. This Special Synod replaces the regular Synod that was scheduled for last May of 2020 and postponed due to the worldwide pandemic. At this Special Synod, using video conferencing to safely host participants, 1) elections will be conducted to establish the new Board of the Canadian District as well as the Chairs of Van-Es Camp and Conference Centre and the Mission Society and 2) receive reports for information about the work of the District Board, Congregations and related entities of the Canadian Moravian Church which can then be ratified at the following ‘in-person’ District Synod of 2024. Recall that delegates at a regular Synod represent the highest authority of the Moravian Church for making decisions and directing the work of the District Executive Board which, during the intersynodal time, has the authority to conduct the business of the District. This Special Synod is being called to enact the transition of leadership through elections. No special topics will be discussed nor will proposals of motions or memorials be received. However, in the time leading to the Special Synod interested members of our Moravian community can gather together virtually over a series of three meetings (District Dialogue Groups) using video conferencing to listen to and speak with others using topic breakout rooms. The summary of these conversations will help to direct the work of all the groups in the Canadian District. Current work engaged in by Congregations, related Moravian entities, and the District Board of Directors will carry on through the efforts and leadership of those groups. Leaders of these groups can benefit from shared conversations framed by our District Dialogue Groups scheduled over these next weeks prior to the Special Synod in May.
Page 1