Moravian Magazine December 2011

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A new look for Moravian Seminary Spiritual Formation Moravian candles and stars …and more!

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On the cover: Beautifully trimmed beeswax candles herald the coming of Christmas. Photo by Mike Riess

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A new look for Moravian Seminary Spiritual Formation Moravian candles and stars

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…and more!

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

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Moravian Theological Seminary 5 Moravian Theological Seminar celebrates campaign completion with Bahnson Center rededication Moravians Around the World 10 First native woman ordained in Newfoundland-Labrador Moravian History 11 12

250 years of Moravian Christmas candles in America Who invented the Moravian Star?

In Our Provinces 14 Northern Province begins restructure effort

Member, Associated Church Press

Spiritual Formation 16 Spiritual Formation: A journey more vast and awesome than the mind can fully know Youth Ministry 19 Task force to coordinate youth ministry in Northern Province Board of World Mission 20 Unity Mission and Development Board Meeting charts path for mission growth 22 “It Is Finished” Antioch Servant shares insights on Nepal

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

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

December 2011

In Our Congregations 24 Mission Festival brings together RCC churches 26 Building one another up in love In Every Issue 4 Ponderings: Making Christmas City everywhere 29 Official Provincial Elders’ News 32 2011 Index of The Moravian

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PONDERINGS

Making Christmas City everywhere When you live in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Christmas is never very far away. The signs coming into town beckon you to “Follow the Star” and welcome you the “The Christmas City.” The Moravian Book Shop downtown has year-round Christmas displays. People bring their Christmas cards to Bethlehem each year for the special postmark.

And the Star of Bethlehem (a huge lighted sign on South Mountain) is visible every night of the year.

Sometime around the middle of October, things begin to kick into high gear. Light poles at every major intersection begin to sprout evergreen branches, complete with lights. Several weeks later, a giant evergreen tree with thousands of lights is erected on the City Plaza, with a crèche at its base.

Even with all the outward signs of Christmas here, it’s important to remember what this season is all about: we’re celebrating the joyous birth of our Savior. While Christmas is a very special time in the life of every Christian — and Moravians are no exception— it is very easy to get wrapped up in the trappings of the season.

I’ve found that Moravians both here and across the country strike a perfect balance. Many dear Moravian traditions are for Christmas -the ribbon-wrapped beeswax candle, Christmas vespers, the Morningstar, the Moravian Putz and of course, the beautiful Christmas hymns (you can read the history of the Moravian Star and beeswax candles in this issue). Each of these beloved traditions helps us remember the true meaning of this blessed holiday.

A city doesn’t need a name like Bethlehem to be a Christmas City.

Wherever the meaning of Christmas is held dear, you have the makings of a Christmas city (or town, or village…) And thanks to Moravians across the U.S., we can count many places across the U.S. and Canada (and around the world, for that matter) who are just as much a Christmas City as Bethlehem.

The Moravian Magazine and IBOC staff wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year. Light the candles, sing the hymns and celebrate the birth of Jesus– make your city a Christmas City!

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Mike Riess, Editor

(ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) December 2011, Vol. 42, No. 10 Publications Agreement No. 40036408 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Express Messenger International, PO Box 25058, London, Ontario N6C6A8, email: emi@exmessenger.com Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces Published monthly, except bimonthly January-February and July-August issues, by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Subscription rates: $15.00 per year, U.S.A. & Canada; $18.00 per year, all other countries.

Individual copies available for $3.00 each.

The Moravian is sent to the families of the Moravian Church as a privilege of membership. Periodicals postage paid at Bethlehem, PA. Circulation: 17,800 Postmaster please send address changes to The Moravian, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245.

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

Michael Riess, Editor Deb Swanson, Advertising Coordinator Siobhan Young, Communications Assistant Interprovincial Board of Communication Paul Knouse, Paul Peucker Chair Adam Pristas Jane Burcaw Richard Sides Jane Carmichael Valerie Wagner Lance Fox Jill Westbrook Gary Kniskern Design by Sandy Fay, Laughing Horse Graphics, Inc. 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: pubs@mcnp.org www.moravian.org Contents © 2011, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in North America.

All rights reserved

The Moravian

MORAVIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Moravian Theological Seminary celebrates campaign completion with Bahnson Center rededication On a rainy afternoon, a standing-room-only crowd of faculty, students, alumni and friends brightened the halls of Moravian Theological Seminary to celebrate a new chapter in the Seminary’s 200-plus-year history.

Capping off a five-year campaign called “A Mission that Matters,” the October 19 event commemorated the completion of significant renovations to the Seminary’s main building, the Bahnson Center.

“We gather to celebrate renovations that provide a renewed setting for the preparation of new students for a new day and to celebrate over 200 years of support and commitment on the part of faculty, staff and students,” said the Rev. Dr. Frank Crouch, dean and vice president of the Seminary.

December 2011

The rededication event included a ribboncutting ceremony, a liturgy presented by Moravian Bishop and Chaplain of Moravian College and Seminary Hopeton Clennon, hymns and trombone choir music and remarks by Dean Crouch, Dr. Chris Thomforde, president of Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary, and the Rev. David Bennett, chairman of the Seminary Board of Trustees.

A reception following provided an opportunity for trustees, faculty, alumni, students and (continued on next page) Photo above: A two-story tower now welcomes students and vistors to the Moravian Theological Seminar’s Bahnson Center in Bethlehem. Photo by Mike Riess. Inset: Construction of the tower. Construction photos provided

by Colleen Marsh.

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The renovated common areas of the Seminary offer places for students and faculty to meet and interact.

(continued from previous page) representatives from the Moravian Church to discuss the past and future of the Seminary.

Renovating for the future The Bahnson Center renovations, which began in June and are just now being completed, brought the most significant improvements to the building since the 1999 addition of the Distance Learning Center (which was recently rededicated as the Genadendal Room.)

None of the renovations were to classroom spaces; those facilities and their technology are updated on a regular basis. Instead, the updates focused on the social environment of the facility. “As our student body has grown and changed over the years, we found that they gathered and interacted differently than in the past,� says Jane Burcaw, director of admin-

Seminary Dean Frank Crouch discusses the renovations with Craig and Alice Mosebach of Bethlehem. Event photos by John Kish IV.

Associate Professor the Rev. Dr. Deborah Appler, Dr. Chris Thomforde, president of Moravian College and Theological Seminary and student Kayli Freeman cut the ceremonial ribbon.

istration for the Seminary. “The renovations enhance the environment of the Seminary, providing a more inviting, open and comfortable space for students to meet and interact between classes.”

The project replaced the original heating and air conditioning system and installed energy efficient windows and improved lighting.

It also doubled the number of restroom facilities, added a new kitchen that opens to a larger community room, upgraded the Saal and repainted the building’s interior and exterior.

On the outside of the Bahnson Center, visitors will see a new main entrance “tower.”

Constructed to address ongoing rain gutter issues, the renovated entrance provides an inspiring and inviting welcome to the Seminary building. A special Moravian star, currently being crafted, will be installed in the window of the tower.

A Summer of Activity The renovations were completed over the summer to minimize disruption and ensure the facility was ready to go by the start of classes this fall. “Construction started in early June, with plans to be done by the December 2011

third week in August,” explains Jane. “Our prayer was that we could begin fall classes in the building. The Seminary faculty and staff relocated for the summer so that the contractors could gut the front half of building and (continued on next page)

Bishop C. Hopeton Clennon leads the liturgy celebrating the opening of the renovated Bahnson Center.

Workers renovating the Saal of the Bahnson Center

(continued from previous page) remodel it within a 10 week window.”

“Like any construction project, it had its surprises along the way. But we managed to move back into the building two days before classes began (although some faculty and staff are still unpacking boxes.) It came down to the wire but we were able to meet our commitment to have students come back and experience the updated facility as ‘ready to go’ as possible. It’s been great to hear the reactions to the changes — students, faculty, alumni — really love the new space.”

More to the “Mission” While the most visible to students and visitors alike, the renovations to the Bahnson Center represent only a small part of the “A Mission That Matters” campaign. The campaign began five years ago with the commitment of the Seminary’s Board of Trustees, who made personal pledges totaling over $1 million toward the campaign’s final goal of $15 million.

“Their vision was to impact the life of our students by significantly investing in student scholarships, faculty development, facility 8

renovations and technology upgrades,” says Frank. “Over the course of the campaign, numerous alumni and friends of the Seminary made pledges and gave gifts of varying amounts. As a result, we are pleased to announce that the goal of the campaign has been achieved.”

In addition to the renovations, the campaign has endowed the Charles D. Couch Chair for Moravian Theology and Ministry, ensuring ongoing funding for this important post. The endowed chair increases the depth and breadth of studies devoted to the history, theology and ministry of the Moravian Church and its importance in the larger Christian Church. Rev. Dr. Craig Atwood was appointed to this new faculty chair in May, 2010.

The campaign also added $4.2 million endowment to student scholarships. These scholarships are designed to assist students, reducing the need for loans and allowing graduates to be open to calls in all types of ministry settings without the burden of excessive debt.

The largest student body In its 205th academic year, 126 students, including 31 new students and 11 new auditors, have enrolled in the Seminary, creating the largest student body in the history of Moravian Theological Seminary. Just two years ago, the Seminary saw a significant and disconcerting downturn in enrollment.

“Our admissions team led by Ann Gibson has worked very hard with new enrollment strategies to help students determine if our Seminary is right for them,” says Jane. “We keep our sights high, and at the same time recognize that while someone’s decision to come here has something to do with us, it is really about what God is calling people to do The Moravian

with their lives and whether they are ready to take the next step. The Seminary needs to remain appealing to those who hear that call and the spirit moving within them.”

A Statement of Appreciation As part of the rededication ceremony, the Seminary offered this Statement of Appreciation: “Moravian Theological Seminary remains forever grateful to all who have supported the mission of preparing men and women to lead and serve in congregational, teaching and other ministries over the many years. For generations, God has blessed the Seminary through the benevolence, care and faithful devotion of many.

“We offer special thanks to those who have supported the Seminary’s campaign, ‘A Mission That Matters.’ They include members of the Seminary’s Board of Trustees, the Moravian Church Northern and Southern Provinces, Salem Congregation of WinstonSalem, alumni, faculty, students, staff and our many friends, including those who have gone before us. Thanks to this unprecedented gen-

Attendees celebrate the rededication of the Seminary building

erosity, the entire Seminary community joins in celebrating the successful conclusion of the campaign.

“Renovations to the Bahnson Center, a substantial increase in the scholarship support for students and support for the work of an outstanding faculty will be the legacy of this campaign. Moravian Theological Seminary is in a stronger position to serve those exploring a call to ministry, the Moravian Church and the greater church.” ■

An expanded kitchen and seating area offer students places to share meals and conversation between classes.

MORAVIANS AROUND THE WORLD

First native woman ordained in Newfoundland-Labrador

In front of brothers and sisters in Christ gathered for worship at the Happy Valley Moravian Church in Newfoundland-Labrador, Canada, Beatrice Hope stood ready to be ordained as a deacon in the Moravian Church. Just before she stated her ordination vows, she sang out a testimony of her faith in a clear and confident voice: “I am thine, O Lord — I have heard thy voice and it told thy love to me/But I long to rise in the arms of faith and be closer drawn to thee…”

The Rt. Rev. Paul Graf is a bishop of the Moravian Unity from Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Above: Beatrice Hope tries on her traditional akulik following her ordination in September. At right, Bishop Paul Graff leads the ordination celebration in Happy Valley, Labrador. Photos by Loren Jendro.

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Beatrice was the first aboriginal woman ordained in Labrador. Born in Nain, one of three Atlantic coast communities in which Moravian Churches are located, Beatrice completed her theological studies at Queen’s College, Memorial University in St. John’s Newfoundland, was affirmed by the Ordination Review Committee of the Provincial Board and was ordained on Sept. 25, 2011.

The Happy Valley Moravian Church in Goose Bay hosted the service. Family, friends, and representatives from the congregations in Happy Valley, Nain, Hopedale and Makkovik filled the sanctuary, while representatives from CBC Radio and Okala Katiget (ohala hatiget) Society Radio in Nain recorded the day’s celebration. (continued on page 30)

MORAVIAN HISTORY

“Candle burning, my heart yearning” 250 years of Moravian Christmas candles in America For more than 250 years, candles have been part of Moravian Christmas Eve services in America. This tradition first began in Europe in 1747 in the Moravian community of Marienborn, Germany.

In 1747, Br. Johannes von Watteville conducted a Christmas Eve service for the children in which lit candles tied with a small red ribbon were distributed to those assembled.

The candles were used to illustrate ustrate the lesson of Christ’s sacrifice andd crucifixion, which had ignited “the blood-red d-red flame of love in every heart, which would uld burn forever to His joy and our salvation.” ion.”

Candles were first used inn a similar manner in America at the 1752 752 Christmas Eve service for children en in Bethlehem. This occasion was recorded ecorded in the Bethlehem Diary: “Br. Graff held a service for the children in which a small burning candle was distributed to each child. Their heartss and ours rejoiced with play and songg over the birth of our Savior.”

Although effective and memorable, the use of candles was not immediately mmediately established as a yearly Christmas stmas tradition in Europe or America rica after their initial appearance.

The candles were only one of several different gifts distributed to children at Christmas. In Europe children received gifts such as appDecember 2011

ples or nuts, and candles were not distributed yearly until 1760. In Bethlehem children received fruit in 1751, and apples in 1754. They also celebrated with illuminated paintings and signs printed with text related to Christ’s birth.

In 1756 it appears the distribution of candles was established as a yearly tradition in Bethlehem. That year the children’s service was conducted by Peter Böhler. The Bethlethe occasion: “The hem diarist recorded recor children gathered in the Gemein-Saal at 8 o’clock for the their Christmas Eve vigils.

After a choir solo so of the old Christmas hymn, From heaven high I come to earth, he I bring good tidings of great mirth, Br. ti Petrus [Böhler] [Böhler took the opportunity to explain the th remarkable story of Christ’s birth iin a very charming manner. He stood before the children’s illuminated Christmas Eve painting, Ch around which the daily text for the past few days had been written: Holy bridegroom, innocent Lamb! Who left in his throne to save sa all men. The children offered their own Christmas verses, singing with particular feeling and liveliness: Oh! A shepherd’s luck to (continued on page 31) Lanie Graf is assistant archivist for the Northern Province Moravian Archives in Bethlehem.

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MORAVIAN HISTORY

Who invented the Moravian Star?

Every year, thousands of Moravian stars decorate homes and churches during the Advent season. Although the star has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the Moravian Church, the name of the maker of the first star was not known until recently. The biggest surprise, however, may be that this discovery was not made in the archives in Herrnhut, Germany, but in the Moravian Archives in Bethlehem.

Moravian stars were traditionally made in Moravian boarding schools during the Advent season. From the schools they spread into Moravian homes and later into the churches as well. Because of the connection with the boarding schools, Moravian historians assumed that the making of stars was connect12

ed to math lessons where students learned to draw and make geometrical shapes.

“It has been known for many years that the earliest star we know of was used as a decoration at the fiftieth anniversary of the Moravian boarding school for boys in Niesky, Germany, in January of 1821,” says Bethlehem archivist Paul Peucker. The report of the anniversary mentions an illuminated, multi-colored star of 110 points hung outside the school building. “What we did not know,” continues Paul, “was if this star was a new invention.”

This summer a discovery at the Bethlehem archives brought to light new information on the origins of the Moravian star. “As one of our project staff was getting ready to organize the papers of Georg Friedrich Bahnson The Moravian

(1805-1869), I realized Bahnson was a student in Niesky at the time of the anniversary in 1821. I checked his diary and yes indeed, Bahnson mentioned the star in the diary he kept as a fifteen-year old boy.” The diary noted on January 4, 1821: “In the courtyard the large star with 110 points from the Brethren’s House was displayed.”

Initially this looked like another reference to the earliest display of a multi-pointed star. “At first it seemed to be a confirmation of something we already knew,” says Paul.

“However, a close reading of the short entry revealed new information: Bahnson did not write ‘a large star was displayed;’ the use of the defined article ‘the’ suggested that the star was referring to something that was already known to the author.”

So when Paul went back through the diary he found another reference to the star a week earlier. On December 27, 1820, Bahnson describes how he and his fellow students went over to the Brethren’s House: “In the afternoon we all drank and like yesterday, some of us went to see the star in the Brethren’s House of 110 points, made by Madsen.” This entry not only indicated the star was made as a Christmas decoration in the Niesky Brethren’s House (and not specifically for the anniversary of the school), it also revealed the name of its maker!

Christian Madsen was born on May 25, 1800 in Herrnhut, Germany. When he was seventeen he took a job in the hardware shop in the nearby Moravian town of Niesky. As a single man he most likely lived in the Brethren’s House. This is where he constructed his star of 110 points in December of 1820.

When the Niesky boarding school celebrated its fiftieth anniversary the week after Christmas, it was decided to include Madsen’s imDecember 2011

pressive creation in the festive decorations.

Madsen returned to Herrnhut in 1834 where he married Ernestine Henriette Schreiber the next year. After his first wife died Madsen married Auguste Charlotte Bischoff in 1851. He was head of the tobacco factory in Herrnhut until 1879, the year of his death.

So was Madsen the inventor of the Moravian star? “For many years we have considered the 1820/21 star the earliest Moravian star we know of. Now we also know the name of its maker.”

It is possible new information will be uncovered at some point. “A big surprise was that this discovery was made in Bethlehem and not in the German Moravian Archives,” said Paul. “Because Moravians in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries moved much more frequently between Europe and America than today, our archives also hold detailed information on other parts of the world.”

Georg Bahnson, the writer of the newly-discovered diary, was called to America in 1829.

He served as a minister in congregations in North Carolina (Bethania, Salem) and Pennsylvania (Bethlehem, Lancaster). For many years he was a member of the Provincial Elders’ Conference in Salem and in 1860 he was consecrated a bishop. He died in 1869 in Salem. His granddaughter Elizabeth donated his papers to the Bethlehem Archives in 1959.

This summer the papers were organized by Katey Fardelmann, student at Lehigh University, working on a special grant project at the Moravian Archives. ■ Paul Peucker is the archivist in the Northern Province Moravian Archives in Bethlehem. This article first appeared in the Archives’ “Voices From the Vault” newsletter in November.

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IN OUR PROVINCES

Identity, purpose, and organization: Northern Province begins restructure effort The first gathering of the committee to explore restructuring the governance of the Moravian Church Northern Province took place in Chaska, Minnesota on September 29 and 30. Invited by the Provincial Elders Conference (PEC) and representing the geographical regions of the province, our meeting was facilitated by the skilled leadership of Dr. Craig Van Gelder, a consultant with The Missional Network. It was a rich and inspiring two days.

The 2010 Northern Province Synod directed that a study commission be established to engage congregations in discussion about the current structure of the Northern Province; and to gather recommendations and suggestions regarding changes to the structure. The Provincial Elders Conference (PEC) further refined the resolutions of Synod to the following “charge” to the Restructure Committee: • To explore our identity and purpose as a prelude to shaping our structure • To engage in regional conversations to help us claim and live our narrative • To define and redefine our purpose • To explore ways that we can organize ourselves to participate more faithfully in God’s world today Everyone who had been invited to serve on the committee had responded with an enthusiastic “Yes,” which became the natural starting point for group-building and the crucial conversations to come. When asked why 14

each of us agreed to serve on this committee, the answers were varied and brought to the centre of our discussions the values and concerns each of us hold dear. Among the answers were some common threads: a deep love of God; a love of the Moravian church; and the need for change.

The question why echoed through our shared experience of exploring Luke 9:5110:12 together. This passage describes some crucial dimensions of discipleship and spiritfilled, spirit-led living. We knew at the start that the challenge of restructuring was a somewhat daunting one; but these beginning exercises brought to the fore deep questions at the core of our work related to identity, purpose, theology and mission.

With this initial meeting we were discovering together that our work as the restructuring committee would mean going deeper and wider than some had assumed at the outset — into the heart of who we are as people of faith, as the church and as the Moravian church of today.

Under the umbrella term identity we brainstormed a number of words and phrases that describe our ‘Moravian DNA’ — what makes up who we are as Moravian Christians — recognizing that the clearer our identity is as a church, the clearer our ideal structure will be. As we look toward our next meeting, five working groups were established to gather materials and research key aspects of our structure: The Moravian

• • • •

the historical Moravian DNA the history of Moravians in North America identity, purpose, structure and finances congregational data, profiles, trends, locations and demographics • experiments, including those by provinces around the world, by MCNP and other denominations The question that leads our work and discussion is “What issues are the Moravian Church Northern Province (MCNP) currently facing which we must address if we are to live into God’s future?” This is an excellent and challenging question, for which we do not yet have the answers. It is intertwined with the question of how to restructure; we need to look at ways to modify our current structure so it better represents who we are, while being fiscally responsible.

You will hear more about this work as we

progress, and there will be opportunities for you to engage with many of these issues as we move toward the 2014 synod. Hopefully, this brief sharing of the Restructure Committee’s initial work will spark your own prayerful reflection on some of the issues before us as we explore who God is calling us to be and how we organize ourselves to more faithfully live into that calling. We trust that God will guide us along the way and bring us to a place of hopeful purpose and mission. ■ Alice Sears serves as chair of the Northern Province Restructure Committee.

Committee Members include: Dave Bennett, Ryerson Christie, Gary Harke, Judy Kaaua, Matthew Knapp, Alexander MacDonald, Christie Melby-Gibbons, Betsy Miller, Justin Rabbach, Ann Tyrell, Dawn Volpe, Margaret Wellert and Kip Wolf.

Members of the committee to explore restructuring the governance of the Moravian Church Northern Province met in Chaska, Minnesota in late September.

(Left-to-right) Consultant Dr. Craig Van Gelder, Matthew Knapp, Betsy Miller, Gary Harke, Justin Rabbach, Ryerson Christie, Margaret Weller, Alice Sears, Alexander MacDonald, Judy Kaaua, Kip Wolf, Ann Tyrell and Dawn Volpe. Not pictured: Dave Bennett and Christie Melby-Gibbons.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

Spiritual Formation: A journey more vast and awesome than the mind can fully know “Spiritual formation” is a term we hear often in our churches today. However, we too often limit spiritual formation to the formation of spiritual concepts and images in our minds and to our communal or personal prayer of words. We hear people say, “I took that to prayer and God spoke to me…” Is that said figuratively or literally?

We have few forums which teach us how to go beyond the words and into the mystery of a personal relationship with God or Jesus, how to discern and trust our spiritual experiences, and what to do when we do have an experience. Many people either discount personal God experiences or rarely speak of them since they defy logic, sometimes wishing not to have another such experience. Others long for a personal touch of God and wonder if such events are real or possible for them.

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Not only are the personal experiences of the Divine real, but they are the very promise of Jesus. In John 14:17-20, we read “This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you and he will be in you. I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me…you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”

Movements of the Spirit Our Christian spiritual leaders throughout the centuries, from our Desert Fathers and Mothers in the 4th Century through Augustine and Zinzendorf and Merton, experienced the movements of the Spirit in their own souls as described in Ephesians 3:17-19: “I pray that, The Moravian

according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” To walk this walk, we must believe that God loves us dearly, is eager to relate to us personally, and is reaching out to us in every moment of our days. And, we must choose to reach back and pray our desire for connection — a quiet prayer of being, listening and receiving. Yet our mind keeps noisily spinning and not understanding.

The support of a spiritual director or guide, a dedicated spiritual friendship, or a spiritual formation group is very helpful for beginners and experienced prayers.

Prayer forms can be used to quiet the mind in order to perceive the movement of Spirit.

Christian contemplative prayer forms include those centered on scripture such as Lectio Divina and Application of Senses; those centered on our lives such as Examen of Consciousness and Gazing Prayer; and those with only the pure intention of being with God in open surrender such as Centering Prayer or inner silence. The difficulty with these types of contemplative prayer is not in the technique, but in learning how to drop from the chatter December 2011

of the mind into a deeper spiritual awareness and wait there in trust. Contemplative spiritual practice nurtures the inner silence and spaciousness where our true self is in direct communion with God. Common difficulties of contemplative prayer There are common difficulties that are experienced when entering into a practice of contemplative prayer. They include: 1. Uncertainty in naming and trusting this strange, new prayer experience.

2. Difficulty in talking about this type of inner experience.

3. Staying stuck in approaching the spiritual journey only through thinking, negating the body and the inner senses/experiences.

4. Fearing that nothing will happen: What if God doesn’t show up for me?

5. Fearing our pain/messiness/unworthiness when life issues come up in the stillness.

6. Becoming confused when our God image/ theology shifts if our experiences don’t support “the way it is supposed to be or always been.”

7. Feeling alone and misunderstood in our unique experiences.

The support of a spiritual director or guide, a dedicated spiritual friendship, or a spiritual formation group is very helpful for beginners and experienced prayers. Spiritual movement is often most strongly felt when gathered in a (continued on next page) Peg Cromer Greiner is a spiritual director and a member of the Eastern District Executive Board and Lititz Moravian Church in Lititz, Pa. 17

(continued from previous page) group, including when the group shares silence. Moving from ordinary mind awareness to spiritual awareness is difficult for people and usually needs someone experienced in this type of prayer and discernment. Curricula, trained leaders, and training for leaders are available to begin a prayer group. (www.morvianseminary.edu/academics/ formspir.html, www.on-the-journey.org, www.shalem.org, www.sdiworld.org) Taking the time Why is it necessary to take the time to enter into this quiet, contemplative prayer when there is so much to do and wonderful people to relate to? Henri Nouwen, an internationally renowned priest and author who wrote over 40 books on the spiritual life, writes that although this journey takes place in community and leads to service, the first task is to look within, taking an inward journey to the heart. In Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirits, he states, “When only our mind ‘sees’ and our heart remains blind, we remain spiritually ignorant. Therefore, spiritual formation calls for the ongoing discipline of descending from the mind into the heart so real knowledge and wisdom can be found.”

Jesus spoke to this in Matthew 13:13-16: “The reason I speak to them in parables is that ‘seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand’…

But blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears, for they hear.” Only after developing these inner senses, can we utilize mind and heart equally to properly discern God’s call. Although spiritual formation begins with the inward journey, our discipleship is not 18

complete until it leads to an authentic outward journey that is guided by this spiritual heart awareness.

Many of our Moravian congregations hunger to discern God’s call for them in their larger communities and world. We are all struggling in these times of shifting sands and uncertain futures. People want to find a rock to hold onto and deeply know and experience God’s love and presence. In each of our churches, people hunger for a deeper spiritual journey and many are able and ready to step out in faith and make time for these efforts.

“When only our mind ‘sees’ and our heart remains blind, we remain spiritually ignorant.

Therefore, spiritual formation calls for the ongoing discipline of descending from the mind into the heart so real knowledge and wisdom can be found.”

Although contemplative prayer is only one part of spiritual formation and the church’s ministry, the core of prayer and of all the Christian life is a conscious, personal relationship with God. Contemplative prayer groups and interest in this type of formation is growing in churches and around the world.

The church can only be strengthened as its members deepen their prayer and discernment of the God’s call for them and for their congregations. Let us live into the promise “to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” ■ The Moravian

YOUTH MINISTRY

Task force to coordinate youth ministry in the Northern Province The Spirit that motivated a rag-tag bunch of Christian followers to embrace the call to service on August 13, 1727 continues to call and inspire. Such is the hope and the desire of the newly formed Youth Ministry Coordinating Task Force of the Northern Province.

The small committee consisting of representatives from each of the Province’s three districts met in Bethlehem over the weekend of Aug. 13 to brainstorm and discern how the Spirit continues to call us and our province’s young people to be disciples. The Task Force grew out of work at the 2010 Northern Province Synod.

Representatives Amy Sue Walter, from Lititz, Pa, representing the Eastern District; Greg

Behrend, from Freedom, Wis., representing the Western District, and Travis Kerslake, from Radium, B.C., representing the Canadian District, captured the Moravian spirit as together we met to discuss the many joys of church ministry to our young people happening across the Northern Province. More than that however we pondered the question, “What could youth ministry to and from our (continued on page 31) Josh Viste is pastor of Millwoods Moravian Church in Edmonton, Alberta and works with the Youth Ministry Coordinating Taskforce.

Youth Ministry Coordinating Task Force members (clockwise from upper left) Josh Viste, Amy Sue Walter, Greg Behrend and Travis Kerslake.

BOARD OF WORLD MISSION

Unity Mission and Development Board meeting charts path for mission growth

I had the privilege of participating in the first meeting of the Unity Mission and Development Board (UMDB) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from September 20-22, 2011. This board was formed at the last Unity Synod as an outgrowth from the New World Witness program. Its duties include monitoring new mission work, evaluating the progress of established mission work, prioritizing and funding mission work and projects, and coordinating partnerships between mission areas, provinces and mission agencies.

Representatives were present from Africa, the Caribbean and all of the partnering mission agencies. It was exciting to have voices from the many regions of the Unity at the table to make decisions about our mission efforts and the use of Unity funds for this purpose.

There are a large number of mission areas in our worldwide Unity that we are already 20

funding. There is work in Albania, Belize, Burundi, the Congo, Cuba, Eastern and Northern Tanzania, French Guiana, Grenada, Buyana, the Garifuna area of Honduras, Kenya, Lake Tanganyika, Latvia, Malawi, North Tanzania, Rwanda, and Zambia. It is no wonder that Africa hosts 69 percent of Moravians worldwide!

In addition, Peru and Sierra Leone have been added to the list — new work that is partnered with our Board of World Mission and the Southern Province. Cuba has also been assigned to the Southern Province and delegated to BWM. We are excited about partnering with these areas for outreach.

The UMDB received project requests from various Unity-wide provinces and began to prioritize them for funding. They hope to develop a list of criteria to help with this process. The large majority of projects were for programs that would help churches provide

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for themselves and sustain their programs, as well as continue to expand their outreach with the gospel. Requests included girls’ secondary schools, farming projects, vocational training centers and pastoral support for mission outreach. Currently there is not enough funding to support all of these projects, but the vision is for UMDB to be a central hub so that we can have more continuity in how we support each other in mission.

Another important issue discussed was how to realign the mission agencies with all of the new mission areas because of their connection to both human and financial resources. Traditionally agencies have been tied to specific, “historical” provinces. For example, The Board of World Mission of the Northern and Southern Provinces is partnered with Western Tanzania, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guyana, Costa Rica and Labrador while four of the new mission areas are being developed out of Western Tanzania with little or no connection to any of the mission agencies. Can there be a more equitable alignment of resources and support to these new areas?

I look forward to the further work of the UMDB because it is an intentional step to better coordinate all of our Moravian efforts in mission and to provide a forum for sharing the load. It is a means by which all voices in our various regions can be heard at the table and can participate in crucial decisions around the use of our limited resources. It has the potential to provide a common framework by which such decisions are made at all levels within the Moravian Church. And it affirms our very unity in Christ as we strive to work together to witness to God’s love throughout our world. ■ The Rev. Judy Ganz is executive director of the Board of World Mission. Photos courtesy of the BWM. December 2011

BOARD OF WORLD MISSION

“It is finished.”

Antioch Servant shares insights on Nepal Upon arrival in Nepal, I was overwhelmed by what appeared to be a culture deeply saturated by faith. However, in the process of examining Nepali culture and faith from an outside perspective, I asked an important question relating to it as well as to my own culture and faith: is this culture driven by various religious faiths or rather by various religious works?

Some of my first journal reflections seemed to echo words like sacrifice, ritual, and offering; routine living for many families across Nepal includes each of these. Early in my visit I was taken aback by such rigorous commitment to one’s faith, my awe quickly turned to sadness and then my sadness to gratitude.

For it was through my observation of these sacrifices, rituals, and offerings that God taught me a truth that I have long professed to understand.

In Nepal, where less than 1 percent of the population professes belief in Jesus Christ, Hindu and Buddhist beliefs infuse daily liv22

ing. Within each of these religions, those who worship, offer sacrifices, and participate in the prescribed rituals do so seeking the grace, comfort, and peace that only Jesus Christ can offer.

Pastor Heather Zempel of National Community Church in Washington, DC explains: “the purpose of the law is to point us towards Christ. The law itself is not the point.” I am compelled to abide by the law because I first abide in Christ.

In the nineteenth chapter of the book of John, we see Christ’s final words before his death: “It is finished.” It is in these three words that I have gained new perspective as a result of my time in Nepal.

For much of my life I have understood this moment of scripture to be a pivotal change. As

Meredith Alexander is an Antioch Servant from Fairfax, Va. Photos provided by Meredith.

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Christ gave of His own life, those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord gain new life. I have long known Christ to be the spotless lamb that was slaughtered and the ultimate sacrifice. Yet, as my perspective has widened, I have learned that Christ is not only the ultimate sacrifice but also the only necessary sacrifice. After all, it is through Christ’s sacrifice that I am saved, not through my own routines and rituals.

In Nepal, as here in the U.S., there are many who either have yet to hear of the mercies won by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ or yet to profess it as truth. Without the declaration of Christ as Lord and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the offerings and rituals of human beings, whether they be Nepali, North American or any other culture, are nothing but an old sacrifice. It is through the affirmation of Christ’s salvation these sacrifices,

offerings, and rituals become obedience.

While the state of religion in Nepal is enough to break one’s heart it is also drives the Christian heart to gratitude. My observations of the Nepali culture served as further reminders of the true cost of salvation. My debt was paid only through the death of Jesus Christ. ■

Meredith served in Kathmandu with the International Kindergarten there. The International Kindergarten is one of the oldest pre-schools in Kathmandu. The Nepali Outreach Ministry of the Moravian Church partnered with the British Province to purchase it for $25,000 and ownership was transferred in June of 2011. There are currently 51 students ages 2-5. When the children graduate, they are able to read and write in Nepali and English and know numbers. The reason a pre-school is important is because at age 5, children have to pass an exam to qualify for the better private schools. Moravian pastor Vani Pradhan is the Principal/Head Teacher and teaches 4-year-olds; her husband Shanti is Chairman of the Board of Directors.

IN OUR CONGREGATIONS

Mission Festival brings together RCC churches Regional Conferences of Churches (RCCs) represent an important part of the Southern Province’s revised structure. These 13 local groups bring together four-to-six congregations to help improve communication, build unity and expand community throughout the Province. As they work to strengthen both their groups and their individual congregations, members of the RCCs will use the Characteristics of Healthy Congregations to identify their strengths and needs. They will then work together to support each other in meeting their needs.

This month, Janet Kaufman of New Beginnings Moravian Church in Huntersville, N.C., shares an event held by the Salisbury Road RCC.

It was perfect fall weather for a Mission Festival: cool, sunny and a bit windy! The brainchild of The Salisbury Road Regional Council of Churches: Friedberg, Little Church, New Beginnings, Palmetto Fellowship & Peace, the Safie and Muhammed Braima, missionaries from Sierra Leone, were on hand to discuss their work at the Salisbury Road RCC Mission Festival.

Mission Festival event was aimed at fulfilling two (of eight) Characteristics of Healthy Congregations as discussed at the Southern Province Synod 2010: Cooperation and Ministry.

With respect to Cooperation, “…making the whole greater than the sum of the parts and co-creating a safe open place for interaction,” the RCC agreed that the churches would gather in fellowship. New Beginnings had started the organizing of their 11th anniversary celebration, and Rev. Chris Thore suggested the October 1st date was a perfect opportunity for an RCC Mission Festival: summer vacations behind, and holiday activities ahead.

With respect to Ministry, the Synod directed us to The Moravian

utilize “the assets God has given us so we can look and reach outward in mission;” the ongoing ministry of Sierra Leone would be the focus of our efforts. The joint mission project consisted of the donation and collection of school supplies & backpacks to benefit middle school students in of Sierra Leone. The goal was 70 filled backpacks.

A Mission Festival Hosted on New Beginnings’ extension property in Huntersville, more than 150 people from the five churches of the Salisbury Road RCC joined in fellowship and purpose of heart. The afternoon began with folks enjoying the melodic sounds of the Moravian Brass Band comprised of musicians from several of the churches.

A special worship service followed, under the “big top.” Rev. Thomas Shelton (Friedberg), Sister Marie Nodine (Peace), Rev. Steve Wilson (Little Church), and Rev. Chris Thore (New Beginnings) led the service, with guitar accompaniment from Little Church.

Then the guests of honor, Safie and Muhammed Braima, missionaries in Sierra Leone, offered background on their mission work, as well as their goals, challenges and successes. As part of their presentation, they shared photographs of their village, programs, and special events/services. Some of their photos featured folks from Little Church

and Friedberg who have travelled to their village to serve.

While Safie and Muhammed explained the far-reaching effects of “the little bags of hope” to the children of Sierra Leone, the sound of laughter from our own children could be heard in the background as they ran and played croquet, corn hole, volleyball & ladderball in the surrounding open fields.

With the conclusion of worship, it was time to share a meal. The menu: delicious BBQ, cooked by the Men’s Fellowship of New Beginnings from the wee hours of the morning, beans, slaw and a variety of desserts, including three pans of amazing apple cobbler prepared by Friedberg. It wasn’t long before the tables were full and friends, old and new, enjoyed their food and conversation.

As the air turned cooler, and the sun began to set, 73 filled backpacks, destined for the children of Sierra Leone, were loaded into a truck and driven away. Tables and chairs were broken down, picnic supplies were boxed, trash was collected, and those who came to the field as strangers, left with full bellies and happy hearts as the first-ever RCC joint-effort Mission Festival came to a close. Memories made, Mission accomplished! ■ Janet Kaufman works with New Beginnings Moravian Church in Huntersville, N.C.

IN OUR CONGREGATIONS

Building one another up in love “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:20-23

Christ’s Community Moravian Church is located on a unique corner in suburban Minnesota. The corner is known as “Church Corner” because there are three churches all at the same intersection. Our geographical closeness offers us a wonderful opportunity to get to know our sisters and brothers in Christ. With the Scriptures from John 17 in mind, Pastor Jenny called up Pastor Chris at Maple Grove Lutheran Church, met for a few meals, and a beautiful friendship began between the two congregations.

That friendship and common sense of God’s call to us to be one in Christ led Pastor The Rev. Jenny Moran is pastor of Christ Community Church in Maple Grove, Minn. At right: Christ’s Community Moravian Church and Maple Grove Lutheran Church held their third joint event this summer in Maple Grove, Minn.

Photos provided by Jenny.

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Chris, Pastor Jenny, and the congregations to develop opportunities to grow in our faith and to get to know one another. In August of 2009 we had a joint worship service and communion under a tent on the Christ’s Community lawn. 200 people gathered to worship, share in a meal afterward, jump on bouncy castles, and cool off with snow cones!

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:3-6 Our sense of fellowship continued to grow as we shared ideas for our children’s programs and opened our Bible Studies to one another. In January 2010, the Christ’s Community congregation was welcomed at MGLC for a Unity Sunday service at their church with shared communion followed by a pancake brunch.

In March, we held a joint healing service at Christ’s Community and we continued our common worship that spring with a Cross Walk followed by hymns, prayer, and Scripture on Good Friday.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Ephesians 4:25 (continued on page 28) The Moravian

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 4:16

(continued from page 26) In August 2010, we once again met under the tent on Church Corner and this time shared in a traditional Moravian Lovefeast service. God has created beautiful diversity in his world, and we celebrated that beauty in our worship through the Lovefeast with hymn selections from a variety of Protestant traditions, including “Earth and All Stars (Lutheran),” “In Essentials Let Us Be United (Moravian),” “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (Methodist),” and “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Episcopalian).”

We started off the Lovefeast service with a celebration set of contemporary Christian music, making it possible for all these different ways of worshiping to converge in one service. By sharing services with one another, we have learned about the other’s ways of expressing faith and, in doing so, have found that our own faith has grown.

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16 While God calls all Christians to unity in Christ, he calls us to that oneness for a reason. In John 17, Jesus himself tells us that purpose: so all people will know that God sent Jesus Christ to the world because he loves us.

When we love one another and work together as one in Christ, we show God’s love to the world and live out our calling to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. When we come together in complete unity, we live and share God’s message of love found in Jesus Christ in a powerful way.

In July 2011, MGLC and Christ’s Community 28

…we have learned about the other’s ways of expressing faith and, in doing so, have found that our own faith has grown. felt called in our unity to share God’s love with the community of Maple Grove. Instead of worshiping at one of our church buildings, we met at the City of Maple Grove Town Greene, a community area with an amphitheater, lake, picnic grounds, and restrooms. We invited the community to “Come to the Water” and learn about the transformed lives Jesus Christ offers each of us when we turn to him in faith.

What a joy it is to be loved by God and have the privilege to share his love found in Jesus Christ with others! We are grateful to be able to be one with our neighbors, filled with the Holy Spirit, and living transformed lives in Christ. ■

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OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS NORTHERN PROVINCE Retirement Brother Leon Matthias requested and was granted permission to retire from the call of the Moravian Church effective December 31, 2011.

Brother Matthias was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church August 24, 1975. He served the church in pastorates in the Eastern West Indies Province from 1975-2002. He then served the church in pastorates at Grace Moravian Church, Queens, N.Y. (2002-2006) and Tremont Terrace Moravian Church, Bronx, N.Y. (2006-2009).

The church is grateful for his 34 years of faithful service.

Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference

SOUTHERN PROVINCE Laurel Ridge Welcomes New Director On behalf of the Board of Directors of Laurel Ridge Moravian Camp and Conference Center, I am pleased to announce that Warren Kaestner will be joining the Laurel Ridge staff as the new director beginning in November 2011.

Warren is a native of Seattle and attended Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C., Canada.

He received a Bachelors in Management while working with Boeing Aerospace Company for 12 years. Since feeling called into full time camping and conference ministry, Warren has served as executive director of Koronis Ministries Camp and Conference Center in December 2011

Paynesville, Minn., director of operations at Michindoh Ministries Camp and Conference Center in Hillsdale, Mich.; and general manager of Whitestone Inn in Kingston, Tenn. He has served on various boards at the conference and national level for the United Brethren in Christ denomination and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Laurel Mission in Leslie County, Ky. Warren and his wife Bev have three adult children and one grandson. Warren has a particular love for the out of doors and enjoys backpacking, architectural design and travel.

In recent years he has had the opportunity to visit and consult with over 100 camp and conference ministries across the United States.

Warren began his service at Laurel Ridge on Nov. 1. We look forward with anticipation and excitement to his leadership in the ministry of Laurel Ridge and work with our staff team.

We hold him and Bev in our prayers during this time of new beginnings on the mountain.

Scott Templin, Chair Laurel Ridge Board of Directors Warren Kaestner

OBITUARY

Sister Louise Bowles Kapp Sister

Louise Bowles Kapp, widow of The Rev. John H. Kapp, passed away on October 9, 2011 at the age of 96. She completed her BA and Master of Education Degrees at UNCGreensboro and had a long and distinguished teaching career. In 1988 she was honored as N.C. Woman of Distinction in Education. For 68 years Sister Kapp was a dedicated partner and church leader with her husband in ministries in numerous churches of the Moravian Church, Southern Province. She was a choir singer and soloist, Sunday School, mission and Bible study leader. She wrote and directed several dramas, and contributed to church publications. Her writings include 3 books of historical mission stories, a script for a

videotape distributed by the Board of World Mission, and 3 books on the history of Bethania, N.C. She was selected to be the first recipient of the Archie K. Davis Award presented by the Wachovia Historical Society in 1999.

In her later years she became interested in crafts, quilting, sewing, and doll-making. She made hundreds of Moravian stars and pieces of scherenschnitte. She did this work to earn money to give to the church and to her beloved Bethania Historical Association. Sister Kapp is survived by one daughter. Her memorial service was held at Bethania Moravian Church with burial in the Bethania Moravian Graveyard. The Rt. Rev. Graham Rights and The Rt. Rev. Lane Sapp officiated. ■

Woman ordained

Beatrice, filling her with grace and power, and make her a deacon in your Church,” it affirmed our belief that it is the Holy Spirit who ordains, while the bishop serves as the instrument through which that ordination is made effective.

When the service ended, our newly ordained deacon led the Festal Doxology and offered the benediction.

Beatrice Hope received and accepted the call to serve as pastor of the Hopedale Moravian Church, leaving the next day aboard the Northern Ranger, for a 31-hour journey up the coast, to her new home in Hopedale. The congregation had previously renovated their manse in anticipation of the time when they would have a full-time resident minister. ■

(continued from page 30) Beatrice was accompanied to the front of the church by Linda Saunders Mclean, chairperson of the Moravian Church Newfoundland-Labrador; the Rev. Glenna Tasedan, pastor of Happy Valley Moravian Church; Bob Lyall, head chapel servant at Happy Valley and Loren Jendro, liaison between the Board of World Mission and the Moravian Church in Newfoundland-Labrador. (Loren is a member of the Goshen, N.D. Moravian congregation.)

When presiding Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Paul A. Graf, Sturgeon Bay, Wis. stated the prayer of ordination, “Eternal God, through your Son Jesus Christ, pour out your Holy Spirit upon 30

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Candle burning

Youth ministry

(continued from page 11)

(continued from page 19)

catch a glimpse, for that I’d walk a thousand miles. They then received a gift while also remembering the very greatest and most beautiful gift that the Savior himself gave us. At last each child received a wax candle, which had been lit while singing the verses, Jesus send your little flame here and My heart burns, this I feel. Before you knew it, over 250 candles were burning! This created a charming sight and also a sweet scent by which to sing the verse: How bright appear the starry wounds! Finally Br. Petrus dismissed them with the wish that their hearts, like the candles, burn for the Christ-child.

And so they cheerfully went home carrying their burning candles.” ■

young people look like?”

The work of this committee will include taking over Convo planning, including the next Convo event tentatively scheduled to take place June 30– July 5, 2013 for our High School youth age 14-18. Additionally we have been called to encourage youth ministry leadership through an upcoming training event to be held at Moravian Theological Seminary in fall of 2012.

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Visit <www.facebook.com/MoravianMagazine> to learn more about what’s happening with the magazine, view current and back issues online and interact with The Moravian editorial staff.

We’ll be providing updates, posting themes for upcoming issues, looking for story ideas and taking your comments about The Moravian Magazine.

So next time you’re on Facebook, check out The Moravian Magazine and hit the “Like” button to become a fan! And while you’re there, let us know what you think.

You can also get the weekly Watchwords through Facebook by visiting the Moravian Daily Texts on Facebook.

December 2011

The time has never been better than now for our church to respond boldly in welcoming the next generation of Christ followers.

We live in exciting times, and now have the opportunity to connect in ways we never could have imagined. To share ideas and encourage young people to develop relationships with other Moravians within their districts and across the province, the Task Force has developed or connected with district Facebook groups and will look to use social networking tools even more to connect to Moravian Youth.

Though so many of our churches are feeling the absence of youth in worship, there are so many exciting things going on in the background. The time has never been better than now for our church to respond boldly in welcoming the next generation of Christ followers. And so, the Youth Ministry Coordinating Task Force meets with hope and expectation that the Spirit will continue to call and inspire our church’s youth to faithful discipleship in these years to come. ■ 31

PAGE 2011 INDEX OF HEAD THE MORAVIAN Board of World Mission Adopt a Village after Five Years, Jan/Feb: 14 Antioch Servants learn while helping in faroff places, October: 22 Antioch Servant shares insights on Nepal, December: 22 Are We Winning the Battle Against HIV/ AIDS?, May: 16 Bringing the Moravian Church to Peru, November: 15 Experience Educates Idea of “Mission”, April: 17 First native woman ordained in Newfoundland-Labrador: December: 10 Judy Ganz Named Executive Director: Board of World Mission, June: 12 Mission Helps Participants Too, April: 15 Mission Trip Renews Faith and Life of Displaced Couple, April: 20 Unity Mission and Development Board Meeting charts path for mission growth, December: 20 Care for Clergy, Eastern District Retreat Offers Silence and Reflection, July/August: 18 Northern Province Launches Clergy Emergency Assistance Fund, July/ August: 28 Center for Moravian Studies The Hinge offers doorway into Moravian issues, November: 10 Community Ministries Outreach Effort Brings “Esperanza” to Latino/Hispanic Community, Jan/Feb: 28 Renovations Brighten Sunnyside’s Service, Jan/Feb: 30 One-One connections help Moravian Open Door residents, September: 5 Congregation in Mission Looking for God on a Gulf Coast Mission, July/August: 15 Mission from Ohio Helps Flood Abatement in North Dakota, May: 13 Nepali Mission Outreach Team visits “the top of the world”, Jan/Feb: 16 32

Congregational Resource Online Destination Offers Free Resource Guide for Ministers and Leaders, July/ August: 27 Discipleship Discipleship Conference helps assess “personal walk with God”, November: 26 Eastern District Conference Moravian meet to reflect, renew, and respond at Eastern District Conference, September: 8 Ecumenical Efforts A Chrism Mass Makes Full-Communion History, June: 6 A Historic Occasion that Looks to the Future, April: 8 Celebrating Full Communion with The Episcopal Church, April: 6 Thoughts on living into our full communion relationships, October: 26 In Our Communities A Small Congregation Makes a Big Difference, March: 19 M3 Brings Youth Service to Church Communities, March: 22 Winston-Salem Moravian Festival shares faith, culture and fun, November: 5 In Our Congregations Building a Gateway to God’s Acre in Raleigh’s Historic Heart, June: 16 Building one another up in love, December: 26 Effort Brings Comfort to Frightened Children, April: 24 G-MOM Celebrates Graduation of William Gibson, May, 24 Heimtal greets growing neighborhood with community cookout, September: 31 Inaugural Moravian Festival to offer “family fun, Moravian style”, September: 34 Lititz Moravian celebrates with mortgageburning Lovefeast, October: 20

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Making a “Pipe Dream” Come True, July/ August: 11 Mission Festival brings together RCC churches, December: 24 Palmer Moravian Mission Camp teaches lessons in community service, September: 27 Storm Takes West Salem’s Steeple, June: 5 Sunday School Projects Crafted to Last a Lifetime, April: 28 Intentional Community “Common Prayer” Authors Celebrate with Anthony’s Plot, March: 10 Lay Seminary Israel and Palestine: Hope in the Land of Promise, Jan/Feb: 12 Ministry of Camping A Time of Transitions at Camp Hope, May: 9 Camp Hope Selects New Center Administrator, June: 33 Capital Campaign Aims to Help “Feed My Sheep”, July/August: 14 Exciting Things are Happening at Camp Van Es!, May: 11 Faith, Nature, and Fun for Summer 2011, May: 5 Gearing Up for a Summer of Faith and Fun at Laurel Ridge, May: 6 Summer at Mt. Morris, May: 8 Trail Trek for Laurel Ridge, April: 30 Moravian Basics The Ground of the Unity, July/August: 21 Moravian Bishops A Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of the Northern and Southern Provinces, October: 7 Moravian Bishops gather for prayer and discussion, October: 6 Rev. J Christian Giesler Consecrated as Bishop of Moravian Unity, Jan/Feb: 24 Moravian Education Crossroads: The intersection of your life and God’s mission, September: 29 Direct Descendant of Zinzendorf Graduates from Moravian College, July/August: 9 Moravian Theological Seminary Concludes 204th Academic Year, July/August: 6 December 2011

Seminary celebrates campaign completion with Bahnson Center re-dedication, December: 5 Moravian History 250 years of Moravian Christmas candles in America, December: 11 Archives Hosts Moravian Women Exhibit, June: 14 Craig Atwood Receives Archie K Davis Award, March: 12 Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Daily Texts, June: 28 Unity Archives Gather to Chart “Future of our History”, April: 12 Who invented the Moravian Star?, December: 12 Zinzendorf’s Personal Bible Discovered, March: 14 Moravian Music 2011 Midwest Music Fest - A Remembrance, November: 18 An “Organ Transplant” Gives Music to Congregation, May: 21 Berea Moravian thanks its organist...of 70 years!, November: 14 Celebrating the Moravian music of the Labrador Inuit, September: 23 Moravian Music Weekend at Laurel Ridge, April: 26 Nothing Wasted, Nothing Lost, May: 22 Practicing is the “Best Medicine”, May: 19 Singing a (New) Moravian Song Submissions Wanted, May: 12 Moravian Traditions “Does Jesus work here?” Home Moravian’s Candle Tea, November: 21 Visiting the true meaning of Christmas at Mizpah’s Live Nativity, November: 24 Moravian Travels Cruise-goers Receive Warm Welcome, Jan/ Feb: 20 Moravian 554 Cruise Heads for Land of the Midnight Sun, March: 13 Moravian Women Moravian Unity establishes resource to address women’s issues, September: 20 Reflections of the 11th Moravian Women’s Conference, September: 13 33

Moravian Youth An Eye-Opening Visit to the Holy Land (2010-11 Convo), March: 5 Moravian Youth Celebrate Jesus at 2010 Youth Rally, Jan/Feb: 5 Task Force to coordinate youth ministry in Northern Province, December: 19 Moravians in the United Kingdom The Moravian Church from a British Perspective, June: 19 National Council of Churches A Visit with the President, Jan/Feb: 8 NCC Addresses Interfaith Dialog at Centennial General Assembly, Jan/Feb: 10 Obituary Adams, Mrs. Charles B., March: 31 Burcaw, Rev. Dorothy F., Jan/Feb: 33 Crews, Sarah Dunivant, September: 38 Goodman, Rev. Virginia L., March: 30 Kapp, II, Rev. John Henry, April: 33 Kapp, Louise Bowles, December: 29 Marx, Rev. Dr. Samuel Benno, April: 32 Sawyer, Leslie Jill Anderson, May: 28 Schwanke, Wilton Lawrence, May: 29 Swaim, Rev. Lewis B., July/August: 29 Troutman, Rev. Raymond T., July/August: 29 Williams, Rev. Gwyned, September: 38 Ponderings A Year’s Worth of Prayers in Two Days, July/ August: 4 Celebrating a Cup of Covenant with coworkers and officemates, October: 4 Don’t Hurry Through the Seasons, May: 4 Every city is “Christmas City”, December: 4 Footsteps in the Snow, March: 4 Looking for Warmth and Brightness, Jan/ Feb: 4 Of Style, Substance and Relevance, April: 4 Seeing and sharing what’s happening, November: 4 Seeing the veranda in our picnic table, September: 4 What a Difference a Year Makes!, June: 4

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Provincial Elders’ Conferences A Message to the Moravian Church in America, July/August: 24 Board of Cooperative Ministries Begins Work of 2010 Synod, March: 24 Northern Province begins restructuring effort, December:14 Northern Province Names Human Sexuality Task Force , May:26 Reflections/Commentary An Invitation for Thoughts, April: 31 Multitude of Sins: Essay from Hoping for Spring, April: 22 Stewardship and our democracy, October:16 The importance of the Bible, October: 9 Spiritual Formation A journey more vast and awsome than the mind can fully know, December: 16 Statistics/Indices Statistics of the Moravian Church in US and Canada, November: 30 Stewardship Conference on Environmental Stewardship highlights care for God’s world, October: 18 Laurel Ridge to Host Second Conference on Environmental Stewardship, March: 17 Learning About God and Money, April: 13 Moravians Gather to Discuss Congregational Giving, June: 8 MMFA program offers stewardshp expertise to North American churches, October: 10 Teaching kids stewardship, October: 14

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Holiday Offerings From IBOC The Interprovincial Board of Communication (IBOC) bookstore offers an evergrowing variety of historical, inspirational, educational and spiritual books, music and gifts, each with a special connection to The Moravian Church. Make it a Moravian Christmas with these and other unique gifts from the IBOC bookstore! â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once He Came in Blessingâ&#x20AC;? CD Music for Advent and Christmas - A collection of 38 tunes performed by the Moravian Lower Brass Ensemble. $16.

Visit our website for a selection of other beautiful Moravian CDs!

Morning Star, O Cheering Sight Published by the Herrnhuter Sterne GmbH, the Moravian Star Factory in Herrnhut, Germany, this colorful book tells the story of the Moravian Star and how they are manufactured. $12.95

Moravian Seal Car Magnet A perennial favorite! Show your Moravian pride with this colorful, durable car magnet. Five inches in diameter, our â&#x20AC;&#x153;Agnusâ&#x20AC;? magnet will look great on your automobile, ďŹ le cabinet or refrigerator! $6

Loving Hearts United This Moravian Guide for Family Living features activities organized for the 52 weeks of the year and liturgical celebrations. The accompanying CD includes hymns and interactive songs for the whole family. Book/ CD only, $15. Also available in a specially-priced bundle that includes a 2012 Paperback edition of the Daily Texts for only $19.95

New! Stained Glass Moravian Stars Handcrafted in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, these beautiful 3-inch Moravian Star ornaments have 12 points crafted in glass of deep blue or milk white or a combination of the two colors.

The navy blue ribbon displays the motto of the Moravian Church, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In All Things Love.â&#x20AC;? $16 ea.

Sale prices valid through Dec. 31, 2011.

Order early! The last order date for Christmas delivery in the Continental U.S. is Dec. 19, 2011.

To order and see our entire catalog, visit www.moravian.org/publications or call 800.732.0591, ext. 38. š )"/# -ORAVIAN #HURCH IN !MERICA s #ENTER 3T 0/ "OX s "ETHLEHEM 0! ,EARN MORE AT WWW MORAVIAN ORG

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

WELCOME TO SALEMTOWNE ...

a shining example of the way life should be.

Enter the gates of our 114-acre campus and you’ll see it. Walk along a wooded path, and you’ll feel it. Talk with an engaging resident, and you’ll hear it. You’ll sense it in the mutual respect that residents have for one another and in the caring they extend as part of a unique community. Such a community could only develop over time; the product of people coming together through a common spirit.

Salemtowne is a non-profit continuing care retirement community in Winston-Salem, NC offering independent cottage and apartment living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care that ref lects the Moravian values of individual respect, life-long learning, and love of the arts.

We invite you to learn more about becoming a part of the Salemtowne community today.

877.767.8130

www.salemtowne.org