Moravian Magazine Issue 7 2019

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In this issue: Moravian Day of Service Estamos Unidos 13th Women’s Conference and more!

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Give yourself a WINTER BREAK Recharge your batteries during the winter months while we take care of your loved one.

An all-inclusive short-term stay at Moravian Hall Square with personalized attention and superior care:

Private Accommodation

3 Chef-Prepared Meals per Day

Help with Bathing, Social Events that are Dressing & Medication Fun, Entertaining and Management Engaging

Learn how you can plan a short-term stay for your loved one at Moravian Hall Square by calling 610.746.1000.

610.746.1000 2

www.MORAVIAN.com The Moravian

On the cover: Moravian-themed elements on a modern sculpture installation in Bethlehem. Photo by Mike Riess

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16 Our Lamb has conquered.

Let us follow Him. In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love

Moravian Women 5

Conference inspires and equips Moravian Women from around the globe.

Emerging Ministry 8

Estamos Unidos reaches out to Hispanic brothers and sisters

Moravians in Mission 11 Mission Grants encourage sustainability and continued

outreach 16 Moravians share faith and mission during inaugural

Day of Service

Moravian Traditions 14 God in a cup of coffee?

Moravian Writings 21 Reflections on Christ the King

...And More Visit our website at https://www.moravian.org.

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

Issue 7 • Nov. 2019

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Ponderings: TBD

24 Official Provincial Elders’ News 25 Obituary: The Rev. Dr. Henry May, Jr. 26 Statistics of the Moravian Church, Northern & Southern Provinces 3

PONDERINGS

Help us tell the Moravian story In 2020, The Moravian Magazine will celebrate a half-century of telling the story of the Moravian Church. In 1970, the publications Moravians had been receiving since 1800s (The Moravian for the Northern Province and The Wachovia Moravian for the Southern) were combined to create “The North American Moravian.”

2020 also represents a milestone for me – it will mark a decade of my editorship of this magazine. Over the years, I’ve been proud to help tell the story of our historic – and modern – church to Moravians across the U.S. and Canada.

But to tell those stories, I need your help. While I’m in a position to hear a lot about what’s going on in the Moravian Church today, it’s you, our readers, who hold the key to celebrating what it is to be a Moravian.

As always, I’m inviting you to share your Moravian story as we prepare for another year of The Moravian. Sharing our faith, our successes, our best practices, our traditions and our new ways of thinking about church through a publication that reaches every Moravian household helps keep us connected and demonstrates a living, vibrant church.

Are there things going on in your congregation that you’re especially proud of? Unique ways your church is living out its ministry? Challenges that you’re overcoming, or problems that you’re working on? Major milestones?

We want to hear about them.

Is there a new way you’re worshiping, or have you found ways to continue our cherished traditions? Is there a connection to our history that’s applicable for today? Is your church or agency working on ways to make the Moravian Church stronger, or are you being the hands and feet of Christ in the world whether in your own neighborhood or on the other side of the globe?

We want to know.

We typically look for articles of 400-800 words, although longer is always welcome. Subjects of interest to the magazine include congregational or district/provincial happenings, human interest, significant milestones, theological/pastoral reflections, ministry successes, Moravian history and mission stories. And since pictures really can help tell a story, we request that all article submissions include photos.

As we prepare for a new year – and a new decade -- help us continue to tell the Moravian story through our Moravian Magazine. For more information, visit https://www.moravian.org/2019/08/contactmoravianmagazine/ or e-mail us at moravianmagazine@mcnp.org.

I hope you enjoy this month’s edition, and wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving and blessed Advent.

Peace,

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Mike Riess, editor

(ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) November 2019, Vol. 50, No. 7 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 Published eight times per year: Jan/ Feb, April, May, June/July, August, Sept./ Oct., November and December, 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: 15,500 Postmaster please send address changes to The Moravian, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.

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, Paul Knouse, Kat Lehman, Amy Linville, Dan Miller, Valerie Bean Wagner.

Design by Michael Riess, IBOC. Address all correspondence regarding articles, subscriptions, or advertising to The Moravian, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 FAX: 610.866.9223 Phone: 610.867.0594 800.732.0591 e-mail: moravianmagazine@mcnp.org www.moravian.org Contents © 2019, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in America.

All rights reserved

The Moravian

MORAVIAN WOMEN

Conference inspires and equips Moravian Women from around the globe

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he last sentence of the Moravian Women’s Conference purpose statement provides an ideal summation the 13th Moravian Women’s Conference held in Winston-Salem, N.C. earlier this year: “…With faith, hope and love, women leave the conference inspired and equipped to serve God and one another in this day: Statistics and words most often fail to capture the essence of an experience, especially the happening of a Moravian Women’s Conference. This past June, 432 sisters from nine provinces gathered for the conference, with 98 attendees joining the conference from outside North America. Our theme was well-chosen; the energy and commitment to being Christ’s feet in this world in this day was palpable.

Our keynote speakers—The Rev. Dr. Heather Vacek, The Rt. Rev. Kay Ward, The Rev. Christie Melby-Gibbons, Dena Grillo Fortuzi (Moravian Seminary student living in Albania) and Sarah Bessey (national leader of Evolving Faith)—brought us to tears, laughter and sighs but, most importantly, they guided and inspired us to unleash our God-given power in his name!

Participants chose to attend Imagine Sessions from a selection of 21 options presented by gifted Moravian sisters from throughout the Unity. Presenters encouraged women to imag(Continued on next page) Peggy Dodson, who served as the chair of the 13th Moravian Women’s Conference, provided this remembrance. Photos by Sue Kiefner, IBOC. Issue 7 • Nov. 2019

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Conference

(Continued from previous page) ine what they might accomplish were they to unleash “his power at work within us.” Worshiping as a diverse community of empowered women in the sanctuaries of Calvary Moravian Church for opening communion and Home Moravian Church for closing lovefeast was especially moving.

Conference attendees each received a hardback Moravian Birthday Book so they can remain connected to their sisters in a significant way. A list of the birth month and day of those who provided that information was available.

Nextgen Sisters An initiative at this conference was the creation a cohort of young women called Nextgen Sisters, a project of the Moravian Women’s Conference in collaboration with the Board of Cooperative Ministries of the Moravian Church, Southern Province. Moravian woman, aged 21 to 35(ish), from both the Northern and Southern Provinces were invited to join the Nextgen Sisters.

The young women committed to meet during the conference and during the interim between conferences to discover and develop their spiritual gifts, create bonds of community, and explore their call to leadership and mission. Several “older” sisters are committed as mentors to their younger sisters. We plan to see all Nextgen and more young sisters at the 14th conference.

Top: Speaker Sarah Bessey shares a message. Middle: Attendees shop for Moravian items between sessions. Below: Moravian women from Trinidad.

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Top: Rt. Rev. Kay Ward and Rev. Christie Melby-Gibbons bring humor to the Women’s Conference. Below: Moravian women from Antigua.

The generous offering at the conference, $4,688.46, is dedicated to the women’s work of the Moravian Church in Cuba and is administered by the Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation whose role is to help raise awareness and support for the needs of the people in Cuba. As a first installment, sewing machines requested by our Cuban sisters for a new enterprise are on their way!

Our Moravian Star is an integral part of the 13th conference logo, and a 110-point Moravian star was the single feature on our main stage. May Christ’s light always shine through us as brightly as the first Christmas star, reflecting his life and work beyond what we can imagine.

Thanks to the 13th Moravian Women’s Conference Committee who made this year’s conference a success: Peggy Dodson (chair), Libby Ayers, Ruth Burcaw, Margo Harris, Nan Nelson, Allison Snyder and Janice Wilson n

Help us grant Larger Life to Moravian ministries.

The Larger Life Foundation has a 99-year history of helping Moravian ministries in the Northern Province through disbursements from its permanent endowment fund. Last year alone, we shared more than $500,000 with 37 causes, supporting social services, educational, church, Provincial and District programs, and other ministries reaching across the province.

Won’t you help us continue this ministry of service? Your support can make a difference in the life of the church.

For more, visit www.largerlifefoundation.org or contact Tammy Curcio, Treasurer, at 610-867-7566, Ext. 17.

Larger Life Foundation

MORAVIAN CHURCH NORTHERN PROVINCE

Help for Today. Building for Tomorrow.

Issue 7 • Nov. 2019

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EMERGING MINISTRY

Estamos Unidos reaches out to Hispanic brothers and sisters

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n Winston-Salem, N.C., the Moravian Church has a growing ministry to the Hispanic community there with a name who’s translation fits very well with our church’s unofficial motto: “We Are United.”

Estamos Unidos Moravian Ministry started with a provincial vision to reach out to the immigrant community in Forsyth County area by the Moravian Church Southern Province in early 2017 after a thoughtful and prayerful process. In September of that year, the now Rev. Angelica Regalado Cieza was ordained to create and developed this ministry.

Here, she shares the story of this new venture.

It took about a year of discernment and working alongside the Hispanic immigrant community in Southside Winston-Salem before Estamos Unidos came to be. After a careful and thoughtful assessment, we decided to partner The Rev. Angelica Regalado Cieza serves at Estamos Unidos in Winston-Salem. Photos courtesy of Estamos Unidos.

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with Sunnyside Ministry to use its facilities to start this ministry. The first year started with community meetings at Sunnyside Ministry and Trinity Moravian Church, both of whom have a presence in the area where we hoped to work.

By collaborating with other local organizations that share our focus on the Hispanic community outreach and improvement, we have provided, and will continue to provide, a wide variety of educational opportunities in English and Spanish. We soon realized that education is a very important key to any immigrant in succeeding in this country; therefore, we tried to follow our Moravian forefathers and foremothers in meeting people where they are, focusing on meaningful relationships and community, and, most importantly, listening in Christian love to how can we work together in helping them achieving their American dream.

In September 2018, we started a weekly Wednesday night program providing one adult Spanish Bible study class, one adult ESL Basic The Moravian

class, one adult ESL intermediate class, one adult Spanish for indigenous Hispanics (who speak a dialect) and/or for illiterate Hispanics, one keyboard class for children (age 9+), one guitar class for children (9+), one ukulele class for children (9+), and activities and games for the smaller kids.

We reached out to the immediate community through Sunnyside Ministry and are expanding to more neighborhood people. The Wednesday program started with a few families, but it is rapidly growing, and with that, our volunteer engagement has also increased.

We have had volunteers from Friedland, Olivet, and Come & Worship for our weekly program.

During our Vacation Bible School, volunteers from Konnoak Hills, Home, Fairview, Kernersville, and a few other churches provided and served food and donated materials. We have additional community partners, including the Hispanic League, Cancer Services, Second Harvest Food Bank, North Carolina State University, Crosby Scholars, and Forsyth Tech Community College, with whom we partner on education and advocacy initiatives. Other Moravians have also partnered with us, specifically Anthony’s Plot (summer literacy program, Block Party, Las Posadas, others), Trinity Moravian Church (facilities, ID drive), and of course, Sunnyside Ministry (facilities, financial literacy training, and other programs).

Currently, we have grown so that Sunnyside Ministry’s facility is becoming too small for our group. On an average Wednesday, there are around 40 kids (children + teens) and about 20 adults. We always start with a devotional where we share the Word of God, sing songs, and share announcements. In everything we do, we strive to present God’s love to our neighbors by living our Moravian essentials of Faith, Love and Hope.

We are excited with what God is doing in this ministry. We are starting a teen group every (Continued on next page) Issue 7 • Nov. 2019

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Estamos Unidos

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Saturday afternoon; we already have 10 teens interested in this. Also, we are providing a 16week financial literacy class to 10 women on Fridays, hosting a college workshop and participating on the CROP walk for the first time.

We are a fairly new ministry, but the enthusiasm and opening from our Hispanic community to this ministry is a blessing to many of us who are helping develop Estamos Unidos. I feel truly blessed and grateful to God for allowing me to serve in this community. Even though it has never been easy, God is our guide and provider.

Jesus told us to “go out into the world and preach His word to everyone” (Mark 16:15) with love (John 13:35) and fellowship with one another (Acts 2:42), this is what we are doing at Estamos Unidos.

Please pray for this ministry, for the people we serve, for the people that volunteer their time to help out, for the leaders, for the donors, for the people we partner with, and for our children. May God continue blessing this mission/ ministry, may God give us wisdom to seek Him first in everything we do, and may the Holy Spirit work in the lives of each person in this community—in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

If you are interested in knowing more about his ministry feel free to contact the Rev. Angelica Regalado Cieza at aregalado@mcsp. org or Like us on Facebook: Estamos Unidos Moravian Ministry to see more pictures or visit our provincial website: https://www.moravian.org/southern/2019/09/estamos-unidosmoravian-ministry/ If you feel in your heart to help this ministry financially, the Moravian Ministries Foundation has an online giving portal for Estamos Unidos https://mmfa.info/ estamos-unidos-donation-form/ n

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AMAR • SERVIR • APRENDER

Mission Statement

Estamos Unidos Moravian Ministry is here to reach out to our Hispanic brothers and sisters in the Winston-Salem community to share God’s faith, love and hope through the provision of educational opportunities that allow positive change for their future.

Vision Statement

Our goal is to present our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to our Hispanic brothers and sisters in the community through service and education. In doing so, we strive to build a supportive community that reaches beyond the barriers of language and culture, allowing us to discover God at work in the world around us.

The Moravian

MORAVIANS IN MISSION

Mission Grants encourage sustainability and continued outreach

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or many years, the Board of World Mission (BWM) has helped to support ministry and mission being carried out by our historical partners in places like Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guyana and Western Tanzania. More recently, the BWM has been supporting the Mission Areas under our supervision (Peru and Sierra Leone) and the Mission Provinces that we accompany (Cuba and Labrador).

In an effort to encourage sustainability and to support continued outreach efforts, the BWM has gradually decreased operational subsidies, while at the same time making money available to be used as funding for specific projects or ministries through a new effort called Mission Grants. These grants are provided specifically for the areas of leadership development, mission outreach, and economic strengthening.

Grant applications are reviewed by the Mission

Outreach Committee and recommendations are made for final approval by the executive director and administrative support staff.

Since beginning this effort, The Board of World Mission has disbursed Mission Grants for projects such as: • a photography and videography studio in Peru • a workshop for pastors’ spouses in Honduras • an evangelistic outreach ministry among Sukuma people in Tanzania • a motorcycle for the Ahuas Clinic in Honduras • a “chalupa” riverboat and motor for the Amazon region of Peru • leadership capacity building in Western Tanzania • the sale of gasoline and diesel in Honduras • a guinea pig farm in Peru (Continued on next page)

A ‘chalupa” riverboat in the Amazon, purchased with a Mission Grant. from the Board of World Mission.

Issue 7 • Nov. 2019

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Mission Grants

(Continued from previous page) • equipment for showing the “Jesus Film” and for other evangelistic efforts in Sierra Leone • a health dispensary in Western Tanzania • construction of the superintendent’s house in Honduras To help “give a face” to how the Mission Grants are being used, here are several stories of the impact of this effort.

Brandon Lee Valencia has an important ministry in a marginalized suburb of Chiclayo, Peru called “Ciudad de Dios” (City of God).

He works with children in an after-school and weekend program, teaching them about Jesus and providing a safe and fun place for them to gather to sing, play games, learn and enjoy snacks provided by the local congregation. His hope is that the parents will also be brought into the Moravian Church through this ministry. Instead of asking to be given a salary or stipend, Brother Brandon applied for a Mission 12

Grant that he used to set up a photography and videography studio. He charges a reasonable fee for producing videos and photo packages of weddings, birthdays, baptisms, new babies, etc. In this way he is able to support himself and his ministry and also give a portion of the proceeds to the church.

Joaquín Muro was recently elected as President of the Peru Mission Area. Besides being a good pastor and leader, he also has experience in carpentry and… raising guinea pigs (or “cuy,”as they are called in Peru). Cuy are considered a delicacy in Peru and are sold in local markets and restaurants. Brother Joaquín decided to use his skills to start a sustainable source of income for his congregation in the city of Zaña. He had a small tract of land available and applied for a grant to purchase materials for cages (which he was able to build) and for enough male and female “cuy” to get the project going. His investment is multiplying!

Lucila Wood is president of the Association of Widows and Wives of Pastors in the Honduras Mission Province. She saw a lot of unThe Moravian

tapped energy and skill in the women who are expected to be partners in ministry while also raising their children and setting an example for other women in the church. Sister Lucila envisioned a gathering of women where they could learn about social transformation and improving quality of life in addition to acquiring practical skills in sewing, baking, crafts and other ways of supplementing their support. She applied for a grant that was used to help transport 70 women to the town of Paptalaya and to purchase materials for the conference. Local women housed and fed the participants to help keep the cost of this important conference at a minimum. Worship services were held each evening with the women taking turns leading and preaching.

Sister Lucila reported, “We have fulfilled our objective of the activities carried out with the financing that we have received from you for which the wives of pastors who participated and the leadership appreciate your praiseworthy gesture on their part. May God continue to bless your life and your ministry.”

immensely for this gesture of support for this ministry, and the blessing it will be to train pastors, including with the Garifuna people. The seeds you are planting through this work and support of training is very useful and needed to grow God’s presence and glory in this land.”

Mission Grants are truly helping to support efforts in mission outreach (Brandon’s ministry in Ciudad de Dios; evangelistic programs in Sierra Leone and Tanzania), leadership development (Hiloy’s theological education; Lucila’s workshop for women in Honduras; capacity building in Tanzania) and economic strengthening (Joaquín’s guinea pigs or “cuy” in Peru; fuel project in Honduras and a riverboat in the Amazon region). These grants help our partners (and us!) to move from maintenance to mission, focus on sustainable ministry together and live out the reality of what it means to be the Body of Christ. n Sam Gray is director of mission outreach for the Board of World Mission. For more information, visit www.moravianmission.org.

Hiloy Ramirez Lopez is a theological student in the Honduras Unity Province. After completing his studies (supported by a Mission Grant for leadership development) he will teach at the Province’s Bible Institute for training ordained ministers and pastors. It is very difficult for pastoral candidates to study in theological institutions in other parts of the country because of the high cost of living that is involved.

So the church hopes to train a few teachers so that theological education at a higher level can be offered locally in the remote area of La Moskitia. Here is what Brother Hiloy has to say about the opportunity he has been given: “This would not be possible without the support of donors like you who support the Board of World Mission, and also the many who offer their prayerful support. I thank you Issue 7 • Nov. 2019

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MORAVIAN TRADITIONS

God in a cup of coffee?

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rowing up in Home Moravian Church, as a child I always found Christmas to be a magical time of year. One of my earliest memories is that of worshipping at Home Church on Christmas Eve, a tradition that started when I was three years old and has continued unbroken for the past sixty-two years. Upon entering the sanctuary, the cedar and narcissus decorations delighted my eyes and their heady aroma filled the whole place, wafting all the way up to the balcony where my family traditionally sat.

After what seemed like hours of squirming in the pew, a new smell arose and overtook the fragrance of cedar and narcissus. It was the delicious aroma of lovefeast coffee, its origin unknown. I could hardly wait for the lovefeast to begin! As the buns and coffee were passed down the pews, I waited with growing anticipation for the pastor to initiate the blessing, so I could start drinking my warm cup of sweet creamed lovefeast coffee. The seed of a gift from God, yet to be realized, was firmly rooted in me before I even started elementary school.

My call to be a lovefeast coffee maker was finally realized in 1996 when Tom Spangler, then head lovefeast coffee-maker, called and invited me to assist him in making the lovefeast coffee for the August 13th Renewal Lovefeast Service. One of the many things Tom taught me over the three years I was under his guidance is that the making of lovefeast coffee is truly a gift. Tom faithfully made lovefeast coffee for Home Moravian Church for 50 years. He entrusted that gift to me and I, in turn, have shared that gift with my cousin Wayne, my brother Bill and both of my sons, Hamilton and Harrison.

For the past 22 years, I awaken on Christmas Eve morn at 5:00 a.m. I drive in the quiet and darkness of the pre-dawn hour arriving at Home Church by 5:30 a.m. to warm the 21 and 35 gallon copper urns. Once the urns are full of water and the fire is going, I walk upstairs from the lovefeast kitchen to the sanctuary and sit in the darkness for about 15 minutes, reliving those childhood memories complete with the fragrance of cedar and narcissi and the scent of beeswax.

Ushers pour lovefeast coffee at Home Church. Photo by John Dyer

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Home Moravian coffeemaker Tony Disher adds milk to the large coffee cauldron. Photo: by Mike Riess

I imagine the aroma of lovefeast coffee, which will soon intermingle with and then overpower all the other wonderful Christmas smells.

I also know in a few short hours, I will hear the clanging of empty coffee mugs and children singing the Morning Star hymn. In the quiet darkness of the empty sanctuary, however, I realize therein lies the key that unlocks the true mystery of the Christmas Eve Lovefeast. It is a celebration of gift and promise!

Wherever we are geographically and whatever our Christmas tradition might be, we all share in one amazing gift: the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who dwelt among us, full of grace and truth! God’s gift to us remains as powerful today as it was on that very first Christmas Eve! The fullness of grace and truth is God’s promise to us. The Christmas Eve Lovefeast is so meaningful to me because it is a celebration of both the gift and the promise. Not only does God give Himself to us through His son Jesus Christ, but God also promises us a full life, brimming with grace and truth.

The grace of God means that we, as Christians, can speak the truth to one another and trust that we will be heard without fear of retribution.

The promise means that when the light of Christ within us begins to burn low, God can be trusted to rekindle Christ’s light within us through the

Issue 7 • Nov. 2019

simple warmth of a cup of lovefeast coffee and the soft glow of a hand-made beeswax candle.

God became flesh and dwelt among us: what a wondrous gift to contemplate on Christmas Eve! The day will be a long one for me. A total of 2,800 cups of lovefeast coffee will be brewed for the four Christmas Eve services held at Home Moravian Church. Those four services are Home Church’s gift to the community, but the making of the lovefeast coffee is also a gift. It is my gift to Home Church, to the dieners and worshipers alike, and above all, it is my gift to God. As I make my way from the lovefeast kitchen to the balcony during the final lovefeast of the day, the realization of God’s greatest gift to us is rekindled in my heart through the lingering warmth of the lovefeast coffee and the glowing of each candle burning brightly before me. As I hold my candle high during the singing of the last hymn, I look out over the congregation and what is reflected back at me causes me to “sing with awe and love’s sensation…Hallelujah, God with us!” n Tony Disher is a member of Home Moravian Church; on Christmas Eve, you’re sure to find him brewing Home Church’s lovefeast coffee.

This devotion originally appeared in the Home Moravian’s Home to Home newsletter.

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MORAVIANS IN MISSION

Moravians share faith and mission during inaugural Day of Service

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n a Sunday in September, Moravians from across the U.S. and Canada took time to not only go to church, but to be the church – that is, the hands and feet of Christ in our world.

On September 15 (and for some, the weekends before and after) congregations participated in the first of what will become an annual tradition: The Moravian Day of Service. Moravians came together to venture into their neighborhoods, make and pack meals and kits for those in need, support their local community agencies and first responders, collect schools supplies, visit senior centers and a whole lot more – all to carry out Jesus’ call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned and love their neighbors.

Preparing for the Day In 2018, the Synods of the Northern and Southern Provinces passed resolutions establishing an annual event that invites all of Moravian congregations to join together in Christian service, celebrating our compassionate engagement in the communities where we live. This was to be an annual event, occurring in September of each year.

The first Moravian Day of Service was set for September 15, 2019. On that day, local congregations were invited to craft their morning worship services around the theme of serving others, then to go out into their communities to serve. The planning team for Day of Service provided resources including suggestions for service opportunities, a list of Moravian agen-

Edgeboro Moravian, Bethlehem, Pa.

Raleigh Moravian, Raleigh, N.C.

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The Moravian

Lancaster Moravian, Lancaster, Pa.

cies offering projects, and a set of worship planning materials including an order of worship, new hymns, a prayer service and a new choir anthem especially for the day.

Congregations got creative with how they would participate in Day of Service. Many churches offered more than one opportunity for members so everyone could participate.

After Day of Service, planners heard from more than 40 congregations on how they interpreted the idea of the day. Some shared their activities through social media, while others provided written reports. Here are samples of some of those reports.

In Watertown, Wisconsin, members of Watertown Moravian Church chose from one of three opportunities: deep cleaning the kitchens that support the Loaves and Fishes community meal that feeds about 100 people each week; removing weeds from the prayer labyrinth at Mt. Morris Camp and Retreat Center; and handing out 100 bottles of water in support of the Watertown Rummage Sale day.

Working with current ministries offered an affirmation and encouragement for continuing support for those ministries, while handing out water provided a direct connection to the community at large.

Members of Clemmons Moravian Church identified the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission’s daily bagged lunch program as a mission to support. So, following worship on Sept.

15th, approximately 50 volunteers prepared lunches including peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, granola bars, fruit and bottled water. The food was provided by the church’s Womens’ Fellowship Circle 3. Explained Clemmons’ members, “This outreach was a good reminder of how we are called to provide for those in need.” Those participating are considering continuing this as an ongoing outreach project.

Issue 7 • Nov. 2019

Our Savior’s Moravian, Altura, Minn.

When considering their participation in the Moravian Day of Service, the Mission and Outreach committee at Christ Moravian Church in Calgary, Alberta, quickly determined an important need in their community was to support those in the process of aging.

They came up with the idea to provide an information session to help answer some of the questions around aging, particularly around support and services that are available. Their session, which focused on “Aging in Place,” began with a pay-what-you-can lunch and featured speakers from a variety of senior-focused community organizations, the City of Calgary and the Province of Alberta. The response was overwhelming, with 130 community members attending. Attendees were grateful to receive the information and support that was provided (Continued on next page) 17

Calvary Moravian, Allentown, Pa.

Day of Service

(Continued from previous page) at the seminar and expressed appreciation for the warm and caring community they found at Christ Moravian Church. “We were glad to have provided an affirming church experience for all who attended as we work be an example of God’s transforming love in the world,” said Christ member Donna Gordon. Note: Christ Church, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019, is considering making these aging sessions an ongoing ministry.

Palm Beach Moravian Church in Florida is a diverse congregation with natives from Jamaica, Nicaragua, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Barbados and the USA. So for their Moravian Day of Service effort, they hosted a Cultural Exchange for the congregation and the community. Congregation members shared different foods, juices, candies and pastries from various countries, wore clothing unique to their cultures, danced to culture music and shared facts about their homelands. “The food, fellowship and fun were astounding; it was a joy to see the community members indulging, interacting and participating in the evening’s activities,” said Evette Campbell of Palm Beach.

“We learned that there is strength and unity in diversity and while we are uniquely different, there is more that unites than divides.”

The staff of Raleigh Moravian decided to 18

Lake Mills Moravian, Wisconsin

extend the Day of Service to a weekend of service opportunities. This allowed more of our membership to find a time and location that fit their interests. Members could participate in one of two service opportunities on Saturday morning, September 14, and in one of two service opportunities on Sunday morning, September 15.

On Saturday, a team of 12 planted three fields of collard greens for The Goodwill Community Farm in Durham, which provides fresh produce to local food banks. The team reported a wonderful experience and would like to make plans to return in the near future. Team member Carol Husch commented that, “It was the most fulfilling hard work I have done in a long time” and her husband Barrie added, “The farm manager was amazing and made the work fun!” Both echoed, “We would love to go again!”

At the same time, a group of 19 Raleigh members worked specifically with the Mobile Market initiative of the Interfaith Food Shuttle in Raleigh, setting up, sorting and running a mobile grocery store at Martin Street Baptist Church. The team reported a busy, but very worthwhile experience. They were able to meet the immediate food needs of neighbors while also working alongside several other church denominations from across the area. Jamie Vandock, DCE at Raleigh Moravian Church shared the following: “Watching thousands of pounds of fresh food that was otherwise desThe Moravian

Clemmons Moravian, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Glenwood Moravian, Madison, Wisconsin.

tined for a landfill pour into this space and go back out as a blessing to hundreds of hungry neighbors was both humbling and energizing.

We’ll be back!”

Following a special worship service on Sunday, Sept. 15, nearly 100 members participated in one of two service projects. Volunteers assembled, wrapped, and froze 300 sausage biscuit sandwiches to be served at a homeless shelter, or assembled 198 birthing kits to be distributed by the Unity Women’s Desk in countries where women do not have access to safe and adequate healthcare when they give birth. In addition, people who were not able to stay and participate in those two service projects were invited to stay in the sanctuary and write a quick note of encouragement to one of the congregations in the Southern Province.

Throughout the Day of Service and for weeks afterwards, congregations shared their activities via Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #moraviandayofservice.

Several congregations used the Day of Service as a way to honor and thank police and first responders in their communities. Come & Worship, an emerging ministry, honored Winston-Salem’s Downtown Bike and Foot Patrols with lunch, while Advent Moravian Church in Bethlehem shared a meal, prayers and reminders of their appreciation for their local police department.

Other congregations worked with MoraIssue 7 • Nov. 2019

vian agencies in their areas. Members of Lake Mills Moravian Church prepared and served a meal at Tricklebee Café in Milwaukee, then worked on removing old carpet and cleaning windows in future traditional housing. In Winston-Salem Estamos Unidos Moravian Ministry joined forces with Sunnyside Ministries and several other area congregations with an opportunity to fellowship with one another while having wonderful outside family time, and partnered with Mission: Feet First to give brand new tennis shoes to many neighborhood families. Members at West Salem Moravian in Illinois and Hope Moravian in Indiana served together at Feed My Starving Children in Columbus, Ind., packaging 130 boxes of food, enough for 28,080 meals, or 76 kids for a year.

Nine members of Our Savior’s Moravian Church in Altura, Minn., visited three different senior living facilities on their Day of Service. They spent time with the residents, sharing hymns and conversation and making decorative wreaths for their doors. Members of New Philadelphia in Winston-Salem visited the Cherry Street prison to participate and sing in their evening worship service.

At Margate Moravian Fellowship, members collected supplies for the people in the Bahamas devastated by Hurricane Dorian, then packed and delivered them to a central distribu(Continued on next page) 19

Mountain Laure; Fellowship, Laurel Springs, N.C.

Day of Service

(Continued from previous page) tion point following their Sunday service.

Faith Moravian Church in Washington, D.C. collected school supplies and backpacks for a local school, as did members at Unionville Moravian in Michigan.

Several congregations took to their neighborhoods to help repair and clean. In Ohio, one group of Schoenbrunn Moravian Church members went to Schoenbrunn Village for a cleanup, while another group did lawn work and power washing for a local child advocacy agency. Members from Sharon Moravian from “ages 4-76” went to help clean the exterior an elderly woman’s home. In Wisconsin, members at Christian Faith Moravian worked to clean and repair a local woman’s home, while those at Glenwood Moravian helped at a local school. Sister Bay Moravian members planted trees and helped a neighbor with housework, and members of the Mountain Laurel Fellowship in Laurel Springs, N.C. built a bridge at a camp for terminally ill children and their families.

In addition to all of this great work, many congregations prepared meals and emergency food kits for local schools and homeless shelters, collected supplies for food pantries and clothing drives, wrote cards and other encouragements for those in care facilities or working 20

Christ Moravian, Calgary, Alberta.

for community agencies and created Blessing Bags for the homeless. Others offered a prayer option for those who were unable to participate in one of the work events, but who wanted to pray for their communities and the world.

In many of the Facebook posts, Instagram stories and reports sent in about Moravian Day of Service, Moravians expressed a renewed interest in local mission and finding ways to continue to spirit of the day. At Lancaster Moravian, for example, members signed up for additional volunteer opportunities with Meals on Wheels, the local school district and the community breakfast program. As mentioned earlier, the folks at Christ Moravian in Calgary are looking to continue to offer their aging outreach program.

Next year’s Moravian Day of Service will take place on Sunday, September 20, 2020.

Information about the day will be distributed next spring and summer.

Thanks to all of the Moravian congregations who contributed stories and photos for this summary and shared their efforts on social media. If you would like to share more about what your congregation did during the Moravian Day of Service, please send stories and photos to to Chris Giesler, Board of World Mission, at chris@moravianmission.org. n

The Moravian

Reflections on Christ the King

Each week, Moravians across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean share a common message through their Sunday bulletins.

This month, we share insights written for Christ the King Sunday, celebrated on the last Sunday before Advent. Thanks to writers past and present for their contributions to the Moravian bulletin series.

Jesus the Chief Elder and Christ the King Otto Dreydoppel, chaplain, Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth, Pennsylvania November 24, 2019

I suspect that I am not the only Moravian pastor who has trouble knowing where to go in preaching on Christ the King Sunday.

After all, we celebrated the Festival of Christ the Chief Elder only two weeks ago, and many of the same themes are emphasized on both occasions. Jesus is the chief elder of our community of faith. Christ is the head of the church. Jesus Christ is the bishop of our souls.

Christ is the Lord of all. What’s the difference, and how do we draw a line of distinction?

We don’t.

Although Jesus Christ is indivisible, at some moments we emphasize his humanity and at others times his divinity. Perhaps that’s a

Issue 7 • Nov. 2019

good way to understand these two end-of-thechurch-year festivals. Jesus as Chief Elder governs and guides our lives on earth, including our relationships within the church. Christ the King is Cosmic Lord, who sanctifies us as we are drawn into the Reign of Christ (also known as the Kingdom of God).

The dying thief on the cross prayed, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” The one who is our chief elder and our sovereign supports and sustains us at all times and in every place, in all conditions and circumstances of life. In him we find health and wholeness, liberation and new life, grace and peace.

Blessings abound where’er he reigns, the prisoners leap to lose their chains, the weary find eternal rest, and all who suffer want are blessed.

(Isaac Watts, Moravian Book of Worship, #404) (Continued on next page) 21

(Continued from previous page)

The Reign of Christ Hermann I. Weinlick November 22, 1998

The last Sunday of the liturgical year is called Reign of Christ, or Christ the King. But the Gospel lesson for the Sunday is hardly what you would expect for this theme. The Gospel lesson is Luke 23:33-43: “When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus…The soldiers also mocked him…saying, “If you are the King of the Jews save yourself!” (vv. 33,36-37) This strange juxtaposition of royalty and disgrace, diving love and human cruelty (from one perspective), human love and human cruelty (from another perspective), power and powerlessness—symbolized by a crown of thorns—is the surprise, the mystery, the glory that is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What distinguishes the Christian story of

22

God and God’s creation from other stories about the why of life is the cross—the story of God coming closest to us by emptying himself, by refraining from the use of power, by choosing to deal with us in love rather than by force.

This story of King Jesus and the cross invites us to the same difficult distrust of force and difficult trust in love in our dealing with those people and situations around us. We mortals call this weakness, in part because we are afraid it won’t work, in part because we know by ourselves we are usually not strong enough to live that way.

Sometimes the way of the cross converts people and situations, and sometimes it doesn’t.

This was the experience of Jesus, and it is our experience. But whether or not it always succeeds, the way of the cross is our calling.

A hymn from the sixth century. a portion of which we use during Holy Week, declares:

“Tell all the earth, the Lord is King!”

Lo, from the cross, a king he reigns.

The Moravian

Respect him or reject him

have consequences. The Lord rewards those who diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6, Jeremiah 29:13).

From childhood, we are taught that kindness should be met with gratitude. We are taught to respect those in authority, and that respect is earned. However, we see evidence of a culture and an attitude of questioning and reacting to authority and kindness with disdain and even hostility. To be sure, there are seasons when respect for authority reaches a low; and moments when it seems there is respect only for the authority or kindness we can manipulate or exploit for our own selfish ends. But must respect earned still be demanded? Should kindness be treated with mocking scorn?

Jesus, wearing a crown of thorns, hung on the cross between two criminals. Above his head was written, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Mocked by all, in kindness he prayed that the mocking crowd and all sinners should receive the Father’s forgiveness. Subsequently the two criminals bared their souls. One was arrogant and aggressive, a slave to his past. Ignoring his guilt, he scorned the kindness of the King. The other, repentant, accepting his guilt, said, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “This day you shall be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43).

Jesus is both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36)!

He sacrificed his life in loving obedience to the redemptive purposes of the Father, and in loving response to our human need. Shall we not exchange all hopes of earth’s fading glory for the certainty of paradise with God? Should we not loose ourselves from ruinous habits, pride of heart, and cherished idols, to experience that “more abundant life” to be found only in Christ the King (John 10:10)?

All hail the King—King Jesus! Respect him or reject him. The choice is yours. But choices

Christ the King

Errol Connor, pastor, Nisky Moravian Church, U.S. Virgin Islands November 21, 2004

Issue 7 • Nov. 2019

Unknown/Anonymous November 26, 1989

Right or wrong, there is a tendency to associate the title “king” with privilege, prestige, prosperity, and even priority; and royal power is always revered without question. But that is not Christ.

Christ never imposes reign or rank but is monarch in a new realm, of a new covenant, with a new understanding of what it means to be royal, to be righteous, to rule. Christ represents not a status, but a sacrifice. Christ demands not blind respect, but reverence for the rights of all people. Christ requires not subservience to a title, but humble servanthood among our sisters and brothers. This is Christ, our Sovereign.

Still, whatever names we use, they never adequately express the wonder and amazement we feel about Jesus Christ. We proclaim Christ as our heavenly King, yet are overwhelmed by the humility in birth, the servanthood in life, the quiet courage in death. We profess Christ as our Savior, yet are awestruck by the incredible sacrifice necessary to assume this name of honor. We pronounce Christ as our Righteousness, yet we can hardly believe that divine wisdom and justice and mercy wait patiently, while wanting desperately to be born in our hearts each day.

May each and every name we call the Holy One help to focus our scattered lives on the gift, to receive it, and then to share it in Christ’s name. n

23

OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Prayer Day for the Bible Societies, November 24, 2019 On Sunday, November 24, we will join with churches of many other denominations in emphasizing the importance of the Bible. Our church is part of the American and Canadian Bible Societies, which do much to publish and distribute the Word of God. World AIDS Day, December 1, 2019 The Synods of 2006 resolved to recognize World AIDS Day on December 1 and proclaim it as a day of commemoration and prayer by our Moravian churches. Congregations are encouraged to schedule an AIDS Awareness Day and to find a way to support an AIDS ministry focusing on areas of education, prevention and ministering to caregivers, orphans and those living with HIV. Prayer Watch The Moravian Church has experienced spiritual renewal and strength through a covenant of prayer. In 1727, the church in Herrnhut, Germany, covenanted for an “Hourly Intercession” which continued for one hundred years with a great blessing to the entire Moravian Church.

The Unity Prayer Watch established in 1957 (the quincentenary of the Unitas Fratrum) has continued to bless us. The 1988 Unity Synod affirmed the importance of this experience for the worldwide Moravian Church.

Under the schedule adopted by the 2016 Unity Synod, December 1-21 is assigned to the Northern Province and January1- 18 to the Southern Province. Each Provincial Board will supply assignment of specific dates to individual congregations, with suggestions for prayer topics.

24

NORTHERN PROVINCE Moravian Women’s Sunday, November 3, 2019 The first Sunday in November has been designated to especially recognize the work of the Moravian Women in local congregations throughout the Northern Province. Some congregations may choose a different Sunday for this observance if there are conflicts in scheduling.

Prayer Day for Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary November 24, 2019 On Sunday, November 24, congregations of the Northern Province are asked to remember in prayer all who share in the important work of Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary. Let us pray for the administration, the faculty, and the students.

Released for Other Service Sister Eileen Edwards has accepted a call to be Released for Other Service to the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Sister Edwards began her new work August 19, 2019.

Victoria, Minnesota Brother Richard Newswanger, a pastor with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has accepted an appointment to serve as pastor for Lake Auburn Moravian Church, Victoria, Minnesota. Br. Newswanger was installed into his new work October 13, 2019.

Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference

The Moravian

Obituary: The Rev. Dr. Henry May Jr.

The Rev. Dr. Henry May, Jr., age 87, entered the more immediate presence of the Savior Friday, Oct. 18, 2019.

Henry was born in Forsyth County, N.C., the son of H. E. May, Sr. and Martha Todd May. He graduated from Clemmons High School, and married Bobby Jean Brown in December 1951. After working for the Western Electric Company in Winston-Salem, N.C., Henry prepared for ordained ministry. He received a BA degree from Moravian College, an M. Div. degree from Moravian Theological Seminary, and later a Th.M. from Duke University School of Divinity, and a D. Min. from Southeastern Theological Seminary.

Henry was ordained a deacon June 23, 1963 and consecrated a presbyter April 25, 1971 with the Rt. Rev. Hebert Spaugh as officiating bishop for both. His 33 years of active ministry included pastorates at Bethesda, Park Road, Trinity, Calvary, New Philadelphia, Little Church on the Lane (Charlotte, N.C.), and again at Trinity. He also provided leadership within the Southern Province, including two terms as a Provincial Elders’ Conference member, and with community groups and ministries in the places he served.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie Jean May, his son; John May, and his grandsons; John Henry May and Christopher David Sidden. He is survived by his sister, Joan Cress; three children, Elmon May Sr, Peter T. May, Mary M Sidden (Chris Sidden); seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service was held October 21, 2019 at Yadkin Memorial Gardens, Yadkinville, N.C. with the Rev. Chris Thore officiating. n

Issue 7 • Nov. 2019

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.

25

Statistics of the Moravian Church, Northern & Southern Provinces The Northern Province • December 31, 2018 CF=Confirmed Communicants T=Total

AVG=Average Worship Attendance *=No updated data for 2018

Eastern District Congregation

DIST. OF COLUMBIA Washington, Faith

CF

T

AVG

Pastor

147

197

87

Bevon White

115 244 122

164 295 160

53 79 48

Tammie L. Rinker Sue Koenig William T. Andrews

109 264 187 39

142 336 225 58

38 55 54 25

Laura Gordon Bruce Weaknecht Rebecca Sisley Vacant

Bronx, Tremont Terrace* Brooklyn, Fellowship Brooklyn, John Hus New York City, First New York City, United

104 67 277 99 449

126 119 340 125 817

55 39 202 40 150

Queens, Grace Staten Island, Castleton Hill Staten Island, Great Kills Staten Island, New Dorp Staten Island, Vanderbilt Ave.*

198 180 114 225 86

364 238 151 277 117

130 45 27 72 47

Vacant Wellesley Ferguson Michael E. Johnson Charles C. Harewood Desna Henry Gouldbourne Earl Goulbourne Lance Fox Tracy A. Pryor Duane E. Ullrich Wellesley Ferguson

368 42 272 73 93 292 75

423 45 312 88 114 359 84

152 19 55 28 55 77 25

John B. Wallace Vacant David C. Geyer David C. Geyer Benjamin Lippert Lloyd Gooden David C. Geyer

118

146

98

F. Rowan Simmons

173 287

202 345

62 83

Janel R. Rice Melissa Johnson

MARYLAND

New Carrollton, Trinity Thurmont, Graceham Upper Marlboro, St. Paul’s

NEW JERSEY

Cinnaminson, Palmyra Egg Harbor City Riverside, First Union, Battle Hill*

NEW YORK

OHIO

Dover, First Dublin, Redeemer Gnadenhutten, Heckewelder New Phila., Fry’s Valley New Phila., Schoenbrunn Tuscarawas, Sharon Uhrichsville, First

ONTARIO

Toronto, New Dawn

PENNSYLVANIA Allentown, Calvary Bethlehem, Advent

Statistics of the Moravian Church in America reprinted from the 2020 Directory & Statistsics of the Moravian Church.

Church membership statistics are those reported effective Dec. 31, 2018. Pastor listings represent those serving in 2018; come church pastorates changed during 2019, but updates are not comprehensive.

26

The Moravian

Bethlehem, Central

836

993

334

Bethlehem, College Hill Bethlehem, East Hills Bethlehem, Edgeboro Bethlehem, West Side Coopersburg, MorningStar Easton, First Easton, Palmer Emmaus Hellertown, Mountainview Lancaster Lebanon Lititz

258 327 343 127 125 131 548 439 103 51 105 813

288 367 434 141 154 163 701 526 117 54 147 940

83 107 99 32 35 34 139 130 19 33 38 251

Nazareth Nazareth, Schoeneck

389 402

501 446

91 139

89 78 117 89 10,189

98 86 131 107 12,763

29 40 55 41 3,629

CF

T

AVG

92

128

36

Gregg Schafer

225

279

83

Reid Lauderman

380

509

131

Andrew Kilps

37 200 36

37 232 46

21 54 22

124 128 65 28 111 82 338

150 159 87 29 137 97 428

62 51 36 18 46 47 107

Newfoundland Philadelphia, Redeemer York, Covenant York, First TOTALS

Western District Congregation

CALIFORNIA

Banning, Morongo

ILLINOIS West Salem

INDIANA Hope

MICHIGAN

Daggett Unionville Westland, Grace

MINNESOTA

Altura, Our Savior’s Chaska Maple Grove, Christ’s Community Northfield, Main Street St. Charles, Berea Victoria, Lake Auburn Waconia Issue 7 • Nov. 2019

C. Hopeton Clennon, M. Lynnette Delbridge Vacant Derek A. French Daniel M. Miller Christine Johnson Jay Petrella Patricia D. Honszer Darrell F. Johnson Brian R. Dixon Jodie Harney Mandy Mastros Vacant Dean R. Jurgen Mark V. Breland Jeffrey D. Gehris, Sr. Garritt Fleming Sanette Fleming Mark Newman Nasel Ephraim John Fritts Sayward E. Lippincott

Pastor

James T. Hicks Timothy J. Naisby Vacant Gregory Behrend Vacant Jonathan C. Lee Vacant Franklin Jones Vacant Amy Gohdes-Luhman 27

NORTH DAKOTA

Davenport, Canaan Durbin, Goshen Fargo, Shepherd of the Prairie Leonard, Bethel

WISCONSIN

Appleton, Freedom Cambridge, London* DeForest, Christian Faith Ephraim Green Bay, West Side Lake Mills Madison, Glenwood Madison, Lakeview Pittsville, Veedum Sister Bay Sturgeon Bay Watertown, Ebenezer Watertown Wisconsin Rapids TOTALS

121 118 71 85

147 155 88 109

43 25 37 21

Martin Avery Joel Russell Eric D. Renner Joel Russell

132 88 127 134 228 542 75 107 46 117 558 171 200 247 5,013

154 101 151 149 312 618 89 116 61 123 633 208 246 285 6,063

35 30 41 85 68 128 32 27 25 52 107 53 74 97 1,694

CF

T

AVG

Pastor

140 142 83 98 104 39 33 639

219 168 102 105 112 53 35 785

108 46 36 58 56 22 18 344

Stephen A. Gohdes Vacant Rebecca Craver Aaron Linville James Lavoy Ian D. Edwards Matthew J. Gillard

James Heroux Barbara Berg Jason Andersen Dawn E. Volpe Marian Boyle Rohloff David W. Sobek Staci Marrese-Wheeler Staci Marrese-Wheeler Wanda Veldman Kerry D. Krauss Matthew R. Knapp Katie Van Der Linden Kurt Liebenow Beth Rohn-Habhegger

Canadian District Congregation

ALBERTA

Calgary, Christ Calgary, Good Shepherd Edmonton Edmonton, Millwoods Edmonton, Rio Terrace Sherwood Park, Good News Leduc County, Heimtal TOTALS

Northern Province Recapitulation Eastern District Western District Canadian District Total Province 2018 Total Province 2017 Increase/Decrease

28

CF 10,189 5,013 638 15,840 16,078

T 12,763 6,063 785 19,611 19,896

AVG 3,629 1,694 344 5,667 6,002

-238

-285

-335

The Moravian

Statistics of the Moravian Church AVG=Average Worship Attendance *=No updated data for 2018

CF=Confirmed Communicants T=Total

The Southern Province • December 31, 2018

Congregation

CF

T

AVG

Pastor

100 56 75 373 40

115 97 83 527 45

61 55 54 197 50

Wilma E. Israel Gregorio Moody, Acolyte Gregorio Moody, Acolyte Vacant Evette Campbell, Acolyte

75

91

60

Elroy Christopher, Interim

219 229

219 269

67 94

Zachary Dease Judy Knopf, Interim

206 82 502 87 270 179 486 392 203 42 124 270 103 118 421 115 230 152 94

255 88 551 96 324 216 574 440 211 55 154 289 131 132 474 130 283 167 116

70 35 182 42 71 69 210 160 90 30 53 129 60 60 146 38 96 70 35

Vacant Rusty Rushing Chris Thore John Rainey Tony Hayworth Russ Williams Vacant Doug Rights Barry Foster Arkon Stewart, Interim Judith Justice, Interim Neil Routh Betty Helms Carol Foltz Craig S. Troutman Fran Saylor Vacant Chuck Harmon, Acolyte Jeffrey Jones

236 161 103 343

234 182 103 446

118 68 31 135

217 274

256 290

76 121

Timothy G. Sapp Vacant Vacant Lane A. Sapp Chaz Snider Richard Spaugh, Interim Jeff Coppage, Interim

FLORIDA

Longwood, Rolling Hills Miami, King of Kings* Miami, New Hope* Miami, Prince of Peace West Palm Beach,Palm Beach

GEORGIA

Stone Mountain, First Church*

NORTH CAROLINA

Advance, Macedonia Bethania Charlotte, Little Church on the Lane* Charlotte, Peace Clemmons Eden, Leaksville Greensboro, First Huntersville, New Beginnings Kernersville King Lewisville, Unity Lexington, Enterprise Mayodan* Mount Airy, Grace Newton, New Hope Oak Ridge, Moravia* Raleigh Mizpah Rural Hall Walnut Cove, Fulp Wilmington, Covenant* Winston-Salem, Advent Ardmore Bethabara Calvary Christ Fairview

Issue 7 • Nov. 2019

29

Friedberg

862

1,053

322

Friedland

404

445

135

Fries Memorial Home

106 1,169

123 1,446

44 244

Hope Hopewell Immanuel New Eden Konnoak Hills Messiah New Philadelphia

110 100 62 209 117 1,083

143 136 64 247 146 1,303

58 57 33 94 67 361

125 492 89 18 37 209 265

162 566 101 18 45 228 326

84 126 53 14 20 70 156

70 43 62

84 52 75

65 38 41

Oak Grove Olivet Pine Chapel Providence* St. Philips Trinity Union Cross

VIRGINIA

Ararat, Willow Hill* Cana, Crooked Oak Mt. Bethel

James C. Newsome, Dan Nelson Wayne Byerly, Interim Adam Goodrich Worth Green, Interim Virginia Tobiassen Andrew Heil David Merritt, Interim Walter Bishop Cheryl Cottingham John D. Rights Gerald Harris, Interim Joe Moore Larry Jones, Interim David Berrier, Acolyte Matthew W. Allen James Demby Vacant Bill McElveen, Interim John P. Jackman Vacant Kenny King, Acolyte Gary Easter, Acolyte Charles W. Fishel

Southern Province Recapitulation

Total Dec. 31, 2018 Dec. 31, 2017 Increase/Decrease

CF

T

AVG

12,209 12,460 -251

14,406 14,807 -401

4,915 5,205 -290

Statistical Summary of the Church Sunday Schools Northern & Southern Provinces • December 31, 2018 Eastern District Western District Canadian District

Pupils 1,324 718 69

Staff 326 145 16

Totals 1,650 863 85

Totals: Northern Province: Southern Province: Grand Total

2,111 2,924 5,035

487 549 1,036

2,598 3,473 6,071

30

The Moravian

Want to help your church or favorite ministry?

Need a deduction?

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at your Moravian Ministries Foundation in America can help you end the year well. ‘Batching’ in the year you open your DAF means you may qualify to itemize your deductions and take advantage of the full amount of your donation. Then, you can make grant recommendations in the following years while you take the standard deduction. Leverage your money and gifts to work for you while helping to move ministries forward.

Call Chris at 888-722-7923 cspaugh@mmfa.info

www.mmfa.info Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305 Winston-Salem, NC 27101 888-722-7923 Issue 7 • Nov. 119 2019 31

Periodicals Postmaster please send address changes to: The Moravian, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018

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Issue 7 • Nov. 2019