Moravian Magazine Issue 3 2023

I S S U E 3 • 2 0 2 3

In this issue: 2023 Northern Province Synod Moravian Seminary Commencement Feeding ministries And more!

A CENTURY

OF GRANTING

LARGER

LIFE TO MORAVIAN

For 100 years, the Larger Life Foundation has offered financial support to core ministries of the Moravian Church Northern Province. Today, 20 agencies in the Province receive assistance to help meet social, educational, ministerial, welfare and provincial needs.

Your gift to the Larger Life Foundation helps make this support possible. Through your generosity, we can have far-reaching impact on the life of the Moravian Church.

To learn more about our century of granting Larger Life to Moravian ministries, visit www.largerlifefoundation.org

MINISTRIES

Larger Life

Foundation

MORAVIAN CHURCH NORTHERN PROVINCE

119 Brookstown Ave., Suite 305, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

(336) 725-2589 2 2023Ad2.indd 1

mmfa.com

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On the cover: Preparing Communion for the 2023 Northern Province Synod.

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5 2023 Northern Province Synod 12 2023 Synod helps chart vision for Northern Province Our Lamb has conquered. Let us follow Him.

17 Northern Province Synod elects two new bishops 18 New leadership elected for the Northern Province 20 “We should write a proposal about what we want...”

In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love

In Our Ministries 5

Cookbook project brings Tricklebee recipes to home cooks

10 First Moravian Greensboro garden flourishes to fight hunger God Creates. God Redeems.

God Sustains.

We Respond in Faith, Love and Hope.

A Moravian Education 8

Moravian Theological Seminary graduates the class of 2023

Our Ecumenical Partners 22 Northern Province enters full communion with two Canadian denominations

Christian Education 27 APCE: A big year for Moravian educators

Moravians in Mission 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.

28 Blessings Flow project helps bring clean drinking water to Honduras

In Every issue...

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Ponderings

24 From the Bishop’s Corner 26 small church BIG IMPACT 30 Official Provincial Elders’ News

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PONDERINGS

A year of many different prayers The annual editions of the Moravian Daily Texts, which we at the Interprovincial Board of Communication spend a great deal of time compiling, editing, refining and checking each year, are considered by many to be a unique contribution to Christ-followers around the globe. One of the reasons I find them to be such a gift is the way they provide a glimpse into the many different ways Moravians in the U.S. and Canada share their faith.

In the North American Daily Texts, each day’s watchwords (Bible verses) are combined with hymn texts selected by – and prayers written by – Moravians from around our provinces. Different people are selected each year from all walks of Moravian life – pastors, lay leaders, congregation members, retirees – allowing the devotional to reflect the diverse range of Moravians in our North American provinces.

While editing the Daily Texts each year (which we were just finishing as this issue went to press), it is evident that Moravians pray in many different ways. Some prayers written are complex, with poetic imagery.

Others are simple, one sentence meditations. Regardless of their length, each prayer has its own voice that we hope strikes a universal chord and brings additional meaning to the daily verses. While we edit for grammar, we rarely change the essence or the voice of the prayers our writers create.

In my dozen years editing the Daily Texts, I’ve grown to truly appreciate the heartfelt work that goes into helping us create this meaningful book each year. I am so grateful to the volunteers who take the time to select meaningful, inspirational hymn texts and write beautiful prayers to help bring the daily Bible verses to life.

I know I’ve written about this process here in the past – after a dozen years, I’m bound to repeat myself in Ponderings – but each year, the process of reading through this work strengthens my faith and helps me see just how meaningful our contribution to the universal Church can be.

And when we’re not editing the Daily Texts, we’re working on bringing you the Moravian Magazine. In this issue, we share the many happenings of the 2023 Northern Province Synod, along with stories of ministries helping to feed people, efforts to provide clean drinking water and this year’s graduates of Moravian Theological Seminary.

I hope you enjoy this issue, and as always, reach out with your comments, questions and ideas.

Peace, 4

Mike Riess, Editor

(ISSN 1041-0961) Issue 3, 2023 Vol. 54, No. 3 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: OnTrac International, 41 Northern Stacks Drive, Suite 200 Fridley, MN 55421 email: file@ontrac.com Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces Published 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. Non Profit postage paid at Bethlehem, PA. Circulation: 15,000 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 Peggy Carter, Margaret Couch, Paul Knouse, Christy Clore, Kat Lehman, Amy Linville, Dan Miller, Lynnette Delbridge 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: 610.867.0593 800.732.0591 e-mail: moravianmagazine@mcnp.org www.moravian.org Contents © 2023, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in America.

All rights reserved

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IN OUR MINISTRIES

Cookbook project brings Tricklebee recipes to home cooks Those who visit Tricklebee Café in Milwaukee, Wis., a pay-what-you-can café ministry led by the Rev. Christie MelbyGibbons, are always treated to delicious food. Now, adventurous cooks can try some of Tricklebee’s wonderful vegan recipes at home, thanks to a new cookbook called One of Everything: Fine Dining in a Food Desert. In this article, Christie shares how this cookbook came to be.

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or years, customers have been begging the Tricklebee Cafe to share recipes for the ever-changing menu items. Though it sounds like an easy request to fulfill, it really is quite difficult.

You see, at Tricklebee Café, a daily menu is created utilizing the produce that is on hand or that can be purchased quickly.

This means the recipes vary even when the same dish is made again.

Recipes are made for 60-80 people each day, so writing out recipes for families of 4-6 people is a little tricky. The cafe would give a list of what foods and spices were in a dish, and the requestor would have to go and atIssue 3 • 2023

tempt to duplicate the recipes.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cafe temporarily closed their doors—as most businesses did—and the board and staff concocted a plan to re-open safely, retaining the small staff. Creating a cookbook remotely was a perfect way to keep on the staff.

A shared Google document was created listing 15-20 recipes for some of the most-loved dishes. The various cooks got to work typing up the recipes. After a couple months of generating the recipes, Tricklebee customers were asked to be recipe testers. These brave souls took the first draft of the recipes and tried them at home, offering tweaks and suggestions to the recipes based on their experience making the dish.

Once the recipes were perfected, photographs were taken of the finished dishes.

Kitchen Assistant Julio Nieves, got to work illustrating the cookbook. Although it was known that Julio was a skilled artist, the level of expertise he showed in creating these drawings was stunning!

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Cookbook

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He began developing characters (some are caricatures of our staff and their family members), including Pumpkin Boots—a young vegan pirate who is learning about adventure and healthy eating from her pirate mother Spicy Danger. From there, Julio collaborated with other staff on creating this wonderful story of Pumpkin Boot, which has become a comic book series!

Highlighting talent This effort was all about bringing health-ful plant-based recipes to the world. The Tricklebee staff want to be sure that all people have access to healthy food, including recipes to make that food. This cookbook project also brought to light the artistic and culinary talent on the Tricklebee Cafe team.

While the project was about helping people cook healthy food at home, it became so much more. The board and staff discovered there were many artists at Tricklebee, and it was beautiful to watch each person shine in their gifts as the project came together. This project enabled this group to be able to offer this first cookbook and comic book to the world.

The Tricklebee Café is thankful to the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America for blessing them with funds from the Hunger and Thirst Field of Interest grant.

This full-color cookbook was expensive, as it spiral bound to aid in viewing recipes while cooking, and thick paper for ease of cleaning after cooking.

Adding to Tricklebee’s ministry The Tricklebee Café ministry is aligned with Jesus of Nazareth who said of the hungry crowd: “I do not want them to go away hungry.”

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Many families in Milwaukee, Wisconsin are food insecure with access to an unfortunate abundance of highly processed food from corner stores, with fresh produce being sparse. The Tricklebee Café promotes food security by providing nutritious, affordable, locally sourced meals to all, regardless of their ability to pay. Through the licensed kitchen, they also provide training to the under-employed in order to help them seek dignified jobs and sustainable incomes in food service and hospitality.

This cookbook project coalesces well with their ministry of not letting anyone go away hungry, in body or spirit.

Making a cookbook The Tricklebee Café staff worked with Mike Riess of the Interprovincial Board of Communication to turn the artwork into a printed piece. Working with a local printer in Allentown, Pa., Mike assembled the pieces, ensured they were print ready and ushered the project through the production process.

The resulting cookbook, One of Everything and its accompanying Pumpkin Boots comic book are available at Tricklebee Café or through the IBOC’s online store. Proceeds from the sale of the One of Everything support Tricklebee’s ongoing ministry.

To order a copy of , visit store.moravian. org. Or better yet, visit Tricklebee Café in Milwaukee! n The Moravian

Julio Nieves (left) of Tricklebee created the art for One of Everything. The pages of the cookbook feature caricatures of the staff at Tricklebee, including Zakiya Courtney, volunteer chef and head of Vegan Soul Catering, and Chad Noel, chef.

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A MORAVIAN EDUCATION

Moravian Theological Seminary graduates the Class of 2023 For all the studies and the work now done are but the start of service now begun.

Yet, in this time, a moment’s rest is won.

Alleluia! Alleluia! * n sparkling sunshine under brilliant blue skies, the Moravian Theological Seminary Class of 2023 entered Bethlehem’s College Hill Moravian Church on Saturday, May 6, to the joyful, jaunty strains of A Trumpet Tune, played by organist Gayle Justice of Edgeboro Moravian Church. The commencement service marked the successful completion of Moravian Seminary’s 216th year in preparing leaders for service in the church and society.

Dr. Bryon Grigsby, president of Moravian University, Moravian Theological Seminary and Lancaster Theological Seminary, and the Rev. Dr. Heather H. Vacek, vice president and dean of the two seminaries, presided over the service. Following Dean

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Mikayla Sauerbrey

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Vacek’s welcoming remarks, the Rev. Dr. Melvin Baber, Joint Seminary Director of Field Education & Supervised Ministry, offered a Liturgy of Gratitude that concluded, “May all that we do and say be a witness, be a prayer, and be a celebration.”

The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Miller, chair of the Moravian Seminary Board of Trustees and president of the Provincial Elders’ Conference of the Moravian Church Northern Province, delivered the commencement address titled, “Distracted Leading,” based on Exodus 3:1-4 and Luke 1:26-38.

Rev. Miller invited graduates “…to notice what God is doing all around you – in the challenges, the people, the unexpected events and the margins. I invite you to get distracted and be curious enough to head off the beaten path long enough to listen, learn and then return to tell the world, with bold and prophetic witness, what you expeNoah Smith

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rienced. … God – and your seminary education – have equipped you to step into that space with the knowledge and compassion to speak truth to power, hope to the marginalized and love to all. You came to seminary because God called you. How is God calling to you now? How will you respond?”

During the ceremony, Moravian Theological Seminary conferred one Graduate Certificate in Moravian Studies, two Master of Divinity degrees, and two Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling degrees. These are the members of the Class of 2023: Mikayla Sauerbrey, who received a Master of Divinity degree with distinction, was honored by the faculty with two academic prizes: The Cora Doster Moses Memorial Homiletics Prize for the best work in preaching and The John David Bishop Memorial Prize for superior scholarship, participation, and personality suited to ministry. Mikayla is a candidate for ordination with the Moravian Church Northern Province. She lives in Bethlehem, Pa. Noah Smith of Kernersville, N.C., received a Master of Divinity degree with distinction. After completing his Clinical

Pastoral Education requirement this summer at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C., he plans to pursue ordination in the Moravian Church Southern Province. Moravian Seminary faculty honored Noah with The Rev. Elmer Bender Memorial Award for reflecting Rev. Bender’s qualities of leadership and integrity.

Jeremy Lau received a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling degree with distinction. A Bethlehem resident, Jeremy delivered the graduate address. The faculty awarded Jeremy two academic prizes: The Barbara Martin Stout Counseling Prize for outstanding academic achievement and professional development in the ministry of counseling, and The Faculty Academic Prize for maintaining a high academic standing and exemplifying superior creative scholarship. Jeremy will continue his education with Moravian Seminary as he pursues a Master of Arts in Theological Studies. He works with the Lehigh Valley Health Network as an outpatient mental health professional offering spiritually integrated therapy and acute behavioral health (Continued on page 11) treatment.

Jeremy Lau

JoAnn Tipple

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IN OUR MINISTRIES

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First Moravian Greensboro garden flourishes to fight hunger

ood deserts are often found in downtown areas around the country. This means there are no grocery stores to provide affordable, nutritious and fresh foods for residents. First Moravian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, wanted to do something to help those who are hungry.

Last year, the church applied for and received a grant from the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America (MMFA) to address this issue. The funds enabled First Moravian Church Garden Committee to build and maintain 30 raised beds on a sloped hill behind the parsonage.

This project has had its challenges. The garden team had to: grade the slope, run electricity and waterlines, implement a drip irrigation system and construct a storage shed for tools. The team also had to assess the sunlight patterns and soil quality for the most effective garden layout in this urban setting.

This past July, the Rev. Barbara Styers delivered the first fruits from the new garden to the food pantry at Greensboro Urban

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Ministries. “The garden falls squarely within the mission and ministry of the church,” said Barbara. “From metaphors like faith the size of a mustard seed, to the parable of the sower spreading seeds, to explicit directives to feed the hungry from Jesus during the Sermon of the Mount, the Bible is filled with references to gardening and food.”

“It’s important to put our faith into action,” Barbara continued. “Our church is well-known in the community for its Candle Tea and Lovefeast at Christmas, multipointed stars and paper-thin cookies. This is the start of a new ministry to help those in need in our community.”

“It’s still a work-in-progress,” said committee chair Sam Post, “but we have learned a lot and expect next year’s garden to be even more successful.”

“The church’s grant application fit the criteria of a faith-based outreach, based on the Foundation’s Matthew 25 grant-making field of interest funds,” said Vince Holbrook, director of communications and marketing The Moravian

for MMFA, “We are extremely pleased with the progress of the garden in its first year and are excited by the long-term impact it will have.”

Fritz Kreimer, director of the food pantry said, “We are very glad to have another source of produce for our ‘Client Choice’ food pantry. While canned goods are important to have, our clients especially enjoy fresh vegetables that are healthy and otherwise unavailable or too expensive to purchase.”

“Too many of our citizens struggle to feed their families; the problem is very real,” said Guilford County Commissioner Frankie Jones, Jr. “The public, private, notfor-profit, and faith-based sectors are working together in Guilford County to provide relief. We appreciate the efforts of longstanding institutions like Urban Ministries and new initiatives such as the garden at First Moravian to help our community.” n Gray Styers is a member of the First Moravian Garden Committee.

First Moravain Pastor Barbara Styers, with Fritz Kreimer, director of the food pantry at Greensboro Urban Ministries.

Graduates

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Completing the Class of 2023 is Jo-Ann Tipple of Claverack, NY, who received a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling. Ordained in the Reformed Church in America, Jo-Ann plans to seek certification as a death doula while finding employment in the mental health field.

Receiving her Graduate Certificate in Moravian Studies was the Rev. Jamie Almquist, newly ordained who has accepted a call in the Moravian Church as a congregational pastor at Good Shepherd Community Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Following commencement, the graduates and their loved ones joined the Seminary trustees, administration, faculty and staff for a celebratory reception in the Bahnson Center Saal.

Echoing the Rev. Jennika Borger, chaplain of Moravian University and Moravian Seminary, who prayed the Education Doxology with the assembled participants: “For the gifts of lasting wisdom and unlimited chances, we give you thanks. Now and forever. Amen.”

The one-hour commencement service is available at https://vimeo.com/824431557.

Visit Moravian Theological Seminary online at www.moravianseminary.edu to learn about our accessible degree and certificate programs. n *Taken from the processional song, For All These Students, lyrics by Moravian Seminary Associate Professor Rev. Dr. C. Riddick Weber (2015) .

Meg Graham is director, joint seminary communication & marketing for Moravian and Lancaster Theological Seminaries. Photos by Nick Chismar.

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2023 NORTHERN PROVINCE SYNOD

2023 Synod helps chart vision for Northern Province

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uring four days in June, Moravians from across the Northern Province came together to discern a vision for the future and legislate on actions that help that future vision become a reality.

The 2023 Synod, held June 22-25, brought delegates from all Northern Province congregations to Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pa., to consider a broad range of resolutions that provide direction, state church positions and recommend actions for the province for the coming three years.

Provincial synods are the highest judicatory in the province, with supreme legislative power in all matters not committed to the Unity Synod. In other words, synods are where decisions about the church, its direction, its response to issues and plans for the future are set in motion. During synod, it represents the leadership of the church. The Provincial Elders’ Conference, members of which are elected at synod, implement the

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directives of synod and manage the province in the period between synods.

The 2023 Synod marks the end of a long tradition in the province—the chairmanship of Rick Santee, provincial chancellor.

Since 1992, Rick has overseen the running of synod (and many district synods in between). This was his last Synod for the Northern Province.

Electing leadership and bishops One of the key responsibilities of the provincial synod is the election of church leadership. The main election is for Provincial Elders’ Conference (PEC) president and lay members of the PEC. The Rev. David Bennett, who was serving as chaplain at Morningstar Senior Living in Nazareth, Pa., was elected PEC president. Dave is a former president of the Eastern District Executive Board.

Ralph Wanamaker, Jr. and Susan The Moravian

Dreydoppel were re-elected to the PEC, while Ruth Ricketts of John Hus Moravian Church in New York and Keith Gohdes of Goshen Moravian Church in North Dakota were newly elected. (For more detail, see story on page 18.)

In addition to the PEC, members for the boards of other church agencies and ministries were elected during this synod. Many of the elections and votes on resolutions were handled using electronic voting systems for the first time, speeding the process and providing instant results.

Synod also elected two new bishops in the Northern Province. The Rev. Dr. Amy Gohdes-Luhman (Waconia Moravian Church in Minnesota) and the Rev. Dr. Michael Johnson, (John Hus Moravian Church, Brooklyn, N.Y.) were elected to serve as bishops of the Moravian Unity. Unlike many other denominations, Moravian bishops hold no administrative role; instead, they serve as “pastors to pastors” and provide spiritual leadership and guidance

to the church as a whole. (See the story on page 17 for more on the bishop election.)

Passing resolutions Over the course of four days, synod delegates took up nearly 75 resolutions and reports on a broad range of topics. A complete listing of the Synod resolutions is available on Moravian.org/northern.

The Synod of 2023 addressed a number of areas dealing with clergy and pastoral care by passing resolutions to establish a bereavement leave policy for pastors, provide resources to equip clergy to thrive in ministry, and enhance the deacon supervision program. Synod also encouraged continued churchwide efforts to develop and empower lay leadership in congregational ministry.

Synod also addressed emerging ministries as an important part of the church’s future. Delegates approved the establishment of a coordinator of Emerging Ministries and New Faith Communities position within

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(Opposite page) Rick Santee, provincial chancellor, served as Synod chairman. (Left) Delegates at the 2023 Northern Province Synod used electronic voting equipment for elections and resolutions for the first time.

(Below) The Rev. Nasel Ephriam leads a committee session.

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(Top) Serving communion during Synod worship service.

(Middle) The Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller delivers a “State of the Church” address. (Bottom) Board of World Mission staff demonstrate water filtration while bringing greetings.

Synod

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the province and called on the PEC to develop a “try emerging ministries” internship program to connect those interested in new expressions of church with existing ministries.

On the healthier congregations front, Synod called for creation and sharing of training materials for gender inclusion and making accessibility in our congregations and church buildings a priority.

Recognizing the ongoing importance of youth leadership in the church, synod voted to establish a Provincial Youth Council, encourage greater participation of youth in all levels of church leadership, and invite three youth delegates, each with full voice and voting responsibilities, to future Northern Province synods. (For more on this, see story on page 20).

Governance and finance A traditional role of synod is to legislate on the governance of the church. In 2023, the Synod approved changes in voting privileges at synod for certain interprovincial ministry leaders and youth delegates.

Synod also charged the incoming PEC with analyzing statistics to ensure appropriate representation of clergy and lay delegates at future synods, while bringing a number of resolutions to update the Book of Order to reflect changes in church structure over the past five years.

Synod also had the opportunity to review, comment upon and ultimately pass the provincial budget for the coming year.

This part of Synod gave delegates a closer look at the province’s financial picture, providing guidance for the budgets that will come during the period between synods.

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The Moravian

(Top) Synod tellers count ballots for PEC president (Middle) Committee members prepare a resolution for the Synod floor. (Bottom) The Rev. Dr. Frank Crouch shares his keynote address.

Relations with others The Synod of 2023 considered and approved expanding relationships with denominations and organizations outside the Moravian Church. It called for expanding the relationship between the Northern Province and Churches for Middle East Peace; highlighted the growing connection with the United Church of Los Alamos, which claims the Moravian Church as one of its founding denominations (see story in Issue 1) and approved the beginning of a dialogue with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

Synod also approved a full communion relationship between the Moravian Church, Northern Province, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada (see story page 22).

This full communion was approved by the ELCIC and Anglican Church a few weeks later at their combined assembly.

Stating provincial positions Church and Society topics were a central part of this year’s synod. A wide range of resolutions reflecting and declaring the church’s position on racial justice, relations with Indigenous peoples, inclusivity and other topics were discerned, discussed and voted upon.

Several of the resolutions dealt with ongoing efforts to address racial justice and healing. In addition to recognizing the work of the province’s Racial Justice Team to raise awareness and provide opportunities to address issues of race, the synod reaffirmed a 1917 call for justice by the Rev. Charles Martin; called for advocacy on mass incarceration and legal system reform; and stated support for combatting anti-Semitism, white supremacy and Christian Nationalism.

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Synod

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Synod resolutions passed also called for action and education on: mental health issues in our communities; repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery and promoting efforts for reconciliation and healing with indigenous peoples; LGBTQIA+ justice and healing within the church; an end to gun violence; and humane treatment and support for those crossing our borders.

Action on these issues will be covered in greater detail in future issues of the Moravian. The complete resolutions, including background documentation and resources to help congregations and members address this work, are available on the Northern Province website.

Fellowship, worship and fun Synods offer a rare opportunity to bring together Moravians from all corners of the Northern Province. During the four days of Synod, Moravians had opportunities to meet, worship with and re-connect with Moravians from many walks of life.

Synod is also an opportunity for delegates to hear reports from leaders of church ministries and agencies like Moravian Theological Seminary, the Board of World Mission, the Northern Province Archives, Moravian Ministries Foundation in America and others. Each of these agencies also

provide reports to Synod, outlining their work over the past intersynodal period.

Synod also received greetings from Ecumenical partner leaders, including the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and representatives from the Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church and the United Church of Los Alamos.

The 2023 Synod featured a keynote address by the Rev. Dr. Frank Crouch, former dean of Moravian Theological Seminary, who presented on the Moravian Church’s history with enslaved persons and racial justice issues during its history in America.

And as is tradition, the Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller, outgoing president of the Northern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference, delivered a “State of The Church” address. This talk outlined the successes, challenges and hopes for the province. A recording of her address is available online. Synod recognized the work of Betsy, who is retiring after 13 years as PEC president, with remembrances, a slide show and gifts of appreciation.

This synod was initially to be held in 2022, but due to cautions about COVID-19, the event was postponed to this year. The next synod, which typically occur every four years, will return to its normally-scheduled date in 2026. n Photos by Mike Riess and Kat Lehman

A choir with members from across the Northern Province sing during worship at Synod.

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The Moravian

2023 NORTHERN PROVINCE SYNOD The Rev. Drs. Michael Johnson and Amy GohdesLuhman were elected as bishops at the 2023 Synod.

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Northern Province Synod elects two new bishops

he 2023 Synod of the Northern Province of the Moravian Church in America elected Rev. Dr. Amy Gohdes-Luhman and Rev. Dr. Michael Johnson to serve as bishops of the Worldwide Moravian Unity.

Elected by the delegates at provincial synods, Moravian bishops serve as “pastors to pastors” (and their families), prayer intercessors and spiritual guides to the denomination and when commissioned, officiate at ordinations and consecrations. It is not unusual for the Provincial Elders’ Conference to consult with bishops on matters of doctrine, faith and church order.

“My heart is full to overflowing…it is good to be a church together,” said Amy, who serves as pastor of Waconia Moravian Church in Waconia, Minn. “I am thankful to God for the opportunity to serve in ministry with you as bishop, colleague, sister in Christ and fellow believer.”

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“I commit to being the best bishop I can possibly be,” said Michael, who serves as pastor of John Hus Moravian Church in Brooklyn, N.Y. “I am thankful for those who have nurtured me, the congregations I have served and those on whose shoulders I stand. It is my hope that together with you we will work, love worship, pray and follow the Conquering Lamb.”

Michael and Amy join the Rt. Revs.

Chris Giesler, Paul Graf, Hopeton Clennon, Doug Kleintop, and Blair Couch and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Kay Ward as Moravian bishops in the Northern Province.

Brother Michael’s consecration has been scheduled for Oc1. 1, 4:00 p.m. at John Hus Moravian Church in Brooklyn, N.Y.; Sister Amy’s consecration has been scheduled for Nov. 5, 4:00 p.m. at Waconia Moravian Church in Waconia, Minn. Coverage of both consecrations will be shared in the Moravian Magazine and on Moravian.org. n 17

2023 NORTHERN PROVINCE SYNOD

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New leadership elected for Northern Province

he 2023 Synod of the Northern Province of the Moravian Church in America elected the Provincial Elders’ Conference to serve for the next intersynodal period (2023-2026).

The Rev. David Bennett, who most recently served as chaplain of Morningstar Senior Living in Nazareth, Pa., was elected PEC President by an ecclesiastical ballot.

Brother Bennett has served the Moravian Church in many roles: as parish pastor at Millwoods Moravian Church (1988-1993), Rio Terrace Moravian Church (1993-1998), and Hope Moravian Church (1998-2002); as chaplain at Moravian University & Theological Seminary (2002-2008); and as president of the Eastern District Executive Board (2008-2021).

In this role, Dave will provide visionary leadership for the Moravian Church Northern Province in partnership with the

Provincial Elders’ Conference for the next three years. For the purposes of ecumenical and interfaith relationships, he will serve as “head of communion,” however, this function does not supplant Christ as the Chief Elder of the church. He also represents the province in Unity matters and provides administrative leadership for the provincial staff.

In accepting the election, Dave highlighted many of the things discussed at Synod, like mission efforts, lay ministry, emerging ministries and much more. “In this intersynodal period, I look to partner with all of you on the district boards, the PEC and all of this body and our congregations to do together that, in the words of our chief elder to all of us: ‘Much more than this, yet, we will do.’ Thank you for the trust and the invitation to serve with you over these next years.”

PEC members the Rev. Melissa Johnson, the Rev. Dave Bennett, the Rev. Bruce Nelson, David Jones, Ralph Wannamaker, Jr., Sue Dreydoppel and Keith Gohdes during their installation service at Synod (not pictured: Ruth Ricketts).

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The Moravian

Dave Bennett, (second from right), the newlyelected PEC president, meets with the PEC that will work for the next three years.

PEC presidents are elected by an ecclesiastical ballot at provincial synods. In this kind of election here are no pre-Synod nominations or campaigning. Instead, Synod delegates are directed to choose from the list of all ministers in the province. Those selections are counted and shared following each ballot. Balloting continues until one candidate receives more than twothirds of the votes cast.

PEC Lay Elections Synod also elected the lay members of the Provincial Elders’ Conference for the next intersynodal period (2023-2026). The Provincial Elders’ Conference administers the governance of the church during the time between Synods and are responsible for enacting the resolutions passed by Synod.

Lay PEC members are nominated prior to Synod and are elected by a two-thirds majority of votes cast. Lay members elected include Susan Dreydoppel from Nazareth, Pa.; Ralph Wanamaker, Jr. from Bethlehem,Pa.; Ruth Ricketts from Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Keith Gohdes from Davenport, N.D. Ralph Issue 3 • 2023

and Sue were members of the previous PEC and re-elected; Ruth and Keith are new to the PEC. They join District Presidents the Rev. Melissa Johnson (Eastern), the Rev. Bruce Nelson (Western), and Dave Jones (Canadian) who serve on the PEC as part of their role as district presidents.

The new PEC was installed at a worship service on Sunday, June 25th. Lay members will serve until the Northern Province Synod in 2026; clergy member elections are held at district synods in 2024.

Outgoing members of the Provincial Elders’ Conference include Valerie Bean Wagner, Bruce Shoger and the Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller.

“It is not difficult to see the hand of God in the movement of our Province,” said Dave, “even in the struggles and also in the gifted provincial leadership we have been fortunate to have guide us through such an extraordinary time. Grace abounds.”

Dave began his work as PEC president in early August. n

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2023 SYNOD YOUTH DELEGATES

“We should write a proposal about what we want...”

Delaney Brummer, a member of Our Savior’s Moravian Church in Altura, Minn., was a youth delegate to the 2023 Northern Province Synod. During this year’s gathering, Delaney and her fellow youth delegates championed and presented a resolution that will help expand the role of youth in church leadership. She shares her thoughts on this effort here.

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have been actively involved in not only my church, but also in many Moravian camps across not only the Northern, but also Southern Province. This helped me, when on Friday night of Synod, I found

myself talking with Greg Behrend (pastor of You Belong), Jennika Borger (Moravian University chaplain), and Sylvie Hauser (communications consultant for the Northern Province) about what our versions of our “dream church” would look like. This conversation inspired me to start thinking about what I really thought was needed… and landed on the voices of the youth. The conversations between leaders, lay members and youth are what can help shape a “dream church” for all of us.

Since my brain was wide awake, and I tend to process things out loud, I started a conversation with my roommate at Synod,

Delaney Brummer, at microphone, and her fellow youth delegates present the youth council resolution at Synod.

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The Moravian

Clara Pratt. We started talking about how we felt as youth in the Moravian Church. We have always felt loved, encouraged, supported and wanted. However, we both agreed that our ideas were commonly overlooked.

Clara jokingly said, “We should write a proposal about what we want.” We then decided our voices weren’t a joke anymore.

So I pulled out my laptop, and in “true youth fashion” began writing a proposal at midnight. We didn’t really know what our next steps were, but we showed the proposal to Jeff Pratt even though we were terrified. He gave us a lot of support, so we were feeling inspired again, and asked Greg Behrend to look it over. We were still “pretty new to this whole synod thing,” so we were also looking for knowledge of how we could actually get the proposal onto the Synod floor.

He gave us a lot of advice, and even the idea to create the council of youth to be in direct communication with the Provincial Elders Conference. We then gave our proposal to the committee on Healthier Congregations and were met with even more support.

Clara and I were excited, however we wanted to consult with the other youth delegates to see if they were feeling the same way. We quickly found out this wasn’t just an “us problem” and were supported in the writing, editing and presenting of our proposal by all the other youth in attendance, including Joe Foyst, Jasmine Aska, Madison Figiel, Megan Vanderbloemen and Harrison Krauss. They also felt many of the same feelings. So we decided we needed to move forward with this proposal. Quickly, Pastors Jamie Almquist and Cynthia Rader-Geyer, Clara, Megan and I were finishing the proposal over lunch.

Eventually we saw our proposal come to the floor at Synod, and we were so exIssue 3 • 2023

cited. We were ready to present our ideas. I wasn’t super nervous, because personally I do a lot of public speaking (if you have been to camp Chetek in the past two years you may know I am not afraid of the microphone). However, when I began reading our proposal to the Synod floor, I broke down.

I was overcome with emotion. I knew we

“The youth in our church are important. As Cynthia stated, ‘Youth are not just the future of the church, they are the church.’” were doing something good. I was glad to have the support of the other youth.

However, I couldn’t have even imagined the support from the adults in the room as well. They began suggesting amendments, including an amendment from our new PEC president David Bennett to “meet with the council in person or over video chat when possible,” that is something we are super grateful for and looking forward to!

Most importantly though I am thankful for the courage from God to stand-up even though I was terrified, because this was important stuff. The youth in our church are important. As Cynthia stated “Youth are not just the future of the church, they are the church.”

We are very excited about our proposal and can’t wait to see how it changes the voice and impact of youth throughout the province. n For the complete resolution, visit www. moravian.org/northern/

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OUR ECUMENICAL PARTNERS

Northern Province enters full communion with two Canadian denominations

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t the 2023 Synod, the Northern Province approved a full communion relationship between the Moravian Church Northern Province, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada. That full communion relationship was then approved by all three denominations at their respective assemblies.

The Full Communion agreement, titled “One Flock, One Shepherd: Lutherans, Anglicans and Moravians – Called James Lavoy, pastor of Rio Terrace Moravian Church in Edmonton, Alberta presents the resolution for full communion with two denominations in Canada

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to Walk Together in Full Communion” outlines and acknowledges the shared beliefs of each denomination. It affirms each others’ baptism, celebrations of Holy Community, lay ministries and “authenticity of the ordained ministries of bishops and presbyters/pastors” existing in each church.

“We rejoice in our Declaration as an expression of the visible unity of our churches in the one Body of Christ,” reads the conclusion of the agreement. “We are ready to be co-workers with God in whatever tasks of mission serve the Gospel and the Ministry of Reconciliation. We give glory to God for the gift of Unity already ours in Christ, and we pray for the further realization of this gift in the entire Church.”

Through the agreement, each church commits itself to: • Welcome members of our churches to receive, as appropriate, the pastoral and sacramental ministrations of one another’s churches with complete hospitality; • welcome persons ordained in any of our churches to the office of presbyter/priest/pastor to serve in the receiving church without re-ordination; • work towards a common understanding of diaconal ministry; • invite one another’s bishops to attend The Moravian

Delegates hear from The Rev. Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

and participate as appropriate in the laying on of hands at the ordination of bishops as a sign of the unity and continuity of the Church; • consult with one another regarding developments in our understanding of the ministry of all the baptized; • encourage consultation and collaboration among members of our churches at all levels and to facilitate learning and exchange of ideas and information on theological, pastoral and mission matters; • establish a Trilateral Commission, with appropriate Lutheran, Anglican, Moravian and Indigenous membership, to nurture our growth in communion, to coordinate the implementation of this Declaration, and to report to the decision-making bodies of each of our churches; and • continue to work together for the full visible unity of the whole Church of God. In the United States, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has been in full communion with the Moravian Church Issue 3 • 2023

in North America since 1999. The USbased Episcopal Church has been in full communion with the Moravian Church since 2011. In 2019, the conversation began considering a similar relationship between the ELCIC, ACC and Canadian churches within the Moravian Church in North America.

As each denomination explored the potential new relationship, a LutheranAnglican-Moravian working group was tasked with creating resources for denominational leaders, clergy, congregations, and individuals. Representing the Moravian Church were the Revs. James Lavoy, Matt Gillard, Rowan Simmons and the Rt. Rev. Blair Couch.

The resolution to affirm the full communion relationship was approved on June 23 at the Northern Province Synod and on July 1 by the Assembly of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada held in Calgary, Alberta.

More information on this relationship can be found at https://www.anglicanlutheran.ca/partnerships/moravianchurch/ n 23

From the Bishop’s Corner

Each edition of The Moravian Magazine now features words from one of our Moravian bishops.

This feature, called The Bishop’s Corner, will offer the spiritual leaders of the Moravian Church an opportunity to share their thoughts. This month, we hear from the Rt. Rev. Sam Gray.

This statue of Bishop John Amos Comenius (Jan Komensky) stands in Kunvald, Czech Republic. Photo by Emily Lippert.

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ver since I was asked to write this “Bishop’s Corner,” there have been lots of ideas floating around in the “corners” of my mind… but no final draft!

I guess I just needed a spark to get the fire going, especially since the deadline is in a couple of days. Today, the spark finally ignited. How could it not have done so?

I’m sitting in Kunvald – not only the place where the Unitas Fratrum was officially organized in 1457, but also the place where, ten years later, the first election and consecration of a Moravian bishop took place.

Right here in this place – Kunwald – people got together and, after lots of prayer and fasting, selected nine “brethren” whom they felt showed the necessary gifts for ministry. But they needed to

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confirm God’s selection. So, they prepared 12 slips of paper. Three of the slips had the word “j’est” (he is) and nine were blank; it would have been possible for none (or at least not all) of the “j’ests” to be drawn.

But three of the brethren were confirmed with “j’ests.” They were Matthias, who was a 25-year-old son of a farmer; Tomas, who was a tailor who knew Latin; and Elias, a miller. Matthias was consecrated as the first Moravian bishop in 1467. Tomas and Elias were ordained as priests, and 32 years later, in 1499, Matthias consecrated them as bishops. In 1500, Luke of Prague was consecrated as the fourth bishop and the rest, as they say, is history.

Since that time, there have been more than 370 bishops consecrated in the Moravian Church. For almost 270 years, The Moravian

all of those consecrations took place in Bohemia, Moravia and Poland. But on March 13, 1735, the 63rd bishop, David Nitschmann, was consecrated in Germany. From that point on, a dual numbering system was set in place. Bishops are identified by the sequence of their ordination since 1467 and by their sequence in the Renewed Moravian Church. So, for example, I am the 337th bishop since 1467, but the 275th in the Renewed Moravian Church.

Throughout the years of the Renewed Moravian Church, the worldwide unity has expanded to include many countries on several continents. In 1746, the first consecration took place in the Netherlands (Zeist). In 1770, the first consecration in the “new world” (in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) was celebrated, with more to follow in other parts of North America.

1874 brought the first consecration in Salem (North Carolina). Additional dates and places include: • 1891 Antigua • 1901 Jamaica, and eventually more Caribbean islands • 1907 Ireland • 1946 Czechoslovakia • 1960 South Africa • 1977 Nicaragua • 1979 Tanzania • 1980 Suriname • 1983 Alaska • 1988 Honduras • 2018 Cuba In June 2023, two bishops were elected at the Synod of the Northern Province in North America. One of them, Sister Amy Gohdes-Luhman, is the sixth woman to be elected as a bishop in the Worldwide Moravian Church. All of them are living Issue 3 • 2023

Bishop Sam Gray

today, and there are a total of almost 60 bishops living today (out of less than 370 since 1467!).

In the Moravian Church, bishops are not considered to be bishops of a particular place or province, but rather bishops of the Worldwide Unity, residing in a particular province. Moravian bishops have a pastoral and not administrative function.

Our Church Order says that the orders of ministry (deacon, presbyter, bishop) are reflections not of rank but of service.

Besides ordaining and consecrating ministers, bishops serve as pastors to pastors and have a special responsibility to pray for the worldwide Moravian Church. Tonight, before I go to sleep, I am lifting up a prayer for the entire Moravian Unity, remembering that vision that started here and spread throughout the earth! n The Rt. Rev. Sam Gray is a bishop of the Moravian Unity and currently serves as pastor of New Philadelphia Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. 25

small churchBIG IMPACT

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he Missional Engagement in our Neighborhoods committee at the Northern Province Synod spent some of its time sharing stories of what our churches are doing in our neighborhoods. With acts of kindness to those directly outside the doors of our church buildings, we make acquaintances that lead to opportunities to build relationships. Many of the ministries emphasize “being with” rather than “doing for” our neighbors.

The committee members covenanted to share some of their successful efforts with the wider Moravian Church. They also encourage other Moravian congregations and entities to share their own stories. In so doing, the Moravian Church can discover that though we may be far apart, we are not alone in our ministries, and that what works in another district might work in your congregation and neighborhood, too.

Some of the many ministries mentioned during committee meetings were: Lancaster Moravian Church (Pa.) partners with the Islamic Community Center of Lancaster in ministry and mission. They also do monthly prayer walks praying for and interacting with those who live, work and play in their community, with an invitation to other churches and individuals to walk with them.

Calvary Moravian Church (Pa.) has set up monthly summer gatherings called “Cool Treats, Summer Nights,” with live music, an ice cream truck, lawn games and children’s activities for low-cost gatherings intentionally geared to their neighborhood. t

Lake Mills Moravian Church (Wis.)has a plant sale in which community members connect with congregation members talking about favorite flowers and personal experiences with gardening. Then they pass their extra plants on to the London Moravian Church so that they can do the same.

Watertown and Ebenezer Moravian Churches (Wis.) serve a free meal every Monday night to address the issue of loneliness among those that do not always have another person with whom to eat.

s Ephraim Moravian Church (Wis.) participates in their local Fyr Bal Festival by serving free sugar cake and offering opportunities for a tour of the church.

Lititz Moravian Church (Pa.) shows God’s love in a practical way by helping people pay to do their laundry, handing out water bottles in the summer and paying for public parking spaces for random individuals.

Nazareth and Schoeneck congregations’ partner with other local churches and organizations for a “Summer Lunch Program” to provide a free bag lunch, five days a week, to students, senior citizens,and anyone who asks for one, during the summer.

To share a ministry of your congregation, please send a brief description with a photograph, if possible, to moravianmagazine@ mcnp.org, with the subject “Small Church Big Impact.”

Sue Dreydoppel is from Nazareth, Pa. She compiles and edits this column for The Moravian.

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The Moravian

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

APCE 2023: What a year for Moravian educators

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ven after retirement, I managed to go to the 2023 Annual Event for Association of Partners in Christian Education in Birmingham the end of January. This continuing education event is my “go to” to keep up to date with resources, pick up lots of creative ideas to stimulate my brain and my ministry in faith formation not to mention reconnect with many colleagues over the years.

2023 did not disappoint.

One of our Moravian educators, Jami Vandock from Raleigh Moravian Chrsitian educators at the APCE Confernce earlier this year.

Moravian, co-chaired the event, gins, was recognized in the memorial service. along with Mary Todd Peters from the PresbyteThis was a very moving and insightful moment rian Church USA. What a job this pair did. With for me to be a part of recognizing two outstandthe theme of Rhythm of Grace featuring John ing educators who had passed in 2022 but had Pavlovitz as the lead presenter along with other given so much to faith formation ministry in the leaders, it was inspiring. church.

The talent of Moravian educators was visThe APCE annual event is a great experiible all week with stunning stoles made for the ence for many educators and lay leaders in faith leaders and paraments to go with the theme formation in congregations. The event for 2024 designed by Joyce Vance, one of our retired eduwill be no different. It will be held in St. Louis cators. We had about 14 educators attend from from January 24-27 with the theme of Come All Northern and Southern Provinces along with Who Are Thirsty as the emphasis for 2024. several lay leaders; Marie Couts and Christy If you are interested in attending this preClore both were workshop presenters. mier event, come join other educators from the Two Moravian educators were recognized various denominations that make up Associaas newly certified, Rachel Butts from King tion of Partners in Christian Education. There Moravian Church and Evie Blum from New are scholarships available not only through Philadelphia Moravian Church. Some of our lay APCE but through the Moravian Church Southleaders were inspired enough to come back and ern Province.

You can check for details at the pursue what it would take to be certified. apcenet.org website or call the offices of congreOther than seeing the visual part that gational development in the Moravian Church Moravian educators contributed each day, a Southern Province to find out more about the high point for me was to be a bell ringer and various scholarship help. You will not be sorry. candle lighter for the memorial service for educators who had died in 2022. Not only was my Beth Hayes is a Christian educator who recently certification mentor in the list of names but one retired from the Southern Province. of our first Moravian educators, Margaret HigIssue 3 • 2023

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MORAVIANS IN MISSION

Blessings Flow project helps bring clean drinking water to Honduras

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aterborne illnesses are a persistent issue in many of our global partner areas due to contamination of local water sources. In some areas, like La Mosquitia, this issue has been exacerbated by a recent increase of heavy rains and flooding. The Board of World Mission, in collaboration with church leaders in Honduras and a clean water organization called One Atta Time, is seeking to address the need for clean drinking water through our new Blessings Flow project, which was launched this spring in the villages of Tumtum Tara and Warunta, Honduras.

This project is particularly meaningful because, in an area where the church has been divided for nearly 25 years, this effort is intentionally led in collaboration with both sets of leadership of the Moravian Church

in Honduras. They are working together to provide life-giving water to every family in these communities, no matter what their connection is to the Moravian Church.

As of this summer, 159 filters have been distributed in Tumtum Tara with 44 additional filters enroute. A census was completed and the initial clinic in Warunta will distribute water filters in the fall. In the first stage of the project, the hope is to expand to five total communities in La Mosquitia while working to identify and equip local leaders to administer future expansion. There are roughly 100 villages in La Mosquitia, all of which have a need for a clean water intervention like the Blessings Flow project.

The first step of the intervention in each community is to take an initial census of the population, assess water quality and

Water filtration kits from the Board of World Mission are distributed to residents of the La Mosquitia region of Honduras.

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The Moravian

(Left) Sean Kappauf of One Atta Time and BWM’s Chris Giesler demonstrate the water filters at Camp Hope. (Right) Chetek campers at Mt. Morris assemble water filtration kits to be sent to Honduras.

determine the prevalence of waterborne illnesses. (In Tumtum Tara, 100% of families reported symptoms of waterborne illness within the past two weeks and 20% of families had missed school or work due to their illness). Then, a clinic will address any existing waterborne illnesses before distributing water filters (a five-gallon bucket and a simple filtration system) to each household and training community members on how to use the filters effectively. Finally, a postintervention assessment of the project will be completed.

The Moravian Ministries Foundation provided a generous grant of $25,000 to the Blessings Flow project allowing the Board of World mission to provide filters for about 500 families, or 2-3 villages! Senior high campers at Mt. Morris, Tar Hollow, and Camp Hope assembled 750 water filters, which are now ready for distribution in Honduras. This effort is truly made possible through the joint efforts of Moravians worldwide.

Issue 3 • 2023

US donations to this project via check can be sent to: Board of World Mission, 1021 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Donations are also accepted online at http:// moravianmission.org/give/ and click on the green “Give” button at the top of the page.

Please use the memo line to indicate that your gift is for “Blessings Flow.”

Canadians can send checks to: Moravian Church in Canada, 600 Acadia Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2J 0B8. Interac e-Transfer donations may be sent to treasurer@moravian.ca. In the comments section, please mark this donation as “Blessings Flow” and include your name and address to receive a tax receipt.

Congregations interested in setting a goal of sponsoring an entire community (100-250 families) please contact the Board of World Mission’s Director of Mission Engagement, the Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler at chris@moravianmission.org or call the BWM office at (610) 868-1732. n 29

OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Moravian Day of Service, Sept. 17, 2023 The 2023 Moravian Day of Service is set for September 17, 2023. This is a day in which we invite you to lift up the Biblical mandate to serve the needs of others during your morning worship service, and do some creative thinking about doing a community service activity that weekend, or sometime in the near future.

Resources for congregations to make the most of this day, including worship materials, ideas for community service activities and more can be found at https://www. moravian.org/dayofservice/ NORTHERN PROVINCE Congregations The PEC announces with regret and appreciation for the faithful long-lasting ministry of Grace Moravian Church, Westland, Michigan that they will be closing, with a last service on September 10, 2023.

Retirement Br. Samuel Propsom has been granted permission to retire from the active ministry of the Moravian Church, effective August 31, 2023. Samuel was ordained in 1995 and has served faithfully in congregations of the Western and Canadian District and has served as a missionary in Labrador.

Presbyterial Consecration Brother Mark Newman, presently serving as pastor of Newfoundland Moravian Church, will be consecrated a Presbyter on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at 10:45 a.m.

ET. The Rt. Rev. Douglas Kleintop will officiate at the service, which will be held at Newfoundland Moravian Church.

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Bishop Consecrations The Synod of the Northern Province of the Moravian Church in America, held in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, June 22-25, 2023, elected Br. Michael Johnson and Sr. Amy Gohdes-Luhman as bishops of the Unity.

This is a time of spiritual celebration, a time to take seriously our connection to our Savior and a time when the Unity itself has the opportunity to join in prayer. We invite your presence and/or covet your prayers, and the prayers of your congregation, as we prepare for and participate in the consecrations of these bishops elected by our recent provincial synod.

The consecration for Br. Michael Johnson has been scheduled for October 1, 2023, 4:00 p.m. at John Hus Moravian Church, Brooklyn, N.Y. The consecration for Sr. Amy GohdesLuhman has been scheduled for November 5, 4:00 p.m. at Waconia Moravian Church, Waconia, Minn.

Let us take this opportunity to unite in prayer as we pray for the influence of the Holy Spirit upon Christ’s work assigned to the worldwide Moravian Church and the Moravian Church, Northern Province.

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.

The Moravian

Obituary: The Rev. Richard Landis Bruckart Brother Richard “Rick” Bruckart died in Bethlehem, on June 22, 2023, at age 68.

Born December 21, 1954, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Rev. James Orlando and Thelma (Landis) Bruckart. Rick was a graduate of Moravian Academy, class of 1972 and attended Moravian College, graduating in May of 1979 with a B.A. in psychology. He was a 1982 graduate of Moravian Theological Seminary, receiving an MDiv. Rick was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church on June 20, 1982, and was consecrated a Presbyter on January 12, 1986.

Rick was united in marriage to Jill Louise Boettcher on May 29, 1976, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

During his 41-year career, he served as the pastor together with his wife Jill at

churches in Pennsylvania: Advent (Bethlehem), Schoeneck (Nazareth), Emmaus and Lititz; and at First Moravian in Riverside, N.J. He also served as administrator at Hope Conference and Renewal Center and 12 years in denominational leadership on the Eastern District Executive Board.

Surviving with his wife Jill are daughters Rachel Bailey and Allison Lauderman, and four grandchildren; sister, Karen Naisby and step-mother, Colleen Bruckart.

Memorial services were held at Central Moravian Church on July 30, 2023. A private burial was at Nisky Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hope Conference and Renewal Center, 15 Ridgeway Ave, Blairstown, NJ, 07825.

Moravian Music Foundation

Serenades concert series In Winston-Salem, NC:

An Evening of Songs from the Heart Sept. 15, 2023, 7:00pm, Calvary Moravian Church.

T I C K E T S

Dr. Bruce Earnest, Dr. Tyler Smith, Jonathan Williams.

The Long Eighteenth Century: the Golden Age of Moravian Music

Oct. 27, 2023, 7:00pm, Old Salem Visitor Center.

Moramus Chorale, Tannenberg organ, chamber ensembles.

Night of Light Concert, (special VIP event) I N F O

Dec. 16, 2023, 7:00pm, Archie K Davis Center

All the details and ticket info at www.moravianmusic.org order tickets online at bit.ly/MMFserenades

ChristmasFest, Dec. 16, 2023, 10a- 8p, AKD Ctr Issue 3 • 2023

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The 2024 edition of The Moravian Daily Texts continues a nearly 300-year-long tradition of offering an inspirational connection to the Holy Scriptures every day.

Each entry in this beloved daily devotional includes “watchwords”—Old and New Testament verses to accompany readers throughout the day—combined with beautiful hymn texts and heartfelt prayers selected and written by Moravians across North America.

The Moravian Daily Texts 2024 hardcover, paperback, large print and journal editions, along with German, Spanish and French translations, will begin shipping in early November.

Pre-order today at store.moravian.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lehigh Valley, PA Permit 473 The Moravian/Moravian Church Northern Province, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018

The world’s oldest daily devotional... that’s new every morning!