Moravian Magazine, Jan/Feb 2014

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y

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Understanding the Essentials 2014 Northern Province Preview A doll to honor Polly And more!

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On the cover: Sun and clouds combine to demonstrate the beauty of God’s creation. Photo by Mike Riess.

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y

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Understanding the Essentials 2014 Northern Province Preview A doll to honor Polly And more!

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

In Our Congregations 6 York Pa. church demonstrates faith through fellowship by helping those in need 26 RCC event illustrates faith in action Moravian Theology 12 In Essentials, Unity: Understanding the essential things 2014 Synods 17 2014 Northern Province Synod: Bringing Moravians together to lead for the future Board of World Mission 10 New position brings new possibilities for Board of World Mission efforts

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

January/February 2014

Moravian History 21 Polly Heckewelder: A history-making doll still making history Ministries Foundation 24 New Ministries Foundation website: A tool to help ministries you care about Moravian Women 28 12th Moravian Women’s Conference registration underway The Daily Texts 5 Digital Daily Texts ready for popular tablets In Every Issue 4 Ponderings: Sunset offers hope for an exciting tomorrow 29 Official Provincial Elders’ News 30 Obituary: The Rt. Rev. Dr. Arthur J. Freeman 3

PONDERINGS

Sunset offers hope for an exciting tomorrow There’s nothing quite like the sight of the sun on the horizon. Wheth-

er it’s greeting the day or heading home, the mix of clouds, sun and color puts a smile on my face and wonder in my heart.

As the sun sets on each day, my thoughts drift to what’s come before and what’s on the horizon. And as this new year begins, I’m glad to be closing the chapter that was 2013 and am very optimistic for the coming year.

2014 is a synod year. Every four years, delegates come together for the Southern Province Synod (in April) and the Northern Province Synod (in June). At these meetings, which represent the main governing body of our church, delegates debate, discuss and decide on actions that will drive the church for the coming four years—all while listening for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Synods are an exciting time for me. Over the course of just a few days, I get to I watch the wonder of Moravian polity play out, greet and talk with hundreds of Moravians from around the U.S., take thousands of photographs, write pages and pages of copy, post news and media, experience inspirational worship and see the Holy Spirit at work.

The coming year will also bring plenty of opportunities to meet and work with Moravians from around the U.S. and Canada. Whether by reading stories for inclusion in the Moravian, leading workshops, attending events or meeting in social media circles, I look forward to learning more about our church and the people in it—and helping to share that news around North America.

As I write this, the sun is setting on yet another day. I’m blessed to witness glorious sunsets each day out my office window. As I watch the light fade, I realize that the day is ending—and another one, filled with possibility, is only a nighttime away.

And as 2014 dawns and stretches into February, then Spring, I look forward to seeing many of you on my travels, and hearing from many more as we share the faith of the Moravian Church.

(ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) January/February Vol. 45, No. 1 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 monthly, except bimonthly January-February and July-August issues, by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.

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

Michael Riess, Editor Renee Schoeller, Communications Assistant Arlene Clendenning, Customer Relations/Business Assistant Interprovincial Board of Communication Paul Knouse, Paul Peucker Chair Adam Pristas Jane Burcaw Richard Sides Jane Carmichael Valerie Wagner Lance Fox Jill Westbrook Gary Kniskern Design by Sandy Fay, Laughing Horse Graphics, Inc. Address all correspondence regarding articles, subscriptions, or advertising to The Moravian, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245 FAX: 610.866.9223 Phone: 610.867.0594 800.732.0591 e-mail: moravianmagazine@mcnp.org www.moravian.org Contents © 2014, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in North America.

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The Moravian

THE DAILY TEXTS

Digital Daily Texts ready for popular tablets Every year for almost three centuries, printed

Moravian Daily Texts books have been a staple of Moravians’ daily prayers. For 2014, the North American Daily Texts is now available for the millions of readers who use a screen instead of paper.

“While the majority of Daily Texts readers prefer our printed editions, we know that a growing number appreciate the convenience of carrying an e-reader like the Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook or Apple iPad,” says Mike Riess, executive director of the Interprovincial Board of Communication, the agency that produces the North American versions of the Daily Texts.

“In 2013, we introduced a digital version for the Kindle, which proved very popular,” continues Mike. “This year, we expanded our digital efforts to the Nook and iPad to make it available on the three most popular tablets today. These digital versions offer another opportunity to keep the Daily Texts

relevant and accessible to our readers.”

In its standard size, a page on the digital version will appear almost identical to a page in the printed version. With each digital version, however, it will be possible to increase the type size to make it easier to read for those with vision problems or when reading from it during worship or a presentation.

The 2014 digital editions can be purchased for $7.99 directly from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com and Apple’s iBookstore. Printed versions of the Daily Texts are available from the Interprovincial Board of Communication at http://store.moravian.org.

And don’t forget, you can Like Us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/MoravianDailyTexts or sign up at www.moravian.org to receive the Daily Texts every morning by e-mail. The Moravian Church website also features the Daily Texts every day on the front page of the site. ■

IN OUR CONGREGATIONS

York, Pa. church demonstrates faith through fellowship by helping those in need Many of the most quoted New Testament sto-

ries involve the message that faith manifests itself not only in our personal one-on-one relationship with God, but when we look outside ourselves during fellowship and service.

In his miracles and ministry, Christ teaches us that faith is not only represented in our quiet times of prayer and reflection, but in our moments of deep fellowship with others and heartfelt service to help those in great need.

In 2013, members of Covenant Moravian Church in York, Pa., decided to uphold

Christ’s example of fellowship and service through new and expanded outreach programs that seek to help children and those living in poverty. In his preaching, Christ used both groups as living metaphors for true faith and inheritance of the Kingdom of God. These programs were a result of a brainstorming session during the missions training/seminar presented to Covenant Moravian through the A.I.D (Assessment, Inquiry, and Development) process organized by the Eastern District.

A Bible study for juniors The first outreach program is a junior Bible study held in the home of Covenant Moravian Church member, Jessica Shiflet. Where did this idea come from?

“Although our church does not have an abundance of children and youth attending the traditional Sunday School program, “ explains Jessica, “I began to wonder if I could lead a group in our home, and if so, would children other than my daughter participate?”

The answer was affirmative; on average, seven to nine children, grades kindergarden through fifth grade, participate every other Friday evening.

Covenant’s junior Bible study serves as a time of fellowship for children to learn Bible stories, sing songs, pray, and share joys and concerns. The Bible study also serves as a platform to encourage the children to participate in charity programs.

When asked about his experience at Bible study, Henry Busse confidently replied he likes helping others by donating items for “Operation Christmas Child.” The donated items are put in shoe boxes and delivered by the organization Samaritan’s Purse to children in over 130 countries around the world.

It’s amazing to see how the junior Bible study has turned a time of fellowship into their own vehicle for service.

Feeding the Hungry The second outreach program is the “Feed the Hungry” project in inner city York. More (continued on next page) Lauren Bupp is a member of Covenant Moravian Church in York, Pennsylvania.

Photos: Students in the Junior Bible Study group at Covenant Moravian display their activities.

January/February 2014

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Covenant members prepare and serve meals for York, Pa.’s homeless and poor last summer. They repeated their effort in November.

(continued from previous page) than 20 Covenant Moravian members participate in this program twice a year by delivering more than 600 meals in partnership with the nonprofit ministry organization “York’s Helping Hands.”

One of the first members to volunteer was Carol Campbell, who explains her motivation for serving: “Growing up in a small town in York County, I learned at an early age, from family and friends, the meaning of sharing your food and personal time to help someone. When I see on TV the country and towns destroyed by storms or earthquakes, I wish I could go and help in some way.”

The first time our Covenant Members went downtown to help in 2013 was during the hot summer. “I remember hearing cries from little children waiting in line, ‘I want water, I need water,’” said Carol. “I also noticed how some parents and children drank the water before they ate.”

“I said a silent ‘God Bless You’ as I handed each one a container. To see the look on their faces is priceless.”

When church members returned downtown on November 16th, the weather was at the opposite end of the spectrum—it was freezing cold. “Even though I was cold, I had a wonderful feeling inside when we were finished, knowing I was able to give someone food that they would not have had,” says Carol. “I said a silent ‘God Bless You’ as I handed each one a container. To see the look on their faces is priceless.”

The Moravian

Another Covenant volunteer, Ed Baker describes the scene: “Everyone in line asked for two or three containers of our hot ham and green beans and lunch bags for the next day.”

It was Covenant’s goal to help children and the poor; the hard truth is that often those two groups overlap. Ed shared that out of all those receiving meals, one cannot but feel the most for the children. It’s no secret that fellowship and service gives those involved a new perspective. In Ed’s experience: “This is a most worthwhile project. It humbles you.”

Jesus is Emmanuel—“God with us.” Christ among us. Who is “us?” Jesus spent His time with children and the poor, as well as those that His society had forgotten. He did this for a reason—to teach his disciples, present and future, how to place themselves in the world.

Just as Christ is with us always in fellowship, we should fellowship with and serve those whom he called neighbor. Covenant Moravian members have enjoyed participating in these two outreach programs and look forward to upcoming opportunities for fellowship and service. ■

BOARD OF WORLD MISSION

New position brings new possibilities for Board of World Mission efforts The Board of World Mission (BWM) is making changes to strengthen its work directly with congregations—and congregations’ work directly with their mission efforts.

“The Board is announcing changes in its program of Moravian Volunteer and Disaster Response due to the recent resignation of Mark Ebert as our Director of Moravian Volunteer Resources (MVR),” says Judy Ganz, executive director of BWM. “We wish to thank Mark for his more than ten years of service with BWM. His efforts after Hurricane Katrina were instrumental in providing opportunities for many of our members to serve in Mississippi and to do tremendous work to benefit the community of Ocean Springs and many individuals who had lost their homes.”

Mark trained many work crews and emphasized the importance of mission as not merely a project or trip, but rather as part of one’s own faith journey. Mark also impacted many of the BWM’s partner provinces by get 10

ting equipment and work crews to various places in need such as solar systems in Ahuas, Honduras and at Ray of Hope orphanage, a hangar for Alas de Socorro in Honduras, a parsonage in Alaska, a saw mill for Nicaragua work after Hurricane Felix, and multiple crews for repairs and upgrades at the Moravian Clinic and Hospital in Ahuas, Honduras.

“We are grateful for Mark’s faithful ministry over the years,” says Judy.

Justin Rabbach

Director of Mission Engagement Instead of a program dedicated specifically to Moravian volunteer resources, BWM will expand this staff position to hire a Director of Mission Engagement.

This new staff person will focus on broader work directly with congregations in mission discernment, education, including equipping members and teams and coordinating volunteer and disaster ministries.

“This change is motivated by input from some of our pastors at the interprovincial clergy retreat this past May and by the BWM fall retreat which resulted in a clear direction to be more intentional in walking with our congregations to discern God’s call to us in mission today, be that local or global,” says Judy. “It is also recognizes that as representatives of churches in the Northern and Southern Provinces, Alaska and the Unity of the Brethren, the BWM is meant to serve as a resource to its constituents, as well as to be a link to opportunities for mission in the global Moravian Church and through our ecumenical partnerships.”

Justin Rabbach, a member of the Board of World Mission and member of Ebenezer Moravian Church in Watertown, Wis. was tapped for this new role and has accepted the position.

“Justin brings many skills for working with congregations, a lot of experience in leading and training teams in mission from both the Northern and Southern Provinces, and a deep passion and vision for mission.”

This new position will begin in February 2014. Until then, any needs for training for work crews or other mission projects can be directed to our Southern Province office, 336.773.1732, sbeaman@mcsp.org.

Walking together in mission “We appreciate that the Moravian Church has always felt a passion to respond to God’s transformative love in our own lives by reaching out to share this love and grace with others,” says Judy. “Mission is an undeniable part of who we are as Moravians, and an essential element of our ministry and health as congregations. We look forward to exploring more ways that we can walk together in mission.” ■

Photos at left: Mark Ebert (at right in photo above) at work helping with water projects in Central America.

Judy Ganz is executive director of the Board of World Mission for North America.

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MORAVIAN THEOLOGY

In Essentials, Unity: Understanding the essential things You may be familiar with the phrase “In Es-

sentials Unity; In Non-Essentials Liberty; in All Things Love.” We hear this statement a lot in Moravian churches, but it is often hard for Moravians to identify just what things are essential or non-essential. Rather than being united in the essentials, as the “motto” claims, Moravians today seem to disagree over just what is “essential.”

Some say lovefeasts are essential; other say that a particular doctrine, like the atonement is essential. Could it be that our cherished motto is not as helpful as it appears? Perhaps we can find guidance for a better understanding by looking to the wisdom of Moravians in years past.

The 550th anniversary of the founding of the Moravian Church in 2007 rekindled interest in the history and theology of the original Moravian Church, which we sometimes call the Ancient Unity. When our church was 12

founded in 1457 it was illegal for anyone to separate from the established church, and so the original Brethren (and Sisters) did not take this step lightly. They did a lot of thinking about why they had to form a new community of faith, and sometimes they even had to defend their views before government officials or the Inquisition.

The Brethren argued that they had to break away from the churches of their day because those churches had lost the real spirit and goal of Christianity. Those churches were either focusing on things that were not important or worse were using sacred things to harm people rather than to save them. Our spiritual ancestors wanted to get back to the basics of following the way of Christ as presented in the New Testament.

The leader of the Brethren was a tailor by the name of Gregory, and he insisted that the New Testament tells us clearly what is esThe Moravian

sential: faith, love, and hope. Everything the church does should be for the purpose of building people up in faith, in love, and in hope. If the church does not do this, it is not really the church. More importantly, if a person has faith, love, and hope, he or she is a Christian regardless of what the institutional church says.

Gregory and his companions argued that Christians should distinguish between the essential things and things that minister to what is essential. There are also things that may be helpful but are really incidental to the Christian life, such as whether someone wears a robe when preaching.

Rather than being united in the essentials, as the “motto” claims, Moravians today seem to disagree over just what is “essential.”

From the beginning of the Moravian Church we have distinguished between Essentials, Ministerials, and Incidentals. Gregory and his followers insisted that churches should not confuse what is incidental (such as wearing robes or singing modern songs) with what is ministerial. Most importantly, the church needs to be clear about what is truly essential rather than ministerial.

One way to understand the Essentials is to think about what it was like be a member of (continued on next page) The Rev. Dr. Craig D. Atwood is director of the Center For Moravian Studies and a professor at Moravian Theological Seminary.

January/February 2014

These things lead people to God; they build people up in faith, love and hope. They are sacred gifts of God, but they are sacred only when they lead people to what is essential.

They are not sacred in themselves. If the ministerial things ever get in the way of what is essential, then the church needs to change its practices and teachings.

(continued from previous page) the Unitas Fratrum five centuries ago. If the Inquisition imprisoned your bishop, burned your Bibles, closed your church building and prevented you from having baptism or Holy Communion, could you still be Christian? If you were a missionary and shipwrecked in the Caribbean and had no Bible or Communion set, could you still preach the Good News of Christ? If so, then none of those things are essential. However, if the members of a church do not demonstrate faith, love, and hope, can you call that a Christian church? For the Moravians, true Christianity is not based on a certain creed or doctrine; it is grounded in the living experience of faith in Christ, active love for others and joyful hope.

Many of the things that people think are most important in the Christian faith are not really essential. They are helpful and valuable, but not essential. Gregory and his followers called them Ministerial things. These are tools given by Christ and the Holy Spirit to help the church. In other words, they “minister” to what is essential.

The Ministerials include things like the clergy, sacraments, sacred rites and creeds.

They are not “incidental” or “non-essential.”

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For the Moravians, true Christianity is not based on a certain creed or doctrine; it is grounded in the living experience of faith in Christ, active love for others and joyful hope.

This is what the first Moravians did when they decided to ordain their own priests and choose their own bishops rather than having Catholic priests and bishops serve them. This is what the Brethren did when they consecrated Communion on simple wooden tables rather than on altars. This is what our spiritual ancestors did when they rejected the official version of the Bible (the Latin Vulgate) and dared to translate the Scriptures into the language spoken by the people. They changed the Ministerials so they could better communicate what is Essential. As you can imagine, this was very controversial and dangerous.

The established church accused the old Moravians of blasphemy and sacrilege when they changed the way they worshiped and served God. The king and emperor sent soldiers to arrest them and burn their Bibles.

Our ancestors sometimes worshiped in the woods because it was not safe to worship in town. Such violence in the name of Christ The Moravian

was proof enough to our spiritual ancestors that the churches of their day had lost what was essential.

The old Moravians believed that the Bible is a sacred book that leads us to faith, love and hope, but whenever the Inquisition or anyone else used the Bible to justify cruelty, abuse, enslavement, oppression, torture and killing, it was no longer sacred. The sacrilege was using the Bible to hurt people rather than to lead them to faith. Holy Communion and baptism are sacred because they lead us to have faith, love and hope, but they cease to be sacred when we use them to harm or devalue people.

Further refinement of essentials In the 1490s the great Moravian theologian Luke of Prague further refined the church’s teaching on the essential things. He said that there were two types of essentials. First are the essential works of God, which are creation, redemption, and sanctification (or blessing). Second are the ways we respond to God’s work, namely, with faith, love, and hope. God’s work comes before our response, but the work of God and our response are both essential.

According to Moravian teaching six things are essential: God creates (and God’s creation is good), God redeems, God blesses; and we respond by having faith in what God has done and is doing; by loving God, loving ourselves, loving our neighbors and loving our enemies; and by looking to the future with hope because we know we will be with God. Luke of Prague disagreed with Martin Luther who said that we are justified by faith alone. Our church taught that faith cannot be separated from love and hope. If you claim to have faith in Christ but do not love others, Luke told Luther, then you do not really have faith.

January/February 2014

Even though there are six essentials, they all work together. Faith is more than simply believing something. It means placing something at the center of your life and relying on it. When we say that we have faith in God, it means that we place our trust in God and God’s work in the world.

Faith means that we really truly believe that God is the creator of all that is and that all God has made is good. It means that we truly believe that the whole world and everyone in it belongs to God. If we have love for God the creator, it means that we also love all that God has made and treat everything God has made with reverence. If we have faith that all things are made by God and that all things God made are good, and if we love God and God’s work, then we will naturally have hope that God’s good work will continue.

When we say that we have faith that God redeems, this means more than simply saying that Jesus is our Savior. It means that we truly believe that it is God who redeems and saves humankind. This is God’s work, not our work.

It means that we believe that Christ lived and died for the sake of all people, not just people (continued on next page)

(continued from previous page) like us or just for people in our church. It means that we believe deep in our hearts that we are redeemed, which means that we are not slaves to sin. If we truly believe this, then we will love God with our whole selves because we belong to God. If we truly believe this then we will love others with the kind of love that God has shown in redemption. We will even love strangers and enemies. And if we live in love and seek to do good for those Christ redeemed, then we will look to the future with hope.

This world can become a foretaste of the heavenly kingdom if we live in faith and love.

Perfect love casts out fear, and we have nothing to fear because we know that we are loved with an infinite love. We know that we will be welcomed home by our Savior—along with all those whom Christ has redeemed.

This world can become a foretaste of the heavenly kingdom if we live in faith and love.

When we say that we have faith that it is God who sanctifies, we are saying more than simply that we believe in the Holy Spirit. It means that we have confidence that our holiness rests in God, not in our own efforts. It means that we truly believe that we have been blessed by God and that God is at work within us to make us better people. More importantly, it means that we have faith that God also blesses others and makes them holy. If we have faith that God blesses people and makes them holy, then we can respond in love to our families, our friends, our neighbors, strang 16

ers, and even our enemies because we know that God blesses others as he blesses us. We can have a deep and abiding hope for a better future because we see the Spirit of God at work in the world.

These are the essential things: God creates; God redeems; God blesses. And we respond in faith, in love and in hope. Everything else in the church, whether it is the study of Scripture or the waters of baptism; whether it is the music of angels or the gurgling praise of God on the lips of babies; whether it is profound sermons or a quiet prayer for someone in pain, should be grounded in these essentials.

For over 500 years we Moravians have judged ourselves not by how beautiful our architecture is or how lovely our choirs sing or how eloquent our preachers are or how brilliant our theologians are. We have judged ourselves by how deep our faith is, how expansive our love is, and how life affirming our hope is.

Ed. Note: For further study of the “essentials,” we recommend Jesus Still Lead On, an intro to Moravian belief based on Craig’s studies of the Moravian Covenant for Christian Living and The Ground of the Unity.

Perfect for small-group and study group use to understand more fully the foundation of the Moravian Church. This spiral bound guide provides a solid basis for understanding Moravian Belief.

We also recommend Craig’s book, The Theology of the Czech Brethren from Hus to Comenius, published by Penn State Press.

Craig’s work studies the theology and culture of the early Unity of the Brethren that grew out of the Czech Reformation. It’s available on Amazon.com and from Penn State Press. ■ The Moravian

2014 SYNODS

2014 Northern Province Synod: Bringing Moravians together to lead for the future Every four years, Moravians from each North

American Province gather to “do the business of the church”—to decide, legislate, make policy, discuss doctrine and chart the way forward for the next four years.

This coming June, more than 250 delegates from across the Northern Province will meet in Bethlehem, Pa. to “covenant with hand and heart” about church practice, Provincial structure and ministries, budgets, health care, new programs and more.

The 2014 Synod of the Moravian Church in America, Northern Province, will be held June 19-23 at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pa. Governing body of the Church In the governance of the Moravian Church, Northern Province, the every-four-year-Synod is the “highest judicatory in the Province with supreme legislative powers in all matters not

committed to by the Unity Synod.” In other words, Synod is where the key decisions about the Northern Province are made.

“Synod helps us discover God’s leading for the church,” says Betsy Miller, president of the Provincial Elders Conference (PEC) of the Northern Province. “Our time together gives God an opportunity to speak to us and through us, and for us to listen to God and one another in discerning the future direction of the church.”

While Synod is the main governing body of the Province, the PEC is charged with leadership of the church and carrying out the directives of Synod during the interim four years.

One of the key duties of Synod is to elect the Provincial Elders’ Conference for the upcoming four years. (continued on next page)

(continued from previous page) Covenant with Hand and Heart The 2014 Northern Province Synod will be inspired by the theme, “We covenant with hand and heart.” The theme, chosen jointly by the Synod Planning Committee and PEC, focuses on God’s covenant with us, and how we live that out.

The theme also calls to mind a favorite hymn: “We covenant with hand and heart to follow Christ, our Lord/ with world and sin and self to part and to obey his word/ to love each other heartily, in truth and with sincerity/ and under cross, reproach and shame to glorify his name.”

“We were intentional with the selection of this theme,” explains Betsy. “We know that we have some challenging work ahead of us during this Synod. ‘Covenant’ reminds us that it is God’s love for us that binds us together. ‘Covenant’ also reflects our capacity to discern God’s will for our church together based not on our agreement with one another, but in our common love of the Lord.

It is that love of Jesus that allows us to love each other.”

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Decisions on many topics Among a broad array of topics, the Provincial Synod of 2014 will be addressing two important matters raised during the Synod of 2010.

While most Synod proposals come from congregations, groups or committees, these two matters have resulted in proposals coming directly from the PEC. Ordination of gay/lesbian pastors— The first of these was the 2010 Synod’s directive to provide a summary report and corresponding legislation regarding the Christian service of homosexual persons for consideration by the 2014 Synod of the Moravian Church, Northern Province.

Based on that 2010 legislation, the Northern Province engaged in a series of conversations at many different levels on the topic of the ordination of gay or lesbian pastors in committed relationships. A Human Sexuality Task Force was convened to guide the process under the auspices of the PEC. In regional and congregational meetings, church members had the opportunity to discuss and discern together in sessions called “Holy Conversations.” Time was set aside for additional conversation and input at each of District Synod in 2012, followed by a gathering of Northern Province bishops, district executive boards, members of the Human Sexuality Task Force and the PEC for further discernment and discussion in April, 2013.

“We followed the direction of the 2010 Synod to ensure we had an opportunity to hear as many voices as possible,” says Betsy. “And the 2010 synod legislation did not come out of a vacuum. It is one more step in a long series of synod resolutions regarding the church’s view of homosexual persons in our culture and our church. As early as 1974, the synod of the Northern Province declared that homoThe Moravian

sexual persons are under God’s care. At many synods since then, delegates have addressed the topic of homosexuality.”

The result of the work since 2010 is a proposal to the 2014 Provincial Synod regarding the ordination and pastoral service of gay and lesbian individuals, whether single, married or in a covenanted relationship. The proposal was distributed to pastors, synod delegates and alternates and Joint Board Members of congregations in the Northern Province this fall. Those attending pre-synod meetings had opportunities to discuss it with PEC and District Board members during those meetings around the Province. The PEC proposal, along with any other proposals on this matter, will be referred to a committee at Synod, reviewed and prepared for being brought to the floor of Synod for a vote.

“We know Moravians of good faith hold differing opinions on this topic,” says Betsy. “We know that Moravians who deeply love God, who honor the authority of Scripture and love the Moravian Church may not agree. When you meet Moravians who hold a different perspective than you do, please remember that they love God, respect the authority of Scripture, and love the Moravian Church just as much as you do. This is often difficult to do, but we can pledge together to listen and learn.”

Identity, Purpose and Organization— The second major proposal to the 2014 Synod also addresses a mandate from the 2010 Synod. Four years ago, Synod directed the PEC to establish a study commission to engage the congregations of the Moravian Church – Northern Province in discussion about how the current Provincial structure does or does not meet Provincial needs. The commission was also to gather recommendations about suggested changes to the Provincial structure; January/February 2014

to report their collective findings and to make recommendations based upon their study to the PEC. The PEC was then to prepare a recommendation for the 2014 Provincial Synod for consideration at that time.

Over the past three years, the Identity, Purpose and Organization (IPO) Team has met to brainstorm, study, discuss, review and recommend potential changes to the Northern Province. Discussions were held during District Synods and with congregations, too.

This work resulted in a report from the IPO Team to the PEC. The resulting proposal from the PEC, along with their full report, is being presented to delegates, alternates, and Joint Board members at the spring pre-synod meetings. A committee will then consider this proposal at synod.

Much more to work on While these two may be the highest profile topics for this Synod, there is much more work to be done at the gathering. Other key areas to be discussed and decided include health care and pension, care of pastors and staff, new ways to extend God’s reign through (continued on next page)

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(continued from previous page) emerging ministries, election of leadership, financial matters, provincial resources and questions of faith and practice.

Synod actions originate in a variety of ways. Sometimes a single individual who feels strongly about an issue prepares a proposal for Synod consideration. Sometimes a congregational board or a district or provincial committee prepares a proposal or requests that Synod acts. Sometimes a Synod committee itself, after discussing issues that members place on its agenda, proposes action for Synod to consider.

Working in committees To help address all of these issues, each delegate to Synod will be working within a committee. Synod committees give in-depth consideration to areas of special concern to the larger church in a setting that allows for prayer and seeking God’s direction and blessing in their area of focus on behalf of the larger Province.

The committees review proposed legislation and reports pertaining to their area of focus, choosing whether or not to forward items to the floor of Synod for further action.

However a proposal originates, at Synod it is referred to the appropriate committee for consideration. The committee discusses the proposal, edits it to its liking, and votes on whether to submit it to the whole Synod as a committee report. The report is debated, perhaps amended, and ultimately approved or disapproved by a vote of the Synod. They may also create new proposals for action.

If approved by the entire Synod, it becomes a Synod directive, to be carried out as the report itself says.

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Delegates are elected by congregations’ church councils; each congregation can send one lay member for every 250 confirmed communicant members (or fraction thereof). All Northern Province clergy under call or appointment are named delegates, as are members of the PEC and the Eastern, Western and Canadian District Executive Boards. Six retired pastors are elected as delegates from the more than 60 eligible. Two youth delegates selected from each district also attend.

Unlike delegates to a government legislative session, however, Synod delegates are not given a mandate to vote a certain way or “represent” the views of their congregation.

All delegates should be open to how the Holy Spirit guides them and not be beholden to opinions coming in to Synod.

A time of fellowship, worship and fun While delegates to Synod should expect long days and hard work—after all, Synod is not a conference, but a time to do the work of the Province—they can also expect to have a fun, faith-filled experience and great fellowship.

Synod brings together Moravians from many parts of the U.S. and Canada. Delegates get to meet new people and renew old friendships. Each day of Synod includes spirited (and spiritual) worship and music. Activities and meals offer opportunities to relax, learn and celebrate being Moravian. There’s a sense of common purpose, where everything one does during their time at Synod is to guide the Northern Province into the future.

This year’s Synod Planning Committee, including the Rt. Rev. Blair Couch, Hank Naisby, Karen Naisby, the Rev. Melissa Johnson and the Rev. Keith Harke, along with the (continued on page 25) The Moravian

MORAVIAN HISTORY

Polly Heckewelder: a history-making doll still making history The Polly Heckewelder doll, the oldest continuously made American doll, is made in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Made and sold by the Moravian Ladies’ Sewing Society since 1872, this doll carries the memory of the real Polly around the world.

“Polly” dolls tell more than the story of Polly Heckewelder. The story of the doll includes the story of its creators, the Moravian Ladies’ Sewing Society and how she came to be.

A doll to honor Polly Johanna Maria Heckewelder (who was called “Polly” later in her life) was born April 16, 1781. Her parents were missionaries to the Indians in what is now the state of Ohio. The Heckewelders spent several years living and working among the Lenni Lenape tribe. John Heckewelder, Polly’s father, became a noted historian of the American Indians.

Polly was so favored by the tribe that in 1782, they made for her a cloth doll with a hand painted face on a ball like head and dressed her in European style colonial dress.

This primitive doll is now in the collection of the Moravian Archives in Bethlehem. In 1785, January/February 2014

Polly was sent to the school for girls in Bethlehem. She lived there until her education was completed. She then became a teacher of ornamental needlework at the girls school in Lititz, Pennsylvania.

At the age of 24, Polly lost her hearing and (continued on next page) Mary Brown is a member of Central Moravian Church and the Moravian Ladies’ Sewing Society. Below, Mae Long sews a Polly doll dress.

Creating a Polly Doll can take up to 80 hours.

Middle photo, Laura Ridge sews a ruffle on Polly’s dress.

(continued from previous page) had to resign her teaching position. She then returned to Bethlehem to live in the Sisters’ House. When her parents retired because of her mother’s failing health, they came to live in Bethlehem. Polly moved into her parents home and lived there until the deaths of both parents. Then she returned to live the remainder of her life in the Sisters’ House. She died September 19, 1868, and was buried in God’s Acre.

The Moravian Ladies’ Sewing Society was established by Polly Heckewelder in 1861 and was known as the Soldier’s Relief Society of Central Moravian Church to do war work during the War Between the States.

After the war ended in 1865, the Society became the Freedman’s Aid Society and in 1869, it became the Moravian Ladies’ Sewing Society and so it remains to this day. At that time, it was decided by the group to make dolls in honor of Polly Heckewelder. Perhaps Polly’s own childhood cloth doll influenced this decision as an appropriate way to honor her.

The ladies could still have a sewing group and do useful work by making and selling dolls.

The first Polly doll was made and sold in 1872. That doll was about 19 inches tall and dressed typical of a little girl of the 19th century. She had a ball-shaped head and hand painted face.

Making a Polly Doll Over the years, the Polly Doll has changed somewhat but is basically the same. The doll comes in two forms: one has brown hair, brown eyes and wears a pink checked gingham dress, while the other has blond hair and blue eyes and is dressed in blue checked gingham. The process leading to the comple

The Moravian

Photo by Don Brown

tion of a doll takes about 80 hours. The main body parts are stitched by machine and then stuffed and hand sewn together. The faces are hand painted on fabric which is then hand sewn to the doll’s head. The doll’s clothing: the dress, with the exception of the neck ruffle which is hemmed on an antique sewing machine, organdy apron, pantaloons, slip, undercap and crocheted cap are all handmade. The tubing for the stockings and the shoes are purchased.

The members of the Society meet weekly (Tuesday mornings, 9:00 - 11:30) to sew on the dolls. Each member specializes in making a specific part or two of the doll.

Over the years, the group has averaged completing and selling 40 dolls per year. The price of the doll is now $125.00 and still selling. The waiting time between ordering and receiving a doll is one to two years.

At the end of the year, the profit generated from the sale of the dolls is shared among the Moravian churches represented in the group, and other church and missionary causes. For nearly a hundred years, part of the profits were used to make a surplice for each new minister of the Northern Province of the Moravian Church; however, the group is no longer able to provide that service. The importance of the Polly doll is that she represents a labor of love and dedication of many Moravian women working together through a period of more than 140 years to tell the story of the real Polly, and her role in Moravian history. Over the years, it has been estimated that more than 6,000 dolls have been made and shipped to different countries around the world.

For information on ordering a Polly Heckwelder Doll, visit www.centralmoravianchurch.org and select “Polly Heckewelder Doll” from the “Get Connected” tab. ■ January/February 2014

MINISTRIES FOUNDATION

New Ministries Foundation website: A tool to help ministries you care about The Moravian Ministries Foundation launched its new website (www.mmfa.info) in late January to offer tools and information for Moravians who want to help the ministries they care about.

The redesigned site features information about the Foundation’s services (endowment management, planned giving and campaign services), relevant articles and news, blog posts by our staff and resources for pastors and church lay leaders.

“We want the website to be a tool for all Moravians who are ready to help the ministries they care about most as well as for churches, pastors and lay leaders who need investment information, articles for their newsletters or bulletins, information about starting a capital campaign and more,” says Paul McLaughlin, president of the Ministries Foundation.

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“Our goal is to help Moravian individuals, churches and agencies grow and sustain the ministries that are central to our faith, and we want our new website to provide tools to do the same.”

The Moravian

Synod (continued from page 20) provincial staff, are hard at work preparing for the event in June. A small army of volunteers, including Synod pages, tellers, logistics support and others will be on hand to help Synod flow smoothly.

“We last redesigned our website in 2008,” explains Lee Morgan, of the Ministries Foundation. “Five years is a long time in the computer world, and in that time, websites have changed enormously. Today, it’s much easier to create and include interactive features for websites, from blogs to audio and video files to event registrations. We wanted to take advantage of these features to make our website a place people would want to visit more than once. It’s been an interesting, creative— sometimes frustrating—but ultimately fulfilling process, and we hope you enjoy the results.”

If you have any suggestions for how the Ministries Foundation can improve their web experience, please let them know.

Says Paul, “The address will remain the same (www.mmfa.info) but we know your first visit after the new site has launched will be very different!”

For more information contact Paul McLaughlin, Foundation president, at 888.722.7923 or pmclaughlin@mmfa.info. ■ 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.

January/February 2014

Hopes and expectations “We understand that like all Synods, the matters being discussed and debated at this Synod can be difficult,” explains Betsy.

“Throughout our four days, we expect delegates to be open to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit, be ready to listen and speak with care and love, and to bring their best abilities and thinking out of love for God’s church and our future together. Over the course of our time together, we need to answer the question, ‘How do we develop ways to equip the church and its people to be agents of hope and reconciliation in God’s world?’”

“My hope is that we come out of this Synod embraced by God’s love, covenanting to move forward together,” continues Betsy. “We are people held together by the love of Christ, even on diverse matters. What binds us together is stronger than what threatens to separate us.

“By working together to shape and better understand our identity and purpose, we can then go forward to participate in God’s ongoing mission to the world, helping us be more faithful in following Christ’s call.”

Ed Note: A second round of pre-Synod meetings got underway in January, this time to discuss the work of the IPO team.

The Moravian Magazine staff will be covering the 2014 Synod both online and in print. Look for additional details on our coverage in our May edition. ■ 25

IN OUR CONGREGATIONS

RCC event illustrates faith in action The Southern Province’s Regional Conferenc-

es of Churches (or RCCs) help congregations share their strengths, participate in shared ministries, build unity and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by putting our time, talents and resources together. Here’s a story of one that truly demonstrates faith in action.

In 2013 I was blessed by Advent Moravian Church for electing me as their representative

to the South Branch RCC. The South Branch Conference includes Advent, Community Fellowship, Hope, Hopewell and Konnoak Hills Moravian Churches in the WinstonSalem, N.C. I can see the hand of God moving in our work.

Our first event together was back in September, with an uplifting event on the lawn at Konnoak Hills called Songs and Stories of the South Branch: Food for the Body and Stories for the Soul. A guitar ensemble served as the backdrop for a hamburger, hot dog and veggie burger dinner. As dinner wound down, we began a service featuring stories from five lay people (one from each of the five congregations) intermixed with verses and hymns.

Afterwards, more music by band players from each church was enjoyed along with desserts.

Not only were there folks from our congregations, the neighbors around Konnoak Hills came over to eat and fellowship with us.

The evening began with food, music and lots of conversations. Since it was held outThe Moravian

Members from the South Branch RCC’s five congregations joined together for an evening of food and worship. Photos by Mary Comer.

doors the smells and sounds permeated the neighborhood. A couple of homeless men came up to me and asked what it cost to eat. I told them that it was free. They could not believe it! We fixed them each a plate and asked if they wanted to stay for the service. One left right after eating his meal; the other one said he was not dressed or showered to go into the church. When I told him it was going to be outside and we all were sweating and hot and it did not matter, he said he would think about it.

The man then left and I went on to help put food away and prepare for the “stories of faith” that was about to begin. It was getting really crowded and seats were taken so I sat on the ground a little off to the side of the stage (which was a flatbed trailer) to listen.

And there, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the man sitting on the ground, leaning against the tree right behind the stage. I tried to pay attention to the stories, but I was focused on the man. I saw tears and I saw praise to God as he lifted his hands. I saw him tapping his foot to the music of our faith.

He left before the last speaker so I did not get a chance to talk to him again. But hear-

ing those stories and seeing faith in action brought me to my knees. I was humbled and honored to be a part of it all. A lot of folks said it was a great service and that it touched them.

But I keep coming back to that one man.

I remember the story of the 99 sheep and how the shepherd went out to find the one that was lost. I don’t know why this man is homeless or if he knows Jesus as Lord. But what I do know is that on a hot summer day, on the grounds of Konnoak Hills Moravian Church, God’s Holy Spirit was there and touched a life.

It must have touched several lives because we have been asked if we will be having it again in 2014.

I love the quote from C. S. Lewis: “The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become-—because He made us. He invented us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be. It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own.”

This quote is my prayer for our South Branch Conference for the new year. ■ Rebecca Jones is a member of Advent Moravian Church in Winston-Salem.

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MORAVIAN WOMEN

12th Moravian Women’s Conference registration underway The

12th Moravian Women’s Conference will be held June 25-28, 2015 at Sandy Cove Conference Center in North East, Md. Sandy Cove’s 220-acre retreat center is located minutes from I-95 between Philadelphia and Baltimore in North East, Maryland on the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. Keynote speaker Jennifer Sands will share her testimony of coming to salvation through Christ after her husband was killed on September 11. Keynote speaker Reverend Dr. Craig Atwood will guide the conference attendees to view Moravian church pioneer women and the importance of their role in the ministry of the denomination. And Mary Kategile will share her love for Moravian women in Tanzania and how we can be a part of their spiritual growth.

The 2015 conference invited potential workshop leaders to submit an application to lead a conference workshop on the conference webpage (www.moravianwomens conference.org) and more than 20 women did just that!

Submitted workshop topics are so interesting that all were accepted, although a few had to be modified because of room availability.

The conference committee believes that attendees will love the options with such varied Nancy Chandler, a member of Hope (Indiana) Moravian Church is the 2015 Moravian Women’s Conference Chair. At right: Conference speaker Jennifer Sands.

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topics as Albania to Spiritual Gifts to Plants that Light Up the Bible.

Limited scholarships to offset conference registration fees are now available to women from the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church in America on a rolling, first-come, first-serve basis.

Early bird registration began on Epiphany, 2014 and will continue until Epiphany of 2015. Plan to attend and worship with Moravian sisters from around the world next year!

Get information on scholarships, registration, workshops, and much more on our conference website www.moravianwomens conference.org.

And, for the first time, conference information is on Facebook. Check it out and “like” our page at www.facebook.com/MoravianWC to get the latest updates on conference news. ■

OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Ecumenical Sunday, January 26, 2014 The Provincial Elders’ Conferences request that congregations observe our ecumenical witness in the worship services on Sunday, January 26, 2014. In addition to prayers and themes for preaching, our ecumenical witness is expressed in our participation in local and regional ecumenical service ministries and in councils of churches. Our church supports financially this ecumenical witness with congregational pledges for local and state councils of churches and with support for the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and the World Council of Churches.

Prayer Day for Retired Ministers, January 26, 2014 The last Sunday in January has been designated as a day of prayer for retired ministers.

This is an opportunity to recognize with gratitude the service our retired ministers and their spouses have rendered to the Church over the years.

NORTHERN PROVINCE Union, New Jersey Sister Lillette George has accepted an appointment to serve as part-time pastor for Battle Hill Moravian Church, Union, N.J. Sister George was installed January 12, 2014.

Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference

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The Larger Life Foundation is a permanent endowment fund with its income providing “larger life” to the ministries of the Moravian Church Northern Province since 1920. In the last 10 years alone, the Foundation has distributed more than $5 million to churches and ministries like church camps and retirement communities.

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OBITUARY

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Arthur J. Freeman Brother

Arthur J. Freeman died in Nazareth, Pa., December 4, 2013, at the age of 86.

Born October 11, 1927 in Green Bay, Wis., he was the son of Arthur and Ethel (Bins) Freeman. Brother Freeman attended public schools in Green Bay, Wis. and graduated from Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis. in 1949. He received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Moravian Theological Seminary in 1952 and a Doctor of Theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1962. He was ordained a Deacon in the Moravian ministry September 16, 1953 and consecrated a Presbyter August 14, 1960. He was elected bishop of the Moravian Unity and consecrated on November 11, 1990.

He was united in marriage to Roseanna

Jacob August 8, 1958. They served the Big Oak congregation in Yardley, Pa. until 1961 when Brother Freeman accepted a position at Moravian Theological Seminary as Professor of Biblical Theology. Sister Freeman died June 13, 1981.

Brother Freeman married Carole (Droney) Boucher July 21, 1984 in Bethlehem, Pa. He entered into retirement March 1, 1996.

His wife, Carole; son, David; stepson, Stephen Boucher; and five grandchildren survive Brother Freeman. He was predeceased by his first wife, Roseanna and infant son, Joseph.

A memorial service was held December 14, 2013 at Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pa., with the Rt. Rev. C. Hopeton Clennon and the Rev. Janel Rice officiating.

Burial was in Nisky Hill Cemetery, Bethlehem, Pa. ■

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