Moravian Magazine, No. 1 Jan/Feb. 2020

No. 1 • JAN/FEB 2020

In this issue: A century of Larger Life Gift shop with a mission Discovering Beethoven Facilities Stewardship ...and more!

2020 Vision

Your Moravian Ministries Foundation in America is here to help you start the new decade with smart gift planning and investment management. We’ll help you build the best plan to take care of yourself, as well as the people and ministries you love. Whether you need your assets to provide a revenue stream now, or to do God’s work in the future, we can help. Let 2020 be the year you create a planned gift, prepare or update your will, and document how you want to be treated as you continue your Christian journey. Just call us to start:

Call Chris at 888-722-7923 cspaugh@mmfa.info www.mmfa.info 119 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305 Winston-Salem, NC 27101 888-722-7923 2020JanFeb.indd 1

12/27/19 2:01 PM

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

The 2020 edition of The Moravian Daily Texts continues a 290-year 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.

Now, for a limited time, all North American versions of The Moravian Daily Texts 2020 are available at a 20% discount with coupon code 20DT2020. Order yours or send as a gift today!

Learn more at store.moravian.org 2

The Moravian

On the cover: Stars at the Mission Gift Shop in Lititz, Pa. Phote: Marian Shatto

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16 Moravian Music 6 Discovering Beethoven at the Moravian Music Foundation Our Lamb has conquered.

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

25 Recording offers new way to experience Holy Week readings

Moravians in Mission 8

A gift shop with a mission

14 Mission Update: Sierra Leone

Moravian Foundations 10 A century of giving Larger Life to Moravian ministries

In Our Communities 16 North Dakota Moravian women “raise the roof”

Moravian Traditions 18 In a small Iowa town, Moravian traditions continue

after 170 years

Our Ecumenical Partners 20 Pondering the term “evangelical”

In Our Congregations 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.

January/February 2020

21 Workshop shares stories of creative facilities stewardship

And more...

4 Ponderings: 26 Moravian Writings: Transfiguration Sunday 30 Official Provincial Elders’ News 3

PONDERINGS (ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) January/February 2020, Vol. 51, 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 eight times per year: Jan/ Feb, April, May, June/July, August, Sept./ Oct., November and December, by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.

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

Individual copies available for $3.00 each.

The Moravian is sent to the families of the Moravian Church as a privilege of membership. Periodicals postage paid at Bethlehem, PA. Circulation: 16,000 Postmaster please send address changes to The Moravian, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.

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

Michael Riess, Editor Susan Kiefner, Communications Assistant Jill Bruckart, Customer Relations/Business Assistant Interprovincial Board of Communication Ginny Tobiassen, chair Terri Bischoff, Peggy Carter, Margaret Couch, Paul Knouse, Kat Lehman, Amy Linville, Dan Miller, Valerie Bean Wagner.

Design by Michael Riess, IBOC. Address all correspondence regarding articles, subscriptions, or advertising to The Moravian, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 FAX: 610.866.9223 Phone: 610.867.0594 800.732.0591 e-mail: moravianmagazine@mcnp.org www.moravian.org Contents © 2020, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in America.

All rights reserved

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Poem gives flight to thoughts of God I notice birds more in winter than at any other time of the year. Maybe it’s because the bushes that hide them in spring and summer have lost their leaves, or that they show up better against the snow (although here in Eastern Pennsylvania, that hasn’t been much of an issue so far…). Or maybe it’s because I’m more attuned to the color and life they bring when the rest of nature has gone to sleep.

My folks instilled a love of birds in me that continues to this day. I still have the field guides my mother used to identify the many different species that would come to the feeders outside their kitchen window. I’m not an ornithologist or even an avid birder. But this year, I put a small feeder outside the window of my office here at the Moravian Church Center to invite the neighborhood cardinals and finches to stop by. Along with the pesky squirrels, it has begun to attract more and more winged friends.

Shortly after mounting my new feeder, I received a poem from Bill Gramley, a retired pastor and writer living in North Carolina. Bill and I have corresponded over the years, and he occasionally sends me his writings, which I always enjoy reading.

He sent his latest poem, “Little Bird, Who Made Thee?” as a possible submission for the magazine. Now, I typically don’t run poems on their own in the magazine (perhaps I should rethink that rule?), but this time, it was different. Each issue, I seek inspiration to write my Ponderings. The poem’s coincidental arrival, a subsequent e-mail explaining its meaning and the growing number of birds visiting the feeder all collided to say, “Here’s your inspiration.”

The poem reads: I saw a finch on a branch near our house swivel its neck like a child watching for traffic to pass, then free of that, flit to the feeder, pluck a seed, twirl the husk, and let the breeze have its turn in the dance.

The Moravian

Unless you wonder like William Blake of old,

and chance to ask, “Little bird, who made thee?” you might miss

what I’ve just seen: wings and things woven just right and little feet with tiny talons and a beak that picks and processes food and knows how and when and where to fly and nest and bear a couple more who also know by inborn mystery what to do when their time comes.

You cannot say, “There is nothing to it.”

Such intimate care as I have seen this afternoon makes me bow my head, close my eyes, and try to imagine who could make such a creature.

Funny, isn’t it, how you see who you are in a little glance like that.

—William Gramley

On its own, this is a beautiful poem that paints an imaginative picture. I’m not a student of poetry—I’ve always been more a prose kind of person—but as I sat back and read it again, I had a new appreciation how these words elicit the magic and majesty that birds represent.

A few days later, Bill forwarded a deeper, more spiritual explanation of the poem. “… well, then,” he wrote, “what does this poem say?” and proceeded to share his thoughts: “This finch, like all creatures, is sacred, wondrous—and that is why I said ‘Thee’ rather that ‘it.’

“When we look at a little bird like this and see its magnificence and consider all it knows

January/February 2020

to do, we realize we are like that, too, in the way we have been created. Who is this God omniscient and close?

“God watches over this bird, as Jesus once said, and knows when it falls, which is almost beyond understanding, and implies that we are more valuable in comparison and must remember how God watches over us and provides what we need. Therefore we should not be anxious. Watching this finch reminds us of that.

“This bird does what he or she has been created to do, no questions asked. Am I doing what I was created to do? Do I know what I was created to do?

“Funny, isn’t it, how a glance like this tells us who we are. Do we actually take time to look? What do we spend most of our time looking at? Is there something or someone we don’t want to see?”

I’m glad this poem arrived when it did.

Yes, it helped me write my column. But more importantly, this poem offers another chance to recognize God in the world. Bill’s words help me see God’s hands at work in the cardinal pair visiting my feeder and the purple finches waiting their turn.

I hope you enjoy this issue of the Moravian. In it, we share information on the 100th anniversary of the Larger Life Foundation, the ongoing mission work of our church, a workshop on facilities stewardship and more. As always, I welcome your questions and comments.

Peace,

Mike Riess, Editor

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MORAVIAN MUSIC

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Discovering Beethoven at the Moravian Music Foundation

Image by WikiImages from Pixabay

ince 1953, the Peanuts character Schroeder has always reminded us that December 16th is Beethoven’s birthday. Although Lucy doesn’t really care about Beethoven, she feigns her interest because she’s sweet on Schroeder. In the weeks before Beethoven’s birthday in 2019, local arts organizations and educational institutions in Winston-Salem met to coordinate and collaborate events throughout 2020 to commemorate the 250th anni-

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versary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827).

While preparing for these meetings, Moravian Music Foundation Research Librarian David Blum made some fascinating discoveries.

Actually, we should probably call them realizations. We knew we held the music of Beethoven in various collections in Winston-Salem and Bethlehem. What we didn’t know was that we hold a number of first editions of Beethoven’s music!

The first such realization was a first edition of Beethoven’s 6th Symphony (known as the “Pastoral Symphony”) in an 1809 edition by Breitkopf & Härtel (Leipzig) based on printing plate numbers found on the publication. David contacted a local Beethoven expert, Dr. David Levy at Wake Forest University, who put him in touch with a colleague at the Beethoven Haus in Bonn, Germany (a museum and research center at the birthplace of the composer).

Searching online catalogs OCLC (part of WorldCat) and RISM (Répertoire International des Sources Musicales) (on which we share the MMF’s holdings) we found that only a few dozen libraries and archives around the world own copies of the original edition of Beethoven’s Sixth. Besides the Beethoven-Haus, other copies reside at institutions such as the National Library of Poland, Oxford University, the British Library, Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, and the National Library of Austria (Vienna); and in the U.S.: The Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies, San José State University.

Since that first realization, David examined other Beethoven scores to find that the MoraThe Moravian

Tim Redmond (left), music director of the Winston-Salem Symphony with David Blum at the press conference kick-off to BTHVNRocksWS, displaying the 1810 Lenora #3 Overture in its first edition.

vian Music Foundation holds as many as five first editions: the 8th (1817) and 9th (1826) Symphonies, “Weihe des Hauses” (The Consecration of the House Overture, 1825), and the overture now known as the Leonora #3 (1810), which was one of Beethoven’s several attempts to compose an overture to his only opera, “Fidelio.” These last four are part of the Philharmonic Society of Bethlehem Collection in the Bethlehem archives.

The Moravian Music Foundation is planning to host several chamber music concerts featuring Beethoven’s music from its collections during 2020. These will highlight arrangements of Beethoven’s music by his contemporaries during his lifetime which Moravians brought to America. Concerts will be announced through the MMF website (www.MoravianMusic.org), the MMF’s social media outlets and our newsletter. n

Front cover of first edition orchestral parts for Beethoven’s 8th Symphony (1817)

David Blum is research librarian for the Moravian Music Foundation based in Winston-Salem, N.C.

January/February 2020

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MORAVIANS IN MISSION

A gift shop with a mission

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nspired by the ministry of Brother Rick Nelson, who in the early 1990s spent a year in Lititz while on sabbatical from his service in Honduras, a small group of mission-minded Lititz congregation members developed a plan to establish a gift shop.

The shop was originally intended to provide a local market for items made in the mission fields, with all proceeds beyond that required to keep the shop open and stocked to be distributed to missions at the end of each year.

With support and encouragement from the congregation, space was provided in a room attached to the west side of the Archives Museum, and the Moravian Mission Gift Shop opened its doors in mid-November 1992.

Now, having just completed our 27th year, the shop continues to be a multi-faceted means of ministry at Lititz Moravian Church in Lititz, Pa. A group of about 20 volunteers 8

collectively works more than 1,000 hours in a year to staff the shop during the regular season: Fridays and Saturdays from March through September, then Thursday through Saturday for the three months leading up to the Christmas holidays. One of those volunteers, Sister Wilma Beard, has been a member of the Gift Shop team from the very beginning.

Though the inventory in the early years emphasized crafts from the mission fields, the shop team very quickly discovered that what our visitors really wanted were items related to Moravian history, customs and practices.

Today we carry a number of books from the Interprovincial Board of Communication, CDs from the Moravian Music Foundation and Moravian-themed items of all sorts, from earrings to dish towels.

Talented congregation members provide many of our hand-crafted items. Do you want The Moravian

beeswax candles? We offer a selection of sizes, including Lovefeast candles and lantern candles made by our candle-making crew right here in Lititz. And oh, do we have stars! Traditional 26-point stars from four different star makers come in a variety of sizes. Then there are paper stars, copper stars, tin stars, stained glass stars. We’ll do our best to find just the right star to go home with you.

As a fund-raising enterprise, the Gift Shop is a heart-warming success. In recent years we have averaged $14,000 per annum sent to missions. For 2018 and 2019 the total was $16,000 each year.

The Gift Shop team tries to follow a formula for allocating donations in which about 20 percent stays in the Lititz/Warwick area, 30 percent is for the wider Lancaster County area, and 50 percent is for Moravian and related projects throughout the world.

Examples of each include the Lititz Warwick

May 2019

Community Chest and the Power Packs Project (food support program) in Lititz/Warwick, Habitat for Humanity and Water Street Mission (ministry with the homeless) in Lancaster County, and the Board of World Mission, the Unity Women’s Desk, and MedNica (support for the Moravian clinic in Managua) for global ministries. In all, approximately $284,000 in donations has been distributed by the Mission Gift Shop since its founding.

Fund-raising is only part of our story, however. As our dedicated volunteers have learned, working in the Mission Gift Shop provides many opportunities for outreach, both to our local community and to the numerous visitors who come through our doors. Conversations can be informative and inspirational.

To answer some of the most common questions—What is a Moravian, anyway? Are you Christian? What’s the history of the star?—we (Continued on page 13)

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MORAVIAN FOUNDATIONS

A century of giving Larger Life to Moravian ministries

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he Larger Life Foundation is celebrating currently supporting churches’ capital needs. its 100th anniversary in 2020, rejoic Because of its financial ministry, the ing in giving “larger life” to hundreds Larger Life Foundation’s beneficiaries have of ministries and churches in the Moravian enhanced God’s work in many ways. Here are Church Northern Province through grants and a few examples: loans. In its 100 years of service, the Founda• Providing ministerial candidate tuition paytion has distributed more than $13,000,000 ments at Moravian Theological Seminary; through its permanent endowment fund. With • Funding most of the Middle States Youth careful management, capital appreciation, Ministries’ camping program; and essential contributions and bequests, the • Enhancing pensions and health care of refund itself has grown to over $11,000,000. tired Moravian clergy; While that’s the Foundation’s current • Supporting the Board of World Mission in status, it isn’t the real story of the impact the responding to new ministry opportunities Foundation has made on churches and minand disaster response; istries throughout the entire province. Foun• Helping Moravian Open Door, New York dation support encompasses world mission, City, to offset actual operating expenses ministerial pensions/health care, ministerial and also address sudden, urgent needs; training, educational institutions, camps, re• Maintaining a strong commitment and tirement communities, social services, financial partnership with three Moraarchives, provincial administravian educational institutions and tion, plus discretionary grants four Moravian retirement comand loans for important munities. church needs. In 2019 over • Upgrading youth spac$500,000 was distributed to es and nursery rooms at 38 entities in the Province, First Moravian Church in providing both semi-annual Riverside, N.J.; support to key ministries and • Start-up funds for Trickalso smaller but substantial lebee Café, Milwaukee, Wis. to discretionary grants buy kitchen equipto churches ment and later to and ministries. help fund their In addition, the part-time manathird focus of gerial position; the Foundation • Adding is loans, nine an accessibility of which are MORAVIAN CHURCH NORTHERN PROVINCE

Larger Life

Foundation

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The Moravian

The Larger Life Foundation supports a broad variety of Moravian ministries, including theological training, youth camps, church improvements and missions around the world.

ramp and railing system at Christ Moravian Church in Calgary, Alberta; • Making critical repairs at Lakeview Moravian Church, Madison, Wis. due to basement flooding; • Providing loans to churches in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Canada, Washington, DC, Minnesota and Wisconsin for capital needs.

At present, 20 major Moravian agencies and ministries are receiving regular, semi-annual financial assistance. This has been a core mission of the Foundation since its founding.

In addition, growth in assets enabled the Foundation in 2011 to establish a discretionary grant program to address current, urgent needs of church congregations and organizations. To date 138 grants have been rewarded to fund small capital projects, jump-start new programs, and meet unexpected expenses. The Foundation also provides loans to churches for critical capital improvements.

Ten percent of the principal value of the endowment fund is made available to congregations for this purpose; 29 loans have been financed just since 1987.

Establishing a fund It all started 100 years ago when a small group of dedicated Moravians proposed to the Synod of the Northern Province the establishment of an endowment fund to support the educational, evangelical and charitable causes of the Moravian Church Northern Province.

The Synod that year authorized a fund drive to raise $750,000 over a five year period, the income of which would be shared with Synoddesignated Moravian agencies.

Faith and perseverance finally prevailed.

(Continued on next page) January/February 2020

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A brochure highlighting Larger Life’s 75th anniversary in 1995

Larger Life (Continued from previous page)

The Great Depression and World War II had intervened; it was not until 1956 that the capital assets of the Larger Life Foundation surpassed the established goal, reaching $810,000.

From an initial contribution of $16.00 in 1920, a firm foundation was laid through gifts and bequests. One of the members of the original “Laity Group” and a driving force behind the movement was Dr. Clarence E. Clewell (1883-1966), who gave 46 years of dedicated service to the Foundation and who promoted a legacy of philanthropy that helped with the Foundation’s stability.

Today, the Larger Life Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of seven lay members of the Moravian Church, Northern Province, including a member of the Provincial Elders’ Conference (PEC). The Foundation is overseen by the PEC/Provincial Synod. The LLF Board regularly reviews the core ministry recipients, discretionary grant applicants, and church loan requests. Current trustees include Steve Pasquinelli, President, New Philadelphia, Ohio; Wendy Brockert, Lake Mills, Wis.; Carolyn

Clewell, Bethesda, Md.; Ralph Wanamaker, Bethlehem, Pa.; James Jackson, Columbus, Ohio; James McMahan, Macungie, Pa. ; and Kevin Brown, Sandwich, Mass. (formerly Staten Island, N.Y.).

As the life of the church changes and the needs of the church evolve, the Larger Life Foundation casts a wide net to address critical needs throughout the entire province. We head into our second century with

In its 100 years of service, the Larger Life Foundation has distributed

MORE THAN $13 MILLION through its permanent endowment fund.

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The Moravian

gratitude for God’s blessings, and we rejoice in the opportunities to continue our mission.

Joy comes through seeing the difference our funding makes in the lives of people and in the Moravian ministries doing God’s work in the world.

For information on our discretionary grant and loan programs and to learn more about the Larger Life Foundation, refer to the Larger Life website at www.largerlifefoundation. org. For additional information on applying for a discretionary grant or a loan, contact Tammy Curcio, Treasurer, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 or call 610-867-7566, Ext 17. The e-mail contact is llf@mcnp.org.

The Larger Life Foundation relies exclusively on gifts from individuals, both large and small, to carry out its responsibilities. Like a ripple on a pond when one small pebble is thrown into the water, these financial blessings expand and translate into widespread ministries with far-reaching impact. Gifts include cash, stock, or planned gifts such as estate bequests, charitable gift annuities, etc.

The Moravian Ministries Foundation in America can provide guidance about planned gifts to the Larger Life Foundation. Contact them at 119 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305, WinstonSalem, NC 27101; phone 888-722-7923 or via e-mail at www.mmfa.info. n Carolyn Clewell is member of Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pa., and trustee of the Larger Life Foundation. Watch for additional articles about the work of the Larger Life Foundation through this centennial year.

Mission Gift (Continued from page 9)

have produced a series of small pamphlets that are available in a rack near the door, free for the asking.

For those seeking the graves of relatives, we maintain a directory of burials in the current God’s Acre and in the old St. James cemetery. Information sheets about upcoming services and other church-sponsored events are also available. Interactions with visitors are often as fruitful as are sales; greeting a Saturday shopper who returns for worship on Sunday morning is a special delight. Sharing our faith is one of the joys of volunteering in the shop.

The Moravian Mission Gift Shop is a source of great blessing for those who work there, for the visitors who come in to shop or just to talk, and for all those who benefit from the donations we are able to send out into the world. If you are ever in Lititz, please stop in.

Someone from our team will be glad to meet you. n To contact the Moravian Mission Gift Shop, e-mail: moravianshop@gmail.com or phone: 717-626-9027 Marian L. Shatto is a member of Lititz Moravian Church in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Photos by Marian.

January/February 2020

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MORAVIANS IN MISSION

MISSION

UPDATE

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ur Board of World Mission Director of Mission Outreach, Bishop Sam Gray, recently visited the mission area of Sierra Leone on Africa’s west coast to help with the planning and coordination of a National Conference of the Moravian Congregations which will be convening this year. This conference will help to further organize the work in that country with an eye towards sustainability and move them towards provincial status within the Moravian Church structure.

Brother Sam reports that there is a lot of amazing work already happening there and the potential for the future is bright. Among the noteworthy accomplishments in Sierra Leone was the Southern Province (which provides partnership and oversight with this Mission Area) approving Sister Safiatu Braima as a Provincial Acolyte, which allows her to administer the sacraments of Holy Communion and bap-

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This month’s highlight

Sierra Leone

tism in the mission area. This was important since their only ordained pastor, her husband Mohammed Braima, passed away in November of 2018. He was the driving force in moving the Sierra Leone mission effort forward and Sister Safie now seeks to continue the important work that she and her husband had begun.

A significant ministry in Sierra Leone is the Moravian Secondary School in Ngehun, supported with prayer, time, talent and treasure by the Sierra Leone Mission Committee of Little Church on the Lane Moravian Congregation in Charlotte, N.C. Brother Sam shares the following from his report concerning this growing school: “I was surprised to discover that, because of the high percentage of superior scores

by Moravian Secondary School students on the national tests, some students from other schools (who did not pass the test)

The Moravian

Introducing Mission Update We at the Board of World Mission are thrilled that in the coming year we will be posting regular updates in The Moravian to share news from around the Moravian Unity. We hope that this will give each of you a more up-to-date picture of what is happening in the Moravian world so that together we can be at prayer, provide support, and be in partnership to help build up the kingdom of God. The primary purpose of the Board of World Mission is building relationships

have moved to the village to attend the Secondary School, and many more students have enrolled in the Junior Secondary. So now there are over 400 students in the school (we used to say 200 – 250).

There is a need for teachers and desks.

Plans are in place for building housing quarters for teachers in order to attract more teachers to be willing to live in the village. While I was there, there was a meeting with two representatives from the Sierra Leone Ministry of Education.

They officially announced that the Moravian Secondary School has been fully accredited by the government and certified January/February 2020

through mission outreach and mission engagement to be faithful to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. This is a high calling and we would not be able to answer it without the support of the Northern, Southern, and Alaska Provinces here in North America.

In addition to what you will read here we invite you to regularly visit our web site at www.moravianmission.org where you will find more information.

teachers will continue to be paid by the government – good news!”

The hard work and determination shown by the church leaders in Sierra Leone is a testament to their commitment to sharing the love of God, and to work for peace and justice. Please keep Sister Safie, the pastors and the congregational leaders in Sierra Leone in your prayers as they move into this important year of organization, mission and continued growth. n The Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler is director of mission engagement for the Board of World Mission.

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IN OUR COMMUNITIES

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North Dakota Moravian women “raise the roof”

wo years ago, a group of women from all four Moravian churches in North Dakota—Bethel, Canaan, Goshen and Shepherd of the Prairie— gathered in a home in Fargo. Rather than gather for a traditional Bible study and collect monies to send off for missions, we sensed it was time for a change.

It was time to see some action in our own neighborhood. What could we do locally that would fulfill both our need to serve God, and represent Jesus in the flesh to others? How could we be the fruit of the vine?

For the second year in a row, North Dakota Moravian women have “raised the roof” for an area family. As a group, we have raised $3,000 each year for the Fargo-based charity Down Home. The non-profit provides furnishings and décor for families that are transitioning from homelessness into permanent housing. Down

Home works closely with community agencies to identify candidates and it helps each client family develop a “Pay It Forward” plan to foster connections to communities, schools and churches.

After we completed our fundraising, Down Home paired us with a single mom, Alexandra and her son, Gabriel. Alex had graduated from the Jeremiah Project, a faith-based program that provided her and her son a place to live and childcare as long as she was enrolled full time in a school. Now employed full time as a technician in a hospital, Alex had found and rented a small condo.

Down Home was on tap to provide furnishings to make the condo a true home. At a scheduled time, a group of Moravians helped move furniture, towels, beds, linens, dressers and decorative items into the condo.

Madison Heuer (Bethel) hangs a shower curtain. All furnishings and linens were funded by the ND Moravian Women.

Maureen Hahn (Shepherd) and Carolyn Jendro (Goshen) work to hang pictures.

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The Moravian

“It was like an episode of Extreme Makeover,” said Madison Heuer, a member of Bethel Moravian Church. “We got the keys and the condo was empty. We arrived with the UHaul that Down Home provided and just got to work!”

A team of Moravians unloaded the furniture and got to work assembling beds, stocking linen cabinets and hanging pictures. After four hours, the condo was complete—from the bedrooms to the kitchen—and ready for the family to move in.

In retrospect, it seemed easy. But initially, we were apprehensive about raising the money. It seemed like a lot! What could we do? The Moravian women, when brainstorming, fell back on a tried and true method: the bake sale.

The four churches banded together to stock and sell baked goods at community events like Casselton Days, Leonard’s Fall Festival and Shepherd of the Prairie’s annual Pork Supper. Each sale yielded close to $1,000. The second year yielded close to the same results.

“Never underestimate the power of the oven,” joked Becky Czichotzki, a member of Shepherd of the Prairie Moravian Church in Fargo. Different flavored popcorn, relishes, Loren Jendro (Goshen) Terry Hamilton and Fred Heilman (Shepherd) decorated the living room.

January/February 2020

jams and jellies joined the traditional cookies and pies at each site.

“It was so exciting and so humbling to work with Down Home,” said Sylvia Medd, president of the group. “The four church families came together and it gave us a purpose— not only to work together—but to help others locally.”

The churches received a thank you from Alex, the woman for whom they’d prepared the condo. She wrote in part: “You and your churches are an incredible group of people.

Your desire and willingness to serve is amazing. Our house is truly something beyond our hopes and dreams. God bless you.”

We are waiting for Giving Hearts Day, Feb. 13, 2020, to present our second donation of $3,000 to help Down Home qualify for matching funds.

One cookie, one banana bread loaf at a time, North Dakota Moravian women are changing lives, demonstrating and living “in all things love.” n Jan M. Russell is a member of Bethel-Goshen Moravian Churches. Photos by Jan. Moravians left a mug and a copy of the Daily Texts for the family.

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MORAVIAN TRADITIONS

In a small Iowa town, Moravian traditions continue after 170 Years

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ven in communities that were once settled by Moravians, but where today no Moravian church any longer exists, Moravian traditions and customs remain a powerful connection to the past. One such community is the small town of Moravia, Iowa, located in southeastern Appanoose County, Moravia, Iowa’s website shows their city logo: a Moravian star

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which features a Moravian star on its newly designed website.

With a population of about 655 residents, Moravia was settled by four Moravian families who left Salem, North Carolina, in 1849 and made it as far as Fairfield, Iowa, before winter set in. On June 27, 1850, four Moravian brethren, Joseph Stauber, Edward Reich, Ephraim Conrad, and Theophilus Vierling, who had brought their families to Iowa by covered wagon, laid out the town of Moravia with a pocket compass and tapeline on forty acres of land, purchased with funds provided by two single Moravian women from Salem. The two benefactors, Lucinda Frederica Bagge, the daughter and last member of a wealthy Salem family, and Anna Catherine Stauber, the sister of Joseph Stauber, directed that the money from the sale of lots be used to build a church.

The pioneers named their town Moravia after their religious faith and officially incorporated the city on July 15, 1851. That same year the settlers built and dedicated a church.

However, for three years they were without a pastor until Hiram Meyers from GnadenhĂźtten, Ohio, came in 1854 to minister to them and to The Moravian

carry out mission work in Richland, Iowa.

When farm families needed more land, they often moved farther west. As membership declined, many small frontier congregations were forced to close, and this was also the fate of the Moravian Church in Moravia, Iowa. In 1878, the congregation was disbanded and the church building was sold to a local farmer, who moved the structure to his farm and converted it into a barn for his animals. The few remaining Moravian families joined either the Presbyterian or Methodist churches in Cumberland, Iowa, or the Salem United Brethren congregation.

However, the residents of Moravia continue to commemorate their Moravian heritage, especially at Christmas. For example, they still celebrate the season of Advent by decorating their homes and displaying the Moravian star until Epiphany. On the first Sunday of Advent towns people visit four or five homes on the “Moravia Tour of Homes,” to view their Christmas decorations, thus carrying on the old German custom of the “Wandelabend” or “evening walking tour.”

Just as the original founders of Moravia set up a nativity scene or “Putz,” as it is called in German, in their church at Christmas, residents today construct elaborate manger scenes with hand-painted or carved figurines of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, the angels, the shepherds with their sheep, the three Wise Men, and a hidden wild animal to represent King Herod.

After horse and wagon rides through Moravia to see the Christmas lights and decorations, the tour usually ends with a traditional Moravian love feast or “Liebesmahl.” As in love feasts in many Moravian Churches around the January/February 2020

world, the residents of Moravia sing Christmas carols to the accompaniment of a trombone choir or other local musical talent as they are served sweet Moravian buns and coffee.

The city of Moravia, Iowa, is currently commemorating its Moravian roots by building a large Moravian star of stepping stones in its town square, at the center of which is the Community Building and the library. Each stone can be purchased in memory of a family member or loved one. n

Dr. William E. Petig is a lifelong member of the Ebenezer Moravian Church, Watertown, WI. He recently retired from Stanford University, where he taught German for more than four decades.

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OUR ECUMENICAL PARTNERS

Pondering the term “evangelical”

R

ecently I ran across this sentence in a Religion News Service article: “In the U.S. ‘evangelical’ has come to mean white, bigoted, angry, idolatrously devoted to God and country . . .” The writer then goes on to cite some congregations whose ministry contradicts that stereotype.

What does the word “evangelical” mean to you? (It means “having to do with good news.”) Is your congregation a good news congregation?

Much commentary in the United States contrasts mainline congregations or denominations and evangelical congregations or denominations. Certainly there are significant differences in theology and biblical interpretation, but truthfully there is also much more in common. For example, what the mainlineproduced NRSV Bible (New Revised Standard Version) and the evangelical-produced NIV (New International Version) have in common is much greater than their differences.

Most of our congregations have both persons who would identify as mainline and those who would identify as evangelical, and many who prefer not to be labeled as either.

We have always had differences in the church—about biblical interpretation, about the importance of world mission work, about the kinds of music in worship, about what issues preaching may deal with. One thing that is different now is that many persons are more likely to see those persons who differ from them as wrong or evil. And I believe we are more likely to label or condemn on the basis of one item of belief or behavior.

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We see this playing out, for example, in the current struggles within the United Methodist Church, which will probably divide at its upcoming May meeting. I have two friends who are “progressive” Methodist pastors. One hopes faithfully that the denomination will stay together. The other feels strongly that the denomination was right to split over slavery before the U.S. Civil War and is more positive about dividing now.

I know pacifist Mennonites who find it hard to understand Catholics who oppose abortion, and Catholics who find it hard to understand Mennonite pacifists—although both of these positions are faith-based convictions (although minority stances within the Christian church) that are not favored in our U.S. culture.

Salvation Army clergy promise to abstain from alcohol and officially see homosexual relations as sinful, but the Salvation Army is one of the main providers of social services to LGBTQ persons and persons struggling with addiction. I mention this simply to illustrate how complicated are our labels of wrong and right, Christian and not Christian.

One of the most helpful and evangelical (meaning, with good news) witnesses we can give at this time in history, is to try to understand, live with, and work with Christian brothers and sisters who may have differences from us in how they live as followers of Jesus. n The Rev. Hermann Weinlick serves as ecumenical officer for the Moravian Church, Northern Province

The Moravian

IN OUR CONGREGATIONS

C

Workshop shares stories of creative facilities stewardship

hurch isn’t about the building Christians gather together in to worship the Lord.

In fact, the word church in the Bible was translated from the Greek word ekklesia, which means “assembly”, “congregation” or “meeting.” It is the act of gathering with one another that makes church what it is, not the four walls.

But those “four walls” are an important part of many congregations’ identities. In January, the Southern Province Board of Cooperative Ministries sponsored “Facilities Stewardship,” a workshop designed to answer questions like, “How can we better use our church building?”

“What do we do with our aging building but shrinking budget?” and “How can we reimagine the use of our church facility?”

Held at Calvary Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, the event featured presentations from three Southern Province Moravian churches – Calvary, Union Cross and Peace.

Each church shared how they began to look at their buildings differently and use their assets in different ways.

In opening the session, Ruth Cole Burcaw, executive director of the Board of Cooperative

January/February 2020

Ministries reminded attendees that, “Churches are tools for facilitating faith. We want to integrate our buildings so that they are not just serving God’s people now, but they can position us for whatever there is to come.”

Calvary and the community Calvary Moravian church was the first of the three to present. Bishop Lane Sapp, senior pastor of Calvary, reminded attendees of the workshop that Jesus demonstrates how to be neighborly, that we, as Christians, need to welcome and include our neighbors by our words and actions.

Amanda Moody-Schumpert, director of music and congregational ministries at Calvary, spoke about how the church wants to become a shelter for the community without regard as to whether or not the people would join the church.

In 2015, a new independent bookstore, Bookmarks, opened up across the street from Calvary. With the size of the building and space for people to meet, Bookmarks partnered with Calvary, where they began to use the church (Continued on next page)

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Facilities Stewardship (Continued from previous page) space for author and book talks. Calvary also became a significant venue for the annual Bookmarks Festival.

Around the same time, Piedmont Opera opened offices down the street from Calvary.

“The building is ALIVE ALL THE TIME not just Sundays and Wednesdays...”

The congregation invited them to use the space at the church for concerts and rehearsals. The church is compensated both financially and by in-kind donations. Sometimes guest musicians will come and perform on a Sunday morning while the financial contributions help with upkeep and building needs.

Calvary is not viewed as a fortress in the community but is an open and welcoming space. “The building is alive all the time, not just Sundays and Wednesdays,” said Amanda.

“There are more issues with the space being used all the time, but the Board of Trustees has been open-minded and stepped out of their comfort zones to allow this change to happen.”

“The economy of the “church” is changing,” said the Rev. Chaz Snider, associate pastor at Calvary. “Right now, giving comes from a percentage of money a person gives. The church needs to look at ways to fund itself differently than it used to. Sunday mornings may not give enough money to sustain a church.”

Union Cross: thinking about change Dan Johnson, chair of the Board of Trustees of Union Cross Moravian Church, discussed the challenges with their campus, which includes 22

10 buildings. His church is steeped in history dating back to the 1860’s and has gone through many additions and revisions over the years.

According to Dan, in the past, if something needed to be fixed and the church couldn’t afford it, they would wait and save money until they were able. This meant that when there was a leak in the basement, it took three years to come up with the $38,000 to repair the problem.

“Union Cross looked nice from the outside, but like an onion, once you begin to peel back the layers, the church began to see what was really wrong,” said Dan. To rectify this, Union Cross undertook a future spend analysis, with building audits of the entire campus, including each building on the property, from the rooftops to the plumbing and everything in between.

They saw that it would cost $1.8 million to replace and/or fix everything on the list. After some discernment, Union Cross decided to put together a 30-year plan to put a percentage of money aside every year for the items necessary.

“How do we pay for this?” asked Dan. “We change the way we think about our assets, what we have and how we use them. We needed to think about change management; If you don’t have a sense of urgency, things won’t change.”

In sharing their vision with the congregation

“What does it mean to be a GATHERED COMMUNITY of disciples of Jesus Christ?” and empowering members to get involved, Union Cross’s board came up with short-term wins/goals so that people could see change was happening.

Union Cross also recognized a need to lower expenses and increase income. On the The Moravian

expense side, they Jesus Christ? And, are installing solar what does it mean panels to help reto be a gathered duce their energy community of bill while partnerdisciples of Jesus ing with a local enChrist joining in ergy company who God’s mission? did an energy audit The congregaand installed deviction needed to es to help monitor move from “memenergy the church ber-identity” to uses. For rev“disciple-identity.” enue, Union Cross They looked at opened a seasonal their assets (who store for Dewey’s Ruth Cole Burcaw, executive director of the Board of Cooperative the people are, Bakery, where a Ministries, opens the Facilities Stewardship workshop at Calvary what are their Moravian Church in Winston-Salem percentage of sales trades, etc.) and benefits the builddiscovered more ing fund, and a thrift store, which helps bring than a third of their members had healthcare in money that is used to improve the church related backgrounds. This revelation brought facility. them to Brightmore, a retirement community, as a place where they worship twice a month, Peace: a congregation on the move inviting residents to join them. The success of The third church to present at the workshop this new ministry has brought them to another was Peace Moravian Church in Charlotte, N.C., retirement community for the other two Sunwith Pastor Rusty Rushing. In 2015, in part days a month. due to unsustainable revenue, Peace sold their According to Rusty, it was a difficult jourchurch building to Hope Community Church ney, grieving the dreams they had for their (Presbyterian), with an agreement that Peace building. They are now looking at church in a could continue to stay in the property for two new way: they no longer see church as a buildyears as they discerned their next steps. ing, the see themselves as the church­—a mis During his presentation, Rusty discussed sional church that has created sacred partnerhis mission to help the congregation move ships following the leading of God. the church into the future. Peace members Rusty summed it up best: “There is hope explored the book, Shift: Three Big Moves on the other side. We are in the death and resfor the 21st Century Church, by Mark E. Tidurrection business, but there is hope on the sworth, and through their study, learned what other side.” n God had in store for Peace Moravian Church.

As a first step, the congregation asked Thanks to Sue Kiefner, communications assisthemselves three questions based on tant, for this summary of the event. The Board Tidsworth’s Shift model: What does it mean to of Cooperative Ministries recorded the presentabe a disciple of Jesus Christ? What does it mean tions and will post them to their YouTube chanto be a gathered community of disciples of nel in the near future.

January/February 2020

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MORAVIAN MUSIC

Recording offers new way to experience Holy Week readings

L

ast spring, the published editions of Readings for Holy Week were joined by a new way to experience the Moravian church’s Passion Week tradition: a 5-CD audio version.

Readings for Holy Week Audio Edition brings the much-loved tradition to life in an audio format ideal for use by small groups, congregations, or those who may not be able to attend local services in their congregation because of distance, infirmity, conflicts in schedule, etc.

The five-CD set includes the complete narration and hymns that make up the printed editions of Readings for Holy Week. Each narration section and hymn appear on separate tracks to allow listeners to access them in a va-

riety of ways. Recorded at Lititz Moravian Congregation in 2006, with additional recordings at College Hill Moravian Church in 2018, this beautiful audio version of Readings for Holy Week offers a new way to experience the last days and resurrection of Jesus.

READ

Ho

Bringing it to life Audio Edition production manager Jill Bruckart has supported new and improved editions of Readings for Holy Week throughout her career as a church musician. She was the promoter (and compiler in the days of cut and paste at the photo-copy machine) of the first music edition that was printed in 1985, and had long thought of creating a full audio version of Readings, including narration and hymns.

In the mid-2000s, Jill was music director and organist at Lititz Moravian Congregation in Lititz, Pennsylvania. The congregation was fortunate to have many talented musicians in its membership, including adult and children’s choirs, a full complement of string players, and a large brass choir. The pieces were in place to bring Jill’s idea to fruition.

The directors of the congregation’s musical groups (choir, string ensemble, trombone (brass) and children’s choirs) stepped up to assist. A variety of narrators, many with a direct connection to the Lititz congregation, agreed to read the spoken sections; the congregation’s audio technician led them through the process of recording.

On recording day in 2006, the church pews were outfitted with blankets and quilts to soak up sound and mimic the presence of a

FO

WE

MUSIC E

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The Moravian

INGS

congregation. A 12-foot-high scaffolding was erected in the center of the church to provide a platform for the director to lead the musicians and singers who were situated in the balcony with the organ.

The hymn recording session was done in one day, with a re-take time scheduled for a second day after tracks were reviewed. The hymns were recorded using a variety of mixtures of voices, instruments, a cappella singing, solos and small groups. One hymn even uses guitar accompaniment.

The original idea for this collection was to include a visual component to create a personal DVD experience. The art element of this DVD version proved to be more of a challenge to produce, so the project lay dormant for many years.

In 2017, Jill brought the recordings to the attention of the Interprovincial Board of Communication, who were excited by the opportunity to produce and publish this audio collection. The original files were reviewed; additional recordings at College Hill Moravian

oly

OR

EEK

EDITION

“We use the recordings for our Holy Week worship services. We are a small congregation, and this allowed us to sing along...”

— Bruce W., New Jersey January/February 2020

Church in 2018 supplemented the earlier recordings. The IBOC’s Mike Riess worked to master these recording and prepare them for duplication.

Using the set Now, more than 13 years later, this CD project has come to fruition. We hope that this audio version will offer a feeling of congregational participation in the Readings for Holy Week that can be useful to small churches, nursing homes, prayer groups and home listeners.

The five CDs cover the different days of Passion Week: Disc 1 includes Saturday, Sunday and Monday; Disc 2, Tuesday; Disc 3, Thursday Evening; Disc 4, Friday; and Disc 5, Resurrection. Each includes the complete narration and hymns that make up the printed editions of Readings for Holy Week.

Narration sections and hymns appear on separate tracks to allow listeners to access them in a variety of ways. Hymns are listed in bold, and track listings include page numbers for the current printed Music and Regular editions of Readings for Holy Week to assist users in finding the hymn or narration they wish to access.

Readings for Holy Week editions, including the new audio CD set, are available from the Interprovincial Board of Communication at store.moravian.org; you can also contact Jill at 1.800.732.0591. The CD-set is $25.00. n 25

MORAVIAN WRITINGS

“...and his face shone like the sun.”

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

This month, we share insights written for the Last Sunday of Epiphany, also known as Transfiguration Sunday. Thanks to writers past and present for their contributions to the Moravian

In a Fog

Jason Andersen, pastor, Christian Faith Moravian Church, DeForest, Wisconsin • February 23, 2020

From time to time, when we are overwhelmed with grief or stress or the busyness of life when someone asks us, “How are you doing?” our only response is to simply say, “I’m in a fog.”

The disciples were literally in a fog that day; they could barely see the nose in front of their face.

Behind, in front, above, around, everywhere “The bright cloud covered them” (Matthew 17:5).

What must’ve they thought would happen next?

Did they reach for Jesus? For one another?

Did they stand as I would’ve, frozen and too scared to move?

Nowhere to go, nothing to do to overcome their present situation.

And then from the cloud came a voice: 26

Behind, in front, above, around, everywhere.

“I love my Son. I am pleased with my Son. Listen to my Son” (Matthew 17:5).

Then the disciples knew what to do: hit the ground.

When the answer comes, it can be terrifying.

When the fog lifts, we can find ourselves face down.

When the challenge greets us, it can feel like too much.

But when we look up, we will see Jesus (Matthew 17:8).

In the very center of our fog can come an answer.

Will we dare to walk into the cloud?

Will we risk the patient waiting that will reveal some things now and other things much, much later?

(Matthew 17:9)

The Moravian

The Rhythm of the Christian Life

Dean Jurgen, pastor, Lititz Moravian Church, Lititz, Pennsylvania • February 26, 2017

Why do you come to worship on a Sunday morning? Maybe you come to find a bit of peace; to get away from your problems for an hour. Or maybe you come to get motivated and empowered to face your problems in the world. Do you come with pains you want to forget? Or do you come to be prepared to face your pains? So, why are we in worship on a Sunday morning?

I think for most of us, it’s a little bit of each.

This morning we ponder this dynamic of worship in a wonderful Bible story that is about worship: the story of the transfiguration. For there we see escape from problems as three disciples bask in the glory of the Lord on the mountaintop. And there we see that as they go back down the mountain, they have problems

to face. They want to enjoy the mountaintop of awe and wonder in the Lord’s glorious presence. But they have to leave and face problems down in the valley.

The transfiguration. The story speaks of withdrawal from the world’s problems, and a returning to those problems. Withdrawal to take time to bask in the glory of the Lord, and returning to the real world in the power of God. Isn’t this the rhythm of the Christian life, like breathing in and breathing out? mountaintops . . . and valleys worship . . . and witness loving God . . . and loving others being blessed . . . to be a blessing glimpsing a bit of heaven . . . to be empowered to reach the world joy and glory on the mountain . . . before hiking down to journey to Jerusalem and its awaiting cross (Continued on next page)

The Transfiguration Matthew 17:1-8 (NRSV)

Six days later, Jesus took with him

he was still speaking, suddenly a bright

Peter and James and his brother John

cloud overshadowed them, and from

and led them up a high mountain, by

the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son,

themselves. And he was transfigured

the Beloved; with him I am well pleased;

before them, and his face shone like the

listen to him!” When the disciples heard

sun, and his clothes became dazzling

this, they fell to the ground and were

white. Suddenly there appeared to them

overcome by fear. But Jesus came and

Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then

touched them, saying, “Get up and do

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for

not be afraid.” And when they looked

us to be here; if you wish, I will make

up, they saw no one except Jesus himself

three dwelling here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While January/February 2020

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Coming Down the Mountain

Pat Honszer, pastor, First Moravian Church, Easton, Pennsylvania • March 2, 2014

“THIS IS MY SON, THE BELOVED; WITH HIM I AM WELL PLEASED; LISTEN TO HIM!” 28

One minute, Peter, James, and John were standing with the transfigured Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, hearing the voice of God. Then they looked around; it was just them and Jesus— the non-dazzling Jesus with whom they walked every day. So down they went to where life with all its problems and challenges awaited—for Jesus, down the mountain on his way to the cross.

Even though they were to tell no one, what a life changer this must have been! How much easier it must have been going down the mountain—knowing the glory and power of the Christ who walked with them! How empowering this must have been! It didn’t mean that they would never be frightened again or flounder in their faith. But they did have this experience to hold on to—to give them strength to face the coming days.

Every once in a while, life hands us those uplifting, inspiring, life-changing moments— those times when we can see things clearly and truly experience God’s presence. Then reality sets in. Like the disciples, we need to walk back down the mountain.

Mountaintop experiences don’t change the circumstances of our life, but they do change us. God provides these encounters so that we can endure the world below. Knowing the glory and power of our God makes a difference.

Knowing Jesus is present with us helps us deal with sickness, family crises, financial crises— whatever may come our way. Jesus can replace our fear and despair with hope, and ready us to go out into the world. When all else fades, we still have Jesus, at the top or bottom of the mountain and everywhere in between.

The Moravian

The Mountain and the Valley

David Fischler, pastor, First Moravian Church, Greensboro, North Carolina • February 10, 2002

There is something mystical about mountains.

For all of recorded human history, those who have searched for God have sought God in the mountains of the earth. The events of the transfiguration, set on one of the highest mountains in Israel, are among the most mysterious, and most revelatory, in the Gospels.

His disciples see Jesus shining with an inner light, the glow of divinity, which speaks of his heavenly origin and his identification with the God of Israel. They see him speaking with Moses and Elijah, representatives of the Law and the Prophets, who by their presence testify to Christ’s destiny as savior, his righteousness, and his uniqueness. They hear the voice of the Father himself, speaking to them of his beloved Son from the cloud that enveloped the mountaintop: “He is my Son, and not just as all the people of the world are my sons and daughters, my children. This is my one and only Son, God as I am God, holy, one with me in will and purpose. Listen when he speaks!”

How much must the three disciples have wanted to stay on that mountain! Peter even went so far as to suggest the building of booths for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, which would imply an extended stay basking in the glorious divine presence. But Jesus would have none of it. It was necessary to go to the mountain that his glory might be made manifest. But it was also necessary to return to the valley, where the cross awaited him, that the sins of humanity might be atoned for and the hurts of humanity redeemed.

May we seek him on the mountain, and at the cross, that we may glorify him and serve those for whom he died.

January/February 2020

No Turning Back

Author unknown • February 21, 1993

My acceptance of Jesus as my Savior marked the beginning of an essential transformation in my life. The knowledge of Jesus and his message of God’s love, forgiveness, and the gift of the eternal life for all humanity positioned me on a pilgrimage to see my Lord. In faith I know Jesus, and there is no turning back to life without him.

Six days after Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus invited three of his disciples to join him on a mountaintop. Without a doubt their senses were aroused at the sight of Jesus’ face and garments aglow, and they were moved to fear upon hearing God’s affirmation of Jesus’ identity and purpose.

Jesus offered the world a life that broke with the status quo, but addressed the needs of people, especially those with no authority. He provided food for the hungry and healing for the sick. Now he was prepared to present his life for humanity.

The transfiguration of Jesus marked a point of no return. Jesus was now glorified, set in context of the Hebrew promise of a Messiah, and was journeying to Jerusalem to face his cruxifixion and resurrection.

We may never experience a transfiguration like Jesus, but as Christians we are people who have gone through a spiritual transformation that compelled us to hear the call of Jesus and respond as his own. Christians need not think about turning back because Jesus, the Messiah, did not turn back.

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OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Prayer Day for Moravian Unity Work, March 1, 2020 The first Sunday in March is designated as a day of prayer for the special causes which are supported by all provinces of our Moravian Unity. This year the offerings received will be used by the Moravian Church in Rwanda to erect a church building as a national headquarter in the capital city of Kigali, as required by government regulations.

NORTHERN PROVINCE Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Sister Tammie Rinker, who has been serving as pastor for Trinity Moravian Church, New Carrolton, Maryland, has accepted the call to serve as pastor for West Side Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Sister Rinker was installed into her new work February 16, 2020.

Nazareth, Pennsylvania Brother Jeffrey Gehris, who has been serving as pastor for Nazareth Moravian Church, Nazareth, Pennsylvania, concluded his ministry with the congregation December 31, 2019.

Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference

SOUTHERN PROVINCE Rolling Hills Evette Campbell, an approved candidate for ordination, and Provincial Acolyte at Palm Beach Moravian Church, has accepted a call to become pastor of the Rolling Hills congregation, Longwood, FL. Evette will be ordained by the Rt. Rev. Tom Shelton, at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 19, at Rolling Hills Moravian Church, and expects to begin ministry there in early February.

Prince of Peace The Rev. Dr. Dion Christopher, currently pastor of the Friedensberg Moravian Church, Frederiksted, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, has accepted an appointment to become pastor of the Prince of Peace congregation, Miami, FL. Rev. Christopher will be installed at Prince of Peace on March 1, 2020. We invite your prayers for brother Dion, his wife, the Rev. Eulencine Christopher, their children, and the Prince of Peace and Frederiksted congregations.

We welcome these two pastors into the ministry of our Southern Province.

David Guthrie Provincial Elders’ Conference

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.

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The Moravian

7th Bethlehem Conference

on Moravian History

& Music

THE WALTER VIVIAN MOSES LECTURE IN MORAVIAN STUDIES

Dr. Jon F. Sensbach “Moravians in Georgia, Part Two: Rediscovering a Forgotten Mission” MORAVIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION CONCERT

Beethoven in Bethlehem MORAVIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL LECTURE

Dr. Jenna M. Gibbs “Conversion and Conflict: Christian Latrobe visits South Africa, 1815-1816”

October 8th–10th, 2020 Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

moravianconferences.org | 610.866.3255 The conference is sponsored by the Moravian Archives, Moravian College, and the Center for Moravian Studies, in partnership with the Moravian Music Foundation, Moravian Historical Society, and Moravian Theological Seminary.

Reflect on Jesus’ willing sacrifice on the cross and the journey that took him there with Readings for Holy Week. A harmony of the Gospel stories of Christ’s final days, combined with inspirational hymn texts, illustrate the full depth of God’s love.

Large Print Edition Music Edition Reg. 11.95, now $7.50! Reg. 13.95, now $10.50!

Special pricing ends March 27, 2020

Also available: Readings for Holy Week Audio Edition brings this much-loved tradition to life in a 5-CD audio format ideal for use by small groups and congregations. Also makes a great gift for those who may not be able to attend local services in their congregation because of distance, infirmity, conflicts in schedule, etc.

ORDER ONLINE AT STORE.MORAVIAN.ORG OR CALL 800.732.0591, EXT. 38 January/February 2020

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

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Contact us to help you achieve your recovery goals.

336.705.4236 transitionalrehab@salemtowne.org

Salemtowne is a non-profit Continuing Care Retirement Community reflecting the Moravian values of respect for the individual, hospitality, life-long learning and love of the arts.

January/February 2020