Moravian Magazine, March 2015

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God’s Calling to Feed Children The Easter Sunrise Commemorating John Hus And more!

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On the cover: Sunrise on the path to God’s Acre in Winston-Salem.

Photo by Mike Riess

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God’s Calling to Feed Children The Easter Sunrise Commemorating John Hus And more!

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8 Christ and him crucified remain our confession of faith

Moravian History

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

In Our Congregations

6 John Hus and the Moravian Church 8 Christ’s Community Church heeds God’s call to feed local children Moravians in Mission 13 In Tanzania, a community completes their church and joins Adopt-a-Village 25 Moravian medical work in Nicaragua Moravian Easter 15 The Easter Morning Liturgy

Member, Associated Church Press

19 Technology amplifies and shares the glory of the resurrection Southern Province Ministries 26 Sunnyside Ministry thanks Tommy Cole for leadership and progress Studying Moravian Doctrine 22 Moravian Covenant for Christian Living, Part II

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

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

March 2015

In Every Issue 4 Ponderings: Recording a milestone year with the Daily Texts 21 Turning Back the Pages: March 1990 issue 28 Official Provincial Elders’ News 30 Obituaries: The Rev. Joseph Daniel Conrad, Sister Violet Emma Stelter Befus 3

PONDERINGS

Recording a milestone year with the Daily Texts By the time you read this, I will have crossed the half-century line

in 2015 as one of the first members of Generation X* to reach this milestone. And as that day approaches, the specter of “over 50” has triggered more reflection, soul-searching and hope for the future than usual.

My birthday falls on Ash Wednesday this year. It seems an interesting coincidence that my fifth decade begins on the same day as Lent 2015, another time of reflection, soul-searching and hope for the future. And during this Lenten season, I’ll be continuing something I started at the beginning of 2015 to help me record those reflections on my work, my life, my faith and my future.

For the first time since I began working with the Daily Texts here at the IBOC, I bought myself a copy of the 2015 Daily Texts Journal edition. Based on the testimony of others, I’ve often promoted the benefits of using the Journal to track one’s thoughts, ideas, actions and plans in the context of the daily watchwords, hymns and prayers.

This year seemed a good time to try it for myself.

In case you haven’t seen a Daily Texts Journal, it is an edition of the Texts that includes the same watchwords, hymn texts and prayers as the standard editions in a spiral bound version. Each day’s page includes space (and lines) for writing. Introduced in 2001, the Journal

(ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) March Vol. 46, No. 2 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.

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

Individual copies available for $3.00 each.

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

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

Michael Riess, Editor Renee Schoeller, Communications Assistant Arlene Clendenning, Customer Relations/Business Assistant Interprovincial Board of Communication Lance Fox, Paul Peucker Chair Adam Pristas Jane Carmichael Ginny Tobiassen Peggy Carter Jane Weber Gary Kniskern Jill Westbrook 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 © 2015, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in North America.

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The Moravian

offers a creative, insightful way to interact with the Daily Texts.

Each day, I track my time in the office and on the road, enter key accomplishments, jot new ideas or extensions of existing ones, write thoughts on projects and plans and record brief reflections on how I feel about life, work, family and faith.

Now, I could just use a notebook or blank-page journal to do all of this, but using the Daily Texts Journal for this exercise has advantages that those blank pages can’t offer.

First, it gives me my daily dose of the Daily Texts. As I gather my thoughts and put them on paper, I read the Scripture passages, contemplate the hymns and say the prayer for each day.

Second, it educates and guides my thoughts for the day. If I’m at a loss for what to write for the day, I look to the text for inspiration. Works every time!

Third, it encourages me to reflect and write every day. As a writer and editor, I’m dealing with words all the time. Rarely, however, do I get to write for myself. The texts give that gentle nudge (or hearty push) to write stuff down.

And finally, it gives me a record of what I’ve done and when I did it. With our busy lives going in many different directions, what we actually accomplish on any given day is tough to keep in our memories. By recording what each day brings, it’s easier to look back on just how much we can get done—or not, depending on the day—and how much more we have to do. And to look back in the light of Scripture, hymns and prayers makes the record that much more meaningful.

The prayer in the 2015 Daily Texts for my birthday reads, “As we prepare for the

solemn time of Lent, help us grow closer to you. Teach us about the life of your Son so that we may better understand the sacrifice he made for us. We look toward Easter with anticipation and hope. Amen.” Sounds like a good way to experience Lent—and life in general.

If you’re looking for a way to chronicle your days in a uniquely Moravian way, I invite you to consider the Daily Texts Journal. So far, I’m finding the experience a very positive step. In December, I will be able to review the words of each day to see just how far I’ve come in 12 months … and just how blessed my continuing faith journey during this big year has been.

Looking back on my first month’s writings, I can see the seeds of what’s appearing in this issue of the Moravian Magazine. In this month’s issue, we share stories about a church in Minnesota helping to feed local children; technology helping to share Easter Sunrise in Winston-Salem with listeners around the globe; the profession of faith that is our Easter Morning liturgy; the legacy of John Hus; mission happenings in Tanzania and Nicaragua; and more.

As you reflect on the work and faith of your Moravian congregations and agencies during Lent and beyond, please share with us at the Moravian Magazine so that we can continue to chronicle the efforts and joys of our Church throughout North America and the world.

We wish you a blessed Lenten journey and joyous Easter season.

Peace,

* Many demographers consider “Generation X” as those born between 1965 and 1980.

Celebrating the Legacy of John Hus 1415~2015

MORAVIAN HISTORY

John Hus and the Moravian Church July

6 is a special day of remembrance in the Moravian Church. On this date in 1415, a Catholic Church council in the city of Constance executed one of the great Christian reformers.

Millions of Christians worldwide, including Moravians, view John Hus as a martyr to the gospel and a saint, even though he was officially condemned as a heretic. For many people in Bohemia, Moravia and elsewhere in Europe, the execution of Hus proved beyond doubt that radical reform was needed for the medieval Catholic Church, which had grown corrupt in doctrine and practice. A century after Hus’s death, Martin Luther could boldly proclaim that he, too, was a Hussite.

Contrary to popular belief, Hus was not the founder of the Moravian Church; however, his witness and courageous commitment to reform inspired Gregory the Patriarch to establish a new church forty years after Hus’s death. If Gregory was the father of the Moravian Church, then Hus was like a grandfather of the church.

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Hus tried to reform the Catholic Church of his day through his preaching, teaching and writing. He challenged the corruption of the church and called for priests and pastors to live as spiritual role models for their flocks.

He aggressively rejected the sale of indulgences and opposed other ways in which the institutional church sold spiritual goods.

Most of all, he urged the church to use the Holy Scriptures as the ultimate guide and authority for doctrine and practice. He untiringly preached that mere belief in doctrine is not sufficient for salvation. Faith must be completed in love, by which he meant love for one’s neighbor.

From the Rev. Dr. Craig Atwood, director for the Center for Moravian Studies. Watch for additional information and resources for commemorating John Hus’ legacy.

Photo above: “John Hus at the Council of Constance” by Václav Brožík. At right: A statue honoring Hus in Tabor, Czech Republic.

The Moravian

AN INVITATION TO REFLECT ON THE LEGACY OF JOHN HUS When his preaching frightened those who held power in his day, Hus was arrested, tried and convicted. He committed his soul to Christ and bravely faced the executioner’s flames, trusting that his soul would return to the Lord he loved. Hus believed truth would prevail even if he were killed.

The Moravian Church was founded decades after the death of Hus as a new Christian community dedicated to his principles. The Moravian Brethren dedicated their lives to Christ and tried to live according to the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. They turned away from the allure of wealth and power and embraced lives of Christian discipleship and self-discipline.

Through the centuries, Moravians have preached Hus’s message that faith must be completed in love and they have established congregations dedicated to the simple proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ and God’s unlimited love for all people. The courageous witness of John Hus, who gave his life so that the truth would prevail, has inspired Moravians for hundreds of years.

Six hundred years after his death, Moravians proclaim Hus as a martyr to the truth, a faithful witness of the gospel and a shining example that truth cannot be destroyed by violence. ■

In preparation for the 600th celebration of the life and legacy of John Hus, we invite Moravians near and far to respond creatively to his faithful witness in the form of personal reflections, prayers, poems, artwork, music, hymns, video and audio, etc. The Southern Province Board of Cooperative Ministries will collect and compile responses for publication. Select responses will be featured during a special service of celebration in Winston-Salem on July 19, 2015. More information on events commemorating the Hus anniversary will be shared in future issues of The Moravian Magazine.

Guidelines for Submitting a Reflection: • Read the article at left: John Hus and the Moravian Church by the Rev. Dr. Craig Atwood • Notice any themes or images that you find particularly meaningful.

• What are you most drawn to? What resonates?

• Invite these themes or images to speak to your life of faith.

• Do these themes or images offer insight or hope to a present question, struggle or situation? How? • How does this theme or image shape your Moravian identity? How have you witnessed this “lived out” in Moravian community?

• What might you feel invited to let go of or to take on as you reflect?

• What stories come to mind?

• After thoughtful reflection, consider how you would like to respond. Please keep reflections to no more than 500 words.

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• Send your submissions to the Board of Cooperative Ministries, 500 South Church St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101 or email them to bcm@mcsp.org. The deadline for submission is April 30.

IN OUR CONGREGATIONS

Christ’s Community Church heeds God’s call to feed local children “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

“Faith without fear” is a truth that God has been teaching us in a profound way this past year at Christ’s Community Church in Maple Grove, Minn. This faith story is about how God has called one congregation to make a difference in our community and provided us with all we need to fulfill his mission—way beyond all we could have imagined.

Over the past few years, we’ve been listen-

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ing to God and discerning his mission for us in our community near Minneapolis. During this time we redeveloped our mission statement, core values and vision. We’ve listened to the community around us for their needs and we’ve explored a variety of opportunities for us to share God’s love with those in our neighborhoods. We know our gifts for ministry and the needs in our area, so we began to look for ways to match our gifts with that need.

When we heard about an exciting program called KidPack, a weekend food program for kids who experience food insufficiency, we were certain God was calling us to be part of it. KidPack invited Christ’s Community to partner with Park Brook Elementary School by purchasing, packing and delivering 330

The Moravian

Photos: Christ’s Community Church members assemble KidPacks for a local elementary school.

bags of non-perishable food once a month for each child in the school.

The Board of Elders felt strongly that God was calling Christ’s Community to be part of this ministry. It fit perfectly with our mission to “glorify God as we love and serve others.”

It offered opportunities to live out each of five core values. It matched our gifts and met a real need in the community. We had many people in the congregation who were passionate about feeding kids in our community and were willing to volunteer their time to make sure KidPack ran well. Why wouldn’t we be part of this program?

The simple answer: money. The food for the program costs approximately $6,000 per year and we would need to commit for three years. Where could we possibly come up with $18,000?

As a congregation, we made a commitment to meeting our budget in full in 2014 and we knew we could not find any of that money in the operating budget. We also knew that even though our congregation was generous, $6,000 is a substantial amount of money for a congregation with 65 people in worship on a Sunday. We did have some plans to apply for grants and look for community partners, but we had to make the commitment to Park Brook and KidPack before those monies were secured.

The Joint Boards went around and around with this for quite a while. Finally, God made clear for us what we needed to do. We were asking the wrong question. Instead of asking, “Can we afford this?” we needed to ask the (continued on next page) The Rev. Jenny Moran is pastor of Christ’s Community Church in Maple Grove, Minn.

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(continued from previous page) question, “Is God calling us to this ministry?”

We knew the answer to that question was a resounding “YES!” so we decided that we should simply trust God to provide the means.

God wouldn’t call us to mission and then leave us to figure it out on our own! We took the leap of faith and committed to providing supplemental food for the 330 kids at Park Brook Elementary one weekend a month, trusting that God would provide as we moved ahead.

I wish I could say we did this with no fear whatsoever, but that’s not entirely true. I had a few nights where I worried about this, praying that we had understood God’s call to us.

I kept going back to Philippians 4, remembering that God tells us not to worry about anything, but instead to turn to him in prayer with our needs, always asking with a thankful heart. When we do that, God gives us peace.

Our next step was to share the news with the congregation that we would be embarking

on this new mission. I wrote a long article, outlining every possible detail, emphasizing that we were called to do the work of reaching out to love our neighbor and would trust God to provide the resources.

As I was writing the newsletter, one of my closest friends whom I’ve known since kindergarten stopped by my office because he just happened to be in the area and wanted to say “hi.” He and his family aren’t members of our church, but we talked briefly about KidPack and I mentioned in passing that we were hoping to find some grant money to cover costs.

The next morning, my friend sent me a text message, asking if I was around that afternoon so he could stop by again. He walked into my office and handed me a card that contained a $6,000 check, enough to cover the whole first year food costs of KidPack!

He and his wife had talked about it the night before and they felt God was calling them to be part of this ministry by covering the full cost of the first year of our KidPack

Below left and right: CCC members deliver KidPacks to Park Brook Elementary School.

program. They believed it was an important way to share God’s love with our world and wanted to see children fed. They, too, took a leap of faith, listening to God’s call in their lives by giving so generously.

Talk about a completely unexpected answer to prayer! I still can’t think about this moment where God’s presence and care were so evident without tearing up. God completely and totally took care of our need for this first year of KidPack, and all we did was be faithful. God is good.

As if that weren’t enough of a lesson in having faith in God without fear, he didn’t stop there! We had applied for a grant from the Larger Life Foundation, hoping we might receive about $1,000. A month after our friends gave their gift, we learned that we would receive another full year, $6,000, as a grant from Larger Life. This gift was way beyond our expectations and just another way God was reminding us that we didn’t have to worry or be fearful. We simply need to be faithful.

The story doesn’t stop here, though. In the midst of all this, the Stewardship Team at Christ’s Community held our annual stewardship celebration Sunday. During that service, the message we shared was about how God provides. The elder who leads the KidPack program, Corinne Omberg, gave a passionate account of how the KidPack program helps the kids, siblings, parents and everyone who is involved.

Part of our intention with this program is to get the children of Christ’s Community involved with the packing of the bags so that they learn how to love our neighbors. This ministry really reaches people of all ages both in the congregation and in the community (see “What is KidPack?” for more details).

At the end of that service, we took a speMarch 2015

cial offering for KidPack. The congregation gave another $1,500 in that one offering for KidPack, yet another profound expression of God’s plan and provision in this ministry.

Since then, another $400 has been given, which means God has provided for the first two-and-a-third years of the three-year commitment, all in three months’ time.

After the KidPack service, our Stewardship Team leader, Janet Ohrt, said, “When it comes to KidPack, God has shown us that we truly can have ‘faith without fear!” We knew that the church was supposed to do this ministry, to put stewardship in action one more time with something that is part of our legacy: providing food to those in need!”

God has taught us at Christ’s Community so much just through this KidPack program. One of the most important things we’ve learned is that when we listen to God and discern his will, we can act without fear. God will provide.

It isn’t always easy, but it is what we are called to do: love and serve others with faith, giving God all the glory along the way. We pray that God continues to use KidPack, Christ’s Community and Park Brook to share his love with the world. We are grateful.

What is KidPack?

KidPack is a non-profit organization founded

by Toni Nosbush that partners with the local (continued on next page) 11

(continued from previous page) food shelf, C.R.O.S.S. (Christians Reaching Out in Social Service). KidPack and C.R.O.S.S. match community partners with 17 local elementary schools. Churches, civic organizations and even Target Corporation have all partnered with different schools.

Some of the schools have a low percentage of students who receive free and reduced lunches. At those schools KidPack has instituted an “opt-in” program. Students who wish to receive the bags need to return a signed form requesting participation. Because there is often a social stigma attached to receiving weekend food bags in these schools (a stigma we are hoping to help change through KidPack), their bags then are put in their lockers by the school rather than publicly distributed.

The school Christ Community works with is an “opt-out” program. Because 77 percent of students are on free and reduced lunch at Park Brook, all students receive a bag of food regardless of need. Parents are sent an “optout” form which they can sign requesting that their child not receive the bag. Approximately ten students of 320 have opted out at Park Brook.

The program’s first year was 2013–2014.

Christ’s Community joined KidPack for the 2014–2015 school year and made a commitment through the 2016–2017 school year and we are hoping to continue beyond that!

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How does it work?

C.R.O.S.S. orders the non-perishable food from their suppliers, thereby getting more food for less money. Each bag of food costs approximately $1.78. A typical bag includes 7 items: a juice box, oatmeal/cereal, macaroni and cheese/beef ravioli, a pudding cup, Cheeze Its/Combos, granola bar and a beef stick. Since many students’ parents work all weekend, the food needs to be non-perishable so that students can keep and prepare the food on their own.

Christ’s Community has a standing monthly food order with C.R.O.S.S., whose volunteers deliver the food to the church once a month.

The Sunday before we deliver the food, the children’s Sunday School classes lead the packing efforts. Ten adults and 18 kids pack all 330 bags in 45 minutes or less. We have the assembly line process pretty well worked out!

All the bags are packed in large, sturdy tote bins, one for each classroom. Volunteers from the congregation meet at the church in the afternoon of the last Friday of the month (delivery day!), load up the bins into our mini-vans and SUVs and head over to Park Brook.

Once there, we get the joy and privilege of bringing the bins into the classrooms and unloading the bags. In some cases, we help put the bags in kids’ backpacks. In other classrooms we just unload them on the counter and say “hi” to everyone.

In every classroom we are overwhelmed by the happiness we see on each student’s face.

They love KidPack and we love them. Every single classroom thanks us every single time we bring the food bags. This isn’t an exercise in charity. It is an experience of community, a give and take where all people involved make each other’s lives better, bringing about the Kingdom of God in new and profound ways each and every day. ■ The Moravian

MORAVIANS IN MISSION

In Tanzania, a community completes their church and joins Adopt-a-Village

Adopt-a-Village workers in Kavale

Kavale is a small village in rural Tanzania. Lo-

cated ten miles south of Sikonge and over a mile from the nearest major road, it is relatively isolated from other segments of the Namwezi tribe to which these people belong. Nearly all of the 300 inhabitants are Moravians.

The people of Kavale built their first church 20 years ago, using the traditional materials of sticks, mud and grass. In spite of their efforts to maintain it, the structure collapsed during the rainy season in 2010. Undeterred, the congregation began a new and larger building, this time using more modern components such as burned bricks.

Because of the large size of the congregation and a change in regulations governing public buildings, by the fall of 2012 it was clear that the congregation would need both

March 2015

financial and technical assistance to complete their new church.

Following a late afternoon Sunday service attended by the parish pastor and the entire congregation, representatives from Central Moravian Church in Pennsylvania were asked to join their effort in church construction.

The members at Kavale also expressed interest in participating in the Adopt-a-Village orphan program. Surrounding villages had been included several years earlier, but the paths to Kavale were deemed too dangerous for the orphan caregivers to travel alone.

During the last two years, however, authorities have corrected the situation and Mama Kimwaga, who manages the Adopt-a-Village orphan program in Sikonge, agreed to extend the program under the auspices of the neighboring village of Chabutwa.

Over the next several months, daily travel between Chabutwa and Kavale proved to be problematic because of the distances involved. After assessing the situation, Mama Kimwaga decided to make Kavale an independent orphan center. Kavale church elders were asked to choose two women to run the program in the village, and Mama Kimwaga promised to provide them with the necessary instruction and materials. (continued on next page) Drs. Bill and Peg Hoffman send periodic reports of the work going on in Tanzania through the Adopt-a-Village program.

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(continued from previous page) By the beginning of the rainy season in 2013, the new church had been roofed and was in use each Sunday. Febe and Anastasia, the women chosen by the elders to assist with the orphan program, had already enrolled all the orphans in Kavale and had extended the program to the neighboring villages of Mtale and Mitwigu. By early 2014 the two mamas had added 60 orphans to the program.

Through the partnership established between Moravians in North America and Western Tanzania, the new church has now been completed. Each week Anastasia uses the building for the 35 Sunday school students before the worship service for 80 adults begins. The congregation is planning to plant flowering shrubs at the base of the walls during the current rainy season.

Their new building is a structure of which Moravians on both continents can be justifiably proud. â–

At left middle and bottom: Progress and completion of the new Moravian church in Kavale, which replaced one that had collapsed (top).

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The Moravian

MORAVIAN EASTER

The Easter Morning Liturgy Easter

morning is an especially wondrous time at Moravian churches across the Northern and Southern Provinces. For many, Easter morning means greeting the rising sun in a God’s Acre or sanctuary with a service that speaks to the core of Moravian belief.

“The Moravian Easter morning service is an old tradition, rich in spiritual significance,” says the Rev. Dr. Nola Reed Knouse, director of the Moravian Music Foundation. “It originated in Herrnhut in 1732, when a group of the Single Brothers met by appointment on God’s Acre (the graveyard) to sing appropriate hymns and to meditate upon Christ’s death and resurrection. Their experience that morning was one of deepening appreciation of the truth and wonder of the resurrection.

Their experience led others to want to join them, and thus a new and cherished tradition was born.”

According to Nola, the Easter Morning Lit-

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urgy in today’s Moravian Book of Worship is remarkably similar to that included in the 1778 German Moravian Hymnal (except, of course, ours is in English!) and to the one in the 1789 English Moravian Hymnal. The text is taken in large part from Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, with which Zinzendorf and his household, being Lutheran, would certainly have been familiar.

Over the years, the Easter Morning Liturgy has come to represent the Moravian Church’s profession of faith—a statement of what we believe. Through the words recited by worship leaders on Easter Sunday morning, Moravians declare their belief in “the one only God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who created all things by Jesus Christ, and was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself…”

While it has evolved over the years, the (continued on next page) 15

(continued from previous page) essence of the Easter Morning Liturgy has remained consistent with those printed in earlier versions, including the 1969 and 1920 hymnals. “Since this liturgy has often been looked upon as the Moravian Church’s primary profession of faith, hymnal revision committees over the years have been very careful in making any changes in the texts or the hymns, being always careful not to change the actual meaning of the words,” says Nola.

While many will have the opportunity to hear this liturgy and declare their faith come April 5 of this year, we’re reprinting the words of the Easter Morning Liturgy here for all to read. (Note: although the hymns are an integral part of the service, for space reasons they are not included here.) We invite you to revisit these words throughout the year as a touchstone of Moravian belief.

Easter Morning Liturgy The Lord is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed!

(Hymn) We believe in the one only God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who created all things by Jesus Christ, and was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. We believe in God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world; who has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son; who has blessed us in Christ with all spiritual blessings; who has made us worthy to share in the inheritance of the saints, having destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of God’s will, to the praise of his glorious grace.

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This we truly believe.

We thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and self-assured, and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Father, glorify your name.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

We believe in the only Son of God, by whom all things in heaven and on earth were created. We believe that he became flesh and lived among us, taking the form of a servant. Since we are flesh and blood, he himself became a human being. By the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, he was conceived of the Virgin Mary. He was born of a woman; and, being found in human form, was in every respect tempted as we are, yet without sin. For he is the Lord, the messenger of the covenant, in whom we delight.

The Spirit of the Lord sent Jesus to proclaim the time of the Lord’s favor. He spoke of what he knew and testified to what he had seen. To all who receive him, who believe in his name, he gives power to become children of God. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and The Moravian

was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in the same way as he was seen going into heaven.

(Hymn) The Lord will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of God’s trumpet. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

This we truly believe. This is my Lord, who redeemed me, a lost and condemned human creature, from sin, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with his holy, precious blood, and with his innocent suffering and dying. Christ has done this so that I may be his own, live in his kingdom, and serve him in eternal righteousness, innocence, and happiness, since he, being risen from the dead, lives and reigns forever and ever.

Lord Jesus Christ, who came at the first in great humility as our Redeemer, grant, we pray, that when you come again in glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may be regarded worthy to stand before you.

Hear us, gracious Lord and God. We believe in the Holy Spirit, who comes from the Father, and whom our Lord Jesus Christ sent, after he went away, to be with us forever; to comfort us as a mother comforts her children; to help us in our weakness and intercede for us with sighs too deep for words; to bear witness with our spirit that we are children of God and teach us to cry, “Abba Father”; to pour God’s love into our hearts and make our bodies God’s holy temple; and March 2015

to work in us the will of God, allotting gifts to each one individually, just as the Spirit chooses.

We believe that by our own reason and strength we cannot believe in Jesus Christ our Lord, or come to him; but that the Holy Spirit calls us through the gospel, enlightens us with gifts of grace, dedicates us to God, and preserves us in the true faith, just as the Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and dedicates to God the whole church on earth, which he keeps with Jesus Christ in the only true faith. In this Christian church God daily and completely forgives us and every believer all our sin.

This we truly believe.

Spirit of truth, direct our hearts to the love of God and to patient waiting for Christ. Establish us in the true faith, that we may abound in thanksgiving; and keep us as God’s own until the day of redemption.

To you be glory, with the Father, and with the Son. Amen.

We believe that by holy baptism we are made members of the church of Christ, which he has loved, and for which he gave himself, in order to make it holy, cleansing it by water and the word.

In this communication of saints, we believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who died for us, and shed his blood on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, and who has given us his body and blood in the Lord’s Supper, as a pledge of grace. As the Scripture says, Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, gave it to his disciples and (continued on next page) 17

(continued from previous page) said: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper our Lord Jesus Christ took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to his disciples saying: Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sin. Do this, whenever you drink it, in memory of me.

This we truly believe.

(Hymn) (Hymn) We shall never taste eternal death, but shall attain the resurrection of the dead; for this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

Thus our bodies rest in hope. And the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, will also give life to our mortal bodies if the Spirit of God has dwelt in us.

We poor sinners pray: hear us, gracious Lord and God.

Keep us in everlasting fellowship with those of our brothers and sisters who, since last Easter Day, have entered into the joy of their Lord, and with the whole Church Triumphant in heaven, and let us rest together in your presence from our labors.

Hear us, gracious Lord and God. (Hymn) Glory be to Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life. He was dead, and behold he is alive forever and ever. Those who believe in him, even though they die, yet shall they live.

Glory be to Christ Jesus, in the church which waits for him on earth, and in the church which is around him in heaven, from everlasting to everlasting.

Amen.

(Hymn) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

Amen. ■ Liturgy reprinted from the 1995 Moravian Book of Worship. ©1995, IBOC Moravian Church. Used with permission.”

MORAVIAN EASTER

Technology amplifies and shares the glory of the resurrection In the darkness of the dawn on March 30,

1777, a small group of Moravians gathered to celebrate Easter’s message. In the darkness of dawn on April 5, 2015, 238 years later, a small group of Moravians will gather to help share that same message using today’s technology.

This group will both amplify the Easter Sunrise Service and broadcast it on WSJS-AM 660 radio in Winston-Salem. The service, which is attended by thousands of Moravians and nonMoravians alike, features worship and music from the God’s Acre in Winston-Salem.

Although much younger than the tradition of this Easter Sunrise Service itself, the radio broadcast of this service dates back to 1930. WSJS was a brand new radio station at the time and one of the earliest stations in the southeast. Their first broadcast of the service was the station’s first broadcast of any event, in their very first week of operations, and has been broadcast every year since. It is believed that this broadcast is the longest continually broadcast special event in the United States, and quite possibly, the world.

Over the years, the broadcast reach expanded by getting a national network to offer

March 2015

it and by writing individual letters to each station asking if they would carry it. This network expanded as far as Colorado and included the Armed Forces network. One serviceman in (continued on next page) Ron Bell is a member of Calvary Moravian Church in Winston-Salem.

He is also a member of the Provincial Elders’ Conference for the Southern Province. Photos from the 2011 Easter Morning Service in WInston-Salem by Richard Clabaugh.

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(continued from previous page) World War II reported that he listened to the broadcast while on board a ship in the Pacific. Unfortunately, this network declined over the years until it was no longer offered on a national level and the lone remaining station was once again, WSJS Radio.

In the 1950s, technology was used to add microphones and speakers to amplify the sound for the thousands that attend it annually so that they could hear the presiding pastor’s remarks (with any mis-statements or stumbling recorded for posterity…). The microphones used to amplify the service also enhanced the radio broadcast with the sounds of the bands being heard during the processional to God’s Acre as well as the voices of the choir and congregation.

In the early 1990s, Salem Congregation took over the responsibility of amplifying and broadcasting the service and purchased the used equipment from the company that had been doing the service under contract. This equipment continued in use until 2009 without any significant changes or upgrades other than burying most of the cables used in the graveyard.

Even though the equipment had been used less than 25 times, it was also a quarter cen 20

tury old; technology has left it far behind. A few pieces of equipment were replaced each year until 2013, when the rest of the system was completely updated to state-of-the-art equipment by the Salem Congregation with Frank Martin, a member of Calvary Moravian in Winston-Salem doing the selection, purchase, construction and installation. In addition, the balance of the permanent cables in God’s Acre were put underground.

With this new system came additional microphones for the rest of the bands and much improved sound quality, both of which allow us to further enhance the broadcast of the service so listeners can get a better sense of what it is like to be there and to participate more fully in this Easter Morning Sunrise Service celebrating the resurrection of our risen Lord and the promise of new life.

And in addition, WSJS Radio is also streaming the service live on their website, WSJS. com. This piece of the changes brings new life to the radio broadcast because with the Internet, it can now reach even more people than in the days of the national network because anyone with an Internet connection can, from anywhere in the world, listen live to the Easter Sunrise Service coming to them from Winston-Salem, N.C.! Sing Hallelujah, Praise the Lord! ■ The Moravian

TIME TRAVEL

Turning Back The Pages The Moravian Magazine and its predecessors have been bringing news and commentary from around the Moravian world for more than 100 years. In its pages, you can read the story of our modern church.

In this issue, we look back 25 years to the March 1990 issue of The Moravian.

On the cover of the March 1990 issue is a photo taken by Ed Manning of Raleigh at a Moravian Music Festival that highlights an article about the festival coming that summer to Winston-Salem. The caption continued, “To Moravians, it also proclaims the Easter message, ‘The Lord is risen indeed!’ Moravians have long associated Easter with brass instruments, echoing the words of Paul: ‘The trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed’ (1 Corinthians 15:52 RSV).”

In a reprint of his Easter Sermon, “I’m Not Scared Anymore,” Murray Laverty, pastor of Good Shepherd Moravian in Calgary, Alberta wrote, “We see with our hearts that the tomb is empty and that the risen Christ is alive in the very midst of our life. If we are going to be an Easter people and experience the living Lord, we need to see with our hearts that it is Christ who calls us by name in the very midst of our adversity and pain and suffering. For that is what the resurrection is about. It is about the risen Lord who lives in our very midst, defeating death, healing sickness, offering freedom, hope and peace…”

Gerald Harris, then pastor of New Dorp Moravian Church and a member of the Interprovincial Faith and Order Commission, shared an article about confirmation. In it, he March 2015

highlighted the Faith and Order Commission’s statement on the understanding of Confirmation: “Confirmation is a rite by which a person baptized as a child publicly affirms the covenant relationship signified in his or her baptism and confirms his or her faith. In the rite, the person makes a profession of faith and the congregation prays for the strengthening of his or her faith and the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is a personal decision to accept the full responsibilities of membership in the church. It is also a time for the congregation to celebrate and acknowledge the confirmand’s decision.” ■

STUDYING MORAVIAN DOCTRINE

Moravian Covenant for Christian Living In last month’s issue of The Moravian Maga-

zine, we introduced a new regular feature, “Studying Moravian Doctrine.” Following the outline established by Jesus Still Lead On, An Introduction to Moravian Belief, we will cover different aspects of two central documents outlining Moravian doctrine and belief each month. In 2015, we are working through the Moravian Covenant for Christian Living (MCCL); in 2016, we’ll cover the Ground of the Unity.

This month will cover the parts of the MCCL dealing with Scripture, the Moravian Church’s ecumenical views and the witness of a Christian Life.

Thanks to Dr. Craig Atwood and the editors of Jesus Still Lead On (produced in 2005) for this material. If you are interested in obtaining the entirety of Jesus Still Lead On, please contact the IBOC or visit store.moravian.org.

The full text of the Moravian Covenant for Christian Living and the Ground of the Unity are available as a free download from www.moravian.org. Printed copies are available from the IBOC. Scripture Paragraph 2 of MCCL: The Triune God as revealed in the Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testaments is the only source of our life and salvation; and this Scripture is the sole standard of the doctrine and

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faith of the Unitas Fratrum [Moravian Church] and therefore shapes our life.

Commentary: There has been much controversy in the history of Christianity over the Scriptures, even in early Christianity. The early church, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, established the Bible as we know it today (although in Greek) and encouraged a figurative (or spiritual) reading of much of the Old Testament. Over the centuries the Catholic Church developed a long tradition of biblical interpretation that was the basis of doctrine and church life and which had as much authority as the Bible itself. Beginning with John Wyclif (d. 1384) and Jan Hus (d. 1415), reformers called for Scripture rather than tradition to be the final authority in the Church. The Moravian Church was part of this biblical reformation and encouraged the reading of the Bible in the common language of the people. The Covenant reflects the 500-year understanding of the Moravian Church that Scripture is the standard of our faith and practice, but God is the source of our life and salvation.

Scripture is sacred to us because it points us to God. Questions for consideration: • What parts of the Bible do you read most often? Why? • How do you think that Scripture shapes your life as a Christian?

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• How does Scripture shape the life of the Moravian Church?

• What do you learn about God from reading the Bible?

• Do you think it is helpful to read the Bible in light of what we know about its original historical context?

A Church among Churches Paragraphs 3 and 4 of MCCL: With the universal Christian Church, we share our faith in the Triune God, who revealed Himself in the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Savior of all people. We particularly declare His living presence and Lordship over the Church, joy in the benefits of His life, sufferings, death and resurrection and emphasize a close bond of fellowship with each other in His name. We believe that Christ is present with us in Word and Sacrament. We decline to determine as binding what the Scriptures have left undetermined, or to argue about mysteries impenetrable to human reason. In this regard, we hold to the principle “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.” [This is sometimes called the Moravian motto.]

We thankfully recognize the value of the historic creeds of the Christian Church in calling upon believers in every age to give an obedient and fearless testimony, recognizing Jesus Christ as Lord. A Moravian confession of faith is to be found in the Easter Dawn Liturgy.

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Commentary: This section of the MCCL reflects The Ground of the Unity and it points to the Easter Dawn Liturgy (Note: see story on page 15 for the Liturgy). It is important to notice that the Moravian Church does not have a doctrine that separates it from the rest of the Christian Church. We affirm the basic doctrines of Christianity, but we do lay particular stress on Jesus Christ as our Lord and our Savior. This is what is often described as Christocentrism.

Notice as well that the Sacraments are as important to Moravians as the Word. Both communicate the presence of Christ within and among us. The MCCL also sets forth a guiding principle that is evident in Moravian doctrine and practice: we respect the complexity of Scripture and do not attempt to force a single interpretation on the Scripture.

We acknowledge that there are things in Christian doctrine and practice that remain mysteries. The statement on essentials and non-essentials reminds us that we are ultimately defined by our love. We are called to love and serve God, not to define and confine God by our limited understanding and vision.

Questions for consideration: • What does it mean to you that Jesus is the Savior?

• How do you see this paragraph lived out in the Moravian Church?

• How does Christ remain a living presence in the church?

• How does devotion to Christ lead us into a deeper understanding of the Triune God and our responsibility as followers of Christ? (continued on next page) 23

(continued from previous page) • What does the principle of “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things love” (the Moravian motto) mean to you?

The Witness of the Christian Life Paragraphs 5 and 6 of the MCCL: We believe that as in baptism we have been united with Christ in His death and resurrection, so we have died to sin and should walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1–11).

When seeking guidance we find that the simplest expression of Christian living is contained in the earliest of Christian confessions, “Jesus Christ is Lord.”

This implies that obedience is due him as the absolute Ruler and Lord of our lives. Not only his teachings (e.g., Matthew 5–7) but, even more, the example of his life (Philippians 2:5; Ephesians 4:20) provide an understanding of the obedience that he desires. Although the early Church, guided by the Spirit of Jesus, did not develop a code covering all issues, it offered guidance in various areas of Christian living (e.g.

Colossians 3:1–46; 1 Peter 2:11–3:12; Ephesians 4:1–6:20).

Commentary: Baptism is one of the most sacred moments in the Christian life even if we do not remember our own baptism as infants, just as birth is the most important moment of our life although we do not remember it. In baptism, including baptism of infants, we make a public profession of our conviction that Christ leads us into a new and better life than we would live on our own.

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Baptism is a seal of our intention to live as followers of Christ rather than following our own appetites and confused desires. Baptism gives us a distinct identity as children of God and gives us the name “Christian.”

The Covenant wisely identifies baptism as the beginning of our Christian life and connects it to the lordship of Jesus Christ. The Moravian Church also acknowledges that we have learned through the centuries that we cannot develop a binding code of Christian behavior that will apply for all people in all places in all ages for all circumstances. What follows in the Covenant is our mutual understanding of the teaching of Scripture concerning Christian living. Ultimately, in Moravian teaching, the ethical life is the joyful life because there is joy in following Christ.

Questions for consideration: • What do you think is the significance of baptism?

• How does baptism acknowledge that we are called to live a life under the lordship of Christ?

• What does it mean to die to sin and walk in newness of life? Does this mean that Christians do not sin?

• Why does the Covenant state that the example of Jesus’ life is even more important than his teachings?

• What lessons have you learned about Christian living from the example of Jesus?

• In what ways does the Bible offer guidance for how people should live their lives?

• What is the danger in giving a rigid statement of Christian behavior?

Next month: Living By Grace, The Witness of a Living Church and Stewardship. ■ The Moravian

MORAVIANS IN MISSION

Moravian medical work in Nicaragua

The Moravian medical work in Nicaragua is

continuing to bear fruit for the health of the people of that Central American country.

It began with a dream of Dr. David Thaeler to establish a Moravian hospital on the Rio Coco in northern Nicaragua and to train locals to assume responsibility for the health care in this region. Even though the original hospital was destroyed in the Sandinista War, the Bilwaskarma Clinic continues to provide significant care, especially in its preventive health program.

Dr. Thaeler also established a nurse’s training school, and today graduates from this school work all over the world. One of these graduates, Alta Hooker, had a dream that was likely influenced by Dr. Thaeler—training medical students at her school.

Alta currently serves as Dean of URACCAN (University of the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua). In an effort to support the movement of the newly-born autonomy process of the region, Alta used her influence and contacts for URACCAN to receive the approval of several government March 2015

agencies to conduct training of medical students there.

On December 12, 2014, URACCAN graduated its first 17 medical doctors. This first class was composed of students primarily from the northeast coast of Nicaragua, speaking Miskito, English (Creole), Spanish and Sumu Mayagna. Students received special training in traditional medicine of the local people along with their standard medical training.

In addition to being a graduate of the nurse’s training school, Alta is niece of the late Alice Hooker, who for many years lived in Bilwaskarma with the Thaelers and later in Puerto Cabezas, directing the Christian Education program of the Moravian Church. Alta has also been influential in convincing the Nicaraguan government to provide consistent financial support for the two universities of the Caribbean coast.

Thanks to the hard work of those forefathers and persons like Alta, the future of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua appears brighter! ■ Larry Palmer is the treasurer for the Moravian Church in Nicaragua . Above: Medical graduates from URACCAN. Below: Alta Hooker.

SOUTHERN PROVINCE MINISTRIES

Sunnyside Ministry thanks Tommy Cole for leadership and progress After more than seven years at the helm, Sunnyside Ministry’s executive director Tommy Cole will retire in June. During his tenure, Sunnyside Ministry which helps thousands of people in Winston-Salem each year, grew and expanded into a valued community organization and an important outreach of the Moravian Church.

Tommy Cole of Sunnyside Ministry

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As an agency of the Southern Province Board of Cooperative Ministries, Sunnyside Ministry provides emergency assistance for life’s basic necessities to families in southern Forsyth and northern Davidson Counties in North Carolina. In 2014 alone, Sunnyside conducted 7,679 interviews with clients seeking assistance. The ministry provided nearly $1.9 million worth of services to clients in crisis, including groceries for families consisting of more than 17,000 people and clothes for families of more than 15,000 people. Today, Sunnyside operates with dedicated volunteers from more than 60 churches of all denominations.

“Under Tommy’s leadership, we have a remodeled facility, a place that offers confidentiality for clients seeking assistance, a food pantry and a clothes shop to help those in need,” says Mallie Graham, president of the program board at Sunnyside. “Tommy has been a blessing to our ministry as he always sought and worked for the best interest of our clients. His heart for the needy in our charge is bigger than big!”

Ruth Cole Burcaw, executive director of The Moravian

Tommy celebrates renovations at Sunnyside Ministry in 2010

the Board of Cooperative Ministries, agrees, “Tommy’s vision is only exceeded by his heart. During his tenure with Sunnyside, he has been instrumental in its transformation from a modest Moravian mission operation to a life-changing ecumenical and community ministry. Even as he completes this phase of his service, Tommy’s light will continue to shine through the corners of Sunnyside Ministry and Winston-Salem for years to come.”

“Tommy has always displayed a professional and caring position to everyone who encounters Sunnyside Ministry,” said Monica McLaughlin, Sunnyside board member. “I can tell by his example that he applies the principles of God within his everyday life and as a volunteer. I experienced firsthand the Fruit of the Spirit that he exhibited each time I came to the center.”

And Charles Forrest, coordinator for the Gaining Control program at Sunnyside, added, “I’ve witnessed the reassuring and inspiring leadership of a mature Christian in Tommy. His direction and feedback always springs from the big picture of the love of Jesus Christ. He doesn’t just pray that we will greet each client with warmth and compas-

sion, treat them with dignity and send them on their way knowing the love of Jesus Christ, he does it every day.”

While Tommy’s shoes will be tough to fill, the Board of Cooperative Ministries has begun a search for a new director for Sunnyside Ministry. The Director serves as Sunnyside’s CEO, is responsible for executing its mission, and works to build collaboration and trust between Sunnyside and its key stakeholders necessary to achieve that mission. Sunnyside Ministry, an agency of the Moravian Church in America Southern Province, expresses the love of Christ by providing short-term emergency assistance for life’s basic needs to families who find themselves in crisis situations.

Any and all interested candidates should visit http://bit.ly/SunnysideDir to read about Sunnyside, to learn more about the director’s position and to apply. ■ Thanks to Mallie Graham and Ruth Burcaw who compiled this article.

March 2015

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OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Prayer Day for Moravian Unity Work March 1, 2015 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 Unity Offering is designated for the South Africa province’s project for youth and Sunday School.

Watchwords At the close of 2014, members of the Provincial Board of the European Continental Province met in Herrnhut, the birthplace of our renewed Moravian Church, and drew watchwords for the Unity Board, Unity Provinces, Mission Provinces and Unity Undertakings.

The common watchword for the year 2015 is taken from Romans 15:7: “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” The Southern Province watchword, from May 9, is “Whom did you dread and fear so that you lied, and did not remember me?”

Isaiah 57:11 The 2015 watchword drawn for the Northern Province is from February 6, “I know, my God, that you search the heart, and take pleasure in uprightness.” I Chronicles 29:17 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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NORTHERN PROVINCE Presbyterial Consecration Brother Jeffrey Coppage, presently serving as pastor for Covenant Moravian Church, York, Pa., was consecrated a presbyter of the Moravian Church on January 25, 2015. Bishop Douglas H. Kleintop officiated at the service, which was held at Covenant Moravian Church.

Retirements Sister M. Blair Couch requested and was granted permission to retire from the active call of the Moravian Church effective July 1, 2015.

Sister Couch was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church May 21, 1978. She has served the church in pastorates in Alberta (Rio Terrace, Edmonton) and Pennsylvania (Calvary). She also served on the Canadian District Executive Board (1982–1986). She will continue to serve the church as a bishop of the Moravian Unity, having been consecrated to that office November 3, 2002.

The church is grateful for her 37 years of faithful service.

VISIT THE MORAVIAN MAGAZINE ON FACEBOOK! The Moravian Magazine is on Facebook!

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

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Sister Wendy J. Beck requested and was granted permission to retire from the active call of the Moravian Church effective August 1, 2015.

Sister Beck was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church November 29, 1986 and has served the church in pastorates in Alberta (Bruderheim, Good Shepherd), Wisconsin (Green Bay West) and Pennsylvania (Schoeneck). She has also served as staff resource to the Board of Elders of the Canadian District since 2006.

The church is grateful for her nearly 29 years of faithful service.

Leave of Absence Brother Lance E. Fox, who has been serving as pastor for MorningStar Moravian Church, Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, requested and was granted a leave of absence from the active call of the Moravian Church effective January 31, 2015.

Removal The Provincial Elders’ Conference acted to remove Brother William Hosking, Jr. from the Roster of the Moravian Church effective January 7, 2015.

Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference

“Come...walk in the light of the Lord!”

- Isaiah 2:5

Register today for the

12th Moravian Women’s Conference June 25-28, 2015 in North East, Maryland

Presented by the Interprovincial Women’s Board, Moravian Church in North America

To register or for more information, visit www.moravianwomensconference.org or call (302)703-WALK (9255) March 2015

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OBITUARIES

The Rev. Joseph Daniel Conrad

Sister Violet Emma Stelter Befus

The Rev. Joseph Daniel Conrad died September 10, 2014 after an extended illness. He was 65.

“Dan” was born July 24, 1949 to H. Joe and Mary Conrad, and was baptized at Bethania Moravian Church, in Winston-Salem, N.C. He attended Wake Forest University, served in the United States Navy, graduated from UNC-Greensboro and received his Master of Divinity degree from Moravian Theological Seminary in 1982.

He was ordained June 6, 1982 at Bethania by the Rt. Rev. George C. Higgins, and served the Community Fellowship (Welcome, N.C.), Mount Bethel (Cana, Va.), Good Shepherd (Kernersville, N.C.), and Advent (WinstonSalem, N.C.) congregations. He also was Director of Laurel Ridge Moravian Camp and Conference Center from 1993 to 2000.

Dan had a lifelong love of music which included being a member of the U.S. Navy band, and greatly enjoyed playing the trombone.

Dan is survived by his wife, Jonetta Hilton Conrad; step-daughter, Cynthia Tesh Miles; step-granddaughter, Elizabeth Miles Haynes; great-grandson Braxton Haynes; his father, H. Joe Conrad; sister Molly C. Leinbach, and husband Mark; niece, Hannah L. Calloway; and nephew, Steven M. Leinbach.

A memorial service was held Tuesday, September 15, 2014 at Bethania Moravian Church with the Revs. Richard L. Sides and David Merritt officiating.

Sister Violet Emma Stelter Befus, wife of the

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late Rev. John Befus entered the more immediate presence of the Lord on Sunday, January 18, 2015, at Salemtowne Retirement Community, Winston-Salem, N.C. She was 93 years old.

Violet was born May 14, 1921 in Lamont, Alberta, Canada. After becoming a registered nurse and marrying John Befus, she served with him 25 years in the communities of La Luz, Bilwas Karma, and Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. Violet’s ministries include teaching, playing the organ and leading choirs, organizing youth groups and providing counsel to young women.

John and Violet later served in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada; Philadelphia, Pa.; and the Fries Memorial congregation in Winston-Salem, where Violet remained a member.

In 2000, they moved to Salemtowne, where she continued an active and cheerful witness after John’s death later that year. Throughout her life she embodied a personal philosophy in keeping with her name—to “bloom where you are planted.”

She is survived by three children: Ruth and husband John Snyder; Gerry Befus and wife Debbie Allgood; and Tim Befus. Violet is also survived by six grandchildren—Rick Snyder, Randy Snyder, Greg Snyder, Eva Mullinax, Deanna Befus, Michelle Befus—as well as eight great-grandchildren.

A graveside service was held Saturday, January 24, at 1:00 p.m. at God’s Acre, in Salem with the Reverend Kelly Moore officiating, followed by a memorial service led by Chaplain Linda Browne at 3:00 p.m., in the Saal at Salemtowne.

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QUESTIONS OF FAITH

aren’t always easy to answer.

Questions about finances can be.

H

OW CAN YOU HELP THE MINISTRIES you care about most? How can you tap into potential support for your church or agency? How can you make your financial investments work harder to support our shared faith? These are all good questions, and the Moravian Ministries Foundation has answers. From education, to gift planning, to fundraising help, to investment management, we have answers that are rooted in wisdom, experience and — most importantly — unwavering faith and values. Simply put, our goal is to generate more money to support Moravian ministries. Visit us online at www.mmfa.info and explore what we can do together.

JOIN US ON

Invest Where You Believe www.mmfa.info | 119 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305 | Winston-Salem, NC 27101 | 888.722.7923

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

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