The Moravian Magazine, May 2017

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Moravian Camping Ministries Welcoming the stranger Honoring Seminary graduates ...and more!

Special Events June 17

MoRAVIAn DAY 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Activities, music, & food for the entire community.

On the lawn at CentRAL MoRAVIAn ChuRCh Main Street, Bethlehem, Pa

June 25

AnnIVeRSARY LoVefeASt 3:00 p.m.

Featuring music of a massed band and choir from Bethlehem Moravian entities.

JohnSton hALL, MoRAVIAn CoLLege Presented by the Bethlehem Area Moravian Churches, Moravian College, Moravian Theological Seminary, and other Moravian entities.

610-866-3125 Interested in participating as a musician or singer?

Contact Becky Owens at RAKLEINTOP@hotmail.com

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

The 2017 edition of The Moravian Daily Texts continues a 287-year-long tradition of offering an inspirational connection to the Holy Scriptures every day.

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

The Moravian Daily Texts 2017 editions are now available at half-price while supplies last.

And watch for information on pre-ordering 2018 editions in early summer.

Learn more at store.moravian.org 2

The Moravian

On the cover: Sunshine through the leaves harkens summer. Photo by Mike Riess

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

13 “Close your eyes and think about your time at

Camp Hope...”

16 Laurel Ridge focuses on love for 2017 season 18 Tar Hollow says, “Asante Mungu” 20 Western District Camping shares “Piece by Peace” theme 21 Mt. Morris expansion aims to enhance its ability to serve 22 Camp Van Es: teaching what makes us feel Alive in Christ

A Quilting Ministry 5 Hope Quilters celebrate 25th anniversary with a big challenge

Moravian Theological Seminary 6

Seminary honors outstanding graduates

In Our Communities 8 Lehigh Valley Clergy host special service to “welcome the stranger” 11 Sunnyside Ministry program helps student focus her future

In Our Congregations Visit our website at http://www.moravian.org.

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

May 2017

23 Veedum Moravian celebrates a century of service

In Every Issue 4

Ponderings: A comic about food

25 Moravian Doctrine: Zinzendorf and Moravian Theology 28 Official Provincial Elder’s News 30 Obituaries 3

PONDERINGS (ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) May 2017, Vol. 48, No. 4 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

On good food and comic books...

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n late April, I finally had the opportunity to visit a place I’d heard so much about over the past year and a half – Tricklebee Café. For those of you who don’t know about Tricklebee yet, it’s a pay-what-you-can community café that offers healthy meals, food-service training, and spiritual nourishment in urban Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s a ministry of the Moravian Church in America, led by the Rev. Christie Melby-Gibbons.

So while on my way to a conference in the Badger State, I decided to arrive early and check out Tricklebee. That visit ranks among my top Moravian moments!

When I walked through the door, the place buzzed with activity.

Patrons sat at the funky tables in the brightly colored café. Volunteers from a local university were helping for the day, while the staff created wonderful dishes and talked with those coming in. I met a local poet, watched as donated food was delivered, and was awed by the countless hours of work that went into making Tricklebee a wonderful place to be.

In between taking pictures and shooting video, I put my years of pizza shop experience to work in the kitchen. I rolled energy snacks with Christie’s husband (and Tricklebee baker) David, cut peppers for the day’s salad and did a few dishes. As things slowed down, I had the opportunity to sample an amazing grilled cheese sandwich with apple chutney, a hearty potato chowder and a delightful yogurt parfait, along with some great conversation with Christie about the work they’re doing there.

Now visiting Tricklebee for the first time, getting to do some work, meeting Tricklebee’s great staff, eating a delightful meal and discussing ministry with Christie were only part of the day. As I was leaving, I mentioned to Christie that my daughter Natalie had published a comic book series about a pastry chef who competes on an intergalactic cooking competition. I told Christie I’d get a copy to add to Tricklebee’s collection of food themed books. She gave me a funny look and said, “I think I’ve seen that!”

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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: 17,000 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 Susan Kiefner, Communications Assistant Jill Bruckart, Customer Relations/Business Assistant Interprovincial Board of Communication Ginny Tobiassen, chair Terri Bischoff, Peggy Carter, Lance Fox, Paul Knouse, Kat Lehman, Amy Linville, Dan Miller, Jill Westbrook Design by Michael Riess, IBOC. 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 © 2017, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in America.

All rights reserved

The Moravian

A QUILTING MINISTRY

Hope Quilters celebrate 25th anniversary with a big challenge

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or a quarter century, a group of crafters has been piecing together cloth for a good cause. And in celebration of their 25th anniversary, this group is setting a challenge to create 100 quilts to help those in need!

Hope Quilters began by sewing and hand quilting their first full-size quilt in 1992. That quilt was sold for $1,000 and the money given to Hope Center, the camp of the Eastern District of the Moravian Church. Since then, the Hope Quilters have met annually for Quilt Camp and have made many quilted items, with sales benefiting the mission of the camp.

For its 25th Anniversary Mission Challenge, Hope Quilters are looking to create 100 quilts for the Lutheran World Relief project. Between now and the end of September, the group will be sewing or collecting quilts and materials to meet the challenge. Lutheran World Relief is a Lois Mease and Jill Bruckart with the first of 100 quilts to be created for Lutheran World Relief

May 2017

charity that accepts whole quilts and distributes them around the world.

A gathering of quilts The Hope Quilters hold their annual Quilt Camp September 27-30 at Camp Hope in New Jersey. As that event comes to a close on September 30, they will hold an “ingathering” to collect all the quilts and celebrate the completion of the challenge. The ingathering is open to all those who wish to attend.

Those interested in creating a quilt for this project can help by: • Making a quilt for the ingathering. Lutheran World Relief requests quilts that are 60” X 80”, made with new materials, and can be tied or machine quilted. Detailed instructions are available at https:// lwr.org/get-involved/quilts.

(Continued on page 12)

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MORAVIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Seminary honors outstanding graduates

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very spring, the Moravian Seminary community—alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends—comes together to catch up, learn what’s happening at the Moravian College and Seminary and honor alumni.

At this year’s Moravian Theological Seminary Alumni Luncheon in Bethlehem, Pa., held in March, those gathered honored two Seminary graduates who have taken the values and experiences of the Seminary out into the world to make a difference in the lives of others.

The Rev. Dean R. Jurgen, Moravian College graduate of 1976, and Seminary MDiv graduate of 1981, received The John Hus Alumni award. This award is given in “spe-

The Rev. Maggie Wellert (right) presents the 2017 Hus Award to the Rev. Dean Jurgen at this year’s Alumni luncheon.

cial recognition to an alumnus or alumna, who, through outstanding service and loyalty to ministry, has brought distinction to the work of the ministry and to Moravian Theological Seminary.”

In accepting the award, Dean shared, “I’ve just been a pastor . . . a common pastor.

So this year the John Hus Award honors the common pastor, and I accept this award on behalf of all of us common pastors. . . . Today we’re not celebrating excellence but persistence, not extraordinary achievement of one, but ordinary faithfulness of many. Through it all, here is what I have tried to do: to help

“Through it all, here is what I have tried to do: to help people take God more seriously and more joyfully.”

The Rev. Dean Jurgen, 2017 Hus Award recipient

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Kyle Boroski listens as he is honored by the Seminary.

“Moravian Theological Seminary was not just a classroom, but a living community that helped form me into the clinician I am today.”

Kyle Boroski, 2017 Bishop Kortz Award recipient

people take God more seriously and more joyfully.”

Dean currently serves as pastor of Lititz Moravian Church in Lititz, Pa. H. Kyle Borowski, Moravian College graduate of 2006 and Seminary MAPC graduate of 2008, received The Bishop Kortz Award in Pastoral Counseling. This award is presented to a “graduate of the Seminary who has achieved excellence in the field of pastoral counseling ministry and who has brought distinction to the work and ministry of the Seminary.”

Kyle has taken his experience of community at Moravian May 2017

Seminary and brought it out into the world of struggling teens and families through the Family-Based Adventure programming he helped develop. For him, “Moravian Theological Seminary was not just a classroom, but a living community that helped form me into the clinician I am today. It was through classes and community that I learned the incredible power and necessary part of the process that comes with learning to find something that I like or connect with about each client. . . . What could be more important than the ability to connect with someone and sit in their pain long enough to see what they truly need to help them make changes in their life?”

The lives and work of Jurgen and Borowski underscore the importance of persistence and connection, qualities reflected throughout Moravian history and tradition.

We are so proud and grateful to honor Rev. Dr. Jurgen and Kyle Borowski and to have them out in the world helping others. n Thanks to the staff of Moravian Theological Seminary for this article.

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IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Lehigh Valley Clergy host special service to “welcome the stranger”

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rom a rise in hate crimes to a general distrust and discrimination against refugees and immigrants, some Moravian clergy began to wonder if Jesus’ call to “welcome the stranger” is being heard in our nation today. The Moravian Church, which celebrated its 560th birthday on March 1, dates back to days of intense religious persecution in 16th and 17th century Europe. Members of our early church often found themselves refugees seeking safe places to live and worship, relying on the kindness of strangers.

A statue of one of those early refugees, John Amos Comenius, can be found on Moravian College’s main campus today, on Main Street in Bethlehem. It was Comenius, a revolutionary educator and bishop in the Moravian Church, who wrote eloquently on the common humanity of all of God’s children, even as he and his church were searching 8

for a place to practice their faith and live in safety: “We are all citizens of one world, we are all of one blood. To hate a man because he was born in another country, because he speaks a different language, or because he takes a different view on this subject or that, is a great folly. Desist, I implore you, for we are all equally human…Let us have but one end in view, the welfare of humanity.”

In early February, Moravian clergy found ourselves looking for a way to express our hope for our common humanity, and to follow Jesus’ call to welcome the stranger in a time when refugees from war-torn areas have been barred and immigrants have been labeled as criminals or predators. Drawing on our own religious heritage, we decided to hold a lovefeast of welcome, using our Moravian tradition of a simple meal open to all to strengthen relationships and fellowship and, The Moravian

especially in this case, to promote dialogue.

On Sunday, February 26, the Moravian Clergy of the Lehigh Valley welcomed over 300 people to Johnston Hall at Moravian College, just steps from where the Comenius statue stands. We called the event “Join We ALL: Welcoming Refugees and Immigrants as Neighbors and Friends.” Our neighbors and friends came from all walks of life, some recent refugees from Syria and other war-torn places, helped by religious communities in the Valley; others from Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities throughout our area.

Gathered around tables of eight or ten, we were led in prayer by members of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities.

We learned about the ongoing resettlement of carefully vetted and approved refugees from Marla Sell of Bethany Christian Services. We heard about the hospitality and ministry of the new Refugee Community Center at Church of the Mediator in Allentown from the Rev. Twila Smith.

May 2017

The question of why we welcome the stranger and why we strive to follow Comenius’ call to understand ourselves as citizens of one world was especially highlighted by the Muslim Association of the Lehigh Valley’s (MALV) Outreach Coordinator, Sherrine Eid. MALV’s ministry extends to those refugees and immigrants who struggle with the everyday adjustment and survival of being settled in a completely new place.

“Yes,” Sherrine said, “it is refugees, immigrants who need us ... and it is also the homeless veterans, the women facing domestic abuse who need us. If we haven’t done it well enough as a community...it is time for us now to step up. We are all immigrants,” she reminded the group and as a powerful visual, asked us to stand, starting with those who are immigrants today, to the children of immigrants, all the way back to those who can trace their lineage to the Mayflower. “Without [gatherings like these], (Continued on next page)

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Welcome the stranger (Continued from previous page)

humanity will be a disaster,” she concluded, “and it is because of this that there is hope today.”

Finally, our table discussions over a variety of breads from many different cultures and nations, provided by participants (including our own Moravian sugarcake), offered us the opportunity to learn more about the common humanity we share.

We discussed what home means to us, and how hospitality has impacted our lives. We learned about paths we can travel together,

Ponderings

(Continued from page 4) After several, “no way’s” and “I can’t believe it’s,” she said she’d check when she went home. Several hours later when we met again at the Western District Conference, she held up her phone with a picture of Natalie’s comic.

Turns out, friends of hers had just recently given the book to her daughter, who was in the process of devouring it. I could just picture her daughter, reading a comic by my daughter, all about food...the perfect topping to a great day at Tricklebee.

I look forward to sharing more about the work of Tricklebee Café. I’m working on an article for a future issue, using the material I

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agencies and vehicles by which hospitality is extended here in the Lehigh Valley and advocacy efforts nationwide.

We pray that in some way “Join We ALL” fostered hope to move forward, a witness to our common humanity and a will for our community to be a welcoming place that turns a stranger into a friend. n The Rev. Janel R. Rice is pastor of Calvary Moravian Church in Allentown, Pa.. A version of this article also appeared in the Allentown Morning Call.

gathered while there. I think you’ll find it as inspiring as I have…

I hope you enjoy this issue of The Moravian. It’s our annual round-up of Moravian Camping Ministries, with news and highlights from Camp Hope, Mt. Morris, Laurel Ridge, Van-Es and Mid-states camping. We also feature an article on a moving service held earlier this year in support of immigrants, a piece on Seminary award winners and more.

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Peace,

Mike Riess, Editor The Moravian Magazine The Moravian

IN OUR COMMUNITIES

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Sunnyside Ministry program helps student focus her future

he Sunnyside Ministry Scholarship Program is an important part of the way Sunnyside is changing lives in the Winston-Salem community.

The scholarship program, which began in 1998 with a gift from the Blanche May Vogler Estate, has provided 106 scholarships to students, 96 percent of whom completed their education. Sunnyside Ministry typically awards three or four, four-year scholarships of $1800/year plus a new laptop computer; there are currently 16 scholars in the program.

One of the most important factors the Scholarship Committee considers is the quesElizabeth Thomas, Sunnyside Scholarship recipient

May 2017

tion, “Does this student have a benevolent spirit?” Sunnyside Ministry Scholars have graduated and become social workers and youth directors; current scholars include a future doctor, nurses, social workers and a special education teacher.

Part of the program allows some students to participate in a work experience at Sunnyside Ministry. The program is open to students who live or attend high school in the Sunnyside Ministry service area. Elizabeth Thomas is one of the Class of 2017 scholarship recipients and a participant in the internship program. She shares her experience and thanks for the Sunnyside Ministry Scholarship program: “I grew up in Forsyth County, where I graduated West Forsyth High School in 2013. I am a first-generation college student and a lifelong member at Friedberg Moravian Church, where generations of my family attended before me.

“I was offered the internship opportunity for the past three summers and, sadly, now my time is coming to an end. This internship is a life-changing experience that I think every young person should go through. It will open your eyes to the way some people in our community live and how much help we can offer people right here in our backyard.

“State and international mission work are wonderful opportunities. I went to Peru after I graduated from high school and it changed the way I look at the world and how people live. But seeing people suffer just as much in your own backyard is a major eye-opener. We have to start local in our communities as well, helping those around us and this internship is (Continued on next page) 11

Sunnyside (Continued from previous page) a great way to do that.

“I came into my interview for my scholarship at Sunnyside knowing I wanted to attend UNC-Greensboro and pursue a nursing degree.

Now I am a graduating in May 2017 from UNCGreensboro with my degree in human development and family studies with a minor in psychology.

“Through my internship with Sunnyside, I came to realize my passion lies with working with older adults. All the volunteers embraced me so warmly and hearing the stories about clients who are alone in old age just made this passion grow so much stronger inside me. Volunteers and clients helped me realize what I wanted to do with my life. I want to be an advocate of older adults in the later years of their

lives, so I will be attending UNC-Greensboro’s Master’s Program for Gerontology in August 2017. I hope to become a director of a hospice/palliative care center for older adults so that they and their families have all the love and support they need in those hard moments.

“Without my internship at Sunnyside, I would have never realized this was my calling in life. The scholarship program is a blessing and I hope it will be a blessing to many more young adults.”

To learn more about the Sunnyside Ministry Scholarship program or internship opportunities, visit sunnysideministries.wordpress. com/scholarship/ or call 336/724-7558.

David Holston is director of Sunnyside Ministries in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Quilts

Donations of fabric are due by July 1, while quilt tops, backs, batting and thread are needed by August 1. If creating a complete quilt, it • Making a quilt top. 60” X 80” made with should be ready for the ingathering event on prewashed 100% cotton.

September 30.

• Donating material for quilt making. We To register for the ingathering and luncan use cheon on September 30, send an e-mail to • yardages of 100% cotton—it takes Betz Lucas at daleandbetz@juno.com. four yards to make a quilt top (note And for more information about Quilt that the fabric shouldn’t have any reCamp, the 25th Anniversary Mission Challigious, nationality or military referlenge and how to donate materials or a quilt, ences, nor a camouflage design. contact Lois Mease at loismease@gmail.

• quilt backs—64” X 84”, 100% com. cotton, pieced or whole cloth, pre washed Rev. Lois Mease is Dean of the Quilt Camp • cotton/poly batting—60” X 80”. and lives in Bethlehem, PA. A king size bat provides filling for three quilts. Well-washed mattress pads, cut to size, are welcome.

• cotton thread (Continued from page 5.)

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The Moravian

MORAVIAN CAMPING MINISTRIES

“Close your eyes and think about your time at Camp Hope...”

Dear Fellow Moravians, I would like to talk about a very special place to me, Camp Hope (officially called Hope Conference & Renewal Center.) For those who have had the pleasure of experiencing Camp Hope, I want you to close your eyes for a few seconds and think about your time there. It’s okay, I’ll wait...feels good, doesn’t it?

There are very few places that can conjure up such emotion with a simple memory.

You see, I am not only writing to you as the Chair of the Hope Conference Center Board of Management but also as a lifelong camper.

Camp Hope made me the person I am today.

As a kid, it was the only place where I could be myself. More importantly, it was a spiritual place that brought me closer to God. It’s

May 2017

this relationship that keeps bringing me back year after year. It’s what drew me to serve on the Board and, now, to serve as its Chair.

I am pleased to tell you there are exciting things happening here! We continue to get overwhelmingly positive responses from the campers. We have a new, enthusiastic camp director, Sue Dreydoppel. Many of you know her already from her role as assistant administrator. We have a very strong and diverse Board of Management. We are creating Special Interest Committees to get more people involved. We have improved our communication with the Moravian community via our Facebook page. (You can like us at Hope Conference and Renewal Center, NJ.) And we now have Wi-Fi in the Upper Lodge and Has(Continued on next page)

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Camp Hope

(Continued from previous page)

sler Hall! We are doing all this to improve the camp experience and to make the camp better. With your help, we can take Camp Hope to another level of experience, availability and spiritual fulfillment.

Of course, we cannot do this without a strong Board and that is what we have! Not only is the Board up to the task but our diversity gives us strength. Our board includes pastors and lay members, men and women from many areas of the Eastern District.

We’re fortunate to have two contractors, an architect, an EMS coordinator, a teacher, a former nurse and the founding members of Northeast Moravian Disaster Relief (NEMDR). It is this group that has been working hard to make changes, and they continue to volunteer their time and effort for the good of Camp Hope.

One of the many things the Board has been working on has been the permanent staff structure. Camp Hope has transitioned over the years from a summer camp with the occasional off-season rental to a year-round camp facility. While this is, indeed, good news, we found that there was very little to no down time for the two permanent staff positions, which led to fatigue and burnout.

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The Board, therefore, created three new positions where there were once two. We now have a full-time director (Sue Dreydoppel), who is in charge of the overall camp experience, and a full-time caretaker, who is responsible for the physical buildings and grounds. The third position is an administrative assistant, who is part-time seasonal and will handle the office duties. By splitting the physical camp duties and the programmatic responsibilities, we hope to free up both fulltime positions to focus on their respective demanding roles.

Another area of change for Camp will come in the area of fundraising. Did you know that the last major fundraising promotion was in 2007? The Great Recession was the main culprit. It is thanks to the work of previous boards and staff and to the spirit of Camp Hope that the camp endured through those lean years. In 2017, however, we will be launching a new funding campaign to keep things strong.

Donations will go toward numerous projects we are undertaking this year. Now that the weather is turning in our favor we will start the renovation of the beach volleyball court. We are also creating new staff housing facilities in Hassler Hall. The cabins need a little TLC, which we will endeavor to complete prior to The Moravian

the new camping season this year. Your support is greatly appreciated!!

There is a lot to be excited about at Camp Hope and we hope these additions and others to come will take us to another level of experience and spirituality. I leave you with Camp Hope’s mission statement: A Christian outdoor ministry of the Moravian Church, providing programs and facilities for people of all ages to experience opportunities for community and spiritual growth.

For those who believe that Camp Hope is

only about the Moravian youth, think again!

Our mission statement says for “people of all ages,” with programs for youth, adults, and families. Camp Hope is for all! Camp Hope is for you! n Shawn Billiard is Chair of the Board of Management of Hope Conference and Renewal Center, a member of Egg Harbor City Moravian Church, and a lifelong camper at Camp Hope.

Hope Conference Center Camp Dates for 2017

Pre-Primary Conference Middler Conference June 14 - 17 Camp Dean: Shannon Swingle

June 25 - July 1 Camp Deans: Blair Couch, Sayward Lippincott

NEW! Sports Camp June 18 - 24 Camp Dean: Josh Sanders

Jr. High Conference July 2 - 8

Fishing Camp June 18 - 24 Camp Dean: Bob Wingrove

Swim Camp July 9 - 15 Musical Theater Camp July 9 - 15 Camp Deans: Sarah Hriniak and Ryan Morrow

Primary Conference July 16 - 22 Camp Deans: Tammie Rinker, Bevon White Senior High Conference July 30 - August 5 Camp Dean: Steve Kish Quilt Camp September 27 - 30 Camp Dean: Lois Mease

For more information or to register, visit www.camphope.org May 2017

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MORAVIAN CAMPING MINISTRIES

Laurel Ridge focuses on love for 2017 season

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he days are getting longer and warmer on the mountain! It’s almost time for camp!

The theme for our 2017 Camps is LOVE, based on Colossians 3:14, “Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”

Laurel Ridge is a mountain place set apart for forming disciples of Jesus Christ who live and learn in community to serve in the world.

To many, summer camp is a fond memory and one of the things in life that as adults we still long for. Young people who attend camp continue to have a desire to be in Christian community, a hunger to learn more, and the assurance that faith makes a difference in their lives.

Laurel Ridge offers camps for first graders all the way up to 99 years of age. There is something for everybody, whether you are a camper or a counselor.

Here’s a look at what’s in store for 2017: PreJunior Camp is the perfect introduction to Laurel Ridge for your little camper!

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Our deans this year are the Rev. Chris Thore and Gail Theard. July 28-30, 2017, for children who’ve completed grades 1 or 2. Cost for this weekend camp is $225.00.

Junior Camp for kids who have completed grades 3, 4 or 5: • Junior 1 Camp theme is “Rhythms of Faith” and will explore the rhythms of Jesus’ life through rhythm groups that investigate rhythms in nature, music and dance.

June 25-July 1, 2017. Deans include the Rev. John D. and Mary Rights.

• Junior 2 Camp theme is “Will the Real Superhero Please Stand Up?” Campers will examine the life of Moses from his birth to the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus. In a world where superheroes fill movies and TV, this camp will focus on Jesus as the real Superhero! August 6-12, 2017. Deans include Heidi and Daniel Everhart.

Arts Camp is for those campers who truly love the arts and want to explore them in a mountain setting. Campers will be able to exThe Moravian

plore a variety of the activities including painting, drawing/sketching, dance, singing, instrumental music, photography and more! This new and innovative camp will be enhanced by looking at the gifts God has given us. Arts Camp will be housed in the Bishop Wing and Salem Wing of Higgins Lodge. Arts Camp is June 1824, 2017; deans are the Rev. Tripp May and Joyce Vance.

Eco Mission Camp takes older campers out into areas surrounding Laurel Ridge in northwest North Carolina to serve as stewards of God’s earth. Past work sites have included Mount Jefferson State Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Blending elements from our Mission Camps and Summer Camps together, campers will get to travel off-site during the morning and early afternoon to complete work projects and experience traditional camp activities in the late afternoon and evening. Eco Mission Camp is for campers who have completed grades 5 through 9, June 11-17, 2017. Deans include the Rev. Lisa Mullen and Greg Keener.

Middle High Camp is a week filled with Bible study and summer camp activities such

May 2017

as swimming, canoeing, sports, Group Interactive Course, archery, crafts, music and campfires every evening. The 2017 theme is “Where in the World is Jesus?” and will take a look at missions worldwide. Campers will compare and contrast various forms of worship. July 30 - August 5, 2017; Deans include the Rev. Jeff Jones and Catherine Long.

Senior High Camp is the pinnacle of the Laurel Ridge camp experience! It is a week of Bible study, and fun-filled summer camp activities such as swimming, canoeing, sports, Group Interactive Course, archery, crafts, music and campfires every evening. The 2017 Camp program will once again be led by Dewey Mullis and Justin Rabbach, expanding on last year’s Decision theme and acting on the decisions made based on Christian morals and values. The 2017 Dance Theme is “Prep vs.

Country vs. Granola.” July 9-15, 2017. Deans include the Rev. Joe Moore and Meredith Dowdy.

Mission Camp at Laurel Ridge provides youth groups the opportunity to serve (Continued on page 24)

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MORAVIAN CAMPING MINISTRIES

Tar Hollow says, “Asante Mungu”

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very summer, near the end of July, Moravians from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois gather to share one week as one community in the deep hills of Tar Hollow, one of Ohio’s State Parks. Here, campers from grades 7 through age 21 spend a week in nature experiencing good old-fashioned camping, which includes program, activities, campfires, swimming and everything else you can imagine a week of camp consists of.

Last July, Tar Hollow was led on a “Soul Safari” where campers learned how they can make God part of their lives everyday, and that he will always be with them every step of the way.

Each day, campers were given prayer ribbons upon which they wrote prayers for themselves, or for other people or places, and tied them to a large rope-threaded frame resembling an enormous spider web. As the week progressed, the large web filled with prayers and showed campers that God hears every

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prayer that we send his way and catches them in his web.

Campers also shared a Lovefeast one evening, but it was by no means a traditional Lovefeast. Sticking with the Safari theme, campers and staff shared a meal consisting of zebra cakes and juice and were taught the phrase, “Asante Mungu,” which is Swahili for, “Thank you, God” This simple phrase, “Asante Mungu,” was used many times throughout the week as campers were reminded that we should thank God for all of the blessings in our lives, and to also thank one another for helping each other along our journeys.

Another part of the Lovefeast was a comparison of Christians to zebras. Small groups were tasked with making an acrostic poem out of the word “zebra” or “Asante” using words or phrases that define what it means to be a Christ-follower. Through this exercise, campers learned that, like zebras, Christians band

The Moravian

together to promote one another and to serve each other and God as a community.

On Wednesday night of camp, the Regional Youth Council hosted a Safari-themed mission dinner to raise funds to support the Adopt-aVillage project and an anti-poaching clinic in Africa. The RYC served the meal while campers and staff purchased tickets for the silent auction featuring original artworks and other prizes. The whole evening was fruitful in both community and mission as the camp collected over $2,000.

The Soul Safari continued well into the week as each and every camper dug deeper and deeper into his or her own personal journey with God, learning to shine God’s light through all that we do. As the week came to an end, the

campers went out into the world with renewed spirits and healthier hearts to serve God. Camp Tar Hollow is very special to the Mid-States region. It is the place we like to call home once a year, and we have been doing so for the past 68 years. Every Saturday of camp, as campers prepare to go their separate ways, we say, “Asante Mungu” (Thank You, God) for bringing us together again and we look forward to the next summer when God will bless us again.

Joe Compton, a member at First Moravian Church of Dover, Ohio, wrote this for us following the 2016 camping season. Photos by Lynn Reichman of Sharon Moravian Church in Tuscawaras, Ohio.

Tar Hollow is part of the Mid-States Camping Ministry for Moravians in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana. Camp dates for 2017 include: August 7 - 11, 2017 Camp Bethany (completed grades 2-6 for Ohio, lower Michigan); Camp Director: Scott Minor Location: Camp Bethany, Lakeview, Ohio

July 23 - 29, 2017 Tar Hollow (Completed 7th grade-age 21) Camp Director: The Rev. Darryl Bell Location: Tar Hollow State Park, Ohio

July 24 - 28, 2017 Camp Illiana (completed grades 2-6 for Indiana, Illinois); Camp Director: Kris Hasewinkle Location: Bedford, IN

For more information and registration details for MidStates camping opportunities, visit http://midstatesmoraviancamps.webs.com/

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MORAVIAN CAMPING MINISTRIES

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Western District Camping shares “Piece by Peace” theme

s campers in the Western District come together this year, they’ll all be working with one universal them—“Piece

by Peace”—no matter which age or location.

The 2017 theme was developed at a Regional Youth Council planning retreat. “Piece

by Peace” highlights that, as individuals and a Christian community, we all have many pieces. To be complete, we must continue to build and connect with God to find peace in life. When we all work together to put the pieces together, we are able to see the full picture of God’s creation.

Each camp will interpret the theme any way they would like; we hope the common theme will bring excitement and uniformity between the six camps being offered this summer. In addition,

each of the camps’ mission projects this year will support the Mt. Morris expansion project currently underway. As with every year, the Mt. Morris experience includes time for learning and fun, with morning program time followed by a whole range of fun outdoor activities.

The camping experience is a unique Christian community designed to have youth explore their relationship with God and learn how to live out their faith. Mt. Morris has been very instrumental in providing a wonderful venue to experience this Christian community. We are excited to support Mt. Morris and to see the ongoing ministries that Mt. Morris provides to so many people. n Kathy Liebenow is chair of the Western District Camping Committee.

Western District Camping Dates for 2017

Chetek • July 16-22, 2017 Completed Grades 9-Age 21 Director: Kurt Liebenow Program Leader: Jason Anderson

Camp Mindyy • July 23-26, 2017 Completed grades 2,3,4 & 5 Directors: Tiffani Glime and Sue Kolb

Winmor • July 23-29, 2017 Completed grade 6, 7 & 8 Directors: Marian Boyle-Rohloff and Eric Renner Program Leader: Alyssa Nelson

Junior Camp • July 31-Aug. 4, 2017 Completed grades 3,4 & 5 Director: Kerry Krauss

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Ba6 • Aug.13-17, 2017 Completed grades 3,4,5 & 6 Director: Sara Valley 4M • Aug.14-16, 2017 Completed grades 1 & 2 Director: Stacy Wickert

For more information, visit www.wdcamping.com The Moravian

MORAVIAN CAMPING MINISTRIES

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Mt. Morris expansion aims to enhance its ability to serve

ave you ever played musical chairs? For the past few years, Mt. Morris Camp and Conference Center has been experiencing a not-so-fun game of musical chairs when there are three or more groups using the facility at the same time. Now, Mt. Morris’ board is taking steps to ensure there are enough chairs when the music stops.

When there are multiple groups using Mt. Morris there is not enough space to host both program and dining events. The number of guests on a weekend typically ranges from 50 to 75 people represented by up to three different groups. If Arrowhead Center is used by one group for programming, there is only dining space for 30 people. In addition, summer youth camps use Arrowhead Center for meals, program, crafts and recreation, each of which requires multiple set ups and rearranging of the room during the day.

The Mt. Morris board and staff studied the problem and recognized a need for an additional dining facility which could also serve as program space for large groups. After much discussion, a preliminary plan was developed to enlarge Arrowhead and build new program space. The plan was presented to the 2016 West-

May 2017

ern District Synod and blessed to move forward.

Along with the dining space, the director’s and the administrator’s offices will be moved to the new facility allowing space for the kitchen to expand. The need for greater kitchen space was further heightened when the health department limited meal preparation in both Black Oak and Sandhill, requiring even more groups to use meal plans offered by the staff in Arrowhead.

Mt. Morris hopes to raise $600,000 to complete this project. Construction will not begin until sufficient funds have been pledged.

As congregations consider how they play a part in this drive, remember the importance of the camping program in their lives as youth and their children’s lives. A recent survey indicates that many of our pastors have heard God’s call during a camping experience.

Information on the Arrowhead Expansion Project is available at www.Mt-Morris.org.

More information is also available from Jane Harberg at revjane@yahoo.com or Kay Ward at kayward142@gmail.com. n The Rev. Jane Harberg serves on the Mt. Morris board and committee for this expansion project.

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MORAVIAN CAMPING MINISTRIES

Camp Van Es: teaching what makes us feel Alive in Christ

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an Es has an exciting summer for 2017 planned with all sorts of great activities, fun with friends and learning about what makes us feel Alive in Christ.

Being out on the lake for camp fires, singing songs and hearing stories about Jesus are just some of the things that happen, but really, camp is about having experiences together with your friends that you don’t normally have at home or at school. There is always something that will challenge you and help you grow in your faith. There are counsellors who give a week out of their lives to share their own journey with you; to make sure that each camper is reminded that God loves them and is always at work around us.

Of course, we get over our fears of bugs and moose. We learn to build fires, share stories, throw water balloons, play intense rounds of kickball and capture the coun-

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selor. But everything we do is geared towards helping us remember that, when we live for Christ, we know what it is to be alive, and that’s what our faith is all about.

Finally, Van Es is still looking for Antioch students to come and spend the summer being a counselor for the whole summer.

Needed are one male and one female who have graduated High School at least one year ago. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Matt Gillard at MattGillard791@gmail.com For more information and registration, visit http://www.vanescamp.com/ n 2017 Camp Van Es Dates

• July 2-6: Grades 1/2/3 camp • July 9-15: Grades 4/5/6 camp • July 16-22: Jr. High Camp • July 23-29: Sr. High Camp

The Moravian

IN OUR CONGREGATIONS

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Veedum Moravian celebrates a century of service

n Sunday, April 9, 2017 Veedum Moravian Church, in rural Pittsville, Wis. celebrated a century as a congregation.

The Veedum congregation began when Rev. C. Arthur Melicke, pastor of the First Moravian Church of nearby Grand Rapids, was engaged to preach in Veedum once each month, with services in both German and English. According to church records, 36 charter members formed Veedum Moravian Church on April 9, 1917. Some of the current members are direct descendants of those charter members. The first church home for this rural congregation was a wood framed building, purchased from a former Lutheran congregation, which served until the current building was completed in 2001.

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A Sunday School was formed right from the beginning and in its first summer, the church was served by a seminarian, Henry A. Kuehl.

At a special service led by Rev. Melicke on July 29, 1917, nine adults were received by confirmation, three children were baptized, and Holy Communion was celebrated. Afterward, a dinner was served to 165 members and guests.

At the Centennial Celebration this year, current pastor, the Rev. Wanda L. Veldman, led the welcome and anniversary liturgy, then the Rev. Bruce Nelson, president of the Western District Executive Board, gave the 100th anniversary sermon of thanksgiving for the faith and history of Veedum. He challenged everyone to recall the person who was most (Continued on next page)

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Veedum

(Continued from previous page) influential in bringing them to faith and a life in the church. Everyone joined in the traditional Palm Sunday liturgy and received a folded palm cross as a remembrance of this singular event. Special music was provided

by The Remnants, a gospel bluegrass quartet from the area and included a “sing-a-long” at the close of the service.

More than 90 members, former members and friends of the church attended. The

Laurel Ridge (Continued from page 17) the less fortunate in the High Country. Groups should provide capable adult leaders (1 per every 5 youth) and transportation to and from work sites. This is a great experience for first time mission-trips or groups looking to do a smaller-scale trip. All Mission Camps are hosted at Higgins Lodge. Mission Camp 2017 Theme is “R12 Christian” examining Romans 12:12-13, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

• MC1: June 11-17; Dean Justin Rabbach • MC2: June 25 - July 1; Dean Rt. Rev. Sam Gray • MC3: July 16-22; Dean Jennifer Boles • MC4: July 23-29; Dean Donna Hurt 24

Western District Board was also represented

by Sister Nancy Chandler from Indiana. The local Historical Society served a catered meal at the church and the day was rounded out in true Moravian fashion with fellowship, laughter and sharing of stories. n The Rev. Wanda Veldman is pastor of Veedum Moravian Church in Wisconsin; Barb Schmidt, vice chair of Veedum’s Executive Board, co-wrote this article. In center photo: Nancy Chandler, Wanda and the Rev. Bruce Nelson at Veedum’s celebration.

NEW this year! Adult Camp - September 28 - October 1, 2017 Camper fee for Adult Camp is $150.00. Summer Camp 2.0 is an adult camp for ages 19-99, with the thems “Being Adult: no kidding…” Being an adult these days is pretty strange with all the kinds of things that are happening in and around us. Sometimes it’s hard to make sense of it all. Adult Camp will be adult Christians coming together, attempting to playfully explore what this grown-up thing is all about in the current world. n To register for camp go to www.laurelridge. org. Weeklong camps are $450.00. Camp Scholarships are available upon request.

Thanks to Scarlett Dowdy, program manager at Laurel Ridge, for this material and photos.

The Moravian

MORAVIAN DOCTRINE

Confessing Our Unity in Christ: Studying the historical and theological background to The Ground of the Unity As part of our ongoing series to share information about key Moravian theology and doctrine, we will be excerpting the Rev. Dr. C. Daniel Crews’ study, Confessing Our Unity in Christ: Historical and Theological Background to The Ground of the Unity. Originally written in 2000 and updated twice, this study looks at the theological and historical underpinnings of The Ground of the Unity, one of the Moravian Church’s core doctrinal statements.

Confessing Our Unity was originally published by the Southern Province Archives.

We thank Rev. Crews and Richard Starbuck, Southern Province archivist, for permission to excerpt this work.

In this issue, we continue with “Zinzendorf and Moravian Theology.”

Zinzendorf and Moravian Theology Comenius’ prayer that the Unity might someday be reborn was fulfilled among the little group of Czech exiles who found refuge on the estate of Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf in Saxony in 1722. There the faith whose record the old bishop had tried to preserve in printing its confession of faith and church order (Ratio disciplinae) continued, though in a new situation and different forms of expression.

In the early Renewed Unity we do not find much in the way of a formal confesMay 2017

sion of faith, and this is because of several reasons. For legal considerations, and also because of Zinzendorf’s preference to keep it an ecclesiola in ecclesia (a little church within the church), the Renewed Unity for a good while technically adhered to the Augsburg Confession of the Lutheran state church.

They therefore had no need, nor indeed any legal authority, to formulate a separate confession of their own. Furthermore, having (Continued on next page) 25

Confessing Our Unity (Continued from previous page)

nearly come to disaster at the very beginning because of factious quarrels over doctrinal differences, and having been delivered from this only by the unifying experience of the Savior’s grace and love on August 13, 1727,1 the Moravians, as we may now call them, were naturally wary of attempting to forge binding theological systems. Then too, there was Zinzendorf himself, the Moravians’ patron and landlord, whose unique personality so influenced Moravians of the time that the Bishops Hamilton can say: “the theology of the Moravian Church in his day was to an unusual degree identical with the theology of Zinzendorf.”2 About the theology of Zinzendorf, reams

could and have been written, though far more in German than in English. For the purposes of this study, the convenient summary in the Bishops Hamilton’s History provides the crucial points.3 One should, indeed, recall that Zinzendorf’s voluminous writings varied in content and emphasis over the years, and we may feel that some of his more eccentric opinions are happily long forgotten by the church at large. The solid core of his theology, however, has given Moravian theological expression a definite character which has served the church well and inspired its devotion over the years. This solid core, of course, was emphatically “Christ and him crucified”: the humble yet joyful appreciation of the redeeming death of Christ, truly divine and truly human, on the cross for our salvation. In spite of our sinfulness, by grace we can love the Savior and accept in faith the forgiveness of our sin in the “all-availing merits of the life, sufferings, and death of Christ.” The Holy Spirit brings us into this saving and life-giving relation with Christ, and this in turn prompts the living of a life which seeks to follow Christ in all things.4 It was this sort of faith and the vital personal experience of the Savior’s “near presence” which not only inspired and informed the eigh-

“...the theology of the Moravian Church in his day was to an unusual degree identical with the theology of Zinzendorf...”

Zinzendorf’s bishop’s cap in Herrnhut

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The Moravian

teenth century Moravians’ close community life in their settlements, but also sent them to the far corners of the earth to share the Good News of the Savior’s love.

Zinzendorf did not evolve a full-blown systematic theology, and the church, as mentioned above, was required to be in legal conformity with the Augsburg Confession. In a Synod at Marienborn in 1740 (known as the Doctrinal Synod) the Moravians did give formal expression to their basic beliefs. They said, however: Every church and every dispensation has insights of its own. If one puts them in writing they become a confession of faith, like the one we presented to the King of Sweden in 1735. We, however, make no symbol of them as [did] the Lutherans (1577), which may not later be altered. We want to retain freedom, so that our Saviour may enlighten our doctrine from time to time.5 Here again the link with the doctrinal stance of the old Unity is quite evident. As the Bishops Hamilton say: By refraining from authoritative definitions of doctrine, they sought to avoid making issues out of matters of secondary importance. More, they endeavored to come to the Scriptures with minds unaffected by dogmatic prejudice, so as to apprehend both the word and the spirit of the Bible.6 Just as the Savior brings people to Himself in different ways and at different stages of life, so the living witness of a life clearly devoted to and in communion with Christ, and evidencing the fruits of the Spirit, is a better test of true Christianity than is the intellectual confession of a series or system of doctrines. It may be that the best summary of May 2017

...a life clearly devoted to and in communion with Christ, and evidencing the fruits of the Spirit, is a better test of true Christianity than is the intellectual confession of a series or system of doctrines.

Zinzendorf’s theology and of the faith on which the Renewed Unity was built is indeed found in the hymn “Christi Blut und Gerechtigkeit,” whose basic concepts are represented in the English translation: The Savior’s blood and righteousness My beauty is, my glorious dress; Thus well arrayed, I need not fear, When in His presence I appear.

The holy, spotless Lamb of God, Who freely gave His life and blood For all my numerous sins to atone, I for my Lord and Savior own.

In our next installment: Later Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Developments.

Endnotes 1 A detailed account of these controversies and their resolution is given by Gerhard Reichel in The Story of the Thirteenth of August, 1727, trans.

Douglas L. Rights (Winston-Salem, N.C., 1946).

2 J. Taylor Hamilton and Kenneth G. Hamilton, History of the Moravian Church (Bethlehem, Pa., and Winston-Salem, N.C.: Interprovincial Board of Christian Education, Moravian Church in America, 1967), p. 154.

3 pp. 154-159.

4 It will be noted that this last point is quite in harmony with the old Unity’s insistence on good works as the inevitable fruit of faith.

5 Hamilton, History, p.157, citing quotation in Johannes Plitt, Denkwürdigkeiten aus der Geschichte der Brüder-Unität, ¶ 199.

6 History, p. 157.

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OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Moravian Music Sunday, May 14, 2017 The fifth Sunday of Easter, May 14, 2017, has been designated as Moravian Music Sunday.

The purpose of this observance is to help all congregations become more familiar with our rich heritage of Moravian music. Music is an expression of faith, and thus continuing creativity is to be encouraged.

NORTHERN PROVINCE Outdoor Ministries Sunday, June 18, 2017 The 1994 Synod of the Moravian Church– Northern Province passed legislation regarding the observance of an Outdoor Ministries Sunday. The date for this observance has been established by the Provincial Elders’ Conference as the Sunday after Trinity Sunday, which falls on June 18 this year. Pastors are encouraged to use either of the liturgies prepared in 19961997. The liturgies are available in the “Public Documents” section of the Northern Province Portal or by contacting the Provincial Office.

Ordination Brother Benjamin J. Lippert, a May 2017 graduate of Moravian Theological Seminary, will be ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church on July 1, 2017. Bishop Kay Ward will officiate at the service, which will be held at Lake Mills Moravian Church, Lake Mills, Wisconsin.

Lake Mills, Wisconsin Brother David Sobek, who has been serving as pastor for Our Savior’s Moravian Church, Altura, Minnesota, has accepted the call to serve as pastor for Lake Mills Moravian Church, Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Brother Sobek will be installed June 18, 2017.

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New Philadelphia, Ohio Brother Benjamin J. Lippert has accepted the call to serve as pastor for Schoenbrunn Moravian Church, New Philadelphia, Ohio. Brother Lippert will be installed July 16, 2017.

Retirements Brother Dean A. Easton requested and was granted permission to retire from the active call of the Moravian Church effective July 18, 2017.

Brother Easton was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church June 18, 2005 and has served the church in pastorates in Pennsylvania (Canadensis and Lancaster).

The church is grateful for his twelve years of faithful service.

Brother William A. Rinderknecht requested and was granted permission to retire from the active call of the Moravian Church effective August 31, 2017.

Brother Rinderknecht was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church June 4, 1978 and has served the church in pastorates in California (Yorba Linda, Morongo), Wisconsin (Glenwood) and Ohio (Uhrichsville). He also served with the Unity of the Brethren in Texas from 1986-2013.

The church is grateful for his twelve years of faithful service to the Moravian Church Northern Province.

Bruderheim, Alberta Upon the recommendation of the Board of Elders of the Canadian District, and in accordance with ¶1019 of the Book of Order, the Provincial Elders’ Conference has acted to dissolve the Bruderheim Moravian Church, effective March 16, 2017.

The Moravian

Leave of Absence Sister Sanette Francis, who has been serving as pastor for Ebenezer Moravian Church, Watertown, Wisconsin, requested and was granted a leave of absence from the active call of the Moravian Church effective June 12, 2017.

Presbyterial Consecration Sister Jodie Harney, presently serving as pastor of Mountainview Moravian Church, Hellertown, Pennsylvania, will be consecrated a presbyter of the Moravian Church on September 17, 2017. Bishop Douglas H. Kleintop will officiate at the service, which will be held at Mountainview Moravian Church.

Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference SOUTHERN PROVINCE Provincial Elders’ Conference The PEC is pleased to announce that the Rt. Rev. Wayne Burkette has accepted appointment as interim assistant to the PEC president beginning May 2, 2017.

This is a part-time (15 hours per week) position focused on assisting with candidacy matters, quadrennial reviews, clergy care and support, and other tasks as assigned.

While work hours will be flexible, he’ll generally be in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and available via email at wburkette@mcsp.org The Provincial Elders’ Conference invites your prayers for him as he assumes these responsibilities

May 2017

Fulp Moravian, Walnut Cove, N.C. Chuck Harmon, a Provincial Acolyte since 2007, has accepted a full-time appointment to serve as pastor of the Fulp congregation, in Walnut Cove, N.C. Chuck will conclude ministry at Willow Hill, Ararat, Va., on June 4, 2017 and begin at Fulp on Sunday, June 11. He will conclude 16 years of employment with Second Harvest Food Bank at the end of May. Please be in prayer for Chuck, his wife, Michelle, and their children, Andy and Shelby, and for the Willow Hill and Fulp congregations.

Ardmore Moravian, Winston-Salem, N.C. Charles “Chaz” Snider, a candidate for ordination, has accepted a call to become pastor of the Ardmore congregation, in Winston-Salem, N.C. Chaz will conclude his current work in youth ministry at Harrison United Methodist Church on June 4, 2017, and begin his new responsibilities June 11. Bishop Wayne Burkette will officiate at the service of ordination planned for Sunday May 21, 2017 at 3:00 p.m., at Little Church on the Lane, Charlotte, N.C. Chaz graduated from Appalachian State University, earned a M.Div. degree at Gordon-Conwell Seminary, and completed a graduate certificate in Moravian studies at Moravian Theological Seminary. Please pray for Chaz, his wife, Michaleh, and their three children, Christopher, Abby and Sarah, as they move to Winston-Salem from Charlotte. Remember the Ardmore congregation in this time of new beginnings.

The Rev. David Guthrie Provincial Elders’ Conference

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OBITUARIES Mary Elizabeth Tesch Barnes

The Rev. Wallace C. Elliott

Mary Elizabeth Tesch Barnes passed into the more immediate presence of her Lord on March 19, 2017, at age 86.

Born Jan. 31, 1931, Betty was the eldest daughter of the Rt. Rev. Samuel J. Tesch and Edith Neligh Tesch. She graduated from Reynolds High School and attended Salem College. With her husband, the Rev. Alan H. Barnes, she served congregations in Raleigh, N.C.; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Winston-Salem and Rural Hall, N.C. Betty was a gifted church musician, serving as a band member, organist and a faithful choir member, praising God with her rich, alto voice. An avid gardener, she taught her family to appreciate the beauty of flowers, vegetable gardens, autumn leaves and sunsets. She is remembered for her gracious spirit, her selfless generosity and her love of church and family.

She is survived by her sisters, Edith Johnson, Anne (Dirk) French, and Sarah (the Rev. Jim) Salzwedel; her children, Jonathan (Kathy) Barnes, Mary (Rick) Sells, Laura (the Rev. Tony) Hayworth, Melanie Barnes Hicks, eight grandchildren, and one greatgrandson. A memorial service was conducted by the Rev. Ginny Tobiassen at Home Moravian Church, Thursday, March 23, with burial following in God’s Acre, in Salem.

The Rev. Wallace C. Elliott joined the Church Triumphant on March 30, 2017, at age 83 years.

Wally was born Jan. 8, 1934 in Guilford County, N.C., the son of William and Sara Gardner Elliott, and was an active member of the Moravia congregation, Summerfield, N.C. He graduated Moravian College (1958) and Moravian Theological Seminary (1961), was ordained a deacon at the Moravia congregation, July 23, 1961 by the Rt. Rev. Herbert Spaugh, and consecrated a presbyter at Park Road (Peace), in Charlotte, NC, April 27, 1969, by Bishop Spaugh. Wally served as pastor at Home Moravian (associate); Oak Grove; Park Road (Peace); First, Uhrichsville, Ohio; Graceham, Thurmont, Md.; Community Fellowship, Welcome, N.C.; and Christ, Winston-Salem, N.C. prior to his retirement in 2000.

He enjoyed playing in the church band, writing music and playing the guitar; and was active in the camp and conference ministry at Laurel Ridge. He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Shirley Anne Weigner Elliott, and is survived by two sons, John (Barbie) Elliott, and David; a sister, Ann McLaughlin; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A graveside service was held Tuesday, April 11, 2017 in God’s Acre, Salem, with the Rev. David Marcus officiating.

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The Moravian

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May 2017

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