Moravian Magazine, Issue 3 2022

N o . 3 • J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2

In this issue: Board of World Mission Annual Report Two centuries of St. Philips • Salemtowne service Camp Hope at 75 • and more!

There is power in numbers.

Early Moravian settlers practiced faith and devotion to Christ by pooling their resources. They put their resources together into the community and took back only what they needed to live productively for Christ and their brothers and sisters.

The Moravian Common Fund was built with the same spirit of community. Today, you retain ownership of your assets while gaining a high-quality, low-cost investment solution that provides ongoing management and administration of your funds.

For more info visit

mmfa.info/investmentmanagement

Share your power.

119 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305 Winston-Salem, NC 27101 336-725-2589 | mmfa.info

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The Moravian

On the cover: Vespers site at Camp Hope in Hope, N.J. . Photo by Mike Riess

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Our Lamb has conquered.

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

God Sustains.

We Respond in Faith, Love and Hope.

SPECIAL FEATURE 11 Board of World Mission Annual Report

Moravian Music 5

Sing the Third, Please!

Ministry to Older Adults 6

Salemtowne continues its commitment to service

A Moravian Education 9

Standing at a Crossroads

Moravian Camping Ministries 31 Camp Hope: 75 years of Eastern District camping

In Our Congregations 33 St Philips celebrates two centuries of service

In every issue...

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

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

June/July 2022

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Ponderings

36 Official Provincial Elders’ News 38 Obituaries

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PONDERINGS

(ISSN 1041-0961) June/July 2022, Vol. 53, No. 3 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: OnTrac International, 41 Northern Stacks Drive, Suite 200 Fridley, MN 55421 email: file@ontrac.com

Ponderings: A trip around the Moravian world… and a view here at home

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elcome to the latest edition of The Moravian Magazine. Since 2014, this annual edition of has been a favorite of mine, as it features the Board of World Mission’s (BWM) Annual Report. Each year, the Board shares its outstanding work from the previous year and plans for the future as a special insert in a Spring magazine issue of the magazine.

For their 2021 Annual Report, the Board invites us to “follow along as they follow up” with us on their work around the world. In its pages, you’ll learn of efforts from Labrador to Peru, Alaska to Sierra Leone, and many places in between.

This annual collaboration between the BWM and Interprovincial Board of Communication ensures that all Moravian-member households have an opportunity to see how BWM’s efforts are making a difference around the globe.

At the same time, this issue of The Moravian shares happenings here at home in the Northern and Southern Provinces. We feature stories that celebrate milestone anniversaries for three different ministries, each with a commitment to serving today and in the future. For example, you’ll read about community service at Salemtowne, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year; learn about new happenings at Camp Hope (the Moravian Camp in New Jersey), which marks 75 years in 2022; and celebrate two centuries of service with St. Philips Moravian Church, a congregation in Winston-Salem, N.C. with unique historic beginnings and a view toward tomorrow.

In each issue of The Moravian, we endeavor to tell the story of today’s Moravian Church in America. Through articles and insights by many different writers, we celebrate the rich heritage, dedication to service and devotion to God that underlies our faith. As always, we invite you, our readers, to share your stories to illustrate what it means to be part of our faith tradition.

In our upcoming issues, we will be covering a number of significant events in our church, including Moravian Theological Seminary commencement, the Southern Province 2022 Synod and the 2022 Moravian Music Festival and events commemorating the founding of Herrnhut 300 years ago. We’ll also continue bringing stories of community outreach efforts, perspectives on our faith, the work of church ministries, congregational best practices and more.

I hope you enjoy this issue of the Moravian and its special feature on the Board of World Mission, and look forward to what the rest of 2022 brings.

Peace,

Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces Published seven times per year*: Jan/ Feb, April, June/July, August, Sept./ Oct., November and December, by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.

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

Individual copies available for $3.00 each.

The Moravian is sent to the families of the Moravian Church as a privilege of membership. Non Profit postage paid at Bethlehem, PA. Circulation: 15,000 Continuing The North American Moravian, The Moravian and The Wachovia Moravian.

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

Design by Michael Riess, IBOC. Address all correspondence regarding articles, subscriptions, or advertising to The Moravian, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 FAX: 610.866.9223 Phone: 610.867.0593 800.732.0591 e-mail: moravianmagazine@mcnp.org www.moravian.org Contents © 2022, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in America.

All rights reserved *Paper shortages in 2022 are negatively impacting our production schedule.

Mike Riess, Editor, The Moravian 4

The Moravian

MORAVIAN MUSIC

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Sing the Third, Please!

aster 2022 felt more in the rhythm of past Easters before Covid, with breakfasts, inperson worship, masks optional. The weather was nothing to write home about; as usual for this time of year, crisp and cloudy. We gathered for the Sunrise Service at the Shiloh Moravian Church south of Sturgeon Bay. The brass band of high school students was magnificent. With a woodpecker hammering away on a nearby oak, we stood in the graveyard, recalling those who had died since last Easter while affirming our faith as Easter people.

The 10:30 service at the Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church opened with the first part of the Easter Liturgy (p.90 in the Moravian Book of Worship), the service closing with the second part so that we could conclude our Easter celebration with the singing of, “Sing Hallelujah, Praise the Lord.”

Full organ led us into “Sing Hallelujah” and it hit me again…we were going to sing this hymn without the third verse. For whatever reason, those responsible for compiling the Easter Liturgy for the 1995 Moravian Book of Worship chose not to include the third verse written by the late Bishop Edwin W. Kortz in 1986. Everything within me was saying, “We must sing the third verse, it is essential to sing the third verse,” “We dare not run the risk June/July 2022

of exhibiting any degree of exclusivity.” I did refrain from breaking in with, “But not for us alone this news was brought by Christ our Lord,” though I was tempted. Not for us alone.

Far too many times, we ignore the fact that there is a third verse.

Bishop Ed got it right; he saw the danger in our singing, “For us, for us, the lamb was slain,” even with all of our great gusto and emphasis. Brother Ed is reminding us today, “But not for us alone….”

I don’t think there is anyone among us who would claim exclusivity inherent in the words, “For us, for us.” There is ample evidence that demonstrates our desire to reach out, include and welcome others to the good news of Jesus Christ. Yet, words are so important and lest we lead anyone astray by singing only, “For us, for us,” we must sing with equal enthusiasm and gusto, “But not for us alone this news was brought by Christ our Lord.” By the way, there is room on the bottom of page 94 in the Easter Liturgy, underneath the printed hymn, to attach the third verse! (The third verse may be found in the MBW, #543) n The Rt. Rev. Paul A. Graf is a bishop of the Moravian Church/Unity from Wisconsin.

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MINISTRY TO OLDER ADULTS Resident Nancy Mimoso’s beginner art classes have developed burgeoning artists to an already talented group of residents at Salemtowne.

Salemtowne continues its commitment to service

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s Salemtowne celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, it’s an especially appropriate time to pause, honor and recognize those who so generously give what many consider the most precious gift of all—time. Although Salemtowne has grown over the last five decades, the commitment to service is stronger than ever. A key part of Salemtowne’s mission and vision remains supporting older adults by fostering their sense of community and wellbeing.

Dating all the way back to its beginning in 1887, Salemtowne’s roots are based in volunteerism. At that time, the Dorcas Circle, a local Moravian service league comprised of women across the town of Salem, had concerns about the unmet needs of fellow citizens. In response, the Dorcas Circle established what was then known as Salem Home to provide shelter and comfort to destitute, sick, and aged women.

Salem Home closed in 1968, but money immediately began being raised to open what later became Salemtowne.

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Since its inception, volunteerism has remained a vital part of the fabric that makes Salemtowne a special community. Known as The Moravian Home, when it opened its doors in 1972, Mildred Park was among the first community volunteers. She later became a resident at Salemtowne.

“Volunteering is sharing love, time, and talent to help others,” Mildred Park was known to say. “At Salemtowne…where there has been a need, there has been a volunteer.

May it always be so!”

Ruth Burke served as The Moravian Home’s first coordinator of volunteers. In the early years, she worked alongside volunteers assisting residents with their dining trays, pouring beverages, and clearing tables. Volunteers also did the laundry and provided transportation services so residents could go shopping and take part in other activities.

After The Moravian Home became licensed as a continuing care retirement community and became Salemtowne in the early 1990s, The Moravian

the strong legacy of volunteerism continued.

There’s no better example than artist Jeannine Smith, who began what would become more than 20 years of volunteer service. She and fellow volunteers from the art world like Linda Turner, whose mother lived at Salemtowne, brightened the lives of residents by arranging for community artists to exhibit their work at Salemtowne, complete with an opening reception every two months.

Daughters, granddaughters and greatgranddaughters of the original Dorcas Circle remained active as volunteers at Salemtowne for more than a century until the 1990s. Two of the volunteer groups from the early days of Salem Home remain active today: The Emma Bahnson Service League and The Mary Ann Fogle Service League.

The Emma Bahnson Service League hosts the annual Harvest Tea for Salemtowne residents and participates financially in special projects to benefit residents. The Mary Ann Fogle Service League makes and sells Lovefeast candles and contributes the proceeds to Salemtowne’s Resident Financial Assistance Fund.

One of the best-known members of the Mary Ann Fogle Service League is long-time Salemtowne resident Mary Dull. For years, Mary has been widely recognized in the Winston-Salem community for making thousands of beeswax candles trimmed with red crepe paper in her Salemtowne home for use at Wake Forest University’s annual holiday Lovefeast.

Serving others remains a central focus of the daily lives of residents at Salemtowne (Continued on next page)

Salemtowne residents Benny and Roma Welch are members of the Friedland Moravian Church volunteer group who have faithfully served as Deiners for Salemtowne Lovefeasts for 33 years.

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Resident Joan Lide generously fills several volunteer roles as Manager of one of Salemtowne’s gift shops, Resident Council President, and Garden & Landscaping Committee Chair.

Salemtowne (Continued from previous page)

today—and they wouldn’t want it any other way. Whether volunteering with the many local nonprofit organizations and churches in the Winston-Salem area or giving back of their time and talent on the campus of Salemtowne, residents embrace an active, meaningful, and fulfilling lifestyle by being fully engaged in the longstanding Salemtowne tradition of helping others in need.

Residents contribute in a variety of ways on campus—shopping and volunteering in the Community Center Gift Shop and Vogler Variety Shop, coordinating periodic “tag sales,” and contributing to and operating a second-hand furniture store in the Phillips building. Proceeds from each of these activities support the Resident Financial Assistance Fund. Other residents volunteer on Salemtowne’s campus by teaching art classes, leading discussions, sharing information related to technology, leading a variety sho, and more.

Another meaningful way that independent living residents volunteer regularly is by serving their fellow residents in the Babcock Health Care Center. “Gratitude. I volunteer at Salemtowne because I am grateful to be part of the wonderful family of friends who live here.

There are many ways in which we choose to look after each other,” Salemtowne resident CarolAnn Adcock said. “On Wednesdays, Chap8

lain Linda Browne conducts a worship service for residents in the Babcock Health Care Center, and residents from Independent Living assure that as many residents as possible attend and participate. Music for the service is joyfully provided by Salemtowne residents, Carol McElveen, (piano), Frances Kohut (flute) and Louise Whealton (clarinet).

“Barbara Lundgren helps Babcock residents in wheelchairs and walkers arrive in the Amos Room on time for the service. I assist staff in bringing residents from the Memory Care Unit to the service,” Adcock said. “It is a joyful occasion as many Babcock residents sing familiar hymns, pray together and share stories of the blessings they feel, despite facing many challenges. All of us share a deep sense of gratitude in being together and helping each other as a family of friends.”

Salemtowne residents have enjoyed a long tradition of volunteering—that core part of Salemtowne will (hopefully)never change. As we mark our fiftieth year, Salemtowne thanks all volunteers—past, present, and future—who have contributed time and energy to enrich Salemtowne and the entire Winston-Salem community.

For more information about Salemtowne, please visit us online at salemtowne.org or call 336-714-2157. n Thanks to Renee Brumagin, director of marketing at Salemtowne, for this article The Moravian

A MORAVIAN EDUCATION

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Standing at a Crossroads

y name is Bruce Shoger, and I am a Lay Representative to the Northern Province Provincial Elders Conference (PEC), elected in 2018. During my time serving on the PEC, I became aware of a program at Moravian Theological Seminary (MTS) called Crossroads.

The program was developed by Dr. Jill Peters specifically to offer educational opportunities to congregational lay leaders outside the bounds of the formal degrees offered by MTS, such as the Master of Divinity degree required for ordination in the Moravian church. I found that there are many reasons that lay leaders might choose this further education, including just to better serve the needs of their local congregations in all aspects of theology and Moravian history.

Bruce Shoger

The aspect that interested me most was the fact that upon completion of the program I would be prepared to serve the Church in a leadership capacity. Some graduates of Crossroads continue a process to serve their local congregation in more specific ways as a licensed lay minister.

Additionally, I would be better prepared to serve as an elder, a Sunday school teacher, and even as pulpit supply. Throughout Northern and Southern Provinces there are growing needs for Moravians to fill these roles.

During 2019, I thought about the needs of many of our churches. I weighed these needs against my interest and availability to undertake a graduate level program. I decided to thoughtfully and prayerfully consider my commitment to start and complete a multi-year educational program at this stage of my life. By November, I concluded that if I was indeed interested, I needed to commit to beginning the program and if I found that I could keep up with the studies I needed to personally commit to completing the program.

As I explored the details of the Crossroads program, I learned that there are 16 formal courses and one practical internship to complete the program requirements. The courses are offered on Monday and Thursday evenings and are available for distance learning in an online setting. Many of the courses are taught by professors of other degree programs at MTS, and each course meets for three hours, one night a week, over an 8-week term. Each course requires reading assignments from multiple texts including a study bible, assign(Continued on next page)

June/July 2022

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Crossroads (Continued from previous page)

ments that vary from papers to class presentations, and each course offers practical education, skill development, and experience. Even the online class format was easy to adapt to, and student participation in class was easy to get used to and effective.

I decided to try the program even if it meant starting in mid-year, so in January 2020, I enrolled and began a new phase of my formal education, though it had been 30-plus years since I had been in a classroom. Remarkable to me was the fact that my learning skills came back quickly and my discipline to keep up with reading and writing assignments was not difficult to restore. By committing to start, I also quickly realized that I needed to commit to finish, and I am happy to have completed the entire program in just 26 months of study.

The main reason I am writing this is to encourage other ‘older learners’ like me and

committed Moravians to consider the Crossroads Program to extend their knowledge of the Bible, the theology of the Moravian Church, and to better prepare yourself for further service to your congregation. You do not need to move at the speed that I did. I learned that there are many students that only take specific courses of interest, or due to many personal reasons may start and stop studies with months between courses. The program is intended to be as flexible as you might need it to be. And I found the entire experience to be personally rewarding.

May God bless you as you consider how you might take advantage of this unique and wonderful program. n Bruce Shoger is a member of Lake Auburn Moravian Church in Victoria, Minn. For more information on the Crossroads Program, visit https:// moravianseminary.edu/academics/crossroads.

Crossroads Sessions 2022-23 Fall 2022 Unpacking the Scriptures - Preaching with the Rev. Dr. Sue Pizor Yoder Mondays, 6-9 pm, Sept 12, 19, 26, Oct 3, 10, (Note: Not meeting on Oct 17), 24, 31, Nov 7 Faith Journeys of the Old Testament with Pam Weiss Thursdays, 6-9 pm, Sept 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27

Late Fall 2022 Culture & Change with Dr. Jill Peters Mondays and Thursdays, 6-9 pm, Nov 3, 10, 14, 17, 21, 28, Dec 1, 5

Mapping the Route - Conversations in Theology with the Rev. Dr. Bill Falla Thursdays, 6-9 pm, Jan 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23

Spring 2023 Traveling Mercies - Congregational Care with Dr. Jill Peters, Greg Krausz and other guests Mondays, 6-9 pm, Mar 6, 13, 20, 27, (Not meeting Holy Week 4/3), Apr 10, 17, 24, May 1 Traditions - World Religions and Protestant Denominations with Rev. Dr. Bill Falla Thursdays, 6-9 pm, Mar 9, 16, 23, 30, (Not meeting Holy Week 4/6), Apr 13, 20, 27, May 4

Winter 2023 Ministry Journeys of the New Testament with the Rev. Dr. Joanne Marchetto Mondays, 6-9 pm, Jan 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb 6, 13, 20, 27

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The Moravian

Follow...

...follow along as we follow up BOARD OF WORLD MISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2021

FROM OUR CHAIRMAN Thomas Baucom

2021 BOARD OF WORLD MISSION Thomas Baucom, Chair*, Board Appointed, Southern Province Joe Jarvis, Vice Chair*, Southern Province Alina Ricardo Cukiernik, Mission Society of the Southern Province Betsy Miller*, PEC President, Northern Province Tommy Cole*, PEC Representative, Southern Province Dan Miller, Board Appointed, Northern Province Sue Koenig, Eastern District, Northern Province Andrea Peart-DeFlaviis, Eastern District, Northern Province Lisa Pampe, Western District, Northern Province

BWM Watchword: Whoever serves me must follow me, ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES in the world is the northern overlook at Laurel Ridge Camp in North Carolina. It features breathtaking views of the mountains with rock structures that serve as chairs that, I swear, make time stand still as you take it all in. The cool mountain breeze and the shade from the surrounding forest have been a refuge from the heat on summer days and its tranquility has invited me to be still and simply listen. The Board of World Mission recently gathered for a board meeting at Laurel Ridge. The afternoon agendas allowed for time to explore the mountain’s wonders, including my beloved northern overlook.

It occurred to me that there were two paths “to follow” as we hiked together up the mountain. We could follow the trails laid out before us as we worked our way from Higgins Lodge through summer camp and to the top of the mountain. We also could follow those who had been coming to this mountain and knew the stories behind each building and feature. In reality, we needed both. I find that is the way following in community works best.

We visualize the path before us, discern the best way forward, and then lean on those called to the same journey to provide guidance. What path are you being called to walk today? Who will join you on that journey?

As you read through this annual report, take some time to follow along with the areas of ministry of the Board of World Mission. I am sure many of you have been following these ministries for years while others are finding new and exciting work to follow. It is my hope that you will follow up with us and find ways to follow the calling for our lives together. m

a

,

FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR and where I am, there will my servant be also.

— ­ John 12:26

“FOLLOW ME.” Jesus says this thirteen times in scripture. Also, BWM’s watchword this year reminds us of our need to follow, and the promise that if we are faithful in service, we will be with Christ.

The invitation to follow is a theme we can’t ignore this year.

The first missionaries left Herrnhut 290 years ago, and ever since Moravians have been trying to follow Christ’s call, and Christ’s lead, around the world. As the Holy Spirit keeps moving, as God continues to Create, Redeem, and Bless… we follow.

After another year, we take time in this report to “follow up” on the work we have done as an agency and invite you to “follow along” this year to learn about the ongoing details of this important global work, and to become an active part of the mission and ministry of the Board of World Mission.

In these pages, you will see lasting ministries which celebrated 75- and 100-year anniversaries this past year. Each has been led by faithful servants following the footsteps of those who came before, updating and adapting the ministry to meet current needs. We also share about new and expanding ministries.

Our Mission Grant program had its largest year by number of grants and total dollars distributed in 2021. We welcomed new staff members and have renewed our website, social media, and direct communication efforts. This has been a true blessing, as too much happens in a year to fit it into the few pages found here.

Follow along as our reports take you from the U.S., to Central America, to Africa... and back!

We hope you are informed and inspired by the content on the “following” pages! m

Justin Rabbach

Taylor Wickert, Secretary*, Western District, Northern Province Trina Holmberg, Canadian District, Northern Province Hilda Regalado, Southern Province David Miller, Unity of the Brethren Errol Connor, EWI Province Phyllis Smith-Seymour, Jamaica Clifford Jimmie, Alaska Province Arthur Coolidge, Alaska Province Rex Knowlton, Treasurer, Advisory Member * Executive Committee

OUTREACH WITH PARTNERS...

Labrador • The Board of World Mission is happy to support the

Hopedale natives Darlene and McKinley Winters have answered the call to serve as ordained pastors in the Labrador Mission Province.

work of the Moravian Church in Labrador. Particularly exciting is the news that McKinley and Darlene Winters from the coastal village of Hopedale have answered the call to serve as ordained pastors in the province. Their decision resulted from the work that the Rt. Rev. Devin Anglin, a Jamaican Bishop, did in Hopedale in 2019 when he spent four months there while on a sabbatical. They are currently studying at Queens College in St. John, Newfoundland, and Moravian Theological Seminary, taking their courses online. They hope to complete their studies in 2023 and then be ordained for ministry in Labrador.

In December of 2021, McKinley and Darlene did something rather remarkable in securing funding to purchase a 2022 Moravian Daily Text and a Bible for each of the 242 homes in Hopedale. They hand-delivered them to each home and received many grateful comments. They also helped put together a meal on Christmas day for families in need. It was a remarkable outpouring of love.

The Winters join Sister Linda Saunders as candidates for the ordained ministry in the province. She recently completed her studies and is now in the final stages of preparing for ordination.

At the recent Synod of the Moravian Church in Newfoundland & Labrador held in November of 2021 in Happy Valley/ Goose Bay, Sister Sarah Jensen was re-elected and will continue her leadership as chairperson of the Mission Province. Moving into the future, a goal in the church is to support lay leaders across the four congregations and encourage the three leaders who are on the path to ordination.

We ask your continued prayers for our faithful brothers and sisters in Labrador as they seek to grow their congregations in the communities that they serve. m

...AROUND THE GLOBE Cuba • President Rev. Tania Sanchez reports that 2021 was a difficult year as they created strategies for pastoral work and new communication channels, which enabled the provincial board to connect directly with congregations. Rev. Sanchez expresses gratitude for financial aid, food, and medicine received through the support of Moravians in North America and the Council of Churches of Cuba. They invite prayers for their provincial synod in June.

Peru • President Rev. Joaquin Santa Cruz reports that the pandemic has caused delays in provincial projects and congregations’ ecclesiastical work. They have paused in-person meetings and have made creative adjustments to their work. The Moravian Church in Peru is excited to research locations for their new headquarters. They expressed deep gratitude for the support of the BWM and the Unity.

Costa Rica • President Leopoldo Pixley reports that the Moravian Church in Costa Rica is currently made up of four congregations (two Spanish, one English, one Miskito) and two mission fields. In general, the Church was not very affected by COVID, although Omicron has caused more infections, and some people with unsalaried jobs were fired. They invite your prayers.

Honduras (Mission Province) • President Rev. Morlin Perez reports that COVID-19 has impacted their work, as all church services throughout La Mosquitia were required to close. The virus has consistently affected this indigenous population, with deaths mostly occurring among the elderly. The church has been functioning normally since mid-2021 and the provincial board encourages trust in God. Western Tanzania • President Rev. Emmanuel Mtunda reports that the Moravian Church in Western Tanzania is doing well and continues its outreach into the Usukuma Mission Area, where there are now 14 pastors, 17 congregations, and 2711 Christians.

The MCWT has begun construction on churches and pastors’ houses in six areas where new congregations will be established soon. m

HONDURAS SYNODS AND MISSION GRANT

The Board of World Mission worked with Honduran provinces on their synods and provided grants to purchase equipment and transportation for Moravians there.

IN MAY OF 2021, both the Honduras Unity Province and the Honduras Mission Provinces held their synods. Both events were spirit filled as these church bodies received reports on the work done by different ministries since the last synods, elected new leadership, and spent time in worship and prayer, asking for God’s guidance to direct their work moving forward.

BWM Executive Director Justin Rabbach was able to be present at both Synods and offer words of greeting to all delegates, and to answer questions about the work of the worldwide Unity. As with Synods everywhere, in addition to the plenary work being done, the gathering of people allowed for relationship building and the sharing of ideas amongst passionate folks who are putting new ideas and initiatives into action.

The worship band for the Honduras Mission Province Synod was comprised of members of the youth arts group from the Bethel Evangelical Moravian Church in the community of Paptalaya, where the Synod was held. This group began in 2015 to help young people in difficult circumstances and teach them about God’s love. The goal of the program is to teach youth and young adults how to play Christian hymns so that they can participate in church services.

Following the synod, the new leadership of the mission province sent in a request to the BWM for support to purchase new instruments for the group, as much of their musical equipment was second-hand and in disrepair after much use.

A BWM grant supported this effort, and the group has shared videos of their new equipment in action. In a report to the BWM, the youth offered thanks for this support which has helped ensure “the material and spiritual wellbeing of the Moravian youth of the Paptalaya community.” m

AHUAS 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION THIS YEAR MARKED the 75th anniversary of the Clínica Evangélica Morava in Ahuas, Honduras.

One of the founders of the Ahuas Clinic, Werner Marx, wrote: “The 16th of June of 1946, we planted the corner post of the new clinic in Paptalaya.”

Since that time, the Ahuas Clinic has provided much needed medical care, including maternal health, preventative medicine, and emergency surgeries, to the people of the remote La Mosquitia region of Honduras.

On June 16th of 2021, clinic staff, community members, and visitors from the U.S. gathered in celebration of this special anniversary. The event included thanks to God for creating and sustaining the medical work; thanks to past and current medical staff; gratitude to the Board of World Mission (BWM), the Reformed Church of America and other donors; and expressions of the great need addressed by the work of this hospital.

Thanks to the Christ Memorial Reformed Church’s 2020 Thanksgiving Offering as well as other generous donations, the Clínica Evangélica Morava was able to make some much needed improvements over the past year. Updates include: construction of a new visitors quarters, renovations to the operating room, construction of a new patient building, renovation of the x-ray room, needed equipment purchases and repairs, and expansion of the solar electric system.

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Ahuas Clinic, we created the “Ahuas Anniversary Fund.” Thanks to the generosity of Moravians throughout the U.S. and Canada, we surpassed our goal of $75,000 for the 75th anniversary. The goal is to continue to invest and grow this fund over time so that the growth of the fund can serve as a sustainable source of income for the clinic. m

Through the Clinica Evangélica Morava, the Board of World Mission has provided those in Ahuas, Honduras with muchneeded medical care and food assistance for more than 75 years.

MORAVIAN DISASTER RESPONSE MDR resources helped people deal with disasters and pandemic issues around the globe, including in Haiti, North America, Honduras, Nicaragua, India and other locales.

WE WOULD CALL IT SIMPLY a miracle. As we opened the calendar of 2021, we were still in the middle of a global pandemic, Hurricanes Eta and Iota had recently hit Nicaragua and Honduras, and we had no idea what else would come our way.

The Moravian Disaster Response (MDR) Fund saw an amazing amount of money (a total of $258,324) coming in and then going out to meet the challenges. With those funds, we: • helped North American congregations purchase software and hardware to stream worship services and hold congregational meetings; • sent Covid-19 supplies and aid to Cuba, Peru, and the Ahuas Clinic; • purchased needed supplies to clean wells, plant crops, provide medicine, and rebuild following the hurricanes in Honduras and Nicaragua; • sent money through the Eastern West Indies Province to help with relief work in St. Vincent following a volcano eruption; • sent money through the Jamaican Province to Haiti to help Moravians in Port-au-Prince send teams to provide emotional and spiritual support, food, and materials to those in the heavily affected towns of Jacmel and Anse de Nau, where many homes and Moravian church buildings were destroyed; • and sent money to the Moravian School in Rajpur, India, for necessary expenses and Covid-19 vaccinations for faculty, staff, and students.

Because of the scope of the damage, the hurricane relief effort in Nicaragua and Honduras was the year’s largest project. We were thankful to have Brother Rick Nelson come on board to ensure that proper connections were made with larger aid organizations, so that our contributions had an even more significant impact. Since we have such a dynamic presence in the area, organizations such as Lutheran World Relief, Mission Aviation Fellowship, Samaritan’s Purse, Habitat for Humanity, and Hanes Brands joined our efforts. m

UNITY MISSION & DEVELOPMENT BOARD UMDB (THE UNITY MISSION AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD) was created by an act of Unity Synod in 2009. The purpose of creating this board was to bring together representatives from all over the Unity, so that together the members could best discern collective paths forward in mission and ministry, and to evaluate and fund different proposals related to mission and development.

In November of 2021, representatives from all four Unity regions (Africa, Europe, Latin America & Caribbean, and North America) joined with heads of Moravian mission agencies to conduct its business. Over nearly five days together, UMDB received reports on new and prospective mission areas, discussing how potential new areas for work in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Myanmar, or Angola may be supported by supervising provinces and the active work of mission agencies.

Additionally, it is the work of UMDB to select the recipients of the annual Unity Prayer Day Offering, collected each March in celebration of the anniversary of the founding of the Unity in 1457. The 2022 offering has been designated to support refugee resettlement efforts in North America. The 2023 offering will be collected to support the formation of a Unity-wide disaster response fund. This fund will be able to help provide quick relief when natural disasters or other emergency situations arise impacting Moravians around the world.

BWM is one of the largest contributors to the annual UMDB budget, and we are blessed to have a seat at the table to learn from the collective wisdom present with such a broad base of representatives from around the Unity.

BWM hopes to grow our annual support to this ministry given the strong model of representation allowing for traditional donor and recipient partners to evaluate applications and proposals for mission and development projects together. m

Representatives from all four Unity regions (Africa, Europe, Latin America/Caribbean and North America) came together with the leaders of Moravian mission agencies during UMDB meetings in November.

MISSION GRANT PROGRAM: MEETING NEEDS AND

The Board of World Mission’s Mission Grant program is a great way for us to address specific ne as they are identified by our partners. Each year, we receive numerous grant and project propos around the world. These are tremendous and sustainable initiatives that can be implemented an the ground, but require some financial support to get started. In 2021, the Board of World Mission funded 25 unique projects, totaling almost $60,000 in mission grant awards.

Some of the projects included:

contributing funding for supplies for necessary repairs and updates to the El Refugio congregation’s church building and parsonage in Costa Rica

supporting the education costs for Dominga, a young woman who is studying to be a doctor and plans to join the staff at the Ahuas Clinic following her studies

purchasing a boat tha port students to and cal training cente

AND HELPING MINISTRIES

fic needs and valuable ministries oposals from Moravian partners ted and managed by those on

at that is used to transo and from a theologicenter in Honduras

providing an on-site speech therapist at Star Mountain, a rehabilitation center for those with intellectual disabilities in Palestine

funding the education of two teachers at a Moravian secondary school in Ngiehun, Sierra Leone, who are pursuing certification per government requirements

These are just a few examples of the Mission Grant Program! Thank you for your support of the Board of World Mission and this vital program.

To contribute to projects like these, please visit MoravianMission.org/ Give, click the big green button, and select Mission Grants in the ‘Give to’ dropdown menu.

MEET THE STAFF...

In 2021, the Board of World Mission welcomed three new staff members to the team: Angelica Regalado Cieza, Sylvie Hauser, and Elizabeth Thiele.

Rev. Angelica Regalado Cieza has joined our staff as the Director of Mission Outreach. Angelica lives with her husband, Ruben, and their daughters in Winston-Salem. Angelica graduated from Wake Forest University School of Divinity with her Masters in Divinity and obtained her certificate of Moravian Studies from the Moravian Theological Seminary. As Director of Mission Outreach, Angelica leads mission efforts with partners outside of the BWM constituent congregations and guides global partners through the stages of development in the Moravian Worldwide Unity.

Sylvie Hauser serves as our Director of Communications and Development. She was raised in the Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church and was involved in mission from a young age, volunteering locally and abroad with her family, home congregation, and the BWM. In 2018, she served as a summer intern with the BWM. Sylvie graduated from Carleton College in 2019 with a degree in Political Science and International Relations and is an alumnus of the AmeriCorps VISTA program. Sylvie is passionate about building connections between Moravians and sharing the stories of the good work being done around the world.

Elizabeth Thiele is the BWM’s Administrative Assistant.

Elizabeth grew up in Winston-Salem in the Good Shepherd congregation. From a young age, she was involved in the life of the church and knew that serving would be her vocation. She studied English and International Relations at Salem College then worked in healthcare before moving to Bethlehem, PA in 2017 to attend Moravian Seminary.

Elizabeth lives with her husband, Stephen, and their son, Alan, in Easton, Pennsylvania. As Administrative Assistant, Elizabeth provides a crucial connection between remote staff members as well as overseeing much of the BWM’s correspondence.

...OF THE BOARD OF WORLD MISSION The Board of World Mission has said goodbye to long-standing staff members and welcomed new folks aboard in recent years. To help you keep track of how staff roles have shifted and who is available to connect you to our global and domestic work, here is a brief rundown of the current BWM staff:

Justin Rabbach Executive Director Guides the overall work of the BWM, forming and implementing organizational strategy.

Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler Director of Mission Engagement Builds relationships with congregations and constituents to support discernment of mission involvement; also manages the Moravian Disaster Response (MDR) programming.

Rev. Angelica Regalado Director of Mission Outreach Serves as the primary point of contact for global partners, and helps guide these areas in their next steps of leadership and area development.

Sylvie Hauser Director of Communications and Development Maintains BWM social media and communications channels to help “get the word out” on work being done, and spearheads grant writing and intentional fundraising efforts.

Jill Kolodziej Director of Mission Service Serves as the primary point of contact for individuals and congregations looking to engage in tangible mission and service opportunities.

Rex Knowlton Treasurer Manages the financial assets of the BWM. Pays the bills, makes international wire transfers… basically, if money is involved, Rex is your guy!

Elizabeth Thiele Administrative Assistant Provides continual support to the work of the BWM and is the main point of contact for constituents relating to our physical office in Bethlehem, PA. Overseas donor and volunteer records to maintain and update information for relevant communications.

Mission Camps AS PART OF THE BOARD of World Mission’s initiative to connect people and service, the concept of the service camp was developed and implemented at Mt. Morris Camp and Retreat Center in Wisconsin in July of 2021. Over the course of ten days, 26 people assisted with preparing the camp for summer programs. The staff of Mt. Morris identified, coordinated, and provided resources to accomplish the projects that needed attention, and the volunteers’ skill sets were utilized to complete a wide variety of projects. The BWM underwrote the cost for the lodging and meals for the volunteers.

In 2022, the BWM will again serve as service camp hosts at Mt. Morris and will also be hosting a service camp at Hope Conference & Renewal Center. Learn more about the service camps at MoravianMission.org. Under the “Engagement” tab, select “Serve.” m

The BWM staff bids farewell to Deb Swanson (front right) at a celebration last year.

Thanks, Deb Swanson!

DEB SWANSON, OUR BELOVED Bethlehem office administrative assistant, retired in the summer of 2021. We already miss Deb dearly, and were blessed to be able to gather together in the fall to celebrate her contributions to the Board of World Mission and her new adventures in retirement. Justin, the BWM executive director shared, “I cannot say thank you enough for all Deb has done for the Board of World Mission. Her organization, attention to detail, and above all, care for our work, have allowed the BWM to take some very positive steps in shaping our future. The systems she put in place will certainly be the practice of this organization for many years to come. The influence she had during her time with the BWM will be a driving force in anything we accomplish as an organization moving forward.” Congratulations, Deb, and thank you! m

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOARD OF WORLD MISSION THE BOARD OF WORLD MISSION works hard to engage with Moravian congregations throughout North America. Here are some of the ways you can stay updated and get involved.

Follow us on social media and see updates on our website!

• Facebook: Board of World Mission • Instagram: @moravianboardofworldmission • Website: MoravianMission.org

Sign up for our quarterly newsletter!

Contact Sylvie Hauser, BWM Director of Communications and Development, at sylvie@ moravianmission.org or (920)495-8995, if you would like to receive the quarterly newsletter by mail and/or email.

Become a recurring giver to receive quarterly postcards!

Go to MoravianMission.org/Give, click the big green button, enter your donation information, and then select “Setup automated giving” at the bottom of the form. We’ll send you a postcard each quarter with a photo and a meaningful story, no matter what giving level or frequency you select. Thank you for supporting the ministries of the Board of World Mission.

Let us know what projects your congregation is involved in!

We love to hear about the good work that Moravians are doing domestically and internationally. Contact Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler, BWM Director of Mission Engagement, at chris@moravianmission.org or (610)868-1732, to let us know what you’re working on. You can also nominate individuals, congregations, or other Moravian groups for mission service awards. To learn more, go to MoravianMission.org. Under “Engagement,” click on “Annual Awards.”

Connect with us if you’re feeling called to join a mission team!

If you feel that you are being called to engage in mission, we want to hear from you! Contact Jill Kolodziej, BWM Director of Mission Service, at jill@moravianmission.org or (920)256-9472 to learn about current opportunities or dream up a new opportunity. m

BEHIND THE SCENES AT BWM During meetings in October, BWM board members came together at Moravian Theological Seminary to plan new opportunities and initiatives for the coming year.

2021 WAS JUST AS MUCH A YEAR of transition and new experiences for the BWM as the year before. As the world moved into the second year of the pandemic, we continued to reimagine what our day-to-day operations would look like. Our fall board meeting was the first time that the Board of Directors and staff had the chance to meet in-person since the beginning of 2020.

We implemented a hybrid model, and had six Zoom attendees join the in-person meeting in Bethlehem, Pa. The October meeting also marked the first gathering of the fully-staffed team. Three out of the seven total employees at BWM were hired in August and September of 2021: Sylvie Hauser, Elizabeth Thiele, and Angelica Cieza. Despite this staff turnover, we continue to build relationships that help us work together to meet the BWM’s goals.

The success of the new staff members can be seen in the work they have done since starting just a few months ago. Sylvie has completely changed the way the BWM engages on social media and has increased our communications with our supporters.

Angelica has worked tirelessly to stay connected with our global partners and has been one of the driving forces behind the upcoming Moravian Resources Conference for our Spanish-speaking partners. While most of my work is behind the computer, I’m happy to share that we have implemented a new Customer Relationship Management platform, which will allow us to engage with donors in a more strategic way and streamline some of our internal processes.

Thank you for the blessing of your ongoing support through these difficult times. Please feel free to contact us at our Bethlehem office or visit us at MoravianMission.org to learn more about what we are doing and how you can help.

Elizabeth Thiele Administrative Assistant

UNITY PRAYER DAY OFFERING FOR REFUGEES ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NATION’S Refugee Agency, about 450,000 refugees, more than half of whom are children, arrive in Canada and the United States each year. Refugee families arrive in North America with very few belongings after arduous journeys carrying what little they can. Upon arrival, volunteers and donations are needed to provide food, hygiene items, clothing, newborn supplies, and more. Additionally, support services to help refugees access safe housing, transportation, language courses, medical services, and job training are essential to providing refugee families with the best possible chance of a successful new beginning.

The 2022 Unity Prayer Day Offering will support resettlement efforts being undertaken by North American Moravians and our ecumenical partner agencies. Moravian congregations throughout the United States and Canada are engaging meaningfully with their local resettlement groups and are working to collect and distribute needed supplies. One congregation is currently hosting an Afghan refugee family in the wake of the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan in August of 2021. The Board of World Mission has also been in communication with and has provided financial assistance for projects led by ecumenical partner organizations that have been working on refugee resettlement for decades. Partnering with their programs ensures our contributions will be used efficiently and effectively.

As the Board of World Mission and Moravian congregations consider their ability to help families fleeing the violence in Ukraine, this offering will be a timely contribution to these efforts. 2022 will likely be a year of increased refugee resettlement and we expect these needs to continue to grow as more people around the world are displaced due to climate change and natural disasters. The BWM will continue to monitor needs as they arise as well as to support the work already underway throughout the Moravian world. m

The Moravian congregation in Nova Paka, Czech Republic, welcomes refugees from Ukraine this spring.

FINANCIAL UPDATE THE BOARD OF WORLD MISSION (BWM) is grateful for the continued support provided for the ministries and mission work of the North American Moravian Church. The accompanying graphic outlines, generally, where the contriFor the year ended December 31, 2021 butions for our efforts are gathered and Board of World Mission of the Moravian Church then where this support is used to culNorthern, Southern, Alaska Provinces $438,291 tivate the missions. Support this year Larger Life Foundation $26,240 was exceptional, especially considering Society for Promoting the Gospel $195,678 the continued pandemic. The needs were great this year as well, especially Mission Society, Southern Province $25,000 considering Covid.

Other Provincial Support $37,479 Much of the support of the BWM Investment Returns w/o Donor Restriction $350,752 comes from the Northern and SouthInvestment Returns with Donor Restriction $175,829 ern Provinces. This represents, in part, Contributions w/o Donor Restriction $113,780 each congregation’s weekly giving. The Society for Promoting the Gospel and Contributions with Donor Restriction $438,879 the Southern Province Mission SociTotal Support and Revenue* $1,866,236 ety continue to support our mission as *includes $64,308 extinguishment of debt/PPP Loan does the Larger Life Foundation. This

SUPPORT AND REVENUE

Contributions with Donor Restrictions Northern, Southern and Alaska Provinces

Contributions w/o Donor Restrictions Investment Returns with Donor Restriction

Society for Promoting the Gospel

Investment Returns w/o Donor Restriction

Larger Life Foundation

Other Provincial Support

Southern Province Mission Society

year, our Payroll Protection Program loan was forgiven which provided $64k of one-time support. The Investment returns are significant this year, contributing over $526k in support.

Exchanges, or support for a speFor the year ended December 31, 2021 cific outreach for which the BWM Board of World Mission of the Moravian Church acts as a conduit for passage, are exDirect Program Costs cluded from the statement but repPartner Province Support $347,077 resent another significant part of our mission work. Most notable this year Mission Programs/Initiatives 485,747 was the support for the Ahuas 75th Fundraising 3,631 Anniversary which far exceeded the Support and Administration $185,538 goal of $75,000.

Total Expenditures $1,021,993 81 percent of our 2021 expenditures were applied directly to our ministry through our Mission Programs and our Partner Province support. The assistance takes many forms as described more fully throughout this report, often including medical management, technology assistance, orphan support, training, disaster relief and a host of other crucial activities, mostly in distant lands.

Additional details can be obtained from our annual audited 2021 financial statements. Additional informaPartner Province Support Mission Programs/ tion or a copy of the audited financial Initiatives statements is available; please contact Sister Elizabeth or myself at the Bethlehem office of the BWM. Thank you Support and for your support of this important outAdministration reach. m

EXPENDITURES

Rex Knowlton, Treasurer

Fundraising

The board and staff of the Board of World Mission thank the contributors who provided articles, information, photographs and other material for this year’s Annual Report.

Originally published as a special section of The Moravian Magazine, this Annual Report is also available in digital format from the BWM. Design by Mike Riess, IBOC ©2021, Board of World Mission. Visit us at www.moravianmission.org.

Let’s Connect!

See our latest updates at MoravianMission.org or follow us on Facebook (Board of World Mission) and Instagram (@moravianboardofworldmission).

Contact sylvie@moravianmission.org if you would like to receive our quarterly newsletter.

Thank you for supporting our work.

In order to truly make an impact and grow ministries around the world, the Board of World Mission counts on generous and committed donors to expand our capacity.

Those in the US can send checks to: Board of World Mission, 1021 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

You may also make your donation online at http://moravianmission.org/give/.

Canadians can send checks to: Moravian Church in Canada, 600 Acadia Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2J 0B8.

Interac e-Transfer donations may be sent to treasurer@moravian.ca.

In the comments section, please include your name and address to receive a tax receipt.

BOARD OF WORLD MISSION • MORAVIAN CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA 1021 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 (610) 868-1732 • www.moravianmission.org

MORAVIAN CAMPING MINISTRIES

I

Camp Hope: 75 years of Eastern District camping

n the fall of 1945, members of the Moravian Youth Conference presented a resolution to the Eastern District Synod. They asked the Executive Board of the Eastern District to secure a suitable campsite for the annual Moravian Youth Conference as well as other Moravian Christian education programs. The resolution was approved, and the following year, on April 23, 1946, ground was broken for the first building—the dining hall/kitchen.

The very first summer camp, held from July 27-31, 1947, was for children in fourth, fifth and sixth grade. The fee for the five-day camp? $9.50.

That first building still welcomes campers to sit on the porch while waiting for their meals, to sing grace before partaking and to pass the potatoes down the long, wooden tables. In 1947, grace may have been the traditional Moravian grace; today, it might be the “Superman” rendition. Back then, the potatoes may have been mashed; today, they might be smiley fries.

May/June 2022

Little Silver Lake was a big draw for those first Camp Hope campers. They swam, splashed and slid into the lake on hot summer days. Today, a beautiful in-ground pool is the setting for games of “sharks and minnows” or basketball, as well as lounging on a pool noodle, chatting with friends. Campers still enjoy paddling a canoe around Little Silver, admiring the lily pads and looking for fish, frogs, and turtles.

In 1947, as campers got up in the middle of the night to use the facilities in a nearby building, could they have imagined that 56 years later there would be heated cabins with attached bathrooms?

Camp Hope is no longer just for summer camps -groups can spend the night comfortably throughout the year.

If you attended camp just a few years ago, you may recall sweltering in Hassler Hall (also known (Continued on next page)

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Camp Hope

A lot has changed...

For the past two summers, Camp Hope was unable to have our regular camps. In place of that, as the Lower Lodge). In 2019, the former USO we welcomed families to come to Camp for the building got a makeover, including a new roof, weekend and one camper, Alice Yeakel, a memnew siding, and an HVAC system. The summer of ber at Nazareth Moravian Church, shares her 2022 will be the first time that campers can watch thoughts on the weekend and how much Camp a movie in cool comfort. Heating Hassler Hall also has changed and stayed the same since the last allows for larger groups to rent the facilities during time she was there. the spring, fall, and winter.

75 years is a long time!

While much has changed in 75 years, the So when Suzanne Curtis asked “Would you like things that make Camp Hope special remain the to spend a weekend at Camp?” I felt some hesitasame. It is still a place in God’s creation, set apart tion. But then I thought “Why not?” It would be a from the world’s hustle and bustle. It is still a place renewal…a reunion. that welcomes all of God’s children into a commuHow much would be the same? How much nity of faith and love. And to many, it is still a “home changed? The lake, the hills, the dining hall, the away from home” and “the best place on Earth.” n lower vesper site Suzanne Curtis, Director of Camp Hope, Ginny Kleintop (Suzanne’s Mom) and Alice Yeakel enjoying remain the same. dipping their toes in Little Silver Lake.

You can still sit on the expansive dining hall porch overlooking the lake. The same tables are in the dining hall seating a dozen campers per table. The original vesper site is still down by the water. The walking paths to the hillside cabins (Continued from previous page)

(Continued on page 38)

Summer 2022 Camp Hope Sessions Register by visiting www.camphope.org or calling 908-459-4435

June 29-July 2 - Pre-Primary

July 17-23 - Musical Theater

June 29-July 2 - Fishing Mentor

July 24-30 - Senior High

July 3-9 - Middler

July 31-August 6 - Primary

July 10-16 - Junior High

August 7-13 - 3 NEW Camps

completed 1st and 2nd grades completed grades 4th-7th

completed 5th and 6th grades completed 7th and 8th grades

July 17-23 - Swimming

completed grades 5th-9th

completed 9th-12th grade

completed 3rd and 4th grades

completed 5th-8th grades Jr Lifeguarding, Outdoor Explorer, Cooking and Baking

completed grades 3rd –6th

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The Moravian

IN OUR CONGREGATIONS Band members, worshipers and church leaders gather outside St. Philips Moravian Church in Old Salem in preparation for the congregation’s 200th anniversary celebration.

O

St. Philips celebrates two centuries of faithful service

n May 5, 2022, Moravians from around the Southern Province came together in an historic brick church in Winston-Salem to celebrate the St. Philips’ congregation’s two centuries of service. The church, which was established in 1822 by Moravians to foster the spiritual life of the enslaved people in Wachovia at the time, remains one of the oldest African American congregations in North Carolina and in the United States.

According to the Southern Province Archives, the seventh oldest church in the Southern Province was born as a mission to fill a great need. In 1822 Salem’s Female Missionary Society noted the absence of religious opportunity for the “Negroes”—the enslaved people—“in this neighborhood,” and petitioned the church leaders to address the matter so that “in the course of time…a church may be built for their own use.”

Br. Abraham Steiner, a veteran of mission service, was called upon to make this mission a reality. Br. Steiner held the first service on March 24, 1822, at the Negro Quarter in the cabin of Bodney and Phoebe with 50 in attendance and two baptisms held. The April 14, 1822, service

was also held at the Quarter. The third service was held on May 5, 1822, in the barn on the outlying farm of Conrad Kreuser, and at this service the founding of the congregation was observed­ —“a beginning of a small congregation of colored people” with three communicants.

Regular services continued and also included services at Dr. Schumann’s barn and Schober’s paper mill. These places of worship “out of town” served the Black congregation until the consecration of the new church adjacent to the Negro God’s Acre on December 28, 1823.

Funded by the Salem Female Missionary Society, the church was built by the enslaved people of logs from timber harvested in the Salem Town Lot and solemnly consecrated to the worship of the Triune God. Faithful to its calling, the Negro Church was a place of worship, a place of knowing and living into Christ’s redeeming love and forgiveness, a final resting place for departed members, a place of community, a place of refuge, a place of solace, a place to learn to read and write­—taught by sisters of the Salem Female Mission Society, a place to call each other brother and sister.

(Continued on next page)

June/July 2022

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Church and community members gather for the unveiling of an historical marker commemorating St. Philips (see right).

St. Philips (Continued from previous page)

St. Philips, Yesterday With the 1823 log church being for some time too small and inconvenient, the building of the new and larger 1861 sanctuary was undertaken “in reliance upon the help and blessing of the Lord.”

On May 21, 1865, a Union Army Chaplin of the 10th Ohio Cavalry read General Orders 32, the formal announcement of freedom, to a packed sanctuary of individuals who were now becoming Freedmen—a grand and proud day for the congregation!

Following the Civil War and during Reconstruction, the Jim Crow era and the Civil Rights movement, the church served as the focal point for the African American community for educational and social functions as well as religious services.

From the beginning of the enslaved worship services in Salem, the church was called the Slave church, the Black church, the Negro church or the Colored church until on December 20, 1914, Bishop Edward Rondthaler bestowed upon the congregation the name of St. Philips Moravian Church.

In Spring 1952, the last regular service was held at the brick church in Salem. The St. Philips congregation moved to the community center in the Happy Hill Garden community. Services were held there until April 5, 1959, when a new chapel located on the Corner of Mock and Vargrave Streets in Happy Hill, was consecrated. The congregation remained in the Mock Street location until the plans for US Highway 52 would send the highway through the church property. Instead of building a new church, the Moravian Church, Southern Province located an existing one, the former Bon Air Christian Church on Bon Air Avenue. On May 4, 1967, the 144th anniversary Photo by Tripp May.

34

The Moravian

Sunday of the congregation, the church on Bon Air Avenue was formally dedicated and housed the congregation until it’s 197th anniversary in 2019.

Today and Tomorrow The St. Philips site in Salem is a sacred and significant place because of its unique relationship to the African American experience. In 1991 it was named to the National Register of Historic Places.

In June 2019, the congregation returned to the brick church in Salem where it cur- To help commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the St. Philips Moravian congregation, this historic marker was unveiled at the corner of rently worships.

Wachovia and Broad Streets in Winston-Salem. The marker highlights the Although the congrega- founding of the church and its significance to Moravian–and American– tion’s location has changed history. The story of the founders of the church is told on “Salem Walks” multiple times over its 200 offered periodically by the Southern Province Moravian Team for Racial, years, throughout its history Cultural and Ethnic Reconciliation (MTR).

St. Philips has participated in many activities as a force for Christian outreach and social change – helping of Cemetery Street and Salem Avenue. In Novemestablish in the late nineteenth century one of the ber 2021, nearly 100 people gathered to help oldest schools for children of color in the state, place new markers on the gravesites of those supporting missionaries in Africa and Nicaragua, once enslaved in the St. Philips Moravian Second supporting Salem Congregation and Southern Graveyard as part of the restoration effort.

Province activities and causes, providing training Again, faithful to its calling, St. Philips Morafor jobless women, engaging peacefully as indivian Church continues to serve others and one viduals in the civil rights movement, providing a another in worship, prayer, visitation and outvibrant daycare and after school tutoring for chilreach. Strong in its Moravian grounding, its story dren in its community, offering a week-long VBS is the story of the African American experience in for all neighborhood children from age three our community – a living legacy. n through grade 12, providing breakfast, lunch, school supplies and groceries to each family.

This article was compiled by Peggy Dodson from arToday, the restoration and improvement of chival sources and a history of the church by the Rev. the St. Philips Moravian Second Graveyard, esBill McElveen, who has pastored the congregation in recent years. Photos of celebration by Wayne Dodson. tablished in 1859 and used until the 1960’s, is a passionate desire for the congregation. Salem Congregation manages this final resting place for over 330 persons, a number of whom were once enslaved. The graveyard is located at the corner

May/June 2022

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OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS NORTHERN PROVINCE Outdoor Ministries Sunday, June 19, 2022 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 10 this year. Pastors are encouraged to use either of the liturgies provided in 1996 or 1997. The liturgies are available in the “Documents” section of the Northern Province website.

Specialized Ministry Brother Ian Edwards, who had been serving the Eastern District under appointment, accepted a six-month appointment from the Provincial Elders’ Conference to serve as full-time Remote Pastoral Leader. This is a new, temporary position offered as an experiment to serve the worship and pastoral needs of congregations across the Province that are without a settled pastor. Br. Edwards began this appointment on April 15, 2022, and is developing a process and plan to provide worship leadership and limited pastoral care to three selected congregations. In addition, he is working with the District and PEC presidents to assess the future sustainability of such a provincial ministry.

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Great Kills, New York Sr. Blondel Jones-Grant will be installed as a Licensed Lay Pastor at the Great Kills Moravian Church on Staten Island, NY on Sunday, May 29, 2022, during the 11 am worship service. Sr. Blondel is a member of the United Moravian Church in Harlem, NY. She has completed the Crossroads Program at Moravian Theological Seminary and a thorough credentialing process. Please be in prayer for Blondel, her family, and the congregation in this new chapter of their ministry together.

Millwoods, Alberta Br. Aaron Linville, pastor of the Millwoods Moravian Community Church in Edmonton, Alberta, will be consecrated a Presbyter of the Moravian Church at Millwoods on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at 2 pm MT, with Br. Sam Gray as consecrating bishop.

Aaron was ordained on October 12, 2014, in the Southern Province. Consecration is the second order of ministry in the Moravian Church. All are invited to join in this celebration of the church and affirmation of Aaron’s ministry. The service will be livestreamed; check the congregation’s webpage: https:// www.mcchurch.ca/ for more information closer to the time of the service. Please keep Aaron, his spouse Amy, their loved ones, and the Millwoods congregation in your prayers.

The Moravian

Davenport, North Dakota Brother Eric Renner accepted a .45-time call to serve as pastor of Canaan Moravian Church in Davenport, North Dakota. His ministry at Hawley United Methodist Church concludes on June 12, and his new ministry begins on June 27, 2022. His installation service will be on July 10, 2022. Br. Renner will continue his ministry at Shepherd of the Prairie in Fargo, North Dakota.

Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference

SOUTHERN PROVINCE Presbyterial Consecrations The Rev. Dr. Heather Hartung Vacek, under call to the Southern Province and serving as Vice-President and Dean of Moravian Theological Seminary and Lancaster Theological Seminary, was consecrated a Presbyter on Sunday, April 24, at 3 pm in the Saal of Moravian Theological Seminary with Bishop M. Blair Couch as consecrating bishop. Heather was ordained a Deacon on July 15, 2012.

Retirement Sister Cheryl G. Cottingham requested and was given permission to retire from active ministry of the Moravian Church effective May 20, 2022. Sister Cottingham was ordained a deacon in the Moravian Church on April 18, 2010 and consecrated a presbyter November 15, 2015. Prior to entering the ministry sister Cottingham served as a

June/July 2022

director of Christian Education for 12 years.

After her ordination Cheryl served the congregation of Immanuel New Eden located in Winston-Salem, NC until her retirement. We express deep appreciation to Cheryl for her faithful and dedicated service to the Moravian Church and wish her many blessings in retirement.

Hope Moravian Church Sister Margaret Norris has accepted a call to become pastor of Hope Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. She will conclude her ministry at Home Moravian Church as director of Christian Education, where she has served in that role since 2014, on June 5, 2022. Plans are underway for her ordination service later in June. She will be installed as pastor of Hope Moravian on July 10th during morning worship. Please keep Margaret, her family and the Home and Hope congregations in prayer through this transition period.

Chris Thore Provincial Elders’ Conference

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OBITUARIES

Rev. Dr. Howard Cox

Brother Howard H. Cox died peacefully on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Bethlehem, PA. His life began in Titusville, N.J., as the youngest of five children of Frank and Marie (Bossong) Cox. He served in the US Army during World War II and graduated from Penn State University. Following graduate studies at Harvard University, Union Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary, he earned a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctorate in Theology.

Br. Cox was received into the ministry of the Moravian Church in 1963. He served as professor of Old Testament at Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pa., from 1960 to 1989. He attended College Hill and then Central Moravian Church, where he taught the Friendship Bible class. A long-time member of the Society of Biblical Literature, he published many scholarly articles and books.

Camp Hope (Continued from page 32)

are the same but the hill now has trees and shade!

The auto road is now paved. The cabins are heated and air conditioned with indoor bathrooms. There is a now second lodge about 2/3 of the way up the hill with a fireplace and full kitchen.

But what is the most fulfilling part of the camp experience? It is the fellowship…the gathering of Moravians from other congregations…Maryland; Riverside; Emmaus; Philadelphia. We shared our thoughts, our experiences from prior camps. We shared varying viewpoints and ideas. If I were to pick one outstanding feature it would be the young people on staff. Their enthusiasm was contagious!

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Br. Cox met his future wife, Sr. Shirley Peet, through their mutual passion for music, and they were united in marriage in 1950. He loved singing in vocal groups, notably the Harvard Glee Club and the Bach Choir of Bethlehem.

In 1985, he authored “The Calov Bible of JS Bach,” using cutting-edge technology to authenticate Bach’s handwritten notes.

Br. Cox is survived by four children: Martha Cox Popichak (Andy Popichak) and Sara Cox of Bethlehem, Emily Cox (Henry Rathvon) of Lemoyne, Pa., and Jonathan Cox (Eleanor Bush) of Pittsburgh; grandchildren Josh Popichak, Sylvia Popichak, Abigail Cox, Charlotte Cox, and Hannah Hook; as well as his beloved cat, Ginger. He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley, in 2020.

They were present at the pool as lifeguards andready and willing to take us out on the lake in canoe and kayak. They scrubbed tabletops after meals, lead campfire and made S’mores!

If I were to summarize the weekend it would be the young intermingling with old, the new improved facilities with the remaining original ones.

It all “blends.” After 75 years, Camp Hope is still a place to “come together’’…to praise the Lord and give thanks for His many blessings.” n Suzanne Curtis is director of Camp Hope Camp and Conference Center. Thanks to Suzanne, Alice Yeakel and Jodie Harney, Camp Hope board chair, for this article and photos.

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In its 100 years of service, the Larger Life Foundation has distributed more then $13 million to a broad range of Moravian ministries.

MORAVIAN

DAILY TEXTS 2023 A Devotional Guide for Every Day

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