Moravian Magazine, Issue 8 2018

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In this issue: A Youth Rally The Unity Brass Festival Socially-responsible Investing Irene and Florence ‌and more!

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The Larger Life Foundation is a permanent endowment fund that has provided “larger life” to the ministries of the Moravian Church Northern Province since 1920. Foundation grants and loans support churches, retirement homes, camps, education and social welfare programs, ministerial training, administrative support and church expansion. More than $5 million has been distributed in the last 10 years alone.

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Park Benches

by Bishop Kay Ward

Bishop Kay’s fourth offering is filled with reflective, funny and inspiring stories, perfect for daily reflections or just a good story to share!

For special offers on Park Benches and Kay’s other inspiring books, visit https://store.moravian.org or call 1.800.732.0591, ext. 38

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Moravian Crystal Moravian Crystal Company is pleased to present a collection of elegant renderings, highly detailed and produced in 3D laser engraved imaging into optical grade crystal. These unique gifts, designed in Winston-Salem, N.C., celebrate Moravian history, heritage and traditions.

For more information or to order, visit www.moraviancrystal.com Moravian Crystal Company, Inc. 2150 Country Club Rd, Suite 248 Winston-Salem, N.C. 27104 (336) 306-5688

The Moravian

On the cover: Young Moravians worship at the 2018 Youth Rally Photo by Mike Riess

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

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Czech leaders celebrate 100th anniversary with tree planting at Moravian College

Moravian Music 6

Festival celebrates brass music from across the Unity

14 Irene (the musical) sets sail...despite a hurricane!

Moravian Ministries Foundation 9

Ministries Foundation offers Socially-Responsible Investing options

In Our Congregations 12 Eastern District youth “Rise Up, Speak Up, Help Up” at

2018 Rally

Create In Me 16 Invitation to the table for worship 18 Food and Worship with Joy

Moravian Writings 20 My kingdom is not from this world 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.

Issue 8 • 2018

And More 4

Ponderings: A new look for Moravians online

23 Offical Provincial Elders’ News 24 Obituaries: The Rev. Dr. Richard Isaac Shamel, the Rev.

Raymond E. Schultz 26 Statistics of the Moravian Church, Northern and

Southern Provinces

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PONDERINGS

(ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) Vol. 49, No. 8 Publications Agreement No. 40036408 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: OnTrac International, 121 5th Avenue NW, New Brighton, MN 55112 email: file@ontrac.com

A new look for Moravians online

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hile editing The Moravian Magazine is a core part of my job, I’m also responsible for the Moravian Church in America’s denominational website. After several years of planning and designing, I’m pleased to announce that we launched a reimagined www.moravian.org this fall to offer improved functionality and a more contemporary look.

Our goal with the redesign was to make it easier to learn about the Moravian Church in America and to experience the life and work of our church online. We know that more and more people are accessing the Web from their smartphones and tablets, so the new Moravian.org uses a technique called responsive design that helps ensure it works on a wide variety of devices.

We reorganized the subject matter on the site to make it easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for. The site is now organized under six headings that address the main topics visitors seek: What We Believe, How We Serve, A Bold History, Our Daily Texts, Where to Find Moravians and Moravian Resources.

We’ve also made significant improvements to the functions that help visitors find a Moravian congregation in their neighborhoods; improved our Moravian Magazine online; built a design that makes better use of our images; developed a structure that makes it easier to administer; and made a number of other changes “under the hood” that we hope users will find beneficial.

The most significant aspect of this redesign, however, was offering a single point of entry for the many parts of the Moravian Church in America.

The Northern and Southern Provinces, all three Northern Province districts, the Board of Cooperative Ministries from the Southern Province and soon the Healthier Congregations Task Force from the Northern Province all have their own sections under the Moravian.org umbrella. Each group has its own editors responsible for their sections and can customize the look of their parts while maintaining a unified look and feel.

I’m interested in your thoughts and suggestions on the redesigned site.

Next time you’re surfing the web, visit www.moravian.org and test it out. Try the new navigation, the new congregation locator, the online magazine and the different provincial sites. Send your observations, questions and suggestions to moravianmagazine@mcnp.org.

Peace,

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Mike Riess, Editor, The Moravian

Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces Published monthly, except bimonthly January-February and June/July 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, 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, 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 ©Oct. 2018, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in America.

All rights reserved

The Moravian

MORAVIAN HISTORY

Czech leaders celebrate 100th anniversary with tree planning at Moravian College

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n the garden area behind the Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a new linden tree is taking root.

Planted as part of the “Trees of Liberty” program, the tree was the first of 10 planted in the U.S. and one of many planted around the world to mark the 100th anniversary of the Czech Republic.

Moravian College President Bryon Grigsby was joined by Czech-American author and illustrator Peter Sís in planting the tree, while members of the American Friends of the Czech Republic, trustees from Moravian College and Seminary and others looked on.

“It is our pleasure and honor to be the first U.S. site to plant one of more than 1000 trees globally,” said President Grigsby. “As you can see by our statue of Comenius right out in front of our college, our history with the Czech Republic is noble and profound.”

Peter Sís, a Moravia-born, Caldecott Medal-winning children’s book author and illustrator serving as the American representative for the Tree of Liberty program, shared that his grandfather told him of planting trees in 1918 and of his own memories planting trees during the tumultuous period in 1968. “As we plant this tree, we hope for Issue 8 • 2018

the future of a free and independent Czech Republic,” said Sís.

In 1918, when Czechoslovakia declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, thousands of trees were planted in honor of the momentous occasion. During the past several years, a movement has been underway to locate and celebrate those trees as part of the Czech centennial.

As part of the ceremony, the Rev. Dr. Craig Atwood of Moravian Theological Seminary provided historical context highlighting the roots of the Moravian Church – and by extension, Moravian College – in the Czech village of Kunwald in the 15th century.

He told the story of the linden tree planted by those early members of the Unitas Fratrum, as a sign of hope that they would endure. The tree had three trunks, which the Brethren named “Faith,” “Love,” and “Hope.” While the tree was struck by lightning nearly 50 years ago, it still stands today, and the wood from the damaged tree was used to carve a wooden chalice, which resides at the Seminary today.

Other Trees of Liberty in North America were planted in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Winnipeg and Pittsburgh. n

Czech author Peter Sís discussed the Trees of Liberty in Bethlehem as Moravian College President Bryon Grigsby looks on.

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MORAVIAN MUSIC

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Festival celebrates brass music from across the Unity

hen the Third Moravian Unity Brass Festival (UBF) convened last July in Winston-Salem, N.C., it brought together players from around the globe to an international festival of instrumental music and fellowship, practice and performance, learning and sharing, and praise and worship.

The Festival featured four days of massed brass ensemble, with nearly 175 brass musicians ranging in ages from 10 to 92 from six countries playing new arrangements of sacred music together.

Connecting the Unity While still in the early stages of planning, the Unity Brass Festival Committee, led by co-chairs Donna Rothrock and Mary Elen Kollman, set forth a clear purpose: The Festival would be an international event that connects the Worldwide Moravian Unity (Unitas Fratrum) through musical collaboration, builds friendships and 6

community and celebrates oneness in Christ.

Welcoming all ages and all levels, the Festival provided opportunities to improve musicality, skill and ensemble. The Festival laid groundwork for the future by teaching, leading and encouraging brass musicians, arrangers and composers.

Wait Chapel, a 2,250 seat worship space at Wake Forest University, was secured for the rehearsals and concert. The pulpit furniture was moved and a stage was built out to create a 1,200-plus sq. ft. platform in addition to the two rows of 24 in the choir area.

In addition to the massed brass ensemble work, groups met informally at various locations around town, including Bethabara, Salem Square, and Hearn Plaza at Wake Forest to play chorales. Musicians also signed up to play for Sunday morning worship at many of the churches in the area.

The Moravian

Dinners were held at New Philadelphia and Home churches and involved a great deal of planning and set-up by the church staffs, as well as chefs Joey Transou and I.B. Southerland. Shuttles were secured from Wake Forest and the Yarbrough family to take players to the dinners and back. Generous local hosts provided housing for our friends from South Africa and Europe. Patrons supported the festival financially and cheered the players on, drumming up enthusiasm for attendance.

“We were surely led by the Spirit as this Festival came together,” said Erik Salzwedel, business manager for the Moravian Music Foundation and central coordinator for the Festival. “Local brass players formed a planning committee, and their individual gifts shaped the design of the Festival. As the various arrangers submitted their music, the program took shape. As patrons stepped up to offer support and volunteers offered their help and their homes, our ability to host such an international event materialized. As the other provinces put their groups together and local brass players registered, the scope of the Festival was realized. As the congregation assembled to share in this musical offering, they affirmed the gifts

“

The harmony and beauty of the sound comes at least in part from a desire to do this together, to listen to each other, be in tune with each other, to articulate our notes at precisely the same time.

We want to be a band, not just a collection of individual performers.

”

-- Bob Sawyer

of each participant and generated a celebratory worship experience for all!”

“Thank you to everyone who played a part in the festival!,” continued Erik. “And, also to the many who hosted and assisted with the tours… yes, tours! In addition to the Festival, the international groups from Europe and South Africa organized complicated and busy itineraries, visiting and playing concerts in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island in New York; Bethlehem, Lititz and Nazareth in Pennsylvania; Tuscarawas County in Ohio; and even Jamaica, in conjunction with their transatlantic adventure to North Carolina. Volunteers in each city secured venues for concerts and (Continued on next page)

The Rev. Dr. Robert Sawyer was chaplain for the 2018 Unity Brass Festival.

Issue 8 • 2018

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Brass

(Continued from previous page) lodging for the groups, and we cannot thank them enough!”

Shouts of “Tumfuate!”

During the Massed Brass Service of Music, July 22, Rev. Robert Sawyer, chaplain for the Festival, led the congregation in shouts of “Tumfuate!,” from the Swahili translation of Our Lamb has conquered, Let us follow Him (Mwana Kondoo Ameshinda, Tumfuate!) to affirm our commitment to follow Christ.

During his meditation, Bob offered, “There are friendships on this platform, deep friendships that span many miles and many years. And it is my guess that there are a lot of new ones only a few days old and growing. It’s not profound to say that music brings people together; I could give you many examples of that. It is profound to be part of it when it happens. The music you are hearing today is not just the result of God-given talent and the hard work involved in learning to play an instrument. The harmony and beauty of the sound

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comes at least in part from a desire to do this together, to listen to each other, be in tune with each other, to articulate our notes at precisely the same time. We want to be a band, not just a collection of individual performers.

“A Moravian band, like a Moravian congregation, is not just a collection of individuals desiring to let community rise above individuality. It is a community of faith. We have lots of different perspectives, but we all recognize Jesus Christ as head of the church and of our church.”

The first Unity Brass Festival was held in Cape Town, South Africa in 2007; the 2nd in Bad Boll, Germany in 2013. The next Unity Brass Festival – the Unity’s fourth – will be held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa in 2022.

And dates for the 26th Moravian Music Festival have been set for Sunday, July 18 - Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Central Moravian Church and Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pa. n Erik Salzwedel is business manager for the Moravian Music Foundation in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Moravian

MORAVIAN MINISTRIES FOUNDATION

Ministries Foundation offers Socially-Responsible Investing options

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re you interested in socially-responsible investing? West Side Moravian Church in Green Bay, Wisconsin is. The church’s Board has asked the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America to provide that option…and the MMFA delivered with the Environmental, Social and corporate Governance (ESG) fund.

“I personally felt it was important to move to socially-responsible investments to be a leader for other churches in investing funds in companies that prove to be good stewards of the resources that were given to us by our Creator,” said Michael Schlader, treasurer at West Side. “Being a leader in choosing to invest in the ESG fund will hopefully encourage others to follow who might have been hesitant to make a final decision to invest their financial resources into this fund.”

“It’s very encouraging to know that we, as Moravians, have the option to direct our

Issue 8 • 2018

money away from things that are harmful, such as child labor practices and pollution from fossil fuels, and toward things that are beneficial,” said Ray and Barb Shiffer, members at West Side who initiated the discussion about socially-responsible investing. “It’s exciting to think about the possibility of seeing our investments being used for things such as affordable housing and healthier communities.”

The Rev. Marian Boyle Rohloff, pastor, also supports the congregation’s interest. The Trustees report the following points of consensus: • Past performance indicates that such a move will not necessarily affect performance • Moving our investment to ESG allocations will reflect a leadership role which churches should be taking • We owe it to our environment to be as responsible as possible about investing in (Continued on next page)

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Investing

(Continued from previous page) areas that we consider are doing their best to deter those things that damage our environment • It is ethically and morally sensible to be concerned about our environment • To invest in ESG funds speaks to our core value to “care for others,” especially the poor and the marginalized who are most impacted by environmental injustices • To move our investments is in keeping with other actions we have taken at West Side to be responsible (moving away from Styrofoam, installing solar panels, using efficient lighting, using glass communion cups instead of disposable cups, keeping green for future generations, etc.)

But is socially-responsible investing entirely new?

Asset managers have long considered risk, in addition to return, when choosing portfolio investments. More recently, investors are extending the definition of risk beyond traditional factors and looking at a company’s performance in broader terms.

Specifically, investors seek insight into companies’ exposure to ESG factors–everything from the company’s carbon footprint and environmental practices to the way it treats its employees and shareholders. More and more investors are taking such things into consid10

eration. According to The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investing, U.S. assets in ESG-oriented strategies reached $8.7 trillion in 2016 and now make up about 20 percent of total assets under professional management in the U.S. Current demographic trends, including an increase in women investors, high net worth individuals, and millennials are expected to further increase more and more varied ESG options for portfolios.

What do Moravians currently think?

“We have only begun to study the existing attitudes of Moravians in the United States when it comes to socially-responsible investing,” said Chris Spaugh, President and CEO of the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America. “Our very preliminary survey results show a few areas of both agreement and disagreement based on the first 64 responses.”

“The strongest area of consensus is that Moravians strongly oppose investing their money in companies that either directly or indirectly use child labor overseas to keep costs low,” Spaugh said. “Nearly 90 percent of Moravians who responded oppose this; nearly twothirds expressed strong opposition.

“Eighty-six percent of those surveyed agree or strongly agree that the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America should offer sociallyresponsible options for individual investors and congregations who want it.

“However, early results also show a few areas where there may be no real consensus The Moravian

among Moravians at this time,” Spaugh said.

“There is no clear agreement so far on the acceptability of investing in companies that engage in animal testing or use/produce genetically-modified organisms (GMOs).”

More than two-thirds of Moravians surveyed agree or strongly agree that, as individual investors, they would be willing to accept lower returns in order to invest in a sociallyresponsible way. About 70 percent agree or strongly agree that their congregation as a whole would, too. Spaugh notes, “Historically, church boards face challenges to agree as a group to step into ESG or socially-responsible investing. I’m thrilled that West Side has taken the step and if others consider that in the future, we have a solution for them.”

What’s the next step?

Your congregation’s board of trustees is likely empowered to decide how to manage the congregation’s funds. If those funds are already invested with the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America, the Board can simply instruct the foundation on the change in investment strategy. The foundation now offers an ESG pool in our growth and income allocation (60 percent exposed to equities and real estate investment trusts, while 40 percent of the portfolio is in more fixed income type investments). If you are an individual investor with the Foundation, you can directly contact Chris Spaugh with new instructions at cspaugh@mmfa.info or 888722-7923. n Vince Holbrook is Director Communication & Marketing for the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America

Issue 8 • 2018

Coming soon in

New ways to interact with the Moravian Daily Texts The Moravian Daily Texts have been published in print form for nearly 300 years. Today, several creative Moravians have developed new ways to receive the “daily message from God that’s new every morning.”

A mission weekend in Ohio Moravians in Ohio joined together this fall for a collaborative day of service.

Those involved share what went into making the event happen, and how it impacted their community.

Helping to rebuild Moravians working with the Board of World Mission are now serving in hurricane-battered communities in North Carolina. We profile their work and what it means, both to the Moravians and those who they are helping.

Unity Youth Tour After returning home from this summer’s Unity Youth Tour, young Moravians from around the world share their impressions and blessings of the church in the U.S. Watch for these and other articles celebrating the life and work of the Moravian church in upcoming issues of The Moravian Magazine!

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IN OUR CONGREGATIONS

Eastern District youth “Rise Up, Speak Up, Help Up” at 2018 Rally

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hile the weather was grey on Staten Island, the sanctuary at New Dorp Moravian Church was bright with the sounds of praise, worship and celebration during the 2018 Youth Rally held in October.

More than 250 young people from more than a dozen Eastern District congregations came together under the theme, “On a Mission for Jesus: Rise Up! Speak Up! Help Up!” The 2018 rally featured an inspirational presentation by Christael Brandt, a Psalmist and singer from New York, worship with Moravian pastors from the participating churches, the annual Quiz Bowl and more.

ing an escalation and encouragement to take that action to a higher level.”

As in previous years, the participating youth created banners for this year’s rally based on the theme. During the “Parade of Banners,” each congregation’s team explained the meaning and thought that went into their colorful and creative interpretations of the theme.

During her keynote presentation, Ms. Brandt led a discussion on the challenges young people face in living a Christian life. Using inspirational words, quotes from Scripture, prayer and powerful music, Ms. Brandt helped bring the day’s theme to life even more.

An “Up”lifting theme “This year’s theme was a combination of two possibilities from among those presented at the planning meeting,” said the Rev. Dr. Michael Johnson, pastor of John Hus Moravian Church in Brooklyn and advisor to the Youth Council.

“Both were mission based; the combination was meant to encourage all participants to be more conscientiously engaged in the lives of God’s people beyond the walls of the church.

The ‘ups’ in the theme is borrowed from a Jamaican propensity to add ‘up’ to words, signal-

Testing knowledge A central part of the annual Metro Youth Rally is the Quiz Bowl. “The Quiz Bowl is focused on Moravian history and selected passages from the Bible,” explains Rev. Johnson. “Through this friendly competition, teams are encouraged to expand their knowledge of both the Bible and the history of our church. The Quiz also allows for those who are in the audience to expand their own knowledge.”

This year’s Quiz Bowl was based on What We Believe: A Glimpse at Moravian Theology

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The Moravian

by Bishops Blair Couch and Graham Rights, along with the book of Hebrews. Questions were developed by the Rev. Cynthia Geyer, director of the Eastern District Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

During the spirited competition, moderator Maurice Morrison asked five questions in each of six rounds. After each round, the scores were posted for all to see. The questions were not easy – they included ones like “In Communion, the unique Moravian tradition of offering the right hand of fellowship signifies what?” and “A well-known phrase is found in Hebrews: ‘The world was not worthy of them.’

Of whom was the writer speaking?”

In the end, the team from John Hus Moravian Church, including Kyle Paul, Kaile Reid and Charles “CJ” Woodbine, proved victorious, while the New Dawn team from Ontario, including Janique Simmons, Shannon Lounges, Patrick Smith, Jr., and Jadyn Anderson, took second place. Following the Quiz Bowl, awards were presented for service to the church.

The annual event was planned and organized by the Metro Moravian Youth Council, a group of volunteers who have a passion for youth work. The event offers an opportunity for young people from across the Eastern District to interact through worship, fellowship, social engagement and use of their talents. This was the first time the event was held at a Staten Island church. n

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MORAVIAN MUSIC

Irene (the musical) sets sail… despite a hurricane!

When we decided to perform the Moravian musical, “Irene: The Adventure Begins,” about the ship that carried early missionaries around the world, we had no idea we would be identifying so closely with her crew and passengers!

Several years ago, after seeing “Irene” performed at the Moravian Music Festival, it became the dream of Rev. Tripp May and Beth Hayes to bring it to the stage in the Southern Province. Written by Rev. John Wallace of First Moravian Church of Dover, Ohio, with original and adapted music by Gwyneth Michel, Sharon Michel Benson, and Rev. Dr. Nola Reed Knouse, the play tells the story of a very seasick Count Zinzendorf, Captain Garrison of the “Irene”, his wife Marianne and their crew as they sail to Moravian mission locales in the Caribbean, Africa, Greenland and everywhere in between. It is both an historical and hysterical look at the boldness of our missions, as well as a challenge to be bold today.

The opportunity to perform Irene presented itself as a part of the “Mission Voyage,” a

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mission fair highlighting local, provincial and Unity opportunities. Creative staff were brought together, auditions held and by May, rehearsals were underway. Advent Moravian in WinstonSalem, where the play would be performed, was gracious in allowing us rehearsal time and space. Youth from 14 different Southern Province congregations, from as far away as Raleigh and Huntersville joined in as our cast and chorus. Amazing sets were built, costumes created and props scrounged. These kids worked hard!

Florence delays Irene The time came for the performance. A replica ship had been built, revolving scenery installed, music learned, a genuine ship’s wheel donated

by Rev. John Jackman, lights, microphones, sound and special effects for a violent storm at sea prepared – we were READY! And just like that, no special effects required, Hurricane Florence blew through. As the largest of the challenges we faced, it proved insurmountable, and the play and Mission Voy-

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age Festival were cancelled. It seemed as if there would be no opportunity to perform as the building we were using was unavailable for the near future and there was no place to store large sets. We were heartbroken for the kids who had worked so hard for four months and for the people who wouldn’t see the “Irene.”

But Jesus leads on! Immediately, Trinity Moravian and Rev. John Jackman called and offered their Fellowship Hall for the following weekend. Almost everyone was available!

Though we couldn’t bring most of the set/ scenery because of space constraints, and the performers had never been on that stage before (and it was half the space they were accustomed to!) the show was amazing! Because we lost many of our chorus members due to the rescheduling, others filled in—including a bishop! It was a special day indeed—and our province was able to see what astonishing talent we have in our midst.

Bringing arts and missions together It was an incredible experience. We don’t always think of the arts when we think of missions. Here, working together – creative adults and young people – we found ourselves amid holy joy and excitement, part of a modern-day parable. It was good to remember that mission takes on many forms, and that our God-given creativity is just one way we share the Gospel with the world. With good precedent: Jesus taught in parables. We are so grateful to John Issue 8 • 2018

Wallace for his talents, and for his generosity in allowing some minor adaptations to his fabulous play!

The team God brought together had a common vision: to present “Irene” as a gift of ministry. There is not enough space to describe the incredibly hard work of everyone involved, especially our young and amazingly talented actors. Everyone did their job with joy, enthusiasm and expertise. We, as a Church, should always be on the lookout for such creative people! The sharing of these many different gifts was and remains a blessing, because they also shared their walks in faith, their love of Jesus and their hopes and dreams for the church. Many of the young people shared that they felt they had finally found “their place” in the church.

“Irene” celebrates our history. It honors what we strive to be: Jesus’ hands and feet and hearts,compassionate servants with love in all things. It dares us to use the creativity in our midst in service to God and God’s people. It challenges: are we bold like these early sisters and brothers? Are we bold enough to continue a long tradition of being light and love in the world, and in new and non-traditional ways?

Are we bold enough to continue to say, “Our Lamb has conquered! Let us follow Him!”?

Joyce R. Carter, director, “Irene: The Adventure Begins!”, is part of the Come and Worship ministry in Winston-Salem, N.C. For more information on Irene, visit www.moravianmusic.org.

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CREATE IN ME

Invitation to the Table in worship In this month’s edition of “Create in Me,” we’re discussing food. The Rev. Rebecca Craver shares her thoughts on using David Melby-Gibbons song, “This Food” from Sing to the Lord a New Song as part of a communion service. Then, the Rev. Brian Dixon inteviews Joy Witkowski, the food & beverage manager at Mt. Morris Camp & Conference Center in Wautoma, Wisconsin.

Think about how we prepare for Thanksgiving or Christmas meals. The sense of celebration is mixed in with the ordinary rhythms of preparing a meal.

We anticipate more faces, movement and conversations around the table. We have lots of expectations because these are special meals in our years of life.

How often do we consider our expectations around the Lord’s Supper? It is also a special meal, mixed with the regular rhythm of worship and discipleship. It is not difficult to imagine that our celebrations of Holy Communion can be so much a part of our practice that we just go with the flow. So how do we keep the excitement and anticipation present for this meal? This question is important whether we celebrate communion each time we gather for worship or at various times during the year.

With this in mind, I want to consider how “This Food” could be used in a communion service to instigate a more intentional and anticipatory reception of the bread and cup. Following the right 16

hand of fellowship in preparation for communion, I would plan a procession of people from the congregation to bring in the elements of communion while the song plays. Imagine watching the table being set, first the tablecloth, then the plate(s) of bread and the cup(s) of wine or juice while listening to an upbeat song of invitation. Then once the table is set, I would have the congregation sing along a second time with the recording. This song moves you. I literally cannot hear it without dancing a bit and clapping along. With its tempo and feel, it sets a tone of engagement and energy around the table.

A reminder that the Lord’s Supper is life giving and sends us out into the word to live the Gospel out. If nothing else it would probably stir us up a bit from the well-known ritual of the Lord’s Supper and help us to enter into the renewal of our commitment to follow Christ into the world, individually and communally.

I would introduce it through the produced recording by Dust of the Saints, the band made up of David Melby-Gibbons and his spouse Rev. Christie Melby-Gibbons, from their 2015 album “Oh…” (It is available on ITunes). You can also check their band out at https://www.facebook.com/dustofthesaints/. n The Rev. Rebecca Craver is pastor of Edmonton Moravian Church in Edmonton, Alberta.

The Moravian

HOLY COMMUNION

                  D

A

D

           

A

D

1. This

            



      

G

D

        

food food

    D

A

Refrain D



a par - ty! Come It's the life in you.

           G  D               plete!

So be it!

 D         



 

    



is so good for ev - 'ry - one, can do man - y things.

  





A             

G

eat!

Com -

Come be fit!

      G   A                  

Come eat!

   

 

Come be fit!



   

Com -

                

plete! So be it!

   

good for my heart good for my heart,

A

         D

is is

 

            

A

       

   

A

and my bod - y. This food my fam - 'ly. This food

G

71

This Food

Moderato ( = 104-120)

G

This

D

food.

This food.

This food.

            

TEXT and MUSIC: David Melby-Gibbons (2012) © 2013 Interprovincial Board of Communication and Moravian Music Foundation

Irregular THIS FOOD

About “This Food”

This hymn was inspired by our weekly “Open Table” dinners held at the Moravian Church of Downey. The food came from a local grocery store where it had reached its “sell by” date. This free weekly meal was put together by volunteers who came early to help set the table and cook. While eating at Open Table, you could often hear people say, “This is so good!” You could also hear people confess, “I don’t really come for the food—I come for the fellowship.” Open Table brought together homeless people, local neighbors, millionaires, meat-eaters, vegetarians and folks from a range of cultural backgrounds and social outlooks. The conversation was often full of laughter, sometimes serious and typically quite gritty. Open Table was an extension of the Sunday morning table of Holy Communion. (Or maybe it is the Communion table.)

This meal sustained us through some difficult moments as a community. We marvel at how there was always enough food, and that very often, there were plates and storage containers full of leftovers!

by David Melby-Gibbons

Issue 8 • 2018

17

CREATE IN ME

Food and Worship with Joy Say the word, “joy” to anyone who has been to Mt. Morris Camp and Conference Center in central Wisconsin and they may wonder if you mean “joy” the fruit of the Spirit, or Joy Witkowski, the Food and Beverage Director at Mt. Morris. Recently, I had the pleasure of catching up with Joy – who embodies the spirit of hospitality – to talk about connections between food and worship. The following are excerpts and highlights from our conversation: Brian: Joy, you talked about how in the story of the manna and quail (Exodus 16) – God provides…

And, although we may want more variety or something different, one lesson is that our needs will be met. And, that the provision comes from God. Joy: That’s right. And the variety of the food is not what’s necessary, but when you do have it – what a gift it is. That’s how I feel.

And, like I told you the cheese story… I love cheese. God could have made one kind.

There’s a ton of different kinds. And that, to me, is a gift.

That there are so many kinds of cheese?

Yes. As in anything, like the different kinds of cuisine we talked about. Or, coffee or spices or whatever; there could have been one or two. But, there are tons of them. And, I think it’s in how you envision the variety and choose to see it as a gift.

[Joy conveys a deep faith that God’s provision is more than enough – that it is extravagant: milk and honey, water made wine, baskets of leftovers after thousands are fed, etc. As we talk, we compare the difference between the Sabbath and other days of the week to the difference between fast food and a home-cooked meal. We wonder how this could impact worship; to think of it as a meal to be savored and shared. The conversation turns to food as an experience not 18

only of sharing, but also serving. Joy relates a very personal story and experience of this.]

Joy: This last summer, with my dad passing… I have never dealt with that before.

And, a friend would call and say: Can we bring something to eat? And, I’m like: No, no. That’s okay. We’re fine. We have cooks in the family. We do this. And, they’d bring it over anyway. And, it was wonderful. It was just so good to… I don’t know how to describe it. I’ve just never been on the receiving end of that. It was such a wonderful way to care for somebody else. And, when you have company, to have enough food for everybody so you can sit and visit and not be preparing food… So, that is one of the greatest services that I could imagine to somebody who is grieving or that needs comfort.

Brian: How did you adjust to being on the receiving end of that?

Well, of course I told them: Don’t bring anything. We’re fine. And, then they did anyways. And, it was really, really nice. And, if you say, “No,” you’re also denying somebody the privilege of sharing and serving God, too. Not that you shouldn’t say, “No.” But, The Moravian

that was their opportunity. I just didn’t want to inconvenience anyone by having to make extra food. But, it was so wonderful. And, it was good.

Had you experienced that growing up? Your dad was a pastor. So, had you seen that as a child, or with your father’s ministry? You shared about having a big family garden; the work and service part of all that.

How did you connect food and Christian service?

Well, you could see the church I grew up in from the highway. And, when anybody would come off the road needing help or food, they would come right to our church. We had a lot of people coming to the house needing food that were traveling somewhere and didn’t have enough. And, I remember Dad talking to them in the living room and my mom making sandwiches. That happened quite a bit when I was growing up.

Being from a large family, food was always a big part of our life. And, I loved to eat. I remember my mom baking homemade bread and all I wanted was bread from the store. But, making bread from scratch was one of the countless ways she took care of her family. And, now I understand that. So, it’s been a part of everything I experienced growing up. And, with Dad in the ministry in a small town, we were there any time someone passed, or had a child, or celebrated a wedding. Food was always a part of that.

[We compare notes on traditions around rites of passage, grief, and caring. Of course, we see that food gathers people. It works as a social catalyst, a form of entertainment, or a kind of diversion. But, food also relates to more serious matters: hunger, loneliness, illness, even abuse.

It can be a tangible experience of restored connection and community.]

Joy: I love that people congregate in the kitchen. Sometimes it gets busy in there.

But, there is something about kitchens that draw people in. And, you can always start a conversation with somebody about food.

Issue 8 • 2018

They have either a memory or a story or some strong preference. I don’t care who you talk to. You can really get to know people that way. And I enjoy that everybody has their likes and dislikes; comfort food that takes them back. It’s why I always serve cookies straight from the oven. Because it’s just the only way you can enjoy them best. I like those details.

Brian: Does food teach us about God? Can it show us that God is not just an idea? That God is in the details, as real as food in “taste and see” kind of ways?

I feel that God has used food to teach us in a lot of ways. With communion – that’s very tangible – but, food is also part of the Fall. Eating an apple, that was the other end of the spectrum; but it is something that we can understand. And when Jesus was born, and he was brought gifts, there was no food involved.

You’re right! Gold, frankincense and myrrh. Nothing there for a baby to chew on.

Or, to nourish Mary. And, I think that’s interesting, because Jesus is the Provider. He didn’t require that. And, so the absence of food there is meaningful to me. Jesus not only came to serve and meet our needs and provide for us, but he gives us countless varieties of everything.

[Our conversation comes full circle and closes with reflection on the community that forms around food service: from farmers to chefs to servers to diners to dishwashers, etc. When everyone, at every level, realizes they are part of the life of the kitchen, or restaurant or café, that every little thing they do is part of a greater work—just like the Kingdom of God—it encourages us to share greater joy in the work and to offer our best.]

Joy: And, all because people need to eat.

Brian: All, because people need to eat. n The Rev. Brian Dixon is pastor of Lake Auburn Moravian Church in Victoria, Minn.

19

MORAVIAN WRITINGS

My kingdom is not from this world...

Messages on John 18:32-37 Each week, Moravians across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean share a common message through their Sunday bulletins.

This month, we share writings based on John 18:32-37. This Bible text is for Reign of Christ/Christ the King Sunday in Lectionary Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary used by the Moravian Church.

Not from this World

Hermann Weinlick, retired pastor, Minneapolis, Minnesota • November 25, 2018 “My kingdom is not from this world.” What on earth did Jesus mean by that statement to Pontius Pilate?

Does Jesus mean we should pay less attention to the news? Perhaps. But this is really about our understanding of God and God’s power. The kingdoms of the world—political, economic, social—are to some degree built on force, whether physical might, financial force, social pressure. “Not from this world” means that God’s kingdom is built on a different kind of power: not force but love, gentle persuasion, and our willing response to God. What kind of power do we associate with God? “Not from this world” suggests that Je20

sus is speaking against frightening people into obeying God. “Not from this world” suggests that Jesus is speaking against those who forcefully keep women in subservient positions, saying that is God’s will. “Not from this world” suggests Jesus is warning against using political power to make people obey God. Jesus still invites you and me to be obedient to God, to seek the kind of life and world that God wants. But he invites you and me to do that willingly and joyfully—even when sometimes that is not easy.

Followers of Jesus, from the first century to the 21st century, have been tempted to live like the rest of the world. It is easier to imagine that God looks and acts like us. Jesus invites us, rather, to consider how we might look and act more like God. The Gospel readings of the coming Sundays of Advent, which speak of John the Baptist The Moravian

and of the end of the world, remind us of the conflict between the ways of the world and the ways of God. And then comes the surprising act of God: we see the power of God in a powerless baby, and Moravians sing, “Not Jerusalem, lowly Bethlehem.”

My kingdom is not from here

Jimmie Newsom, Jr., pastor, King Moravian Church, King, N.C. • November 26, 2006

On what we now celebrate as Palm Sunday, Pilate had entered the city on horseback, leading Roman cavalry and foot soldiers to reinforce the garrison permanently stationed at the Fortress Antonia. (During the week of Passover, pilgrims could swell the population of Jerusalem from its usual 40,000 to over 200,000.)

This show of force was an important part of keeping order in this occupied land, especially during this volatile week when pilgrims celebrated Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt.

Pilate’s procession had entered the city from its western side and was a display of power and domination. It was not just imperial power that was being displayed, but theological power as well. The emperor who ruled Rome was also considered to be the son of God. Jesus of Nazareth, on that same day, had entered the city from the east, riding down the Mount of Olives on a donkey to the shouts of “Hosanna!”

Now in a poignant scene a few days later, as Jesus stands before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of ldumea, Judea, and Samaria, two kingdoms collide. One is a kingdom based on power and domination and self-interest, a kingdom where the rich and powerful rule and the poor have no voice. The second is the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed in word and deed throughout his Issue 8 • 2018

ministry: a kingdom where last is first, and where it is in giving that one finds; a kingdom where the master is servant, where swords are beaten into plowshares, where the blind see and the oppressed go free; a kingdom where no one is afraid.

So Jesus stands, as God always does, with those who have no voice. He stands in the truth of what love is and proclaims a kingdom that “is not from here.”

Which kingdom do I stand for? Be careful of your answer. It will cost you your life!

(Continued on next page)

John 18:32-37 New Revised Standard Version

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”

Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

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King Jesus

Kerry Krauss, pastor, Hope Moravian Church, Hope, Indiana • November 23, 2003

In his day Elvis Presley was the undisputed “king.” From the swivel of his hips to the way he combed his hair to the clothing he woreeven the sequined leather jumpsuits-there was no denying that Elvis was the king. It was who he was, how he lived, what he said, and how he treated others. All a person needed to do was stop, look, and listen.

Jesus presented many different opportunities to stop, look, listen, and recognize that he too was a king. Few in his own day were able to understand the kind of king that he was or the kind of power with which he would reign.

In fact, of all of the people in the Passion story who fail to recognize Jesus’ kingship, the most surprising is Pontius Pilate. There is no doubt in my mind that by the time Pilate is done questioning Jesus he knows exactly who Jesus is.

Pilate holds firm to what he has said and to what he believes-Jesus is the king of the Jews.

Jesus came to Earth to reveal himself as the Son of God and to demonstrate in word and deed that he was the king. Do we need to wait for him to come again to allow him to be lord and king of our lives? Hasn’t he done enough already?

This is the day to allow Jesus Christ to be the undisputed king of our lives-no hip swiveling or sequined leather jumpsuit necessary.

Jesus has done his part to show us the power of his love and affection for us. It is now our time to commit our lives, our abilities, and our resources to our king, to follow him obediently, and to adore him with our thoughts, words, and actions.

This is not a day to patiently wait for our king. It is the day eagerly, joyously, and faithfully to serve him.

22

Christ the King

Hermann I. Weinlick, Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pa. • November 20, 1994

Jesus gets to the point. We learn a good deal about Jesus in today’s Gospel reading. He wastes no time in this brief exchange with Pontius Pilate.

Pilate—a representative of the Roman Empire, one of the world’s great governments, perhaps a first-century equivalent to the United States—is asking about things that he knows: power, titles, authority.

Jesus tells Pilate that he is asking the wrong question: “My kingdom is not from this world ... You say that I am a king.” Jesus tells Pilate that his realm is not power but truth: “For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.”

In Jesus, God appeals to us, not to submit to his power, but to become what he has created us to be, what we really are: God’s children and God’s coworkers for good.

Jesus tells Pilate the practical difference this makes for his followers: “If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over.”

“Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Are we listening? Is the message of Jesus for us one of force or one of truth?

Do we use force to accomplish what we consider the work of God? Do we attempt to speak the truth even in the face of the powers of the world? n

The Moravian

OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Prayer Day for the Bible Societies On Sunday, November 19, we joined with churches of many other denominations in emphasizing the importance of the Bible. Our church is part of the American and Canadian Bible Societies, which do much to publish and distribute the Word of God. World AIDS Day The Synods of 2006 resolved to recognize World AIDS Day on December 1 and proclaim it as a day of commemoration and prayer by our Moravian churches. Congregations are encouraged to schedule an AIDS Awareness Day and to find a way to support an AIDS ministry focusing on areas of education, prevention and ministering to caregivers, orphans and those living with HIV. Prayer Watch The Moravian Church has experienced spiritual renewal and strength through a covenant of prayer. In 1727, the church in Herrnhut, Germany, covenanted for an “Hourly Intercession” which continued for one hundred years with a great blessing to the entire Moravian Church.

The Unity Prayer Watch established in 1957 (the quincentenary of the Unitas Fratrum) has continued to bless us. The 1988 Unity Synod affirmed the importance of this experience for the worldwide Moravian Church.

Under the schedule adopted by the 2016 Unity Synod, December 1-21 is assigned to the Northern Province and January 1- 18 to the Southern Province. Each Provincial Board will supply assignment of specific dates to individual congregations, with suggestions for prayer topics.

Issue 8 • 2018

NORTHERN PROVINCE Moravian Women’s Sunday The first Sunday in November was designated to especially recognize the work of the Moravian Women in local congregations throughout the Northern Province. Congregations may choose a different Sunday for this observance if there are conflicts in scheduling.

Prayer Day for Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary On Sunday, November 25, congregations of the Northern Province were asked to remember in prayer all who share in the important work of Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary. Let us pray for the administration, the faculty, and the students.

Fargo, North Dakota Brother Eric Renner, who has been serving a full-time pastor for Shepherd of the Prairie Moravian Church, Fargo, North Dakota, has accepted the call to serve the congregation on a part-time basis. Brother Renner transitioned to part-time as of September 1, 2018.

Released for Other Service Brother Eric Renner has accepted a call to be Released for Other Service to the United Methodist Church. Brother Renner began his part-time service as pastor of Hawley United Methodist Church, Hawley, Minnesota, as of September 1, 2018.

23

Official

(Continued from previous page) Edmonton, Alberta Brother Aaron Linville, who has been serving as pastor for Rural Hall Moravian Church, Rural Hall, North Carolina, has accepted the call to serve as pastor for Millwoods Community Moravian Church, Edmonton, Alberta. Brother Linville began his new work November 4, 2018.

Emmaus, Pennsylvania Brother Brian Dixon, who has been serving as pastor at Lake Auburn Moravian Church, Victoria, Minnesota, has accepted the call to serve as pastor for Emmaus Moravian Church, Emmaus, Pennsylvania. Brother Dixon will be installed into his new work March 3, 2019.

Sister Christine S. Johnson has accepted an appointment to serve as full-time interim pastor for Emmaus Moravian Church, Emmaus, Pennsylvania. The appointment was effective November 5, 2018.

Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference

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Obituary: The Rev. Dr. Richard Isaac Shamel

The Reverend Dr. Richard Isaac Shamel, 88, joined the heavenly Church Triumphant Sunday, November 18, 2018.

He was born May 26, 1930 in Urichsville, Ohio, to Clarence Florentine Shamel and Jean Cross Shamel. He graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in mathematics and English in 1951, planning to be a schoolteacher.

Richard received the call to ordained ministry and attended Moravian Theological Seminary, graduating in 1954. It was there he met his wife and partner in mission, June Ardell Zimmerman. They were married in 1955, and together served the Coopersburg, Pensylvania, congregation; and the New Dorp Beach, Midland Beach, and Tremont Terrace congregations in New York.

In 1968 Richard began mission service in Antigua, the Eastern West Indies Province, most notably at the Spring Gardens and Gracefield congregations, and as superintendent of the twelve churches on Antigua. Health problems forced a premature conclusion of his mission work. Richard and June returned to the United States in 1973, and he served pastorates with the Moravia, New Eden, and Providence congregations in North Carolina.

Richard received the Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University in 1992, and retired in 1995 after 40 years of ministry. In retirement he was supply pastor for the Mayodan, Hope, Bethesda, Macedonia, Union Cross, and New Hope (Miami, FL) congregations.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, June; and is survived by three sons, and their wives, and by six grandchildren. A memorial service was held Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Macedonia Moravian Church, with the Rev. Zachary Dease and Bishop Graham Rights officiating. Burial followed in God’s Acre at Macedonia.

The Moravian

Obituary: The Rev. Raymond E. Schultz

Brother Raymond E. Schultz died in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on October 8, 2018. He was 96.

Born December 9, 1921, in Lamont, Alberta, he was the son of August and Julia (Heffner) Schultz. Brother Schultz graduated from Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1943 and Moravian Theological Seminary in 1945. He was ordained a Deacon in the Moravian ministry September 9, 1945 and consecrated a Presbyter June 25, 1950.

He was united in marriage to Lydia Getzinger May 16, 1951 at Heimtal Moravian Church, Alberta, Canada. Together they served pastorates in Canada (Edmonton, Heimtal, Westlock Mission, Hobbema, Jasper Place), Pennsylvania (Bethany-Olivet in York and Schoeneck in Nazareth), and New York (Trinity in Utica) Br. Schultz also served the church as a member of the Canadian District Board. He entered into retirement May 25, 1986.

Brother Schultz is survived by his daughter, Heather; son, Delray, and four grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Lydia, on May 29, 2014.

A memorial service was held November 17, 2018, at Schoeneck Moravian Church with the Revs. Garritt and Sanette Fleming officiating. Burial was in the Schoeneck Moravian Church cemetery.

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Issue 8 • 2018

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Statistics of the Moravian Church, Northern & Southern Provinces The Northern Province • December 31, 2017 CF=Confirmed Communicants T=Total

Eastern District Congregation

AVG=Average Worship Attendance *=No updated data for 2017

CF

T

AVG

Pastor (1)

DIST. OF COLUMBIA Washington, Faith

151

201

95

Bevon White

MARYLAND New Carrollton, Trinity Thurmont, Graceham Upper Marlboro, St. Paul’s

117 250 121

163 298 159

51 90 52

Tammie L. Rinker Sue Koenig William T. Andrews

NEW JERSEY Cinnaminson, Palmyra Egg Harbor City Riverside, First Union, Battle Hill

112 271 175 39

145 340 217 58

33 57 53 25

Laura Gordon Bruce Weaknecht Rebecca Sisley Vacant

NEW YORK Bronx, Tremont Terrace Brooklyn, Fellowship Brooklyn, John Hus New York City, First New York City, United Queens, Grace Staten Island, Castleton Hill Staten Island, Great Kills Staten Island, New Dorp Staten Island, Vanderbilt Ave.

104 68 281 99 447 202 181 114 229 86

126 119 342 122 806 356 240 151 279 117

55 41 212 46 160 135 54 33 85 47

Vacant Wellesley Ferguson Michael E. Johnson Charles C. Harewood Nigel Powell Earl Goulbourne Lance Fox Tracy A. Pryor Duane E. Ullrich Wellesley Ferguson

OHIO Dover, First Dublin, Redeemer Gnadenhutten, Heckewelder New Phila., Fry’s Valley New Phila., Schoenbrunn Tuscarawas, Sharon Uhrichsville, First

494 42 275 76 85 293 75

588 47 315 91 107 357 84

166 21 55 29 54 85 27

John B. Wallace Vacant Vacant Vacant Benjamin Lippert Lloyd Gooden Vacant

ONTARIO Toronto, New Dawn

119

146

90

F. Rowan Simmons

PENNSYLVANIA Allentown, Calvary Bethlehem, Advent

170 284

200 342

73 83

Janel R. Rice Melissa Johnson

These statistics of the Moravian Church in America are reprinted from the 2018 Directory & Statistics of the Moravian Church. Church membership numbers are those reported effective Dec. 31, 2017. (1) Pastor listings represent those serving in individual churches during 2016; some church pastorate listings were updated in 2017, but the updates are not comprehensive.

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The Moravian

Bethlehem, Central

831

987

320

Bethlehem, College Hill Bethlehem, East Hills Bethlehem, Edgeboro Bethlehem, West Side Canadensis Coopersburg, MorningStar Easton, First Easton, Palmer Emmaus Hellertown, Mountainview Lancaster Lebanon Lititz

258 328 347 128 133 140 551 444 108 53 106 765

286 374 437 142 162 175 701 524 128 56 148 882

85 111 112 35 36 39 151 115 22 34 44 257

Nazareth Nazareth, Schoeneck

390 392

501 447

91 122

92 76 134 99 10,335

107 84 146 117 12,920

32 40 66 51 3,770

Congregation

CF

T

AVG

CALIFORNIA Banning, Morongo

94

130

35

Gregg Schafer

ILLINOIS West Salem

223

277

85

Reid Lauderman

INDIANA Hope

368

499

156

Andrew Kilps

MICHIGAN Daggett Unionville Westland, Grace

38 206 36

39 241 42

19 60 24

James T. Hicks Vacant Vacant

MINNESOTA Altura, Our Savior’s Chaska Maple Grove, Christ’s Community Northfield, Main Street St. Charles, Berea Victoria, Lake Auburn Waconia

129 130 94 30 114 96 337

156 158 128 30 141 108 429

69 66 54 19 48 45 99

Gregory Behrend Michael Eder Vacant Vacant Franklin Jones Brian R. Dixon Amy Gohdes-Luhman

Newfoundland* Philadelphia, Redeemer York, Covenant York, First TOTALS

Western District

Issue 8 • 2018

C. Hopeton Clennon, M. Lynnette Delbridge David C. Geyer Derek A. French Daniel M. Miller Keith K. Harke Closed 10/1/17 Jay Petrella Patricia D. Honszer Darrell F. Johnson Vacant Jodie Harney Mandy Mastro Vacant Dean R. Jurgen Mark V. Breland Jeffrey D. Gehris, Sr. Garritt Fleming Sanette Fleming Mark Newman Nasel Ephraim John Fritts Sayward E. Lippincott

Pastor (1)

27

NORTH DAKOTA Davenport, Canaan Durbin, Goshen Fargo, Shepherd of the Prairie Leonard, Bethel

124 118 70 81

148 154 89 99

43 26 38 21

Beth Rohn-Habhegger Joel Russell Eric D. Renner Joel Russell

WISCONSIN Appleton, Freedom Cambridge, London DeForest, Christian Faith Ephraim Green Bay, West Side Lake Mills* Madison, Glenwood Madison, Lakeview Pittsville, Veedum Sister Bay

128 88 127 135 232 545 77 109 44 120

152 101 151 147 315 623 92 118 55 124

50 30 40 83 74 132 32 32 27 59

James Heroux Barbara Berg Jason Andersen Dawn E. Volpe Marian Boyle Rohloff David W. Sobek Staci Marrese-Wheeler Staci Marrese-Wheeler Wanda Veldman Kerry D. Krauss

WISCONSIN (cont.)

Sturgeon Bay Watertown, Ebenezer Watertown Wisconsin Rapids TOTALS

559 169 214 256 5,091

622 205 266 289 6,128

139 60 81 106 1,852

CF

T

AVG

Pastor (1)

ALBERTA Calgary, Christ Calgary, Good Shepherd Edmonton Edmonton, Millwoods Edmonton, Rio Terrace Sherwood Park, Good News

143 142 87 101 105 39

233 168 107 108 144 51

107 68 36 64 60 24

Leduc County, Heimtal* TOTALS

35 652

37 848

21 380

Stephen A. Gohdes Richard Beck Rebecca Craver Vacant James Lavoy Ian D. Edwards Eileen Edwards Matthew J. Gillard

Matthew R. Knapp Katie Van Der Linden Kurt Liebenow Vacant

Canadian District Congregation

Northern Province Recapitulation Eastern District Western District Canadian District Total Province 2017 Total Province 2016 Increase/Decrease *Not Available for 2017 28

CF 10,335 5,091 652 16,078 16,193

T 12,920 6,128 848 19,896 20,011

AVG 3,770 1,852 380 6,002 6,235

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-233 The Moravian

Statistics of the Moravian Church AVG=Average Worship Attendance *=No updated data for 2017

CF=Confirmed Communicants T=Total

The Southern Province • December 31, 2017 Congregation

CF

T

AVG

FLORIDA Longwood, Rolling Hills* Miami, King of Kings* Miami, New Hope* Miami, Prince of Peace West Palm Beach,Palm Beach*

95 56 75 378 26

110 97 83 522 41

64 55 54 210 34

Wilma E. Israel Gregorio Moody, Acolyte Gregorio Moody, Acolyte Frank Barker, Interim Evette Campbell, Acolyte

GEORGIA Stone Mountain, First Church*

75

91

60

Stephen Weisz, Interim

215 232

215 263

73 94

Zachary Dease David Merritt

206 77 492 129 88 256 173 480 379 205 40 124 359 105 118 392 116 231 147 94

255 86 534 191 97 312 212 567 427 215 52 154 417 131 132 455 131 280 176 116

70 35 167 142 50 71 69 173 155 90 30 53 139 60 60 145 49 93 75 35

Jeff Carter Rusty Rushing, Interim Chris Thore Francis P. Venable Robert E. Peterson Tony Hayworth Vacant John G. Rights Doug Rights Barry Foster Vacant Judith Justice, Interim Neil Routh Betty Helms Carol Foltz Craig S. Troutman Fran Saylor Aaron Linville Chuck Harmon Vacant

239 166 103 339 224 287 879

289 187 103 442 263 303 1,063

135 82 33 146 88 141 332

Timothy G. Sapp Chaz Snider Jeffrey Jones Lane A. Sapp David A. Marcus, Jr. C. Scott Venable III James C. Newsome, Dan Nelson

NORTH CAROLINA Advance, Macedonia* Bethania* Charlotte, Little Church on the Lane* Charlotte, Peace Clemmons Durham, Christ the King Eden, Leaksville Greensboro, First Church Huntersville, New Beginnings Kernersville King Lewisville, Unity Lexington, Enterprise Mayodan* Mount Airy, Grace Newton, New Hope Oak Ridge, Moravia* Raleigh Mizpah Rural Hall Walnut Cove, Fulp* Wilmington, Covenant* Winston-Salem, Advent Ardmore Bethabara Calvary Christ Fairview Friedberg Issue 8 • 2018

Pastor (1)

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Friedland

423

463

135

Fries Memorial Home

111 1,195

128 1,475

52 259

Hope Hopewell Immanuel New Eden Konnoak Hills Messiah New Philadelphia

120 112 55 214 131 1,096

152 152 57 251 157 1,319

65 61 31 98 78 366

Oak Grove Olivet Pine Chapel Providence St. Philips Trinity Union Cross

127 497 85 18 37 207 257

162 568 96 18 45 224 319

95 137 45 14 20 75 162

Wayne Byerly, interim Adam Goodrich Jeffery Coppage Virginia Tobiassen Andrew Heil Judy Knopf, Interim Walter Bishop Cheryl Cottingham John D. Rights Gerald Harris, Interim Worth N. Green, Joe Moore David Berrier, Acolyte Matthew W. Allen James Demby Vacant Bill McElveen, Interim John P. Jackman Russell Williams

VIRGINIA Ararat, Willow Hill* Cana, Crooked Oak Mt. Bethel

70 43 60

84 51 74

65 40 45

Chuck Harmon, Acolyte Gary Easter, Acolyte Charles W. Fishel

Southern Province Recapitulation

Total

Dec. 31, 2017 Dec. 31, 2016 Increase/Decrease

CF

T

AVG

12,458 12,542 -82

14,807 14,869 -62

5,205 5,486 -281

Statistical Summary of the Church Sunday Schools Northern & Southern Provinces • December 31, 2017 Eastern District Western District Canadian District

Pupils 1,561 753 72

Staff 340 151 16

Totals 1,901 904 88

Totals: Northern Province: Southern Province: Grand Total

2,386 3,012 5,398

507 614 1,121

2,893 3,626 6,519

30

The Moravian

A charge to keep I have “And O your servant, Lord, prepare a strict account to give.” Accountability is both generous and prudent. It’s both loving and smart.

At the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America, we can help you put your money to work to love your neighbors and also end the year wisely from a tax perspective. Individual investors, congregations, and ministries all benefit from the tools of philanthropy that are designed to help us be good stewards.

A Moravian Donor Advised Fund (DAF) can help you end the year well, support the Moravian churches and ministries you love, simplify your life, and still be the voice in grant recommendations. Many kinds of assets can fund your DAF for charitable income tax deduction eligibility this year. Find out more: Call Chris at 888-722-7923 or email him at cspaugh@mmfa.info today.

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www.mmfa.info 119 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305 Winston-Salem, NC 27101 888-722-7923

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

ANSWER YOUR CALL

GOD’S CALL CAN BE FELT IN MANY WAYS . . .

A GENTLE NUDGE, A TUG AT THE HEART, THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF A FRIEND. Let us help you answer your call to care, lead, teach, love.

Contact Rev. Dr. Dave DeRemer, Director of Enrollment, at deremerd@moravian.edu or visit

moravianseminary.edu/answer-your-call Issue 8 • 2018