New Philadelphia News Across the Pastor’s Desk The Joint Board has authorized a special Congregational Council at 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 25 for the sole purpose of discusing a new Church Constitution. We invite all interested persons to study the new Church Consistition in advance. After September 1 copies will be made available in the church office, on Sunday morning in the Commons Area, and online at newphilly.org/pdf/npmc.new.constitution.pdf. The existing Church Constitution is already on-line at newphilly.org/pdf/npmc.constitution.pdf What motivites the Joint Board to propose a new Constitution? The motivation is threefold: 1. We wish to bring the Church Constitution in line with the current Moravian Book of Order. 2. We wish to bring the Church Constitution in line with current practices, which are either the result of changes in the Book of Order, or changes in the way we live out our ministry in the present day. 3. We wish to build additional Institutional Memory by putting on paper many things that we have hitherto done according to an oral tradition.
‘Lunchtime Lectures’
Though we have incorporated the vast majority of material in the old Constitution, there are so many changes, it seemed desirable to present a new document.
If the meeting on September 25 goes well, once all interested parties have had the opportunity to discuss the new Church constitution, and once we have made any agreed upon changes, we will have a straight up or down vote to approve the new Church Constitution at the Annual Congregational Council. The Annual Congregational Council will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2016. The vote to approve the new Constitution will be a straight, up or down, ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote. Naturally, we will deal with our regular order of business at the October 23rd Annual Congregational Council, including election of new officers. Details are to be announced. Blessings, Pastor Green
•November 10: “The 2016 Unity Synod,” with Southern Province delegates David B. Guthrie, John D. Rights, and Craig S. Troutman; A new season of “Lunchtime Lectures” of the •December 8: “The Date Which Will Live in Infamy,” Moravian Archives and Moravian Music Foundation with Richard W. Starbuck; will open September 8 at the Archie K. Davis Center in Salem. Archivist Richard W. Starbuck will speak on •January 12: “Moravian Music Elsewhere, Part 1,” with Nola Reed Knouse; “The Girls School Goes Radical.” •February 9: “Even MORE Fun Finds in the Vault,” with Nola Reed Knouse; “Lunchtime Lectures” are held 12:15-12:45 p.m. the second Thursday of the month (except April 20). They •March 9: “The Last Wachovia Pioneer,” with Richard W. Starbuck; are free, and you are invited to bring your lunch (it •April 20 (note third Thursday): “Elm Street and isn’t provided). Parking is free in the Salem College the Sunday School Movement,” with Richard W. Fine Arts Center parking lot off Salem Avenue. Starbuck; Other presentations in the 2016-2017 “Lunchtime •May 11: “Have we Heard It All Yet,” with Nola Reed Lectures” series will be: Knouse. •October 13: “250th Anniversary of Salem Wraps It For more information phone 336-722-1742 or 336Up,” with Richard W. Starbuck; 725-0651.