Moravian Magazine, April 2022 by Mike Riess

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In this issue: Preparing for Synod • Art in Worship Congregational Development • and more!

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Individually, we can make a difference. Together, we can make a change. 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. Contact us to see how we can help your church or agency succeed with prudent investments.

Visit us online at mmfa.info, click on “Investing in the Future” 119 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305 Winston-Salem, NC 27101 336-725-2589 | mmfa.info

The Moravian

14 Moravian Writings 5

What have we learned? A reflection...

Moravian Polity Our Lamb has conquered. Let us follow Him. In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love

Southern Province Moravians prepare to come together for 2022 Synod

Emerging Ministries 10 I’m making all things new...

Congregational Development 12 Southern Province agency prepares to make a difference

Art in Worship God Creates. God Redeems. God Sustains. We Respond in Faith, Love and Hope.

15 Watercolors add inspiration to worship at St. Paul’s Moravian

Moravian History 18 Ohio Moravian churches to help celebrate Schoenbrunn Village’s 250th anniversary

Moravians in Mission 20 Board of World Mission offers preaching resources 23 Moravian Disaster Response to Ukranian crisis 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.

Moravian Camping Ministries 24 A foundation of Laurel Ridge’s next 60 years

Racial Justice Ministries 26 Racial justice teams plan joint series

In every issue... 4

Ponderings

29 Official Provincial Elders’ News April 2022

30 Obituaries

PONDERINGS

(ISSN 1041-0961) April 2022, Vol. 53, No. 2 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: OnTrac International, 41 Northern Stacks Drive, Suite 200 Fridley, MN 55421 email: file@ontrac.com

Feeling like spring While it has been a windy, stormy March so far (so much for in like a lion and out like a lamb…the lion seems to be sticking around), spring is definitely on its way. And as the days lengthen and sun coaxes crocuses and daffodils from their winter slumber, this issue of The Moravian has a feeling of spring, too. In the following pages, we see God’s people making things new. We learn more about the Southern Province’s Commission on Congregational Development as it evolves into a central resource for the province. In another article, Pastor Greg Behrend shares the work of a growing ministry in Green Bay, Wisconsin, called You Belong. And we learn how a European artist’s work added inspiration and meaning to worship at St. Paul’s Moravian Church in Maryland. We hear from Northern Province PEC President Betsy Miller, who shares her thoughts on what we’ve learned through Covid. It’s hard to believe we’ve been living with the impact of the pandemic for two-plus years now; how has that impacted us? Several stories in this issue highlight our church’s mission-focused ways. Learn how the Board of World Mission is working to aid those fleeing the crisis in Ukraine. Experience a new mission preaching resource written by the BWM’s Bishop Chris Giesler. And in a look back at our missionary roots, we preview the 250th anniversary celebration of Schoenbrunn Village, an important part of Moravian missionary history in North America. This issue also offers a preview of an important happening in the modern church—the upcoming Synod of the Moravian Church Southern Province. In June, delegates from North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Virginia will come together—in person!—to help chart the future of the Southern Province. As Lent comes to a close and the joy of Easter and beyond is upon us, let’s look to the positive happenings in our North American church. In the coming months, I hope to share more good news about our efforts to bring the Good News to the world. As always, I welcome your insights and feedback.

Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces Published eight times per year: Jan/ Feb, April, May, 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: 16,000 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

Peace, 4

Mike Riess, Editor

The Moravian

MORAVIAN WRITINGS

What have we learned? Reflecting on two years of Covid-19 a letter from the Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller

March 15, 2022 Dear Sisters and brothers in Christ, Grace, mercy, and peace, in the name of the Triune God. It has been two years since we shuttered the physical doors of our churches to protect one another from Covid-19. On March 15, 2020, Moravian Church Without Walls hosted its first virtual worship service from the Provincial Church Center in Bethlehem, Pa.. At its recent meeting, the Provincial Elders’ Conference reflected on these past two years and offered prayers of deep gratitude and thanks to all in the church—pastors, lay leaders, tech support folks, faithful parishioners—for being the hands and feet of Christ every day in remarkable ways. Thank you! As we look back on this time, it offers a good opportunity for us to ponder two questions: What have we learned about God? What have we learned about ourselves? We have learned that God was, is, and always will be present with us, individually and collectively, in ways that were overwhelmingly obvious and wonderful and in ways that were barely noticeable. God was redemptively present with those who tragically died of Covid— even in an otherwise empty ICU room. God was graciously present with those who grieved— isolated and distanced—with funeral services delayed. God was happily present in the families waving to loved ones through the windows of nursing home. God was quietly present with those whose homes were crowded with children learning and adults working from home. God was gently present with those whose April 2022

homes were too quiet with just one inhabitant. God was inexorably present through computer screens, phone calls, and cards of encouragement sent through the mail. God was courageously present with those who volunteered to gather and deliver food and other necessities to those in need. God was and remains present. We have learned that we are far more— and far less—than we ever imagined possible.

We have learned that God was, is, and always will be present with us, individually and collectively, in ways that were overwhelmingly obvious and wonderful and in ways that were barely noticeable. We remain imperfect people, who have not loved our neighbors as we ought and have left undone those things we ought to have done. We discovered that it is far easier to be critical of others behind the safety of a computer screen and far more difficult to listen deeply to those with whom we disagree when we are not sitting at table with them. We learned that our fear and anxiety about Covid and our own mortality made us less tolerant of one another and less patient with ourselves. We learned that we are faithful to God and determined to discover ways to worship the (Continued on next page) 5

What we’ve learned

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Lord through creative means we had never tried before. Phones, cameras and computers became vehicles of proclamation, grace and fellowship. We discovered that it’s OK to ask for help from others who can guide us through the skills of live streaming, YouTube, FM transmission and Zooming. We invented workarounds, weren’t afraid to fail on camera, and sang solos to empty sanctuaries—all to proclaim the love of Christ. We learned how to look up and digest CDC guidelines and make decisions about vaccinations and masking or not masking. Decisions we made made some people happy and other people angry. Pastors got caught between PEC guidance, joint board discernment and parishioner feedback. We learned how to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion online. We missed the physical presence of people gathered in a sanctuary, a Sunday School classroom and a fellowship meal. We were simultaneously fragile and resilient. We remembered that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. As we move beyond this second anniversary, how might we use what we have learned about ourselves, one another, and God to

shape our lives and witness going forward? Even as we begin to remove masks, sing heartily, receive Holy Communion in our pew, enjoy a Lenten soup supper, how might we extend grace to those who have not yet—or may never—return to our physical sanctuaries? How might we acknowledge that, while many of us want to “return to normal,” we have traversed into a new reality—a new way of being, a new way of worshiping, a new way of bearing witness to God’s transforming love in the world? As individuals, as communities of faith, and as a province, we have the opportunity to explore how we live and move and have our being in these days. How might we receive what we have learned about the God who creates, redeems and saves so that we might respond with faith, love and hope? What does that look like for you? What does that look like for your community of faith? May our continuing journey through this season of Lent toward Easter joy give us the opportunity to ponder all that we have learned as a springboard for our next steps of faith. In Christ’s abiding love,

Elizabeth D. Miller President, Provincial Elders’ Conference Moravian Church Northern Province

On March 15, 2020, The Rev. Betsy Miller and Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler appeared in the first of a series of online worship opportunities coordinated with Moravian Church Without Walls.

The Moravian

MORAVIAN POLITY

Southern Province Moravians prepare to come together for 2022 Synod

ollowing two challenging years impacted by the Covid pandemic, Moravians from across the Southern Province are preparing to come together to discern and make decisions about the future of their province. The 2022 Synod of the Moravian Church, Southern Province, will be held in-person June 1-4 at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina. Nearly 200 regular and advisory delegates from Southern Province congregations and church agencies will be in attendance for this important part of church governance. In Moravian polity, synods represent the highest decision-making body of each province and have tremendous responsibility in the life of the Moravian Church. Southern Province Synod delegates will help decide how the province continues its work while exploring ways to strengthen the church in the future. April 2022

Responsibilities of Synod During the four-day event, delegates elect provincial leadership for the upcoming four years, including the Provincial Elders’ Conference, members of provincial and interprovincial boards and agencies, and in some years, bishops of the Moravian Unity (at the 2018 Synod, delegates elected two bishops: the Rt. Rev. Carol Foltz and Rt. Rev. Tom Shelton). Synods also establish direction and priority for provincial ministries and encourage activities on the congregational level. They help answer questions and set guidelines on key topics and issues facing the province, while providing a platform for new ideas for strengthening the church and the faith of its members. In addition to the legislative and decision-making duties of synod, these gatherings also provide a rare opportunity to bring together clergy and lay persons from all ar(Continued on next page) 7

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eas of the province, including its agencies and leadership, to talk about ministry together. Synod gathers the collective wisdom and experience of the entire province to work with each other and discern what God is calling us to do now. And the event offers an opportunity for Moravians to worship and pray together, and to seek God’s guidance and direction for the church. Delegates to Synod All pastors under call are delegates to Synod, and every congregation has one lay delegate for every 125 adult communicant members. Small congregations are entitled to one delegate in addition to the pastor, while each fellowship is represented by an advisory delegate. Provincial boards and agencies are also represented, as are retired pastors and certified, full-time DCEs. Non-voting, or advisory delegates, representing our various interprovincial agencies, ecumenical partners and emerging ministries also attend. A delegate is not a “representative” of his or her congregation; he or she is not someone instructed to vote a certain way by the congregation or leadership. The Book of Order states that a delegate, “must not lose sight of the interests of the Province and of the Unity as a whole,” even as they consider the perspective of their home congregation. Delegates elected from congregations are sent with prayers and the guidance of the Spirit to use their gifts and maturity to engage in matters at Synod using their own convicAt left: Southern Province delegates worship and work at the 2018 Synod, held in Black Mountain, N.C. The 2022 Synod will be held at Winston-Salem State University.

The Moravian

tion and to discern the direction God desires for the entire Moravian Church Southern Province. Delegates are expected to further prepare for Synod by familiarizing themselves with the processes and parliamentary procedures of the event; reviewing the reports and information from boards and agencies; becoming knowledgeable about nominees for elected offices; preparing for four intensive days of work for the future of the church; and to praying before and during Synod for God’s leading and direction for the province. At Synod, delegates will participate in daily worship and devotions, work in committees and working groups, and gather in plenary sessions with all delegates for discussions and votes. Elections and votes on resolutions will be handled electronically to help speed the process. The four days are intense – there is a lot to accomplish in a short period of time – but plenty of opportunity for prayer, singing, and catching up with Moravians from other parts of the province is built into the schedule. More information about the upcoming Synod is available at the Southern Province website, www.mcsp.org. In addition, the Interprovincial Board of Communication and Commission on Congregational Development will cover the 2022 Synod and will report on key events and decisions. The Moravian Church Northern Province made the decision in 2021 to postpone its 2022 Synod until 2023. It is now expected to be held in June of 2023 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

About the Synod Theme: “In the faith we travel by/God is in the other place.” The theme for the 2022 Southern Province Synod is pulled from a wellknown hymn, “When We Lift Our Pack and Go.” As you prepare for Synod, we invite you to read—and sing—the words to this hymn, found in the Moravian Book of Worship, Hymn 793. The Bible is an ongoing story of people on the move, in search of a place that God will show them. We take courage from their faithful example, believing with them that God will be found in every new country. Today, emerging from the pandemic, all people of faith are likely in an “other place,” with new habits, new questions, new needs—and perhaps new ideas and a new spirit. As our Synod gathers, we look forward, with eyes and hearts open, to discovering some of the many ways that God is in the other place. “In the faith we travel by, God is in the other place” from Hymn 793, “When We Lift Our Pack and Go.” Words by Shirley Erena Murray, © 1992 Hope Publishing Company Used by permission. Reprinted under license #RP-031422-2

April 2022

EMERGING MINISTRIES

I’m making all things new...

n my living room, I have an old rocking chair that once belonged to my grandparents. I have many memories of running into my grandparents living room and seeing my grandfather asleep in that chair with one of his books laying against his chest. I never thought much of it at the time, but years have shifted my perspective. Now I look at that same chair in my own living room and watch my children rock back and forth in a much wilder fashion than the chair was probably accustomed to in my grandparents’ house. It’s amazing how things can change over time while at the same time remaining as they once were. Our perspectives shift, and something old can become something new. You Belong is a new church plant of the Moravian Church, Northern Province. We are a growing group of individuals who are exploring how we might renew our way of being church for the sake of stepping into a version

that is grounded more deeply in inclusion and accessibility. Our ministries focus on service to and with families and people of all abilities. In many ways, starting a new Moravian church is all about taking something old and making it new. On January 6, our growing group gathered for what we call our “Better Together” gatherings. These are fellowship gatherings that focus intently on bringing people of all abilities together to be in community and share the love and grace of Jesus. At this particular gathering, we took part in an old Moravian tradition of drawing our yearly watchwords. For some of us, reading a small verse of scripture out loud or in our head might be very meaningful; however, for others, it might just be words on a piece of paper. In an effort to help make these verses more accessible, our You Belong team sat down to think of ways to make these words on a page come alive. At one of our recent Better Together gatherings, we

You Belong in Green Bay, Wis. is a new ministry focused on serving to and with families and people of all abilities.

The Moravian

recognized that painting and coloring was a wonderful way to be inclusive and our creative lightbulbs turned on. As our group gathered, we passed around a small basket and invited everyone to pull out a scripture verse. Together we shared the passages that were drawn. Then, we took time to listen to one another as each of us considered what the passage was saying to us. To take it one step further, we next helped each other think about how we might depict that divine presence in a painting. As the night came to a close, everyone left the table with a canvas that captured their own version of their 2022 watchword. It was a beautiful moment for me as a Moravian pastor, taking something old and breathing new life into it. It’s like me watching my children rock rigorously in the same chair my Grandpa used to quietly read and sleep in. Everything we do at You Belong begins with the question, “How can we best do that?” This does two things: first, it helps us understand that even if we have experienced something one way for much of our lives, perhaps it is not (or no longer is) the best way; and second, this question reminds us that we should have more questions than answers. In other words, if we want to create something that is meaningful to people beyond our current gathering space, we need to go beyond our gathering space and ask questions. We are working hard to think of church as function (what is the desired outcome) April 2022

rather than form (what we have seen and experienced). We are taking what we’ve always known, pulling out the best of it, and then creating a new tapestry with both used and new woven together. That is the beauty of planting a new Moravian church; our story is filled with many beautiful and strong threads. We also understand that we are called to come to the table and prayerfully ask, “How is God asking us to weave life through love and grace in 2022?” Our calling at You Belong is to show how we can bring people of all abilities together in a new witness of walking in faith. We are enthusiastic as we step forward in 2022 with new excitement on our horizon. We are preparing to start a new accessible and inclusive way of worship. We are bringing people of all abilities together through our universally accessible gardening program. We are helping others experience a deep sense of community through music, athletics, caring for our community and serving families in the greater Green Bay area. If you feel called to support our work at You Belong or wish to learn more about You Belong, visit us at www.youbelongwi.org. Thank you for supporting this new ministry. Keep us in your prayers. n The Rev. Gregory M Behrend is pastor for You Belong in Green Bay, Wisconsin. You Belong is also available on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. 11

CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Southern Province agency prepares to make a difference The Commission for Congregational Development recently moved to new offices in Cedarhyrst.

ast summer, the Southern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference announced the creation of the Commission on Congregational Development. And beginning last fall, the Commission’s new director, the Rev. Rebecca Craver, began working to flesh out the structure and roles of the new work. In its announcement, the PEC outlined the basic structure of the new commission. It would assume most of the functions of the former Board of Cooperative Ministries; would be led by pastors and laity; and would assist the PEC in fulfilling the purpose of the Southern Province: “To equip Moravian Christians and congregations to be agents of God’s transforming love in the world. We will do this by providing resources for spiritual growth, community and mission.” “In response to dynamics of the past two years, including decreased Provincial income and extended pandemic church closings, the

PEC has focused on how best to apply reduced resources to support and enhance congregational development,” read the PEC announcement. “After much study and consideration, the PEC is creating this new commission to provide advising and coaching for pastors and congregation leaders on specific ministry development needs, replacing our current educational programming focused model.” As things are coming together, Rebecca shared some of her thoughts on how the work of the Commission on Congregational Development will enhance the Southern Province. How are the Commission on Congregational Development and the Board of Cooperative Ministries alike – and different? I’ve been thinking a lot about that and have spent the last five or six months talking with many people to understand what parts of the Board of Cooperative Ministries were really The Moravian

letters, that help us connect with people who want to know more about how they can engage with us. I’m looking forward to seeing what it looks like to build more collaborative capacity in our congregations, to see the ways different ministries intersect and what might happen if we bring those ministries together. What passions do we have that we share that we can do better together, in service of God and the transforming love that we all hope to be agents of in the world? We have lots that will feel similar, but I also think there are things we’ll discover that we really need going forward. It’s kind of a moving target; we have a solid place to start and as we spend more time learning where congregations are and where they want to go, we’ll have a better idea of what we need to do to support them. The Provincial Elders’ Conference has also asked us to be involved in congregational reviews, which will give us a sense of how our work can intersect with the congregations, and how to help with emerging congregations and ministries. As the commission is formed, it will have working groups, which will be one way that people can be involved in the ministry. These working groups will be centered around spiritual growth, community and mission. I’m excited to see the kind of interplay between the different voices in these working groups

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working well for our congregations and for our leaders, and where people were looking for something that they weren’t finding. The BCM did such a wonderful job of supporting congregations in so many ways; we don’t want to lose those things that are really valuable. We still have a focus on providing solid resource support and consultation, so congregations will know they can access resources that are theologically in-line with the Moravian church and are also good and developmental for children and adults. We are still focused on working one-toone with congregations. However, this is also one of the ways the new Commission will be different, because our focus will be even more on the accompanying congregations through processes of development. That can range from wanting to evaluate their current ministry or starting a new ministry. We want to look at what congregations already have and how they want to grow through appreciative inquiry, asset mapping and tiered approaches to congregational development. As we travel those roads together, we hope to bring in resources and support to help encourage congregations in their work and development as communities of faith in the context in which they find themselves. We have a lot of communication that we want to keep up, like our weekly news-

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(Continued from previous page) and the opportunities to serve in very specific ways according to our passions and to see what that does for us as a province. You recently moved your offices to Cedarhyrst. What challenges did you face, and what will that move offer? Moving to Cedarhyrst (459 S. Church St., Winston-Salem, N.C.) was a challenge. It was definitely tough on our staff and on me to figure out how to move all of our stuff to a different space…where is it all going to go? But I think some of the excitement is that now it feels new, to start from a place that feels like we can move forward with some new life. One of the other challenges is simply figuring out how to make this space feel like people can find what they need and connect to the resources they’ve grown accustomed to using. Cedarhyrst is a beautiful old building, but can be a little imposing, so we’ve talked about how we make sure that it feels welcoming and hospitable to people who are coming in to visit. As we go along and build this space out, I think we’ll find that it invites people in to be curious and gives us a place to cultivate some creative thinking around where the church is and where God is calling the church to go. It’s also been wonderful to be in closer proximity with the provincial offices and see where our work overlaps and can support the greater work of the church. The move was also financial—we’re able to save money by sharing space—but it also gives us some flexibility to see what we can really to do support our congregations in their work. As the Commission continues coming together, what can we look forward to? One of the things that I’m most excited about with the commission coming into focus is the ability to have a large vision about how the 14

church and the province can support congregations. Part of that vision includes ways congregations can take advantage of opportunities to partner together in different ways. As we look at the church in the future, I really think that collaboration is going to be key the success of the gospel in our communities. I think that comes from the ways that we have learned to do church; the world, especially post-pandemic, has opened up to us. I’m hopeful that people will find energy around their own imagination and the kind of curiosity that brings in new ideas. With the commission, I hope we will cultivate some space for people to have conversations about their own congregations and the province as a whole. We don’t have to have all the answers about how everything is going to turn out, but I’m really excited about what those conversations might bring. I’m interested in hearing what people are thinking and talking to people about questions they have about the work they’re doing. There’s a lot of flexibility and openness in terms of what is needed, because it’s not “onesize-fits-all” congregational development. While we have resources for congregations to use, I see a lot of opportunity for one-to-one consultation about specific projects or opportunities that congregations have. Sometimes it just takes an outside person to help see how things can connect. In the end, I think God’s got a vision for us and we just have to help each other see it and hear it and engage it. n To learn more about the Commission on Congregational Development, you can visit their re-designed website at www.moravian.org/ ccd/. You can also contact the Commission at 336.722.8126 or stop by and visit when in Winston-Salem.

The Moravian

ART IN WORSHIP

Watercolors add inspiration to worship at St. Paul’s Moravian

he Rev. Dr. Bill Andrews, pastor of St. Paul’s Moravian Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland found inspiration in the art of Tessa Sydnor, a watercolor artist from Germany. That art—which they discuss in the following article—formed the foundation of a collaboration that blessed the congregation during the COVID pandemic and beyond. Pastor Bill Andrews: When Covid hit, St. Paul’s scrambled to migrate our worship experience online. Zoom worship was at once both “better” and “worse.” “Worse” because it lacked physical presence and only afforded an approximation of personal connection. “Better” because it allowed us to enrich our experience visually through art. We began including images from the treasury of two millennia of Christian art in our service. But it was new art that arrested my attention and my heart instantaneously! My daughApril 2022

ter’s friend from seminary is a gifted watercolorist. Her painting of a bird sitting on the edge of a hand into which water was pouring spoke of provision and security at a time when I was struggling to cope with uncertainty and fear as I had never known. It told me that if God cared for a fragile chickadee, He cared for me, too! With Tessa’s kind permission, the image was displayed in our service the very next Sunday. The response of the congregation to the picture inspired me to pursue a collaboration that would deeply bless St. Paul’s. Tessa Sydnor: Growing up in Catholic Austria, in the shadow of cathedrals and stained glass windows, I knew that art played a role in some people’s worship, but I noticed that it did not play a role in mine. Attending various Protestant churches while my parents ministered to refugees in Europe, I put art and worship (Continued on next page) 15

Advent 1

Watercolors

(Continued from previous page) into two separate boxes that did not mix. We weren’t Catholic, so we must not use art in our services, right? Years later, while attending Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and learning about God’s identity as Creator and our identity as creations, I realized that these separate spheres of my life might not be so separate —I loved to worship the Lord in church, and loved to create paintings in my free time. I learned that in the same way that we love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19), we create because God first created us. Thus, “making” becomes something that is entwined with my knowledge and love for God, not separate from it. With that realization, I began to notice a shift in my art. It changed from a means to preoccupy my time to an intentional communication with the Lord. When I see a flower whose beauty touches my soul, I paint it and am reminded of Matthew 6:28. When I read Psalm 58:6 and an image of God treasuring my tears in a bottle comes to mind, I draw it and know that it is true. Pastor Andrews reached out to me in December 2020 to propose an Advent series of paintings that communicates 16

Reopening

biblical truth through visual artwork; I knew it was something I had to be a part of. Pastor Bill: Tessa and I managed the time difference between Germany and Maryland and decided that a series of four paintings that illustrated the Lectionary texts for Advent would be a worthy goal. Tessa was able to take our theological conversations and create beautiful images that made the texts “come alive!” She joined our virtual services, interpreted her paintings, and remained after the benediction to talk with those who wanted “more.” On September 12, 2021, St. Paul’s welcomed worshipers back to its sanctuary for “Reopening Sunday.” Tessa painted a special piece on the theme, “Jesus, still lead on,” which was included in the service. Again she interpreted the painting and offered personal conversation after worship. The painting was rich in spiritual meaning, lamenting what was lost and celebrating what is to come. Monique Abbitt, member of St. Paul’s board of trustees: Tessa’s paintings proved to be more than just a unilateral conversation with her explaining her levels of intent with each painting to the congregation. It afforded the opportunity for us to share our personal interpretations of The Moravian

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her art and to exchange our thoughts with each other. We explored the deeper meanings of her art through her described intentions on a more personal level. It is an amazing experience to see how differently we see and interpret the same body of work. The intricate details in Tessa’s art were transformed into a personal connection and understanding of the biblical references associated with each painting, as she walked us through her explanation and origin of creating each one. Personal connection with Tessa’s art—whether fully understood or unintentional—is inevitable as one takes the time to recognize the details within her paintings. Despite the distancing of the congregation due to COVID, the spiritual expression through Tessa’s art was not at all lost. Art added yet another spiritually awakening dimension to St. Paul’s worship experience that enabled us to acknowledge and honor our Savior on a deeper, more intimate level. Tessa: Working with St. Paul’s and Pastor Andrews has been an enriching experience, because it allowed me to see that God can use all things to work in our hearts. Although Covid has clearly been one of the hardest events of April 2022

recent years, I was struck by how joyful and caring the congregation at St. Paul’s was. Despite being a continent removed, when I joined my first Zoom call with the church, everyone at St. Paul’s welcomed me so warmly, and I saw how caringly they greeted each other, asked after prayer needs and laughed together on zoom. I saw in St. Paul’s a church that God had sustained and strengthened through Covid. I’m thankful that my art was able to be a part of that, and that in some small way God also used it to encourage and strengthen the congregation. I paint things that help me connect to God more, and it has been a blessing to see God use these images for other people as well. Pastor Bill: I could never have imagined how our hearts would be touched and our faith deepened through some watercolor paintings. Such is the power of the Gospel, the goodness of the Creator, and the beauty of the Savior that it can transform the ordinary and transport us to the Holy. n The Rev. Dr. William Andrews is pastor of St. Paul’s Moravian Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Paintings by Tessa Syndor.

MORAVIAN HISTORY

Ohio churches to help celebrate 250th anniversary of Historic Schoenbrunn Village

n May 3, 1772, in his diary of his trip into Ohio with five Lenape families, Moravian missionary David Zeisberger wrote, “We were overjoyed to arrive at our site on the big Spring toward noon…Our hearts were happy and grateful that the Savior had assisted us so mercifully on this difficult journey. We camped here and erected huts today and looked around the area again for the best site to establish the town. However we did not find one more suitable…” Now, 250 years later, Moravian churches in the Tuscarawas Valley are joining with the Dennison Depot, the Ohio History Connection and members of the Delaware Nation to commemorate the founding of Schoenbrunn Village with a special celebration set for May 3 and 4, 2022.

Schoenbrunn Village, built as a Moravian mission, was the first Christian settlement in Ohio. Established by Zeisberger, the village also included the first church, first schoolhouse and first code of laws in the Ohio territory. The village prospered for about five years, until pressures from settlers and other tribes aligned with the British forced them to abandon the site in 1777. Restored to appear as it did in its heyday, the current Schoenbrunn Village site includes reconstructed log structures, a church, gardens and the original cemetery. The Rev. John Wallace, pastor of First Moravian Church of Dover, has been instrumental in making the 250th Celebration effort possible. Volunteers from New Philadelphiaarea Moravian churches will assist in many of the festivities. In addition, the Rev. Dr. Betsy the Latern Walk at Historic Schoenbrunn Village in Ohio

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Miller, president of the Northern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference and the Rev. Dr. Craig Atwood of Moravian Theological Seminary, will speak during the celebration. The event on Tuesday, May 3, will be for adults and the community. A ceremony featuring a welcome and a prayer in the Delaware language, German and English will open the events. The program will feature the New Philadelphia Children’s Choir, the Moravian Trombone Choir, local and state dignitaries and members of the Delaware Tribe. A Children’s Day will be held on Wednesday, May 4, inviting area fourth graders to visit Schoenbrunn and learn more about Ohio history for free. Many of the Moravian and Delaware guests will be participating in the Children’s Day, too, including Paul Peucker and Tom McCulloch from the Moravian Archives, the Rev. Melissa Johnson, Eastern District pres-

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ident; and the Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler and Justin Rabbach from the Board of World Mission. The Northern Province is also sponsoring the creation of a sculpture, originally envisioned by Rev. Wallace, featuring figures representing the three branches of the Delaware Tribe – the wolf, turkey and turtle. It will also include the word “Welcome” in Delaware, German and English and will be given by the church in honor of the Delaware Nation to the village of Schoenbrunn in recognition of its historic significance to the Moravian Church in America. To learn more about the Schoenbrunn Village’s 250th celebration, visit the site’s page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoricSchoenbrunnVillage/. The Moravian Magazine will be on hand to cover the event. n Photos courtesy of Histric Schoenbrunn Village, logo by Molly Miller Designs

MORAVIANS IN MISSION

Board of World mission offers preaching resources As a resource for congregations, the Board of World Mission publishes a preaching resource for pastors and lay-leaders to use in their congregations. Each week Bishop Chris Giesler takes one or more of the assigned lectionary scripture texts and ties it to a mission theme. This can be found in the resource section of the Board of World Mission web page. Here is a sample of that resource for the assigned Gospel lesson for the Second Sunday of Easter, April 24, 2022.

Preaching Mission for the Second Sunday of Easter April 24, 2022 • John 20:19-31 By the Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler

Last Sunday, as we celebrated Easter, chances are that attendance either in person or online was probably the best you have seen all year. This is always the case! Today there are probably far fewer people in the pews. Last week, as we read the account of Mary Magdalene and the other women (depending on which Gospel you read) encountering an empty tomb and being told to go back and tell the disciples, we

sensed excitement, wonder and mystery. Things look very different this Sunday, the Sunday after Easter. There are not nearly as many people either in the pews or online. And our reading from the Gospel of John, even while it records events that took place on the evening of that first Easter, gives us a very different mood than the resurrection account. In chapter 20 of John’s Gospel, the Easter event contains the conversation between Mary Magdalene and the person she supposed was the gardener. She could see that the stone had been rolled back and that the tomb was empty. Her first thought is terrible: Jesus’ body had been stolen. Sobbing with grief, she asks the gardener where they might have taken Jesus’

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body. The gardener listens to Mary’s pleading but then calls her by name, and instantly she knew in her heart that it was Jesus. And new life now begins for Mary. But in our text today, the focus shifts from Mary to the disciples who are locked up in fear somewhere in Jerusalem. Let’s reaffirm that this is happening on the evening of that first Easter. Even though Mary has told them that the Lord had risen, and Peter and the other disciple had confirmed this, the doors are locked. This is so because they fear they might meet the same fate of execution on a cross that Jesus did. Their reaction is to retreat and barricade themselves away from the world. But into their locked room and into their fearful hearts, Jesus appears, and his first words are, “Peace be with you.” These are the same disciples who fled during Jesus’ trial and walk to Calvary. These are the same disciples that were not there at the crucifixion. These are the same disciples that were not with Mary and the other women when it came to carrying out the burial rituals early on that first Easter day. April 2022

It is to these disciples that Jesus now speaks a word of grace, “Peace be with you.” Front and center in this text is Thomas, who will forever be remembered as Doubting Thomas. It is hard not to make this a story about Thomas. But while he must undoubtedly get his 10 minutes of fame here, I would encourage the preacher to look at Jesus’ words, for they will surely define mission for us. This is how John tells the story: “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’ ” (John 20:21-23) Please do not take these words lightly. This is John’s account of the Pentecost, the arrival of the Holy Spirit into the hearts and lives of all disciples past, present and future. And for John, what is the power of this Pentecost? It is the power to forgive. This is an amazing power. (Continued on next page) 21

Board of World Mission Service Camps 2022 The Board of World Mission, together with the staff of our Moravian camping facilities, invites volunteers to join together in preparing for summer camping programs. There is no cost to attend the service camps. Food and lodging will be provided to volunteers. Mt. Morris Camp & Retreat Center in Wautoma, Wis. Dates: May 13-18, 2022. Come for as many days as you are able! Registration: volunteers of all ages are welcome! Contact BWM Director of Mission Service at jill@moravianmission.org or (920)256-9472 by April 29th. Space is limited. Camp Hope in Blairstown, N.J. Dates: June 13-19, 2022. Come for as many days as you are able! Registration: this is a young adult service camp for volunteers aged 18-25. Please register at CampHope.org. Select “Young Adult Mission Camp” under “Summer Camps 2022!”

Preaching mission (Continued from previous page) Grace is always amazing! And this power must now be put to use. If Jesus was able to look beyond the weakness of his disciples who deserted him on Good Friday, we can look beyond the sins of others and extend to them a word of peace. If Jesus can gaze at those responsible for nailing him to a cross and say, “Father forgive them,” can we not also forgive those who have wronged us? This is not to say that we condone the sins of others or permit them to hurt us intentionally and repeatedly. It is OK to say “I forgive,” but do so at a distance. But in our present world

of divisions along political, racial, gender and sexual preference lines, Jesus’ command to forgive is something we must take as seriously. We take Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew’s Gospel sending his disciples to preach, baptize and teach as a mandate, we should do the same with the commission to forgive. How can expressions of grace define your personal mission for the next few hours or days? How can grace help to define your congregation’s mission to your neighborhood? How can grace help us as a Moravian Church speak with those who might think, speak, worship and interact with the world differently than we do? How does forgiveness figure into your/our mission? n

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MORAVIANS IN MISSION

Preparing for Ukranian refugees in Nova Paka, Czech Republic

Moravian Disaster Response to the Ukrainian crisis

he Moravian Board of World Mission invites your compassion and prayers for the people of Ukraine who are suffering because of the Russian invasion. Since February 24, 2022, Russian troops have moved across Ukraine, occupying essential elements of the Ukrainian infrastructure. Attacks on civilian targets have been widespread, and likely will continue. Many Ukrainians are fleeing the country with their children to seek safe harbor. The Czech Republic is among the countries receiving these refugees, where our Moravian friends in the Czech Province are already providing hospitality. The Moravian congregation in Nová Paka has been in possession of a largely vacant hotel for several years without knowing what to do with it. Now they know, and they are working hard to make final renovations on rooms, even as the first refugee families are arriving on their doorstep. The congregation also runs a kindergarten and primary school and are working with their partners at a Ukrainian primary school based in Kyiv to see how they can help Ukrainian children continue their studies upon their arrival in the Czech Republic. Sister Jirina Kaletova, our Moravian Unity Youth Coordinator, is a member of this congregation. She shared, “I believe God has a plan for this and it is actually interesting to think April 2022

that God might have prepared us and the hotel space for a time such as this.” The Board of World Mission invites you to join us in supporting our Czech brothers and sisters in their ministry of compassion and hospitality. We are pleased to report that as of press time, we have received over $100,000 in donations from Moravians throughout the United States and Canada. We will continue to send donations to the Czech Republic on a regular basis as funds become available. 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 MoravianMission.org/Give/ and click on the green “Give” button at the top of the page. Please use the memo line to indicate that your gift is for “Ukraine.” 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 mark this donation as “Ukraine” and include your name and address to receive a tax receipt. For ongoing updates, please visit www. MoravianMission.org. For further information, contact the Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler at chris@ moravianmission.org or 610-868-1732. n 23

MORAVIAN CAMPING MINISTRIES

A foundation for Laurel Ridge’s next 60 years

hat will Laurel Ridge Camp, Conference and Retreat Center look like when it is 120 years old? In 2020, Laurel Ridge reached its 60th birthday. Due to the pandemic, celebrations of this momentous occasion were delayed (see accompanying story). But efforts to prepare the Southern Provinces’ “jewel on the mountain” for its next 60 years and beyond are in full swing. Much has changed since Laurel Ridge opened its doors. While it started as a summer camp in 1960—and summer camping ministries for Moravians and others are a central part of its mission– Laurel Ridge has grown to become a place that offers youth, families, churches and organizations an incredible mountain location for relaxation, recreation, reflection and renewal. Today, Laurel Ridge offers programming year-round, with events and accomodations at Higgins Lodge and Tise Lodge. For generations, leaders at Laurel Ridge have taken great care to steward our facilities to continue to serve children, families and congregations of the province. The growing use of the Laurel Ridge facilities has allowed us to stabilize operations and strengthen our ministry, and continuing to increase that usage is critical to our long-term ministry. Today’s adult guest requires a different level of comfort. Many guest groups do not utilize the Bishop’s Wing in Higgins Lodge due to shared bathrooms and the lack of air conditioning; others have issues with the less than adequate furnishings at Tise Lodge. As many groups choose not to book because these are our only accommodation options, we recognize that improved comfort levels will lead to increased meeting space and will allow multiple 24

groups to be on-site at the same time. This can contribute significantly to the revenue generation for Camp, the marketability of our ccommodations, and, ultimately, the sustainability of our ministry. As such, Laurel Ridge Board members, volunteers and staff are tremendously excited and enthusiastically supporting the 2018 Synod-approved Building CommUNITY capital campaign and are delivering on a plan for: • facility improvements and upgrades (primarily in the Bishop Wing of Higgins Lodge and Tise Lodge); • installation of alternative energy components; • increasing reserves and endowment funds; • eliminating all financial debt obligations. We now have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Paul and Margaret Kolb who persevered in the quest to find property for a youth camp after the first choice for a camp was sold. We can be inspired by young people who raised the $12,000 needed for the original property purchase (about $113,797 in today’s economy). As the familiar saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a child,” I believe it takes a province to help Laurel Ridge continue to provide a comfortable and modern mountain sanctuary. Fundraising is never easy. But just like a walk to the eastern overlook, it is a challenge worth undertaking. With your help, we can ensure that the view is available to Moravians for another 60 years. Michael Sawtelle is assistant director of Laurel Ridge Camp, Conference & Retreat Center in Laurel Springs, North Carolina. Learn more at www.laurelridge.org. The Moravian

Celebrating 60+1 years of a mountain of faith

ore than 200 people came to Laurel Ridge, the Moravian camp, retreat and conference center, on July 24, 2021 to celebrate 60+1 years of camping. Of course, this celebration was to have been in 2020, but with the catastrophic pandemic we were unable to celebrate and give thanks to God for the years of camping in many forms in our place on the mountain. Among those attending included some the original M-staffers, their children and their grandchildren, all giving thanks for this special place and sharing their stories, their remembrances, and their gratitude for our home on the “mountain.” The date chosen for this special observance was nearest to the beginning date 61 years earlier. In July of 1960, the first week of camping—a college-age retreat and then a junior high camp—began our legacy. The following year began a full summer of weeks of camp for the youth of our Southern Province. Before Laurel Ridge, our province had a summer camping program for our youth, planned through the Board of Christian Education with Bishop George Higgins as the executive. Bishop Higgins was a strong proponent of a camping min-

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istry for the youth of our province. The youth of the province, known as the Moravian Young People’s Union, raised the first $12,000 for the original parcel of land and leaders of our province developed a camping ministry for the youth of our province to grow their faith in Jesus Christ. Today, the Laurel Ridge property has grown to more than 600 acres, with summer and year-round facilities, staff, retreats, conferences and seminars for a variety of study opportunities. That warm day last summer gave us the opportunity to visit with friends and share remembrances of our time on the mountain. It was a special time of thanksgiving to God for this place, Laurel Ridge. We are grateful for the years and opportunities of Christian growth and learning opportunities in this place set apart for us to discern our journey with Christ our Lord. Thank you, Bishop George Higgins for asking the question, “Why can’t we have a camp of our own?” n Mallie Graham is a member of Home Moravian Church and a long-time supporter of Laurel Ridge. In photo below, Mallie address those at the 2021 celebration. Photos by Art Beroth

RACIAL JUSTICE MINISTRIES

Northern, Southern Province Racial Justice teams plan combined series

he Southern Province Moravian Team for Racial, Cultural, and Ethnic Reconciliation (MTR), formed in 2007, and reorganized in 2018, and the Northern Province Racial Justice Team (RJT) organized in 2019, following legislation passed at the 2018 Synod of the Northern Province regarding the Elimination of Racism, have been meeting together quarterly since January 2021, to share reports on their work for racial justice and healing, and to explore possibilities for collaboration. The MRT and RJT are pleased to announce their first jointly sponsored event, the educational series, “The Road to Racial Justice,” created and led by Dr. Timothy Berry of the Waconia, MN congregation. The series will be offered Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, May 9, 10 and 12, 7 p.m.

to 9:30 p.m. ET. The series will include time for conversation in small groups and is open to everyone in the Northern and Southern Provinces. Dr. Timothy Berry is an educator, composer and performing artist. He is Interim Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs and Equity Initiatives at Minnesota State University Mankato. He holds a Master of Music Education degree with an emphasis in multicultural music from The University of Minnesota. Dr. Berry is an awardwinning composer and has edited and published interdisciplinary curriculum. He frequently speaks at schools, universities, conferences, businesses and churches to share his insights and research surrounding race literacy, organizational transformation and antiracism.

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Dr. Berry’s seminar, The Road to Racial Equity and Social Justice: A Pathway for Systemic Transformation engages participants in a comprehensive approach to learn about the social constructs of race. This seminar will enhance an individual’s or congregation’s ability to identify and address inequities in communities. Participants will learn the skills and language necessary to: • explore their own racial literacy. • examine race as a mediating factor for social justice. • recognize how critical race perspectives can influence racial equity. • distinguish the complexities of race, culture and diversity. • work in teams to understand action research processes toward building a better working and living environment for all people. Registrations for this engaging series are due by April 30, 2022. To register, e-mail hstevenson@mcsp.org and provide your name and preferred e-mail address. The Southern Province MTR’s recent work includes the creation of “Salem Walks,” a historical pilgrimage in Salem recounting what is known of the lives of three enslaved persons. Salem Walks were conducted in August and November 2021, March 2022, and are planned for other dates in 2022. They have been developed primarily for Moravians but are open to others as well. For resources from the MTR visit www.moravian.org/southern/ category/resources. The Northern Province RJT is currently planning for a clergy pilgrimage to Montgomery, Alabama, to be held September 13-16, 2022; and has offered three “New April 2022

Way of Being” series with personal stories, presentations, and opportunities for conversations on race and racism; and skills and resources for individuals and congregations to plan their “next steps” in the work of racial justice and healing. These series were recorded and are available with other resources at https://www.moravian.org/northern/

The Southern Province held its 2020 clergy retreat online and extended an invitation to Northern Province clergy to attend the gathering with special guest Dr. David Hooker, who will be the guide for an upcoming retreat for the RJT. Several clergy serving in the Southern Province will take part in the Northern Province’s clergy Pilgrimage toward Racial Justice and Healing to Montgomery, AL in September. For additional resources or information, please contact Rev. Sue Koenig, Director of Racial Justice and Healing for the Northern Province at suekoenig@ mcnp.org; or Betsy Bombick, Moravian Team for Racial, Cultural and Ethnic Reconciliation at bbombick@gmail.com. Members of the Northern Province RJT are Marian Boyle Rohloff, Mark Breland, Nasel Ephraim, Amy Gohdes-Luhman, Desna Henry Goulbourne, Sue Koenig, Betsy Miller, Bruce Nelson, Rhonda Robinson and Bevon White Members of the Southern Province MRT are Adreanne Belle, Don Belle, Betsy Bombick, Evette Campbell, Frank Crouch, John Jackman, Judy Knopf, Barbara Morris, Brenda Peoples, Angelica Regalado-Cieza, Neil Routh, Tina Spach and Madi White. n The Rev. Sue Koenig is director of racial justice and healing for the Moravian Church Northern Province. 27

MORAVIAN RESOURCES

Worship resources created to aid during pandemic continue to prove useful into the future

n the spring of 2020, the sudden restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic caused many congregations to look for new ways to worship. To help those looking to move their worship online, a team of people representing the Moravian Music Foundation, Board of Cooperative Ministries, Moravian Church Without Walls, Interprovincial Board of Communications and a number of congregations worked quickly to provide a broad range of resources to meet those changing needs. As restrictions continue to ease and things are opening more (at least for the time being!), those resources remain available and ready for use, and more are continually being added. For example, Moravians can find more than 75 hymn recordings, 120-plus hymn texts and a variety of new Moravian music available to play or download for use in services. While some of the hymns available come from previously recorded sources from the Moravian Music Foundation, many others were newly recorded by choirs and singers in Northern and Southern Province churches. All hymns posted on Moravian.org are public domain and are available for use by Moravian congregations and agencies. In addition, the IBOC made available all of the liturgies from the Moravian Book of Worship that contain public domain hymns in both Microsoft Word and PDF formats. This makes it easier for congregations looking to share words and music during their online services and can be useful when developing materials for in-person worship, too. Additional liturgies contributed by Moravian pastors and others are also available.

(Note that copyright restrictions limit our ability to post materials containing material copyrighted by others than the Moravian Church of public domain. These materials are available electronically from the IBOC for those who have the appropriate licenses. Contact pubs@mcnp.org for additional information on these materials.) Those looking for Moravian-specific images and presentation backgrounds for their services can also find them on Moravian.org. Many of the images available come from the IBOC’s image library and are for congregational use, and more will be made available in the future. In the fall of 2020, an interprovincial team assembled www.moravianchristmas.org to offer Advent, Christmas and Epiphany-specific materials. Initially developed as a short-term project, these materials proved useful for the 2021 holiday season and will remain available as needed for the future. The pandemic caused many to re-think how we do worship. It also provided the impetus to find new ways to make both existing and new resources as accessible and useful as possible. While we are hopeful that more and more churches return to in-person worship, we also know that many congregations will continue their online outreach efforts and we are glad we have these resources available. To learn more, visit www.moravian.org/ covid19resources/ Send ideas for other resources that would prove helpful to pubs@ mcnp.org. n

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OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Moravian Music Sunday, May 15, 2022 The fifth Sunday of Easter, May 15, 2022, has been designated as Moravian Music Sunday. The purpose of this observance is to help all congregations become more familiar with our rich heritage of Moravian music. Music is an expression of faith, and thus continuing creativity is to be encouraged. NORTHERN PROVINCE Outdoor Ministries Sunday, June 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 12 this year. Pastors are encouraged to use either of the liturgies prepared in 19961997. The liturgies are available in the “Public Documents” section of the Northern Province Portal or by contacting the provincial office.

SOUTHERN PROVINCE Retirement Brother Craig Troutman requested and was given permission to retire from active ministry of the Moravian Church effective May 31, 2022. Brother Troutman was ordained a deacon in the Moravian Church on February 14, 1982 and consecrated a presbyter December 20, 1987. For the first three years of his ministry Brother Troutman served as Associate Pastor of Ardmore Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, NC and for the following 37 years he served as Pastor of the Raleigh Moravian Church in Raleigh, NC. We express deep appreciation to Craig for his faithful and dedicated service to the Moravian Church and wish him many blessings in retirement.

Glenwood, Wisconsin Sister Jamie Almquist accepted a .75-appointment to serve as the lay pastor of Glenwood Moravian Community Church in Madison, Wisconsin. She began her new ministry on February 28, 2022.

Specialized Ministry The Rev. Victoria Reid (Lasley) has accepted a call to specialized ministry as a Hospice Chaplain with WellCare. She has currently begun her ministry part time and will move to full time service in May with them. She will conclude her ministry at Kernersville Moravian on Easter Sunday as the transitional associate pastor. Please keep Victoria, her family and the Kernersville congregation in prayer through this transition period.

Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference

Chris Thore Provincial Elders’ Conference

April 2022

OBITUARIES

Mrs. Wilma C. Henkelmann

Mrs. Emma L. Williams

At the age of 94, Sister Wilma Catherine (Stoltz) Henkelmann died peacefully on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. She was born on March 5, 1928, in Edmonton, Alberta, to the late August and Elizabeth Stoltz, and was one of eight siblings. Sr. Henkelmann was united in marriage to Br. Marvin Henkelmann in 1951 in Edmonton, Alberta and served alongside him in pastorates in Bethlehem, Allentown, Coopersburg, and York, all in Pennsylvania, as well as at Memorial Moravian Church in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and Covina Moravian Church in Covina, California. Sr. Henkelmann is survived by her daughter Linda (Gary) Gipson and two sons, Wayne (Yvonne) and Brian (Marika Kyriakos), as well as four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Wilma was preceded in death by her husband in 2019 and by her siblings Dorothy, Edith, Gertrude, Margaret, Marion, Mildred, and Gordon.

Sister Emma L. Williams entered her heavenly reward on Monday, February 14, 2022, from Bethlehem, Pa., where she was a member of Central Moravian Church. She was born in Bowerston, Ohio on June 25, 1940, to Roy V. and Helen Marie (Zimmerman) Demuth and graduated from Moravian College with a teaching degree. She taught at Riverside Elementary School in New Jersey and later at Northampton Community College. Sr. Williams was united in marriage to Br. Gwyned “Ned” Williams in 1962 and served alongside him in pastorates in Ohio (Schoenbrunn and Dover South), New Jersey (Riverside) and Pennsylvania (West Side and Newfoundland). In addition, Sr. Williams sang in the choir, helped with the busy workers society, was a director of the Moravian Museum, and part of the board of directors for Moravian Kings Daughters Home. She was also a member of the Nazareth Moravian Historical Society and sang in the Bach Choir. Sr. Williams is survived by her sons, Allen W. (Selina) and Jonathan M. (Patricia), grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Other survivors include her brother, John Demuth, and sister, Esther Leggett. She was predeceased by her husband, Rev. Gwyned Williams, in 2011.

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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. Now available at new, lower prices. Visit www.moraviancrystal.com today! Moravian Crystal Company, Inc. 2150 Country Club Rd, Suite 248 • Winston-Salem, N.C. 27104 • (336) 306-5688

The Conquering Lamb is back! The Agnus Dei is an instantlyrecognized symbol of the Moravian Church around the world. Now, you can treat your little Moravians to a fuzzy version of the Lamb Who Conquered! Each of our custom-made Conquering Lamb plushes is 8” tall and includes the halo, staff and banner. Also available in a small ornament size. Back in stock at the IBOC Bookstore while supplies last.

Learn more at store.moravian.org or call 610.867.0593, ext. 703 April 2022

The Moravian/Moravian Church Northern Province, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018

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