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Adamson Forum Growing up Moravian in former East Germany A Year in Nepal An 18th Century Christmas And More
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On the cover: Traditional Moravian beeswax candle, trimmed with red paper ribbon, shines brightly during Advent. Photo by Mike Riess.
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Adamson Forum Growing up Moravian in former East Germany A Year in Nepal An 18th Century Christmas And More
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8 Christ and him crucified remain our confession of faith In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love
Adamson Forum 10 Moravians gather to discuss money and ministry 14 Lectures discuss Moravians’ balance of economics and religion Moravian History 6 Christmas at the Bethlehem Boarding School for Girls In Communities 8 Feed My Sheep: Sunnyside Ministry is working at it… Provincial Elders’ Conference 16 Northern, Southern Province PECs meet to share best practices Moravian Unity
Member, Associated Church Press
18 Living as a Christian and a Moravian in the former East Germany Moravians in Mission 22 What does it take to spend a year in Nepal? Commentary 24 Am I my brother’s keeper? A personal reflection on Ferguson
Visit our website at http://www.moravian.org. Letters to the editor, address corrections, and other correspondence may be e-mailed to the magazine at pubs@mcnp.org.
December 2014
In Every Issue 4 Ponderings: Picturing Advent and Christmas 26 Official Provincial Elders’ News 27 Obituaries: Mrs. Earl R. Shay, Mrs. James C. Hughes 28 Index to the Moravian Magazine, 2014 3
PONDERINGS
(ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) December Vol. 45, No. 10 Publications Agreement No. 40036408 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: OnTrac International, 121 5th Avenue NW, New Brighton, MN 55112 email: file@ontrac.com Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces
Picturing Advent and Christmas We all have our own ways of picturing Christmas in our heads. For some, it’s baby Jesus in the manger, surrounded by Mary, Joseph and a cast of animals, shepherds and kings. For others, Christmas imagery is Santa on a massive sleigh, his reindeer guiding the way. And for still others, it’s a scene of bringing the fresh-cut tree to the glowing cottage on an idyllic New England winter’s eve. But since I began working with the Moravian Church, I have been drawn to two images of Advent and Christmas: the many-pointed Moravian star and the traditional beeswax candle. Within those stars and candles—and all of their symbolism and beauty—I see Christmas. So when it came time to work on some new Christmas-themed bulletin covers for congregations to use for their Christmas services, those two subjects naturally came to mind. We’ve used these symbols before; the IBOC has offered bulletin covers with stars and candles for years. As supplies of some older designs ran low, I wanted to keep the same subjects, but give them new life with new art. It was time to create some new images. Getting those images was going take some creativity, a dark room, a steady hand (or in my case, a steady tripod), patience, assistance and a little luck. When the day came for our photo shoot, Renee and I went to the basement of the church center, a windowless place where I could control how much—or how little—light I wanted. We rounded up both large and small beeswax candles molded at Edgeboro Moravian Church in Bethlehem, a paper Moravian Star from Herrnhutter Sterne in Germany (by way of the Moravian Archives, which sells them), dark and light cloths for back drops, extension cords, a lighter and my camera gear. To replace our old star bulletin, I envisioned an illuminated star against a colorful background. Several years ago, I found that photo 4
Published monthly, except bimonthly January-February and July-August issues, by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. Subscription rates: $15.00 per year, U.S.A. & Canada; $18.00 per year, all other countries. Individual copies available for $3.00 each. The Moravian is sent to the families of the Moravian Church as a privilege of membership. Periodicals postage paid at Bethlehem, PA. Circulation: 17,800 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 Renee Schoeller, Communications Assistant Arlene Clendenning, Customer Relations/Business Assistant Interprovincial Board of Communication Lance Fox, Paul Peucker Chair Adam Pristas Jane Carmichael Ginny Tobiassen Peggy Carter Jane Weber Gary Kniskern Jill Westbrook Design by Sandy Fay, Laughing Horse Graphics, Inc. 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 © 2014, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in North America. All rights reserved
The Moravian
graphing Christmas tree lights out of focus made for a colorful, dreamy image. I had several of these photos that I had taken on slide film (yes, I still shoot slides once in a while), one of which would work perfectly. To create the new Advent Star bulletin, we used an old slide projector to project the unfocused colored light slide onto a white background. We then hung the illuminated paper star in front of the background, being careful not to get the slide image on the star or a star shadow on the background. It took about 30 tries (thank goodness for digital cameras!), but at last we got just the right angle. Next came the single candle. We decided to go for a very simple image of a lit candle on a pure black background. We used the illuminated star as our main light source and an electric candle (the kind we put in our windows at Christmastime) to add some fill. Then, by adjusting the camera’s aperture, we were able to generate a star “burst” around the candle flame. Two down. But we didn’t stop there. I learned early on that you don’t put the camera away until you’ve tried different points of view. We took several shots of the candles and stars together (nothing was really working for us), several shots with multiple candles (again, nothing we were happy with), a hand holding a single candle (that one worked; see the cover of this issue) and finally decided to try one last idea. Setting a single lit large candle in front of a rack of unlit candles, I had Renee reach into the photo to light a smaller candle. We caught just the right moment as the flame transferred and we knew we had a winner. Once we selected and edited our favorite images, I laid out the bulletin covers with new type, using the text that we’d used on our two old designs. But since we had three shots we wanted to turn into bulletins, we needed new text for the image of the candle lighting. We tried a few Bible verses; again, nothing jumped out. Then it hit me: when do we see lit candles in Christmas Eve Lovefeasts? When we sing “Morning Star, O Cheering Sight!” The last line fit perfectly: “Fill my heart with light divine.” We made these new designs available in the first week of Advent, so they may not have made it to your church in time for this Christmas. However, as future Christmases come, we hope you find these images of the holiday as touching and meaningful as we do. And over these holidays, I encourage you to take some of your own photos of what Christmas looks like in your part of the Moravian world. Have a blessed Christmas, with best wishes for the new year.
December 2014
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MORAVIAN HISTORY
Christmas at the Bethlehem Boarding School for Girls How did students at the Moravian Boarding School for Girls in Bethlehem experience Christmas around 1790? To answer this question, we turn to an unusual source. The records of the school contain a school diary for the years 1788 to 1791. The diary was kept not by a teacher but by the students themselves. Each month a different girl wrote the diary. These diaries give fascinating insight into life at the school and into how these students experienced life in a Moravian community. At this time, the school was still housed
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in what today is called the Bell House. Central Moravian Church was not built yet. The church services were held in the Old Chapel. According to Moravian practice of the time, church services were called “meetings.” The school diary’s 1788 entry describes a putz that one of the teachers had made for the students: “Today being the birth of Jesus Christ, Sister Jacobson made us an artificial description thereof on a table and window in our room, to our great
The Moravian
pleasure. Some of us have never seen the like, neither heard much of this important matter. Some of the children said they would not be at home for ever so much, they only wished their parents could be partakers of their joy. At the lovefeast we were inexpressible [sic] happy. Next day after the preaching some children said they never heard such a sermon before. In the afternoon some of us went to our friends and received, so as all the rest, Christmas presents.” — 1788, by Lydia Palmer from Horsham, Pa. The 1789 entry offers a view of Christmas festivities in and around the school: “Thursday 24th. Today being the night watch, we employed ourselves with painting. Sr. Fisher was so kind as to present me with a small plate, some cakes & pins. It snowed middling hard today. Before meeting we spoke our dialogue. After we had eaten some supper we went in the meeting hall. It was very full so that we could go without cloaks. When it was most out we were surprised by looking on the gallery as it was most beautiful illuminated. Afterwards all the brethren came on our side, which (after we had sung our pieces) made us soon go out. We all went happy to bed. Friday 25th. In the morning as we came from bed, we found our lb. of cakes laying on the table with a slate pencil from Sr. Langgaar by each, and some apples. After being washed & combed we went to breakfast where we found sugar cake & coffee. The first meeting was German preaching, afDecember 2014
terwards English; in both of which was beautiful music. … In the evening, we spoke our dialogue for our beloved Mr. Fries. After meeting we had the pleasure to go & see the illumination of the brethren’s house, which was delightful.” — 1789, by Maria Rosina Unger from Lancaster, Pa. And the 1791 entry highlights the use of candles during the services—a tradition that continues today: “Today we were all very happy as it was Christmas Eve. At one o’clock we spoke the dialogues to try them. At four we all assembled in the dining room and spoke them for the ministers and other company. In the evening we attended [the] meeting kept by our dear Brother Klingsohr which was delightful. Towards the latter part all the children under twelve had candles to hold and the gallery [in the Old Chapel] was illuminated with 50 wax candles in commemoration of its being 50 years when Christmas was celebrated in Bethlehem in the first house.” — 1791, by Rachel Howard from Baltimore, Md.
This article originally appeared in “This Month in Moravian History” from the Northern Province Archives (www.moravianchurcharchives.org). Image: Christmas celebration at the Girls’ School, by Anna Rosin Kliest who was a teacher from 1788 to 1805. Source: School diary 1788-1791. ■ 7
IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Feed My Sheep: Sunnyside Ministry is working at it… As you can see, the billboard says, “1 in 5 kids faces hunger.” This is the sign displayed by FEEDING AMERICA, and I see it each day as I travel into Winston-Salem. It is haunting, especially when we are told that 26 percent of the children in our area go to bed hungry at night. This is an astounding fact. I am grateful for Sunnyside Ministry of the Southern Province and the work they do to battle this problem. I am sure there are agencies in many of your communities that do similar work as we do at Sunnyside. Sunnyside Ministry provides emergency assistance for life’s basic necessities to families living in southeastern Forsyth County and northern Davidson County, North Carolina. We do our work with the aid of more than 200 volunteers and a very fine staff of four. Our director, Br. Tommy Cole, has led us down new avenues. We use our space better. He and the staff find grants to assist in fund-
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ing. He has encouraged us to find ways to enhance all of our programs and start a new one, “Gaining Control,” led by Br. Charles Forrest. Sunnyside Ministry operates with a small staff and a twelve-member Program Board. Our other staff members are Susan Roediger, assistant director; Jonathan Barnes, administrative assistant; and Tim Adams who tends our pantry. Provincially, we work under the Board of Cooperative Ministries. Our agency has been here since 1978. It began as a small storefront location, at the time under the direction of Trinity Moravian Church, to help needy people in crisis situations. Today, we are in a free-standing small building in the same area. In 2013, the value of our assistance was $1,805,225, including in-kind donations. This is for electricity, food, clothing and household goods, natural gas, fuel, rent/ mortgage, water and a scholarship program. The Moravian
In season, many people share in fresh vegetables from their gardens. Our grocery bags went out to families feeding more than 18,000 people. Monday through Friday (except holidays) volunteers make this all happen. Some years ago Sunnyside Ministry established a Scholarship Program for college students who live in our targeted area. The first funds came to us in a bequest to support the program. Using 2013 information we had 13 scholars in college and each had received a laptop computer as freshmen and two returned to Sunnyside as summer interns. These scholarships are renewable for the four years of college. We have a committee who interviews and chooses students from applications. The recognized Financial Aid program of colleges and universities is used. Our most recent adventure is our “Gaining Control” program. How do we help some of our clients break the cycle of the need for financial assistance? Br. Charles Forrest has worked to develop and lead these classes. It is a one year program consisting of about 24 hours of class time meeting twice a week for 2 hour classes and then a five month followup. Some of the topics discussed are budgets, emergency savings, major purchases and long-term savings. We even assist in starting a “rainy day” savings account. We have had 40 complete the class with two more graduations before the end of the year. It is a beginning with heartwarming stories of success. The funding that helps make Sunnyside Ministry function comes from individuals, youth groups, Sunday School classes women’s and men’s fellowships, Moravian churches, other denominations, the CROP WALK, civic clubs and grants prepared by our staff to businesses December 2014
and foundations. The great concern at the moment is that a local foundation making our largest contribution is changing its focus. We will be losing most of that grant money as will other agencies such as ours. We are seeking ways to fill in this huge gap of over $100,000. “1 in 5 kids faces hunger”! We are trying to change that statistic. We ask for your prayers and support especially now that cold days are ahead. We ask that you become a volunteer. To God be the Glory for Sunnyside Ministry and other agencies throughout the church who answer this call to serve. ■ Mallie Graham, president of the Sunnyside Ministry Program Board and a member of Home Moravian Church, Winston-Salem. Photos by John Dyer, a member of Home Moravian Church.
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ADAMSON FORUM
Moravians gather to discuss money and ministry
In early November representatives from more
than 20 Moravian congregations and agencies gathered in Chaska, Minnesota to gain new insights on an old topic: money and ministry. The second Adamson Innovation Forum, sponsored by the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America (MMFA), sought to help churches and agencies change their conversations about finances and faith by revisiting our shared Moravian history, examining the current culture in regards to giving and looking to the future. This gathering of pastors, lay leaders and PEC members was made possible thanks to the generosity of Mina M. Adamson of Riverside, N.J. (see sidebar). Using funds given by Adamson, the MMFA sponsored its first Adamson Forum in 2011; that event focused on budgeting and stewardship. The MMFA was able to pay travel and conference expenses for all attendees for both Forums so that there were no barriers in the way of churches or agencies who wanted to participate.
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Learning From Our Past The Forum’s keynote speaker was Dr. Kate Carté Engel, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Southern Methodist University. Kate published a book entitled Religion and Profit: Moravians in Early America and shared fascinating stories about how our Moravian brothers and sisters approached money and ministry in the 18th and 19th centuries as they first settled in North America. For more on Kate’s lecture, please see the article on page 14. After Kate’s lectures, participants divided into small groups to discuss the following questions: 1. How did the presentation speak to you? 2. What does it mean for our Moravian Church today? Laura Watson is coordinator for Philanthropic Services for the Moravian Ministries Foundation. The Moravian
3. How will it affect the conversation about money and ministry at your church/agency? Understanding Our Present On Saturday afternoon the Forum’s focus turned to where we are now. Laura Watson, MMFA coordinator for Philanthropic Services, and Chi-Chi Messick, MMFA Vice President, presented a session entitled, “Grace, Generosity and Gratitude.” Citing studies by the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and Giving USA, Laura highlighted some facts about the status of religious giving, such as one out of five American Christians give nothing to their church or charity and that the percentage of funds given to religious organizations has dropped from more than 55 percent between 1985-1989 to 31percent in 2013. She also shared important differences between generations, such as what life events have shaped people and what they value, as well as what these mean for the Church in terms of what people are looking for and what motivates them to give. For example, those of the GI Generation (born between 1901-1924) give out of a sense of duty, or, “because it’s the church,” whereas those of Generation X (born between 1965-1980) approach giving as a spiritual discipline. Thus while someone who is 90 will give every year because he or she respects and trusts the institution that is the Church, someone who is 40 is more likely to give in response to understanding generosity and stewardship as part of our faith journey and answering our call as Christians. To help attendees understand the Foundation’s “Grace, Generosity, Gratitude” service, (continued on next page) December 2014
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(continued from previous page) Chi-Chi Messick provided a brief history of the program, which originated as “Simply Stewardship.” She explained that the service has evolved over the last two years as she and Laura began the process of earning certification in religious fundraising at the Lake Institute, a part of Indiana University’s Lilly School of Philanthropy. Faith-based giving is a part of spiritual discipleship and causes us to explore God’s gifts and our response in a broader sense than managers of God’s generosity. Our gratitude for God’s grace and generosity allows us to expand and enlarge our understanding of giving back.
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Looking to the Future During the final session on Saturday, attendees participated in a discussion on what the presentations mean for the Moravian Church as we look to the future. Paul McLaughlin, MMFA president, shared, “A church so rich in tradition needs to reclaim its unique history about ministry and money. How can we reclaim it in 21st century ways? It is our special calling as Moravians.” A few of the comments shared during the discussion were: • “We’ve learned that ‘economy’ comes from the word for ‘household.’ When we think of it in those terms, it changes how we approach it.” • “What if we thought of ‘household’ in terms of our congregations? What’s our capacity to give to and support one another?” • “We can never thank people enough.” • “Talking about money doesn’t mean you lack faith.” • “Following where Christ is leading us can be scary.” • “Stewardship isn’t just a season; it’s yearround. It’s a spiritual discipline. It’s part of the life of the church.”
The Moravian
Success Stories On Sunday morning several participants shared success stories from their churches, which included launching a planned giving program, completing a capital campaign and growing generosity in the congregation. Rev. Jenny Moran, pastor at Christ’s Community Moravian Church in Maple Grove, Minn., spoke about attending the first Adamson Forum in 2011 and how that motivated the church to show the connection between money and ministry by preparing a narrative budget and talking more openly about the church’s finances. Now they are expanding their ministry by providing food for children who are in need. “Things changed when we focused on what God was calling us to do, not on how much money we had,” said Jenny. The church made a commitment to the food program and Jenny said everyone is excited to see where they will be led through this new ministry. Final Words We recognize that money and faith go hand in hand, and thanks to the 2014 Adamson Forum, we better understand how our Moravian brothers and sisters used money to strengthen and grow their ministry in the 1700s and 1800s. We also acknowledge that we live in a different world today, and while our faith transcends age, people in different generations have different views and needs. Furthermore, when we think of our call as Christians, we recognize that we are to respond to God’s grace and abundance with grateful hearts and our own generosity. The Moravian Ministries Foundation is here to help Moravian churches and agencies change the conversation about money and ministry. Please visit our website at www.mmfa.info to learn more, or call us at 888.722.7923. ■ December 2014
MINA M. ADAMSON INNOVATION FUND In 2010, The Moravian Ministries Foundation in America established the Mina M. Adamson Innovation Fund. The Fund was created as the result of a bequest from Mina M. Adamson, formerly of Riverside, N.J. and a member of First Moravian Church, also in Riverside. Miss Adamson generously remembered her church in her estate plan as well. Miss Adamson’s bequest to the foundation was an unexpected gift. While the Foundation is in the business of helping Moravians create and make planned gifts to the ministries of their choosing, it does not engage in fund-raising to support our work. Nevertheless, of her own accord, Miss Adamson recognized and appreciated the role and work of the Foundation and wanted to do something to aid, expand and enhance its ministry to the Moravian Church. After prayerful consideration, the Trustees of the Foundation have decided to use the Adamson Innovation Fund as an investment in the common good, which will focus on helping local churches and agencies in four key areas: • Developing more effective stewardship programs. • Planning and executing more effective capital campaigns. • Facilitating and implementing planned giving programs. • Being prudent investors and effective managers of the assets that have been entrusted to their organizations. In summary, the Mina M. Adamson Innovation Fund will be used by the Foundation as an investment in the common good, targeted at strengthening the resource needs of churches and agencies in both Provinces of the Moravian Church in North America. To learn more, feel free to contact the Moravian Ministries Foundation at 888.722.7923. 13
ADAMSON FORUM
Lectures discuss Moravians’ balance of economics and religion. In many religious settings, the spiritual side
and economic side of “being the church” can sometimes be a difficult mix. But for Moravians in Bethlehem during the early days of the settlement in Pennsylvania, their economic efforts were key to making their spiritual work possible. At the November 2014 Adamson Forum in Chaska, Minn., attendees discussed the balance of money and the church through a series of lectures by Dr. Katherine Carté Engel, associate professor of religious studies at Southern Methodist University. Dr. Engel specializes in early American religious history and authored Religion and Profit: Moravians in Early America (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2009. “Moravian economic life was an essential part of Moravian religious life,” says Engel. “In the 18th century, the Moravians were some of the most successful missionaries there were, sending missionaries all over the Atlantic world. But paying for that missionary work was very expensive and a very big job, so Moravians had to be entrepreneurs, too.” In her second of two lectures, Engel highlighted the “Oeconomy,” the communal system that sustained Bethlehem between 1741 and 1762. “Moravians, who share an intense feeling of community, found collective economic action to be the best and most efficient way to finance their religious projects,” said Engel. “And even if the Oeconomy itself grew out of a desire for economic efficiency, its success was absolutely linked to the shared
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sense of community and religious devotion that bound Moravians together.” An artisanal economy The economic activity in Bethlehem during the mid-18th century was based on the work of craftspeople rather than farmers. In Bethlehem, the Moravians started dozens of different artisan shops, ranging from weavers and tailors to stonecutters, blacksmiths and carpenters. One account by a visitor to the town in 1754 listed nearly 50 different artisans in the community. According to Engel, the artisanal nature of the work in Bethlehem was well-suited to the needs of their missionary endeavors in Pennsylvania and beyond. The artisans were not only workers in the economy, they were religious workers as well. Since they weren’t tied to the seasonal requirements of agricultural business, it was easier to move individuals in and out of the mission fields, both in eastern Pennsylvania and beyond. Having these talented craftspeople as part of the communal household was also the most cost-efficient way to build a settlement. Instead of hiring outsiders to build and run the settlement, the Moravians did it themselves, saving them resources that could be used to spread the gospel. “The cash that artisans earned from outside work was the most important reason behind developing this sector of the economy,” said Engel. “Money was more useful to the Moravians than agricultural self-sufficiency The Moravian
would have been, because it could be used flexibly to support religious efforts at home and abroad.” “Moravians saw their economic work as a form of missionary work and a way of spreading the Gospel,” said Engel. “They were bringing funds into Moravian coffers so they could pay for the expansive (and expensive) missionary work, but also through their connections and their innovative and creative economic projects, they could build a reputation for the Moravians and show what true Godly trade could look like.” Making the most of resources Moravian communalism in Bethlehem can be seen as a microcosm of the group’s approach to economic matters. “The system was designed to maximize profit, to extract the greatest possible value out of the resources—including human resources—at hand,” Engel told attendees. “To accomplish this, the Moravians embraced Pennsylvania’s emerging market economy, seeking rather than avoiding economic connections with neighbors of all faiths and races. “Yet the purpose of the Oeconomy, like all things Moravian, was fundamentally religious, as a statement of principles for the community, drawn up in 1754, stated in no uncertain terms: ‘It should at no point be forgotten that Bethlehem [was] established for no other purpose than to be able to give a hand to the work of the Savior not only in Pennsylvania, but everywhere in America, etc.’”
Dr. Katherine Carté Engel presents at the Adamson Forum.
Other topics During Dr. Engel’s lectures, she shared a broad range of information about the early Moravians in America and how their economic endeavors impacted their religious ones. She highlighted prominent figures in the religious and economic life of the church; spoke on the significant trans-Atlantic trade that Moravians in North America participated in; discussed some of the causes for the demise of the communal system in Bethlehem and what happened afterward; and engaged in discussion, answering questions from those in attendance. The lectures provided a historical basis for the Adamson Forum’s focus on discussing money and religion. Dr. Engel’s talks offered a springboard into group discussions and insight into how we discuss and balance the needs of the church today. Videos of Dr. Engel’s lectures at the 2014 Adamson Forum will be posted to the Moravian Ministries Foundation of America (MMFA) website in coming weeks. ■
PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ CONFERENCE
Northern, Southern Province PECs meet to share best practices
In the peaceful, comfortable setting at Oak
Ridge Conference Center in Chaska, Minn., members of the Provincial Elders’ Conferences, North and South, met jointly to pray, study God’s word, share best practices and encourage and support one another. Thanks to funding from the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America, and in conjunction with the annual shareholders meeting of MMFA, all but three of us gathered for a day together. “Where have you seen God at work in your province?” was the question that opened our time. The responses were abundant, as signs of hope continue to be evident, even in the midst of concerns and constraints. We learned from one another in a variety of areas. Members from the Northern Province offered insights on what we had learned through the process and outcome of our fouryear study of human sexuality. Members from the Southern Province offered their perspective and insights on what has gone well and
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processes they might have done differently in the area of restructure. In each case, the spirit of open sharing and honest conversation served to strengthen the wider church. Matters of theological education always cause lively conversation. How do we prepare the best people to provide the most faithful leadership for our congregations? With only one accredited Moravian seminary in our two provinces, we discussed residency requirements, distance learning, a hybrid form of pedagogy and ways to foster community and spiritual formation that encourages lifelong colleagues in ministry. As technology changes, it is prudent to consider adaptations to our expectations of seminarians. A Task Force, comprised of PEC members and seminary faculty, has been meeting for over two years to explore these questions. In January 2015 this group will meet with the entire seminary faculty to continue this conversation. Another topic of common interest to both PECs is assuring that our clergy get the best health care and pension at the most costeffective price. While the plans in each province are very different, we continue to talk about ways that we might share the best of our respective plans and find economies of scale. Once again, we have asked our benefits staff to come together to search for ways to work together. Finally, we received reports from our Interprovincial Agencies and updates from our ecumenical dialogue teams. The United Methodist-Moravian dialogue team has completed its work and submitted their final report, for The Moravian
action at our respective synods in 2018. We are grateful to Moravian team members, Gary Harke, Lynnette Delbridge and Chris Giesler for their work. We look to an implementation team that will explore ways we might begin to live into full communion now, by sharing ministries with our United Methodist siblings in our local areas.
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One specific outcome of this meeting was a call for an Interprovincial Leadership Summit that will bring together PECs, agency heads, and staff to explore opportunities for ministry and witness across our provinces. It has been our tradition to open our meeting to a representative from the Church Council of the ELCA; at the last minute, ELCA rep. Dr. Susan McArver was unable to join us due to a family medical emergency. Betsy Miller now serves as the Moravian representative to the ELCA Church Council after Chris Thore represented us for the past four years. â– Submitted by The Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller, Northern Province PEC president and The Rev. David Guthrie, Southern Province PEC president.
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MORAVIAN UNITY
Living as a Christian and a Moravian in the former East Germany “Es ist kein Zufall, sondern Gottes Wille, dass Du Deine Kindheit und Jugend und frühen Dienstjahre in der DDR und nicht im Westen verbringst.” * The Rev. Andreas Tasche, a pastor and board member of the Herrnhuter Missionshilfe (Moravian Mission Society in Germany), grew up in the former East Germany. Under Communist rule, Christians were under constant suspicion and sometimes even open hostility from the government. In this remembrance, initially published in The Moravian Messenger, Andreas shares a little of what church life was like before reunification of Germany.
While I didn’t experience systematic persecu-
tion by the authorities of the Communist state, called the ‘DDR’ (the German Democratic Republic), I did find that, time and again, the DDR systematically defamed committed Christians and often marginalised, disadvantaged or even criminalised them. They also drove them out of the country, after a prison sentence or, after a long wait, via an exit visa to West Germany. Of course, I also experienced the supervision of the State Security Service in all of my professional and private life. The full extent of this supervision was only made clear to me after the fall of the DDR 18
when I had access to the files held on me by the DDR-State Security Service (Stasi). Even completely harmless Christmas letters from the ‘West’ were intercepted and copied; all visitors from the ‘West’ were neatly recorded; sermons and prayers (in particular, for the ‘Decade of Peace’ marked annually in November), even prayer requests, were cowritten in detail by a total of eight informers. From a ‘safe house’ opposite the rectory, the agents could both see and listen into my *“It is no accident, but it is God’s will that you spend your childhood and youth and your early church service in the DDR and not in the west.”
The Moravian
private space. The State Security Service knew which books were in my personal library, that I enjoyed football but hated boxing and that I had never taken part in an (unfree) election. On the pretext of a border control check at Zittau on the German-Czech border, my entire address book was secretly copied. My innocuous request to the congregation at Neudietendorf, on the occasion of a political memorial day, to walk in silent procession from the Moravian Church to the Lutheran Church 800 metres away, was construed as a seditious ‘call to a silent march’ which had to be stopped. As long as the Church operated strictly in its own space, within the church and congregation buildings, the church in the DDR was allowed a certain degree of freedom. However, it was potentially dangerous when the church moved into the public arena. My father was in the Silesian town of GĂśrlitz which was the first to have an unobtrusive display case in which not only Church notices were displayed but also some home-made coloured posters. These occasionally referred to social issues, which greatly angered the State Security Service and which led to the church leaders being asked to admonish my father. However, those leaders supported my (continued on next page)
Photos of Herrnhut life during the 1960s, 70s and 80s courtesy of the Unity Archives in Herrnhut.
Andreas Tasche, Public relations at HMH (Mission Board) in Bad Boll, Translated by Jackie Morton.
December 2014
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(continued from previous page) father and only asked him to be careful about the design of the posters and not to provoke the State unnecessarily. In 1985, before my ordination as Presbyter, I came up against the anger of the DDR State machine, because I duplicated the Synod resolution ‘Making a stand for peace,’ a decision opposing the policy of increasing armaments in East and West, and distributed it in the Niesky congregation. Had I just put the decision into the hands of individual congregation members, all would have been well. But because the Niesky congregation, on account of the tourists and visitors to the market, is open all day, the authorities threatened a prison sentence. Politically, especially in the important questions of war and peace, the State and not the Church was the responsible body. The Church should be content to preach, sing and pray. In my Stasi file it is written that, in 1987, shortly before their Confirmation, I had told a group of children that they should not believe everything bad that their teachers told them about God, faith and the church. They could be certain that God could help them not only in the church but also in school. 20
As a young person I was never a member of the State’s organisations (Young Pioneers or Free German Youth), nor had I participated in the ‘Youth dedication,’ a crafty measure introduced by the State to stand against Christian Confirmation. I also refused to learn and sing certain propaganda songs and poems which railed against the Christian faith and the Church. I would not salute the flag of the State-run Pioneer or Youth Organisation which was raised at certain times in school, nor was I prepared to serve in the armed units of the ‘National People’s Army.’ And so I belonged to a minority which in the 1960s and 70s, depending on region, numbered between two and eight percent of the population. I could not apply for higher education and so could not study journalism as I had planned. Even a vocational training as a maintenance engineer or as a mechanical technician was denied to me. None of the requests of my parents to the school board, the local and then regional authorities, right up to the Ministry of Education in Berlin were successful. The recommendation of the Provincial Board counted for nothing. No school, university or firm wanted ‘an ideologically unreliable young person.’ Not even the highest grades could change anything. After two difficult years, it was clear to me that I should enter church service. I thank God that a couple of small niches were available: the tiny ‘Church pre-seminary’ in Naumberg, Saarland, where I could take a Classics School Leaving Certificate; and a slightly larger church academy in East Berlin where I could study theology. The other 92-98 percent of children and young people who, with their parents, had turned their backs on the church, could forge careers in the DDR. There were very few arThe Moravian
dent Communists among them but the State was content with comfortable yes-men. Because my parents worked for the Moravian Church—both were employed in the Comenius bookshop—at least they didn’t have to be afraid of repercussions from the State. It was much worse for those who worked in State administration or in one of the State enterprises—and in the DDR there were State-owned enterprises and almost no private businesses. When an assembly worker in a State-owned company had a child who did not want to join the ‘Free German Youth,’ that worker was not sacked, but was often moved to a lower-paid job or was barred from the state-run holiday camps (and in the DDR, there were almost only state-run holiday camps and almost no private holiday opportunities). Or they might be put back two years on the years-long waiting list for a car. The worst was when the penalty was not just imposed on the worker whose family was involved, but on the whole team, which was known in the DDR as a work-collective or brigade. In many instances, all members of a work-collective were denied the state’s Christmas bonus or the lucrative trip to Berlin, because a single team member or their spouse or child had refused to comply with some state regulation. The discovery of a western publication such as ‘Der Speigel’ or ‘Quelle-Katalog’ in an individual’s briefcase at a state-run business could result in a career-long black mark. Almost none were held accountable for doing this to others, even after the fall of the DDR. Most held on to their high positions and many, unlike their victims, became very wealthy. I was never an enemy of the State who wanted to destroy the DDR. I just wanted to make the State and its sad society better, more December 2014
humane, more just and, above all, more open and honest. My parents always told me that ‘it is no accident, but it is God’s will that you spent your childhood and youth and your early church service in the DDR and not in the west.’ How wonderful that I could contribute in some small way to the so-called ‘Change.’ Along with others, I led the first demonstration procession through Neudietendorf. I chaired the Neudietendorf Round Table of those with influence within the community at the end of 1989 and the beginning of 1990. I presided over the first free vote in Neudietendorf and then, at midnight, drove the voting papers in the church car to the regional administrative authority. I was able to be reconciled with some of the teachers and bureaucrats who had wronged me. I could work towards the founding of two free Moravian schools in Gnadau and in Herrnhut. And now, as a staff member the Public Relations department of the Herrnhuter Missionshilfe (German Mission Board), I am in daily contact with people all over the world. Now I am almost the journalist that I wanted to be nearly 40 years ago. Yes, God writes straight even on crooked lines. ■
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MORAVIANS IN MISSION
What does it take to spend a year in Nepal? Let us introduce ourselves—we are the Rev. Trina and Ken Holmberg. We are the crazy 50-year-old Canadian/Americans who sold almost everything to become Antioch servants living in Nepal for a year. Now who would want to do that? Aren’t we supposed to be saving for retirement—the golden years.—sitting on our patio in Florida doing…? Jeremiah 29:11 says, “for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Hopes, plans, future, life is comprised of many journeys, but the best one is God’s journey for us. Ever since we decided in 2007 to move to Bethlehem so Trina could get her M.Div. (not an easy decision), we have tried very hard to follow God’s leading. And what a journey God has taken us on—two years of seminary in Bethlehem, Pa., five wonderful years in Unionville, Mich., and for Ken, seven months in Hawley, Minn. /Fargo, N.D. And through all these years there have been many ups and downs, frustrations and joys, excitement and fears, but most of all there’s been relationships, fellowships and you! 22
Everyone that we have met has impacted and inspired our lives. You’ve loved us, embraced us, laughed with us, cried with us, even corrected us. But always with the love of Jesus Christ, and that brings us to today! Why are we here, October 2014, in Kathmandu Nepal? And more to the point, why are we here for one year? That’s a long time!
…for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. We will be working with the Moravians here, with the preschool and kindergarten, for 2-5 year-olds, doing administration, IT, maintenance and so much more. We are helping as Shanti and Vani Pradhan, Moravian pastors who have been serving in Nepal since 2009, seek to begin an elementary school that will likely include a new building to house both the kindergarten and the school—not an easy task in Kathmandu. We have two Moravian churches in Kathmandu and Trina will be a part of the preachThe Moravian
ing rotation. We will also get involved with music and other gatherings. Trina has a “Teaching English as a Foreign Language” certificate and hopes to do some tutoring. Ken is involved with a Christian-run restaurant called Top of the World Coffee, working with them to improve their operation. We are also looking into the viability of establishing a mission house for Antioch Servants and others to stay at while in Nepal. We also need to learn the language! Nepali isn’t easy, many letters sound alike and they add prefixes and suffixes differently than English. Nepal is a country that only allows foreigners to stay for five months in a 365-day period and so we came wondering how God would work that out. It looks like Ken will become a student (taking photography, art, music or language) so we can obtain a student visa which lasts for a year. So there is our year in a nutshell. As you can see we have a lot to do. One thing we always remember though is that we are in Nepal. Everything can change weekly, daily, or hourly. Nepal time is flexible and so we must learn to allow plans to change on a moment’s notice. God is at work in the world; the Holy Spirit is calling us all to the good work of sharing the gospel in many and varied ways. Please join us on our journey as we will share periodic updates through the Board of World Mission Newsletter or email Trina at tholmberg1@ icloud.com. God has both blessed us all and challenges us to be doing what he has called us to do. Please keep us and everyone here in your prayers as we faithfully serve our risen Saviour. Trina and Ken Holmberg are serving in Nepal. Additional photos by Myra Jones and Alice Mosebach. December 2014
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COMMENTARY
Am I my brother’s keeper?
A personal reflection on Ferguson by Betsy Miller “Am I my brother’s keeper?” took on new
meaning for me when I was in St. Louis, Missouri last month. The National Council of Churches had made a deliberate decision to hold its annual meeting in St. Louis to stand with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Little could the board have known in September that we would be in St. Louis as the nation anxiously awaited a decision from the Grand Jury whether or not they would indict Police Officer Darren Wilson, accused of shooting Michael Brown. We were meeting in the basement of the Washington Memorial AME Zion Church when the Missouri Governor declared a State of Emergency in anticipation of the decision. It added urgency and anxiety to the conversations we had during this fragile time. While there are many, very complicated perspectives on the matter involving this in-
cident in Ferguson, we heard from several African-American pastors who became involved in the aftermath of this tragic event. I was humbled by the words of The Rev. Traci Blackmon, pastor of the Flourissant United Church of Christ, near Ferguson. She welcomed us to the area, not as do-gooders or outsiders for she said, “there are no outsiders in the fight for justice.” More than anything Rev. Blackmon said, I was impacted by her comments about young people. She said, “as church leaders we are always wondering where the young people are. This time, the young people were asking where the church was.” Rev. Blackmon acknowledged her own hesitancy to get involved, but then realized that the people she met compelled her to get involved and claim her prophetic voice. She said, “In the face of injustice, nobody should
But we don’t need to make statements to make a difference. We can act in our own neighborhoods. We can open our churches to the young people who are crying out for the church to care about what is happening around them.
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The Moravian
ever have to ask, where is the church? Don’t come and study the change in Ferguson, come and make possible the change in the church.” Later in the evening, we worshiped with the Washington Memorial congregation. Gospel music soared to the rafters. Then the Rev. Dr. Anthony Witherspoon preached a powerful sermon that shook us from our complacency. “Am I my brother’s, my sister’s keeper?” asked Rev. Witherspoon. “Cain’s response to God’s query from Genesis 4 is not about ignorance, but about not caring and not acknowledging that every life matters to God. We need to care about the Michael Browns of our neighborhoods as if they were our children, because they surely are God’s children.”
We can be in our neighborhoods inviting everyone—everyone— to be part of conversations and actions about things that matter inside the church and outside on the streets. I came away from our time near Ferguson, convicted of my own silence on matters of race and injustice. I was reminded that we worship a God who came to overcome injustice and hatred of all sorts; a God who died to show us that every life matters. The life of Darren Wilson matters, the life of Michael Brown matters, the lives of all our parishioners matter, and the lives of those who have felt ignored or forgotten by our church matter. As an international body, the Moravian Church Northern Province seldom gets inDecember 2014
volved with social issues. Because we do not have a social action or advocacy staff, I confess that I have neither the time nor expertise to weigh in on social statements. The press never calls me for a statement on race relations in the U.S. or horrific violence in the Middle East. But we don’t need to make statements to make a difference. We can act in our own neighborhoods. We can open our churches to the young people who are crying out for the church to care about what is happening around them. We can be in our neighborhoods inviting everyone—everyone—to be part of conversations and actions about things that matter inside the church and outside on the streets. Our congregations, for the most part, are not in areas like Ferguson. But to think that because there are cornfields in our back yards that there is no injustice is to echo Cain’s response: Am I my brother’s keeper? Am I my sister’s keeper? We are all responsible for all our brothers and sisters—and every congregation has a brother or sister in the neighborhood who longs for the Moravians to remember our roots and be a voice for the marginalized, the exiled, and the outcast. I invite our congregations to dare to start some of those difficult conversations about ways that we can be a witness to shalom, that we can be an open door to the neighborhood, that we can be God’s embrace to a world longing for the good news of Jesus Christ. ■
The Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller is president of the Northern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference. 25
OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS SOUTHERN PROVINCE Stuart Zimmerman, pastor at Unity Moravian Church, has requested and been granted permission to retire December 24, 2014, after 36 years of service. He has served as pastor at New Philadelphia (associate), Bethesda, Grace, New Dorp (Staten Island, NY), and the Fries Memorial congregations. The Provincial Archives Commission is pleased to announce that upon their recommendation, the Provincial Elders’ Conference has appointed Mr. Richard Starbuck as Archivist of the Moravian Church, Southern Province. Brother Starbuck has been on staff at the Moravian Archives since 1986. Since 1992, he has served as Assistant Archivist. This appointment beings January 1, 2015. David Guthrie Southern Province PEC President
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The Southern Province • Statistics December 31, 2013 CONGREGATION
CF
T
AVG
VIRGINIA Ararat, Willow Hill*
70
84
65
Cana, Crooked Oak Cana, Mt. Bethel
38 62
52 78
42 48
PASTOR Chuck Harmon, Acolyte Gary Easter, Acolyte Charles W. Fishel
Note: The Virgina congregations were mistakenly omitted from the Statistics printed in the November 2014 issue. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused.
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The Moravian
OBITUARIES
Mrs. Earl R. Shay
Mrs. James C. Hughes
Sister Evelyn F. (Iobst) Shay died in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, November 11, 2014 at the age of 87. She was born December 21, 1926 at Emmaus, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Clarence and Ruby (Kirschman) Iobst. Sister Shay graduated from Reading Hospital of Nursing in 1947. She was united in marriage to Brother Earl R. Shay on October 19, 1947 at Emmaus Moravian Church, Emmaus, Pa. She served alongside her husband in the mission fields of Alaska (Bethel); congregations in Pennsylvania (Reading, Allentown), and Indiana (Indianapolis); and at Moravian Theological Seminary. Daughters; Linda and Nancy, sons; Earl Jr., Glenn, Kenneth and David; nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild survive Sister Shay. She was predeceased by her husband, Earl, August 21, 2003. A memorial service was held November 15, 2014 at Advent Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with the Rev. Laura Gordon, the Rt. Rev. M. Blair Couch, and the Rev. Dr. Willard Harstine officiating. Burial was in Hebron Moravian Cemetery, Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Memorials were welcomed for the Moravian Archives, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and/ or the Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
Maurita (Rita) Hughes, wife of the Rt. Rev.
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December 2014
James C. (Jay) Hughes, passed into the more immediate presence of the Savior on Monday, November 17, in Downingtown, Pa. She was 91. Born in Cades (Lake City), S.C., Sister Hughes was the daughter of the late Wobbleton Bradley and Fannie Wilson Graham Cox. She was a graduate of Winthrop University, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics and Science. She was a teacher in Winston-Salem and at Salem College. She married James Hughes July 12, 1947. Sister Hughes served faithfully with her husband as he was pastor of the Lititz congregation in the Northern Province, and the Home, Calvary and Mayodan congregations in the Southern Province. In addition to her husband, Sister Hughes is survived by a daughter, Ruth Hughes, wife of Donald J. Lambert of Downington; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Emmalee H. Hughes. She was preceded in death by her son, James C. Hughes, Jr., who passed away last year. A funeral service was held Saturday, November 22, at 2:00 p.m. at Lititz Moravian Church with the Rev. Dean Jurgen officiating. VISIT THE MORAVIAN MAGAZINE ON FACEBOOK! The Moravian Magazine is on Facebook! Visit www.facebook.com/MoravianMagazine to learn more about what’s happening with the magazine, view current and back issues online and interact with The Moravian editorial staff. 27
2014 INDEX OF THE MORAVIAN 2014 Northern Province Synod 2014 Northern Province Synod: Bringing Moravians together to lead for the future, Jan./Feb, 17 A Letter to the Northern Province, July/Aug., 26 Covenanting with hand and heart: the 2014 Northern Province Synod, July/ Aug,. 10 Northern Province Synod makes difficult decision with open hearts, July/Aug. 21 Prayer shawls wrap Synod delegates with love, July/Aug., 15 Stewardship, societal issues and Synod, July/Aug, 28 Synod delegates approve broad range of resolutions, July/Aug, 18 2014 Southern Province Synod Ecumenical partners share thoughts on Southern Province Synod, June, 23 Jesus Still Lead On: 2014 Southern Province Synod, March, 7 Knitters’ work gives Synod more “heart,” June, 25 Moravian polity at work--the (non) election of a Bishop, 2014 Southern Province Synod, June, 22 Recognizing the undefinable: Establishing Manna Ministries, June, 15 Southern Province delegates approve broad range of resolutions, June, 8 Southern Province elects new Provincial Elders’ Conference, PEC president, May, 16 Synod delegates discern a vision for the future, June,12 Synod resolution affirms spiritual solidarity with Honduras , June, 19 Synod resolution results in Board of World Mission (BWM) constitution revisions, June, 21 The Southern Province in 2014: excerpts from the State of the Church Address to the Synod of 2014, May, 18 28
A Giving Tradition Faith Gifts help make more ministry possible, Sept., 24 Adopt-A-Village Surgical Care in Sikonge, Sept., 22 Board of World Mission 2013 Board of World Mission Annual Report, April, 11 New position brings new possibilities for Board of World Mission efforts, Jan/Feb, 10 Book Review Brethren by Jeremiah Pearson, April, 37 Camping Ministry Camp Van-Es 2014 season rooted in unity, May, 6 Counselors and volunteers vital to Western District camping ministry, May, 10 Laurel Ridge, a mountain place set apart, May, 8 Laurel Ridge offers a Moravian Mountain Christmas, Nov., 17 Mid-States Camping Ministry impacting young lives, May, 12 Moravian Camping Ministry brings faith and fun to summer, May, 5 Mt. Morris Camp and Conference Center celebrates 50 years!, Oct., 20 New Specialty Camp and events for Camp Hope, May, 14 “Something Beautiful for God” the 2014 Plus 50 retreat, Oct., 24 Unity Lodge Grand Opening at Van-Es, Nov., 10 Commentary Am I my brother’s keeper?, Dec., 24 Full Communion Moravian-United Methodist dialogue team moving forward with full communion, Nov., 16 The Moravian
Two Wilmington, N.C. churches illustrate meaning of full communion, April, 6 Holy Week Readings guide Moravians through Holy Week, April, 31 In Ministry Pastors recommit through Cup of Covenant, Nov., 21 In Our Communities Community outreach in Edmonton area offers a Common Ground, May, 22 Feed My Sheep: Sunnyside Ministry is working at it..., Dec. 8 In Our Congregations A small congregation doing big things with clothing distribution effort, June, 5 Canaan pastor comes “full circle” with birth of her son, June, 26 First annual Children’s Festival and Lovefeast: a day of covenanting and prayer for children, Oct., 22 God shines on the Moravians, Nov., 5 Lancaster Moravian--selling the church to enhance its ministry, Oct., 9 London Moravian Church to mark 125th anniversary, Oct., 19 New Beginnings to drive benefit for tornado relief, Sept. , 27 Palmer Moravian says, “Don’t just go to church--be the church,” July/Aug., 30 RCC event illustrates faith in action, Jan/Feb, 26 Rudolph Moravian congregation loses church to fire, Oct., 17 The unexpected gifts in life, Oct., 26 York, Pa. church demonstrates faith through fellowship by helping those in need, Jan/Feb, 6 Moravian Daily Texts Behind the scenes: the making of the Moravian Daily Texts, Oct., 14 Digital Daily Texts ready for popular tablets, Jan/Feb, 5
December 2014
Moravian Fellowship Moravian Northwest Fellowship creates a way for connection, worship and sharing God’s message, May, 24 Moravian Ministries Foundation Adamson Forum: Lectures discuss Moravians’ balance of economics and religion, Dec., 14 Adamson Forum: Moravians gather to discuss money and ministry, Dec., 10 Don’t by shy when it comes to capital campaigns, July/Aug., 7 Investing Where we Believe: $100 million for more ministry, Oct., 6 New Ministries Foundation website: A tool to help ministries you care about, Jan/Feb, 24 Moravian History Bethlehem welcomes Moravian scholarship and musicians for conference, Sept. , 25 Canadian cartographer creates map of Moravians around the world, May, 26 Christmas at the Bethlehem Boarding School for Girls, Dec., 6 First Moravian members writing biography of accomplished former pastor, April, 9 Guidebook charts steps of Lehigh Valley Moravians, Oct., 12 Polly Heckewelder: a history-making doll still making history, Jan/Feb, 21 Moravian Music Old Moravian Technology + 21stcentury technology = a very effective ministry!, Sept. , 6 Moravian Theological Seminary Moravian Theological Seminary Celebrates 2014 Commencement, July/Aug., 5 Moravian Theology In Essentials, Unity: Understanding the essential things, Jan/Feb, 12 Moravian Unity Lecture addresses challenge of maintaining Unity in a diverse world, Nov., 6
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Living as a Christian and a Moravian in the former East Germany, Dec., 18 Moravian Women 12th Moravian Women’s Conference registration underway, Jan/Feb, 28 Moravian Women’s Conference coming Summer 2015, Oct., 27 Moravian Youth Get ready for the Moravian Young Adult Convo this summer, Nov., 22 Moravian you “Give their all and stand tall” at 2014 Youth Rally, Nov., 13 Youth Leadership Seminar 2014 invites attendees to “Serve the Youth of Today,” March, 31 Moravians in Mission Adopt-a-Village at nine years, April, 32 Transformation in Maidstone, Jamaica, April, 34 An African village dedicates its new school, March, 28 Basking in the SON: An adventure to the Moravian Church in Cuba, Sept., 11 Blessings in Tanzania: Walking hand-inhand in mission, Nov., 18 Camp from Wisconsin to Nicaragua… and back, Sept. , 9 What does it take to spend a year in Nepal?, Dec. 22 Witnessing steps toward reconciliation in Honduras, March, 5 Obituaries Caldwell, The Rev. Dr. Douglas W., Sept., 30 Case, The Rev. John, May, 28 Freeman, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Arthur J., Jan/Feb, 30 Gohdes, Mrs. Robert J, May, 28 Griffin, Carolyn Adams, July/Aug., 34 Hughes, Mrs. James C., Dec., 27 Knight, The Rev. Dr. Claude A., May, 29 May, Mrs. Bobbie Jean Brown, March, 33 Nowack, The Rev. Kenneth W., July/Aug., 34 Sawyer, Mrs. Edwin A., June, 29 Schultz, Mrs. Raymond E., July/Aug., 34 Shay, Mrs. Earl R., Dec., 27 30
Ponderings A book reprint gets me thinking spring…, April, 4 Experiencing the Holy Spirit at Synod, July/Aug., 4 Featuring Unity work to help women around the world, March, 4 Gearing up for a busy autumn, Oct., 4 Going to camp? I’m jealous!, May, 4 Lighting the fire at Laurel Ridge, Sept. , 4 Seeing the Moravian World through many lenses, Nov., 4 Sunset offers hope for an exciting tomorrow, Jan/Feb, 4 Walk helps fill the blank screen, June, 4 Provincial Elders’ Conference Northern, Southern Province PECs meet to share best practices, Dec., 16 Statistics/Indices 2014 Index of the Moravian Magazine, Dec., 28 Statistics of the Moravian Church in the US and Canada, Nov., 30 Unity Women’s Desk …on being a Unity Women’s Desk Advisory Board Member, March, 13 Education effort focuses on eradicating violence against women, March, 22 Making a Difference--one woman and girl at a time, March, 16 Realizing a dream of helping women around the world, March, 9 Sewing the remnants together, March, 20 UWD scholarships to be awarded in the Northern and Southern Provinces, March, 27 Women share stories of hope, stories of power at Florida retreat, March, 25
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