Board of Elders Canadian District of the Moravian Church
DISTRICT DISPATCH NEWSLETTER
May 2021
BECD NEWS President’s Remarks We are days away from holding what may be a oneoff experience – a Synod that is special in so many ways. While we will be distant from one another for the duration of our ‘virtual synod’ we have over these past months used video conferencing at our District Dialogues to be with each other to discuss topics and issues of importance to us all. This Special Synod will be one for our memory books even while we long to be together, to see one another, to sing, to worship, to clasp hands and hearts. And we know that even now we are gathered together in the hands and heart of Jesus. Praise His name, praise His power, and praise His grace. Since 2016 I’ve been fortunate to have served the District in this role in addition to serving as one of the three Vice-Presidents of the Moravian Church Northern Province. There I also served on the Board of Trustees for Moravian College and for our Moravian Theological Seminary. I’m thankful to have been part of our rich Moravian heritage. I now publicly thank members of your District Executive Board for their service since their election at the 2016 Synod: Vice President Rev. Matt Gillard, Donna Gordon, Bob Hawkesworth, Holly Heffernan, Rev. James Lavoy, and Bryan Peacock (partial term). What a pleasure it has been to have worked with inspired, passionate, skilled, and dedicated colleagues. Thank you! Officers of the BECD are Administrative Assistant Andrea Stremich and Treasurer June Sterling, both of whom continue to bring valued expertise and experience to their roles. Their ongoing support provides continuity of the work of the District and continues to be invaluable. Synod Updates Documents for attendees: Much of the information about the Special Synod of the Canadian District is located in a secure online document storage site (Sync.com) that conforms to Canadian privacy regulations.
Synod Updates – continued Agenda: The latest version of the Agenda for Special Synod is also contained in the Sync folder. Synod Chair Br. Graham Kerslake will direct this Special Synod using the Zoom video conference. Attendees will be provided with a link to the meeting in their email prior to the start of Synod. Attendees: The 40 attendees to this Special Synod comprise delegates elected from their congregations, and those attending based on their Office. See the Sync folder for the list of Synod attendees. Elections: Nominees biographical information is included in the Sync folder. Please continue to be in prayer for nominees who’ve permitted their name to stand for election. Reports: Reports from various related Moravian entities have been submitted for the Synod. These reports are to be ratified at the next in-person Synod. In the interim, these reports will be used by the incoming District Executive Board to provide background documentation to lead ongoing work of the District and respond to emerging topics and issues. District Dialogues: Gathering together using video conference technology when we have been apart has been a gift to our District. The opportunity to share insights and updates is now part of our routine which certainly will be another way we relate to one another. Reports from these meetings are also included in the Sync folder for delegates (attendees). Canadian District Office: 600 Acadia Dr. SE, Calgary, AB, Canada, T2B 0J8 Phone 403-271-2700 Email: moravian@nucleus.com Staff Administrative Assistant: Andrea Stremich Treasurer: June Sterling, treasurer@moravian.ca Board Members Names of the newly elected Elders of the Canadian District will be included here in the next edition of our District Dispatch. Page 1