Moravian Magazine, January/February 2021

No. 1 • JAN / F E B 2021

In this issue: A new Moravian Catechism February 16: A Day of Giving Moravians in pandemics past Relief for Honduras and Nicaragua ...and more!

More than just another Fat Tuesday.

Announcing the Moravian Church in America’s first Moravian Day of Giving! Our Savior said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” And what better blessing could there be for this season of Lent than to experience the joy of making an unexpected gift, above and beyond your tithe, to a Moravian ministry dear to your heart? Any amount.

If you give on the Moravian Giving Portal on February 16, you will be entered into drawings for gift cards, Moravian SWAG, and more.

mmfa.info/giving-portal/

www.mmfa.info 119 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 725-2589

On the cover: A glorious sunrise streams through a frost-covered pane. Photo by Mike Riess

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11 Moravian Theology Our Lamb has conquered.

Let us follow Him.

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Moravian Church introduces a new Catechism

In Our Communities 9

Waconia offers a Beacon of Hope

In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love

Moravian Resources

God Creates. God Redeems.

God Sustains.

12 Give sacrificially, if you dare!

We Respond in Faith, Love and Hope.

14 Intercessions for Times of Crisis

11 Sharing ideas for Healthier Congregations

Moravian Day of Giving Moravian Prayers Moravian History 16 How many Moravians does it take to change a conference?

20 Past Pandemics: Moravians during the Yellow Fever

epidemic of 1793

Moravians in Mission 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.

18 Board of World Mission offers relief after extraordinary

hurricane season

...and more 4

Ponderings: Looking back at a “different” Christmas

24 Reflections on Mark 1:9-15 28 Official Provincial Elders’ News

January/February 2021

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PONDERINGS

(ISSN 1041-0961) January/February 2021, Vol. 52, No. 1 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: OnTrac International, 41 Northern Stacks Drive, Suite 200 Fridley, MN 55421 email: file@ontrac.com

Looking back on a “different” Christmas As I put together this edition of the Moravian Magazine, I am still reeling from the flush of activity of the 2020 Advent season. Helping to provide resources to make Advent and Christmas celebrations possible during this unprecedented time was one of the most rewarding times of my career with the Moravian church.

Back in August, a group of Moravians from a variety of agencies and congregations came together to look at opportunities to re-think and re-imagine many of our long-standing Christmas traditions. As Moravians are accustomed to packed churches for candlelight services on Christmas Eve—and safety concerns over COVID-19 would make that impossible—we all recognized the need to think creatively to help keep Christmas traditions alive in this environment.

The group, which included representatives from the Southern Province Board of Cooperative Ministries (BCM), the Moravian Music Foundation (MMF), Moravian Church Without Walls (MCWW), the Interprovincial Board of Communication (IBOC), and pastors and educators from both provinces, began imagining what a Moravian Christmas might look like in this age of physical distancing, virtual worship and limited singing options. Our aim was to help ensure that Christmas 2020 would be a spiritual, memorable, surprising and Moravian experience.

This effort took many forms and went in many different directions. As a start, we endeavored to provide accessible digital versions of core worship resources.

Text, music and recorded hymns for the three Moravian Book of Worship liturgies for the season—Advent 1, Advent 2 and Christmas—along with pre-built presentations for each were among the first to be made available.

Working with the MMF, we assembled a catalog of all public domain Advent and Christmas hymns from the Moravian Book of Worship. While some of these included material already recorded, MMF’s Gwyn Michel and Erik Salzwedel arranged for small choirs at Home Moravian in Winston-Salem, and College Hill and Central Moravian churches in Bethlehem, to record the rest. Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated group of organists and singers, we offered a collection of recordings that can be used for years to come.

Beyond just the Book of Worship hymns, we compiled a range of other musical offerings, including bluegrass versions of hymns and carols, new hymns and songs by Moravian composers, and recordings highlighting the variety of musical talent in our church.

We also provided a library of downloadable Moravian Christmas-themed images for congregations to use in developing their Christmas activities. Many of these were ones that I had collected over the past decade, some new creations photographed in the basement of my home and office, and a selection of the beautiful photography of John Dyer of Winston-Salem.

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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: 610.867.0594 800.732.0591 e-mail: moravianmagazine@mcnp.org www.moravian.org Contents © 2021, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in America.

All rights reserved

The Moravian

A dedicated website, www.moravianchristmas. org, became a central repository for these resources. It also hosted a collection of family-oriented activities and resources assembled by Marie Couts, Beth Hayes and a team of Christian educators and pastors. Each day during Advent offered a different craft, story, tradition, family devotional or other activity for families to celebrate together. Also offered were ideas for Advent wreaths, physically-distant pageants, outdoor services and more.

Along with the worship resources and activities, a new series of readings services for Advent through Epiphany was developed by the Revs.

Brian Dixon (Emmaus, Pa.) and Rebecca Craver (Edmonton, Alberta) and David Blum of the MMF. Similar in form to the church’s Readings for Holy Week, these “Journey Through Advent” services combined Gospel passages, hymns verses, Advent candle lightings and prayers to share the story of Christ’s birth—celebrated online by readers from across the U.S. and Canada.

In addition, the week before Christmas, a team of Northern Province pastors shared a Blue Christmas service, offering comfort and solace to those who find the holiday season a difficult time. On the lighter side, a group of Moravians performed “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” a comedic look at the Nativity story, via Zoom.

To get a good sense of the creativity of Moravians around the Christmas season, one only needed to tune in the “Moravian Christmas Marathon.”

This collection of videos produced by congregations, agencies and individuals played for four days straight on YouTube and Facebook, thanks to the efforts of Matt Spies, an intern with the Board of World Mission. Reflections on the season, musical performances, prayers, greetings from agencies, pageants, stories, historical discussions and so much more were compiled into a ten-hour loop of wonderful content (note: you can still see many of these pieces via links found on MoravianChristmas. org; well worth the view!).

The scope of Moravian Christmas 2020 effort was unlike any that I’ve worked on during my time here. While my contributions were only a small part of what came to be, I wore many hats -- web design-

er, photographer, audio engineer, writer, videographer, and presenter—and learned much along the way.

While helping to bring all of these opportunities to fruition was a rewarding experience, equally moving was seeing how congregations rose to the challenge of presenting their Advent and Christmas services. I witnessed many high-quality, creative expressions and celebrations in ways that we couldn’t have imagined, say, during the Christmas of 2019. Like all of us, I missed being in my church on Christmas Eve—so many of us experienced Christmas celebrations on computer screens or in our church parking lots—but the work of our local congregations offered an unprecedented view of Christmas celebrations across the Moravian world, right from home.

The team of people who truly made our denominational response to Advent and Christmas possible – folks like Ruth Cole Burcaw and Hanna Jackson from the BCM…Gwyn Michel, David Blum and Sarah Durham from the MMF…Justin Rabbach and Dan Miller representing Moravian Church Without Walls…Riddick Weber from Moravian Theological Seminary…Rebecca Craver from Edmonton Moravian Church…and everyone who pitched in to offer content, performances and guidance during this time—demonstrated what happens when world events try to get in the way of celebrating a Moravian Christmas.

Now, as you read this, we’re days away from heading into a second Lenten season affected by the pandemic. At that time, we never thought that we’d be in the same position this year, too. We look to build on the liturgical and musical resources offered last year.

I know we all hope to be together again next Christmas. Should events once again conspire against that happening, however, Moravians across our provinces have proven that we can still make celebrating the season special. And if you want to revisit Christmas 2020, moravianchristmas.org is still live…

Peace,

Mike Riess, Editor January/February 2021

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MORAVIAN THEOLOGY

Moravian Church introduces

a new catechism

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hat do Christians in the Moravian Church believe? What do candidates for confirmation and church membership affirm? Over the centuries, the Christian church has instructed potential members (new or those ready to confirm their faith) through the use of scripture and catechisms. These catechisms are summarized expositions of the doctrine of the church. Like many other denominations, the Moravian Church uses catechisms to instruct new members.

Following more than four years of research, discernment, writing and revising, the Interprovincial Faith & Order Commission has developed an updated Catechism for the Moravian Church in America. This updated catechism was approved by the Provincial Elders’ Conferences of the Northern and Southern Provinces this fall and is now ready for distribution and use throughout the church.

The updated catechism is intended to be a summary of the Christian faith, to be used for the instruction of confirmands and new members 6

of the Moravian Church. This catechism is not a curriculum, but can be used within a confirmation class, Sunday school, classes for new members, and as a reference tool.

Traditionally, a catechism is written in the form of questions and answers. This catechism does not follow that format but provides the information in an expanded outline with references from scripture (New Revised Standard Version unless otherwise noted), and foundational Moravian Church documents such as Ground of the Unity (GU), Moravian Covenant for Christian Living (MCCL), Church Order of the Unitas Fratrum (COUF), and liturgies and hymns from the 1995 Moravian Book of Worship (MBW).

Revising the catechism Work on updating the catechism began in late 2016. That fall, the Provincial Elders’ Conferences, meeting together, discussed the catechism. At the recommendation of the Faith & Order Commission, they recognized that the language and format of the catechism was out of date. They also recognized that there may be The Moravian

other ways than the traditional “question and Faith & Order members during the time the answer format” of a catechism to communicate new catechism was being developed included about the Moravian faith heritage. the Rev. Drs. Darryl Bell, Amy Gohdes-Luhman, With that in mind, they authorized the Worth Green and C. Daniel Crews; the Revs. Earl Faith & Order Commission to begin work on Goulbourne, Staci Marrese-Wheeler, John D. a new, updated catechism that more faithfully Rights, Sandra Thigpen and the Rt. Revs. Blair expressed how Moravians understand God and Couch and Sam Gray; and Dr. Benjamin Wright, our faith in God. In 2017, Faith & Order got to Betsy Bombick, Kay Windsor, Joyce Vance and work on this extensive revision.

Dr. Paul Peucker. “It was with great sadness that In developing the updated Catechism, Faith we had to finish the catechism without our dear & Order members looked to our Moravian brother Darryl Bell,” adds Blair. “He provided understanding of the matters that are truly esstrong leadership in the formulation of the catsential for salvation, things that are helpful and echism. It is with gratitude to God that we offer valuable in the Christian faith (ministerials), the catechism to the church.” and things that are incidental to the Christian A new publication life. The main essential of our faith is that God Working closely with Faith & Order, the Interprocreates, God redeems, and God sustains, and vincial Board of Communication designed a conwe respond in faith, love and hope. venient new layout for the catechism. References “Little did the Interprovincial Faith & Orto the Bible, the Moravian Book of Worship and der Commission imagine, when beginning the church documents are used throughout. A gloswork on the new catechism, that it would take sary of terms, complete bibliography and a refour years of intense discussion, study and writsource listing are also included in the book. ing to complete the task,” says the Rt. Rev. Blair In the coming weeks, each congregation will Couch, convener of Faith & receive ten copies of the catechism.

Order. “Our meetings, some Additional printed face to face, some via video or copies will be availteleconference, opened with able for purchase prayer and worship and we from the IBOC. In adoften took time to pray in the dition, the catechism midst of the sessions. will be available as a THE MOR “Each of the members AVIAN download from Moracontributed portions of the A summ ar vian.org; the revised confirman y of the Christian fai ds and ne material and we reviewed w membe th, for the instruc tion of rs of the Moravian catechism is sized to alChurch it over and over to be sure low booklet printing on that our Moravian faith letter-sized paper in black and heritage was rep& white by a congregation. resented,” continues Blair, “We gladly unA history of learning dertook the task with Catechisms have a long hishonesty, openness to tory within our church. The differing opinions first Moravian catechism we and some lighter know of is the Questions for moments of puns Children, compiled by Luke of and one-liners.”

Prague at the beginning of the

CATECHIS M

The new Moravian Catechism

January/February 2021

(Continued on next page) 7

Members of the Interprovincial Faith & Order Commission who worked on the new Catechism in 2018 included (l-to-r) Earl Goldbourne, Staci Marrese-Wheeler, Amy Gohdes-Luhman, Blair Couch, the late Darryl Bell, Paul Peucker, Betsy Bombick, Joyce Vance, Sandra Thigpen, Sam Gray and Tracy Pryor.

Catechism

(Continued from previous page) sixteenth century.

The Ancient Unity ranked the catechism next to the hymnal as a public expression of church doctrine. In 1661, Bishop Jan Amos Comenius printed a new catechism in Amsterdam hoping to preserve the faith of his persecuted church.

Count Ludwig von Zinzendorf published a catechism as early as 1723. The catechism that was compiled in 1774 remained in use in various languages in different parts of the Worldwide Unity for over a century. During the nineteenth century, the Moravian Church in America published a new catechism in 1848 and again in 1893. Other catechisms were published in 1937 and 1956. The 1956 version was reprinted several times until 2003; the 2003 edition had a few textual changes.

In 2017, the Provincial Elders’ Conferences of the Northern and Southern Provinces asked the Faith & Order Commission to provide a new catechism for the Moravian Church in North America.

The motto of the Moravian Church is “Our Lamb has conquered. Let us follow Him.” An important guiding principle in the Moravian Church is the saying, “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love.” This principle is not uniquely Moravian, but it reflects the character of our tradition. We are a worldwide Unity, and yet we recognize that we are not always united in the ways we worship, pray, interpret 8

scripture, or administer the sacraments; in the languages we speak or the cultures in which we live.

These are all important aspects of who we are, but they are not the source or the foundation of our unity as Moravian sisters and brothers. We find our unity in the core essential beliefs that we share in common. Our unity in essential things allows us to have freedom, or liberty, in other matters that are important to people in one time or place but are not “set in stone” or required for a church or individual to be Moravian. The last four words of the principle (“in all things, love”) are very important, because even when things are not “essential,” they can still be meaningful to us and we can sometimes be passionate about them.

But we remember that God’s unconditional love for us and our love for each other is greater than any of these differences. Love makes it possible for us to be united in the essentials of our faith and to move forward together in hope.

While that guiding principle is important and helpful in living out our faith, this catechism is organized according to a similar concept that originated in the early Moravian Church. It is the concept of the essentials, ministerials and incidentals. This catechism reaffirms this early Moravian concept and makes it usable again for the church today.

More information about the new catechism will be shared with each Northern and Southern Province Moravian congregation in February. n The Moravian

IN OUR COMMUNITIES

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Waconia offers a Beacon of Hope

n 2019, Waconia Moravian Church embarked on a new ministry, to become a Beacon Congregation to help low income families find a place that they could call home.

The Beacon Interfaith Collaborative is the non-profit organization that organizes Families Moving Forward, an initiative to end homelessness. Over 90 congregations across the Twin Cities in Minnesota take part in the vision to help all people have a home.

Beacon Interfaith Collaborative addresses issues that believe all people deserve respect, they have the right to affordable housing, that housing inequities are caused by systemic racism and stable homes is transformational to the individual and the community.

Waconia created a Beacon Leadership Team, which has taken on special training for fundraising and advocacy. The church recently purchased a property next to another home they already own and rent. This makes three properties that Waconia is able to use for this

mission of affordable housing. After renovations, the recently purchased property now houses a young couple and their infant son, a transition from a room at the Super 8 hotel. Once the other two properties become available again for rent, the church has committed to use those two homes for families facing homelessness.

Maddalin Zimmermann-Stevens, Beacon Leadership Team Chair, said, “Life and faith have taught me that caring for others is important and crucial, and starting with home, where it all stems from, I don’t see a better place to serve.”

She believes having a home means life and stability. “Home is at the core of our lives,” she continued. “It’s where we find stability.”

Maddalin puts her faith into action by remembering the “whys” of her faith. “When things get really tough, I stay focused on Jesus and his mission and I work to help the community/congregation stay engaged and supported in doing his work.”

(Continued on next page) A display at Waconia Moravian Church in Minnesota

January/February 2021

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Beacon

(Continued from previous page) “Through this ministry, I have learned that every story, every situation, every human is different. What works for one individual or group won’t work for another. One individual or group will have access to resources that another won’t.

It varies so much and it’s a vicious cycle that isn’t easily broken,” continued Maddalin.

“If I could have one wish for this ministry, it would be that every legislator put their selfinterests aside and start learning that many of the stereotypes they lean on just simply aren’t true,” added Maddalin. “It’s time to have the hard-truth conversations; to start using their power for the humans that need them the most; and to start focusing on helping the rest of us help those in need. The system is broken.

We can’t do it without new bills and funding to help those in need. Fixing the system would ensure that everyone would have a home.”

Charlie Gravelle, a member of Waconia who is also a local real estate agent and property manager, has played an integral role in helping this ministry. “A stable place to call home is paramount to someone being able to stabilize other parts of their lives. It’s the base layer of bricks for building a life. If we can help in this ministry, one family at a time, then hopefully those kids 10

from that family can create a more stable life for themselves,” continued Charlie.

“I have family that have been homeless, stayed in shelters or were close to losing their homes,” said Charlie. “Watching those in my family struggle, and being involved in this ministry, has taught me a great deal about the process and just how many people are in need.”

“I truly believe a stable home means resources can be directed to help people in other parts of their lives,” said Charlie. “Through working in this ministry, I’ve witnessed firsthand those in need getting the support they need to make their lives better. We are lucky that in Minnesota is very supportive of affordable housing.”

Not only is this ministry good for the church, but it’s good for those involved in the program. “This initiative is right up my alley. It allows me to spend time with members of the congregation and the pastor, and it helps me grow in my faith while giving me a chance to practice my faith. This ministry is very rewarding,” said Charlie To learn more about this ministry and how it works in Minnesota, log onto beaconinterfaith.org. We want to know more about how your churches are serving your community.

Send your stories to pubs@mcnp.org and let us know. n Article by Sue Kiefner, IBOC. Photos courtesy of Waconia Moravian Church

The Moravian

MORAVIAN RESOURCES

Sharing ideas for Healthier Congregations

L

ooking to build a healthier congregation?

For the past six years, the Healthier Moravian Congregations Task Force has assembled and stored resources corresponding to the Northern Province’s six healthier congregation characteristics: Purpose, Community, Worship, Stewardship, Spiritual Formation, Mission and Service. As part of this effort, they also developed a goal-setting board retreat to help congregational leadership discern and prioritize these characteristics.

To better share these resources, Task Force Member Amy Linville of Edmonton recently redesigned the Healthier Congregation website, www.moravian.org/healthiercongregations. The updated site features easy to use tags that gather together all resources relating to particular topics—discipleship, leadership, resources for kids, etc.

The task force also knows that people are finding and using other resources that are helping them grow in their spiritual lives and January/February 2021

communities. In an effort to represent the wide range of resources being used, the task force is asking for people to share what they are reading, watching and using to grow in faith and practice.

To that end, Amy included a very simple “Share With Us” link that allows people from commissions, boards and congregations to share information about books, podcasts, websites, and more, that they find valuable.

In the near future, the Healthier Congregations website will share ‘Staff Picks’…with all Moravians as their staff!

We cannot stress this enough: PLEASE HELP US HELP YOU! The more resources you generate, the more resources we can share.

To learn more, visit www.moravian.org/ healthiercongregations/ today! n From the Northern Province Heatlhier Moravian Congregations Task Force. Illustration by Andrew David Cox. 11

MORAVIAN DAY OF GIVING

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Give if Fat you dare!

More sacrificially, than just another Tuesday.

s the sponsoring bishops for the first Likewise, we are reminded of the reAnnouncing the Moravian Church in America’s first Moravian Day of Giving! Our Savior ever Moravian Day of Giving this Feblationship said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” And what better between blessing couldgiving there be and receiving in ruary 16, for wethispondered weexperience might the joyLuke 6:38: “Give, and it will season of Lenthow than to of making an unexpected gift, above andbe given to you. beyond your tithe, to a Mardi Moravian Gras) ministry dear toAyour heart?measure, Any amount.pressed down, shaken tocompete with Fat Tuesday (or good give on Moravianwho GivingcelePortal on February 16, you be entered over, into drawon the same day.If you After all,thethose gether andwillrunning will be poured into ings for gift cards, Moravian SWAG, and more. brate Fat Tuesday tend to think of it as a day your lap. For with the measure you use, it of excessive consumption. It’s the last day to will be measured to you.” mmfa.info/giving-portal/ eat, drink and be merry before giving it all This relationship is described in Matup for Lent. After Fat Tuesday, it’s 40 days of thew 10:42, Deuteronomy 15:10, 2 Corinthisuffering. Right? ans 9:10, and many other places.

Interestingly, many tend to associate excess with celebration (such as Fat Tuesday).

God dares us to “test” God And likewise, we associate self-discipline with when it comes to giving. www.mmfa.info 119 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 725-2589 suffering (such as Lent). But what does the Bible say? Actually, the Bible associates giving Malachi 3:10-12 says: “Bring the whole with receiving, not suffering. And the one thing tithe into the storehouse, that there may be God dares us to “test” God on is giving. food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw The Bible associates giving with open the floodgates of heaven and pour out receiving, not suffering. so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from The association between giving and blessdevouring your crops, and the vines in your ings comes on the highest authority. In Acts fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe, 20:35, Jesus himself is quoted as saying, “It says the Lord Almighty. Then all the nations is more blessed to give than to receive.” will call you blessed, for yours will be a deJan2021Full.indd 1

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12/2/20 3:48 PM

The Moravian

lightful land, says the Lord Almighty.”

“Floodgates” and “pour” sound a bit excessive and celebratory – more like Fat Tuesday than Lent.

Our Moravian Covenant for Christian Living describes supporting the Church as a “privilege,” an “opportunity,” and a “responsibility.” Giving is a JOYFUL RESPONSE to God’s love. So, we hope you will take a few moments on this February 16 to experience the JOY of giving in this moment before we begin the journey of Lent together.

Consider a gift that is unexpected—above and beyond your tithe or pledge. It can be to your own congregation or fellowship, your district or province, your favorite Moravian agency or ministry. The joy comes from the act of giving more than the amount of the gift.

Last year was tough. Many of our brothers and sisters continue to endure financial hardship and are not in a position to give.

Perhaps some will ultimately be the recipients and beneficiaries of ministries supported through our Day of Giving. Some have suffered and continue to suffer physically as well.

But could there also be joy in this moment? If you have been blessed with the privilege and opportunity to endure and recover from these trials, or if you have been spared hardship and illness, praise God! This is the time to express your gratitude with generosity.

If you give through the Moravian Giving Portal at mmfa.info/giving-portal/, you will be entered into drawings for gift cards, Moravian SWAG, and more. So, give abundantly this February 16 if you dare! n

The Rt. Rev. Lane Sapp

The Rt. Rev. Hopeton Clennon

January/February 2021

The Rt. Rev. Lane Sapp, pastor of Calvary Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. and the Rt. Rev. Hopeton Clennon, pastor of Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pa., are bishops of the Moravian Unity.

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MORAVIAN PRAYERS

Intercessions for Times of Crisis

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s we approach a full year of living with COVID-19, along with so many recent unprecedented, confusing and downright frightening events in our country and around the globe, finding peace, solace and comfort is difficult at best. Thankfully, our faith in God and each other can help us through these challenging times.

The prayers offered in the 1995 Moravian Book of Worship can also help us connect with God as we pray for peace and strength. We once again offer this reprint of our Moravian Intercessions for Times of Crisis with the hope that it reminds us of God’s constant presence and abiding comfort. May the prayers expressed here bring hope and healing. We encourage you to share with friends, family and your community as a witness to your faith.

God of mercy, God of comfort, we come before you in this time of difficulty, mindful of human frailty and need, confused and struggling to find meaning in the face of suffering.

We are grateful that even as we share in the joy of Christ Jesus, we can also share abundantly in comfort in the midst of suffering.

For victims of fire or flood, storm or earthquake, famine or disease, For those whom disaster has left homeless, injured, or bereaved, For refugees and those separated from loved ones, (The liturgist may add specific petitions relating to the immediate crisis.)

For all who are in danger, trouble, or anguish, We ask the presence and strength of your Spirit.

Give all who suffer the love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

We know that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because your love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

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The Moravian

Be the support of all who give their strength, their skill, and their stamina in a ministry of mercy.

Open our hearts in generosity that we may be partners in their commitment to bring relief.

Where tempers flare and a partisan spirit provokes new hostility, raise up people who have patience and restraint.

Where indifference allows crisis to deepen and suffering to go without relief, awaken deliverers who have zeal and strength.

We pray for those who are engaged in making important decisions in this time, for those who report on these events, and for those who shape public opinion.

Give them the courage to speak out and the restraint to listen, that together we may discern the truth and hold aloft its light.

Take away the temptation to trust in human power and military solutions, and give us the courage to be your servants to the community of nations.

Direct all governments in the way of peace and justice, that your will may be known and done among the nations. Deliver us from the sins which lead to war and conflict, and strengthen within us the will to establish righteousness and justice on the earth.

We pray for those who are suffering and can make no sense of tragedy.

Help them to turn to the One who embraces us in our lives --even Jesus Christ, who lived and suffered among us.

There is no one who is righteous, not even one, for we have all turned away from you.

Make us aware of our common need of a Savior, and remove from our hearts the pride, ambition, and greed that would lead us to enslave and demean other people.

Have mercy on your whole creation. Hasten the day when the kingdom of the world shall become your Kingdom, and by grace make us worthy to stand before you. Amen.

Reprinted from the 1995 Moravian Book of Worship, with the permission of the Interprovincial Board of Communication, Moravian Church in America.

January/February 2021

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MORAVIAN HISTORY

How many Moravians does it take to change a conference?

T

he planning committee for the 7th Bethlehem Conference on Moravian History and Music invites you to join us April 2024, 2021, from wherever you are. For over a decade, the Moravian Archives in Bethlehem, the Moravian Music Foundation, and Moravian College have planned these biennial conferences. The groups, working especially with the Music and History Departments of Moravian College, and the Center for Moravian Studies in Moravian Theological Seminary, have hosted conferences that brought scholars from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, North and South America to Bethlehem for a few packed days of lectures and concerts. We had every intention of building on the successes of previous conferences when we first started planning for the 7th Conference, which was originally planned to have taken place last fall.

COVID, however, caused substantial changes to our plans. By early summer, the committee became aware that we could not count on our international participants being able to travel safely in time to hold the conference on its original dates. In response, we decided to move the conference into the spring of 2021, hoping that life would have returned to normal. As the COVID situation continued to unfold, we decided to make this an all virtual conference. While we are aware that this decision limits the fruitful and enjoyable informal interactions that participants have experienced at previous conferences, it also brought about many benefits.

Bethlehem Area Moravians has been an ongoing sponsor for these conferences. In the

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past they have given to help defray travel expenses. This year, however, travel costs need no longer prohibit anyone either to present at the conference or listen to its wonderful offerings. We are grateful that this year BAM is helping to fund the increased expenses for technology. Their support enables us to record much of the content, allowing people who have to miss panel sessions to watch a recording later.

This solves a perennial problem of so many conferences (including previous iterations of this one) where participants have to make difficult decisions about which of two concurrent panels to attend.

As plans for the conference take shape, the planning committee is excited by the international slate of presenters who are willing to tackle this new format. We are even more excited that going virtual means that hopefully we will have many more attendees than we have had in the past. In order to accommodate a hopefully growing number of attendees, and to make it as pleasant experience as possible, the committee has changed not only the mode in which the conference will take place, but also the time frame as well. Hoping to avoid Zoom fatigue and taking the time differentials between Europe, Africa and the Americas into account, we will have fewer, shorter sessions every day, but will hold the conference over more days.

Registering for the conference will allow attendees to join these webinars and also to watch recordings of sessions they miss. The webinar format adds an additional layer of security that prevents Zoom bombing while still allowThe Moravian

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Bethlehem Conference on Moravian History and Music will look much different than the conference held in 2018, but will instead feature world-renowned presenters in a new virtual format.

ing participants to raise questions to the presenters during times of question and response.

The committee also took a leap of faith by offering this conference for free. Although we debated several possibilities for tiered fees or pay per event, we ultimately decided to offer to everyone, and ask that participants and attendees donate as they are able.

As the chair of this committee, I want to express my gratitude to all the members of the planning committee for their patience, insight, and good humor expressed throughout the process of planning so far. My gratitude also extends to our panelists and presenters for their flexibility in adapting to new times, new schedules, and new ways of sharing our research and ideas. Special thanks to Dr. Jon Sensbach, who will be delivering Moravian Theological Seminary’s Walter Vivian Moses Lecture in Moravian Studies and to Susan Ellis with the Moravian Historical Society for working with Dr. Jenna Gibbs in coordinating the annual lectures of the MHS. The MTS Moses Lecture and the MHS Annual Lecture serve as the bookends for this year’s conference. Dr. Sensbach’s lecture: “When the Moravians Returned to Georgia: January/February 2021

A Forgotten Mission During the American Revolution,” focusing on a brief and virtually unknown mission begun in 1775 to reach enslaved Africans near Savannah will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 20. This will be followed by 15 panels of papers, lunch roundtables and discussions. A pre-recorded “Beethoven in Bethlehem” concert presented by the Moravian Music Foundation is scheduled Friday, April 23 at 1 p.m., along with the presentation of the David A. Schattschneider Award of Merit to M.O. and Martha Hartley. Dr. Gibbs’ lecture, “Conversion and Conflict: Christian Ignatius Latrobe Visits South Africa, 1807- 1816,” addressing race, rights and freedoms of indigenous Africans, begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 24 ,and will conclude the weekend.

Registration for the conference begins on February 1. For more information and to register, please visit the conference website at: https://www.moravianconferences.org/ We hope to see you in cyberspace as we continue to learn about the rich heritage of Moravian history and music. n The Rev. Dr. Riddick Weber is the chair of the planning committee for this conference. Times in article are Eastern Time Zone.

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MORAVIANS IN MISSION

A village well flooded by hurricanes is pumped out so it can be sanitized. The Board or World Mission is providing funds for equipment and labor to complete the work.

Board of World Mission offers relief after extraordinary hurricane season

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he month of November brought destruction to areas in Nicaragua and Honduras where there are a significant number of Moravian congregations. This was caused by two Category 4 hurricanes, Eta and Iota, that impacted coastal communities with heavy rain, strong winds, and storm-surge. Inland regions were then affected by heavy flooding along rivers and creeks. Top winds were measured at over 155 mph, and as much as 60 inches of rain fell within two weeks.

In Nicaragua, many of the more than 60,000 people evacuated from their homes are now returning to assess what remains. Small towns such as Haulover and Wawa Bar were destroyed entirely, with scarcely a structure remaining intact. In Haulover, only the Moravian Church steeple and its façade remain standing; all other homes and businesses were destroyed.

In Honduras, shelters are empty as rivers have now receded and people have returned

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to their homes. More than 150 homes were destroyed, and more than 800 sustained significant damage. Roads and bridges were washed out, hampering the delivery of food and supplies.

In Nicaragua and Honduras, many of the farms that line the rivers and tributaries are now covered with two feet of sand and mud.

They lost much of their rice harvest this year, and now is the critical time for planting beans.

As a result, food insecurity will be a factor for months to come.

The Provincial church leaders in Nicaragua and Honduras have communicated with us that the procurement of food for immediate use, seeds for crops lost in the storm, clean water, medicines to combat water-borne diseases, and building materials will remain priorities for the funds that we are now sending.

One of the immediate necessities is to clean out the village wells that supply water to community residents. These wells were The Moravian

contaminated by human and animal waste washed out by the floods. To do this, wells must be pumped out, the walls cleaned with chlorine bleach, allowed to refill and pumped out again to make sure the chemicals are out, and then allowed to fill again for public use. In Nicaragua, BWM relief funds have been used to help purchase a pump and pay workers to do the job. This pump is currently making its way from village to village to help complete the work.

Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Nicaragua enabled us to accept 80 hygiene kits that included water purification filters. These were transported from Managua to Puerto Cabezas (Bilwi) through our partnership with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF).

In Honduras, we have been privileged to partner with Feed the Hungry to distribute meal packs to people in remote villages where crops had been lost, and food delivery had been cut off. This time Missionary Air Group (MAG) helped to fly the packages of food into villages where they were then distributed to homes.

We want to take this opportunity to thank the many congregations and Moravian Church

members that have given so generously to our Moravian Disaster Response Fund. This fund has enabled us to respond almost immediately with money without waiting for donations to come in. To date, the Board of World Mission has dispatched over $130,000 to the three Moravian Provinces in the region to help them procure the needed food, water, seeds, medicines and supplies. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, the Board of World Mission does not anticipate sending mission teams to help with construction projects anytime soon. But once those restrictions are lifted, we will be sending out information to recruit skilled volunteers who can assist in a wide variety of ways.

We ask your continued prayers for all those who were impacted by these two hurricanes. Pray also for the church leaders in Nicaragua and Honduras as they organize the work that needs to be done. n The Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler is director of mission engagement for the Board of World Mission.

Learn more at www.moravianmission.org.

Hygiene kits and water purifiers being readied in Managua for the flight to Puerto Cabezas (Bilwi)

January/February 2021

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MORAVIAN HISTORY

Past pandemics: Moravians during the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793

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he epicenter of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 was Philadelphia, a city of 50,000 inhabitants, which was both temporary capital of the United States and capital of Pennsylvania. The Yellow Fever Epidemic began in August of 1793 and lasted until the beginning of November. During that time, more than 5,000 people died — 10 percent of the city’s population.

The Moravian congregation in Philadelphia was officially organized in 1743. The year 1793 began well for the congregation. In Jul,y the congregation celebrated its 50th anniversary with a lovefeast; several Moravians from Bethlehem arrived to celebrate together with the Philadelphia congregation. On August 13, the Philadelphia Moravians observed the founding of the Moravian Church in Herrnhut.

On August 15, a ship from Hamburg arrived with eight single brothers from Europe. They were all housed with Moravians in Philadelphia before they continued on to Bethlehem on August 20. But then, everything changed.

At the end of August, there were rumors about a disease spreading through certain parts of the city. Moravian pastor Meder wrote in the congregational diary: “It is called yellow fever,

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because those who get it, quickly turn yellow.”

Some people left the city. On August 29 Brother Meder wrote about the growing fear: “The fear about the deadly and quickly spreading disease has increased. Many people were busy preparing to flee the city and it looked as if everyone was scared of an approaching enemy and was trying to save themselves by fleeing.”

The next day the city authorities asked the population to avoid large social gatherings. It was a Sunday, but the Moravian service had to be canceled anyway because Brother Meder did not feel well. For the next few days, there were no new cases but on September 2, all of a sudden, many people got ill. “Whoever gets sick from this pernicious disease,” Brother Meder wrote, “dies after three, four, or five days at the most. Most have a difficult death and have to endure severe death throes.” It was assumed the disease was infectious and public gatherings were forbidden. What people did not know was that the yellow fever virus does not spread from other people but rather from mosquitoes.

The mayor of Philadelphia asked the churches to report the number of funerals they had performed. Brother Meder, much to his The Moravian

relief, had nothing to report. Even those Moravian families who lived in the affected areas had not seen any cases thus far. Although some other churches still held services, all Moravian worship had been canceled since August 30.

Brother Meder was especially sad they were unable to celebrate the Married People’s Festival on September 7, knowing that all the other Moravian churches were celebrating that day.

“Our minds were filled with fear and horror.”

On September 10 Brother Meder heard about the first death in his congregation: “Now there were many sick and dying in the area around our Gemeinhaus and church [at the southeast corner of Race Street and Bread Street] and there was great fear in the streets. Many left the city. … In one family three became sick but because of the use of medicine they recovered.”

As there were no real medications, and self-isolating was difficult, many people decided to leave Philadelphia and go to the countryside. It is estimated that during September over 20,000 people left Philadelphia, including many national leaders.

Then Brother Meder and his wife also began feeling ill. Their doctor recommended them Though most of us have never lived through a pandemic before, the Moravian Church has.

In a short series of two articles, I will explore how Moravians, especially in Bethlehem, have dealt with earlier epidemics: the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 and in the next episode, the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918.

—Paul Peucker, Northern Province archivist January/February 2021

to leave the city and stay in the country for a while. The Meders decided to go to Bethlehem.

Brother Meder writes: “We felt sorry for those who stayed behind and we prayed to our merciful Savior for them and for our other fellow men. According to the news we received, the disease spread more and more through the entire city and more and more residents died.

“It was worst at the beginning of October.

The communication between the country and the city was restricted from all sides so that those who were outside were unable to go in, and the others could not come out. Many of our brothers and sisters had left the city to stay in different areas. We count more than ninety [Moravians], including children, who were dispersed throughout the country. Those who stayed behind and endured until the end have been unwell all the time.”

Meanwhile, Moravians in Bethlehem were getting nervous. They heard the reports from Philadelphia, and they saw people from Philadelphia coming to Bethlehem or continuing on to Nazareth. These included Moravians, such as the Meders, but also strangers booking rooms at the Sun Inn. Then there were the peddlers, traveling merchants who went from town to town selling their merchandise. People became very concerned the disease could spread to Bethlehem as well. On September 26, 1793, the Overseers formed a committee to consider appropriate measures.

The committee immediately called for travel restrictions on anyone coming from the affected areas. Those from Philadelphia had to quarantine for 12 days before they were allowed to go into Bethlehem. A special eye was kept on the guests of the Sun Inn: no new guests were allowed who had not already quarantined and the existing guests were not allowed to travel back and forth to Philadelphia. The ferryman was not allowed to take any (Continued on next page) 21

Yellow Fever 1793

(Continued from previous page) person on the ferry across the Lehigh River that he suspected to be ill. Beggars should not be allowed inside the private homes. These regulations were publically posted in the Sun Inn, at the southside ferry station, in Allentown, and in Easton.

Similar to today, some people were unhappy with the strict rules and tried to evade them.

Jacob Ettwein, son of Bishop John Ettwein, wanted to come from Philadelphia into Bethlehem and could not understand why he was not allowed. The committee assured him they had nothing against him personally, but he, like all others, had to quarantine before coming to town. Others wondered what they should do if they became ill while traveling outside of Bethlehem and if this also applied to the boys in the boys’ school. The response was that everyone needed to adhere to the quarantine order and if someone in the family of a school boy was sick, the boy should not come to school for a while.

The committee found it was important to be proactive in case the epidemic hit Bethlehem. The committee prepared two houses where patients could be cared for; simple beds were constructed and linen 22

was purchased for making additional pillows.

The expenses were to be shared by all Bethlehem households.

At that time, people were under the mistaken assumption that Africans were inherently immune to the disease, so black nurses often aided the sick. A letter in the Philadelphia newspapers called for black people to offer their services for attending to the sick. The assumption that black people had a natural immunity, of course, was untrue, and many also died. The health committee in Bethlehem heard of this theory and decided to hire black people to nurse patients in Bethlehem in order to be ready as soon as the disease hit. Aside from the fact this medical theory was based on a false racist assumption, it is remarkable the Bethlehem health committee was up to date with the latest medical insights and ready to implement them.

Similar to what health officials are experiencing today, not everyone accepted the committee’s approach. Jacob Ettwein, who was told by the health committee he was not allowed to come into Bethlehem without quarantining for twelve days, announced he would come to Bethlehem anyway. Because of Ettwein’s persistence, the committee invited Ettwein’s brother-inlaw, Daniel Kliest, to discuss the matter, in the hope Kliest could The Moravian

Fortunately, the epidemic did not spread to Bethlehem.

But in Philadelphia, of course, things were very different.

talk some sense into Ettwein. The committee acknowledged Ettwein had done much for the sick in Philadelphia but that was exactly the reason he should stay away from Bethlehem.

The committee expressed their concern for the particular situation in Bethlehem: people were living closely together in the choir houses, especially in the Sisters’ House and in the Boarding School for Girls. These children were entrusted to the care of the church, so they did not want to take any risks.

Kliest reported back that his brother-inlaw only wanted to have lunch with the Kliest family. Since no traveling guest was prevented from having lunch at the Sun Inn, Kliest thought it would be fine for Ettwein to take this same liberty. At this point, the committee capitulated, informing Kliest they hoped Ettwein would only come this one time to Bethlehem, and not repeat having lunch with the Kliests during the remaining period of his quarantine.

On September 28, Moravian doctor Freitag was suddenly called to the Single Brothers’ House to examine what was thought to be a case of yellow fever. After rushing over to examine Georg Neisser, Freitag was unable to confirm that the symptoms were indeed caused by yellow fever; rather “they were the result of excessive drinking.” Although Freitag believed January/February 2021

Neisser was not suffering from yellow fever, there was so much anxiety in the Brothers’ House and all over Bethlehem that Dr. Freitag instructed Neisser to leave Bethlehem and stay with his parents for at least ten days.

Fortunately, the epidemic did not spread to Bethlehem. But in Philadelphia, of course, things were very different. Ultimately, fourteen Moravians died: eleven adults and three children. Of course, these deaths were quite tragic but, compared to other denominations, this number was not high. In comparison, the Lutheran pastor had to bury 130 of his members during one week that October.

Overall, 4,044 people died in Philadelphia during the epidemic. The disease even returned several times during the years thereafter and the Moravian diary keeps referring to cases. In 1798, Jacob Ettwein, the man who insisted on breaking the quarantine in Bethlehem five years earlier, died of yellow fever. n Dr. Paul Peucker is archvist for the Northern Province Moravian Church Archives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His second installment in this series will appear in our April issue.

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MORAVIAN WRITINGS Image by yann-1 from Pixabay

Reflections on Mark 1:9-15

“You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Each week, Moravians across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean share a common message through their Sunday bulletins. This month, we share insights written on Mark 1:9-15 for the first Sunday in Lent. Thanks to writers past and present for their contributions.

So — What Comes Next?

Willie Israel, retired pastor, Asheville, North Carolina • Feb. 21, 2021

Where Do We Go from Here? is the title of the final book written by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Even after all of Dr. King’s accomplishments in his work for justice, he realized that there was still work to do.

We are happy when we achieve certain goals: a better job, graduation from high school or college, receiving the love of a certain woman or man, winning an award, the 24

birth of a child—and the list goes on. But in most cases, we recognize the event or accomplishment not as the final goal, but as a step toward what the future holds.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus has been baptized, and has been affirmed by God as God’s beloved Son. This must have been an awesome moment for Jesus! But beyond that affirmation, Jesus knew he had earth-changing work to do.

The possibilities must have seemed endless.

So when the Spirit sent him out to the wilderness, Jesus was able to discern which of these possibilities affirmed God’s will, and which did The Moravian

not. After his forty-day wilderness experience, Jesus began his earthly mission, which was to proclaim God’s kingdom and call God’s people to repent.

When we have to make those big, important decisions in our own lives, it is important to choose the course of action that affirms God’s kingdom, and shows the presence of that kingdom in our own lives. This is a huge challenge in today’s world, and it will not be easy.

But when we are faced with the question, “What comes next?” we are assured that Jesus has walked this way before us, and will continue to walk by our side.

Driven

Christine Johnson, pastor, Fry’s Valley Moravian Church, New Philadelphia, Ohio • Feb. 22, 2015

A mild-mannered, even-keeled friend of mine recently shocked me by doing something uncharacteristically audacious. She jumped out of an airplane. On purpose! Why anyone would trust life and limb to a couple of millimeters’ worth of ripstop nylon is beyond me, but skydiving, it turns out, is just something she felt compelled to try.

Have you ever felt compelled to do something? Driven? Jesus, we are told, was driven to complete his wilderness expedition. Filled with God’s Sprit, Mark’s Gospel reports, Jesus was also pushed by that same Sprit to face formidable challenges and obstacles, not the least of which may have been his own fears. Jesus’ wilderness experience was no spa retreat. It was boot camp.

The church season of Lent is forty days long (not counting Sundays), mindful of Jesus’ forty-day undertaking. Often, people of faith use this time frame to develop their understanding of Jesus, to deepen their relationship with him. They may “give up” a luxury, a habit, or a vice as a way to remind themselves not January/February 2021

only of Jesus’ wilderness journey, but also of his life’s journey.

But who truly feels compelled to “give up” chocolate or coffee? Is it not more compelling to face a fear, or overcome an obstruction, or blast through a barrier? These next forty days could be the period when you attend to whatever inkling is working on you, whatever God’s Spirit is driving you toward. Maybe this is when you come up with the courage to address a broken relationship; maybe this is when you move forward with plans for that overwhelmingly hard mission trip; maybe this is when you quit your job to follow your calling.

Maybe this is when you jump out of an airplane…

(Continued on next page)

The Baptism of Jesus Mark 1:9-15, NRSV 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

12And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

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(Continued from previous page)

Wilderness

Maggie Wellert, pastor, Great Kills Moravian Church, Staten Island, N.Y. • Mar. 13, 2011

Wilderness time is not fun. My most profound experience of wilderness was walking through divorce after three decades of marriage. It was a painful struggle—it felt like total failure. It was the loss of home and identity, living in anxiety and ambiguity. If I was no longer this wife and mother, this particular actor in the larger family drama, then who was I? Wilderness is not something I generally do by choice.

Yet each year, on the First Sunday in Lent, there we are again, telling the old, old story of wilderness. And here’s the thing that gets me every year: it is the Spirit who leads Jesus into the wilderness! The Spirit, who has come descending from the clouds in the form of a dove at the baptism of our Lord: “You are my Son.” Immediately following his commission into public ministry, the Spirit forces Jesus into the wilderness . . . every single year.

Why is wilderness a part of the Christian’s journey? It would be much, much easier to live

the temptation that following God means life without struggle! It would be much easier to live the temptation that following God means God will shower me with riches.

Here’s the thing about wilderness: it is a place of formation. When Moses led the people out of Egypt, they were “no people.” They came out the other side God’s people. They forged a new identity. Jesus faces the hunger, loneliness, and temptations that will challenge his public ministry. He has a new vocational identity.

The wilderness is part of the journey because it is how we learn to trust God, where we forge our identity as God’s daughters and sons. The Spirit of God leads us into a forty-day wilderness. Welcome it as a time to renew your relationship with the Lord, to reclaim your identity as a child of God.

From baptism to wilderness to victory

Olaf Andersen, pastor, Saratoga Moravian Church, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. • Mar. 5, 2006

Jesus, after his baptism by John, was in the “spiritual wilderness.” He was tempted, as we

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The Moravian

Image by sebastiano iervolino from Pixabay

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

are, but he did not sin. He did not succumb to temptation.

When was your spiritual wilderness? When in your life were you fighting hardest to follow Jesus? Are you going through that period right now? My “wilderness” was when I was between the ages of 23 and 26. Yes, like us all, I did not fare as well as Jesus did. The temptations continue, as we all know, but as I get closer to Jesus, those temptations become easier to deal with.

Lent and Easter are a reminder to us to listen to the still, small voice, to allow ourselves to follow “in his steps.” Remember that Jesus himself has walked this path for us. As we are able to do that, we will begin to experience some of the victories Jesus won for us in that

wilderness experience and make the witness he made at his baptism.

Have you been in the position where you felt that you needed to make a phone call, send an email, make a visit, or hold someone in prayer—and did not do it? That was giving in to the temptation not to do the right thing.

But if you followed your instinct to make the call, send that email, make that visit or say that prayer, your victory was won, and the glory belongs to almighty God. During Lent, why give up something? Why not take up something instead? Something like attending church on a regular basis. During this season, why not follow your instinct to do what is right and proper and good? n

Obituary The Rev. Wolfram Fliegel Brother Wolfram Fliegel died December 1, 2020, at St. Cloud, Minnesota, at age 92.

Born November 5, 1928, at Paramaribo, Surinam, he was the son of Hermann and Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Fliegel. Brother Fliegel attended schools in Germany; graduated from Moravian College in 1953 and Moravian Theological Seminary in 1956; and received a Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1968. He was ordained a Deacon in the Moravian ministry May 6, 1956, and consecrated a Presbyter January 14, 1962.

He was united in marriage to Faith Olds on June 9, 1956, at West Presbyterian Church, Binghamton, New York. Together they served

January/February 2021

in the mission field in the Dominican Republic, Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.

After returning to the United States, they served pastorates in Minnesota (Northfield) and Wisconsin (Ephraim, Lake Mills). He entered into retirement July 1, 1995.

Brother Fliegel is survived by his wife, Faith; sons, Paul and Mark; daughter, Grace; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts are welcomed for the Board of World Mission, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

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OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS

NORTHERN PROVINCE Dublin, Ohio Sister Tracy Pryor, who has been serving as pastor for Great Kills Moravian Church, Staten Island, New York, has accepted a bivocational half-time call to serve as pastor for Church of the Redeemer Moravian Church, Dublin, Ohio. Sister Pryor will be installed into her new work February 21, 2021.

Easton and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Sister Sue Koenig, who has been serving as pastor for Graceham Moravian Church, Thurmont, Maryland, has accepted a threequarter time call to serve as pastor for First Moravian Church, Easton, Pennsylvania.

Sr. Koenig also accepted a one-quarter time call to assist the Provincial Elders’ Conference and the Racial Justice Team in the implementation the provincial action plan toward racial justice and healing.

Sr. Koenig will begin her new work February 15, 2021.

Ad Policy for The Moravian — The Moravian accepts paid advertising that is consistent with the magazine’s objectives and editorial convictions as they are stated in the purpose and mission of the Interprovincial Board of Communication. Advertisements for activities, services and products of specific interest to members of the Moravian Church have priority. The Moravian does not accept purely editorial advertisements that advocate specific ideas or issues. Articles, columns and letters to the editor are the appropriate vehicles for the presentation of ideas and issues. The Interprovincial Board of Communication is responsible for the content and design of the magazine, including advertisements. Ad rates and specifications are available www.moravian.org.

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Released for Other Service Sister Trina Holmberg has accepted a call to be Released for Other Service to the Anglican Church in Canada. Sister Holmberg began her new work January 1, 2021.

Retirements Brother Richard Thierolf requested and was granted permission to retire from the active call of the Moravian Church effective June 30, 2021.

Brother Thierolf was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church January 29, 1978, and has served the church in pastorates in North Dakota (Fargo), Wisconsin (Freedom, DeForest), and Pennsylvania (Lebanon). He also served as chaplain for Moravian Manors, Inc., Lititz, Pennsylvania.

The church is grateful for his 43 years of faithful service.

Brother Reid Lauderman requested and was granted permission to retire from the active call of the Moravian Church effective June 30, 2021.

Brother Lauderman was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church August 29, 2010, and has served the church in pastorates in Pennsylvania (Reading), North Dakota (Bethel, Goshen), and Illinois (West Salem).

The church is grateful for his 11 years of faithful service.

The Moravian

Brother Dean Jurgen requested and was granted permission to retire from the active call of the Moravian Church effective May 23, 2021.

Brother Jurgen was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church June 7, 1981, and has served the church in pastorates in Ohio (Dover South, Sharon) and Pennsylvania (Midway Manor, Covenant, Lititz).

The church is grateful for his thirty-nine years of faithful service.

Brother Otto Dreydoppel, Jr. requested and was granted permission to retire from the active call of the Moravian Church effective June 30, 2021.

Brother Dreydoppel was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church August 13, 1978. He began his ministry in mission service in Alaska, served the church in a pastorate in Minnesota (Lake Auburn), served as Director of Moravian Studies and Instructor of Church History at Moravian Theological Seminary, and as Chaplain for Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

The church is grateful for his 43 years of faithful service.

Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference

January/February 2021

SOUTHERN PROVINCE Charlotte, North Carolina Brother Rusty Rushing has accepted a call to a shared pastorate with the Peace and Little Church on the Lane congregations, in Charlotte, N.C., effective Jan. 1, 2021.

In conversations with the PEC, the church boards came to see that this would benefit both congregations’ impact in the community by expanding their outreach and further supporting their purposes.

The congregations will retain their own identities, lay leadership structure, finances, membership, witness and mission, and customs and traditions.

Call to provincial service Sister Fran Saylor has accepted a call to provincial service to explore the development of a “fresh expression” church (a community of word and sacrament) in the Triangle area in North Carolina.

She will conclude ministry at Mizpah January 31, and begin this new work under the supervision of the PEC in February.

David Guthrie Provincial Elders’ Conference

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OBITUARIES

Mrs. Catherine Weidner

Mrs. Shirley Cox

Sister Catherine Isabel (Brandon) Weidner died at Nazareth, Pennsylvania, October 13, 202,0 at the age 102. She was born December 18, 1917, at Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a daughter of Henry and Lulu (Transon) Brandon.

Sister Weidner was united in marriage to Brother Mervin C. Weidner on June 28 1941, at Calvary Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

She served alongside her husband in pastorates in Pennsylvania (Philadelphia First, Midway Manor, Central), California (Downey), and Florida (Ft. Lauderdale).

Daughters, Carol, Martha, and Jane; son, Timothy; five grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren survive Sister Weidner. She was predeceased by her husband, Mervin, on May 13, 2005, daughter Nanette, and an infant daughter.

Services were held at Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on October 21, 2020. Burial was in Nisky Hill Cemetery. Memorials were gratefully received for Central Moravian Church or the Moravian Music Foundation.

Sister Shirley Louise (Peet) Cox died at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, November 16, 2020, at age 92 years. She was born December 20, 1927, at Bristol, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Charles and Lottie (Guthrie) Peet.

Sister Cox was united in marriage to Brother Howard H. Cox on September 9, 1950, at Bristol, Pennsylvania.

She graduated from Penn State University in 1949 and served alongside her husband as part of the Presbyterian Church before being received into the Moravian Church. When Brother Cox joined the faculty at Moravian Theological Seminary, together they ministered to the seminary community and beyond.

Sister Cox is survived by her husband, Howard; daughters, Martha, Emily, and Sara; son, Jonathan; and five grandchildren.

Services will be held at a later date. Burial was in Nisky Hill Cemetery, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Memorials were gratefully received for Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Ad Policy for The Moravian — The Moravian accepts paid advertising that is consistent with the magazine’s objectives and editorial convictions as they are stated in the purpose and mission of the Interprovincial Board of Communication. Advertisements for activities, services and products of specific interest to members of the Moravian Church have priority. The Moravian does not accept purely editorial advertisements that advocate specific ideas or issues. Articles, columns and letters to the editor are the appropriate vehicles for the presentation of ideas and issues. The Interprovincial Board of Communication is responsible for the content and design of the magazine, including advertisements. Ad rates and specifications are available www.moravian.org.

ALL VIRTUAL: April 20–24, 2021

The 7th Bethlehem Conference

on Moravian History

& Music

All Presentations, Panels, Lectures, and Concert will be accessible online.

R E G I ST R AT ION OPE N S F E B RUA RY 1 , 2 0 2 1 :

moravianconferences.org | 610.866.3255 THE WALTER VIVIAN MOSES LECTURE IN MORAVIAN STUDIES

Dr. Jon F. Sensbach MORAVIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION CONCERT

Beethoven in Bethlehem MORAVIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY KEYNOTE LECTURE

Dr. Jenna M. Gibbs The conference is sponsored by the Moravian Archives, Moravian College, and the Center for Moravian Studies, in partnership with the Moravian Music Foundation, Moravian Historical Society, and Moravian Theological Seminary.

The world’s oldest daily devotional that’s new every morning!

The 2021 edition of The Moravian Daily Texts continues a 290-year-long tradition of offering an inspirational connection to the Holy Scriptures every day.

Each entry in this beloved daily devotional includes “watchwords”—Old and New Testament verses to accompany readers throughout the day—combined with beautiful hymn texts and heartfelt prayers selected and written by Moravians across North America.

The Moravian Daily Texts 2021 are available in paperback, large print, journal and hardcover editions, along with German and Spanish translations, and are in stock now!

Learn more at store.moravian.org

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

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