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In this issue: Continuing our ministries Moravian camping from afar A new educational “Treasure” ...and more!
RESCHEDULED April 22–24, 2021
The 7th Bethlehem Conference
on Moravian History
& Music
Online and In Person at Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE:
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 ANNUAL 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.
Learning stewardship, together.
Responding to God’s love through stewardship is a life-long journey. But there’s no reason to walk alone. Faithful stewards are formed through experience and study. Your Moravian Ministries Foundation in America helps laity and leadership learn best practices for holistic, year-round stewardship from our collective Moravian experience, structured processes, and educational resources from ecuminical partners. Ask about our online workshops for individual congregations.
Call Laura Watson, Director of Stewardship Services 336-725-2589 lwatson@mmfa.info www.mmfa.info 119 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305 Winston-Salem, NC 27101 336-725-2589 2020May.indd 1
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The Moravian
On the cover: The Comenius statue on the campus of Moravian College...a sign of the times. Photo by Mike Riess, IBOC
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16 In Our Congregations Our Lamb has conquered. Let us follow Him. In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love God Creates. God Redeems. God Sustains. We Respond in Faith, Love and Hope.
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We will rise up! One church’s work in welcoming members back
In Our Communities 9
Ten thousand and counting!
11 Stepping up when told to shut down
A Moravian Education 13 Sharing and teaching Moravian Treasures
Moravian Camping 16 Moravian camping from a distance
Moravians in Mission 19 Moravian Church in Cuba is exploding with activity 26 Planning for a day of Moravian Service
Moravian Foundations 21 Agencies benefit from Larger Life support 23 Moravian Giving Portal helps donors connect with
Visit our website at congregations, agencies and ministries https://www.moravian.org. And more... Letters to the editor, address corrections, and other 4 Ponderings: Random thoughts on staying positive correspondence may be e-mailed to the editorial staff at 28 Official Provincial Elders’ News moravianmagazine@mcnp.org.
Issue 3 • 2020
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PONDERINGS
(ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) Issue 3 (initially May) 2020, Vol. 51, No. 3 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
Random thoughts on staying positive I don’t know about you, but I find that these days, my mind is all over the place. I can be a scattered person to begin with (my wife calls it “ants in the pants”), but the events of 2020 have shifted my “many different directions” into high gear. So instead of fighting the countless thoughts rolling through my head, I’ve decided to channel them into this month’s Ponderings. What follows are some of my thoughts on how I’m trying to look to the positive side of what’s happening around us. A stranger in a strange land I’ve always liked the phrase, “stranger in a strange land,” but I didn’t really know where it came from. Turns out, it’s a line from Exodus 22 (Moses spoke it at the birth of his son, Gershom) and the title of a popular (if controversial) science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein from the early 1960s. For me, that “stranger in a strange land” is how I feel when I go out anywhere these days. After living in the same town for a third of my life, I feel I know it pretty well. I’m comfortable here. I know the lay of the land, I understand the local lingo, I know the best places for cheesesteaks, to avoid downtown Bethlehem during Musikfest and that you need tickets to attend Moravian College Vespers at Christmastime. But these days, I feel like that eponymous stranger. When I go out, I’m unsure of the local customs. What’s open? Where can I go safely? Where do I need to wear my mask to protect myself and others? When will I be able to go back to my favorite restaurant with friends? And when will I be able to go back to church? It’s an uncomfortable feeling in a place that’s supposed to be comfortable. But looking more closely at it, perhaps that’s not a bad thing. This new abnormal shakes up long-standing habits. It offers an opportunity to see my local world in a new way. It enhances my empathy for those around me, seeing more clearly the places where we can all make a difference. So maybe being that “stranger in a strange land” is more “a tourist in an exciting new place.” A tourist with a mask, a bottle of hand sanitizer and a greater appreciation for the world right around me. By the way, the cover photo for this edition of The Moravian—the masked statue of John Amos Comenius on the campus for Moravian College—I likely would have missed if I had been operating on the “business as usual” track... 4
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. Periodicals postage paid at Bethlehem, PA. Circulation: 16,000 Postmaster please send address changes to The Moravian, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. 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 © 2020, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in America. All rights reserved
The Moravian
On any given Sunday I know this is a reference to a football movie, but lately it’s been my go-to phrase for Moravian Sunday services. Thanks to (well, can’t really thank it…maybe “due to”) the coronavirus, more and more congregations are offering a virtual way to attend services. For my entire career here at the IBOC, I’ve had a dream of worshiping in every Moravian church in the Northern and Southern Province. Alas, that hasn’t worked out quite yet. But now, on any given Sunday, I can attend a service in Edmonton, Fargo, Miami, New York City and many places in between. I can also attend a service on a Tuesday evening or Thursday morning, thanks to services being posted to YouTube or Facebook. I have finally had an opportunity to hear sermons from pastors I know well, but had never heard preach. I’m hearing music created in many styles and formats, seeing liturgies in whole new ways and virtually visiting churches thousands of miles away – all from here. Now, this doesn’t replace the joy of worshiping in person in these places. I still hope to make that happen. But in the meantime, I invite you to enjoy the breadth of worship throughout the Moravian Church in the U.S. and Canada, even if you’re stuck at home. To learn about virtual worship opportunities, visit https://www.moravian.org/2020/07/onlineworship-opportunities/ And don’t forget the services offered each week by Moravian Church Without Walls, 11 a.m. Eastern Time, where the MCWW hosts churches throughout the Northern and Southern Provinces and offers special services from Moravian ministries. Church al fresco I remember as a kid, when we ate outside, my Dad would say we were dining “al fresco.” Now, with his New York accent—and the way he said it—it was years before I figured out who this Al Fresco guy was. And when I found out it meant, “we’re eating outside, you banana,” I use it all the time.
Issue 3 • 2020
With COVID-19 and warm weather came the opportunity for many churches to take their services outside – out onto the lawn, in the parking lot, in the pavilion out back, under a tent. Congregations are looking to loudspeakers and radio transmitters to reach their folks while staying socially distant. Outdoor services are nothing new in our churches; my congregation holds a few each year (in fact, our first service back will be an outdoor affair). But it’s good to see how some congregations are making the best of this situation as one of many ways they invite members back together safely. I hope that in the days when COVID-19 is behind us, the outdoor traditions continue. About this issue In this issue of The Moravian, we visit a congregation working to bring folks back to church. We check in with two groups who are stepping up their work on feeding those in need during this time (again, I’m seeing a lot of these kinds of efforts around the church and could do a whole issue just on food…a typically Moravian thing!) We highlight a new Moravian resource that teaches our church’s “Treasures,”share at what’s happening in some of our camping ministries to keep kids connected, and more. On page 26, we also provide ideas for the upcoming Moravian Day of Service on September 20, 2020. During these times of restrictions and necessary safety steps, being the hands and feet of Christ in the world takes some careful planning and different ways of thinking. I look forward to seeing the creative ways our congregations take on our collective service day. I hope you enjoy this issue of The Moravian and are inspired by the positive work of our church—doing things differently in this time of COVID-19. As always, I welcome your thoughts and ideas.
Peace,
Mike Riess, Editor 5
IN OUR CONGREGATIONS
We will rise up! One church’s work in welcoming members back
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hen the pandemic first slinked into the United States in March, and then slammed most of the nation broadside in April, we all watched the whole social and economic system of America come to a halt as we lost the wind in our sails. We seemed almost dead in the water. All I could think of that Sunday morning on March 15, 2020, was, “You have got to be kidding me”—what an implausible moment. (Hey, I had a pretty good sermon for that Sunday, but that was lost in the shuffle.) We are months away from those March days, but we are still in the battle for the vessel we so desire to keep afloat. Today is a new day, a different day ,but still the Lord’s Day!! Let me offer a few reflections on reopening face-to-face worship in northeastern Ohio: The church at Dover reopened her doors for “face/mask to face/mask worship on Sunday, June 21, after 14 weeks of sequestered church connections. The church has been very slow and deliberate with this reopening. We have not been in a rush and have allowed the data to dictate the pace. We placed simple guidelines that all adhered to including: • If you have a fever, or do not feel well. Stay home and watch the service online. • Mask wearing in worship and in the building is required. If you cannot abide by that, then stay home and watch the service online. • We will have no congregational or choral singing, only a soloist set apart from the gathering. 6
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• Social distancing will be applied in the sanctuary and throughout the building. • We replaced hand-shaking with smiling with our eyes, placing our hand on our heart and bowing. The congregation responded like I thought they would, with much grace and level headedness. Early on in Ohio’s “shelter and place” orders, I recommended to the joint board that we forgo live worship services for the rest of spring. I told the joint board, as their pastor, our choices would be dictated by good information from the state of Ohio as well as county leadership. We would live by this anthem of service by continually returning to this standing statement, “We do what we do for now because we want to keep the flock safe.” Our opening service unfolded as well as it could. Sixty-three sisters and brothers in Christ returned for worship. We kept the service upbeat and kindhearted. We had a “playful” spirit to the service and learned to try on this new look for worship like breaking in a brand-new pair of red “Chucks” on our feet. As a pastor at Dover for the past 11 years, what I witnessed was much mutual respect and love offered to one another. People genuinely glowed and beamed just to “see” one another and be back in the sanctuary. I enjoyed witnessing the renewal of friendships. The service seemed delightful, just like watching children opening up their Christmas gift on Christmas Day. Eyes sparked. Conversation danced. The Spirit rose forth. “Being back was so meaningful; a peace seemed to ascend over us as we entered the sanctuary once again. We sat quietly and let that peace (that passes all understanding) surround us again as the service began,” said member Tom Armstrong. Issue 3 • 2020
In worship, I paid particular attention to the liturgies and the words. We prayed together and used stronger prayers in our discipline as well. Our Children’s Moment included children standing up in the pews – to see the children’s message from afar. This summer are providing Summer Kid’s Kit, craft projects, stories, scripture lesson and questions tied directly to the worship theme of the day. “The church reopening was important for our family because it meant reconnecting with our church family, although we still must maintain our distance. We got to see the smiling eyes of our friends we have been missing,” said member Hallie McGlumpy. The Sunday morning service has no singing yet we feature the trademark of quality special music: two pieces like a solo, bells, instrumental and more for each service. On Wednesday evenings, we offer a second service for the summer called “Creating Sunday’s Worship.” We invite members to join the team that puts together the online service each week. This strategy helps solve a couple of issues. It spreads out the number of people (Continued on next page) 7
Rise Up! (Continued from previous page)
at the Sunday service and accommodates another opportunity to worship for those constituents that might not like the larger crowd or were planning to be gone for the weekend. In this service, people are invited to join us in the sanctuary as we assemble the pieces for the mosaic we call “worship” on Sunday’s YouTube service. A smaller crowd, yes, but an active group of loyal individuals who understand and appreciate the service and watching the team put the services together. I like how one of our members, Karol Jones, responded to the reopening: “I had mixed feelings about our church reopening. It was good to see friends that I had not seen in many weeks, and it felt good to worship at church rather than on my couch (but I liked my pj’s!) It was odd to have to wear a mask but not difficult as I know there will come a time when we won’t need them. For me, the
social distancing was hardest, not being able to sit close to people. But I just keep reminding myself that this too shall pass, and it feels good to be together as a congregation.” Over and over again, I remind the church that this will last as long as the pandemic dictates. We do not control the timetable – the virus does. I encourage our flock to enjoy the time we have together and not to take this moment in the epidemic—worshiping face-toface—for granted. That may be one of the most important lessons we will learn from this whole ordeal: take nothing in God’s creation and humanity for granted. So we “rise up,” like Alicia Keyes so aptly put, to meet the challenges before our church, our nation and the world. We remain all in this together. n The Rev. John Wallace is pastor of First Moravian Church of Dover, Ohio.
Pastor John Wallace prepares to lead his congregation from worship in a safe manner.
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The Moravian
IN OUR COMMUNITIES
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Ten thousand and counting!
he Bethlehem Area Moravians (BAM) Freezer Ministry began in 2010 when members of East Hills Moravian Church froze leftovers from church dinners to distribute to those who might appreciate a meal at a later time. In 2016, the ministry collaborated with then student intern, Frank Shipman, and expanded to include cooks from all BAM churches, who would gather in the East Hills kitchen for specific preparation and cooking days and production of a large quantity of meals. The meals went back to the BAM church kitchens and were distributed as needed. These included situations such as neighbors in difficult situations, folks recently hospitalized, those who suffered the loss of a loved one, new parents or those who resided in nearby low-income housing. Cooking five or six full days a year kept the BAM church freezers filled with soups and other comfort foods, including many portions Issue 3 • 2020
of pasta and rice casseroles- easy to reheat and enjoy. Some of the cooks who participated were not Moravians, and perhaps not Christians; some cooks were themselves food recipients from the Freezer Ministry during the past year who had fallen on difficult times. As the need grew in the community and word about the Freezer Ministry spread through the BAM churches and neighborhoods, the number of meals produced exceeded 3,000 servings a year. Realizing the growing need, Bob Wingrove, long-time chef and food guru at East Hills Moravian, connected with Dan Soos, BAM CEO and the executive chef at Moravian Village. Combining their resources, the ministry’s production increased by onethird in a month’s time! In February 2020, BAM provided financial resources as well as a second commercial freezer to the East Hills’ kitchen to help with (Continued on next page) 9
Freezer Ministry (Continued from previous page) the storage of ingredients and production of the meals. The freezer and the funding arrived just as the COVID-19 virus did and again food requests increased dramatically. Bob Wingrove and several others have organized the distribution to many individuals and larger locations, such as Moravian Towers. With the onset of COVID-19 and the safety restrictions it requires, we recognized the cooking days could not continue as in the past. Having 20-25 people in the kitchen was not a safe or legal solution. To continue this ministry, Wingrove organized five small cooking groups of three-four people each. And while practicing social distancing, wearing masks and extra sanitizing in the already ServSafe kitchen, they are now producing and distributing more than 500 meals each week. Over the last four months since the pandemic began, this dozen or so Moravians have produced and delivered thousands of meals to anyone who needs or would appreciate them. As we enter the second half of 2020, the BAM Freezer Ministry has prepared and distributed 10,000 meals!! This mission has blossomed into an everyday activity. Recently, Wingrove and others created a cooking and distribution calendar and inventory-tracking methods for ingredients pur-
chased, meals prepared and meals distributed. This allows him to plan his shopping, cooking and distribution a month at a time. Currently, partners receiving weekly, bi-weekly or monthly deliveries are the Central Moravian Food Pantry, Lutheran Manor, Moravian Towers, Northeast Community Center Pantry, the Bethlehem Emergency Shelter Homeless Program, the Bethlehem YMCA, the Salvation Army, two Southside distribution centers, our individual neighbors and friends of any or no religion and countless individuals in neighborhoods from Easton to Allentown to Coopersburg. Wingrove expects the current need for meals to continue for some time, and to a lesser degree, long after the current health restrictions are lifted. He expects that the ministry will prepare and deliver more than 20,000 meals during this year of COVID-19. While the ministry is stronger than ever, and the partnership with BAM has allowed much of the production to continue, Bob is always looking for donations of money or products, best prices on meats and other supplies. He welcomes individuals from any BAM congregation who would like to participate in a cooking day at East Hills Church. The Moravian community has supported this ministry by attending the annual fundraising Harvest Dinner at East Hills along with (Continued on page 12)
Freezer Ministry volunteers prepare meals “to-go.� Note this photo was taken in January.
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The Moravian
IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Stepping up when told to shut down
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hat does a church do in a pandemic when the world is told to shut down? Step up of course! With the need for isolation and health concerns, the community of Watertown, Wisconsin and its areas shut down like most of the country. Schools closed, church gatherings stopped and many were concerned that even venturing outside was unsafe. Our local mayor had a meeting with many local leaders and wished to hear what each community mission was still able to do. The hospital explained its new protocols; the police and fire chiefs each shared updates; most agencies simply stated they were suspending all in person and office connections until further notice. This included our senior center, our local lodges, the library, many local churches and community gatherings. Amazingly, two places never missed a beat: the local Meals on Wheels and the Moravian Loaves and Fishes Community Meal. Honestly, the discussion may have lasted five minutes when it came to “can we keep going and implement changes to keep everyone safe?” Without hesitation, the leadership teams from Ebenezer and Watertown Moravian Churches said we have “to go” containers, we will get masks, we have gloves and here we go. Beginning in mid-March, the Monday evening in-person community meal went to a curbside pick-up meal. Numbers at this time of year average around 80-90, and over these many weeks, they have skyrocketed to over 200, a record for us in our 10th year of food ministry. We partnered with Marquardt Village, the local Moravian care facility, and have 40 meals delivered to their independent residents Issue 3 • 2020
Loaves & Fishes volunteers in Watertown, Wis.
weekly. Volunteers have continued to show up, including some new faces that have brought breath, creativity and chocolate! In addition to the curbside meal, each car receives a bag full of groceries for the week. They include desserts and bread. One of the challenges was providing drinks, as milk and coffee are a staple for the meal but not easy to serve “to go.” A wonderful friend of the Ebenezer congregation called the local grocery store and set up a milk delivery, so that each week 40 or more gallons of milk are delivered that also go home in each car. Food is overflowing. Concerns over funding arose as some of the (Continued on next page) 11
Stepping Up (Continued from previous page) annual costs are offset by catering, but many unexpected donations have come through and we are so thankful for the generosity. We continue to have faith that needs will be met. It is easy to see ourselves as the vulnerable, as most of us fall into the “mature” category. Yet, we knew that this is the exact time when church, ministry and faith are needed the most. We encouraged those who wished to stay home to do so, but they are all still coming. The volunteer teams are still arriving; the donations from local grocery stores are flowing. We all want to care for each other, especially at this time. From the moment things shut down, the words we hear most are, “How can I help?” We have not wanted or worried; we have not let bad hips and staircases stop us. Now, more than ever, safe interaction is needed, even in that brief moment of a car pulling up, a person walking up or kids riding their bikes over each week. We still need community. We
Freezer Ministry (Continued from page 10) vital donations from individuals and churches. Every step in the process—from chopping vegetables to ladling soup into a quart container, or handing one single container to a hungry person—is a fulfilling and satisfying experience. Each container is prepared with love, care and a prayer. Each meal is handed out with a smile and gratitude for the personal connection made in friendship and faith. As soon as it can safely be done, the now ten-year old ministry will gather the larger groups of folks from all BAM churches for the 12
still need food. We still need one another. And if its ever proven itself once and for all, we still need ministry! n Katie Van Der Linden is pastor of Ebenezer Moravian Church in Watertown, Wis.
regular shared cooking experience. Meanwhile, the BAM Freezer Ministry continues to serve, sharing nutritious meals with those in need. Why do we cook? We cook because we are called to serve and we answer that call by inspiring, comforting, offering relief and assurance of Jesus’ love through food. n Janice Eigenbrot Schanck is a member of East Hills Church and an original participant in the Freezer Ministry. She mostly oversees inventory and distribution of prepared meals and is available to meet any community member at East Hills Church for food pick-up or delivery.
The Moravian
A MORAVIAN EDUCATION
Sharing and teaching Moravian Treasures
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hanks to the efforts of Moravian scholars from around the globe, the Worldwide Unity has been blessed with a new reference that tells the story of—and teaches the foundations of—the Moravian faith tradition. Our Moravian Treasures, published by the Unitas Fratrum, provides information on how the calling to be disciples of Jesus Christ is lived out in the Moravian tradition. The 188page, hardcover book is now available from the Interprovincial Board of Communication here in North America. “’Following our Lamb...’—this sentiment from the Moravian Seal describes what this manual is all about,” explains the Rev. Dr. Peter Vogt, director for Theological Education in the European Continental Province and co-
Issue 3 • 2020
pastor of the Herrnhut Congregation in Germany, in the introduction to Our Moravian Treasures. “This manual has been written to provide information on how the calling to be disciples of Jesus Christ is lived out in the Moravian tradition. Here, Moravian pastors, church leaders, educators and theological students can learn more about some of the most important aspects of Moravian faith and life. “The Moravian Church has always recognized the importance of theological education,” continues Peter. “Moravian pastors and church administrators need to know what our Moravian tradition stands for. They are the stewards of the spiritual ‘treasures’ that express the wisdom from the experience and (Continued on next page)
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Moravian Treasures (Continued from previous page) witness of faithful believers who travelled the path before us. We believe the Moravian tradition offers many good and valuable insights about our Christian calling and we can trust this tradition as we seek to follow our Lord Jesus Christ today. At the same time, we recognize that in our changing world, traditions and church practices often need to be interpreted and renewed in order to be meaningful for new generations. This is the particular responsibility of educated church leaders who are the stewards of the ‘treasures’ that have been entrusted to us.” The Our Moravian Treasures manual provides basic knowledge about our Moravian tradition and raises the awareness of how this tradition has found diverse forms of expression in different places. It was written for all who are interested in knowing more about the Moravian Church, but especially for theological students preparing to be pastors in our congregations and all others who are serving as teachers, lay leaders and church administrators. “We hope this manual will help these brothers and sisters become familiar with the Moravian “treasures” that mark the identity of our church, thus leading us to a better knowledge and a deeper appreciation of the Moravian way of following Christ,” wrote Peter. A better resource The idea for Our Moravian Treasures arose during a consultation of leaders in Moravian theological education that took place in 2010 in Paramaribo, Suriname. “The participants who came from many different provinces shared their professional experience and realized that better resources for teaching about the Moravian traditions and practices were urgently needed,” said Peter. “They agreed on the project of a ‘Common Curriculum of Mora14
vian Topics’ designed to address the following goals: • to strengthen our shared Moravian identity by providing a solid understanding of important Moravian topics • to provide an adequate and up-to-date teaching resource, especially for those provinces without access to conventional scholarship • to connect with one another and with our common roots Discovering our treasures According to Peter, the discussions of the Paramaribo conference affirmed that our Moravian tradition has many important spiritual insights to offer, which are of enduring relevance for us as we seek to live as God’s people according to the call and promises of our Lord Jesus Christ. “As one participant put it, these insights are like the “treasures” of our church, which we are called to uphold and pass on to every new generation of believers,” said Peter. “For this reason, our manual bears the title Our Moravian Treasures.” “Studying and upholding our Moravian treasures does not mean that we set ourselves apart from other churches and denominations. Rather it helps us to become aware of our unique contribution to the wider ecumenical context.” This manual has been written to assist in the instruction of Moravian topics in theological education. It may be used as a handbook for teachers and as a textbook for students. In the ideal case, every Moravian minister and all persons preparing for ministry in the Moravian Church should receive a copy. “It should be clear that this manual cannot cover all details of the Moravian tradition. It includes those topics that we felt were most important and summarizes the information found in many scholarly books and articles,” continues Peter. “We hope it will serve as guide for The Moravian
a better understanding of our Moravian tradition because we believe this tradition is a unique gift of God, and deserves to be better known. At the same time, we present these chapters in the spirit of open-mindedness, not as the final and definitive word, but as an orientation and as an invitation to engage in conversation as the tradition of Moravian “treasures” continues to develop.” A word of thanks While the groundwork for Our Moravian Treasures was laid at the 2010 consultation in Suriname, the work was completed by an international task force including members from Africa, Europe, the Caribbean region and North America. Planning and writing was a group effort, involving Moravian scholars and church leaders from various provinces. The effort was coordinated by Peter and the Rev. Dr. Craig Atwood, Director of the Center for Moravian Studies in Bethlehem, Pa. During the interim, Moravian scholars from all parts of the Unity worked on the material. Several meetings of the group in 2012, 2014 and 2015 solidified their work. A complete draft was printed and presented to the participants of the third Moravian Mission Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. This conference—the largest international gathering of Moravians to date—provided the opportunity to receive feedback from church leaders of many different provinces, representing almost the whole Moravian world. Issue 3 • 2020
“The response was overwhelmingly positive, and the manual received the official endorsement of the delegates,” wrote Peter. “Following the conference, a number of people offered specific corrections and suggestions, which were incorporated in the final version. This manual is thus the product of a long process in which many individuals took part. We are very grateful to all. “From the beginning, the project of this manual has benefited from the generous financial support of the Moravian Church Foundation, for which we are truly grateful. Likewise, we are grateful for the support of Moravian Theological Seminary and its Center for Moravian Studies in Bethlehem, Pa., and to the Unity Board and the Office of the Unity Board Administrator for their support and interest in the completion of this project. “We hope that readers of all provinces in our Moravian Unity will find this manual helpful for studying and teaching Moravian topics, and we look forward to hearing from you about your experience. May our Lord guide the exploration of these ‘treasures’ with his blessing!” n Ed note: Our Moravian Treasures is available in the United States and Canada through the Interprovincial Board of Communication Bookstore at store.moravian.org. We have imported a limited supply, but will be able to order additional copies should our initial supply run out. This article uses information and wording found in the Rev. Dr. Peter Vogt’s introduction to Our Moravian Treasures. 15
MORAVIAN CAMPING
Moravian camping from a distance
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ith the challenges and changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders of Moravian camping ministries across the Northern and Southern Provinces prayerfully considered what to do with the 2020 season. While a very difficult decision to make—and in many ways heartbreaking—stay-over camps for this summer were cancelled throughout the Moravian camping program. However, that didn’t stop leaders from working to bring a little of the Moravian camping spirit home. In this issue, we look at just a few of the creative ways our camps reached out to Moravian youth and their families. Virtual Camp at Laurel Ridge Even though they can’t be “on the mountain,” many campers from the Southern Province vis-
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ited Laurel Ridge virtually, thanks to the efforts of the Laurel Ridge staff. “Laurel Ridge has seen tremendous response from campers and parents with signups for our virtual camp,” said Scarlett Dowdy, program manager at Laurel Ridge. “We are at nearly a 45 percent registration rate from last year’s numbers, with 175 virtual registrations, while some parents of campers allowed us to keep the full registration, whether their kids signed up for virtual camp or not.” Each registered camper received a “Laurel Ridge Camp Crate” which included their camp shirt, 60th anniversary “swag,” a letter from a summer staffer, a canteen treat, s’mores kit, all their arts and crafts supplies, the curriculum and their own login information for Camp (held through Google Classroom which houses Zoom links and videos).
The Moravian
Laurel Ridge embraced virtual opportunities to keep kids connected. Using both live and recorded videos, campers met virtually at 10 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. for events like Trivia Night, line dancing with the M-Staff (Laurel Ridge’s annual staff), communion, senior campfire and internet scavenger hunts. “For assemblies, we were able to split campers into small groups by using the breakout feature on Zoom,” explains Scarlett. “We also recorded all the assemblies in case campers missed one.” Instructions for Interest Group activities were also on video with the supplies required provided in the crate. Campfires are a central part of the Laurel Ridge experience. Scarlett recorded the M-Staff campfires then included vespers provided by video from the various leaders and inserted them into the appropriate night’s campfire. The M-Staff also performed all the skits and were recording all over the mountain so that the campers could see the mountain during their week of camp. (Note that M-Staff were quarantined before being allowed to work and sing together.) “We were very blessed to have 15 of our 16 summer staff request to remain on with us, even without campers present,” said Scarlett. “When informed there were no guarantees of salaries, all but three were willing to work the summer as volunteers. We approached several churches seeking donations to support summer staff salaries and we fully funded their salaries through donations from churches and other Moravian organizations. “I am thinking as we move forward, we have learned a great deal about how to deliver an experience in this new way,” continued Scarlett. “I am even thinking long term, if a camper can’t attend physically, they could join us virtually as we have face-to-face camps. This whole situation has made us all think outside the box in so many ways.” Issue 3 • 2020
Above: Interest Group activities for Laurel Ridge 2020 campers were recorded and available online. Below left: Senior High Campfire at Laurel Ridge 2020.
Western District camping Kids in the Western District also had opportunities to participate in a Moravian Camping experience, thanks to technology. Chetek, the camp for senior high youth, offered a virtual experience for three days under the theme “Seeing Through the Chaos.” Half-day presentations were offered by pastors Greg Behrend, Amy Gohdes-Luhman and Kerry Krauss; each morning began with worship led by pastor Kurt Liebenow. After each of presentations, campers and staff broke off into small groups for discussion. Along with the daytime camp, evenings offered other possibilities. Each night included worship and some small group time, followed by camp favorites like Trivia Night, Game Night, and Mt. Morris Mystery Game. The week wrapped with a Zoom-based celebration including skits, songs and more. Other age groups saw opportunities for connection, too. 4M campers joined virtual campfires this summer led by Christie and David Melby-Gibbons from Tricklebee Cafe. (Continued on next page) 17
Moravian Camping (Continued from previous page) And Camp MINDYY compiled several opportunities for campers. Some of last year’s staff compiled a video for campers made up of some favorite activities, jokes and campfire skits, all performed by staff (and their own children), while a care package of additional activities and fun treats are also being assembled and is expected to be delivered to last year’s campers in the coming weeks. “We are missing the fun of being together in person but recognizing ways we can try to bring camp back ‘safely at home’ to our wonderful campers,” said Kathy Liebenow of Western District camping. Camp Hope staying in touch While Camp Hope was looking forward to a big season this year, following renovations and upgrades made since last year, they made the decision last spring to cancel all conferences for summer 2020. But knowing that families still wished for a connection to that quiet place in western New Jersey, the staff and board of Camp Hope made several moves to keep some “hope” in their campers. Chetek campers in the Western District join leaders on Zoom.
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For starters, Camp Hope offered a “Box of Hope” for campers missing Camp Hope. On the camp’s website, Camp Hope staffers wrote, “While we can never replace the experience of a week (or three days) at Camp Hope connecting with God and camp friends, we Hope that this box of camp fun will bring some joy to your camper!” The boxes contained crafts, camp reminders, Bible activities and more. Each Box of Hope was customized to the conference campers would have attended. In addition, the camp made arrangements to allow families to rent cabins during July and early August. For safety reasons, these opportunities were just for families; groups of individuals were not allowed to rent. Meals were available from the dining hall “take-out” style, and families were invited to enjoy self-guided activities. In 2019 and 2020, Camp Hope renovated its Lower Lodge with new heating, air conditioning and more to make it a year-round destination. Like other camping ministries, Camp Hope is looking into offering fall or winter retreats for different-aged campers should conditions allow. n
MORAVIANS IN MISSION
Moravian Church in Cuba is exploding with activity
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n Cuba—a country where only 11 percent of the population is Protestant Christian, 60 percent Catholic—which includes the rapidly growing religion of Santeria (a voodoo related African religion with Catholic roots)— the Moravian church is vibrant and growing at a steady pace. The Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation (AMRF) recently led eight foundation supporters and three ARMF leaders on a 13-day tour of six of the eight provincial Moravian churches. Traveling over 2,500 Kilometers (1,500 Miles +/-) from Havana to Guantanamo and back, they engaged in fellowship and worship at each of the churches. The group was excited to see how the churches have exploded in the growth of their congregations and the projects taken on to support both themselves and their communities. With a membership that has grown from 300 worshipers to over 1,000 in the past several years, and still growing at a steady pace, the church is alive and well in Cuba. Issue 3 • 2020
Providing food and care For example, farms in San Antonio, Guantanamo, Guantanamo City, Santayana, Camaguey and Jaguey Grande and Matanzas are providing food for their churches and communities as well as generating income toward their goal of self sufficiency. Daycare centers created by Moravians in Guantanamo and Santayana are currently serving more than 100 children. These centers provide all-day care at a low cost to families; the children receive Christian education and are fed by the fresh food grown on the farms. In turn, several jobs are offered to church members while the church receives some financial support. The Comenius Children’s Center in Havana is preparing to open a daycare center in their community as well. In each case, the church is providing a service to its community, while exposing the children and many of their parents to God’s teachings through evening bible studies and neighborhood celebrations. (Continued on next page) 19
Cuba
(Continued from previous page) Clean water Through Moravian efforts, clean water purification systems have been installed in Havana, Jaguey Grande, Santayana and Holguin, and are in development stages in San Antonio. These systems, while quite expensive, purify water using several filters along with an Ozone generator to kill harmful bacteria which cause much illness in the communities. Each system provides purified water to the entire community 24/7. A pastor told us on our visit that on most weekends the church provides almost 2,000 liters of clean water to the community. He noted that it’s not only community members who have utilized this miracle of clean, drinkable water; the local hospital comes by, as well as a restaurant or two. This free access to safe purified water has created such joy that the church is quickly becoming the center of attention in each community. Space to support growth “We need space to support our growth� is a common concern that ARMF representatives heard across the island. San Antonio, Guantanamo, Holguin, Santayana and Havana are all making plans to either enclose and expand outdoor worship centers or build second floors to their church facility to accommodate and support their overflowing attendance and activities. With a large part of the world faced with declining attendance and worship activities, what a joy it is to see the Cuban church flourishing as they seek to bring Christ into the lives of their communities. Another enlightening experience was the worship service in San Antonio, Guantanamo, where the Rev. Matthew Allen (Olivet Moravian) delivered the message. Approximately 100 people attended that evening where worship 20
was held, in a very well-built thatched roofed pavilion. The service featured much music, singing and scripture readings (as is the norm in all the churches in Cuba) with participation from the young children to seniors. It is beyond words as to the feeling of the Holy Spirit as many people came forward to dedicate their lives to Christ. People walk as many as four miles to come to church, returning to their homes after midnight. ARMF is so pleased to have been able to grant San Antonio the funds to purchase a horse and carriage to give these folks a ride. This carriage now serves as their own church bus. On days that it is not in use, the pastor takes it to the nearest town to use as a taxi, producing income for the church: a win-win situation. Building a strong foundation With help from the Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation, its friends, donors, and the leadership of the Moravian Church in Cuba, a strong foundation is being built to spread the word of God throughout this communist/socialist country. They are dedicated to becoming the center of each of their communities by providing services to those in need: food for the hungry; clean, healthy water for the thirsty and a strong teaching of the word of Jesus Christ. The recent travel group got to experience all that the church is doing and came away rewarded and blessed. The Moravian church in Cuba, is living like Jesus, loving like Jesus and serving like Jesus. So, what can we do? Pray, donate and volunteer so that we will continue to build those lasting relationships God is working in Cuba! n Joe Jarvis is a representative of the Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation and a member of the Board of World Mission. The Moravian
MORAVIAN FOUNDATIONS A Century of Giving Larger Life to Moravian Ministries
Agencies benefit from Larger Life support The Larger Life Foundation is celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2020. While this has been a difficult year for many – not the best time to celebrate anything –100 years of aiding the Moravian Church, Northern Province shouldn’t go unnoticed. The Larger Life Foundation’s purpose is to aid specific benevolent, charitable, education and missionary undertakings in the Moravian Church, Northern Province. Originally the Foundation supported nine ministries and agencies. Through the years, church needs evolved and increased, as did the growth of our funds and contributions, so that the Foundation was able to expand its reach. In 2020, the Larger Life Foundation supports 20 core agencies with substantial, semi-annual payments in fixed proportions in four-year commitments. The core agencies are located in all Districts of the Province—Eastern, Western and Canadian—and include these ministries: • Moravian Church Pension and/or Supplemental Healthcare Fund • Northern Province provincial administration • Canadian, Eastern and Western District programming • Northern Province ministerial training • Moravian Open Door • Board of World Mission
• Moravian Archives • Four Moravian camping ministries across the Northern Province • Four Moravian retirement communities across the Northern Province • Moravian College and Theological Seminary • Two K-12 Moravian education private schools In its 100 years of growth, the Larger Life Foundation has distributed over $12,000,000 to the core agencies. In 2019 alone, the Foundation distributed over $400,000. Ultimate decision-making authority for the core ministry program resides with the Northern Province Provincial Synod and the Provincial Elders’ Conference during intersynodal years. Eighty percent of the portion of the funds distributed each year is allocated to the 20 core agencies. (The remaining 20 percent is allocated to smaller discretionary grants, now totaling 144. In addition, funds are kept available as needed for loans to churches for capital projects). The Board regularly reviews the core agency program, and each year the recipients provide the Larger Life Foundation Board with a report on how the funds supported their organization. (Continued on next page)
Larger Life
Foundation
MORAVIAN CHURCH NORTHERN PROVINCE
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Larger Life
(Continued from previous page) The following are excerpts from some of the responses to the Larger Life Foundation: Moravian Archives: “For us, the support from LLF is essential to fulfill our ministry of preserving the history of the church, providing educational programming to the church and the community, and of being a part of the life of our church.” Moravian Open Door (MOD): “In the Northern Province of the Moravian Church, MOD is the only social service ministry of its type that focuses on working with homeless individuals age 50 and over, who are most at risk for neglect and violence. MOD provides a safe space as well as a ‘family’ experience for many who have nowhere else to go, or no one else to turn to. The funds that we receive from the Larger Life Foundation help to offset the actual operating costs for this ministry, but more so, they provide us the opportunity to change lives for the better and to help our homeless clients to help themselves.” Northern Province Ministerial Training: “The Province uses these funds for direct tuition payments for approved ministerial candidates as they attend Moravian Theological Seminary …. without the generous support of LLF, the Province would have to sacrifice other ministries in order to fund seminary education.”
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Moravian Academy: “The funding from the Larger Life Foundation is important to Moravian Academy as it is one of the school’s larger Annual Fund donations and helps to inspire others, including parents, alumni, faculty and staff, to support the school.” The 20 core agencies have been grateful to receive consistent funding for their programs. It has been a reliable and much-needed financial stream for their ministries. Larger Life Foundation support encompasses a wide range of critical needs, serves as a valuable connection to the greater Moravian Church and greatly strengthens the Moravian Church in its mission. How blessed we are that our founding brothers who had the foresight and proposed to the Synod of the Northern Province the establishment of an endowment fund to support the educational, evangelical and charitable causes of the Moravian Church, Northern Province. The Larger Life Foundation now looks to the future with faith and gratitude. The Larger Life Foundation relies exclusively on gifts from individuals, both large and small, to carry out its responsibilities. Gifts include cash, stocks or planned gifts. If you would like additional information on how you can support this on-going ministry, please refer to our website at www.largerlifefoundation.org or contact Tammy Curcio,treasurer for the Larger Life Foundation at 1-800-732-0591. n Wendy Brockert is a trustee of the Larger Life Foundation and a member of Lake Mills Moravian Church, Lake Mills, Wisconsin The Moravian
MORAVIAN FOUNDATIONS
Moravian Giving Portal helps donors connect with congregations, agencies and ministries
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assing the collection plate is a central part of any church service. But since many Moravian congregations are providing online services, or if they are meeting, are looking for ways to receive offerings in a safe, no-contact way, a giving structure set up by the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America (MMFA) is providing a solution. In August of last year, MMFA launched the Moravian Giving Portal on their website, www.mmfa.info. With this addition, many Moravian congregations who invest in the Moravian Common Fund gained the infrastructure to accept online credit card gifts for the first time, while donors got a single place to come to make multiple gifts to multiple agencies, ministries and congregations. “We noticed less than 25% of Moravian congregations had online giving enabled on their websites,” said Chris Spaugh, president and CEO of the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America (MMFA). “The priority, local talent and infrastructure of using technology varies widely among congregations and ministries. We thought we could help,” Spaugh said. “Moravians have long been famous for their ability to work together collaboratively. The Giving Portal is respectful of the Issue 3 • 2020
Moravian communal heritage in that it creates a shared, central infrastructure for charitable giving – just as the Common Fund does for investing,” Spaugh said. The Giving Portal does not replace online giving options that some Moravian congregations already have in place. But since instituting the Giving Portal, all U.S. Moravian congregations in the Northern and Southern Provinces, along with congregations and fellowships of the Alaska Province, now have an online giving method.
Benefits of the Giving Portal “More and more people are using electronic banking to make all their financial payments, often on the day after payday,” says Vince Holbrook, director of marketing and communications for the MMFA. “If congregants feel they need to wait until Sunday to physically place their gifts into the offering plate, they may be giving from their leftovers instead of their first fruits as a product of habit rather than intent. Churches benefit when members view their pledge with the same sense of priority they afford their other financial obligations.” T h e Giving Portal helps congregations that live stream services to a remote audi(Continued on next page) 23
ence by making it easier for their members to give online. Many people who grew up Moravian may still feel a strong connection to their home church, even if they have moved away. The Giving Portal provides an outlet to reach out to associate members, helping them stay in touch emotionally and stay invested financially. And in normal times, congregations also have members who travel. The technology of the Giving Portal allows members to make a consistent gift that their congregation can count on and use that information to plan ahead, even if they are away on any given Sunday. Studies show when churches cancel services due to weather, they never fully recover the offerings they would have received on those days. Links to the Giving Portal online giving form through a church’s web page, in their electronic
Since instituting the Giving Portal, all U.S. Moravian congregations in the Northern and Southern Provinces, along with congregations and fellowships of the Alaska Province, now have an online giving method. newsletters and on social media, increase the odds of recovery. And when beloved members of the congregation enter the more immediate presence of the Lord, others want to do something to honor and remember them. Offering a link through the Giving Portal to make online gifts to the church in lieu of flowers helps everyone near and far do something meaningful and long-lasting. The same is true for honoring the living on occasions such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
A convenient option Justin Rabbach, executive director of the Moravian Board of World Mission and a member of 24
Ebenezer Moravian Church in Wisconsin, can fully appreciate the convenience of a centralized Giving Portal. “Being involved in a variety of Moravian ministries (missions, camps, congregation), I have a lot of things I would like to support. The Giving Portal allowed me to easily set up a regular gift which will go to support ministry, even when my travel schedule keeps me away physically,” Rabbach said. Dunham & Company found that digital donors are up to eight times more likely to give to multiple funds (general, building, missions, music, etc.) vs. a donor who gives by cash or check. Scheduled online giving is more reliable and more generous for a number of reasons. According to the National Study of Congregations’ Economic Practices 2019, online giving accounts for 9.6 percent of total gifts in a church setting vs. 8.5 percent with other types of charity; the average online gift to a church is $195 vs. $147 to other types of charity.
Early success In December 2019 alone, the Giving Portal helped 37 donors make 56 gifts to 20 different entities, totaling more than $12,400, according to MMFA Director of Operations Kara Yates. Bethania Moravian Church in Bethania, N.C., was among the first to embrace the Giving Portal in August 2019. Bethania Moravian Church’s board of trustees chair Henry Gough said, “From the time our board was introduced to online giving, we were very optimistic that this could be a benefit to our congregation. Many people now use this type of service to purchase a wide variety of goods and services, so why not use it for the benefit of our congregation?” “We believed that the convenience factor would be very attractive to a large portion of our membership,” Gough added. “It’s not only a convenience to our regularly attending members, but also to members and associate members who no longer live in our area.” The Moravian
In establishing their Giving Portal access, Bethania representatives visited with MMFA to ask questions and provide input. They then added a link to the Giving Portal from their own website and encouraged “first fruits” giving (scheduled monthly gifts). Board members led by example, making gifts through the Portal, and members discussed the process and answered questions on the church’s social media. Member Scott Rainey said, “In the past, my wife and I have always struggled to remember and bring cash or a check on Sunday mornings. For years, we searched for something to make giving to our church more regular and convenient. When we heard about the Giving Portal, we were eager to set up monthly giving to avoid our continued forgetfulness.” “Much like online bill payments, the Giving Portal gives us the freedom to know that our financial stewardship is a consistent part of our monthly expenses and our church’s income,” he added. Member George Pingho likes the Giving Portal because he can earn frequent flyer miles by making gifts on his card, and can make the gifts at 1:00 a.m. if he wants.
Providing infrastructure Providing the infrastructure and security for credit card payments online does have a cost. The processor for the Moravian Giving Portal is Blackbaud, one of the largest and most secure non-profit fundraising platforms. Current fees include 2.798 percent plus $0.26 per transaction for credit card/bankcard Processing (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, JCB) or $0.75 per transaction for ACH/direct debit. For example, a $100 donation made via credit card would net $96.94 to the church/agency and a $3.06 fee to Blackbaud Merchant. A $100 donation via direct debit would net $99.25 to the church/agency and $0.75 to Blackbaud Merchant. The infrastructure to use these Blackbaud Merchant Services (BBMS) is available through Issue 3 • 2020
the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America because they purchase Blackbaud products. 100 percent of the processing fee goes to Blackbaud for their services; MMFA receives no portion of this processing fee. The fees for this service are actually deducted from the gifts. The receipt provided to the donor by the Giving Portal is for the full amount of his or her gift. The donor can use this receipt for tax purposes. The remainder of the gift goes to the church or agency. The Moravian Ministries Foundation in America processes donations on a daily basis. However, to allow time for monthly reconciliations, and to allow donations to accumulate over a couple of weeks, the Foundation sends out distribution checks to the churches every two weeks. Churches receive a detailed listing of donors and giving amounts with each twice-monthly distribution check. The donation forms on the Moravian Giving Portal do allow donors to give anonymously. Unless a donor checks the box to mark the gift as anonymous, he or she will be identified on these reports.
Not an offering plate replacement MMFA advises churches to not put their offering plates away. “Some donors will always prefer the physical act of putting something in the offering plate. Some will prefer to make scheduled payments through their bank’s online services. Some Americans do not have checking accounts or credit cards. The Giving Portal is a tool to help congregations, agencies and ministries accommodate the ever-changing preferences of new and existing donors,” says Chris. If your Moravian congregation is among those who do not have online giving through the Moravian Giving Portal, please contact Chris Spaugh at 888-722-7923 or cspaugh@mmfa. info. n Vince Holbrook is director of marketing and communication for the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America. 25
MORAVIANS IN MISSION
Planning for a Day of Moravian Service Imagine Moravians from across the U.S. and Canada all focused on mission in their community…all on the same day! That’s the idea behind the Moravian Day of Service. The 2020 Day of Service, scheduled for September 20, 2020, helps raise awareness of the importance of mission work to the Moravian faith, encourage congregations to think of new ways to make a difference in their communities and demonstrate our ability to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. During the inaugural Moravian Day of Service in 2019, Moravians came together to venture into their neighborhoods, make and pack meals and kits for those in need, support their local community agencies and first responders, collect schools supplies, visit senior centers and a whole lot more—all to carry out Jesus’ call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned and love their neighbors. We realize that because of COVID-19, whatever you do will need to be adapted to adjust to our new reality. Even in these difficult days, it does not take us long to see the need for us to be serving one another and our communities. The idea for the Moravian Day of Service sprang from the 2018 Synods of the Northern and Southern Provinces. The synods recognized that the coordinated efforts of Moravians can help engage others in service and ministry 26
The Moravian
2020 Day of Service Ideas
september 20, 2020
and raise awareness of the Gospel message; that Moravians have always celebrated their faith through service and mission work locally, regionally and globally; and that Moravians derive a sense of common unity and identity from serving together and with others. Synods resolved to set aside a day, every year, for individuals and congregations to get involved in mission work in their communities, and share their work across the Moravian Church in North America. Working in consultation with the Board of World Mission, the PECs of the Northern and Southern Provinces designated September 15, 2019, as the date for the inaugural Moravian Day of Service; the 2020 Day of Service will occur on Sunday, Sept. 20. The Day of Service isn’t a one-time thing but an annual event; it is not to replace the great local mission work already going on in our congregations. The Day of Service offers a chance to rethink how your congregation interacts with your community, and encourage you to make local missions an enduring part of the Moravian faith. Resources for Moravian Day of Service, including ideas on where to serve, worship resources and ways to share Day of Service activities, are available at www.moravian.org/ dayofservice/. For more information and ideas, contact Chris Giesler (chris@moravianmission.org).
Issue 3 • 2020
Planning anything in 2020 is a challenging thing to do because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so keeping things simple might be the best approach during the 2020 Moravian Day of Service. We would encourage you to consider having individuals or family units do things at home or in the community that would help others. These might include: • Collect food for your local food bank. They all need help and contributions, especially those in communities hardest hit by COVID-19. • Give blood. According to the American Red Cross, there is an urgent need for blood due to the coronavirus outbreak. • Check on seniors, disabled or other atrisk neighbors in your area. Call ahead and set up a front porch visit where you bring a lawn chair and have them come out on their front porch for a brief visit and prayer time. • Check-in on anyone you know who might have depression or anxiety, both of which can be exacerbated during a crisis like this. • Have children draw pictures and write letters to local seniors in nursing homes who can’t have visitors at this time. • Shop or do errands for quarantined (even self-quarantined) families who need to stay home or don’t want to take their kids out in public areas. • Send thank-you notes and cards of appreciation to front-line workers at hospitals, public safety workers (police, fire-fighters, rescue squad workers), those working in the service industries (grocery store workers, restaurant staff, etc.). Simply be kind to them when they are assisting/serving you! 27
OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Prayer Day for Christian Education, September 13, 2020 The second Sunday in September is designated as a day of prayer for Christian education. The nurture of Christians of all ages in their faith is the responsibility of each congregation. Pray for your congregation’s Christian education program and for the personal growth in faith of each member. Moravian Day of Service, September 20, 2020 The 2018 Provincial Synods of the Northern and Southern Provinces passed similar resolutions to create an annual church-wide day of service, the “Moravian Day of Service.” In the joint meeting of the PECs, November 2018, the weekend closest to September 16 was identified for this outreach in mission and service to our communities. The Board of World Mission was tasked with providing information and resources to support this effort across the Moravian Church in America. Resources may be found at www.moravian. org/dayofservice. (see story on page 26) Prayer Day for Children On a Sunday in October, congregations of the Northern and Southern Provinces are invited to join with thousands of other congregations across the nation in the national observance of Children’s Sabbath. Endorsement of the Children’s Sabbath was made by the Provincial Elders’ Conferences in January 1994.
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Prayer Day for World Mission, October 11, 2020 The second Sunday in October has been designated as a special Day of Prayer for World Mission. Pray for the ministries in our partner provinces, our mission areas, and for wisdom and guidance for our Worldwide Unity. May God hold us together in celebration of our wonderful diversity, and may God persist in revealing to us where the church in North America and throughout the world is called to mission, both locally and globally, that God’s love may be known by all. For specific information for your prayers about these and other new and continuing ministries, please see the BWM website, www.moravianmission.org. NORTHERN PROVINCE Prayer Day for World Peace and Nuclear Disarmament, August 2, 2020 In accordance with legislation enacted at the 1982 Synod of the Northern Province and affirmed by the 1990 Synod, the first Sunday in August has been designated as a day of prayer for world peace and nuclear disarmament. Prayer Day for Public Education, August 30, 2020 Congregations of the Northern Province are asked to observe Public Education Awareness Day on the last Sunday in August. Prepared liturgies, intercessory prayers for students and all who teach in and administer public schools and sermons at worship may
The Moravian
OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS call attention to our responsibility for public education and seek the blessing of God upon these endeavors. Prayer Day for Church Development, September 20, 2020 The third Sunday in September is the prayer day for church development in the Northern Province. Pray for the new congregations established in our province in recent years as they develop their unity and mission. Support the ongoing development of these new ministries. Pray also for those congregations in the redevelopment process. Prayer Day for the Church’s Ministry to Older Adults, September 27, 2020 The 2002 Synod reaffirmed the fourth Sunday in September as a time to recognize older generations and to pray for our mutual ministry. Each congregation can make ministry to and with older generations in their midst a special cause for prayer. Prayer Day for Peace with Justice and Freedom, October 18, 2020 The third Sunday in October is designated as a Day of Prayer for Peace with Justice and Freedom. Prayer Day to Raise Awareness about Violence Against Women, October 25, 2020 By action of the 2018 Synod of the Moravian Church Northern Province, the Provincial Elders’ Conference has designated the 4th Sunday in October as a prayer day to raise
Issue 3 • 2020
awareness of violence against women. Synod called for Moravians to establish resources for victims of violence, form study groups to provide discussions and support to victims of such violence, pressure governments to pass legislation penalizing violence against women and children, and address excessive violence in the media. Resources may be forthcoming from the Unity Women’s Desk. Cinnaminson, New Jersey Sister Laura Gordon, who had been serving as pastor for the Palmyra Moravian Church, Cinnaminson, New Jersey, concluded her ministry to the congregation effective April 1, 2020. Released for other service Sister Vicki Jens-Page, who had been released for other service to the ELCA, concluded her ministry June 20, 2020. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Sister Linda Wisser, a May 2020 graduate of Moravian Theological Seminar, accepted an appointment to serve as part-time interim pastor for East Hills Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Sister Wisser began her work May 18, 2020. Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference
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OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS SOUTHERN PROVINCE PEC Membership Change The Rev. Jeff Coppage, who was elected to the PEC at the 2018 Synod, has decided to conclude service as a PEC member due to health needs and has applied for long term disability. Jeff shares that having the opportunity to serve the Province in this way has been a source of joy and fulfillment for which he is thankful. The PEC accepted this decision with appreciation for the many ways Jeff’s gifts, energy and insights contributed to our work. We pray that stepping away from this role will provide time and space to focus on continued recovery, and for new ways of continued ministry in days to come. Jeff is
happy to be involved in the life and witness of his home congregation, Konnoak Hills. According to the Constitution, the PEC appoints a pastor to fill this clergy position for the remainder of the current term (until the 2022 Synod). We are pleased to announce that Matthew Allen, pastor of Olivet Moravian Church, has accepted appointment and begins this new avenue of service effective July 23. We invite your prayers for Jeff and his wife, Ann, for Matthew, and for the ministry of the Provincial Elders’ Conference. David Guthrie Provincial Elders’ Conference
Share your story! During this year of pandemic and protest, we’ve seen an astounding variety of creative, caring, spirit-filled efforts from Moravians across the U.S. and Canada. Online worship and outreach, feeding those in need, caring for and supporting those on the front lines, standing up against injustices and reimagining our church lives are just a few of the ways Moravians have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and racial unrest in our country. Now, it’s time to tell your story. In our upcoming issues of The Moravian, we want to share the story of how you, your congre-
gations, your families and your communities have responded during the first half of 2020. We’re looking for articles, images and reflections that celebrate and honor the Moravian efforts both big and small, while sharing ideas and best practices with others. To learn more about how to share your story, visit https://www.moravian. org/2020/07/share-your-story/; e-mail moravianmagazine@mcnp.org, or write to The Moravian, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.
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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The Moravian
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 begins shipping in Nov. 2020, but you can preorder yours online now at store.moravian.org.
Learn more at store.moravian.org
Let the world know Jesus makes your heart rejoice! This high quality, 100% cotton T-shirt comes with a brilliant red and white, silk-screen design: “Jesus Makes My Heart Rejoice” over a big red heart! On the back, the navy blue Southern Province version lists all Southern Province churches, while the royal blue Northern Province version lists all the churches in the Northern Province (2018). Show your pride in your church and share your faith with this great new T! Adult Sizes S M L XL $15.00; XXL $17.00 (XXXL available in Northern Province only $17.00) Free Shipping On All Shirts! (Regular shipping charges apply to additional items on your order.)
Northern
Southern
Available now from the IBOC Store. Shop online at store.moravian.org or call Jill at 1-800-732-0591 ext. 38 Issue 3 • 2020
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Postmaster please send address changes to: The Moravian, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018
Issue 3 • 2020
Periodicals
