The 2025 edition of The Moravian Daily Texts continues a nearly 300-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 2025 hardcover, paperback, large print and journal editions, along with German, Spanish and French translations, will begin shipping in November. Pre-order today through the IBOC at store.moravian.org or 1(800)732.0591!
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.
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
On the cover: The Rev. Nasel Ephraim preaches at Eastern District Synod. Photo by Mike Riess
PONDERINGS
Seeking the guidance of God’s Spirit
At the 2024 Eastern District Synod (my third of the year—see story on page 9), I was honored to be part of the “Call to Visioning” committee. The committee’s charter was broad: “Without visions, dreams and prophetic engagement, spiritual stagnation looms. We invite the committee to open themselves to God’s leading, to notice the movement of the Spirit within this Synod, to discern possibilities for faithful response, to catch the prophetic vision of God’s will for our Eastern District. The task of this committee is intentionally left open-ended to facilitate creative, life-giving expression of God’s inspiration.” Sound easy, right? Well, trying to create a vision for the Eastern District in just a few days proved a truly daunting task. The committee’s discussions were wide ranging, with visions and ideas from many different aspects and perspectives. So instead of forcing out legislation or resolutions, the committee decided instead to compile their thoughts in a letter to the Synod and encourage everyone in the Eastern District to look for the Spirit of God’s leading And with my role as editor of The Moravian, I agreed to share some of that letter in this issue.
“…As we gathered in our Visioning Committee, we encountered an outpouring of passion to genuinely follow Christ, and creative visions for Christ’s church that could not be captured in a single document. While taking time to be aware of the Spirit of God breathing through us, we felt called to offer the following:
“ We believe that we, the Church, are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)…and we pray that God’s Spirit will guide us as we fearfully and wonderfully grow to be more like Jesus: Surrounded by a culture of prayer, Serving in proximity to all suffering people, And setting a table where all are welcomed and empowered to serve as gifts of God.
“ We recognize this is only the beginning of visioning for the Eastern District of the Moravian Church, Northern Province. We eagerly encourage individuals, congregations, ministries, and boards to prayerfully consider where the Spirit of God is leading this District in inter-synodal period.”
I look forward to seeing where the Spirit of God is leading. You can see some of that in this and every edition of the Moravian Magazine. I hope you enjoy this issue, and as always, welcome your thoughts and comments.
Peace,
Mike Riess, Editor
(ISSN 1041-0961)
Issue 3 2024, Vol. 55, No. 3
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A pastoral letter concerning Christian community from the bishops of the Northern and Southern Provinces
As bishops of the Moravian Unity in the Northern and Southern Provinces, we greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, our Chief Elder. We had the blessing of spending August 19-23, 2024, in community at Laurel Ridge, the Moravian Conference Center in North Carolina. This has allowed us time to share fellowship and worship, discuss matters of importance, and pray for our Moravian Church.
In the Upper Room with his disciples, Jesus prayed: “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one.”(John 17:20) We believe this is Jesus’ prayer for us today.
What does it mean for us to be “one” when we live in a world of competing interests, values and political points of view? How does this guide our civic discourse in these divided times? This divisiveness is nowhere more apparent than in our current political environment, where candidates’ language and behavior directly conflict with our Lord’s teachings.
As bishops, we acknowledge the diversity of thought that exists among ourselves. Still, we come together in love and mutual respect for one another because we find common ground in our commitment to Jesus Christ and our love and commitment to the Moravian Church. We challenge the Moravian Church to model a way of being together that does not yield to the pressures of polarization and fragmentation so evident in our society.
Rather than creating division, we affirm The Ground of the Unity, which states:
We confess our share in the guilt which is manifest in the severed and divided state of Christendom. By means of such divisions we ourselves hinder the message and power of the Gospel. We recognize the danger of self-righteousness and judging others without love.
Since we together with all Christendom are pilgrims on the way to meet our coming Lord, we welcome every step that brings us nearer the goal of unity in Him. He Himself invites us to communion in His supper. Through it, He leads the Church toward that union which He has promised. (Unitas Fratrum as a Unity)
We are called to live in Christian community and see each other as children of God; this does not require us to agree on all issues. We are in relationship because God has called us together to be faithful to Christ as our Chief Elder by serving a world in need of grace.
Jesus prayed that we may all be one. As bishops, we echo this prayer for our Church today.
Grace and Peace,
— D. Wayne Burkette, M. Blair Couch, Carol A. Foltz, G. Thomas Shelton, J. Christian Giesler, Amy Gohdes-Luhman, Paul A. Graf, Samuel J. Gray, Michael E. Johnson, Douglas H. Kleintop, Lane A. Sapp, Kay Ward
August 22, 2024
MORAVIAN FAITH & PRACTICE
Living the Witness of a Christian Citizen
The Moravian Covenant for Christian Living (MCCL) is a core doctrinal statement of the Moravian Church in America. Based on the original Brotherly Agreement written by Count Zinzendorf to outline guiding principles to help organize the life of the Herrnhut community, the MCCL is a statement of what the Moravian Church most values, intended to guide our decisions as a community of faith.
Part of the MCCL—The Witness of the Christian Citizen—addresses how Moravian Christians should approach life as a citizen of a democratic society. In Jesus Still Lead On, An Exploration of the Ground of the Unity and The Covenant for Christian Living, the Rev. Dr. Craig Atwood expands on what this part of the MCCL means in today’s world. We offer the excerpt of this section here.
The Witness of The Christian Citizen (paragraphs 25, 26 and 27)
We will be subject to the civil authorities as the powers ordained of God, in accordance with the admonitions of Scripture (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14) and will in nowise evade the taxes and other obligations which are lawfully required of us (Romans 13:7).
Considering it a special privilege to live in a democratic society, we will faithfully fulfill the responsibilities of our citizenship, among which are intelligent and well-informed voting, a willingness to assume public office, guiding the decisions of government by the expression of our opinions and supporting good government by our personal efforts.
Though giving our loyalty to the state of which we are citizens, we do recognize a higher loyalty to God and conscience (Acts 5:29).
These paragraphs all address the role of Christians in civil society. This is another area in which the Moravian Church has changed its teachings as society has changed. When the church began, most people in Europe lived in kingdoms ruled by monarchs who ascended the throne by birthright instead of skill in ruling. Today most Moravians in the world live in democracies in which leaders are chosen by the people and in which those who rule are subject to the same laws as the people. We are no longer “subjects” of kings, princes and emperors; we are free “citizens” of the republic. This is a profound change in world history, and the Covenant reflects that change.
It is important to remember that the New Testament was written in the Roman Empire at a time when Christianity was an illegal religion. In Romans 13, the Apostle Paul offered advice to Christians on how to live in the empire. He urged Christians to pray for the emperor and obey the emperor’s laws, except laws that required people to worship idols and false gods. This chapter of the Bible has a long and sometimes painful history in the Christian church. Some rulers claimed that God granted them absolute authority over their subjects and Christians must obey their commands even when they were unjust or cruel.
Remember that the Moravian Church began as an illegal church. The authorities in Bohemia used Romans 13 to persecute our Moravian ancestors and force them to be baptized in the Catholic Church. Many Moravians were persecuted by the state because of their refusal to serve in the military, swear oaths, kneel before Catholic altars and other things they considered contrary to Jesus’ teachings. The Inquisition and the
imperial authorities quoted Romans 13 to justify torturing, exiling and imprisoning religious dissidents like the Moravians simply because they chose to worship separately and follow the simple teachings of Jesus. It is helpful to realize that Moravians, unlike many churches, have never been supported by the state. We have always been a free church separate from the government. As such we have never been large or had the power to force governments to follow our teachings.
For much of our history, Moravians tried to distance themselves from politics and the government. Sometimes we es-
Considering it a special privilege to live in a democratic society, we will faithfully fulfill the responsibilities of our citizenship...
tablished separate communities, like Bethlehem, Lititz and Salem, where we could live according to our own laws rather than getting involved in worldly affairs. There have been many occasions when Moravians refused to take up arms even in defense of their nation. At times, the Moravian practice of avoiding political entanglements ran the danger of ignoring Jesus’ call to establish justice on the earth. Unlike the Quakers who were leaders in social reform movements in the 19th century, Moravians tried to avoid political protest and engagement.
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As part of the Jesus Still Lead On study guide, the author lays out several questions for contemplation and discussion:
• Why is it a duty for Christians to pay what is justly required of them by their governments?
• How does this statement in the Covenant reflect the understanding of a social contract as part of God’s design for human society?
• What are your responsibilities as a Christian citizen in a free society?
• Do you think Moravian pastors and teachers should use their positions to influence people’s votes before elections?
• Should the church express its views to elected officials through letters and other means?
• What issues do you think Moravians should address politically?
• Are there times when patriotism or partisanship conflicts with our Christian values and sense of worldwide Unity?
• What do you think it means to be loyal to the state or the nation? Does this mean not criticizing the government’s actions or attitudes?
• Can you think of times in history when it would have been good if Christians had resisted the laws or actions of their governments?
Citizen
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Moravians went so far as to justify the holding of slaves because it was the law of the lands in which they served.
As nation after nation followed the United States’ example of democratic government governed by laws instead of arbitrary rule, the Moravians came to realize that Christians can and should become involved in elections and in legislatures. Democracy allows us to speak on behalf of laws that reflect Christian values without violating the separation of church and state. The Covenant was revised to reflect this new political reality in which we are citizens who should use our ballots and our voices to promote justice for all and to increase peace on earth. Moravians who live in North America enjoy the blessings of a government based on the idea of the social contract, and the Covenant reminds us that we need to fulfill our part of the contract. Many Moravians now serve in public office as part of their Christian vocation.
Even so, we recognize the obligation of Christians to resist evil laws by peaceful means. Our church officially endorses the Barmen Declaration of 1934 that was written by pastors in Germany in opposition to the actions of the Nazi government. The Barmen Declaration reaffirmed the Christian conviction that God rather than the State is truly sovereign. Moravians in various countries have sometimes refused to cooperate with laws that violate human rights, but the Moravian church has never preached violence or rebellion against a legitimate government. n
Jesus Still Lead On, An Exploration of the Ground of the Unity and The Covenant for Christian Living, by the Rev. Dr. Craig Atwood is available from the IBOC.
DISTRICT SYNODS
Eastern District delegates answer the call at 2024 Synod
When more than 180 delegates and guests arrived in Bethlehem for the 2024 Eastern District Synod in June, they were prepared for four days of learning, discussion, worship, governance and fellowship. What they weren’t prepared for, however, was a power outage that would upend the proceedings and offer a glimpse at the resilience and flexibility of Moravians. (see “Flexibility in adversity” p. 11)
This Synod, held on the South Campus of the Moravian University, brought together clergy and lay delegates from 47 congregations in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Ohio and Ontario.
The theme for 2024, “It’s Your Call,” was chosen to help encourage delegates to reflect on God’s call to them and their individual and collective responses to that call. “It’s Your Call” focused the Synod’s attention on
God’s call to the church as a whole and how each person hears that call to participate in the life of Jesus’ church while going about daily life.
Under the leadership of Synod Chair, the Honorable Wilma Lewis, United States District Chief Judge for the District Court of the Virgin Islands (and lifelong Moravian), this year’s Synod got much accomplished. Over the course of the four-day event, delegates discussed and presented resolutions that :
• encourage congregations to continue to foster culture of prayer, opportunities for spiritual development and growth;
• encourage looking for opportunities for union congregations;
• look at how congregations interact with social, civic and global concerns, work for peace in their communities and the world and address issues of the unhoused;
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Ohio Shared Ministry leaders Scott Minor, Shana Angel and Dave Geyer during the2024 Eastern District Synod opening worship.
Eastern District Synod (Continued from previous page)
• explore opportunities to address the needs of young people in the church, increasing support and involvement of youth and adding voice and vote to youth delegates;
• affirm and support the important ministry of licensed lay pastors.
Synod kicked off with a unique presentation and worship service led by the Ohio Shared Ministry. Through a fun on-stage conversation between three of their members, the Ohio team outlined what a Synod was, what the theme meant, what delegates could expect and how the future of the church relies on the engagement of lay leaders.
This Synod also featured keynote presentations from The Rev. T. C. Moore, pastor of Roots Moravian Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Over the course of three days, T.C. shared presentations “Two Villages,” “Forged Family” and “Shalom in the City.”
“ With a fresh and insightful perspective on Moravians, T.C.’s newfound connection to our faith inspired us to rediscover our foundational values and focus on what truly matters as a church community,” said Gina Green, youth delegate from Fry’s Valley Moravian Church in New Philadelphia, Ohio. “He distinguished the difference between a museum church and a missional church, emphasizing three key aspects of our faith: cultivating a culture of prayer, proximity to suffering people in and outside our communities, and embracing our spiritual gifts.”
T.C.’s talks are available on the Northern Province website.
Worship played a pivotal role in this year’s Synod. Each service was different, with creative expressions of worship provided by both clergy and lay leaders and a wide range of music. Running throughout synod worship was a song written by the Rev. Brian Dixon based on the “It’s Your Call” theme.
Eastern District Leadership elected
During the 2024 Synod, delegates elected members for Eastern District boards, ministry teams and executive board members.
Synod Chair Wilma Lewis
T.C. Moore presenting at Synod.
The Rev. Melissa Johnson was re-elected as President of the Eastern District Executive Board. In this role, she will serve as the chair of the EDEB, and as a member of the Northern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference. Others elected to the EDEB include clergy members the Rev. Dan Miller and the Rev. Earl Gouldbourne and lay members Lauren Grady (Delaware Valley Region), Tammy Lavoy (Lehigh Valley North Region), Hank Naisby (Lehigh Valley South Region), Naomi Mercia Solomon (New York Region), Seth Angel (Ohio Region) and Barbara (Bonnie) Robertson (Penn-Mar Region). The newly elected EDEB will serve through the Synod of 2028.
Flexibility in adversity
While synod started off well, a strong early-summer thunderstorm would throw a monkey wrench into the proceedings—by knocking out electrical power to the university campus.
“ We got off to a wonderful start, thanks to efficient officers, staff and planning team members,” wrote Missy Johnson. “We were just getting comfortable... and the power went out. What followed was an incredibly power-full experience.”
Using flashlights, phone lights and emergency lighting, the synod continued into the
evening. The darkened auditorium did not dim the spirits of those inside; the events of Synod continued, with Missy providing her state of the church address lit by the glow of her computer screen. And when it became apparent that the power was not going to be restored until at least the following day, the synod planning committee scrambled to identify an alternate location that could host the plenary and committee meetings. The solution? Move the entire gathering to College Hill Moravian Church, about a mile away!
The sanctuary became the plenary hall, while the classrooms throughout College Hill served as meeting rooms. The university’s staff moved food service to the fellowship hall. And while the large group was a little cramped and the air conditioning system struggled to keep up, the move to College Hill went off without a hitch.
“Despite all the disruptions and discomforts, I witnessed a large group of people coming together in support of one another, in support of the staff / team having to pivot and make changes, in support of the important work we wanted to make happen,” said Missy. “And so we did!”
“The challenges were no match for people’s resilience and commitment to our
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Missy Johnson, Eastern District president, presents her State of the District discussion in a darkened Foy Hall.
Eastern District Synod
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ministry. With or without lights, adequate A/C, and not knowing where the next session would occur, we managed to worship together with varied styles and leaders, hold meaningful discussions about the state of our district and the challenges and opportunities we face, pass important legislation that will guide our leaders for the next four years, and pass a budget and elect leaders to support the work we envisioned.
“Through it all, I felt the Holy Spirit filling the place and the people of our Synod. My heart has been filled with gratitude - to God and to everyone involved who made this such a positive, inspiring, meaningful time together as we explored our collective call,” said Missy. Power was restored by Friday, and the Synod returned to the university campus. n
Offsetting paper use
While efforts were made to reduce the amount of paper used during Synod, because of the venue, the event ended up using what some think might be at least an entire tree’s worth of paper! Anticipating this, the Synod planning team asked church members in the district to contribute to One Tree Planted, a non-profit charity that plant trees in countries around the world where one dollar plants one tree. Through this effort, the Eastern District will plant 1,761 trees!
From Top to bottom: 1. Synod officers Ricky Santee, Wilma Lewis and Nick Noel review the schedule for day two of Synod. 2. Youth delegates present resolutions. 3. Bishop Michael Johnson preaches during the EDEB installation service. 4. EDEB members Naomi Mercia Solomon, Dan Miller, Seth Angel, Hank Naisby, Earl Gouldbourne, Lauren Grady, Tammy Lavoy, Bonnie Roberston and Missy Johnson.
DISTRICT SYNODS
Canadian Moravians
“re-imagine” what a district synod can be
In June, delegates from the six Moravian congregations that make up the Moravian Church in Canada, met at Millwoods Moravian Church in Edmonton for their 2024 Synod. And this year, the Canadian District took a different tack by re-imagining how a synod could function.
Like most district synods, during the three-day gathering chaired by Ricky Santee, provincial chancellor for the Northern Province, delegates heard from ecumenical partners, provincial leaders and the Rt. Rev. Amy Gohdes-Luhman, synod chaplain. District President Dave Jones provided a state of the church address, outlining some of the challenges and hopes for the church in Canada. And each day featured meaningful, musical worship, plenty of discussion time over meals, and opportunities to discern the future of the Canadian district.
But while the usual work of a synod —elections, receiving reports, passing legislation—were undertaken by Canadian delegates, the bulk of their time was spent in training and conversation.
Through a program led by the Rev. Zach Dease, a Southern Province Moravian pastor, delegates learned new ways to connect to their communities using story mining and asset mapping. While these sound like high-level concepts, Zach shared that understanding what makes church life meaningful and the assets a congregation has to help bring that meaning are critical to a congregation’s success.
In mixed discussion groups, delegates sought to answer four questions:
• What is the most meaningful event that has happened to you in the church?
• What is or are the core values in that meaningful event?
• What assets were needed to make those significant events and their core values come to pass?
• What are the needs you see in the community…and what can people do to help?
“Through the four-step process of storytelling and deepening, we worked to create
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Synod
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asset maps of the things within our congregations that are available to us as we think about doing ministry together,” said Jamie Almquist, pastor of Good Shepherd Moravian in Calgary. “The intention of this process was to allow delegates to return to their churches with a tool and process to work through together as they reimagine ministry in their contexts. We hope that doing this work together at synod will get the creative juices flowing for the churches in our District.”
Synod legislation
During this Synod, delegates discussed and legislated on the needs of the Canadian District. They received reports from the district’s commissions and organizations, addressed the needs of Camp Van-Es, reviewed and passed financial reports and budgets, and more. They also passed legislation requesting provincial action on electing a bishop that would provide a closer connection to the Canandian congregations and propose Synod voice and vote rights to full communion ecumenical partners in future Synods. Completing a very important aspect of district synods, delegates elected new leadership for the coming four years. Br. David Jones was re-elected as the President of the Board of Elders Canadian District (BECD), after serving for the past three years in that role. Other members of the BECD elected at this Synod include: Jeff Pratt from Christ Moravian Church in Calgary; Brandon
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From Top to bottom: 1. Lynne Hennig and Megan Bedford discuss Camp VanEs during Synod. 2. Zach Dease works with a discussion group. 3. Bishop Amy Gohdes-Luhman installs the new Board of Elders Canadian District: Jeff Pratt, Brandon Salyzyn, Jamie Almquist, Aaron Linville and Dave Jones. 4. Discussion group looks at ministry assets during a workshop exercise.
MORAVIANS IN MISSION
Rt. Rev. Dr. Amy Gohdes-Luhman joins Board of World Mission staff
The Board of World Mission is pleased to announce that the Rt. Rev. Dr. Amy Gohdes-Luhman will be joining our staff as the Director of Mission Engagement.
As Director of Mission Engagement, Amy will be responsible for developing relationships with our constituent congregations in North America and providing opportunities for Moravians to join in God’s mission as they feel called. She is excited to foster global relationships and encourage missional work throughout our congregations–knowing that missional work may look different in various contexts. For Amy, ministry and mission is all about creating and nurturing right and loving relationships between all of God’s children.
Amy grew up in the church as the daughter of Cynthia and Bob Gohdes, a Moravian pastor who served in the Western District. Since her ordination in 1996, she has served in parish ministry at Main Street Moravian Church in Northfield, Minnesota, and Waconia Moravian Church in Waconia, Minnesota. During her time in Northfield, she also served as an adjunct professor at St. Olaf College, having received her PhD in Hebrew and Rhetoric from Northwestern University in 2004.
Throughout her ministry, Amy has consistently and generously used her gifts in service to the Western District and Northern Province: offering lectures and providing leadership at camps and retreats, serving on boards and committees, and
mentoring pastors and lay leaders. She has also served our Worldwide Moravian Unity as a delegate to Unity Synod in 2009 and 2023, and as the chair of the Unity Committee on Theology for over a decade. In 2023, Amy was elected and consecrated as a Bishop of the Moravian Unity.
Amy will conclude her current work with Waconia Moravian Church on November 3rd and begin her work with the Board of World Mission on November 18th, serving remotely from her home in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her BWM email address will be amy@moravianmission.org.
Welcome, Amy! n
SOUTHERN PROVINCE
Southern Province explores Shift 2.0 to help guide effective ministry
Discipleship is about relationship. Jesus’ ministry began by calling people into a community of learning and action. They served their world, not through a fully-formed institution, but by building communities of people who were asking questions and seeking to live like Jesus. As we shift and reflect together in the Southern Province, we hope to find more avenues for connection that equip us as agents of God’s transforming love in the world. There are some perennial questions that invite Christian communities into deeper reflection and action in the practice of discipleship. While our congregations
have varied histories and experiences, the areas of attention and intention are similar. How can we as a larger denominational group create space to celebrate, grieve and encourage one another in our different ministries?
In the Southern Province we are using 2024 to focus on the book, Shift 2.0: Helping Congregations Back into the Game of Effective Ministry by Dr. Phil Maynard. This focus on Shift 2.0 is, itself, an experiment resulting from evaluation, reflection and work at the provincial level to understand the ways our structure can better support, encourage and accompany congregations and ministries in North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Florida. This concerted effort to listen and learn from congregational leaders has been underway since the Southern Province transitioned to a commission model with the Commissions on Congregational Development (CCD) and Ministry (COM) under the direction of the Provincial Elders’ Conference in 2021.
The book highlights areas of congregational life that are common to all of us and areas of community life that can be overlooked as we move through the rhythms of the years. Dr. Maynard uses the lens of his experience in church leadership to invite the readers to consider their own context and evaluate the ways in which the experience of following Jesus is reflected in the community norms of their congregation.
The focus on shift is about cultivating space to ask questions together and em-
bracing curiosity about where we are and what being the church means today. The questions and tools that are part of Shift 2.0 give our province and congregations some common language to start conversations at the Intersynodal Conference to be held in late October, which will focus on the journey of discipleship as the foundation for all 5 expressions of congregational life in the book.
We hope this experiment offers congregations and leaders the opportunity to be heard and encouraged in ways that enable them to move forward in ministry with hope and confidence in God’s guidance and community with other Moravian disciples. By starting with a common language, we believe relationships will continue to grow and build with a positive impact on the experience and practice of faith in Southern Province ministry settings. We are already hearing from some leaders about the response to the concepts in Shift 2.0 through new conversations and directions.
What we have learned so far…
In the first quarter of this year, the Province participated in two different gatherings of leaders in congregations where we introduced the concepts found in Shift 2.0.
First, at a youth and leadership retreat in the Florida/Georgia District of the Southern Province in February 2024, the theme was “Shifting through the Seasons of Life.” Members from congregations and fellowships shared their reactions to the book and began talking about their own assumptions and the practices that they would like to explore and use shift in response to the call to be disciples. The energy and deep reflection on the part of the leaders and youth who participated was exciting to witness. Even more thrilling was hearing folks talk
The five areas of congregational expression outlined in Shift 2.0— hospitality, worship as a lifestyle, discipleship, service and generosity— are the foundations of our common conversation.
about what they were going to do next to dig deeper and grow as followers of Jesus. One participant reflected on aspects of worship that have been staples in her experience of church life. She reflected that until now, she had not thought to ask her daughter or friends if worship felt like a place that called them into discipleship. And if they
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Lane Sapp, director of the Southern Province Commission on Ministry, helps lead a six-congregation learning cohort.
Shift
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had ideas for how worship could be more connected to their experiences to support their faith.
Then in March, provincial staff and staff from the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America met with leadership teams from six congregations to begin an 11-month learning cohort. They used the material from Shift 2.0 as a base to equip the leadership teams to share and engage their congregations in assessment and discovery of opportunities for service and ministry. One of the most valuable parts of this process will be the intangible benefits to each congregation as they work alongside leaders in neighboring churches.
The five areas of congregational expression outlined in Shift 2.0—hospitality, worship as a lifestyle, discipleship, service and generosity—are the foundations of our common conversation. We look forward to the opportunity to share with each other
the resources that resonate with our local contexts and experiences as we deepen the practice of Christian life and discipleship in our communities. In the Moravian Covenant for Christian Living we state,
“ We are called into a Christian fellowship by the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the eternal purpose of God the Father (Ephesians 3:11) by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:18-21), and as members of Christ’s Body, the Church, to serve all people by proclaiming the Gospel and witnessing to our faith by word and deed.”
It is together that we learn and grow as disciples of Christ who live like Jesus in the world through faith, love and hope.
The Southern Province will meet for its Intersynodal Conference on October 24 and 25 at New Philadelphia Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. n
The Rev. Rebecca Craver is the executive director of the Commission on Congregational Development in the Southern Province.
Angelica Regalado-Cieza leads a discussion during the Florida/Georgia District youth and leadership retreat in February.
Moravian Church Settlements added to UNESCO World Heritage List
Four Moravian Church settlements around the globe are now recognized as “of outstanding universal value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.”
That recognition came on Friday, July 26, as the UNESCO World Heritage Committee announced the addition of Moravian Church Settlements to their prestigious World Heritage List at meetings in New Delhi, India. This follows a decades-long, international effort to gain recognition for these historic settlements.
The historic Moravian Church Settlements of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania/USA; Gracehill, Northern Ireland/UK; and Herrnhut, Germany joined Christiansfeld, Denmark (already inscribed in 2015) as a single World Heritage site that represents the outstanding universal value of these historic
settlements and the worldwide influence of the Moravian Church. This collective recognition underscores the global importance of the Moravian heritage, celebrating its unique cultural and historical contributions from the 18th century.
“I think this amazing recognition speaks to the ongoing life of the Moravian Church,” said the Rev. David Bennett, president of the Northern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference. “While these sites were established more than 275 years ago, they remain vibrant and active centers of our Moravian faith tradition today. It is a testament to the Moravian Church’s ongoing historic, cultural, and most importantly, spiritual contributions to the world.
“We are excited by this acknowledgement of our important and even sacred history and the opportunities this UNESCO
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MORAVIAN HERITAGE
The Sisters’ House in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
World Heritage
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inscription will bring for the Moravian Church around the globe. “
A transnational nomination
This is the first Transnational, Serial Nomination put forth by the United States and is the result of a decades-long effort among Bethlehem Area Moravians, Central Moravian Church, City of Bethlehem, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, Moravian University, and with the support of Northampton County and others. The U.S. delegation combined their efforts with Moravians in Herrnhut, Gracehill and Christiansfeld to help bring this inscription to fruition.
“Our community has long cherished and preserved Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem, and we are honored
Herrnhut, Germany
Congregations from all four newly-named UNESCO World Heritage sites joined in a transnational worship service.
to receive this global recognition,” declared Mayor Reynolds. “The designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a profound testament to the unmatched historical and cultural significance of Bethlehem and the enduring legacy of the Moravian Church.”
“ We extend our deepest gratitude to all those whose passion and unwavering support have been instrumental in our efforts and have played a crucial role in reaching this momentous milestone,” added Mayor Reynolds. “We also recognize the Office of International Affairs of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, and the World Heritage Committee for affirming the cultural significance of these sites.”
“We celebrate this transnational partnership and recognition of Moravians in three distinct areas of the world, joined with the already existing World Heritage site of Christiansfeld Moravian Church in Denmark,” wrote Janel Rice, pastor of Central Moravian Church. “Central is thrilled to be recognized not only for our historic buildings, but that this designation specifically notes our historic and ongoing substantial contributions to community building, a charge that we take very seriously in our faith tradition and a goal of welcoming more visitors to our buildings, seeing how we can
provide loving hospitality and community building in our 21st century Bethlehem.
“As an active and vibrant Moravian faith community in Bethlehem for over 282 years, we are thrilled to be recognized for the ways that our buildings and ministries significantly contribute to community building in serving the common good for all God’s children.”
“This honor is not just for Central,” continued Janel. “It is truly for all our Moravian Churches in America that draw from our shared heritage, and we hope that this celebration and designation can be noted and shared. We also recognize the strong ties of the Moravian Unity across the world, and the dedication and work of the Rev. Dr. Jorgen Boytler, Rev. Drs. Peter and Jill Vogt (Herrnhut) and Rt. Rev. Sarah Groves (Gracehill).”
On August 4, members in all four Moravian Settlements joined in a transnational worship service. Each congregation shared music, scripture and reflections over Zoom
to celebrate this expanded yet combined community.
On October 16 and 17, representatives from Gracehill, Christiansfeld, Bethlehem and Herrnhut will join government officials and others in Bethlehem for official ceremonies and celebrations around the UNESCO World Heritage inscription. A worship service will be held at Central to mark the occasion.
Joining iconic landmarks
With this UNESCO inscription, Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem becomes the 26th site in the United States to receive this honor. Other celebrated U.S. World Heritage Sites include iconic landmarks like the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty. Globally, we’re in the same prestigious company as the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids of Egypt.
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Christiansfeld, Denmark
World Heritage
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preserves some of the most important structures and sites relating to the Moravians in the New World and is significant as an outstanding example of Moravian architecture and town planning. The settlement played a key role in both the international and American Moravian communities.
It stands as a reflection of and tribute to the resilience of a community built on universal human ideals that are essential and
Members of the Moravian Church Settlements delegation at the World Heritage Committee meeting in New Delhi, India in July (from left) are Jean Manes, U.S. Deputy Representative to UNESCO; Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds; Johnathan Putnam, Acting Chief, Office of International Affairs National Park Service; Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler; and Mr. Conrad Clemens, Saxon State Minister of the Chancellery. Bryon Grigsby, Moravian University President and Shelia Clennon, wife of the late Bishop Hopeton Clennon, were also in attendance.
relevant to this day. Moravian Church Settlements – Bethlehem preserves and advances the ageless values of education, equality, industry, integrity and spirituality that have been part of the community since 1741.
A World Heritage Site is a physical location—whether cultural, natural, or a combination of both—designated by the World Heritage Committee and included on the World Heritage List. To achieve this status, a site must demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value, meet stringent requirements for authenticity and integrity, and fulfill at least one of the ten criteria established by the committee. The Moravian Church Settlements fell under the following criteria: “Exhibiting a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or a civilization that is either living or has disappeared” and “Serving as an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble, or landscape that illustrates significant stages in human history.” n
You can learn more about the Moravian Church Settlements at their new website, www.moravianchurchsettlements.org.
Moravian settlement buildings in Gracehill, Northern Ireland
MINISTRY TO OLDER ADULTS
The Marquardt and Auburn Homes and Services partner to serve older adults in Wisconsin and Minnesota
The Marquardt, formerly known as Marquardt Village, began offering senior living management services in 2015. Nearly ten years later, the demand for its management services is booming, and seniors throughout Wisconsin – and now Minnesota – are benefitting.
The Marquardt, a not-for-profit senior living community established in 1969 in Watertown, Wisconsin, is sponsored by the Western District of the Moravian Church. While it continues to provide quality care and services to over 500 residents in the independent living (both market rate and lowincome housing), assisted living and skilled nursing setting daily on its campus, its management services company, Illuminus, is now supporting older adults far beyond the Watertown area.
Working together as Illuminus
Prior to creating Illuminus in 2015, Matt Mauthe, who served as executive director of
The Marquardt at the time, anticipated the growing need for management services in senior living in Wisconsin.
“As I networked with leaders and board members from local, faith-based senior living communities throughout the state, the same themes continued to come up,” explains Matt. “Longtime leadership was nearing retirement, organizations did not have succession plans or the in-house expertise to replace them, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain financial viability due to their size. They were seeking help and advice.”
Matt was concerned that if they did not change the way they were operating they would not continue to exist. Essentially, he believed if there was a way to bring these small providers together through partnerships and collaboration, they could continue providing exceptional care while improving their financial strength, allowing them to
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The Grove at The Marquardt in Wisconsin and Auburn Meadows in Minnesota
The Marquardt
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continue investing in their programs, facilities and people.
Thus, Illuminus was established specifically to help faith-based, not-for-profit senior living organizations honor their mission and continue their legacy. Importantly, bringing small Midwestern senior living communities into the Illuminus family offers these stand-alone providers access to capital markets, increased purchasing power, improved economies of scale and a vast array of resources through strategic partnerships with professional service providers.
“As many communities in our field find themselves struggling to succeed as a standalone site, a partnership with Illuminus provides financial stability and helps to ensure quality services remain available in that community into the future,” says Matt.
“ We are able to help these campuses
succeed by offering the financial wherewithal to invest in needed technology, improving efficiency,” explains Matt. “We are able to help improve the quality of care provided by sharing best practices, providing additional training and enhancing the pay and benefit packages of our caregivers.”
Pandemic accelerated need
As one might imagine, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for management services, as caregivers leaving the field or retiring early led to a significant shortage of clinical staff and the financial repercussions of reduced occupancy and higher labor costs significantly affected the senior living industry.
Auburn Homes and Services, also sponsored by the Western District of the Moravian Church, has served seniors in Carver County, Minnesota, since 1928. Following the pandemic, Auburn Homes found itself impacted by many of the challenges de-
Partnerships fostered by Illuminus help small senior living providers improve quality of care by sharing best practices, providing additional training and enhancing the pay and benefit packages of caregivers.
scribed above. Its board of directors determined that if it was going to continue to offer care on its two campuses in Chaska and Waconia, Minnesota, it would need to find a partner that could help protect and sustain its mission.
“In 2023, we were feeling the very significant financial impact the pandemic had on our organization and communities like ours,” says Bruce Shoger, Board Chair of Moravian Care Ministries, which operates Auburn Homes and Services, has served as a board member since 2008. “In working with the Western District and local leadership, we concluded that we needed to explore a partnership that would help us overcome the financial challenges that we faced. Through our Moravian connection, I was aware that The Marquardt had experienced similar challenges in the past and, by growing in scale through its management company, The Marquardt had preserved and strengthened its services. Our board wanted to explore how we could possibly work together with the goal of better-serving our respective communities.”
“As we considered a partnership, our Board was encouraged by the fact that Illuminus had the size and resources to provide economies of scale, they had established
experience and success in supporting multiple communities already, and the fact that they are a Moravian agency, also part of the Western District,” explains Bruce. “It seemed very natural that if we were to work with Illuminus, it would help protect not only the services we provide here in Carver County, but also keep us within the Western District of the Northern Province of the church.”
A brighter future
Following their collaboration with Illuminus, Bruce believes strongly that the future of Auburn Homes and Services is much brighter than it was a year or two ago.
“ We have a history of providing exceptional care in the State of Minnesota and, following the impact of COVID, the care we were providing was not meeting the high expectations we set for ourselves and what the community is accustomed to from us. We believe our partnership with Illuminus will not only help us overcome our financial challenges, but will improve our staffing capabilities and – eventually – allow us to expand the services we provide to older adults in Carver County.”
While Illuminus recognizes the history and culture of each of its partner organiza-
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Illuminus, founded on Moravian principles, strives to honor and respect the unique faith background of each community it partners with.
The Marquardt
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tions, the collaboration with Auburn Homes and Services is particularly meaningful because of the Moravian connection.
“Of all the communities we have partnered with over the past several years,” says Matt, “the partnership with Auburn Homes and Services has felt the most natural. They have a similar culture to The Marquardt; they have a number of long-time staff members and a family-oriented feel, they have a strong reputation in the community for quality care, and the staff genuinely care about one another and the residents they serve.”
Parts of the Moravian Family
As Illuminus continues to grow, the organizations it acquires become a part of the Moravian family.
“ While we honor and respect the unique faith background of each of the communities we partner with,” says Matt, “we do explain that Illuminus was founded on Moravian principles and, moving forward, we will continue to use our principles to guide us and help make decisions as to how we operate.”
To this end, in December of 2023, Matt flew the Illuminus executive leadership team to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for an immer-
sion experience on the Moravian Church. The team toured Moravian University, the Moravian Archives, learned about the history of Bethlehem, and had the privilege of attending a Christmas Vespers service. In addition, the Illuminus team toured three nearby Moravian-sponsored retirement communities in an effort to build relationships and share best practices.
“I wanted to be sure that, as we grow and as we welcome new members to our team, they understand the Moravian church, Moravian principles and the Moravian way of life,” explains Matt. “I believe this understanding helps us stay grounded in the work we do, ensuring we keep in mind the principles upon which we were founded as the basis of future decisions.” n
Keith VanLanduyt is senior vice president of marketing and philanthropy for Illuminus in Watertown, Wis. Established in 2015, Illuminus employs over 2,000 dedicated team members who serve 4,300 individuals daily. Services include independent senior housing, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, low-income senior housing, home health, hospice and palliative care services.
Illuminus Chief Executive Officer Matt Mauthe
MORAVIAN MINISTRIES FOUNDATION
See the forest AND the trees: MMFA’s integrated approach to stewardship
At a recent meeting with a newly formed stewardship committee, one member said, “Before we get started, will someone please tell me what stewardship is?”
I appreciated his question as one of the first questions MMFA asks when we work with a church on stewardship is, “What comes to mind when you hear the word stewardship?” As you can imagine, we hear all kinds of responses!
Oftentimes our communities of faith are focused on particular trees in the “stew ardship forest”, whether that’s money, time and talent, or how we care for creation. All of these are important and a part of how we live as God’s stewards.
But seeing the forest is critical as well. This starts by everyone understanding what steward ship is and why it matters. Then we look at these four fundamen tal pieces of a healthy stewardship ministry:
• Mission and vision
• Leadership
• Year-round steward formation
• Theology MMFA’s free stewardship services can help you and your church consider both the forest and the trees when it comes to stewardship. We can work with you to answer those vital questions: “What is stewardship and what do we believe about it as a congregation?”
Also, our stewardship health assess ment can help church leaders “see the for
est” and identify areas for development. Since MMFA began offering the assessment, every congregation that’s utilized it has found that theology, i.e. how we help people understand and grow through what the Bible tells us about stewardship, is the area that needs the most attention. MMFA can share practical strategies to help.
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MORAVIAN MINISTRIES FOUNDATION
MMFA announces inaugural scholarships for pastors’ children
The Moravian Ministries Foundation in America (MMFA) is pleased to announce the inaugural recipients of the Bishop W. Herbert Spaugh Scholarship for the children of pastors.
Herbert Spaugh, Jr. created the Bishop’s Fund to honor the life and legacy of his dad, Bishop W. Herbert Spaugh. Herb Jr. traveled the world and accomplished much in his lifetime but said in a 2017 article, “I am most proud of being the son of Moravian Bishop Herbert Spaugh.”
Herb Jr. entered the more immediate presence of our Savior in July of 2023, and the endowment he created started the scholarship for children of clergy this year. Herb recognized that ordained clergy often face financial challenges in saving and paying for their children’s post-secondary education, and he wanted to help that.
The Bishop W. Herbert Spaugh Scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to children of Moravian pastors who have shown remarkable dedication to their studies and demonstrate financial need.
Cadogan
This year’s winners have demonstrated exceptional academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, and stood out for their impressive achievements and inspiring visions for the future. We are proud to support these outstanding individuals as they continue their educational journeys and strive to impact the world positively.
Meet our 2024 Scholarship winners:
Anna Cadogan—Anna is from Philadelphia, Pa., and graduated from Central High School. With a passion for computer science, Anna is committed to using technology to improve our world. She said, “I am committed to using technology as a force for good, addressing pressing issues such as climate change, healthcare accessibility, and social inequality.” She plans to pursue a degree in Computer Science at Temple University. Anna is the daughter of Rev. Nasel Ephraim from Redeemer Moravian Church.
Hilda Cieza-Regalado – Hilda is from Winston-Salem, N.C., and graduated from Salem Academy. Hilda is passionate about
Hilda Cieza-Regalado
Anna
Stewardship
(Continued from page 27) architecture and committed to furthering its impact on communities and societal dynamics. Hilda says, “I believe that architecture has the power to bridge gaps, foster inclusivity and provide solutions to complex issues like homelessness.” She plans to earn a degree in architecture and ultimately establish her own firm. Hilda will attend UNCCharlotte in the fall. She is the daughter of Rev. Angelica Regalado Cieza from Estamos Unidos.
Isabella Kilps – From Hope, Ind., Isabella “Bella” graduated from Hauser High School. She is planning to major in graphic design and marketing. She is drawn to how messages and ideas are spread to people worldwide using visual communication. Bella says, “Graphic design isn’t something that is going away, especially as the world becomes more digital.” Bella will attend Ball State University. She is the daughter of Rev. Andy Kilps from Hope Moravian Church.
Each recipient will receive $3,500 for their upcoming school year, and we look forward to their future success.
For more information about the Bishop W. Herbert Spaugh Scholarship or Moravian Ministries Foundation in America, please visit mmfa.com or contact Chris Spaugh, cspaugh@mmfa.com. n
Isabella Kilps
Finally, through workshops, classes, articles and more, we can partner with you to ensure that every tree in your stewardship forest is healthy and thriving. Whether that’s by focusing on gift planning and encouraging people to include the church in their estate plans, working with stewardship leaders to develop a holistic stewardship ministry, or by inviting individuals to consider how they put God first in all things, MMFA is ready to help.
“The support of the MMFA in stewardship services has been invaluable to our church’s work over the past few years,” said the Rev. Scott Rainey, pastor of Unity Moravian Church in Lewisville, N.C., when asked how MMFA’s stewardship services have benefitted his church. “Laura Watson has guided us throughout the process of developing a stewardship team, and she continues to help facilitate our work. Her knowledge of stewardship and its practical application and scriptural foundation has been most appreciated by our church.
“MMFA helped to lay the groundwork for our board’s work in redeveloping our mission statement. They have also been instrumental in moving us to begin thinking about stewardship as a year-long activity-showing us how stewardship envelopes all of our actions as a church.”
If you’re ready to look at the stewardship forest and the trees, let’s get started together! Call or email me today, or you can visit our website at mmfa.com to view the recording of our recent stewardship webinar, explore resources and more. n
Laura Watson is MMFA’s vice president/director of programs. She can be reached at lwatson@mmfa.com
MORAVIANS IN MISSION
Board of World Mission demonstrates how Moravians are “blessed to be a blessing”
As we approach the close of another year, we find ourselves reflecting on the many ways we’ve been blessed and the ways we can extend those blessings to others – we are blessed to be a blessing. In our work at the Board of World Mission, we are consistently reminded of a profound truth: when we serve those in need, we serve Christ himself.
When was it that we saw you sick and took care of you?
April 17, 2024 (1) Family and friends of a woman who had passed away from cervical cancer gathered for a wake in her home in Paptalaya, Honduras. A candle started the house on fire, causing the deaths of two children and serious burns to 15 other children and adults. The medical team at the Ahuas Clinic responded quickly, administering treatment and arranging medical flights for those who needed more specialized care.
When was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you?
August 27, 2024 (2) Children in Kyiv, Ukraine, started a new school year after an overnight air attack that lasted more than 12 hours. A few days later, we received an email greeting from Anna, one of the teachers at a Kyiv Christian school whose salary is covered by the Board of World Mission. She shared, “I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve God and people together with the school’s team. This is my first year teaching at this school and I am excited. I am very encouraged by the support of the team and the feeling that we are serving God together; this is so different from the public school I taught at. So this is my new beginning.”
When was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?
April 22, 2024 (3) 220 water filtration systems were distributed in the community of
Kuhrpa in La Moskitia, Honduras. Six of the filters had been set aside for the Blessing Flow team to take home to their families, but when a few more people showed up just as night was falling, they quickly gave their own filters to provide clean drinking water to their neighbors.
Just as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.
In these final months of 2024, we have a unique opportunity to live out Jesus’ teaching through our giving. Let’s come together to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most. As you consider your year-end giving, remember that your support not only impacts lives but is a direct response to Jesus’ call to serve Him through serving others.
• $15 = a package of medication for one family at the Ahuas Clinic.
• $50 = three days of schooling for a child impacted by war in Ukraine.
• $100 = a decade of clean drinking water for a household in La Moskitia, Honduras.
• Any amount provides tangible services and supports lasting relationships.
Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity. Together, we are making a lasting impact in the lives of the “least of these.” Give online at MoravianMission.org/Give. If you wish to mail your donation, please make checks payable to “Board of World Mission” and send to one of the following addresses:
• U.S. Donors: Board of World Mission, 1021 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
• Canadian Donors: Moravian Church in Canada, 600 Acadia Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2J 0B8. Interac e-Transfer donations may be sent to treasurer@moravian.ca. Please include your name and address in the comments section of the transfer to receive tax receipts.
To hear more stories of the needs met through our shared ministry this year, we invite you to join us in counting our blessings together this Advent season through the Board of World Mission’s annual Advent calendar. To receive Advent calendar email prompts, email sylvie@moravianmission.org and include “Advent calendar” in the subject line. To receive text prompts, text +1(920)495-8995 and include “Advent calendar” in the text. Go to MoravianMission.org/Advent to learn more.
MORAVIAN
WRITERS
These Days A Season of Life, Death and Resurrection
by the Rev Kerry Krauss IBOC, 2024 • 308 pages
a review by the Rt. Rev. Kay Ward
In this beautiful book, the Rev. Kerry Krauss journals through one year of the Covid epidemic, March 2020 – March 2021. It is a perfect companion as you reflect on your own Covid experience.
Kerry captures his daily walks with keen observations and evocative descriptions of his small corner of the world – Door County, Wisconsin. These daily meditations are packed with hard-hitting critiques and bold looks at grieving hearts and broken spirits. But like life itself, there are also moments of playfulness and joy. Whether it is about jobs that he has had, injuries he has endured or difficult people he has known, the stories in These Days are told with a lighthearted, generous spirit.
But don’t be fooled by the beauty and poignant stories. There is plenty to think about as you engage with Kerry’s wide range of smart friends, i.e.:
• Leonardo Da Vinci, the Mona Lisa and sage advice for living a good life
• Poet Donald Hall who writes of “accrual of small triumphs” – (accumulation)
• Alfred Wegener and plate tectonics
• Augustine of Hippo, 4th century scholar who advised “Sing but keep going”
• Martin Luther – simul justus et pecator –at the same time saint and sinner
In addition, you will find many references that will tweak your interest to read more or
provide witty remarks for your next party or picnic, such as:
• Greek Mythology’s story of the spring season
• The lyrics of American Pie and “The Day the Music Died”
• A Merriam-Webster Twitter which gives all the new words introduced in the year of your birth
• A story on page 169 about the equinox which will help to explain the picture on the back cover
Throughout These Days, there are many words to add to your vocabulary: facultative (something about winter wheat) and proprioception (spatial awareness) plus a list of phobias, including arachnophobia, which Kerry suffers from.
This is a book to savor leisurely, one day at a time or to steal away on a rainy day to
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These Days
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read from cover to cover. The book invites you into the life of a pastor in Covid time, a husband and father relishing time spent with family and above all a man of faith. This is faith expressed in his love of God, of creation, of all creatures (except spiders) and faith that speaks to a hope for the future. Buy it, read it and share it with your friends. n
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Kay Ward is a bishop of the Moravian Unity living in Watertown, Wis. These Days is available from the Interprovincial Board of Communication, online at store.moravian.org, or by calling 1.800.732.0591, ext. 703.
Canada Synod
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Salyzyn from Millwoods Community Church in Edmonton; Rev. Jamie Almquist from Good Shepherd Church in Calgary; and Rev. Aaron Linville from Millwoods Community Church in Edmonton.
The newly elected BECD will oversee the boards and institutions of the Canadian District, supervise pastoral changes, manage district funding, advise congregations and extend the work of the Church within the district. They will serve through the Synod of 2028. During closing worship, the incoming BECD was installed by Bishop Gohdes-Luhman.
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
Being in Edmonton during the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs added a touch of color to this year’s Synod, too. As the Edmonton Oilers were in the finals (alas, they were defeated by the Florida Panthers after synod concluded), hometown pride was very evident. Many delegates and guests were festooned in Oilers gear, including the Northern Province PEC President Dave Bennett, who served his first years in ministry in Canada. n
OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS
NORTHERN PROVINCE
Pastoral Updates
The Rev. John Fritts has been granted permission to retire from the active ministry of the Moravian Church, effective December 31, 2024. Brother Fritts was ordained on August 10, 2014, and has served in the Moravian Church at the congregations of Redeemer (Philadelphia, Pa.), Covenant (York, Pa.) and Advent (Bethlehem, Pa.), and has
served as chaplain at Marquardt Village, Watertown, Wis. The Church is grateful to Brother Fritts for his years of service to the Moravian Church.
Sr. Theresa Fisher began a part-time Licensed Lay Pastor ministry at St. Paul’s Moravian Church, Upper Marlboro, Md. on July 1, 2024 and is enrolled in the Crossroads Lay Leadership Program at Moravian Theological Seminary.
The Rev. David Martz Henkelmann
Brother David Henkelmann passed peacefully into the nearer presence of our Chief Elder, Jesus Christ on June 30, 2024.
Brother Henkelmann was born on May 22, 1932, in York, Pennsylvania. He was the son of the late Reinhold and Caroline (Martz) Henkelmann.
Brother Henkelmann graduated from Moravian College in 1953 with a B.A. and from Moravian Theological Seminary in 1956 with a B.D. In 1967 he received a Master of Religious Education from Union Theological Seminary. He was a recipient of the John Hus Alumni Award from Moravian Theological Seminary in 1979. He was ordained as a Deacon of the church on March 31, 1957.
He was united in marriage to Mary Ellen (Mel) Thompson Knapp on June 29, 1968, at the United Moravian Church, N.Y. They were blessed with sons Christopher Gordon Knapp, Bruce Evans Knapp and Douglas Anthony Knapp. Brother Henkelmann was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, on March 31, 2019.
Brother Henkelmann served at New York First, New York III, United Moravian and Tremont Terrace Moravian Churches in New York; Spring Gardens Moravian Church, St. John’s, Antigua; and Big Oak Church, Yardley; Third Church, Philadelphia; and The Moravian Church of Lebanon all in Pennsylvania.
Brother David had a great love for missionary work and the care of those who struggle for the necessities of life. In that spirit, anyone desiring to honor his memory with a contribution to such work, are invited by the family to give to the “Blessing Flow” mission endeavor of the Board of World Missions.
To give to the Blessings Flow project in memory and honor of Brother David Henkelmann please follow these steps: To give online, visit Moravianmission.org/ give , select Blessings Flow and put In memory of David Henkelmann in the memo box.
To give by mail, send a check to Moravian BWM, 1021 Center Street Bethlehem, PA 18018, indicating the gift in memory of David Henkelmann on the memo line, or in an accompanying note.
Mrs. Rose Louise Ullrich
Rose Louise Ullrich, 93, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2024, at Roxy Ann Memory Care Community in Medford, Ore. She was born December 28, 1930, in Irvington, N.J., to Frank Henry and Rose Louise (Fulcher) Ostertag.
Rose graduated in 1948 from Hillside High School, Hillside, N.J. She trained to be a medical technician at Moravian College, where she met theology student Edward A. “Eddie” Ullrich. They were married September 7, 1955, in Newark, N.J.
Rose moved with Eddie as he served Moravian parishes in DeForest, Wis.; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Downey, Calif., and Fargo, N.D. During that time, she held several jobs, including hospital work early in her marriage, and occasional part-time work at public and hospital libraries. Following Eddie’s retirement, they relocated to Medford, Ore. in 1996 to be closer to family.
Rose is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Andy and Cathy Ullrich and Tom and Josephine Ullrich; and daughter and sonin-law Sarah and Shaun Granger. She is also survived a grandaughter and extended family.
Rose was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 60+ years and an infant
When seeking to understand more about today, sometimes the best place to look is yesterday.
Learn more of the rich, 550-plus-year history of the Moravian Church with one of more than a dozen historical titles available from the Interprovincial Board of Communication.
From brief introductions to in-depth studies, these books deliver interesting and insightful looks into the unique story of faith that laid the foundation of today’s Moravian Church.
In this new year, dig a little deeper into Moravian history with these and other publications, available online at store.moravian.org or by calling 1.800.732.0591, ext. 703.
MORAVIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA 1021 CENTER STREET BETHLEHEM, PA 18018
