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Unity Mission Conference Medicine in Honduras Moravian Hymnal Report ...and more!
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JA N / F E B
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Special Lenten Discount on Readings for Holy Week Reflect on Jesus’ willing sacrifice on the cross and the journey that took him there with Readings for Holy Week. A harmony of the Gospel stories of Christ’s final days, combined with inspirational hymn texts, illustrate the full depth of God’s love. Hardcover Large Print Edition Hardcover Pocket Edition Reg. 11.95, now $8.95! Reg. 9.95, now $7.50! Hardcover Music Edition Reg. 13.95, now $10.50!
Special pricing ends March 23, 2018...order today!
Order online at store.moravian.org or call 800.732.0591, ext. 38 Prices do not include shipping. Discount on Readings for Holy Week titles only, through March 23, 2018. ©2018 IBOC, Moravian Church in America
The world’s oldest daily devotional that’s new every morning! The 2018 edition of The Moravian Daily Texts continues a 288-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 2018 are available in paperback, hardcover, large print and journal editions. Order yours today!
Learn more at store.moravian.org 2
The Moravian
On the cover: Fabric from Moravians in Africa. Photo by Mike Riess
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22 Christ and him crucified remain our confession of faith In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love God Creates, God Redeems, God Blesses. We Respond in Faith, Love & Hope
In Our Communities 5 “Box” provides blessing to Winston-Salem neighborhood
Moravians in Mission 7
Unity Mission Conference brings together Moravians from around the globe
10 Reflections from the Unity Mission Conference 22 Bringing healing and faith in Honduras 26 About Clínica Evangélica Morava
Moravian Music 16 “Create in Me...” Report and recommendations from the New Moravian Worship Resource Exploration Committee 19 Introducing the “Create in Me” monthly feature 20 Using Hymn 69 in worship
Moravian Writings 27 Messages on the Transfiguration, Mark 9:2-9 Visit our website at http://www.moravian.org. Letters to the editor, address corrections, and other correspondence may be e-mailed to the editorial staff at moravianmagazine@mcnp.org.
January/February 2018
...And More 4
Ponderings: Daily mail brings the yesterday to today
30 Official Provincial Elders’ News
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PONDERINGS (ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) Jan/Feb 2018, Vol. 49, No. 1 Publications Agreement No. 40036408 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: OnTrac International, 121 5th Avenue NW, New Brighton, MN 55112 email: file@ontrac.com
Daily mail brings the yesterday to today
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ne of my daily tasks here at the Interprovincial Board of Communication offices is to receive correspondence and payments for books, bulletins and other services. We save the stamps for a charity project and recycle the envelopes. Usually, I don’t take much notice of the stamps themselves. Most are the standard “Forever” stamps—you know, basic flags, flowers and the occasional specialty stamp. But one day about a year ago, I noticed something different about the stamps from a congregation in Wisconsin – they were more than 40 years old! The envelope had two stamps celebrating the Bicentennial, one featuring “the Rise of the Spirit of Independence” and another with a quote from the First Continental Congress in 1774: “We ask but for peace, liberty and safety,” along with a flower stamp from the early 1990s. I thought it was an interesting one-off, but the next letter I received from Glenwood featured more old stamps, most in denominations of 10 or 13 cents (after a little digging, I found that a letter cost 10 cents to mail in 1974 and 1975, rising to 13 cents in 1976.). These little artworks honored the American Bicentennial, commercial aviation, folk art, famous Americans, architecture, banking, Johnny Appleseed, the National Parks, even collective bargaining. I’ve kept each one since. I’m still trying to figure out why seeing these old stamps struck me: maybe it’s because they’re unique, maybe because they speak to 10-year-old me, maybe I just appreciate the artistry that happens in a little over a square inch. Or maybe it’s the way those unique stamps have taken a humdrum task—opening correspondence—and made it a little more interesting. It’s also heartening to see something so old still being useful today. Yes, these stamps were printed when I was in second grade, yet still manage to move a letter from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania in a couple of days. A lot of what we do in our church today is similar—helping our long-standing faith move Christians today. In this issue of The Moravian, we feature some of those new things happening, including the work of a team studying what’s next for Moravian hymns and liturgies. We also share the reflections of those who attended one of the largest gatherings of Moravians from around the globe, the medical work being done in Honduras, and a congregation that’s providing for the community in a unique way. As I write this, I can look up and see the mail slots for our offices. There’s a stack of mail waiting for us to go through. And I’m hoping for a good stamp…
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Mike Riess, Editor
Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces Published monthly, except bimonthly January-February and June/July issues, by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. Subscription rates: $15.00 per year, U.S.A. & Canada; $18.00 per year, all other countries. Individual copies available for $3.00 each. The Moravian is sent to the families of the Moravian Church as a privilege of membership. Periodicals postage paid at Bethlehem, PA. Circulation: 17,000 Postmaster please send address changes to The Moravian, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245. Continuing The North American Moravian, The Moravian and The Wachovia Moravian. Michael Riess, Editor Susan Kiefner, Communications Assistant Jill Bruckart, Customer Relations/Business Assistant Interprovincial Board of Communication Ginny Tobiassen, chair Terri Bischoff, Peggy Carter, Margaret Couch, Lance Fox, Paul Knouse, Kat Lehman, Amy Linville, Dan Miller, Jill Westbrook, Design by Michael Riess, IBOC. Address all correspondence regarding articles, subscriptions, or advertising to The Moravian, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245 FAX: 610.866.9223 Phone: 610.867.0594 800.732.0591 e-mail: moravianmagazine@mcnp.org www.moravian.org Contents © 2018, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in America. All rights reserved
The Moravian
IN OUR COMMUNITIES
“Box” provides blessings to Winston-Salem neighborhood
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riving around Winston Salem, one cannot help but notice the extreme need of our neighbors. On almost every corner there is someone in need of help. This can be both overwhelming and defeating, because it seems an impossible task to help everyone. Especially for a small congregation in a small denomination. But the words of Jesus continue to whisper in our ears…“When I was hungry you fed me.” And so the idea of the Blessing Box was created. The Blessing Box is a small pantry, about the size of a large kitchen cabinet that sits in front of our church just off the corner of Hawthorn Rd. and Academy St. It is open all the time and always well stocked. Inside the Blessing Box, there is an array of items: nonperishable food items, toiletries, pet food, baby for-
mula, and most recently, a pile of hand knitted mittens, hats and small blankets. There are also bibles and a box for prayer requests. The Blessing Box has lived up to its name…it is a blessing. But not just for the people who take from it. It has been a blessing to the people who fill it as well. We have found a small way to unite our neighborhood, as everyone in Ardmore knows that we are on the line of the well-off and the desperately in need. So our congregation members and neighbors, have found a very practical way to give back to our neighbors in need. Anyone who serves others knows that it is far better to give than to receive. We have just as many neighbors who take from the Box as we have who give to it. And personal conversations we have had with people taking and giving to the Box have been both enriching (continued on next page)
The Blessing Box at Ardmore Moravian Church in Winston-Salem
January/February 2018
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Blessing Box
(Continued from previous page) and engaging, and have given the church the opportunity to build more relationships with our neighborhood. When the Blessing Box was being created, we met little resistance. Most everyone saw the importance of the Box. However, there were a few concerns raised. People were concerned about the Box being ransacked, damaged, and misused. It was a risk that we were willing to take, and we can say that we have seen none of this. We have had multiple people come take from the Box out of need, and return to restock it when they could. Our hope for the Blessing Box is that it continues to bless our neighbors. We are not looking for our pews to be overflowing from putting the Box in our front yard. That was hardly the point. We would love to see the idea of the box catch on and spread. It was constructed by a congregation member and originally stocked by our women’s fellowship. We have a donation box just inside each entrance to the church, so congregation members can bring items for the Box on Sundays. And we have women from the church check it throughout the week to make sure it is well stocked, check prayer requests, and get rid of empty boxes. If your church is looking for a simple way to bless your neighbors, we encourage you to find a way to do the same. Items we have found that are especially important are toiletries, granola bars, hand warmers, bibles and oatmeal packets. It is always a good idea to put some extra grocery bags in the box as well; this way those who are shopping can carry things more easily. We have also reached out to local organizations who help those in need to create a list of resources to further assist our neighbors. n The Rev. Chaz Snider is pastor of Ardmore Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. 6
The Moravian
MORAVIANS IN MISSION
Unity Mission Conference brings together Moravians from around the globe
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ore than 200 Moravians from at least 35 nations gathered together in Cape Town, South Africa from November 15-20, 2017 to share in the Third Unity Mission Conference. This was perhaps the most comprehensive group of Moravians ever to meet together in one place. The first conference was held in Miami, Fla., in 1994 and a smaller conference convened in Herrnhut, Germany in 2001. The Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church in America were well represented at the Unity Mission Conference. More than 20 Moravians from both provinces, including a delegation of young Moravians, travelled to South Africa to participate. The theme of this third conference was Moravian Unity in Mission: Giving Heed to God’s Call in the Twenty-First Century. Bishop Brian Abrahams opened the conference, reminding participants that “we are made for mission.” In his address to the Conference, Unity Business Administrator the Rev. Dr. Jørgen Bøytler offered, “The aim [of this conference] January/February 2018
is to see Moravians from all over the Moravian Unity, who are active in the Christian mission through the Moravian Church, come together for mutual inspiration, prayer and worship, for learning and for identifying the way forward in mission for the Moravian Church, globally and locally in the 21st century. “It is important to give heed to God’s call to us as a church in our time, in the 21st century,” continued Dr. Bøytler. “It is obvious why we need to be engaged in mission. We have the commandment to mission, given by our Lord Jesus Christ: ‘Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:18-20).” Mission is action A common comment was that mission is action, not talk. The Rev. Dr. Cortroy Jarvis, president of the Unity Board, challenged us to (continued on next page) 7
Mission Conference (Continued from previous page)
“put our hand to the wheel.” Keynote speaker, Dr. Daryl Balia, reminded participants that we need to understand the primary role of the local church in mission, and to seek to discern where the Holy Spirit is at work. During the conference, nine papers were presented, both sharing historical aspects of our mission as well as current initiatives in mission today. Through 11 workshops, participants could dig deeper into topics like refugees, women and youth in mission, sustainable mission models, Caribbean worship experience, contextualized theology, the missional church, mission in the East African context, communicating the Good News, and the World Conference of Churches. There was also a workshop to discuss a new manual of topics for theological educations in the Unitas Fratrum called Our Moravian Treasures. In development for more than seven years, this new manual serves the goal “to provide basic knowledge about our Moravian tradition and raise the awareness of how this tradition has found diverse forms of expression in different places.” A copy was provided to every participant and all were encouraged to provide feedback for further revision of this document before it is officially published. Sharing challenges We heard from areas of the Unity going through great difficulty, such as the Congo that has been dealing with war and the displacement of people. A brother and sister from India shared about the significant persecution of Christians there. We received updates on the devastation in the Virgin Islands from the two hurricanes that passed through recently. Sr. Eulencine Christopher stated that despite everything, they are resilient. “We will rise.” (The Board of World Mission has been working with Sr. Christopher to provide assistance.) 8
The Moravian
We also heard positive stories of God’s movement, as in the Eastern Congo where there are two congregations with the pygmy population. Br. Fabiao Ramos joined us from Angola and found ways to interact with us despite his primary language being Portuguese. Meeting in small groups Conference participants also met in small groups to better share their stories and experiences of mission. Groups then brought forth comments and proposals to the full conference. There was a strong emphasis on improved communication throughout the Unity, including more complete translation of important documents into Swahili and Spanish, at the very minimum. Many expressed concerns for youth and women. Methods of moving toward sustainable mission were encouraged, including the development of business models to generate income for the church. We were encouraged to commit to the mission of the church, while at the same time recognizing that we need to be healthy ourselves first. Participants were also asked to think about what it means to be part of the Unity and to reaffirm our commitment to the Unity. These issues were reflected in the several proposals that came out of the mission conference that will be shared with the Unity Board. In addition, there was a proposal affirming the common curriculum, and a proposal to develop a Unity Mission Agreement—taking us beyond the original Brotherly Agreement. Suggestions were given for edits and a second draft will go out to conference participants to hopefully move toward a document that would benefit the Unity. I believe all participants would agree that just being together was a true blessing at the conference. There was energy for the work before us and a joy in the sense of unity that we shared. Excursions to Genadendal, Mamre or January/February 2018
Cape Town; worshipping at Moravian Hill Chapel in District Six; attending the District 6 museum; and sharing in the Moravian Hill musical afternoon certainly added a wonderful depth to the learnings of the week and the relationships that were developing. We pray that all participants return to their churches with renewed passion and commitment to the mission of our church, and to our unity in Christ that is foundational to all that we do. Thanks to the many who contributed time and funds to make this meaningful conference possible! n The Rev. Judy Ganz is former executive director of the Board of World Mission of the Moravian Church North America. Photos by Volker Schultz, Justin Rabbach, Betsy Miller and Thomas Baucom. Group photo on pg. 7 courtesy of the Zeist Mission Society.
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Reflections from the
Unity Mission Conference Members of the North American delegation to the Unity Mission Conference held in South Africa last November share their insights on being part of this historic occasion.
We must always be students The challenge of coming together as a worldwide unity is that we come from our own context, each from our own culture, speaking our own language, and carrying our own history. With this challenge in mind, one of the questions we asked is, “How, as a unity, can we answer our call to mission despite such varied perspectives?” In small groups of about 20, we examined this question by sharing the ways that mission both thrives and fails within our own contexts. For example, in Malawi, there is a Moravian church that is located near refugee camps, with refugees coming from countries as far away as Burundi, Somalia and Rwanda. The church went to the people in these camps and asked, “What are your needs?” They found an overwhelming urgency for a school for the children, and so, the church joined together with a partner organization to build a kindergarten. Though run in part by the church, this school is not necessarily a Christian school and does not discriminate based on religious creeds. Rather, the people who built it, and the people who teach there, demonstrate the love of Jesus everyday to a diverse group of people that have faced many hardships. The Moravian Church has found that eventually the people from the refugee communities will ask them, “Why? Why did you do this?” The Malawi church members will then respond by speaking of Christ’s love for them. From stories like this, we took away a number of things. For example, there is the necessity to listen and address the needs of people based on their context; not to think we know what they need based 10
on our own context. We must always be students, for no matter where we go or how long we are there, it is important to always listen and learn in an open and loving way. Additionally, from stories such as this one, the delegates in my group learned the importance of continuing to network with one another in order to exchange news and share our successes and resources. Across the unity, the results we yield and the lessons we learn can oftentimes be just as useful from Malawi to Minnesota to Nicaragua. Luckily, it is easier than ever before to traverse oceans and time zones with today’s technology. In a more globalized world, we have the great advantage of using our different angles and ideas to bring us together through this exchange of information. I learned that in order to be a Unity, it is not imperative that we believe a single, universal truth. What makes us a Unity is our willingness to pray for one another, to learn from one another and to love one another in Christ. This sentiment is something that I felt very deeply and fully as I participated in shaking hands, singing songs and praising God, one in the spirit with Moravians from 37 countries around the world. Holland Griffin was a Youth Delegate from the Northern Province and is a member of Waconia Moravian Church, in Waconia, Minn. The Moravian
Reinforcing idea of Moravian mission My experience at the Unity Mission Conference was truly a blessing. It was wonderful to physically see and hug people that I don’t normally see because of the geographic distances and it was awesome to meet new brothers and sisters from the Unity. There were two things that caught my attention during the conference. One was that we have Moravians in India, who shared their story with us. They work in an area where Christianity is not well-received and they literally risk their lives for the sake of Christ. It was great to meet them and learn more about what they are doing in India. Another thing that got my attention was the great number on youth representatives present at the conference. It was wonderful to see our Unity youth in action and interacting with each other and with the different conference topics. It is said that the youth is the future of the church, but I got to see that we have a great present with them involved now! My role as part of the Unity Youth Committee was to be part of a panel entitled “Youth in Mis-
Displaying a diverse face The 2017 Unity Moravian Missions Conference displayed the diverse face of the worldwide Moravian Church. We were told that the group of 200 or so participants included representatives from 35 different nations and many different languages. The different faces, the different cultures—it was an amazing thing to witness first-hand. Yet, for all the diversity in the Moravian church, what ultimately impacted me the most was not so much our differences, but what we have in common. Throughout the conference—during breaks, over meals, and at other times—when I met someone new, I would often pose to them this question: “When people in your country ask you what it means to be a Moravian Christian, what do you tell them?” I asked a wide variety of Moravians, from all different parts of the world, yet the answers I received echoed the same themes over and over. I thought that the response from one of the brothers January/February 2018
sion.” We had two sessions in which we had a very diverse group of people (the first was with youth, the second with older brothers and sisters) asking and wondering about the youth in their church and community. The panel was represented by different parts of the world including Jamaica, the Czech Republic, South Africa, North America and Peru. It was a great overall experience with very educational lectures/essays, great panels and devotionals. However, I believe my favorite part in international conferences like this is always the time spent getting to know people. For me, those times were during meals, which provided a good fellowship environment and the opportunity to share and learn from each other. My experience at the Unity Mission Conference has reinforced my concept of Moravian missions. We do it out of love for our neighbor and guided by the Holy Spirit. There is so much need out there, and when I say “out there” I mean right outside of our churches’ walls. It could be in our neighborhood or it could be on another continent. God is calling us to be his witnesses of love and reconciliation. We as Christians have the Great Commission to obey and as Moravians, we have a great mission heritage to continue. The Rev. Angelica Regalado Cieza serves with the Southern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference in developing ministries in Forsyth County, N.C.
from Burundi captured this especially well : “What does it mean to our people to be Moravian? First, ‘brother and sister.’ We are as brothers and sisters to one another,loving each other, equals. Second, ‘Christ as Chief Elder.’ We believe in the Trinity, but Jesus is our church’s leader. And we are to obey him in everything. Third, ‘Mission.’ We bring Jesus to the people, especially people others have neglected. And fourth, ‘action.’ We believe ‘In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things love.’ And it is the love that is most important; love not as words, but love as action.” Although the faces within our Unity may be quite diverse, the deep convictions we share unite us in a powerful way. I’m deeply grateful to have been given the opportunity to experience this firsthand at the 2017 Unity Missions Conference. The Rev. David Geyer is pastor of College Hill Moravian Church in Bethlehem, Pa. and serves on the Board of World Mission. 11
Part of a worldwide Unity It won’t surprise many who know me to hear that the singing was a deeply moving experience for me,at the Unity Mission Conference. We got to sing Jesus Makes My Heart Rejoice in English, German, Dutch, Afrikaans, French, Spanish, and Miskitu… to hear songs in many languages…and to hear and see the joy of the conference participants as we sang together…and to note the omissions in the languages for many hymns. (For instance, we have Christian Hearts in Love United in eleven languages – and Spanish is not one of them!) An idea emerged from somewhere during the conference, an idea which sparked enthusiasm whenever it was mentioned. What if we were able to create a Unity Hymnbook? What if we were able to gather three or four songs from every area of the Unity, maybe even every country, and then have those songs or hymns translated into as many languages of the Unity as we could? We might find ourselves with a collection of 50 or more songs, each in two dozen languages! It sounds like fun, and it doesn’t sound all that hard … except that it requires two big steps: First, getting song submissions. Many of these might be audio-only and need transcription so that others could learn them. (Or our book might include an audio recording!) And for most, we will need mul-
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tiple translators, able to interpret the original language and put it into words in a different language, words that (hopefully) express the same meaning and can be sung to the same music. For me, then, the Unity Mission Conference was an occasion that strengthened my awareness of being part of a worldwide Unity, a Unity whose very existence is a witness to Christ, and I saw the way in which music could continue to strengthen, and to express, our unity as brothers and sisters. The Rev. Dr. Nola Knouse is director of the Moravian Music Foundation in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The view from the keyboard As staff accompanist for the Unity Mission Conference, I had a unique perspective. From the buzz of the translators on my left (at least three languages were being translated at all times – Spanish, Swahili, and Miskitu) – to the uplifting and heart-wrenching reports from some of our provinces on my right, it was a joy to see the Moravian Unity at work and in fellowship together. The singing was, of course, tremendous! From the unwavering solo voice of our Labrador Sister to the combined voices of the assembly singing our faith simultaneously in six languages (a very Moravian thing to do!) to the contagious joy of our Tanzanian brothers and sisters as they led a conga line of Siyahamba through the general assembly, the singing was an encompassing experience. Most memorable for me, however, was the view I had from the keyboard. Before me were the faces of the Unity – at work, in play and in fellowship together – tangible evidence that we are indeed “One in Faith and One in Love.” It is something I will never forget! Gwyn Michel is assistant director of the Moravian Music Foundation in Bethlehem, Pa. The Moravian
A rich collaborative experience I attended the Unity Mission Conference as an extension of my work on the Unity Committee on Theology. I was invited along with Rita Harry from the Netherlands/Suriname, Rev. Hesdie Zamuel from Suriname, and Bishop Sithembiso Ngqakayi from South Africa to offer a workshop on Contextual Theology, a topic which had been discussed at our 2017 UCOT meeting in Parimaribo, Suriname, in February. My travel and costs for the conference were supported by the local congregation (Waconia Moravian) which I am privileged to serve. Waconia also supported our Northern Province delegate Holland Griffin, a member of our church. The workshop and the conference as a whole provided a rich collaborative experience, one for which I am extremely grateful. At the conference I was struck by three things: the cultural diversity of our global membership, the youth and energy of our delegates and the shared academic wisdom of our global leaders. My greatest takeaway from the conference are the copies of the lectures that were shared as part of our time together. I am working through these lectures with the Adult Sunday School class in our church. We are finding what is ours to do as one agent of God’s mission. We are sensing that the global Moravian church is called to be a witness to unity amidst diversity. We are trying to practice this locally as well as explore how we can support God’s mission for the Moravian church globally.
Moravians from Albania to Zambia On returning home after our Unity Mission Conference, I was asked by a non-Moravian friend, “Did you see anyone you knew?” I was so surprised by the question I could hardly answer! Of course I knew Moravian sisters and brothers from A to Z —Albania to Zambia! I was also reunited with dear friends from Barbados, Cuba, Denmark, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and many other of the 35 countries represented. One delightful new friend is our brother from Angola, one of our newest Moravian mission areas. His English was limited and my Portuguese is nonexistent but our Moravian bond is already strong. Seeing and hearing from many outstanding young Moravians from around the Unity was a special joy and encouragement to me, as probably the oldest Moravian attending at age 83! January/February 2018
We enjoyed a day of worship and music at Moravian Hill Chapel in the heart of District Six in Cape Town. Many of us chose to walk to the church; curious folks came out of their homes to watch the parade of Moravians make their way to worship. On our day for excursions, a busload of us went to visit the Moravian settlement of Mamre. We were joined by Brother Christoph Reichel who had served at Mamre during the time of apartheid. He was remembered by many townspeople and he shared with us stories of his time there dealing with the white police force. Finally, a bit of fun was had courtesy of Justin Rabbach, the in-coming executive director of the Board of World Missions, who arranged for a ride in a speedboat at the harbor in Cape Town. All in all, I am humbly grateful for the experience and it greatly enhanced the work that will continue in the Unity Committee on Theology. The Rev. Dr. Amy Gohdes-Luhman is pastor of Waconia Moravian Church in Waconia, Minn. The lectures and workshops were excellent, but the best part of the conference for me was the informal times when we shared with each other and were inspired by the faith in action of 200 Moravians. Yes, I believe the Moravian Church worldwide is alive and well! Jesus, still lead on! Sallie Greenfield, is a member of Kernersville Moravian Church in Kernersville, N.C. 13
Conversations with old friends and new For months I eagerly anticipated being part of this Unity gathering in South Africa, mainly for two reasons. First, I knew I would once again see friends that I had made over the years while traveling to other provinces. Second, the focus of the conference was missions, which is definitely close to my heart. As it turned out, the six days that I shared with Moravians from 35 different countries felt like a continuously wonderful trip around the world (thankfully minus dozens of plane flights). Conversations with old and new friends were the highlights of the conference for me, as we talked about our lives, our churches, and our mission efforts across the globe. Enjoying each other and learning from each other was a natural, because our Moravian bond connects us as brothers and sisters. Of the special opportunities included in our days together, two particularly stand out in my memory, things I’d never experienced before.
First came the excursion to historic Genadendal, the oldest Moravian mission village in Africa. Though I know lots about the beginning of our church in Bethlehem and then North Carolina, I had never heard the story of Georg Schmidt in South Africa. This German missionary traveled there in 1737 to evangelize the Khhoi people. During his seven years in this village, he baptized a woman named Lena who then learned to read the Bible at the mission school. When Schmidt had to abruptly return to Germany, Lena gathered the group of believers for regular meetings of prayer and Bible study. Almost 50 years later, new Moravian missionaries arrived in Genadendal, and there amazingly they found Lena still leading the flock. The other highlight for me was the Sunday afternoon musical program at Moravian Hill Church in Cape Town. Besides an outstanding choir and band composed of Cape Town Moravians, there were individual vocal and instrumental selections from other local Moravians. Plus, specially selected songs were sung by conference attendees, including groups from Tanzania, Honduras and Nicaragua, Labrador and Alaska, Cuba, and the Northern and Southern Provinces. It was truly an uplifting two hours of Moravians from around the world using their musical gifts in praise to God. Donna Hurt is a member of Home Moravian Church and a frequent visitor to Sierra Leone.
Moravians at the Unity Mission Conference walk through the streets to a church service in Cape Town’s District Six.
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The Moravian
Among the Northern and Southern Province Moravians in South Africa were Amy GohdesLuhman, Justin Rabbach, Rick Nelson, Craig Atwood, Trina Holmberg, Will Vanderlinde, Betsy Miller, Holland Griffin, Taylor Wickert, Dave Geyer, Alice Sears, Gwyn Michel and Judy Ganz.
Connections and relationships When Moravians talk about being a relational church, it is easy to gloss that over as simply knowing lots of other Moravians. The gift of those relationships was evident at the Unity Mission Conference as over 200 Moravians from 35 countries gathered to learn from papers and workshops, but more importantly, to learn from one another. I now have more connections around the Unity, which can only enrich our common witness. On our excursion day, I chose to go to Mamre, one of the old settlement congregations. While touring the graveyard, two members of our group, Peter Vogt and Raimond Hersch, found the graves of their grandparents, who had been German missionaries to Mamre. I was humbled by the thought of those faithful souls giving their lives to share the gospel with people so far away. It reminded me of the great cloud of witnesses on whose shoulders we stand today. While at Mamre, Br. Christoph Reichl told stories of his own missionary work there. He shared accounts of his decision to join with the congregation to speak against Apartheid, and the price they paid for their witness. His courage made me wonder how I am bearing witness today in the face of injustice and racism. January/February 2018
On Sunday, we all went to worship at Moravian Hill, a congregation in the middle of District Six. For decades this congregation had been a faithful witness and had educated the children of the area, including many Muslims. During apartheid, this area of Cape Town was declared a white area. All non-whites, Christians and Muslims alike, were forcibly relocated to settlements outside the city. The Moravian Church was taken over by the government and turned into a gymnasium for a Technical College. As apartheid was dismantled, Muslims remembered that the Moravians had educated and cared for them, so they joined the Moravians in petitioning the government to return the building to the Moravian Church. When I was in Cape Town in 2007, the inside of the sanctuary was still a shambles. It was a powerful moment to return, ten years later, to worship inside this church, which stands as a beacon of hope and witness to all. The tour guide at the District Six Museum said, “We don’t consider Moravians tourists; you are travelers—because you walked with us through apartheid and still walk with us today.” The Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller is president Northern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference.
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MORAVIAN MUSIC
“Create In Me …”
Report and recommendations from the New Moravian Worship Resource Exploration Committee Introduction In the fall of 2016, the Provincial Elders’ Conferences meeting jointly authorized the Rev. Nola Reed Knouse to form a committee, with three members from the Northern and three from the Southern Province, to explore the question of whether it is time for the two provinces to begin work towards a new hymnal. Over the next weeks, Nola invited six people to serve on this committee; all six accepted the invitation (Thomas Baucom, Rev. Rebecca Craver, Rev. Brian Dixon, Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler, Rev. Aaron Linville, and Lillian Britt Shelton), and the committee began work. The committee met twice in person— in February 2017 in Winston-Salem, and in
October 2017 in Bethlehem. During the first meeting, the committee laid out a plan and created two survey instruments: one designed for pastors, music directors, and other worship planners, and the other designed for “general” members of congregations. An article appeared in the March issue of the Moravian, with links to the surveys, and announcements were sent out through provincial and district newsletters and email lists. Members of the committee made presentations at various events to elicit as many responses as possible. Questions on the surveys were designed to find out not only what the respondents thought about the possibility of creating a new worship resource, but also what they are using now, what they would
During their final meeting, Hymnal Exploration committee members—Chris Giesler, Aaron Linville, Nola Knouse, Thomas Baucom, Rebecca Craver, Lillian Britt Shelton and the Brian Dixon—discuss the future of Moravian worship resources.
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The Moravian
like to use, and what peripheral resources they would find helpful. Responses to many of the questions were readily quantifiable, while others were open questions, allowing an infinite range of responses. Surveys were made available through Survey Monkey, and “hard copies” were made available in a variety of ways. 855 responses were received for the “general” survey, and 254 responses to the “pastor/ music director/worship planner” survey. Several committee members spent hours entering data from the “hard copy” responses, and Thomas Baucom compiled and analyzed the data. At its October meeting, the committee members reviewed all these responses and analyses as well as applying their own considerable experience and insight, to prepare the following observations and recommendations.
1 Neither the survey respondents nor com-
mittee members sense a clear need for a new printed hymnal in the near future.
Many indicated that the current Moravian Book of Worship, Singing from the Heart, and Sing to the Lord a New Song have rich worship resources that have not been fully used and that remain both fresh and relevant. We recognize a strong interest in learning to make better use of the resources we already have. Many are interested in more information about the context of the hymns – biographical information about composers and authors, the “story behind the song,” and so on. Many are interested in practical guidance and tools to make better use of the songs and liturgies – copyright clearances, digital versions, editable formats, recordings, and so on. Financial challenges in the congregations seem not to have been a major factor in the responses we received. January/February 2018
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Responses indicate that the “Moravian worship resource” to be developed is our people, not a new publication.
Many indicated a desire to learn to read music; to write hymn texts, liturgies, and music; how to teach and learn new songs; and to learn more about the printed resources we already have and how to use them. We believe that educating our leaders and our members in worship and music is the greatest need, empowering them to “mine” the existing resources and to find and evaluate new resources. People want to be better educated about what is already available, and to have better access to what is available.
3 We see a need to find ways to encour-
age, equip and train our members—lay and clergy alike—to create new songs, hymns and liturgies, and a way to share them.
We see a need for some sort of “hub” for Moravian worship development, a sort of “living resource” with information about existing hymns and liturgies and continuing additions to our repertoire. This might include such things as podcasts on a variety of subjects (someone telling how they created a specific liturgy, or telling the story behind several hymns/songs); a lectionary-based database of Moravian worship resources; a study of the scriptural basis of a specific liturgy; a periodical publication to include new materials, information about existing ones, related artwork, “how-to” articles, and so on. This evolves into a place where Moravians can go for whatever they need to plan and develop worship. (continued on next page)
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Hymnal Committee (Continued from previous page)
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Many responses, and again our own experience, indicate a need to free the resources we have, especially the Moravian Book of Worship, from the limitations of the printed book.
We need resources available in all technological formats, with copyright permissions for projecting, recording and printing words and music in bulletins. We need the ability to transpose hymns with the touch of a button, and to generate parts for any instrument. We need audio files for at least an identifiable core of Moravian-used music, including the hymns and songs that are uniquely ours as well as the “camp song” and contemporary-style songs that have become a standard part of our larger gatherings. We need simple guitar chords for all our standard hymns and songs. While no one indicated interest in dispensing with the printed hymnal or replacing it altogether, there is a strong desire for more flexibility in access to, and use of, its contents. Conclusions This is a very “Moravian” approach to worship and music—focusing on people and process rather than product, and on story and context rather than just the hymn or liturgy as a freestanding entity. We see this as an exciting time for the Moravian Church, with breathtaking enthusiasm and energy at the grassroots level around worship and music. We have noted that throughout our history, the spiritual vitality of the church increases in times of challenge. Singing and worshiping together remain a vital
part of our Moravian identity, as the primary means of both forming and expressing our faith as a community. Implementing these recommendations involves collaboration at a high level, involving the Interprovincial Board of Communication, the Provincial Elders’ Conferences, possibly additional interprovincial-level staffing, and inviting participation with our ecumenical partners. We do not see a need for a specific proposal to synods at this time. We would like to highlight four initiatives that we believe do not need synod action, and which we are beginning to pursue, working within existing channels. • A “Moravian Worship Journal,” a lowcost periodical publication, with topical issues for which people would be invited to submit articles, liturgies, new songs, and the like. • Workshops (in-person, online and video) to teach music reading, hymn and liturgy writing, and other topics related to worship, and the development and use of the creative gifts of our members. • Create In Me: a Moravian Worship Workplace, a new web page or “hub” for music and worship-related topics, hymns, etc., housed either on www.Moravian.org or www.MoravianMusic.org. • Expanding Moravian Music Festivals to include more workshops relating to worship, geared toward pastors as well as towards musicians. Respectfully submitted, The New Moravian Worship Resource Exploration Committee
The background image used with this layout was painted by Layne Gerbig of First Moravian Church of Dover, Ohio during a Lenten service. It was her interpretation of John 3:1-17. She painted a large sun representing Jesus at the top of the canvas. Then she added numerous smaller dots, all in warm colors, to represent Christians of faith moving toward the light of salvation. For the complete story, see the April 2012 edition of The Moravian Magazine, available online at http://www.moravian.org/the-moravian-magazine/ moravian-april-2012/painting-the-lenten-scriptures/
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CREATE IN ME
Create in Me…through inspiration, reflection and worship
W
orship is a powerful expression of our love for God and God’s love for the world. It is such an important part of faith that many congregations center their community life around the weekly worship service. We are continuously created in worship as we follow Jesus into the world to proclaim the Good News. After completing our work on the New Hymnal Exploration Committee, we walked away full of ideas and energy about the worship and music happening in our provinces and the Unity. We were inspired by a thought
Join us in exploring, celebrating and sharing the diversity of Moravian worship from the Rev. Dr. Nola Knouse, director of the Moravian Music Foundation: historically, when the Moravian Church has faced challenges and crises, it has also experienced heightened creativity, with a large cache of hymns and prayers being produced. It was exciting to consider the opportunities ahead of us to lift up the places where we are being renewed through the Spirit of God and creating new worship materials out of this new inspiration. To foster this idea and build on our committee’s work, we wanted to create space for conversation about the ways people are shaping worship through writing songs and liturgies, using poetry and visual arts, and simply creating experiences in worship that encourJanuary/February 2018
age deepening faith. Here in the pages of The Moravian, we will begin that conversation. We will start by sharing articles, hymns and their backstories, and ideas for using worship resources in various ways. We know that throughout our provinces, the practice of worship varies among congregations, regions and contexts. We also know that an idea that works in Edmonton or New York could very well bless the worship in Florida or North Carolina. We look forward to exploring, celebrating and sharing that diversity and including a variety of perspectives on worship, meaning and what inspires. To make this happen, we’re looking for submissions and ideas from you! • Have you written a hymn, prayer, liturgy, poem, etc. that you would like to share? • Is there a practice of worship in your congregational setting that you think others might enjoy learning about? • Do you have questions about worship or ideas that you would like to explore? • Of what hymns or songs would you like to know the backstory? Email us at moraviancreateinme@gmail.com with ideas, hymns, suggestions and thoughts on worship! Let’s continue the conversation and share with one another. Watch future issues of The Moravian for this exciting, creative development! We look forward to hearing from you and sharing the creativity alive and well in today’s Moravian Church! n
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CREATE IN ME
Exploring a new song: “Bread of Life, for Others Broken” As part of our new Create in Me efforts, we share a hymn from Sing to the Lord a New Song A New Moravian Songbook written by Bishop Sam Gray. Sam shares the story behind the song, while the Rev. Rebecca Craver of Edmonton Moravian Church offers ideas on how to use it in worship. “Bread of Life, for Others Broken” • Hymn 69
HOLY COMMUNION
Bread of Life, for Others Broken
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1. Bread of Life, for oth-ers bro-ken, cause us now to plain - ly see 2. Blood of Life, for oth-ers giv - en, shed for us, our glo - rious dress,
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that those words for us were spo-ken: "Do this in my mem - o - ry." shed that we might be for - giv - en, when sin - cere - ly we con - fess.
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The story behind the song: & œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ ˙˙ In the mid 1980s, at a ConferYet, not on - ly in bread bro - ken, now re - mem - ber we the Son; Yet, not on - ly this cup shar - ing, now re - mem - ber we the Son; ence held at Home Moravian œ œ œœ œœ œ œ œœ œœ œ œœ œ œ œ œ # ˙ œ ?# œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the Rt. Rev. Oliver MayAm B Em Am B Em # Em & œ # œ œ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ # œœ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ # œœ ˙ nard shared the usual words of œ institution for the Lord’s Supper: let our liv - ing be the to - ken that in Him we all are one. may we too, for - giv - ing, car -ing, car - ry on what He has done. œ œ “This is my body, broken for ? # œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œœ œœ ˙ œ œ you. Do this in remembrance of After 2nd verse me. This is my blood, shed for G D7 G D C D E # Am œ œ you. Do this in remembrance of & œ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ ˙ ˙ me.” Then he paused and asked Al - le - lu - ia, al - le - lu - ia, al - le - lu - ia, a - men! ? # œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œœ # ˙˙ the congregation, “What is this?” What is the “this” that we are to TEXT: Samuel J. Gray (2000) 8.7.8.7.D. with Alleluias BREAD OF LIFE, NEW Samuel J. Gray (2000) do in remembrance of our Sav- TUNE: © 2000 by Samuel J. Gray ior? The usual answer would be, “eat this bread” and “drink this cup.” stayed with me through the following years and But Bishop Maynard challenged the conwere particularly meaningful when I would gregation by suggesting that since Jesus regather at the Lord’s Table. ferred to his body being broken and to his I began trying to express the thought in blood being given, maybe he was asking us to song. In 2000, when I was serving the New be broken and to give of ourselves in rememHope congregation in Miami, Florida, I combrance of him. Those words and that thought pleted this hymn and used it during one of 20
D7
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The Moravian
our Holy Communion services. Musically, I have attempted to begin the hymn with what I would call a traditional Moravian chorale-type feel. But as the hymn moves along, it, like the church, must adapt and change with the times. So, the chords change to minor and then a more “modern” chord appears toward the end. The notes end “as one” (literally) with all voices singing the same note on the final word of the two verses. Yet, our unity is not really unison, but rather more like harmony, so this is reflected in the final “Alleluia, Amen” as the hymn ends in a new key! –Sam Gray Using Hymn 69 in worship: As a default, most of us think that the way to use hymns in worship is to sing them as part of the worship service. While congregational singing is a wonderful and foundational part of Moravian worship service, the music can also be used in a variety of ways to help people experience God. In this case, I wondered how the song could help shape the prayer of confession in preparation for Holy Communion. In our congregation we regularly have a time for prayer that introduces us to a variety of prayer disciplines and postures. I would use this hymn as the framework for a time of reflection and confession. • As we begin praying I would have the congregation sing through the first verse only.
January/February 2018
• The musician would continue to play in the background while the congregation was invited to reflect on what they bring to Christ’s table with them. I might print/ project a question like, “As you consider this past week, what opportunities to witness to God’s love have come to you, and how have you engaged or not in those opportunities?” • After some time for us to think about this question, the musician would lead us into singing the second verse together while omitting the final Alleluias. • At this time, the music would end, and we would be invited to silently confess our sins. I might print/project a question like, “As we prepare to receive God’s gift of grace and forgiveness, what are the things in your past that you would like God to help you let go of in order to live more fully into the opportunities to share God’s abundant love with the world? I invite you to offer those things to God now.” • The musician would softly begin to play through the music after a reasonable time for confession. If there is a choir or soloist available they could sing the final Alleluia measures to close the prayer., or the congregation could sing through the whole song to close the time of prayer together. – Rebecca Craver n
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MORAVIANS IN MISSION
Bringing healing and faith in Honduras Rick Nelson spent much of the last 30-plus years working with Moravians in Honduras. Late last year, Rick completed his full-time assignment with the Board of World Mission and shares his views on the Moravian Church’s medical efforts in that Central America country. My involvement with the Honduran Moravian medical work began in 1985. With my wife and three young children, we moved to Honduras where I was to serve as both provincial treasurer and administrator of the Moravian hospital. I have been involved in Honduran ministries ever since, working with water projects in Kruta and Kokotingni, building a school in Kruta, and constructing homes with Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village Program in Puerto Lempira. In 2014, the Board of World Mission asked me to relocate to Ahuas where I would
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work first as a consultant and, for the past two years, as interim director of the hospital. Leaving my wife, Barbara, at home, my schedule included alternate periods of three months in Honduras and a month or six weeks of deputation in North America. In the first eight months of 2017, a total of 2,659 outpatients came to the Ahuas clinic seeking medical care; 594 were hospitalized, 147 women gave birth and a total of 175 surgeries were performed. Surgical cases are seen nearly every day and we typically have between 10 and fifteen inpatients at any one time. To give an idea of what happens at the Clínica Evangélica Morava, here’s a view of a day in the life of this important effort: In June Tomasa Gostas, the director of our Preventive Health Program, visited the small village of Krupunta, about a 45-minute walk from the Moravian hospital. There, one of
The Moravian
three feeding sites for malnourished children is situated in a relatively poor community of less than 75 homes. Tomasa observed the meal being prepared and served beneath the Moravian pastor´s house. Food was prepared on the dirt floor over a fire built between discarded pieces of concrete block, using firewood contributed by the children’s mothers. Meals were served to about 25 children in bowls and plates brought by the parents. Mothers assisted volunteer cook, Holanda Mendez, in preparing, serving and cleaning up. The Baptist pastor, who has been helping Holanda with daily Bible lessons for the children and mothers, mentioned that three had accepted Christ. He also suggested that we should construct a separate building for the children´s meal program so that they would not have to cook or serve meals on the dirt floor. Forty children under the age of five were weighed to determine eligibility for the daily meals. Mothers told Tomasa how important the program is for their children. One of these mothers had given birth in the hospital in Ahuas less than a year ago. After a successful delivery and a few days in the hospital, she had been discharged. However, her twin sons, Adicson January/February 2018
and Aricson, were soon back in Ahuas, sick with parasites and suffering from malnutrition. Only by enrolling them in the Infant Feeding Program had they begun to develop normally. Another mother, barefoot and with two disabled children – one a hydrocephalic boy less than two years old, and the other, his sister, a blind girl a little over three years old – asked for help. As I am made aware of these needs I wonder why God blessed me to see these needs but has not provided the means to address them. After spending the morning with the mothers and children, Tomasa headed back to Ahuas. A middle-aged woman and her 23-yearold daughter also climbed into the bed of the pickup, wanting to see the doctors at the hospital. A few hours later, as I was making one of my countless daily runs between my office and the main clinic building, the same middle-aged woman asked to talk to me in the privacy of my house. She related to me that the daughter who had come with her from Krupunta had been admitted to the hospital after having been diagnosed with probable appendicitis. The doctors had ordered an IV and wanted to operate later in the day. She wanted to talk to me because (Continued on next page) 23
Honduras
(Continued from previous page) she had been told that the surgery would cost about L5,000 (approximately $215.00) and she had no money. She is one of those many Krupunta residents with no source of income and only limited interaction with the cash economy. She is, in Jesus’ words, one of the “least of these.” As a Christian hospital, we have never turned anyone away because of lack of money, especially if the case involved a lifethreatening condition like appendicitis. Late that evening an unusually large number of people stood outside the hospital. The generator had been running since about 5:00 p.m. because doctors Maylo Wood and Ratli Bendles needed it for surgery. Now, in the evening, they were about to perform their fifth major surgery of the day. The patient that staff was preparing for the OR was the same young woman that had come from Krupunta earlier in the day. Once in the surgical facility, Maylo and Ratli performed an emergency appendectomy to remove a severely inflamed appendix. Dr. Maylo later reported that the patient had done well and had been discharged without any complications. They had waited to operate because that same day the doctors had found it necessary to take on four
other emergency surgical cases: An emergency C Section on a woman pregnant with twins – unfortunately, one of those twins was stillborn; two more appendectomies, one ruptured; and another cesarean on a nineteen-year old which again, unfortunately, found a lifeless fetus with a knotted umbilical cord. The patients came from upriver, downriver and near Ahuas, with some of them traveling nearly a full day by river to get to this only hospital in the area. All of the patients progressed well following their surgical procedures and all were discharged within a few days. Dr. Maylo, commenting on the day’s activities, later said, “Our hospital, even with its limitations, continues to be a reference center for the Department of Gracias A Dios because we enjoy the trust of the people for the services that we offer.” The Clínica Evangélica Morava continues to be a source of hope for a marginalized people, a Christian witness in the midst of chronic suffering, a balm for the acute pain of a ruptured appendix, hope for a woman pregnant with twins, and an opportunity for malnourished children to enjoy healthy meals. All of this is done in the name of the same Christ who healed the paralytic, cleansed the lepers, restored sight to the blind and eased the suffer-
RIck Nelson prepares for boat trip to the Moravian clinic in Honduras.
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ing of Mary and Martha. The Moravian Medical Work is the logical extension and an integral component of a holistic Christian ministry that seeks to address both the spiritual and physical needs of the “least of these.” A clinic in transition I ended my full-time employment with the Board of World Mission on October 31 and received my first Social Security check in November. I will be returning to Honduras for two months beginning in mid-January, the first of possibly four quarterly visits in 2018. I will follow up on administrative concerns at the hospital, working to assist the two Moravian provinces with accounting and trying to help revive the flight ministry of Alas de Socorro. As I transition out of fulltime missionary work, I am grateful to God that He, the Board of World Mission and Honduran leaders have allowed me to continue to pursue what I perceive as my life’s calling to serve the Lord in La Mosquitia. I am pleased to see that at the hospital, accounting (though still not where we would like it to be) has improved over the past two years. Substantial financial support from North American congregations has allowed us to start an Infant Feeding Program, a Women’s Agricultural Initiative and several construction projects. Physical improvements have included the construction of a new concrete patient house; repair of the lab tech’s home; demolition of the chaplain’s house (after he moved to another home in the complex); construction of a perimeter fence; replacement of the ceilings in the two main clinic buildings; updates to the operating room; repairs, painting and cleaning of virtually all medical buildings in the complex; construction of a new patient bathing and showering facility; and transport/installation of a new generator and a new forklift battery for the solar electric system.
January/February 2018
At the same time, the basic preventive and curative medicine services being offered by this 71-year old facility face the possibility of significant cutbacks. Existing income streams are unable to cover the most basic expenses of the facility. The Reformed Church in America cut funding to cover physicians’ salaries by onethird in October. Frequent and significant donor response to ongoing appeals has helped keep the hospital open. Moving forward, the clinic needs to explore ways to control costs, including personnel cuts and efforts to streamline medicine ordering. A comprehensive maintenance plan must be established to address important issues of building, equipment and mechanical upkeep. The extremely successful Infant Feeding Program, which had been feeding over 100 children a nutritious meal every day at three sites (Ahuas, Krupunta and Barra Patuca), had to scale back operations to Ahuas only, due to a lack of funds. There is serious doubt that we will be able to meet payroll obligations during the month of December and we are constantly short of the medicines needed to run the hospital. The Clínica Evangélica Morava has been meeting the medical needs of the people of eastern Honduras for over 71 years. This Christian missionary outreach is vital to the health and wellbeing of area residents. However, as we struggle to find the resources necessary to continue this life saving work, the generous and prayerful support of Moravians across the world is indispensable. n
Rick Nelson recently completed his work at The Clínica Evangélica Morava in Honduras. Thanks to Rick, Jamie Dease and the Board of World Mission for the photos in this article.
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About Clínica Evangélica Morava On June 16th, 1946, the Reverend Werner Marx founded the Clínica Evangélica Morava. On that date, he planted the corner post of a one room clinic on a pine covered hill just east of the Patuca River village of Paptalaya. While Cleve Fischel, a nurse from North Carolina, was the first medical missionary to staff the facility, Dr. Sam Marx, his wife Grace, and their children spent more than 30 years ministering in Christ´s name to the predominantly Mískito population of eastern Honduras. Under Dr. Sam´s direction, the one room clinic grew into a regional referral center. Today it is one of only two hospitals in a region traditionally ignored by the national government.
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With the years, the hospital has grown to include a wide range of both curative and preventive medical services. A staff of 37 includes three Mískito physicians, two registered nurses, fourteen practical nurses, two lab techs, and administrative, housekeeping and laundry personnel. The Preventive Health Program teaches midwives, holds weekly well baby clinics, oversees pregnancy monitoring, and works with the Ministry of Health to diagnose and treat malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS cases. Surgical cases are seen nearly every day and we typically have between 10 and 15 inpatients at any one time.
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MORAVIAN WRITINGS
Messages on the Transfiguration Each week, Moravians across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean share a common message through their Sunday bulletins. This month, we share writings based on
Mark 9:2-9. This Bible text is for “Last Sunday After Epiphany” in Lectionary Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary used by the Moravian Church.
Listen to Him
in him now. We begin by listening. We move on by struggling to understand. Finally, we let go of our own will by entrusting all that we have and are with the One Lord. At times we may struggle to fully understand, but, endowed with the gospel’s simple “nuggets of faith,” we grow in him. Don’t make it complicated. The Father surely didn’t Begin today. “Listen to him.”
by Dean Easton, retired Moravian pastor, Harlan, Iowa • February 11, 2018
The Gospel of Mark is Scripture that most of us feel we can understand. The book simply witnesses to what the believers saw and heard, and then invites us to wrestle with how to live by these “nuggets of faith.” In Mark 9:7, the Father speaks: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Notice the imperative; it’s important!) While we may not fully understand the theological implications within the transfiguration account, most of us are capable to wrestling with the nugget: “Listen to him!” “Listen.” In contrast to Peter, we need to be quiet long enough to grasp what is being said (and shown) to us. There will likely be plenty of chances to praise him and tell others later. “To.” To whom or to what do we listen? The world is full of competing voices, so why listen to him? While other voices only sap our lives, the voice of Jesus offers life. Hey, I can make this choice for myself! “Him.” Need any more reason to choose Jesus? The transfiguration reveals him as the Son of God, dearly loved by the Father. Talk about having the ultimate credentials! We are not to be gamblers on Jesus, offering a small wager, hoping to win big in the distant by-and-by. We are to be active investors January/February 2018
Honoring or Following?
by Derek French, pastor, East Hills Moravian Church, Bethlehem, PA • February 15, 2015
Recently I read the obituary of the former principal of the elementary school I attended. While we had known him to be kind, fair, and concerned for our education, we were unaware of the true scope of his humanitarian and philanthropic work. Only after his death did we come to see his interactions with us at school in the broader context of a life dedicated to serving others. Maybe you’ve had a similar experience while attending a memorial service. How nice it would be to gain this perspective on someone while he or she was still alive. Something similar, but more profound, happened to Peter, James and John atop the Mount of Transfiguration. As Jesus’ disciples, they knew him as teacher, healer and friend. But on that day, when Christ appeared in radi(Continued on next page) 27
Mark 9:2-9
New Revised Standard Version Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
(Continued from previous page) ant glory with two of the most revered figures of Jewish history, they learned he was also the fulfillment of the Law (represented by Moses) and the prophets (represented by Elijah), and were reminded he was God’s Son. Peter wanted to memorialize the moment and honor Jesus, Moses and Elijah by building a series of shrines. Commemorating such powerful, yet fleeting, experiences is a very human impulse. Yet we cannot hold on to past or present. Our lives continue; sooner or later we must leave all physical shrines behind us. Would it not be better to build a dwelling place for Christ in our hearts—simply to allow such sacred moments to inform how we live and interact with others in the future? It’s easier to praise Christ than to follow in his footsteps, but that’s not what our Lord asked us to do. Jesus said, “Follow me” (Mark 1:17). God said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him!” (Mark 9:7).
Called to return to the valley
by Keith White, pastor, Bethesda Moravian Church, Winston-Salem, N.C. • March 2, 2003
Imagine being in the presence of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus! That was the experience of Peter, James and John on the mount of transfiguration. No wonder Peter wanted to build three booths and tarry for a season. But the message of the transfiguration is not that we are called to tarry. We are called to faithful stewardship of time, talent, treasure and opportunity. And when we feel we cannot enter the valley again, even to serve Christ, the presence of God is there to transform us. As they gathered on the mountaintop, Moses and Elijah appeared before them, and Jesus was transfigured so that his glory and majesty were unquestionable. God had their attention. 28
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They had seen. Now it was time to hear. A voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.” They had seen and heard. Now it was time to return to the valley of human need to share their experience. but they would never be the same. They had been transformed as well. They had been in the presence of Moses, receiver of the law, and Elijah, the great prophet. And Jesus, God’s gift of grace to the world, had been with them. But after the voice came, they “saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.” Moses and Elijah were gone. Only Jesus remained. Then they understood the message they would share in the valley. That message had transformed them and would change the world: Law, prophecy, grace abide, these three; but the greatest of these is grace.
The Transfiguration
by Percy Gordon, pastor, Redeemer Moravian Church, Philadelphia, Pa. • February 9, 1997
How touching it must be, perhaps frightening, to accompany a friend to the top of a mountain, and there to encounter the unexplained. You are caught up on the presence of God’s shining glory. Your friend is changed before your eyes; you receive a new consciousness that enables
you to recognize two individuals who preceded you in life by several centuries. This is God’s doing, it is marvelous in our eyes. One week after Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ, at Caesarea Philippi, God affirmed this truth on top of a mountain, possibly Mount Hermon. Mount Hermon was the closest peak to Caesarea Philippi. Jesus and three of his disciples stood in the dazzling presence of God the Father, on top of a mountain. Moses, the lawgiver, and Elijah, God’s spokesperson, talked with Jesus, whom they had represented in the past. This appearance was an affirmation of Jesus as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. The whole phenomenon of the transfiguration was an affirmation of Jesus as the Messiah. For a moment the glass, through which only half-truth could be seen, was removed, and the ultimate truth was revealed. It is true that Jesus is the Son of God; it is true that Jesus is the anointed one, the Messiah; and it is true that whoever believes in Jesus shall not perish but have eternal life. For more information on the IBOC’s bulletin service, contact Jill Bruckart (jill@mcnp.org) or call 1.800.732.0591, ext. 38.
It’s easier to praise Christ than to follow in his footsteps, but that’s not what our Lord asked us to do. Jesus said, “Follow me” (Mark 1:17). God said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him!” (Mark 9:7).
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OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, 2018 The Moravian Church is privileged to join with Christians throughout the world in prayers for the unity of the Church during the week of January 18-25. The theme for this year is ”Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glorious in Power”, taken from the Book of Exodus 15:6. Ecumenical Sunday, January 28, 2018 The Provincial Elders’ Conferences request that congregations observe our ecumenical witness in the worship services on Sunday, January 28, 2018. In addition to prayers and themes for preaching, our ecumenical witness is expressed in our participation in local and regional ecumenical service ministries and in councils of churches. Our church supports financially this ecumenical witness with congregational pledges for local and state councils of churches and with support for the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and the World Council of Churches.
SOUTHERN PROVINCE Bethesda Moravian Church The members of Bethesda Moravian Church have voted to conclude their ministry together and to close the congregation after Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017 We invite your prayers of thanksgiving for the 118 years of work, witness and service of this community of faith, along with your continued prayers for Richard Spaugh, pastor, the church board, and the members during this time of transition, ending, and new beginnings.
Prayer Day for Retired Ministers, January 28, 2018 The last Sunday in January has been designated as a day of prayer for retired ministers. This is an opportunity to recognize with gratitude the service our retired ministers and their spouses have rendered to the Church over the years. Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference
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Love is patient, love is kind. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Christʼs sacrificial love compels us to respond by putting our talent, time and treasure to work to exemplify His love in the world. If you support multiple Moravian ministries, including your church, we can help organize and manage your gifts of love to maximize their impact, simplify administration, and optimize your tax benefit. Whether you want to remember someone special with a Donor Advised Fund, establish a Perpetual Fund that extends beyond your lifetime, or convert non-performing assets into an income stream and honor your favorite Moravian charities by opening a charitable trust, we can help. Call Chris Spaugh at 888-722-7923 or email him at cspaugh@mmfa.info today.
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Jan/Feb. 2018
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