Moravian Magazine, JanFeb 2022 by Mike Riess

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In this issue: Moravian Day of Giving • 300 years of Herrnhut Mission Updates • and more!

A CENTURY

OF GRANTING

LARGER

LIFE TO MORAVIAN

Since 2011, the Larger Life Foundation has offered discretionary grants to help Northern Province congregations and ministries address immediate financial needs. In the last 10 years alone, Larger Life Foundation has distributed $1 million in discretionary grants to assist a broad range of Moravian ministries. Your gift to the Larger Life Foundation helps make these grants possible. Through your generosity, we can have far-reaching impact on the life of the Moravian Church. To learn more about our century of granting Larger Life to Moravian ministries, visit www.largerlifefoundation.org

MINISTRIES

A goal without a plan is just a wish

Larger Life

Foundation

MORAVIAN CHURCH NORTHERN PROVINCE

Your life is your testimony. Your Moravian Ministries Foundation in America is here to help you structure and organize your own personal plan for your financial resources, possessions, and gifts. We can help you optimize the use of your assets to provide income for yourself or others, make the most of your gifts for the people and ministries you love, and align your resources with your passions.

Turn your goals into action. Contact the MMFA, and see how our Gift Planning Services can help you make the most of your financial resources.

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

The Moravian

Cover photo: Looking through a crystal ball out at the winter outside (that’s the Moravian University ball field, and the photo is actually upside down!). By Mike Riess, IBOC

17 Moravian Ministries Foundation

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.

Sponsoring bishops share views on Moravian Day of Giving

Moravian History 9

Celebrating 300 years of Herrnhut

In Our Communities 11 The Salemtowne Community Woodworking shop that really does work 17 Partnering to raise awareness of criminal justice reform

Moravians in Mission 13 Mission Update: Resolutions, MDR and Labrador

Moravian Music

15 Moravian Music Foundation announces retirements

Larger Life 19 Larger Life Foundation grants help churches meet COVID challenges 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.

A Moravian Education 22 Linden Hall: Empowering girls to excel for 275 years

Moravian Writings 24 Reflections on Luke 4:1-13

In every issue... 4

Ponderings

28 Official Provincial Elders’ News Jan/Feb 2022

30 Obituaries

PONDERINGS

elcome to the first edition of the Moravian Magazine for 2022. As we begin a new year – our 53rd as the combined Moravian Magazine and my 11th as its editor – I am hopeful for an eventful and energetic 2022. As a Christmas gift this year, my terrific staff – Sue Kiefner and Jill Bruckart – surprised me with a remarkable tribute. They created a 3’ x 4’ poster that featured an enlargement of my first Ponderings, written in the summer of 2010, along with images of all the issues of the magazine I have edited so far. As I look back at all those covers, I see a colorful, vibrant, living church – and am re-energized to keep the Moravian Magazine colorful, vibrant and living, too. There are so many different ways we tell the story of the church today, be it through social media, on the Internet, and via day-to-day communications from our congregations. But the Moravian remains the one piece that the IBOC creates that goes to every Moravian member household in the Northern and Southern Provinces—a responsibility I take very seriously. I see so much worthy of coverage in our Moravian community – a case of “so many stories, so little space.” Editing each issue of the magazine feels like a new experience for me. Despite my best planning efforts, I sometimes struggle to get everything together and ready for print. The challenges of the past two years have made it difficult to stay focused on the publication. But I also recognize what a valuable tool the magazine can be to tell the Moravian story. In 2022, I’ll be redoubling my efforts to keep the publication relevant, informative and resourceful. In my initial ponderings, I shared, “…I will be looking to Moravians everywhere to help me tell the story of our modern-day church. Your voices bring to life what it is to be Moravian. My job is to help everyone within our North American church hear those stories and connect them with their own…” While much has changed since then, that sentiment remains the same. I look to you, our church members, to share your happenings, ideas, insights and words about what it means to be part of today’s Moravian Church. I ended that first Ponderings with, “I look forward to continuing the tradition established by my predecessors as we look to the future.” That was my charge then, and it continues to this day. I hope you enjoy this issue of the Moravian. As always, I welcome your comments, suggestions, questions and ideas. Peace,

Mike Riess Editor 4

(ISSN 1041-0961) January/February 2022, Vol. 53, No. 1 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: OnTrac International, 41 Northern Stacks Drive, Suite 200 Fridley, MN 55421 email: file@ontrac.com Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces Published eight times per year: Jan/ Feb, April, May, June/July, August, Sept./ Oct., November and December, by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. Subscription rates: $15.00 per year, U.S.A. & Canada; $18.00 per year, all other countries. Individual copies available for $3.00 each. The Moravian is sent to the families of the Moravian Church as a privilege of membership. Non Profit postage paid at Bethlehem, PA. Circulation: 16,000 Continuing The North American Moravian, The Moravian and The Wachovia Moravian. Michael Riess, Editor Susan Kiefner, Communications Assistant Jill Bruckart, Customer Relations/Business Assistant Interprovincial Board of Communication Ginny Tobiassen, chair Terri Bischoff, Peggy Carter, Margaret Couch, Paul Knouse, Kat Lehman, Amy Linville, Dan Miller, Valerie Bean Wagner. Design by Michael Riess, IBOC. Address all correspondence regarding articles, subscriptions, or advertising to The Moravian, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 FAX: 610.866.9223 Phone: 610.867.0593 800.732.0591 e-mail: moravianmagazine@mcnp.org www.moravian.org Contents © 2022, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in America. All rights reserved

The Moravian

MORAVIAN MINISTRIES FOUNDATION

Sponsoring Bishops share views on Moravian Day of Giving

he second annual Moravian Day of Giving is Tuesday, March 1 (also the anniversary of the beginning of the Unity of the Brethren, Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras). In faith, we are increasing our goals for this year. While many continue to face illness and loss of income, some of our brothers and sisters are not in a position to give as they had planned or have decided not to give. And yet, the need is great. Many of our neighbors rely upon Moravian ministries more than ever this year. If you have been blessed to be in a position to do so, and feel called by the Spirit to do so, please consider a one-time gift above and beyond your pledge or tithe on March 1. Our goals are: • 300 gifts in 2022 (last year, we received 200) • $100,000 in 2022 gifts (last year, we received $80,000) • 50 first-time donors (last year, there were 70 on the relatively new Giving Portal) If all these goals are met, one of our $10,000 matching donors has made a “purple hair pledge.” Make it happen! Our sponsoring bishops this year are The Rt. Rev. Blair Couch and The Rt. Rev. Carol Foltz.

The sacrificial lamb and the silence of the lions By The Rt. Rev. Carol Foltz

The Rt. Rev. Carol Foltz is a bishop of the Unity serving in the Moravian Church in America. She is the first female bishop to serve in the Southern Province and was the first woman to become an ordained Moravian minister in the Southern Province. Will March come in as gentle as a lamb or as fierce as a lion? Many of us consider these animals to be symbols of the weather extremes that come in March. But, imagine instead the (Continued on next page)

The Rt. Rev. Carol Foltz

Jan/Feb 2022

Löwenlamm from a 1749 design drawing for a Moravian settlement in Europe, courtesy of the Moravian Congregation at Zeist, The Netherlands.

Giving (Continued from previous page) Old Testament references to the sacrificial lamb: Spotless, perfect, valuable, the first fruit gift of the flock. The animal sacrifice on the altar must have been a gory and bloody scene that was anything but gentle. Yet, it was the price that had to be paid – and it was an act of love. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son . . . ,” for which the sacrificial lamb is a symbol. The lamb that we see victoriously carrying a flag in the Moravian Seal has conquered, but was a sacrificial gift first. Giving hurts. Abraham had to imagine how much it could hurt when he believed he was being asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac. But aren’t you glad I’m only going to talk about monetary giving? The Moravian Day of Giving is March 1. It’s the day we ask those who have been blessed abundantly to make a financial gift, above and beyond their pledge or tithe, to help fund the important work of Moravian ministry. Make an unexpected gift to the Moravian congregation, agency, ministry, or grant-making field of interest or designated fund of your choice. It’s easy to do through the 6

Moravian Giving Portal at mmfa.info/givingportal/. The Moravian Ministries Foundation in America pays the processing fee, so the entire amount of your gift goes to the recipient. And, thanks to some very generous matching gift donors, the recipient may actually receive more than you give. Another bible story seems relevant to the lamb and lion metaphor: “The silence of the lions” refers to the sixth chapter of Daniel. Daniel’s obedience and diligence in praying to God had earned him certain death in the lions’ den. Like Abraham, Daniel had to imagine the ultimate price of obedience. But again, God miraculously provides protection and demonstrates his authority over the world. Daniel emerges from the den of lions the next day unharmed, which reminds me of the resurrection of Jesus. Daniel said, “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.” King Darius himself, became a believer at this report. And the change of heart did not come through violence and bloodshed – but through the closed mouth of the tamed beast. If you have experienced the salvation, mercy and blessings of God, and are in a poThe Moravian

sition to make a gift above and beyond your pledge or tithe, I hope you will do so on the March 1 Moravian Day of Giving. Your total gift through the Moravian Giving Portal will go to the congregation, agency, or ministry of your choice to spread the gospel’s message of love.

We give thee but thine own By The Rt. Rev. Blair Couch

The Rt. Rev. Blair Couch is a bishop of the Unity serving in the Moravian Church in America. She is a direct descendent of Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf on both sides of her family, making her both a 6x great-granddaughter and a 7x great-granddaughter. March 1 is the anniversary of the Moravian Unity. On that day, 565 years ago, The Unity of Brethren formed in Bohemia. And it has been “unity” that brought our faith this far. We’ve The Rt. Rev. Blair Couch

Jan/Feb 2022

worked and lived collaboratively, and even communally, to be obedient to Christ and bring the good news of the gospel to the world in need. But unity hasn’t always been easy. It has taken, and continues to take, hard work. Unity makes the work possible. Division of all kinds distracts us from the work of loving our neighbors and spreading the good news of the gospel. It makes us less generous and less trusting, but unity makes the work possible. That’s why my 6-time great-grandfather (and also my 7-time great-grandfather), Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf was there in 1727 to craft the Brotherly Agreement and present it to the faithful to sign in order to bring them together. It’s now known as the Covenant for Christian Living, and it says this about giving: We will support, according to our ability, the financial needs of the local congregation, the District, the Province, and the Unity. We will consider the support of the benevolent causes of the Moravian Church, both at home and abroad, as a privilege, an opportunity and a responsibility. After committing to writing the things upon which they could agree, Moravians experienced a spiritual renewal that compelled them to leave the safety of Herrnhut, brave stormy seas, and reach out in love to the world. It’s amazing what God can do when Moravians work together! So, this year on March 1, the Moravian Day of Giving, let’s show our unity in supporting ministry by making a gift above and beyond our pledges or tithes—to the Moravian congregation, agency or ministry of choice. It’s easy on the Moravian Giving Portal, mmfa.info/giving-portal/ —much easier than (Continued on next page) 7

Giving (Continued from previous page) braving stormy seas. Consider how an unexpected gift will be a blessing to someone! Unity in the essentials. When we think of the essentials, we think of faith, love and hope. But did you know the word “give” appears in the bible nearly as often as the words “faith,” “love” and “hope” combined? Maybe that’s because giving is associated with priorities. Giving can be an expression of your faith in God, your love for others and your hope for the future. Matthew 6:21 tells us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Some of our brothers and sisters are not in a position to give this year as they had planned. Sickness, unemployment and loss of income

are among the challenges many good people face. So, if you are in a position to make an additional gift, it is a blessing for which many others can only wish. The amount of your gift is less important than the spirit of love which compels you to make it. Last year our collective gifts totaled more than $80,000! This is the kind of unity that changes the world. So, let’s all give generously this March 1 and be the Unity. Some of the gifts last year went to our Field of Interest Funds for various causes. Thanks to those gifts, this year a record number of grants from those funds helped Moravian congregations, agencies and ministries serve their communities with faith, love and hope. n To learn more about Field of Interest funds and the 2022 Moravian Day of Giving on March 1, visit www.mmfa.info.

Painting of Count Zinzendorf by John Valentine Haidt. Reproduced with permission of the Unity Archives in Herrnhut, Germany.

The Moravian

Herrnhut, Germany, from atop the Hutberg

MORAVIAN HISTORY

Celebrating 300 Years of Herrnhut

he year 2022 marks the 300th anniversary of the founding of Herrnhut, an event of significance not only for the local Herrnhut congregation but also for the Moravian Church as a whole. Herrnhut, originally founded on the estate of Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf in Saxony, Germany, is considered the “spiritual home” of today’s worldwide Moravian Church. Generally, June 17, 1722, is considered the day when the building of Herrnhut was begun. On that day, Christian David felled the first tree for the construction of the first house. One hundred years later, this historic spot was marked with a stone monument, and ever since, June 17 has been celebrated with an outdoor worship service. Preparations for the 300-year-anniversary started a few years ago with an invitation by the mayor of Herrnhut to a public meeting, where citizens could express their ideas and volunteer for committees. There was a wide variety of suggestions, ranging from music events to a prayer watch to a big parade. Unfortunately, the Jan/Feb 2022

COVID pandemic caused a serious delay in the planning process, and even now we can’t know for sure that all items on the calendar of events will indeed take place. We’re hopeful, though, that it will be a great festival year, both for the town and the church community. There are important events throughout the year, including a meeting of our provincial

The year 2022 marks the 300th anniversary of the founding of Herrnhut. synod in March; the dedication of the newly restored church organ, May 13-17; a weeklong founding day celebration, June 11 to 19; an International Youth Festival in August; and a special day dedicated to Moravian Music on Nov. 13. Much of the renovation project of our church will be completed in 2022, so our sanctuary will present itself in a splendid new appearance, and newly installed digital (Continued on next page) 9

Herrnhut (Continued from previous page)

Herrnhut

(Continued from previous page) technology will offer ways to share some of the program through internet and social media. The Herrnhut Ethnological Museum will host a special anniversary exhibition that has been prepared in cooperation with the Unity Archives, the town museum and the Moravian congregation. With the help of generous gov-

ernment grants, the exhibition will offer a very professional presentation and interpretation of Herrnhut’s history and global impact, with a travelling exhibition planned for 2023. The opening service for the festival week in June will be televised on the state broadcasting service. We hope that in this way, other congregations and Moravians world-wide will be able to share in this event. Finally, in November 2022, an official German commemorative coin will be issued with the Moravian Star as its motif. All in all, the anniversary preparations have shown us two things: Herrnhut is a place full of fascinating history, reaching back all the way to the Czech reformation, and Herrnhut is a place full of connections, branching out to Moravian Communities in many parts of the world. We hope that—despite the impediments of the Corona-pandemic—next year’s festival will give us the opportunity to celebrate our history and our connection with brothers and sisters around the globe. n The Rev. Dr. Peter Vogt is co-pastor of the Herrnhut Moravian Congregation.

Engraving of Christian David felling the first tree in Herrnhut. Courtesy of Herrnhut Congregation

The Moravian

IN OUR COMMUNITIES

The Salemtowne Community Woodworking Shop that really does work

t all began some twenty years ago when Jim Forkner and his wife, members of Fairview Moravian Church in WinstonSalem, decided to move to Salemtowne. Jim asked if he could bring his entire woodworking shop with them. Salemtowne agreed and provided a room in the basement of Bahnson Hall. While his wife Margaret was still unpacking cartons in their new cottage, Jim was busy setting up his “dream” retirement

woodworking shop, complete with multiple drawers of nuts, bolts and fasteners. Thus, the woodworking shop was born, and has since been expanded to two rooms with multiple pieces of equipment. Through the years, many pieces of broken or marred furniture have been brought to this shop by residents for repair and refurbishment; the residents then welcomed these pieces home a few (Continued on next page)

Salemtowne woodworkers David Jones, Jim Gormsen, Jerry McKenzie, Robert Gibson and Jim Yarbrough with a sleigh they built to decorate the Salmetowne Saal.

Jan/Feb 2022

Woodworking

(Continued from previous page)

days later and were thrilled by their “new” appearance. Jim Forkner was a genius with matching stains and paints! Sadly, he passed away about three years ago, but the new denizens of the shop chose to dedicate the Woodworking Shop to Jim Forkner’s memory. Today, the Salemtowne Woodworking Shop buzzes with the sounds of at least five or six resident woodworkers plying their dream retirement trades: furniture building and repair, carving and turning. Lathes whirr and turn, and saws and planers make loud noises! These men do this because they love doing it. They do not charge residents for repairs, and many items made in the workshop are donated to and sold in the Salemtowne Community Center Gift Shop. Profits from the gift shop go to the Independent Resident Council, and are used for the benefit of residents, i.e., the Residents Assistance Fund, which provides support to residents who outlive their financial wherewithal. Last fall, two of the woodworkers (Jerry McKenzie and Jim Yarbrough) assisted a Boy Scout with his Eagle Scout project, by using the power tools in the woodworking shop to shape the pieces of an information kiosk which the Scout and his parents then helped install near the deck at the lake on the Salemtowne campus. The Scout had made this his Eagle Scout project, and placed a plaque on the Kiosk in honor of his neighbors who were very influential in his growing up and had since moved to Salemtowne. And during the 2020 holiday season, five of the men designed and built a very 12

Woodworkers Jerry McKenzie and Jim Yarbrough helped this Eagle Scout complete his information kiosk project

large sleigh, a lá the 1800s, to hold decorated empty boxes and a small live Christmas tree. The sleigh was placed in front of a very tall decorated tree in the Saal, the main meeting place for the residents of Salemtowne. These five men donated many hours and lots of life’s expertise. After placement in the Saal, the sleigh was dedicated to Tom Hamilton, a very active wood worker, now deceased. In case you’re wondering, all the wood workers still have all their fingers! What started as one man’s dream retirement hobby has morphed into a manyman, two-room, very busy woodworking shop, which has attracted and brought many of these men and their wives to Salemtowne for their retirement years. n Jim and Zena Yarbrough are members of Home Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Moravian

MISSION

UPDATE The Board of World Mission offers regular updates in The Moravian to share news from around the Moravian Unity. We hope that this will give each of you a more up-to-date picture of what is happening in the Moravian world so that together we can be at prayer,

New Year’s Resolutions In the early days of a new year, many of us are looking to make and stick to resolutions. We take the opportunity for a fresh start to renew a commitment, or to start something new. The challenge is always...how long will we stay “resolved”? At the BWM, we look to the drawing of our yearly watchword as a spiritual grounding of our work to help us meet our purpose of building relationships through mission outreach and engagement, to be faithful to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. With that in mind, we wanted to share with you the BWM Watchword drawn for 2022: “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.” John 12:26 As we look ahead to the new year, we will seek to follow, even as we look to lead several im-

Jan/Feb 2022

provide support, and be in partnership to help build up the kingdom of God. In addition to what you will read here we invite you to visit our web site regularly at www.moravianmission.org where you will find more information.

portant initiatives. In this year, the BWM invites your prayerful support and participation in upcoming ministries. Just a few of the plans we are “resolved” to complete this year include: • A conference for Spanish-speaking Moravian partners to all come together to share and fellowship. • Sponsoring / hosting several mission and service retreats at our Moravian Camps • Continued coordination of disaster response efforts in many communities • Implementation of pastoral and lay leader training with Mission Area and Mission Province partners Resolutions are often ambitious, and most likely completed when shared with others for support and accountability. So, come, follow along with us this year! (Continued on next page)

Earthquake damage in Haiti

to Board of World Mission, 1021 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Please indicate that your gift is for “MDR.” Moravians in Canada can mail donations to Moravian Church in Canada, 600 Acadia Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2J 0B8. Interac e-Transfer donations may be sent to treasurer@moravian.ca. In the comments section, mark the donations as “MDR” and include your name and address to receive a tax receipt.

The Moravian Church in Newfoundland and Labrador holds 2021 Synod

Mission update

(Continued from previous page) Moravian Disaster Response The Moravian Disaster Response has been very busy since the beginning of the Covid pandemic. Since then, Moravians from around North America have donated $458,785 to the fund, and the Board of World Mission has distributed $435,195. This is an amazing amount of money and represents overwhelming generosity, as well as incredible need. A significant chunk of this funding supported relief efforts in Nicaragua and Honduras after twin hurricanes struck in November of 2020. We have also sent aid to many of our global partners as needs arose from the Covid-19 pandemic. Most recently, we sent $24,500 to Haiti following the August 14, 2021, 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Our Haitian Moravian Church leaders are now using this money to support food distribution, assemble emergency shelters for those who lost their homes and assist the two Moravian congregations most directly impacted by the earthquake. We thank the Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation for their generous gift to this relief effort. This fall, we also sent $13,600 to the Moravian Institute in Rajpur, India, to help with various needs resulting from Covid-19. These funds are being used to mitigate the spread of the virus by ensuring that students and staff can receive Covid vaccines. The Moravian Disaster Response Fund is the most effective tool to respond quickly to natural disasters that strike around our Moravian world. Moravians in the U.S. can donate online at http://moravianmission.org/give/ or mail donations 14

The Moravian Church in Newfoundland and Labrador (MCNL) held their Synod in November in Happy Valley - Goose Bay. The four congregations of the Province were each represented in the 11 delegates that were present along with Bishops Paul Graf and Chris Giesler, who joined by phone. Sister Sarah Jensen was re-elected and will continue her leadership as chairperson of the Mission Province. Moving into the future, a goal in the church is to support lay leaders across the four congregations as well as to encourage the three church members who are currently on the path to ordination. The Synod also affirmed the energy present in the Hopedale Congregation, which has a successful Bible study, youth group, and Sunday school. The Board of World Mission looks forward to supporting the MCNL as they look to the future. Labrador’s new provincial board members include Sarah Jensen from Hopedale, who serves as provincial board chairperson; Joan Dicker from Nain; Liz Evans-Mitchell from Makkovik; Judy Dicker from Hopedale; and Bertha Holeite from Happy Valley. MCNL is the only Moravian Province that has a provincial board made up entirely of women. n Happy Valley/Goose Bay Labrador

The Moravian

MORAVIAN MUSIC Gwyn Michel and Nola Knouse of the Moravian Music Foundation

Moravian Music Foundation announces retirements

ith deep appreciation for their long and faithful service, the Board of Trustees of the Moravian Music Foundation announces two staff retirements coming in 2022. The Rev. Dr. Nola Reed Knouse, director, will retire August 31, 2022. She began her service at the Foundation as director of research and programs in June 1992, and became Director in March 1994. During her years, the Foundation has accomplished much to preserve and celebrate Moravian music, including microfilming the music holdings in Bethlehem and Winston-Salem (1996-1998); designing, building and occupying the Archie K. Davis Center housing the Moravian Archives (Southern Province) and Moravian Music Foundation (dedicated in September 2001); Jan/Feb 2022

converting the library/archival card catalog to electronic records searchable world-wide; beginning a series of CD recordings, now being made available for streaming, of Moravian music; launching the Moravian Star Anthem Series, with over 100 Moravian anthems published, about one-third of which are by living Moravian composers; providing music editing services for the 1995 Moravian Book of Worship; publishing Moravian Chorales and Music, Volume 2—the “blue” band chorale books— along with Singing from the Heart and Sing to the Lord a New Song in collaboration with IBOC; holding annual “Music on the Mountain” Moravian Music Weekends at Laurel Ridge; assuming full responsibility and “ownership” of Moravian Music Festivals from (Continued on next page) 15

Music Foundation

(Continued from previous page) the provinces; sponsoring the 3rd Unity Brass Festival in Winston-Salem (2018); establishing a permanent Bethlehem office for the Moravian Music Foundation; and creating and expanding a vital online presence. To the extent that time allowed, Nola has continued scholarly work, editing and writing The Music of the Moravian Church in America (published 2008), and nearing completion of Preserving, Sharing, Celebrating: A History of the Moravian Music Foundation. “All of these things could happen only with a great staff and a supportive Board of Trustees,” said Nola. “It takes a group of dedicated and gifted people to do things like these and MMF has been richly blessed in both the staff members and the Board. And our donors and friends – we can’t do it without you!” Gwyneth Michel will also retire on August 31, 2022. She has served as Assistant Director (Bethlehem Office) since November of 2007. Arriving at MMF after 30 years in the music publishing industry, the Foundation has benefited greatly from her extensive skills and experience as a music editor and producer for all of the Foundation’s music publications and recordings. In addition, she has conducted the Unitas Chorale since 2012; presented a plethora of workshops in congregations and musical organizations; lectured and guided students at Moravian Theological Seminary, Moravian University, and Rollins College; and devoted countless hours to work on Moravian Music Festivals, the catalog-conversion project, and all of the Foundation’s other projects. As the sole staff member in Bethlehem, she has gracefully managed a variety of administrative responsibilities there, and is the primary point of contact with the Moravian Archives (Northern Province). 16

She has represented MMF at many provincial and district synods, often being involved in worship planning and leadership. She spearheaded the denominational recording sessions in response to the COVID-19 crisis, producing a great many recordings available online for congregational use. She has also been quite active in the re-establishment of a children’s program in Moravian Music Festivals beginning in 2013, which was the first children’s program at a Festival since 1992. “We congratulate Nola and Gwyn on the achievements of long and productive careers and wish them well as they transition to a welldeserved retirement,” said G. Randall Gibbs, president of the Moravian Music Foundation board. “We have been blessed by the work they have done and the direction they have set for the Foundation. “Through Nola’s and Gwyn’s leadership and your support, the Foundation has continued to preserve, share and celebrate our unique Moravian musical life, which has become such a strong part of our faith and worship. Change is inevitable, but the vision of the Foundation will continue under the direction of new leadership. We are fortunate to be able to build on the strong history of the Foundation as we continue to preserve, share and celebrate the music of the Moravians.” A national search for Foundation leadership is underway. The Moravian Music Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit chartered in 1956, receives about 4 percent of its annual operating support from the Moravian Church, Northern and Southern Provinces. The rest must come from individual donations, sales of publications and recordings, and income from investments. For more information about the Foundation, see www.MoravianMusic.org or contact either office: Winston-Salem, 336-725-0651; Bethlehem, 610-866-3340. n The Moravian

IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Partnering to raise awareness of criminal justice reform

Life Interupted by Charles Zafir Lawson

Life Interrupted by Charles Zafir Lawson

nity Center of Lancaster, and Art for Justice present:

Street Musician by Charles Zafir Lawson

Life Interupted by Charles Zafir Lawson

The Moravian Center of Lancaster, The Islamic Community Center of Lancaster, and Art for Justice present:

: Conversations About Justice

Prison, and Possibilities: Conversations About Justice ast fall, the Rev. MandyPaint, Mastros, pastor ofFeaturingand Society Ministry Team asked themselves an Art for Justice Exhibit reations from Within Incarcerated Artists’ Creations from Withinin “visiting the prisonLancaster Moravian Church in Pennsylhow they could engage Pennsylvania, 17601 (3rd floor) 227 N. Queen Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 17601 (3rd floor) to 1er.” They identified ember 28, 2021 vania, partnered with her communityOctober – November 28, 2021 an engagement with art as series of four panel discussions will take place with raise awareness of issuesArepresentatives surrounding crimitransformative way to see the humanity of the tions.* from Lancaster and Pennsylvaniaaorganizations.* Thursday, October 7 at 6:30pm: Solitary Confinement nal justice by combining anThursday, exhibit of artwork incarcerated and also be engaged in the needs ntry October 21 at 6:30pm: Issues Surrounding Reentry Thursday, October 28 at 6:30pm: Art as a Human Right by incarcerated individuals with an engaging for reforms. the Lancaster County Prison Thursday, November 18 at 6:30pm: Conversations about the Lancaster County Prison d will be available on Panel discussions and Exhibit are Free, Open to the public, In and will be available onChurch and Society partnered 2018-19, series of criminal justice ZOOM reform discussions. 5 9529 at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7276959529; ID: 727 695 9529 The exhibit, produced by Art for Justice, with Art for Justice (www.artforjustice.org), a built upon work started in 2018 with a similocal non-profit co-founded by Ann Marie Kirk lar effort in Bethlehem, Pa. This year’s effort and Charles Lawson, to bring the artwork of inadded a series of four community discussions carcerated individuals to the Banana Factory in about issues in the criminal justice system atBethlehem, Pa., and engage in a series of pretended by a broad variety of organizations and sentations around issues of criminal justice reindividuals. form. As the Art for Justice website states: “One At the 2016 Synod of the Moravian Church of the ways that a prisoner, locked far from soin North America, Eastern District, criminal ciety behind layers of barricades, can commujustice reform was identified as an area of nicate with the larger society, is through art. Art engagement for our churches and communifor Justice exhibits reach across deep divides ties. Following Jesus’ commandment to see the in our society, reveal our shared humanity and presence of God in the incarcerated (Matthew stimulate dialog about how to achieve a func25:34-36), Moravians were encouraged to tional, accessible system of justice for all.” With some delays due to the global panengage in the needs of those in prison and to demic, this fall the ministry team was finally critically consider questions of criminal justice able to look at another area within our Eastreform. Prisons are often difficult and daunting ern District to introduce another Art for Justice places to visit, and the Eastern District Church (Continued on next page)

or Justice Exhibit

Art for Justice www.artforjustice.org

Moravian

tend a panel discussion paint. oravian.org.

when in the building.

Art for Justice

Center of Lancaster

www.artforjustice.org

www.lancastermoravian.org

Moravian

Center of Lancaster

www.lancastermoravian.org

To schedule a time for an individual or group to view the exhibit or attend a panel discussion go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0A4AACAF22A3FF2-paint. For more information call 717-397-9722 or email pastor@lancastermoravian.org.

www.iccl.alminaret.com

It’s Okay To Cry by Rene Ortiz

Jan/Feb 2022

* subject to change based on COVID-19 status. Individuals are required to mask when in the building.

www.iccl.alminaret.com

It’s Okay To Cry by Rene Ortiz

Art

(Continued from previous page) exhibit. In partnering with the Lancaster Moravian Church and the Rev. Mandy Mastros, an Art for Justice exhibit entitled “Paint, Prison, and Possibilities: Conversations About Justice, Incarcerated Artists’ Creations from Within” was brought to the Lancaster community. The artists whose work was on view during the exhibit included Charles Z. Lawson, Daniel Gwynn, Rene Ortiz, Eduard Ramirez and George Lopez. As Lancaster Moravian Church has developed a relationship, through the use of shared space, with the Islamic Community Center of Lancaster, they asked if they could be a sponsoring part of the exhibit. With financial assistance from the Eastern District’s Mission Development fund, the Moravian Center of Lancaster, the Islamic Community Center of Lancaster and other private donors, the exhibit was made possible from Oct. 1- Nov. 28, 2021. However, the efforts of Art for Justice’s mission and artwork started even before the exhibit went public. As Ann Marie was installing the artwork, a man came in, waiting to see the pastor. He stopped at the piece “Out of Sugar Pills.” He looked at it for quite some 18

time before saying the piece really grabbed his attention. When asked what it was about the painting that drew his interest, he said, “Well, that’s how Pastor Mandy found me yesterday, slumped over like that, sitting on a bench.” After another moment, he said, “But I see hope in it too, hope that there’s better things ahead for me.” He continued to look at the piece for another moment and then took some time to look at the rest of the art. The exhibit was open for almost two months in the Moravian Church Center of Lancaster and many individuals were able to reserve time to view the art. In addition to regular viewing and open houses, Pastor Mandy organized four panel discussions focused on Solitary Confinement, Reentry, Art as a Human Right and the Lancaster County Prison. Representatives from 17 organizations, returning citizens, survivors of solitary confinement, artists and advocates all participated in public and small group conversations. In reflecting upon this exhibit, Pastor Mandy shared, “One of the most meaningful parts of the Art For Justice Exhibit was the interaction I was able to have with so many individuals (Continued on page 29) The Moravian

LARGER LIFE

Larger Life Foundation grants help churches meet COVID challenges

s evidenced by the response of The Larger Life Foundation to applications by Moravian congregations for financial aid in the COVID era, the Foundation is more than willing to move beyond more traditional categories of assistance in an effort to support unique needs of a number of Moravian churches during the first pandemic our country has suffered in over 100 years. The Foundation’s policy and procedures for making discretionary grants have been summarized in previous articles in The Moravian. Last year marked the 11th year of operation of the Foundation’s discretionary grant program, which, through 2021, has benefited 184 recipients with an allocation of over

$1,000,000 for church and agency projects. The Foundation receives grant applications in the Fall with a submission date not later than Sept. 1, and in the Spring with a submission date not later than March 1. Approved funds are made available within one week following Nov. 1 and May 1 respectively. Because the longer term impacts of COVID were not well known in the Spring of 2020, the first opportunity to seek financial support in dealing with the pandemic was not available until the Fall of 2020. There were two applications which were COVID related, and both received partial funding for their projects. The congregations were Advent Moravian (Beth(Continued on next page) A Larger Life grant helped Wisconsin Rapids Moravian Church update technology for streaming services.

Jan/Feb 2022

Larger Life

(Continued from previous page) lehem, Pa.) and Lititz Moravian (Lititz, Pa.) Advent’s request related to technology upgrades to worship spaces in order to satisfy COVID safety requirements; Lititz looked to install campus-wide wi-fi and add an outdoor worship pavilion. As the Year of COVID continued to unfold, it became clearer that the country was in for the long haul, and modifications to the way in which church services were conducted, as well as other church related activities, continued to rise on the priority list. This was reflected in the Spring 2021 grant applications - out of a total of 14 applications, six were COVID relat-

“We are quite appreciative of the grant that was received from the Larger Life Foundation...all in an effort to enhance the audio-visual experience for our members and friends who worship with us online.”

—Rev. Desna Henry Gouldbourne United Moravian Church, NYC

ed. Of the approximately $53,000 available for grants, 45 percent was allocated to congregations seeking COVID related assistance. These included the following: • enhanced audio-visual system in the sanctuary [Christ Moravian - Calgary, Alberta] • a non-COVID project, but one for which funding was lacking due to a severe shortfall in income directly the result of COVID [Linden Hall - Pa.] • local Wi-Fi upgrade [Sister Bay Moravian - Wis.] • equipment necessary for the integration of full audio and video presentations into the 20

worship service [United Moravian - N.Y.] • equipment and technology rights to make more permanent ways of including congregation members in worship services even after in-person, unrestricted attendance is allowed, in particular older members and young families [Wisconsin Rapids Moravian - Wis.] Seth Habhegger, a member of the newly formed “Tech Team” which hosts the online component of worship [on Zoom and YouTube live] at Wisconsin Rapids Moravian, states: “The tech grant has really opened new opportunities to share God’s love over greater distances and with more people. ‘Church’ as a concept is kind of in a state of change right now and I believe that the challenge going forward will be to find new avenues of fellowship and ‘congregation.’ Using technology is just one way to do that.” “We are quite appreciative of the grant that was received from Larger Life Foundation to upgrade the audio-visual system here at United in New York,” says Rev. Desna A. Henry Goulbourne, pastor. “The process has started and we are at the installation stage. It is going a little slower than expected because of the need to integrate some of our older equipment with what is being acquired. Several microphones, two additional cameras, and the necessary computer software and other equipment necessary for their efficient functioning were also bought. This is all in an effort to enhance the audio-visual experience for our members and friends who worship with us online. The aim is also to have seamless congregation meetings/ presentations incorporating our members who are online and those present in the sanctuary.” A number of Moravian congregations are finding that the adaptation of worship services to accommodate COVID related restrictions has actually opened up new avenues for reachThe Moravian

ing those who wish to participate but are prevented from doing so in person due to physical limitations, distance and other reasons. An example of this is a project being undertaken by East Hills Moravian, Bethlehem, Pa.. and for which a grant was made as part of the Fall 2021 program. “Worship is a vital part of our Christian faith,” says Steven Thompson, worship committee technology lead at East Hills. “With the closing of our church building in March 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, East Hills Moravian Church implemented a virtual worship service that allows our congregation to safely engage in worship from remote locations. This process requires weeks of preparation for each service and was never envisioned to be sustainable for the long-term. “We have found during this year that we are able to reach many of our members as well as those outside our congregation who are not able to join us in person due to physical disability or distance. To maintain and expand these connections, it is our hope to continue to offer opportunities for remote worship beyond the time when it is safe to resume worshiping in person. “This grant will assist in the purchase and installation of software, cameras, video storage and controls that will enable us to generate a virtual worship experience in a sustainable fashion. It will also allow us to produce a new hybrid model for worship with in-person and virtual presences occurring concurrently. This equipment will provide the technological tools necessary to further develop our congregational ministries more broadly in our community and beyond, a vital part of our mission ‘To Know Christ and To Make Him Known.’ ” The above descriptions of various projects from around the Northern Province underscore the fact that The Larger Life Foundation stands ready to help with COVID related projJan/Feb 2022

ects wherever possible. Discretionary grants depend on funds available and the number of requests. Many of them are in the $5,000 to

“This equipment will provide the technological tools to further develop our congregational ministries more broadly in our community and beyond, a vital part of our mission ‘To Know Christ and To Make Him Known.’”

—Steven Thomspson, worship committee, East Hills Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pa.

$10,000 range. It should also be noted that with respect to larger cost projects, it might be more appropriate to apply for a low interest loan from the Foundation (see past issues of the Moravian Magazine on moravian.org for articles on Larger Life loans). For additional information on applying for a grant, visit the Foundation’s website at www.largerlifefoundation.org for grant guidelines and an application. We also recommend that potential applicants contact Tammy Curcio, Treasurer, at tammy@mcnp.org or llf@mcnp.org. It is a good idea for any congregation or agency contemplating seeking a grant, particularly for the first time, and before taking any formal steps toward seeking approval, to communicate first on an informal basis with Tammy to make the process as smooth as possible. Tammy will respond promptly to any e-mail inquiry. n Jim McMahan, a member of Calvary Moravian Church in Allentown, Pa., serves on the board of the Larger Life Foundation.

A MORAVIAN EDUCATION

Linden Hall: Empowering girls to excel for 275 years

ducation has always played a vital role in Moravian life, and did you know that the Moravians founded the oldest, independent boarding and day school for girls in the United States? In 1746, not far from Nazareth and Bethlehem in the British colony of Pennsylvania, the Moravian settlement of Lititz founded their Gemeinhaus for learning, worshipping, and meeting. In a mere 20 years they had 70 eager Moravian students, enough to expand the school into a boys’ school and a girls’ school. Nearly three centuries later that same all-girls school, known today as Linden Hall as a nod to the graceful linden trees planted in 1838, proudly stands on Moravian Church Square and continues to offer an extraordinary education grounded in Moravian values. The school’s founding was based in a progressive philosophy encompassing three fundamental principles: first, that all young women be well educated (as thoroughly as men!) to become whole, responsible citizens; second, that pupils must develop a love of knowledge to reach their full potential; and third, that advanced students should serve as role models for younger students.

Linden Hall’s narrative spans several historical eras and reflects many of the significant movements in the education of young women. These original principles have not only anchored Linden Hall but have also guided the school to meet the ever-changing challenges of the modern world. Ornamental needlework was a hallmark of the student experience in the early years. The school, by then known as Lititz Seminary, believed that women should be self-sufficient and should contribute to the community. Linden Hall students were famous for creating beautiful needlework at the highest level, and these early pieces are highly sought after by collectors. Linden Hall alumnae are committed to bringing many of these prized pieces home to campus, and the school lovingly cares for a collection of handcrafts from its history. The earliest piece in the collection, from 1776, depicts a goat meticulously stitched in satin on a background of rich silk. A recent acquisition is also on silk, and within an elegantly crafted floral wreath is embroidered the name and date of the artist: Anna Maria Trautwine/Lititz Seminary/August The Moravian

10, 1835. In an extraordinary twist of luck, the school’s handwritten financial records from that era note a school store purchase by Miss Trautwine totaling $3.23 for silk, threads, pins, ribbon and other supplies to create this masterpiece. The school’s slowly expanding influence is reflected in church diaries throughout the 18th century, and in 1794, the Moravians generously opened the doors of their institution to non-Moravians. A sprightly 6-year-old girl from Baltimore, aptly named Peggy Marvel, was Linden Hall’s first non-Moravian student. The Moravians continued to develop and adapt their remarkable school by adding the soaring Mary Dixon Memorial Chapel in 1883, a nationally ranked equestrian program in 1925, and a groundbreaking aviation program in 2014 offering young women the chance to literally soar to new heights. Linden Hall students benefit from an academically rigorous STEM program, robust arts offerings, globally focused humanities classes and electives in everything from economics, to anatomy to philosophy. More than 20 Advanced Placement classes challenge young women intellectually, and colleges and universities from around the world seek out Linden Hall students for their curiosity, compassion, academic ex-

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cellence and commitment to serving others. Today, students of all faiths and creeds come to Linden Hall for an enriching college preparatory education from homes as far-flung as Wisconsin, New York, Nevada, Massachusetts, Dominica, Vietnam, Germany, Rwanda, Korea and from where it all began, right here in Lancaster County, Pa.. The school, situated on 49 acres, now operates independently of the Church, but prides itself on the original tenets of the Moravian educational philosophy of caring for the whole girl – intellectually, emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually. The Linden Hall experience is formulated for girls in grades 6-12 to build leadership skills, foster critical and independent thinking, encourage a love for learning and most of all, empower girls to excel. Linden Hall is eternally grateful to its Moravian founders who created this unprecedented, remarkable community. Do you know a young woman who would thrive at America’s oldest boarding and day school for girls? We want to hear from you! Contact us at: admissions@lindenhall.org or 717-626-8512 ext. 158. n Scott Boyd is communications and marketing director at Linden Hall in Lititz, Pennsylvania.

MORAVIAN WRITINGS

Reflections on Luke 4:1-13

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him...” Each week, Moravians across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean share a common message through their Sunday bulletins. This month, we share insights written on Luke 4:1-13 for the First Sunday of Lent. Thanks to writers past and present for their contributions, and to the Rev. Hermann Weinlick for his continued editing of our bulletin messages.

The Better Way

Rebecca Craver, Director of Congregational Development, Moravian Church, Southern Province • March 6, 2022

Jesus, who has been out in the wilderness for forty days, has been experiencing a time of reflection. At his hungriest, most exhausted and most vulnerable moment, he is confronted with the promises of comfort, power and privilege. When Jesus is able to decline the temptations before him, the devil departs until a more opportune time. It sounds ominous, doesn’t it? But Jesus doesn’t react as one who needs to be protected from what may be lurking in the shadows. He moves closer to the Way of God and begins his ministry of teaching in the community. Throughout the years, the church has used the season of Lent as a time for Christian reflection and contemplation. Those same promises of comfort, power and privilege are offered to 24

us every day. They can tempt us to stay put, instead of stepping out in faith to follow. How was Jesus able to turn down bread when his stomach must have been churning with hunger? He relied on a more reliable promise from God. Jesus knew God would protect him and show him a better Way. It requires endurance, persistence and commitment to follow God. Maybe the challenge for us isn’t quickly to get to the place where “we arrive,” but to find ways consistently to pick the Way of God over the comforts offered by the world. When we can be honest with ourselves about the allure of these things, we can be more open to allowing God to free us from their hold. We can also move further into the ministry to which we have been called and for which we have been equipped to live out in the world, without worrying about the danger lurking. The Moravian

We are invited to look at ourselves, our practices of faith and our communities, so that we can attend to God’s call in our lives. This may result in a shift of our perspective and possibly a letting go of things that no longer serve us in our commitment to follow Jesus. What might we find if we take a step out, in faith?

we can trust to understand and help us in our own hungers and temptations. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:7b–8). Beloved, be welcomed into the holiness of Lent.

Jesus, the one we can trust

Christ’s quiet appeal

Lent, the season to prepare to draw nearer to Christ, begins with this familiar story: “Jesus . . . was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where . . . he was tempted by the devil.” Can we hear this again with fresh ears? Spirit-led, yet tempted by no less than a Scripture-quoting Satan! So much for thinking that being led by the Spirit will make for a peril-free journey for anyone! And what temptation is offered? • To One who is starving: Bread • For One who understands his purpose is to make an eternal difference: Authority • To One about to begin his ministry and mission: Proof of God’s favor and Denial of his own vulnerability Now none of the things with which Jesus is tempted is bad, in and of itself. Having enough to eat, being comfortable with personal authority, and wanting evidence of God’s favor are reasonably good things. But Jesus rejects all that Satan offers him because it is Satan who offers. For Jesus, the cost is too high. Instead, he becomes for us Living Bread, All Authority, Proof of God’s favor and Guarantor of our salvation. The Christ we are invited to follow more closely in this season is willing to be vulnerable and unpopular. He is willing to be hungry in order to bring us to himself. Jesus is the one

The story of the temptation of Christ is not really about food, or fame, or death-daring feats. The temptation is not merely about angels and devils, divine commands and heavenly assistance. This story describes a struggle taking place within Christ as he wrestles with how he will use the power that the Father has given him. Should Christ lower himself to the antics of a crowd-pleasing, self-proclaimed faith healer? Should he perform acts of wonder and amazement, like a street magician self-levitating above the sidewalk or doing cheap card tricks? Should he be content to amaze those who listen, even though such amazement cannot endow them with heartfelt and renewing faith? Will Jesus trade his life’s way of obedience and faithfulness to the Father for the cynical pragmatism of the world embodied in Satan’s temptations, “The end justifies the means”? Closer to home, should the Moravian Church adopt this new motto, “The end justifies the means”? Or should it remain true to its motto of unity, liberty and love? Should our church deny its soul and unique witness and instead echo the crowd-pleasing and divisive message of those churches in our communities who have surrendered the good news for a pew-packing message of judgment and exclusion? What is God’s wish and will as we face such questions? (Continued on next page)

Vicki Jens-Page, pastor, Morongo Moravian Church, Banning, California February 14, 2016

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Richard Bruckart, administrator, Hope Conference and Renewal Center, Hope, New Jersey February 21, 2010

Writings

(Continued from previous page) Today, Christ’s appeal to your heart comes not through acts of miracle or wonder, but by the still, small voice within you and through the word, witness and touch of those around you. Christ’s appeal comes not through flashy or faraway preachers, but the loving and faithful (and yes, human) pastors who have been called by Christ and felt led to your congregation. A circus just came to town. Will you go, or will you stay where you are, and embrace the Lord’s Table and the pastor who stand before you, each witnessing to the good news of God’s love, boundless forgiveness and everopen arms. May this Table of our Lord bring us greater faith, personal healing and strength to our church.

Lent, a time for growth

Bishop Edwin A. Sawyer, Allentown, Pennsylvania • February 29, 2004

Lent began this past Wednesday. Forty days (plus Sundays) to get ready for Easter. How shall we use them? Let us think of Lent as a time of opportunity—rather than a time of denial. It can be a time for growth. It should be a time for reflection. What am I doing with my life? Where am I going? It can be a time for getting hold of myself. Maybe some of my life is getting out of hand. It is interesting that in Paul’s list of Christian virtues or fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), the ninth and final one, is self-control. Might it be that there is a buildup here, and Paul is saying, “Get hold of yourself. Resolve to discipline yourself in self-control, and other virtues will follow: love, joy, peace, and so on”? During forty days in the wilderness Jesus did just this: he got hold of himself. He met Satan head-on and overcame three successive temptations. Interestingly, Luke 4:1 says that Jesus 26

was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Then verse 14 says that he returned to Galilee “filled with the power of the Spirit.” And by verse 16 Jesus is defining his ministry in the synagogue at Nazareth, beginning with: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” Perhaps, just perhaps, this Lent could find us in that same succession: pausing to reflect gaining self-control experiencing new power in the Spirit overcoming temptation with Jesus at our side— Jesus, who according to Hebrews 4:15 was in all points tempted like us, yet without sin.

Learning in the Desert

Bishop Percival R. Henkelman, retired, Ft. Saskatchewan, Alberta • February 25, 1996

Jesus was alone in the desert, so no one else witnessed this incident. He must have revealed to his disciples the innermost struggles of his soul, so that we might learn from the master teacher when we too are tested! The temptations follow immediately Jesus’ baptism. Mountaintop experiences are often followed by desolate valley encounters — nor is this to be Jesus’ only recorded temptation. In Matthew 16:21, Jesus used the same words as to the tempter when he said to Peter, who encouraged him to abandon the way of the cross, “Get behind me, Satan.” Jesus again referred to his temptation when he said to his disciples in Luke 22:28, “You are those who stood by me in my trials.” Near the end of his ministry Jesus fought a terrible temptation in Gethsemane (Luke 22:42-44). He asked God to take the cup from him, but he was able to say, “Not my will but yours be done.” One of our sons wrote his thesis for a university degree after several days in the desert. He chose to be alone and to employ the disciThe Moravian

The Temptation of Jesus Luke 4:1-13 (NRSV)

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give

plines of fasting and meditation. He described the struggle but also the experience of “the harmony and rhythm of the desert.” Finally, he portrayed the crystal-clear insights he experienced upon his submission to the greatness of God. What are the temptations of Jesus in the desert? To bribe potential followers into the kingdom, to resort to sensationalism to gather Jan/Feb 2022

it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written,‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

a following, to lower his standards to meet the world’s expectations. Let us learn from Jesus, our Master Teacher, that by careful attention to God’s Word, by submission to the will of God, and by denying ourselves and following him, we will meet head-on and conquer the temptations common to all humankind. n

OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS NEWS NORTHERN PROVINCE Coopersburg, Pennsylvania Sister Jesmina Meade, a ministerial candidate at Moravian Theological Seminary, has accepted an appointment to serve at part-time pastor for MorningStar Moravian Church, Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. Sister Meade began her work September 1, 2021. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Brother Ian Edwards, who has been serving as pastor for Good News Moravian Church, Sherwood Park, Alberta, has accepted an appointment for service within the Eastern District. Br. Edwards concluded his ministry with Good News October 14, 2021, and began his new work October 22, 2021. Davenport, North Dakota Brother Martin Avery, who has been serving as pastor for the Canaan Moravian Church, Davenport, North Dakota, concluded his ministry with the congregation November 14, 2021. Daggett, Michigan Brother James Hicks, a retired clergy who has been serving as pastor for the Daggett Moravian Church, Daggett, Michigan, concluded his ministry with the congregation December 31, 2021. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Brother John Fritts, who has been serving as pastor for Covenant Moravian Church, York, Pennsylvania, has accepted a call to serve as pastor for Advent Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Br. Fritts will be installed into his new work February 6, 2022. 28

Released for Other Service Sister Lynnette Delbridge, on the pastoral staff at Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem, PA, has accepted a call Released for Other Service to serve as Pastor of the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Whitehall, PA. She will begin her new ministry February 27, 2022. Please keep Lynnette and her spouse, the Rev. Andy Meckstroth, and their family, along with both congregations, in your prayers during this time of transition. Lebanon, Pennsylvania Sister Kelly Kapp was installed as a Licensed Lay Pastor at the Moravian Church of Lebanon in Lebanon, Pa. on December 19, 2021. Sr. Kapp is a member of the congregation who has completed a thorough credentialing process and received theological education through the Crossroads Program at Moravian Theological Seminary. Please be in prayer for Kelly, her family, and the congregation in this new chapter of their ministry together. Madison, Wisconsin Sister Staci Marrese-Wheeler, serving as pastor of the Lakeview and Glenwood Moravian congregations in Madison, WI, as accepted a call to serve half-time as Community Relations Pastor in conjunction with Common Grace, a new federated congregation on the east side of Madison. She concluded her ministry at Glenwood on January 9 and began her new call on January 23. She will continue her half-time call to serve at the Lakeview congregation. Please be in prayer for Staci, her spouse Scott, their family and both congregations during this transition. Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference The Moravian

SOUTHERN PROVINCE South Florida Pastorate The Rev. Dr. Dion and The Rev. Eulencine Christopher were installed as co-pastors of The South Florida Pastorate which consists of Prince of Peace, where Dion has currently been serving, New Hope, Palm Beach and the Margate Fellowship; along with Dion being installed as pastor of King of Kings, Miami Gardens, FL. The service took place at Palm Beach Moravian, Palm Beach, Fla. on Sunday, October 10, 2021. Greensboro, N.C. The Rev. Barbara M. Styers has accepted an appointment as pastor of the First Moravian congregation, Greensboro, N.C., and was on January 9, 2022. Prior to accepting this appointment, Rev. Styers served five years as Pastoral Assistant at Raleigh Moravian Church, which was the home congregation for her and her family after she and her husband Gray moved to Raleigh in 1990. Rev. Styers also served in internships for the Presbyterian Church (USA), as well as the United Methodist Church, both denominations that are in full communion with the Moravian Church. Please pray for Barbara and Gray as she begins her ministry. Chris Thore Provincial Elders’ Conference

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Jan/Feb 2022

Art

(Continued from page 18) from this community who are passionate about issues of criminal justice and/or who have been impacted by the criminal justice system in some way. The people who came to see the art were often in awe of the talent and raw emotion they saw in the pieces. It was a blessing for me to be able to come into my office each day for eight weeks and be surrounded by the artwork and the stories that work conveys. It deepened my passion for the work that we do here to increase the awareness of our shared humanity. I am so grateful to Ann Marie and to Art for Justice for working with us to bring the art, the increased awareness and the call to do more to Lancaster County.” Since this exhibit ended, the visitor who had been moved by his pre-exhibit viewing entered rehab for an alcohol addiction and he has reached out periodically to share his success. He is now in a half-way house, is working, has a deepening relationship with his children and grandchildren, and is doing very well. Indeed, there are many possibilities as artwork opens our eyes to new potentials, both for the incarcerated and for us as well! Please share with friends and find ways to advocate for the humane treatment of the incarcerated and the necessary reforms in our criminal justice system. To view a Youtube video of the exhibit featuring both Ann Marie Kirk, co-founder of Art for Justice and the Rev. Mandy Mastros of the Moravian Center of Lancaster, see this article on www.moravian.org. n The Rev. Janel Rice is pastor of Calvary Moravian Church in Allentown and has served the Eastern District Church and Society Ministry Team.

OBITUARIES

The Rev. Valrey Watson Sister Valrey Watson died November 18, 2021 at Toronto, Ontario, at age of 82. Born February 7, 1939, at St. Mary, Jamaica, she was a daughter of Harold and Edna Tennant. Sister Watson attended Shortwood Training College, Kingston, Jamaica; York University, Toronto, Ontario; and Emory School of Theology, Atlanta, Ga.. She was ordained a Deacon in the Moravian ministry October 15, 1989. She was united in marriage to Ralford Watson on April 14, 1962, at Kingston, Jamaica. She served First Moravian Church, Stone Mountain, Ga. and Fellowship Moravian Church, Brooklyn, N.Y.. She entered into retirement February 7, 2004. Sister Watson is survived by sons, Warren and Craig; and daughter, Karen. She was predeceased by her husband, Ralford, August 27, 2021. Memorial services were held in Toronto.

Mrs. Winifred N. Michel Sister Winifred N. “Winnie” Michel, at age 102, entered her heavenly reward on Thursday, January 13, 2022, from Auburn Manor in Chaska, Minnesota. She was born October 18, 1919, in Bethlehem, Pa., to George and Myrtle Cronce Strahler. She graduated from Liberty High School in Bethlehem. Sister Michel was united in marriage to Brother Richard E. Michel on February 3, 1945. She served alongside him in Michigan (Daggett and Unionville), Ohio (Sharon and Dover First), Pennsylvania (Palmer Township), and Illinois (West Salem)—singing in the choir, making sugar cakes, teaching Sun30

day school, quilting, Ladies’ Aid Society, and Women’s Circles. They retired in 1984 and lived in Gnadenhutten, Ohio and then Chaska, Minn.. Sister Michel is survived by her son, Richard E. Michel, Jr. (Jeannie) of Dover, Ohio; daughter, the Rev. Sharon (Kim Benson) of Chaska, Minn.; granddaughters the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Moran (Paul) and Kristell Benson; and three great-grandchildren. Other survivors include her sister, Millicent and husband Don Zeitner of Bethlehem, Pa., and many nieces and nephews. Sister Michel was predeceased by her husband, Rev. Richard Michel, in 2012.

Mrs. Doris Wenger Sister Doris (Roberts) Wenger died in Taneytown, Maryland on October 31, 2021, at age 94. She was born June 18, 1927, at Baltimore, Maryland, a daughter of George and Miriam (Iglehart) Roberts. Sister Wenger was united in marriage to Brother Warren Wenger on October 20, 1945, at Westminster, Maryland. She graduated from Westminster High School in Westminster, Maryland, the Western Maryland College in 1945 and Moravian College in 1956. Sister Wenger served alongside her husband in mission service in Nicaragua (1946-1961, 1976-1979), and in pastorates in Ohio (Fry’s Valley, Port Washington), New York (Midland Beach, New Dorp Beach), New Jersey (Egg Harbor City), and Pennsylvania (Midway Manor, Canadensis). Sister Wenger is survived by her daughters; Lois, Miriam, and Rebecca; son, Warren; six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. The Moravian

She was predeceased by her husband, Warren, December 23, 2018. A memorial service was held November 5, 2021, at Graceham Moravian Church, Thurmont, Maryland. Burial was at Graceham Moravian Cemetery. Memorial gifts were gratefully received for the Board of World Mission.

The Rev. David R. Burkette The Rev. David R. Burkette, 95, died on January 8, 2022 in Johnson City, Tenn. He was born in Ashe County near Jefferson, N.C. on June 28, 1926, the older son of the Rev. George Carroll and Maxie Ennice Burkett. David attended Draughn’s Business College in Winston-Salem and Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pa., and was a 1957 graduate of Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem. Following work in the business world as a sales representative for the George A. Hormel Company, he felt called into ordained ministry, enrolled in theological seminary in 1954, and following graduation, was ordained into the ministry of the Moravian Church in June, 1957.

He served Moravian congregations as pastor at Clemmons, Bethania, Fries Memorial, founding pastor of Rolling Hills Moravian Church in Longwood, Florida, and Calvary Moravian in Winston-Salem. In 1978, he was called to be Director of Evangelism and Home Missions for the Moravian Church, Southern Province, from which position he retired in 1991. Following retirement he served interim pastorates at several Moravian congregations before relocating to his family home place in Ashe County. While living in Ashe County he and his late wife, Dorothy, were active in the Mountain Laurel Moravian Fellowship, Laurel Springs, N.C. He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy, and his younger brother, Edgar. He is survived by two sons: the Rt. Rev. Dr. D. Wayne Burkette (Nancy) of Pfafftown, N.C. and Dr. Gary D. Burkette (Melissa) of Johnson City; six grandchildren; two step grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren. A family graveside service was held Thursday, January 13, 2022, in Salem God’s Acre, followed by a public memorial service at 11:00 am at Calvary Moravian Church, Winston-Salem, N.C.

The world’s oldest daily devotional that’s new every morning! The 2022 edition of The Moravian Daily Texts continues a 290-year-long tradition of offering an inspirational connection to the Holy Scriptures every day. Each entry in this beloved daily devotional includes “watchwords”—Old and New Testament verses to accompany readers throughout the day—combined with beautiful hymn texts and heartfelt prayers selected and written by Moravians across North America. In-stock editions of The Moravian Daily Texts 2022 are now available at a 20% discount. Visit the IBOC Bookstore at store.moravian.org to order yours today!

Learn more at store.moravian.org Jan/Feb 2022

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