J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y
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Moravians in Tanzania Camp Van-Es turns 70 A masterpiece returns …and more!
Eight great ways to dig deeper into Moravian history.
When seeking to understand more about today, sometimes the best place to look is yesterday. Learn more of the rich, 550-plus-year history of the Moravian Church by picking up one of these historical titles from the Interprovincial Board of Communication. From brief introductions to in-depth studies, these books deliver interesting and insightful looks into the unique story of faith that laid the foundation of today’s Moravian Church. This spring, dig a little deeper into Moravian history with these and other publications, available online at www.moravian.org/ publications or by calling 1.800.732.0591, ext. 38. MORAVIAN CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA 10 #09 t $&/5&3 453&&5 #&5)-&)&. 1" 1)0/& t '"9 t XXX NPSBWJBO PSH
On the Cover: Detail from “Adoration of the Shepherds” by John Valentine Haidt, recently restored for the Moravian Historical Society. Photo: Mike Riess
J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y
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Moravians in Tanzania Camp Van-Es turns 70
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A masterpiece returns …and more!
Christ and him crucified remain our confession of faith In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love
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Moravian Youth 6
Moravian Youth “Stand Up For Jesus”
Ministry to Older Adults 8
Marquardt Village: Preserving the past, embracing the future
In Our Communities 11
Faith, purpose drive runner in New York City Marathon
Ministry of Camping 14 Member, Associated Church Press
Camp Van Es Turns 70
Moravian History 19
Welcoming back a restored Moravian art treasure
Board of World Mission
Visit our website at http://www.moravian.org. Letters to the editor, address corrections, and other correspondence may be e-mailed to the magazine at pubs@mcnp.org.
January/February 2012
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Mwana Kondoo Ameshinda, Tumfuate
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Compassion Mission: Do We Give a Fish or Provide a Net?
In Every Issue 4
Ponderings: Hitting the calendar’s reset button
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Commentary: Continuing to serve in old and new places
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Official Provincial Elders’ News 3
PONDERINGS
(ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) January/February 2012, Vol. 43, No. 1 Publications Agreement No. 40036408 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Express Messenger International, PO Box 25058, London, Ontario N6C6A8, email: emi@exmessenger.com Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces Published monthly, except bimonthly January-February and July-August issues, by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.
Hitting the calendar’s reset button This is the time of year when everything seems compressed — so much to do, so much to finish, that “end of the year” feeling looming over everything. Will we get our Christmas shopping done? Will that last order ship? Will we hit our numbers? Will I meet my objectives? Fortunately, we have the joy of Advent and Christmas to help get us through. We get the promise of spending time with family, the Christmas Eve Lovefeast, the blessed Nativity, and if we’re lucky, a little time to ourselves for quiet reflection and prayer before jumping into a new year. Even with that hope of a quiet, relaxing, spiritual time, late November and early December found me deep in “worry mode.” But one afternoon while juggling e-mails, reviewing budgets and writing an article for the Moravian, I realized something that I hadn’t in years: in many ways, December rolling into January is much like July rolling into August. Our tasks and responsibilities continue like any month-to-month. Bills are due, trash is collected, visits to the grocery continue, Sunday services come right on time and another issue of the Moravian magazine needs doing. The realization that life goes on as normal, even with the end of the year, helped lift some of the worry. While the closing of the year can feel like an ending, it is also a beginning: a chance to start anew on some things while continuing on others. In the midst of all the year-end nuttiness, it offers a mental “new beginning,” a chance to hit a symbolic “reset button.” Reflecting on 2011, I see a year that brought many new things — new relationships with other denominations, new opportunities to bring the Moravian Church to new regions of the world, new ways of celebrating the Moravian connection to our communities and a new look for the Moravian Theological Seminary. It was also a good year for the IBOC — a new Daily Texts design, a strong following for our daily de4
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: 17,800 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 Deb Swanson, Advertising Coordinator Siobhan Young, Communications Assistant Interprovincial Board of Communication Paul Knouse, Paul Peucker Chair Adam Pristas Jane Burcaw Richard Sides Jane Carmichael Valerie Wagner Lance Fox Jill Westbrook Gary Kniskern Design by Sandy Fay, Laughing Horse Graphics, Inc. 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: pubs@mcnp.org www.moravian.org Contents © 2012, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in North America. All rights reserved
The Moravian
votional amongst Moravians and non-Moravians alike, enhancements to the magazine and new ways of looking at Church communication. As we make the switch to 2012, I’m seeing a very busy year for the Moravian Church here in the U.S. In April, May and June, each of the districts in the Northern Province will hold synods, with important legislation, elections and opportunities to learn and work together. April will also feature the Southern Province Intersynodal Conference, and staffing of the newly-structured Board of Cooperative Ministries will get underway. The Board of World Mission of the North American church will continue its work around the globe, while local congregations and ministries will launch new programs and outreach efforts. Here at the IBOC, we will continue to be sound stewards of the ministry entrusted to us. Even as I write this, a dozen of your fellow church members are busily assigning hymns and writing prayers for the 2013 Moravian Daily Texts. The magazine will undergo design and organization changes to make it more readable and useful. We are exploring new digital opportunities for our books and publications. And we are beginning to develop new opportunities to help congregations and agencies enhance their communication efforts. Throughout the year, the Moravian magazine will continue to bring you news, commentary, theological discussion and spiritual highlights. We’ll be covering the important events in the church while sharing the congregational efforts that make our connection to God and each other that much stronger. As we progress through the year, we will highlight worship practices, community efforts, educational programs, cultural events and congregational activities that illustrate the vitality, heritage and wonder of the Moravian Church. All in all, I’m excited about the work we will be doing in 2012. As I write this, I’m listening to a song called “Better Days” — very appropriate as I get ready to hit the January reset button. I’m looking forward to starting a clean calendar with lots of activities and opportunities while continuing our day-to-day — and month-to-month roles. I hope you enjoy this month’s magazine, and welcome your comments and questions.
Mike Riess, Editor January/February 2012
MORAVIAN YOUTH
Moravian Youth “Stand Up For Jesus” It is such a positive energy to be in an auditorium filled with young people expressing their love for Jesus; to hear them sing the songs of our faith with a contemporary twist; to see and hear them utilize the amazing Godgiven talents received to bring joy to the people of God through singing, dancing, rapping, poetry…wow! The Annual Youth Ministries Weekend sponsored by the Metropolitan Moravian Youth Council was hosted by the Grace Moravian Church at PS 32 in Springfield Gardens,
New York October 7-9. The theme — “Stand Up For Jesus” — was chosen to remind the young people of the need to live out their faith on a daily basis. Palmyra, Lititz, Redeemer, Trinity, Egg Harbor, First, United, Grace, Battle Hill, New Dawn, John Hus, Fellowship, Vanderbilt, and Faith along with pastoral representation from Edgeboro provided a good cross section of participants from the Eastern District. The formal activities began on Saturday with registration formalities and opening worship including greetings from PEC president Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller and the opening Rev. Andy Kilps poses with youth from Palmyra Moravian at the annual Youth Ministries Weekend in New York.
declaration by the Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler who has been actively involved in this event over the years. As always, the youth utilized their dazzling talents to enhance the worship atmosphere and prepared the gathering for the keynote message from the very youthful pastor Aaron Sherron. He encouraged those in attendance not be limited by their circumstances and to rise above negativity. A parade of banners depicting the theme provided the concluding element of the first session. Returning from lunch, participants geared up for the Annual Quiz Bowl which focused on the Epistle to the Romans and Moravian History from the book, “The Moravian Church Through the Ages” by John Weinlick and Albert Frank, prepared by Bishop Giesler. The excitement was fever pitched and nailbiting as eight teams, including defending champions Egg Harbor, dug deep to provide the answers to the moderator, Rev. Desna Henry-Goulbourne. First Moravian from New
York, N.Y. prevailed to reclaim the Rev. Frank Barker trophy. An exciting tie-breaker segment for second place saw Egg Harbor taking that spot leaving John Hus in third. The excitement of competition was tempered with a youth jam session later that evening. A worship service on the following Sunday morning led by Rev. Earl Goulbourne and the Grace Moravian congregation set the context for a great afternoon concert again featuring a variety of artistic expressions from our young people during which Br. Leon Smith’s contribution to the council was recognized. Rev. Dave Wickmann lead a highly motivating closing devotion in which he challenged the young people to take the theme with them as they go through the doors and out into the world and their respective congregations and homes. With the dance inducing sound of the Grace Steel Ensemble with a special arrangement of the classic hymn “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” wafting in the air, participants beaming with smiling and freely distributing high fives and hugs filed out of the auditorium in anticipation of the October 5-7, 2012 event in Ontario, Canada. ■
The Rev. Dr. Michael E. Johnson is pastor of John Hus Moravian and coordinator of the Metropolitan Moravian Youth Council. Photos this page: Youth and adults sing and worship during the Youth Ministries event. January/February 2012
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MINISTRY TO OLDER ADULTS
Marquardt Village: Preserving the past, embracing the future For many residents of Marquardt Village, a retirement community located in Watertown, Wis. sponsored by the Western District of the Moravian Church, the facility’s chapel represents a worship center and spiritual home. In 2012, planned renovations will help make the chapel a better, more useful and beautiful place to worship. Marquardt Village opened in Watertown in 1969, realizing a vision that began in the minds of several dedicated Moravian leaders including Bishop Milo Loppnow. Watertown was chosen for the location of this Moravian mission because it was the largest city in Wisconsin without a nursing home. The first phase of Marquardt Memorial Manor (named after Dr. Milton Ochs’ moth8
er) cared for 60 residents; 80 residents wereadded in 1976. Twenty years later, Marquardt Memorial Manor became the first nursing home in the state to offer all private rooms. Marquardt grew rapidly and now serves nearly 500 residents in independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care. Community outreach includes home health services, hospice, lifeline and supportive home care. A humble chapel Early in Marquardt’s history, a humble chapel was built thanks to the forward thinkers who knew what a chapel would mean to the people who lived at Marquardt and those who would make it their home decades in the future. As a mission of the Moravian church, The Moravian
Marquardt Village strives to care for the elderly and handicapped in a Christian environment — a mission enhanced by the addition of the chapel. The chapel at Marquardt began as a simple space in the Bethany Center. As Christian furnishings were added, the area transformed into a sacred place. Today the chapel in Bethany Center is used by 300 people weekly for a variety of purposes, with staff ever mindful and respectful that it is a place of worship. The chapel is accessible to resident rooms and apartments with the help of a video camera and sound system. More than half of the resident population at Marquardt Manor, the health and rehabilitation facility, “attend� chapel services either in person or by watching it on televisions in their rooms. Independent living residents watch from their apartment homes and assisted living residents at Zinzendorf Hall also tune in for Sunday morning services. The spiritual wellness of all residents is addressed by community churches and pastors with over 30 services per month in Bethany chapel and Zinzendorf Hall. Marquardt Village is a gathering of people of all faiths.
A spiritual place The significance of having a full-time chaplain and a beautiful worship space can be measured in many ways. Residents unable to travel to their home churches because of physical limitations can take part in services with their fellow residents. If the resident is a member of a local church, there is a very good chance their pastor leads services periodically in the Marquardt chapel. People living at the Manor for short-term rehabilitative therapy tend to watch services in their room instead of traveling to the chapel. Between their living transition and numerous therapy appointments, they find it relaxing to (continued on next page) Lori Werbeckes, CFRE, is foundation director for Marquardt Village in Watertown, Wis. She can be reached at 920.206.4000 or lwerbeckes@ marquardtvillage.org. 9
(continued from previous page) watch services in the comfort of their room. “Pastor Rick’s services are vital,” said Mary Moldenhauer, Activity Director at Marquardt Manor. The Rev. Dr. Rick Brewer, Marquardt’s Pastoral Care Director, leads two worship services in the Chapel every Sunday morning. Pastors of the Clergy Roundtable in the Watertown area share the responsibility of holding services every Tuesday, leading Christian worship to which all residents are invited. Catholic mass and WELS Lutheran services are held weekly. Lynne Wagner, Director of Nursing at Marquardt Manor, recounts a story of a woman who was moving into the Manor with her family’s assistance. “Moving day was frightening, tiring and filled with anxiety,” says Lynne. “As they were settling in, a family member noticed the worship schedule and said, ‘Grandma, there is a St. Mark’s church service here on Wednesday!’ The knowledge that she would see her pastor in a few days made a world of difference. Planning renovations Although the present chapel has served Marquardt well, renovations and upgrades are 10
needed. The current sound system was purchased 30 years ago. Outdated video and audio equipment limit the ability for shared services. Marquardt Village hopes to put the technology improvements of the past three decades to work for better sound quality and sharper video images. Sunlight streaming into the chapel is usually a welcome sight, but due to the position of the windows, the sun shines directly into the faces of attendees. This is both blinding and distracting as staff help the participants move out of the sunlight’s path. Planned stained glass panels placed over the windows will add a sacred beauty and filter the light. Aging eyes also require adequate lighting. Renovations will paint the ceiling beams to brighten the space and replace lights with energy efficient fixtures and bulbs. Wooden doors will be replaced with etched glass so chapel visitors can see into the room without disturbing the attendees and provide a visibly safer entrance and exit. While a leaking roof and defective shingles have already been replaced, thanks to generous donations, an additional $80,000 is needed to make the other improvements a reality. Marquardt Village launched a campaign called “Preserving the Past — Enhancing the Future” to raise the funds necessary for the renovations. For more information on the campaign, visit www.marquardtmanor.org. The Marquardt Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, therefore, gifts to Marquardt are tax deductible. “For many residents, the chapel is their center of worship and spiritual home, and for the past 17 years it has truly been my privilege to be called to this ministry,” says Marquardt Chaplain Rick. “We look forward to ‘Embracing the Future’ with you.” ■ The Moravian
IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Faith, purpose drive Moravian runner in New York City Marathon Every morning begins with a step in faith. No matter what the day may hold for us, it begins with the knowledge that God gives us the strength to do great things. So we step out in faith and pray that what we do will be pleasing to Him. When I was eleven years old, I found out I have Type 1, juvenile diabetes. While I don’t remember ever wondering “Why me?” I do know that as a young adult I struggled to manage diabetes as I didn’t want it to define me. After college, I found myself asking God what it would take for me to take better care of myself as I knew I could; I just wasn’t. I am thankful that four years ago I stepped out in
Laura Watson is assistant director of Laurel Ridge Camp, Conference and Retreat Center in Laurel Springs, N.C. Photo above: The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Team at the new York City Marathon. At right: Laura joins runners crossing the Verrazano Narrows bridge at the start of the race. January/February 2012
faith to meet a group of women my age who also have diabetes as through their encouragement, I finally began to successfully manage life with Type 1. This past April I learned that I had a spot on the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s team for the New York City Marathon. JDRF is an international non-profit organization that works to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes and improve the lives of those who have it. (continued on next page)
(continued from previous page) Every time I participate in a JDRF activity, I see young children with insulin pumps that are almost as big as them. I am both thankful for the years of childhood I had without diabetes and inspired to do something so that no child ever has to worry about blood sugars again. I knew in April that being able to run the NYC marathon in November with Team JDRF would be a dream-come-true for me. Through the months of training and fundraising, each step was one step closer to the starting line, one step closer to a cure for diabetes, and certainly a step in faith as I can’t run 26.2 miles on my own! On Friday, November 4, my husband Mark and I headed to the Big Apple. My parents flew in later that day and we enjoyed seeing the marathon finish line in Central Park; there were hundreds of runners from countries all over the world gathering to see where the race would end. For the next 36 hours, I felt nothing but amazement; I was amazed to meet the other members of Team JDRF, I was amazed to be in the city (quite a change from Laurel Ridge!), and I was amazed by the entity that is the New York City marathon. The alarm went off Sunday morning at 4:30 a.m.; I was to board the bus to get to Staten Island at 5:30. I expected to not have slept well and to feel nervous; instead I felt calm and ready. Prior to my first marathon in 2010, I was afraid; I asked myself why in the world I thought I could cover 26.2 miles. On November 6th I was thrilled as I was running for a reason and ready for what the day had in store for me; I couldn’t wait to step out in faith. The following are my “Top 6” marathon moments; the race was even more incredible that I imagined it would be. 12
6. The camaraderie I felt from the JDRF team…from the emails that started circulating in April to running a very fast two miler in Central Park together the day before the marathon to the hours waiting in the charity village…I got to the starting line feeling relaxed and ready thanks to the support of the team. 5. Learning more about everyone’s reasons for running the marathon…I was inspired by parents of multiple children with Type 1 and those who were running in honor of a loved one who has it, as well as by other runners who have diabetes themselves. There wasn’t a single person in the group who felt sorry for themselves or was limited by diabetes in any way! 4. Favorite race signs: “You Got This! You’ve Trained for Longer Than Kim Kardashian was Married!,” “You’re not sweating; your fat cells are crying!,” “Staying up all night to make this sign was hard work too,” and “26.2. Because 26.3 would be crazy.” 3. 1st Avenue: Coming off the bridge into Manhattan…everyone had told me that I’d hear a roar and that going from the quiet of the Queensboro Bridge to the thousands of people on 1st Ave would be an experience. It was amazing. I had a hard time catching my breath and fought not to cry; there is nothing like strangers cheering for you to remind you that human beings have an innate capacity to care for one another. This was mile 16 and I knew then (although I knew at the start too!) that this was my race, my day, and that nothing was going to stop me. 2. Mile 18: where my parents and husband were stationed. Knowing they were waiting there for hours made me want to get there faster. I thought about them throughout the The Moravian
race and especially from mile 9 on as I was halfway to them; they have experienced diabetes with me in so many ways and during the hard times have said they wished they could take it away from me and have it themselves. I was so excited at mile 17 as I could finally call Mark and tell him I was almost there. Even though I didn’t stop for hugs like so many other runners were doing (I wanted to but was afraid slowing down would make my calves cramp!), that didn’t mean I wasn’t thrilled to see their smiling faces. And again at mile 23, just when I needed one last push up 5th Avenue and into Central Park. I am sure spending the day on the streets of New York waiting for a 10 second glimpse of someone is quite an experience so I am very thankful for my “support team” (I thank my friends who were at miles 20 and 22 as well!) as I couldn’t have run without them! 1. Finishing…being able to speed up for the last 300 yards…shaving a few minutes off my 2010 Outer Banks Marathon time… seeing two of the 4 people I started with from the JDRF team at the finish line… running every single step of the marathon…I felt like a champion. Laura Watson of Laurel Ridge at the New York City Marathon.
If you had asked me whether I thought I could run the entire New York City Marathon that morning, I would’ve said no; I assumed I would have to walk some. My experience made me aware of how many limits we put on ourselves, as well as of how easy it is to overcome those limits. All it took for me was the help of a beautiful city, thousands of strangers, some great songs on my iPod, the presence of family and friends, the support of everyone who gave to JDRF, the support of everyone who was cheering for me no matter where they were that day, and a few million steps in faith…I am lucky and blessed. Thanks be to God for the gifts of healthy legs and feet, physical and mental endurance, generosity, love, and His never-ending faith in me. Even though my NYC marathon day is over, diabetes is not; we raised over $375,000 as a team but one of the JDRF runners emailed after helping her daughter through a bad low blood sugar last week and that makes me want to do this all over again until a cure is found. I am amazed by how much JDRF research has improved the lives of everyone with Type 1 so who knows; I might be running NYC again next year! To learn more about JDRF, please visit www.jdrf.org. ■
MINISTRY OF CAMPING
Camp Van Es Turns 70
2011 was a year of celebration of the 70th anniversary of Van Es Camp and Conference Centre. Throughout the year, volunteers, campers and supporters of the Moravian Church Canadian District’s camp have found a variety of ways to mark this milestone achievement. Van Es began as acres of unbroken land. Today it is a modern facility that welcomes campers as it has always done and is steadily making changes to accommodate needs for wider community use.
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Celebrating a milestone The year’s celebrations began with the design of a new logo: a simple circle of stones with the name clearly printed at the side and bottom. The different colours and sizes of stones symbolize people coming together —all colours, all shapes, all sizes, all ages, all equal. The stones also represent the warmth of the campfire circle. With the new logo came the production of a booklet which builds on Follow the Lamb, a large, story-packed volume written for the 50th anniversary of Camp Van Es. Early in the year we began collecting stories and memories of Camp Van Es. Treasures of old photos from the archives were used to develop Now & Then scenarios. Eight-year-old Adam Jaikaran was our youngest contributor when he pronounced that “Camp Van Es is the most awesome camp in the world.”
The Moravian
At 94, Sadie Adam was our eldest contributor. Her perspective is unique — her memories span the entire 70-year existence of Camp Van-Es. A special treat for her was opening the booklet and finding a 1945 photo of four early Van Es cooks, one of whom was her mother. Camp Sunday The stories and photos were gathered into a colourful booklet entitled On Holy Ground, first available at the 2011 Camp Sunday. Camp Sunday at Van Es is a long and treasured annual tradition when all the congregations in the Canadian District come together for worship, community and a potluck picnic. This year, on a beautiful sunny fall day, guests were warmly welcomed by the Millwoods’ trombone choir playing outside the old chapel. The occasion was made special by the presence of Bishop Blair Couch who January/February 2012
preached the sermon during the afternoon church service, which was led by Rev. Matt Gillard. Jane (Wedman) Boettcher, the author of Follow the Lamb, was present and honoured for her contribution. She is the daughter of Rev. Samuel Wedman, who had the original vision for Van Es. On Camp Sunday, a beautiful banner de(continued on next page) Wynne Edwards and Alice Sears are members of Rio Terrace Church in Edmonton, Canada. Alice is Board Chair of Van Es Camp and Conference Centre. She and Wynne, and Ingrid Lundell, also an RTC member, are co-editors of On Holy Ground. To request copies email alicesears@shaw.ca. Photos left and above: Canadian Moravians celebrate Camp Van Es’ 70th anniversary throughout 2011. 15
(continued from previous page) signed and quilted by Pat Taylor and friends, was blessed and hung for the first time. Its three panels depict 70 years of Van Es service. A white cross in the center represents the cross by the lake where vespers are held. An elegant celebration The highlight of this year’s celebrations was an elegant dinner was held at Camp Van Es at the end of October. Luminaria lit the way through the early darkness to Morning Star Hall where a classical prelude welcomed guests to a wonderful evening of fine food and community. A lively silent auction for amazing donations including hockey tickets, gold jewelry, a weekend in Radium Hot Springs, books, pictures, a handcrafted birdhouse, a handcrafted quilt, and more helped raise money for the Camp. Our chef, David Prochnau, along with his team, which included Ruth and Kurt Prochnau created a gourmet four-course meal, served with grace and good humour by Van Es board members dressed in white shirts and ties. It was an elegant evening of fun and fellowship. The president of the Provincial Elders Conference, the Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller, brought greetings on behalf of the Northern Province. The keynote speaker, Rev. Gary Straughan, shared his own life-changing experiences at Camp Van Es which were the beginning of his Moravian journey. He followed this with a litany of Moravian pastors who received their call and whose lives were profoundly influenced by their experience at Camp Van Es. This gala event was also the kick-off for the capital campaign, “Building on Blessings,” (continued on page 30) Luminaria light the way to the Camp Van Es Gala in October.
The Moravian
COMMENTARY
Continuing to serve in old and new places Not too long after I retired as editor of The Moravian, I served as pastor of a small Presbyterian congregation in Minneapolis. During the 30 months I served there, the congregation voted to close, and we had a generally graceful end. We had former pastors back, we published a book with a history of the congregation, and many of the members joined a congregation not too far away. Nobody said, “You have to close,� which made it a little easier. In the Northern and Southern provinces a number of congregations have closed in the last decade: Good Shepherd, New Hartford, N.Y.; Third, Philadelphia, Pa.; Haverford and Second, Indianapolis, Ind.; Midway Manor, Allentown, Pa.; Morning Star, Peoria, Ariz.; East Side, Green Bay, Wis.; Mamre, Watertown, Wis.; Morning Star, Asheville, N.C.; Hermann Weinlick is a retired Moravian pastor living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. January/February 2012
Holly Springs, N.C. Both Northern and Southern Provinces have closed some new church starts before their formal organization as congregations. In addition, some congregations have merged: New Eden and Immanuel,
(continued on next page)
Hermann Weinlick
(continued from previous page) Winston-Salem,. N.C.; and Grace, Center Valley, and Coopersburg, Pa. There has been a variety among these congregations: new churches that have struggled unsuccessfully to grow; rural churches in areas losing population; neighborhood churches whose members have died, retired, or moved. To avoid feeling bad about churches closing, we have sometimes forgotten to honor and give thanks for the ministry of those congregations to both members and communities. And closing is not the end of the story.
They decided that God could be better served if they closed and their gifts were used in other congregations. Midway Manor Church, Allentown, Pennsylvania, began shortly after World War II. After a few years of declining numbers, the congregation decided to close in 2008. At that point they were financially stable, and their district president said they had as much going on as in many much larger congregations. But they asked, “What does God want?” They decided that God could be better served if they closed and their gifts were used in other congregations. They closed and have brought additional life to several Moravian congregations in the area. Some have gone to Advent Church in nearby Bethlehem, which used Lenten services as an opportunity to get better acquainted. College Hill Church in Bethlehem has welcomed Midway Manor members. Linda Toggert, formerly 18
a spiritual director at Midway Manor, now at College Hill, says that pastors there were “gracious, not pushy.” Edgeboro and East Hill churches in Bethlehem have also seen Midway Manor members. Regular reunions have helped former Midway Manor members, both to grieve and to give thanks for new life they have found in new congregations. East Side Church in Green Bay, Wisconsin, dated from the very beginning of Moravian work in the state among immigrants in 1850. For many years the city had two Moravian churches, East Side with German roots and West Side with Scandinavian roots. Both built new places of worship after World War II. But recent years have seen some decline in numbers in both churches, especially East Side. East Side voted to close and had their last service October 10, 2010. On October 24, 2010, the majority of their members, 33 in number, joined the West Side Church. (On October 17 there was a Green Bay Packers game, and West Side’s church building is near the stadium.) Prior to closing, the two had done some things together. One of the church choirs was strong on men, the other on women; now there is a good four-part choir. The boards at West Side were expanded to include former East Side members. Historic items from East Side were put on display. Again, there is grief, but many things have been done to welcome and include. Congregations will continue to close. The seven Christian churches addressed in Revelation 2-3 are now, if they exist at all, in predominantly Muslim Turkey. Many Moravian preaching places in this country either never became congregations or became churches of other denominations. But God will continue to give life and invite us to serve in old and new ways and in old and new places. ■ The Moravian
MORAVIAN HISTORY
Welcoming back a restored Moravian art treasure Members
of the Moravian Historical Society in Nazareth, Pa. recently welcomed back a treasure of Moravian art: John Valentine Haidt’s “Adoration of the Shepherds.” The painting, which was originally completed in 1758, returned in early December from a 16-month restoration process that aimed to return it to its original splendor. The restoration was unveiled at Whitefield House Museum in Nazareth, where the painting now hangs. The restoration was made possible by an International Preservation & Restoration Grant from the Questers and an anonymous gift of a Moravian Historical Society member. Art restorer Aella Diamantopoulos describes the work performed on “Adoration of the Shepherds” during the unveiling ceremony in December. January/February 2012
The Questers are a non-profit international organization that encourages an appreciation for antiques and the preservation and restoration of historical landmarks and artifacts. Restoring past glory This original painting of the shepherds as witnesses to the birth of Christ was painted by Haidt while he lived in Nazareth. It has been in the collection of the Society since 1860 and had undergone a previous restoration in 1953. In describing the painting, Historical Society records say, “Haidt’s visionary treatment of the Adoration of the Shepherds dissolves the stable of Christ’s birth into a dreamlike stage in which a door seems to open behind the manger to admit celestial light and angels.” (continued on next page) 19
John Valentine Haidt’s “Adoration of the Shepherds” was painted in 1758.
(continued from previous page) To restore the 40-by-51-inch painting, Philadelphia-based conservator Aella Diamantopoulos cleaned the painting and removed four layers of old varnish that had clouded the image. She also repaired areas where the paint was cracked, flaking, or where previous patching had been attempted. A Moravian painter John Valentine Haidt, a goldsmith, an ordained minister and an artist, was born in 1700 and came to the colonies in 1754. He actively painted, supported by the church, until 1774 when his health began to fail. He died in 1780. Haidt lived and worked in Bethlehem as the official painter of the Moravian Church there, 20
and by extension, the official painter of the town of Bethlehem. During his time in Pennsylvania, Haidt moved between Gnadenhutten, Philadelphia and Nazareth. Soon after arriving in the colonies, Haidt was called to Nazareth to decorate the Manor House, later known as Nazareth Hall, which Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf expected to use as his residence in the colonies. Six paintings — the Adoration of the Shepherds, and five others on display dealing with the death and resurrection of Christ — were painted by Haidt in a northwest room on the third floor of the Manor House in Nazareth. These six paintings, known as a chapel set, hung in the Manor House Saal from 1757 to 1840 when they were moved to Nazareth’s third place of worship, the building referred to as the 1840 Church in the complex of NazaThe Moravian
reth Hall. In 1860, the set came to the Whitefield House. The Moravian Historical Society has 24 paintings by Haidt: 17 are religious works and seven are portraits. Eight of his paintings are currently on display. Haidt’s paintings are among the earliest religious pictures painted in America. Art historians cite Venetian paintings, and the works of Rubens, Hans Multscher and Albrecht Dürer as subjects and influences on his work. Writer Charlene Engel also described his work: “Many of Haidt’s religious subjects have stylized faces with huge, luminous eyes and they show a special concern for the depiction of hands. An additional hallmark of his work was his tendency to change figure scale without regard of perspective in his more complex compositions.” “Haidt paintings are precious to Moravians as well as to history and art lovers for many reasons — their age, their religious themes, and the fact that Haidt was one of the first colonial American painters to treat religious subjects,” said Barbara Dietterich of the Historical Society board during the unveiling ceremony attended by Historical Society members and guests. “From the point of view Members of the Questers, the organization that provided a grant for the Haidt painting restoration.
Attendees at the unveiling discuss details of the restored artwork.
of the Historical Society the painting is important because this painting is the largest Haidt painting that we own dealing with the birth of the Christ Child, and it is probably one of the most popular paintings with our visitors, especially children.” The restored “Adoration of the Shepherds” now hangs in the Saal of the Whitefield House, the Moravian Historical Society’s museum in Nazareth. To learn more, visit www.moravianhistoricalsociety.org. ■
BOARD OF WORLD MISSION
Mwana Kondoo Ameshinda, Tumfuate Tanzania, on the east coast of Africa, is the place to be if you are looking for Moravians. More than 600,000 of our sisters and brothers live there, scattered throughout the seven provinces in that country. Nearly two out of every three members of our worldwide church live in Tanzania. In November, while American Moravians were celebrating Thanksgiving, I was privileged to share life with 150 Tanzanian Moravians at the All-Tanzania Women’s Conference. My invitation to make this trip came from the Rev. Patty Garner, who serves as head of the Unity Women’s Desk organized 22
in early 2011 (for more information on the Women’s Desk, see the September 2011 issue of The Moravian). Patty had been asked to present at the conference, which gave her an opportunity to talk about the Unity Women’s Desk with all seven Women’s Secretaries (an important leadership position in each Tanzanian province). Charlotte Disher, who serves on staff at Unity
Donna Hurt is the director of Christian education at Home Moravian Church and a member of the Board of World Mission. The Moravian
Moravian in Lewisville, N.C., also joined us on this trip. During our nine-day visit, we were driven everywhere by a teacher at Teofilo Kisanji University and Seminary, our denominational school. Peter’s first challenge was to transport us across country from Dar Es Salaam, our arrival point on the Indian Ocean to Mbeya, our conference location in western Tanzania. That meant 12 hours in the car, which afforded us opportunities to see the countryside, life in the villages along the way, and even some African animals in the national park through which we passed (I have pictures of baboons, giraffes, zebras, impalas and elephants!). Upon arrival that evening at our little hotel in Mbeya, we were met by Mary Kategile, an ordained woman who serves on the faculty of our Seminary. She would be our guide through the next five days. The conference was held at one of the larger Moravian churches. Women had traveled by bus from all across the country and had paid a small fee to attend. Each brought assigned food items for meals, all of which were cooked in the backyard of the church. Sleeping took place on the floor of several The Revs. Patty Garner and Mary Kategile speak during the All-Tanzania Women’s Conference.
Moravian women celebrate during worship services.
rooms throughout the church (including the sanctuary), as well as in empty buildings next to the church. Meals were taken mostly outside, sitting on the ground. Some women conversed with us in English, but there was a lot of translating from Swahili. As the conference moved along, I also learned that times listed on the program didn’t really mean much, the electrical power would fail periodically and the singing would be wonderful. Agness Njeyo, another ordained woman who works in her provincial office and chair of the conference’s planning committee, opened the conference that first night with introductions, very energized singing, and distribution of official conference tee shirts. It was quite a celebratory way to begin. The next two days were filled with informative presentations, most of which allowed for questions/discussion. Saturday was different, however, with a trip across town to tour the university/seminary, a craft display where each province offered handmade items for sale, and musical entertainment from several invited choirs. The day ended with communion and an (continued on next page) 23
Charlotte Disher, Patty Garner and Donna Hurt in Tanzania.
(continued from previous page) unexpected twist. Partway into the service the lights went out, which left 150 Moravians sitting in a very dark sanctuary, the leaders unable to serve communion. At first there was complete quiet, but then the women from one province began to sing softly and others added their voices. When that song ended, another group started singing and the same thing happened. For about 30 minutes, all of us were awash in the impromptu and harmonious sounds of women’s worshipping voices. Then the lights came back on, and we were able to continue with the service, but with our hearts far better prepared. On Sunday we worshipped, through two services that began at 8:30 and (with a short break in between) concluded around 2:00. Since all the women had brought white dresses to wear that day, Agness wanted Patty, Charlotte and me to ‘fit right in,’ so she presented us with our own white dresses. The fabric was covered with small Moravian seals and the Swahili words Mwana Kondoo Ameshinda (Our Lamb Has Conquered), Tumfuate (Let Us Follow Him). If we heard that phrase once, we heard it a million times, for it is how they greet each other. 24
The experience of worshipping in Tanzania felt similar to at home, except for the length of the service (they could not believe that my church’s service lasted only an hour), and the offering. Members of the congregation walk to the front of the church to give their money, and they do this three times. The first trip is for pledge envelopes, the second trip is an ‘extra thanksgiving’ offering, and the third trip is for something special, like provincial work or missions or women’s ministry. A few of the 500 people present did not have money to give, so they brought something that the church could auction off and keep the proceeds. After the benediction, we all gathered in the front yard to see who would bid on the following: a live chicken, a sack of eggs, a little straw broom, a woven floor mat, and a live calf (that had been tied to a tree in the yard of the church for several days, and I had no idea why). After lunch, the first AllTanzanian Women’s Conference ended. The three of us from America had started out as guests, watching and learning. We ended up as sisters in the faith, participating in every way possible. We were richly blessed. ■
Agness Njeyo and Mary Kategile at the All-Tanzania Women’s Conference.
The Moravian
BOARD OF WORLD MISSION
Compassionate Mission: Do We Give a Fish, or Provide a Net? One blissfully sunny day in the Lake Victoria District of Tanzania, five women, two from the city of Mwanza, two from the village of Magu, Tanzania and one from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, piled into a four passenger all wheel vehicle and set out for the small village of Gininiga in northwest Tanzania. The journey there, half over a paved road, the remainder over a washed out red clay dirt Cynthia Rader Geyer is a member of Likewise Ministries — BWM. She is copastor of College Hill Moravian Church in Bethlehem, Pa., where she lives with her husband David and two sons Leo and Joey. Photo above: Cynthia meets with Moravians in Tanzania during her visit there last fall. January/February 2012
road, would take close to three hours. To help alleviate the heat of the day, we opened the windows. Not a bad choice for the first hour of our journey; however, it was not long after having turned off the paved road that our little SUV filled with red clay dust. The conversation, mostly in Swahili, centered on HUKWAFA, a Moravian Church based capacity-building program established in 2009 as part of the Moravian Church in Western Tanzania in conjunction with Likewise Aids Ministries, Board of World Mission, North America, to respond to the development needs of rural and urban populations in Lake Victoria District. Bahati Andrew, HUKWAFA’s Program Man(continued on next page) 25
(continued from previous page) ager and the other women in the car, all working with the Most Vulnerable Children, began to share insight about their HUKWAFA experiences. Bahati is a social scientist employed by the National Institute for Medical Research living in Mwanza and a member of the Moravian Church in Western Tanzania. Bahati talked about the 145 vulnerable children currently registered and participating in the HUKWAFA program. A vulnerable child is one who experiences neglect, abuse, and or exploitation, one living in a child-headed household, one who is living with elderly and infirmed grandparents or caretakers or one living in an HIV/AIDS affected household. Bahati also talked about the hope she sees growing in the families and households of the identified vulnerable children. The women each took turns sharing stories about their 26
home visits to spend time with the children, the process of registering the children for health care, and the opportunity to share in the joy of those who are able to attend school. The conversation quickly turned to the possibilities for income-generating opportunities among the most vulnerable child households. This is HUKWAFA’s primary focus, one that the HUKWAFA Board and the program volunteers have been working on for the past two years. “It is important for the members of the most vulnerable children households to learn to stand on their own feet and provide for their family,” said Bahati. “We must somehow encourage and strengthen each other to ensure that the families provide for themselves instead of depending on others. I know it is taking time to educate and challenge their current way of thinking, but we need to continue to move, to take a step ahead, to provide education and hope, even a small amount for the families we serve.” I began to think about that statement. For the past seven years I had been working with many like-minded folks to provide for the people of Tanzania, Africa. In my very limited travels, I had come to know Africa as one of the poorest and least industrialized continents on the globe. So I worked to provide food, shelter, education, healthcare, and more. Three years ago I became overwhelmed and experienced what I now know as compassion fatigue. I struggled to function as a caregiver for my brothers and sisters in Tanzania, who live in an environment of poverty that is constantly heart wrenching for me. My mission to affect positive change by caring for others became elusive, bringing me to the point where I started to believe it was impossible. This painful reality, coupled with the firsthand knowledge of our world’s flagrant The Moravian
disregard for the safety and well-being of the least among us, took its toll. Eventually a negative attitude overtook my focus. And then folks at the Board of World Mission encouraged me to read several articles about Africa and Mission. The material shocked, I might even say offended me, but it also inspired me. Anthony Ham, a travel writer who specializes in Africa, wrote: The best advice for anyone traveling to Africa or involved in its care is to resist the insidious notion that they are somehow duty-bound to rescue Africa from itself. Africa’s future will be decided not by outsiders but by its own citizens….The population of Africa currently have little or no say over its direction. When that changes, Africa will find its way. I was shocked because I had traveled to Africa, I was involved in its care, and I believed I was duty-bound to rescue the people there, to provide for all their needs. After all, I had so much and they had so little. I saw what needed to be done and knew that with God’s help I, along with others here in the U.S., could do something about the poverty, and lack of food, healthcare, and education. Yet, providing for all their needs could result in a long line of never-ending service. I was inspired by what I read, because I realized that I was going about caring for my sisters and brothers in Africa in a way that was not inclusive or sustainable. Enter Likewise Ministries — Board of World Mission and the HUKWAFA Program with a focus on capacity building. Capacity building is a conceptual approach to development that focuses on understanding the obstacles that inhibit people from realizing their developmental goals while enhancing the abilities that will allow them to achieve
measurable and sustainable results. In other words, capacity building is strengthening the skills and abilities of people to develop communities so that they can overcome the causes of poverty. A member of the HUKWAFA board was excited to not just provide “fish” for the people, but to give them a net, a way to provide for themselves. Together the people in the Moravian Church of Western Tanzania, Lake Victoria District, through HUKWAFA, and people in the Moravian Church in North America, through Likewise Ministries — Board of World Mission, are serving each other to build sustainable, transformed communities.
And through it all, we kept our focus the long-term goal to find a balance between giving the poor what they need today to exist and encouraging the poor to decide for themselves how to build a new future. We began by developing a program that provided quality psychosocial support and services, shelter and care, food and nutrition, and healthcare and education. We identified 150 vulnerable children and their families. We networked in the communities with volunteer and government agencies. We struggled with cross cultural communication, long distance partnerships, and the various theological and practical understandings of Christian and Moravian mission. And through it all, we kept our focus the long-term goal to find a balance between giving the poor what they need today (continued on next page)
(continued from previous page) to exist and encouraging the poor to decide for themselves how to build a new future. The conversation in our little SUV, over the bumpy roads of Tanzania, Africa continued. Bahati and the other women excitedly talked about the micro-finance group in Magu. A group of volunteer women working with HUKWAFA meet once a week to support each other in various ways including the collection of a small amount of money, about two dollars each. When they have enough collected and one of the women has a good small business plan, they loan that woman the start up money for the business. Similar micro-loan programs have been shown to be effective in Tanzania when they have involved a group Rev. Cynthia Rader Geyer and Bahati Andrew in Tanzania.
that holds each other accountable, and when they involve women. “What if,” Bahati said, “what if more groups in Magu and Gininiga would do that?” The conversation took on a renewed excitement. The women had already given this some thought and talked with the families of the children enrolled in HUKWAFA’s Most Vulnerable Children program. For the remainder of our trip, one woman to the next talked about what a positive motivation it would be for the people in the villages to be able to identify their own gifts and assets, work to save their own money, even if it’s just a few pennies, collaborate on capacity building projects, small business ventures and agricultural opportunities, and invest their money, time, and talents as together they find ways to strengthen their communities. We arrived in the small village of Gininiga after a long dusty journey and were greeted by a large crowd of people. People who were so happy to welcome us, people who wanted to thank HUKWAFA and Likewise Ministries for all that they had given them, shelter, healthcare, food, etc.,and people who wanted to share their vision for the future. This vision brings new hope to everyday life through sharing, planning and working together. It asks them to move from having little or no say in their future and living in a society where they are considered or consider themselves to be “less than” and dependent upon others, to a community recognizing their gifts and talent, strengths and assets, putting those assets to work for themselves, taking responsibility for their own decisions, and through God’s help, transforming their communities. I have been given new hope for my brothers and sisters in Tanzania and am privileged to walk alongside them on their journey and learn from them. ■ The Moravian
OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, 2012 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, “We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ,” is based on I Corinthians 15:51-58.
Ecumenical Sunday, January 29, 2012 The Provincial Elders’ Conferences request that congregations observe our ecumenical witness in the worship services on Sunday, January 29, 2012. 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.
NORTHERN PROVINCE Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin Sister Mary Lou Plummer, who has been serving as pastor of the Glenwood Moravian Church, Madison, Wisconsin, has accepted the call to serve as pastor of the Wisconsin Rapids Moravian Church, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Sister Plummer will begin her new work January 17, 2012. Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference (continued on next page)
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SOUTHERN PROVINCE Retirement Brother C.L. “Tripp” May has requested and been given permission to retire from active ministry of the Moravian Church effective February 29, 2012. Brother May was ordained a Baptist pastor in 1976 and served congregations in that denomination for the next 21 years. He began serving in the Moravian Church in active ministry in 1995 and for the last 16 years has served pastorates at Friedberg, Advent, and Bethabara Moravian Churches in Winston-Salem, NC. He was consecrated a presbyter on February 9, 2003. Brother May attended the US Naval Academy and graduated from Campbell University and Southeastern Baptist Seminary. Having accepted Jesus Christ as an Episcopalian and later serving as a Southern Baptist minister, Brother May found he is most at home and most thankful for the way he was received into fellowship and faith in the Moravian Church. He especially enjoyed the opportunity to extend his ministry by sharing in creative and multi-cultural work. We express deep appreciation to Tripp and Jeannie for their dedicated and faithful service and wish them a long, happy and healthy retirement.
Camp Van Es (continued from page 16) to fund a new lodge at Van Es. The proposed plan is for a wheelchair accessible year-round building that will sleep 30 people and include a lounge area, a small kitchen, and a meeting room. The proposed drawings for the new lodge, as well as a virtual tour, were available for the guests to review. The successful gala was a fitting end for a year of celebration of 70 years. Camp Van Es has been a blessing for countless numbers of campers and others during its 70 year history. May it continue to be a blessing for those yet to experience God’s presence and love amidst the pines and beauty of its holy ground. ■
A daily message from God that is new every morning! Following a 280-year tradition, the Moravian Daily Texts continue to inspire readers around the world with a devotional guide for every day. To order your 2012 Moravian Daily Texts visit www.moravian.org/publications or call 1.800.732.0591, ext. 38
David Guthrie Provincial Elders’ Conference Ad Policy for The Moravian — The Moravian accepts paid advertising that is consistent with the magazine’s objectives and editorial convictions as they are stated in the purpose and mission of the Interprovincial Board of Communication. Advertisements for activities, services, and products of specific interest to members of the Moravian Church have priority. The Moravian does not accept purely editorial advertisements that advocate specific ideas or issues. Articles, columns, and letters to the editor are the appropriate vehicles for the presentation of ideas and issues. The Interprovincial Board of Communication is responsible for the content and design of the magazine, including advertisements. Ad rates are available by contacting Deb Swanson at deb@mcnp.org.
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The Moravian
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