M A R C H
Southern Province Living the Essentials Students in Jamaica Considering a new hymnal and more!
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Choral Chamber Handbells Concert Band Trombone Choir
Music, both Familiar and Challenging… Learning, through Discovery and Practice... Sharing in Faith, Fellowship and Fun! moravianmusicfestival.org 336-725-0651
Special Lenten Discount on Readings for Holy Week Reflect on Jesus’ willing sacrifice on the cross and the journey that took him there with Readings for Holy Week. A harmony of the Gospel stories of Christ’s final days, combined with inspirational hymn texts, illustrate the full depth of God’s love. Hardcover Large Print Edition Hardcover Pocket Edition Reg. 11.95, now $8.95! Reg. 9.95, now $7.50! Hardcover Music Edition Reg. 13.95, now $10.50!
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Order online at store.moravian.org or call 800.732.0591, ext. 38 Prices do not include shipping. Discount on Readings for Holy Week titles only, through April 17, 2017. ©2017 IBOC, Moravian Church in America
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The Moravian
On the cover: Joanna Burns and her father, Joe, at the 2017 Southern Province Inter-Synodal Gathering. Photo by Mike Riess
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11 Southern Province Christ and him crucified remain our confession of faith In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love
11 Inter-Synodal gathering generates ideas, excitement for tomorrow
Moravians in Mission 6
Come & Worship team “Goes & Serves” in Peru
21 Moravian Unity Mission Conference: Giving heed to God’s call
In Our Congregations 5
The making of an Easter Putz
Moravian Music 9
Exploring a potential new Moravian music resource
A Moravian Education 17 Seminary students learn of life and history in Jamaica
Unity Women’s Desk 22 Making a positive impact on women and girls around the world
Ministries Foundation 24 Gift Legacy: Remembering congregations and agencies in estate plans Visit our website at http://www.moravian.org. Letters to the editor, address corrections, and other correspondence may be e-mailed to the editorial staff at moravianmagazine@mcnp. org.
March 2017
Moravian Doctrine 26 Confessing Our Unity in Christ: Studying the historical
and theological background to The Ground of the Unity
In Every Issue 4
Ponderings: A hymn makes for a happier birthday
29 Official Provincial Elders’ News 3
PONDERINGS
A hymn makes for a happier birthday
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hile travelling for work remains a fun part of my job, being away from home and family on my birthday is something I typically try to avoid. I’m also a fan of quiet birthday celebrations. This year, my birthday fell the Saturday of the Southern Province’s 2017 Inter-Synodal Conference in Winston-Salem. I hoped I would make it through the weekend without anyone making a fuss. However, thanks to my fellow Moravians, my birthday would not go unnoticed. The Thursday night before the conference, some Moravian co-workers and friends treated me to a piece of celebratory pecan pie at a local barbecue restaurant. A nice, quiet observance that I thought would be it. Not so. At Saturday’s conference, all those gathered were seated in a large circle in New Philly’s Fellowship Hall to begin one of the central activities of the event. I was standing outside the circle, taking photos, when Ruth Cole Burcaw, who was leading the discussion, announced it was a special day for one of those in photo by Andrew David Cox attendance. She was talking about me. She invited me into the circle and suggested the group sing a round of “Happy Birthday.” I turned beet red. She asked Nola Knouse to pitch the crowd. But instead of the traditional birthday tune I’d heard so many times before, she led them in Hymn #447, “With Your Presence, Lord”: “With your presence, Lord, our Head and Savior/bless him now we humbly pray;/our dear heavenly Father’s love and favor/be his comfort every day./ May God’s Spirit now in each proceeding/favor him with his most gracious leading;/thus shall he be truly blessed/both in labor and in rest.” Now, that’s not the first time I’d heard (or even sung) that tune, which is also known as the Moravian Birthday Hymn. Most times it was as a congratulations or a recognition for an achievement. And here were 200-plus Moravians, some I knew and many I didn’t, singing it to me. Those 45 seconds of singing are ones I won’t forget, and throughout the rest of the day, both friends and strangers offered birthday greetings. And while I had wonderful, quiet celebrations with North Carolina family that evening and my wife and daughter when I arrived home on Sunday, having to be away on my birthday wasn’t so bad, thanks to a Moravian hymn and the Moravians who sang it. Read all about the 2017 Southern Province Inter-Synodal Gathering beginning on page 11. I hope you enjoy this issue of the magazine and welcome your comments. Peace,
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Mike Riess, editor
(ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) Mar. 2017, Vol. 48, No. 2 Publications Agreement No. 40036408 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: OnTrac International, 121 5th Avenue NW, New Brighton, MN 55112 email: file@ontrac.com Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces Published monthly, except bimonthly January-February and July-August issues, by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. Subscription rates: $15.00 per year, U.S.A. & Canada; $18.00 per year, all other countries. Individual copies available for $3.00 each. The Moravian is sent to the families of the Moravian Church as a privilege of membership. Periodicals postage paid at Bethlehem, PA. Circulation: 17,000 Postmaster please send address changes to The Moravian, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245. Continuing The North American Moravian, The Moravian and The Wachovia Moravian. Michael Riess, Editor Susan Kiefner, Communications Assistant Jill Bruckart, Customer Relations/Business Assistant Interprovincial Board of Communication Ginny Tobiassen, chair Terri Bischoff, Peggy Carter, Lance Fox, Paul Knouse, Kat Lehman, Amy Linville, Dan Miller, Jill Westbrook Design by Michael Riess, IBOC. Address all correspondence regarding articles, subscriptions, or advertising to The Moravian, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245 FAX: 610.866.9223 Phone: 610.867.0594 800.732.0591 e-mail: moravianmagazine@mcnp.org www.moravian.org Contents © 2017, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in America. All rights reserved
The Moravian
IN OUR CONGREGATIONS
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The making of an Easter Putz
n January, when most people are taking down their Christmas decorations, Calvary Moravian Church in Winston-Salem just puts a curtain up to hide their Christmas Nativity Putz. It isn’t to cover it up until next year, like leaving up a Moravian star, and it isn’t because they are too lazy to take it down. It is because they re-purpose their Christmas Nativity Putz and transform it into an Easter Scene Putz. This odd idea came up when the Nativity Committee was assembling the new Nativity in late December for the first time and the committee’s artist, Jan Bullins, made the scene into a work of art. Those who saw it began to lament that it would only be up a short while and someone threw out the idea of keeping it up and transforming it into an Easter Putz. Others then made joking remarks about transforming it for other holidays throughout the year as well and the idea was forgotten for awhile. However, as the Christmas season progressed, the idea kept popping up and it began to be discussed in a more serious way until by the time came to take the scene down, the talk of converting it into one depicting the events of Easter had become serious. After some discussion, and Pastor Lane Sapp’s blessing, the Committee hid the scene by covering the front March 2017
with a curtain and made plans on how to transform the scene into an Easter Putz. At first, the thought of converting a Christmas scene that celebrates the joy of Christ’s birth into one that depicts the difficult events of Easter seemed odd, but the basics of the conversion were fairly simple. The whole scene was a hillside with the manger scene as a cave opening in the center. With the Nativity figures removed and a rocky opening with a stone to cover the cave entrance, the stage was set for the Easter scene. Handmade crosses were placed on the top of the hillside and a stonelike platform with cloths draped over it were placed in the tomb, marking the place where Jesus had lain. This transformation now takes place each year as a traditional part of Calvary’s Easter celebration and is anticipated by everyone. The scene is revealed on Palm Sunday and left up throughout Holy Week, when, on Easter Sunday, the stone is rolled back showing an empty tomb with the Angel inside telling those who come that “The Lord is risen”! n Ron Bell serves on the Southern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference. Photo by Melanie Nance 5
MORAVIANS IN MISSION
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Come & Worship team “Goes & Serves” in Peru
ome & Worship, an emerging ministry in Winston-Salem, N.C., recently put together a team to serve on a mission trip to Peru. The team, which included The Rev. Brad Bennett and his wife Sue, Diane Ebert, Antoinette Brey, the Rt. Rev. Sam Gray and Sandra Dorr from Come & Worship and Emma LaBella from Christ Moravian in Winston-Salem, travelled to Peru to build relationships with the Moravian congregations there; to work with the children in the communities served by those congregations; and to help with the inauguration of the English Academy at Jesus, El Ray de Gloria. The Come & Worship team collaborated on this story. Photos by Sam, Brad and the team. Above and right: C&W team members assist with children’s activities in Peru. 6
We were welcomed at the airport by Ana Maria Huaman Davila, her daughter Gaby and son Carlos. Ana is the pastor of the Rey de Gloria congregation. They opened their home to us and we became a part of their family for the next week; Ana cooked some really great Peruvian food during our time there! The pace of Lima is very different than Winston-Salem. You need to have very fast reaction times to drive there; Emma buried her head as we emerged onto the busy chaotic roadways of the city. The strange thing is we didn’t see any accidents the whole time we were there. Living in community Ana definitely lives in a community. People do not hide away in isolation in their homes; at night you hear your neighbors outside. The church there is very much part of the commuThe Moravian
nity – in fact, Ana’s church services are either in a room of her house or on the street outside. By staying with Ana in her home, we could really see the people of Peru and their daily lives. The people were very warm and friendly. They welcomed us with open arms into their home and churches. We could see firsthand how they worship and how their faith is a very important part of daily life. They are happy people. They may not have all the conveniences we have but they are thankful and joyful, whether young or old. We saw that they could get along just fine without a lot of the things that we think are so necessary and still be happy. Happiness comes from family and friends and knowing Jesus. We know this, but it really came to light in Peru. Brad and Sam each preached in the two worship services we attended. After the first service Brad noticed that the younger children were eyeing him and were coming up to talk to him after the service. Then he was told that because of his long hair and beard they thought he was “Papa Noel,” their version of Santa Claus! One young person was disappointed that she didn’t get the candy she wanted. Brad replied, “Next year!”
English. The children would repeat it in English and then say the color in Spanish which the leader would repeat. We taught each other and it was great fun learning from one another! Following the table activities, we sang with them and played games. We had a large group at both churches. Working with the children was great fun and they seemed to enjoy the crafts and the music very much, as we all did. Into the community One evening there was an outdoor concert at Ana’s church. Again, we were in the street. Brad and Sam played for all using songs of all kinds. Some of the neighbors along the street did not come out, but watched from the windows of their homes. What was interesting to us was watching the people sing along in English to the Beatles’ songs that they played. Those in the windows actually took videos on their phones of them playing. Emma and Diane gave testimonies during this event as well. It was a fun evening and enjoyed by all in attendance. (Continued on next page)
Working with children As part of our work on this trip, we were asked to plan activities to do with the children at each of the churches. Both times were fun and the children seemed to really enjoy the activities. Again, even with the language difference, we were still able to communicate. The activities were for various ages and consisted of mazes, finding the differences in two pictures and crafts. It was fun watching the older children work with the younger ones, helping them understand what to do. One activity practiced colors. The leader would hold up a marker and say the color in March 2017
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The Come & Worship team performs for Peruvian Moravians during their recent mission trip to Chiclayo and Lima.
In Peru (Continued from previous page) The English Academy that Ana is starting with her church got off to a good start and it is our hope that it will grow quickly. It’s a wonderful thing for the church and the neighborhood. Since we were there as native English speakers, Ana felt our presence would be helpful for the English Academy’s inauguration. The Saturday before the start date, we went through the neighborhood and local grocery store handing out flyers to the people about the academy. We had an interesting time when they asked questions and we tried our best to answer them. It was a fun day when we had students show up for the first day of class. They were excited for the chance to learn English and it was exciting for us being able to work with them even with the language barrier. Ana is hoping that as the first students learn English and go back into their homes, the interest will increase over time. It was a blessing for us to be able to be a part of the beginning. Ana’s daughter, Gaby, makes chocolates to support the school. We found them delicious…so delicious that they did not make it back to Come and Worship!
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Thankful for the opportunity Ana and Manuel Horna (Manuel is pastor of the Somos Uno congregation) are both wonderful and dedicated pastors and do terrific jobs with their congregations. It was a wonderful trip. We had a great team and are so thankful for the opportunity to have gone. One of the scripture verses from the Moravian Daily Text on the morning we left for Peru was: “Paul wrote: Your plenty will supply what they need. 2 Corinthians 8:14 (NIV).” It’s easy to see this verse in some kind of economic or cultural we/they perspective where we were going down to supply them with all of our “plenty.” The reality was, we may have taken down a few musical instruments and a pile of flip flops (among other “plenty”), but they did most of the supplying of what we needed – not only practically but spiritually as well. We are all Moravian Christians – followers of Jesus Christ whether we live in WinstonSalem, N.C. or Lima, Peru. We have the same joys and difficulties, just a different geographical location. We are a part of the same Christian family; we are just separated by miles and cultural context. We were blessed to be a part of their community for the short time we were there. But no matter where we live, we are all in this together. n
The Moravian
MORAVIAN MUSIC
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Exploring a potential new Moravian music resource
or many years, the music that is written and sung as a part of the regular worship life of our congregations and communities has significantly reflected the Moravian Church’s witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the world. The practice of writing and collecting hymns is part of an ongoing conversation with God and God’s people in the world. Even in the midst of disruption, persecution and distress, the Moravian Church created new music and poetry that in many cases signaled our spiritual awakenings. The Moravian Church is credited with producing the first protestant hymnal in 1505 and has been vigorously producing hymnals and similar resources ever since. The 1995 Moravian Book of Worship, affectionately known as the “Blue Hymnal,” was begun in 1987 after the decision was made that it was time for something new to bring us to the 21st century. It was intended to be a transitional document since we did not yet know what the new century would bring to our proclamation of our Christian identity.
At the request of the Provincial Elders Conferences of the Northern and Southern Provinces, a committee has been convened to explore if it is time for a new music resource. Our committee met in late February 2017 to discuss our mandate and make a plan for how we might discern with our congregations whether or not we, as a church, need to begin the process of collecting, compiling and completing the work of creating a new resource for worship music and prayers. Around our table, a diversity of experience and ideas made for interesting conversation about how we might be called forward in ministry and what resources and media would enhance the work of ministry for our time and for the future. We trust that this conversation will become even more compelling as the voices and thoughts of other sisters and brothers are included. The committee developed two surveys to get a sense from our congregations, pastors and musicians whether a new resource is (Continued on next page)
A committee exploring the potential for a new Moravian music resource or hymnal began work in Winston-Salem in February.
March 2017
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We want your opinion!
Interested in sharing your thoughts about a new Moravian hymnal? The exploration committee wants to hear from you! To participate in our online survey, please visit one of these SurveyMonkey links: ❖❖ For Worship Leaders: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/moravianworshipleader ❖❖ For Lay Members: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/moravianworshipgeneral If you prefer to offer your thoughts via a printed survey, please send your name and address to Hymnal Survey, c/o Moravian Music Foundation, 457 S. Church St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Hymnal (Continued from previous page) necessary and what kind of resource might be needed as we move forward in ministry together. The surveys will be available online and in print (by request) on April 1, 2017. We hope to get a large segment of our population’s perspectives and ideas through these surveys and invite your participation. We will collect and collate the responses in a report that will be submitted to the Provincial Elders’ Conference of both the Northern and Southern Provinces by November 2017. In addition to the questions about worship practices and technical questions in current uses of the Moravian Book of Worship, we will also invite your thoughts around questions like these:
• How important is using a Moravian worship resource to your congregation’s sense of identity? • What is the relationship between your congregation’s worship and its sense of mission? If you would like to share your thoughts about this work feel free to contact anyone on the committee for a conversation. • Mr. Thomas Baucom, thomas.baucom@gmail. com • Rev. Rebecca Craver, revrebeccacraver@gmail. com • Rev. Brian Dixon, dixonflock@msn.com • Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler. rtrevchris@gmail.com • Rev. Dr. Nola Knouse, nrknouse@triad.rr.com • Rev. Aaron Linville aarontlinville@gmail.com • Mrs. Lillian Shelton, sheltolb@wfu.edu
The committee exploring a new hymnal include Aaron Linville, Thomas Baucom, Brian Dixon, Rebecca Craver, Chris Giesler, Lillian Shelton and Nola Knouse.
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The Moravian
Moravians from across the Southern Province participate in the Open Space Technology process at their meeting in February.
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SOUTHERN PROVINCE
Inter-Synodal Gathering generates ideas and excitement for the future
merging ministries. Adaptive change in church structure and education. Resource sharing. Young adult and youth involvement. Focus on God’s Essentials. Bivocational ministry. Reintroducing Jesus to the disillusioned. At February’s 2017 Inter-Synodal Gathering, Southern Province Moravians generated and discussed more than two dozen topics in an effort to answer the question, “What will it take to reclaim our missional energy today?” And the result was renewed energy, excitement for the future and the beginnings of topics to be addressed at the 2018 Southern Province Synod. “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” The 2017 Inter-Synodal Gathering, themed “Living the Essentials Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” brought together pastors and members from nearly all 55 Southern Province congregations, along with provincial program representatives and staff. Held at New Philadelphia Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, the event attracted more than 200 interested
Moravians to learn about the past, discuss the present and look to the future of the Moravian Church Southern Province. Organizers developed inspiring worship to open and close the gathering. Worship included a new liturgy on the essentials, many songs written by contemporary Moravians, a multilingual reading of scripture and meaningful sermons. The Rev. Dr. Craig Atwood delivered the keynote address highlighting the “yesterday” of the Moravian Church. His talk “Moravian Congregations: A Historical Perspective,” covered the founding of the Unity of the Brethren in Bohemia in the 15th century, traced how Moravian congregations spread and grew and highlighted how the Church changed – and declined – following World War II. In his closing, he challenged the modern Moravian Church to create worshiping communities that transcend current institutional boundaries. “In the Moravian Church, a true Christian community is defined by the essentials: Faith (Continued on next page)
March 2017
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At left: the 2017 Inter-Synodal Gathering offered many opportunities for discussion, learning and worship.
Southern Province (Continued from previous page) in God as the Creator, Redeemer and one who makes us holy; love for God and our neighbors; and hope in this life and confidence that we will be with Christ,” said Craig. “How we organize our congregations and province is incidental, not essential.” The Church Today For the “Today” part of the “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” theme, the Rev. David Guthrie, president of the Southern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference, shared his insights on the state of Moravian Congregations in the Southern Province. David’s review of the membership and financial health of Southern Province congregations described their current reality – many congregations are seeing shrinking attendance and financial strength. He also put his statistics into context—these declines aren’t unique to the Moravian Church. But as he wrapped up his discussion of the “state of the church,” he asked, “Does this reality have an impact on our congregations and our Province? Yes. Should we pay attention to these trends? Yes. But do these things define us? No.” He pointed to several bright spots—for example, 65 percent of Southern Province churches have reasonably stable to good finances, that more than half of churches had stable or growing average worship attendances in 2013-2015, and nearly 1200 people confirmed their faith, were baptized as adults or reaffirmed their faith in the four years 2011-15. “Sixty years ago, writing about the Spirit of the Moravian Church, Bishop Shawe of the British Province said, ‘It was when our Church was small – much smaller than today – that it was most enterprising,’” said David. “Our focusing 12
The Moravian
Top right: David Guthrie discusses the state of the Southern Province today; below, Frances Beasley shares her talk on “Generation Moravian.”
on spiritual growth, community and mission can happen effectively regardless of whether there are two or three, or 200 or 300 gathered in His name. Today, you and I are called by Christ to a life of deepening faith, love and hope; forming and offering authentic community; and transformational service in the name of Christ to a world in need of God’s love.” Imagine Talks To help highlight other aspects of the church today and tomorrow, other presenters offered talks on a range of topics from rethinking mission, church reconciliation, working in community and living as Moravians today. These were presented as “Imagine Talks”—a series of five-minute presentations sharing experiences and visions of the church. Frances Beasley, a member of Home Moravian Church, shared “Brave Hearts: Courageous Living as Generation Moravian.” In her talk, Frances discussed how Moravians of every age constitute “Generation Moravian” and that everyone should be courageous in their outreach. As she concluded, she posed the question, “Who will we be when we’re living examples of faith, hope and love?” Ministerial candidate Angelica Regalado spoke on “Men Making a Difference,” sharing the stories of two very different men – The Rev. Armando Rusindo, the leader of the Moravian Church in Cuba, and Winston-Salem resident Joe Jarvis. In her presentation, she shared how the two are working together to help grow the Moravian Church in Cuba and have a greater impact on its people. Sarah Durham, a member of Home Moravian Church, shared what its like to be a young adult Moravian. In her words, being a young adult Moravian is “lonely;” as in many Moravian congregations, there are few, if any, postcollege, pre-family young adults in her congre(Continued on next page) March 2017
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Southern Province (Continued from previous page) gation. She also highlighted ideas on inviting and encouraging these young adults to be part of the church, which could very much use their vitality, passion and dedication to move forward. The Rev. Russ May challenged participants to consider societal reconciliation as a core pillar of church life. Instead of trying to be “hip” or “huge,” the church should be relevant as a place of reconciliation. He provided a number of examples of congregations around the country who were doing amazing things by doing the hard work living in holy relationships with others different from themselves. Russ is a founder of Anthony’s Plot, an intentional faith community combining residency, community development and outreach in Winston-Salem’s Sunnyside neighborhood. And Rusty Rushing, provincial acolyte and student pastor with Peace Moravian Church in Charlotte, N.C., discussed how changes in his congregation had helped them reimagine what it means to be a missional church and taking church to the people. He offered several possible ideas for fresh expressions of church that 14
meet people where they are: a recovery church for recovering addicts, a “travel church” for those involved in Sunday sports, or even a “spoke-n word” church for cyclists. Ideas for tomorrow Following the presentations, the group assembled in an effort to generate ideas and options that answered the question, “What will it take to reclaim our missional energy today?” Using a process called “Open Space Technology” led by the Board of Cooperative Ministries’ director Ruth Cole Burcaw, the participants assembled in a large circle in the New Philadelphia Fellowship Hall. After a description of what would occur, participants had the opportunity to propose ideas and discussion topics to be taken up by discussion groups. Participants wrote their ideas on large sheets of easel pad paper, announced them to the group, then brought those ideas to a team who categorized and organized them into sessions. More than 30 different topics were suggested for additional discussion. Once the ideas were collected, participants indicated which topics they’d like to discuss. Using a voting system that utilized their mobile phone’s texting function, each participant chose a topic for each of the three sessions; the results The Moravian
Southern Province Moravians generated -- and discussed -- more than 30 different topics to help the church move forward.
were used to determine which rooms at New Philadelphia would host each conversation. The conversations lasted about an hour. Following each, the participants provided the gathering’s organizers with a summary of what was discussed and the core “takeaway.” Some of the topics discussed included: • Adaptive change in church structure and education • Bivocational (two-jobs) minsters as an option for churches with shrinking resources and new ways to visualize a broader definition of “church” • Focus on creating disciples for Christ first and Moravians second; bringing back those who left the church; seeking out people in need of Christ and re-introducing Jesus to the disillusioned • Ways to address inclusion and diversity in the church and congregations • Options for ministering and assisting immigrants and refugees; foster and orphaned (Continued on next page)
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Southern Province (Continued from previous page)
• • •
•
children; underprivileged mothers; and the poorest and neediest Ways to shift from conflict resolution to community building Encouragement of emerging ministries and creating new visions of church like starting a Moravian school or a community café Ideas for inviting young adults to be leaders in congregations and the province and increasing opportunities for youth to have an authentic role in the church Ways to enhance worship and liturgy, spiritual renewal, missional efforts and igniting a burning love for Jesus in our communities.
The highly participatory group process allowed people to be heard, to define the issues facing them and to take action. Southern Province Moravians organized around ways they can “live the Essentials” to create a bold future for God’s church. Several of those in attendance at the Inter-Synodal event are already working together to make a difference on some of the topics discussed. At the end of the day, participants prioritized topics they hope will inform forthcoming conversations and decisions, as well as programming for Synod, scheduled for April 1922, 2018. n Presentations and summary materials from the 2017 Inter-Synodal Gathering will be available on http://MSCPEvent.wordpress. com by the end of March. We encourage you to view these materials to learn more. Article by Mike Riess, IBOC. Photos by Mike and Andrew David Cox.
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The Moravian
A MORAVIAN EDUCATION
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Seminary students learn of Moravian life and history in Jamaica
amaica in January. For course credit? Sign me up! Seven of us made our way from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to Jamaica this past January for the course Jamaica: History, Culture, and the Moravians offered at Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem. The Rev Dr. Craig Atwood and Bishop Hopeton Clennon led our travels; along for the ride were seminarians Greg Behrend, Adam Goodman, Timothy Naisby and Naomi Solomon, along with Laura Gordon, pastor of Advent Moravian Church in Bethlehem. When you live in the Northeast, escaping to the Caribbean clime in the thick of winter is a dream come true. Cut to images of soaking up the sun on white, sandy beaches to the tune of
tranquil, teal tides. This is one way to travel to Jamaica. Yet the warmth we encountered was far more cultural than climate-based. The purpose of our journey was not surf and sand, but cultural immersion. Unlike many who enjoy Jamaica laden with luxury in resorts, we traversed the better part of the island in a van to experience life beyond the gated tourist destinations, and what a life we discovered! From historical sites, to myriad churches, to authentic cuisine and, most of all, worship and fellowship with Moravian brothers and sisters, we found ourselves laden with the luxury of Jamaican hospitality and love. Following are reflections from three of the travelers. (Continued on next page)
Seminary students join Moravians in Jamaica to learn more about the church’s history on the island.
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“A
untie Laura!” Malik’s voice carried through the door on our last morning in Jamaica, one final goodbye before he headed off to school. I first met him en route to worship a few days before, when he and his mother, United Theological College student Marsha Brown, rode with me to Redeemer Moravian Church in Kingston. Malik’s bright smile, energetic spirit,and outpouring of love won me over. For me, he embodied Jamaica. I encountered many wonderful people in Jamaica, yet it was the children I met who made the deepest impression. I was particularly moved by our visits to the Mannings Boys’ Home and Mustard Seed Communities. Mannings is a home for boys who have no home; some wards of the state, others unable to live at home due to various circumstances. Mustard Seed Communities cares for children with special needs, some living at the community their whole lives. At both places, love is present in those who care for the children. That love makes it possible for the least and forgotten to know and offer love to others. Smiles and hugs are given with abandon from many of the children. Some are reticent, no doubt wounded by their suffering; but with gentle coaxing they come around, sharing their gifts with visitors. From a rap to a soulful song to angels hand-
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crafted of clay, God’s Spirit was evident in places that at first glance seemed abandoned. Bob Marley’s song “Smile Jamaica” sums up my experience best: “Soulful town, soulful people: Said, I see you’re having fun/Dancin’ to the reggae rhythm/Oh, island in the sun/Oh, smile!/You’re in Jamaica: C’mon and smile!” This is Jamaica to me: Malik, who still sends me a message from time to time and tells me he loves me. The boys at Mannings, who welcome strangers with care and curiosity. The children at Mustard Seed, whose lack of physical ability was more than conquered by the love in their eyes. When I think of them, I am back in Jamaica, surrounded by warmth and love, and I cannot help but smile. —The Rev. Laura Gordon, pastor, Advent Moravian Church
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hen reflecting back on this trip, I see this experience as something that has further developed the horizon of my understanding of ministry, especially Moravian ministry. I was able to see what being a Moravian looks like and feels like in a culture and context that is unfamiliar to me. This was a chance for me to grow as an individual, and grow I certainly did. Jamaican Moravians have an important chapter in the Moravian mission movement of
The Moravian
Students visited a local radio station while in Jamaica.
the 18th century, with its own unique stories. The Moravian Church in Jamaica has a personal touch that can be found nowhere else in the world and cannot be replicated as it was once lived. It is unique because it is filled with the stories of individuals; with each individual comes a personal touch to the idea of community. The important thing for me to remember with the people of Jamaica and all of God’s children is that each person has a story worth being heard by someone. As I reflect back today, I find myself wondering more then ever: “What would the world be like if we all listened to one another, rather than simply told our own story to one another?” When it comes to Jamaican culture, I learned that I like the food, I like the beautiful scenery, the heat does not like me and, most importantly, that I love the people. The people of Jamaica love their country and love who they are, but the most beautiful part about the culture is that they do not live in their own bubbles and bounce off one another when they get too close. They live in one large bubble called Jamaica. In many ways, the Jamaican culture is much more united then the American culture will ever be. The contemporary Moravian Church in Jamaica focuses a great deal of its energy on building each other up within the church. The March 2017
biggest outreach ministry I noticed was the support for education by the Moravian church. Music is also another big part of contemporary Moravian church life. Like many Moravians around the world, Jamaican Moravians can make a joyful noise and, based on the worship service I attended, this is very important. On this trip, the biggest thing I learned about my own culture is how isolated we keep ourselves from one another in the United States. There is a level of comfort and respect for privacy that I have grown up with that is a unique part of American culture. In some ways, I can see the benefits of this, but when it comes to ministry, I think this is a difficult obstacle to manage. One assumption that I hoped would have been changed is how the Bible is viewed by Moravians in Jamaica. I wanted to gain a deeper sense of why Jamaican Moravians hold to homosexuality being such an issue and to dig into reasons beyond the biblical context. Lastly, the group in which we traveled with taught me how important it is to always remain young at heart, whether that means going off the rope swing into the river even, when your shoulder says you shouldn’t, or understanding that it is ok not to have all of the answers. It is important for me and my ministry (Continued on next page) 19
going forward that I remember I am only 27 years old. I need to remind myself not to be put the full load on my back. Above all, love deeply and hold onto Christ in all that I do, for it is through Christ alone that I will find the strength and joy to endure all that life may bring my way. -- Greg Behrend, Seminary Senior
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fter returning from Jamaica and having time to reflect on my experience I am even more grateful that I had the opportunity to be on such an amazing trip with such a great group of people. While Moravians in Jamaica throughout history weren’t perfect, they certainly did a lot for this country in terms of education and meeting the spiritual and physical needs of folks in the community. Jamaica has been through foreign rule, slavery, revolt and political struggles. In my view, this is a country that has fought and continues to fight to claim its own identity. So many things have been forced upon the Jamaican people throughout history, but now they are defining themselves. People in Jamaica seem to be more aware of their own culture and history, and as a result they have more pride and a sense of who they are and who they want to be. I was impressed by the ministry for highschool drop outs at New Irwin Moravian Church. The contemporary Moravian Church still dedicates itself to education and lends a hand to local primary schools as well. The Moravian Church in Jamaica is known and recognized so much more than the church is in America due to the church’s impact on education in Jamaica. Because the church is well known in Jamaica, it makes it that much more damaging when incidents happen like the scandal we watched unfold. (Ed. note: In late December and early January, charges of sexual misconduct were levied against three Moravian
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ministers in Jamaica). A lot of what I witnessed in regard to the modern Moravian Church was how the church is impacted by a major crisis. I witnessed the pain and many lives that were impacted by the decisions of just a few. This was a good lesson for me to learn about how careful I must be as a pastor to help keep people safe and make sure that a similar crisis does not happen on my watch. This was my first trip to a developing country and my first time truly being a racial minority. This was eye opening for me and has changed the way I view the world. I feel like I am able to empathize with people better now. I feel like I am one step closer to understanding what it means to seek out “one love and one heart” as Marley sings about. I’ve learned that “developed” countries can sometimes be less “developed” when it comes to living in joy and community, whereas “developing” countries can have the capacity to overflow with these virtues. In terms of my response to this trip in what I have learned and experienced, all I can say is thank you. I’m feelin’ alright, mon. -- Adam Goodrich, Seminary Senior Thanks to the Rt. Rev. Hopeton Clennon for the photos accompanying this article.
The Moravian
MORAVIANS IN MISSION
Moravian Unity Mission Conference: Giving heed to God’s call in the 21st Century
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ission is at the core of Moravian identity. But with the phenomenal growth of our worldwide church, we must ask: “Who are we in mission today,” and “What are the best ways to carry out God’s call on our church to spread the gospel?” The worldwide Unity is planning its third Unity Mission Conference, to be held Nov. 15-20, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. This conference will build leadership within our worldwide church, develop a common ground for our mission, give us direction for the future, as well as provide time for sharing and building relationships. Each province in our Unity has been asked to name a specified number of delegates to attend the conference, for a total
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of 200. On behalf of our Northern, Southern and Alaska Provinces the BWM is raising $70,000 to support our delegates, as well as to help cover costs for those in our partner provinces. Please consider donating to the BWM to help support a delegate. We have already raised $10,500 toward the goal and have a matched donation of $20,000, so initial gifts to that amount will be doubled. Thank you for anything you can do to help. We especially ask your prayers for God’s blessing and wisdom as we come together to intentionally seek God’s call on our church in this time. Thank you! n Judy Ganz is executive director of the Moravian Board of World Mission in North America
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UNITY WOMEN’S DESK
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Making a positive impact on the lives of women and girls around the world
he Unity Women’s Desk (UWD) is a ministry of the worldwide Moravian Church whose purpose is to positively impact the lives of women and girls by coordinating the spiritual, financial, educational and material resources that exist throughout the Moravian Unity. The UWD’s vision is to bring about global change for Moravian women around the world—women who are often treated as secondclass citizens and denied education, demeaned and restricted or worse. The most pressing issues facing women and girls today include education, health, economics and violence against women. By raising awareness of these issues, developing solutions and enlisting help from the worldwide Unity, the UWD works to improve the lives of women and girls everywhere. The UWD is thankful for the many people who pray for them, advocate for Moravian women and girls, serve as Unity Women’s Desk advisors or coordinators in their provinces or areas, and support our work through gifts of time, skills and money.
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High hopes “When I started the Unity Women’s Desk in January of 2011, I had high hopes, but little else,” says the Rev. Patricia Garner, UWD coordinator appointed by the Unity Board in 2011. “I didn’t know if the Desk could work or if there would be sufficient support to make a go of it. The fact that I only volunteered to work four hours one day a week should give some idea of how slowly I thought it would start. “When we had the first meeting of the Interim Advisory Board, we made one, two, three, five and ten year goals. We exceeded our five year goals at the end of year three and we are well on our way to fulfilling our ten year goals: • Offer 100 scholarships to girls and women in the Moravian Church • Offer 50 loans to co-ops (Lending Circles) in the Moravian Unity • Have a worldwide Celebration of the UWD “We may not make the 50 loan goal as starting new businesses takes longer than we
The Moravian
“I am very excited to see the UWD’s ministry grow and to live in relationship with so many sisters around the world.”
—Erdmute Frank
anticipated, but we should exceed the scholarship goal by 2021,” continued Patty. “I must admit that we have not even begun discussing the ten-year celebration as we are still recuperating from the Fourth Unity Women’s Consultation. That planning will begin later this year. (We are open to suggestions on how to celebrate!)” “It is a biblical imperative and a blessed experience to be able to assist girls and women in rural areas, in urban settings and in informal settlements with scholarships; to provide loans as incentives to alleviate poverty; to provide health kits for babies and mothers; and to provide information and address the harsh realities of discrimination facing women on all levels of life,” says Muriel Held, a born Moravian and an active member of the Immanuel Church in Suriname, UWD Advisory Board member representing the Caribbean Region. Adds UWD Advisory Board member Erdmute Frank from Germany, “It is my hope that we will make a difference for the women around the world regarding the goals of the UWD. I am very excited to see the UWD’s ministry grow and to live in relationship with so many sisters around the world.” Supporting Their Work “We are so pleased with the way our American and European Moravians have supported our work financially and with their prayer support,” says Patty. “The support and encouragement from around the Moravian world
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has been overwhelmingly affirmative. We now know there is support for the work and we know that our women around the world appreciate what we have done and what we hope to do. “God has been so good to us in providing what we need, sometimes even before we know to ask,” says Patty. “We have felt His guiding hand in so many ways. If there was ever any doubt that we could accomplish great things for our women, the doubt was removed by the Consultation. With more than 100 women from 25 countries, 20 Provinces and 10 Mission Provinces and Mission Areas, we were able to learn what our women are doing, what they want to accomplish and what they need to make these things happen.” The UWD looks forward to the day when every Moravian girl and woman will have access to an education, opportunities to use their God-given talents to benefit the world in which we live and to live in a just and peaceful world that allows them and their brothers to become the people that God created them to be. n Watch our April issue for continued coverage of the Unity Women’s Desk, along with additional information on the new Standing With Our Sisters Capital Campaign in the Southern Province. To learn more about the work of the Unity Women’s Desk, visit www. unitywomensdesk.org.
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MINISTRIES FOUNDATION
GiftLegacy: remembering congregations and agencies in estate plans
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he Moravian Ministries Foundation helps Moravian individuals, churches and agencies grow and sustain the ministries that are central to our faith. We do this through investment management, gift planning and assisting with stewardship development and capital fundraising. Our GiftLegacy planned giving service works with individuals, couples and families who want to create plans for giving that support the ministries they care about most, both now and in the future. For churches and agencies, GiftLegacy helps structure planned giving programs that resonate with congregations and supporters and encourage them to remember their church or a special Moravian agency in their estate plans. In keeping with our mission, our planned giving service is always offered free of charge.
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We would like to thank the churches and agencies who have chosen to Invest Where They Believe and strengthen their ministries, as well as our shared Moravian values, by using GiftLegacy. We are pleased to present this “Honor Roll” of clients and express our gratitude for their participation and commitment. • Calvary Moravian Church (N.C.) • Central Moravian Church • Clemmons Moravian Church • First Moravian Church, Dover (Ohio) • Graceham Moravian Church • Home Moravian Church • Hope Moravian Church (Ind.) • Konnoak Hills Moravian Church • Laurel Ridge Moravian Camp, Conference and Retreat Center • Marquardt Village
The Moravian
• • • •
Moravian Board of World Mission New Philadelphia Moravian Church Palmer Moravian Church Raleigh Moravian Church
We are also pleased to share this list of Moravian entities who have or will benefit from a planned gift made through GiftLegacy. We thank the generous individuals, couples and families who created gifts to strengthen and support our vital Moravian ministries.
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Advent Moravian Church Anthony’s Plot Ardmore Moravian Church Berea Moravian Church Bethania Moravian Church Bethel Moravian Church (Alaska) Bethlehem Area Moravians Board of World Mission Hope Conference & Renewal Center Christ Moravian Church Clemmons Moravian Church Colegio Moravia Covenant Moravian Church (Pa.) Edgeboro Moravian Church Ephraim Moravian Church Fairview Moravian Church Faith Moravian Church First Moravian Church of Dover (Ohio) Friedland Moravian Church Glenwood Moravian Church Home Moravian Church Hopewell Moravian Church King Moravian Church Konnoak Hills Moravian Church Lake Mills Moravian Church Larger Life Foundation of the MCNP Laurel Ridge Camp & Conference Center Lititz Moravian Church Marquardt Foundation
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Mayodan Moravian Church MCNP Ministerial Pension Fund Messiah Moravian Church Messiah Moravian Church Preschool Mission Society of the Moravian Church, Southern Province Moravian Hall Square Moravian Archives, Northern Province Moravian Archives, Southern Province Moravian Church in America, Northern Province Moravian Church in America, Southern Province Moravian College Moravian Manor, Inc. Moravian Ministries Foundation Moravian Music Foundation Moravian Open Door Moravian Theological Seminary Mt. Morris Camp and Conference Center New Eden Moravian Church New Philadelphia Moravian Church Olivet Moravian Church Raleigh Moravian Church Salem Academy and College Salem Congregation Salemtowne Society for Promoting the Gospel Sunnyside Ministry Trinity Moravian Church (N.C.) Unionville Moravian Church Unity Moravian Church Unity Women’s Desk Watertown Moravian Church West Salem Moravian Church West Side Moravian Church (Pa.)
To learn more about GiftLegacy or its work, please visit the Moravian Ministries Foundation website at www.mmfa.info or call 888-7227923. We look forward to serving you. n
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MORAVIAN DOCTRINE
Confessing Our Unity in Christ: Studying the historical and theological background to The Ground of the Unity As part of our ongoing series to share information about key Moravian theology and doctrine, we will be excerpting the Rev. Dr. C. Daniel Crews’ study, Confessing Our Unity in Christ: Historical and Theological Background to The Ground of the Unity. Originally written in 2000 and updated twice, this study looks at the theological and historical underpinnings of The Ground of the Unity, one of the Moravian Church’s core doctrinal statements. Confessing Our Unity was originally published by the Southern Province Archives. We thank Rev. Crews and Richard Starbuck, Southern Province archivist, for permission to excerpt this work. Introduction by the Rev. Dr. C. Daniel Crews When the president of the Provincial Elders Conference of the Moravian Church, Southern Province, asked me to prepare this study, I was well aware of the importance of the task, for this has to do with the most basic matters of the faith which we as Christians, and particularly as Moravian Christians, profess. It should also provide a helpful resource as we in our day seek to explore more deeply the beliefs which unite us as Moravians. As I began this work, however, I was not aware of the mag26
nitude of the task, for while we would assume that The Ground of the Unity did not simply appear out of the blue at the General Synod of 1957, I did not fully appreciate how intrinsically it is part of a long line of doctrinal statements which extend back throughout the more than 500 years of our church’s ongoing life and development. That being so, this study can only begin to scratch the surface of the valuable and fascinating wealth of material which relates to our church’s confession of its faith. Months, even years, of study could be devoted to this topic to treat it in a fully comprehensive The Moravian
way. I pray, however, that we may benefit from what has been uncovered so far. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, let us begin. The Old Unity In the old Unitas Fratrum of the fifteenth to the seventeenth centuries primary attention was devoted to living a life of faith and carrying out its practical implications. Certainly they were also concerned with verbally expressing the faith they held, but, as Amédeo Molnár says in his study of their theology: “The Unity of Brethren never asserted the immutability of dogmatic expression. It was convinced that continuity was given to its theology primarily by its close association with the essential matters of Christian faith, as the Holy Scriptures bear witness to these within the confessing Christian community. It is true that ecclesiastical and theological expression among the Brethren leaned on the apostolic confession of faith and on the dogmatic tradition of Western Christianity, but it did not assert for itself the claim of being the fixed and unchangeable rule. Likewise, the social and spiritual setting in which the Unity arose and lived affected substantially the form of its theological thinking and experience.1”
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For this reason, as they progressed to clearer understanding from study of Scripture, from the experience of their own Christian lives and from interaction with other Christians in other communions, particularly during the Reformation, the Unity often modified and at times repudiated the particular expressions and emphases of former years. For example, they benefited from the tutelage of Luther for a greater appreciation of salvation by faith as opposed to works-righteousness; they gave up the idea of seven sacraments; and they abandoned the practice of rebaptizing those who came to them from other denominations. Certainly in their confessions of faith the old Unity did not assert “immutability of dogmatic expression.” Bishop Edmund Schweinitz, in his History of the Unitas Fratrum2, lists no fewer than 11 separate confessions spanning the years 1468-1573. Moreover, the same confession sometimes appeared in Latin, Czech, Polish, or German versions, sometimes with rather significant variations among them. As Bishop Schweinitz observes in the introduction to his list of confessions, “The subject is therefore exceedingly complicated.”3 This is hardly surprising, for many of these docu(Continued on next page)
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Confessing (Continued from previous page) ments are in the form of letters or statements to various authorities outside the church who demanded to know who and what the Unity was, and opinions may vary as to which of them have the status of formal confessions of faith. They do serve, however, to show that in the course of its history the old Unitas Fratrum produced a great number of different official accounts of its belief and practice. A general word about these various documents may be in order here. The Unity did not see itself as a confessional church in the sense that some others (the Lutherans for example) did, and it usually produced formal statements of faith only in response to outside challenge, often tailoring them according to circumstances. In these statements the Unity tried to hold to the most basic Christian truths without getting too much into theological niceties. This stemmed directly from the horror with which it saw the churches of the Reformation splitting into opposing camps over what the Unity saw as minor theological distinctions. It did not want to provide more ammunition for attacks of Christians upon other Christians and it certainly found much with which it could agree in both the Lutheran and Reformed camps. But though it sought friendly relations with other communions, the Unity resisted pressure to abandon its own insights and be absorbed by other larger churches of the Reformation. For instance, the Unity was more concerned about disciplined, dedicated Christian living than it was about differing interpretations of the nature of Christ’s presence in the Holy Communion, though it consistently affirmed that “sacramental” presence. Of course, Lukás
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of Prague and others did make forceful statements to other Reformers and such a fiery leader as Jan Augusta did at times engage in sharp polemics.4 Still, this was perhaps inevitable in an age of such theological contention when the Unity itself was often under harsh attack. For the most part, though, members of the Unity held to their earliest principle, enunciated when people of differing theological persuasions had gathered to form the Unity, of taking the Scripture for their norm rather than depending on constructions of human theology.5 To be sure, however, they and others outside the Unity did not always agree on what the norm of Scripture was. Opinions within the Unity — then, as today — were not always unanimous on this either. Our excerpt of Confessing Our Unity in Christ will continue in the April issue of The Moravian Magazine. Endnotes 1 In Rudolf Rícan, The History of the Unity of Brethren, trans. C. Daniel Crews (Bethlehem, Pa., and WinstonSalem, N.C.: The Moravian Church in America, 1992), p. 390. 2 2nd edition, (Bethlehem, Pa.: The Moravian Publication Concern, 1901), pp. 648-653. 3 Schweinitz, p. 648. Different authors count differently, and even the same author may reach a different total in different works. Thus, Anton Gindely, who counted each edition as a separate confession, in one book counts 36 confessions but in another comes up with 34. In Volume 1 of his careful history of the old church, Geschichte der Böhmischen Brüder (Herrnhut: Verlag der Missionsbuchhandlung, 1922), pp. 523-534, Dr. Joseph Th. Müller, the Unity Archivist, has a list of the early confessions which differs somewhat from that of Bishop Schweinitz. 4 Rícan, p. 118f, 139, 154, 164. 5 Müller, I, 76.
The Moravian
OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Watchwords On December 9, 2016, members of the Provincial Board of the European Continental Province met in Herrnhut, the birthplace of our renewed Moravian Church, and drew watchwords for the Unity Board, Unity Provinces, Mission Provinces, Mission Areas and Unity Undertakings. The 2017 watchword drawn for the Southern Province is from August 6: “Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” Psalm 105:3 The Northern Province watchword from August 13 is: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 NORTHERN PROVINCE Riverside, New Jersey Sister Rebecca Sisley, who has been serving as pastor for Sharon Moravian Church, New Philadelphia, Ohio, has accepted the call to serve as pastor for First Moravian Church, Riverside, New Jersey. Sister Sisley will be installed March 19, 2017. Banning, California Brother Gregg Schafer, who has been serving as pastor for Canadensis Moravian Church, Canadensis, Pennsylvania and Newfoundland Moravian Church, Newfoundland, Pennsylvania, has accepted the call to serve as pastor for Morongo Moravian Church, Banning, California. Brother Schafer will be installed July 2, 2017. Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference March 2017
Obituary: Mrs. Lorenz Adam Sister Nora I. (Moffatt) Adam died at Waconia, Minnesota, January 28, 2017 at age 85. She was born November 28, 1931 at Edmonton, Alberta, a daughter of William and Mary (Jones) Moffatt. Sister Adam was united in marriage to Brother Lorenz W. Adam on August 29, 1952 at Edmonton Moravian Church, Edmonton, Alberta. She served alongside her husband in the mission fields of Nicaragua and Honduras as well as pastorates in Minnesota (Lake Auburn, Northfield), and Wisconsin (Ebenezer). Son Murray, and two grandchildren survive Sister Adam. She was predeceased by her husband, Lorenz, on June 20, 2015, and their son, Brian. Memorial services were held March 4, 2017 at Lake Auburn Moravian Church, Victoria, Minnesota. Memorial gifts were welcomed for the Board of World Mission or Ridgeview Home Care, Waconia, Minnesota. Ed note: At the September 2016 FIT First event, we had an opportunity to hear Sister Nora speak about her life in mission. To view her comments, see the video on the online version of this article at www.moravian.org. Ad Policy for The Moravian — The Moravian accepts paid advertising that is consistent with the magazine’s objectives and editorial convictions as they are stated in the purpose and mission of the Interprovincial Board of Communication. Advertisements for activities, services and products of specific interest to members of the Moravian Church have priority. The Moravian does not accept purely editorial advertisements that advocate specific ideas or issues. Articles, columns and letters to the editor are the appropriate vehicles for the presentation of ideas and issues. The Interprovincial Board of Communication is responsible for the content and design of the magazine, including advertisements. Ad rates and specifications are available www.moravian.org.
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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 store.moravian.org or by calling 1.800.732.0591, ext. 38. MORAVIAN CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA PO BOX 1245 • 1021 CENTER STREET BETHLEHEM, PA 18016 PHONE 800.732.0591• FAX 610.866.9223 • www.moravian.org
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The Moravian
QUESTIONS OF FAITH
aren’t always easy to answer. Questions about finances can be.
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OW CAN YOU HELP THE MINISTRIES you care about most? How can you tap into potential support for your church or agency? How can you make your financial investments work harder to support our shared faith? These are all good questions, and the Moravian Ministries Foundation has answers. From education, to gift planning, to fundraising help, to investment management, we have answers that are rooted in wisdom, experience and — most importantly — unwavering faith and values. Simply put, our goal is to generate more money to support Moravian ministries. Visit us online at www.mmfa.info and explore what we can do together.
JOIN US ON
Invest Where You Believe March 2017 | 119 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305 | Winston-Salem, NC 27101 | 888.722.7923 31 www.mmfa.info
Postmaster please send address changes to: The Moravian, P.O. Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245
March 2017
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