Ponderings: Around the world in 20 pages

Given the central role missions play in the history—and current work—of the Moravian Church in America, we often share stories of Moravian mission work in the magazine. But once a year, the North American Board of World Mission (BWM) offers a focused look at their efforts over the past year and the impact those efforts have on those with whom they serve.

The BWM Annual Report issue of the Moravian Magazine is one of my favorites to work on every year. Since 2012, the IBOC and BWM have partnered to produce their yearly summary and feature it as part of a spring issue each year.

In the 20 pages in the middle of this issue, readers can take a trip around the globe—from Sierra Leone to Honduras, Nicaragua to Nepal, Alaska to Cuba, Labrador to Peru, and Tanzania to right here at home. It’s remarkable how far the North American Board of World Mission’s work extends.

Through the words and photos of the BWM, readers learn of the extraordinary impact the church’s efforts have made in the past year—ongoing work at the Ahuas clinic in Honduras, the disaster relief provided to hurricane victims in Central America, the spread of Moravian faith in Peru and Cuba, and so much more. In a year that limited the ability to travel, the Board continued to serve by coordinating donations, providing new resources and maintaining connections with their partner provinces.

As an editor, it’s a joy (and, quite frankly, my job) to find ways to share this meaningful work in an engaging way. I hope you find this year’s Annual Report as uplifting and informative as I did.

And it’s not just the BWM whose work is highlighted this month. We also share efforts to create a new congregation in Wisconsin with a particular focus on people with disabilities; stories of congregations making the best of the difficulties of COVID-19; Moravian writings on Mark 4:35-41; and more.

I hope you enjoy this issue of the Moravian and the opportunity to go around the world in 20 pages with the Board of World MIssion. Peace,

MIke Riess, Editor

(ISSN 1041-0961) May 2021, Vol. 52, No. 3

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Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces

Published eight times per year: Jan/ Feb, April, May, June/July, August, Sept./ Oct., November and December, by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.

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The Moravian is sent to the families of the Moravian Church as a privilege of membership. Non Profit postage paid at Bethlehem, PA. Circulation: 16,000

Continuing The North American Moravian, The Moravian and The Wachovia Moravian.

Michael Riess, Editor

Susan Kiefner, Communications Assistant

Jill Bruckart, Customer Relations/Business Assistant

Interprovincial Board of Communication Ginny Tobiassen, chair Terri Bischoff, Peggy Carter, Margaret Couch, Paul Knouse, Kat Lehman, Amy Linville, Dan Miller, Valerie Bean Wagner.

Design by Michael Riess, IBOC.

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