Moravian Magazine, May 2019

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In this issue: Board of World Mission Annual Report Ministries Foundation A Florida Youth Retreat ...and more!

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MAY

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Give yourself a SPRING BREAK Recharge your batteries during the spring months while we take care of your loved one.

An all-inclusive short-term stay at Moravian Hall Square with personalized attention and superior care:

Private Accommodation

3 Chef-Prepared Meals per Day

Help with Bathing, Social Events that are Dressing & Medication Fun, Entertaining and Management Engaging

Learn how you can plan a short-term stay for your loved one at Moravian Hall Square by calling 610.746.1000.

610.746.1000 2

www.MORAVIAN.com The Moravian

On the cover: a springtime sunset over Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem, Pa. Photo by Mike Riess

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8 Christ and him crucified remain our confession of faith

SPECIAL FEATURE

In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love

Moravians in Mission

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Board of World Mission Annual Report Gearing up for a Moravian Day of Service

Moravian Ministries Foundation 6

Making an impact: your Moravian Ministries Foundation in America

Moravian Youth 8

Florida retreat connects Bible to today

Create in Me 30 Sharing perspectives on worship and liturgy

...And More 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.

May 2019

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Ponderings: Moravian Daily Texts...there’s an app for that!

32 Official Provincial Elders’ News 33 Obituaries

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PONDERINGS

The Moravian Daily Texts…there’s an app for that!

The Moravian Daily Texts has been around, in one form or another, for almost 300 years. This year, at long last, the world’s oldest daily devotional makes the jump to the smartphone era with the introduction of the Moravian Daily Texts app.

Developed by Stephen Kish, a member of Edgeboro Moravian Church, in cooperation with our team at the Interprovincial Board of Communication (IBOC), this mobile app offers a new way to interact with the Moravian Daily Texts on your smartphone or tablet.

We had considered an app for the Daily Texts for several years; however, for funding and expertise reasons, and given the fact that the Daily Texts are available in a wide variety of digital forms (eBooks, e-mail, website, etc.), we had set the idea aside.

But one afternoon in 2017, Steve, whose day job is as a programmer for a local engineering firm, came to me with a proposal to develop an app as a programming exercise. I jumped at the chance to see what he could create and provided him a year’s worth of Daily Texts to work with.

Several weeks later, he returned with the first prototype. Over the next several months, we worked on the interface, adding features, working out bugs and trying new ideas. Along the way, we learned a lot, especially the process of getting apps approved through the two main distribution channels for such a product: Google Play and Apple iTunes.

This spring, after several attempts at bringing the app to fruition, Steve’s efforts helped us finally get it approved. It launched in late April and has been building a following ever since.

Each day, the Moravian Daily Texts app offers the verses and prayers found in the North American version of the 2019 Moravian Daily Texts (note: hymn texts available in the printed versions are not included in this app). The Moravian Daily Texts 2019 app also features: links to the full Bible verses in context (note: web access is required for this feature); text-to-speech capability, allowing users to hear the Daily Texts; journaling capability to capture thoughts and insights on each day’s Daily Texts; ability to search Daily Texts by word or Bible verse; access to the Daily Texts Podcast from Moravian Church Without Walls; and more.

Thanks to Steve’s perserverance and programming skills, the Moravian Daily Texts App is now available on the App Store for Apple iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices for $1.99. (Search “Moravian Daily Texts 2019” to find it on each store.)

So whether you prefer a printed Daily Texts, an eBook version, a daily e-mail or now an app on your smartphone, you can receive the “daily message from God that is new every morning!”

Peace, 4

Mike Riess, Editor

(ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) May 2019, Vol. 50, No. 3 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 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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Continuing The North American Moravian, The Moravian and The Wachovia Moravian.

Michael Riess, Editor Susan Kiefner, Communications Assistant Jill Bruckart, Customer Relations/Business Assistant Interprovincial Board of Communication Ginny Tobiassen, chair Terri Bischoff, Peggy Carter, Margaret Couch, Paul Knouse, Kat Lehman, Amy Linville, Dan Miller, Valerie Bean Wagner.

Design by Michael Riess, IBOC. Address all correspondence regarding articles, subscriptions, or advertising to The Moravian, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 FAX: 610.866.9223 Phone: 610.867.0594 800.732.0591 e-mail: moravianmagazine@mcnp.org www.moravian.org Contents © 2019, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in America.

All rights reserved

The Moravian

MORAVIANS IN MISSION

Gearing up for a Moravian Day of Service

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magine Moravians from across the U.S. and PECs of the Northern and Southern Provinces Canada all focused on mission in their comdesignated September 15, 2019, as the date for munity‌all on the same day! the inaugural Moravian Day of Service.

That’s the idea behind The Moravian Day The Day of Service isn’t a one-time thing of Service, scheduled for September 15, 2019. but an annual event; it is not to replace the The Moravian Day of Service will help raise great local mission work already going on in awareness of the importance of mission work our congregations. The Day of Service offers to the Moravian faith, encourage congregations a chance to rethink how your congregation to think of new ways to make a difference in interacts with your community, and encourage their communities and demonstrate our ability you to make local missions an enduring part of to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. the Moravian faith.

The idea for the Moravian Day of Service Materials, including ministry and service sprang from the 2018 Synods of the Northern ideas, listings of Moravian social service agenand Southern Provinces. The Synods recogcies and camps offering projects, worship nized that coordinated efforts of Moravians can planning information (including hymn selechelp engage others in service and ministry and tions, new hymns, sermon suggestions and raise awareness of the Gospel message; that responsive readings, and more, are being preMoravians have always celebrated their pared and will be distributed during the next faith through several months. service and We are also mission encouraging all work localcongregations ly, regionally and groups to and globshare their efally; and that forts with the Moravians delarger church rive a sense of in both common unity video and and identity print. Ideas september 15, 2019 from serving toand guidegether and with others. lines on how to Synods resolved to set aside a day, every do that will be provided. year, for individuals and congregations to get Watch for additional information, ininvolved in mission work in their communistructions and materials for Day of Serties, and share their work across the Moravian vice over the coming weeks. For more, visit Church in North America. Working in consulwww.moravian.org/dayofservice/ n tation with the Board of World Mission, the

moravian

day of

May 2019

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MINISTRIES FOUNDATION

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Making an impact: your Moravian Ministries Foundation in America

our Moravian Ministries Foundation in America helps individuals, churches and agencies grow and sustain the ministries that are central to our Moravian faith. The Moravian Ministries Foundation in America’s values and strategies are detailed on the website mmfa.info in the “Who we are� section.

We thank all our Moravian sisters and brothers, congregations and ministries who invest in the Moravian Common Fund and all

who remember the Moravian institutions of ministry in their planned gifts.

Ministries Funded Endowed and donor advised funds with your Moravian Ministries Foundation in America generated more than a half million dollars in distributions to ministry in 2018. The largest portion, 30 percent, was issued to Moravian congregations in the United States to support the ongoing work of individual, local church-

Funds with the MMFA generated more than $500,000 in

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The Moravian

Note: 21% of distributions went to Eldercare, Community Support and Other Ministries

distributions to minstry in 2018.

es. Global mission work received 22 percent of the funds from our planned gifts. These gifts funded Moravian ministries through the Board of World Mission, Unity Women’s Desk, Armando Rusindo Ministry Foundation and others. Some gifts were designated for Lutheran and non-denominational global ministry and provided gifts as the embodiment of the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.

Moravians also gave generously to support U.S. educational institutions and issue scholarships, which accounted for 18 percent of the funds from these planned gifts. Nearly one in ten dollars went to institutions devoted to the preservation of Moravian archives, music and history. Gifts to Moravian camps in the U.S. received 7 percent of the funds. Other significant funds went to address the causes of homelessness, hunger, poverty and other challenges within the communities where Moravians live.

Investment Management Your Moravian Ministries Foundation in America manages 86 annuities and six split interest trusts. Last year, seven new investors put money in the Moravian Common Fund. Three were Moravian congregations and four were individuals who opened Donor Advised Funds.

With our new investments and additions made by existing investors, more than $8.5 million was deposited into the Common Fund in 2018.

Your collective investments and planned gifts through the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America have also enabled us to help Moravian congregations by continuing to deliver stewardship and development services.

In 2018 we: • Provided two low-cost capital campaign feasibility studies for Moravian congregations and ministries to discern the direction for capital fundraising.

• Provided free Stewardship Development Services to six congregations.

May 2019

Increased Investment Options Moravian congregations and MMFA sought new ways to express our Moravian sense of responsibility and stewardship in investing.

The result was a new Environment, Social & Governance (ESG) fund. Concurrently with this effort, your foundation conducted primary research to discern the issues of greatest interest among our flock.

Your foundation’s board of trustees carefully examined our denomination’s financial partnership and investment needs. A comprehensive study of alternatives led to a new partnership with Abbott Downing, the high net worth investment branch of Wells Fargo. This partnership makes more pooled investment options available to our churches through the Common Fund than any church would have on their own.

A look ahead Your foundation’s work in 2019 includes a number of strategies designed to make the most of our collective purchasing power. A new partnership with Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University provides deep discounts to purchase the materials needed to lead classes that teach financial best practices for families.

Your foundation will be taking a leading role in the area of stewardship development in 2019, with events and resources for ministries and congregations.

Better use of technology may enable and simplify online giving across the denomination.

We seek to help more Moravians of all ages, means and locations support ministry from the convenience of a single giving portal. We hope to leverage online giving where it already exists and create it for the other institutions with whom we have a relationship. Similarly, we seek to create a shared repository of resources related to stewardship to benefit lay leaders, pastors and trustees in their work. n Vince Holbrook is director of communications & marketing for the MMFA. www.mmfa.info 7

MORAVIAN YOUTH

Florida retreat connects Bible to today

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oining our Floridian sisters and brothers always completes my joy. Their genuine welcome, “Sister Lisa!” shouted across the parking lot, and the way they sing their faith, encourage me to follow the Lamb with yet more joy and boldness. This past February, I had the opportunity to accompany Rev. Russ May who led the annual youth retreat with the Florida congregations.

While there, we asked the question: “As God’s own modern-day prophets, what are you hearing God saying to you, or how did you catch a glimpse of God’s reign?”

“I hear God telling me that I need to continue working on being a child of his that he would be proud of, and to encourage others as well,” said Brother Amachi Anthony of Margate Moravian.

Sister Merylin Paredes of Tampa Moravian Fellowship shared, “I hear God telling me that I have a purpose in this life and I am on a mission. I do not know what my mission in this life is, but I know as I get closer and closer to God, I will find out. God has a purpose for each and everyone one of us. The more we get closer to him, we will find out what our mission is.”

You see, many of the Moravians living and serving in Florida are first or second generation immi8

grants. Acquainted with hardship, these youth didn’t have trouble seeing and “reclaiming the world as God intends it to be.” They were eager to dig deeper as we explored these prophetic themes: • Wake up your prophetic imagination, reclaiming the world as God intends it to be.

• Re-imagine what radical sharing can do (Matthew 4:15-31) • Re-imagine abundance in empty spaces (1 Kings 17:8-16) • Re-imagine tools of violence into tools of peace (Micah 4:2-4) • Re-imagine a sanctuary for people who are refused care (2 Samuel 21: 9-14) Brother Russ included lots of hands-on activities.

Given plastic children’s war toys, the kids transformed hand grenades into perfume misters, flower pots, lighters and water bottles. Why not “transformation make-up”? Why not a whistle from a plastic gun, a wind turbine empowering an irrigation system for a garden out of a broken up army tank?

Why not a spoon or a shovel instead of a knife?

Russ also gave us giant photos of empty landscapes. The participants saw abundance as they designed places of gathering and nurture. One group (Continued after BWM Annual Report) The Moravian

BLESSED TO BE A

BLESSING

BOARD OF WORLD MISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018

FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR...

One of the greatest mysteries to me as a child was how our organist could seamlessly transition from any choir anthem to the Doxology. The key or tempo of the preceding anthem never seemed to inhibit his exploratory harmonic and melodic journey. It simply felt like magic when the pastor would raise his hand to encourage the congregation to rise as the organ “arrived” at the familiar first line. As I have gotten older, I have been blessed to learn some of the musical logistics that the organist employed, but I can still be moved to tears by the magic of the modulation.

Thomas Baucom

I don’t think the impact is all musical though. We often use the word Doxology to simply refer to a response to the offering during a church service. I don’t think we stop enough to think about or even pay attention to what it means, or even the idea that it conveys. The first line of the Doxology is “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” What if we stop thinking of the word “Doxology” in terms of a step in the order of worship or a signal that the conclusion of the service is coming? What if we started to realize that this word was talking about our daily life? As blessings flow through people, we are called to respond by using those blessings to bless others. We are encouraged by the words of Matthew when he writes, “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

I am extremely grateful for all of the blessings bestowed upon the Board of World Mission and the larger Moravian Unity and am extremely proud of our work together in 2018. As we pause to reflect upon the past year, let us dare to dream of the possible blessings in 2019. We are all so blessed; how will we continue to be a blessing to all? Much like the church organist of my youth, no matter the dissonance or pace of what is going on around us, we must all rise and sing together, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”

2018 DIRECTORS BOARD OF WORLD MISSION

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Thomas Baucom, Chair* Board-Appointed, Southern Province

Arthur Coolidge Alaska Province

David Geyer, Vice-Chair* Eastern District, Northern Province

Lisa Pampe Western District, Northern Province

Becky Turnbull, Secretary* Eastern District, Northern Province

Taylor Wickert Western District, Northern Province

Betsy Miller* PEC President, Northern Province

Donna Gordon Canadian District, Northern Province

Tommy Cole* Board-Appointed, Southern Province

Errol Connor EWI Province, Advisory Member

Joe Jarvis* Southern Province

Phyllis Smith-Seymour Jamaica, Advisory Member

Clifford Jimmie Board President, Alaska Province

David Miller Unity of the Brethren

Hilda Regalado Southern Province

Rex Knowlton Treasurer, Advisory Member

Alina Ricardo Cukiernik Mission Society of the Southern Province

* member of Executive Committee

BOARD OF WORLD MISSION

FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR...

An annual report is an interesting thing. When so much of the work of the Board of World Mission involves day-to-day decisions, it is easy to complete a task and move on to the next challenge or opportunity without reflecting on the bigger picture. We hope that the pages that follow give each reader insight into ways these individual efforts are all a part of one mission, God’s mission, in the world.

Last year’s Annual Report focused on the way the BWM was committing to Mission Outreach and Mission Engagement. This year we worked to live that out and accomplish our purpose of building relationships through Mission Outreach and Mission Engagement to be faithful to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

Justin Rabbach

We chose this year’s theme, “Blessed to Be a Blessing,” for several reasons (with the most specific reason covered on page 11… complete with song lyrics!).

A report like this is a chance to count our blessings and also to take stock of the way in which the blessings of the Lord do not end with our part in God’s mission.

In Peru, I had the opportunity to give the gift of a donated copy of the Spanish Moravian Daily Text. I then watched a Moravian pastor, Manuel, in this mission area carry that book, explain the tradition to some leaders in training in the Amazon region of Peru and had them reflect on the verses in their native language, Awajun. This was the first time this long-standing tradition has ever been experienced in that language! Truly, the traditions which have blessed the Moravian Church for centuries are still relevant, and it is our call to seek ways to be a blessing to others!

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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Above: BWM Executive Director Justin Rabbach with Aguauna children in Peru.

MISSION OUTREACH ACTIVITIES 2018 was certainly a year in which we saw our global partners stepping out in faith to be a blessing to others.

Less than one week into the year, we took part in revival services at Mt. Tabor Moravian Church in Barbados with the theme, “Bring Them In.” But as the week progressed, everyone agreed that we should change that to “Send Us Out,” because we are called to step out in faith and reach people where they are.

Sam Gray is director of Mission Outreach.

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We were asked to lead a mission conference in Costa Rica. More than 50 Costa Rican Moravians, representing four congregations, spent a weekend exploring mission principles from Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 4, where Jesus calls four fishermen to ministries of mending and casting; Matthew 10, where Jesus calls his disciples in, and then sends them out; Matthew 14, where Jesus teaches his disciples to use available resources to serve people;

Matthew 25, where Jesus shows concrete ways of serving him; and Matthew 28, where Jesus sends us out into the world to make disciples, so that the blessing can continue).

At the ministers’ retreat in Honduras, about 160 Honduran Moravian leaders gathered to discern how God would have them reach out to those who are excluded and affected by the division in the church. We explored the theme of “unity” from a Biblical perspective as well as from a Moravian understanding, as reflected in the Ground of the Unity. We came to the conclusion that a Unity Province lives up to its name when it truly is faithful to the Great Commandment (to love one another) and to the Great Commission (to share this love and this message with all people).

Three of our Global Partners celebrated the consecration of bishops. According to our Church Order of the Unitas Fratrum, our orders of

BOARD OF WORLD MISSION

ministry are not reflections of rank or status, but of service. This means that the consecration of a bishop provides for expanded service to the world.

In January, Brother Armando Rusindo was consecrated in the Episcopal Cathedral in Havana, Cuba (there was no Moravian church building large enough to host the glorious occasion). Moravians from seven districts across the island, as well as ecumenical friends, attended the historic event. This was the first consecration of a Moravian bishop in the Cuba Mission Province.

In April, Brother Brinmore Phaul was consecrated in Georgetown, Guyana. It was very fitting for the service to conclude with a rousing rendition of the hymn, “To God Be The Glory!”

In July, Brother Ezekiel Yona was consecrated at an eight-hour service of celebration in Tabora, Tanzania.

Brother Yona was challenged to follow the example of another Ezekiel (the prophet) who understood that serving God means serving God’s people.

2018 was also a time when our assigned Mission Areas, Peru and Sierra Leone, took significant steps to reach out and share the blessing with people in their communities who have not yet been reached by the ministry of the Moravian Church.

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

The Rev. Mohamed Braima had a vision for a radio station to reach people in Sierra Leone with the good news of Jesus Christ. But in 2018, that vision was given a lowered priority due to the exciting news of the spread of the ministry into another tribe, the Kissy Mende people in the nearby town of Kaihlun. There are now four congregations in Luawa Yiehun, Morfindor, Mbaoma and Kailahun.

The new Kailahun congregation will certainly prove to be the largest of the four, and we celebrate these new followers of Christ as the ministry spreads across tribal lines!

In Peru, Moravians caught a vision for reaching out to Aguaruna tribal people in the Amazon region. BWM and Northern Province representatives joined Peru Moravian leaders for conferences with Aguaruna leaders from 19 tribal villages. A covenant was signed stating that these communities will be part of the Moravian Church in Peru, and a Moravian Amazon District Committee was formed. Peruvian Moravians collected food, clothing and SundaysSchool materials to share with these new sisters and brothers.

Bishop Sam Gray baptizes in Peru.

Mohamed Braima in Sierra Leone.

Blessed… to be a blessing!

Conferences in Honduras and Costa Rica.

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MORAVIAN DISASTER RESPONSE of youth and adults from Sister Bay Moravian Church headed back to St. Thomas to continue work there.

Repair work underway in St. Thomas, thanks to MDR.

Our hearts break when we hear that people have been affected by disasters such as fires, hurricanes, tornados and earthquakes. We have additional concern when these events adversely impact some of our Moravian brothers and sisters around the world. Moravian Disaster Response (MDR) is the primary means by which the Board of World Mission reaches out to assist when these disasters strike. As a result, in the past year the BWM has reached out to bring the hands and feet of Christ to many who are suffering.

In September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the islands of St. Thomas, St. John and Tortola.

Along with homes and infrastructure, Moravian congregations there suffered significant damage—some to the point of a complete loss.

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In Summer 2018, volunteers from around the Northern and Southern Provinces formed four work teams that spent many hours putting the Memorial Moravian School back into sufficient shape to begin the school year.

In March, a team of students from Moravian College arrived on Tortola to do construction work, and a team

In August 2018, work teams hosted at Covenant Moravian Church in Wilmington, N.C., worked on the homes of families who were in need of assistance following the devastation caused by the winds and floods of Hurricane Florence. There they installed a new roof, removed moldy walls and flooring and did clean-up work in yards. An additional team was assembled just this past March to continue this work; another team is due this summer.

Rev. Chris Thore of the Clemmons Moravian Church is beginning to coordinate work crews to help completely rebuild a home in Lumberton, N.C., damaged by Hurricane Florence. Through MDR, the BWM is pleased to be helping to fund this project and get the word out about work crew opportunities.

In addition to these work crews, MDR has helped fund relief work for the wildfires that ravaged California, the fire that swept through the Moravian village of Wupperthal, South Africa, and the recent tornado that damaged parts of Havana, Cuba.

All of this work is made possible by the support that we receive not only from the annual budgets of the Northern, Southern, and Alaskan Provinces, but even more so by the contributions that we receive from individuals who respond to the appeals that we send out following these disasters. Your gifts and support bring the light of Christ to those who are in the midst of suffering. On their behalf, we say thank you!

BOARD OF WORLD MISSION

MISSION ENGAGEMENT It has been my pleasure to serve the BWM as the Director of Mission Engagement since September 2018. In many ways I am still learning what this is all about and how to best serve the Lord through the expansive ministry that the BWM represents. But I have been here long enough to know that the main focus of my ministry is making connections with the local congregations of North America.

There is so very much happening throughout the Moravian world to share with you, most especially with our partners in the Unity Provinces of Alaska, Costa Rica, Eastern West Indies, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua and Western Tanzania; two mission provinces of Cuba and Labrador; and two mission areas of Peru and Sierra Leone. It is my privilege to be able to connect congregations with these areas of the Moravian world in mutually beneficial ways.

My greatest joy has been the opportunity to visit local congregations to do things such as preach for a designated Mission Sunday, do workshops to establish mission priorities both near and far and to connect mission-minded folks who either want to financially support worthy causes or wish to volunteer their time and talent to help others.

Chris Giesler leads mission engagement activities and coordinates MDR efforts for the Board of World Mission.

If I can be of assistance to you or your congregation, please contact me at chris@ moravianmission.org, or by phone at 610-868-1732.

Brian and Janet Diehl from Mountainview Moravian Church served for two weeks in Wilmington, North Carolina.

All throughout our time spent in the mission field, our top priority was always the homeowner. We listened to their stories; together we laughed, cried, hugged. As we were taught on our first day, the reason we were there was to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. The way we achieved that was through the physical labor and an outpouring of love. In doing so, we proclaimed the hope of the Gospel.

There had been so much suffering, but the people we met were very gracious and appreciative of the work our team performed. To anyone feeling drawn to get involved in some way, big or small, take a leap of faith. There are many tasks for a wide range of ages, gifts and abilities. I guarantee it will change your life. God doesn’t choose

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

the equipped, he equips the chosen.

Remember…”whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matt Brian Diehl clears 25:40) water-damaged drywall in North Carolina.

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ANTIOCH Shane Sullivan at work in the U.S. Virgin Islands; Karenna Mohr (third from left in middle row) with Camp Camaguey participants in Cuba.

Jill Kolodziej manages the Antioch Program for the BWM.

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In Acts, the community of Antioch hears and responds to the gospel message with a vitality to join and live in a “Way” based on the teachings of Jesus. The disciples that live among the people meet with and teach them how they are being called into a renewed and transforming relationship with God. Central to this “Way” of Jesus is serving: the loving use of whatever power you possess for the good of another. The Board of World Mission’s Antioch Program shares this intent and spirit to follow in Jesus’ way by receiving invitations to join the efforts of others throughout the worldwide Moravian Unity, then working with adult volunteers to engage in cross-cultural ministry. Recent domestic and international site options have included Alaska, Cuba, Honduras, Jamaica, Nepal, Pennsylvania, Peru, U.S. & British Virgin Islands and Wisconsin.

One servant, Shane, was part of a mission team that helped prepare a USVI Moravian Church School for its upcoming school year. Their week was spent deconstructing damaged classrooms, including removing main

beams that held up the floor. They worked extremely hard, but also enjoyed beach time and visiting in the community. This trip was an absolute blessing to be a part of, as it brought Shane together with like-minded individuals to help an area devastated by hurricanes. He volunteered on three trips to New York to provide Superstorm Sandy relief, but never saw such heartbreak until this trip. Shane hopes more volunteers can donate their time and energy on future trips to help aid in the restoration of the entire Caribbean area. If not, he states there are always opportunities in people’s hometowns to help those in need.

Another servant, Karenna, shares this reflection: “By this mission trip, I saw how devoted to God the local people are, and I really felt the grace of God among us while they were reading the Daily Texts and singing. It made me realize I need to strengthen my relationship with God. Whenever my belief starts withering, I will remember my experiences in Cuba and how the presence of God was in all the people there, and that I need to regain strength in my relationship with God.”

BOARD OF WORLD MISSION

MISSION GRANTS The BWM has worked in the recent past to adapt its model of ministry to better serve our global partners. We reduced long-standing operational subsidies to full Unity Province partners as a positive reflection of their ability to support their own annual operations. As we move forward, a BWM program called “Mission Grants” will soon replace this support.

In 2018, more than $35,000 was awarded to projects including:

Mission Grants are made available to partners on an application basis. The BWM works with partners to help shape projects, then invests resources where we have the ability to partner and see a project through to completion.

These are just a few examples.

The number of applications for funding continues to increase as the stories of projects supported in the past–a radio station in Puerto Lempira, Honduras, seed-funding for a laundromat in Lima, Peru, and others–are shared amongst global partners.

The two main goals of these projects are to build capacity for the church to minister to its neighbors in a given area and to develop leaders who can help guide the church in their context.

• Theological scholarships for pastors in Honduras • Building a science lab at the Moravian Kisanji Girls School in Tanzania • Support of a pastor in a new outreach ministry in Marshall, Alaska

If you are looking to financially support an area of the BWM’s work, we highly suggest a gift towards “Mission Grants” to allow us to fund more tangible, life-changing programs!

Gilberto Molina directs the Honduras Bible Institute.

The church building in Marshall, Alaska.

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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The BOARD OF WORLD MISSION builds relationships through MISSION OUTREACH and MISSION ENGAGEMENT to be faithful to THE GREAT COMMANDMENT and THE GREAT COMMISSION. ANTIOCH MISSION TEAM TRAINING MISSION DISCERNMENT WORKSHOPS INTERNSHIPS DISCIPLESHIP MDR

MISSION

ENGAGEMENT

EDUCATION • SERVICE • MISSION SUPPORT

AREA DEVELOPMENT • LEADERSHIP • GROWTH & OUTREACH

MISSION

NEW WORK GLOBAL PARTNERS MEDICAL MISSIONS LIKEWISE/HUKWAFA COVENANT RELATIONSHIPS THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION

OUTREACH

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BOARD OF WORLD MISSION

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING The Board of World Mission chose the theme for its annual report to be “Blessed to be a Blessing” as a reflection and celebration of the tremendous work of Rick Nelson in service to our Lord and the Moravian Church, specifically in Honduras and with the Ahuas Clinic.

name written by Rick’s brother Bruce.

Bruce is the president of the Western District Executive Board and wrote this song to thank his congregation as he transitioned into his president’s role. But as you can see below, it was based on a reflection of the work of his brother Rick.

While you can read more words from Rick in the pages that follow, we wanted to share a song by the same

Our prayer at the Board of World Mission is that we can continue to live out our work inspired by these words.

“Blessed to be a Blessing”

by Bruce Nelson

As I was writing the song, I could not help but think of my brother in Christ and my blood brother, Rick Nelson, who has devoted so many years to the ministry in Ahuas, Honduras. When Rick is asked why he has devoted so much time and energy to Ahuas his response is always the same. He says, “I have been blessed in so many ways and I am called to respond to that blessedness by trying to be a blessing to others. I believe I have been blessed to be a blessing.”

This phrase is alluded to in Genesis 12 in the account of the call of Abram.

Blessed to be a blessing as I follow you.

Blessed to be a blessing, my life it is in you!

Oh Lord, how you have blessed me as I seek to serve you.

Oh Lord, how you have blessed me; my life is complete in you.

Blessed to be a blessing as I follow you.

Blessed to be a blessing, my life it is in you!

Oh Lord, I long to serve you, a faithful servant I’ll be.

Oh Lord, I long to serve you until eternity!

Blessed to be a blessing as I follow you.

Blessed to be a blessing, my life it is in you!

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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BWM staff includes Justin Rabbach, Sheila Beaman, Sam Gray, Jill Kolodziej, Chris Gielser, Rex Knowlton and Deb Swanson.

FROM OUR STAFF We, as followers of Christ, have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus, all of which are eternal. What a joy we have as staff to share with others how they too can experience these blessings.

Our office is able to assist many people desiring to use their gifts to let the light of Christ offer hope in our broken world. We inform them of how BWM can distribute financial gifts to meet needs. We advise them of places they can personally go to serve with their medical, education or construction skills. We provide financial assistance to help with their mission trips.

Through e-mails, newsletters and phone calls, BWM informs others about events to learn about the latest mission developments in the Moravian Unity. Our Southern Province congregations enthusiastically share this news with their members. They also share their gifts and talents by invit-

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ing mission speakers and hosting the Spring BWM board meetings. Working together as the body of Christ makes it possible for many, many more to know God’s love.

Sheila Beaman, administrative assistant, Winston-Salem office It certainly is a blessing to work in the Northern Province office to be able to see the support that pours in through donations, both online and through the mail. The telephone calls, visits and letters that come in from Moravians across the country, offering support in any way they are able, whether it be financially, physically or through prayer, is an inspiring reminder of how many wonderful people we have in our Moravian world.

2018 was another year which brought devastation and destruction through natural disasters to several Moravian communities and beyond.

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The Moravian support system was there for us—sometimes even before we put out the call—to bolster our ability to respond through Moravian Disaster Response, near and far!

Deb Swanson, executive assistant, main office, Bethlehem The BWM processes more than 100 wire transactions each year worth many thousands of dollars as a means of support to our partners around the world, often in their time of need and just as often to supplement our Christian outreach.

When a disaster strikes, such as the hurricanes, wild fires and severe

storms we’ve seen over the past few years, often our first response is processing monetary support received from many of our donors to immediately assist in getting communities back on their feet. Some of our ongoing efforts, like those to Honduras or Nicaragua, assure a constant stream of medical care for those with limited options. Other ongoing efforts assist with education or specialized learning, such as with the deaf in Palestine.

Clearly one of our Moravian tools from our BWM toolbox manifests how the Lord is able to bless us and keep us, worldwide.

Rex Knowlton, BWM treasurer

Sylvie Hauser from Sturgeon Bay (Wis.) Moravian Church was one of two 2018 BWM summer interns.

This past summer I was an intern for the BWM, which provided me with some amazing opportunities.

I traveled to Peru to interpret for a mission team, and it was inspiring to see the work that the BWM and our Peruvian brothers and sisters are doing to make Moravian ministry happen there.

I also had the chance to visit Laurel Ridge where I helped Bishop Sam Gray lead a program on “loving your neighbor” as the theme of Mission

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Camp. It was such a blessing to see the campers make connections between the Bible passages and their mission projects and to hear about how they had already been living out the message of the Good Samaritan at home.

Beyond these two incredible experiences, I had the chance to learn more about the work that the BWM is doing in the world, and I felt so blessed to be working within my faith community.

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THE AHUAS CLINIC: REFLECTIONS

Opening donation of supplies in Ahuas

Perfoming surgery in a refubished operating room

The Ahuas Clinic remains the largest single program effort supported annually by the BWM. We have been blessed to take part in this ministry, and to have Rick Nelson acting as consultant to the BWM and the Clinic. BWM efforts in support of the clinic include growing capacity for financial management, overseeing maintenance of a large medical facility, and providing financial support to help cover costs of staff, medicine and equipment to provide much-needed medical care.

ca Morava, which will celebrate its 73rd anniversary in June, continues to bless the people of La Mosquitia by curing illnesses, saving lives and winning souls for the Lamb. In 2018 we saw much activity.

In 2018, the board worked with the La Follette School of Public Affairs, a graduate program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to have two semester-long reports produced on the work of the clinic. A policy analysis and a cost-benefit analysis were conducted to assess the current administrative and financial capabilities of the clinic. The two reports provided some tangible plans of action related to the administration and funding of the clinic. The BWM is grateful for the free consulting services provided by these graduate students, and their work will help to shape the future involvement of the BWM with the Ahuas Clinic.

With generous gifts, a new lab was completed to comply with Ministry of Health standards, and drainage ditches were dug to remove unwanted runoff. Moravians, Methodists and Reformed Church members from North Dakota, Michigan, North Carolina and Wisconsin, helped us to continue the Women’s Garden and build a chicken coop that has been producing up to two dozen eggs daily. With help from many sources, we have provided nutritious meals at three different sites to 100 malnourished children, six days a week, and have sustained the Women’s Sewing Project with materials and the acquisition of three – soon to be four – sewing machines.

Here is a reflection of the work at the Ahuas Clinic in 2018 from Rick Nelson:

With funds from North Dakota, a new John Deere tractor was purchased and shipped to Ahuas in January 2019. With donations from Door County, Wisconsin, and the Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach in Springfield, Illinois, a container of medical supplies was scheduled to arrive in Ahuas before Holy Week of 2019.

“The Honduran ministries supported by the Board of World Mission are blessed by North Americans who support us with prayers, visits, material donations, financial support and Christian Love. The Clínica Evangéli-

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Moravian and Rotarian donations of $83,078 allowed us to build a perimeter fence, replace deteriorated ceilings in the operating room and two main clinic buildings, install ten rain water harvesting tanks, dig four wells and repair/map the entire plumbing system.

BOARD OF WORLD MISSION

A total of eight work crews from Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio and Idaho helped with prayers, construction, medical work, dental services, outpatient visits to three outlying communities, infant nutrition, the Egg Project, painting, the Rotary Project, the new lab, patient records and the testimony of Christian love that their presence in Ahuas demonstrated.

Just as Abraham in Genesis 12 was blessed so that he could be a blessing, supporters of the work in Honduras have shared their blessings so that we could bless others. The central focus of the hospital has always been to bring people to Christ through the provision of medical services. Last year we assisted with 195 births, performed 246 surgeries, admitted 825 patients, saw 3,444 outpatients, did 550 ultrasounds, performed 4,449 lab exams and took 336 x-rays.

On a Monday evening last May, a young couple arrived at the hospital with their five-year-old son. Having walked twelve hours through the rain from the community of Warunta, the three of them were soaked and disheveled.

The parents had come to the only place where they could get help for their little boy. Both family and hospital staff wondered if they had waited too long. The child had a distended belly, extreme pain, yellow eyes and a 102-degree fever. Dr. Kenneth ordered lab tests, an x-ray and an ultrasound.

An ultrasound identified problems

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

with the boy’s liver. When Kenneth told the parents to search for a unit of blood so that he could operate as soon as possible, they replied that they did not have money, but would donate it themselves.

Kenneth worried that the child would not survive the night, but was pleased on Tuesday morning when the patient seemed strong enough to undergo surgery. In the O.R., as expected, Kenneth found a liver abscess, which was removed, and a drain was inserted to remove any remaining infection. By Wednesday, when Kenneth was on rounds, he was glad to find the child with a declining temperature and reduced pain, saying he was hungry. He would live!

Rick Nelson prepares for a trip upriver in Honduras.

Funds from North Dakota helped purchase a new tractor

We have been blessed so that we can be a blessing to needy patients like the little boy from Warunta.

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SIERRA LEONE

Safiatu and Mohamed Braima in Sierra Leone.

When God called Abraham and Sarah, God said that they would be blessed and that they would be a blessing; that all of the nations – all of the ethnicities – of the earth would be blessed through them. They stepped out in faith, not really knowing where they were going, but knowing that God would lead them, step by step.

• In 2004, God said, “Go,” and Mohamed and Safie took a step of faith and went. They were heartbroken by what they saw, but God gave them a vision of what could be, and they started to take more steps to be where God wanted them to be and to do what God wanted them to do.

Many years later, God called Mohamed and Safiatu Braima and asked them to take steps of faith. Here are some of the steps in their amazing journey:

• After Mohamed completed his studies at Reformed Seminary, he and Safie were commissioned as missionaries to Sierra Leone.

• In 1975, after finishing high school in his native Sierra Leone, Mohamed came to the United States.

• In 1977, he was baptized into the membership of the Moravian Church in Charlotte, NC. • In 1981, the Board of World Mission decided to explore the possibility of mission work in Sierra Leone, but it was not God’s time for the next step…yet.

• In 1986, Mohamed married Safiatu (Safie), also from Sierra Leone.

And God gradually, step by step, began to give them a burden for their homeland.

• In 1991, a bloody “civil” war broke out in Sierra Leone and lasted ten years. Many of the churches that had been there before the war were now gone and there were thousands of refugees and people who had been left with nothing.

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• By 2008, they had built a community library and dedicated a Moravian church building in Ngehun, and in 2009, they started building a Secondary School.

• In 2010, Sierra Leone was designated as a Mission Area of the Worldwide Unity, under the supervision of the Southern Province.

• Mohamed was ordained as a Deacon in 2012, and the ministry in Ngehun continued to grow and expand into nearby villages.

In 2018, the Rev. Mohamed Braima passed into the more immediate presence of his Lord and Savior. But the steps that he and Safie took are the beginning of a journey that will continue with support from many who loved him and who share the vision of the fulfillment of God’s promise to bless all nations through him, through them, and through us.

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ADOPT-A-VILLAGE: WESTERN TANZANIA The Moravian Church of Western Tanzania’s orphan care initiative is now in its nineteenth year.

Thirty-three “Moravian Mamas” care for over 2900 children located in 33 villages and five parishes, providing them with food, clothing, medical care and scholarships for those pursuing education beyond secondary school.

In the city of Tabora, 50 percent of the orphans are receiving education beyond primary school; in the villages the number is nearly 10 percent. Due to squalid living conditions in Tabora, multiple families there have also been given mattresses.

The Adopt-a-Village program, a joint venture between Central Moravian Church and the Board of World Mission, began in 2006 to provide financial support for these endeavors.

In the city of Tabora, three groups of orphans who have graduated from vocational schools have begun their own businesses; two ladies’ groups, one of four, the other of eight, are involved in tailoring, while four young men have set up a carpentry shop.

One additional well was constructed during the year, bringing the

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

total to 16. Funding is available for four more.

The Kabanga Moravian Church has been completed, the fourteenth since 2000. The church in the village of Mazinge should be finished by the end of 2019. A Sukuma congregation in Mwasavanga is building their church with financial assistance from the Society for Promoting the Gospel (SPG). Construction of the second Moravian church in Tutuo is being funded by Palmer Moravian in Pennsylvania.

Orphans in Tabora, Western Tanzania, aided by the Adopt-a-Village Program

Four of the seven “Parker Scholarship Students” will graduate as evangelists from the Lusangi Bible College this year. Three additional scholarship candidates registered at the school this winter.

The Sikonge Special Needs School, for the blind, deaf, or “slow learners,” now has 81 students, 71 of whom are boarders.

In the Sukuma villages of Igulula and Mwasavanga, a total of 76 adults and 98 children attend Sunday services regularly.

—Drs. Bill and Peg Hoffman

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FINANCIAL REPORT Support and Revenue

For the year ended December 31, 2018 Board of World Mission of the Moravian Church Northern, Southern, Alaska Provinces Larger Life Foundation

$484,928 $25,790

Society for Promoting the Gospel

$210,588

Mission Society, Southern Province

$25,000

Other Provincial Support

$14,508

Investment Returns

(145,034)

Contributions without Donor Restriction Other: Gain on Sale of Property

88,795 455,117

Utilization of Restricted Funds

348,762

Total Support and Revenue

$1,508,454

2018 Support and Revenue Total: $1,508,454

Utilization of Restricted Funds

Gain on Sale of Property

Northern, Southern, Alaska Provinces

Society for Promoting the Gospel

Contributions w/o Donor Restriction Other Provincial Southern Mission Society Support

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Larger Life Foundation

The Board of World Mission (BWM) enjoyed a successful year financially in 2018 thanks to the generous support of many stakeholders interested in furthering our engagement and outreach. The accompanying graphic depicts the sources of our income and the focus of our expenditures.

Our income surpassed $1.5 million this year, mainly with the sale of both of our properties­—the manse in Bethlehem and the house in Mississippi (which we’ve had since the Hurricane Katrina disaster). With changed priorities for each of the properties, we realized $455,000 from their sales, which bolstered the current year income. While we recognize the gain this year, the proceeds have been transferred to investment accounts for use over time.

Provincial support continues to be the cornerstone of our fiscal strength, this year accounting for 27 percent of our income. Restricted funds, accounting for 19 percent of our income, have been used heavily to support existing and developing missions as evidenced by the high level of Assistance Grants placed this year.

Our partners from Society for Promoting the Gospel, the Larger Life Foundation and the Southern Mission Society account for 17 percent of our support collectively, and remain

BOARD OF WORLD MISSION

instrumental as a conduit for our mission growth and outreach.

Our programming costs approach 90 percent, with the Assistance Grants —putting the money in the countries or areas that need it—accounting for 57 percent of our overall expenditures.

The Assistance Grants are high, in part, as a result of the number of disasters which occurred in 2018 as well as a focused effort in releasing funds rapidly and regularly as the needs warrant.

With new accounting standards in place at the BWM, we are reporting out on the activity without donor restrictions. Our audited statements will show another $211,000 net support with donor restrictions. We are pleased to carry $252,000 from our funds without donor restrictions into 2019 and beyond, along with $211,000 with donor restriction, to further grow our mission outreach and engagement.

The 2018 audited reports are available to view at our Bethlehem office. For additional information or a copy of the audited financial statements, please contact Sister Deb or myself at the Bethlehem office of the BWM. Thank you for your support of this important outreach.

Expenditures

For the year ended December 31, 2018 Board of World Mission of the Moravian Church Direct Program Costs Assistance Grants

$711,830

Ministry Administration/Management

$259,453

Supplies, Materials, Occupancy

$78,981

Travel, Meetings

$67,299

Publications, Communications

$12,198

General Administration

$125,926

Total Expenditures

$1,255,687

2018 Expenditures Total: $1,255,687

Assistance Grants

Ministry Administration/ Management General Admin.

Publications, Communications

Travel, Meetings

Rex Knowlton, Treasurer

Supplies, Materials, Occupancy

The board and staff of the Board of World Mission thank the contributors who provided articles, information, photographs and other material for this year’s Annual Report.

Originally published as a special section of The Moravian Magazine, this Annual Report is also available in digital format from the BWM. Design by Mike Riess, IBOC ©2019, Board of World Mission.

Visit us at www.moravianmission.org.

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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BOARD OF

WORLD MISSION of the Moravian Church • North America Board of World Mission staff and directors Engage you to take part in the common mission of the BWM: Mission Outreach—using our gifts to support ministries with our partners around the world.

OFFICES:

STAFF:

Board of World Mission 1021 Center St. Bethlehem, PA 18018 610.868.1732

Sheila Beaman, Administrative Asst., Winston-Salem sbeaman@mcsp.org or sheila@moravianmission.org Chris Giesler, Director of Mission Engagement chris@moravianmission.org Sam Gray, Director of Mission Outreach sam@moravianmission.org Jill Kolodziej, Director of Antioch jill@moravianmission.org Rex Knowlton, Accountant/Treasurer rex@moravianmission.org Justin Rabbach, Executive Director justin@moravianmission.org Deb Swanson, Executive Asst., Bethlehem deb@mcnp.org or deb@moravianmission.org

Board of World Mission 500 South Church St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101 336.773.1732

WEB: www.moravianmission.org

Yes! I wish to make a financial contribution to the work of the Board of World Mission, Moravian Church in North America.

I would like to donate $

to the Board of World Mission for the purposes of:

q Helping where it is needed. q Helping a specific program:

100% of your donation will go directly to mission programming.

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ City/Town: __________________ State: _____ ZIP Code: _________

q I would like to be a Friend of BWM and receive your newsletter and periodic information about mission opportunities.

q The BWM may contact me by email. My email address: _____________________

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Checks must be made payable to "Board of World Mission."

Please mail your tax-deductible donation to: The Board of World Mission, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 or visit us at www.moravianmission.org to donate online. BOARD OF WORLD MISSION

Florida retreat (Continued from page 8) of older guys imagined a basketball court, but with a butterfly garden to entice their younger sisters and brothers. Another group built a community center with wi-fi access where people could gather for recreation or a place to do their homework.

And then to the questions, “How can we create a place of refuge to those who are refused care? How do we show respect and care for those whose bodies, whose lives are exposed and vulnerable?” These were not hard questios for anyone, as the representatives of each congregation got to work, taking cardboard boxes and rebuilding their churches so that they might become places of radical sharing.

Palm Beach Moravian, no strangers to hurricanes, opened up a shelter for those who need overnight accommodation, not only during a storm, but also every day. Rolling Hills Moravian offered a veteran’s gathering place where veterans could find healing and wholeness. For the broken-hearted and hungry, New Hope Moravian envisioned themselves as a people who offer hope for each new day.

We even learned about Rizpah (2 Samuel 21: 9-14), who kept vigil by her murdered sons. Day and night, “from the beginning of the harvest until the rain poured down,” she fought off predators so they could not devour their bodies. No matter how compelling, do we share these disturbing biblical texts with our children and youth? Listen to how this obscure, yet powerful story spoke to Sister Merylin: “What empowered me the most is the story of Rizpah. She was a woman in the Bible who had lots

of courage and wisdom. Her sons had died by being hanged, and she was there night and day, through good and bad weather, guarding their bodies and doing a vigil for her sons. Rizpah was a brave woman. This story empowered me a lot.”

I was amazed at how quickly, creatively and faithfully our younger sisters and brothers unpacked the scriptures.

“Your prophetic imagination is something that is uniquely tailored to you,” said Sister Danielle Roberts, Rolling Hills Moravian.“Yours might be through the gift of music and art, and mine might be through mission service, but as long as we find a way to spread God’s word and message, there is no right or wrong.” “[We have been] learning about how the different stories of prophets are similar to situations in our daily lives,” said Brother Amachi Anthony.

“Since they are alike, you can read the Bible and know how to deal with these situations.”

Our children and youth have witnessed so much. How can they process what they have seen, finding new meaning and agency? How can they respond in and through the power of Christ to a chaotic, shattered and shattering world? Scripture gives us the voices of our ancient prophets. May we join them and these new prophets to see things from different angles. This is the world of these youth, and these are their words: “Our schools are not built for violence. No. No. No #nolockdowns #peaceandlove.” n Sister Lisa Mullen serves alongside Estamos Unidos, and SunnySeeds Garden, a joint ministry of Anthony’s Plot, Estamos Unidos and the South Branch RCC.

May 2019

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CREATE IN ME

Sharing perspectives on worship and liturgy

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n 2018, Create in Me features in The Moravian through Apple Podcasts or Anchor. You can also shared perspectives on worship and liturgy that follow createinmeworship on Instagram for alerts we hope you found interesting, inspiring, and on new podcast episodes and thoughtful questions helpful to you as you engage in worship. about the art at the heart of worship.

While many of our churches support world We are convinced that the Spirit is moving missions and disaster relief, and many more of them through the Church in new and unexpected ways; are engaged in a variety of local ministries, virtually calling us to face the changes and challenges of the all our congregations meet regularly for worship. day with courage and imagination. Historically, one Styles and schedules may vary. Locations and liturway the Moravian Church has responded to this call gies differ. But that we place considerable emphasis is through creative new resources for worship: muon gathering to hear and celebrate the given Word Score of God and to receive and Love, Love, Love celebrate the Holy SacraDavid Melby-Gibbons ments is characteristic not C just of Moravians but of ” ‰ œ œ œ œœ œ . œ j œ . ‰ œœj œ . œ j œ œj & 44 ∑ œ œ œ œ . œ œœ œ . œ . œ œœ œ œ Christians in general. With You gave us life for the gar - den, life for the start - ing that in mind, Create in Me G C j is a growing conversation ” ‰œ & œ œœ ” œœ œ .. œ j œ .. ‰ œœ œ .. œ j œ .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ about what we feel is a viout.

You gave us hope for the fu - ture, hope found with-in our tal experience and expresG D7 F G sion of the Christian life. ” ‰ œ œ œ # œ œ . œ œj œ œj n œ œ . œ œ . œj & œ œœ ” œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ. œ œ While we will contindoubt.

You gave us all that we need - ed, and all we could do with ue highlighting examples C C and experiments in shapj ” ‰ œ j & œœ Œ ” œ œ œœ œ œ œ œœ œœ .. œœ œœ œœ ing worship through the out.

You gave us songs for the morn - ing, the pages of The Moravian, we G are also bringing the con” ‰ j & œœ .. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ Œ ” œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ versation to a new space: sun as it was pour - ing from your mouth, you gave us a the world of podcasting!

C G For those new to podcasts, ” ‰œ œ œ & œœ œ .. œ j œ œj œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ” œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ they are typically recorded life -time of bless- ing, a long time of rest - ing in your house.

You gave us interviews made available D7 F G C as digital audio files that ” Œ ≈œ & # œœ œ .. œ œj œ œj n œœ œ œ œ œ . œ œ Œ ” œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œœ you can download and all that we need - ed, and all that heav - en would al - low.

And I listen to on your computer F G F or mobile device. As of ‰ œ & œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ .. œœ œ œœ œœ œ this writing you can find, asked you what you'd want me to be, and I asked you what it would listen and subscribe to the Create In Me podcast © David Melby-Gibbons 5

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sic, liturgies, prayers, visual arts, crafts, etc. It is our hope to draw attention to many of these new resources being created and to share space for a dynamic conversation about the role of worship in our lives.

We invite you to continue submitting articles, songs, artwork of your creation that contribute to your experience and participation in worship. If you would like to join us on a podcast, we’d love to hear your ideas about that, too!

In the creation of the podcast, we reached out to our friends, David Melby-Gibbons and Rachel Marie, to create a theme song for us. Using a song written by David they worked together across the country to produce this tune. We think it

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To share your work with the Create in Me team, e-mail moraviancreateinme@gmail.com.

To find the Create in Me podcast, a conversation about worship, creativity, and the art at the heart of how we experience God and share that experience with others, visit anchor.fm/createinme or in iTunes.

And to find a complete listing of Create in Me articles from the Moravian Magazine, www.moravian.org/ create-in-me-moravian-worshipresources/ n The Rev. Rebecca Craver is pastor of Edmonton Moravian Church in Alberta, Canada.

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OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Moravian Music Sunday, May 19, 2019 The fifth Sunday of Easter, May 19, 2019, has been designated as Moravian Music Sunday. The purpose of this observance is to help all congregations become more familiar with our rich heritage of Moravian music. Music is an expression of faith, and thus continuing creativity is to be encouraged.

vice, which will be held at Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Unionville, Michigan Brother Timothy J. Naisby has accepted the call to serve as pastor for Unionville Moravian Church, Unionville, Michigan. Brother Naisby will begin his work in July 2019.

Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference

NORTHERN PROVINCE Outdoor Ministries Sunday, June 23, 2019 The 1994 Synod of the Moravian Church–Northern Province passed legislation regarding the observance of an Outdoor Ministries Sunday. The date for this observance has been established by the Provincial Elders’ Conference as the Sunday after Trinity Sunday, which falls on June 23 this year. Pastors are encouraged to use either of the liturgies prepared in 1996-1997. The liturgies are available in the “Public Documents” section of the Northern Province Portal or by contacting the Provincial Office.

SOUTHERN PROVINCE Calvary, Winston-Salem, N.C. Brother Chaz Snider has accepted the call to become associate pastor at Calvary Moravian. He will conclude his ministry at Ardmore on April 21st and begin at Calvary May 5th. Please remember brother Snider, his family, and the Calvary and Ardmore congregations in prayer during this time of transition.

PEC Service

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Sister Christine Johnson has accepted an appointment to serve as part-time pastor for West Side Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Sister Johnson began her service April 14, 2019.

Ordination Brother Timothy J. Naisby, a May 2019 graduate of Moravian Theological Seminary, will be ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church on June 29, 2019.

Bishop C. Hopeton Clennon will officiate at the ser-

Brother David Marcus has accepted the call to become the assistant to the PEC president. David will conclude his ministry at Christ Moravian in Winston-Salem, N.C. on April 8 and will begin work at the PEC Office April 22. Please remember David and the Christ congregation in prayer during this time of change.

David Guthrie Provincial Elders’ Conference

Moravian Crystal

© 2019 MCC

Moravian Crystal Company is pleased to present a collection of elegant renderings, highly detailed and produced in 3D laser engraved imaging into optical grade crystal. These unique gifts, designed in Winston-Salem, N.C., celebrate Moravian history, heritage and traditions.

For more information or to order, visit www.moraviancrystal.com Moravian Crystal Company, Inc. • 2150 Country Club Rd, Suite 248 • Winston-Salem, N.C. 27104 (336) 306-5688

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The Moravian

OBITUARIES The Rev. Keith K. Harke Brother Keith K. Harke died April 11, 2019, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania at the age of 52.

Born February 19, 1967 at Edmonton, Alberta, he was the son of Victor and Muriel (Prochnau) Harke. Brother Harke graduated from the University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia in 1993, and received a Master of Divinity degree from Moravian Theological Seminary in 1999. He was ordained a Deacon in the Moravian ministry June 27, 1999, and consecrated a Presbyter October 2, 2005.

He was united in marriage to Margaret Wellert on May 14, 2000, at Moravian Theological Seminary, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Br. Harke served pastorates in Minnesota (Our Savior’s, Berea), Wisconsin (East Side, Ephraim), Alberta (Bruderheim), New York (Tremont Terrace), Washington D.C. (Faith), and Pennsylvania (Emmaus, West Side). He also served under call to specialized ministry as chaplain for Door County Memorial Hospital, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; chaplain for Good Samaritan Society of Scandia Village, Sister Bay, Wisconsin; and released for other service to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as intentional interim pastor for St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Christ Lutheran Church, Staten Island, New York.

Brother Harke is survived by his wife, Margaret; step-children Matthew, Elizabeth and Kathryn; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at West Side Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on May 10, 2019. Memorial gifts were welcomed for Moravian Theological Seminary or the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Mrs. David Henkelmann Sister Mary Ellen (Thompson) Henkelmann died in Randolph, Massachusetts on March 31, 2019, at the age of 94. She was born March 7, 1925, at Shanghai, China, a daughter of Gordon and Hilda (Haughwout) Thompson.

Sister Henkelmann was united in marriage to Brother David M. Henkelmann on June 29, 1968, at United Moravian Church, New York, New York.

She served alongside her husband in pastorates in New York (United, First, Tremont Terrace) and Pennsylvania (Yardley, Philadelphia Third, Lebanon).

Sister Henkelmann is survived by her husband, David; sons Christopher and Bruce; one granddaughter and a great-grandson. She was predeceased by son, Douglas, in 2016.

Memorial services were held at First Congregational/UCC Church in Randolph, Massachusetts. Memorial gifts were gratefully received for the Board of World Mission Wupterthal Missions Station Disaster Relief fund or UNICEF Children’s Emergency Relief Fund.

Mrs. Joseph LaFortune Sister Ann (Giesler) LaFortune died in Fargo, North Dakota on April 2, 2019, at the age of 83. She was born April 24, 1935, at Green Bay, Wisconsin, a daughter of Carol and Laura (Dickey) Giesler.

Sister LaFortune was united in marriage to Brother Joseph LaFortune on June 7, 1955, at East Side Moravian Church, Green Bay, Wisconsin.

She served alongside her husband in mission service in Alaska and pastorates in Alberta (Heimtal, New Sarepta, Central), Michigan (Continued on next page)

May 2019

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Obituary: LaFortune (Continued from previous page)

(Daggett), Minnesota (Northfield), Wisconsin (Sister Bay), and North Dakota (Bethel, Goshen).

Sons, Richard and Carol; daughter, Amy; and two grandchildren survive Sister LaFortune. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph, on October 29, 2016.

Memorial services were held April 11, 2019, at Shepherd of the Prairie Moravian Church, Fargo, North Dakota, with the Rev. Eric Renner presiding. Memorials are gratefully received for the Shepherd of the Prairie Women’s Fellowship.

The Rev. Roger W. Kimball The Rev. Roger W. Kimball, age 84, joined the heavenly Church Triumphant December 29, 2018. He was born Sept. 28, 1934 ,in Winston-Salem, N.C., the first of four children of Thomas Alexander Kimball and Treva Rothrock Kimball. He was baptized as an infant at Friedland Moravian Church, Winston-Salem, and later confirmed his faith there.

At age 14, he responded to an invitation made by the pastor in worship to anyone who felt a call to pastoral ministry. Roger attended Griffith School, and graduated from Glenn High School (1952), from Moravian College (1956) and Moravian Theological Seminary (1960) He married Mary Ethel “Mitzi” Pennington May 31, 1958.

In the following years, they were blessed with four children. While in Seminary, he took a one year leave of absence to serve with the Board of World Mission on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

Roger was ordained a deacon June 26, 1960 by the Rt. Rev. Herbert Spaugh, at Friedland Church, and began mission service in Guyana, where he was consecrated a presbyter 34

by the Rt. Rev. Edwin Kortz, October 27, 1968.

Roger served as the Superintendent of the Moravian work in Guyana, and was secretary of the Guyana Council of Churches. In 1969, he accepted a call to serve in the Eastern West Indies Province on St. Thomas with the Friedensberg, Fridensthal and Friedensfeld congregations. From 1972 to 1975, he was the President of the Provincial Board for the E.W. I. Province. During their ministry in Guyana and St. Thomas, Roger was active in a variety of social and community ministries. In 1981, the Kimballs returned to the Southern Province as pastor of the Mizpah and Advent congregations. While at Advent, Roger mentored and encouraged a number of persons as they discerned calls to pastoral service in the church.

He retired August 31, 2000, after 40 years of service, and entered another period of service as an interim pastor for the Holly Springs, West Palm Beach, Ardmore, Macedonia, Enterprise, Christ, Advent and Mizpah congregations. He retired from his retirement December 31, 2016.

Roger is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mitzi; a daughter Victoria; three sons, Thomas, Michael and Edward; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters; and one brother. A memorial service was conducted at Friedland Moravian Church, Jan. 4, 2019, with the Rt. Rev. Graham Rights, Rev. James Demby, Rev. Wayne Byerly, and Br. David Berrier officiating. Burial followed in God’s Acre, Friedland.

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.

The Moravian

The Widow’s Society of Bethlehem Annual Meeting The Widow’s Society of Bethlehem invites all members of the Society to an annual meeting July 18, 2019 at 7 p.m. at College Hill Moravian Church, 72 W Laurel St. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania The agenda will include (but not be limited to) a vote on a proposed plan to dissolve the Society.

Member inquiry may be forwarded to the Board of Directors at rtrevchris@gmail.com.

The Widow’s Society of Bethlehem 561 E. Market St., Suite #1, Bethlehem, PA 18018 Phone: 610.866.1841

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by Bishop Kay Ward

Bishop Kay’s fourth offering is filled with reflective, funny and inspiring stories, perfect for daily reflections or just a good story to share!

For special offers on Park Benches and Kay’s other inspiring books, visit https://store.moravian.org or call 1.800.732.0591, ext. 38

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June 20-23, 2019

Winston-Salem, N.C.

Questions? Call 336.893.4460 or email moravianwomen@gmail.com

Learn more at www.moravianwomensconference.org May 2019

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May.indd 1

Postmaster please send address changes to: The Moravian, P.O. Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245

May 2019

Periodicals

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