The Moravian Magazine • October 2011 by Mike Riess

Bishops meet for discussion and prayer Stewardship for adults and children Antioch Servants learn while helping …and more!

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On the cover: The colors of early autumn herald colder but brighter days to come. Photo by Mike Riess

Bishops meet for discussion and prayer Stewardship for adults and children Antioch Servants learn while helping

…and more!

Christ and him crucified remain our confession of faith In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love

Moravian Bishops 6

Moravian Bishops gather for prayer and discussion

A Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of the Northern and Southern Provinces

Commentary 9 16

The importance of the Bible Stewardship and our democracy

Stewardship

Member, Associated Church Press

MMFA program offers stewardship expertise to North American churches

Teaching kids stewardship

Conference on Environmental Stewardship highlights care for God’s world

In Our Congregations 20

Lititz Moravian celebrates with mortgage-burning Lovefeast

Board of World Mission 22

Antioch Servants learn while helping in far-off places

Ecumenical Efforts 26 Thoughts on living into our full communion relationships Visit our website at <http://www.moravian.org>. In Every Issue Letters to the editor, address corrections, and other 4 Ponderings: Celebrating a Cup of Covenant correspondence may be with co-workers and officemates e-mailed to the magazine at 29 Official Provincial Elders’ News <pubs@mcnp.org>. October 2011

PONDERINGS

Celebrating a Cup of Covenant with co-workers & officemates Every September, ordained Moravian clergy around the globe participate in a celebration called “The Cup of Covenant.” Celebrated to coincide with the anniversary of the church’s decision in 1741 to proclaim Jesus Christ as its Chief Elder, The Cup of Covenant is a liturgical celebration during which those in ministry renew their unity and commitment to the service of Christ. While I’m not a pastor, I consider the work I do for the Interprovincial Board of Communication to be a form of ministry. Every day, we offer a ministry of words and pictures — publications, communication assistance, worship resources and learning opportunities — that help promote, highlight and foster Moravians’ relationship with Christ. And there are many in our denomination who are just like us — whose day jobs are, in fact, ministry. They work for the church in countless ways, all contributing to the ongoing health and strength of the Moravian Church. This year, the staff of Moravian Church Center in Bethlehem experienced their own Cup of Covenant celebration. Around the conference room table sat the staff of the Northern Province and Eastern District offices and Provincial Women’s Board, along with the interprovincial staffs of the IBOC and the Board of World Mission. Everyone in the room serves the Moravian Church in some way — through work in provincial and district leadership, finances, benefits and HR, stewardship, mission work, communication and more. And while four of those gathered were ordained Moravian clergy, the rest of us are not. Following a liturgy prepared by Lisa Mixon, director of people in mission for the Board of World Mission, we prayed together for our work and our agencies. We participated in the Liturgy for Christian Unity. We passed a ceramic chalice filled with slips of paper, each containing the name of one of us. As each slip was drawn, we all said a silent prayer for the individual and their work. As part of our celebration, we each shared the work that we do for the church. We talked about what drew us to our roles and how we see our individual activities contributing to the whole of the Moravian Church. It was fascinating to learn things about people you work 4

(ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) October 2011, Vol. 42, No. 8 Publications Agreement No. 40036408 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Express Messenger International, PO Box 25058, London, Ontario N6C6A8, email: <emi@exmessenger.com> Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces Published monthly, except bimonthly January-February and July-August issues, by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. Subscription rates: $15.00 per year, U.S.A. & Canada; $18.00 per year, all other countries. Individual copies available for $3.00 each. The Moravian is sent to the families of the Moravian Church as a privilege of membership. Periodicals postage paid at Bethlehem, PA. Circulation: 17,800 Postmaster please send address changes to The Moravian, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245. Continuing The North American Moravian, The Moravian and The Wachovia Moravian. Michael Riess, Editor Deb Swanson, Advertising Coordinator Siobhan Young, Communications Assistant Interprovincial Board of Communication Paul Knouse, Paul Peucker Chair Adam Pristas Jane Burcaw Richard Sides Jane Carmichael Valerie Wagner Lance Fox Jill Westbrook Gary Kniskern Design by Sandy Fay, Laughing Horse Graphics, Inc. Address all correspondence regarding articles, subscriptions, or advertising to The Moravian, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245 FAX: 610.866.9223 Phone: 610.867.0594 800.732.0591 e-mail: <pubs@mcnp.org> <www.moravian.org> Contents © 2011, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in North America. All rights reserved

The Moravian

with day in and day out, especially when it comes to how their efforts contribute to the denomination as a whole. While the Cup of Covenant somewhat resembles communion, it should not be confused with the Sacrament. Instead, the Cup is considered an expression of unity, dedication and promise, as well as a commitment to continue to work in Christ’s service. As we partook together, that unity, dedication and commitment came through loud and clear from all around the table. My heart was filled with a renewed sense of purpose and love for the work I do. When I returned to my desk after this special celebration, I pondered a bit about how special church work is, how fortunate I am to have an opportunity to do it and how amazing it is to work with a diverse group of people, from many different backgrounds and vocations, to move the church forward. And as I dug back into finalizing this issue of The Moravian, I gained a new appreciation for the work of the church that’s apparent through our magazine. Stories of stewardship, of bishops discussing the important issues of the church, of congregations celebrating successes and denominations working together… the unity and dedication that the Cup of Covenant symbolizes can be seen in all of them. So while the Cup of Covenant is usually reserved for clergy, I’m glad that my coworkers and office mates had this opportunity to reaffirm our ministries together. The feeling of connectedness and unity that mid-day service brought will stay with me for a long time.

Mike Riess, Editor

MORAVIAN BISHOPS

Moravian Bishops gather for prayer and discussion August 18-21, 2011 marked my first opportunity to gather with the Bishops of Northern and Southern Provinces at Laurel Ridge, the Moravian Conference Center in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina. I have been eagerly anticipating this conference since my own consecration as a Bishop in November, 2010. These conferences were typically held every two years; more recently they have been held every four years due of budget constraints. This years conference was attended by 11 of the 17 Bishops in North America; six

from the Northern Province and five from the Southern Province. It was a blessing to spend these days with my fellow Bishops who continue to serve the Moravian Church in such significant ways. I was quickly reminded that this gathering is not a retreat, but a conference. The days began (continued on page 8) The Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler is pastor of the Edgeboro Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pa. and a Bishop of the Moravian Unity.

Moravian bishops gathered at Laurel Ridge in North Carolina include (back row, l-to-r) Doug Kleintop, Sam Gray, C. Hopeton Clennon, John Wilson, Paul Graf and Kay Ward; (front row, l-to-r) Lane Sapp, Graham Rights, J. Christian Giesler, M. Blair Couch and D. Wayne Burkette. Photos by the Rt. Rev. C. Hopeton Clennon

A Pastoral Letter from th the Northern and Southe e Bishops of rn Provinces to our Congregations As Bishops of the Moravian Unity residing in the Northern and Southern Provinces of Moravian Church in America the we greet you in the name of Jes us Christ our Chief Elder. We had the blessing of spending have August 18-21, 2011 in confer ence at Laurel Ridge in the Ridge Mountains of North Car Blue olina. This time has brought us closer to one another, and us to recommit ourselves to allo ws our calling as Bishops. Ours is a ministry of reconciliatio On the night that Jesus was bet n. rayed and as he gathered in the Upper Room with his disciples he prayed: “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on beh alf of those who will believe through their word, that the in me y may all be one. As you, Fat her, are in me and I am in you they also be in us, so that the , may world may believe that you hav e sent me.” (John 17:20-21 believe that this is Jesus’ pra ) We yer for us in these days as we ll. What does it mean for us to be “one” when we live in a wo rld of competing interests, val and points of view? ues, As Bishops we have prayed and discussed issues of dee p concern to our church and world. Recognizing our own the diversity we have come togeth er in love and mutual respec one another because we find t for common ground in our com mitment to Jesus Christ as ou and Savior, and in our love and r Lord commitment to the Moravian Church. We believe the Morav Church can model a way of ian being that does not yield to the pressures of polarization and mentation so evident in our fragworld today. Rather than allowing points of doctrine to create division, we affirm The Ground of the which states “The Unitas Fra Unity trum takes part in the contin ual search for sound doctrine interpreting Scripture and in . In the communication of doctrine in the Church, we look to two lennia of ecumenical Christian miltradition and the wisdom of our Moravian forebears in the to guide us as we pray for ful faith ler understanding and ever cle arer proclamation of the Go Jesus Christ.” (Ground of the spel of Unity #4) We call each one another bro ther and sister because we see each other as a child of not because we agree on all God, issues. We are in relationship bec ause God has called us togeth as the Moravian Church, not er because of anything we have done, but to love and serve Go our neighbor. We further bel d and ieve each of us comes to ou r point of view out of our com faith in the Lord. Above all els mon e we are called to be faithfu l to Christ as our Chief Elder, be about fulfilling the Great and to Commission to make discip les. We fervently believe God us together for these reason has kept s. Jesus prayed that we may all be one — as Bishops we ech o this prayer. Our challenge Moravian Church is to be the as the unity we pray for. Grace and Peace, D. Wayne Burkette Paul A. Graf Lane A. Sapp M. Blair Couch Samuel J. Gray Kay Ward C. Hopeton Clennon Douglas H. Kleintop John F. Wilson J. Christian Giesler Graham H. Rights

Bishop Graham Rights during discussions at the Bishops’ Conference

(continued from page 6) and ended with worship and prayer, while the remaining time was spent in business sessions discussing both essential and non-essential matters of great importance to the Church. The issues under consideration at this conference represented ongoing concerns that the Bishops have been working on over the years, along with ones referred to us by individual pastors and the Provincial Elders of both provinces seeking advice on matters such as orders of ministry, ordination, and other doctrinal and practical matters. We also discussed the varied roles that Bishops play in different provinces and the possible need for more uniformity, and how we Bishops can connect with our Lutheran and Episcopal counterparts. We received updates on work being done in Moravian provinces around the world, particularly where difficulties currently exist. These sessions were particularly important as we seek to be at prayer for the needs of our Church. Since we met in the Southern Province we had an extended session with the Rev. David Guthrie, president of the Southern Province 8

Provincial Elders’ Conference, who brought us up to date on the joys and challenges facing the PEC and the Province at this time. It was a privilege to close this time by laying our hands on our brother David and praying for his ministry, the PEC, and the Southern Province. A good bit of our time was spent composing two pastoral letters; one addressed to the pastors of our Provinces, another to the congregations. As one might imagine, these letters took time to develop, with precise wording that can be agreed upon by all in the room. We began with small groups doing the writing, then the whole group doing the final editing and approval. (See letter on page 7.) With our closing worship taking place on Saturday evening, we ended the conference by waking up early on Sunday morning and traveling to Winston-Salem where we each had the privilege of preaching in one of the area’s congregations. In our time together we considered and prayed over many vital matters that now confront our Church. I learned we, as Bishops, approach these issues with a great diversity of thought and passion. It was heartwarming for me to see issues passionately discussed in a spirit of humility and mutual affection. I saw each person reflecting on these issues out of their own personal relationship with the Lord and with utmost concern for our Unity. I found this to be in stark contrast to the way the important issues of our day are handled by our wider society where the first move is generally to draw a line in the sand and dare others to think differently. As part of the wider Church, God calls us to a different way of being in community with others, and I saw these servants attempting to model this call. May God’s blessings be with us as we work together for the building up of the kingdom. ■ The Moravian

COMMENTARY

The importance of the Bible The July/August 2011 edition of The Moravian included a reprint of The Ground of the Unity. I was particularly drawn to the three paragraphs under the heading, “God’s Word and Doctrine” and I am troubled. I wonder about the importance of the Holy Scriptures in our churches. Is the “Word of the Cross” that is to be the center and cornerstone of our preaching being done by our pastors or has the Gospel message been replaced by a different message, one that is less Gospel-centered? I have heard of some pastors basing their sermons on non-Biblical texts. Personally, I feel this is wrong. If the Bible is to be our “only source of our life and salvation,” then the Holy Scripture is to be the source of our preaching. We need to remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 and in John 14:6. It is time for pastors to return to preaching “from the Bible,” placing an emphasis on the blood Christ shed for us on the Cross and His glorious resurrection. A similar message needs to be conveyed to the laity. Are our lay people reading and studying the Bible? No one can say they do not have the opportunity. Our Moravian Daily Texts not only include daily watchwords and The Rev. Reid P. Lauderman is pastor of Bethel Moravian Church in Leonard, N.D., and Goshen Moravian Church in Durbin, N.D. October 2011

teaching texts, but topical prayers and hymn verses for each day. These are all Bible-centered. And, by following the recommended Psalm, Old Testament, and New Testament verses for the day, a person is able to read the entire Bible in three years. Something that makes me proud to be a pastor in North Dakota is the number of people in my congregations who take part in weekly Bible studies. I have men and women traveling 25 or more miles each week to take part in large Bible studies. In addition, Wednesday evenings during the school year are still “church nights” — no extra-curricular activities are scheduled for those evenings so the young people can take part in churchrelated activities. This is something that is lost in many places in our country and something that I hope is never lost here. It is time for Moravians throughout North America to reclaim their heritage and their beliefs. It is time to make the Bible and the Gospel Message central in our worship, and in our everyday lives. We need to bear witness to the joyful message of the Gospel. ■

Reid Lauderman

STEWARDSHIP

MMFA program offers stewardship expertise to North American churches When congregations need assistance understanding and planning their giving, they have a number of excellent resources to turn to. One unique resource they can call upon is the Moravian Ministries Foundation’s (MMFA) “Simply Stewardship” program. Simply Stewardship is a comprehensive stewardship campaign service offered by MMFA through their MorningStar Campaign Services. It was created in 2004 in response to churches that sought assistance in developing effective stewardship campaigns. The goal of Simply Stewardship is to bring congregations together in their purposes of serving God and the church. Simply Stewardship works with congregations to design and implement a stewardship campaign to increase the participation of the church membership in sharing of their time, talent, and treasure. This is done in a two-part process: congregation assessment and a 6-8 week stewardship program. Simply Steward10

ship was developed and is managed by Chi Chi Messick, vice president of the MMFA. Congregational assessment The Simply Stewardship program features an extensive assessment component to get to the root of a congregation’s stewardship issues. Through a series of focus groups and conversations with a broad cross-section of church members, Chi Chi works to uncover what’s important to individuals within the congregation. “Through this process, I get acquainted with those participating,” says Chi Chi. “In small group sessions, we discuss how long someone has been a member and have them describe their current activities within the church.” “We then go deeper to learn more about the “heart” of the congregation,” explains Chi Chi. “We ask members to describe their most memorable experiences at church and discuss which ministries touch their hearts in a special way. These stories of the church The Moravian

are personal recollections and help us understand what’s important to the members of that particular congregation. It also offers an opportunity to learn what ministries are vital to the life of the congregation.” The focus group conversations also uncover what people believe are the strengths of the congregation, what challenges they will face over in the short and long term, and what people’s dreams are for their church. Understanding giving As part of Simply Stewardship, Chi Chi shares the congregation’s own financial information with those participating in the program. She works with church members to help them understand their congregation’s financial situation — their budget, their levels of congregational giving, the church’s operational expenses and what they spend on mission and ministry. Using charts and visual material, she

MMFA Vice President Chi Chi Messick presents “Simply Stewardship” at the Adamson Innovation Forum in April.

helps clarify how a congregation’s particular finances work. “We also help church members identify how their own giving level fits within the overall picture,” says Chi Chi. “This is often an eye-opening experience and can lead to ideas

Friedland Moravian members Tommy Reed and Robert Alphin discuss their congregation’s mission and ministry budget during an Adamson Innovation Forum workshop. Photo, top left: DesignPics

(continued on next page)

(continued from previous page) about how to tackle some of the congregation’s needs.” With Simply Stewardship, Chi Chi combines the feedback collected during the congregational assessment and the financial information to develop a comprehensive program designed to help a congregation move their stewardship efforts forward. Her work helps identify giving levels, congregational needs, areas of misunderstanding about finances, and challenges and goals — all of which prepare a congregation to launch a successful stewardship campaign. Getting Prepared Armed with this information, Chi Chi works with the congregations’ leadership team to lay out the stewardship emphasis part of the program. “Preparation is the key to this part of the program,” explains Chi Chi. “We review timelines, develop committee structures and identify volunteers, build publicity and hospitality plans and work on ways to study stewardship church-wide. We also identify several people in the congregation to act as ‘witnessing stewards’ to help tell their stories about church stewardship and put a personal touch on what stewardship means.” The preparation and strategy phase typically takes about four weeks. Throughout this part of the Simply Stewardship program, Chi Chi works closely with the church to manage the timeline and ensure a positive outcome. She also helps build leadership commitment to the plan — if church leaders are invested in the stewardship program, there’s a greater likelihood of success. 12

Emphasizing Stewardship The Simply Stewardship program then shifts into the “emphasis” phase. This represents the “meat” of the program, putting all of the evaluation and preparation work into action. Publicity and communication play central roles in a Simply Stewardship campaign. “We help identify many different ways to promote stewardship activities and develop a variety of communication tools to reach the congregation,” says Chi Chi. “We also find that creating a theme and name for the program helps tie all these pieces together and can focus the congregation on stewardship.”

“We review timelines, develop committee structures and identify volunteers, build publicity and hospitality plans and work on ways to study stewardship church-wide.” To rally the congregation at the beginning of the campaign, a Simply Stewardship program specifies a kick-off event and Commitment Sunday. These fun fellowship events bring all members of the congregation together to launch the effort and gain commitment from members to its success. At the same time, prayer is an important part of the stewardship effort. Congregations write prayers and establish prayer chains to help guide the congregation. Since understanding how church giving and finances work — and what impact individual members have on a church’s wellbeing — education is vital. Through Simply Stewardship, materials are developed that The Moravian

help everyone understand the importance of stewardship. These are shared in Bible study groups, fellowships and other opportunities. “We also work to develop appropriate materials for our different audiences, including seniors, youth, even children.” Simply Stewardship uses a narrative budget to help explain how money is raised and spent in a congregation. The narrative budget illustrates, often in a graphical, easy-to-grasp format, how the ministry and mission of the congregation is carried out. “This is one of the most useful tools we have to help members see the value of church stewardship,” explains Chi Chi. During this phase of the program, witnessing stewards offer a personal touch to the stewardship effort by sharing their personal stories about the importance of being a good steward. “Witnessing stewards’ stories help everyone see the value of stewardship and how it helps both the church and the individual.” And since finance is a central component of stewardship, the Simply Stewardship program assembles a finance team to receive gifts and pledges and acknowledge gifts from members. Growing in stewardship Friedland Moravian used Simply Stewardship to help the congregation get a handle on their stewardship efforts.

The Moravian Ministries Foundation has moved to new offices in Winston-Salem. Their new address is 119 Brookstown Ave., Suite 305, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

“We knew we had issues with our stewardship and needed help getting things together,” explains Robert Alphin, a member of the Board of Elders of Friedland. “With Simply Stewardship, Chi Chi came in with an independent view. Through the program, we learned a lot about ourselves as a congregation. She helped us pinpoint issues. It was hard work to do and she was with us every step of the way. “As a result, everyone has grown in their stewardship journey and what we should do as part of the church,” says Robert. “Addressing questions got people engaged in other aspects of the church and helped us spiritually focus on our goals. I recommend Simply Stewardship to both healthy and unhealthy congregations. It was very beneficial for us. Contracting Simply Stewardship The Simply Stewardship program is a fee-forservice offering available to both Southern and Northern Province congregations. “With Simply Stewardship, congregations are getting the expertise of the MMFA and several months of work from the Foundation,” explains Chi Chi. “We have found that by associating a cost with the program, congregations take it more seriously and are more committed to seeing the project through.” Congregations interested in Simply Stewardship can contact Chi Chi Messick at 888.722.7923 or <information@mmfa.info>. Editor’s Note: Simply Stewardship is one of several stewardship programs available to Moravian congregations. In a future issue, we will discuss “Percentage Living,” a stewardship program offered by the Rev. Gary Marsh, director of stewardship for the Northern Province. We feature a commentary by Gary in this issue; see page 16. ■ 13

STEWARDSHIP

Teaching kids stewardship Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

Kids understand more than we sometimes give them credit for. Their attitudes are formed at an early age, and as Christian parents, educators, and church leaders, we have a responsibility to help children discover a holistic connection between their faith and their choices. Reading from the Bible and praying with our children daily is a great way to start.

Photo: DesignPics

True stewardship is Biblical; it does not allow a sense of entitlement. Money and all things we possess are gifts from God that we are asked to care for and generously share for our own benefit and the good of others. We hope our kids will grow up to be responsible people; instilling a sense of stewardship in our children will lead them on that path. Keeping it simple When teaching children about stewardship, keep the concepts and explanations simple. Remember, stewardship does not stop at a responsibility to be generous to fellow humans. Point out the beauty of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creation when you go for walks. Talk about our responsibility to take care of the earth. Take a small garbage bag wherever you go to pick up trash along the way. Small children love to sort things, so let them help with recycling: paper, plastic and metal. Taking care of toys and discussing why are perfect opportunities to teach stewardship. Not being rough with our toys, putting them away, and making sure we have all the pieces are wonderful teachings. Even children know that it is no fun to play with broken toys. The number of toys we have, how we share them, and giving them away or selling them in a yard sale when we have outgrown them also provide opportunities to teach stewardship. But remember, our kids are watching us! Our possessions are our toys. The Moravian

Make sure you practice what you preach. “Live simply so that others can simply live” is a motto worthy of serious consideration and teaching. Simple lifestyles need not mean living in destitution, but we must never be so isolated from the poor that we fail to be touched by their pain. When we reach out to those in need, sharing the blessings we have received from God, we find true value in life. Teaching money management Talking about what God would like to see us do with our money is key to helping children understand money management at very early ages. We desire for children’s money choices to reflect Christian values. If we help children discover the interdependence between faith and money, we may help multiple generations in some unexpected ways. Look for teachable moments when children receive or earn money. Money management can be broken down into four areas: The first priority is to tithe some of what has been earned. Giving this “first fruit,” as the Bible calls it, is crucial to financial blessing. Having the child physically deposit their offering at their church teaches that we are to give our first portion to God to help support the church and its ministries. Beginning this principle at the earliest ages will ensure a lifetime of Godly stewardship. Next, we need to teach our children to save some of what they have. Putting away something for future need is another fundamental principle to be learned. Saving offers

“Live simply so that others can simply live” is a motto worthy of serious consideration and teaching

a good lesson in discipline and perseverance. Some portion needs to be allotted for shortterm savings, like for a special toy or outing. Another portion should be set aside for longterm savings, such as for a bicycle or college fund. Each child needs to have his or her own savings account or another safe place to put their money until a time comes to withdraw or transfer to another savings vehicle. We show our Christian love by giving some of what is earned. Helping our kids to look for needs of others around them is a trait that will bless them throughout their life. The concept of giving our money hits right at the heart and makes a lasting impression on those who practice it. And spending some of what is earned is usually the easiest thing to do with our money. Depending on the budget you develop with your children, part of their spending money may go to cover specific expenses. It can range from lunch money for young ones to total management of a year’s clothing budget for teenagers. At any age, there needs to be some money that is the children’s discretionary fund to spend as they wish (with whatever limitations you set). Biblical stewardship is giving time, talent, and treasure out of devotion rather than duty. It is about the heart of the giver. Our children need our guidance to practice faithful stewardship, but most importantly, they will learn from our example. ■ Sandy Petrella is a member of the John Heckewelder Memorial Moravian Church in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, and serves as chair of the Eastern District Stewardship Commission. This article is based on her presentation at the Eastern District Conference in July. 15

COMMENTARY

Stewardship and our democracy From

20,000 feet over Chicago, I looked down on what I had not seen before. I was amazed. I saw connectedness; a system of human making that connected one person to another. I saw this while over the heart of that huge city and then again over the more rural regions of Wisconsin on my next flight to Madison. From the intersections of roads and lines of power to flows of water, we share much together, all for the individual and common good we hope and strive for. Connectedness — it is what defines the human family. It is what defines the covenant we have with God. It is what defines our democracy in the U.S. Although we live in a free society that allows us each to individually pursue (from the Declaration of Independence) “unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” as endowed by our Creator, we also understand that we establish together what will offer all people the opportunity to pursue the same. The United States Constitution was written with the intention that tha we, together, would “promote the general gene welfare” through which we all w and each can “secure the blessings blessin of liberty The Rev. Re Gary Marsh

and prosperity.” In the society in which we live, it depends on what we do together. It depends on our connectedness. When it comes to the best ways to provide public education, health care, infrastructure, public safety, national defense, clean air and water, libraries and parks, etc., it is vital to know that we make such decisions together. We decide together what we desire our society to look like, how we want to live, and what we want for all people. Although many of us look at the complex challenges that face our communities, states and nation with a frown and wrinkled brow, we also know we can only solve these challenges together. Our connectedness will make the difference. It does not mean slashing. It means solving. It does not mean burning. It means building. Divisions will not be bridged without a real willingness to do this together. Whatever we decide and do, we will also live with, as will the many generations who follow us. Our choices are critical and must be made well. We may complain of the burdens we will place on our children and grandchildren if we do or do not, but to be honest, even among people of faith, we often think of ourselves… what we have, what we want, what we would like to maintain. What kind of society do we want for all today? What do we want for generations to come? What will it demand? What will it cost? Such are probing questions The Rev. Gary Marsh is director of stewardship for the Northern Province.

The Moravian

to consider and answer… together. As people of faith, let’s keep biblical stewardship in mind as we participate in making the hard decisions. The essence of biblical stewardship is that we have first received. By using what we have first received, we can make provision. We can make provision with generosity. With generosity, we can provide what we know each person needs and deserves. Allow me to offer an example of what may be possible. I had ambulatory surgery a few days ago, having time for conversation with a nurse working with me. She has been on staff at the hospital for 36 years. More than ever before in her tenure, among the most frequent points of conversation she has with patients are health care and its costs. She became very thoughtful for a moment and then said, “I was working with a woman a few years ago. She was between jobs and needed surgery for a cancerous growth, surgery that was very expensive. She decided to sell her home to cover the costs of the procedure. Having no assets, she delayed the aggressive chemo treatments suggested. In 18 months she did get a different job with health benefits, but she waited so very long for the care that you or I would have had immediately.” The nurse again got to work preparing me for my surgery, but her story has stuck with me. It is one story. There are many like it, certainly within health care, and beyond. So, as Christ followers, we can model what is needed to make the hard decisions, decisions we can agree on, decisions that come from understanding it is not about “me”, but about us and our connectedness. Such is at the heart of our democracy, our society, our faith and our living biblical stewardship. ■

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Conference on Environmental Stewardship highlights care for God’s world The

Daily Texts for Friday, April 29, 2011, the beginning day of the second annual Moravian Conference on Environmental Stewardship at Laurel Ridge, included St. Paul’s words to the church in Rome, “Ever

since the creation of the world God’s eternal power and divine wisdom, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made.” (Romans 1:20). These words were an encouragement and an invitation to the participants in the conference to consider again the beauty and wonder of God’s creation around us as well as our essential role as faithful stewards of all that God has made. This year’s conference was co-sponsored by Laurel Ridge Moravian Camp and Conference Center and the Task Force on Environmental Stewardship of the Board of Cooperative Ministries of the Southern Province. Held in the Salem Wing of Higgins Lodge, the conference offered an opening Friday evening keynote presentation by Dr. John Wear, Director of the Center on the Environment at Catawba The Moravian

College, and four different workshop sessions on Saturday. Dr. Wear and Amanda Lanier of Catawba led “A Christian Role in Caring for God’s Earth”; Allison Weakley of the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program offered “Conservation, Sustainability, and Caring for Natural Resources”; Dr. Kathy Shea of the North Carolina Power and Light led “Food and Environmental Stewardship”, and Rev. Rick Sides provided a session on ‘What Can Congregations Do?” A special event at this year’s conference was the North Carolina premiere screening of the new environmental documentary film “Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for our Time.” Leopold, one of the most influential conservationists of the 20th century, is well known for his important leadership in viewing nature not as a resource for humans to exploit but as a community of living beings for humans to respect and to which we belong. On Saturday afternoon the conference offered a tour of the new Laurel Ridge “SunCatcher,” a passive solar greenhouse. Attendees also got a look at solar water heating features being added to some Laurel Ridge facilities, and had a chance to tour the new Nature Center (which opened in June) for

campers and others to learn and experience the unique natural gifts of the mountain. Saturday concluded with a wonderful reading and storytelling program provided by Jim Minick, author of The Blueberry Years. Jim is a poet, organic farmer, and teacher at Radford University who lives in Floyd County, Virginia. As a member of the planning team and one of the workshop presenters, I was encour(continued on page 28) The Rev. Rick Sides is Interim Director, Board of Cooperative Ministries, Southern Province. Photos provided by Laura Watson and Bob Hunter.

IN OUR CONGREGATIONS

Lititz Moravian celebrates with mortgage-burning Lovefeast Lititz Moravians ceremoniously burned their mortgage as they sang “The Church’s One Foundation” on Sunday, August 14, following the annual Lovefeast celebrating 224 years in their Church Square sanctuary. Before the Lovefeast, Pastor Dean Jurgen told the worshipers that at the first Pentecost, “God’s presence was heard with a sound like a rushing wind and God’s presence was seen with tongues of fire. Today the sounds of Pentecost will include the sound of paper Gary Bailey, Elder vice chair, Lititz Pastors Breland and Jurgen, and Trustee President, Tom Watson, at the mortgage burning

shredding, and the sight of Pentecost will be the sight of the mortgage burning.” Then he turned toward a shredder that had been brought to the pulpit area for the occasion, fed a symbolic mortgage into the opening, and the sounds that emanated were pure music to those gathered for the celebration. As the symbolic mortgage was shredded, a large screen quietly unrolled from the ceiling, and pictures of the project for which the debt was incurred were shown. The before and after pictures covered the entire period from groundbreaking to dedication. When the shredding was complete, ushers came forward with offering plates, collected the shreds, and distributed pieces to each member to symbolize the part, small or large, everyone has had in being part of making this dream come true. After the service, everyone offered shreds for burning outside, under the portico, by the pastors and leaders of the Boards of Elders and the Board of Trustees. The celebration concluded a yearlong campaign by the Congregation to pay off the debt on a $2.2 million 2003 renovation of its Church Square properties. Former pastor The Moravian

Gary Straughan wrote to commend the Congregation on reaching the important milestone. Recalling the decision, “…we voted in Church Council to move forward, not knowing from where the additional funds would come, other than from every member. We trusted that God would provide.” “Rebuilding the temple” At the Lovefeast, Pastor Jurgen said, “This is an appropriate day to celebrate the successful conclusion of our ‘rebuilding of the temple.’ Every generation of Lititz Moravians has enhanced our historic sanctuary that was consecrated to God’s glory 224 years ago. Although our church is the centerpiece for the Lititz Historic District, we are not as interested in historic preservation as we are in maintaining the house of worship for an active congregation.” Trustee Board President, Tom Watson, confirmed the intent of the Church’s leadership to keep the 1787 sanctuary functional for a Church mascot, STAR, helps Pastors Dean Jurgen and Mark Breland announce their fundraising success

21st-century congregation. “We are pleased to preserve a Lititz landmark, but even more pleased that we are able to keep an 18th-century building useful. Although our sanctuary is 224 years old, it is air-conditioned, fitted with modern electronics for sight and sound and is fully handicap-accessible with level entries, automatic doors and elevators.” Tom Watson also cited the recent refurbishing of the Spire designed by Lititz organ builder David Tannenberg that is often pictured as a community logo. He also noted the installation this summer of high-efficiency heating. Pastor Jurgen said, “At the Lovefeast, we were reminded of the times of worship, baptisms, weddings, funerals and opportunities (continued on page 28) Article and photos provided by Robert Sandercox, a member of Lititz Moravian Church. Photo above, left: View of new entry to Lititz Moravian Church

BOARD OF WORLD MISSION

Antioch Servants learn while helping in far-off places This year, students serving with the Antioch Project of the Board of World Mission served around the world. Here are two stories from Antioch Servants Charles Sapp and Ashley Green, who served in Sierra Leone and Honduras, respectively.

A ten-month journey in Luawa Yiehun, Sierra Leone Bent over a basin of soapy water in the equatorial sun, with a cramp in my back, and the mosquitoes cheerfully whizzing around my forearms, I learned what it meant to wash my clothes. I was not going to allow anyone to aid me in my crusade against my denim. I would scrub until the washboard cut my knuckles before I allow myself to be pamCharles Sapp served in Luawa Yiehun, Sierra Leone. Photos by Billy Flippin.

pered by having someone else do my laundry. However, my fingers had barely begun to prune when Vandi, a friend of Mohamed and Safie Braima who lead the Luawa Yiehun Community Church in Sierra Leone, appeared. To my secret irritation, he began to firmly insist that he wash my jeans and I take a break from the sun. “But I only just started!” I grumbled to myself, “I can do it! These people have been doing this sort of work all their lives,

while I had the convenience of machines!â&#x20AC;? The lesson of service was new to me. I discovered that service doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always mean just serving but allowing yourself to be served. Not just teaching, but allowing yourself to be taught. During ten months of service with the Luawa Yiehun Community Church I had the privilege of being a part of an incredible ministry that is committed to bringing the love of Jesus Christ and the light of education to the people of Ngiehun Luawa. It was a true joy for me to become a member of this family, and to forge relationships with Mohamed and Safiatu as well as many other members of the Ngiehun village. Many developments took place while I was serving there. First, the initial school building was finished, complete with new handrails and fresh paint. The completed building has room for all three classes of junior secondary school. There is also a teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lounge on the first floor, and a room on the third floor which we hope will one day house the student library. The mission house and church also had an upgrade while I was there. A bamboo fence, surrounding the entire compound, and three zinc gates, has been built to add some security and to keep out roving motorcyclists October 2011

seeking a shortcut through church grounds. While I was in residence there, Luawa Yiehun achieved NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) status from the government of Sierra Leone. This was a great step because with this recognition the Church and the School will be entitled to more aid from the government, as well as having to pay less when purchasing vehicles or receiving items shipped from abroad. My own involvement in all of this was mainly an observational one at best and, believe me, this statement is not made out of false mod(continued on next page)

(continued from previous page) esty. My work was patchy, just fitting in where I could. From teaching to pulling weeds, tutoring students before exams, and selecting the right amount of pepper for the soup Safie was cooking, I did a bit of everything but none of my jobs were terribly momentous. Most of my activities were part of a larger learning process that I was going through. I learned many things in these ten months, the most important being my own limits. Do what you can and leave the rest up to God who knows better than us. I also learned that people are people no matter where you are in the world. I took great joy in learning some of the Mende language as well as about the people themselves, and what they do day by day. I learned what it means to truly rely on the Lord alone, and how difficult this is to manifest in life. I learned than I have many friends in Luawa Yiehun, and I learned that I love them like my own family. Having said what I have learned while spending the time I did in Sierra Leone, I could not really say what the experience did for those I tried to serve. I would hope a certain handful of children improved their English skills, and learned a bit about the wider world and what they might achieve with an education. I would also hope that a few people found a friend, someone to talk to, someone not very unlike them. I certainly learned these things from Yiehun, and I can only pray that perhaps the feeling is mutual. â&#x2013;

Ashley Green of Advance, N.C., served in Ahuas, Honduras

Serving with the medical clinic in Ahuas, Honduras My experience in Ahuas, Honduras changed my life. I went with the intention of giving my time and energy to making a difference at the clinic and to learn as much as possible about medical mission work. I came back having learned not only about the joys

Charles Sapp is a member of Calvary Moravian Church In Winston-Salem. His father is the Rt. Rev. Lane Sapp. 24

The Moravian

of healing but also about the hardships and struggles of medical mission work, and the time and energy it takes to make ends meet. I came home with a fountain of knowledge and eagerness to share my experience to anyone who would listen. Dr. Rudy Gerard and his wife, Norvelle, work twenty-four hours a day to provide care

October 2011

to the indigenous Miskito people around Ahuas. The work they do is fascinating and vital to saving lives. Their passion and knowledge of medicine is contagious. People come from miles away, usually hours down the river, to receive care the clinic provides. While in Ahuas, I saw the contrast between the American way of life and the rural Central American way of life. It was wonderful to just slow down and live; instead of constantly being bothered by a cell phone or e-mail, or worrying about the next errand to run. I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent just getting to know people and learning about their experiences and struggles. Some days were emotionally hard. Being around sick children and adults and learning that they needed higher medical treatment than the clinic can provide is heartbreaking. Many people cannot afford the higher medical treatment they need. In the United States most people who need medical care can receive it. In Honduras, if you cannot afford (continued on page 31)

ECUMENICAL EFFORTS

Thoughts on living into our full communion relationships

Katharine Jefferts Schori, the presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, remarked in a sermon at Moravian Theological Seminary that “One of the great gifts of ecumenical work is discovering new facets on the old jewels of our faith.” That is certainly one of the potential pay-offs from our full communion relationships with The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Drawing into closer relationship with others with whom we have so much in common may help us find new sparkle in our well-worn faith. But there’s more to full communion than enhancing our appreciation of the rich diversity of Christianity. Over and over we’ve affirmed that we seek relationships of full communion “for the sake of furthering Christ’s mission.” It is the central theme to Finding Our Delight 26

in the Lord, the full communion resolution approved by both the Northern and Southern Province 2010 provincial synods. Full communion, as a stage on the way to the full visible unity of the church, has a missional purpose: we pray and work for it not just because it’s a good thing in itself (which it is), but because it enhances the church’s witness and ministry. One of the tests of how well full communion works is whether it actively encourages and strengthens the church’s witness and ministry. Congregations have a part in this testing process (called “reception” by ecumenists). They can enhance and strengthen their witness and ministry through collaboration with full communion partners. Two significant steps can help get things started: first, we need to get to know our partners — ELCA and Episcopal congregations who are in this

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together with us. Second, we need to mutually discern how we will be in ministry and mission together. The Episcopal–Moravian dialogue produced two resources to help congregations with these steps. (Both are available at <http://www.mcnp.org/documents.asp>.) The first, Getting to Know You: A Process for Facilitating Fellowship among Episcopal and Moravian Congregations (2003), offers an eight-session process to help congregations get to know one another so that they might feel more comfortable engaging in common ministry. Originally written for the ELCA–Moravian dialogue, and then adapted for the Episcopal–Moravian dialogue, the current version was edited for use after interim Eucharistic sharing between Moravians and Episcopalians was authorized in 2002; users will need to adapt it to the full communion setting (and to whether one is working with an Episcopal or a Lutheran congregation). But the process will still be helpful in getting two congregations — or at least representatives of two congregations — to know each other better, to begin building bonds of trust, and to brainstorm ideas for common ministry. The second resource, When Did We See You? A Process for Facilitating Cooperative Ministry and Mission among Episcopal and Moravian Congregations (2005), was written by Dr. Roderick B. Dugliss, dean of the School for Deacons in Berkeley serving the four California dioceses of The Episcopal Church. The process it suggests is built on bible study, theological reflection, and community assessment, and designed to guide congregations in mutually discerning opportunities for ministry and mission together. While there is nothing to preclude lay people from taking responsibility for building full October 2011

communion relationships with Lutheran and Episcopal congregations, clergy — who are often gatekeepers of congregational innovation and involvement — play a critical role. Relationships among community clergy frequently serve as the basis for congregational relationships, so Moravian pastors should take initiative to seek out their neighboring Episcopal and Lutheran colleagues. Joining a lectionary study group (both the ELCA and The Episcopal Church use the Revised Common Lectionary), participating in the local ministerium, or inviting them to lunch are easy ways to begin the relationship. Finally, however your congregation goes about building relationships, engaging in common ministry, and living into our full communion agreements, keep district or provincial officials informed. While we don’t need permission to collaborate with our full communion partners, letting others know about our activities helps spread ideas and inspiration to others. And remember: it will take time, perseverance, tolerance, forbearance, humility, and love—as does anything important we set out to do. ■ The Rev. Gary Harke is executive director of the Pennsylvania Council of Churches. 27

Lititz Moravian (continued from page 21) to know God that have happened in 224 years in this place, we’re truly thankful for these years of being alive in God’s Spirit!” Lititz’s long history Before the sanctuary was built, Lititz Moravians worshipped on the second floor of the Gemeinhaus constructed on Church Square in 1763. That Gemeinhaus still exists as the parsonage section of today’s church building, that portion nearest to Linden Hall. By 1785 the Congregation had outgrown the Gemeinhaus meeting rooms. William Henry of Lancaster drew up plans for a new church, 66 by 50 feet in size, to be built with local limestone. The first major renovation of the church dates to 1857 when Samuel Lichtenthaler designed a pedimented pavilion to the front. It provided an entry lobby with circular stairs to the galleries, provisions for the choir and, space for a new pipe organ that would be installed in 1879. A second renovation occurred after a di-

Environmental Stewardship (continued from page 19) aged by the wonderful dialogue, open sharing and committed response of all those who attended. At the weekend’s closing worship, we acknowledged again that caring for the earth is our God-given role as people of faith. It is not an option; it is one of God’s first commandments at creation. It is also a significant moral imperative for our time. As Christians we must not only be environ28

sastrous fire in 1957. That reconstruction provided enhancements, but was primarily a restoration. The changes completed in 2003 are to the rear of the sanctuary. These changes provide new access from an enlarged parking area, handicap-accessible features, and a new preparation room for Lovefeasts, an elevator and restrooms on each floor. Building for the future Looking to the future, the Trustees have created a Facilities Use Task Force chaired by Bro. Rick Jackson to consider new possibilities for the years ahead. Already leaders are hearing about future needs for a very active congregation. Pastor Jurgen closed his sermon saying, “We look back 224 years ago… we look back nine years ago. But, our purpose is not to look back, but to look forward, following our Lamb who has conquered. Let’s continue to rebuild as we hear the new sounds and see the new sights of Pentecost: the new sounds and sights of a church serving and witnessing and praising and giving glory to God alone. Amen.” ■

mental stewards now, we must be intentional about forming environmental stewards for the generations to come. As the church, in the end we always have the message of hope, the message of the heart, and the message of restoration. The world wants and needs to hear that message! ■ NOTE The fourth annual Moravian Conference on Environmental Stewardship will be held at Laurel Ridge on March 23-25, 2012. For more information see www.moravianenvironmentalstewardship.org.

OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Prayer Day for Children On a Sunday in October, congregations of the Northern and Southern Provinces are invited to join with thousands of other congregations across the nation in the thirteenth annual national observance of Children’s Sabbath. Endorsement of the Children’s Sabbath was made by the Provincial Elders’ Conferences in January 1994. Prayer Day for World Mission, October 9, 2011 The second Sunday in October has been designated as a special Day of Prayer for World Mission. Pray for the ministries in our Partner Provinces — Alaska, Central America, Eastern West Indies, Honduras, Labrador, Nicaragua, and Western Tanzania. Remember the Board of World Mission ministries, including the Antioch Project, Likewise Ministries, MDR, Schools of Music and Worship in Costa Rica and Nepal, and new work in Peru, Sierra Leone, and Cuba. Pray for our retired missionaries as they continue serving in ministry. For specific information for your prayers about these and other new and continuing ministries, please see the BWM web site, <www.moravianmission.org>.

NORTHERN PROVINCE Prayer Day for Peace with Justice and Freedom, October 16, 2011 The third Sunday in October is designated as a Day of Prayer for Peace with Justice and Freedom. Davenport, N.D. Sister Dorothy (Beth) Rohn-Habhegger, who has been serving as pastor in team ministry at Lake Mills Moravian Church, Lake Mills, Wisconsin, has accepted the call to serve as pastor for the Canaan Moravian Church, Davenport, North Dakota. Sister Rohn-Habhegger will installed in her new work October 2, 2011. Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference (continued on next page)

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October 2011

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SOUTHERN PROVINCE Advent, Winston-Salem, N.C. Brother Keith White has accepted the call to become pastor at Advent Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, NC. He has served as pastor at Enterprise Moravian Church in Lexington, N.C. for the past seven years. Brother White was installed September 25, 2011. Fries Memorial, Winston-Salem, N.C. Sister Kelly and Brother Joe Moore have accepted the call to serve as a pastoral team at Fries Memorial Moravian Church in WinstonSalem, N.C. They have served as pastors at First Moravian, Stone Mountain, Ga. for more than six years. As part of his call, Brother Moore will also serve one-quarter time as Assistant to the President of the Southern Province PEC. Brother and Sister Moore will be installed as pastors at Fries Memorial on November 13. Specialized Ministry Brother Bert H. Chin concluded his service under specialized ministry on July 15, 2011. He had been serving through Vitas Innovative Hospital as a chaplain in the California Bay Area for more than three years. His duties were in the area of hospice visitation to nursing and residential homes in several locations. Previously Brother Chin served Vitas Innovative Hospital in Miami, Fla. for seven years as a hospice chaplain. We express deep appreciation to Bert for his faithful and dedicated service in the name of the Moravian Church and wish him many blessings in his return to his home in Nicaragua. 30

Consecration Brother Tim Sapp was consecrated a presbyter on September 25, 2011 at Mizpah Moravian Church in Rural Hall, N.C. Bishop Lane Sapp officiated. Marriage Sister Cheryl Cottingham was married to Bob Siebelink of Grand Rapids, Mich. in a beautiful ceremony at the brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home in Kernersville, N.C. on September 3, 2011. Pastor Don Winters performed the ceremony. Sister Cottingham will continue as pastor of Immanuel-New Eden Moravian Church in WinstonSalem, N.C. David B. Guthrie Provincial Eldersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Conference

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Ashley Green with a Honduran friend in Ahuas.

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(continued from page 25) it you do not receive it. Sometimes it came down to life or death situations. My experience was incredibly humbling. Learning about a different way of life changed my own life. It made me appreciate living in a country that is so technologically advanced, especially for its convenience and the medical treatment facilities available. However, at the same time it influenced me to look down on the society America has created. Is having the biggest and best really necessary? Believe it or not, Americans’ troubles are many compared to people living in developing nations. We lack a sense of community, compassion, appreciation, hope, and most importantly faith. I believe that my experience will continue to shape my life for years to come. We truly don’t know how blessed we are. ■ Ashley Green, an Antioch Servant from Advance, N.C. also served in Alaska last year. October 2011

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a shining example of the way life should be. Enter the gates of our 114-acre campus and you’ll see it. Walk along a wooded path, and you’ll feel it. Talk with an engaging resident, and you’ll hear it. You’ll sense it in the mutual respect that residents have for one another and in the caring they extend as part of a unique community. Such a community could only develop over time; the product of people coming together through a common spirit. Salemtowne is a non-profit continuing care retirement community in Winston-Salem, NC offering independent cottage and apartment living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care that ref lects the Moravian values of individual respect, life-long learning, and love of the arts. We invite you to learn more about becoming a part of the Salemtowne community today.

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