N O V / D E C
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A distinguished pastor Moravian Music Festival Sunnyside Ministry and more!
Twelve months of the Moravian Church through the camera lens... Images of the Moravian Church 2017 is a unique 12-month wall calendar featuring full-page photos that depict Moravian traditions, events and locations. The calendar pages include key Moravian festival days along with major US and Canada holidays. The coil-bound calendar opens to 11” wide x 17” tall and is printed on 100 lb. matte-finish card stock that’s easy to write on. To learn more or to order online, visit store.moravian.org or call 1.800.732.0591 ext. 38. Produced by the Interprovincial Board of Communication (IBOC)
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The Moravian
On the cover: A cup of tea and a warm fire make the perfect accompaniments for journal writing. Photo by Mike Riess
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8 In Our Communities Christ and him crucified remain our confession of faith In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love
6 Sunnyside Ministry helps clients gain financial control
Moravian Music 8
Explore Moravian Music at the 2017 Moravian Music Festival
Moravian History 11
First Moravian Church (York) launches biography of distinguished pastor
Unitas Fratrum 13
A message to the Unity
Moravians in Mission 14
Diverse team brings aid to Ahuas...And
More
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Blessed to Be a Blessing: Gifts of Change
...and more 4 Ponderings: ...And
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.
Nov/Dec 2016
More
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Studying Moravian Doctrine: Ground of the Unity Part VII
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Official Provincial Elders’ News
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Obituaries: The Rev. Joseph A. LaFortune, The Rev. Dr. David A. Schattschneider
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Statistics of the Moravian Church Northern & Southern Provinces
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PONDERINGS (ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) Nov./Dec., Vol. 47, No. 8 Publications Agreement No. 40036408 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: OnTrac International, 121 5th Avenue NW, New Brighton, MN 55112 email: file@ontrac.com Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces Published monthly, except bimonthly January-February and July-August issues, by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.
A year of introductions from the IBOC
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very October, more than 900 cases of Moravian Daily Texts arrive at the Interprovincial Board of Communication in Bethlehem. It’s an exciting time here, with a flurry of activity and the excitement of seeing the finished books for the first time. The staff and additional crew work to bring all the books into the building, then ship out more than 800 preorders. They did a terrific job this year, shipping all of those preorders within a week and half! But those weren’t the only boxes arriving at the IBOC this year. In 2016, we introduced more new and updated items designed to help Moravians connect with their faith than we have in years. It started last spring with the introduction of Keeping Time: Dances to the Beat of a Different Drummer. This new book contains creative, spiritual stories, poems and prayers written by Moravian pastor the Rev. Brian Dixon from Minnesota. A recent review summed Brian’s book this way: “The insightful musings in Keeping Time offer a space for each reader to reflect on his or her faith and to dance to his or her own rhythm. It is a book that will enrich the faith community as readers accept the invitation to a new dance.” Soon after, we revised and reprinted Simply Moravian: A Modern Guide to the Ancient Essentials by Ruth Cole Burcaw. Ruth and her team at the Board of Cooperative Ministries added new resources, additional activities and a very special liturgy to this guide that explores the earliest days of the Moravian Church and the essentials of the faith that those early Moravians established. The IBOC helped publish the study guides for the Provincial Women’s Board of the Northern and Southern Province. For the second year, we provided editorial and production services for the books used by women’s (Continued on next page) 4
Subscription rates: $15.00 per year, U.S.A. & Canada; $18.00 per year, all other countries. Individual copies available for $3.00 each. The Moravian is sent to the families of the Moravian Church as a privilege of membership. Periodicals postage paid at Bethlehem, PA. Circulation: 17,000 Postmaster please send address changes to The Moravian, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245. Continuing The North American Moravian, The Moravian and The Wachovia Moravian. Michael Riess, Editor Susan Kiefner, Communications Assistant Jill Bruckart, Customer Relations/Business Assistant Interprovincial Board of Communication Ginny Tobiassen, Kat Lehman Chair Amy Linville Terri Bischoff Dan Miller Peggy Carter Adam Pristas Lance Fox Jill Westbrook Paul Knouse Design by Mike Riess, IBOC. Address all correspondence regarding articles, subscriptions, or advertising to The Moravian, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245 FAX: 610.866.9223 Phone: 610.867.0594 800.732.0591 e-mail: moravianmagazine@mcnp.org www.moravian.org Contents © 2016, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in North America. All rights reserved
The Moravian
Ponderings (Continued from previous page) groups around the country. One of last year’s titles, Common Unity: Community in Action by Justin Rabbach is now a part of our permanent catalog. As the year continued, we created the new Images of the Moravian Church Wall Calendar for 2017. Based on the success of last year’s introductory effort, we selected 12 new images that reflect the Moravian Church and built a beautiful wall calendar. This year, we added a verse from the 2017 Daily Texts to each month’s photo, made the numbers larger and easier to read and color coded dates specific to the Moravian Church. Then this fall, we finally introduced something I’ve wanted to do for years – a coffee mug. I’m one who can’t start his morning without a cup of joe; now I can do it with one that shows my Moravian spirit! The mug features the traditional Moravian Seal with “Our Lamb Has Conquered. Let Us Follow Him.” To make it more meaningful (and educational), we added the simplified essentials of the Moravian Church— “God Creates, God Redeems, God Blesses/We respond with Faith, Love & Hope”—to the other side. The mugs came out beautifully (see this month’s cover) and we’re excited to offer them this year. And finally, at the suggestion of Jill Bruckart, our customer relations/ business assistant, we added Moravian Seal fabric ornaments, handmade by the Busy Bees at Schoeneck Moravian Church in Nazareth. These beautiful works of art feature the Moravian Seal and are perfect for Christmas decorating or to hang year-round. All of these items are available through the IBOC’s online store, store.moravian.org or by calling the IBOC. We are working on a new online store, to launch in December, that will offer an improved buying experience. Watch for news on the launch on our website. Nov/Dec 2016
At the IBOC, material sales not only help connect Moravians with their faith and educate both Moravians and non-Moravians about our church, they help fund the work of the IBOC. We are selective about what we offer and are constantly looking for new publications and items that help us fulfill our mission (spoiler alert: we’ve got more new items lined up for 2017!) We appreciate everyone’s support of our communication ministry. I hope you enjoy this issue of The Moravian. Note that in addition to stories about our church, this issue includes the statistics of the Northern and Southern Provinces as of Dec. 31, 2015 as printed in the annual Directory & Statistics. All of us here at the IBOC wish you a joyous Advent, a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. Peace,
The Widow’s Society of Bethlehem Annual Report • June 30, 2016
ASSETS Cash in Banks $ 7,638 Investments at Cost 440,807 Total Assets $448,445 Investments at market: $1,165,581 EQUITY Membership Fees $ 84,834 Accumulated Capital Gains and Losses 279,972 Accumulated Interest 3,000 Legacies and Bequests 76,143 Unexpended Income 4,496 Total Equity $ 448,445 Distributions Paid: 12/14/15 68@ $317 $ 21,556 06/13/16 66@ $357 23,562 Total $674 $ 45,118 Members as of June 30, 2016: Ministers: 98; Laymen: 119; Total: 217 Membership in the Society is open to any married man who is a member of the Moravian Church or whose wife is a member, for a one-time membership fee of $100 up to age 50; slight additional fees added for each year to age 60. For further information write or call: The Widow’s Society of Bethlehem 561 E. Market St., Suite #1, Bethlehem, PA 18018-6323 Phone: 610.866.1841
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IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Sunnyside Ministry helps clients gain financial control What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. James 2:14-17 Moravians have taken this passage to heart since the very beginnings of the Unity. Today Moravians still look to this passage as they do the work of Christ at Sunnyside Ministry. Since 1978, Sunnyside Ministry has provided financial assistance, a food pantry and a clothing closet to those in need in southern WinstonSalem and Forsyth County in N.C. In recent years that assistance has begun to look different. We have started to help those in poverty move to self-sufficiency. We do this through an education program named 6
“Gaining Control.” As the title implies, when you are struggling in poverty, you are out of control. This class helps students gain control of their finances through budgeting, savings and 12 weeks of classroom training, with homework. The class was developed by a committee in 2013 and is led by Charles Forrest, a member of Calvary Moravian in Winston-Salem. The class has pulled together resources from many different places, and is unique to Sunnyside Ministry. The idea is simple and easy to understand: students develop a budget that they can realistically follow, they set goals for saving money that they can actually accomplish and they learn the skills to make wise saving and spending decisions. The class ends with a lesson on giving back—how clients contribute to their Church or other agencies to help others experience the positive gifts they have received. One recent graduate had what she described as a mountain of debt; she is 61 years The Moravian
old and thought that retirement was only a dream. Through the class she developed a plan to pay off her debt in six years and will be able to retire when she is 67. A young single mom, who after graduating a year earlier, told us: “I am continuing to budget although it’s really tough to stick to it. I am still saving and I make sure I have at least $1000 in savings at all times. I have a really good job now so I was able to get a new car with a really good interest rate. I am in the process of buying a home through a program called NACA (Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America) where I pay no down payment and no closing cost at 3.25 percent interest. I am really grateful for the program. It really set me on track. Finally, I paid down most of my debt and my credit score has gone up almost 100 points! I can’t express my gratitude more.” In 2017, Angelica Regalado, a seminary student and a member of Friedland Moravian, will conduct the class for the first time in Spanish. This is exciting because 25 percent of the clients coming to Sunnyside Ministry speak Spanish as their primary language. The results from this class are better than were ever imagined with 128 students graduating since the class began. 98.4 percent of those graduates have not needed to return for assistance from Sunnyside Ministry. They average $400.00 in savings for an emergency. Sunnyside Ministry has seen them develop the confidence to find better jobs, make wise purchases and avoid the financial pitfalls where many in poverty find themselves trapped. To learn more about this important program, visit the Sunnyside website at www.sunnysideministry.org. n David Holston is director of Sunnyside Ministry in Winston-Salem, N.C. In photos above: Charles Forrest leads a session of “Gaining Control” Nov/Dec 2016
moravianprisonministry.org
Your link to helping us sow the seeds of hope. Friends of Moravian Prison Ministry fmprisonministry@gmail.com
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MORAVIAN MUSIC
Explore Moravian music at the 2017 Moravian Music Festival
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very four years, the Moravian Music Foundation (MMF) sponsors a week-long music festival to celebrate Moravian music, explore the history of Moravian music, to teach and share, and to explore new avenues and directions in music. Next summer, July 23–29, 2017, the 25th Moravian Music Festival will attract hundreds of musicians to Winston-Salem, N.C., and be centered among Home Moravian Church, Salem College and Old Salem. Hundreds more will attend and enjoy the many performances of both new and historic Moravian music in concert venues at Home, Trinity and Calvary Moravian churches, as well as Winston-Salem State University’s Williams Auditorium. Replete with workshops and lectures, Moravian Music Festivals are a learning oppor-
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tunity for singers, instrumentalists and directors (Moravian and non-Moravian). It is full of practical ideas, skills and techniques for the musician, the musical group and the congregation. One of the greatest benefits of registering for the 25th Festival will be the opportunity to work with wonderful conductors, composers, singers and instrumentalists, all highly acclaimed in their individual disciplines. For the 2017 festival, we are proud to bring in several leading conductors, including Dr. John Sinclair, professor of music at Rollins College and Artistic Director of the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, Fla., and Chris Wormald, one of the most recognized educators and brass band conductors in Great Britain, with countless accolades and awards. In 1991, Womald started the Smithills School Senior
The Moravian
At right: Dr. John Sinclair conducts at the 2013 Moravian Music Festival. Below and left: scenes from the 2013 Festival in Bethlehem, Pa.
Brass Band and has led them to national and international brass band championships. Anne Saxon will lead the children’s music program. She leads the Winston-Salem Girls Chorus and is President of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association. Also featured will be Deborah Rice, a world-traveling handbell director and clinician, a prolific arranger, and former president of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. Dr. Donna Rothrock, founding director of the Salem Trombone Choir, for over 30 years, will lead the Festival Trombone Choir. The Rev. Nola R. Knouse, Ph.D. will be Music Director of the Festival. Mary Wilson will be the featured soprano soloist for the week. Ms. Wilson is an internationally acclaimed opera singer and concert soloist and was featured on the Moravian Music Foundation’s most recent recording of the Wolf Easter Cantata. Concurrently, there will be a children’s summer music program, a youth program, special young adult events, and an organ crawl! Participants will choose tracks for choral, instrumental and/or handbells. Each day will be comprised of workshops and rehearsals for ensembles, handbells, orchestras, and lots of singing, with special moments for worship, fellowship and reflection. Each evening will begin with a band prelude, and culminate with featured concerts by the Chorus and Orchestra, Festival Band and Chamber music ensembles. The Festival will also have an Anthem Sing, a Singstunde, a Lovefeast (of course), and a partnership concert with the Salem Band. The concerts will be free and open to the public, and we hope you will join us. Audiences will experience a wide range of repertoire, from sacred band chorales to contemporary songs; from concert anthems with orchestra to new arrangements for wind ensemble! (Continued on next page) Nov/Dec 2016
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Music Festival (Continued from previous page) The first Moravian Music Festival was held in 1950. Since 2010, the Festivals have been the responsibility of the Foundation, which has worked well, since the “institutional memory� and artistic planning of music festivals already resided with MMF. The local Festival Planning Committee is a dedicated team of tireless volunteers, who have been working for over a year already, ably led by Scott and Amanda Moody Schumpert. A festival for everyone The Festival is for everyone, serving musicians of all levels, from beginner to director. Advance registration is required and is now open. Online registration (and, a wealth of information) is available at www.moravianmusicfestival.org Festival registration packets will be mailed to known addresses of our constituents. Housing will consist of Salem College options and Dr. Nola Reed Knouse at the 2013 Music Festival.
Chris Wormald is a featured conductor for the 2017 Music Festival.
blocks of rooms at area hotels. Local residents are asked to register, as well. There will be options for full meal plans or daily meals on campus. MMF has kept the housing and meal expenses in line with 2013 and has managed to lower the tuition a bit. There is an extra fee for late registrations. Each year, the Festival Committee seeks those who value the Festivals and want to encourage participation, especially by younger musicians, by supporting the Festival Scholarship Fund. Donations of any amount are invited. Underwriting sponsorships of concerts and other Festival events are welcome, as well. The Moravian Music Festival is a unique opportunity to celebrate the musical heritage of this community. n Erik Salzwedel is business manager for the Moravian Music Foundation, based in Winston-Salem, N.C. For more information on the 2017 Moravian Music Festival, visit www.moravianmusicfestival.org.
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The Moravian
MORAVIAN HISTORY
First Moravian Church launches biography of distinguished pastor
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isitors to First Moravian Church in York, Pennsylvania, on a September Sunday afternoon, gathered to learn more about one of their illustrious pastors and to join in the launch of a new book, Re-Inventing the Wheel, The Incredible Story of S. Morgan Smith, Minister, Inventor, Industrialist. Three members of First Moravian collaborated to produce this remarkable story of The Rev. Stephen Morgan Smith, First Moravian’s pastor during the tumultuous Civil War years. The 165-page full-color book was published this fall and underwritten with gifts from members of First Moravian. Church members, guests from the Smith family and the York community enjoyed Moravian sugar cake, brief talks from the two church members most responsible for its publication and the opportunity to have their books signed. The Rev. Dr. Stephen Nicholas served the Moravian Church as a pastor for 41 years before retiring In 2007. Photo above: Stephen Nicholas and Terrence Downs during a book signing at First Moravian Church in York, Pa. Nov/Dec 2016
A quintessential American story The life of S. Morgan Smith is the quintessential American story: a man who lost everything not once, but twice in his life. He rose to become a builder of his adopted city and to leave a legacy which still resonates in the York community, in the Moravian Church which he loved and around the world. His story has special meaning for us in the Moravian Church. Smith was born on a farm in Davie County, N.C. in 1839. While a teenager he came to faith in Christ and joined Macedonia Moravian Church. He was trained for the ministry at Moravian College and Theological Seminary just as the Civil War began. Smith never completed his studies because he was sent by the Northern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference to serve as pastor at the Moravian Church in York. In an amazing twist, the P.E.C. gave him permission to volunteer as a Union Army Chaplain in the Civil War and he served the Pa. 200th Infantry Regiment from 1864 until the end of the war. We believe he is the only Moravian pastor who served as a Civil War chaplain. (Continued on next page.) 11
Biography (Continued from previous page) After the war, Smith accepted a call to serve the Moravian Church in Dover, Ohio. While serving in Dover, he contracted a painful throat condition that made it impossible for him to preach regularly. Smith reluctantly took “temporary retirement” from the Moravian ministry in 1871 and moved back to York with his family. He made his living as an inventor and industrialist and after years of struggle, founded the S. Morgan Smith Company which produced rugged and efficient hydro-electric turbines just as the electric industry was blossoming. When he died in 1903, his sons, Charles Elmer and Stephen Fahs, led the family company to a position as the largest builder of hydro turbines in the country. The company’s turbines not only provided power for countries around the world, but also made the children of S. Morgan Smith wealthy. The Moravian Church and the community of York benefitted from their generosity. C. Elmer and S. Fahs Smith served as trustees at Moravian College and Seminary as did their sons, Beauchamp and Burwell. Smith gifts helped to provide the administration building on campus, a large women’s dormitory in memory of Beauchamp’s wife, Josephine, and endowed the S. Morgan and Emma Fahs Smith chair of historical theology at the seminary. Telling Smith’s story How did he do it? How did Stephen Morgan Smith travel from the backwoods of North Carolina to become a leader in his church and community, and an industrialist whose legacy is found on five continents? This incredible story forms the narrative of an exciting new book. Most of the writing was done by Stephen Nicholas Jr., a retired Moravian pastor living in York. Terrence Downs helped with research 12
for the book, supplied historical context, and contributed some of the text. He is a heritage environmental artist, a York County historian, writes a regular column on local history for the York Sunday News and was York’s delegate to Eastern District Synod in June. David Bailey, a professional editor and former church Elder, corrected the manuscript and prepared it for printing. Steve, Terry and David feel that S. Morgan Smith would be proud that three members of the Moravian Church which he pastored during the difficult Civil War years collaborated to tell the story of how God led Smith through many trials to the place where he was able to make a significant contribution to building his church, his city and the wider world. Re-inventing the Wheel, may be purchased from the York County History Center, the Moravian Interprovincial Board of Communication in Bethlehem, or by sending an email to the publishers: saintnic1967@gmail. com. n
The Moravian
UNITAS FRATRUM
A message to the Unity In August of this year, delegates from around the world met for the Unity Synod in Jamaica. Unity Synod meets once every seven years as the governing body of the worldwide Moravian Church. Over the next several issues, we will be discussing a variety of the actions taken by Unity Synod. To begin the series, we share the message delivered from Synod at the close.
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he Unity Synod has been in session on 12th – 19th of August 2016 and sends greetings to he whole Unity. About 80 Moravians from Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas were together for deliberations, prayer, worship and fellowship. Together we experienced wonderful Jamaican hospitality. The theme of the Synod, “Discerning the Unity Together” gave perspective to Bible Studies, in conversations and in discussions. Worship services gave the Synod opportunities to experience the Unity together with Jamaican Moravians in a very special way. Unity Synod also had the opportunity to listen to reports of the Moravian churches in the worldwide Unity, showing the scope of the Moravian Church. The reports illustrated the richness of the many task and challenges we meet in countries and cultures in which the Moravian Church is present. The Moravian Church is truly a worldwide Unity, giving wonderful opportunities for living Christian witness. A number of committees worked on finance, ministry, mission in culture, theological education, Unity affairs and questions concerning faith and order. It was particularly joyful for the Unity Synod to ratify designa-
Nov/Dec 2016
tions of eight new Mission Areas, three new Mission Provinces and six new Unity Provinces. Many resolutions on various topics showed that the Moravian Unity is a living church. We experience challenges in a world, where social injustice, poverty, terrorism, secularity, and war resulting in many refugees threaten millions of people around the world and calls the Moravian Church to social action, peacemaking efforts and preservation of creation. The need for mission, bringing the Gospel to the world is our calling. Although we as a church and as Christian sisters and brothers are challenged with difficulties in the world, the many different topics being discussed also gave witness to what a living and vibrant church the Moravian Church is. We are seeking to be a Church that addresses the needs of people, whether spiritual, social or other. The delegates can look back on blessed days with much work, Christian fellowship with brothers and sisters from many parts of the world and comfortable accommodation. At times the discussions were touching on difficult issues, which could be dealt with in a Christian spirit of love and trust. At times Unity Synod bowed in prayer in sympathy for brothers and sisters in Christ that had lost loved ones. At times the joy of Christ filled our hearts. We are thankful for being part of the Moravian Church and we affirm our wish to serve Christ. As we discern the Unity together, Unity Synod 2016 agreed and invites the whole Unity in declaring and living on the motto “Our Lamb has conquered; let us follow him.” 13
MORAVIANS IN MISSION
Diverse team brings aid to Ahuas
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s an elementary school teacher, I have many opportunities to help my students and fulfill their needs. Between tying shoes, giving permission to use the bathroom, offering small group instruction and learning about students’ home lives, I hope that I make some small difference in their lives. For Moravians, mission is the goal of fulfilling a fundamental need in the life of another person. Moravians in mission have been fulfilling needs since 1732 when the first Moravian missionaries, Johann Leonhard Dober and David Nitschman, sailed to the Caribbean island of St. Thomas to bring the gospel to the slaves on the sugar plantations. That first Moravian mission sparked the Moravian passion for mission during the past 284 years. The region of La Mosquitía in Honduras is an area with many needs, including medical
care. In 1946, Moravians established “Clínica Evangélica Morava,” a medical clinic in the village of Ahuas, to serve the medical needs of the people of the region. Last year, Rachel Schachter and I visited the clinic in order to film interviews and footage of the life of the clinic. We were so touched by the work of God that was being done at the clinic that we decided to return this summer with a work crew. Our eleven-person group was diverse in age, location and gifts. The members included Velma Burcham, Pamela Heisey, Christine Hitzel, Connie Kinsey, Jessica Kinsey, Mary Jordan Johnson, Abby Poindexter, Rachel Schachter, Kim Shollenberger, Pamela Thierolf and me. Reaching Ahuas isn’t an easy trip. Our group left the airport in Charlotte, N.C. to fly to Houston, then San Pedro Sula, and then drive
Jessica Kinsey and Mary Jordan Johnson vaccinate a kitten in Ahaus.
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The Moravian
Top: Mary Jordan Johnson with a former nurse. Middle: Jamie Dease reads a letter to the congregation during the Ahuas 70th anniversary.
to La Ceiba. After a quick sleep, we then flew from La Ceiba, briefly landed in Puerto Lempira, and finally arrived in Ahuas, Honduras. It took over two days for many of us to finally reach Ahuas. Due to the diversity of our group, we had many projects at the clinic. Our veterinarian, Jessica, was able to vaccinate and de-worm many cattle, horses and dogs. This was the first time these animals had contact with a veterinarian. It was a blessing for the people,because they depend on the cattle for milk and beef, and the horses for transportation. Many members of our group also helped with more immediate needs around the grounds of the clinic. The bathrooms were painted, the tool shed was organized and patient files were alphabetized. Since these projects require a lot of time and effort, much of the work will be continued by other work groups. The clinic is close to a local high school; since we had a teachers in our group, we were able to teach a few English lessons. When we arrived we realized that the students had a lower level of English than we had anticipated, so we sang many renditions of “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” At least they now know a few body parts in English. While we were in Ahuas, the clinic celebrated its 70th anniversary! The entire community seemed to attend the celebration. There was a special ceremony with singing, speeches and scripture. Our group sang “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” Rachel shared a song that she had composed and I read a letter from Nora Adams. Nora worked at the clinic in the 1970s with her husband, the late Rev. Lorez Adams. After the service, we ate a meal together with the community. It was a blessing to share such a special experience. When we left Ahuas a week after we began our journey, we were sad to leave, but many members of our group were filled with a desire to return. There is a definite need in La Nov/Dec 2016
Mosquitía for material items, but also for a sense of connection with the global Moravian community. While we were working in Ahuas, we began many meaningful relationships with the people doing God’s work. We are excited to return. n Jamie Lynne Dease is a member of Macedonia Moravian Church in Advance, N.C. 15
Blessed to Be a Blessing:
Gifts of Change I n addition to supporting the Board of World Mission (BWM) global mission partners through common ministry funding from our provinces, North American congregations are offered specific opportunities for supporting our partners in their efforts to share the Good News with others. Gifts of Change is a representative
giving program that allows you to walk with our partners in specific ministries. Funds received in excess of that needed for a specific project will be applied to another project for that province or group. You will receive a tax receipt for each gift purchased.
Ministry and Mission We are all about sharing the love of Christ with the world. We can walk with our brothers and sisters in this effort in many ways.
Worship needs for Moravians in Peru
Cuba Youth Camp p $50 to support Youth Camp 2017 ($2,000 needed)
p $50 to help provide for monthly rent for worship space at one of the four churches ($200-$400/mo.)
Mission Outreach p $50 to support the Honduras Province’s new work among the Tawahka people p $100 to support Honduras Mission Province pastors doing new work p $50 to support a Bible fellowship beginning in Ecuador by the Cuban church
Economic Strengthening Consider helping to support a project that will help our partners generate income for their church or their community.
Small Business Opportunities in Peru p $50-$100 for startup costs for laundry, bakery, ESL school and other projects
HUKWAFA: Huduma kwa Watoto na Familia (Serving Children and Families)
p $40 to provide a bag of corn or rice p $30 to provide 30 chicks for the Chicken Project p $50 toward the Pig Project (total cost $1,400)
School of Music & Worship in Costa Rica
Fish Market Project in Honduras
p $50 toward completing second-floor walls and electricity
p $40 will buy 30 pounds of fish to sell
Health Care While the Gospel of Christ brought people close to God, Jesus was concerned about people’s physical and social needs as well. As Moravians in mission, we continue to address the broader needs of the people we serve.
HIV/AIDS support in Honduras p $50 to help an HIV patient get needed treatment ($425/yr. each)
Sikonge Hospital, Western Tanzania p $50 to help purchase computers for doctor documentation as they upgrade their system
Leadership Development A crucial need seen in all of our provinces is for skilled and effective leadership. This is a great way to help someone improve his or her future options.
Teaching Seminary for Honduras Province
Honduras Mission Province Bible Institute, Ahuas p $100 toward annual commitment of $2,500
High School Scholarships For nine Ray of Hope orphans
p $50-$100 toward fees (Total $5,675/ year)
Youth Seminar on Self-Reliance Western Tanzania
p $50-$100 toward cost of seminary (est. $4,000)
! Interested in making a Gift of Change? I would like to donate to the Board of World Mission for this (these) projects: Amount
Project
In the USA: Make check payable to Board of World Mission and mail to: BWM Gifts of Change 1021 Center St, Bethlehem, PA 18018
In Canada: Make cheque payable to Moravian Church in Canada and mail to: BWM Gifts of Change 600 Acadia Drive SE Calgary, AB T2J 0B8
You can also give online at www.moravianmission.org/give
STUDYING MORAVIAN DOCTRINE
Ground of the Unity, Part VII Following the outline established by the 2005 Jesus Still Lead On study guide, we are sharing different aspects of The Ground of the Unity, one of the worldwide Moravian Church’s key doctrinal statement, in each 2016 issue of The Moravian. This month, we’ll discuss Ecumenism, Opposition to Discrimination, The Church as a Community Service and Serving Our Neighbor. Thanks to Dr. Craig Atwood and the editors of Jesus Still Lead 0n for this material. —Mike Riess, editor, The Moravian Magazine
Ecumenism Since we together with all Christendom are pilgrims on the way to meet our coming Lord, we welcome every step that brings us nearer the goal of unity in Him. He himself invites us to communion in His supper. Through it He leads the Church toward that union which He has promised. By means of His presence in the Holy Communion He makes our unity in Him evident and certain even today. Commentary: The theme of pilgrimage has a long history in Christianity and it continues to be a helpful way of viewing the Christian life. A pilgrim is someone who wanders through the world pursuing a spiritual goal. In the Moravian Church we emphasize that ordained ministers are pilgrims subject to being called to new areas of service. Moravians have also viewed the Church itself as a pilgrim community without a fixed home in this world. We are not to become too comfortable with our current understanding and practice because as individuals and as a church we are on a journey. We also acknowledge that other Christians are also on journeys, sometimes by different paths, but that we are all going to meet the Lord who is coming to us. This idea that all Christians will be visibly Nov/Dec 2016
We welcome every step that brings us nearer the goal of unity in Him.
united when Christ returns is the basis for our belief that all Christians are already spiritually united through our common faith in Christ. Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is the symbol of this already-but-not-yet reality that all followers of Christ are one in Christ despite our different rituals and doctrines. Communion in the Moravian Church is not just a reminder of the sacrifice of Christ; it is also the marriage feast of the Lamb. In Communion we celebrate a foretaste of our union with God and our communion with all the saints, past, present and future. This is why in the Moravian Church we do not exclude members of other churches from full participation in Holy Communion or try to use Communion as a reward for right beliefs. Communion is the Lord’s Supper, not our supper, and it is for all who profess Christ as Lord. (Continued on next page) 19
Discussion: • What does it mean to you to say that Christians are pilgrims in the world? What journey are you on? • If we are willing to acknowledge that believers in other churches are Christians, even though they disagree with us doctrinally, should we apply tolerance to people within our church as well? • What do you think it means to be united in Christ, particularly in light of the fact of conflict between Christians? • How can Holy Communion be a symbol of unity in the Church when so many churches will not share in communion with other churches?
Opposition to Discrimination The Church of Jesus Christ, despite all the distinctions between male and female, Jew and non-Jew, white and colored, poor and rich, is one in its Lord. The Unitas Fratrum recognizes no distinction between those who are one in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to testify that God in Jesus Christ The Unitas Fratrum recognizes no distinction between those who are one in the Lord Jesus Christ
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brings His people out of “every race, kindred and tongue” into one body, pardons sinners beneath the cross and brings them together. We oppose any discrimination in our midst because of race or standing, and we regard it as a commandment of the Lord to bear public witness to this and to demonstrate by word and deed that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Commentary: This statement in the Ground of the Unity was very controversial in America in the late 1950s and early 1960s, particularly in relationship to segregation within the Moravian Church. At the time there was a question of whether black children could attend the Moravian camp at Laurel Ridge and whether black Moravians could play in the Easter band on God’s Acre. In dealing with both questions, the church’s leaders, such as J. Kenneth Pfohl and George Higgins, used this statement in the Ground of the Unity to remind all Moravians that the followers of Christ are one in the Lord. Any effort to divide Christians, especially over such inconsequential things as skin tone and national origin, is an offense to the God who made all people. It is an offense to the Lord who gave his life for all people. While the Church cannot always change the attitudes and opinions of society, it is a sacred task for the Church to become a model of the heavenly community where there are no differences in race, gender, or language. This is particularly important in the Moravian Church because for over two hundred years we have heard the call to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the peoples of the world. We have tried to live by the principle that all Moravians, in fact all believers, are united in the one Body of Christ. If some in the Body of Christ are discriminated against, persecuted The Moravian
and harmed, then the entire body of Christ is harmed. If we hate, despise, or reject any of the people of God, then we are harming the Body of Christ, diminishing its mission and sinning against God. In dealing with this portion of the Ground of the Unity, it is important to keep in mind that this was written shortly after the Holocaust. Discrimination leads to violence. Violence may lead to genocide. Notice also that this passage quotes from Galatians to remind us that discrimination against women is also wrong. The same synod that approved the Ground of the Unity approved the ordination of women. It is a point of doctrine in the Moravian Church that there is no spiritual distinction between men and women; therefore women may be called into the pastoral ministry. For most of our 500year history, we stood against the tide of public opinion and educated women. As early as 1750 we ordained women, and now we are blessed by women bishops. Notice that our concern for equality among Christians includes more than race and gender. Since the earliest beginnings of the Moravian Church in the 15th century, we have recognized that much of the evil in this world is caused by those with power and wealth abusing those with neither. In the earliest decades of the church (1457-1494), nobles were required to sell their estates before they could join the Moravian Church because of concerns over divisions of class within the community. In the Zinzendorf era, many Moravians lived in communities where the differences between social classes were minimized. Today there are rich Moravians, middle-class Moravians, and poor Moravians, but we do not sanctify inequalities in wealth. In the Christian community, rich and poor stand together as sinners saved by God’s grace. All Moravians are called to share their resources for the sake of those who are suffering. Nov/Dec 2016
Discussion: • Why is it wrong for Christians to discriminate against people because of the “accidents” of their birth? Is this a political matter, or is it one of the central aspects of the Gospel? • Are there any signs of racism or discrimination in the Moravian Church today? If so, what can you and your congregation do about this? • Why is it that so many Moravians around the world are dark-skinned but most Moravians in both North American Provinces are light-skinned? • What do you think about the role of women in the Moravian Church? • What is your image of the perfect Christian community? • In what ways does Christianity challenge the assumptions of the modern economy?
The Church as a Community of Service Jesus Christ came not to be served but to serve. From this, His Church receives its mission and its power for its service, to which each of its members is called. We believe that the Lord has called us particularly to mission service among the peoples of the world. In this, and in all other forms of service both at home and abroad, to which the Lord commits us, He expects us to confess Him and witness to His love in unselfish service. Commentary: In earlier days, Moravian doctrinal statements did not say much about service in the world. This was probably because there was no need to do so in the days when the church was a small community living by a strictly-enforced
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We believe that the Lord has called us particularly to mission service among the peoples of the world. discipline. There was also a strong sense of alienation from the world. By the 20th century, though, the Moravian Church and the world had changed; the Ground of the Unity reminds us of our centuries-old understanding that service is the true mark of the Christian. All members of the Moravian Church are servants of Christ, but that does not mean that we have to do all forms of service individually. Some of our service is performed through others, but we are all expected to demonstrate Christ-like humility in serving others. The Moravian Church has traditionally seen its particular area of service to be proclaiming the gospel to the different people of the world and entering into loving relationship with them. For Moravians, there is no dichotomy between missions as preaching and missions as providing for personal and social needs. We proclaim the gospel when we establish schools in villages where there are no schools. We proclaim the gospel when we provide medical care in the remotest regions of the inhabited globe. We serve people’s deepest 22
spiritual and personal needs when we share with them the message of divine forgiveness and invite them into relationship with their Creator and Savior. We serve people at home and around the globe when we help them see that death is not the final answer and that love is real. The precise nature of our mission service is ultimately less important than our motivation and attitude in going out to demonstrate that no people are God-forsaken. We go as servants, not masters. We go out of genuine love for those whom we serve and seek to protect them from all harm. We seek the good of others and treat them with great respect because we represent the love of Christ. Discussion: • Why do you think it is helpful to include a statement on service in the world in a doctrinal statement? • What makes Christian service in the world distinct from other types of volunteer activity? • What is the danger in doing missions with an attitude of arrogance and self-centeredness? • What do you think it means to proclaim the Gospel in the world? Do you think this is a central task for the Moravian Church? • Do you feel adequately prepared to do this? If not, how can your church help prepare you? • Has the mission of proclaiming the Gospel changed now that America is welcoming immigrants from all areas of the world?
Serving Our Neighbor Our Lord Jesus entered into this world’s misery to bear it and to overcome it. We seek to follow Him in serving His brothers and sisters. Like the love of Jesus, this service knows no bounds. Therefore we pray the Lord ever The Moravian
anew to point out to us the way to reach our neighbors, opening our heart and hand to them in their need. Commentary: This passage of the Ground of the Unity contains one of the most eloquent and profound summaries of Moravian doctrine ever written. “Our Lord Jesus entered into this world’s misery to bear it and to overcome it.” This is the heart of the Gospel message, and it does not require great philosophical or scientific knowledge to understand it. God saw us in our isolation, our self-righteousness and our misery, and in the person of Jesus, experienced our misery in order to lift us up. We serve the world because God entered the world himself. We follow Christ best when we are willing to share another person’s pain, troubles and heartache. We sing about the boundless love of Christ, but it is even more important that we become agents of that love in the world. Our individual love is limited, but through Christ we can have the strength and courage to break down the walls that divide us. It is very significant that the Ground of the Unity calls us to prayer in this regard. In the Moravian tradition, prayer is less a matter of seeking help for our personal needs (although that is important) than asking God for eyes to see where our neighbors are in need. We pray for open hearts and open hands because we are God’s agents in the world. This section of the Ground of the Unity puts into simple form the parable of the Good Samaritan. Too often our religious practices serve to confirm us in our selfishness and selfrighteousness, blinding us to the pain of others. Therefore, we Moravians pray that we will be able to see the suffering of our neighbors and that we will be able to help because it is in serving that we are brought closest to our Lord and Savior. Nov/Dec 2016
Therefore we pray the Lord ever anew to point out to us the way to reach our neighbors... Discussion: • Reflect quietly for a moment on the ways in which God has helped you in the midst of your misery. What was that like? Did he use other people as his agents of mercy for you? • Is there anything wrong with being self-reliant and encouraging others to do likewise? • How can engaging in visible acts of service bring us closer to Christ and help us grow in our faith? • What types of service in the world do you engage in? • How does your congregation serve the community around you? • How does the Moravian Church as a whole seek out those in misery? We will continue our study of the Ground of the Unity in our next issue. n
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OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS Prayer Watch The Moravian Church has experienced spiritual renewal and strength through a covenant of prayer. In 1727, the church in Herrnhut, Germany, covenanted for an “Hourly Intercession” which continued for 100 years with a great blessing to the entire Moravian Church. The Unity Prayer Watch established in 1957 (the quincentenary of the Unitas Fratrum) has continued to bless us. The 1988 Unity Synod affirmed the importance of this experience for the worldwide Moravian Church. Under the schedule adopted by the 2009 Unity Synod, December 1-31 is assigned to the Northern Province and January 1-18 to the Southern Province. Each Provincial Board will supply assignment of specific dates to individual congregations, with suggestions for prayer topics. World AIDS Day, December 1, 2016 The Synods of 2006 resolved to recognize World AIDS Day on December 1 and proclaim it as a day of commemoration and prayer by our Moravian churches. Congregations are encouraged to schedule an AIDS Awareness Day and to find a way to support an AIDS ministry focusing on areas of education, prevention and ministering to caregivers, orphans and those living with HIV.
Ad Policy for The Moravian — The Moravian accepts paid advertising that is consistent with the magazine’s objectives and editorial convictions as they are stated in the purpose and mission of the Interprovincial Board of Communication. Advertisements for activities, services and products of specific interest to members of the Moravian Church have priority. The Moravian does not accept purely editorial advertisements that advocate specific ideas or issues. Articles, columns and letters to the editor are the appropriate vehicles for the presentation of ideas and issues. The Interprovincial Board of Communication is responsible for the content and design of the magazine, including advertisements. Ad rates and specifications are available www.moravian.org.
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NORTHERN PROVINCE Nazareth, Pennsylvania Brother Lance Fox has accepted an appointment to serve as intentional interim pastor for Schoeneck Moravian Church, Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Brother Fox was installed into his new work October 23, 2016. Cambridge, Wisconsin Sister Barbara Berg has accepted an appointment to serve as part-time pastor for London Moravian Church, Cambridge, Wisconsin. Sister Berg began her new work October 1, 2016. New Philadelphia, Ohio Brother Dennis Rohn, who had been serving as appointed pastor at Schoenbrunn Community Moravian Church, New Philadelphia, Ohio, concluded his work with the congregation effective August 30, 2016. Retirement Sister Janice Coffing requested and was granted permission to retire from the active call of the Moravian Church effective January 1, 2017. Sister Coffing was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church June 22, 2013 and served the church under call to specialized ministry as a Chaplain at Deaconess Hospital, Evansville, Ind. The church is grateful for her three years of faithful service. Resignation Brother Adam Spaugh, who had been serving as pastor of Palmyra Moravian Church, Cinnaminson, New Jersey, resigned from the ministry of the Moravian Church Northern Province effective October 28, 2016. Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference The Moravian
OBITUARIES
The Rev. Joseph A. LaFortune
The Rev. Dr. David A. Schattschneider
Brother Joseph A. LaFortune died in Fargo, North Dakota, October 29, 2016, at age 87. Born April 21, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, he was the son of Amia J. and Mabel (Ledgerwood) LaFortune. Brother LaFortune attended the University of Wisconsin and received a Bachelor of Arts from Moravian College in 1956 and a Bachelor of Divinity from Moravian Theological Seminary in 1959. He was ordained a Deacon in the Moravian ministry June 7, 1959 and consecrated a Presbyter June 12, 1966. He was united in marriage to Ann L. Giesler June 7, 1955 at Green Bay, Wisconsin. Together they served pastorates in Alaska, Alberta (Heimtal, New Sarepta, Central), Michigan (Daggett), Minnesota (Northfield), Wisconsin (Sister Bay), and North Dakota (Bethel, Goshen). He entered into retirement June 1, 1995. Brother LaFortune is survived by his wife, Ann; daughter, Amy; sons, Richard and Carl; and two grandchildren. A memorial service was held November 5, 2016 at Shepherd of the Prairie Moravian Church, Fargo, N.D.
Brother David A. Schattschneider died in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, September 29, 2016 at age 77. Born March 30, 1939 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Allen W. and Naomi (Wartman) Schattschneider. Brother Schattschneider received a Bachelor of Arts from Moravian College in 1960, a Master of Divinity from Yale University in 1964, and a Ph. D. from the University of Chicago in 1975. He was ordained a Deacon in the Moravian ministry May 11, 1969 and consecrated a Presbyter October 2, 1977. He was united in marriage to Doris J. Wood on June 2, 1962 at Staten Island, New York. Together they served the Bethlehem community as he served on the faculty and as Dean of Moravian Theological Seminary. Brother Schattschneider is survived by his wife, Doris; daughter, Laura; and one grandson. A memorial service was held October 5, 2016 at Advent Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Memorials were welcomed for the Allen W. Schattschneider Scholarship Fund at Moravian Theological Seminary, Advent Moravian Church, or Moravian Open Door.
Nov/Dec 2016
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Statistics of the Moravian Church Northern & Southern Provinces CF = Confirmed Communicants T = Total
AVG = Average Worship Attendance * = No membership statistics received for 2014
The Northern Province • Statistics December 31, 2015 Eastern District
CONGREGATION
CF
T
AVG
DIST. OF COLUMBIA Washington, Faith
140
187
95
Bevon White
MARYLAND New Carrollton, Trinity Thurmont, Graceham Upper Marlboro, St. Paul’s
114 292 137
165 347 174
49 91 54
Tammie L. Rinker Sue Koenig William T. Andrews
NEW JERSEY Cinnaminson, Palmyra Egg Harbor City Riverside, First Union, Battle Hill
117 271 183 39
158 335 224 56
38 58 45 33
Adam Spaugh Bruce Weaknecht George Richmond Vacant
NEW YORK Bronx, Tremont Terrace Brooklyn, Fellowship Brooklyn, John Hus New York City, First New York City, United Queens, Grace Staten Island, Castleton Hill Staten Island, Great Kills Staten Island, New Dorp Staten Island, Vanderbilt Ave.
123 66 276 102 450 206 175 118 237 80
141 116 334 123 796 358 241 153 278 109
75 51 225 49 130 135 60 42 90 53
Desna Henry Goulbourne Wellesley Ferguson Michael E. Johnson Charles C. Harewood Nigel Powell Earl Goulbourne Kathlyn Ferguson-Nealand Tracy A. Pryor Duane E. Ullrich Wellesley Ferguson
OHIO Dover, First Dublin, Redeemer Gnadenhutten, Heckewelder New Phila., Fry’s Valley New Phila., Schoenbrunn Tuscarawas, Sharon Uhrichsville, First
495 54 285 76 85 291 86
585 64 323 92 107 349 95
175 21 62 31 75 72 33
John B. Wallace Trina Holmberg Darrell F. Johnson Christine S. Johnson Dennis Rohn Rebecca J. Sisley William A. Rinderknecht
ONTARIO Toronto, New Dawn
121
167
105
F. Rowan Simmons
PENNSYLVANIA Allentown, Calvary Bethlehem, Advent Bethlehem, Central
178 290 832
203 346 981
79 94 330
Bethlehem, College Hill Bethlehem, East Hills
250 322
280 375
85 117
Janel R. Rice Laura Gordon C. Hopeton Clennon, M. Lynnette Delbridge David C. Geyer Derek A. French
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PASTOR
The Moravian
Bethlehem, Edgeboro Bethlehem, West Side Canadensis Coopersburg, MorningStar Easton, First Easton, Palmer Township Emmaus Hellertown, Mountainview Lancaster Lebanon Lititz
336 133 42 137 149 558 450 121 74 112 697
422 148 55 164 184 696 519 140 83 154 806
136 46 25 48 43 162 100 22 30 50 274
Nazareth Nazareth, Schoeneck Newfoundland Philadelphia, Redeemer Reading York, Covenant York, First
400 404 94 77 80 130 107
521 477 110 84 138 146 129
110 162 40 47 40 68 56
10,593
13,238
4,084
TOTALS
Daniel M. Miller Keith K. Harke Gregg C. Schafer Jay Petrella Patricia D. Honszer Melissa L. Johnson J. Christian Giesler Jodie Lean Harney Dean Easton Lloyd Gooden Mark V. Breland Dean R. Jurgen Jeffrey D. Gehris, Sr. Vacant Gregg C. Schafer Nasel Ephraim Ronald Rice Jeffrey Coppage Sayward E. Lippincott
Western District CALIFORNIA Banning, Morongo Downey
89 108
124 155
30 25
Vacant Vacant
ILLINOIS West Salem
220
275
100
Vacant
INDIANA Hope
369
501
229
Andrew Kilps
MICHIGAN Daggett Unionville Westland, Grace
39 220 37
46 268 47
18 62 30
James T. Hicks Jane Gehler Vacant
MINNESOTA Altura, Our Savior’s Chaska Maple Grove, Christ’s Com. Northfield, Main Street St. Charles, Berea Victoria, Lake Auburn Waconia
116 132 101 34 105 96 324
146 156 136 34 131 107 395
72 81 58 18 46 51 94
David W. Sobek Michael Eder Jennifer Moran Vacant Franklin Jones Brian R. Dixon Amy Gohdes-Luhman
NORTH DAKOTA Davenport, Canaan Durbin, Goshen Fargo, Shepherd of the Prairie Leonard, Bethel
139 121 64 83
182 156 79 101
39 32 34 24
Beth Rohn-Habhegger Reid Lauderman Eric D. Renner Reid Lauderman
Nov/Dec 2016
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WISCONSIN Appleton, Freedom Cambridge, London DeForest, Christian Faith Ephraim Green Bay, West Side Lake Mills Madison, Glenwood Madison, Lakeview Pittsville, Veedum Sister Bay Sturgeon Bay Watertown, Ebenezer Watertown Wisconsin Rapids TOTALS
131 91 121 137 222 554 76 109 44 117 545 173 211 246
153 104 145 145 302 639 90 117 51 126 617 209 267 280
50 37 47 80 73 132 31 42 28 58 127 67 71 94
5,174
6,284
1,980
Garritt Fleming Vacant Jason Andersen Dawn E. Volpe Marian Boyle Rohloff Vacant Katie Van Der Linden Staci Marrese-Wheeler Wanda Veldman Kerry D. Krauss Matthew R. Knapp Sanette Francis Kurt Liebenow Mary Louise Plummer
Canadian District ALBERTA Bruderheim* Calgary, Christ Calgary, Good Shepherd Edmonton Edmonton, Millwoods Edmonton, Rio Terrace Sherwood Park, Good News Leduc County, Heimtal* TOTALS
128 136 139 90 105 109 35
151 224 172 110 111 149 48
57 100 61 40 62 52 27
36
39
24
778
1,004
423
Vacant Stephen A. Gohdes Richard Beck Rebecca Craver Vacant James Lavoy Ian D. Edwards Eileen Edwards Matthew J. Gillard
Northern Province Recapitulation Eastern District Western District Canadian District Total Province 2015 Total Province 2014 Increase/Decrease
CF 10,593 5,174 778
T 13,238 6,284 1,004
AVG 4,084 1980 423
16,545 16,688
20,526 20,690
6,487 6,843
-143
-164
-356
*Not Available for 2015
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The Moravian
The Southern Province • Statistics December 31, 2015 CONGREGATION
CF
T
AVG
PASTOR
FLORIDA Longwood,Rolling Hills Miami, King of Kings* New Hope* Prince of Peace West Palm Beach,Palm Beach*
93
110
73
56 75 383 26
97 83 562 41
55 54 228 34
GEORGIA Stone Mountain, First Church*
79
79
55
Stephen Weisz, Interim
216 245
216 274
78 94
Zachary Dease David Merritt
202 80 497 139 81 216 162 525 343 184 42 120 343 103 120 407
254 89 542 203 86 265 214 624 402 199 51 154 398 127 134 482
85 45 208 149 45 74 78 185 177 96 31 58 130 60 66 165
Jeff Carter Keith Copeland, Interim Q. Ray Burke Francis P. Venable Robert E. Peterson Tony Hayworth Christopher C. Thore John G. Rights Vacant Barry Foster Roger Kimball, Interim Vacant Judy Knopf, Interim Betty Helms Carol Foltz, Interim Craig S. Troutman
161 238 147 93
182 282 176 115
59 116 75 40
John Rainey Aaron Linville Vacant Rachel Connelly
249 171 100 22 335 236 298
293 195 100 22 429 282 314
141 87 39 17 156 106 132
Timothy G. Sapp Arkon Stewart, Interim Jeffrey Jones Richard G. Spaugh Lane A. Sapp David A. Marcus, Jr. C. Scott Venable III
NORTH CAROLINA Advance, Macedonia Bethania Charlotte, Little Church on the Lane Peace Clemmons Durham, Christ the King Eden, Leaksville Greensboro, First Church Huntersville, New Beginnings Kernersville, Kernersville King Lewisville, Unity Lexington, Enterprise Mayodan Mount Airy, Grace Newton, New Hope Oak Ridge, Moravia Raleigh Rural Hall Mizpah Rural Hall Walnut Cove, Fulp* Wilmington, Covenant Winston-Salem, Advent Ardmore Bethabara Bethesda* Calvary Christ Fairview Nov/Dec 2016
Wilma E. Israel Vacant Vacant Joseph E. Nicholas Frank Barker, Interim
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Friedberg
875
1,034
353
Friedland Fries Memorial Home
414 120 1,212
508 137 1,489
175 60 284
Hope Hopewell Immanuel New Eden Konnoak Hills Messiah New Philadelphia Oak Grove* Olivet Pine Chapel Providence St. Philips Trinity Union Cross
130 159 69 223 124 1,088 181 516 82 20 38 196 328
162 199 71 254 151 1,281 216 591 92 20 45 212 394
71 68 39 96 82 396 87 179 46 18 20 92 161
James C. Newsome Dan Nelson Wayne Byerly, Interim Joseph L. Moore Richard L. Sides Virginia Tobiassen Andrew Heil Walter Bishop Cheryl Cottingham John D. Rights Gerald Harris, Interim Worth N. Green David Berrier, Interim Matthew W. Allen James Demby Robert Peek Russell May John P. Jackman Russell Williams
70
84
65
Chuck Harmon, Acolyte
38 64
52 75
42 51
Gary Easter, Acolyte Charles W. Fishel
VIRGINIA Ararat, Willow Hill* Cana, Crooked Oak* Mt. Bethel
Southern Province Recapitulation Total Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 31, 2014 Increase/Decrease
CF 12,734 13,012 -278
T 15,143 15,423 -280
AVG 5,676 5,905 -229
* Not available for 2015. Statistical Summary of the Sunday Church Schools December 31, 2015 Northern Province: Eastern District Western District Canadian District Totals: Northern Province: Southern Province: Grand Total 30
Pupils
Staff
Totals
1,841 970 104
367 185 17
2208 1,155 121
2,915 3,551 6,466
569 599 1,168
3,484 4,150 7,634 The Moravian
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