A Word from Gary
Greetings from your District
Office. If you are a newly elected board member, you will probably
be new to this monthly newsletter. If you are new, I welcome you
into your position of service to Christ and to the Church, the Body of
Christ. I remind all of us that this is a position of service and to
be careful about the many ways that such a position can be misused or
abused. We serve on Boards of the Church to forward the agenda of
Christ and not our own agendas, to lead the church in mission to the world and
not to serve our own selfish interests, to work in partnership with our pastors
and not in conflict with them, and to connect the local congregation with the
wider church and not to disparage that relationship. Through
"District Developments," we try to keep you informed about news from
the congregations of the district, district and province-wide events, clergy
and spouse birthdays and anniversaries, and any other items of interest to our
district. If you wish for something to be included, please give such
information by email to Lucille before the 20th of the month preceding the
month for which it is requested.
I remind all
pastors and congregational secretaries to make sure to get your annual reports
into our office and into the Provincial office by Feb. 15. Board members,
please help me in encouraging a timely submission of these reports that are
very important to us. Believe me, they are referenced on an almost daily
basis.
I am pleased to
be able to share with you the news that the Rev. Mark Breland has accepted the
call of the church to serve in team ministry with Brother Dean Jurgen at the
Lititz Moravian congregation. Brother Mark will begin his
ministry on March 1 and will be installed on March 4.
As I write this
"Word from Gary," I am preparing to attend the 2007 Ohio Ministries
Convocation in Columbus, sponsored by the Ohio Council of Churches.
I am looking forward to connecting with our clergy in Ohio at this event and to
also hear Dr. John Haught as he keynotes two plenary sessions ("Evolution
and Faith: What Is at Stake" and "Science, Theology, and the Search for
Cosmic Purpose") and also the Rev. Dr. Olivia Masih White ("Fearfully
and Wonderfully Made: NCCC -- Policy on Human Biotechnologies"). It sounds
like it will be a wonderful convocation on Religion and Science.
We had three
joyous installation occasions during the month of January -- on January 6
we celebrated with Eileen Edwards on her ordination and, on January 14, we
celebrated with Great Kills congregation as Eileen was installed as
their "called" pastor in team ministry with Ian and we also celebrated
with Vanderbilt congregation as Reed Acheson was installed as their interim
pastor.
A
highlight coming at the end of the month will be our Pastor's Retreat
with Dr. Joan Brown Campbell on January 30-February 1. I
look forward to that event. I also look forward to "officially"
welcoming Sister Sandra Thigpen to our district when she will be installed as
the pastor of Grace congregation in Queens on February 18 at 4 PM (Sandra
already began her work at Grace on January 1). A highlight for all of us
will be the opportunity to celebrate with Sister Melissa Johnson on her
consecration on February 11 at 4 PM at Palmer Township congregation.
The District
Board will be meeting on Feb. 16-17. We will be meeting
with provincial seminary students for dinner at Coopersburg on Feb. 16.
Included with
the congregational packets containing this newsletter is an invitation to
congregations to apply for one of two Mission Development Grants that will
be awarded this summer. Please consider how your congregation might be in
mission to the community.
Have a great
month. -- Gary
Pastoral Changes
Brother Mark Breland
has accepted a call to serve as pastor in team ministry at Lititz Moravian
Church. He will begin his ministry in March and his family will join him
from Indiana at the end of the school year.
Prayer Concerns and Joys
Brother Dave
Wickmann is recuperating at home following his most recent hospitalization. Sister Chloe McKoy continues with
health concerns and faces possible future surgery. Brother Frank Barker became ill on a flight from Barbados
to Jamaica early in January. The flight
made a stop in Antigua where Brother Barker recuperated at his nephew’s house
before continuing on to Jamaica.
Please continue
to hold in prayer all our brothers and sisters dealing with health issues as
they move towards strength and healing.
- Schedule of Events
Feb. 5 – Health & Wellness Ministries Networking Meeting, 7:30 pm at East Hills Moravian Church. For info. call networking coordinator, Susan Kriebs, 610-867-5971.
Feb. 10, 9 am-12 noon – Transformational Leadership and Visioning at MTS. A companion workshop to the Jan. 27th Building Teams program.
Feb. 24 - Lay
Ministry Commission meeting at United Moravian Church. Time
TBA. This meeting is for Moravian health care workers, pastors, and
anyone interested in starting congregational Health and Wellness Ministries.
March 3 - The Men's Fellowship of Tremont
Terrace Moravian Church will host a 'Boyz to Men Symposium' in
celebration of the 155th Anniversary of Tremont Terrace and the 550th of the
worldwide Moravian Church. The theme is “Building and Empowering Relationships.”
March 9, 9:30-2:30 – Weber Memorial
Lectures, The Future Shape of Ministry, Prosser Auditorium, Moravian
College. William Willimon, lecturer.
March 23-25 – Moravian 550th
Anniversary Conference and Celebration, Appleton, WI. Contact Western District Office,
800.206.5928.
April 13, 9:30-2:30 – Zeisberger
Lectures on Evangelism, Reaching the Generation of Learned Skeptics and
Cultured Despisers. Thomas Bandy, lecturer.
April 14, Penn-Mar Mission Society Annual
Meeting at Lebanon Moravian Church.
9:30 am registration, 2:15 closing worship. Contact Jeff Gehris at 301-271-2379 or j.d.gehris@juno.com.
April 26, 9:30-1:30 – Moses Lectures
in Moravian Studies, Lindsey House in Chelsea: The World Headquarters of
the Moravian Church, 1752-55. Vernon Nelson, lecturer.
April 29, 7:30 pm – Unitas Chorale concert,
Christ UCC, Bethlehem.
May 4-5 - District Conference focusing on the Great Commission, Stewardship, and Mission at East Hills Moravian Church, Bethlehem, PA. Cost $35/person. We are encouraging attendance of at least 5 from every congregation – more are welcome! Registration brochures will be sent in Jan.
May 19 - a Spiritual Retreat Day for health care workers at Mary Immaculate Retreat Center. Participants can spend Friday and/or Saturday night at the retreat center or just come for Saturday. This day will be one for reflection, relaxation, and refreshment. This event is sponsored by the Lay Ministry Commission.
June 27 –30 - Creation Music Festival
June 27-30 – Interprovincial Moravian Women’s Conference, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota
July
2-9 – Moravian Young Adult Convo – “Make the Moravian Journey Home…and
catch a vision for our future.” Prague,
Czech Republic and Herrnhut, Germany.
For ages 18-25.
August
10-12 – Mid-States Moravians Celebration of the 550th Anniversary
of the Moravian Church. All are invited
to this festive occasion, which includes the outdoor drama, “White Savage”
at the “Trumpet in the Land” Amphitheater on Friday. Saturday will feature self-guided tours of Moravian
churches and historic sites and a Dinner/Theater and presentation of “Daniel”
at The Inn at Amish Door Restaurant in Wilmot, Ohio. Sunday will include morning worship
with Holy Communion at the eight Ohio Moravian Churches and a Musicale
with an Anniversary Lovefeast at the Gnadenhutten Moravian Church. For more information on costs and hotel
accommodations, contact registrar, Sandy Petrella at petrella@verizon.net or 330-339-6857.
June
18-21, 2008 – Eastern District Synod at Moravian College.
Celebrate the 550th Anniversary of the Moravian Church
Travel to the
land of Jan Hus and Nicholas von Zinzendorf.
Follow the developing Moravian Church from Husinec to Kunvald to
Herrnhut. Visit Prague, Kralice,
Berthelsdorf and more. September 17-28,
2007. $2800 CND - $2500 USD plus insurance. Leaving from Toronto and New York City. For information and registration contact
Rev. Marge Hassler, New Dawn Moravian Church, 416-656-0473 (office) or
610-751-4220 (cell).
Musical
instruments needed
New
Dawn Moravian Church is looking for used musical instruments to have available
for the youth to use in the church. They have some kids who play
instruments, but don't have them available because they are no longer involved
in music in school. If any church or individual has an instrument you are
willing to donate to New Dawn for their youth, please contact Rev. Marge
Hassler at the church office, 416-656-0473.
From
the IBOC
Don't miss the
chance to celebrate the 550th Anniversary of the founding of the Worldwide
Moravian Church in 2007! To assist your congregation or agency in creating
your own celebration in the community you serve, resources have been compiled
and made available to you by the Interprovincial Board of Communication (IBOC).
The resources are from many areas of the Moravian Church in North America and
are a way to share the treasured talents of your Moravian brothers and sisters,
celebrating the relationship we have together from Province to Province and
congregation to congregation. Pick and choose what you want to use
or allow them to serve as inspiration to create your own resources.
Included in this
totally free, downloadable resource section of the www.moravian.org
website are logos, newsletter articles, liturgies, lovefeasts, bulletin
inserts, and more. Visit the site often to see new resources that are added as
the year progresses. News on events happening throughout the Northern &
Southern Provinces will be added throughout the year as well. Don't wait, visit
the site today to see what is available!
For NEWS visit:
For 550th
Resources visit:
http://www.moravian.org/news/2007/070115_550th_resources.phtml
As noted on the
site, especially with regard to liturgies and lovefeasts, follow the copyright
and permission rules as indicated. If an article or insert is used, please make
sure credit is given to the author/authors who have been so kind to provide the
resource.
Attention
Congregations, Youth Groups, Camps & Event Planners-NEW items available
from the IBOC!
Just arriving
for 2007 are rubber wristbands bearing the Moravian Logo and the imprint "Moravians
- In All Things Love" Available in Teal or Blue & White (looks
like clouds) these wristbands are $3.00 each or if purchased in a quantity of
25 or more (mixed or same color), $2.00 each.
Also new in 2007
are Moravian Auto Magnets - 5 1/2 inches in diameter, these circular,
full-color special outdoor magnets are designed to weather-well and display the
Moravian Seal with the words "Our Lamb Has Conquered, Let Us Follow
Him!" around the seal. These are available for $6.00 each or in quantities
of 25 or more for $4.00 each.
Both of these
items are available for a discount when you buy in bulk. You can purchase in
quantity and sell at a slightly higher rate for a fundraiser, or purchase them
for your youth, Bible study group, or upcoming event. Don't miss out
on this opportunity to display your faith - you never know when it will open up
the opportunity to talk to others about Jesus Christ and the relationship
you've found with Him and your faith community.
These are
excellent to have on hand if you are holding a 550th Anniversary event ...
Order
online at www.moravian.org/publications
through the online order form or call the IBOC at 800.732.0591 and ask for
Customer Relations.
Birthdays
and Anniversaries
February
Birthdays
2 Mrs. Jill Bruckart
4 Mrs.
Chloe McKoy
7 Mrs. Lydia Schultz
The
Rev. Valrey Watson
8 Mr. Greg Bowden
9 The Rev. Gordon Mowrer
10 Mr.
Ralford Watson
11 Mrs.
Marcia Johnston
13 The
Rev. Gary Marsh
14 The
Rev. Dr. Claude Knight
15 Mrs.
Helen Ziegler
18 Mrs.
Barbara Hoenig
19 The
Rev. Norman Prochnau
The
Rev. Hannelore Nalesnik
22 Mrs.
Esther Richmond
24 Mr.
Steven Couts
25 The
Rev. Dr. Lynnette Delbridge
27 The
Rev. Gary Harke
February Anniversaries
3 The Rev. & Mrs. Richard Michel
15 The
Rev. & Mrs. Charlesworth Edwards
Churches celebrating Feb. anniversaries:
2
- 1964 - Trinity, New Carrollton, MD
9
- 1749 - Warwick, now Lititz, PA