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A Word from Gary
Greetings from all of us here in your
district office. We are really looking forward to the beginning of
summer weather and we look forward to all that will occur in the life of our
district this summer. Our Camp and Conference program at Camp Hope
certainly is at the head of the list. Make sure that everyone in your
congregation is aware of the variety of experiences we have available.
Camp booklets should have been received a few weeks ago at every
congregation -- booklets sent to you from the Camp Hope Program Committee.
During May we
also will celebrate with Moravian Theological Seminary as the commencement
exercises occur on May 12 at 4 PM in Central Church. Only one
Northern Province approved candidate will be graduating this year -- Andy
Kilps, a Western District candidate who has done his most recent
supervised ministry work at Nazareth Moravian Church. Also
graduating will be Rebecca Craver, a Southern Province candidate who has done
her most recent supervised ministry work at Edgeboro Moravian Church.
Several graduates from other provinces and denominations also will be
receiving M. Div., MAPC, and Masters in Theological Studies degrees.
Brother Revocatus Meza from Tanzania is one of those. Congratulations
to all graduates.
I know that this
is a very subjective statement but I believe that the most important event on
our district calendar this month is the District Conference that will be held
on May 4-5 at East Hills Moravian Church. The event begins with
registration at 5:15 PM on Friday and concludes with worship at 3 PM on Saturday.
Alan Roxburgh will be the keynoter throughout the conference. My thanks
go to the Stewardship Commission, to the Board of World Mission, and to the
EDEB for their assistance in planning and preparing for this event that will be
bringing individuals together from across our district to empower us to be a
Missional Church. Special gratitude to Gary Marsh for his expert
leadership in planning the event. We are also grateful to East Hills and
to Bob Wingrove and his staff. A surge of registrations have arrived
late and so it promises to be a wonderful event. As I write this,
our registration numbers are approaching 150.
I will be
attending a seminar on Church Planting in Ashland, Ohio, on May 21-25 and
will be joined there by several others from the Moravian church.
This month I
would like to recognize the significant ministries provided for our congregations
by our ordained personnel. There are a few of our pastors who are
celebrating milestone (five-year intervals) anniversaries of our ordinations
this year and, like I did in previous years, I would like to
especially recognize those currently in our district who are marking those
milestones this year. I have been known to miss people and so please do
not hesitate to contact Lucille if you are one of those celebration a milestone anniversary
of your ordination this year and you are not listed. Brother Erwin
Boettcher is the "man of the year" as he celebrates his 55th
anniversary of ordination this year. Brother David Henkelmann is the
"runner up" as he celebrates his 50th anniversary. Will
Harstine and Norman Prochnau hit 45 years this year and Burke
Johnson, Steve Nicholas, and David Wickmann hit their 40th
anniversary of ordination. Pete Skelly, Leslie McKoy, and Doug
Norwood celebrate 35 years while Bill Surber celebrates 30
years. Rick Bruckart and John Case hit the quarter century mark
this year. Michael Johnson reaches the 20th anniversary of his
ordination. Gordon Mowrer and Marge Hassler celebrate
their 15th anniversary of ordination. Cynthia Rader Geyer and David
Geyer will observe 10 years of ordained ministry this year. And last, but
not least, is Marian Boyle who celebrates the 5th year of their ordination
this year and will do so in her new congregational setting in Green Bay,
WI. Blessings and best wishes to each of you. The greater church
thanks you for your gifts and talents and leadership over the years.
Again, if we have missed anyone, please let us know.
Have a great
month. --Gary
Prayer Concerns and Joys
Our
condolences to Brother Kent Trievel and family. Kent’s mother died early in April. A memorial service was held on April 9.
Our condolences also
to the family and friends of Brother William Myers, who died April 15th
at his home in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Brother Myers served in Moravian pastorates in the Western District. For
the past 14 years he had been released for other service to the United
Methodist Church, serving in Michigan.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to his wife, Beth, at 135 S. Lincoln
Blvd., Battle Creek, MI 49015.
Brother Reed Acheson is scheduled
for back surgery on April 24th
Brother Dave
Wickmann and Brother Leon Matthias continue to recuperate and are
progressing well.
Please continue
to hold in prayer all our brothers and sisters dealing with health issues as
they move towards strength and healing.
Farewell
Singstunde
We
bid farewell to Albert and Erdmute Frank as they prepare for their move to
Germany in June. The Frank family
invites you to a Farewell Singstunde on Saturday, June 2 at 3:00 pm at
West Side Moravian Church. A reception in the fellowship hall will follow the
service.
- Schedule of Events
May 4-5 - District Conference, The Missional Leader at East Hills Moravian Church, Bethlehem, PA. Cost $35/person.
May 6- Unitas Chorale Concert, 8:00pm, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Hope NJ. Pre-concert talk at 7:30 by the Rev. David Schattschneider.
May 6, 7 pm – Song of Salem Concert and Lecture: Preaching by Painting (The Role of Art in 18th Century Moravian Communities) presented by the Music Program of Home Moravian Church. Free and open to the public. In the Old Salem Visitor Center, Winston-Salem, NC.
May 18 - 20 - Confirmation Retreat at
Hope Center.
May 19 - a Spiritual
Retreat Day for health care workers at Mary Immaculate Retreat Center
sponsored by the Lay Ministry Commission.
May
25 - 28 - Family Camp and Memorial Day Picnic at Hope Center.
June 4-15 – German
Script Course at the Moravian Archives, Bethlehem, PA. Registration form is
available at www.moravianchurcharchives.org
June 22-23 – Moravian Days on the campus of Central Moravian Church. Sponsored by Bethlehem Area Moravians.
June 24 - 26 - Pre-primary Conference at Hope Center
June
24 - 30 - Fishing Camp at Hope Center
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.
July 10 - 14 - Primary Conference
at Hope
July
15 - 21 - Junior High Conference
July
22 - 28 -Middler Conference
July 29 - Aug 4 - Sr./Post High Conference
Aug
5 - 11 - Performing Arts Camp
Aug.
5 – 11 - Swimming Camp
August
10-12 – Mid-States Moravians Celebration of the 550th Anniversary
of the Moravian Church. For info on
costs and hotel accommodations, contact registrar, Sandy Petrella at petrella@verizon.net or 330-339-6857.
Aug 30 - Sept 2 - Family Camp at
Hope Center
September
17-28 – A Christian Heritage Tour in the footsteps of Master Jan Hus and
the Moravian Church. Visit Prague,
Kralice, Berthelsdorf and more. $2,800
CND or $2,500 US. 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).
October 20-27 - Moravian 550 Cruise to
the Eastern Caribbean. Port of Embarkation: New York City. Ports of Call: St.
Thomas, Antigua and St. Kitts. Port of Disembarkation: San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Tour Host Bishop Hopeton Clennon. For
more information please call 562-688-4971 or visit www.moravian550cruise.com.
November
10, 7:00 pm – 550th Anniversary Celebration at the
State Theatre, Easton, PA. Gala variety show featuring the musical gifts and
talents of groups and individuals from around the Eastern District. Groups or individuals interested in being
part of the event, contact the Rev. Chris Giesler in the Eastern District Youth
Ministry Office no later than June 1, 2007.
610-867-7566 or chris@mcnp.org.
June
18-21, 2008 – Eastern District Synod at Moravian College.
From the IBOC
JUST ARRIVED!!!!!
The Foundation of Our Faith - Preparation For Membership in The Moravian Church by Kevin C. Frack has arrived and is
available for order - Regular Price $14.95. Early Bird Price is $9.95 until May
31, 2007.
2007-2008
Plan Calendars have been ordered
and are due to arrive in May 2007 .... if you have not placed
your preorder call today to get it in ... we only order a limited number of
this item and we sold out last year .... once they're gone, they're gone ...
New Publications coming SOON! (keep your
eyes open for these publications arriving in 2007).... SAVE MONEY - pre-order
any of these coming publications for $9.95 each before May 31, 2007.
Moravian Church Through the Ages
(updated and revised version) by John R. Weinlick and Albert Frank - The Story
of a Worldwide, Pre-Reformation Protestant Church - Regular Price $12.95
Through Five Hundred Years and Beyond
(updated and revised version) by Allen W. Schattschneider and Albert Frank - A
Popular History of the Moravian Church - Regular Price $12.95
Check out www.moravian.org/publications to see
current promotions and new items that are available or call customer relations
at 800.732.0591.
Birthdays
and Anniversaries
May Birthdays
1 The
Rev. Gwyned Williams
7 The
Rev. Dr. Douglas Caldwell
Mrs. May Jones
8 The Rev. Jennifer Bowden
9 The
Rev. Kay Rohn
11 Mrs. Gloria Barker
14 The Rev. Virginia Goodman
16 The Rev. Dr. James Hilander
22 The Rev. David Henkelmann
24 The Rt. Rev. Stanley Thomas
The Rev. Rosieta Burton
28 Mrs. Carolyn Hertzog
The Rev. Edward Turner
May Anniversaries
6 The Rev. Gary Harke & Ms. Bonnee Voss
7 The Rev. Dorothy & Mr. Charles
Stutzenberger
11 The
Rev. Sue & Mr. Michael Koenig
16 The Rev. & Mrs. Ray Schultz
The Rev. & Mrs. Belfield Castello
17 The Rev. & Mrs. William Surber
22 The Rev. & Mrs. Duane Ullrich
23 The Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Darryl Bell
26 The Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Albert Frank
27 The
Rev. & Mrs. George Richmond
29 The Rev. & Mrs. Richard Bruckart
Churches
celebrating May anniversaries
6 - 1860 - West Side, Bethlehem, PA
17
- 1863 - Palmyra, Cinnaminson, NJ
22
- 1966 - Redeemer, Philadelphia, PA
25 - 1986 - Faith of the Nation’s Capital, Washington, DC
Please submit
information for publication to the District Office by the 15th of
each month.