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 (as is the summer camping and conference
program for our Ohio congregations who are part of the midstates
program). 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 by
the Camp Hope office on behalf of the Program Committee.
During May we
also will celebrate with Moravian Theological Seminary as the commencement
exercises occur on May 10 at 4 PM in Central Church. Three
Northern Province approved candidates will be graduating this year -- Jay
Petrella, an Eastern District Candidate who is concluding his supervised
ministry work at Edgeboro; Judy (Harke) Ganz a Western District
candidate who has done her supervised ministry work at Emmaus
Moravian Church; and Vicki Jens-Page, a Western District candidate who has done
her supervised ministry work at Mountainview in Hellertown. Also graduating
will be Adam Spaugh, Cheryl Cottingham, Tony Hayworth, and Suzanne Parker
Miller, Southern Province candidates. Several graduates from other
provinces and denominations also will be receiving M. Div., MAPC, and
Masters in Theological Studies degrees. Sister Mary Kategile from
Tanzania is one of those. Congratulations to all graduates.
Other May events
include a Summit gathering for all agencies and boards with investments in the
Moravian Ministries Foundation's Common Fund at Laurel Ridge on May 2-3, meetings
of the Historic District Board and the EDCEC and the Board of Moravian Open
Door on May 8, the Provincial Elders' Conference on May 9-10 and again on May
20, Moravian College Commencement exercises on May 10, the District Board
on May 15, the final meeting of the District Synod Planning Committee on May
17, the Hall Square Board of Directors on May 20, and the New Church Strategy
Committee on May 30-31.
I will be
attending a meeting of Ecumenical Judicatory leaders in Akron, Ohio,
on May 28.
Moravians from
across the district are invited to join with the Midway Manor congregation at 3
PM on May 18 to celebrate that congregation's ministry over the years. As
reported earlier, the congregation has made a very difficult decision to
conclude its ministry as of June 30. They have set May 18 as their day to
celebrate their history.
It has become a
tradition for me to include in the May District Developments a recognition
of the milestone ministry anniversaries (five year
intervals) provided for our congregations by our ordained personnel.
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 celebrating a milestone anniversary of your ordination this
year and you are not listed. Brother Edwin Sawyer is the "man
of the year" as he celebrates his 70th anniversary of ordination this
year -- what a remarkable milestone! Our best wishes go with you, Brother
Ed. Brothers Marvin Henkelmann, Art Freeman, and Donald Fulton are
the "runners up" as they celebrate their 55th anniversaries
(one person not in our district who I would add because of his special place in
my heart -- he was my pastor when I made the decision to enter ministry -- is
Eric Schulze who celebrates his 55th anniversary this year). Vernon Nelson
hits the half-century mark this year. Howard Cox (as a Moravian) and
Frank Barker hit 45 years this year and Allen Bergmann and Bill Pfeiffer hit their
40th anniversary of ordination. Gary Harke and David
Schwartz celebrate 35 years. Virginia Goodman, Rich Thierolf, Blair
Couch, Terry Folk, and Otto Dreydoppel Jr. celebrate 30
years. Gary Marsh, Hopeton Clennon, Duane Ullrich, and Wanda Weidman
all hit the quarter century mark this year. Christine Johnson,
Darrell Johnson, Andy Meckstroth, and David Bennett all reach the 20th anniversary
of their ordinations. Bill Hosking (our colleague who has just
left the Eastern District for Ephraim, WI) celebrates his 15th anniversary
of ordination. And last, but not least, Kay Rohn, Gregg Schafer,
Jennifer Bowden, and Diane Joseph will observe 10 years of ordained
ministry this year. Blessings and best wishes to each of you.
The greater church thanks you for your gifts and talents and leadership over
the years. As I review that list, it is significant that four of our
bishops are in the list. Again, if we have missed anyone, please let us
know.
Have a great
month. ~ Gary
Prayer Concerns and Joys
Please uphold Brother Leslie McKoy
who continues to be hospitalized at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, NY, and
Sister Kay Rohn, who is hospitalized at Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital
in Bethlehem.
Continue to hold
in prayer all our brothers and sisters dealing with health issues as they move
towards strength and healing. We
particularly remember Denny Rohn, Sharon Conn, Sam Propsom, Kathie Nicholas,
Katherina Gordon, John Hoenig, Sandra Thigpen, Glenn Heintzelman, Fred Lehr,
and John Case.
Pray for the
family and friends of the Rev. Charlie Eichman who entered the nearer
presence of his Lord April 15.
Please remember Brother Percy Gordon
and family in your prayers. Percy's
father died Sunday, April 20, at the age of 102.
Pastoral Changes
Sister
Melissa Johnson has accepted the call to serve as Pastor for Spiritual
Formation and Outreach at Palmer Moravian Church, Easton, PA. Missy currently serves as Director of
Admission and Student Life at Moravian Theological Seminary. She anticipates beginning this new phase of
ministry at Palmer in July.
Brother Gary Straughan writes, “It
is with a note of joy and building excitement that I share with you the announcement
that was made April 13th at the East Moravian Church in Green Bay, WI.
The congregation was informed that I have accepted the call to serve as their
next pastor upon the conclusion of my term as Eastern District President.
Following time for the person elected to conclude her/his current
ministry, the normal transition time, and vacation time that I have
accumulated, we are aiming for a September installation. Although Amy and
I do not look forward to packing up and moving, we are becoming increasingly
excited about the return to pastoral ministry, especially in Green Bay. I
think I am going to phone Brett Favre to see if he might be interested in
returning to the Packers now that I will be moving to Green Bay!!!!!!
Please hold us in your prayers.”
- Schedule of Events
May 3, 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Annual Penn-Mar Mission Society Meeting - at Graceham
Moravian Church, Graceham MD.
May
9-10 – North East Moravian Disaster Response Intro to Mission Work at
Hope Conference Center.
May
10, 4:00 p.m. – 201st Commencement Service of Moravian
Theological Seminary at Central Moravian Church.
May
18, 3:00 p.m. - Closing service celebrating the life of Midway Manor
Moravian Church
June
18-21, 2008 – Eastern District Synod at Moravian College.
Information can be found on the Eastern
District website at: www.mcnp.org/easterndistrict
August 1, noon – Deadline for submission
of 2008 Eastern District Mission Development Grants.
October
12, 2008 (Sunday) - The 151st Annual Meeting and Vesper of the Moravian
Historical Society will be held at Schoeneck Moravian Church outside of
Nazareth. The annual meeting begins at 2:30 p.m., with the presentation
at 3:30 and the traditional vesper around 4:30
February 28, 2009 – Cruise sponsored by the Moravian Church
of Downey. For more information visit
the cruise website at www.Moravian552Cruise.com
or phone 562-927-0718 or e-mail moraviancruise@aol.com.
Board of World Mission event
The Board of
World Mission (BWM) of the Moravian Church joyfully urges you to save the date
for an upcoming event, “Heart in Hand.”
Heart in Hand is geared to
the 30 and up crowd and is an opportunity to share stories and find new and creative
ways to serve in God’s mission. It will
be held Sept. 12 -14, 2008 (dinner Friday thru Sunday worship) at the Saal at
Moravian Theological Seminary, 1200 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 18018
·
Learn how the Board of World Mission (BWM) is serving God
and you
·
Listen to what is going on in churches and mission societies
·
Explore ways for BWM to partner with mission
societies/committees
·
Share vision for our North American Moravian Church
Reserve a spot today
by requesting a registation form from Lisa Mixon at lisa@mcnp.org or 610.868.1732. Deadline for registration is July 31, 2008.
Midway Manor Moravian Church Closing Service
Please join the
members and friends of the Midway Manor Moravian Church at a special closing
service celebrating the life of Midway Manor Moravian Church on Sunday, May 18th
at 3:00 p.m. The service of celebration,
which will include a Lovefeast, will be followed by a time in Fellowship Hall
for sharing, reflecting and reminiscing.
Refreshments will be served.
On Sunday March
10, 1946, the Rev. Mervin Weidner led the first service in the Community House
(the old farmhouse) that was to house the Midway Manor Moravian Church. Ten caring pastors and several interim pastors
served over the years and Midway Manor was the place where many student pastors
from Moravian Seminary were trained.
Through more than 60 years, dedicated members and elders nurtured the congregation
in its mission for the transformation of men and women, boys and girls, by our
Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the Church.
Please join us as we say, “Well done good and faithful servants” to all
those who have been a part of Midway Manor Moravian Church.
Secretarial Position available
First
Moravian Church, Easton, PA,
is accepting resumes for a part-time secretary position. You may call The Rev.
Belfield Castello at 610-253-6317 or Trustee Chairman Frank Chisesi at
610-253-9204 for more information.
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. Rebecca Craver
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
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