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A Word from Gary
November is almost here and we will
be setting our clocks back one hour on November 4 as Daylight Savings Time
gives way to Standard time. U.S. Thanksgiving will soon be celebrated
(Canadian Thanksgiving has already occurred). And for a change, the
Packers have gotten off to a pretty good start.
As we enter into
November, I would point to a couple of very significant events. The
District-wide Gala to celebrate the 550th Anniversary of the founding of the
Unitas Fratrum (Moravian Church) will be held at the State Theatre in Easton on
Saturday evening, November 10. Tickets are still available on the
State Theatre website (http://www.statetheatre.org/index.php?tpl=show_page&id=282).
Details about the gala can be found at http://www.mcnp.org/articles.asp?ID=4.
The gratitude of our entire district goes to Brother Chris Giesler for all of
his work in planning, organizing, and publicizing this great evening of
entertainment.
The ecumenical
Pastors’ Conference sponsored by the PA Council of Churches occurs on November
12-14 in Harrisburg. This is a great event and one where we pastors are
able to be in touch with each other. Please consider supporting your pastor’s
attendance. I would remind all clergy to get their registrations in "el
pronto" -- especially for our Moravian dinner -- because our Moravian contingent
seems to, thus far, be below the reservations we have made.
Another event
that you will not want to miss is also coming in the near future --
Garrison Keillor's "Moravian Christmas" show at the Zoellner
Arts Center in Bethlehem that will be transmitted live across the airwaves as
the Prairie Home Companion. The live show, scheduled for Dec. 22, is sold
out but an identical show will also be held the prior evening (Dec. 21) and a
few tickets remain. See the details at http://www.mcnp.org/articles.asp?ID=10.
As your District
President, I will be involved this month in meetings at Vanderbilt, New Dawn,
Lancaster, Moravian Open Door, Moravian Manor, Schoeneck, Moravian Hall Square,
and Faith DC. I will also meet with the PEC on Nov. 9-10 here in
Bethlehem and with the New Church Strategy Committee on November 19 and
with the Evangelism Commission on November 26. Amy and I look
forward to my daughter and her family visiting us for Thanksgiving.
Planning for the
2008 District Synod continues to take the time of the Planning Committee.
The theme, "One in Mission, One in Call," will be the focus of
synod. The committee is meeting again on Nov. 29. You are reminded
of the need for digital pictures capturing life in your congregation to be sent
to Jane Burcaw (jburcaw@rcn.com) prior to January 1, 2008.
We look forward
to our District Clergy Retreat on January 22-24, and I remind all clergy
who have not yet registered to get their registrations in within the next
couple of weeks.
November is a
month in which we are especially mindful of giving thanks and we surely can
give thanks this month for all of what is mentioned above. We continue to
be grateful for a dedicated corps of clergy and a host of laity who serve our
church. We are grateful for the vision expressed by the District Synod of 2004
that affirmed the fact of how important it is to faithfully live out our faith
in order to enable Christ’s ministry to occur and how that vision was
reaffirmed by the Provincial Synod of 2006 as that synod called upon all congregations
and members of the Northern Province to Reclaim the Great Commission. We are
grateful for congregations that see possibilities for mission and who stretch
themselves to see that mission occurs in ways such as we see in congregation
after congregation across this district. We are grateful for the work of our
two district staff persons (Chris Giesler and Marie Couts) as they continue
their sharing of the vision in their work in youth ministry and Christian
Education across this district. We are grateful for the work of our provincial
staff persons (Gary Marsh and Fred Lehr) as they lead congregations in
their reclaiming the great commission, especially in the areas of stewardship
and discipleship and in the planting of new churches.
Until next
month, blessings. -- Gary
Prayer Concerns and Joys
Brother Marv
Henkelmann recently underwent heart surgery and is back home at Moravian
Hall Square recuperating.
Brother Al Frank was recently hospitalized with
pneumonia. Brother Frank’s address is: Goerlitzerstrasse 8, 02906 Niesky,
Germany.
Please continue
to hold in prayer all our brothers and sisters dealing with health issues as
they move towards strength and healing.
We particularly remember Dave Wickmann, Leon Matthias, Reed
Acheson, Kay Rohn, Denny Rohn, Leslie McKoy, Joan Engelbrecht, Sharon Conn, Sam
Propsom, and David Geyer’s mother, Lynn.
- Schedule of Events
For
more information about Moravian Seminary Continuing Ed events, visit www.moravianseminary.edu/continuingEd.
November
1; 9:00 am – 3:00 pm - Kuntzleman Lectures: Metamorphosis–Strengthening
Relationships While Rooting Change Deeply. Presented by Robert G.
Hughes, founder of the Academy of Homiletics. At DeSales University (University
Center).
November 3, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm - Inquirer’s
Day for Prospective Students an opportunity to learn about our Moravian
Theological Seminary degree programs and meet faculty and students. Presented
by MTS faculty, staff and students.
November 8, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm - Mass
Appeal: Let’s Talk About the Drama of Church. Discussion facilitated by
Terry Lieb, executive director of Diakon Family Life Services.
November
10, 7:00 pm – Gala Variety Show at the State Theatre, Easton, PA
celebrating the 550th anniversary of the Moravian Church. Ticket
prices are $20.00 & $15.00 plus taxes and handling fees. Children 12 and
under are $10.00. Tickets may be ordered on-line at www.statetheatre.org or by calling the
Box Office at 610-252-3132 or 610-991-7828.
Nov. 12-14 – PA State Pastors’ Conference,
Being Christian in a Hi-Tech Culture, Hilton Harrisburg &
Towers. Visit www.pachurches.org for brochure and
registration information. Moravian
dinner, Nov. 12, 6 pm. Call the
Eastern District office to register for dinner.
November 16, 12:00 – 2:00 pm - Pastoral Counseling Professional Day – pastoral counselors talk about serving in various settings (addictions, adolescence, senior care, chaplaincy, private practice, and agency settings), Presented by MTS graduates.
Nov. 17 - Moving
from Ideas to Reality: Mobilizing Your Congregation to Ministry at
Palmer MC, Easton, PA. Contact Gary
Marsh or Chris Giesler at 610-867-7566 or Marie Couts at 740-254-4769.
December 22 - Garrison Keillor Celebrates
Christmas in Bethlehem at Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem,
PA
2008
January
4-13, 2008 - North East Moravian Disaster Response (N.E.M.D.R.) trip to Ocean
Springs, MS. Contact Gregg Schafer via
email, gcschafe@aol.com or by phone,
570-676-3334.
January
22-24, 2008 – Eastern District Clergy Retreat at Mary Immaculate Center,
Northampton, PA
January
28-29, 2008 – Ohio Ministries Convocation, Religion and Politics, University
Plaza Hotel, Columbus, OH. Online
registration at www.ohcouncilchs.org.
April
25-26, 2008 - Healthy Congregations Workshop to be held in New
Philadelphia, Ohio.
April
25-27, 2008 – Confirmation retreat at Hope Center. Contact Chris Giesler at 610-867-7566 or by
email at chris@mcnp.org.
June
18-21, 2008 – Eastern District Synod at Moravian College.
Gala Variety Show
There is still time to buy your tickets to
the Gala Variety Show, November 10, 7:00 PM, at the State Theatre, Easton, PA,
benefiting Moravian Open Door in NYC & Hope Conference and Renewal
Center
This Gala Variety Show will feature performers
from throughout the Eastern District of the Moravian Church. Handbell Choirs, Steele Drum Orchestras, a
Trombone Choir, Gospel and Traditional Choirs, as well as instrumental soloists
will highlight a talent-filled evening, all taking place in one of the east
coast's most beautiful theaters. Come
to celebrate a milestone in the Moravian Church and leave with an uplifted
spirit and music ringing in your ears.
Ticket prices are $20.00 & $15.00
plus taxes and handling fees. Children
12 and under are $10.00.
Tickets may be ordered on-line at
www.statetheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 610-252-3132 or
610-991-7828
2008 Eastern District Synod – One in Mission, One in
Call
The Nominating Committee is still in need
of your suggestions for nominees to be elected at the 2008 Synod, which will be
held on the campus of Moravian College and Theological Seminary on June 18-21,
2008.
One of the major tasks at Synod is to
elect persons who will serve as leaders on our various District boards and
commissions. The Nominating Committee
asks you as local leaders to consider whom you would recommend as nominees to
these various positions. You do not
need to contact potential nominees yourself.
The Nominating Committee will take care of those direct contacts. Please consider the spiritual gifts, skills,
and talents each board and commission would find helpful as you reflect on whom
to suggest as nominees. Also please
note that your recommendations do not guarantee nomination. However, you know the people in your
congregation and area better than we do, and we appreciate very much your time
and consideration. Please send your
suggest nominees to:
Synod
Nominating Committee
The
Rev. Richard Thierolf
1115
Birch Road
Lebanon, PA 17042
Birthdays
and Anniversaries
November
Birthdays
1 The Rev. Percival Gordon
5 Mr. Warren Gericke
8 The Rev. Gary Straughan
9 The Rev. Thomas
Christianson
The Rev. John Case
10 The Rev. Michael Foran
Mrs. Jill Westbrook
12 The Rev. Carol Reifinger
13 The Rev. David Wickmann
14 The Rev. Dr. Hermann Weinlick
19 The Rev. Philip Lythcott
The Rev. Katie Van Der Linden
21 Mrs. Carole Freeman
Mrs. Theresa Kunda
22 The Rev. Lois Bly
Mr. Bill Hassler
26 The Rev. David Sommers
28 Mrs. Judy Bergmann
30 The Rev. Otto Dreydoppel, Sr.
Ms. Katrina Lehman
The Rev. Chris Giesler
November
Anniversaries
3 The Rev. & Mrs. Ron
Rice
6 The Rev. Dr. & Mrs.
David Schwarz
21 The Rev. & Mrs. Wilfred Dreger
22 The Rev. & Mrs. Mark Breland
23 Mr. James Reifinger &
The Rev. Carol Reifinger
Mr. Kenneth Mease & The Rev. Lois
Bly
28 The Rev. & Mrs. Dennis Rohn
29 Mr. & Mrs. Wilton Grannum
Churches celebrating
November anniversaries:
9 - 1980 Grace, Queens,
New York
13 - 1965 Covenant, York, PA
30 - 1746 Lancaster, PA
November 13, 1741 - Formal
announcement to the congregations of the Moravian Church of the immediate
Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ in his church on earth.