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A Word from Gary
I greet you in the name of our Chief
Elder as we head into fall and the return to a more programmed life-style at
our congregations. I trust that you had an enjoyable summer with extra time for
family and vacation and recreation.
The good news
this month is to report on the awarding of our district Mission Development
Grants for 2007-2008. The John Hus congregation will receive the $10,000 grant
for a proposal to establish a "Mind and Body" program -- a proposal
for reaching out to the community around the church with a fitness program, a
food pantry, and a computer outreach initiative. The grant will be supplemented
by $33,704 in contributions from members and from the congregational
budget. The $5,000 grant will go to the NE Pennsylvania Mission Disaster
Response organization to assist them in procuring the tools and supplies needed
to carry out their mission of providing the wherewithal for mission teams to
travel to areas of emergency need.
Events of
special note this month: Our District Candidate Review Committee will meet with
prospective clergy candidates on September 8. The Moravian Ministries Foundation
meets in Winston Salem on September 15. Our District and Provincial Staff
(Chris Giesler, Marie Couts, and Gary Marsh) are leading area workshops
("Moving from Ideas to Reality: Mobilizing Your Congregation to Ministry")
at two locations this month -- at Great Kills on September 15 and at Schoenbrunn
on September 29 (8:30 AM through 3 PM both days). September 16 is the day when
Moravian Clergy throughout the unity renew their vows in a Cup of Covenant on
what is known as Ministers’ Covenant Day. Even though I encourage you to pray
for your pastor(s) every day, I especially call upon every member of every
congregation to uphold your pastor(s) in prayer on September 16. We live in a
period when our clergy are blanketed with unwritten expectations and daily
demands more than ever before. They are often ill treated and abused (and I use
that word very deliberately), even by the most faithful members with the best
of intentions. Hold our clergy before God’s throne of grace this month through
your prayer support. Two special events for two special clergy are occurring
this month -- both on September 29. On that day, Sayward Green will be speaking
her marriage vows with Kevin Lippincourt, and the United congregation will be
honoring one of our EDEB members, the Rev. Leslie McKoy, as he celebrates
his 35th Anniversary of Ordination. And who could possibly not know that
the Eagles are helping the Packers kick off the 2007 NFL season in Green Bay on
September 9 -- an afternoon when I have not scheduled any church meeting and am
planning to be sitting in front of my TV to cheer the Packers on to victory!!!!
Budget
Committees are beginning to do their annual task in many of our congregations.
Before the month of September is over, you will be receiving a letter from the
Provincial and District offices outlining the assignments for the 2007 calendar
year. I would remind each budget committee about the fact that they should add
an item for 2007 for the district-wide clergy retreat to be held on Jan. 22 -
24 at Mary Immaculate Retreat Center near Palmerton, PA. Included with the congregational
packet of District Developments this month is a registration form for your
pastor's attendance. Budget Committees should also plan for the board and room
costs for your delegates (both lay and clergy) to District Synod next June
18-21. That cost will be $185 per delegate (just $10 more than the 2004 synod.)
Announcements
were made during the month of September regarding two individuals added to our
Provincial Staff and we whole-heartedly welcome each of them into their new positions
-- the Rev. Dr. Fred Lehr as our Provincial Director of Church Planting and
Sister Tina Giesler as our Provincial Controller and District Treasurer. Fred
was initiated very early as he participated in the installation of Brother
Chris New at The Journey on August 5, and Tina has been handling the controller
duties on an interim basis since the retirement of Theresa Kunda on June 1.
Have
a great month. Blessings. Gary
Prayer Concerns and Joys
Brother
Sam Propsom continues to recover at the University Hospital in Edmonton
from a stroke suffered on June 25th. Although he has paralysis on
his right side, as well as other physical problems, he is working hard on his
physiotherapy and making progress daily. He, as well as wife, Debbie, and son,
John, needs our continued prayers as he has a long road to full recovery. We
are praying for God's intervention for complete restoration. A web site has
been set up for regular updates on Sam's progress: www.caringbridge.org/visit/samuelpropsom. Brother Propsom served at the Philadelphia
Third congregation while in seminary, as a missionary in Labrador, and now as
pastor of the Bruderheim Moravian Church, Alberta, Canada.
Our condolences to family and friends on
the passing of Sister Dorothy Sickinger. Dorothy was a faithful pillar
of the Schoenbrunn Church and a past member of the Eastern District Executive
Board as the Ohio representative. Many pastors who served at Schoenbrunn were
incredibly blessed by Dorothy's encouragement, wisdom, and support, and will
always remain grateful for her caring and positive leadership.
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, and Sharon Conn.
- Schedule of Events
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.
December 22 - Garrison Keillor Celebrates
Christmas in Bethlehem at Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem,
PA
Regional Workshops: Moving from Ideas to Reality: Mobilizing Your Congregation
to Ministry
Sept. 15 at Great Kills MC, Staten Island
Sept. 29 at Schoenbrunn MC, Ohio
Oct. 13 at Covenant MC, York, PA
Nov. 17 at Palmer MC, Easton, PA
Contact Gary Marsh or Chris Giesler at 610-867-7566 or Marie
Couts at 740-254-4769.
550 Anniversary Celebrations
September
17-28 – A Christian Heritage Tour
October
20-27 - Moravian 550 Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean
November
10, 7:00 pm – Gala Variety Show at the State Theatre, Easton, PA
2008
January
22-24, 2008 – Eastern District Clergy Retreat at Mary Immaculate Center,
Northampton, PA
April
25-26, 2008 - Healthy Congregations Workshop conducted by the
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center to be held in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Sponsored by the Eastern District Christian
Education Commission and the Ohio Moravian Ministries Commission.
June
18-21, 2008 – Eastern District Synod at Moravian College.
Flooding at Moravian Open Door
A deluge of rain hit New
York City early morning August 8, and the city storm sewer system overflowed,
causing massive flooding of buildings and subways. Unfortunately, Moravian Open Door whose building Moravian House
is at 18th St and 1st Ave, was inundated with 20 inches of foul water
throughout its basement, and four feet of water in its elevator shaft. Although Darryl Williams and a crew of hard
working volunteers cleaned up the worst of the mess, there is substantial
damage to walls, office files, common room furniture (all must be discarded),
and the elevator. It is likely that
insurance will cover at least some of the damage, but the residents are now
very inconvenienced with no access to the kitchen or common room and a nonworking
elevator. Residents depend on the
kitchen for making their meals, and cannot afford to eat out on a regular
basis. Darryl will try to see if an
agency (such as the Red Cross or Second Harvest) can supply some food. Please keep Darryl and the residents in your
prayers as they deal with the many challenges of repair and getting back to
"normal" life. Also, consider
a special offering or other gifts that may help in this emergency. You can contact Darryl by email
(mod18@juno.com) or phone, 212-995-5810.
Director of Church Planting
The Northern
Province of the Moravian Church announces the calling of a new Director of
Church Planting, the Rev. Dr. Fred Lehr.
Fred has been
ordained 35 years and has a doctor of ministry degree in stress management and
spirituality. Trained in pastor counseling,
organizational development, Total Quality Management, group work, marketing,
and related fields, he is also a Certified Family Live Educator (Emeritus
status), National Council on Family Relations.
Fred brings to this new position a wealth of experience and education.
The Rev. Dr.
Fred Lehr can be reached at 410-975-0721.
Or you can contact him at fred@mcnp.org. He lives in Severna Park, Maryland and is
ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a denomination in full
communion with the Moravian Church. His
office will be located in Maryland. He looks forward to being invited to bring
God’s word of grace to worshiping across the Moravian Church, Northern Province.
Provincial Controller
The Moravian Church,
Northern Province is pleased to announce that Sister Christina (Tina) Giesler
will serve as the Controller of the Moravian Church, Northern Province starting
September 1, 2007. She will fill the
position created by the retirement of Sister Theresa Kunda, who retired in
early summer 2007. Sister Giesler, who
has been serving as the Interim Comptroller for these past months, was selected
from a field of 12 highly qualified candidates and comes to the position with a
love for the church and its ministries.
Her previous positions included controller experience in various
settings. She is also an accomplished
musician. She and her husband, The Rev.
J. Christian Giesler, live in Bethlehem where he serves as the Director of
Youth Ministries for the Eastern District of the Moravian Church, Northern
Province.
Fiscal accountability
and transparency will be the continued goal of the Office of the
Controller. The resources under the management
of Sister Giesler undergird the ministry of the Moravian Church, Northern
Province and provide a means for ministry to be carried out. The resources of the Moravian Church,
Northern Province are gathered from the faithful who worship on Sunday and
provide for ministry in far and near locations. Care of those resources is entrusted to the elected Provincial
Elders and to the controller and assistant controller. A search for an assistant controller will
take place in the very near future.
The Provincial Elders
request the prayers of the Province to support Sister Giesler as she assists
the work of the Savior.
Birthdays
and Anniversaries
September
Birthdays
1 The Rev. Dr. Lyn Bechtel
The Rev. Ian Edwards
2 Mr. Richard Everhart
5 The Rev. Dennis Rohn
Mrs. Lorraine Dreger
8 The Rev. Erwin Boettcher
The Rev. Hugh Daley
10 The Rev. David Danneberger
The Rev. Mark Breland
12 The Rt. Rev. Douglas Kleintop
15 The Rev. Mary Ann Pula
The Rev. John Morman
Mr. James Reifinger
The Rev. William Surber
20 Mrs. Sherry Gehris
21 Mrs. Joan Daley
24 The Rev. Melissa Johnson
28 The Rev. Bruce Weaknecht
30 Mrs. Junie Sahadath
Mrs. Maria Prochnau
September
Anniversaries
5 The Rev. & Mrs. John
Case
9 The Rev. Dr. & Mrs.
Howard Cox
22 The Rev. Dawn & Mr. Robert Volpe, Jr.
27 The Rev. & Mrs. Frank Barker
30 The Rev. Jennika & Mr. Jonathan Borger
Churches celebrating
anniversaries in September:
16 - 1858 - Canadensis, PA
16 - 1984 - New Dawn, Toronto
29 - 1946 -
Midway Manor, Allentown, PA