OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, 2020

The Moravian Church is privileged to join with Christians throughout the world in prayers for the unity of the Church during the week of January 18-25. The theme for this year is, “They Showed Us Unusual Kindness” (cf. Acts 28:2).

Ecumenical Sunday, January 26, 2020

The Provincial Elders’ Conferences request that congregations observe our ecumenical witness in the worship services on Sunday, January 26, 2020. In addition to prayers and themes for preaching, our ecumenical witness is expressed in our participation in local and regional ecumenical service ministries and in councils of churches. Our church supports financially this ecumenical witness with congregational pledges for local and state councils of churches and with support for the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and the World Council of Churches.

Prayer Day for Retired Ministers, January 26, 2020

The last Sunday in January has been designated as a day of prayer for retired ministers. This is an opportunity to recognize with gratitude the service our retired ministers and their spouses have rendered to the Church over the years.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Sister Christine Johnson, who has been serving as appointed pastor for West Side Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has accepted the call to serve as pastor for College Hill Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Sister Johnson was installed into her new work December 1, 2019.

New York, New York

Sister Desna Henry Goulbourne, who has been serving under Eastern District service as part-time appointed pastor for United Moravian Church, New York, New York, has accepted the call to serve as their full-time pastor. Sister Henry Goulbourne was installed November 17, 2019.

Retirement

Sister Patricia Honszer requested and was granted permission to retire from the active call of the Moravian Church effective April 30, 2020.

Sister Honszer was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church November 21, 2004, and has served the church in pastorates in Ohio (Fry’s Valley) and Pennsylvania (Easton First).

The church is grateful for her fifteen years of faithful service.

Elizabeth D. Miller
Provincial Elders’ Conference