Eastern District Synod – Our All to Give, Our Faith to Live

On Wednesday, June 16, 2004, more than 220 clergy, lay members, and guests gathered in Johnston Hall on the Moravian College Campus, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to begin the 40th Eastern District Synod of the Northern Province.

The Eastern District of the Northern Province consists of the congregations throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, Canada.

The theme for this year’s synod, “Our All to Give, Our Faith to Live,” was carried out throughout the week in the various worship services held. As Christ gave his life for us we are called to give our all in loving response to that great gift and to live out our faith in all that we do so that we may be witnesses to the world of Christ’s love and redemption.

Chair of the synod, Rick Santee, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, reminded those gathered in the opening session of the six purposes of a District Synod, as outlined in paragraph 909 in the Book of Order. While legislation is important, he placed particular emphasis on the first two purposes:

With those purposes in mind, the work of synod began.

One of the first proposals to the synod floor was to give the Rev. Darrell Johnson (formerly of the Western District), who along with the Rev. Christine Johnson has accepted a call to East Hills Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Brother Ian Edwards, a 2004 graduate of Moravian Theological Seminary, who has accepted a call to the Great Kills Moravian Church, Staten Island, New York, both voice and vote in the synod. The motion passed along with additional motions to allow voice and vote for the following: young adult delegates from each region; synod officers Rick Santee, Chair, and Tina Geisler, Assistant Secretary, who are both members of the Moravian Church; the Rev. Will Sibert, Executive Director of the Board of World Mission, and the Rev. Frank Crouch, Vice-president and Dean of Moravian Theological Seminary, both of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Those sent as youth delegates from the various congregations were granted full voice in the synod.

Following the approved proposals voting was held to elect the President of the Eastern District Executive Board. Nominations are not made for the position as it is deemed the guidance of the Holy Spirit will lead the delegates to vote. The only requirements for the election are that the person voted for must be a clergy member serving under call to the Northern Province and must receive a two-thirds majority of the vote. Following the taking of two ballots it was announced that the Rev. Gary Straughan, out-going president of the district, was re-elected to the position with a total of 135 votes of the 179 cast. In his address to the synod floor, Straughan stated, “I love my work. …I love the diversity of our district. I love the variety of gifts that emerge from our congregations. I love the dedication of so many people in such varied occupations and yet all concerned about the work of the church.”

Other members elected to the Executive Board included the Rev. Leslie McKoy of Bronx, New York; the Rev. Dennis Rohn of Nazareth, Pennsylvania; Alma McMahan of Macungie, Pennsylvania; Richard Winans of Palmyra, New Jersey; Susan Dreydoppel of Nazareth, Pennsylvania; Wilton Grannum of Brooklyn, New York; Jill Westbrook of New Philadelphia, Ohio; and Gary Bailey of Lititz, Pennsylvania.

The opening worship of the synod, which included a Lovefeast, followed several uncontested elections. At the time of worship the synod theme hymn was introduced by the Rev. Al Frank, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Rev. Frank explained that the hymn, Sun of Righteousness from the 1995 Moravian Book of Worship, was a compilation of several different hymns. Various stanzas were sung in worship throughout the synod with the song not sung in its entirety until Friday evening’s worship service.

The Rev. Dave Bennett, Chaplain of Moravian College and Theological Seminary and a member of the New Church Strategy Committee, brought greetings from the committee during the afternoon session and presented a video on the 20/20 Vision Campaign. Focusing on the church starts already under way and with commentary from various church heads on the 20/20 Vision, the Rev. Bennett charged those in attendance that the campaign was “not an endeavor of part of the church. It must be relevant to the whole of the church.”

A banquet was held for delegates and guests the first evening at East Hills Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Prior to the meal the Moravian Blessing was sung with the inclusion of a special stanza written by the Rev. Al Frank:

We gather, Lord, in synod here,
Moravian friends from far and near;
renew us in our cov’nant love
until we feast in heaven above.
(2004, used by permission)

Following a delicious meal, with serving done by the youth of the Bethlehem area Moravian churches, the Rev. Gary Straughan gave the State of the Church address. Straughan commented that the state of the church was “very good.” In remarking on the future of the church he said, “At this synod, the Synod of 2004, let it be said that we are determined to step into the future to give our all to a faith that is to be lived. Let this Synod be the catalyst for a renewed church. Let it be a time when we assert a bold vision.” (For a condensed version of the address see page )

Elections continued Thursday morning with balloting on clergy and lay representation on the Evangelism Committee and clergy representation on the Committee of Christian Education. (For results on this and all elections see page )

The morning also held greetings from the Rev. David Wickmann, President, of the Northern Province, and the Rev. Bob Sawyer, President, of the Southern Province.

Committee sessions were held throughout the day to bring forth legislation to a later plenary session.

During the evening session booklets were handed out that had been compiled by the Synod Planning Committee. These booklets contained a multitude of “success stories” on ministries that churches throughout the Eastern District had undertaken. This was done in an effort to share the successes with others in hopes of spreading ministry efforts and sharing ideas throughout the district.

Thursday evening brought a particularly moving worship service. Special music was provided by The Soul Survivors, a group of youth and young adult singers from John Hus Moravian Church, Brooklyn, New York. This group of young people, ages 12-21, endured a long bus ride in the rain with no air conditioning to share the gift of music with which God has so blessed them. The Soul Survivors group has been in existence since 1978 and is currently under the direction of Mr. Anthony Vaval.

The worship service also included a time of healing and anointing by a number of pastors of the Eastern District for those who felt called to receive such. As music played softly in the background those moved to go forward did so. Following the service many left the meeting with tears in their eyes for the joy of the presence of the spirit felt during the service.

The morning plenary session on Friday brought with it a reminder to the delegates from the chair, Rick Santee, to take the information gained at synod back home to their congregations so that the members will know what the Moravian Church is doing.

Following several ballots the Board of World Mission representative from the Eastern District was announced to be the Rev. Al Frank, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Committees met fervently throughout the day on Friday in order to bring forth resolutions to be voted on at a later plenary sessions.

A break was held during the afternoon for visitors to take in the sights of Bethlehem including the historic district, the Moravian Book Shop Inc., and/or a tour of Moravian Hall Square Retirement Center.

Some of the legislation passed during Friday evening’s plenary session included the approval of the raising of funds to complete the construction of the remaining two cabins to replace the original 1946 cabins at Hope Conference and Renewal Center along with the construction of two summer long staff cabins, and appropriate office space; and the approval of the establishment of a Music and Worship Task Force to provide educational opportunities and resources to further assist clergy and lay persons in worship development and innovation. (For an overview of the committees and legislation see page )

Saturday, June 19, 2004, brought a close to the synod with final legislation voting and the recognition of various participants in the running of the synod such as the pages, tellers, and office staff. Special recognition was given to Theresa Kunda, Treasurer of the Moravian Church, Northern Province, as this was her last synod with the Eastern District since she will be retiring in 2007.

President of the District, the Rev. Gary Straughan, thanked everyone for working so hard and giving of their time in their “commitment to the life of the church.” He also stated that the District Executive Board would “work at having our (synod) actions become a part of the life of your congregation.”

At the closing of the final plenary session, Rick Santee, Chair, accompanied the singing of Sing Hallelujah, Praise the Lord on his accordion, one of “two” songs he claims to know how to play.

Delegates and guests gathered outside of Reeves Library on the Moravian College Campus for the closing worship service and installation of the Eastern District Executive Board.

The Rev. David Wickmann, President of the Northern Province, brought the message which asked, “Can we see clearly now?” It was based on various gospel texts demonstrating the gentle way that Jesus nudged rather ordinary people into positions of leadership. Using the story of the Jamaican Bobsled team during the 1988 Olympics, immortalized in the movie “Cool Runnings,” as illustration he showed how Jesus developed leaders. First the disciples were called, then they watched Jesus minister, soon he asked them to go out two by two and report back. Later in the feeding of the 5,000 he gave each disciple 1/6th of a fish and a half of a loaf of bread, asking them to feed 416 men plus families, and finally, just before his crucifixion Jesus washed the disciples feet in the upper room. He pointedly told the disciples to “Go and do likewise.” Jesus’ message to the disciples was to serve as he had served. His message to this synod was the same.

The Rev. Wickmann noted that today leadership involves serving and to demonstrate that fact he took water and towel and proceeded to wash the feet of the newly elected members of the Eastern District Executive Board. The role and function of the District Board is much the same. Jesus nudges the church and her leaders little by little, gently affirming us as “Church.” Using this faith Jesus calls us to pray fervently, to establish new congregations with abandon, to study the scriptures, and to live out our faith in our daily lives. During the synod many stories were told of “Faith in Action.” Wickmann asked, “Can we see clearly the Jesus whom we serve?”

Following his message Rev. Wickmann installed the members of the Executive Board and prayed that God’s blessing would be upon them as they carried out their responsibilities.

The concluding worship service included Holy Communion served by the Rt. Rev. Doug Kleintop, the Rev. Belfield Castello, the Rev. Michael Johnson, the Rev. Sue Koenig, the Rev. Barbara Rich, the Rev. William Surber, and the Rev. Richard Thierolf.

The 2004 Eastern District Synod was a time of planning, fellowship, and worship. Throughout their days together attendees renewed old friendships, made new ones, and departed with a renewed spirit to give their all in living their faith.

Debbie Bishop serves as Communication Assistant with the Interprovincial Board of Communication of the Moravian Church in North America. Photos of the Synod provided by the Rev. Denny Rohn and the Rev. Chris Giesler.