Northern Province Prepares for 2010 Synod with Pre-Synod Meetings
As the days of 2009 dwindle down and 2010 is on the horizon, the Northern Province of the Moravian Church in America isn’t waiting until 2010 to be prepared for their Provincial Synod, scheduled for June 2010. Once Synod delegates and alternates were chosen from each congregation the work began.
Starting in September 2009, the Province began holding pre-synod meetings throughout the districts of the Province. These meetings were designed to gather as a church to be informed about the issues that are facing the denomination and are being held throughout the Eastern, Western, and Canadian districts. Held in two sessions, the first session is a time when delegates, alternate delegates, joint board members and other interested persons have the opportunity to hear from the Province concerning finances, possible changes in organizational structure, all you wanted to know about the Moravian Church Northern Province healthcare Program, and the alternative quota experiment.
In early 2010, the second sessions will start to be held and will be a time to cover items that have surfaced over the months following session one. Some of the topics that may be covered in these sessions are the Unity Synod, reports on upcoming partnerships/agreements with other denominations such as the Episcopalians and Presbyterians, possible changes in the Book of Order, and a report on the advertising experiment which took place earlier in the intersynodal period. This will also be a time to address any other issues of concern of the delegates and alternates and church boards.
These meetings while directed at delegates to the Provincial Synod are open meetings for all who wish to be in attendance. Synods are held every four years to guide the denomination in ministry – these meetings are intended to help shape the agenda of the church so the denomination can be responsive to the needs of the congregations.
All meetings are being held at Moravian churches and host congregations will “pass the hat” to cover the cost of meals and snacks. Travel costs are the responsibility of the attendee and it is asked that a number of attendees be reported to the host congregation two weeks prior to the event.
Session One:| September 12, 2009 | Lititz Moravian Church | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in the Central PA, Maryland and Washington, DC area | ||
| September 19, 2009 | Dover First Church | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in the Ohio area | ||
| October 3, 2009 | West Side Church | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in the greater Lehigh Valley and Pocono area | ||
| October 10, 2009 | Riverside Church | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in the New Jersey, Philadelphia area | ||
| October 10, 2009 | Watertown Church | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in the Southern Wisconsin area | ||
| October 11, 2009 | West Green Bay | 2:30 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. |
| Churches in the NE Wisconsin area and upper Michigan | ||
| October 24, 2009 | Red Deer | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Church in the Alberta, Canada area | ||
| October 31, 2009 | Berea Church | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in the Southern Minnesota area | ||
| November 1, 2009 | Chaska Church | 2:30 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. |
| Churches in the Central Minnesota area | ||
| November 7, 2009 | John Hus Church | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in the New York, Toronto area | ||
| November 7, 2009 | New Hope Church | 11:00 a.m. till 3:30 p.m. |
| Churches in Indiana, Illinois area | ||
| November 8, 2009 | Yet to be determined | 2:30 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. |
| Churches in the Lower Michigan area | ||
| November 21, 2009 | Shepherd of the Prairie | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in the North Dakota area | ||
| January 16, 2010 | Morongo Church | 2:30 p.m. till ????? p.m. |
| Churches in the California area | ||
| (This meeting will include the agendas for both Session 1 and Session 2) | ||
| January 23, 2010 | Wisconsin Rapids | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in Central Wisconsin | ||
Session Two: | ||
| February 13, 2010 | Red Deer | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in the Alberta Canada area | ||
| February 20, 2010 | Redeemer | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in the Ohio area | ||
| March 13, 2010 | Nazareth Church | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in the Greater Lehigh Valley and Pocono area | ||
| March 20, 2010 | United Church | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in the New York and Toronto area | ||
| April 10, 2010 | Lancaster Church | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in the Central PA, Maryland and Washington DC | ||
| April 17, 2010 | Egg Harbor Church | 10:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. |
| Churches in the New Jersey and Philadelphia area | ||
(Western District churches have not yet been scheduled for Session 2)
Any questions or concerns about Pre-Synod meetings should be directed to your District Leaders.
Canadian District – The Rev. Stephen Gohdes, President – 403.271.2700
Eastern District – The Rev. David Bennett, President – 610.865.0302
Western District – The Rev. James Hicks, President – 608.837.0537
