On Saturday, September 15, 2018,* you are invited to come aboard the mission ship Irene as she sails to foreign lands bringing the good news of God’s love for us shown in Jesus Christ! The ship is piloted by Captain Garrison, with the assistance (and guidance) of his wife Marianne, accompanied by none other than Count Zinzendorf (seasickness and all).
This musical, which features many Moravian hymns like you’ve never heard them before, was originally presented at the First Moravian Church of Dover, Ohio, in the spring of 2013, and then at the 2013 Moravian Music Festival. The musical was written by the Rev. John Wallace, with additional hymn texts by Sharon Benson and Gwyneth Michel, and music written and arranged by Gwyneth Michel and Nola Reed Knouse.
This captivating musical-mission-history-inspiration event is the keystone of the Moravian Ministry Journey, where you may spend an afternoon visiting a great many Southern Province and interprovincial Moravian agencies to learn about their ministries. Ports of call include such places as the Board of World Mission, Sunnyside Ministry, the Moravian Music Foundation, Ministry to Immigrant Populations, the Moravian Archives, and other “exotic locales.” The itinerary isn’t complete yet, but know that the voyage will be energizing and filled with joy.
Musicians record music for the production of Irene—The Adventure Begins in a session at the Moravian Music Foundation
Through this journey, you will gain a new gratitude for all the ways that Moravian agencies are contributing to the growth of the reign of God on earth. Each of these ministries has a unique role to play in communicating the goodness of God – through history, music, education, overseas mission, conferences, and throughout all aspects of life. At each port of call you’ll learn about their mission and ministry, and you’ll come away with ideas for how you can participate in the ongoing ministries of the Moravian Church.
You can get a preview of the Moravian Ministry Voyage at the fifth annual Children’s Festival and Lovefeast, at Hope Moravian Church (Winston-Salem), on Sunday, August 19, from 2-5 p.m. During this afternoon, families will travel not by ship but by horse and buggy, as they did in the days Hope was founded, and make their own ports of call. They will learn more about Moravian ships – including seeing a replica of the Irene, along with building their own ship and racing it. Many other activities are planned. At 4:00 p.m. during the closing lovefeast, a small portion of the musical will be performed. Come to this “sneak preview” and then mark your calendars, mateys, to join the intrepid ship Irene and her crew on this Moravian Ministry Voyage!
* The Moravian Ministry Voyage will take place on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at Advent Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. “Ports of call” – agency booths – will be open from 12-1:45 and 3:15-4:30 p.m. “Irene – the Adventure Begins” will be presented at 2:00 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.
