Prayer Day for Moravian Unity Work March 4, 2018
The first Sunday in March is designated as a day of prayer for the special causes which are supported by all provinces of our Moravian Unity. This year the Unity Offering will benefit purchase of a piece of land for a church office, the first to be owned by the Moravian Church in Peru.
NORTHERN PROVINCE
Watchwords
In December 2017, members of the Provincial Board of the European Continental Province met in Herrnhut, the birthplace of our renewed Moravian Church, and drew watchwords for the Unity Board, Unity Provinces, Mission Provinces, Unity Undertakings and New Mission work.
The Northern Province watchword from January 27 is: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.” Psalm 23:6
Cinnaminson, New Jersey
Sister Laura Gordon, who has been serving as pastor for Advent Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has accepted the call to serve as pastor for Palmyra Moravian Church, Cinnaminson, New Jersey. Sister Gordon will begin her new work April 23, 2018 and will be installed April 29, 2018.
Brother F. Jeffrey Van Orden, who has been serving the congregation under appointment, concluded his work December 17, 2017.
Ordination
Brother Mark Newman, a May 2016 graduate of Moravian Theological Seminary, will be ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church on April 22, 2018. Bishop Douglas H. Kleintop will officiate at the service, which will be held at Schoeneck Moravian Church, Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
Presbyterial Consecration
Brother John Fritts, presently serving as pastor of Covenant Moravian Church, York, Pennsylvania, will be consecrated a Presbyter of the Moravian Church on April 15, 2018. Bishop Douglas H. Kleintop will officiate at the service, which will be held at Covenant Moravian Church.
Newfoundland, Pennsylvania
Brother Mark Newman has accepted the call to serve as part-time pastor for Newfoundland Moravian Church, Newfoundland, Pennsylvania. Brother Newman has been serving the congregation under appointment since October 30, 2017, and was received under call January 28, 2018.
Madison, Wisconsin
Sister Staci Marrese-Wheeler who has been serving as full time pastor for Lakeview Moravian Church, Madison, Wisconsin, has accepted the call to serve the congregation on a half-time basis.
She has also accepted a half-time appointment to serve as pastor for the Glenwood Moravian Church, Madison, Wisconsin.
Sr. Marrese-Wheeler began her new work in February 2018.
Retirement
Brother Michael Eder requested and was granted permission to retire from the active call of the Moravian Church effective April 30, 2018.
Brother Eder was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church July 17, 2011 and has served the church in Chaska, Minnesota.
The church is grateful for his seven years of faithful service.
Elizabeth D. Miller
Provincial Elders’ Conference
SOUTHERN PROVINCE
Presbyterial Consecration
The Rev. Betty Helms was consecrated a Presbyter on Sunday, November 12, 2017, at New Hope Moravian Church, Newton, N.C. with bishop Lane Sapp officiating. Betty was ordained at Friedberg Moravain Church on Sunday, October 28, 2012, and has served as pastor at New Hope since her ordination.
Presbyterial Consecration
The Rev. Jeff Jones was consecrated a Presbyter on Sunday, December 17, 2017, at Bethabara Moravian Church, Winston-Salem, NC with bishop Wayne Burkette officiating. Jeff was ordained on December 30, 2012, by bishop Wayne Burkette at Rural Hall Moravian,Rural Hall, N.C. Jeff has served as pastor to the Bethabara congregation since his ordination.
Presbyterial Consecration
The Rev. Tony Hayworth was consecrated a Presbyter on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at First Moravian Church, Greensboro, N.C. with bishop Lane Sapp officiating. Tony was ordained by bishop Graham Rights on July 8, 2008 at Friedland Moravian, Winston-Salem, NC and served as pastor at Grace Moravian, Mt. Airy, N.C., prior to his call to First Moravian.
Mizpah Moravian Church, Rural Hall, N.C.
The Rev. Fran Saylor has accepted a call to serve three-quarter time as pastor of Mizpah Moravian Church, Rural Hall, NC. Fran was ordained by bishop Graham Rights at Raleigh Moravian, Raleigh, NC on Sunday, February 18, 2018. Fran was installed as pastor during morning worship at Mizpah Moravian Church on Sunday, March 4, 2018.
David Guthrie
Provincial Elders’ Conference
