Prayer Day for Children
On a Sunday in October, congregations of the Northern and Southern Provinces are invited to join with thousands of other congregations across the nation in the national observance of Children’s Sabbath. Endorsement of the Children’s Sabbath was made by the Provincial Elders’ Conferences in January 1994.
Prayer Day for World Mission, October 10, 2021
The second Sunday in October has been designated as a special Day of Prayer for World Mission. Pray for the ministries in our partner provinces, our mission areas, and for wisdom and guidance for our worldwide unity. May God hold us together in celebration of our wonderful diversity, and may God persist in revealing to us where the church in North America and throughout the world is called to mission, both locally and globally, that God’s love may be known by all.
For specific information for your prayers about these and other new and continuing ministries, please see the BWM website www.moravianmission.org.
Prayer Day for Human Rights for Women, October 17, 2021
By action of the 2018 Synod of the Moravian Church Northern Province, the Provincial Elders’ Conference has designated the 4th Sunday in October as a Prayer Day to raise awareness of Violence against Women. Synod called for Moravians to establish resources for victims of violence, form study groups to provide discussions and support to victims of such violence, pressure governments to pass legislation penalizing violence against women and children and address excessive violence in the media. Resources may be forthcoming from the Unity Women’s Desk.
NORTHERN PROVINCE
Prayer Day for the Church’s Ministry to Older Adults, September 26, 2021
The 2002 Synod reaffirmed the fourth Sunday in September as a time to recognize older generations and to pray for our mutual ministry. Each congregation can make ministry to and with older generations in their midst a special cause for prayer.
Prayer Day for Peace with Justice and Freedom, October 17, 2021
The third Sunday in October is designated as a Day of Prayer for Peace with Justice and Freedom.
Easton, Pennsylvania
Sister Eileen Edwards, who had been Released for Other Service to the Anglican Church of Canada, has accepted the call to serve as pastor for Palmer Township Community Moravian Church, Easton, Pennsylvania. Sister Edwards was installed into her new work August 29, 2021.
Lititz, Pennsylvania
Sister Sayward Lippincott, presently serving as pastor for First Moravian Church, York, Pennsylvania, has accepted the call to serve as co-pastor for Lititz Moravian Church, Lititz, Pennsylvania. Sister Lippincott was installed into her new work September 26, 2021.
Specialized Ministry
Sister Mary Bielke, who has been serving under call to specialized ministry as chaplain for Cedar Crest, Inc., has accepted the call to serve as chaplain for Amedisys Hospice Center, Brookfield, Wisconsin. Sister Bielke began her new work August 16, 2021.
Calgary, Alberta
Brother Matthew Gillard, who has been serving as pastor for Good Shepherd Moravian Church, Calgary, Alberta, has accepted a call to Canadian District Service. Brother Gillard concluded his ministry at Good Shepherd on August 20, 2021.
Presbyterial Consecration
Brother Daniel Miller, presently serving as pastor of Edgeboro Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was consecrated a presbyter of the Moravian Church on September 26, 2021. Bishop Kay Ward officiated at the service, held at the Edgeboro congregation in Bethlehem.
Elizabeth D. Miller
Provincial Elders’ Conference
SOUTHERN PROVINCE
David Guthrie Retirement
The Provincial Elders’ Conference (PEC) reports to the province that it has approved a retirement request from President, The Rev. David Guthrie, effective Sept. 30, 2021. On behalf of the Province, the PEC extends great gratitude to David for his 11 years’ service as president and his dedicated service to the Moravian Church. David left a construction career to pursue ministry in 1983. A 1986 graduate of Moravian Theological Seminary, he was ordained that year and consecrated as a Presbyter in 1991. After graduation, David accepted a call to Prince of Peace Moravian Church and later Rolling Hills Moravian Church, both in Florida, where he served until 2003. He returned to Winston-Salem to serve as executive director of the Board of Evangelism and Home Missions for seven years before being elected PEC president in 2010. In 2018, David was elected vice president of the Unity Board of the Worldwide Moravian Church and in January 2020 he became its president. He has also served on the Moravian Seminary Board of Trustees as well as in numerous ecumenical positions on behalf of the Moravian Church.
Chris Thore appointed PEC President
The PEC also announces that continuing PEC members have appointed The Rev. Chris Thore to fill the vacancy on the Conference as well as to become its new president, effective Oct. 1, 2021. Chris returns to the PEC after serving two terms from 2010 – 2018, when he was vice president. After a management career in music, Chris earned a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell University and a certificate in theology from Moravian Seminary. Ordained in 1998, Chris’s first call was to Trinity Moravian Church. In 2001, he accepted a call to become the founding pastor of a new church plant in Huntersville, N.C., New Beginnings Moravian Church. Consecrated as a Presbyter in 2004, Chris led the growth of the congregation and expansion of facilities at New Beginnings until called to Clemmons Moravian in March 2018. Chris will continue as pastor of Clemmons Moravian Church while serving the province. He will serve as PEC president through transition after provincial elections at the next Synod, which convenes June 1, 2022.
Specialized Ministry
Sister Adriana Bliss Craver, an approved candidate for ordination, has accepted a call to specialized ministry with Jackson Health in Miami, FL serving as a chaplain resident. A service of ordination will be held on October 10, 2021 at Konnoak Hills Moravian Church, Winston-Salem, N.C. at 3 p.m. with Bishop Carol Foltz officiating.
Christ Moravian Church
Brother Jeffrey Reed Lawson, an approved candidate for ordination, has accepted a call to become pastor of Christ Moravian Church, Winston-Salem, NC. A service of ordination will be held on October 3, 2021 at Bethania Moravian Church, Bethania, N.C. at 3 p.m. with Bishop Graham Rights officiating. Reed will begin his service at Christ Moravian on Sunday, October 10, 2021.
Bethania Moravian Church
Brother Joe Moore has accepted a call to Bethania Moravian Church, Bethania, NC to serve as pastor. Joe will begin his service at Bethania on October 4th and be installed on October 10, 2021. Prior to his call to Bethania, Joe served as associate pastor at New Philadelphia Moravian Church, Winston-Salem, N.C. and had recently completed an interim ministry at Unity Moravian Church.
Presbyterial Consecration
The Rev. Christy Clore was consecrated a Presbyter on Sunday, September 19, 2021, 3:00 p.m. at Kernersville Moravian Church, Kernersville, N.C. with The Rt. Rev. Graham Rights officiating. Christy was ordained July 3, 2005 at Mayodan Moravian Church with bishop Graham Rights officiating.
