“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow…”
Ah, yes, the opening line of the Doxology sung in many Moravian (and other Christian) churches each Sunday…and the very appropriate theme for this year’s Board of World Mission (BWM) Annual Report.
The 2023 report’s “Blessings Flow” theme refers to the BWM’s highly successful effort to help alleviate water-borne illnesses among the Miskito people of Honduras. Through the Blessings Flow project and the generosity of so many, the BWM was able to provide more than 1,000 filters to families in the region, helping them to have safe, clean drinking water.
Since 2014, the BWM has teamed with The Moravian Magazine to bring you their yearly illustration of their work. The Annual Report remains one of my favorite issues to put together each year—a 24-page demonstration of the amazing impact Moravians are having both inside and outside of North America.
When I read through and lay out the report materials created by the BWM staff, I’m astounded at the amount of work our small denomination can do in mission. Mission is at the core of our Moravian faith tradition and the impetus for our forbears’ 18th-century spread from Herrnhut to places around the globe. Seeing what the BWM can do with the help of Moravians across North America today demonstrates that the 21st-century Moravian Church remains true to its missional DNA.
But mission is not all we have in this issue. In the magazine sections, we celebrate the graduation of Moravian seminarians; learn more about the church’s efforts toward racial justice and healing; see of the work of the Western District through their 2024 Synod; and discuss the unofficial motto of our Moravian faith: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love.”
All told, you’ll find much to celebrate here, with solid indications that our church is doing great things. We’re making a difference in the world, continually finding ways to keep the blessings flowing.
I hope you enjoy this issue of The Moravian, and as always, I welcome your comments, suggestions and ideas.
Peace,
Mike Riess, Editor
