Eastern District delegates answer the call at 2024 Synod

When more than 180 delegates and guests arrived in Bethlehem for the 2024 Eastern District Synod in June, they were prepared for four days of learning, discussion, worship, governance and fellowship. What they weren’t prepared for, however, was a power outage that would upend the proceedings and offer a glimpse at the resilience and flexibility of Moravians. (see “Flexibility in adversity” p. 11)

Bishop Michael Johnson preaches during the EDEB installation service.

This Synod, held on the South Campus of the Moravian University, brought together clergy and lay delegates from 47 congregations in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Ohio and Ontario. 

The theme for 2024, “It’s Your Call,” was chosen to help encourage delegates to reflect on God’s call to them and their individual and collective responses to that call.  “It’s Your Call” focused the Synod’s attention on God’s call to the church as a whole and how each person hears that call to participate in the life of Jesus’ church while going about daily life.

Under the leadership of Synod Chair, the Honorable Wilma Lewis, United States District Chief Judge for the District Court of the Virgin Islands (and lifelong Moravian), this year’s Synod got much accomplished. Over the course of the four-day event, delegates discussed and presented resolutions that :

Synod Chair Wilma Lewis

  • encourage congregations to continue to foster culture of prayer, opportunities for spiritual development and growth;
  • encourage looking for opportunities for union congregations;
  • look at how congregations interact with social, civic and global concerns, work for peace in their communities and the world and address issues of the unhoused;
  • explore opportunities to address the needs of young people in the church, increasing support and involvement of youth and adding voice and vote to youth delegates;
  • affirm and support the important ministry of licensed lay pastors.

Synod kicked off with a unique presentation and worship service led by the Ohio Shared Ministry. Through a fun on-stage conversation between three of their members, the Ohio team outlined what a Synod was, what the theme meant, what delegates could expect and how the future of the church relies on the engagement of lay leaders. 

This Synod also featured keynote presentations from The Rev. T. C. Moore, pastor of Roots Moravian Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Over the course of three days, T.C. shared  presentations “Two Villages,” “Forged Family” and “Shalom in the City.”

T.C. Moore presenting at Synod.

“With a fresh and insightful perspective on Moravians, T.C.’s newfound connection to our faith inspired us to rediscover our foundational values and focus on what truly matters as a church community,” said Gina Green, youth delegate from Fry’s Valley Moravian Church in New Philadelphia, Ohio. “He distinguished the difference between a museum church and a missional church, emphasizing three key aspects of our faith: cultivating a culture of prayer, proximity to suffering people in and outside our communities, and embracing our spiritual gifts.” T.C.’s talks are available on the Northern Province website.

Worship played a pivotal role in this year’s Synod.  Each service was different, with creative expressions of worship provided by both clergy and lay leaders and a wide range of music.  Running throughout synod worship was a song written by the Rev. Brian Dixon based on the “It’s Your Call” theme.

Angel, Hank Naisby, Earl Gouldbourne, Lauren Grady, Tammy Lavoy, Bonnie Roberston and Missy Johnson.

Eastern District Leadership elected

During the 2024 Synod, delegates elected members for Eastern District boards, ministry teams and executive board members.

The Rev. Melissa Johnson was re-elected as President of the Eastern District Executive Board. In this role, she will serve as the chair of the EDEB, and as a member of the Northern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference.  Others elected to the EDEB include clergy members the Rev. Dan Miller and the Rev. Earl Gouldbourne and lay members Lauren Grady (Delaware Valley Region), Tammy Lavoy (Lehigh Valley North Region), Hank Naisby (Lehigh Valley South Region), Naomi Mercia Solomon (New York Region), Seth Angel (Ohio Region) and Barbara (Bonnie) Robertson (Penn-Mar Region).  The newly elected EDEB will serve through the Synod of 2028.

Missy Johnson, Eastern District president, presents her State of the District discussion in a darkened Foy Hall.

Flexibility in adversity

While synod started off well, a strong early-summer thunderstorm would throw a monkey wrench into the proceedings—by knocking out electrical power to the university campus.

We got off to a wonderful start, thanks to efficient officers, staff and planning team members,” wrote Missy Johnson. “We were just getting comfortable… and the power went out. What followed was an incredibly power-full experience.”

Using flashlights, phone lights and emergency lighting, the synod continued into the evening.  The darkened auditorium did not dim the spirits of those inside; the events of Synod continued, with Missy providing her state of the church address lit by the glow of her computer screen.  And when it became apparent that the power was not going to be restored until at least the following day, the synod planning committee scrambled to identify an alternate location that could host the plenary and committee meetings. The solution? Move the entire gathering to College Hill Moravian Church, about a mile away! 

Synod officers Ricky Santee, Wilma Lewis and Nick Noel review the schedule for day two of Synod.

The sanctuary became the plenary hall, while the classrooms throughout College Hill served as meeting rooms. The university’s staff moved food service to the fellowship hall. And while the large group was a little cramped and the air conditioning system struggled to keep up, the move to College Hill went off without a hitch. 

“Despite all the disruptions and discomforts, I witnessed a large group of people coming together in support of one another, in support of the staff / team having to pivot and make changes, in support of the important work we wanted to make happen,” said Missy. “And so we did!”

“The challenges were no match for people’s resilience and commitment to our ministry. With or without lights, adequate A/C, and not knowing where the next session would occur, we managed to worship together with varied styles and leaders, hold meaningful discussions about the state of our district and the challenges and opportunities we face, pass important legislation that will guide our leaders for the next four years, and pass a budget and elect leaders to support the work we envisioned.

Youth delegates present resolutions

“Through it all, I felt the Holy Spirit filling the place and the people of our Synod. My heart has been filled with gratitude – to God and to everyone involved who made this such a positive, inspiring, meaningful time together as we explored our collective call,” said Missy. Power was restored by Friday, and the Synod returned to the university campus.


Offsetting paper use

While efforts were made to reduce the amount of paper used during Synod, because of the venue, the event ended up using what some think might be at least an entire tree’s worth of paper! Anticipating this, the Synod planning team asked church members in the district to contribute to One Tree Planted, a non-profit charity that plant trees in countries around the world where one dollar plants one tree. Through this effort, the Eastern District will plant 1,761 trees!

 

It’s Your Call by Brian Dixon

It’s your call, O God / Where your will we meet / Called together, called in love / To our neighbor’s need

It’s your call, O Child / Hear the Spirit sing / Called to serve the Living God / Are you listening?

Chorus: Love will show, what our hearts know / And whose we claim to be.

Heaven’s voice / Let all the world rejoice / Leaf and branch on One Great Tree

It’s your call, dear one / Out there on your own / Longing for community / Tired of being alone

It’s your call, stranger / You are welcome here / Come and lay your burden down / God is drawing near (Chorus)

It’s your call, my friend / For us to discern / Ministries of gift and grace / Side-by-side we learn

It’s your call, Christ’s Church / Hands and feet of love / Be the Body, bring Good News / Flame and Holy Dove (Chorus)