With beloved members, far-flung children of the congregation, and respected provincial representatives gathered close, Advent Moravian Church celebrated 100 years as an official Moravian congregation on June 23, 2024.
Programs shared the theme “Jesus Still Lead On”, and told the history of the church dating back to its beginnings as a strong community Sunday school movement in the mid 1800s. At the end of 1924, after the congregation was chartered, the Sunday school joyously served a total of 204 students and leaders. On the day of celebration in 2024, nearly 300 came together to remember the past and hope for the future of the church.
However, many in the church had been preparing for and marking the special occasion in various ways throughout the year. Plans were made to build a monument honoring the charter members of the church, and a stone with each charter member’s name was debuted at the 100th celebration. To honor current members and families, the congregation had the opportunity to put the family members’ names on specially-made wooden Moravian stars, which then embellished an Advent Moravian family tree.
In addition, each family was gifted a hand cross-stitched ornament with the church’s anniversary date. Decorated vignettes with memorabilia from the church’s history were displayed in the sanctuary throughout the year, and an “Advent Minute” sharing fun facts from the church’s history was placed in the newsletter each week. Church members were also invited to share written memories with the 100th celebration planning committee. These memories were lovingly compiled into a commemorative booklet that was given to everyone in attendance.
As a congregation rooted in close connection with the community, members of Advent worked to give back to the area by donating at least 100 items to Sunnyside Ministries every quarter of their centennial year. Decades of community picnics and celebrations, Vacation Bible Schools, playground adventures, and outreach efforts like this show that Advent does not stand alone at the corner of Old Salisbury and West Clemmonsville Roads, but as part of a vibrant neighborhood.
As with any good party, people joined together for a meal after the service. The space filled with happy conversation and laughter, echoing decades of happy times spent in fellowship. Many in attendance were recognized for being part of Advent for nearly all of the last 100 years, and photographs depicting moments from the church’s history were displayed during the meal and program. Sons and daughters of the congregation who became leaders in ministry shared fond memories and heartfelt messages for the future, while Advent’s current youth gave special musical performances.
It was moving to see so many of the kind, loving souls that Advent Moravian has influenced over the last 100 years, and hope that its members continue to share God’s love in the world for many years to come.
Amy Gardin Linville, whose family are members of Advent Moravian in Winston-Salem, now lives in Edmonton, Alberta. Photo of the tree adorned with wooden Moravian stars with family names by Patricia Long.
