District Developments: July 2018

It was in the midst of their “Youth First” after-school program that First Moravian Church of Easton, PA discovered that youth from their neighborhood loved learning how to cook. One of the modules of the program offered youth the chance to “make it and take it,” from the congregation’s kitchen and the delicious results became a hit for the whole family. It’s actually not surprising, since congregational leaders began to realize that the neighborhood around the church represents a “food desert,” as it lacks adequate locations to acquire fresh foods like dairy, vegetables, and fruits. When you couple this with the fact many in the neighborhood self-identify as “at- risk for food insecurity,” the idea of a home-cooked meal from healthy elements represents a rare and unbelievable feast.

Expanding on this previous success and through an association with the Easton Hunger Coalition, the congregation put into action a new program called, “Green Light Food Center.” This nutrition education program is designed to distribute food knowledge rather than just food! Certainly there are Emergency Meal Kits for families who find themselves suddenly destitute, but the program itself is based upon a “Make It, Take It, Kitchen,” where participants learn about the importance of healthy food choices and how to turn your healthy choices into a delicious family meal. An important feature of the program also includes education on where fresh, in-season vegetables can be found at urban gleaning centers which provide produce to clients in need. Yet, the program’s intention is to offer “a hand-up, rather than just a hand- out.” Therefore, beyond the nutrition education and cooking instruction, participants also receive gardening instruction for seed starting, transplanting, watering, dealing with pests, composting, and harvesting their own healthy food.

Although the congregation partners with a Nutrition and Gardening Educator, congregation volunteers will enjoy supporting the program and serving their neighbors. As Pastor Pat Honszer put it, “Through the movement of the Holy Spirit over the past few years, our congregation is coming to a new understanding of ‘being the church.’ Instead of merely inviting people to sit beside us in a traditional worship setting in the sanctuary on a Sunday morning, we are choosing to sit beside our neighbors in everyday life. Our whole building is becoming a sanctuary for our neighbors – a place to gather for education, purpose, socialization, and fellowship.”

Having applied for and been awarded a 2018 Eastern District Mission Grant, First Moravian Church of Easton will literally be feeding their neighborhood in a new way. As their neighbors enjoy healthy eating and the neighborhood itself comes alive with beautiful vegetable gardens, they will have the opportunity to see the actual health of their community change for the better. Seems like good food for thought.

“Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? “The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these …. you did for me.'”

“To Us, To Us, This Task is Given!”

Schedule of Events

July 11, 2018 – Unity Brass Choir will be performing a concert on July11 at 7pm at UnitedMoravian Church, 200 East 127th Street New York City. Free- offering will be accepted. For information call the church at 212-722- 2109.

July 19 – 22, 2018 – Moravian Unity Brass Festival, Winston Salem, NC. For information and registration: unitybrass.moravianmusicfestival.org

Moravian Camp Dates for 2018

Middler Conference:
July 1-7
Camp Deans:
Rt. Rev. Blair Couch
Rev. Sayward Lippincott

Senior High Conference:
July 8 – 14
Camp Deans: Steve Kish
Chelsey Mancuso

Swim Camp:
July 15 – 21
Camp Dean: TBD

Musical Theater Camp:
July 15 – 21
Camp Dean: Sarah Hriniak

Jr. High Conference:
July 22 – July 28
Camp Deans:
Rev. Jodie Harney,
Kasey Thomas

Primary Conference:
July 29 – August 4 Camp Deans:
Rev. Tammie Rinker
Rev. Bevon White

Fishing Camp:
July 29 – August 4
Camp Dean: Bob Wingrove

Board of World Mission of the Moravian Church, North America

Did you know… that Disaster Relief Efforts by Moravians, Methodists, and Richard Petty Motor Sports and Roush-Fenway Racing have created a “Ground Effect” in Lumberton, NC? Hurricane Matthew in October 2016 left thousands homeless and 31 killed. Participants with this collaborative effort made 28 trips to Lumberton over a 14-month period. Initially, they set to work mucking houses, piling belongings and discarded rubble on the curbs. Although a few people were lost, thousands have been saved and many have moved back into their homes. There is at least 3 years of work left since initially 660 roads and 26,000 homes were washed out. If you and/or people in your congregation are interested in helping with this relief effort, go to the Board of World Mission website www.moravianmission.org and complete the contact information under the Connect Section. You may also contact Jill Kolodziej for more information at [email protected].

Moravian Ministries Foundation

Best Practices for Year-Round Stewardship By Vince Holbrook

Many Moravian congregations begin thinking about their Fall Stewardship Campaigns about this time of year. But, did you know the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America offers free and low-cost Stewardship Development Services for Moravian congregations?

Here are some free resources for pastors, trustees and laity you can download from our website:

• Best Practices for Year- Round Stewardship
• Stewardship Scriptures

• Suggested Readings
• Reflections on Stewardship

MMFA’s Laura Watson also talks about the foundation’ s free and low-cost Stewardship Development Services in this new video.

From IBOC!

It’s time to start thinking about 2019…Daily Texts, that is!

We at the IBOC have been considering 2019 more and more as the summer progresses, especially the 2019 Daily Texts! Since last fall, the IBOC has worked to compile and edit the upcoming 2019 edition of this well-loved devotional.

Today, more than 280 years after its first publication, the Daily Texts continues its promise of a “daily message from God that is new eve- ry morning.” The cover image selected for 2019 features the large yellow Moravian Star that hangs in the Saal of Moravian Theological Seminary.

The 2019 editions don’t begin shipping until late October/early November, but you can pre-order yours at discounted prices starting in July. Online pre-ordering for the 2019 Daily Texts will begin in early July at store.www.moravian.org. The general order form is being mailed to current customers; you can also download it at http://www.www.moravian.org/wp- content/uploads/2018/06/2019 preordermailerforweb.pdf

For questions or more information about the 2019 Daily Texts, please contact Jill at 610-867-7566, ext. 38.

Also, our new T-shirt, designed especially for the Northern Province, goes on sale online July 2!

Introduced at the 2018 Synod, this high quality, 100% cotton T-shirt comes in a beautiful, royal-blue color with a brilliant red and white silk-screened design: “Jesus Makes My Heart Rejoice” over a big red heart! The back lists all the U.S. Northern Province Moravian con- gregations, emerging ministries and fellowships. These uniquely Moravian shirts are available in sizes S to 2XL.

For more information on all of our items and to learn more about the work of the IBOC, visit store.www.moravian.org, or call Jill at 1 (800) 732-0591, ext. 38.

July Anniversaries

2 The Rev. Carol and Mr. Keith Dague

10 The Rev. Dr. & Mrs. William Pfeiffer
The Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Gordon Sommers

13 The Rev. & Mrs. Norman Prochnau

17 The Rev. & Mrs. Marvin Henkelmann
The Rev. & Mrs. Gary Marsh

19 The Rev. Mary Ann & Mr. Anthony Pula

23 The Rt. Rev. & Mrs. C. Hopeton Clennon

24 Mr. & Mrs. Steven Couts
The Rev. & Mrs. Rowan Simmons

30 The Rev. & Mrs. Wellesley Ferguson

Churches celebrating anniversaries in July:

6 – 1763 – New Dorp, Staten Island, NY
1800 – Gnadenhutten, OH

30 – 1747 – Emmaus, PA

Staff Update

We bid farewell to Br. Ed Fiedler, who has served as IT Director for the Moravian Northern Province, serving with excellence, wisdom and patience for the past 26 years. We are grateful for his work and wish him much success in his future endeavors.

We welcome Br. Mark Santore as the new full-time IT Communications Professional for the province. Mark began his work on June 4. Mark graduated from Moravian College with a degree in Computer Science, and brings with him several years of experience in the fields of hardware, software and web page development.