I heard the most wonderful and profound post-Easter message this last Sunday. In the spirit of those who, like Thomas, might yearn to actually view the Risen Christ’s cross-borne wounds, The Rev. Pat Honszer reminded us that there are many of us whose life context and circumstance calls out for such signs of visible hope and certainty. Consider those whose lives have been shaken by loss…..or poverty…..or broken relationship…..or their own woundedness ….to look upon a wounded, yet resurrected Christ and know there is such real and certain hope….to view the realities of Christ’s body becomes transforming. Therefore, let us be mindful that those who cry, “show me,” may be dealing with extraordinary pain and despair which the Church of today needs to reach out to with love and compassion. As Christ’s Body today, we are now those visible signs of hope in the inherent struggles of this moment.
I am especially moved then when I see our congregations who hear the cries of “show me” in their own community and reach out in tangible and visible ways. Mountainview Moravian is beginning a new program of training for their congregation as they seek to reach out to Veterans or anyone else who is struggling with their own mental woundedness and who have difficulty reintegrating in their own community due to the impacts of military service or personal circumstance. Rev. Jodie Harney reports, “Finding a Place to Call Home,” is a program offered in partnership with Veterans Affairs which helps faith communities establish a welcoming and understanding environment for those veterans and others who long for a space which feels like “home.” This effort to embrace those whose service has had a lasting impact upon their lives and the lives of their families is a clear response to those who suffer quietly, behind the backdrop of the everyday and cry out, “show me.”
Seeing signs of poverty in their own neighborhood and school, The Rev. Mark Newman and the Newfoundland Moravian Church began to worry about those children who were food dependent upon the school system. Although they are able to receive adequate food resources during the week, many children were suffering on the weekend when there were no meals provided by the school system. Seeking to reach out in a spirit of love, the congregation partnered with the local school to identify 26 students who would benefit from having nutritious food provided during the weekend. The Backpack Buddies program currently sends home a backpack at the end of each week filled with food for 7 meals for each of these children. Members of the congregation pack the backpacks each week and the food is purchased from Second Harvest Food Bank thanks to a philanthropic donation. I can only imagine what a relief it is for not only these children to be assured of the gift of food as they leave their school yard, but even more so for the parents who will not suffer through the unmet hunger of their own children. For these families who have undoubtedly desired for someone to “show me” that we will make it through this day’s need, this act of hospitality has brought the gift of both mercy and hope to those who sorely needed to see it.
Please hear the gratitude of the EDEB for all our congregations who, when asked, “show me the wounds of the Risen Christ,” have no hesitation in being the Body of Christ in that moment.
Board of World Mission of the Moravian Church North America
Listed below are opportunities to serve, to pray and to give this month.
SERVE: Work has begun on rebuilding a home in Lumberton, NC, that was severely damaged by floods last year. BWM is supporting these efforts with funds to help with building supplies, etc. If you are interested in serving on a building team, please contact Chris Giesler at [email protected] or 610-868-1732.
PRAY: Twenty-Eight Moravian pastors and leaders in Cuba and Peru have taken Moravian courses thru our partnership with Moravian Theological Seminary. They are excited to share their knowledge with others in their congregations and beyond. Please pray for ongoing efforts in leadership development in our Mission Areas and Mission Provinces.
GIVE: The BWM has approved Mission Grants for seven projects in Peru, Honduras and Tanzania. The projects range from a guinea pig farm to a women’s conference to an evangelistic outreach program, and focus on mission outreach, leadership development and economic strengthening. Your gifts to the Mission Grant program will help to make funds available for more and more projects in more and more places.
Donations may be mailed to BWM, 1021 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Online, please visit
www.moravianmission.org/donate
THANK YOU!
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In 2018, the synods of the Northern and Southern Provinces established a Moravian Day of Service here in North America. The PECs of both provinces then designated Sunday, September 15, 2019 as the first Moravian Day of Service.
Please consider engaging the members of your congregation in a local community service project on or near that day. This may also provide an opportunity to meet a need in your community with the other congregations that might be near to you.
By the end of June congregations will receive a resource packet that will include:
- suggestions for possible service opportunities,
- a list of Moravian social services agencies and camps offering projects,
- September 15 worship planning information, including hymn selections (and new hymns written especially for this day!), sermon suggestions, and responsive readings, and
- instructions to share your service project(s) with us so we might share with the larger church.
We hope your committees, Sunday School classes, fellowship groups, and general membership, will identify and participate in a service opportunity and celebrate this inaugural Moravian Day of Service in worship on September 15, 2019.
Thank you!
Your Fellow Servants in Christ,
Day of Service Planning Team
(Ruth Cole Burcaw, Marie Couts, Chris Giesler, Nola Reed Knouse, Mike Riess)
From IBOC!
We’re excited to announce that our Moravian Daily Texts 2019 mobile app is now available! Developed by Stephen Kish, a member of Edgeboro Moravian Church, in cooperation with the Interprovincial Board of Communication (IBOC), this mobile app offers a new way to interact with the Moravian Daily Texts on your smartphone or tablet.
Each day, the Moravian Daily Texts app offers the verses and prayers found in the North American version of the 2019 Moravian Daily Texts (note: hymn texts available in the printed versions are not included in this app). In addition, the Daily texts app includes our Bible reading plan that guides readers through the Psalms in one year and the Old and New Testaments in two years. The Moravian Daily texts 2019 app also features:
- Links to the full Bible Verses in context (note: web access is required for this feature).
- Text-to-speech capability, allowing users to hear the Daily Texts
- Journaling capability to capture thoughts and insights on each day’s Daily Texts
- Ability to search Daily Texts by word or Bible verse
- Daily Texts from 2016 through 2019
- Notifications to remind users to read their Daily Texts
- Ability to mark favorite Daily Texts and Texts read
- Access to the Daily Texts Podcast from Moravian Church Without Walls
The Moravian Daily Texts App is available on the App Store for Apple iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices for $1.99. Search “Moravian Daily Texts 2019” to find it on each store.
Crossroad Class – Mapping The Route
Join the class for conversations about theology. Led by the Rev. Dr. Bill Falla, participants will explore questions like Who is God? and What Does Jesus Mean To Me? Attend the course in person or through Zoom which is Real Time Distance Learning. This course meets from 6-9 pm on most Mondays and Wednesdays between May 13 and June 17 (except May 27, June 5 & June 12). For details, text and online registration use the Crossroads link at: http://www.moravianseminary.edu/crossroads or contact Jill Peters at [email protected].
Be The Church
Workshop Schedule & Sites:
|
Sites |
Dates |
|
Ohio/Toronto Sharon |
5/18/19 |
|
Metro NYC John Hus |
9/14/19 |
|
Staten Island Castleton Hill |
10/12/19 |
Participants in this workshop will explore the biblical basis for serving others; hear from churches that have conducted successful “Be the Church” days; learn the basics of Mission Insite for understanding the community around the local congregation; and receive guidelines for conducting your own “Be the Church” day.
Questions? Email: Marie Couts- [email protected]
Coming Up at Camp Hope!
Confirmation Retreat
May 3 – 5
Please pray for all confirmands as they learn about Moravian history, customs and traditions in this special weekend.
Memorial Day Family Camp May 24 – 27
Come to camp with your family for a weekend of fellowship and relaxation. Reservations required.
Memorial Day Church Picnic May 27 10 – 6
Everyone is invited to camp for a free day. Swim, boat, play games, relax. Bring your own picnic lunch; the grills and pavilion are available.
Early Bird Discounts for those who register for camp by May 15.
Discount depends on the camp being attended, and whether you pay just the deposit or the entire amount (after possible congregational or regional camperships. Register online today! camphope.org/youth-conference
Camp Hope Sugar Cake Bake-Off -October 5, 2019
Register Now!
Part of the Camp Hope Fall Festival
For more information on camps or bake-off, see your church office
or contact Hope Conference Center at 908 459-4435
Camp Hope is in Need of Nurses or Medical personnel.
Camp nurses must have current certification (does not have to be in New Jersey), with the rank of EMT or higher, including LPNs and RNs.
Counselors needed for Camp Hope Fishing Camp, June 18 – June 22.
To find out more about this opportunity to serve, please email Bob Wingrove at: [email protected].
