Listening and Learning
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
-Hebrews 11:1
As the new year approached, one of our clergy on Facebook offered graciously to select a watchword for anyone who desired one. I asked for one that might be a guiding word for our district and the district board in 2022. These words from Hebrews struck me as being the comforting reminder we need so much right now.
In this challenging time, what are the things we hope for and the things we cannot see? This was the basis for the listening sessions we held via Zoom in each of our district’s regions in the month of November. During these six meetings, district staff and district board members were present to listen to some of our congregation’s leaders. We asked them to help us understand the greatest challenges faced by our congregations at this time. As you might expect, we heard of the ongoing obstacles caused by COVID. We learned about the fears and uncertainty of whether people would ever be back to in-person worship more fully and how to sustain clergy and lay leaders who are simply tired and burnt out. We also learned more about the desire to minister to children and young people in a time when many congregations have seen a steady decline in the presence of young people and families.
We also asked the question, “Where are you seeing signs of hope?” The lists were long – praise God! In committed volunteers, baptisms, ministries emerging, new partnerships, the gifts of technology, unexpected blessings, and so much more, we find hope!
We took note of the suggestions for how the district board and staff might support our congregations as they minister, and you will be seeing some results of this in the coming months. For now, know that we pray for you and are filled with gratitude for the ways you share the love of Christ each day.
Thank you for talking with us. We are committed to continuing this conversation and expanding it to include more members of our congregations. What we have learned so far will become the focus of our work together so that we might help equip our congregations better for the work we all have been given. It is a privilege to move into this new year, growing together in faith.
In the early days of a new year, many of us are looking to make and stick to resolutions. We take the opportunity for a fresh start to renew a commitment, or to start something new. The challenge is always…. How long will we stay “resolved”?
At the BWM, we look to the drawing of our yearly watchword as a spiritual grounding of our work to help us meet our purpose of building relationships through Mission Outreach and Mission Engagement to be faithful to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
With that in mind, we wanted to share with you the BWM Watchword drawn for 2022:
“Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.” John 12:26
As we look ahead to the new year, we will seek to follow, even as we look to lead several important initiatives. In this year the BWM invites your prayerful support and participation in upcoming ministries. Just a few of the plans we are “resolved” to complete this year include:
- A conference for Spanish-speaking Moravian partners to all come together to share and fellowship.
- Sponsoring / hosting several mission and service retreats at our Moravian Camps
- Continued coordination of disaster response efforts in many communities
- Implementation of pastoral and lay leader training with Mission Area and Mission Province partners
Resolutions are often ambitious, and most likely completed when shared with others for support and accountability. So, come, follow along with us this year!
An Invitation from the Emerging Ministries Team
“Join the Emerging Ministries Team, of the Moravian Church Northern Province, for an empowering virtual event. This event will leave you with practical tools to begin growing your ministry, starting a new ministry, or creating a new church plant.
Emerge 2022 with the theme, Going Beyond In-House Ministries, is designed to journey with you in your ministry endeavors even after the event is over. No matter where you are in your journey, we will help you discern where God is leading you.
You will learn skills and be given tools to grow an existing ministry, start a new ministry, or start a new church plant. You will also be a part of a team that will do periodic check-ins to ensure progress, provide feedback, and give encouragement.
Emerge 2022, Saturday, February 19, 2022, 9:00am – 2:00 pm via Zoom. Call-in options will be made available.”
Grants to Help You Feed the Hungry
Your Moravian Ministries Foundation in America (MMFA) is excited to announce a special 2022 grant cycle for our Hunger and Thirst Field of Interest Fund. Thanks to an incredibly generous donation, we have an extraordinary opportunity to award grants from $10,000 to $25,000 to Moravian congregations, fellowships, emerging ministries, or agencies who want to create lasting change within the food and water insecurity landscape. For more information on how to apply visit https://mmfa.info/grant/ or reach out to Laura Watson 336.725-2589 or [email protected].
Click here to read the full story.
Sr. High / Post High Winter Retreat Postponed due to increasing Covid numbers. The retreat will now take place February 18th to 20th
Already registered and want to attend in February, just show up.
Already registered and are unable to attend in February, contact Pastor Cynthia at [email protected] for a full refund.
Not registered and want to attend…
Register now for
Sr. High/Post High Winter Retreat 2022
February 18 -20, 2022
Hope Conference &
Renewal Center Hope, NJ
9th grade through 21 and beyond
If you aged out during the pandemic and missed your last year at Winter Retreat, you are welcome to attend.
You are God’s Masterpiece
2022 Girls’ Retreat at Camp Hope
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14
Friday, April 1st 7pm – Sunday, April 3rd noon
Girls in 3rd through 8th grades are invited to come to Camp Hope for a weekend of fun-filled learning, sharing, singing, and crafting.
We will focus on who we are in God’s eyes, what helps us to grow deeper in our faith, how we can hear God through the noise, what we can do to help others and why it’s important to be a good friend. Cost for the weekend is $90 which includes housing, food, many craft projects, and fun!
Please note – in order to attend, proof of Covid-19 vaccination is required. Registration Forms and Health forms are available by contacting: Rev. Jodie Harney at: [email protected] or 610-838-9344. Please note space is limited to 30 girls so register soon.
UPCOMING CROSSROADS COURSES:
STORY OF CHRISTIANITY
Mondays 6-9 pm
March 7 – May 2, 2022 (except Holy Week 4/11)
Instructor: Rev. Dr. William Falla
In-person instruction (tentative), as well as real-time distance learning via Zoom
Price $240
MY JOURNEY/OUR JOURNEY
Thursdays 6-9 pm
March 10 – May 5, 2022 (except Holy Week 4/14)
Instructor: Rev. Maggie Wellert
In-person instruction (tentative), as well as real-time distance learning via Zoom
Price $240
Moravian Daily Texts
If you haven’t yet ordered your 2022 Moravian Daily Text, now is a perfect time to do so! The IBOC has all editions in stock and ready for immediate shipment or for local pickup. Visit store.moravian.org for information, or e-mail Jill Bruckart ([email protected]).
As we enter 2022, the IBOC has leftover 2021 Moravian Daily Texts editions available for free to congregations, agencies and individuals that may have a use for them (education, outreach, craft projects, etc.). All English-language versions are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Jill to arrange pickup from our Church Center office; we can also ship to you at cost.
