The annual Moravian Day of Service raises awareness of the importance of mission work in our Moravian faith, encourages congregations to think of new ways to make a difference in their communities, and demonstrates our desire to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. The 2024 Moravian Day of Service was held on September 15th, and congregations served in a number of ways – from picking up litter, to writing cards, to assembling birthing kits, and more! Read the highlights of several congregations’ activities below.
Bethlehem Area Moravians (Bethlehem, PA) – Over 120 Moravians from six congregations in Bethlehem gathered at East Hills Moravian Church to assemble 600 water filters for the Blessings Flow project. For decades the second Sunday in September has been devoted to the BAM picnic, which was a fellowship centered around a meal. This year, BAM chose to center the event around ministry instead, and held an “unpicnic.” According to the Rev. Dan Miller, “The Blessings Flow project provided us the perfect opportunity to serve.” We are so grateful to the Bethlehem Area Moravians for including the BWM in this event! Their generous support of this project will provide clean water to about three communities in La Moskitia, Honduras. Thank you, BAM!
Home Moravian Church and Estamos Unidos (Winston Salem, NC) – These two groups joined together to host a Moravian Day of Service celebration where volunteers packed a total of 1250 pounds of rice and beans for Sunnyside Ministry. This is enough to feed 600 families! After the work was complete, several families went to downtown Winston Salem for the Hispanic Fiesta, which was another wonderful event. Rev. Angelica Regalado Cieza said, “We can accomplish a lot when we work together!”
Palmyra Moravian Church (Cinnaminson, NJ) – For their Moravian Day of Service celebration each year, the Palmyra congregation completes both a local and global mission project to emphasize loving their neighbors near and far. This weekend, they assembled 40 water filters for the BWM’s Blessings Flow project and wrote accompanying love notes. They also donated and put together 35 Birthday Blessings Bags with cake mix, a can of frosting, and beautiful birthday cards created by the children. The Rev. Darrell Johnson shared that the congregation is joyfully committed to being Christ’s hands and feet!
You Belong (Green Bay, WI) – Volunteers gathered together at Lambeau Field to volunteer at the Green Bay Packers game, both as ticket scanners and ushers. The volunteer hours they committed will result in funds for the ministry that You Belong is doing in their community!
The Table Moravian Church (Durham, NC) – The Table celebrated the Moravian Day of Service by bagging beans and rice for the Parktown Food Hub in South Durham. Their worship service was held in a local park and they discussed the day’s scripture passages while they worked!
Raleigh Moravian Church (Raleigh, NC) – A team of folks from the Raleigh congregation was pleased to serve at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina on Saturday, September 14th. They, along with several other volunteer groups from the Raleigh area, worked together to sort through LOTS and LOTS of potatoes and sweet potatoes. All of the edible potatoes were bagged to be shared with neighbors in need. The not-so-edible potatoes were added to compost that will be used to nourish the soil. Not one potato went to waste! In a short span of 2.5 hours, they sorted through 24,200 pounds of potatoes, creating 20,200 meals to share with the community. “24,200 meals, y’all!”
Friedberg Moravian Church (Winston Salem, NC) – Friedberg Moravian Youth partnered with the DOT Litter Sweep program to clean Ebert Road, which is near their church. The Middle and High School youth picked up trash and treasures to make the community a better place to live. They picked up enough trash to fill 14 bags and gained a toy hedgehog and a trash bin. Friedberg member Karen Hill shared, “Our prayers are that the youth will think twice before littering. Littering harms marine life and humans, affects groundwater quality, negatively impacts the environment, and makes public places unsightly. Let’s raise a generation that cares about our environment and the Earth!”
Calvary Moravian Church (Allentown, PA) – Calvary’s Moravian Day of Service Food Drive was a resounding success! They had hoped to raise 86 pounds of food, in honor of their 86th year as a congregation, but they more than doubled their goal, collecting a total of 174.5 pounds of food for their friends at the Allentown Ecumenical Food Bank.
New Hope Moravian Church (Newton, NC) – In honor of the Day of Service, the New Hope congregation came together to assemble birthing kits for rural communities, ensuring safer and cleaner births. They also heard a presentation from Julie Tomberlin about the Unity Women’s Desk and their work across the globe. New Hope member Rachel Schultz shared, “Our goals were simple but powerful: put together 70 kits, involve everyone in a meaningful task, and foster rich conversation and fellowship along the way. We’re grateful for the chance to serve, connect, and make a lasting impact!”
First Moravian Church of Riverside (Riverside, NJ) – Their congregation joined together to write notes, pray, and spruce up their neighborhood.
Church of the Redeemer (Dublin, OH) – Redeemer members worshipped and fellowshipped with memory care patients.
Palmer Township Moravian Church (Easton, PA) – The Palmer congregation clean up at Penn Pump Park, baked cookies at Essentials Cafe, and the Sunday school kids made cards for bags to be delivered to their home-bound members.
Newfoundland Moravian Church (Newfoundland, PA) – Roadside cleanup makes for a great Moravian Day of Service!
