Imagine Moravians from across the U.S. and Canada all focused on mission in their community…all on the same day!
That’s the idea behind The Moravian Day of Service, scheduled for September 15, 2019. The Moravian Day of Service will help raise awareness of the importance of mission work to the Moravian faith, encourage congregations to think of new ways to make a difference in their communities and demonstrate our ability to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.
The idea for the Moravian Day of Service sprang from the 2018 Synods of the Northern and Southern Provinces. The Synods recognized that coordinated efforts of Moravians can help engage others in service and ministry and raise awareness of the Gospel message; that Moravians have always celebrated their faith through service and mission work locally, regionally and globally; and that Moravians derive a sense of common unity and identity from serving together and with others.
Synods resolved to set aside a day, every year, for individuals and congregations to get involved in mission work in their communities, and share their work across the Moravian Church in North America. Working in consultation with the Board of World Mission, the PECs of the Northern and Southern Provinces designated September 15, 2019, as the date for the inaugural Moravian Day of Service.
The Day of Service isn’t a one-time thing but an annual event; it is not to replace the great local mission work already going on in our congregations. The Day of Service offers a chance to rethink how your congregation interacts with your community, and encourage you to make local missions an enduring part of the Moravian faith.
Materials, including ministry and service ideas, listings of Moravian social service agencies and camps offering projects, worship planning information (including hymn selections, new hymns, sermon suggestions and responsive readings, and more, are being prepared and will be distributed during the next several months.
We are also encouraging all congregations and groups to share their efforts with the larger church in both video and print. Ideas and guidelines on how to do that will be provided.
Watch for additional information, instructions and materials for Day of Service over the coming weeks.
