Congregations & Fellowships
Advent
Ardmore
Bethabara
Bethania
Bethesda
Calvary
Christ
Christ the King
Clemmons
Community Fellowship
Cordero de Dios
Covenant
Crooked Oak
Enterprise
Fairview
First Moravian (GA)
First Moravian (NC)
Friedberg
Friedland
Fries Memorial
Fulp
Good Shepherd
Grace
Holly Springs
Home
Hope
Hopewell
Immanuel-New Eden
Kernersville
King
King of Kings
Konnoak Hills
Leaksville
Little Church on the Lane
Macedonia
Margate Fellowship
Mayodan
Messiah
Mizpah
Moravia
Morning Star Fell.
Mt. Bethel
New Beginnings
New Covenant Fell. (Palm Beach)
New Hope (FL)
New Hope (NC)
New Philadelphia
Oak Grove
Olivet
Palm Beach
Palmetto Fellowship
Peace
Pine Chapel
Prince of Peace
Providence
Raleigh
Rolling Hills
Rural Hall
Sarasota Fellowship
St. Philips
Suriname Fellowship
Tampa Fellowship
Trinity
Union Cross
Unity
Willow Hill

Hail to the Lord's Annointed

Hail to the Lord’s anointed! Great David’s greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed, his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free,
to take away transgression, and rule in equity.

He comes with rescue speedy to those who suffer wrong,
to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong,
to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light,
whose souls, condemned and dying, were precious in his sight.

He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth,
and love, joy, hope, like flowers, spring in his path to birth;
before him on the mountains shall Peace, the herald, go;
and righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow.

Wayne Burkette, Donna Hurt, Lane Sapp, Lynn Kale, Becky Honeycutt, Bob Hunter, Kathy Sparks, Rick Sides

The Provincial Elders’ Conference and staff wish you an Advent and Christmas of great Joy.

Provincial Ties
Published monthly by:
Provincial Elders’ Conference, Southern Prov.
336-725-5811 336-723-1029 FAX
http://www.mcsp.org
Staff:
Wayne Burkette, President
Robert E. Hunter, Asst. To the President
Lynn Kale, Executive Asst.
Becky Honeycutt, Administrative Assistant

“He will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace..”
Isaiah 9:6

Our prayers are with...

Deaths

Sister Jeanette Hensley, mother of Tom Hensley-Moravian Minister, passed away November 4 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Sister Margaret E. Wilde, mother of Ted Wilde-Moravian Minister, passed away on November 14 in Miami, Florida.

We express our love and sympathy to their families and friends.

Illness

Brother Walser Allen, Moravian Minister

Sister Polly Applefield, Moravian Minister

Brother Hal Cole, Moravian Minister

Brother John Fry, Moravian Minster

Our prayers are with these.

Pastoral Changes

Sister Tracy A. Pryor, currently serving as pastor of Shepherd of the Prairie Moravian Church in Fargo, North Dakota, has accepted the call to become pastor of Covenant Moravian Church in Wilmington, NC. She will conclude her pastorate in Fargo at the end of this year and be installed at Covenant on January 20. Please keep Sr. Pryor and both congregations in your prayers as she relocates to the Southern Province to begin a new chapter of ministry.

Congratulations!

Ordination Anniversaries:
December

Congratulations and God Bless You!

Births

Tom and Becca Dressler of Charlotte, NC have been blessed with a daughter, Faith Boisclair Dressler, born on November 1. Proud Grandparents are Claire and Steve Wilson-Pastor of Little Church on the Lane in Charlotte, NC.

William and Carrie Koy of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, have been blessed with a son, Brody William Koy born on November 1. Proud Grandfather is John Rainey-Pastor of First Moravian in Greensboro, NC. Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Moravian Ministry
Association 2008

Planning Team:
Matthew Allen
Jon Boling
John Giesler
Beth Hayes
Keith White

The Provincial Elders’ Conference met on November 13 and 20, 2007. Burkette, Hunter, Hurt, Sapp, Sides and Sparks were present, and each meeting began with a time of sharing of contacts with pastors or congregations and discussion of specific joys and needs followed by intercessory prayers.

Matters related to Synod actions were discussed including the report and recommendations of the Anti-Racism Team and potential participation in anti-racism training events by PEC members and Provincial board directors. PEC received an update on planning for the Intersynodal Conference, April 10-12, 2008. A letter from the planning committee will be sent to all pastors at the end of November. A final draft of the Moravian-Episcopal Dialogue document was distributed for review and response. Synod resolutions # 36, 37 and 46 on stewardship were reviewed to assess the status of implementation.

PEC agreed to meet with the Commission on Ordained Ministry in February, 2008 to discuss various questions and concerns identified by the Commission as well as ideas under consideration by PEC.

Various needs and opportunities were discussed related to congregations and personnel in the Province. Call processes are underway at St. Philips, Grace, Calvary (Associate), Ardmore, New Hope (NC), Home (Associate) and Raleigh (Associate).

Sister Tracy Pryor accepted the call to serve as pastor of Covenant Moravian Church in Wilmington, NC. She will conclude her pastorate in Fargo, ND at the end of December and be installed at Covenant on January 20, 2008. Bro. Bob Sawyer was appointed interim pastor at New Hope (NC) and will begin service on November 25. Bro. Walter Bishop was appointed to serve supply pastor at Immanuel-New Eden during the month of December.

Current candidates for ordained ministry and other matters related to candidacy were reviewed and discussed. Bro. Sapp gave a very positive report on his service as Bishop in Residence at Moravian Theological Seminary. Both enrollment and annual giving at MTS reached record levels this year, and

there is a strong spirit of community and devotion to ministry among students, faculty and staff.

PEC approved a proposal from Arbor Acres (United Methodist Retirement Community) in Winston-Salem for acquisition of a portion of the old Wachovia Arbor property for a street extension and parking, in exchange for Arbor Acres’ funding of significant improvements to the graveyard and providing perpetual care of the graveyard. The Province will retain ownership of the graveyard property, as well as access and determination of burial privileges.

PEC continued review of feedback from small group discussions of the call system conducted at the Moravian Ministry Association Retreat in September, especially suggestions related to providing help in the discernment process for congregational boards and for pastors.

A proposal was approved to create a provincial Ministry Fund which could receive estate gifts to support mission, outreach, pastoral support, church renewal and development in the future. The proposal will go to the Provincial Financial Board for further review and approval.

In response to requests from congregations, PEC agreed to gather resources that local congregation boards could use for annual reviews of staff and pastors. Several congregations are already conducting reviews annually, and PEC requests copies of sample materials that boards or church committees may have found helpful.

Sister Margaret Leinbach submitted a report on the recent meeting of the General Assembly of the National Council of Churches.

The Moravian Music Festival Committee notified PEC that Festival Chair, John Webb, is relocating to Nashville, TN and must step down as Festival Chair. A new appointment is pending.

Various other matters were discussed and information shared concerning the life and ministry of the Southern Province. Correspondence was reviewed, and dates were reaffirmed for PEC meetings next spring and triennial reviews scheduled for the remainder of 2007.

The PEC will meet twice in December for regular sessions, in addition to other meetings related to call processes, reviews and special meetings as needed.

(submitted by Wayne Burkette)

Win/Win for Pastor/Church

We have 2008 brochures and applications for a church and pastor to receive monies from the Lilly Endowment to enable the pastor to have a sabbatical. Last month in November Provincial Ties New Beginnings Moravian Church in Huntersville, NC and Pastor Chris Thore announced that they had been chosen as one of the 132 congregations to be given the grant. The Lilly Endowment’s National Clergy Renewal seeks to strengthen Christian congregations by providing opportunities for the pastor to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection. “What will make your heart sing?” is the question Lilly Endowment Inc. asks pastors of congregations. And every year for the past eight years congregations have responded with proposals including remarkable ideas and plans for the rejuvenation of their pastors. Contact Bob Hunter in the PEC Office, 336-725-5811, for more information about this exciting opportunity or visit their website, [lillyendowment.org]. Registration deadline is May 14, 2008.

(submitted by Bob Hunter)

Moravian 550th Cruise to the Caribbean

Southern Province Moravians on the 550th cruise to Moravian churches in St. Thomas, Antigua, and St. Kitts:

Lower left: Audrey Parsons, Matthew Allen, Loretta Snow. 2nd Row: Jenny Craver, Mae Marshall, Margaret Hoerner. Back Row: John Giesler, Reinhart Martin, Carole Martin, Chi Chi Messick, Barbara Giesler, Steve Craver.

Moravian Watchnight Service to be held at
Trinity Moravian

The Moravian Watchnight service, a Lovefeast service held at 11 pm on New Year's Eve, will be held this year at Trinity Moravian Church, 220 E. Sprague Street in Winston-Salem. It is the first time in history that the service has not been held at Home Moravian Church. The Salem Congregation Elders, seeking to create stronger connections and participation by Winston-Salem area Moravian Churches, has decided to rotate the service between different congregations rather than always holding the service at Home Church. Members of Fries Memorial Moravian Church will participate with Trinity in hosting the service, and service music will be provided by the joint choirs of Fries and Trinity as well as the Salem Brass Choir. The Rev. Dr. Neil Routh, pastor of Christ Moravian Church, will preach.

Other area congregations are invited to participate in the service, which is open to all who seek to greet the New Year with a spiritually-centered celebration. Choir members who would like to sing with the joint choir are welcome. The service will begin at 11:00 pm on Monday, December 31.

Spiritual Life Spring Retreat

April 4-6, 2008
Laurel Ridge Higgins Lodge

Ladies mark your calendars! The theme will be Christian Hospitality “Bring Your Plate to the Feast” with speaker, Sandra Miller. Deposit and registration are due by January 10, 2008 to the Provincial Women’s Board, 455 S. Church St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, 336-722-4911. For more information, contact the Provincial Women’s Board.

(sponsored by the Provincial Women’s Board)

Moravian Church in America

Southern Province
2008
Days of Prayer

Wednesday
February 6

HOME MORAVIAN CHURCH
The Rt. Rev. Samuel J. Gray, Speaker
10:00 am Coffee Hour; 10:45 am Music
11:00 am Worship
Nursery Provided

From the Provincial Treasurer's Office

2007 Budgets – Please remember that 2008 Budget forms are due in to the Treasurer’s Office by December 15, 2007.

Housing Allowance – Ministers can treat their housing allowance as nontaxable income for federal income tax purposes to the extent that it is used to pay for housing related expenses and does not exceed the fair rental value of their home. However, the housing allowance must be specifically designated by official church (board) action in advance for this favorable tax treatment to apply. Please be sure that your church board approves this designation for 2008 before the end of 2007 and documents this approval in the board minutes.

Year End Contributions – As we all scramble to make year contributions to the church or other charities, please remember that in order for a contribution to be deducted in 2007, it must be “delivered” in 2007. This means that year end checks must be dated in 2007 and either physically delivered to the church by year end or mailed and postmarked by December 31, 2007. Checks that are dated in 2007 but mailed or delivered to the church in 2008 should not be reflected on 2007 giving statements or deducted in 2007.

Section 125 Plan - Flexible Spending Accounts – The Province sponsors what is called a Section 125, or Flex Plan that allows full-time employees to pay for certain “medical” and /or “dependent care” expenses with pre-tax dollars. By participating in this Plan, employees do not have to pay income taxes (i.e., federal, state or social security) on amounts contributed into their account and they can then withdraw this money to reimburse themselves for out-of pocket medical, dental, vision and dependent care expenses. It is literally a “no-brainer,” a “win-win” situation for the employee and the church. More information will be coming out shortly about this to all our employees since anyone wanting to change their elections or sign-up for the first time will need to do so before year end.

(submitted by Ted Leinbach, Provincial Treasurer)

Christmas with The Salem Band

Tuesday, December 18, 7:30 p.m.
(prelude-7 p.m.) Home Moravian Church
(offering collected to support Sunnyside Ministries)

Service of Lessons and Carols

Sunday, December 16, 4 p.m.
King Moravian Church

A celebration of Christmas music with orchestra, featuring arrangements by John Rutter and sung by the King Moravian Adult Choir under the direction of Drake Flynt.

MMA Assistant Director

We welcome Gwyneth Michel to the Moravian Music Foundation in Bethlehem, PA as Assistant Director! Gwyn is a graduate of Moravian College (bachelor’s degree: Music Education) and Westminster Choir College (master’s degree: Church Music). A veteran of 30 years in the music industry, she was in charge of the church music divisions of Shawnee Press, Belwin Mills, and Warner Bros. Publications. Her responsibilities at Warner Bros. included the retention and expansion of the esteemed H.W. Gray catalog, home to some of the earliest and most beloved Moravian Music editions.

Gwyn is an active church musician. She has served numerous Moravian churches as organist/choir director, and spent two years as Director of Music at the Moravian congregation in Neuwied, Germany. Full-time service is part of her heritage: Gwyn's father and grandfather were Moravian ministers, as are her uncle and cousin.

Deadline for the January Issue of Provincial Ties is December 20.

Newsletter Notes

From around the Southern Province

Wasn’t that a wonderful, uplifting service in Wait Chapel on November 4, concluding our year of celebrating the 550th anniversary of the Moravian Church. Most appropriately it was the annual mission lovefeast, and if nothing else, we are a mission Church. The messages were inspiring, and the music was very upbeat and contemporary. (One 14-year-old knew it by heart.) Downstairs of Wait Chapel looked comfortably full, and we hear there was even an overflow into the balcony. The band at the prelude might not have been 550 strong, but it was still HUGE and sounded great — just like the Easter Band in Salem.

Friedland has discovered a problem facing many of our congregations: We have a lot of buildings that were constructed when it was cheaper to pay the fuel bills than insulate the building. (Grandparents, tell your grandchildren about “gas wars” and gasoline at 19 cents a gallon. They’ll think you’re daft.) So “insulation” and “R-value” will be on many a trustee’s mind. There is an alternative, Br. Craig Atwood pointed out to his Sunday school class: In Europe it is fashionable to wear a coat to church. That’s because Europe’s churches are not heated. Come to think of it, neither are they air conditioned. Okay, who made the mistake of getting rid of all those funeral-home fans now that we need them?

Several churches report that through September they have an operating surplus. Want to really surprise the treasurer? Give a whole lot more toward year’s end, and keep the ball rolling in 2008.

Why does the Mizpah church sign say Tabernacle Methodist Church? It’s the simple Christian spirit of helping a church that has lost its place of worship to fire.

With the Daily Texts for 2008 now available, we get our annual look at the statistics in the accompanying Directory. This year the statistics for year-end 2006 were also published in the November issue of The Moravian. Several of our Southern Province churches must have had housecleaning of the rolls: Little Church on the Lane, Fulp,

Friedberg. And we pray for the Lord’s abundance to shower upon one of our new churches, Holly Springs. Losses of total memberships at those four amounted to 589, and for the Province as a whole 854. How do we get our Moravian Church to grow? Really it is up to us. We are Christ’s best evangelists. Let’s ask a friend or neighbor to come worship where we do. And another. And another. And soon our efforts will surely bear fruit.

In presenting the annual statistics we like to recognize churches that have across the board increases in confirmed communicants, total membership, and average attendance: New Hope in Florida, Peace, Clemmons, New Beginnings, Good Shepherd, Christ, Messiah, and Willow Hill. Congratulations, and may your example spread throughout the Province in our service to the Lord. — Richard W. Starbuck, Moravian Archives

— Richard W. Starbuck, Moravian Archives

Fall Jr/Sr High Rally

Youth and adults from 25 Moravian churches gathered on October 7, 2007 at Fairview Moravian Church in Winston-Salem for the fall Jr/Sr High Rally. The Rev. Russell May led a challenging program translating the major players in our Moravian heritage into modern times. Singing, worship, pizza and a concert by the Acoustic Blend were also enjoyed. More pictures can be seen at [http://www.moravianboardofce.org/youth].

(submitted by Brad Bennett)

Provincial Holidays 2008

Moravian Church in America, South
Provincial Elders’ Conference
459 South Church Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Address Correction Requested

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