Congregations & Fellowships
Advent
Ardmore
Bethabara
Bethania
Bethesda
Calvary
Christ
Christ the King
Clemmons
Community Fellowship
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
Mayodan
Messiah
Mizpah
Moravia
Morning Star
Mt. Bethel
New Beginnings
New Covenant Fell. (Palm Beach)
New Hope (Miami)
New Hope (Newton)
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

Is your Congregation a Missionary Outpost?

Just a few months ago, at our intersynodal conference, Dr. George Hunter challenged us to think on a very fundamental level about who we are and why we exist as a church. He said that churches in this country are no longer in "Christendom" but are placed in secular mission fields. His words were reminiscent of our speaker at the previous conference, in 2000, when Dr. Rob Nash challenged us to think of our congregations as "missionary outposts." I still believe, as I said at the 2000 conference, that our Moravian congregations tend to be more like a "warm and comfortable tent" than a missionary outpost.

It's not that we as a church don't understand who we are or why we exist. We are familiar with the important passages of scripture on the Great Commandments (Mark 12:29-31) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). We read that we are witnesses for the ascended Lord (Acts 1:8) and ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). We state it very clearly in the opening sentences of The Ground of the Unity:

The Lord Jesus Christ calls His Church into being so that it may serve Him here on earth until He comes. The Unitas Fratrum is, therefore, aware of its being called in faith to serve humanity by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It recognizes this call to be the source of its being and the inspiration of its services.

Those are powerful words, brothers and sisters. And that's what we've already said about ourselves! Living into this self-description is the necessity that should be "front and center" as we preach and listen to sermons, as we deliberate in board meetings, as we teach and learn—in all we do.

We need not wait for a synod to be about continuing mission work and new mission work. But a synod is a unique opportunity to affirm our common mission and to take action to strengthen that mission. I see a great opportunity ahead, not only in our next synod, but also in the months leading up to it. We as PEC members are beginning to give active consideration to synod and preparation for it. We will be appointing several planning teams to take responsibility for various tasks leading up to synod, such as worship planning, delegate preparation, facilities' arrangements, program development, leadership selection, and nominations. The Team Leaders will serve with PEC members as a Synod Planning Committee. We expect to have broad involvement and we will be inviting people to let us know of their interest in assisting.

The letter to the Hebrews brings us sound counsel: "Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

(submitted by Bob Sawyer)

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

"THE LORD IS GOOD; HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOR EVER, AND HIS FAITHFULNESS TO ALL GENERATIONS." PSALM 100:5

Our prayers are with...

Deaths

Sister Wilhelmina Breedlove Cranford, wife of The Rev. William A. Cranford, passed away on June 6 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Brother Bob Carter, father of Jeff (Pastor of Hopewell Moravian Church) & Tracy Carter, passed away on June 19 in Charlotte, NC.

The Rev. Dr. John Fulton passed away on June 25 in Winston-Salem, NC. He served Calvary, Enterprise, Friedberg and Raleigh Moravian Churches as well as the Board of Christian Education in the Southern Province as the Executive Director. Dr. Fulton held the Edward Rondthaler Chair of Practical Theology at Moravian Theological Seminary from 1956-1964.

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

Pastoral Changes

Brother Phil Bauguess has accepted the position of Associate Pastor at Sedge Garden Methodist Church in Kernersville, NC starting the first of July. The PEC approved his request to be released for service to the United Methodist Church.

Brother Dan Nelson has accepted the call to become pastor of the Fulp Moravian Church in Walnut Cove, NC. He has served as pastor of the Bruderheim Moravian Church in Alberta, Canada for the past seven years. Brother Nelson will be installed on August 1 by The Rt. Rev. J. C. Hughes.

Brother Sam Gray has accepted call as Director of Intercultural Ministries and Communication with the Board of World Mission. Brother Gray has been serving as pastor of New Hope Moravian Church in Miami, FL since August 1998. He will begin his new duties on August 1, 2004 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Congratulations!

Ordination Anniversaries:
July

Congratulations and God Bless You!

Illness

Sister Lahoma Gray is in Phillips Healthcare at Salemtowne receiving therapy for the effects of a stroke. She appreciates everyone's prayers and visits.

Marriages

Jonathan Green and Lindsay Gainey were married in Wilmington, NC on May 15. Jonathan is the son of Worth (Pastor of New Philadelphia Moravian) and Elayne Green and grandson of Norwood and Henrietta Green.

Congratulations!

The Provincial Elders' Conference met on June 15. The meeting began with a time of prayer and intercession. PEC reviewed notes from a recent retreat and discussed planning for the 2006 synod. Tentative plans are that PEC will appoint six working teams to assume synod planning tasks. PEC members along with the Team Leaders will serve as the Synod Planning Committee.

Current call processes on the PEC agenda are as follows: Trinity, New Hope (FL), and Bethabara. Fries Memorial, Macedonia, and Enterprise have interim leadership but are not actively engaged in a call process at this time. PEC also reviewed recent developments in several congregations with special needs. Bishop Burkette was commissioned to consecrate Patty Garner a presbyter and PEC agreed to ask Bishop Hughes to serve as bishop in residence at Moravian Theological Seminary this Fall. The following appointments were approved: Board of Trustees of the Moravian Ministries Foundation - Beth Baldwin and Powell Winstead for 4-year terms; Board of Directors of the Archives - Tom Shelton for a second 4-year term. A continuing education request for Br. Wayne Byerly was approved.

PEC reviewed a proposed budget for 2005 along with related budgets including ones for Ministerial Student Aid, Special Ministries, Synod and Conference, and Unity and Ecumenical Affairs. The Provincial Financial Board has asked agencies to reduce the askings from congregations in 2005.

(submitted by Bob Sawyer)

Moravian Ministry Retreat

September 20-23, 2004

"Christ Speaks to the Church: Parables and Signs"

The 2004 Moravian Ministry Retreat will begin with dinner on Monday September 20 and conclude with lunch on Thursday September 23. Once again we will gather together on the mountaintop at Laurel Ridge. (There will not be a Small Church Leadership Team "retreat before the retreat" this year.)

This year we will consider the messages that Christ has for the church by looking at Parables and Signs. The retreat leaders will be Rev. Dr. Frank Crouch and Dr. Audrey West. Frank is currently under call to the Southern Province and is the Dean of Moravian Theological Seminary. Audrey is an assistant professor of New Testament at The Lutheran School of Theology (Chicago).

This retreat is designed to be a time away from the daily challenges of ministry. This year's retreat committee has been working on ways to incorporate opportunities for fellowship, spiritual renewal, and education. Plan on being a part of this enriching experience.

Registration forms can be obtained by calling the PEC office, 336-725-5811, and should be sent to the registrar's office at Laurel Ridge no later than September 13. The cost of the retreat is covered by an endowment. A $30 contribution is requested to help defray Association expenses for the coming year and enable us to make a gift donation.

(submitted by Joe & Kelly Moore)

You are Invited to Join in these Celebrations across the Southern Province

Covenant Moravian Church (4126 S. College Rd., Wilmington, NC 28412)-ground breaking celebration for their new fellowship building and sanctuary expansion on July 11.

Peace Moravian Church (4418 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226)- Community Open House on August 14 and dedication of their new facilities on August 15.

Provincial Stewardship Dinner

September 9, 2004

Clemmons Moravian Church

The annual Provincial Stewardship Dinner and 2005 budget presentation will be held on Thursday, September 9, 2004 at Clemmons Moravian Church in Clemmons, NC, starting at 6:30 p.m. Salem Congregation has generously offered to cover the dinner costs for up to three people from each congregation (ideally the minister, the church treasurer, and trustee chairperson). However, all interested individuals are invited to attend. Each meal, provided by the Women's Fellowship of Clemmons Moravian, will cost $10. Please watch for additional information and reservation forms arriving by mail to each church in mid-July.

(submitted by the Provincial Financial Board)

Laurel Ridge: Growing for a Lifetime

The Growing for a Lifetime Campaign is happy to report that over
$617,000 in pledges and gifts
have been received thus far in our campaign.

The second phase of our campaign has begun. We are seeking 1,000 Moravian stewards who will pledge a gift of $1,500 over a 3 year period.

Be a part of this committed group called Higgins Stewards who are dedicating their resources, $500 a year for 3 years, to insure that Laurel Ridge remains vital and secure for the faith and spiritual growth of generations to come.

For all our family

For all time

(submitted by Chi Chi Messick)

LMPC

National Training Opportunity:

Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) will be conducting Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders during the week of November 15-19 at Home Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, NC. The leader of the institute will be Richard Blackburn, LMPC Executive Director.

The institute focuses on: individual styles of response to conflict; win-win negotiation skills; skills to mediate conflict between individuals; and tools to manage congregational conflict effectively. Specific attention is given to mediating conflict in the church, though the skills gained are also helpful in other settings including the home, the school, and the workplace.

LMPC is committed to the mission of helping the church grow into health and wholeness, into all that Christ wants the church to be. LMPC pursues that mission by conducting workshops on biblical peacemaking and conflict transformation skills and by providing mediation and consultation services for conflicted churches in addition to yearly training.

The cost for this five-day institute is $595 if registered by October 18 and $670 after that date.

Moravian contact for this date: The Rev. Scott Venable, Home Moravian Church, 336-722-6171, home1771@bellsouth.net. More information and brochures may also be obtained by writing: LMPC, 1263 S. Highland Ave, Suite 1N, Lombard, IL 60148; email: Admin@LMPeaceCenter.org; website: www.LMPeaceCenter.org; or call 630-627-0507.

(submitted by Scott Venable)

Plan now for the Interprovincial Ministry Convocation and Worship Conference

The Interprovincial Ministry Convocation and Worship Conference (formerly called Interprovincial Ministers' Conference) will be held May 16-19, 2005, at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The conference will begin on Monday afternoon and close mid-day on Thursday. The conference will include speakers from the Moravian Church in America and our ecumenical partners; worship in a variety of styles using primarily Moravian resources; workshops highlighting ways to broaden and deepen congregational worship; and free time, with optional music reading sessions and discussion opportunities.

Each congregation is encouraged to send persons who are involved in worship planning -- music leaders, worship team leaders, organists, directors of music -- in addition to pastors and directors of Christian education.

The estimated cost of the conference is $495 per person; this includes program costs, room and board, and travel assistance. What do you need to do now?

• Think about who might best benefit from attending this conference; contact those persons and ask them to reserve the dates on their calendars.
• Add the appropriate amount to your congregation's budget for 2005 to support these persons as they represent your congregation.
• Pray for the conference and the planning committee in both provinces.

Please plan to attend the entire conference. The planning committee looks forward to working and worshiping together with you!

(submitted by Nola Knouse)

St. Philips Reaches Out

Put some S.T.E.P. (Strengthening the Entire Person) into your life! This is a total development and job certification program designed to equip the job seeker with presentation skills, tools and resources for success in today's competitive job market. The series is free and runs through July 19 on the 2nd and 4th Monday, 12-2 pm presented by: St. Philips Moravian Church, The Potter's House Outreach Ministries and The Urban League. For additional information call Valerie Bailey, Director, 336-727-4673.

Do you have suits in your closet that you don't wear anymore? St. Philips has opened a career clothing showroom called "The Attic." It is designed to assist the unemployed with appropriate attire for job interviews and ultimately, employment. St. Philips invites the Southern Province to partner with them by donating appropriate clothing for this endeavor (suits, dress slacks, shirts, skirts, blouses, shoes, etc). Also additional clothing racks are needed to display clothing.

(submitted by Sandra Thigpen)

Join us for prayer

St. Philips has begun an early morning Prayer Ministry for everyone at 6:00 am Monday - Friday. Please join with St. Philips in intercessory prayer for the Southern Province, the community, nation and world. God has asked us to pray without ceasing. We hope all clergy and educators will join us!

Beginning July 5, Salemtowne will host Moravians for prayer on the first and third Monday of each month at 7 am in the small chapel adjacent to the Saal. Bring your prayer concerns!

(submitted by Christian Weber)

Church World Service Emergency Response Program

Church World Service (CWS) plans to play a role in long-term recovery efforts in Haiti and the Dominican Republic due to recent floods and mudslides. CWS has reallocated food shipments to that area, but blankets and medicines are also needed. Contributions to support a Church World Service emergency appeal may be sent to Church World Service, PO Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515. Please designate: #6743-Haiti/Dominican Republic Floods. For additional information call 800-297-1516 or visit www.churchworldservice.org

Kit Ministry

To date, more than 19,000 Kits have been sent by 43 Southern Province Churches to Church World Service. A new load of kits will be taken late in the summer. Call Br. Campbell, 336-643-5037, when your church has kits ready. (submitted by Bill Campbell)

Youth Ministry Summit

The gathering of Moravian youth leaders in October is approaching. The summit will be October 15-17 in Massanetta Springs, Va. Mark DeVries, author of Family-Based Youth Ministry, will be the summit leader. Details and brochures are available in the Board of Christian Education office or can be accessed online on the BCE website, (www.moravianboardofce.org) in the youth leader section. Register soon!

(submitted by Brad Bennett)

Newsletter Notes

From around the Southern Province

Here is the sixth of "Ten Ways to Help/Kill a Church" from the May 1918 Wachovia Moravian "6. Feel glad that others are appointed on committees and elected to offices, for that leaves you a chance to work anywhere" (help). And "6. . . .get sore and pout if you are not appointed on a committee or elected to an office. If you should be appointed to some service, don't think of doing it" (kill).

Summertime often brings us occasion for imaginative presentations of sermons and such. Try this from Mayodan: a Bible study titled "Bad Girls of the Bible." (Next summer we could see "Bad Boys.")

"It's summer, and there's nothing to do, and I'm bored, bored, bored." Sounds just like a teenager or young adult, doesn't it? Well, the college age crowd can try this: Tuesday evenings, 7-8ish, at Panera Bread in the Cloverdale Shopping Center. Bible studies and discussions will be led by various people and convened by those two eternally youthful pastors, Brad Bennett and John G. Rights. Now no more talk of "bored, bored, bored."

Okay, all you skirters of Union Cross's fine speed bump. Next time you try driving around it, meet the nice new post blocking the way. P.S.: For novelty's sake, you could try driving on the public roads. We hear that's what they are for.

Oak Grove is trying a different sort of outreach: setting up a table at a local supermarket to hand out church brochures, extend invitations to services, and welcome children to Vacation Bible School.

Following extensive study, Kernersville's Trustees have opted for a complete restoration of the stained glass windows in its 1867 Historic Chapel. The work will include new frames in some cases, re-leading, repairing broken panes, grouting, removing bulges and general repairs. The cost? An estimated $40,000. But look at it this way. The life of the restoration work should be 100 years.

Following extensive study, Kernersville's Trustees have opted for a complete restoration of the stained glass windows in its 1867 Historic Chapel. The work will include new frames in some cases, re-leading, repairing broken panes, grouting, removing bulges and general repairs. The cost? An estimated $40,000. But look at it this way. The life of the restoration work should be 100 years.

Pine Chapel's organ fund has reached the three-quarters mark with more than $15,120 raised so far. Thoughts, prayers, and contributions will be gratefully accepted. (Same goes for Kernersville's stained glass windows restoration.)

"Building code violations." Whisper that to your Trustees and hear 'em groan. Trouble is, a building code is a movable target, the latest notion of public safety, whereas our buildings were constructed to conform to the code in force at that time. If there was a code way back when. To keep (or bring) your house of worship up to latest code standards requires constant vigilance and expenditures. The latest to study the problem of building code is Bethabara. Not the 1788 Gemeinhaus, which has gained grandfather status for the most part. But the 1953 building and the 1971 sanctuary, which were constructed to codes that are now out of date. On top of that, two-thirds of Bethabara's land is classified as flood plain, and all of it is within the Bethabara Historic District. Studies are being made with perhaps an eye to a front addition that will blend with the old (1788) and new (1971) architecture that is Bethabara. Expect to read more of this intriguing project in the future.

With all the building, renovation, and restoration projects being undertaken, planned or contemplated, it's nice to report on one completed. Fries Memorial reached its fund goal for new windows in its parsonage. The windows were installed, and thanks have been expressed to all who contributed to the project.

(submitted by Richard Starbuck)

For Your Calendar: July

.

Address Book

Hal & Shannon Atkins: 919-342-4663

Peace Moravian Email: pastor@peacemoravian.com general@peacemoravian.com preschool@peacemoravian.com music@peacemoravian.com

Tim & Karen Sapp
320 Goldfloss St
Winston-Salem NC 27127
336-723-3743 (h)
kgsapp@bellsouth.net

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

Address Correction Requested