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Willow Hill

Clemmons Disaster Relief

By: Scott Brent, Friedland Moravian Church, Winston-Salem, NC

Tornadoes swept through the southeastern part of the United States during the first part of May this year, leaving a trail of downed trees and damaged homes. I had just returned from a mission trip to the Gulf Coast doing repair work for Katrina victims with the Moravian Disaster Response Team. On Friday, May 9, I received a phone call from Mark Ebert, Director of Volunteer Ministries of the Moravian Church. I wondered if the request would be to go to Nicaragua, Honduras, or Alaska. This time, the disaster was right in our own backyard. A person from the Clemmons area of North Carolina had requested help with removal of the many trees that were blown down by the storm. On Saturday Mark and I went to Clemmons, brought out the chain saws, and started cutting and piling brush. The piles soon grew to be quite large. Shortly, Jimmy, a person from the area, showed up with a loader and the piles of sawed logs quickly disappeared.

Four to six neighbors, friends, and strangers, all from different churches, worked on the house. Soon we were friends, all working for a common goal. We were just one of many groups helping out with one desire, to love our neighbors as Jesus has taught us.

Thank You received from Barton and Debbie Lakey, Clemmons, NC

To: Friedberg Moravian Church and Moravian Disaster Team

My wife and I would like to express our thankfulness and gratitude to some of your fellow members and the Moravian Disaster Team. On Thursday, May 8, our house and properties were hit hard by the tornado that devastated our community. No questions were asked, they just pulled out their chain saws and started working. Two of our workers had even taken off of work that day to help us. They brought food and drink as well as all of the equipment to move logs, brush, and stumps.

It is evident that your members not only hear God’s word from the pulpit, but they take it with them in their daily walk. This week we have seen Jesus and His love through them.

New Presidents Elected

Linda Jones of Grace Moravian in Mt. Airy, NC was elected President of the Provincial Women’s Board at their April meeting. Joann Self of Konnoak Hills Moravian in Winston-Salem was re-elected Vice President and Mildred White of Hopewell Moravian continues as Secretary/Treasurer.

Willie Israel, Pastor of Rolling Hills Moravian in Longwood, FL was elected President of the Florida District Board at its meeting on May 17. Ofreciano Julias continues as Vice-President of the Board.

Congratulations!

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

“LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE OTHERS, SO THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GIVE GLORY TO YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.”
MATTHEW 5:16

Our prayers are with...

Deaths

Sister Ann Bauguess, mother of Moravian Pastor Phil Bauguess and Kandice Fox (Olivet Moravian Office), passed away on May 13, 2008 in Winston-Salem, NC.

We express our love and sympathy to her family and friends.

Illness

Sister Polly Applefield, Moravian Minister

Brother Hal Cole, Moravian Minister

Brother Don Griffin, Moravian Minister

Brother David Guthrie, Moravian Minister

Sister Bonnie Huneycutt, sister of JaneVannoy in the BEHM Office

Brother Joe Nicholas, Moravian Minister Our prayers are with these.

Our prayers are with these.

Pastoral

Brother Christopher McCoy has accepted an appointment to become pastor of St. Philips Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, NC. Brother McCoy previously served in the Baptist denomination. He began his responsibilities at St. Philips on June 1, 2008.

Congratulations!

Marriages

Adam Spaugh and Eileen Gottshawk were married on May 30, 2008 in Bethlehem, PA. Adam is a recent graduate of Moravian Theological Seminary and has accepted the call to become pastor at New Hope Moravian in Newton, NC. Adam is the son of Jean Spaugh of Atlanta, GA and the Rev. Richard Spaugh of Winston-Salem, NC.

Eric Spencer and Ramona Routh were married on May 31, 2008. Ramona is pastor of Moravia Moravian Church in Oak Ridge, NC.

Congratulations!

Ordination Anniversaries: page 5

A New Look in the Resource Center

If you have been in the BCE offices during March and April, you probably noticed lots of confusion and different things going on along with paint smells and noise. We have just completed a renovation project creating a new children and family life room, new youth sections, and the ability to move and spread out many of our resources. We are finally just about back in place and we love it.

The Children's Room is a place where not only leaders come to look for resources but children can hang out and watch movies while parents look around. In the renovation, we found many duplicate books and have placed them on a free cart in the hallway of the building and for anyone to take and use.

The results of our renovation are wonderful! Please make every effort to come visit us soon. We will plan a grand opening for later in the summer close to the opening of schools; but until then, come and enjoy. Thanks to BCE and Salem Congregation for making this project possible.

(submitted by Beth Hayes)

Recent Moravian Theological Seminary graduates: (Left to Right) Suzanne Miller, Adam Spaugh, Cheryl Cottingham, and Tony Hayworth

The Provincial Elders’ Conference met on May 13 and 19, 2008. 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 concerns, followed by intercessory prayers.

Various concerns and opportunities were discussed related to congregations and personnel in the Province. Call processes are ongoing at St. Philips, Grace, Ardmore and Raleigh (Associate). PEC expressed much gratitude to Bro. George Chiddie who concluded his interim pastorate at St. Philips on May 25. May 25 was also Bro. Bob Sawyer’s last Sunday as interim at New Hope (NC), and many thanks are offered to Bob for his service to that congregation. Bro. Sawyer will serve as interim pastor at New Beginnings, June – September, while Bro. Chris Thore is on sabbatical. Sister Lehoma Goode will serve as interim pastor at New Hope (NC) during June-August, prior to Bro. Adam Spaugh’s installation in September. At the request of the joint boards of Calvary, PEC authorized the Rev. Dallas Prestwood to offer sacramental ministry as part of his duties as newly appointed Pastoral Assistant. Bro. Prestwood is a retired Baptist pastor who has been active at Calvary for several years, and the PEC is delighted to welcome him into this new avenue of service to Calvary. Sister Anita Whittington was approved as a congregational acolyte at Union Cross. PEC noted that the Morning Star Fellowship is now meeting at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Asheville, NC.

Sister Hurt reported on her participation in an excellent training session in April sponsored by the Institute for Dismantling Racism. The next training session will be offered November 20-22, and the Province has available one reservation for that event. Anyone interested in participating should contact the PEC office.

Bro. Bill Burke (Calvary) was appointed to the Public Relations Commission, and the PEC discussed other appointments to that

Commission as well as to the Unity and Ecumenical Affairs Commission. Bro. Lane Sapp agreed to assume the annual appointment of a bishop to the Interprovincial Faith and Order Commission, and Bro. Burkette will fill the remainder of Bro. Sapp’s intersynodal term on the Commission. PEC acknowledges Bishop Jay Hughes service on the Commission for the past several years with much appreciation.

Other matters addressed by PEC included: additional discussion of a “Month of Prayer and Self-Reflection” for clergy in the Province from August 13-September 16, 2008 when all ordained clergy in the Province will be encouraged to enter into a season of guided prayer and reflection on their call to ordained ministry and the joys and challenges which that call presents in our day; the designation of Bro. Bob Sawyer to represent both Northern and Southern Provinces at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, USA in June; the current search for a Director of Admissions and Student Life at Moravian Theological Seminary; the work of the Lutheran-Moravian Coordinating Team; establishment and implementation of the Ministry Fund for the Southern Province; and approval of a grant request from the Pfohl Fund for continuing education.

PEC adopted as policy that a pastor’s years of service under call to “Specialized Ministry” would be counted in the total of years of service for determining minimum salary guidelines in the call process.

PEC appointed Dr. Vardaman Buckalew and Dr. Timothy Pennell to the Board of Trustees of Salemtowne.

Bro. Joe Nicholas submitted his resignation as President of the Florida District Board due to health reasons, and PEC expressed much appreciation to Bro. Nicholas for his service in that important office. At a meeting of the Florida District Board on May 17, Sister Willie Israel, pastor of the Rolling Hills congregation, was elected President.

PEC reviewed and agreed with recommendations of the Provincial Financial Board concerning next steps for the Director
(continued on next page)

of Human Resources, Bro. Gary Stilley, to take regarding a handbook on employment policies and procedures to serve as a guide for local congregational boards.

Bro. Burkette proposed a form and process to be used for a performance review by PEC of the PEC President. The process will be implemented at the June meeting of the PEC.

PEC also discussed the advanced age, mileage and deteriorating condition of the PEC auto (Buick station wagon), and options for replacement. In the past, donors have come forward to offer low mileage cars in good condition as a donation to the Province for PEC official use. These donations have helped the Province significantly with travel costs. Is there another prospective donor with a car that has lots of life remaining? If so, please contact the PEC office!

Various other matters were discussed and information shared concerning the life and ministry of the Southern Province. PEC reviewed correspondence and noted upcoming provincial and congregational events and programs, and agreed to meet for an all-day session on June 24.

(submitted by Wayne Burkette)

Moravian Historical Society appoints Executive Director

"The Board of Managers of the Moravian Historical Society (www.moravianhistoricalsociety.org) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Wendy S. Weida as Executive Director. Ms. Weida is a graduate of Albright College and holds an M.A. in American Studies from Penn State. She has interned with the Society and comes to her new position from employment with the Historic Bethlehem Partnership. Ms. Weida succeeds Ms. Susan M. Dreydoppel who recently completed 18 years as the Society's first full-time Director."

(submitted by David Schattschneider, President, MHS)

New Worship Ministry

"Come and Worship"

A new worship ministry in Winston-Salem is now meeting at Chelsee’s Coffee Shop, 533 N. Trade Street, Winston-Salem, NC on Sundays at 11 a.m. (prior meeting location was Moby’s Coffee Shop). This Moravian worship ministry and community is open to everyone with the focus on:

• An inviting, relaxed atmosphere for worship and fellowship.
• Hospitality to friend and stranger.
• Combining traditional and new forms of worship in informal, interactive ways.
• Moravian values of simplicity, devotion to Christ, fellowship, and music.
• Exploring faith and community “inside” and focused on mission activity “outside.”

For additional information, contact any of the worship leaders: Brad Bennett at 336-722-8126 or bbennett@mcsp.org; Sam Gray at 336-773-1732 or sgray@mcsp.org; or David Guthrie at 336-725-6413 or dguthrie@mcps.org. Please pass the word to anyone you may know who might be interested in this kind of worship experience.

Song of Salem: In All Things Love

Variations on a Moravian Theme

Sunday, September 21, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
Gray Auditorium - Old Salem Visitor Center

Participants: Lynda Alexander, Director of Music; Susan Foster, Organist; the Choir of Home Moravian Church; the Collegium Musicum of Salem; Dr. Craig Atwood, Comenius Scholar for Home Moravian Church and Wake Forest University.

This year’s Song of Salem Concert and Lecture will focus attention on the meaning of lovefeast in the Moravian tradition and the diversity of the various customs for celebrating lovefeast, including diener attire.

Anyone with information concerning borrowing attire (one outfit) from a Moravian church in another country or region of the United States is asked to contact Lynda Alexander at (lalexander@homemoravian.org). (submitted by Lynda Alexander, Director of Music)

“Sunnyside Day”

Saturday, June 28, 2008

World Villages in Winston-Salem, NC is having a “Sunnyside Day” on Saturday, June 28 from 10 am until 5pm. Bring in peanut butter and jelly and receive a 10% discount on purchases of regularly priced merchandise.

World Villages
37 Miller Street (beside Whole Foods)
Winston-Salem, NC
336-725-9114

“Come back to Bethabara”

Friends, family members and former staff and pastors are invited to “come back to Bethabara” on June 8. Bethabara will be celebrating with a homecoming, potluck luncheon, and concert. Worship begins at 11 am followed by the luncheon and concert given by the adult choir.

(submitted by Tripp May)

Ordination Anniversaries:
June

Congratulations and God Bless You!

Moravian-Reformed Dialogue and Proposal for Covenant Partnership

The Synod of 1998 requested that the PECs of both the Northern and Southern Provinces should “seek the opening of bilateral dialogue with other churches, including some with whom we had no historic connections.” (Resolution re: Bilateral Ecumenical Dialogue, page 10, Resolutions, Reports and Elections, Provincial Synod, May 6-9, 1998). This was the same Synod that approved the current full-communion agreement between the Moravian Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Subsequent to the action of the 1998 Synod, dialogues were initiated with the Episcopal Church in the U. S. and with four denominations of the Reformed tradition: Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed Church in America, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ.

As a result of the Moravian-Reformed Dialogue, one of the participating denominations-the Presbyterian Church (USA)-and the Moravian Church, Northern and Southern Provinces have proposed an agreement of mutual recognition and cooperation called “Covenant Partnership.” The PECs of both North and South have endorsed the proposal for consideration by the Synod of 2010 and the Presbyterian Church (USA) will consider it for adoption at their General Assembly in June, 2008. Before the Covenant Partnership between the Moravian Church and the Presbyterian Church would become effective, the partnership must be approved by the General Assembly, a majority of their presbyteries, and the Northern and Southern Province Synods of 2010.

The PEC invites you to review the full text of the proposal, entitled “An Invitation to the Table: A Proposal for a Moravian/Reformed Covenant Partnership” which will be posted on the website of the Southern Province (www.mcsp.org). Although there were five denominations which participated in the Moravian-Reformed Dialogue, the current proposal under consideration relates only to the Moravian Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA).

(submitted by Wayne Burkette)

New History Tells of Early Moravian Church

Last year the Moravian Church celebrated its 550th anniversary. But what is the story of the early church?

Now a new book tells all.

Faith, Love, Hope is subtitled A History of the Unitas Fratrum — the story of the early Moravian Church. And it is written by Archivist C. Daniel Crews, so you know it will be a good read — direct and to the point with a dash of wit. (Quick, when was the first Moravian “parking lot meeting”? Right, 1490.)

This major publication from Moravian Archives is 440 pages in hardcover with three maps, a generous 63 pictures, and a retail price of $29.95 plus tax.

Buy it, read it, you’ll be glad you did. (And you’ll make the author very, very happy.)

PS: Do you have his With Courage for the Future yet?

PPS: The cookbook is still in the making. Have patience. Now go buy the history book. It’s available at Moravian Book & Gift Shop, 614 S. Main Street, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101, telephone 336-723-6262, or Moravian Archives, 457 S. Church Street, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101, telephone 336-722-1742.

(submitted by Richard Starbuck)

October 19: Invite a Friend Sunday

Sunday, October 19, is “Invite a Friend” Sunday across our Province. The idea is simple: encourage members to bring a friend to worship on that Sunday. Mark your calendars!

Newsletter Notes

From around the Southern Province

Kernersville has begun a $50,000 “main sanctuary restoration campaign” to renew floors, replace the chancel floor, and — the big expense — completely refurbish the pews. On the bright side, all that wear and tear means it is a sanctuary that is being well used. Now that’s a “problem” all churches should have.

It’s official. Trinity’s surrounding Sunnyside neighborhood has been recognized as a National Historic District. This summer high school and college age members of Trinity will have opportunity to gather the neighborhood’s history by interviewing its older residents.

A couple of cafés have sprung up in our churches. For teens who want a place to hang out this summer, there will be the Calvary Café in downtown Winston-Salem. The café will be open the fourth Friday of each month through September, 7-10 p.m. Calvary’s junior and senior highs will be hosts for the coffee house venue for teens to enjoy fellowship in a Christian setting while listening to local bands. And at Hopewell there is the Theology Café on Sunday evenings, designed for young adults as an outreach into the community.

The Prodigals Community of Winston-Salem has a new executive director/pastor — Grace’s interim pastor, Jeff Coppage. Actually he is returning to Prodigals, since he was the founding director/pastor when it began in 1986 as a halfway house program of the Forsyth Jail and Prison Ministries. Prodigals became a separate ministry in 1992 with the opening of its current program, New Salem, which is modeled on the intensive structure and spiritual life of the early Moravians of Salem.

The Moravian Church does get around, and in this case back to where it had been in the 19th century. The latest newsletter of the Oaks Indian Mission in Oaks, Oklahoma, announces that its readers can order “your copy of the special Oaks edition of the Moravian Daily Texts, 2008.” Oaks is the site of New Springplace, the Moravian Church’s mission to the Cherokee Indians in the 1800s. Renewed contacts in recent years have strengthened our common heritage.

And now a bit of advertising: We celebrated the 550th anniversary of the Moravian Church last year, but do you know why? Do you know the rich but tragic story of the early Moravian Church? Have no fear, the Moravian Archives will soon have the answer with its newest publication entitled Faith, Love, Hope. The subtitle is to the point: A History of the Unitas Fratrum — the early Moravian Church with its beginning in 1457. Faith, Love, Hope is written by Daniel Crews, our Archivist, and you know his writing style will make this an easy read. The 440-page Faith, Love, Hope is packed with pictures and includes a timeline and guide of how to pronounce those funny Czech names. All for $29.95 plus tax. It’s still at the printer as we write, but we expect Faith, Love, Hope to be available for purchase in early June.

— (Richard W. Starbuck, Moravian Archives)

Comenius, 1464 ‘Statutes’ debut on Archives web

John Amos Comenius and the oldest known “Statutes” of the early Moravian Church have joined the growing list of e-books on the Moravian Archives web site, (www.MoravianArchives.org).

Comenius wrote Unum Necessarium — The One Thing Necessary or The One Thing Needful — late in life as a testament of his experience and belief as Europe’s renowned educator and bishop of the Unitas Fratrum. It is in Unum Necessarium that Comenius used the Moravian motto, “In essentials unity. . . .” The Rev. Vernon H. Nelson, retired Archivist of the Northern Province, did this first English translation of Unum Necessarium, which is now on the Internet 340 years after its first Latin publication.

Unity Statutes of 1464 is the Moravian Church’s earliest surviving statement of faith and practice. Though the Unity had not yet established a ministry, already it expressed its life in Christ through faith, love, hope, and stressing a Christian life as the fruits of faith.

(submitted by Richard Starbuck)

Address Book

The Rev. Dallas Prestwood
Pastoral Assistant, Calvary Moravian
2420 Fairway Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27103

Sunnyside Ministry:
Tommy Cole: Tommy@sunnysideministry.org
Anne Marie Stott: AnneMarie@sunnysideministry.org
Susan Roediger: Susan@sunnysideministry.org

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

Address Correction Requested

For Your Calendar

Deadline for the July Issue of Provincial Ties is June 24