2017 WORLD MISSION LOVEFEAST

Transcription

1 O N W A R D The Newsletter of the Moravian Mission Society, Southern Province December 2017/January 2018 Volume XXXVII Issue 10 Musings from the Mission Society 2017 WORLD MISSION LOVEFEAST It was a cool, cloudy day on Sunday, November 5, but that didn t keep 220 worshipers from attending the annual World Mission Lovefeast sponsored by the Mission Society. The 94 th anniversary service was held at Olivet Moravian Church. The Olivet Moravian and Provincial bands greeted worshipers with the rich sound of various chorale tunes as they entered the sanctuary. During the service, the congregation sang mission themed hymns and while partaking of the lovefeast enjoyed special music by the Olivet Chancel Choir and Provincial Praise Group. Articles Lovefeast p 2 Ray of Hope p 3 Overflow Shelter p 4 Rev. Chris Weber p 5 Dieners Brents Croatia p 6 Pray Every Day p 7 Provincial Praise Group Justin Rabbach p 8 continued on page 2

2 2017 WORLD MISSION LOVEFEAST Donna Hurt, President of the Mission Society, made remarks about the purpose of the Mission Society and its support of 12 Moravian missionaries who are serving in various places around the world. She also recognized the lifetime members of the Mission Society. Our speakers were Jessy Burcaw and Jamie Dease, who talked about sowing seeds in the mission field along with sharing their experiences of teaching at a local school in Nepal last summer. The offering collected will be divided evenly between all 12 missionaries sponsored by the Mission Society. We thank Olivet for a fine job of hosting the event. Indeed, it was a great service and all who participated were blessed. Michael & Salem Woo Mission Displays By The Rev. Matthew Allen Photos by Betty Hollifield 2 Revs. John G, Graham, and John D. Rights

3 RAY OF HOPE UPDATE " Praise God! Our dear friends in Christ, we are so jovial to share with each one of you our excitement to receive a dairy cow yesterday evening. It has been a patient waiting period but all in all, Hadia is home safe and sound 7 months pregnant. Thanks to everyone for the contribution for the dairy cow. May God shower you with his blessings. ing about Jesus, exchanging Christmas cards and encouraging Christianity have been targeted under an unofficial policy from education bureaucrats that takes aim at [evangelism] in Queensland primary schoolyards. Examples of evangelizing cited in the review include sharing Christmas cards that refer to Jesus s birth, creating Christmas tree decorations to gi; ve away, and making beaded bracelets to give to friends as a way of sharing the good ne Schools have closed so all kids are home for a while as they get ready to go home and spend some time with their families and relatives. Even the staff will go, too, for a break. This week Rev. John Kisamwa is doing Bible study. As you know our goal is to bring up a God fearing generation. Michael, Ceci, Blessing, and Love Lydia Tesh Please keep these 3 in your prayers as they are all sitting for their final exams. Kandala, college Jillo, high school Charo, class 8 B 3

4 THE REV. CHRISTIAN WEBER PASSES Family Gathering at Salemtowne WINSTON-SALEM May 13, Oct. 29, 2017 The Rev. Christian David Weber, died October 29, He was a resident of Salemtowne, the Moravian Retirement Community. The Rev. Weber was born in Indianapolis, Indiana May 13, 1927, the son of the Rev. Christian Otto Weber and Dorothy Pfohl Weber. He had two brothers, the Rev. Frederic Herbert Weber and the Rev. Charles Bruce Weber, both deceased. When he was a year old, his father became the pastor of Fairview Moravian Church. His mother died eight months later and his father in Thereafter he and his brothers were reared by their maternal grandparents, Herbert A. and Mary Greider Pfohl. Rev. Weber was a 1949 cum laude graduate from Davidson College with membership in Phi Beta Kappa. His studies at Davidson were interrupted by his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He graduated from Moravian Theological Seminary and pursued further studies at Manchester University in England. After serving Oak Grove Moravian Church, he became a pioneer in the Moravian Church work in Florida, conducting the original survey in 1957 and becoming the organizing pastor of the Boca Raton congregation. He was united in marriage in 1964 with Dorothy Esta Sohn, who predeceased him in Together they served the Boca Raton, FL and Bethania, NC congregations and were active in helping to establish the Palm Beach Moravian Church in West Palm Beach, FL and in assisting the Christ the King ELCA Church in Tequesta, FL. The Rev. Weber is survived by a niece, Marie Weber Nodine and husband Dennis; four nephews the late Christian E. Weber and wife Leigh, C. Riddick Weber and wife Jane, Herbert A. Weber, and F. David Weber; 4 great-nieces and 5 great-nephews; and special friend, Sallie Greenfield. A memorial service will be held at Fairview Moravian Church on Saturday, November 4 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive visitors at Fairview beginning at 10:00 a.m. A private interment will be held by the family later in Boca Raton. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given in his memory to Fairview Moravian Church. Online condolences may be made through 4

5 HOMELESS SHELTER RUNS FROM 12/1/17 3/31/17 What We Do For four years, we have organized and managed a multi-site Overflow Shelter for homeless individuals during the coldest months of the year. In March, 2017, City with Dwellings opened the Community First Center in downtown Winston-Salem. For sixth months, we have opened our doors to the homeless community on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We offer community, support to homeless individuals navigating existing resources in the city as well as guidance in setting and working toward housing, health and employment goals. City with Dwellings (CWD) works to end homelessness by creating therapeutic and transformative community with individuals facing chronic homelessness in Winston-Salem. By honoring the inherent dignity of each person, offering hospitality, and consistent relational support, we connect individuals with partner agencies providing housing first and supportive health and employment resources. Our innovative programming, assistance with goal setting, and the formation of positive relationships have proven to be an effective approach to achieving ongoing stability and success for those experiencing homelessness. We began as an ecumenical collaborative in 2013, working to engage the faith community to end homelessness in Winston- Salem. For four years, we have organized and managed a multi-site Overflow Shelter for homeless individuals during the coldest months of the year. Our work has been supported primarily by faith communities, local organizations, schools, and a committed volunteer base. When the Overflow shelters close on March 31, the needs of those who are homeless continue. Through the grassroots efforts of Overflow Shelter volunteers, our work has evolved to help overflow shelter guests successfully access housing and other vital resources throughout the year at our Community First Center has been an exciting year of growth for City with Dwellings: Operated four shelter sites for 121 continuous nights, December 1, March 31, Volunteers gave 5,974 hours of time; providing transportation, hot meals and care at each Overflow Shelter site every night of the season Board of Directors formed and began meeting in February Opened the Community First Center in March. Currently open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 to 11am Have seen 235 unique individuals at the Community First Center, averaging 25 guest visits a day since we began collecting data, May 23 Received City of Winston-Salem Breaking Barriers Fair Housing Award in April. Received grant to hire a part-time Case Coordinator in August Received a Community Grant to hire a full-time Program Coordinator from the Winston-Salem Foundation Received IRS 501(c)3 determination in September 2017 We are gearing up for our 5th Overflow Shelter season as we make plans to open our doors in a little less than a month! This year's dates run from December 1- March 30th, due to Easter falling on our typical closing day. Lastly, the Volunteer Calendar to sign-up is live and can be accessed at any point by going to It is never too early to begin filling the calendar! Website Thank you for your partnership in this ministry. So many lives are blessed by the presence of this transformative community. We Are City With Dwellings Tiffany Woods, DMA 5

6 UPDATES FROM BRENTS IN CROATIA DEVELOPING KINGDOM PARTNERSHIPS Steve Meeker does the dreaming and strategizing for Leadership Lab International. His vision includes developing kingdom partnerships. Kingdom Partnership #1 developed when Steve recruited Michael from Cru to provide Bible teaching for Leadership Lab International. Kingdom Partnership #2 was launched when Estonia Scripture Union came to Croatia for a week of training. Then they sent two volunteers for the LLI summer program. Then they invited Michael, Brenda and Steve to Estonia. Kingdom Partnership #3 came about in Estonia as Scripture Union Estonia, Latvia and Lithuanian joined together with their volunteers for the first time. Now they are asking, How can we partner with each other? What did participants get from the LLI training week? Liga from Latvia: I came to the conference full of questions about my role as National director. I found that God can work through me even if I don't feel like I deserve this role. As long as I will abide in Him, He will do His will through me in this world. Zane from Latvia: This camp was a beautiful example of how God is working everyday in our lives. I'm seeing my country s ministry in Scripture Union as this one very special vine tree which has many different branches, and I can be one of them. Ruta from Lithuania: I think Steve, Michael and Brenda are a great team. I was really amazed about Michael s Bi-ble studies. It was very intense, but I have never learned so much new in 5 days. The most astonishing thing from Steve was how much you can understand about yourself by just playing some games. God spoke to me. Juhan from Estonia: The Bible study with Steve about these "simple" truths was so eye opening. God works beyond our understanding. Also I want to bring up the importance of Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian teams coming. ACCEPTED Our brother and sister Shayan and Donya received asylum in Croatia! Praise the Lord! Nine months ago Shayan and Donya were rejected in their application for asylum. No reason was given. One night shortly after the rejection, while I was with them at the refugee center, a Croatian policeman said, You are good people, but you will never be accepted here. Do not hope. James 1:2-4 begins, Consider it joy...that you may be made complete! That s not too tough. Rejoice that God is making you into the person he created you to be. Ok! The problem is with the part, Consider it joy when you encounter various trials that you may be made complete! God s discipleship process requires various trials. And the desirable result of trials comes about through a faith that endures. I see enduring faith in Shayan and Donya. After receiving that initial rejection they continued to witness for Jesus in the refugee center, at a service in Zagreb Cathedral, even in a session of the Croatian parliament. They identify boldly and publicly as worshippers of Jesus Christ, a potentially deadly position for Iranians facing return to Iran. Donya told me this week, I did not know what God would do after we were rejected. But even before receiving an answer, I learned that he is good. And even though I wish we did not spend this extra 9 months in the refugee center, I would not trade these past months. I am a different person. Because of that time I have learned what it means to for-give, and I have learned how to ask for forgiveness. Consider it joy, even when in trials, because you know God. Michael & Brenda Brent 6

7 PRAY EVERY DAY DECEMBER Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Pray for Kevin and Charity and earthquake recovery in their area. 2. Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Pray for Dusty & Christin Harrison in Campus Ministry at Clemson University. 3. Sunday. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the end of the earth! Pray for Phil & Eunice Raiford with the Mixe in Mexico. 4. Be like those who are waiting for their master. Pray for Phil and Ashley Sineath in Campus Outreach, AL. 5. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. Pray for Allen and Deedee Iobst in Spain in campus ministry. 6. I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged. Pray for Dr. Louis and Susan Sutton with WEC (World Evangelization for Christ). 7. The earth, oh Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes. Pray for Charlie & Vickie Brent in campus ministry in TX. 8. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain me in a willing spirit. Pray for Michael and Brenda Brent in Croatia in campus ministry. 9. The Lord shows favor to the humble. Pray for Michael, Cecilia, Love, and Blessing Tesh in Kenya. 10. Sunday. There are many members, yet one body. Pray for Drs. Bill and Peggy Hoffman with HIV/AIDS ministry. 11. The Lord bless you and keep you. Pray for Alas de Socorro in Honduras. 12. My tongue was saying of your promise, for all your commandments are right. Pray for Ed Dehnert and Barb Weide Alaska Bible Seminary, 13. I gave them my sabbaths, as a sign between me and them. Pray for the Woo family. 14. Because you are children, God sent the Spirit of his son into your hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Pray for Rob and Anne Thiessen, in Mexico. 15. Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed. Pray for Brian & Heather Marx with MAF. 16. Woe to those who plan iniquity, because it is in their power to do it. Pray for Steve & Ann Marx with MAF. 17. Sunday. May the God of peace sanctify you entirely; may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless. Pray for Safiatu and Mohamed Braima in Sierra Leone. 18. He is mindful of his covenant forever. Pray for the Moravian Volunteer Resources. 19. Stand firm, and you will win life. Pray for Moravian Disaster Response. 20. There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. Pray for Ruth Snyder and Claire Wilson with Changed Choices. 21. I hope for your salvation O Lord. Pray for Adopt A Village Program in Tanzania. 22. Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord. Pray for our retired ministers. 23. Know that I am with you and will keep you where ever you go and will bring you back to this land. Pray for the Mission Areas of Sierra Leone and Peru and the Mission Province of Cuba. 24. Sunday. The mighty one has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Pray for the peace of Israel and the Jewish people. 25. Christmas. The Lord your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God. Pray for Star Mountain and the people of Palestine. 26. He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Pray for BWM and staff. 27. A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench. Pray for the Unity Women s Desk. 28. A shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. Pray for the Medical Clinic and Church in Ahuas, Honduras. 29. The good news is proclaimed to the poor. Pray for Rev. Chris Thore and disaster relief in North Carolina. 30. From his fullness we have received, grace upon grace. Pray for the Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation. 31. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Pray for 15 Mission Areas and 5 Mission Provinces of the Moravian Unity. Helengulledge1090@gmail.com 7

8 JUSTIN RABBACH APPOINTED BWM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR This month we welcome Justin Rabbach to the position of Executive Director of the Board of World Mission. Justin is no stranger to Moravian mission, having worked since 2014 as the BWM Director of Mission Engagement, equipping and resourcing our churches in mission. He has participated in and led teams in global mission and has spent time in Tegucigalpa, Honduras as part of his University studies in International Public Affairs. In his current position, Justin has also been instrumental in redesigning the BWM Executive Director response for disaster relief that has been invaluable for our efforts in the recent hurricanes, especially in Texas and the Virgin Islands. He developed a summer intern program for building young adult leadership in our congregations, with periodic mission gatherings for learning together and sharing of mission experiences. Justin will be training with Judy Ganz through December and take the full reins in January. He can be reached at: justin@moravianmission.org Please keep the BWM in your prayers during this transition. (BWM News November 2017) ONWARD 500 S. Church St. Winston-Salem, NC ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED