WORD FROM THE PASTOR - JUNE 2024The Synods of the Moravian Church, whether District or Provincial, are called first and
foremost for fellowship and reconnection. They have been called “family reunions” as we gather together as the family of Christ to seek God’s guidance for how we behave and what we do in Christ’s name as the Moravian Church in our world. This proved to be the case in April 2024 as delegates from across the Western District gathered at Mt. Morris Camp and Retreat Center. For me, it was a meaningful time of hearing how the ministries of our Province and District are doing, and of working with siblings in Christ to hear God’s will and challenge ourselves to be and do more as God’s hand and feet in the world. I appreciated the way we were able to hold in love one another even as we discussed challenging topics and elected our leaders for the next four years. I celebrate God’s provision and ask for us to pray for those who were elected to boards and commissions. I was moved and enriched by the small group discussions which allowed us to share our passions and concerns for the ministry of the Moravian Church. These are a few of my thoughts, but I would also like to share the thoughts of Jody Werth and Seth Habhegger who were our congregational delegates to the synod. Jody shares, “During my time at Synod I found myself feeling very energized by the new ministries that our denomination is opening up to. Specifically, Roots church in St.Paul, You Belong in Green Bay, and Tricklebee Café in Milwaukee, each of whom provided a presentation to the delegates. I am not an outgoing person, but after the Tricklebee presentation I went to speak to the leader of that ministry, Christie Melby-Gibbons. When I was last at Synod 8 years ago, Tricklebee was just getting off the ground and it has most certainly thrived in the time that has passed. When I spoke to her, I told her that the Café is most certainly “not my thing”, but she spoke with such passion that she made me want to make it my thing. Then she said, “Then find your thing, and do great things with that”. I would like to challenge each of you as individuals, as well as all of us as a congregation, to find our thing, and do great things with it. I pray that we can all find something for which we can speak passionately, and make others feel that passion through our speech.” Seth also shares: Seth shared, “The main thing I got from Synod was the idea that the church as a body must be willing to go out and meet the world as it is in order to make it better. Using the examples of Tricklebee, You Belong, and Common Grace, it represents the future I believe must be attempted if the Moravian Church is to remain relevant (and functioning). This is the best way to spread God's love to God's people, no matter how society views them.” Serving with you in Christ, Pastor Beth |