Herrnhuter Mission aktuell

Here is the next edition of »Moravian Mission News« compiled by the Moravian Mission Society in Germany. - God bless our Moravian Church. "Our lamb has conquered, let us follow him!" - Andreas Tasche, Herrnhut, 26.01.2015, Phone: +49 35873 487-26, E-Mail: a.tasche(at)ebu.de

Star Mountain: More than 100 Advents wreaths

On the 27th of November 2014 members of the Jerusalem »Church of the Redeemer« came to the »Star Mountain Rehabilitation Center« (Palestine) to make more than 100 Advent wreaths. Those wreaths were sold among many other products from the centre (olive oil, olive soap, thyme, za’atar, honey, embroidery, wood work) on Saturday the 29^th of November 2014 in Jerusalem at the bazaar arranged by the »Church of the Redeemer«. By means of this bazaar the Star Mountain Rehabilitation Centre gained more awareness and generated income. Two days later an Advent celebration was held on the Star Mountain with verses and stories, chants and further activites.

Six medals at the „Special Olympics“

Three young women from the »Star Mountain Rehabilitation Center« (Palestine) of the Moravian Church worldwide participated in the regional »Special Olympics« that took place from the 2nd to 11th of December 2014 in Cairo and were greatly successful. Jana Awwad (25) won a silver medal in 100-metres race and gold in shot put. Rawan Najeh (20) won silver in a 100-metres obstacle course as well as in shot put. Halima Hadadwa (15) brought home a gold medal for long jump and a bronze medal for a 100-metres obstacle course. At home in the Centre sport plays a big role and the medallists were celebrated accordingly. Congratulations! Sports plays at the rehabilitation center an important role.

Herrnhut latern festival in Latvia

Early in December 2014 it had snowed already in Latvia. In the first week of Advent about 100 chidren, youths and adults met wrapped warm for the traditional Herrnhut latern festival that took place in Nītaure (70 km northeast of Riga). At the beginning a service was held in the cold Lutheran church. The cold couldn’t dampen the collective singing or the cheerful mood. For the latern festival they met on the World Day of People with Disabilities. The photos to document the festival were taken by a disabled girl. The latern festival is among a big Baltic Sea summer camp the most important event in the work with children of the »Moravian Church in Latvia«. In Latvia, there is also the »Christian-David-School« in the tradition of the Moravian Church.

Nativity play contemporary relevance

Once again the »Haltestelle« (»bus stop«, a work of the Moravian Church for people without church backgournd) in Cottbus, East Germany, was responsible for the nativity play at the riding centre in Gallinchen. For the first time a choir supported the collective singing of more than 1000 guests. Many things were as always: shelter stands, the shepherds’ fire, living animals. The contemporary reference to the fate of refugees was new. The press reported: »People were intended to open their hearts for the gospel, for peace and justice, for people in need.« Half of the offering was collected for the Herrnhut nursery school n in Zanzibar (Tanzania).

One year Moravian nursery school in Zanzibar

One year ago the Moravian Church nursery school in Zanzibar called »Herrnhut Academy« was opened. »We are very pleased with the development of the Institution«, says Osiah Siwelwe, pastor and project manager. His daughter Glory attends the nursery school together with 36 other children. Two care workers look after the lively group. One of them is Ruth Loice. She reports: »The majority of the children is coming by bus. We have breakfast together. Then lessons are starting.« The 18 girls and 19 boys have partly Muslim partly Christian roots, so all religious holidays are celebrated. »This way children learn tolerance and respect towards other religions and cultures early on«, Loice adds.

Seminar on tree planting in Sumbawanga

In December 2014 a Seminar was held in Sumbawanga (Tanzania, Rukwaprovince). 130 contributors were prepared and trained for tree planting projects in »How to preserve creation«. The Moravian Mission Society supported this seminar. It started with a Bible study on Colossians 3, 1-6 and ended with a devotion. Attendees were encouraged to act as an example for society. They were shown how important trees are for the wellbeing of all animals and how cutting down trees recklessly (to get wood as a source of energy for cooking and illumination) brings perdition. Detailed theoretical and practical information was given about all technical procedures before, during and after a tree planting project.

Tanzania: The South Province has voted

In the South Province of the Moravian Church in Tanzania an election synod was held between the 3^rd and 4^th Sunday in Advent 2014. Samuel A. Kabigi (successor to Clement J. Mwaitebele) was voted president of church leadership. New deputy president is Yona Mwambeta. Francis A. Swebe retains the office as general secretary. Kenani S. Panja was voted bishop of the Moravian Church in a second round of elections with the required two-thirds majority. God’s blessing and congratulations to all four Brothers. The Tanzanian south province headquarter is located in Rungwe near Tukuyu. About 150 church communities with altogether 155.000 members and 170 ordained members belong to the south province (beginnings in 1891).

Surinam: New church leadership with seven point plan

The new church leadership of the »Moravian Church in Surinam« has submitted a seven point plan for 2014 until 2020: 1) critical view on organisation and communication; 2) critical inventory concerning finances; 3) solution of the lack of pastors; creating a higher level of education; 4) strengthening the youth work within the church as well as the public through a focused initiative with the youth workers; 5) building caring, open, welcoming church communities with the help of already active church members; 6) working out an action plan to further support inland areas; 7) evaluating and optimising the collaboration with national and foreign organisations.

Water filters, motor bikes, school bus

The youth mission organisation of the British Province (»Y.P.M.A«) submitted three new projects that youths are meant to collect money for. A new school bus is needed for the transport of 200 children from their villages to the Moravian School in Khalatse (Ladakh). Motor bikes are required to ensure the spiritual care of church communities in West Tanzania that include up to ten outposts. As a prevention of diseases in several unity provinces simple drinking water filters that can be operated manually are needed. In 2013 youths had collected 9.256 £ (11.675 Euros) for various missionary projects. The aims of the Y.P.M.A. are:
1. To encourage children and young people to learn more about overseas missionary work.
2. To try and put children and young people in direct contact with many aspects of the overseas missionary work.


Eight years anniversary of the Moravian Church in Khokona

In November 2014 the little Moravian Church community in Khokona (near Kathmandu, Nepal) celebrated their eights anniversary with a festive service. A childrens’ as well as a womens’ choir was singing, Nagendra and Kamelaswari Pradhan and Shanti and Vani Pradhan (Kathmandu) were preaching. Members of the church who have been part of the community since the foundation in 2006 reported personal testimonies of faith. Because the number of church members had doubled until 2010 the church hall had to be enlarged. After the festive service a cheerful open air »Moravian Love Feast« with tea and cake took place. The Moravian Church is the only Christian community among the Nepalese and Newari in Khokona up until now.

Important literary prize for Carlos Ettiel Gómez Abreu

The Cuban author of children’s books Carlos Ettiel Gómez Abreu (*1978) was awarded the literary prize »The Golden Age« on the 12th of December 2014 in Havana. He is a member of the »Moravian Church in Cuba«, Jagüey Grande, and could prevail against almost 100 competitors. His literary works like his newest book »Polvo de hadas« (Fairy dust) are simple, close to nature and always in rhymes. The prize is considered the most important award for children’s literature and its presentation had caught attention from all of Cubas intelligentsia. Apart from his work as an author Carlos Ettiel Gómez Abreu has been committed to the cultural and civil life in Cuba in various ways.

Emphasising preventive health

The »Clinica Evangelica Morava« in Ahuas (Honduras) is a hospital for basic care but also deals with preventive health in the surrounding Areas, especially for members of the Miskito-tribe. On that score a program is set up: 1. Information in the waiting rooms in the hospitals, 2. Posters in churches and community halls, 3. Health workshops in the communities, 4. Each week two hours »Health education« in the schools (see photo), 5. Information and discussions about preventive health at the youth conferences. The following topics will be covered: HIV/Aids, alcohol and drug abuse, dental hygiene, correct breastfeeding, balanced diet, purity of drinking water, avoiding contagion.

Land for the indigenes’ activities

The »Moravian Church in Alaska« has decided to make a part of their land in the small town Haines available to the natives of the country. The »Chilkat Indian Association« is planning to build apartments, business establishments (e.g. various tourism offers) and schools for the indigenes. The US government under president Barak Obama has promised to protect the indigenes’ interests more than in the past and specifically promote this group of people. Heather Kendall-Miller (leading worker in an organization for ensuring rights to the indigenous people in Alaska) has welcomed and acknowledged the decision made by the provincial board of the Moravian Church in the far north.

Daily Watchwords in Farsi for the first time

The »Daily Watchwords« (in USA »Daily Texts«) are now available in Farsi, the Persian language. The project began early 2014 in Bayreuth. People from Iran have sought asylum and got in touch with the churches there. Many asylum-seekers from Iran get baptized and are concerned with the Bible. Volunteers in Bayreuth (Germany) have noticed that some asylum-seekers held copies of the Daily Watchwords and added the respective texts in Farsi, so they came up with the idea to release the Daily Watchwords in Farsi. The translation was done by a group of asylum-seekers. Approximately 130.000 Iranian-born people live in Germany and the number of those who become part of a church and ask for the Daily Watchwords in Farsi increases steadily.