2013 Study Book Orders due April 13, 2013

Descriptions of Study Books 2013-14

Moravian Heritage and Our Life Today by Nola Reed Knouse will be our Bible Study Book. The background for this study guide arose over ten years ago in conversations with people asking that age-old question, “What’s Moravian?” Not “What’s a Moravian,” so much as “What kinds of things make up this thing called Moravian?” In study and reflection, the Rev. Dr. C. Daniel Crews, Archivist of the Moravian Church, Southern Province, and I identified six aspects of Moravian life and faith that we identified almost as ideals – things that, while they couldn’t be quantified or sometimes even clearly defined, were something like second nature to many Moravians; ways of thinking that keep surfacing in our studies of Moravian history and theology; attitudes and values that we don’t seem to need to justify to ourselves.

We put these together into a lecture first presented at the Bethlehem Conference on Moravian Music in October of 2000, “Nothing If Not Consistent: Moravian Ideals, Moravian Music.” This lecture examined each of these “ideals” and then reflected on how it was expressed in Moravian music and particularly in hymn texts by Zinzendorf. The six characteristics we identified are: a heart religion of devotion to the Savior; simplicity; community and fellowship; a sense that we are chosen, but not exclusively so; faith manifested in works (evangelism and mission); and anticipation of life in the Savior’s presence.

In this study I have combined reflection on these with some insights gleaned from Luke of Prague, the very highly influential theologian of the Ancient Unity, and with some tangible characteristics of the Moravian Church – education, missions, and music. My thanks to Brother Crews for the initial work we did together!

For all who study, all who seek to understand these insights from our rich and fascinating Moravian heritage may these sessions provide affirmation for the Christian life you are now living and encouragement for the future, knowing that you walk in community with one another and with the Savior.      

 

Women in Mission: Making a Difference in Our World is the Mission Study book. It  will include information about the newly formed Unity Women’s Desk, ways you can be involved and the future of the Unity Women’s Desk. You will also hear from women in the following regions: European, African, American and Caribbean. Finally descriptions of new mission work around the world.  The book will be organized by the Rev. Patricia Garner.