Serving and Sharing Newsletter

Provincial Women's Board, Moravian Church in America, Southern Province:

Serving and Sharing Newsletter

June 2014

A Farewell Note from our President:

The opportunity to serve as Provincial Women’s Board President has been a great honor and privilege. It has been a distinct pleasure to represent the PWB in the Southern Province for the term 2012-2014 and I will always fondly remember this wonderful, busy experience. This biennium has been filled with preparations for and attendance at numerous inspiring Women’s Fellowship General Meetings, many  thought provoking Days of Prayer, several hopeful ordinations, two holiday luncheons honoring our female clergy and a ladies luncheon dedicated to the PWB past presidents, two productive Fall Celebrations, two outstanding Spiritual Life Retreats, two beneficial Interprovincial  Women’s Board meetings, an encouraging Quadrennial Review with the PEC and a rewarding Provincial Synod. These gatherings provided opportunities to meet many Moravian sisters for the first time and to renew acquaintance with friends of long standing, for which I am extremely grateful. The foundation of our Church is the relationships among our members. Our women are the life blood and spirit of our congregations - they represent our strength and our future. I witnessed the vitality of women’s groups at work and will remember their mission from each visit. My life has certainly been enriched as a result of my tenure as president. The personal growth and the exposure I’ve had throughout the province have truly been a blessing. For over eighty-eight  years, the PWB has built a legacy of traditions, memories, and lasting friendships through fellowship.

I owe much to the 2012-2014 PWB members because of their commitment to our tasks, their acceptance of our challenges, their support for me and guidance from an excellent cadre of dedicated board members. I am indebted to each of them for their unfailing service to our Lord. These retiring board members are: Reverend Cheryl Cottingham, Cathy Ebert, Betty King, Cindy Meier, and Brenda Peoples. I deeply appreciate and praise Cindy Lamb, our Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper who provided me with the assistance so necessary in the accomplishment of my duties.

As with all things, my term of office must come to an end, and the PWB will transition to a new leadership board in June. Under the direction of incoming President Janet Doub and all the incoming PWB members: Gloria Barber, Oneita Dease, Mallie Graham, Evva Hanes, Ann Hemrick, Melissa Hiatt, Julia Horton, Barbara Howard, Janet Jennings, Cindy Lamb, Susan Parker, Cackie Rollins, Pat Sapp, Frances Swing, Becky Ward, Patti West, and Janice Wilson - the continued legacy of women’s work in the Southern Province is assured for many years to come.

With my admiration and love, thank you for allowing me to share this incredible opportunity with you as your president.

With gratitude,

Tamra

Exceeding All Expectations

The 2014 Provincial Women’s Spiritual Life Retreat was an exceedingly, excellent retreat in every way. It exceeded in attendance, with 57 attendees; it exceeded in the variety of congregations represented, with 16 different churches having retreat attendees; it exceeded in number of first-time attendees, with 20 ladies in attendance for their first-time-ever Spiritual Life Retreat. And it certainly exceeded in all dimensions of personal Spiritual Life expectation and interactions for all. Each day of the retreat began with an informative plenary session, led by Rev. Ginny Tobiassen as we discovered various actions human hands were involved in throughout multiple stories found in the book of Acts. Each day Ginny brought us to new understandings we’d not considered before and led us to consider the acts of our own hands.  In our small groups we were able to study texts even further and learn from our own life experiences. Individual small group participation helped to bring about a deeper more complete community participation for each person. Participants relished in wonderful food, snacks galore, as well as in free-time that allowed us to rest or be engaged in art projects and a mission project of making baby blankets for overseas ministry. For the Saturday Movie night we shared  much laughter  as we watched a DVD of a comedy presentation by Jeanne Robertson as we nibbled on gourmet flavored popcorn. Our time on the mountain concluded Sunday with Holy Communion served to the community by pastors Ginny Tobiassen and  Cheryl Cottingham. It is our heartfelt belief that all who attended experienced something most exceedingly excellent, at the 2014 Provincial Women’s Spiritual Life Retreat.   Submitted by Rev. Cheryl Cottingham

For more photos made go to: http://workofsouthernmoravianwomen.blogspot.com/

News from YOU!

Ardmore Moravian Church's Women’s Fellowship activities include the following:

Day of Prayer --- An estimated 150 persons attended the coffee hour and worship service on Wednesday, March 19^th. 

Cleaning and decorating graves in God’s Acre --- Rain did not dampen the fellowship of eleven persons who participated on Saturday, April 19^th.

Ladies Tea --- On April 12^th fifty ladies, young and old, enjoyed a delicious meal and a show of hats. All proceeds from the luncheon and auction were donated to the Mental Health Association.

Easter Egg Hunt --- Because of rain on Saturday April 19^th the Easter Egg Hunt was held in Fellowship Hall. Weather did not affect the enthusiasm of anyone.

Ladies Night Out --- On May 13^th entertainment by “The Bag Lady” topped off a delicious meal and an evening of fun and fellowship for an estimated fifty ladies.

Salemtowne Birthdays --- This month Women’s Fellowship will celebrate May birthdays at Salemtowne by providing cake and bingo prizes.

Graduates --- On June 1^st Women’s Fellowship will recognize all high school and college graduates during the worship service.

Father’s Day --- June 15^th the Women’s Fellowship will provide breakfast and a program for the fathers and church fathers along with their families.

CLEMMONS:
The Women’s Fellowship of CMC  had a very busy month of May: we had a successful Yard Sale enjoyed & supported by people in the community; Hosted our Church’s Wednesday Night Supper;  two of our Circles hosted “Civic Dinners”; and another finished up their clothing drive for Sunnyside Ministries.

On Sunday June 8th,2014, the Women’s Fellowship will be honoring our new Graduates @ our 10:30 service.  Even though it seems that our children are just finishing this school term, the month of June starts our “Empty Locker Program”.  We collect various school supplies for one of our Forsyth Schools in need of these items.

Also in May, our Women’s Fellowship Executive Board met to discuss & plan for our upcoming Fall Projects.  In September we will Host a Dinner for “Friends of Laurel Ridge”; start selling tickets for our “Port-A-Pit Bar-B-Q” working together with our Men’s Fellowship.  October bring out our plans for a “Pot Luck Luncheon” to Honor our Music Director, Jerry Jones, for all his years of Service with Clemmons Moravian.  Women’s Fellowship has already started our plans for the annual “Fall Bazaar” to be held on November 15, 2014.  Not far behind our Fall Bazaar comes our Annual Candle Trimming Project on December 1, 2014.
Time does move fast when you start planning these projects !!!.

On Sunday, September 14, 2014 following our 10:30 service the WF will hold their second General Meeting to approve those ladies who have been nominated for our 2015 officers.

Our WF Circles will not be meeting in July & August.  Also our Tuesday Morning Sewing Group where we share Fellowship and work on various sewing projects will not be meeting in July & August.

Hopefully over the beautiful days of summer, we will get plenty of rest & relaxation to prepare for our many Fall Projects.
Happy Summer !!!!!
Submitted by : Gerri Mulcahy, President WF @ CMC

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Macedonia Moravian Church met in a general meeting on May 12, 2014. Alice Sineath, president, led the meeting. The men’s fellowship joined us for part of the meeting. We listened to a mission report from our own Leah Mills, a dental hygienist, who participated in a medical mission trip to Honduras in February. Sharon Boger and Ann Graham, Macedonia’s delegates to the recent Synod, gave a report on their jobs and experiences during Synod. Delicious refreshments were served and fellowship was enjoyed by both groups meeting together.

Macedonia will have Vacation Bible School August 4-8 in the evenings. Our circles will provide supper for two nights. On Saturday June 7 from 6:00AM until 12:00 Noon our Men’s and Women’s Fellowships will sponsor a yard sale at the church (700 NC Hwy. 801 N in Advance, NC). In addition to many “gently used” items for sale the men will cook hot dogs for lunch and the ladies will have a bake sale. All proceeds go to the church. Any leftover items will be donated to Habitat in Davie County.

Friedberg Moravian Church's Women’s Fellowship of will sponsor a Yard/Estate Sale on Friday August 1, 2014 from 8:00 A. M. to 7:00 P.M. in the Family Life Center of the church.  Food will be served on Friday and frozen chicken pies will be sold for $10.00 each until we run out.  The sale will also run Saturday August 2, 2014 from 8:00 A. M. to 12:01 P.M.  There will be no food sold on Saturday.  Also, no clothes will be sold at this yard sale.  All proceeds will go to missions and outreach.  Last year’s sale was FANTASTIC!  We know that this year’s event will be fantastic too!  So come and join us for food, fellowship, and great bargains!

Vicki Stanfield

President, Friedberg Moravian Women’s Fellowship

Christ - Our Day of Prayer with Bishop Sam Gray bringing our speaker was  celebrated on a beautiful spring day.

Easter Season is a very important time for Moravians. You found our Ladies, with the help of men and children, decorating two squares in God’s Acre on Easter Saturday morning.

Some ladies prepared food for our band to have In the wee hours of the night before gathering for the Sunrise service. You could, once again, find some of ladies making chicken pies during the  month of May. Others volunteer to cook and provide the chicken. This project allows us to be far more benevolent than we would be otherwise. It does not go un-noticed that the church supports us by purchasing the pies. Snack Bag Project - What is that? Our ladies have taken on a new project- purpose to help those who are less fortunate. We have put together what is called a Snack Bag with nonperishables and a bottle of water to hand out to those who approach our church, church office

and we come in contact with those on the street. We will reach out to other organizations in our church to help fill the bags, items provided, once the inventory of 50 is depleted. High on our list of priorities is the remembering our Special Friends (Originally Called Shut-Ins.)

As we go forward our motto at CMC is “Loving to Serve, Serving to Love”

Jo Brown, Pres.

Friedland Moravian Church celebrated Anniversary Sunday on May 4th.  This year we turned 234 years old!  There is much history in our church and many of the events and accomplishments have come from the help of the women in our church. The church's kitchen is under construction now with expected completion to be sometime late summer.  From making chicken pies to washing coffee mugs, the number of hours spent in our existing kitchen are just too high to count.  Although many groups within the church use the kitchen, it is the women of Friedland who are the most anxious to see it completed.  Finally having a commercial dishwasher and space to produce the number of pies needed to meet the demands of sales and the time spent at the Dixie Classic Fair, this renovation and addition will be a blessing to our women and all who frequent our church.
        The Women's Fellowship will host its Mother, Daughter, Friends Pot Luck Banquet on June 10 at 6:30pm.  This years' theme is Flowers in Praise and Adoration of Our Lord.  Ladies will gather for a home cooked meal and share fellowship with each other.  A surprise guest speaker will attend and door prizes will be randomly awarded to attendees.
        Circle One enjoyed their May meeting at Salemtowne. Invited guests included two residents who are from Friedland, Joyce Midkiff and Roma Welch. After the meeting, members of Circle One traveled to Fairview for a soup and salad lunch.  Circle One is also working on making blankets for newborns for Brenner Childrens' Hospital. They will be delivered in September.
        Circle Two has been in contact with Judy Ganz, the director of the Board of World Mission.  We are looking to contribute to the ongoing work in Sierra Leone.
        Twenty-five women and friends of Friedland will attend the retreat "Chocolate Cafe" to Black Mountain, NC May 30 - June 1.  We will experience great fellowship, hear the testimonies of many sisters and grow in our relationship with Christ. Please pray for our ladies for safe travel and spiritual growth while away.
 May God continue to bless us all,
Jennifer Z. Smitherman, Friedland's Women's Fellowship President

Fairview On Saturday, June 7^th,  the Executive Board of the Women’s Fellowship will host a luncheon to honor Fairview members who are age 90 or over for their years of faithful service to  our congregation.  We do this annually.  Our pastor, The Reverend Scott Venable, plans a special program for them and serves them  Holy Communion.

Fairview has an ongoing project of making pillow case dresses and boys’ shorts for children in Haiti, Jamaica, Africa, and The Dominican Republic. 

Fairview will have its annual Chicken Pie/ Country Ham Supper on Saturday,  September 27 from 4:00 to 7:00 p. m. in our Fellowship Hall.  Price for adults is $10 and ages 3 to 10 is $4.00. 

Konnoak Hills - Chicken Pie Making When 73 of our members and friends gathered on March 13 & 14, 2014 to make chicken pies, one of the first things that they did was put up their chicken tree. Over the years, they have collected almost 100 different chicken decorations of all kinds. The lighted tree with the chicken ornaments inspires everyone and gets the day started. Over these two days , we made 1167 pies. The profit from theses pies will help with church needs and mission projects. All of our dedicated workers have very busy lives with home and family, work organizations and mission projects that they serve and the many things that everyone already dies for the church, so many responsibilities, that it is hard for them to take on another big project. But as soon as they get to the church and start doing their jobs, they are all energized and happy to be sharing those days with the most wonderful family anyone could have. We were blessed with an amazing time of great fellowship and a lot of laughter.

Martha Johnson and Emily Fisher, Co-Presidents

Prince of Peace

The Prince of Peace congregation turned out in full force for the Easter dawn service this year and the Women’s’ Fellowship was on hand as usual to provide a tasty breakfast at the conclusion of the service. This is an event which the women look forward to every year, enjoying the fellowship and the opportunity to collaborate, share cultural differences and similarities, cooking expertise,  learn as well as teach to our young ones, the value of patience, working together, and enjoying the company of others in a loving and familial environment.

The care packages that were collected for the women in Honduras, were packed and sent off with our love and prayers that they will eventually brighten the day of some women in need. We are now making plans to collect sewing machines or money to buy them, for these women so they can have a tool to provide a livelihood for themselves and their families. 

At Prince of Peace we celebrated International Women’s Day March 22 with a workshop on women’s health issues. A prominent local physician, a fitness instructor, and a mental health nurse practitioner joined us to talk about steps that women should take to maintain good health as we age. Our Mother’s Day service was also well received with another prominent educator from our congregation delivering the message.

This weekend, May 31, Prince of Peace will have its annual International Food Fair. Based on previous years, this event promises to be an exciting mix of food, dances, fun and games, originating from the many countries represented in our congregation.   We also look forward to assisting the Sunday School with Vacation Bible School and other summer activities as we continue our efforts to serve each other in obedience to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

News from the Office

To all fellowships: Please submit your survey that can be found in the middle of your Bible Study book to the office today. We need your input and would love to hear new ideas about subjects and authors for future Bible and Mission Study Books.

Office Hours: During the Summer months the PWB Office will have limited office hours.  The office will be open on Thursdays only,  June  19 - July 31. We are always happy to see any visitors in the office but please call before you come by so we can be here to take care of your needs.

336-722-4911                   PWBMCSP@GMAIL.COM