News about the Cruise! or Conference! (14th Moravian Women's Conference)

Our Ship - Oasis of the Seas - Photo Cred: Kari Vetter

July 2025 

Dear Sisters, 

It seems like it was only yesterday that I was sitting in a meeting in Charleston, West Virginia listening to details about the 14th Women’s Conference. Fast forward two years later and WOW! I had a blast on the cruise. Congratulations on a job well done. Committee members thank you! 

 I was a first time cruiser and conference attendee. I had never been to Jamaica. So as you can see there were many things that were a first for me. Would I do this again? Oh, yes! I can’t wait to see what and where the Northern Providence decides to hold the 15th conference. 

I was not disappointed in the ships accommodations. My room was adequate in size and I had a large window to watch the waves. The many dining areas really surprised me. The service and food was wonderful. I felt really pampered! 

The best part of the conference were the Moravian women that I met. Their laughter, prayers, music and diversity was absolutely wonderful. Our traditions, no matter how they are presented, all carry the same message. 

God is so good! 

In Christ we serve, 

Paula White, PWB President

Rev. Dr. Eulencine Christopher, modeling her native dress, from Antigua.

We cast lots for a quilt, pictured here with the winner! Thanks to New Hope Moravian for making and donating this beautiful Quilt!

Entertainment on board the ship, CATS, not my roommate Miranda.

 

    A Week of Firsts The 14th Moravian Women's Conference was the first Women's Conference I have attended--and it was on a cruise and this was my first cruise as well. The Conference was great--we learned that we are Fashioned by God (by His design and hand for a specific purpose); we are called to be Focused on God and not things of this world; and we are called to be Faithful to His word. It was great to meet and worship with so many ladies from different places. Our dinner table comrades were from Ohio and right here in Winston-Salem and we enjoyed getting to know them. I met a retired nurse from Antigua who has the same maiden name as I do--just to remind ourselves that we are not all that different--all sisters in Christ. The cruise part of the week was fun--and luckily I didn't have any issues with seasickness! We stopped at Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay (and it was pretty nice!), Jamaica, and Nassau, Bahamas. On our Jamaica stop, we boarded three coach buses to go to New Irwin Moravian Church in Montego Bay where we shared a Lovefeast. This wasn't like the Lovefeast we have at Friedberg! We walked around with our biscuits and went up to different people where we would each pinch off a bit of each other's biscuit and eat what we pinched off. We did this until ours was all gone. I really enjoyed this way of participating in a Lovefeast! I'm thankful I was able to be a part of the 14th Moravian Women's Conference! It's been an experience I will not forget! Lisa Jackson, Friedberg Moravian – Winton-Salam, NC 

CoCoaCay

On the lawn at New Irwin Moravian Church

  Our Cruise Adventure When I decided to attend the Women’s conference cruise, I had to decide on a roommate. I asked my 16 year old granddaughter, Paige Prevatte, if she would be interested in going with me. She immediately said yes. She is always up for a new adventure. We both got passports and new luggage for the trip. We flew out of Charlotte, and she was stopped by security and her carry on backpack was searched. She had many snacks and some of them set off an alarm. When we got through, she told me that if she decides not to be a teacher, she definitely wants the job of searching people. She has no memory of flying as a baby, so everything was new and exciting. She loved being on the ship. She took more pictures than anyone else in my group. She took pictures of her meals. Dinner in the main dining every night was the most exciting. She couldn’t believe you could order anything on the menu, and if you didn’t like it, you could send it back and get something else. She did that only once, but she did get two desserts every night. She enjoyed our very short time in Jamaica the most. The church was beautiful and quite different from what we are used to. The people were lovely, and so kind and welcoming. The Love Feast was also very different and enjoyable. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to share this experience with Paige. I know it will be always a pleasant memory. It will always be a special time for me. Pam Prevatte, New Hope Moravian Church-Newton NC 

The Whole Group

  I AM IN IT FOR THE LOVEFEAST - The 14th Moravian Women’s Conference was indeed different than any before. I personally experienced a lot of firsts. My first cruise, my first time leaving the United States. The first time my husband attended a conference with me. Not a total girl’s trip, this time! I was happy when my husband decided to attend his first Moravian Women’s Conference, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. 

 Once every 4 year the Interprovincial Women’s Board plans and executes a Conference. This conference is for all Moravian Women in the North American Province. We also invite and encourage women from other provinces to attend. I have met women from Alaska, Tanzania, Nicaragua, South Africa, Peru, Antigua, Jamaica and the list goes on. These are sisters that have enriched my world even though I never dreamed that I would be lucky enough to meet people from such faraway places. 

 Up until June 21 of last month, I had never been further south than Atlanta, Georgia. And I am okay with that. I am an introvert and a dedicated homebody. Give me my family, dogs and chickens and I am happy. One thing that I am truly grateful for is the fellowship with the women’ who attend these conferences. They are spirit filled and spirit led. One of the things that I always look forward to is when the ladies from “the islands” break out into song after Lovefeast or worship service. These songs may not be Moravian Hymns, but they are focused on their Savior. 

 At the InterProvincial Women’s Board we have been talking about planning a conference on a Cruise ship for about 10 years. Remember as I said earlier, I have never been a traveler. However I knew when the IPWB voted to actually follow through with the cruise, that I would be there and I was going for the Lovefeast. 

Back in January when we were all drawing our watch words for the year, I always draw a watch word for the Provincial Women’s Board. That watch word was: Psalms 139: 9-10: If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the Sea, even there your hands shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. Now if that is not God saying this event is ordained by Him, I don’t know what is. 

 The first day, Sunday we boarded Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas along with 6000 others. 200 of which were Moravian sisters and some brothers. Among the Moravians: 8 countries, 26 US states, 124 Moravian Churches were represented. Three attendees that were over 90 years of age, one attendee that has attended all 14 of the Conferences and our youngest Southern Province attendee: 16 years old, from Hickory NC. 

 For the next 6 days we would be invested in Psalms 119:73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. The theme: Fashioned, Focused and Faithful. The cruise provided a perfect situation because on sea days we had our sessions, workshops and worship services. On port days we were able to spend time with friends and families exploring those ports. 

 Our first port was CocoCay in the Bahamas where we lounged at South Beach. We had a marvelous time enjoying the beautiful scenery that the Lord had made for us on that day. In the surf we found jelly fish, sea sponges, sea cucumbers, my favorite-hermit crabs and the plumpest sand dollar you could ever imagine. And there were chickens, living in the underbrush of the island. 

The next day we heard greetings from the Rt. Rev. Dr. Amy Gohdes-Luhman, from the Moravian Board of World Mission, the Rev. Dr. Neil Routh, Southern Province PEC. That was also the first time we heard from our keynote speaker: Rev. Anique Elmes-Matthew. Next we received communion, while sailing somewhere on the Caribbean Sea. 

 On Wed, we ported in Falmouth Jamaica. Traveled to New Irwin Moravian Church in Montego Bay. The ladies at New Irwin and other surrounding Moravian churches had diligently worked to prepare for us a beautiful “Ultimate Oasis” Lovefeast. We were greeted with the sounds of a Jamaican band playing on the lawn. We went inside to the shade of a wonderful church building, with fans whirling, windows and doors spread wide so we could truly experience Jamaica. A Lovefeast was served of Ginger Beer or Lemonade and a very heavy bun with spices and nuts. We were encouraged to practice the tradition of sharing our bun with neighbors. A grand time was had by all as we moved around the sanctuary sharing the bun. 

The service as most Lovefeast services are, was heavy with music. Moravian Churches in that area are blessed with some extraordinary soloist and vocalist. Traditionally we ask Moravian women to bring their wares and crafts to sell. 

 We also invite Moravian Agencies to set up an information table for what we call a “Share and Sell” event. Again, this year was different. We asked the Jamaican ladies to bring their crafts and wares. They set up a little market on the lawn of the church. There also was a food truck - to serve lunch. We tried jerk chicken, pork, goat, rice with peas and a sweet potato desert all prepared in the Jamaican tradition. A love offering of $2000 was collected and left with the Women’s Fellowship of New Irwin. 

On Thursday, a sea day, we experienced the closing service of our conference, many more greetings were received from different agencies of the church. Rev. Dr. Cynthia Campbell prepared a memorable message for this service. Rev. Monique Songbird provided our beautiful musical accompaniment for all of our services. 

This leads to my least favorite part of each conference - the closing music. At this time – I always cry. It is over… and now we have to wait another long 4 years to be able to commune, and worship with this particular set of saints. 

 We probably will not meet on the high seas next time … but until then, I will be anxiously awaiting the 15th Moravian Women’s Conference.

 Cindy Lamb, Fries Memorial Moravian – Winton-Salem, NC