Moravians, Let's Speak Honorably!

According to God's word, we must always "overcome evil with good".  Paul the Apostle tells us this in Romans 12: 9-17, which is Love in Action. May "overcoming evil with good" always be our goal as we continue relationship with Moravians in Alaska and Moravians for that matter in other areas of the world.

Since I have heard of some distasteful comments about the Anchorage Moravian Church, recently, from a former Moravian leader's wife, I would like to clear the air of any error!  And to do this in a spirit of humility but state some very real facts (to overcome evil) that will help others look more positively at Moravians in Anchorage, Alaska, and rejoice with us that God is at work to expand His Kingdom of love and that through the Holy Spirit there is unity.

MY BELIEF IS THAT THE ANCHORAGE MORAVIAN CHURCH (ANCMC) AT 2150 E DOWLING ROAD IS AMONG THE STRONGEST AND MOST TRULY MORAVIAN CHURCHES IN ALASKA WITHIN THE HERITAGE OF HISTORICAL MORAVIANISM! Each one of us should realize the following which helps us to appreciate our religious heritage in Anchorage:

1. AncMC as a Church organization is affiliated with the Moravian Unity and since November 2012 recognized as a United Alaska Moravian Ministry (UAMM) Group church supervised by the Moravian Unity Board. In 2014 it continues its application for Mission Province status within the Moravian Unity.

2. The AncMC follows the Moravian Church year in its worship. It does this through the Sunday Moravian Liturgies that are followed, Holy Communion using the Moravian surplus which only ordained pastors use, the lovefeasts, Christmas Candlelight services, practicing the Right Hand of Fellowship, doing Moravian Daily Text readings, and going to graveside on Easter morning at sunrise.

3. We systematically teach Moravian history. Since 2002, the Confirmands (7-9th graders) are taught Basic Christianity using the Moravian Church in America catechism materials and other publications such as "Through Five Hundred Years:  A Popular History of the Moravian Church" by Dr. Allen W. Schattsneider and "Customs and Practices of the Moravian Church" by Adelaide Fries, a publication by the Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in North America. A short history of the Moravian Church in Alaska using "Harmonious to Dwell" by Dr. Kurt Vitt and Jim Henkelman is also provided as formal instruction before the Confirmands are entered as Full Communicant members of the Moravian Church.

4. Since 2001, the AncMC has as its pastor, the only Alaska Native and graduate of Moravian Theological Seminary with a Master's degree serving in Alaska. It's pastor is also a consecrated bishop recognized and in good standing within the Moravian Unity.

As the Anchorage Moravian Church traces its history back to 1457 much more can be said. The unique historical heritage of the Moravian Church from John Huss's time in Europe, it's Moravian Pentecost in 1722 at Herrnhut which brought Moravianism to America also gave rise to the Alaska Moravian Province in 1978. By 2008 the spirit of Zinzendorfian Moravianism (moved by the Spirit of God) gave occasion for the AncMC to enter a time of restoration and renewal which we believe is an expression of 18th century "Renewed Era" (under Zinzendorf) missionary emphasis. Through love of music and its meaningful history of experience with the Holy Spirit, UAMM Moravians continue to directly or indirectly impact other Native communities in Alaska.

Among the UAMM Churches and Fellowships has come a call of God for for renewed sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and expanding outreach ministries to southcentral Alaska Natives, Canada and the world. The younger generation of Moravians within UAMM is expected to meet this challenge.

One interesting challenge, I see, is to wake up our youth to using trumpets and trombones at Easter Sunrise service; that way we'll be connnected to among the strongest and stable Moravian Churches in America in the Northern Province, Schoeneck Moravian Church, next to Nazareth, PA. It was there before I became acquainted and served among the Moravian Churches of Alaska that I served as a student pastor for three years. Moravianism there still impacts me strongly today!

In closing, I deeply appreciate a Moravian minister who is in retirement in the lower 48 states in American. Thank you The Rev. Raymond Schultz for making Moravianism real to me back in 1974-1977 at Schoeneck Moravian Church in Nazareth Pennsylvania.