Moravian Church in North America

Eastern District completes 2012 Synod

On Saturday, June 23, the Eastern District of the Moravian Church, Northern Province, completed the work of the 2012 Synod held in Bethlehem, Pa.  But the work of Synod -- discussions, elections, legislation, committee work, and resolutions -- is only the beginning. The Synod establishes work that will continue for the next four years.

The 2012 Eastern District Synod affirmed the positive work happening in this part of the Moravian Church, while at the same time confronting and working to improve issues.  The resolutions presented for action during the three-day Synod addressed many topics, including care of pastors, youth ministry, lay leadership, financial issues, worship, education and more. Full text of the adopted resolutions is available here.

While Synods focus on the work required to move the District through the coming four years, these gatherings also offer a unique opportunity for Moravian Christians from areas as diverse as metropolitan New York to rural Pennsylvania and Ohio to meet, renew and share.  The first two purposes of a District Synod (as written in the Northern Province Book of Order) include "confirming and renewing Christian love and fellowship;" and "stimulating and strengthening the work of the Lord." 

Throughout the 2012 Synod, delegates worshiped together, shared meals, enjoyed music from many different traditions, renewed friendships, made new acquaintences and formed new partnerships that have the potential to strengthen the work of the Moravian Church.

More on the work of the Eastern District Synod will be shared in the September issue of the Moravian Magazine and online at www.moravian.org. 

Here is a glimpse of the work, worship and fellowship of the 2012 Eastern District Synod: