Moravian Church and National Council of Churches Meet
Ecumenical Efforts and Understanding the Focus

Representatives from the Moravian Church and five delegates of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) met on March 17, 2009 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to discuss ecumenical witness, to explore peace, society, and justice issues, and to develop a greater understanding about the NCC and the Moravian Church.

The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, the Rev. Lydia Veliko, the Rev. Dr. Michael Livingston, the Rev. Cheryl Wade, and the Rev. Melvin Wilson attended on behalf of the NCC. For the Moravian Church, representatives included, the Rev. David Wickmann, the Rev. David Bennett, the Rev. James Hicks, the Rt. Rev. Hopeton Clennon, the Rev. Otto Dreydoppel, the Rev. Chris Giesler, Tina Giesler, the Rev. Janel Rice, the Rev. Hermann Weinlick, the Rev. Christine Johnson, Eric Renner, Christie Melby-Gibbons, and Deanna Hollenbach. The Rev. Frank Crouch joined the group representing the Moravian Church, Southern Province. Also in attendance was the Rev. Dr. Peg Chemberlin, a Moravian, who is the President-elect of the NCC taking her post this upcoming November.

The day started with a greeting by the Rev. Dr. Chemberlin, words of welcome from the Rev. David Wickmann, President of the Provincial Elders’ Conference, Northern Province, and a time of introduction about the relationship of NCC and the Moravian Church from the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the NCC. Worship was held focusing on the liturgy of Peace and Justice in the Moravian Book of Worship with the thought of the day being “The Missional Message.”

After worship an open discussion period was held between the guests, which included topics regarding the current life and witness of the Moravian Church, ecumenical hopes and commitments of the Moravian Church, obstacles or issues, and gifts the Moravian Church has to give and receive in ecumenical fellowship.

The afternoon was an open dialogue experience with both groups learning much about each other and how each could assist in the others ministry. At the end of the day, Kinnamon presented the Moravian Church with a communion set to represent the coming together at the table and furthering the work of Christ. Wickmann provided gifts to each member of the NCC that fully represented the life and spirit of the Moravian Church giving each one a Moravian Book of Worship and a Moravian Daily Texts.

Article and photos by Deanna L. Hollenbach, Executive Director, Interprovincial Board of Communication of the Moravian Church in North America.