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The Final Word November, 2005

John H. Giesler

Our thanks go to Br. Sam Gray for his lead article and the Prayer focus: to Br. Bob Sawyer for several items from his Unity newsletter. But we have a big bonus for all our readers with the publication of the journal of the first Moravian response team to the Gulf hurricanes, written by Br. Al Gambill. We are so fortunate to have such a fine group, but also a real leader. In order to include it all, we added two pages to this issue. It is great reading. Thanks, Al. In the Pray Every Day I am indebted to the British Moravian Daily Text book. The texts are the same but they have very many enriching items that are worth sharing. Br. Jack Geis saw Br. Gambill’s journal and urged me to include it. So his article is shorter. Br. Ted Wilde in an email included his tribute to Bishop Maynard and then included the closing portion of Br Oliver’s sermon. You will be moved at his real insights at what it means to be a member of the Moravian Church worldwide, as well as a Christian trying to live out his faith. From Alaska we learn that Sr. Sarah Owens was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church on August 14, She was ordained by Bishop Jacob Nelson and serves the Talkback Moravian Church. She is the first Yup’ik women to been ordained and we proud of her achievement.

Dr. Sam Marx keeps in touch with people on both sides of the Moravians in Honduras. He noted that Br. Julio Platino is the Superintendent of the recognized Church and Br. Wincap Casey is Bishop-elect. Both have met with Br. Graham Rights and the Mission Board leaders recently and movement toward reconciliation continues. In the traditional Moravian Church, Br. Duly Diaz was recently elected chairman of that side. Both sides are about equal in Churches and membership.

I have been invited to preach at two Moravian Churches in October about the Moravians and the Cherokee. If your church would like to have a first hand report about our new relationship with the Cherokee, just call me (336.922.5858) and I will be glad to speak to you. The Cherokee-Moravian Historical Association just surpassed 200 members, and we are able to sponsor some fascinating lectures and will be publishing important documents. It was providential that we had to postpone the Trail of Tears Tour this year, as with the gas price escalation, and the evacuees on the road, we might have had some difficulty completing the tour. But we are going ahead for next September 13-24, 2006 and we would like to have 45 on board. We have about 35 right now. Have a meaningful Thanksgiving! JHG

THE FINAL WORD  - John H. Giesler

ONWARD is published 10 times a year, with two double issues, by the Moravian Mission Society, South, Inc. You can subscribe for     $10 per year. Changes of address and/or checks should be made out to the Mission Society, and mailed to PO Drawer Y Salem Station, Winston-Salem  NC  27108 – Attention Sheila Beaman.  Editor is Rev. John H. Giesler, 1116 Tommy’s Lake RD, Winston-Salem  NC 27105. E-mail John Giesler
 ONWARD is on the world wide web at  www.bethabara.org/ONWARD.htm