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The Final Word JUNE/JULY, 2004

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 Bethsalem@triad.rr.com  ONWARD on the world wide web www.bethabara.org/ONWARD.htm  Submit articles by last day of month

Again we have a double issue. We are especially grateful to Br. Bob Iobst who does double duty in providing prayer guidance. We hear numerous compliments for ONWARD but always with appreciation for Pray Every Day. He asked one of the members at New Philadelphia to give us new information about the work emerging in Cuba. Our President Jack Geis lists the wonderful experiences many people will have this summer with help from our Young People in Mission program. Br.Al Reynolds from Maryland, monitors many newspapers for news about the Moravian Church, and has contributed many times. Now he gives us details about the restoration of a significant home in Bethlehem. The Moravian Messenger, edited by Br. Fred Linyard, gives us news about the Fairtrade program, and about our church in Miami, pastored by Br.Joe Nicholas. What a gift from God the Prince of Peace congregation has been, as the mother church of our work in South Florida. We appreciate the work of Br. David Guthrie, who was the pioneer of that work, and taught us so much while we worked together there. Now, as the executive director of the Board of Evangelism and Home Missions, he has brought together the resources and dedicated individuals to launch the Latino Ministries. This meets a real need in Winston-Salem. Br. Mark Ebert plans the work crews for the two provinces. He shows us new opportunities!

We had a wonderful trip in April to N. Ireland and southern England. Our gracious hosts in Belfast, Br. Derick Woods, and his wife, Marian gave us a wonderful tour of the work there. We saw the churches and most of the pastors, and many important lay people there. We enjoyed spending much of Easter Sunday at their home, with their daughter and the Joe Coopers. Bishop and Sr. Edna taught us a great deal of Moravian history. They have published 25 booklets on a vast array of subjects. The latest booklet tells of the relation of the John Jacob Astor family to the Moravian Church, and notes that they helped start my home congregation in Wisconsin. We stayed in the Missionary Flats in Muswell Hill, north of London and got to know the folks at the headquarters. We especially enjoyed worshiping at the Hornsey Church which is so similar to the work of our churches in Miami. We met folks from the worldwide Moravian Church, enjoying the Moravian fellowship and worship, but as pilgrims in England, finding a home away from home. We enjoyed the museums, libraries and great Churches. We also met two Moravian clergy families from Wisconsin by chance in St. Paul’s Cathedral!