The Rev. Sol Bird Mockicin, a Cherokee Lutheran minister has been a long time friend of the Moravian Church, and is known to many in our church. His devotion to and knowledge of Moravian Church history is extensive because he was raised in the area where the Moravians had served the Cherokees for over 60 years in the 19^th century. He is a product of the Oaks Indian School who continued his education and served as a lifelong Lutheran minister. He was a pastor in Cherokee, NC for many years, and continues to serve in the Oaks Indian Mission just north of Tahlequah. He had open heart surgery a number of years ago but suffered an attack on August 26^th, and has had another open heart surgery on August 31^st in Tulsa. We want to surround him with our prayers and support for him during his recovery.

He is a spiritual leader of Christian Cherokees and a deeply devoted servant of the Lord.

Moravian Churches around the country are joining with Lutherans and others praying for him and we covert the prayers from everyone who reads these words to remember him and his recovery. He left a lasting impression on many who met him on the Trail of Tears Tour in September 2003, and we have looked forward to renewing that contact again this year. When I met him, he took my arm and said to me, “You have no idea how much your church did for our people”. I replied, “We haven’t done anything for a century”. He responded, “You may have forgotten us, but we have not forgotten what your missionaries did”. JHG

At time of printing, Rev.Mockicin was improving in recovery.

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