E D U C A T I O N A L
P H I L A N T H R O P I C
APRIL 25 - 29, 2012
Message from Pennsylvania Branch President , Mary Jane Mackenzie:
As Pennsylvania Branch President, I am happy to invite each and everyone of you to the 2012 International Convention which is to be held in April, 2012 in Bethlehem, PA, the Christmas City, known for its distinctive Moravian Star.
When entering the historic Hotel Bethlehem, you will be greeted with a grand marble staircase leading to the second floor, with elevators nearby.
The Continental Breakfast will be served in the Terrace Room - a beautiful glass enclosure overlooking the city and historical area.
The meetings will be held in the Mural Room, where lunches and dinners
will also be served.
The local airport
is the Lehigh Valley International Airport. The hotel offers a free
shuttle to and from the hotel.
Approximately two hours from Bethlehem are the Philadelphia and Newark
International Airports.
Parking at the hotel is free with an overflow area to which a shuttle is provided at no cost. This lot is within walking distance from the hotel, approximately two or three blocks.
We will be hosting a lovefeast at the Old Chapel of the Central Moravian Church. The hotel will provide a shuttle to the chapel for those who cannot make the walk. The chapel is a short distance uphill from the hotel.
The hotel will also be offering a free walking tour of the historial area which will end in a visit to our former home.
Some sights you
will see on the tour will be Brethrens House, Brothers House, Sisters
House, Bell House, God's Acre and the Widow's House.
The Widow's House has special meaning to me as my mother's father was
a Moravian minister. When the minister passed away, the widows were
able to move into this house, which contains individual apartments.
I have many happy memories visiting my grandmother there. In the hallway
is a bell, which was rung when the mail arrived. When my cousins, sister
and I were together at Grandmother Albrecht's house, Grandmother's friends
knew her grandchildren were visiting because that bell rang all the
time!
Today married
theological students along with widows are living in the apartments.
The combination is working out well.
2012 Calendar of Events
COMING SOON!
CONVENTION continued:
Who are the
Moravians?
The Moravian Church is a Protestant denomination. Its religious heritage
began in 1457 in Bohemia. It places a high premium on Christian unity,
missions and music. 
The
church's emblem is the Lamb of God with the flag of victory, surrounded
by the words, "Our Lamb has conquered, let us follow Him."
The Moravian Church continues to draw on traditions established during the 18th century. In many places, it observes the convention of the Lovefeast, originally started in 1727. It uses older and traditional music in worship. Brass music, congregational singing and choral music continue to be important. In older congregations, Moravians are buried in a traditional God's Acre, a graveyard organized by gender, age and marital status rather than family.
The Old Chapel where the lovefeast will be held is the chapel for the Central Moravian Church. It was the place of worship from 1751 - 1806. Here many noted persons of the American Revolution heard early Moravian music and the Gospel. Prominent clergy were Bishops Nitschmann, Spangenberg, de watteville and Ettwein. The Moravians are known for their simple decor.
What is a Lovefeast?
A distinctive aspect of Moravian worship is the lovefeast, a service based on the early Christian agape meal. It combines singing and scripture with a simple meal of coffee and special rolls, which are shared in a spirit of joy and thanksgiving.
Among the early Moravians, lovefeasts were held to give thanks and to celebrate important occasions such as a religious holiday, the completion of a new building, the arrival of an important visitor, or a choir's festival day.
Today,
the Christmas lovefeast is an important Moravian tradition which 
includes
each member of the congregation receiving a lighted beeswax candle. What
a breathtaking experience seeing everyone in the church raising their
lighted candle to praise God.
Please remember, Bethlehem is the Christmas City rich in history and music. This part of Pennsylvania is known for it s Pennsylvania Dutch and German food.
Any questions please either call me at 610-683-3371 or e-mail mjshortie@verizon.net.
Come enjoy and explore our great city!
