Worshiping with the Moravians: A Blessed Assurance

Sunday, 15 August

Ah!  Sunday morning.  Worship at Uitenage begins at 10:30.  No one (a.k.a. me) had anything to do before hand.  We can sleep in.  Well, we did sleep in a little, till 7:30.  But then Algie Boonzaaier had a plan for our morning activities.  He thought that it would be good for the two of us to go visit several housebound persons and others that had been through recent surgery or the loss of loved ones before the service.  I was a little uncomfortable because it became clear that none of the persons we visited knew we were coming in advance, and I wondered whether their pastor knew that I was doing pastoral visitation with her flock.

Regardless, off we went at 9:15.  We made 7 stops, finding 5 people in.  I chatted a little with each and said a short prayer.  (At least a couple of them we didn't see were on their way to church!)  When we arrived at church the pastor thanked me for going to see her parishioners.  We had a nice service.  I was asked to give greetings.  The congregation also has a tradition of honoring those celebrating special days.  They sing a hymn.   The people come forward and the pastor shakes their hand and blesses them.  Well, the lay leaders wanted me to do this.  I thought better of it, however.  On my way forward I went to the pastor and asked her to accompany me.  At first she declined, but when I told her that she was the pastor (and not I) she joined me.  Algie told me afterward that several people thought that it was a nice gesture.  In reply I explained that back home it is my job to lift up the work of the pastor.

We also were to have two services in the afternoon, a Love Feast and Holy Communion.  These services were also very nice.  The women all wore linen scarves with the Moravian logo embroidered on the back.  the liturgy is liberally infused with fine hymns and the wonderful litanies for which the Moravians are known. I was asked to give another greeting with the added request to witness to the joys and challenges of the churches that I serve in New York.

It was a fine afternoon.  After taking photos of the church leadership, I readied myself for the final get together (the last supper, if you will) of our group at a restaurant down by the beach. I couldn't wait to get together again.  I missed those guys!  Call me quixotic, but I have truly valued the way in which we came together and stayed together despite the challenges of culture, nationhood, gender, race, theology and generation.  When we were at Hobbiton, Julian our trainer spoke of what it took to build up a team: the commitment to keep everyone safe and to "be there" for one another, mutual trust, and thinking of the needs of others first.  In many ways we learned these lessons, and I remain very grateful.

Blessings,

Rick Cowles