Fries Memorial Moravian Church

Blessing of the Backpacks, 9/10/17, overseen by Jesus and the Little Children.

Photo: Patti Petree

Register by clicking on this link.

Discovering Your Core Life Purpose: Saying Yes! to God, Neighbor, and Self

A Personal Development Program at Fries Memorial Moravian Church

251 N. Hawthorne Rd Winston-Salem, NC 27104

Dates:  Sundays September 10, 17, 24; October 1, 8, 22

Time:  4:30 pm (Most sessions are 1.5 hrs. Two sessions are longer)

Cost:  $25 includes an extensive workbook & copy of Core Elements of the Appreciative Way(pdf) – to be paid by September 3rd.

Leadership: Pastor Jeff Coppage & the Christian Education Committee

Further Information: (336) 722-2847       Register by clicking on this link. 

“To create a life of abundance we need to attend to the blessings of our lives and use these blessings as the foundation for building our future. This program is designed to create a place (life) of deep appreciation and gratitude where the love of God, neighbor, and self can be manifest. Participants will be led through an Appreciative Inquiry* into their own life and discover those things that they do well, that they value, and that give them a purposeful meaning. Finally, special attention will be paid to creating goals that are achievable and sustainable and allow us to continue to say Yes! to God, our neighbor, and to ourselves.” –  Rob and Kim Voyle  (Authors of program)

In this program, we will work deliberately with weekly presentations and small groups as well as daily workbook assignments. Participants need to block out time to methodically look at their lives through the lens of Divine blessing and purpose. Resources incorporate scripture, personal reflections, liturgy, and wisdom from corporate, civic, and religious leaders. This is geared to benefit individuals regardless of church affiliation or faith tradition. Invite your friends and family!

Sessions include:

• Who Blessed Your Existence?

• Finding Life’s Purpose

• Unconditional Love and Saying Yes! to God        

• Saying Yes! to Your Neighbor

• Saying Yes! to Yourself

Register by clicking on this link.

“Biblical Aspects of Homosexuality” Video To Be Discussed

At Fries August 27th 7 pm. 

Fries will have a program addressing the church and homosexuality on Sunday evening August 27th at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall. There will be a pot luck supper beforehand at 6 pm.  Greg Knouse will facilitate a discussion following a viewing of a video on “Biblical Aspects of Homosexuality.” The video features Moravian clergy Rev Margaret Leinbach and Rev Tim Sapp addressing varied ways that Christians apply scripture to an understanding of homosexuality today. The video is one of a series prepared by the Province’s Resolution 12 Steering Committee. Greg is on the Board of Elders at Fries and is also a member of the Provincial Resolution 12 Steering Committee.

The 2014 Provincial Synod passed Resolution 12: Study and Discernment Regarding Homosexuality  which called for a time of study, dialogue and discernment in our Province.  Resolution 12 called for the province to “provide leadership, resources, and a process for a conversation about homosexuality in the church that includes diverse viewpoints, and opportunities for open and honest discussion, study and discernment.”

Resources and updates about Provincial conversations can be found on the Provincial website (using this link). The video series can be found using this link.

A Sacred Day May 29 2017

A Sacred Day

There are holy moments that pierce the soul.

The birth of a baby.

The passing of a loved one.

One sacrificing their life for others.

These are tender moments – when the Great Purpose of life is unveiled.

Our reason for being on this earth is often forgotten amidst life’s countless distractions. Ironically, the living of life frequently clouds the purpose of life.

The WHY of life gets lost in the thickets of the DOING of life.

Thus, a day set apart to honor those who gave their lives in service to others is a holy day. In remembering their ultimate sacrifice, we are remembering our very purpose for living. For every human being the purpose for being on this earth is One Great Purpose.

We exist so that we might love and be loved.

All religions.

All families.

All nations.

We all share One Great Purpose.

We might call it many different things but the core commitment to care for others is shared throughout all human history.

It is our common soul-work.

We might live out that purpose well.

We might live it out poorly.

Regardless, we all know our common purpose when we see it lived out. These are the holy moments of our lives.

In such times, the sacred quality of life grabs our heart.

We remember this life purpose when we are present for the birth of any child. We all know to stand quietly when a casket, and grieving family, passes by during a memorial service. It is not the location of the birth nor the setting for a memorial service that makes such events sacred. It is their connection to our core life purpose that makes such moments

Sacred.

Holy.

Eternal.

There are many men and women who sacrifice their lives for others. Most never wear a military uniform. They will never have a grateful nation stop and remember how their life was given for others. For those who have given the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the armed services, it is right and good to remember them with honor and gratitude.

This day is a sacred day.  It reminds us who we are. Why we are living.

To love and to be loved.

May it be so.

Jeff Coppage

Memorial Day 2017

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE TICKETS

Dinner At Fries Moravian Church

at Reynolds Auditorium Next Door!

June 3, 2017

Supporting Youth Going to CONVO 2017