Fries Memorial Moravian Church

   All members are regular attenders are invited to join one of the following “Dream Teams”. The overview of the process is below the team descriptions.

                             “Dream Teams”  

      Bringing Our  Priority Ministry Dreams To Life

1. The “Soul Tenders” are passionate about deepening our relationships with God, ourselves, and one another. Their dreams include growth in the areas of:

     Prayer      Worship       Music              Spiritual Formation            Bible Study

        Christian Education       Small Groups        Socials           Close-knit Fellowship

2.  The “Good Newsers”  are passionate about Christian witness and growing our membership. Their dreams include growth in the areas of:

                  Evangelism               Visitation          Assimilation of Visitors
3. The “Gospel Livers” are passionate about servant ministry in both words and deeds. They are energized to grow our membership and to address critical spiritual, emotional, and physical needs beyond our church family.    

                 Living the Gospel       Missions                Community Outreach

4.  The “Young Jesus Peeps” team is passionate about Christian faith development among children and teens. Their dreams include growth in the areas of:   

               Children’s activities      Christian Education for Children and Youth     VBS                      Nurture for Parents        Youth Service Projects/Mission Team    

Collaborating with Other Youth Groups           Regular Youth Activities  

5.  The “Wineskinners” are passionate about the ongoing sustainability of the church. Their dreams include attending to:

   Fiscal sustainability      Effective governance structure     Personnel

  Provincial Connections    Organizing For Creative Mission-based Ministry

 
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“DREAM TEAMS” OVERVIEW

Fries Memorial Moravian Church

Spring 2018

GOALS:

• “Jumpstart” priority areas of ministry and missions as identified in

          our Faithful Future for Fries planning process.  

• Generate innovation and creativity across all ministry and outreach efforts.
• Deepen our dynamic faith, commitment, and a collaborative spirit.
• Nurture respect for the diverse faith perspectives within our congregation and among those we serve.  
• Fan the flames for an infectious enthusiasm and witness of God’s transforming effect on lives engaged in Christ’s service here and in our community.
• Enjoy life-giving worship, ministry, and relationships that bring glory to God.

PROCESS:

1. 1. A Faithful Future for Fries planning day identifying ministry priorities. (11/12/17)
   2. Joint Board selects top priorities (1/23/18)

• Town Hall meeting with widespread participation; All individuals are asked to commit to one “Dream Team” of their choosing. (1/28/18)

     Next Steps:

1. Teams identify several small, practical “next steps” by Easter Sunday (4/1/18).
2. Teams begin implementing a creative ministry initiative by Pentecost (5/20/18).
   1. Each Dream Team to develop its’ own (creative) name, meeting schedule, priorities, and action steps based on team decision-making (collaborating with other teams and church boards as sensible). There are no pre-set agendas for teams. They create their own action steps as they have the vision and energy to implement them.
   2. Teams create brief monthly summaries of meetings and ministry activities.
   3. Teams share highlights of ministry initiatives in worship and newsletters.
3. Beyond the life of the teams, the Joint Board will oversee sustaining any longer-term Dream Team initiatives.

DURATION

• Teams are envisioned as lasting 6-12 mo. with the option of extending.
• If operating longer than 12 months, team members are given the option of recommitting to, or declining, longer service on that team.

Services for December 24, 2017

11 am   Children’s Lovefeast Service

We invite you to join us as we share a simple meal, called a “Lovefeast.” Lovefeast services became a part of the Moravian worship tradition after a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit on August 13, 1727. During a service of worship on that day, many doctrinal disputes and personal hostilities were laid aside, and a new spirit of love and fellowship prevailed. A simple meal was brought into the sanctuary where all continued to worship. Today Moravians around the world continue to share the Lovefeast to celebrate significant occasions.

A Lovefeast service is primarily a music service designed to convey a thematic message. The hymns and music in a Christmas Lovefeast tell the story of our Savior’s birth. A special part of the Christmas Lovefeast is the candle service, during which beeswax candles, trimmed in a red paper skirt, are distributed. These candles remind us that Christ said, “I am the light of the world,” and “you are the light of the world—let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

At our Children’s Lovefeast, the youth and children of our congregation will lead the service. The Children’s Choir will sing, the youth will serve as Scripture reader, ushers and “dieners” (those who serve the lovefeast). Please join us for this beautiful and meaningful service. A nursery will be provided.

4 PM and 6:30 PM  Christmas Eve Lovefeast and Candle Services

O Come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant… as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. We will offer with two Lovefeast and Candle Services on Christmas Eve. The first is at 4:00 and the second at 6:30. There will be a band prelude 30 minutes before each service. A nursery will be provided. Bring all of your family and friends. No one celebrates Christmas like the Moravians and especially like Fries Memorial!

Fries led a Moravian Lovefeast Dec 11th at Arbor Acres’ Strickland Place with the choir singing. It was surreal to have our pictures on their wall-sized screen. It was a new experience (with a learning curve) – a very meaningful evening. With commitments next week singing at the homeless overflow shelter and caroling for neighbors, this is truly a servant choir.

Collecting Emergency Clean-Up Buckets & Hygiene Kits 

Along with 3 other Moravian churches, Fries is collecting emergency cleaning supplies and hygiene kits for victims of the devastating hurricanes of recent months. We are partnering with Church World Services (Sponsor of the annual CROP WALK to fight hunger) which is already in place in the affected areas. Lists of specific (new) supplies that are needed are accessible using the links below.  Fries has a limited number of free buckets available through the church office.

Supplies must be dropped off at Fries by MONDAY MORNING OCTOBER 9TH. We will have volunteers in our fellowship hall (take the walkway from our sign) to collect supplies that morning  between 8 am-10 am.   You are also invited to bring supplies to our 11 am worship service on Sunday October 8th. A prayer of blessing for the supplies will be part of that service.

Lists of Specific Supplies Needed:

CWS-Emergency-Cleanup-Buckets list

CWS-Hygiene-Kit list

Want to contribute financially? $75 will pay for a fully stocked Emergency Clean-Up Bucket, $15 will pay for a Hygiene Kit.  Unless CWS processing fees are sent in, Fries will pay those fees ($3/bucket, $2/hygiene kit) to CWS.

Make checks out to Fries Memorial Moravian Church. Write “Hurricane relief supplies” in the memo line. Send to the address below or drop off at the church M-Thu 9am – Noon.

Willing to help? Please let us know for planning purposes. Questions or comments? Please contact us by phone (336) 722-2847 or via e-mail

Fries Memorial Moravian Church

Rev. Jeff Coppage, Pastor

251 N. Hawthorne Rd  Winston-Salem, NC  27104

www.frieschurch.org

Dear Fries Family,

         This Sunday, October 1, 2017,  in worship we celebrate Holy Communion as part of World Communion Day. This is remarkable timing because this Sunday we are also hosting the Salem Creek Friends Meeting (Quaker Church) which will be having

their silent (unprogrammed) worship in our library as we worship.* Please welcome our Quaker brothers and sisters warmly. This Sunday will be an ecumenical, truly Moravian, day!

       Fries is responding to the needs of recent hurricane victims is several ways. First, we have collected over $1,500 for relief work that is being distributed by Moravian Disaster Relief. This supports aid that partners with Moravian (and Unity of the Brethren) sister churches in Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean Islands. Updates from MDR can be located here.

      Secondly, we are doing some hands-on relief work by assembling buckets of cleaning supplies and/or hygiene kits to be distributed to hurricane victims through Church World Services (Sponsor of the annual CROP Walk to fight hunger). This is particularly good for families of groups to do together. A good number of FREE BUCKETS are available in our Fellowship Hall. Lists of specific (new) supplies needed are available. Please fill up buckets and bring them to church on October 8th for a prayer of blessing during worship. On Monday October 9th, Pastor Jeff will take all donated supplies from partnering churches (Calvary, Ardmore, Christ and Fries) to a pick-up point in Richmond VA. They will be picked up there on October 15th for distribution to areas of urgent need. Please contact Heather Stevenson, Margie Lamb, or Pastor Jeff with questions.

With Hope,

Pastor Jeff

* October 1st and 8th are scheduled as two “trial runs” of this arrangement. If all goes well we will work out a covenant of agreement for an on-going arrangement that benefits both congregations. Here is a link to more information about the SCFM.

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

Photo: Patti Petree