YOUTH MERIT AWARDS

The Brigitte Schloss Memorial Merit Award is to be presented annually to youth who are involved in the Moravian Church in a positive way.  This award was renamed following the passing of Rev. Dr. Brigitte Schloss (1927-2013).  See blog entries August 23, 2013, and October 3, 2007 for more information about Brigitte.  This year there were three recipients:  In Makkovik, Tobey Andersen (see photo) received the award for her assistance as a Sunday School teacher.  She also attended congregational meetings and her input into discussion was very much appreciated.  We wish her well as she heads to Ottawa for further education.  In Nain, twelve  year old Devin Dyson received the award.  Devin is a member of the Nain brass band and has attended two workshops led by Dr. Tom Gordon and friends.  It is wonderful that he shares his music by playing at church functions and other community events!  In Happy Valley, Heather McLean has once again been nominated to receive the award.  She received it in 2013 as well for her help with Sunday School and participation in church activities.  Thank you to these youth who are doing their part to enrich the life of the church in their communities.  

New MCNL Bible Initiative Growing Leaders Within Our Province

Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one].  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, And on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.  ^{Ephesians 6:13-20}
The new MCNL Bible Initiative is an integrated bible learning opportunity for all Labrador Moravians interested in furthering their knowledge of God's Word so they can better live out life Jesus called us to and strengthen our witness of Him in our lives.  The Bible Initiative is a bible survey examining each book of the bible; Old and New Testament, in a general but impacting and exciting way. 

This integrated program takes into account different learning styles and seeks to present different ways to 'hear' the Word.  Some of these ways include:  reading, listening, interacting with other bible students both online, on our new blog, on Skype, and in-person class-time.  Engaging in discussion and being challenged helps us in our learning thereby being better equipped to live what we learn and share it with others.

The online lecture series we're participating in is called "Dimensions of the Faith" offered by Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.  It is offered in different formats for your convenience; online (free), CDs (small charge). The online lecture series coordinates with a workbook either online or paper (downloadable) so you can take notes as you listen.  Lectures can be easily repeated in case you need to hear a portion repeated for better understanding.

 As our faith is rooted in the context of God's people, discussion between students and instructor is important and a benefit for all.  The MCNL Bible Initiative provides discussion in three ways. 

1)     You will find online discussion boards on the "Dimensions of the Faith" to help you learn with others as they also progress through the bible material.  You can interact with other students from around the world on the same material as you're learning simply by entering into a question of your choice.

2)     You also have the opportunity to talk with the other Labrador students and a minister via our scheduled Skype group discussions held once-a-month. 

3)     You also have the opportunity to talk, ask questions, and work out your understandings and challenges of your learning when we meet together in person as a group (individual communities) also once a month. 

 

Contact Information:  Rev. Glenna J. Tasedan, 709-899-4551 or gjtasedan@gmail.com

 

Get going today.  All are welcome.

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Happy Valley Moravian Celebrates 60 Years

Our youngest of Moravian churches, Happy Valley Moravian, celebrated their 60th Anniversary of their founding in October 2014.  After various celebratory activities and worship over the year, the momentous occasion culminated in a weekend of special events including a lovefeast, story-sharing, and a history tea sharing the 60 year history in pictures, stories, 1st-hand accounts, memorabilia, and readings of the ministers' diaries and records.  Visitors and members from previous years were present and the weekend climaxed with a church-wide supper at the Masonic Lodge. 

The anniversary was marked by specially made coffee mugs, pens, and shopping bags engraved with the above sketch by the beloved minister the Rev. David Dickenson from England.  Rejoicing and thanksgiving are extended to all the Moravian ministers serving this congregation including but not limited to the Revs. Peacock, Dickenson, Guerney, Robinson, Edmunds, and most recently Rev. Tasedan, and to the congregation's many devoted lay leaders over the years.  Many thanks to the Anniversary Committee for their hard work.  The greatest thanks and glory goes to Jesus Christ, our Chief Elder. 

As Happy Valley Moravian represents the most recent migration of many Labrador Inuit Moravians, inspired by the placement and building of a new air base in Labrador, the following well-documented history timeline is shared from diaries, letters, and journals.

 

The Founding of Happy Valley Moravian Church

Prior to July 1953       

Fall  1943   Family of Gilbert Saunders (Don) -  left Davis Inlet, Big Bay, and Makkovik[1]– picked up Family of John Broomfield [Walter, John, Lily [mom's sister's son]) –  and family of Thorwald Perrault [Alice, Ron, Walter], and Walters family [Eliza, Grace, Jane, Sam, Simon Ebert].[2] Families settled  at Otter Creek.[3]

By 1950   Moravians & Anglicans were holding services in the Friendship Cntr;  (Anglican-Moravian school)[4]

1952 – Scout Hall was erected and Moravian worship was held there.  Building was also used as classrooms until the joint Anglican-Moravian School could be built [1953].[5]

There was an Anglican deaconess Adams pastoral presence-(early 50s)    Anglican founding-1^st baptism.[6]

Prior to 1953 until Dec. 1954   Moravians were worshipping in Boy Scout Hut

1953

March 30   Letter requesting Mission Board of England if they would assign a minister to the Happy Valley congregation.  Visiting Anglican/United ministers only visit their own.  Minister in NWR occasionally available for special circumstances.[7]

July 23   "You will be pleased to know that we now have a regularly constituted congregation in Happy Valley Goose Bay & that the following officers have been chosen & elected:  John Broomfield, Chapel Servant, Alice Perrault-Chapel Servant, Thorwald Perrault-Elder."[8]

Two additional members elected to join them to assist John Broomfield.  Elected Elders:  Alfred Winters, Norman Edmunds.[9]

John Broomfield installed (as 'Lay Minister'?)[10]

Oct. 3   Foundation for the Moravian Church in Happy Valley.  Workers names: Norman Edmunds, Edward Andersen, Alfred Winters, Charles Broomfield & John Broomfield.[11]  [This was the reason John began his journal]

Nov. 12/13  Lumber was brought from Mud Lake by boat and landed on the river beach under a river bank some 18-20 feet high.  A gang of willing workers (21 men) came along with lanterns at night and landed it all  on top of this bank ready to be hauled by truck to where the foundation was started.[12]

Nov. 14   American Air Force donated use of truck to haul lumber to where the foundation was started.  Lumber was hauled, stacked & piled ready to use as soon as the snow goes in the spring.[13]

Nov. 20   First floor of church laid and things left until spring.  (Workers weren't available for working).[14]

1954

January 30   Meeting called by Rev. Peacock (visit).  25 members present.  Nominated Chapel Servants: Mrs. Gilbert Saunders & Mrs. Bridget Winters.[15]

February 3   Rev. F.W. Peacock (superintendent from Nain, held service to consecrate the place for the building.  Consecration done on the floor of church.[16]

February 10   W.T.Perrault elected Chairperson.  W.E.Andersen elected Vice Chair-person.[17]

June 8    Framing of church completed.[18]

September 11   Roof of church is up.[19]

December 18   Hauled the organ on a komatik from Mr. Gilbert Saunders house to the church for use until congregation can afford one.

December 19  First service in new sanctuary. Seats without backs.  A wood stove for heat. Coleman lanterns for light.  "Church was packed full with adults and children" (114). [20]  Note:  This Christmas service held on Sunday as men would be working on Christmas day.

 

References:

1.     John Broomfield         JB

2.     Minutes of Moravian Church Committee Meetings;  Alice Perrault             MMC

3.     Saunders, Don            DS

4.     Perrault, Ron             RP

5.     Arch Deacon Charlene Taylor   ADCT

6.     Crane, Jean                 JC

7.     Peacock, F.W.    Moravian Mission Letter, MML

8.     Happy Valley Town Census, October 26, 1947.                    HVC

9.     Perrault, Alice. Letter written to F.W.Peacock of Nain.  March 30, 1953                                       LETAP

10.  Perrault, Alice.  "History of Happy Valley"                                                  HHV

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[1] Perrault, Alice.  HHV

[2] DS

[3] HHV

[4] ADCT

[5] HHV

[6] Et Al.

[7] LETAP

[8] MML

[9] MMC

[10] MMC

[11] JB

[12] Et al

[13] Et al

[14] JB

[15] MMC

[16] JB

[17] MMC

[18] JB

[19] Et al

[20] Et al