MEDIA ALERT: Moravian Church In North America and The Episcopal Church
WHAT: Inaugural Service to celebrate the landmark Full Communion between The Episcopal Church and the Northern & Southern Provinces of The Moravian Church in America. The service will incorporate elements of both the Episcopal and Moravian liturgies, music and worship traditions.
WHO: Leaders of both denominations, including Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and Moravian Church Provincial Eldersâ Conference Presidents the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth D. Miller and the Rev. David Guthrie, along with bishops, clergy, guests and members from both churches.
WHERE: Central Moravian Church, Historic Downtown Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (for directions, www.centralmoravianchurch.org/ourchurch/directions)
WHEN: Thursday, February 10, 2011. Service begins at 6:00 p.m. Media briefing and panel interviews with church leaders at 4:00 p.m. Note that the service will be videotaped and will be available for viewing online shortly afterwards.
WHY: The historic special service will commemorate and celebrate the Full Communion relationship between The Episcopal Church and The Moravian Church In North America. This relationship, which brings a greater unity to the Christian church, was approved by the Episcopal Church in 2009 and by the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church in 2010. Full Communion is not a merger; the relationship fosters mutual recognition and ordained ministries while maintaining what makes each denomination special or unique to its members.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
· Neva Rae Fox, The Episcopal Church
212.716.6080 • nrfox@episcopalchurch.org
· Mike Riess, Moravian Church in North America
610.867.7566, ext. *827 • mike@mcnp.org
FOR ADDITIONAL INFO:
For more information, see www.moravian.org/news/2011/110125_service.phtml or www.episcopalchurch.org/newsline_126679_ENG_HTM.htm
