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From the Sanctuary mmoravianoravian Have you ever noticed in this country, that often when FEBRUARY 2019 mmessengeressenger you visit parish churches or rural churches, you have to enter them through the Lych Gate (i.e. the 'death gate'). Then you walk through the beautiful and peaceful burial (or consecrated) ground in order to enter the sanctuary and prayerful presence of the church - the house of God? Also, in many traditional Moravian Churches on the European New Lease continent, placed centrally between the two entry doors (one for brothers and one for sisters) is the 'dead house' (sometimes known as a 'corpse house' or 'mort house') where the coffin sits during focus a funeral. Traditionally, coffins are not brought into the service as the of Life for they are in this country (presumably, at one time, to minimise the vulnerability of spread of infection); rather, they remain in a separate 'dead house' life. I have before being taken into 'God's Acre' for burial after the funeral. sometimes felt Malmesbury Indeed, what is now the main entrance to Fulneck Church was once despondent and helpless in the a traditional 'dead house', but it has been converted into an face of this reality, in spite of my faith. entrance to the Church, alongside the traditional brothers' and However, I am also reminded that our faith requires sisters' entrances. of us that we hold the reality of death, and the fragility of our life, Church Both of these 'designs' of church (the Lych Gate and the Dead in mind - always; and that we see death, not as something to dread, House) contain a deliberate theology. They are a reminder that we but as a gateway to hope and to a wonderful life with God. I am We often lament about having to sell our all have to journey through death before we can enter the ultimate grateful for modern science, and the miracle of medicine, that old buildings and in most cases they are sanctuary of God. They also symbolically portray a theology that keeps those known to me with us for longer than they might have changed into residential houses. After been in times past. However, I am also grateful for the reminder life and death are part of the same continuum (a juxtaposition), many years of neglect the Church at and we, as Christians need to journey (or live our life) in a way that of the vulnerability of life that their suffering puts me in touch with; for being alongside others in their struggle, and being in the struggle Malmesbury has been given a new lease doesn't deny the reality of death, but instead sees life as a © Melissa Cole preparation for death, and as a journey of hope for the life which of ill-health ourselves, can help us determine more clearly what is of life other than as a private home. The is to come. important in life - and the importance of our faith - and thus how building was sold in 1997 but has had we can live our lives, and the time we have left, better, without very little done to it until it was on the was put under the care of the Moravians Death is indeed all around us, but comes more into our vision when losing the hope which comes from our faith. During the renovation the pulpit was we hear of atrocities being committed near to where we live; or market again a few years ago. Local when John Cennick handed over his removed and is held in storage awaiting may know someone who is ill with a life-threatening issue, or we Br Peter Gubi, people formed a committee to raise societies to the Brethren in 1745. restoration. Under the pulpit a well was may ourselves be terminally ill. Death (or its potential) brings into Dukinfield funds to restore it from its neglected state Members of the Malmesbury society found and if you look at the picture you to become the Julia and Hans Rausing were incorporated into the Wiltshire will see that this has been made a feature Building and part of Malmesbury's congregation when it was settled on 9th of the building. The structure of the well Athelstan Museum. May 1748. A new chapel was built and was made safe with a glass dome in the opened by Br La Trobe on 4th November British Mission Board News Julia and Hans Rausing, who live in the floor which displays this surprising 1770. A gallery was erected in the chapel Chelsea area, funded the purchase and discovery. It's a great talking point as in 1787, and the chapel was enlarged in supply has now been restored, but the Church House. If your congregation has the committee were able to obtain a you can still see the water beneath the Wupperthal Mission Station - 1831. Malmesbury settled as a separate families have agreed to demolish the a collection or you receive cash donations, grant of £30,000 from Heritage Lottery old chapel. Fire Disaster Appeal congregation in 1826. The chapel was remains of their homes and there are can your treasurer please forward this on Fund to restore the garden, make a On 30th December a fire devastated the almost entirely rebuilt and enlarged to The renovations have been done to a tents and makeshift toilets available. The by cheque or bank transfer to Church disabled access and purchase display Wupperthal Mission Station in South double the size of the old one and was very high standard, managing to retain church cooperative, Red Cedar, which House. equipment. The conversion work was Africa. Over 50 homes and shops were produces rooibos body products, also lost re-opened on 9th October 1859. The the integrity and original features of the mainly paid for by generous donations destroyed, including the boarding school, their building, leaving several people By sending the money through Church Church was sold in 1997 and the church building, and the Moravian history is they received from many organisations local clinic, town hall, church shop, manse jobless until further notice. House, we can forward the money hall modernised as a place for the recorded on a plaque inside the building. and the mission museum, leaving at least and individuals, in particular, the Vale collectively to the South African Province, congregation to continue with their A local sculptor, Melissa Cole, was 200 people homeless and the The Rhenish Mission Society established and individuals will not incur bank charges Action group. telecommunications infrastructure Wupperthal in 1830 and it was taken over worship. After a proposal at Synod was commissioned to make a sculpture for destroyed. Much of the roofing in the by the Moravian Mission Society in 1965. on international transactions. A religious society was formed in passed, the congregation was finally the premises, and an advent star has It is still under the administration of the closed on 5th October 2008 and the been erected outside in front of the old village was thatched. However, the church We will keep you updated as recovery Malmesbury in 1742 and a malt house Moravian Church today. chapel. Although this looks very modern is still standing so has been made available operations continue. A short video that belonging to Thomas Lyne was converted three remaining members transferred to for people who need a place to stay. Please remember everyone affected by illustrates the severe impact of the fire on into a chapel. The Malmesbury society Tytherton. it does not detract from our traditional Recovery efforts are ongoing as this disaster in your prayers. The PEC in the village can be found at: Continues inside on page 16 emergency services have been working the British Province encourage any around the clock to assist victims and www.facebook.com/CapeArgus/videos/ congregations or individuals who wish to 344835672909304/. there are appeals for immediate support. support our brothers and sisters in The electricity, water, sewage and internet Wupperthal to send donations through Thank you. The Moravian Messenger Advertisements and Editorial Team, Church House, Design & Artwork all communications 5 Muswell Hill, London N10 3TJ David Bull Official Journal of the Moravian concerning [email protected] [email protected] Church in the British Province. distribution and supply should Contributions for the Messenger Printed & Distribution Love Your Selfie Three months Congregation News Congregation News Published monthly by the be sent to the should reach the editorial team by G. R. Walkden in Nepal - Gracehill - Wellhouse authority of the Provincial Synod. Editorial Team. the 7th day of the preceding month. Tel 01253 681338 (page 15) (page 17) (pages 18) (page 22) Editorial Love Your Selfie Irish District Youth Defining Poverty Weekend October 2018 © Sr Sarah Groves With the Christmas and New Year rush now well and truly system and tax credits than do families on higher incomes. This years Irish District Youth Weekend 'make your own sandwiches' crisps and evening. Games around the Gracehill over, two resolutions from our Synod last July deserve our In particular, the introduction of the two-child limit in tax started out, as many have previously, chocolate. Free time followed before a Village Square were followed by toasting attention and work in 2019. There were two resolutions credits and Universal Credit will affect those households with a great bunch of young people and short walk to Galgorm led by Br Peter marshmallows and eating them with about Child Poverty in the UK and one resolution about with three or more children. leaders gathering together to celebrate Dunn to raid the local shop for tuck and chocolate digestives, smores! Worship reducing the use of 'single use' plastics in our churches.