A Community of Misfits on a Mission

The Northern Province of the Moravian Church in America has officially made this announcement:
https://www.moravian.org/northern/2023/03/03/minnesota-congregation-votes-to-become-a-new-moravian-church/

Minnesota Congregation Votes to Become a New Moravian Church

After more than a year of exploration and prayerful discernment, along with extensive conversations with the Western District Executive Board and Provincial Elders’ Conference, a congregation worshipping in St. Paul, MN has formally voted to become the Roots Moravian Church. Led by the pastoral team of T.C. and Osheta Moore, this congregation, which had been affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church, was searching for a denominational home that would be in line with their expansive welcome of all persons. They found such a home with the Moravian Church Northern Province and have spent a year learning about our life and witness, our history, practices, and polity. T.C. and Osheta have met (via Zoom) with the WDEB and PEC, and have asked thoughtful, respectful questions to help in their discernment. They have been warmly and enthusiastically received by all they have met. Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller shared that it has been “a delight to walk with T.C., Osheta, and the congregation in their discernment process. Their curiosity and interest in joining with us is bringing fresh energy and excitement to who God is calling us to be.” Both Sr. Betsy Miller and Br. Bruce Nelson have worshiped with the congregation and answered members’ questions in preparation for the Town Hall vote that unanimously approved becoming a Moravian congregation.

“Roots is community of ‘misfits’—people who have felt left out, pushed aside, too much, or not enough in other Christian spaces,” T.C. and Osheta shared. “Though we come from a wide variety of different backgrounds and have diverse identities, we’re united in our love for God, one another, and our neighbors in the Twin Cities. We’re overjoyed to join the Moravian family of churches because it feels like a home filled with both meaningful traditions and space for our misfit-ness. Let’s follow the victorious Lamb together!”

We invite your prayers for Roots Moravian Church as they finalize their Charter and Bylaws and as T.C., ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church, and his wife Osheta, on their pastoral staff, complete the credentialing process to be received onto the Roster of the Moravian Church.