It’s Almost Here!

Only 10 more days until the Moravian Women’s Conference gets underway!! If you’ve registered, you’ll be hearing from us soon via email, whether you’re an attendee, a presenter, a volunteer, or  an exhibitor!!

June 9 marked the end of advance registration. Please email us at moravianwomen@gmail.com to see if any additional space is available.

Remember, on-site check-in begins in the Grand Pavilion Foyer (right outside the Grand Pavilion Ballroom) at 2:00pm on Thursday, June 20. We can’t wait to see you!!

Our Keynote Speaker is Sarah Bessey!

We are pleased to share with you that Sarah Bessey will be our keynote speaker on Saturday at our 13th Moravian Women’s Conference. Sarah will present in the morning, conduct an Imagine Session, and deliver the message at our evening lovefeast. Sarah’s bio is below.

Your conference committee looks forward to welcoming Sarah and you to the conference in June as we individually and together continue to seek God’s plan, unleashing his power at work within us.

In faith, hope and love,

Peggy Dodson, chair
Libby Ayers, Ruth Cole Burcaw, Margo Harris
Nancy Nelson, Allison Snyder, Janice Wilson
13th Moravian Women’s Conference Committee

Sarah Bessey is the author of the best-selling and critically acclaimed books Jesus Feminist and Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith. She is a sought-after speaker at churches, conferences, and universities around the world. Sarah also serves as President of the Board for Heartline Ministries in Haiti.

An award-winning blogger, Sarah has also contributed to the “NIV Bible for Women: Fresh Insights for Thriving in Today’s World”; “Mother Letters: Sharing the Laughter, Joy, Struggles, and Hope”; “Soul Bare: Stories of Redemption”; and “What a Woman is Worth.” Her writing has appeared in The Huffington Post, The High Calling, Conversations Journal, ChurchLeaders.com, CT Women: Christianity Today’s Blog for Women, Today’s Christian Woman, and she has commented on religion for The Atlantic, The Christian Post, Christianity Today, The National Post, and The Washington Post among others.

She lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada with her husband and their four children collectively referred to as “The Tinies” – even though one of them is already taller than her. A self-described “recovering know-it-all,” she is an avid knitter, a hockey fan (Go Bruins), a bookworm, a church lady, a total hugger, and embarrassingly devoted to the television show Doctor Who.

You can find her online at http://www.sarahbessey.com.

Sad News – The Death of Rachel Held Evans

Dear Sisters,

I am deeply saddened to tell you that a friend of our 13^th Moravian Women’s Conference and our keynote speaker, Rachel Held Evans, entered into the more immediate presence of her Lord at 4:00 a.m. today, Saturday, May 4. Rachel was 37 years old; she was ill for just a few weeks.

On March 27, Ruth Cole Burcaw and I spoke with Rachel about our conference and its theme. Rachel was looking forward to spending all day Saturday with us and, especially, to preaching at our lovefeast that evening. As we spoke about our theme and our sisters who gather from throughout The Unity, Rachel said, “I hear community.” One could feel her energy and insight as she was thinking ahead about the thoughts she might share.

Rachel’s ministry continues in the minds and hearts of the thousands she touched through her writings, her events and her very presence. As Rachel unleashed God’s Power within herself, I expect she was not surprised by the  impact of her story – one of searching and finding and always trusting in the love of her God whom she loved so deeply.

Please offer prayers for Rachel’s husband Dan and their two small children.

Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us. Ephesians 3:20.

 In faith, hope and love,

13^th Moravian Women’s Conference Committee
Peggy Dodson, chair
Libby Ayers, Ruth Cole Burcaw, Margo Harris, Nan Nelson, Allison Snyder, Janice Wilson

Deadline for Nextgen Sisters Extended

If you are a Moravian woman aged 21 to 35-(ish), consider joining the Nextgen Sisters cohort at the Moravian Women’s Conference, to be held June 20-23, 2019 in Winston-Salem, NC.  Discover and develop your spiritual gifts, create bonds of community, and explore your call to leadership and mission. This is a unique opportunity to grow in faith, love, and hope as you follow the Lamb in today’s world.

Through group discussions, self-reflection exercises, social activities, and mentoring, each participant will:

• Meet and build relationships with Moravian women from across North America;
• Reflect on questions of faith and purpose while giving and receiving support in a safe space;
• Explore ways you can use your power effectively, turn your faith into action, and make a positive difference in the world; and
• Spend time with a few of the Moravian Church’s wise women who will share their stories of faith and challenge, and insights for the journey ahead.

Women from both the Southern and Northern provinces are eligible. Space is limited. To submit your name for consideration, please complete this Google Form no later than April 30, 2019:

Upon acceptance to the cohort, you will be:

• Asked to participate as fully as possible in the meetings and activities of this group during the conference (social events are optional) and commit to at least one pre-event meeting (via video conference) and possibly some post-event follow-up. We’ll send you a schedule of this group’s activities once it becomes available.
• Eligible for the Early Bird discount registration price ($350) during the entire advance registration period AND receive a $275 Nextgen scholarship. You’ll be responsible for the remaining registration cost of $75 (of course, you may choose to take advantage of your church or province’s scholarship options to cover this cost). Note this scholarship does not cover lodging or travel costs.

Nextgen Sisters is a project of the Moravian Women’s Conference in collaboration with the Board of Cooperative Ministries of the Moravian Church, Southern Province.

Lodging STILL Available for the Women’s Conference

We are so excited that over 350 women from around the Moravian world are joining us this June in Winston-Salem! Moravian Women’s Conference attendees may still reserve their lodging using this customized online reservation system. Rooms are available at the Marriott Winston-Salem, which is connected to our conference hotel, the Embassy Suites, by an elevated, enclosed walkway. Please book your room soon as they are going fast!

Remember, conference registration does NOT include hotel accommodations. You can find more information about accommodations and room costs on the Travel & Accommodations page of the conference website.

The Moravian Women’s Conference to be held June 20-23, 2019 in Winston-Salem, NC, is a gathering hosted by the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church in North America. The conference centers around a biblical theme and offers time for attendees to relax their bodies, refresh their spirits, and renew their commitment to God and to each other. With faith, love, and hope, women leave the conference with a new enthusiasm and commitment to serve God, each other, and the world.

In the heart of downtown Winston-Salem, just steps away from the historic Moravian settlement of Salem, the Twin City Quarter (Embassy Suites/Marriott Winston-Salem and Convention Center) offers excellent accommodations and meeting space for the conference.  Close to a variety of activities, including the Downtown Arts District, Fourth Street’s Restaurant Row, attractions, museums, shopping, colleges, universities, golf courses and wineries.

Share and Sell Market Registration is Now Open!

Share & Sell Market – **Register Now!

Women’s fellowships, congregations, non-profits, and church-related for-profit agencies are all invited to bring their wares and goodies to share and sell during the conference.  Registration information for Share & Sell is now closed.

Hours for Share & Sell Market 

2019 Share & Sell Schedule

Thursday, June 20                       3:00pm – 6:00pm

Friday, June 21                            3:00pm – 6:00pm  and 9:00pm-11:00pm (after Gala)

Saturday, June 22                        3:00pm – 6:00pm

Good news! Our Share and Sell Market will be directly adjacent to our general session ballroom, which means there may be additional opportunities to share and sell right after general sessions, around mealtimes, and before workshops.

Rachel Held Evans to Provide Keynote at Moravian Women’s Conference

The 13th Moravian Women’s conference in scheduled for June 20-23, 2019, in Winston-Salem, N.C. The conference site, Embassy Suites, is located in downtown Winston-Salem amid the arts district, shops, restaurants and other attractions which are just blocks from historic Moravian Old Salem.

The conference offers an opportunity for Moravian women (and their ecumenical sisters) from many places to learn, worship, sing and share ideas. During general sessions and “Imagine Sessions” (workshops), keynote speakers and workshop leaders will inform and challenge each participant to confidently live into the plan God has for her.

Rachel Held Evans, a New York Times bestselling author of A Year of Biblical Womanhood, Searching for Sunday and Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again, will be the keynote speaker at the 13th Conference. She is also creator of a blog renown for conversation about Christianity and culture and is a popular speaker at churches, conferences and universities around the country.

Other women scheduled to speak include the Rt. Rev. Kay Ward, the first female bishop of the Moravian Unity; the Rev. Christie Melby-Gibbons, executive director of Tricklebee Café, an emerging ministry in Milwaukee, Wis.; the Rev. Dr. Heather Hartung Vacek, vice president for academic affairs, dean of faculty and associate professor of church history at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; and Dena Grillo Fotuzi, a church leader and board member in the Moravian Church in Albania.

Conference registration is now open at moravianwomensconference.org. The website provides additional details and lodging opportunities (note that lodging is reserved separately so registrants may choose accommodations that suit their needs). Early Bird registration is $350 through February 6, 2019, and $415 thereafter.

Early Bird Deadline Extended Through February 6th!

Good news! In order to allow time for all who would like to register with the discount to do so, we have extended the deadline for Early Bird registration until 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2019. Regular registration prices will take effect on Thursday, February 7 at 12:00am.

So please, register before February 6th to receive a discount off of the regular registration fee for the 13th Moravian Women’s Conference, to be held June 20-23, 2019 at the Embassy Suites in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (You’ll find an updated printed registration form here.)

The Moravian Women’s Conference is a gathering hosted by the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church in North America. The conference centers around a biblical theme and offers time for attendees to relax their bodies, refresh their spirits, and renew their commitment to God and to each other. With faith, love, and hope, women leave the conference with a new enthusiasm and commitment to serve God, each other, and the world. We hope you’ll join us!

Lodging Reservation Information Available Now!

Beginning August 1, 2018, Moravian Women’s Conference attendees may now reserve their lodging using a customized online reservation system.

Remember, conference registration does NOT include hotel accommodations. To make hotel reservations, you’ll need to call (long distance or international rates may apply) 336-724-2300 (tell them you’re with the Moravian Women’s Conference to get special rates) OR make reservations online using this customized link. You can find more information about accommodations and room costs on the Travel & Accommodations page of the conference website.

Coming to conference? Great! To complete your conference arrangements, be sure to:

• Check to see if you are eligible for any Conference discounts and scholarships. Visit the Registration page of our website and scroll down to the Scholarship section.
• Register for the conference using this online form and paying with a credit card (transaction & convenience fees will apply). Or, download a printable registration form and mail it with your check.
• Take advantage of special rates and make reservations at the conference hotel (The Embassy Suites) if you’ll be staying there. Advise hotel of your roommate(s).
• Make arrangements to travel to the conference (airfare, car, etc.). (If traveling by air, make arrangements for ground transportation to and from the airport.)

The Moravian Women’s Conference to be held June 20-23, 2019 in Winston-Salem, NC, is a gathering hosted by the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church in North America. The conference centers around a biblical theme and offers time for attendees to relax their bodies, refresh their spirits, and renew their commitment to God and to each other. With faith, love, and hope, women leave the conference with a new enthusiasm and commitment to serve God, each other, and the world.

Early Bird Conference Registration is Open!

It’s already been three years since we were Walking in the Light together during the 12th Moravian Women’s Conference on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay.

Today we open registration for the 13th Moravian Women’s Conference, where we will learn to Unleash our Power so we might use it to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world!

We are especially excited to welcome as one of our keynote speakers national best-selling author Rachel Held Evans! Rachel, along with several other dynamic speakers, will inspire and challenge us during our time together.

Visit our Registration page and register now in order to save $65 off of the regular registration fee. The 13th Moravian Women’s Conference will be held June 20-23, 2019 at the Embassy Suites hotel in  Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In the heart of downtown Winston-Salem, just steps away from the historic Moravian settlement of Salem, the Embassy Suites offers excellent accommodations and meeting space for the conference.

Domestic scholarship applications are also now available! Limited scholarships to offset conference registration fees are available to women from the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church in America on a rolling, first-come, first-serve basis. Women with financial need are especially encouraged to apply. We ask that scholarship applicants please wait to register until after you are notified of a scholarship award.You’ll find details on our Registration page.

Conference Background

Every four years, the Interprovincial Women’s Board hosts a three-day conference for Moravian women across North America and other parts of the world. The conference offers time for attendees to relax their bodies, refresh their spirits and renew their minds. Meaningful worship and engaging speakers challenge, inspire and call us to action on God’s behalf. Participants attend workshops on topics of interest and enjoy fellowship, quiet time, recreation and even sight-seeing. Moravian women leave the quadrennial conference with a renewed commitment to serve God, each other and the world.

Fast Facts on the 13^th Moravian Women’s Conference

Dates:                   June 20-23, 2019
Location:            The Embassy Suites | 425 Cherry Street | Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Registration:    $350/per person (early bird special beginning July 1, 2018); $415/per person (regular registration beginning January 11, 2019)

Important Conference Forms/Links:

• Mail-In Registration Form
• Online Registration Link
• Workshop Descriptions (you’ll want to review these prior to registering)
• Domestic Scholarship Application: Google Form | Printable Form
• Bulletin Inserts – Printable Version – Insert
• Small Posters – Printable Version – Poster

For More Information:
Website:              www.moravianwomensconference.org
Facebook:           www.facebook.com/MoravianWC
Email:                   moravianwomen@gmail.com
Phone:                 (336) 893-4460 This is voice mail only. Please leave a detailed message and allow our volunteers time to respond.