Good News Moravian Church
Connecting to God – Connecting to Each Other . . .
Rooted in God, we walk hand in hand, journeying together, worshipping, learning, teaching, wrestling, struggling and discovering how to share our faith while serving. In sharing joys and facing challenges we are not alone, God is with us . . . our strength . . . our courage . . . our light.
This is us – a community in Sherwood Park which journeys toward God together, welcoming fellow travellers or those who are questioning. Good News is part of the larger Moravian church which is a global movement that traces its roots back to the 15th century. The worldwide church is known as the “Unity of Brethren” that began in 1457. Thus, we are part of the oldest Protestant tradition within the universal Christian Church.
The Unity is made up of people from many parts of our world. In fact, the vast majority of Moravians live in Africa, Central America, and South America. Only approximately 5% of Moravians live in North America (with only 2% of North American Moravians residing in Alberta).
The motto of this worldwide movement is:
In essentials, unity.
In non-essentials, liberty.
In all things, love.
And while this motto is not unique to the Moravian tradition, it embodies the very essence of how we hope to live out our relationships with God and each other.
What We Believe
Our faith is relationship — relationship with Jesus Christ. This is the foundation of our understanding of Moravian identity. The following statements are a way to describe this relationship.
- Moravians believe in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- Moravians believe that Jesus Christ is the way to God and God’s way to us.
- Moravians believe that a personal, heart-felt relationship with God through Jesus Christ is an essential part of faith.
- Moravians hold that faith in Jesus Christ must also be a community experience.
- Moravians believe the Church is called into existence by Jesus Christ to serve him and follow him.
- Moravians find guidance for doctrine and faith through the Bible.
- Moravians subscribe to the major creeds of the Church, including the Apostles’ and the Nicene creeds.
- Moravians share God’s love in word and deed with people of other cultures and in all the world.
- Moravians have a heritage of creativity in our music and worship.
- Moravians believe that discerning God’s will is a task to be shared among many leaders rather than to be vested in a single person or office. Thus, there is a conferential form of government which shares this responsibility.
- Moravians place great value on their ties with Christians of other Moravian provinces and with Christians of other denominations throughout the world.
From the Interprovincial Faith & Order Commission of the Moravian Church in North America.
Acknowledgement of Treaty 6 and the desire for reconciliation:
The Moravian Churches in Canada are working on ways we can meaningfully participate in the process of reconciliation with the First Nations Peoples in living out the recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We, at Good News, begin our services with the following statement:
We acknowledge that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respect the history, languages, and cultures of the First Nations, Metis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our community. We pray for justice and reconciliation between all of the peoples of Treaty 6.
This acknowledgement is a statement of respect and one which may provoke thought reflection and prayer. Recognition and respect are key to developing relationships through which reconciliation can occur.
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