Manlius United Methodist Church

What do you see? Can you see the gospel from the traffic signs?

When I first learned about John Wesley’s Aldersgate experience on May 24, 1738, I also learned that shortly afterward, in August 1738, Wesley visited the Moravian community in Herrnhut for about two weeks. In Wesley’s time, the journey from London may have taken nearly two weeks. That shows how deeply he desired to learn from this community.
The Moravians influenced Wesley in many ways, including their life of prayer, fellowship, love feasts, and small-group ministries. Their small groups, called “choirs,” helped shape Wesley’s later “bands” and “classes.” This small community of about 300–400 believers sent roughly 300 missionaries around the world in the 18th century. What a powerful reminder that the size of a church does not limit God's mission.
Herrnhut began in 1722 when Count Zinzendorf opened his land to persecuted believers from Moravia, descendants of the Hussite movement. They named their village Herrnhut, meaning “the Lord’s Watch” or “the Lord’s Protection.” In 1727, during Communion, the Holy Spirit moved among them in a powerful way, almost like a new Pentecost. From that renewal, they went out as witnesses of Jesus “to the ends of the earth.”
When I visited Herrnhut, I attended a noon prayer meeting at the church. Afterward, a retired pastor couple, Christopher and Doris Haas, kindly invited me to lunch at the cafeteria of a school for children with disabilities next to the church. Doris also took time to guide me to God’s Acre, the Moravian cemetery, and to the museum. I was also surprised to learn that her grand-nephew is married to a Korean woman living in Seoul.
One thing I also learned is that Bethlehem and Nazareth in Pennsylvania were named by the Moravians. The Easter Sunrise Service also began at God’s Acre, the Moravian cemetery, as a celebration of Christ’s resurrection. And the beautiful Christmas star we often see is called the Herrnhut Star, or the Moravian Star, which began in the early 1800s as a geometry project in Moravian schools.
As I walked through Herrnhut, I was reminded again: when God’s Spirit moves in a praying community, even a small village can become a blessing to the world.

During my sabbatical journey, Vienna became another place of prayer, beauty, and reflection.

I visited St. Stephen’s Cathedral and was blessed to attend Mass there. In that sacred space, I was reminded that the church is not simply a historic building, but a living place where God’s people continue to gather, worship, and seek His presence.

I also visited several palaces. Their beauty was impressive, but they reminded me that worldly empires do not last forever. Only God’s kingdom endures.

St. Charles’ Church in Vienna is usually called Karlskirche, where the art and architecture seemed to tell the redemptive story—from the cross of Christ to the glory of heaven. The image of a saint reaching out toward the world stayed with me. Perhaps this is the calling of the church: to stand rooted in Christ and reach out to the world with love, grace, and hope.

Spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Camp Good Days put on by FM high school dance marathon MCs. All welcome to come and support this great cause. Held at Manlius United Methodist church Friday January 23 5 to 7 pm.