Only now are images and videos reaching a wider audience, documenting the devastating effects of Hurricane Melissa, which swept across Jamaica on October 28, 2025. It is clear that it will take a long time for the country to return to even a semblance of normality. A seven-minute, impressive video from the British Province dated December 7, 2025, shows how badly the Moravian Church in Jamaica was affected by the hurricane and how many buildings—churches, parsonages, community centers, and schools—it has lost for the time being or even irretrievably. See here. Other pictures here. The Moravian Church in Jamaica needs help from the worldwide Moravian Church if it is to recover from the hurricane disaster. Another private video shows the destruction, focusing on the city of St. Elizabeth. See here. 

The bishops of the Moravian Church of South Africa MCSA announced in a circular letter dated November 29, 2025: "It was with deep sadness that we learned of the fire at the Moravian Church in Clarkson on November 25, 2025. Thanks to the speed of social media, we were even able to witness it in real time. Within a very short time, the church, where the local community had been worshipping since 1839, was tragically destroyed by the flames. The fires in Wupperthal and Wittewater are still fresh in the minds of us Moravians. Now our grief is compounded by this new tragedy! Our deepest sympathy goes out to the congregation and all the people of Clarkson." Several initiatives are underway to support the congregation: A donation fund has been set up. On Saturday, December 13, 2025, there will be a concert in Bloemendal to benefit the restoration of the church building. The entire newsletter here.

Clarkson in the Tsitsikamma region of South Africa was established as a mission station of the Moravian Church. It was founded in 1839 by Bishop Hans Peter Hallbeck for five colored families from Enon and a Fingo chief with his entourage of farmers. A man named Thomas Clarkson donated 200 British pounds to build the mission station, which was then named after him. The station had only one street, Church Street. The colored people lived on one side, and the black Fingo, Xhosa-speaking people, lived on the other. The church building was consecrated in December 1840. In the fire on November 25, 2025, the organ, the piano, and all the pews were destroyed along with the church. According to the police, there is no evidence of arson so far; it is assumed that a bush fire spread to the church. The church had the status of a provincial heritage monument in the Eastern Cape. More here.

On November 25, 2025, the Moravian Church in Clarkson was completely destroyed by a devastating fire. The church had been a place of prayer and fellowship for the local community since 1839. In a very short time, the historic building fell victim to the flames - a painful loss for the congregation and the entire Moravian Church South Africa MCSA. The bishops of the MCSA wrote in their pastoral letter: “It was with deep sadness that we learned of the fire at the church in Clarkson. Our sympathy goes out to the congregation and all the people of Clarkson. We include you in our prayers. You are not alone in this difficult time!” To support the congregation and enable the reconstruction of the church building, the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity EMS has set up a donation fund. Every donation helps to give hope and confidence: Evangelical Mission in Solidarity, IBAN: DE85 5206 0410 0000 0001 24 (BIC: GENODEF1EK1), reference: Clarkson. Evangelische Bank eG. Thank you very much for your solidarity!

Mary Kategile, one of the best-known women in the worldwide Moravian Church, recently earned her doctorate (PhD) from the Open University of Tanzania. A pastor from the Tabora region in the Western Province of the Moravian Church in Tanzania, she has been a widow for many years and has seven children and grandchildren. She earned her bachelor's degree at the Moravian Theological College MoTheCo)in Tanzania and her master's degree at the Moravian Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. A pioneer in women's and human rights work in the Moravian Church in Tanzania, she serves as general secretary of the Moravian Church in Tanzania, the coordinating body for all twelve Unity and Mission Provinces in Tanzania, and as a lecturer at Theofilo Kisanju University of the Moravian Church in Mbeya. Mary Kategile's dissertation is entitled: “An Investigation of the Socially Influenced Role and Leadership Competence of African Women in the Church: A Case Study in the Moravian Church and the Lutheran Church in Mbeya.” More here.

The Unity Women's Desk UWD, headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, reminds us of its purpose in a Facebook post dated December 4, 2025. It writes: "We are committed to empowering girls and women from the Moravian Church in global change. We support the realization of the dreams and plans of such girls and women worldwide. They should be able to live the life to which they feel called. Through scholarships and other funding, we enable them to participate fully in family, church, and congregation life and nurture their talents and abilities, which they will later use to serve on earth in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Our heartfelt congratulations go to all the graduates of the class of 2025, especially Martha Ezra Kigata from Tanzania, who has just completed her bachelor's degree in sociology with a scholarship from the UWD." See here.

The Unity Women's Desk UWD, based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, organizes a women's conference every seven years to discuss issues affecting women throughout the worldwide Moravian Church. The next such conference, entitled “With Heart, Hand, and Voice: Advocating for Women's Human Rights in the Moravian Church and Its Congregations,” will take place in Tanzania from January 31 to February 6, 2026. In the run-up to this conference, Lettice Joemath from South Africa spent several weeks in Winston-Salem to help with preparations for the 5th Unity Women's Consultation. On Thursday, December 11, 2025, she will return to South Africa. The day before, however, she will lead a prayer meeting for the conference in Winston-Salem. The conference was originally scheduled to take place from June 1 to 8, 2025, in the US state of North Carolina, but had to be moved to Tanzania due to entry refusals for many guests. See here.

“It was with sadness and shock that the Moravian Church in Tanzania, together with all the people of Tanzania, witnessed the dramatic events following the presidential elections on October 29, 2025.” This is how a letter from the Moravian Church in Tanzania, the umbrella organization of all Tanzanian provinces, begins to all members of the Moravian Church, combined with a call for special intercession for the country until Sunday, November 30, 2025. The letter was prompted by the nationwide violent clashes between police and demonstrators during the recent elections. The UN estimates that several hundred people were killed. The opposition even believes that over 1,000 people were killed in the elections, which were won by incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the ruling CCM (Party of the Revolution) with 98 percent of the votes cast. To the post from Denmark in German here.

“We wish you a joyful first Advent, keep hope alive!” This is how the individual congregations of the Moravian Church in Albania (Tirana, Bathore, Elbasan, Pogradec, Burrel, Lezha) greet all their members and their partners in the worldwide Moravian Church, posting 20 pictures on Facebook. See here. The post dated November 30, 2025, continues after the introductory greeting: "In a world marked by the destruction of God's creation, we begin today our journey of several weeks toward Christmas. We pray that every heart may be transformed into a nest of divine love. May Jesus be born anew in your hearts. May he bring hope and peace, joy and love! May our Savior bless you!" For the Moravian Church in Albania, social education work has been indispensable from the very beginning. In emergencies, it provides first aid. In many cases, however, its work consists of accompanying people in their difficult everyday lives with the Gospel and offering women's and children's groups.

Since its beginnings 33 years ago, the Moravian Church in Albania has been predominantly a women's church in the adult sector. It is therefore only natural that the form of gathering that has been popular in Germany for decades, a weekday women's breakfast, has also been held in Albania since fall 2025 as Mengjesi i motrave (Women's Morning). Usually every two weeks in the middle of the week, the women meet for coffee and pastries in ecumenical fellowship to exchange ideas and listen to a motivational talk at 9:30 a.m. in an apartment building on the former Kryqëzimi i 21 Dhjetorit (Crossroads of December 21; in honor of Joseph Stalin's birthday; now Atatürk Square) in the 7th district of Tirana. See here. Albanian women are also strong in the social sphere. In February 2024, 35.7 percent of seats in parliament were held by women. In 2021, the majority of Albania's government consisted of female ministers.

In more and more countries around the world – and now also in Germany – Giving Tuesday plays a role in fundraising. Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving celebrated every year on the first Tuesday after the US Thanksgiving holiday, which falls on December 2 in 2025. The Moravian Church in North America is calling for donations on Giving Tuesday 2025 for the Moravian Church in Cuba, which was severely affected by Hurricane Melissa at the end of October 2025. See here.

The Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation, the Cuba Foundation of the Moravian Church in North America posted on November 27, 2025: "When we began our work in 2014, we never imagined the extent to which we would support our brothers and sisters in Cuba and how we would grow. Thanks to many prayers and donations, our foundation is now embarking on a new and exciting chapter. Cynthia Redwine will assume the position of part-time executive director of our foundation on January 2, 2026. She brings with her a deep passion for the mission and extensive leadership experience. We are excited to see what ideas she will contribute. We would also like to announce that Joe Jarvis will continue to serve as president. His commitment remains unwavering. He looks forward to working closely with Cynthia, who will strengthen our leadership team." See here.

As part of the celebrations marking the 59th anniversary of the island republic of Barbados' independence from Great Britain on November 30, 2025, Ezra Lauriston Parris, who has been a bishop of the worldwide Moravian Church with roots in Barbados since summer 2025, was honored with the National Order of Merit in Gold, along with other prominent figures from society. The laudatory speech stated that the honor was given “for the bishop's 30 years of outstanding and devoted spiritual service to the Moravian Church and to the people of Barbados.” The members of the Sharon and Dunscombe Moravian Congregation also congratulated their pastor, saying, “We thank you for your service, your pastoral care, and your commitment to the work of Christ among us. Congratulations, Bishop Parris!” A short video of the award ceremony by the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation - Barbados here.

On November 27, 2025, the Dutch newspaper Reformatorisch Dagblad looked back on the celebrations marking 50 years of independence for the former Dutch colony of Suriname and wrote: “The churches played a central role in the anniversary celebrations in Suriname.” The article went on to say: "Fifty years after Suriname's independence, churches continue to play a central role, both literally and figuratively. The numerous places of worship throughout the country are tangible proof of this. And although much has changed in the area of faith in recent decades, the church will remain inextricably linked to the faith of many Surinamese people in the future. The longing for the Good News of Jesus Christ remains unbroken." See here. In the Republic of Suriname, about ten percent of Christians belong to the Moravian Church. A video of the Surinamese choir Ubuntu performing at the Moravian festive service in The Hague here.

Starting at 6 a.m. on December 1, 2025, a Provincial Day of Prayer took place in the Unity Province of Eastern West Indies. The invitation to prayer (online and live) stated: "All members and congregations, all friends should consciously take time for communal prayer. This day offers us a special opportunity, across administrative boundaries, islands, and congregations, to bring our province, our congregations, our leaders, our families, our groups, and our circles before God. Let us prepare our hearts as we enter the Christmas month of December. A praying province is a strong province." See here. – The youth of the Unity Province of Eastern West Indis had already invited participants to a youth leaders' conference via ZOOM on Saturday, November 29, 2025. See here. They wrote: “This is your chance: to exchange ideas and experiences. To network with other youth leaders. To help shape the future of youth work.”

Since October 2025, the Zeister Zendingsgenootschap ZZg, the sister organization of the Herrnhuter Missionshilfe in the Netherlands, has a new employee: Hennie Boer succeeds Douwe van Barneveld, who will retire on January 1, 2026, after forty years of service. Hennie Boer comes from The Hague, is married, and has two adult children. He has been working in the fields of education, finance, business administration, and human resources for 30 years. Most recently, he worked for the Belgian Embassy in the Netherlands. In The Hague, he is a member of the Reformed Bethlehem Congregation. He volunteers on the investment committee of the College van kerkrentmeesters of the Protestant churches in the Netherlands, a working group of church financial experts. The ZZg's projects were new to him, as he is particularly knowledgeable about Indonesia. His wife Vedy is also from Indonesia. More here.