Moravian traditions
		Our heritage at Raleigh Moravian includes wonderful fellowship and participation in these age-old Moravian services and traditions. If you're interested in joining any of these activities, please see the contact listed.

This page includes information about:

Easter Sunrise Service
Candle Tea
Music program
Moravian Stars
Cookbook of traditional Moravian recipes
Beeswax candlemaking

Easter sunrise service

The first Moravian Early Easter Service was held in Germany in the year 1732. In some parts of the world, Moravians are known as "The Easter People" because of the importance of this service. In old Moravian communities, like Winston-Salem, at about 2 a.m. on Easter Sunday morning, the Church Bands play chorales at designated spots over the town, announcing the Resurrection.

Just before dawn, the Raleigh Moravian congregation assembles at the Oakwood Cemetery (701 Oakwood Avenue; here's a map.) The minister opens the service with the words, "The Lord is Risen!". The Congregation responds, and a brief liturgical service follows. Midway through the service, the congregation moves to a portion of the Oakwood Cemetery called "God's Acre". Part of the Church Band precedes the congregation, another follows. The Band plays antiphonally as the march progresses. When all have assembled at God's Acre, the minister leads in the concluding liturgical service, which is actually our Christian confession of faith.

Contact: Craig Troutman

Candle tea

The Candle Tea, which is held each year on the first Saturday in December, has become a tradition in Raleigh and features Christmas musical performances, trimmed beeswax candles, the Putz, Advent stars, handmade crafts, cookies, sugar cake and coffee.

Contacts: Sandy Isleib and Sue Fallwell, Co-Chairs

Music program

Moravian congregations around the world share a deep appreciation for beautiful music. Raleigh Moravian Church continues this vibrant musical tradition, with several choirs, a brass band, a trombone choir, and a wonderful Adam Stein pipe organ, built in 1902. Learn more about our music program.

Contacts:
Catherine C. Hamner - Director of Music, Organist, Senior Choir Director
Hubert Fort - Band Director, Trombone Choir Director
William O'Brien - Director of the Evening Stars, Men's Chorus, Youth Chorus, and Assistant Band Director
Joan Burri - Assistant Band Director
Barb Prillaman - Assistant Band Director
Debra Etheridge - Morning Stars Director

Moravian stars

At Raleigh Moravian we have approximately a dozen individuals, both men and women, who are, or have been, active in making paper Moravian stars. The products of their work have ranged in size from the two lighted 36-inch stars that grace our sanctuary and fellowship hall during Advent each year, to tiny stars - only 1 inch and less in diameter - that maintain the same proportions and geometric design. We enjoy sharing what we know about making Moravian stars; the techniques that we use formed the basis of the book on making stars that we first printed in 1996.

Contact: Sandy Garner

Cookbook of traditional Moravian recipes

Order your cookbook today!

The Raleigh Moravian Church Cookbook, published by our Women's Ministry in December 2002, contains over 300 pages of recipes. Many of these recipes have been passed down from the early Moravians moving into the new country. They brought with them some of their finest cooks. Their recipes have been tried many times, and sometimes changed slightly to satisfy a particular family's palate. Therefore, you'll find many versions of the same basic recipe. They have been modified over the years (as the ingredients change) to use the current products on today's market.

Sugarcake recipe

Here's a sample recipe for an old favorite, Moravian Sugarcake. To view or print the recipe, you'll need Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®, a free utility offered by Adobe Systems Incorporated.

We hope you will purchase a cookbook, try each recipe, and add your favorite spice (or take one out) according to your family's preferences. We are indebted to our Moravian ancestors for passing these and many other recipes on to us so that we might continue to enjoy them.

Contact: Sandy Isleib

Beeswax candlemaking

The centuries-old tradition of candlemaking in the Moravian Church continues at Raleigh Moravian, where members work together to make some 3,000 each year for Christmas lovefeast services and Candle Tea. Learn more about the history of candlemaking and how you can participate.

Contact: Wayne Shore