Today is Moravian Day of Giving! A day when we come together as a community to celebrate generosity, faith, and the impact we can make when we give.
When we asked, “Who inspires you to give?”, my colleagues at the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America (MMFA) shared heartfelt stories of generosity that have shaped their own giving. For Laura and Chris, generosity is about more than just financial gifts—it’s about the way we show up for others, the lessons we learn from those who give selflessly, and the inspiration we find in acts of service.
Laura: Lessons in Selfless Generosity
For Laura, generosity is best exemplified by her grandmother, Mary Frances Sides.
“When I was a kid, every birthday I got to pick a place to have lunch with her and could buy whatever toy I wanted up to $20. As an adult, I know that my grandmother most likely didn’t want to eat at Arby’s (my usual choice!) or spend her money on a toy I probably wouldn’t play with the following year. She simply wanted to spend time with me.”
That simple yet powerful lesson of selfless generosity has stayed with Laura throughout her life. “She gave me what I wanted, not what she wanted for me. That kind of giving—focused on the joy of the recipient—left a lasting impact.”
Laura also recalls John and Mary Jane Dewees, two people whose generosity she witnessed firsthand at Home Moravian Church and Laurel Ridge Camp.
“They gave so selflessly of themselves—serving on the board and committees, chairing a pivotal capital campaign, and supporting our annual fundraising. But it was the little things, too. They would stop by on a Friday afternoon with food for the staff, fresh flowers for Higgins Lodge, and new plants to replace ones that had died in the beds around the Lodge.”
For Laura, these acts of generosity weren’t about obligation but a deep love for people and community. “The heart of all of these examples is the same: selfless generosity.”
Chris: Inspired by Church Servants
For Chris, inspiration comes from a whole community of people.
Chris has witnessed firsthand how these faithful servants dedicate their lives and careers to the church, often without great worldly rewards. “However, they regularly give back what has been given to them to the Moravian causes that are important to them.”
“I am honored and privileged to work with so many outrageously generous people,” he shares. “One group continues to inspire me regularly—our church servants. Our clergy, active and retired, and our church staff challenge me with their humble acts of giving back.”
It’s this humble, sacrificial generosity that motivates Chris to give. “It inspires me to see how these church servants live their lives in a way that offers all in service of our Chief Elder, and it certainly encourages me to give more.”
Today, It’s Your Turn to Give!
Laura and Chris’s stories remind us that generosity takes many forms—a simple meal shared with love, a lifetime of service, or a gift that makes a difference in someone’s life. Their experiences challenge us to ask:
Who inspires YOU to give?
On this Moravian Day of Giving, we invite you to honor those who inspire you by making a gift that supports the ministries and causes close to your heart. Every gift, no matter the size, makes an impact.
We’d also love to hear your story! Who inspires you to give? Share your story with us and be part of the conversation about generosity in action.
