What was completely new and different for us last March 29th was the experience of speaking directly to the camera with no one else present except the preacher and the technician. The learning curve was steep. Fortunately, Sunday worship services are broadcast on Facebook Live the support of capable volunteers was abundant. On and on the Central YouTube channel. the technical side, we express sincere thanks to Central These services begin with the prelude at 9:50 a.m. They members Will Schwab and Rob Phillips, and Moravian remain available in both locations after the live broadcast. Academy’s Director of Network Administration, Lee Gaudreau. February 7 - Fifth Sunday after the : Bishop Hopeton Clennon I find feedback from members regarding these virtual worship experiences very helpful. We are not asking February 14 - Last Sunday after the Epiphany you to wear the hat of a film critic as you engage in the Sermon: Bishop Hopeton Clennon meaningful worship of God. However, if something strikes you as significant, for better or for worse, an email February 17 - Ash Wednesday (Evening) or phone call is deeply appreciated. Meditation: Bishop Hopeton Clennon

February 21 - First Sunday of Lent Holy Communion I received one such phone call on New Year’s Day. Meditation: Bishop Hopeton Clennon My friend had watched our video of the for New Year’s Eve and called with a concern about a perceived February 28 - Second Sunday in Lent technical glitch. The sermon was incomplete. Never Sermon: The Rev. Dr. Lynnette Delbridge having attended this Watchnight Service in person, my friend did not know of a particularly treasured tradition at Central Moravian Church. Each year, the preacher is interrupted at the stroke of midnight with the singing of Virtual worship experiences began at Central Moravian “Now Thank We All Our God.” As the New Year unfolds, Church on March 29, 2020. Before that date, we had a it is a powerful symbol of the potential interruption of the few occasions for videotaping worship services and events flow of life at any moment—be ready! in the sanctuary and Old Chapel for live-streaming or later distribution. The camera was merely an addition to Clearly, in this age of virtual worship, we need to do whatever was already being enjoyed or experienced by the a better job merging the image of the preacher caught audience or congregation. mid-sentence with the preparation of the musicians anticipating the interruption. Anything that will convey it Wedding ceremonies come readily to mind with is intentional rather than accidental. videographers trying to negotiate more advantageous vantage points. Events organized by our partners, Another meaningful tradition during the Vigil for New Moravian Academy and Moravian College, come readily Year’s Eve is the selection of the congregation Watch- to mind. These include lovefeasts, , word. Special thanks to Head Sacristan Tim Brady for baccalaureate, and commencement exercises. We did a making the selection on behalf of the congregation. Our live stream and video recording of the Rev. Dr. Douglas 2021 Watchword is from James 1:19-20… W. Caldwell’s memorial service. These experiences “Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, had a primary focus on those in attendance. There were slow to anger; for your anger does not produce secondary benefits of catering to those unable to be God’s righteousness.” present and preserving the experience for posterity. — Pastor Hopeton 2 The Belfry The Belfry 3

Phases of Life When we are at our best as families, we are choosing The Spring 2021 Lenten Series Staying Connected…for those without to be there for one another from start to finish, to One generation shall laud your works to another. Psalm 145:4 internet God’s mercy is for those who fear him from generation to provide continuity, to love and care for each other in all Remembering Lives Well Lived: generation. Luke 1:50 the stages of our lives. One generation paves the way for The Moravian Lebenslauf (Past, Present, & Future) We would like to stay in touch with our members who the next and the sorrow of giving up a loved one is often do not have internet access or email. Each week, we I should begin by saying how much I appreciate the many In this season of remembrance of another life well lived softened by the joy of welcoming a new loved one. The send out printed copies of our Monday Constant Contact expressions of concern I have received from you following some two thousand years ago, the Lenten Series will focus generations flow on intertwined, enmeshed together. emails with Monday Meditations. Call the church office, the sickness and death of my father this past January. Truly, on the historical Moravian practice of memoir writing 610-866-5661 to be put on our weekly mailing list. your prayers, emails, phone calls, texts, and cards have been You may be wondering why I am talking about through the creation of a Lebenslauf (“life course”). a comfort to me. families in this way, why I am comparing short-term Thousands of these Lebensläufe are in existence, and relationships that take us through just one slice of life in they offer a remarkable window on the lives and spiritual Staying Connected… for those with internet While I was at home, I found myself studying the many schools, sports, and clubs with the life-long commitment journeys of our Moravian forebears. The series will look at photographs my mother has around the house. On walls, we hope to find in our families. My thoughts are running the history of this genre with many examples drawn from Please remember that as the COVID pandemic stretches shelves and the refrigerator, I saw pictures of every member in this direction because I realize, when we are at our the holdings of the Moravian Archives in . It will out and we are not gathering in person for meetings and of our immediate family: grandparents, parents, children, best, churches are like families too. conclude by examining a recent movement to interest the worship, you can still stay actively engaged in several and seven grandchildren. Using these pictures, I can trace the current generation of Moravians in this practice, and will set ways in the life and ministry of our church. Ideally, a church is intergenerational with people from life story of every one of us. For my Dad, there’s a school the stage for a future initiative from the Congregational Care If you do not already receive our church email blasts picture when he was probably in the first or second grade, all stages of life seeking and serving God together. Committee to engage us in creating our own Lebensläufe. Ideally, a church has a place in its heart for noisy called Constant Contact, please contact the church a college picture, a wedding picture, and a picture with my office to sign-up. You will receive emails from the church mom visiting him as an army recruit in basic training at Fort children, teens and young adults finding their way, more These online sessions will begin at 7:00 p.m. each settled adults taking on leadership, and seniors offering Wednesday evening and the Zoom link will be available in three times a week including meditations on Monday, Rucker. There’s picture of him with my mom and my sister, announcements on Wednesday, and information about our their first child, and then there are pictures of him through wisdom and support. Ideally, a church is a “family” our Constant Contact weekly emails. where we can know, support, and love each other from worship and Christian education opportunities on Friday. the remaining years – family church directory pictures, trip Feb. 24: Introduction to the Lebenslauf and the Lives of You will find many links that make it easy for you to pictures, and Christmas pictures. Every phase of his life is birth to death. Ideally, a church has all generations with each generation learning from and inspiring the rest. Early Moravian Women participate, including those to our online worship services represented. The same could be said for me. I can see myself Prof. Katherine Faull, Bucknell University and Zoom fellowship hour. as a preschooler sitting on my Mom’s lap, as a college As a child in my home church, I was blessed to Author of Moravian Women’s Memoirs: student, and as new mother reaching out in a Nanjing hotel observe and learn from the generations ahead of me. I Their Related Lives, 1750-1820 (1997) Thanks to Will Schwab, we have a nicely organized lobby to take baby Helen into our lives. could see people trying to find God in the various stages Central Moravian Church YouTube channel which has March 3: Highlighting Moravian Lives Well Lived (Past) playlists for our Sunday worship, midweek worship, The pictures are windows into all kinds of memories. They of their lives. I could imagine myself as a teen, adult, John Valentine Haidt (1700-1780) – Gene Allen, special services, virtual putz, hymn meditations, concerts invite me to remember the different stages in my own life and older adult, a widow. I could imagine myself stepping Central Moravian at Central, hymnal lessons and lectures. You can watch in the lives of my loved ones. They help me do what family out into the world, taking on responsibility, being a Mary Penry (1735-1804) – Prof. Scott Gordon, these offerings at any time at https://www.youtube.com/ members are often able to do for each other – to know a loved parent, and growing old. Lehigh University channel/UCRrmFZ1kOx8VwDSbcw9aSyQ. one not just for one short period, but for a long stretch of time. Being part of an intergenerational church family Polly Heckewelder (1781-1868) – Mary Brown, My Mom has known my father for sixty-nine years. I have You can always read this newsletter, The Belfry, on our blesses me even now. At this stage in my life, I am still Central Moravian known my parents and siblings for sixty-two years. We share learning from the people ahead of me and the people church website. Click on Calendar and News on upper history. We know the rough patches and the bright shining mo- behind me. Our children, teens and young adults help March 10: Highlighting Moravian Lives Well Lived righthand corner. After you arrive at that page, scroll ments in each other’s lives. We know more than one slice of me stay in touch with my younger self and my sense of (Present) down until you find on the right of the page a list of our each other’s journeys and can put the various twists and turns energy, idealism, and deep desire to make a difference Mervin Weidner (1915-2005) – publications. Click on Belfry Newsletter and you will find in our respective journeys into perspective. We share memo- in the world. Seniors ahead of me show me what it will Rt. Rev. Hopeton Clennon, Central Moravian a list of our most recent Belfry’s in chronological order. ries and history that help us know each other in a way that a be like to take on purposeful volunteer work, to simplify Mary Matz (1931-2013) – Rev. Derek French, Many of our meetings and Christian education person who comes briefly in and out of our lives cannot as and move, to savor companionship, to let go and mourn, Nazareth Moravian easily know or share. Journeying through a whole life together opportunities take place by way of Zoom. To use Zoom, to die with grace and dignity. Doug Caldwell (1943-2014) – you “click” on the Zoom invitation sent to you in an and holding the memories that help to define us are gifts we Rev. Carol Reifinger, Central Moravian give each other as family. Church and family: when we are at our best, we are email or provided in a Constant Contact announcement. If you haven’t used Zoom on your computer or device a mix of the full spectrum of generations teaching, March 17: The Moravian Lebenslauf as a Tool for Being in a family isn’t like being in so many of our age- before, you’ll be asked to install this application. If you inspiring, guiding, supporting, and loving each other Spiritual Reflection and Christian Witness based activities. It isn’t like going to grade school, loving would like to use Zoom and participate in any number of through every phase of life. May we make the most of Rev. Jill Vogt, Moravian Church European your teacher for the year but then having to leave, perhaps our activities this way but would like to try it out ahead these blessings which God has graciously given us. Continental Provence never seeing that teacher again. It isn’t like going to college of time, please let Pastor Delbridge know and she will get for four intense years and then saying goodbye. It isn’t like — Pastor Lynnette March 24: Introducing a Congregation to the Lebenslauf you in touch with someone who can help you. belonging to a club just for seniors. Rev. Maggie Wellert, Central Moravian 4 The Belfry The Belfry 5

Children’s Sunday School Church Directory Updates $300 Tax Deduction in 2020 Additional Thanks Are in Order... Frank & Peggy Baker Our children’s Elizabeth Hittinger 809 West Johnson Street [email protected] Those of you who are not itemizing when filing The Central Santa Sunday School Raleigh NC 27605 your 2020 tax return can still deduct $300 for charity project received Superintendent, Faith Bonnie Kelleher donations in 2020. Central Moravian Church is a several additional Fiegel, and teachers Ronald & Linda Baker [email protected] qualified charity. donations during the Gayle Dimmick, Jane 1406 Lancaster Avenue Megan Kelleher This tax break is part of the CARES Act and applies to month of December, Reading PA 19607 Corvino, and Laura [email protected] cash given to charities by December 31, 2020. so a check for an Corcoran continue to Nancy Beitel-Vessels In 2020, taxpayers who claim the standard deduction additional $115 was provide video Sunday Steve & Margaret Krawiec Cell: 484-560-7261 175 W. North Street, Apt. 516 also have a chance to deduct charitable donations. sent to the Family School lessons which Nazareth PA 18064 The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Emergency Fund at can be viewed on Dale Browder & Jim Jordan (CARES) Act gives taxpayers who take the standard Community Ser- our Central Mora- 104 Arnett Avenue Carl Frankfort KY 40601 deduction the ability to take an additional above-the- vices for Children in vian Church Sunday [email protected] line $300 federal income tax deduction for qualified Allentown. Total donations this year were $7,300, School YouTube Kenneth Brown Robert Newell charitable contributions. (“Above-the-line” means that with $2,550 going to Esperanza, and $4,750 donated to channel. This January, 26 Bristol Way [email protected] the deduction is above Line 15 on the 2019 1040 tax Community Services. they began working with a different curriculum called Lewes DE 19958 form, and will reduce both your adjusted gross income “Celebrate Wonder” and will be presenting a new story Email discontinued Barbara Newton and your taxable income – which, in turn, reduces the Many thanks to everyone for your generous support of this each week. Tune in and let them help you and your chil- 1909 Long Bend Drive amount of federal income tax you owe.) Social Action project! David Charrier & Richard Miller dren wonder about core stories and grow in your Johns Island SC 29455 You must also make your contributions to qualified 325 E. Wall Street [email protected] faith. Bethlehem PA 18018 charities. Central Moravian Church is a qualified charity Green Weekly Texts for February Debra Nyby as it has an IRS Tax Exempt status. Count it All Joy Bridget & Laura Corcoran 484-224-6169 The $300 deduction is for donations made in cash, • Take shorter showers and turn off the water while 2451 Linden Street which includes currency, checks, credit or debit cards, brushing your teeth. Carol Reifinger Bethlehem PA 18017 and electronic fund transfers. You can’t take the From the Moravian Ministries Foundation in America [email protected] Howard Cox deduction for contributions of property, such as clothing • Use washable cloths in place of ‘wet wipes’. Despite the Realizing that we are facing challenging times and [email protected] Arthur Roth or household items. You can’t deduct contributions of advertising, wet wipes do not break down and are not we may often wonder how we can respond to God’s [email protected] your time or services, or any part of a contribution from flushable!! call to help others and how we can be better stewards Kit Diefenderfer which you benefit, such as the purchase of Girl Scout of our resources, the Moravian Ministries Foundation Healthcare Room 184 Priscilla Schueck [email protected] cookies. You also can’t deduct cash donated to help a • Get in the habit of carrying your own cutlery with you in America has offered us the following questions for 610-625-8349 specific individual, such as a person’s medical expenses, and leaving a set in the car. reflection. Helen Seifert even if the hospital itself is operated by a qualified Gayle Dimmick [email protected] charitable organization. • Ask take-out restaurants NOT to include plastic utensils, 1. Look upward. From Sarah to Ruth to Paul to [email protected] No itemization is required: napkins, or condiments with your order. Barnabas, the Bible is full of examples of people Nathan & Kim Terwilliger Karin Dubbs The $300 charitable deduction comes on top of the who endured unimaginable hardships but found joy 1684 Edward Drive 1768 Still River Drive standard deduction. You get $300 per tax filing unit, which nonetheless. Read their stories. Pray. Then remember Hellertown PA 18055 Special February Offering Envelope Venice FL 34293 means the deduction isn’t doubled for joint filers. No our joy is complete when shared and experience in 941-350-7392 David & Michelle Trent matter your filing status, the most you can deduct is $300. community. How can joy flow through you to others? 402 Montelluna Drive Endowment Fund (Febuary 7): The money given in this Louisa Frey If you itemize: North Venice FL 34275 special envelope will go directly to the General Endowment 1241 Club Avenue #120 If you itemize your tax return, you can’t take the $300 2. Look inward. List the ways you’ve recently given Fund for unrestricted use by the Board of Trustees. Interest Bethlehem PA 18018 CARES Act deduction. of your time, talent, treasure, and testimony. Which Barry Trumbauer income from this fund is taken by the Board when there is a 610-381-3434 The special $300 tax deduction for 2020 was made to gifts meant the most? How is God calling you to Chris & Thes Godshalk shortfall in operating income. Unrestricted principle may be help charities as well as taxpayers. “Our nation’s charities serve and give back? 2090 Hilltop Road taken from this fund as well, but typically only the income is Vickie Ziegler-Thompson are struggling to help those suffering from COVID-19, Bethlehem PA 18015 [email protected] withdrawn. The purpose of our endowment is to secure the 3. Look outward. What are the current needs in your and many deserving organizations can use all the help financial future of the church. In order to do that, we need to church, your neighborhood, and your community? Max & Caitlin Heckman they can get,” IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a Laura Wintjen grow our endowment through financial gifts to the church. Where can your gifts make a difference and bring 2354 Overlook Drive [email protected] statement. Planned giving is an excellent way to give to the endowment. both you and others joy? Bethlehem PA 18017 As always, check with your tax preparer for more John Wyckoff The donor can designate their gift as unrestricted, or restrict information on how you may be able to take this $300 4. Set goals.What will your stewardship accomplish Jennifer Heil [email protected] the use of the gift for a specific purpose. Currently we deduction. in 2021? Identify new action steps to take regarding 2235 Walnut Street, Apt. A maintain many restricted and unrestricted funds that make up Stephen Yorks — Sharon Upton, Stewardship Chair Allentown PA 18104 the General Endowment Fund at Central Moravian Church. how you utilize all God has entrusted to you. [email protected] 6 The Belfry The Belfry 7

Musical Notes a church mouse spoof Rebecca Lepore, Minister of Music [email protected] hello

A Virtual Hymn Sing will be offered on Monday and greetings evening, February 15th at 7 p.m. Sing along from home and here is a story i gleaned from browsing as you listen to beloved and cherished hymns! This and lo it came to pass that there was a trader hymn sing will be available on the church’s YouTube and he lived in the desert many ages ago channel, and links will be provided on Constant and his name was abraham com Contact. and his wife dorothy but everybody called her dot com and she was strong and smart and comely Weekly Singing Challenges: Do you miss singing? and admirers envisioned her as amazon dot com Do you need to dust off those vocal cords? If so, and she said to abraham why travel with your goods so much participate in the choir’s weekly singing challenges. and i can tell you how to trade from your own tent Every Friday, an email is sent with an instructional and he thought her to be a saddlebag short of a camel load video on an element of vocal technique along with a and yet in supplication he replied hymn or an anthem that you can sing with. If you’re and pray tell how this is possible interested, email Becky! and dot said i will place drums in every village and drums in all oases along the camel trails Vesper Hymn Meditations: Thank you to David and they will beat out what you have to offer Charrier and Richard Miller as they continue to present and the sale will be made by return drum beat Vesper Hymn Meditations, posted on many Sunday and the delivery by uriahs pony stable – u p s evenings. The hymn is sung by David, accompanied by and abraham pondered this in his heart and consented Richard and there is a brief write up about the hymn, and the drums beat out the author and the music. and abraham became an immediate success and the trading method caught on like horseflies on camel Music Committee Meeting: Tuesday, March 2nd at dung 6 p.m. via Zoom. and lo the money filled the land and the traders were feverish with activity and joy Food Pantry Drive By February 7 and with the deafening sound of drums few noticed the riches were going to the drum makers Items we especially need for the Food Pantry this and brother william was keeper of all the gates of the garden month are canned green beans, canned corn, boxed of eden milk, evaporated milk, and sugar. As always, we are and he had partaken of the fruit of the tree of knowledge happy to receive ground coffee, tea, flour, canned fruits, and bought out all the drum makers vegetables, and soups, and household items like soap and required of them to make special drums and toilet paper. We look forward to seeing you at our and they could only work with his drumsticks monthly Drive-By on February 7th from 1-3 p.m. in and william of gates named his new conglomerate after the front of the church office building and being “church” fruit of the tree of knowledge – apple as we serve together. and dot cried to abraham we are being taken over by others and abraham turned his countenance out over the bay of Moravian Women ezekiel now known as ebay and said we need a vision that reflects who we are Our Moravian Women’s Circle #7 is still meeting and dot said how about young ambitious hebrew owner together on the second Sunday of the month at 9 a.m. operators by way of Zoom. Expect time to discuss their current and abraham whooped - whoopee study on the Old Testament book of Esther and also and dot countered - no yahoo time to share and support each other in the ups and and lo this allegory seems to have been left out of the bible downs of life. Group leader Diane Shaw will be happy and lo it all makes sense to get you connected with the group and with Zoom and lo no nonsense loves you host Beth Schlener. Contact Diane at 610-867-2226. and so do i 8 The Belfry

NON–PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE P A I D Permit No. 495 LEHIGH VALLEY, PA The Belfry February 2021 Central Moravian Church 73 West Church Street Bethlehem PA 18018-5821

Phone: 610-866-5661 Fax: 610-866-7256 Email: [email protected] Website: www.centralmoravianchurch.org Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Mon. - Fri. Closed for Lunch 12-12:30 p.m. Pastoral Staff: Financial Staff: Hopeton Clennon George Mowers Lynnette Delbridge Kelly Knapp Maggie Wellert Stewardship Coordinator: Music Staff: Martha Jones Rebecca Lepore Facilities Manager: Richard Miller Jeff Griffis Senior Office Administrator: Custodian: Cindy Gibson Spencer Schlack Head Sacristan: Tim Brady

Church Journal In Memoriam December 21 - Dale Edward Earley The Belfry Deadline January 5 - Thomas Judson Smull Articles for the March Belfry are due in the January 13 - Ruth Helen Sonnenberg church office by February 5. January 14 - Arthur Philip Diehl January 19 - Jack Edward Griffis February Birthdays

1 William Parkinson 7 Barry Stauffer 13 Sandra Deiter 17 Lisa Fontanez 23 Brenda Haas 2 Bob Wascura 8 Camie Modjadidi 13 Isabella Weikert 17 Jason Eckhart 23 Michael Behr 2 Kimberly McFadden 8 Brenda Hoelman 13 Lulu Mae Shipman 18 Jim Jordan 23 Owen Royer 2 Ben White 8 Lauren Parkinson 14 Deidre Hockin 18 Gisela Leck 24 Mark Weddigen 2 Kelley Gold 9 Tom Tenges 14 Thomas Hierl 18 Tara Tachovsky 25 Lynnette Delbridge 2 Tara Anderson 9 Susan Parks 14 Bob Davis 19 Norman Prochnau 25 Alica Diehl 3 John Santanasto 10 Dale Henninger 14 Julia Rockwell 19 Pam Larimer 25 Maximus Kozar 4 Doris Tatham 10 Peg Hoffman 14 Gabrielle Kintzer 20 Alice Mosebach 25 Austin Kozar 5 Bonnie Davis 10 Valerie Nyby 15 Ann Kuhn 20 Stephen Yorks 26 Linda Thudium 5 Alex Newell 11 Thomas Jacoby 15 Harper Malishchak 20 Andrea Danenhower 27 Kora Lindsay 5 John Paul DeBard 11 Nicholas Butterfield 16 Judith Smith 20 Jill Lichtenwalner 28 Margaret Melgary 6 George Kingsley Jr 11 Tamra Ingraham 16 Susan Ettwein 20 Krem 28 Elizabeth Gillen 6 Bill Watson 12 Ginny Delph 16 Noah Ko 21 JoAnna Freund 28 Ashley Baker 6 Bryon Richards 12 Carol Sabetti 16 Laura Wintjen 21 Kyle Warmkessel 28 Julia Terwilliger 6 Grace Rampolla 12 Robert Huth Jr 16 Eric Reifinger 22 Esther Evans 7 Miriam Devey 13 Jeff Feather 17 Robert Clewell III 23 Barbara Wright