Remembering the Rt. Rev. C. Hopeton Clennon

Our Deepest Sympathy

Through our tears and yet with hope, we share this news with our congregation. The Rt. Rev. C. Hopeton Clennon entered the more immediate presence of God on January 7, 2024 at 12 pm. Surrounded by his family, they shared that he was at peace as he passed. Our hearts are grieving for a pastor, a bishop, a friend and a person bigger than any words can describe him. And yet – we do not despair – knowing that the God of this life and the life to come walks in our valleys of grief, until we are welcomed home.

The Moravian Daily Text for January 7: “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today.” Exodus 14:13.

The Live Stream of the Memorial Service can be viewed be clicking the button below.

Memorial Service Live Stream

Memorial Gifts and Contribution

Introducing:

The Bishop C. Hopeton Clennon Memorial Endowment for Social Action

Established by the Kessler family in memory of our beloved former Senior Pastor, this endowment fund will provide long-term support for our social action ministry here at Central Moravian Church. This ministry is guided by our Social Action Committee and encompasses such vital ministries to our congregation and community as the Racial Justice Team, Bethlehem Emergency Shelter, Bread for the World, Central Food Pantry, Cynthia’s Clothing Boutique, Central Santa, Victory House, and our Mental Health Awareness ministry. If you feel called to donate to this important ministry, please include the following in the check memo line or optional note if paying using QR code: HCME for Social Action.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Central Moravian Church, 73 W. Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 for Camp Hope (Jamaica), and the future of the elementary schools in Jamaica.

Life and Ministry of the Rt. Rev. C. Hopeton Clennon

In Loving Memory of the Rt. Rev. Hopeton Clennon

Pastor Hopeton Clennon was installed as Senior Pastor in January 2013. Born in Jamaica, he was a graduate of the University of the West Indies and the United Theological College of the West Indies. After ordination in 1983, Hopeton served the Jamaica Province of the Moravian Church before migrating to the United States in 1989. In the Northern Province, Hopeton served as pastor of Faith Moravian Church in Washington, D.C., Schoeneck Moravian Church in Nazareth, PA, and the Moravian Church of Downey, near Los Angeles, CA. In 1998, Hopeton was consecrated as the 320th bishop of the worldwide Moravian Unity. Immediately before joining the pastoral staff at Central, Hopeton was Chaplain of Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary. Hopeton was married to Shelia and their adult children were Andrew and Danielle.