Our Staff
Senior Pastor
Pastor Janel Rice began her ministry as Pastor at Central Moravian Church on September 25, 2023, focusing on Worship, Congregational Care and Visitation, Christian Education, and Community Outreach, and on Monday, April 8, 2023, began her role as Senior Pastor. For the past eight years, Janel has been in service as Pastor at Calvary Moravian Church in Allentown, where she was also involved on the board of the Lehigh Conference of Churches, serving as board chair for four years.
Prior to her time at Calvary Moravian Church, Janel served at Central Moravian Church for ten years with the Rev. Dr. Doug Caldwell, the Rev. Carol Reifinger, and the Rt. Rev. Hopeton Clennon. Janel welcomes this opportunity to return to Central with expanded responsibilities. She is married to Dr. Christian Rice, professor at Ursinus College and they have a daughter, Sophie.
The Rev. Janel Rice, ([email protected]) x0204
Associate Pastor
Josh Follweiler, a recent Moravian Theological Seminary graduate, is Central Moravian Church’s associate pastor. Josh is a lifelong Moravian who was baptized at Emmaus Moravian Church. His family moved southward, and he calls Mayodan Moravian his home congregation. Before attending Moravian Theological Seminary, Josh graduated from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and was an elementary school music teacher for 15 years, teaching music to K-5 students. In addition to teaching, Josh worked part-time for Moravian and Methodist congregations as music director and director of children and youth ministry. Don’t be surprised if you happen to see Josh running around Bethlehem. Josh is an avid runner and was fortunate to run in the 2019 Boston Marathon. He and his wife, Molly, a music teacher in the Northern Lebanon School District, live in Bethlehem.
Minister of Music
Becky Lepore strives to create a musical environment in which worshipers may feel God’s powerful presence. Her greatest joy comes from helping others discover and develop their God-given gifts and to create opportunities for them to offer those gifts with a spirit of thanksgiving. Becky has been the Minister of Music and Organist at Central Moravian Church since 2002 where she directs the 45 member Central Moravian Church Choir, plays the organ for the 11 a.m. service, oversees the music program, the Concert Series, and the CD and Book Series.
Becky was an Artist-Lecturer at Moravian University where she taught Musicianship classes, organ lessons, and independent studies in Sacred Music. Becky served as the Organist and Choir Director of the Moravian Theological Seminary for over twelve years and is a former University Organist of Lehigh University. She was previously the Senior Organist at the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as well as an Assistant Grand Court Organist at the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia. Becky earned the prestigious Artist Diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, PA and received her Bachelor of Music degree from Moravian College, graduating magna cum laude. In addition to five CDs recorded at Central Moravian Church, Becky recorded three CDs with Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass and one with the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Choir. Becky has published organ works through Warner Brothers Publications, Alfred Music Publications, MorningStar Music Publishers, and the Moravian Music Foundation. In her free time, Becky enjoys knitting, but most of all, she loves spending time with her husband, Ralph, her son and daughter, Bobby and Katie, and her daughters through marriage, Christine and Julia, as well as her chihuahua, two cats, and the family turtle.
Becky Lepore, ([email protected]) x0206
Chapel Organist
Richard Miller has been organist in the Old Chapel since autumn of 1995. In the fall of 2005, he organized the Chapel Choir, which provides music for worship two to three times a month. Other Sundays of the month feature small ensembles or soloists, thus affording a variety of ways for the Chapel Choir members to sing and offer their own ministry of music. Richard holds a BS from Penn State University in Rehabilitation Education, and has done further course work in Therapeutic Recreation at Lehigh-Carbon Community College and East Stroudsburg University, as well as graduate course work at Temple University. He is retired from a career as a certified Activity Professional in Senior Health Care. In 2019, Richard was awarded the James V. Salzwedel award by the Moravian Music Foundation, recognizing excellence in church music at the community level.
Richard Miller, please contact Richard through the Church Office, 610-866-5661.
Senior Office Administrator
Committed to assisting us as we reach out to serve the community, Cindy Gibson makes Central’s office a welcoming, organized, and efficient space for our staff, visitors, members, and community partners. She maintains the church calendar, updates the website, coordinates events on campus, and helps to communicate our congregation’s ministry through our many publications including our weekly email blasts, The Sunday Times bulletin, The Belfry newsletter, Facebook, and Annual Report.
Before beginning her work at Central in August of 2012, Cindy served at three other non-profit organizations. She and her husband Jim enjoy spending time with their two adult sons and Border Collie, Cooper. After 30 years of living in the beautiful Lehigh Valley, they continue to find many exciting places to explore.
Cindy Gibson, ([email protected]) x0202
Stewardship Coordinator
Martha Jones helps to foster a culture of generosity by helping us track and give thanks for the many kinds of financial gifts our friends and members give in support of Central’s many ministries. She searches out and writes grants and assists with other tasks such as the Christmas Eve ticket distribution and the Bulletin Sponsorship program. She and her husband have been members of Central for over 40 years.
Martha Jones, ([email protected]) x0203
Financial Secretary
Kris Wruble joined our finance team in the spring of 2022, bringing with her over 10 years’ experience as a bookkeeper and office manager. She understands the meticulous attention given to managing the financial resources of our congregation. She expresses a commitment to accuracy, integrity, and team work. Among her duties, Kris is charged with preparing monthly reports for our leaders and annual reports for the congregation. A graduate of Central Penn College, Kris has managed initiatives in marketing, customer retention, web design, inventory management, and human resources. Although new to our historic church in Downtown Bethlehem, Kris and her family are lifetime residents of the Lehigh Valley. She is an avid Drag Racing Car enthusiast!
Kris Wruble, ([email protected]) x0207
Facilities Manager
Mike Repsher is a carpenter, born in Bethlehem, who has lived in Nazareth. Talk about pressure! He joined our facilities staff on January 9th as a member of our three-person facilities team with Tammy Ace and Jeff Griffis, our recently retired Facilities Manager. Mike covered the evening shift with special responsibilities for maintenance, repairs, and security. As a carpenter and painter, Mike has a passion for the restoration of older buildings. Fortunately for us!
We are delighted to announce that Mike has accepted the new responsibility of Facilities Manager effective July 31, 2023.
Mike is a graduate of Freedom High School and Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School. He loves the outdoors—hiking and mountain biking. He played rugby in Bethlehem for 20 years and is the father of two middle schoolers.
Contact Mike through the Church Office, 610-866-5661.
Custodian
Tamera Ace joined our facilities team in summer 2022. She came highly recommended by a church board member and gave an impressive interview. We are delighted to have such a gifted person as a member of our staff. Her first month on the job was bustling with activity as she provided support for the quadrennial Moravian Music Festival and annual Musikfest Vesper Concert Series.
Born and raised in Bethlehem, Tammy is a 1980 graduate of Liberty High School. As a mother of two and grandmother of two, she loves spending time with her family, and she loves the outdoors. Tammy is most grateful for the warm welcome she is receiving from our congregation. With a primary mission of caring for four historic buildings, her typical work schedule is Sunday through Thursday, 7am to 3pm.
Contact Tammy through the Church Office, 610-866-5661.