Our Staff
Senior Pastor
The Rev. Janel Rice serves as senior pastor at Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem, beginning her 20+ ministry career at Central in 2005, and also serving Calvary Moravian Church in Allentown from 2015-2023 before returning to Central where she was called to serve as senior pastor in 2023. Currently, Pastor Janel represents Central Moravian Church on the World Heritage Council of Bethlehem. Previously, she served on the board of the Lehigh Conference of Churches, serving as board chair for four years. Pastor Janel enjoys spending time in nature and with family, reading, and watching basketball (go Sixers!). She is married to Dr. Christian Rice, Vice-President and Dean of the School of Theology of Moravian University and they have a daughter, Sophie.
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
Financial Secretary
Andrew Miller has been the Financial Secretary at Central since the fall of 2025. He was born in Bethlehem and lives in Nazareth. Andrew is a graduate of Nazareth Area High School and Moravian University. He is a member at Edgeboro Moravian Church and continues to work part time at the Bethlehem Dairy Store. Andrew sings in the Chapel Choir at Central. He is a proud Eagle Scout. Andrew likes everything and it is easier to list the things that he doesn’t like: coconuts and short lists.
Andrew Miller, ([email protected]) x0207
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
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.
Children’s Ministry Director
Linda de Vries joined our congregation in the spring of 2024 after singing with the sanctuary choir. She quickly began teaching music at vacation bible school and directing our children’s choir. A Moravian University graduate, Linda spent 36 years teaching general music and directing choirs in both elementary and middle schools. Her faith journey started as a child, sitting with her grandmother in worship, and she enjoys sharing this loving foundation in Christ with the children she teaches and programs she leads. Linda will lead Friday Fun Night, coordinate Sunday School and other children’s programs, and help the pastoral staff with youth related programming and communication. She loves teaching piano, travelling, volunteering at Animals in Distress, and most of all spending time with her husband Paul and their two kitties, Tuxi and Blush.