Progress is being made! On July 15 the old organ console was taken out and our new console delivered to the Sanctuary. Please visit the bulletin board in the hallway outside Fellowship Hall for pictures.

The Joint Board announces a special meeting of the CHURCH COUNCIL to take place immediately after worship on Sunday, September 7, 2025 for the purpose of selecting personnel to represent our congregation at the Synod of the Moravian Church, Northern Province, being held June 25–26, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Capable, qualified, available, and enthusiastic nominees have been secured: Amy DeLong (delegate) and Cory Dieterly (alternate delegate). The Church Council need only vote to affirm the nominees. The meeting is expected to be very brief. 

Please note that this short meeting will be held in-person only. There will not be an opportunity to participate virtually this time.

College Hill Moravian Church and the Lehigh Valley Labyrinth Project invite you to join us for labyrinth walks at the church, 72 West Laurel Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Walks will take place on the following Sunday dates:

August 24, September 28, October 26, November 23 and a pre–New Year’s walk on December 28.

In these times of uncertainty, it is beneficial to gather in community to be together for prayer and meditation. While walking the labyrinth is a very personal journey, it is a comfort to gather in community.

All are welcome. Peace to all as we gather. If you have any questions, please call Linda Toggart, Spiritual Director, at 610-217-1971.

Beginning on September 1 and continuing for two school semesters, Kayce Fava will be learning and serving with us at College Hill. A student in the Master of Divinity program at Moravian Theological Seminary, Kayce is preparing for ministry in the Moravian Church and will be engaging with our congregation as his field placement site. Kayce will be installed as Student Pastor during worship on September 7. We look forward to a faithful and fulfilling partnership.

Following up on the statement from the Board of Elders first published in last month’s newsletter (repeated below), “PRIVATE” signs have been posted in the north section of the church basement to designate a non-public area in which U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are legally prohibited from entering without a court-ordered, signed, Judicial Warrant.

A STATEMENT ON

SANCTUARY AND CARE FOR ALL

Since our Moravian motto ends with “in all things love,” it is who we are and is a call to follow Jesus’s example of caring for the least of these. We are called to welcome the stranger and to help those in need. In that love, we as fellow children of a Loving God, offer sanctuary and care to all who come to our community for help and safety. “In all things love” is more than a motto; it is a call to Peace and Justice as a church and as followers of Christ.

—College Hill Moravian Church

Board of Elders,

approved March 6, 2025

The Community Outreach Team will be collecting donations for the West Bethlehem Emergency Food Pantry. The Pantry is located at Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, a neighbor and friend of Essentials Café on Third Avenue. This will be an ongoing collection of whatever items you would like to donate. Some suggestions include coffee, tea, oatmeal, pancake mix, cereal, rice, canned corn, jams and jellies, paper products, and toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste). The food pantry will be letting us know of especially needed items, so please check the weekly announcements for updates.

We received the following from Amanda, the Community School Coordinator: 

“As a Title I school, many of our students are unable to provide their own school supplies, and each year we greatly appreciate our community for always stepping in to help make sure our students always have what they need! Attached is a wish list of school supplies we are looking for.”

SCHOOL SUPPLY DONATION REQUESTS

FOR 2025 – 2026

*Brand-specific requested for quality and durability:

*Crayola crayons

*Crayola colored pencils

*Crayola markers — broad and fine-tip

*Elmer glue sticks

*Expo black dry-erase markers

Narrow pencil boxes or pencil pouches

Dry-erase erasers

Pencil-top erasers

Construction paper

Small whiteboards

1ʺ & 1.5ʺ hard binders

Adult-size scissors

Headphones with wires (NO EARBUDS)

Backpacks

Individually wrapped snacks (Goldfish, pretzels, etc.)

Tissues

Hand sanitizer

Clorox wipes

FOR RECESS

Kickballs

Soccer balls

Adult-size basketballs

Sidewalk chalk

Yes, it’s summer and yes, Christmas is months away, but we are collecting NOW so they can be packed up and blessed during our Advent Workshop. Visit the COT table in Fellowship Hall to pick up an ornament (or two or three)

and purchase the item(s) attached.

A complete list of requested items can be found on the table and all donations can be placed in the bins under the table. Let’s make it a meaningful Christmas for the children and the teachers!

The College Hill Book Group continues to meet on the last Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM. All are welcome to join us in Room 4 for discussion and fellowship.

NO MEETING IN AUGUST

September 30 TBD

Contact Sue Youtz for further updates.

610-751-0654/syoutz@ptd.net

Bethlehem Interfaith Group (BIG) invites you to a Community Movie Night on Wednesday, August 13 at Wesley United Methodist Church (2540 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA)! A kosher pizza dinner will kick off at 5:30 PM, followed by the movie  at 6:15PM.

Please RSVP by August 5 at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGHoTV_4bFTQBZDCI_KsPbSjVgOSDJ7Fkgs7E5aVAF8Rohfg/viewform

We are excited to invite you all to partner with us for Pride 2025, as we live out our shared call to witness to God’s expansive love. 

This year, we are once again organizing a presence at Lehigh Valley Pride, which 

will be on August 17 from 2 PM – 7 PM at ArtsQuest in Bethlehem, PA, with a clear and joyful mission:

“To share the message that ‘no matter who you love or how you identify, you are embraced and affirmed by God’s expansive love’ with Lehigh Valley Pride attendees through celebration, service, and affirmation.”

College Hill will be participating along with other Moravian churches, so we will need volunteers who can walk around and pass out water bottles to the attendees.

Your voice and presence are vital in helping make this message visible and tangible to all who attend!