Special Connections
For Rebecca Lepore ’95, S’27, the most meaningful part of her seminary journey has been the deep connections she has formed within both the Moravian Theological Seminary and Lancaster Theological Seminary communities. As the two seminaries have joined together, Rebecca has found her education enriched by a broader network of faculty, students, and perspectives that have expanded her spiritual and theological formation.
Rebecca is pursuing her Master of Divinity degree and says attending MTS feels like coming home. Her father, the Rt. Rev. Douglas H. Kleintop, graduated from MTS in 1975, and during his pastorate at College Hill Moravian Church, Rebecca grew up in the parsonage next door. As a child, she roller skated along the sidewalks in front of the Bahnson Center, played the organ in the Saal, and eventually directed the seminary choir for 13 years. Most importantly, she has always loved the Moravian Church, making her decision to pursue seminary a deeply personal one.
“I want to help people understand how extraordinary is the love of Jesus and to help them find God in both the joyful moments and in those times of deep and profound sadness and darkness,” Rebecca says. “Never did I think that my life would go in this direction, but here I am, so I’m trusting God on every step of this journey with the prayer, ‘Lord, do with me as you will.’”
Rebecca says she is especially grateful for the classes she has taken with Rev. Dr. Catherine Williams of LTS, whose teaching has shaped her growth in profound ways. She is also thankful for the friendships she has built with her LTS peers—through their honest and candid sharing of life experiences, she has gained new insights into faith, ministry, and the many paths that bring people to seminary.
Profile
Hometown: Bethlehem, PA
Major: Master of Divinity
Post-graduate plans: My prayer is that I will be a candidate for Ordained ministry in the Moravian Church.
Why did you choose Moravian? The Moravian Theological Seminary has always been a part of my life. My dad, the Rt. Rev. Douglas H. Kleintop graduated from MTS in 1975. When Dad served as pastor of College Hill Moravian Church and my family lived in the parsonage at the corner of Lorain Avenue and Locust Street, the Seminary was next door, and as a child, I spent many hours roller skating on the sidewalks in front of the Seminary. As a high school student, I played the organ in the Saal and later directed the Seminary Choir for 13 years. Most importantly, I love the Moravian Church. As I step into this next chapter of my life and answer God's call to learn more ways in which I can share the love of Jesus, going to Moravian Theological Seminary is like coming home!
What accomplishments or achievements are you most proud of? The most rewarding experience has been the incredible support and encouragement I've received from both the faculty and the many alumni who serve Moravian Churches as ordained pastors.
How have you been called to serve? I've been blessed with a wonderful career in music ministry. However, for the last five or six years, I recognized a restlessness in my soul that I couldn't identify. It wasn't until last June, when I served as a delegate to the 2023 Synod for the Moravian Church Northern Province, that I was able to name what I had been wrestling with. It was a powerful moment during the Holy Communion service. As I was handed the elements, I realized that's what I wanted to do—I wanted to give people Jesus. I know that's not a theologically correct statement, but I want to help people understand how extraordinary is the love of Jesus, and to help them find God in both the joyful moments and in those times of deep and profound sadness and darkness. Never did I think that my life would go in this direction, but here I am. So I'm trusting God on every step of this journey with the prayer, "Lord, do with me as you will.”
Favorite class: I'm taking Moravian Theology and Intro to New Testament, and I really am enjoying the content, my classmates, and the professors.
Favorite book: Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Favorite bible verse: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.” —Philippians 4:8,9
Thank You
“My son just graduated from college in the spring of 2023, and my daughter began college in the fall of 2023. Helping them with tuition is a priority, and so I felt a bit selfish wanting to spend money on a graduate class for myself. Thankfully, I was made aware of the Genesis Scholarship, which pays for two-thirds of the tuition for one approved course for non-degree students who want to test out a master's-level course. With the help of this scholarship, I enrolled in the Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament class with Rev. Dr. Deborah Appler, and I loved it! Taking this class affirmed my desire to attend Seminary and to enroll as a degree candidate in the Master of Divinity program. I am so grateful!”
