About MCCLV

Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley began in 1984 after a few months of initial meetings with a few persons from the Lehigh Valley with Rev. Joseph Gilbert of MCC of Philadelphia.

On October 3, 1984, a small group of 12 individuals gathered for worship at the Lambda Center, at 8th and Hamilton Streets in Allentown. The Rev. Craig Stahler, a Lutheran pastor, officiated.
Rev. Joseph Gilbert was in attendance at that and many services over the next few months.

The group identified as the Lambda Christian Community at that time. It was not until March of 1985 that the majority of the group was ready to identify with UFMCC. At that time, MCC of Philadelphia sanctioned the Lehigh Valley Parish Extension of that congregation. Student Clergy Irene Kratz was named Parish Coordinator. Services were initially held on Tuesday evenings. Five members of the group were received into membership at MCC Philadelphia in February of 1985. They were Lora Taylor, Evie ....(now deceased), Diane D., Jim Balliet (now deceased) and Tom Endy.

By the end of 1985, membership was around 13. Ms. Kratz, Parish Coordinator moved into the Lehigh Valley in August of 1985. Services were moved to Sunday evenings. In May of 1985, a number of members attended the Mid Atlantic District Conference in Norfolk, Virginia.

During 1986, Irene had a two-month leave for what was assumed to be stress management, to later find that there was medical evidence of heart problems. During her leave, Harry Bonney (now deceased) and Tom Endy were named Parish Coordinators until she returned. During that leave, local members as well as supportive clergy delivered the message.

Lehigh Valley Parish Extension led a group of participating clergy in a 3-day Aids Vigil of Prayer on September 5, 6,and 7 of 1986. This was the first time that local television coverage was experienced. Membership did not grow significantly during 1986, but the church became more and more visible in the community. Tensions, which led to actual dysfunction between the Extension Pastor and members of the group, began to surface. Efforts of reconciliation in February, again in May and June finally led to the resignation (retroactively) of Irene Kratz in late June of
1987.

Dr. Bob Merliss was appointed Worship Coordinator during the
vacancy, and we were served by local clergy as well as student clergy and visiting clergy from other MCC's. Thom Ritter served as Director of Music and brought new life to the services.

In August, we were visited by the Rev. Laura Brown from New Life MCC in Norfolk. Excitement was evident, and a petition was sent to District Committee for Mission Church status and for Rev. Brown's appointment as Pastor. Thirty-six months after the first services, Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley was born and was now independent of the Philadelphia Church.

As of October 11, 1987, MCC of the Lehigh Valley has been granted Mission Church status and the members were: Rev. Laura Brown, Tom Endy, Bob Merliss, Jim Balliet, Harry Bonney, Gary Schmidt, Richard Wood, Joel Fogelsanger, Ben Dunlap, Sally Garris, Ed Verba and David Broscious. Rev. Brown's salary was was $600 per month for part-time service and she was also employed by Visiting Nurses of LV as an R.N.

The Service of Installation was November 14 at the Lambda Center. Mid-week Bible Study started in November also and was generally well attended. Fifty Family of God Hymnals were purchased as well as a used spinet piano, and a tape deck. Memorial gifts purchased altarware, which is still used in 2001.

1988 brought many worship activities, as well as many visitors. Rev. Delores Berry led a Spiritual Renewal weekend in February as well as UFMCC Lazarus Ministries Rev. Lou Kavar. AIDS Awareness events were highlighted by Rev. Steve Peiters of UFMCC. Rev. Elder Jean White joined us for a world extension talk. Also during 1988, we moved to the Unitarian Church on Leckewecki Street. An Easter
Sunrise service was held in Lehigh Parkway. A Memorial Day picnic and outdoor service were held at county park in Alburtis. Also, an outdoor service during the summer was held in conjuction with the Lambda Center picnic.

A video ministry continued throughout the year providing for
shut-ins as well as historical purposes. As the year went on, Rev. Brown experienced some health problems but continued to pastor the congregation throughout the year.

In January of 1989, however, physical and financial exhaustion hit hard, and Rev. Brown called the Board and key church leaders to her apartment where she announced her resignation. Jean Landis and Tom Endy were appointed Co-Lay Pastors until an interim pastor could be named. Again we were served by local clergy as well as those who travelled from other MCC's. Rev. Michael Weeks of Disciples MCC in Washington DC was named Interim Pastor.

Mr. Adam DeBaugh, District Coordinator, put out invitations to candidate to fill the vacancy of our pulpit. Rev. Peter Helt was voted on by District Committee in May of 1989 and was appointed Pastor of MCCLV. Rev. Helt moved to Allentown later in the year and pastored MCCLV for nine years.