He took center stage in the big tent, where the still August air hung damp and hot. His smile was that of an old friend overjoyed to see you. His voice was strident but cheerful.

The Rt. Rev. C. Hopeton Clennon spoke of history, significance, collective thoughtfulness. It was the opening ceremony of Musikfest 2023, but it might have been any blessing he ever delivered.

It was for everyone.

To his colleagues, Clennon, who died Jan. 7 at age 63, was about community, inclusiveness, and togetherness.

The Rev. Dr. C. Riddick Weber worked with Clennon for about 13 years and appreciated his thoughtfulness and perspective. Disagreements were about sharing differences, and teamwork was key.

“Hopeton was very broadly engaged in the life of the community, the congregation, and the wider Moravian Church,” Weber said. “Because of the nature of our work, he was very congenial and collaborative with me. He was always a joy to work with, because of the conversations that would arise as we worked together. Hopeton was a very busy person, and because of this he never wasted time by being somewhere early. Hopeton had a broad smile and a big laugh. He was always happy to see everybody.

“In sermons and prayers, he spoke slowly and intentionally, often emphasizing his words with pauses rather than with volume,” Weber said. “I think how he spoke, speaks of how he lived his life. Though he was physically imposing, was naturally charismatic, and had been invested by the church with much authority, he was a gentle, caring man.

“At a time when people were proclaiming the demise of mainline Protestantism, especially in the older, traditional congregations, Central was actually growing in attendance in the years before COVID. His pastoral work inspired or helped confirm several other people’s call to ministry.”

Clennon was highly regarded for his outreach with international missions and to the community. The Rev. Janel Rice in an interview said he preached the importance of inclusion and sharing in ministry.

“He loved travel and led trips to the Holy Land, Jamaica, and Moravian sites in Europe, among others, as a way to build relationships and broaden our ministries and connections to others,” she said. “Hopeton taught me that vital importance of ministry belonging to all of us; the church members, the greater community all had a role in working together to share God’s love.

“One of my favorite memories is a sermon he preached on the greatest commandment; to love God, love our neighbor as we love ourselves. He emphasized that all three parts of this commandment were vital. If we only love God, we fail to care for our neighbors and ourselves. But if we are too focused on our neighbors, we forget to care for ourselves.

“It is a framework that has put my own ministry in balance.”

Rice concluded, “Hopeton brought joy wherever he went, and no person was insignificant or not worthy of the same attention, respect and care as another. Joy entered the room when he came in, and it was contagious.”