Our Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary meeting on July 2, 2026 will be a First "Thirstday"/Happy Hour meeting starting at 5:30pm.
LOCATION:
Artisan Wine and Cheese Cellars
55 W Lehigh Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Join us for a networking-focused event that rotates among different locations. Attendees will enjoy a variety of drinks, with some opting to order food while others simply mingle over their beverages. It’s a great way to connect in a relaxed atmosphere!
Please come and enjoy some warm Rotary fellowship.
On June 25, 2026, Morning Star Rotary held its annual "Changeover Meeting" where we thanked outgoing President Rodney Conn and welcomed our incoming President, Jennifer Cunningham. Many of our Past Presidents of Morning Star Rotary were present to participate in the "Passing of the Gavel" to our new President.
“Time to recognize the work and accomplishments of our Club President, Rodney Conn, and this year’s Officers and Board Members and welcome our incoming President, Jennifer Cunningham, Officers and our 2026-2027 Board of Directors!”
At our June 25th Changeover Meeting, Jean Searfoss was recognized for her many years as Club Treasurer. Thank you Jean for all of your time and expertise in service to Morning Star Rotary!
On Saturday, June 27, 2026, MSR held its annual Kickout Party honoring our outgoing President, Rodney Conn. A fantastic time was had by everyone. A big MSR thank you to PP Shawn and Bob Bariana for hosting the party. Thank you President Rodney on your service to the club these past two years and best wishes to incoming President Jennifer.
Yesterday we "passed the gavel" to our new president, Jennifer. It is with gratitude that I write you all today for your support over the past two years. This club truly demonstrates Service Above Self in all that it does and is what supported me throughout this time. I was honored to see so many past presidents who came out to honor and support not just me, but also Jennifer. I also thank all the board members for their service and support.
Over the past year, Morning Star Rotary continued to be mission driven by serving the least among us by supporting Victory House and Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering. We also maintained focus on youth and education through offering scholarships, sponsoring students to Camp Neidig and STEM-YEA Camp, as well as sponsoring a Four-Way Test Contest. The exploration of hosting an Interact Club has begun with good promise for the future. We continue our work at the Kivutini Primary School in Machakos, Kenya with a global grant concentrating on water and sanitation facilities. Our local Community Grant was awarded to New Bethany to help with local food insecurity issues. I wish to thank all who continue to support these missions with your time, talent and treasure.
Our weekly meetings continue to see great speakers who provide us a perspective of the needs of the community and opportunities to consider as a club and individuals. Our First Thirstdays meetings are a great opportunity to socialize and invite prospective members to get to know us. And I hope you are all enjoying Fifth Thursday mornings to sleep in, go for a walk or a bike ride, or just relax.
And in all this, we continue to support Rotary Foundation and PolioPlus.
Morning Star Rotary Secretary Val Walk has emailed the club’s 2026-27 club dues invoice to active members. Full details are in e-mail and attached invoice.
If you haven’t seen it, please check your junk/spam folder, and contact me if you need the invoice resent.
By June 30, please pay either...
$260 for the full Rotary year 7/1/26-6/30/27
– or –
$130 for the first six months 7/1/26-12/31/26
Payment method options include:
Check payable to Morning Star Rotary by June 30. Give to Jean Searfoss at a meeting, or mail it to Jean's attention at 1409 Bogie Ave, Wescosville, PA 18106
Cash. By June 30, give to Jean at a meeting.
Debit or Credit card. By June 30, on www.morningstarrotary.com, log in, then scroll down to Site Pages on the left, and click Pay Dues Online Here. The club uses PayPal to collect it, but you do NOT need a PayPal account; Your debit or credit card is fine. The estimated PayPal fee is added to the dues amount.
Zelle. Between July 1 and July 7 (so it hits the bank in the correct Rotary year).
Your prompt cooperation will be appreciated. The club will pay Rotary International in July and Rotary District 7430 soon after, and active members as of 6/30/26 are in the headcount for those invoices to the club.
Jeremiah is a native of Lancaster County, growing up in the village of Intercourse. He is a graduate of Penn State University, Capital Campus, and has lived and worked in the Berks County, Pennsylvania since 2010. Jeremiah resides in Wyomissing with his wife, Heidi, and his two children, Cole and Hazel.
Jeremiah is the Founder and President of Capacity Financial Planning & Investments, an independent Financial Advisory firm he founded in 2023. He has worked as a Financial Adviser since 2005.
As a Financial Adviser, Jeremiah was invited to attend Rotary while he worked in Oxford, PA. When moving his practice to Wyomissing in 2008 he was seeking a local club and found the West Reading-Wyomissing Club. He was welcomed with open arms, and joined the club in 2008. Jeremiah then became President for the first time in 2013-14 and then again for two years from 2019-2021. He has served as Assistant Governor for District 7430 from 2020-25, and will take on the role of District Governor in July of 2026.
Jeremiah is a Rotary Foundation Major Donor Level 1, as well as a Paul Harris Society Member and Sustaining Member. His commitment to service above self is fulfilled through his work with Rotary and sustained giving to help make the world a more peaceful place for all.
In the few hours left after work, family, and Rotary, Jeremiah enjoys attending live music events, cooking for his family, taking on home improvement projects and playing guitar.
Artisan Wine & Cheese Cellars
