Converse Ushers in December with 2023 教训 & 颂歌
大学交流 and the Spartanburg community enjoyed a beautiful Converse holiday tradition with the annual Festival of 教训 & 颂歌. Held in Twichell Auditorium on November 30, 2023, this public event welcomed guests from throughout the Upstate to campus for this yearly custom.
Twichell Auditorium had a full house with nearly 850 guests. Approximately 200 people viewed the 教训 & 颂歌直播.
The Twichell stage was adorned with festive poinsettias, two massive trees, and wreaths. Dr. 布伦南Szafron, organist and soloist Madeline Owens ’24 welcomed guests with their performance of the Processional Carol: 一次是在皇家大卫城.
Reverend Eliza Smith DeBevoise, University Chaplain and Director of Community Engagement, 献上祷告, where she spoke of the importance of persistence and the stubborn resilience of hope, particularly during trying times.
“Advent is always a season of waiting, but that does not make it stagnant,” Reverend Smith DeBevoise said. “We wait together actively as we journey toward Christmas. 在我们前进的路上, 我们想着什么希望, 和平, joy and love might mean for our world as we grapple with our own collective responsibility to better it.”
View Photo Highlights from the Event:
整个晚上, 万博地址合唱团, Converse Wind Ensemble and the Spartanburg Master Chorale performed and led attendees in singing traditional carols and hymns.
Converse alumna Carrie Hill Coleman ‘96 has attended 教训 and 颂歌 since she was a student. 今年, she attended with her daughter, who is considering enrolling as a Freshman at Converse next Fall.
“Getting to experience 教训 and 颂歌 again, this time not only as an alum but also as a prospective parent, made me fall in love with it all over again.”
凯莉·科尔曼96年
“Getting to experience 教训 and 颂歌 again, this time not only as an alum but also as a prospective parent, made me fall in love with it all over again,科尔曼说。. “Kudos to Chaplain Eliza Smith DeBevoise and the Department of 精神生活 for doing such a beautiful job keeping this special tradition alive.”
Converse students read the nine verses of the Christmas story in between the carols. Speakers included Ryan Glenn ’25, Marisol Gutierrez, 25岁, 艾莉森·梅森,24岁, 洛根·尼科尔斯24岁, 艾丹·奥唐纳,24岁, Anna Patterson ’24 (Nisbet Honors), Keith Rogers ’27 (Nisbet Honors), D ' asia Thomas ' 26, 以及27岁的凯拉·托马斯.
Just prior to 教训 and 颂歌, Converse philanthropic supporters gathered for a “节日快乐” reception in the historic lobby of Wilson Hall. These leadership sponsors joined to celebrate the start of the holiday season, and express their commitment and passion for Converse’s people and programs.
Luminaries adorned the front of the 大学交流 campus, setting the holiday mood as guests arrived on the crisp, 晴朗的夜晚.
These luminaries can be purchased each year in memory or in honor of loved ones and friends; proceeds from the luminaries benefit the Converse Student Benevolence Fund, which supports students by providing emergency assistance for basic needs, 包括食物和住房.
The Festival of 教训 and 颂歌 was first held on Christmas Eve 1918 at King’s College, a constituent college of Cambridge University, 英格兰.
For additional information about this event, contact University Chaplain Reverend Eliza Smith DeBevoise.