Celebrating Holiday Cheer with Lessons and Carols
Together the Converse and the Spartanburg communities enjoyed a cheerful holiday evening at the student-led Festival of Lessons and Carols at Twichell Auditorium on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. This annual Converse tradition is open to the public with free admission.
The Festival of Lessons and Carols has become a favorite custom for Converse as well as the community. The Converse Chorale, Spartanburg Master Chorale and Converse Wind Ensemble performed and led attendees in singing traditional carols and hymns between verses of the Christmas story, read by Converse students.
Converse philanthropic supporters gathered for a “Holiday Cheer” reception in the lobby of Wilson Hall prior to the program at Twichell, joining to celebrate the holidays and their shared passion for Converse’s people, programs and beautiful campus.
Luminaries adorned the front campus grounds, setting the holiday mood as guests entered both events. Purchased by members of the Converse community in memory or in honor of loved ones and friends (as listed in the program), proceeds from the luminaries benefited the Converse Student Benevolence Fund, which supports students by providing emergency assistance for basic needs like food and housing.
The Festival of Lessons and Carols was first held on Christmas Eve 1918 at King’s College, a constituent college of Cambridge University, England. It was planned by Eric Milner-White, who at the age of 34 had just been appointed Dean of King’s after experience as an army chaplain which had convinced him that the Church of England needed more imaginative worship.
For additional information about this event, contact University Chaplain Rev. Eliza Smith.
View the 2022 Lessons and Carols Photos
