A variety of holiday-themed events fill out the calendar at Eastern Mennonite University as the fall semester draws to a close. Please join our community for drama, worship and music.
Tuesday, Dec. 5: Chamber Singers Concert
Join the Chamber Singers under the direction of Shannon Kiser from 7:30-9 p.m. in Martin Chapel. The concert is free and open to the public; donations will be gratefully accepted to benefit the Music Department Scholarship Fund.
Wednesday, Dec. 6: Advent Hymn Sing at Chapel
From 10-10:30 a.m., join EMU’s regular chapel service to worship featuring litanies, hymns and songs of Advent.
Sunday, Dec. 10: DoveTale theater production
DoveTale returns to Lehman Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The drama — originally co-written, produced and performed by Lee E. Eshleman ’87, Ingrid DeSanctis ‘88 and Ted Swartz ’89, MACL ’92 —brings a humorous and poignant look into the hearts and minds of Joseph, Mary and the Angel Gabriel as they confront the gritty realities of the birth of Christ. Read more here.
The event honors the 20-year anniversary of its debut performance and the 10-year anniversary of loss of Eshleman, a writer and actor, designer in EMU’s marketing and communications department, and beloved community member.
Pay-what-you-will entry — with a suggested amount of $15 per adult — and a freewill offering during the show will benefit student scholarships through the University Fund. Each year EMU grants more than $14 million in aid for undergraduate students, many of whom are from diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds, including undocumented citizens.
Monday, Dec. 11: Lessons and Carols Service
Two weeks before Christmas, as daylight continues to fade into the darkest days of winter, a Lessons and Carols service at EMU will illuminate candles as symbols of coming light and hope — and premier a new musical composition.
The service, a collaboration between Campus Ministries and the music department, will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 11, in Lehman Auditorium, and is free and open to the public. A freewill offering will benefit the Campus Ministries Compassion Fund. This event will also be livestreamed on the EMU Facebook page.
In the classic approach to lessons and carols, scripture passages will feature the image of light and trace themes of need and longing, stories surrounding the birth of Jesus, and the celebration of “God with us!”
Interspersed music will include the University Choir’s performance of a new commissioned work by American composer Gwyneth Walker titled “Let Us Break Bread Together.”
Walker, a Quaker based in Vermont, has received various awards for her compositions, which include over 300 commissioned works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, chorus, and solo voice. Her work has been prominently featured by EMU music professor Joan Griffing’s chamber group Musica Harmonia.
Already this season I’ve played the video of the original Dove Tale done by Ted, Lee and Ingrid and hope to share it with my great granddaughters, too. It is marvelous!