Out & About Winston-Salemwith Lovefeast Services in
BY HEATHER SPIVEY
FRIES MEMORIAL MORAVIAN PHOTOS BY HEATHER SPIVEY
OLIVET MORAVIAN PHOTOS BY TONYA CRAVER
a climate longing for tradition, routine and normalcy—Moravian Christmas Eve Lovefeasts are no exception. Church members, community members, and participants yearn for that tradition of attending services, singing Christmas hymns, enjoying a piping-hot cup of coffee, and partaking in a lovefeast bun while hearing the Christmas message.
Another local church, Olivet Moravian, made provisions to accommodate members and guests this season as well. Lifetime member, Tonya Beroth Craver, shared her experience saying, “last year we watched a re-broadcasting of a previous years’ Lovefeast, so it felt very special to be back inside the church for this annual tradition. Since I have attended Lovefeasts my whole life, sung a Morning Star verse as a child and listened proudly as both my children sang verses in the past, when I heard that song by candlelight at the Lovefeast it truly felt like Christmas.” Tonya said that they, too, were given a bag full of the needed supplies—an ode, bun, candle, and napkin to help complete the long-awaited service. Coffee was placed at the front of the church for participants to receive and take back to the pew. At Olivet, passing the flame from candle to candle remained the same as years past. It was a nice way to unite the sanctuary, with nightfall outside and dim lights in the church. Tonya says, “It’s a special tradition—even with the changes, the meaning for the celebration remained the same—the birth of Jesus.”
In
Moravians are a domination that represents a large portion of our community. All year long there are special services that are important to Moravians, and Christmas is one of those seasons. Prior to the service this year, the sky was spectacular shades of red, white and blues, as if signifying that this year we had made it and all would be well. At Fries Memorial, where I personally attended with my family— the pandemic and precautions were on our minds. Families sat together by pews, and vacant pews were open in front and behind us. Participants wore masks inside and singing was only by the choir. It was a beautiful, musical service that Michael Westmoreland, organist and choir director, organized along with his talented choir and musicians. After the inside service we proceeded outside to an unseasonably warm evening under and around a large tent to sing and share in the candlelight service. Afterwards, lovefeast buns were individually wrapped and coffee was made in a to-go cup. Although there were alterations, it was progress from last year when we watched a taped livestream of the service in our homes.
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