Converse Celebrates the Season with Annual Festival of Lessons & Carols
On Thursday, December 5, 2024, Converse and Spartanburg came together for a joyful holiday evening at the Festival of Lessons and Carols held in Twichell Auditorium. This annual event, organized by the Office of Spiritual Life at Converse, has become a favorite holiday tradition for both the university and the local community.
The Festival of Lessons and Carols included performances by the Converse Chorus, Spartanburg Festival Chorus, and Converse Wind Ensemble. They performed traditional Christmas carols and hymns, inviting the audience to sing along, while Converse students read parts of the Biblical Christmas story. It was a beautiful way to celebrate the season.
“Lessons and Carols is a beloved Converse Christmas tradition that propels us into the season of Advent with joyful anticipation.”
“Lessons and Carols is a beloved Converse Christmas tradition that propels us into the season of Advent with joyful anticipation,” said University Chaplain and Director of Community Engagement Reverend Eliza Smith DeBevoise. “I am grateful to have the chance to work with such wonderful students, community members, and colleagues annually to create something beautiful and reverent for our Converse family and Spartanburg more broadly. Bringing others to campus, whether it be community members in the Spartanburg Master Chorale or the middle school handbell choir from Eddlemon Adventist Christian Academy, sparks a spirit of connectivity and welcome that makes me proud to be a Valkyrie!”
Just prior to the Festival of Lessons and Carols, members of Converse’s 1889 Society gathered in Wilson Hall for the annual “Holiday Cheer” reception. The reception offered this special group of donors a chance to celebrate their love for Converse’s people, places, and programs during the holiday season. Converse supporters mingled, toasted, and laughed together in Wilson Lobby. During Holiday Cheer, University President Dr. Boone Hopkins even surprised his wife, Dean Chandra Hopkins, with a special version of “Happy Birthday” sung by carolers to celebrate her special day.
The front campus was decorated with glowing luminaries on the chilly night, creating a warm, festive atmosphere. These luminaries were sponsored by members of the Converse community to honor or remember loved ones. The money raised from the luminaries goes to the Converse Student Benevolence Fund, which helps students in emergencies by covering basic needs like food and housing.
The Festival of Lessons and Carols has grown into a cherished event that brings our community together during the holiday season. Its combination of music, scripture, and tradition has created a meaningful way to acknowledge the holiday season. At Converse, this annual event not only spreads joy but also supports students in need, making it a truly special experience for everyone involved.
The Festival of Lessons and Carols livestream recording can be viewed here.
