By Shannon Turner
William Peace University’s 5th annual Holiday Celebration took place on Dec 2 at 6p.m. in the Dinwiddie Chapel.
It started with a holiday dinner in Belk Dining Hall that featured honey glazed ham, roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and other holiday favorites. The dessert table was lined with pecan, apple, and pumpkin pie.
Following dinner, everyone joined in the chapel for the Moravian Love Feast Chapel Service. Dr. Reverend Carter hosts this service to celebrate unity by joining together for song, scripter, and sugar cake. This featured several beloved songs such as “Mary Did You Know” and “Away in a Manger.”
The Peace Singers, formally a singing group on campus, returned to sing for the celebration. Staff, students, and alumni also took part in performing. This included songs sung by Maya Bryant and Audrey Moore, Professor Elizabeth Laskowski and her daughter Beatrice, Josh Hawkins, and many others.
Preceding the Love Feast, everyone gathered on the lawn to witness the tree lighting. There was music, dessert, hot chocolate, candles, and community. Dr. Ralph shared a few words to kick us off to the Christmas season, then the five Christmas trees were lit. The fan-favorite Peace letters were also turned on so they can shine through the Christmas season.
The dessert reception was hosted by the Student Government Association after the tree lighting, and featured cookies, brownies, hot chocolate, and hot apple cider.
Alex Garrison, senior communications major at Peace, attended the tree lighting and believes it puts the campus and its community into the holiday spirit.
“This celebration is a great way to kick off the holidays. I look forward to this every year,” says Garrison.
SGA members and graduate assistant Devin Sweeney handed out leftover desserts to students late night studying in Lucy Cooper Finch Library to spread some holiday cheer and much needed finals week sugar.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all our readers!