WILSON, N.C. — November 17, 2022 — Crisscrossed walkways lined with luminaries, the magic of a towering Christmas tree twinkling with lights, familiar Christmas readings shared aloud, and memory-stirring melodies filling the night air — this awaits all who plan to join the Barton College community for the much anticipated 2022 Lighting of the Luminaries, the Blessing and Lighting of the Christmas Tree, and An Evening of Lessons and Carols. Ushering in the Christmas season, this longstanding Barton tradition will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 29.
Beginning at 6 p.m., the surrounding community is invited to join the festive celebration on Barton’s campus with the annual Blessing and Lighting of the Christmas Tree. With more than 2,200 luminaries lining 32 acres of the main campus, students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and friends of the College will gather in front of the Aileen and Bill Parish Plaza, outside Howard Chapel on center campus, for the outdoor program. There will be brief remarks by Chaplain Alysun Skinner and Barton College President Douglas N. Searcy, as well as musical selections by Barton senior Shalom Barnes.
Immediately following the Blessing and Lighting of the Christmas Tree will be “An Evening of Lessons and Carols” in Howard Chapel. The chapel service will feature the Barton College Choir led by Sherry Lee Allen, choir conductor, director of theatre, and artist-in-residence for musical theatre. Musical selections will be interspersed with readings of scripture by members of the Barton community.
For additional information about the Blessing and Lighting of the Christmas Tree or An Evening of Lessons and Carols, please contact Dr. Rodney A. Werline, Dean of Howard Chapel and the Marie and Leman Barnhill Endowed Chair in Religious Studies, at rawerline@barton.edu or 252-399-6447; Sherry Lee Allen, slallen@barton.edu or 252-399-6492; or Alysun Skinner, Barton College Chaplain, at alskinner@barton.edu or 252-399-6372.
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