Warmth, compassion, hospitality, sharing, nourishment, inspiration, and most of all, love. These are the words that describe Lovefeast, a traditional celebration of common values practiced by the Moravians in Winston-Salem, North Carolina since 1753. The Moravians, a religious group from Eastern Europe, settled this area more than 250 years ago bringing this beloved tradition along with many others.
Lovefeast celebrations can occur at any point throughout the year as a way to strengthen the bonds and the spirit of harmony, goodwill, and congeniality, and even to forgive past disputes (by openly choosing to love one another). But in Winston-Salem, annual Christmas Lovefeasts are by far the most memorable.
Typically, the Lovefeast service involves listening to music from an organ or choir, singing hymns together that reinforce love and harmony, and occasionally lighting a candle to spread the light of God. The feast portion involves sharing the traditional sweet breads, often called Lovefeast Buns, with coffee or even beer. (Lovefeast Buns, Moravian sugar cake, traditional ginger cookies and other seasonal delicacies are available at bakeries throughout Winston-Salem, including Dewey’s Bakery, Salem Baking, Hanes Cookies and Winkler Bakery, among others.)
Winston-Salem’s strong Moravian community enables us to host multiple Lovefeasts each December at various locations. History buffs will most appreciate the St. Philips African Moravian Lovefeast, held annually to commemorate the anniversary of the first service held in the brick church in 1861. The current brick church replaced the former African Moravian Log Church built in 1823. St. Philip’s Lovefeast will feature Christian prayer, reflection, and music by the Salem Singing Sisters with guest baritone, Leonard Rowe.
For a more contemporary experience, visitors can attend the largest Moravian Lovefeast in North America, held annually at Wait Chapel on the campus of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The December 4th services mark the 52nd anniversary of the service at WFU. Services are open to the public, and free to attend.
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY LOVEFEAST
Sunday, December 4, 2016
4:30 om to 5:30 pm, and 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Wait Chapel, Wake Forest University
1834 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem, NC
Additional information is available at (336) 758-5218
ANNIVERSARY LOVEFEAST AT ST. PHILIPS
Saturday, December 10, 2016
11:00 am – 12:00 pm*
St. Philips African Moravian Church
911 South Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC
Additional information is available at (336) 721-7399, cdharry@oldsalem.org
*This event is free to attend and does not require a ticket, although a love offering will be taken. Visitors should note that because St. Philips Church is located on the grounds of Old Salem, seating priority will be given to ticketed guests who are visiting Old Salem.
Consecrated December 15, 1861, St. Philips African Moravian Church is the oldest African American church standing in North Carolina. On May 21, 1865, freedom was announced in the church when a Union Army cavalry chaplain publically read the Emancipation Proclamation to the community.