The annual Wake Forest Lovefeast celebrates one of the unique traditions of the Moravian community in Winston‑Salem. Moravian student Jane Sherrill Stroupe (’67) organized the first Wake Forest Lovefeast in December 1965, when two hundred students gathered to celebrate the traditional meal. Since then, the Wake Forest Lovefeast has grown to be one of the largest Moravian-style lovefeasts in North America, and one of the University's most cherished traditions for more than 50 years.
See video of the entire ceremony
The Lovefeast meal is meant to be simple and easily distributed. The Wake Forest Lovefeast consists of a sweetened bun and creamed coffee, prepared in advance to ensure the feast is served quietly and does not disrupt the singing of hymns.
Slightly sweetened buns, served in baskets, are passed along the pews. Typically, men handle the drink trays and women carry the baskets of buns. Children and adults of all denomination are encouraged to partake in this celebration of unity and fellowship.
During each Lovefeast service, more than 180 dozen traditional Moravian buns and 90 gallons of Moravian coffee are served to participants by dieners, German for “servers.”
After a Call to Worship by University Chaplain Rev. Timothy Auman, attendees heard readings from Dexter Sharp and Elizabeth Johnson Orr, and a poem read by Sharp, Sean McClure, Asia Parker and Maya Mehta.
During the meal, the Wake Forest Concert Choir, Handbell Choir, Flute Choir and the Messiah Moravian Church Band play music. Handmade beeswax candles, decorated with red paper frill, are distributed to worshipers young and old alike. For the singing of the final hymns, the worship space is darkened except for the large, illuminated Moravian Advent Star. Next, during the Lighting of the Candles, each participant’s candle is lit, one at a time, and the Chapel slowly and beautifully brightens as a warm glow fills the room and the final hymns are sung.
There is also a Family Lovefeast held earlier in the day on Sunday. It is shorter in length, includes the telling of the Christmas Story rather than a homily, and is followed by a traditional Candle Tea with music, cookies and tea in Reynolda Hall.
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