News Release
December 1998
Four children have been selected to sing the solo portions
of the traditional Moravian hymn "Morning Star" at the six
Moravian and Moravian Theological Seminary Christmas Vespers services
this December.
The Moravian College Choir, conducted by Paula Ring Zerkle,
will be featured in the services Dec. 4-6 and 11-13 in Central Moravian
Church, Main and Church streets, Bethlehem.
Members of the Moravian College music department chose
the following soloists to sing at the annual vespers program:
Katherine Gardner, 10, daughter of Martha and Randy Gardner,
is a 5th grade student at High Point Elementary School in Pasadena,
MD. She is the granddaughter of Sue Schafer, an employee at Moravian
College. Katherine will be the featured Morning Star soloist at the
December 4 and 5 services.
Thomas Kingston, 10, son of Leslie and Richard Kingston
of Bethlehem, is a 5th grade student at Moravian Academy. His father
is a Moravian College alumnus. Thomas will be the featured Morning Star
soloist at the December 6 service.
Joshua Thomas, 9, son of Linda and Russell Thomas of Nazareth,
is a 5th grade student at Shafer Elementary School. He is the brother
of Ellen Thomas Saylor, a Moravian College student. Joshua will be the
featured Morning Star soloist at the December 11 and 12 services.
Katie White, 11, daughter of Tammy and Jesse White of
New Tripoli, is a 6th grade student at Northwestern Middle School. She
is the cousin of Jennifer Coffin, a Moravian College student. Katie
will be the featured Morning Star soloist at the December 13 service.
The Morning Star hymn is traditionally sung with a child
soloist and each year auditions are held for the positions. Moravian
Theological Seminary graduate Francis Florentine Hagen composed "Morning
Star" in 1836.
The soloist, choir, and congregation join in singing the
hymn as the church lights are dimmed and the beeswax candles are distributed
by members of the college and seminary community. Moravian College’s
tradition of celebrating the Christmas season with special vespers services
dates back to 1742.
Liturgists for the six services will be Dr. Ervin J. Rokke,
president of the college and seminary; Dr. David A. Schattscheider,
dean and vice president of the seminary; J. Thomas Minor, library director
for the college and seminary; Bettie Smolansky, interim dean of the
faculty; Robert Huth, former vice president for administration; and
Charles Norman, Chaplain of Moravian College. Presiding during the services
will be J. Christian Giesler, Chaplain, Moravian College and Theological
Seminary.
During the services, seminary students will read text
from the New Testament, college students will read text form the Old
Testament, and members of the faculty and administration will offer
prayers.
The Christmas Vespers services are held for the immediate
college community. Because of overwhelming demand, limited seating is
available for the public by ticket only. A limited number of tickets
are distributed to those making written requests months in advance.
