The Pioneer Frontier Magazine

The lobby of the Thomas J. Garland Library was filled Wednesday morning, December 9th, with Students, Faculty, and Staff attending the annual Lessons and Carols Service. Around 90 people attended the service which has been part of Tusculum tradition for close to twenty years.

Organized and lead by Tusculum Chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Weisz, associate professor of religion, the yearly program is a celebration of the Christmas season focusing on the true meaning of the holiday.

“The service reinforces the Judeo-Christian heritage of the college,” according to Dr. Weisz who believes it is very important for Tusculum to have these kinds of traditions.

The Lessons for the service included scripture from the Old and New Testaments, which featured readings from the Books of; Psalms, Genisis, Isaiah, Micah, Matthew, Luke, and John.  The readings were offered by students from the block 4 Hebrew and Christian Traditions class, taught by Weisz.

“The story of Salvation and the coming of Christ can be found in these nine lessons,” according to Dr. Weisz, he continues by saying, “This is a great way for students to experience the Presbyterian affiliation of the college.”  He also feels this is an excellent opportunity for students in his class to practice speaking and reading in front of audiences, a practical lesson to go along with the spiritual one.

Tusculum freshman Joshua Russell acted as Verger for the service. (A Verger leads the processional, often carrying a staff or Bible.)

Russell has been acting as the Deacon for the Religious Life Center this year. “He’s a very dedicated young man,” says Dr. Wiesz.

Brooke Haymaker shares scripture during the service.

The Carol portion of the service included congregational hymns as well as solos by Director of Academic Advising, Jill Jones.

Jones lent her beautiful voice to “Go Tell It on the Mountain”, and “What Songs Were Sung” while the collective hymns included “O little Town of Bethlehem”, “Joy to the World”, and “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Songs were accompanied on piano by, former professor of music, James Winfrey and Tusculum student Lake Montgomery. Montgomery, also a student in the block 4 class, is a member of the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra.

Refreshments, which were prepared by members of the Tusculum community, were served at the conclusion of the service.

“I was extremely pleased with the turn out,” says Wiesz, who also heads the Religious Life Center on the Tusculum campus.

The Religious Life Center sponsors weekly events which are open to the entire student body as well as faculty and staff.

With Bible studies Tuesday afternoons at 4:30 and Chapel services Wednesday morning at 11:30, students are invited to come to the Religious Life Center, located across the street from the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium.

Dr. Wiesz hopes that in the coming years the Religious Life Center will become a more visible part of the Tusculum campus life, with students feeling welcome at the RLC as a place of community for the college.