Annual Christmas tree lighting to bring music, joy to campus and community

by Hope Nelson

Seward, NE (11/06/2024) — The annual Christmas tree lighting outside of Weller Hall is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, November 20 at 7 p.m. Each year, the event brings together Concordia students, faculty and staff as well as community members for an evening of caroling - led by Concordia's Chamber Choir - and fellowship.

The Chamber Choir is a 14-voice ensemble that is chosen each year from among the members of Concordia's A Cappella Choir.

"I look forward to our tree lighting every year," said Kirsten Horne, Chamber Choir member. "Though we're not often blessed with snow during Advent, the tree lighting serves as a beautiful reminder of both the season the church is entering and the community that celebrates it...the hot chocolate's definitely a plus, too!"

The Christmas tree lighting is part of Christmas at Concordia, which culminates in four concerts that take place in early December. This year's Christmas at Concordia concerts will take place on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 at 3 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. Other events include the Christmas buffet from 4:30-6:45 p.m. in the Cattle Conference Room before Saturday's evening concert. Music at this event will be provided by the university's String Ensemble.

Members of the Chamber Choir include:

Naomi Faile, sophomore, Rome, Ga.

Joel Smith, junior, Earlham, Iowa

Evan Moloney, sophomore, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Morgan Rohde, sophomore, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Micah Zeckzer, freshman, New Haven, Ind.

Grant Rohde, junior, Reed City, Mich.

Logan Walgate, senior, St. Charles, Mo.

Lydia Edmonds, freshman, Gretna, Neb.

Ellie Lehr, junior, Omaha, Neb.

Kirsten Horne, senior, Seward, Neb.

Joshua Jurchen, junior, Seward, Neb.

Melissa Oblinger, freshman, Tomball, Tex.

Michaela Gibbs, freshman, Virginia Beach, Va.

David Eatherton, freshman, Sheboygan, Wis.

About Concordia University, Nebraska

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.

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