On Thursday morning, May 26, our joyful Family Lovefeast returned to the Downtown Campus!
Parents, guardians and caregivers of students in grades 1-8 were invited to join us in Central Moravian Church for this festive event, and there was a breakfast gathering on campus for parents prior to the service.
A Moravian Lovefeast is a worship service during which a simple meal is served. This unique Moravian tradition is open for anyone to participate in, and dates back to 1727 and the early Moravian community in Herrnhut, Germany. This small group of refugees was living on the estate of our school founder, Countess Benigna, and her father, Count Zinzendorf. The community there had experienced some discord, but after a communal celebration at the village church of Bertholdsdorf, the people were so moved and inspired that they didn’t want to separate. The Count provided food from his kitchen, sparing them the usual tasks of the day, and allowing them to remain together. As the saying goes, they partook of this food together in love. The early Moravians carried the tradition with them to Bethlehem, where it has endured as a joyful part of school life since 1742.
Today, we celebrate the Lovefeast with sugar cookies and apple juice, prepared in the school kitchen for all to share. The service follows the format of a Moravian Academy Chapel service, including music, readings, prayers, and a special message. Families sit together by grade, with older siblings joining their younger siblings class. We look forward to welcoming you to campus for this unique Moravian tradition.