Twenty five years ago, UCG members John Middlebrooks and Dennis Owen proposed that we offer the traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols modeled after the format of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols of Kings College, Cambridge. This classic service actually begins with Genesis and follows the history of salvation through the birth of Jesus.  We soon shortened the biblical span to cover the book of Isaiah from Hebrew scripture and the birth narratives of Jesus. The format of the service, however, continues to parallel the Kings College tradition.

UCG member John Middlebrooks, a professor in the College of Medicine, and Dennis Owen, UCG member from the Department of Religion, collaborated to present the first Lessons and Carols in 1992.  John was a gifted musician who directed the choir for many years. Dennis loved liturgy and fashioned the nine lessons in the form we still use them today.  John and his wife Sylvia live in California where John continues to teach and do research. Dennis died in 2014.

Rick Johnson took over the choir following John’s move from Gainesville. He was followed by Judy Parsons, and then our current director of 8 years, Tane’ DeKrey. Pat Morse conducted and accompanied at various times.  Catherine Berg served as accompanist for many years. Zach Neece composed and arranged numerous pieces of music performed by the choir.  Children and youth have always had a place in the service. Kathy Funke has been the Lively Arts Coordinator for much of this time, shepherding the many rehearsals and details.

Originally, Lessons and Carols was the morning service on the second Sunday in Advent. It became so popular that the choir added an evening service on that Sunday. The sanctuary is now filled to capacity at both services.

The choir begins practicing for Lessons and Carols in October and continues twice a week rehearsals until its performance. This year, under Tane’s direction, the choir will perform music from the span of past Lessons and Carols services, plus some new pieces.

As we celebrate Lessons and Carols on Sunday December 11, 2016, let us remember the 25 years of wonder and hope brought to us by our many singers and instrumentalists over the years. It is truly a gift to be part of this chain of grace.

– Rev. Larry Reimer, Minister Emeritus