Advent Worship Service and Tree Lighting to Welcome the Season of Advent and Prepare for the Coming of Christmas

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque will celebrate the 24th annual Advent Worship Service and Tree Lighting on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Blades Chapel and on Alumni Courtyard.

Open to the public, the event will begin at 4 p.m. with an Advent Worship Service in Blades Chapel. All those in attendance will be invited to proceed to Alumni Courtyard at 4:30 p.m. for caroling and lighting of the Christmas tree. Refreshments and cookies will be served afterwards in Blades Lobby.

A UD tradition, the ceremony is a celebration where students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community gather to welcome the season of Advent and prepare for the coming of Christmas. The theme this year is “From Generation to Generation,� featuring the preaching of the Rev. Alan Crandall, DMin, who was UD’s chaplain from 1997 to 2007, and inspiring and comforting music from alumni and current students, directed by William Bentley, interim minister to students and director for worship.

“In our gathering, we will embody how our hope has been experienced from one generation to another at the University of Dubuque, and we can appreciate our charge to provide the same to generations to come,� said the Rev. James Gunn, DMin, dean of Chapel.

For those who cannot attend in person, the Advent Worship Service and Tree Lighting will be streamed live at www.facebook.com/UDubuque and www.youtube.com/UDBQmedia.