For Immediate Release

Princeton Seminary Hosts Carols of Many Nations

Princeton, NJ, December 6, 2006–Princeton Theological Seminary will hold two identical Carols of Many Nations services for the Seminary and Princeton communities on December 20 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. in Miller Chapel. This biennial Christmas tradition has continued for more than twelve years and offers a counterpoint to the traditional Lessons and Carols service. 

Martin Tel, C.F. Seabrook Director of Music at the Seminary, said that he plans a “slightly different service every year, making sure to have an expression of different cultures.” International members of the Seminary community, including citizens of Ghana, Puerto Rico, Germany, Korea, and Taiwan, will read Scripture in different languages. Carols will be sung from countries on each continent, including Argentina, New Zealand, the Huron nation, Venezuela, China, England, France, Taiwan, and the Yoruba people of Nigeria. The service will also include a piece written by Dr. I-to Loh, a professor and composer from Taiwan, who also was a mentor of Chi Yi Chen, PTS’s choral assistant. Dean Nancy Lammers Gross will lead prayers at the 6:30 p.m. service, and President Iain Torrance will lead prayers at the 8:30 p.m. service. After each service, everyone is invited to carol by candlelight outside on the Seminary quadrangle.

With this event, international members of the PTS community come to the forefront. “This is a time when we slow down to say, ‘what are the gifts that we all bring?’—and then to highlight those talents,” said Tel. “What makes this service special is how it juxtaposes different languages, back to back, not just in song but in the readings. It cultivates a sense of something authentic to who we are. We are an international community.”

This event is free and open to the public. For directions to the campus and more information, visit www.ptsem.edu or call 609.497.7890.