President Rebecca M. Bergman
What a weekend for all of us who make up the Gustavus community!
As I reflected last night on the incredible experience of Christmas in Christ Chapel, it occurred to me that this event, perhaps more than any other, captures the essence of our core values of excellence, community, justice, service, and faith.
It truly takes all of us to make this moving worship service happen. Months ahead of time, our planning team of faculty and staff meet to craft the program. In the weeks leading up to the event, facilities management transforms the already-beautiful Christ Chapel into an incredible stage that illustrates the worship theme and provides a platform for our talented students to share their work. Dining Service provides meals for hundreds of guests. Volunteer ushers warmly welcome 1,100 attendees to each service. Campus Safety quietly directs traffic and attends to the wellbeing of our guests. Custodians straighten up the Chapel between services. The advancement staff hosts alumni and friends of the College. Over 300 students share their talents through the beauty of song, dance, and spoken word. Our chaplains and conductors lead the service, which touches the soul and brings tears to the eyes of everyone who experiences this sacred event.
I could go on and on about all the ways that each of us, each of you, make Christmas in Christ Chapel a success. All the hours spent planning and preparing, all the little details that go into the event, all the things we do to welcome our guests and support our students — it all comes together in beautiful harmony when we join to close the service with O Come, All Ye Faithful.
Today, and every day, I want to thank you for modeling these core values of excellence, community, justice, service, and faith for our students.
Until next week, keep up the good work, Gusties!
“Joyful and Triumphant,”
Becky