BY TINA HENNESSEY
SC Staff Writer
On Monday, December 2, 2013 East Stroudsburg University celebrated the second annual Holiday on the Circle. This event began at 6 PM and was open to all students, staff, faculty, and community members.
Holiday on the Circle kicked off with remarks from Michael Sachs, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, who helped coordinate the event. The ceremony continued with opening remarks from ESU President, Marcia Welsh and ESU Student Senate President, Justin Amann.
The ESU Concert Choir performed an arrangement of holiday songs including Joy to the World, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, Deck the Halls, and Jingle Bells.
Following the performance were Hanukkah Remarks given by Rabbi Peg Kershenbaum who is from B’nai Harim in Pocono Pines.
Rabbi Baruch Melman from Temple Israel in the Poconos also spoke and performed “I Have a Little Dradle” on the violin and encouraged others to sing along. Reverend Edmund T. Freeborn from East Stroudsburg Presbyterian Church then gave the Holiday Remarks.
Reverend Freeborn spoke of different faiths coming together and how people of faith bring light into Gods world. A selection of students from The Voices of Triumph ESU Gospel Choir, which has been an ESU choir since 2004, was the last to perform for the event. Following the ESU Gospel Choir performance was the lighting of the Menorah and the Holiday Tree.
Pastor John Harding from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Smithfield Township then provided the closing prayer of peace. After the ceremony, all were invited to President Welsh’s house for refreshments.
Email Tina at:
thennessey@live.esu.edu
