As spring heralds its arrival with warmer days and blooming flowers, Maryville College is setting the stage for an event that encapsulates the spirit of the season. The college's annual Easter Sunrise Service is slated to take place at 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 20, on the verdant Lloyd Beach. This year marks a new chapter for the event as Rev. Jessica Kitchens Lewis '07 leads the organization of the sacred gathering for the first time, according to Maryville College.
Steeped in a tradition dating back to 1918, the sunrise service remains an integral part of Maryville College's rich Christian heritage. Rev. Dr. William Patton Stevenson initiated this annual celebration of resurrection and renewal, which has since become a staple for both campus and community members. Rev. Lewis, overseeing the festivities, hopes to instill both inspiration and curiosity in attendees. Reflecting on the significance of the event, she shared with Maryville College, "I hope it will encourage them to be curious," as they listen to stories that form the cornerstone of their faith.
In keeping with this year's chapel theme of “Live Out Love,” the service aims to highlight the indelible bond between the college and the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Maryville College Center for Campus Ministry (CCM), which regularly holds chapel services every Tuesday at 1:15 p.m., lays the groundwork for fostering a community grounded in acts of love seen through others and scripture. Rev. Lewis noted to Maryville College that the Easter service is an embodiment of God's love "manifests on Earth."
The service, set against the picturesque backdrop of Lloyd Beach, is a collaborative effort that will feature music from Alex McCullough ’19 and Jordan McCullough ’18. Lewis, drawing congregants into the spirit of the day, plans to deliver a sermon entitled "Undying Love." In her conversation with Maryville College, she expressed an affection for the immersive nature of the service: "The feel of the cool breeze, the smell of the grass, the sight of the sun coming up over the mountains, and the sound of the birds singing as we lift our voices too." In organizing the event, staff members of the CCM, including Associate Chaplain Rev. Paul Earhart Brown ’15 and Interim Director of Interfaith Ministry Jamie Webster, have been integral.
Encapsulating a sense of community and spiritual reflection, the Maryville College Easter Sunrise Service welcomes all to embrace the season. Rev. Lewis reiterates the intention behind the service, hoping it serves as a safe space for togetherness and celebration for the entirety of the Maryville community. As the earth wakes from its winter slumber to celebrate life's perennial promise, this Easter tradition at Maryville College stands as an enduring testament to faith, community, and the enduring power of love.
