Southern Folk Advent

As Christmas approaches, Georgia is host to a unique worship service based on native materials: Southern Folk Advent uses folk hymns from the historic Sacred Harp tunebook, compiled in Georgia in 1844. These hymns arose from the life experience of poor folk struggling to survive in the early 19th century South. Their haunting music embodies the struggles and dreams of generations singing and praying for the coming of Christ.

Southern Folk Advent utilizes Sacred Harp tunes as a structure through which preacher John Hayes will weave brief folk-style sermons. The Meridian Chorale will sing some folk tunes in original arrangements, and the congregation will sing others, both a cappella and with folk instrumental accompaniment. The service will be introduced with a set of bluegrass/Gospel music led by the Sonny Houston band.

John Hayes, a native of Alabama, speaks from a deep appreciation of this region and its folk traditions.

Professor of Old Testament at Emory’s Candler School of Theology, Dr. Hayes is a renowned scholar and a strong speaker with incisive wit. For more information on John Hayes visit candler.emory.edu/ACADEMIC/FACULTY/faculty_hayes.

Steven Darsey will lead the music. His Georgia heritage and graduate work on the Sacred Harp have engendered a deep love for this music and the people from whom it sprang. For more information on Mr. Darsey, visit .meridianherald.org/meridianherald/stevenfoarddarsey.

There will be two presentations of a Southern Folk Advent: December 3, 8 p.m. and December 4, 10:30 a.m. The services will be presented in historic Oxford, Georgia, in Old Church, near the campus of Oxford College of Emory University. Oxford is located 38 miles east of Atlanta, out I-20 to exit 90. There is no admission charge and no tickets are required. A free-will offering will be taken. Seating will be first-come, first-served.

Meridian Herald exits to promote the interaction of worship, music and culture, bridging communities and traditions of the past and present. Through worship services, concerts, programs, and publications of exceptional quality and artistic character, Meridian Herald seeks to challenge the church and society to higher ideals of creativity and moral purpose. Meridian Herald's unique worship services, science and theology programs, lectures, storytelling events, commissioned music, and historical documentaries, address contemporary society's need for imagination and spiritual depth, while emphasizing the indigenous traditions of the South. Established in 1997, Meridian Herald has distinguished itself as a creative force in the cultural life of Atlanta and the Southeast.