Song and sweets: Celebrate a lovefeast

Chaska Moravians will celebrate a long tradition of food and song Sunday as they open their doors to host a lovefeast in honor of their 150th anniversary in Chaska.

It may be a strange name, but a lovefeast is an age-old tradition celebrating the power of the Holy Spirit. As Chaska Moravian Church Pastor Michael Eder explains it, the lovefeast came to be in 1727 during “a challenging time in the Moravian community.”

“There was a lot of bickering and fighting,” he said.

But during Holy Communion on Aug. 13, participants experienced an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. “It was a spiritual awakening,” said Eder. “Somehow things got better.”

Afraid that it would all end when they left the church, the Moravians stayed put.

“No one wanted to go home,” said Eder. “So they kept talking, praying and singing. It went on into the afternoon.”

Word of their experience spread and a count sent them food from his manor house so that they could continue their spiritual fellowship. The tradition of the lovefeast was begun.

“It’s mostly about singing and having food in church,” said Eder, who noted that it is not a sacred meal. “It’s where we really celebrate our Moravian heritage.”

Eder has only participated in one lovefeast before but said it was powerful and fun.

“I enjoyed it,” he said.

He hopes others will have a similar experience. The Chaska Moravian Church, in addition to combining forces with the Lake Auburn Moravian Church for the event, has also invited Moravians from around Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. The public is also welcome to attend.

Moravian hymns will be sung and traditional Moravian sugar cake will be consumed. Eder is working to assemble a brass band and mass choir for the event. He is especially looking forward to the moment when the choir and the congregation serenade one another.

“The choir will sing their anthem while the people are being served,” he said. “And then the congregation will sing a hymn to the choir while they are being served.”

A light meal and fellowship will follow the event.

“It’s all about the story,” said Eder. “The story is being written every day. Hopefully, we can add some interesting anecdotes to it.”

-Mollee Francisco, staff writer

Lovefeast 

What: Moravian tradition celebrating a meal shared amidst song and worship in the early church

When: 4 p.m. Sunday, April 13

Where: Chaska Moravian Church, 115 E. Fourth St.

Who: Moravians from Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin have been invited. Also open to the public.

Info: Call (952) 448-4000 or visit www.chaskamoravian.org