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Evensong: Advent program a tradition in Wendelin

Story and photos by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

Seven members of Holy Cross Parish in Wendelin began going door-to-door during Advent in 1989, dressed as shepherds and singing German songs as they visited parishioners’ homes.

Their late pastor, Father David Braun, taught in Austria and brought the idea of the Kloepfen singers to the parish. Kloepfen, translates “to knock,” so, the singers knocked on doors during the evening, and brought the joy and community of Advent to their neighbors.
In that original group, Marge Kessler, said it was cold, and they traveled between farms in a caravan and were greeted with food and drink to sustain them on their journey.

It took about four years, Kessler said, to visit every one of the homes. Father Braun gave each home a special blessing during the visit.

After that, the group moved inside the church and continued to sing their songs in German and invited those gathered to join them when the songs were in English.

More than 225 people gathered at this year’s candlelight service with Scripture readings and carols.
The group has grown from its original seven members to almost 20, now with young people whose parents were in the group.

The choir processes up the main aisle of the church, lighting their candles from the Advent wreath and then sharing the light with the congregation gathered from many area communities, including Olney, Newton, some from Effingham and other communities as well.

In the early years, many of the German Americans shed tears as “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht” was sung, Kessler said.

Learning the German was a challenge and a gift. Kessler said Father Braun gave them tapes of the pronunciation, and when they practiced, he would correct their pronunciation. “We had a lot of fun practicing,” she said.

This year, the choir sang the songs with a full church, just as they have in years past.

Father Braun died in 2009, but the Kloepfen singers have decided to continue the tradition as long as they can.
They considered discontinuing but then decided they “didn’t want the busyness of the world” to stop them from their evensong.