Faith Archives - Chautauqua Wawasee

Art, Education, Events, Faith, Recreation

Chautauqua Wawasee 2026 Program Schedule

Discover the Chautauqua Wawasee 2026 Program Schedule, a full year of inspiring events celebrating Arts, Education, Faith, and Recreation in the Syracuse and Lake Wawasee community. This year’s lineup blends beloved traditions with new programs designed to inform, entertain, and connect.

Highlights for 2026

The ever-popular Purdue Varsity Glee Club Performance returns on April 17, filling the spring air with music, harmony, and school spirit.

In July, our Famous Hoosier Series will feature Ralph Teetor. If you missed this film and discussion in 2024 at the Pickwick Theater, mark your calendar for July 28 when it returns to Chautauqua-Wawasee.

Our growing Arts Programs continue to expand in 2026 with hands-on workshops. Included in the lineup are Pottery, Stained Glass Mosaics, Pour Paint, and Plein Air Painting. These offerings support our ongoing goal of establishing our region as a true Artists’ Destination.

And since our Patriotic Speaker Series features a new historical figure each year, we’re especially excited to announce that George Washington will be our featured guest in 2026. His engaging reenactment will bring America’s early days to life through storytelling and character portrayal.

Returning Favorites

You’ll see the return of crowd favorites like the Pawasee Dog Parade, Taps Across the Water, Old Fashioned Christmas, and our Historic Cruises — all programs that continue to bring joy, connection, and tradition to our community year after year.

Plan Ahead

Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and make 2026 a year to remember with Chautauqua Wawasee. You can always find the most up-to-date information on all of our programs on the Chautauqua-Wawasee Facebook page. You can also check the Chautauqua-Wawasee calendar of events.

2026 Chautauqua-Wawasee Program Lineup

by CHTQAAdmin

Events, Faith, Recreation

Old Fashioned Christmas Oakwood Resort | Holiday Cheer Returns 2025

By Kip Schumm
Chautauqua-Wawasee

Old Fashioned Christmas Oakwood Resort Returns

Syracuse, IN – The Old Fashioned Christmas at Oakwood Resort is back! On Saturday, November 29, from 5:30 to 8 PM, families are invited to enjoy one of northern Indiana’s most beloved free holiday events. This evening tradition brings joy to all ages with a magical tree lighting, Santa visits, wagon rides, and festive activities.

Tree Lighting Sparks the Celebration

The evening begins at 5:30 PM with music, followed by a dazzling countdown to the lighting of the towering Christmas tree in front of the Resort at 6 PM. This signature moment sets the tone for a night filled with wonder. After the tree lighting, the grounds open, welcoming guests into a winter wonderland of holiday fun.

Visitors will meet favorites like Santa and Mrs. Claus, Buddy the Elf, Frosty, Toy Soldiers, Reindeer, and even the Grinch. Families can mingle, take photos, and enjoy holiday cheer as children wait for their visits with Santa.

Stories, Nativity, and Chapel Reflections

Follow the decorated path to listen as an elf reads The Night Before Christmas. Then pause at the Live Nativity, a moving scene that adds depth to the evening. Just beyond, step into the historic Oakwood Chapel to hear the Biblical Christmas story. This quiet space provides a moment of reflection, reminding all of the true meaning of Christmas.

Family Activities for All Ages

Guests will discover activities and treats throughout the grounds:

Horse-drawn wagon rides around the Resort
A live reindeer encounter for children and adults
Fire pits with hot chocolate, cookies, and s’mores
Games, a photo booth, and costumed carolers sharing songs

Because everything happens outdoors, the atmosphere feels nostalgic and community-centered — the perfect way to begin the holiday season.

Event Details for Old Fashioned Christmas Oakwood Resort

When: Saturday, November 29, 5:30–8 PM
Where: Oakwood Resort, Syracuse, Indiana
Cost: FREE

For more information about this event and other upcoming events, visit Chautauqua-Wawasee Events.

Dress warmly and join us at Oakwood Resort for a night of joy, wonder, and holiday cheer.

Remember, the grounds open only after the tree is lit, so arrive on time to enjoy every moment of this magical evening!
Whether you’re sipping cocoa by the fire or singing along with carolers, Old Fashioned Christmas at Oakwood Resort promises a night of joy, wonder, and community connection.

See you there!

This event has concluded. Details are retained as part of Chautauqua-Wawasee’s programming archive.

by CHTQAAdmin

Events, Faith

Join Us for a Traditional Hymn Sing

Remember a time when families would gather on Sunday evenings for a heartfelt hymns of praise service? The melodies and words filled our souls as we joyfully sang together in worship. Music and singing are essential components of faith, allowing the Word of Christ to dwell within us as we lift our voices in harmony.

A hymn is a devotional song specifically written for adoration or prayer. The word itself comes from the Greek meaning “a song of praise.” In 1524, Martin Luther wrote in the preface to the Wittenberg Hymnal, “Scripture teaches us that we are to sing praise to God. It is good and God-pleasing to sing hymns.”

We invite you to reconnect with God and others as we sing some of our most beloved hymns together. Elaine Pearson will lead the songs, accompanied by Jamie Culbertson on the piano.

Come as you are, and let’s fill the chapel with joyful voices of praise and thanksgiving on April 13th, from 5-6 p.m. at the Oakwood Chapel at Oakwood Resort.

Click HERE to view this event on our calendar.

by CHTQAAdmin

Faith, News, Recreation

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our 2024 Chautauqua Wawasee Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration Sponsors

As the 2024 Chautauqua Wawasee Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration draws near, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to the incredible sponsors who make this cherished community event possible. Their support helps bring the magic of the holiday season to life in our beautiful lakeside town, and we are so grateful for their generosity.

A big thank you to:

Bass Audiology
Beyond Landscaping, Inc.
Crossroads Bank
Dockside Gifts & Apparel
Harkless Foundation
Jasper Plastics
Jeff & Carrie Herdrich
Kiwanis Club of Wawasee
Kiyomi Japanese restaurant
Lakeland Youth Center
Leading Edge Countertops
Main Channel Marina
Myra & Howard Brembeck Foundation
Oakwood Resort
Pat’s Chicago Dogs
Sands Accounting Inc.
Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce
Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum
Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware
The Papers, Inc.
Town of Syracuse (Parks Dept)
Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation
Wawasee Boat Company
Woman of Today
WPOA

Your support, whether through financial contributions, resources, or volunteer efforts, helps create a warm and festive atmosphere that brings our community together. Thanks to your involvement, the Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration will continue to be a beloved tradition for years to come—one that families and friends of all ages can enjoy.

As we prepare for the season’s festivities, we are reminded of the power of community. You are all essential in making this event a success, and we truly couldn’t do it without you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us celebrate this magical time of year!

Wishing you all a joyful and blessed holiday season. We look forward to celebrating with you at the 2024 Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration! 🎄✨

With gratitude,
The Chautauqua Wawasee Team

by CHTQAAdmin

Events, Faith, Recreation

Experience the Magic of the Old-Fashioned Christmas!

Experience the Magic of the Old Fashioned Christmas!

Are you looking for a unique, fun-filled family activity to kick off the holiday season? Look no further than Chautauqua Wawasee’s Old-Fashioned Christmas! This beloved annual event in Syracuse is back and bigger than ever in 2024, offering even more family-friendly activities.

Highlights of the Celebration

Meet Santa and His Reindeer: Kids can enjoy a special moment with Santa and even pet his live reindeer!
Live Nativity: Experience the true meaning of Christmas with our live nativity scene.
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides: Take a cozy ride through the festive grounds.
Enjoy a special reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”: by one of Santa’s very own Elves!
Big Tree Lighting: Witness the magical lighting of our 50-foot Christmas tree, a highlight of the evening.
Reading of the Christmas Story: Join us at the historic Oakwood Chapel for a heartfelt reading of the Christmas story from the Bible, keeping Christ in Christmas.
Christmas Photo Booth: Capture the perfect family moment with our festive photo booth, complete with props and your phone’s camera.
Holiday Characters: Keep an eye out for Frosty, the Grinch, Rudolph, Buddy the Elf, the Toy Soldier, and the Gingerbread Man, who will be roaming the park for fun and photo opportunities.
Fun Holiday Games for Kids: Keep the kiddos entertained with fun games!

Event Details

When: November 30, 5:30 – 8:00 PM (Music starts at 5:30 PM- Activities start at 6 PM)
Where: Oakwood Resort,(outdoor event, so dress for the weather)-702 E. Lake View Road, Syracuse, IN
Cost: Free and open to the public!

Join us for an evening filled with joy, laughter, and holiday spirit! For updates and more details, check our Facebook page HERE. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Note: We hope for a bit of snow to enhance the festive atmosphere, but in case of severe weather, please check our Facebook page for updates.

Chautauqua Wawasee Old Fashioned Christmas

by CHTQAAdmin

Faith, News

Old Fashioned Christmas Seeking Volunteers!

Old Fashioned Christmas Seeking Volunteers

Chautauqua’s annual Old Fashioned Christmas will return bigger than ever on November 30, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

This extravagant event features Santa, 50-foot tree lighting, musical groups, caroling, live reindeer, a horse-drawn wagon ride, a family photo booth, six live characters such as Frosty, Grinch, Gingerbread Man, all done with the goal of keeping Christ in Christmas with a reading from Luke at the historic chapel, live nativity…and much more! Last
year, more than 1000 people attended this free community event! Read more about it HERE.

Sixty volunteers and performers are needed to make this event the best of its kind in all of northern Indiana.

Due to its growth in 2024, Chautauqua is looking for volunteers who want to join in the fun of putting on this community program. This year’s event starts at 5:30 with Christmas music prior to the tree lighting at 6:00 and ends at 8:00. Help is needed for decorating trees, staffing booths, welcoming guests, handing out free gifts, directing cars for parking and more.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, please contact Kip Schumm at 574-518-0678.

by CHTQAAdmin

Archive, Events, Faith

Super Star Shanna Zolman Mahaley Returns to Syracuse

Former Wawasee High School standout and WNBA player Shanna Zolman Mahaley returned to Syracuse on May 7 for two special programs at Wawasee High School.

Earlier that day, Zolman spoke to students during a school assembly. Later, at 7:00 pm, she appeared at a Chautauqua Wawasee-sponsored program in the Wawasee High School gymnasium. The evening event was free and open to the public.

From Local Star to National Recognition

During her time at Wawasee High School, the Warriors compiled a 74–19 record. At the same time, Zolman led the state in scoring all four years. She finished her high school career as an All-American, Indiana Miss Basketball, and co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game. In addition, she became Indiana’s all-time leading scorer for girls’ basketball at the time, with 3,085 career points.

She continued her success at the University of Tennessee, where she now ranks ninth in career scoring. After college, Zolman played four seasons in the WNBA with the San Antonio Silver Stars and Tulsa Shock. She averaged 7.9 points per game and shot 41 percent from three-point range. Unfortunately, two knee injuries later shortened her professional playing career.

Life Beyond Basketball

Today, Zolman lives in the Seattle area and works in ministry and mentoring through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. During her Chautauqua Wawasee program, she shared her faith journey and her work in ministry. She also explained how her basketball background continues to serve as a platform for connection.

“I’m trying to share my passion and love of Jesus,” Zolman said. “That’s what makes me click. I really enjoy speaking around the country and sharing my experiences.”

Event Details

What: An Evening with Shanna Zolman Mahaley
When: May 7, 7:00–8:00 pm
Where: Wawasee High School Gymnasium, Syracuse, Indiana
Cost: Free and open to the public

This program has concluded. Information is preserved as part of Chautauqua Wawasee’s historical programming archive.

by CHTQAAdmin

2023

Faith, Recreation

Chautauqua Wawasee Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration-2023

You are invited to Chautauqua Wawasee’s annual Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration!

This family-friendly occasion is perfect for people of all ages, including moms, dads, grandpas, grandmas, and kids. Come and see your favorite holiday characters such as Santa, the Grinch, Frosty, and more. Join us in the chapel for a reading of the Christmas story, and don’t forget to visit our live reindeer and take a family photo at our photo booth. The event will also feature caroling, musical groups, and many other activities.

The event will take place on November 25th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at Oakwood Resort in Syracuse, Indiana. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6:15 p.m., so make sure to arrive early to take part in this magical moment. The best part? This event is completely FREE!

Please note that this is an outdoor event, so make sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Stay in touch with us at www.chqw.org or visit our Facebook page. You are also welcome to give us a call at 574-377-7543 if you have any questions.

The event is jointly sponsored by the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation and the Town of Syracuse Parks Department.

WHEN: November 25th, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Tree lighting at 6:15 p.m.)

WHERE: Oakwood Resort Lawn- 702 E. Lake View Road, Syracuse Indiana

COST: FREE!

by CHTQAAdmin

Faith

Religion: Where It Came From, Where It’s Heading, and How It Continues to Change the World-Full Video

Religion: Where It Came From, Where It’s Heading, and How It Continues to Change the World

We are beyond pleased to present this three-part series led by Michael Spath D.Min., Ph.D., which explores why understanding religion is important for our faith today, as we continue to search for meaning and understanding of our place in the universe.

Michael Spath is the founder and executive director of the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace. He holds a Ph.D. in Historical Theology and a Doctor of Ministry degree in New Testament.

We sincerely hope that you enjoy it!

Should you wish to view each part of the series separately, please click one of the links below.

First video in series- April 13th, 2023- Click HERE.

Second video in series- April 20th, 2023- Click HERE.

Third video in series- April 27th, 2023- Click HERE.

***In addition to support from Chautauqua Wawasee, other participating organizations are:

College Mennonite Church, Assembly Mennonite Church, Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen College Campus Ministries,

Lifelong Learning Institute of Elkhart, and the Greencroft Communities.

by CHTQAAdmin

Faith

RELIGION: Where It Came From, Where It’s Heading, and How It Continues to Change the World

Michael Spath, DMin, PhD

This interactive three-part series explores faith, spirituality and religion – their origins, how they shape and were shaped by the environment, the development of the brain and human social patterns. Why is this important for our faith today as we continue to search for meaning and understanding of our place in the universe?

April 13, 2023 – Religion Before Adam and Eve. Between 50,000-10,000 years ago, Europe experienced an “Upper Paleolithic explosion,” the presence of religious thinking in human burial sites, cave art, and figurines. What do these primitive signs of religion tell us about what our earliest ancestors believed? What are the unconscious and conscious implications for us as people of faith today?

April 20, 2023 – The Creation of Modern Religion: Where Our Faith and Values Were Born. Between 800-200 B.C.E., modern religion was born throughout Greece, India, China, Persia and the Levant, a period scholars call the “Axial Age.” There was a revolution in human thought – a shift toward transcendence, contemplation of humanity’s place in the universe, and understanding of meaning, morality, and mortality.

April 27, 2023 – Religion Present & Future and What It Means to be Human. Is humanity on the verge of a second “Axial Age?” Because of globalism, rapid technological advancements, Artificial Intelligence, and more, we as a species are beginning to take control of our own evolution (homo evolutis). How are these developments changing us, and what are the moral implications of such advancements for our faith?

All sessions will be held from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in Jennings Auditorium, Greencroft Goshen Community Center, 1820 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen, Indiana 46527.

Michael Spath is the founder and executive director of the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace. He holds a PhD in Historical Theology and a Doctor of Ministry degree in New Testament.

In addition to support from Chautauqua Wawasee, other participating organizations are the College Mennonite Church, Assembly Mennonite Church, Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen College Campus Ministries, and the Greencroft Chaplaincy.

by CHTQAAdmin