Watch Night services are used to ring in new year

It's hard telling where the tradition came from, but this much is certain: "New Year's Eve ain't much without a church service," said the Rev. George Williams, a retired Baptist pastor.

The tradition is best known as Watch Night to members of black churches in Augusta and across the country.

Late Thursday night, congregations will gather to worship into the New Year.

"It's a spiritual time," the Rev. Williams said. "We talk about where we're from, where we are and where we're going. There are songs, prayer, lots of prayer. We go on and on until 12:01."

Then, he said, "We eat breakfast. It makes for quite a night."

Watch Night is a well-established tradition, but the history of the observance isn't clear.

The earliest observances date to 1755, with services organized by John Wesley, the clergyman whose teachings established Methodism. Although modified, similar services are still held in Methodist churches today as Covenant Renewal Services.

One explanation for the service's prominence in black churches involves the emancipation of slaves.

President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in September 1862, but the document was to take effect Jan. 1. The Watch Night service that year, then, took on a new dimension.

"Ministers usually bring a message about where Watch Night began. It's a message from yesteryear, brought up to date," said the Rev. Williams, who will attend a Watch Night at Franklin Covenant Baptist Church, where James Strowbridge is pastor.

Services at New Life Worship Center, where the Rev. Claude Harris is pastor, include plenty of songs.

"It's good preaching, good singing," the Rev. Harris said. "All are invited to bring in the New Year. It's a chance to get things started off right."

Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552 or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.