University Chapel Gathering emphasizes the university’s vision of being a Learning Community as faculty and staff in several departments celebrate significant achievements of students during the Spring semester.
Washington Community Scholars’ Center (WCSC)
Come to the table and hear from the WCSC Interns what’s been happening in D.C. this semester.
“The Sword of the Spirit” – Larry Friedland
Larry Friedland, EMS student, leads a meditative and experiential exploration of Ephesians 6:10-17 combining the elements of theatre and mindful movement with lectio devina and interaction with physical representations of the images from the text. This is an opportunity to engage this scriptural passage in a new and interactive way.
Larry is a visiting acting and stage combat instructor for schools and universities around the valley. He is currently on staff at Valley Dance Theatre as the Acting Instructor and technical director. His undergraduate work took place at the Florida Sate University School of Theatre, and he has worked constantly in both community and professional theatre ever since. Larry is a youth leader and deacon at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church in Fishersville, VA. He is in Training and Development for Valley Community Services Board where he works with multiple disciplines providing services to individuals experiencing mental health, intellectual, and substance abuse issues. He is a master instructor with the Blue Ridge Crisis Intervention Team, training law enforcement officers in therapeutic de-escalation techniques.
Seminary Capstone Presentation – Pauline Hoyte
Pauline Hoyte,
Church and Worship: Discerning Ministry as a “None”
Students in the seminary’s Master of Divinity program complete Capstone Integration Projects across the two semesters of their senior year. During the fall semester, they negotiate with the professors in the Formation in Missional Leadership class the design of their projects. They then complete their projects in the spring, producing a final paper and making a public presentation.
Seminary Capstone Presentation – Brittany Conley
Brittany Conley,
Jesus Deconstructor: Lord of Parable, God of Madness, King of Graffiti
Students in the seminary’s Master of Divinity program complete Capstone Integration Projects across the two semesters of their senior year. During the fall semester, they negotiate with the professors in the Formation in Missional Leadership class the design of their projects. They then complete their projects in the spring, producing a final paper and making a public presentation.
“Love One Another as I have Loved You” – Andy Miller, Jess Kraybill
Pastoral assistants (PAs) lead a final chapel on the campus ministries theme for the year, “Love One Another as I have Loved You” (John 15:1-17). Faculty members Andy Miller and Jess Kraybill offer reflections on the theme. Chapel opens with a selection by the EMU Women’s Choir and concludes with a special announcement about a call to prayer.
“The Art of Following Jesus” – Sarah Payne
Seminary student and artist Sarah Payne reflects on “The art of following Jesus,” drawing from John 21:15-23 and Matthew 16:24-28.
The entire campus community is invited to every chapel service on campus. Eastern Mennonite Seminary hosts chapel gatherings in Martin Chapel every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 11:00.
2014 C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest
Five students participated in the 2014 C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest on March 28. Each speaker applied the Christian peace position to a contemporary concern in a short speech (8-10 min):
3:50–Chris Parks, Dreaming a New America, Biblical Studies and Theater major from Philadelphia, PA
17:05–Seth Stauffer, The Danger of MCC’s own Single Story, Senior Peacebuilding and Development major from Lebanon, PA
27:40–Chris Yoder, The Scaffolding of our Existence, Senior Writing Studies major from Manheim, PA
38:25–Sara Caitlin Neubert, We’re not ugly, we just stink!, First-year Computer Science major from Fredericksburg, VA
49:22–Jordan Luther, Are Y’all Listening: An Apology, Junior Biblical Studies major from Martinsville, VA
Inside Athletics: March 28, 2014
In this week’s “Inside Athletics” podcast, Dave and James gives some thoughts on the national topic of student-athletes being classified as employees. The trickle-down ramifications of that decision seem endless, even at the D-III level. They also give some thoughts on the spring sports seasons as they continue to deal with weather issues.
Inside Athletics is a weekly podcast hosted by Director of Athletics, Dave King. The podcast offers a synopsis of what is happening in EMU athletics, but also delves deeper into how athletics at EMU shapes lives and enhances college educations by positively impacting an athlete’s understanding of self, others, and God. Sports Information Director James De Boer is a regular guest with EMU coaches and athletes making appearances as well.
Loving Self to Love Neighbor – Esther Nafziger ’12
Come reflect on how the commandment “Love your neighbor as yourself” is a call to interconnectedness and not just selflessness. Looking at the commandment as an equation, with integral parts, how have we failed to emphasize loving ourselves in order to love our neighbors?
Esther Nafziger works as an admissions counselor. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking and baking, going out to eat with her husband, and traveling. She graduated from EMU in 2012 with a BA in English, licensure in secondary education, and a minor in writing studies.