This semester, three different organizations will host student-led chapels during the month of April. Student Government Association, Greek Life and the Honors Community have all been asked to lead.
University Ministries is excited about the idea of starting up student-led chapel again, a format that had been used in the past but died out.
“When we were in our brainstorming and praying about chapel this spring we talked about it,” said Dan Lancaster, assistant vice president of university ministries. “Everyone thought it was a really good idea.”
The implementation of student-led chapels was intended to foster unity in Union’s spiritual life.
“The main goal is to build an even deeper sense of community,” Lancaster said. “I think one of the ways you do that is giving different groups in the community an opportunity to participate and lead and make a chapel their own.”
University Ministries desires to remain hands-off in planning student led chapels. Though willing to give any help necessary, their desire is that each chapel fully represents the organization leading it.
SGA will lead chapel April 8. Eugene Brandt of Fellowship Bible Church will be the main speaker.
The desire of SGA was to build a stronger bond between Union and the Jackson community.
“Eugene and Fellowship are a significant part of our community, and we are excited to have him on campus and to address our student body,” said Anna Goodman, senior class president and communication studies major.
Greek Life will lead chapel April 20. Chaplains from each Greek organization have collaborated to plan the service. The chapel will center around a panel composed of six Greek alumni from Union.
The panel members won’t be discussing Greek Life, however, but will focus on two main points: the unity of the body of Christ at Union and the integration of Union’s core values in daily life.
“With the diversity of experiences with the panel, we believe that we’ll receive lots of good wisdom and hear some funny stories,” said Ben Melton, junior cell and molecular biology major.
The Honors Community will host chapel April 27.
“Next semester we will have some other organizations,” Lancaster said. “We want to give students the opportunity to share their gifts and abilities.”
