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“Ring by Spring,” “Fourth-Year Freak Out,” “Senior Panic.” You may have heard these common sayings around TWU concerning the fulfilment of Trinity’s true mission statement which strongly resembles that of a shoe factory’s: “To mend our souls and send us out in pairs.” Does anyone even know what happens to those of us who graduate without an engagement? Apparently we cease to exist. I recently checked out an online update of what Trinity alumni are up to and I noticed that all of them are either getting married or accomplishing something significant with their spouse. The single persons are nowhere to be found. So, they have either vanished without a trace or they’re just too embarrassed to write in, due to their lack of a significant other. It is this fear of ceasing to exist upon graduating spouseless (or the desire to flaunt your superior coupled status in the face of those less fortunate) that should bring you to Freedom Hall in mid-February. There you will see Jessica (Holly Pillsbury) and Ryan (Tony Stopperan) sort out the many Christian dating clichés and how they are applicable to all of us. The Ristretto Proposal will have you laughing until your sides split, with a feel-good buzz to rival that triple espresso. After kissing dating each other goodbye through a messy break-up involving note-passing in university, Jessica and Ryan find themselves sitting in a coffee shop years later, reading the success stories of their university’s poster couples in the alumni magazine. In an effort to get their update in the magazine, the dare of sending in an announcement that they got engaged presents itself. Having been friends for years, and having already dated back in school, they decide to take the dare a step further by actually getting engaged. Of course, it doesn’t turn out to be the fairytale engagement they had hoped for. Between advances from a cute, single coffee shop boy (John Voth) and an intervention-esque scolding from their married friends (Alecia Braun and Joshua McFaul), Jess and Ryan have to work to find that special blend of friendship, passion, and love. So if you’ve ever had one of those, “we-stayed-up-until-four-inthe- morningtalking-about-life-artand- truth” moments, or if you’ve given/received the “I need some time with God” break-up line, you’ll walk away from this glimpse into the dating world a little less fearful of the spontaneous combustion that occurs upon graduating single.
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February 8, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Okay, I’ll be the first to admit that television is a systematic, self-serving corporate monster that regards me and everyone I care about as nothing more than a fickle and frustrating commodity; while allowing the most irreverent sounds and images society has to offer to be sluiced through a black lens across my living room floor and into my warm, supple brain. Still, I seem to recall someone at some point saying, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor.” If you ever feel that the only solution to the societal malady television has inflicted on western culture is to avoid the medium altogether, dwell on these two truths. First, television, in some form, will long outlast you and everyone you’ve ever known, and secondly, as Christians we are called to maintain proper stewardship over all of God’s creation, not excluding the frenzied, incandescent empire of television. All too often, I observe intelligent Christians scrambling to denounce television like passengers of a doomed ocean liner, boarding its life rafts in an attempt to get as far away from the disaster as possible. Though both television and shipwrecks arguably suffer from progressive decline, the difference between them is that television will not one day submerge beneath a watery abyss. For better or worse, it is going to be around for a very, very long time. There is no sense in resisting television’s ubiquity; it will win by attrition. Though refusing access of the mediated droning of television’s all-seeing eye into your home is a noble endeavor, you will become the extreme minority and will have that
much less in common with the culture around you. Furthermore, you shouldn’t expect anyone to imitate your example of television abstinence. No matter how strong your convictions, when you drive home tonight, the windows of your neighborhood will be blue with the glow of the next American Idol or housewives getting more and more desperate. The condition of being in the world, but not of it is no doubt tricky. Nevertheless, asserting that television is a worldly vice beyond redemption tempts the gnostic separation of Christ and culture. Being the bright-eyed, idealistic Communications major that I am, I can’t help but think that there may be some better solution to this issue than the unforgiving rejection of the controversial medium. On the other hand, the majority of Christian programming, being the opposite extreme,
is also an inadequate response. The unfortunate tendency for believers to misconstrue the Great Commission makes Christian television mercilessly evangelistic at the expense of its own quality. In the world of media, I believe that the most blatant witness is often the least effective. Whether you choose to be part of the television industry or just an occasional viewer, your involvement is invaluable. The world so desperately needs Christians who know what good television looks like – morally, aesthetically, artistically, and so forth. Television programming is thirsty for believers with a critical eye for its redemptive qualities and the boldness to bring glory to God amidst the “coarse subject matter” of what is perhaps the most public of media. As you read this, there are countless stories being broadcasted above your head that display relevant godly themes, whether intentional or not. It takes an intelligent person of faith to discern those themes and perhaps, with a little ambition, replicate them in his or her own story to be set adrift in the incessant and inescapable electromagnetic current streaming noiselessly through the atmosphere.
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February 8, 2006 | Leave a Comment
For over forty years, the chapel has stood as the representative building of Trinity Western University. However, in the fall of 2004, it was forced into closure due to a harmful accumulation of mould that affected certain students and faculty members. Shortly after the incident, it was decided that the chapel should be demolished so as to negate the possibility of any further health risks, though many people feel that tearing down the structure would be comparable to tearing out the heart of TWU itself. For many students who have spent the happiest years of their lives at Trinity, the question is simple: what must be done to save the chapel? To further appreciate the importance of the chapel, we need to begin to understand why it was created and what it represents. In 1962, it was decided that as the first building erected at Trinity, the chapel would need to be situated in the most appropriate location on campus to serve the students as intended. Some felt that it should stand prominently in the entrance to the university grounds, but upon much deliberation the founders of TWU (then Trinity Junior College) unwaveringly determined that it would be placed in a more central location; a haven in the midst of the world around it. The design of the chapel was also deliberate. The rooflines were fashioned to arc upward, evoking a sense of praise and worship. Benno Friesen, a founding faculty member of Trinity, spoke on behalf of the TWU Alumni Association, stating that the “design [of the chapel] captures exactly what the founders, student bodies, and faculty members desired when they came to worship there.” The Calvin B. Hanson chapel was named after the Trinity’s first president, though not until 1980, roughly a decade after the torch was passed to Dr. Neil Snider. The Alumni Association, who are passionate about restoring the chapel to its former glory, are shocked at the Board of Governors’ plan to dismantle the building. “The founding president is still with us and is now forced to stand on the sidelines and watch what was meant to honour him now become the centre of dishonour.” The Alumni Association has offered a proposal to the Board as per several alternatives to the destruction of the chapel. (See below) The only stipulations the Alumni Association requests are: that the original structural design not be modified, that the building remain in a central location, and that the aesthetic atmosphere of the building remain one of reverence. Should the Board decide to restore the chapel and / or accept any of the aforementioned proposals, the TWU Alumni Association (coupled with the Pillar Alumni Association) would be responsible for raising the total sum necessary to recondition the building to its mandatory level of safety.
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February 7, 2006 | 1 Comment
The Social Dance Policy hit campus this spring semester, sparking dance classes and a flurry of opinions. While the amendment to the Responsibilities of Membership was announced last semester, the changes were not implemented until January. If Trinity Western students want to dance, they will have to do it right. The new policy begins by stating that all dancing done at TWU is to be “conducted in the spirit and ethos of Trinity Western University,” and “be kept modest, wholesome, and fun.” In order to ensure that all social dances be kept according to these requirements, all events that involve dancing must be submitted through the Event Approval and Room Booking Process at least three weeks in advance for review. The music and dance moves will be monitored as well, in order to keep them in line with the university’s mission and community standards. Inappropriate dancing, “including, but not limited to, dance moves that mimic sexual activities, grinding, or obscene body gestures,” is prohibited. The policy also sets regulations in place for the music played at dances, saying, “All music must be free of profanity, sexually suggestive lyrics, references to alcohol, drugs, or any illegal substances, vulgarity and must respect the responsibilities of membership of TWU.” Although this change may stir up the campus, it is still on probation. The first six events will be assessed to make sure they are in line with the social and educational goals of the University. As the policy states, “The process is a learning process.” The effects of the new policy were seen immediately, as two new dance classes sprang up this January. A swing club, led by student Emily Elzea and alumnus Dan Funk, began meeting on Monday nights, while a Latin dance class with instructor Brittany Smith started on Thursdays. The dream of beginning the swing club began when Elzea, a dancer for four years, transferred to TWU last year. “I was frustrated because of the no dancing policy, so I contacted TWUSA to try and start one last semester,” Elzea said. When the announcement came that the policy would be changing, Elzea worked with Rec Services to get the club in place. She sees the club as a great opportunity for guys and girls to get together in a fun and laid-back environment. “Swing dancing is the most fun and wholesome opportunity to have at this age,” she said. While the majority of the campus seems to approve of the changes, there are still a number of people at TWU who are wary of the new policy. Some students feel that the no dancing policy helped TWU stay different. “It’s not that dancing is wrong; it was just a tangible thing that set Trinity apart,” explained one student, “I came to Trinity because it was different.” However, numbers indicate that Trinity was ready for the change. Over 70 people attended the first swing dance lesson, and over 35 came to the Latin class. Swing lessons meet in Robson lounge on every Monday from 8- 9pm. Latin dance class meets at the same place on Thursdays at 7pm. For further information on the new dance policy see: http://www.twu.ca/studenthandbook/dance.aspx
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