By Mia Romero | A special aspect of Howard Payne is the weekly chapel sessions held in Mims Auditorium. Chapel gives students, and faculty alike, a designated break during the week to come together for praise and worship.
This semester is even more special due to the positive changes chapel has gone through since the prior school year.
“They held virtual chapels that people could attend, but it just wasn’t the same,” said kinesiology major Austin Hall.
“When we were allowed to attend in person again we still had to sit one seat apart from each other,” Hall stated.
The chance to attend in person, and side by side as one community, is a refreshing change to the students.
The Heritage Chapel Band is another factor that makes attending chapel on Wednesday mornings so lively. Experiencing live music to sing along with creates an atmosphere that people love to get to be a part of.
“It’s a nice period during the week and in between classes to just take a break both mentally and from school to play music and have a designated time to be free to just worship,” said bass player Christopher Ewen.
“We have rehearsals during our class period with Dr. Rosborough on Mondays. I love performing for the students, but it’s not the most important thing. Being there together to praise God and taking that hour to only think of him is the thing I love most about chapel,” Ewen explained.
Along with the students and staff all being back together, chapel has also gone through some physical updates as well. A new screen and sound system have been installed to Mims Auditorium and with it, a whole new level of excitement for students, faculty and staff.
When asked about the new additions and how it has affected their experience in chapel, students only had positive things to say.
“I think the new setup is pretty cool. I’ve honestly enjoyed attending chapel much more just because I can hear better and the screen provides an even better experience with the visuals,” education major, Hunter Hallum, explained.
Not only has this enhanced the energy of chapel, but the new additions have also helped students with vision impairments as well.
“To be honest I don’t have the best vision, so having the screen there is super helpful so I can see the lyrics to the songs. Not to mention the visuals are always really pretty to watch,” said biology major, Ashley Schimmel.
The combination of the new additions to the building itself and the COVID 19 restrictions lifted to allow the student body to attend chapel in person has made this semester one to remember.
After the many obstacles presented by COVID in the previous year, the new and rejuvenated atmosphere of chapel is one that many students, faculty, and staff are grateful for. It truly provides a setting to escape, let go of stress and worries, and worship God in a safe place.