THE CAMPUS August 25 - September 1, 2021 – Volume 115 Issue 1
RELIGIOUS LIFE
Hannah Campbell OCU cou�tesy photo Top, the Rev. Elizabeth Horton-Ware leads the 2021-22 academic year’s first chapel service. Above, atendees join the choir in singing a hymn during the worship service. At left, students Glenna Parr and Catherine Hurd join their voices to a hymn.
The community gathers at first chapel
Rev. Horton-Ware: ‘Our worship can help us live out our faith in active ways’ Blake Uhlig
STAFF WRITER
Before the service, the Wesley United Methodist Church hosted lunch. They offered turkey, ham, and vegetable sandwiches from Jimmy John’s to attendees. “They were good and brought us together in community,” noted Ashtyn Ball, the Chapel Pastoral Care Intern. Rev. Elizabeth Horton-Ware led the sermon with support from Jackie Guajardo and Jacob Harrell.
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The title of this week’s sermon was “Let’s do this!” The sermon was “about living out our faith in active ways, and for the chapel to be supportive in helping us live our faith,” explained Rev. Horton-Ware. The Freshman class made a record for the largest matriculation choir to sing at a chapel service. With a new semester comes new technology. The chapel has been equipped with an improved camera, video, and sound system. “We will still need some practice,
and to learn some additional skills, but this will help with our weekly live stream and special events.” said Rev. Horton-Ware. This semester, chapel is being held in-person and online. You can watch the service remotely on the Religious Life at OCU Facebook page. As a precaution against Covid19, a contact tracing system has been introduced. On every bulletin is a QR code that directs you to a Google Form to sign in for chapel. You can also
sign up for updates, submit a prayer request and express volunteer interest for the chapel via the Google Form. Upcoming events include recruitment for Kappa Phi and Delta Alpha Chi, the religious Greek Life organizations on campus, which will begin on September 7. The World Communion Celebration will be held on September 30th at 1:00 pm during normal chapel hours. The September chapel schedule
includes a sermon by Jacob Harrell, a senior Religion and English major on September 6th, and a sermon by Rev. Adam Shahan, pastor of the Wesley UMC in OKC on September 9. A sermon by Rev. Bessie Hamilton, the Associate Director of Connectional Ministries for Multi-Ethnic Initiatives at the OKUMC will follow. A sermon by Sharon Betsworth a Professor of Religion and the Director of Wimberly School of Religion will be shared Sept. 30.
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Students new and returning reconnect with campus organizations at the annual Student Involvement Fair. Despite the pandemic, OCU theatre and music programs plan a full fine arts fall. OCU men’s soccer Stars are already back on campus, back on the pitch, and back to work - and this year’s team already feels like a family, they say.