Every Thursday morning, members of the Wesleyan community gather in Austin Chapel to receive the word of God from fellow students, faculty, and chapel band members. This year’s Christian life theme “I Am” was presented in August and aims to outline the identities that Christ gives to his followers. January’s subtopic was “Loved & Beloved,” and the chapel messages during this month revolved around the unconditional love that God gives and how His love can bring peace. This January, Head of School Chris Cleveland, members of the senior girls Bible study, and chapel band performers contributed to the chapel experience to enhance the opportunities for the community to understand the extent of God’s love.
Cleveland delivered his chapel message on Jan. 15 and began by presenting statistics on the “things we experience frequently in our everyday lives that have become normal to us,” explaining how many people across the world have flown in an airplane, have a bathroom in their home, and have ridden in a car. The percentages were much lower than everyone in the crowd, and the most shocking number on the screen was $32,000, the salary that the top 1% of the world earns in one year, which is also equivalent to a year’s tuition at Wesleyan. Cleveland grew up attending a Kindergarten through twelfth grade Christian school and became naturally familiar with the concept of God’s love. Cleveland said, “With all that we have, there’s a risk that we could take for granted the love of God instead of being in awe of it.” As Cleveland has recognized throughout his own life, it’s important to be intentional and focus back to the direction of Christ amid abundance, and as that has served as an important reminder to him throughout his faith, he knew it would be a relatable and resonating concept to students.
Cleveland focused the remainder of his message on describing God’s equal and personal love for everyone. “I wanted to express to people that God can’t love you any more or any less than he does right now,” Cleveland began. “If we don’t get that right in our minds and in our hearts, it changes the way we view God and the way we view ourselves.” God’s love is merciful and unconditional in nature, and understand His boundless love positively impacts how love is demonstrated to others. Cleveland said, “Gratitude is a great antidote to complacency and taking things for granted.” Therefore, it should be a priority to acknowledge the blessings in each day and take ownership of gratitude for God’s love.
Senior Billy Gingrey joined the worship team for the first time this year as a vocal singer, and he felt called to lead the high school in worship “to deepen his faith and because worshipping God is the least we can do for all the things he does for us.” Gingrey’s involvement with chapel has taught him to be comfortable worshipping with others and has allowed him to “use a gift that was by God to serve Him and become the best version of myself.” Gingrey encourages people to step outside of their comfort zone and become involved in chapel at any capacity. Gingrey said, “Since joining chapel band, I have noticed that I pray more and feel more inclined to get into the gospel and scripture in my free time.” Getting up on stage during chapel is intimidating for anyone, but it’s important for students to lead by example in being outspoken with their faith to inspire other students in their own faith journeys.
Senior Alyssa Flood participated in chapel for the first time with the rest of the senior girls Bible study on the student panel during Chapel on Thursday, Jan. 22. Leader of the panel modern and classical languages teacher Kira McBride prompted seniors Mallory Suits, Alyssa Flood, Elizabeth Barrett, and Elle Taylor with questions about how they maintain their relationships with and love for others throughout all seasons of life. These senior girls loved sharing their perspective with the high school, but getting up on stage was nerve-racking for all of them. Flood said, “In Bible study, I have talked a lot about getting out of my comfort zone, and I knew this chapel panel was my chance to get involved.” Flood has always valued student-led chapels because when fellow students speak, students are more inclined to listen since they can provide relatable perspectives. Flood said, “Being involved in chapel even just for a day caused me to lean on God and let him bring to mind what he wanted us to say while providing the strength to go up there and speak to the community.”
Whether it’s a faculty member like Head of School Chris Cleveland or a high school student like seniors Billy Gingrey and Alyssa Flood who are delivering a message, chapel gives people an equal opportunity to encourage the community’s walk with the Lord and tell others of God’s unconditional love. Next Thursday, walk into chapel with open ears and an open heart to contemplate the message given by whoever is on stage.
