When school started in August, most students began to perceive their social lives as “over” or “done for.” Music Midtown, however, is the last opportunity for fun before the full stress of the school year kicks in and social lives are concluded while obtaining a trendy façade.
The countdown to homecoming has already begun, and this year’s theme is Ancient Civilizations: A Celebration for the Ages.
During Homecoming week, students dress up for different themes each day, and Friday is focused on the Ancient Era. Each grade has a different theme all contributing to the big picture of Ancient Civilizations. On Friday, seniors will become ancient figures and rulers, juniors will transform into the structures and ancient artifacts, sophomores will be the building blocks of society and freshmen will take on the end of an era.
Every year, Director of Christian Life Greg Lisson focuses on one central Christian life theme for Wesleyan to analyze, interpret and fully explore in order to better understand and live out daily. This focus helps Wesleyan as a community keep its central mission of a Christian atmosphere continually in view.
This year, the theme is ONE: Unity and Uniqueness. Every month, one aspect of the theme is broken down and examined by the middle and high school chapel speakers. Aug. 17 was the first chapel of the year in which Lisson introduced the theme to the school community.
He started off his sermon explaining why the theme was chosen. Lisson said, “In John 17, Jesus prays for all of His future followers, ‘that they would be ONE’ just as He and the Father are one. He prays that all Christians would be ‘brought to complete unity.’ It was incredibly important to Jesus that we, His followers, be unified.” Keep Reading
Just weeks after the 2016-2017 school year ended, the South Africa Mission team, led by Elizabeth Ables, Whitney Panetta, Greg Lisson, Andrea Shupert and Emily Zavitz, embarked on their 15-hour-journey across the Atlantic Ocean to Johannesburg, South Africa. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the welcoming staff of Godfirst City Church, their host for the week. After a long bus ride to Hoopoe Haven, a local bed and breakfast where the team stayed throughout the week, they unpacked and settled in. Jet-lagged yet excited, the team was ready to serve.
From day one, the team was put to work making maternity packs with the Grace Project, writing encouraging notes and packaging supplies for mothers who might not have anything. The following day, the team visited the township, Zandspruit, and partnered with Impact Africa, participating in door-to-door evangelism throughout the town. In South Africa, townships are informal settlements consisting mostly of shacks without running water, plumbing or any of the basic American amenities we take for granted. For many students, this experience was the most powerful of the entire trip.
As the summer comes to an end and school begins, the Freshman Retreat is an annual tradition that brings all the rising freshmen together to celebrate the beginning of their high school career. This year, the Freshman Retreat was held at Carolina Point Young Life Camp where the students went to church sessions, played fun games and swam.
Peer leaders bonded with their freshmen groups and grew closer as a peer “family.” This year, there are 26 peer leaders, making 13 couples, which are comprised of all seniors. Each couple mentors and spends time with a group of nine to ten freshmen throughout the year. The peer leaders had opportunities to be with their groups through games, group devotion time and meals throughout the retreat. Keep Reading
