Infinite Space Spring 2022 Edition: Out of the Darkness | High Point University

O U T

O F

T H E

SPRING 2022

D A R K N E S S

|

VOLUME 6

CO NT EN TS

1

Pastoral Note

2

Editor's Notes

3

Out of Darkness

4

Midweek Blessings

6

In the Silence

8

Solo Traveler

9

Word Clouds

11

Dynasty

12

Madison

13

Interfaith United

15

Badi Ali

16

Pilgrimage

17

Photography

19

The Nightlight

24

Holy Ground

26

Light in the Darkness

28

Hillel

29

A Prayer for Peace

33

The In-Between

34

Board of Stewards

35

Examen

36

Guided Yoga

37

Lightness of a Child

38

I Empower You

40

The Interconnected Us

Editor | Olivia Lender Advisor | Jeri Rowe Advisor | Preston Davis Designer | Hillary Geary

CONTRIBUTORS Pallyanna Borello Millie Bowman Sophie Carter Kamryan Collis Preston Davis Ann Claire Edwards Amy Epstein Farrelle Franks Cynthia-Mae Hunt Blake Freeman Olivia Lender Macy McFerren Madison McFerren Ryan Mijumbi Alon Parker Angela Parks Jeri Rowe Xuan Rui Nahed Eltantawy Benita VanWinkle Andria Williamson

CR EA TO RS

Today, we may take it for granted that our education is about job preparedness, about formation for the work force. Education is expensive, and it better pay off. Yet what is it to gain a job and still have a groaning soul? What is it to get exactly what you want and still have that gnawing on the inside? Could that gnawing be a gift more than a burden? This chaplain thinks so.

Welcome to Infinite Space. Let me explain further the musings above. The theme of this edition, "out of darkness," is indeed what education means on a spiritual and symbolic level. Our education systems, practices, values are based on the Enlightenment, which literally means "to remove the dimness or blindness." Education is the maturation process to bring oneself and others out of the dark and into the light. Education can indeed equip us for the workplace, but only because it first is about the maturation of the whole person—a person who is learning, dreaming, mastering, failing, and then relearning again and again how to move out of darkness. It's not just about making resilient people.

That's worthy. It's about building conscious, humble yet confident, spiritually and culturally curious, even repentant people who know the light does not begin and end with them.

As scripture tells us though, "the light shines in the darkness, but..." and one translation reads "the darkness shall not overcome it." That's good. That means there is hope. Another translation reads, "and the darkness did not understand it" (John 1:5). That's even better. It means the light is peculiar in a good way, transformative even. Those who live in darkness may not understand those who are attending to the light within. Those attending to the light are misunderstood. Those seeking to go by the narrow rather than the broad path (Mt. 7:13) may not be walking to the beat of their own drum. They may be attending to the fire within that comes not from them but from the light at beginning of all things. "And God said, 'Let there be light.'" (Genesis 1:3). Why would we stand in the way of what God would let happen within us? Even in your education, “let you light shine before others” (Mt. 5:15). Come out of darkness.

Enjoy this edition of Infinite Space, which introduces you to people, groups, and places attending to and spreading the light. May you see them wrestling with coming out of the darkness. May you join their ranks.

God bless you, keep you, and enlighten you, Rev. Dr. Preston Davis Minister to the University

That gnawing on the inside? It may be more a burning. It may just be the light trying to break forth within us. It knows when we are becoming trapped. It knows when we are living halfhearted lives that are defined too much by self-protection rather than selfgiving. The light knows when we are lingering in the darkness too long.

PASTORAL

Rev. Dr. Preston Davis Minister to the University

EDITOR'S

NOTES Olivia Lender

With COVID-19 being a prominent concern since 2020, we sought to reflect on that in this year’s edition of Infinite Space. However, we are not in those dark times. Instead, we are coming out of those times.

Therefore, we decided on the theme “Out of Darkness” to encapsulate this turning point in time.

Throughout the school year, I have worked to portray the stories of individuals who have found ways to come out of their own darkness. Some of them I wrote about myself. Other people who wrote for Infinite Space, were individuals who I met casually around campus in several ways such as attending weekly relaxation yoga classes at the HPU REC Center.

This experience has led me to discover the passions and hobbies that members of my community have.

Most importantly, they did not let the darkness take over them. Instead, these individuals found a way to flourish and expand their growth during such a time.

And as editor, I invite you to read about their journeys.

May their stories help you grow, too.

2

By Angela M. Parks

Out of Darkness one must climb to reach the top of hope and never look back Out of Darkness one must emerge so in that sunken place you can no longer be found Out of Darkness one must arise so that those below can have something to hold on to Out of Darkness one must triumph for there is no victory in defeat Out of Darkness there is no mystery to your full potential for it was never hidden to begin with Out of Darkness one must speak because change cannot be made evident in silence Out of Darkness one must breathe there has been enough premature death on the horizon and its time to start living Out of Darkness one must stand free so the chains of bondage, fear and failure can be obsolete Out of Darkness you have been called to such a marvelous light Out of Darkness your light radiates this earth Out of Darkness you were born to conquer Out of Darkness your salt was formed Out of Darkness greatness evolved Out of Darkness lies dispelled Out of Darkness a new you surfaced Out of Darkness transformation has now begun

3

November 11, 2021 Gracious God, The unchanging Love inside the changing seasons, May the change in seasons, from summer to autumn to winter remind us there is a time for every purpose under heaven.

Move us from one time to the next: From a time of mourning to a time of rejoicing.

From a time of weeping to a time of dancing.

From a time of casting stones to a time of embracing.

From a time of hate to a time of empathy.

From a time of silence to a time to speaking.

And from a time of sewing to a time of reaping.

And if the times should be reversed, May your grace carry us from one season to the next.

Amen.

March 23, 2022 God of expanding grace, We pray for peace, and you give us the opportunity to make peace.

We pray for patience, and you give the chance to practice patience with each other.

We pray for endurance, and you give us races to run to find our pace.

We pray for courage, and your spirit is with us to rise to the occasion even as our knees knock with fear.

Gracious God, We pray we grow with each chance you give to live into our calling.

Amen.

February 16, 2022 God who calls us deeper, Remind me if I speak and awe others, but have not love, I'm nothing but a noisy gong and a loud but empty drum.

If I have vision to see all things and knowledge to one-up anyone, but have not love, I really have nothing.

If I give all that I have away to earn your and other's affection, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Shock our hearts.

Awaken us to move with your endless love, Which gives us everything we ever needed.

Amen.

Preston's

Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

MIDWEEK BLESSINGS

March 9, 2022 God of Peace, How do we begin to pray when the world is breaking, when lives are bombarded, when towns are rolled over by tanks?

And a voice said: With the same stubborn faith of those who have gone before you.

May we beat swords into ploughshares, and bend spears into pruning hooks.

May the prince of peace guide our prayers and our paths.

Amen

IN THE

I have always been a self-dependent person. I tend to handle matters personally and I’m not too proud to admit that at times I overestimate my own limits. With that in mind my relationship with God has been one of give and take, and at times it has felt like a game of tug of war. I give just a little bit away to him but not too much that I can’t take it all back if it gets too uncomfortable, too vulnerable.

To make matters worse, I hadn’t even realized that I was in this never-ending battle. That’sthe thing about being in darkness, eventually your eyes adjust, and you forget that at once, it was hard to see. I have always suffered from anxiety. It is hard being a person who prefers to be in control and yet I am at times a slave to my own body. Growing up I came from a strong Baptist family of confident people who were always so sure and secure in their faith. I wasn’t supposed to struggle with my faith and with surrendering to God. I felt hopeless that I would never feel normal or see a way out. It wasn’t until I was having Bible study with a co-worker that a whole life’s worth of confusion finally clicked for me. I was telling my co-worker about struggles I was having with my faith, and I kept repeating the same phrase“I’m working on it,” “I haven’t overcome that sin yet, but I’m working on it,” “I haven’t softened my heart to this person yet, but I’m working on it.”

Finally, he interrupted me and said something I will never forget. He said “ Kamryan, I hear you saying you’ll work on it a lot, but have you ever thought about letting God work on it for you? “That sentence stopped me dead in my tracks.

Before then, I had always thought of growth with God as anoffering or a gift basket. For example, you recognize your problem, work on it intrinsically, and then give it all to God in a neat little bow for approval. Never to be dealt with again, from that point on you would be freed in him. Not once had I thought of arriving at his feet a complete and utter mess.

That talk propelled my faith immensely. That same week I prayed for the lord to break me. It was a scary prayer, but I felt like it was necessary, because I wanted to see personal growth within my spirit.I asked him to simply use me and take me anywhere, because anything was better than dealing with all my stress and anxiety and the weight of my salvation on my shoulders alone. I proceeded to have the worst week of my life. Everything became out of my control, and I still reached for the reigns of my own life even after I had surrendered to God.

One night, I turned to scripture, and I found the verses Matthew 11:28-30 which says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yolk is easy and my burden is light.” I immediately broke down and cried the happiest tears, that verse spoke so deeply to me that I knew I was meant to read it at that moment. I felt like I could exhale for the first time in my life because I knew God would always be there to catch me.

Since then, life has changed so much for me. I moved to college where I now live with people, I had no clue existed this time last year but have become very near to my heart. I will admit in the beginning it was difficult, I had never had to be around people who didn’t think and believe everything Idid.

After my first month here at High Point I was walking around campus just getting my thoughts together. I wanted to call someone and try todistract myself and shake this feeling I was having; however, I knew I just needed to sit and rest in it. As I walked down the promenade, I realized that I was standing outside the chapel. I thought the doors would be locked, so I didn’t attempt going in. Instead, I just sat outside on a bench. It was midnight, and I was alone with nothing but my thoughts. The fountains had just shut off leaving only the light sound of nearby crickets. It was in that silence that I felt God. I closed my eyes, and I just spoke to him. I let him know that I was scared and that I couldn’t promise perfection in the coming months as I navigated this new life, even though I knew he would never ask that of me. I prayed that I would always try, and that he would grant me strength.

Whenever I have felt broken God has always been there to comfort me. No matter how far away I strayed he would always be waiting there with loving arms. It is his boundless love that will always pull me out of darkness. Whenever I am feeling lost or if ever, I forget what his voice sounds like, I try to think back to those moments. In the silence, where it was just me and him and it always lets my heart know that everything will be okay.

By Kamryan Collis

6

TR AV EL ER

“I used to dream of saving up for a Ferrari or Mercedes.”

That’s what he said to himself until he started traveling.

That is the life of Blake Freeman.

Within the past year, Blake has travelled to 17 different countries.

Blake transferred to High Point University as a junior in fall 2021. Knowing nobody, he wanted to find a likeminded group of individuals and immediately joined Hillel.

By the second semester of the school year, he was selected as the treasurer of Hillel.

Hillel has allowed Blake to see High Point University from a Jewish lens, as well as enable non-Jewish students to understand what the Jewish culture is about.

Bosnia.

Portugal.

Blake has taken two trips to Israel throughout his life.

He enjoys being in Israel because he does not feel as though he is marginalized for being Jewish.

and Sweden.

Just to name a few.

It all started when he was on a three-month tour in Thailand during a gap year after his sophomore year at the University of Maryland.

Instead of heading home, he wanted to go to Croatia.

So, he did.

This was the start of the solo traveler’s worldwide adventure.

Blake grew up as a reformed Jew in Georgia and North Carolina. Even though he sat in temple during high holiday services, the most holy days of the year, and was a Bar Mitzvah, he interpreted the religious rites not just through the Torah but also his own pair of glasses.

For instance, instead of fasting on Yom Kippur, the holy day of atonement, solely for religious purposes, he also fasts for personal measures of will as well.

Through this experience, he learns lessons such as to be less greedy by being thankful for the food he has access to daily.

Judaism has culturally allowed Blake to find likeminded people. Growing up, he was a participant in various Jewish youth groups such as B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO), in which he served as the president of the Raliegh chapter. In this position, Blake recruited new members, planned activities, and even planned a trip to Cuba to restore a desecrated Jewish cemetery.

While being in Israel, he had the opportunity to visit the Jerusalem Street Market, where Arab and Israeli vendors worked side by side with one another. This is when he realized that the US has all these preconceived notions about the countries that boarder Israel. When in reality, “the only border is the one we carve.”

Throughout the world, Blake has found commonalities with other travelers in the countries he was visiting.

Though he found similarities between others from Africa and Australia, he also had an intriguing conversation with an individual from Russia and discovered common viewpoints about government and society.

“We think people are their governments as opposed to looking at them as individuals,” Blake says, “and for who they are.”

Travelling has opened Blake’s eyes to other people and places allowing him to experience the world in a way the average individual would not.

In his continued pursuit to experience the world around him, Blake will be traveling to his 28th & 29th countries in May being Peru and Ecuador.

He hopes to travel to every country in the world someday.

For now, he takes life each day at a time. And he is in no rush whatsoever.

8

Chapel, Interfaith United, and Hillel compared beliefs on what God (Chapel), Faith (Interfaith United), or Community (Hillel) meant to them.

Here is what they wrote:

9

WORD

CLOUDS

As Xuan Rui was preparing for an English competition for Chinese Central Broadcasting, she wanted a name that stood out.

Being the history buff she is, Xuan randomly selected her to-be name from a textbook.

Her singing was so phenomenal that she was hired by a television broadcasting agency and pursued singing and acting. However, when the most challenging middle school in her province accepted her, she felt it compromised her young career.

Though Dynasty’s father would take her to worship temples growing up, he did not consider himself to be religious and neither did she.

She chose Dynasty.

Her name represents different turning points in time.

Dynasty is inspired by new experiences. After visiting San Francisco on a choir trip, she was determined to move to the U.S. for high school.

She later moved to North Carolina by herself, lived with a host family, and began attending Westchester Country Day School in High Point.

When she was an eleventh grader, she stumbled upon “Daily Motivation” from Dr. Nido Qubein.

This is when she Dynasty knew she wanted to someday attend High Point University.

“Choose to be Extraordinary, Dynasty said. “Sounds silly, but I personally believe one should be strong enough and willing to conquer their own fate. I am a privileged individual; life is about making choices that can lead to a desired result.”

Dynasty did not experience the typical childhood for a young girl living in China.

But when she was in eleventh grade, visiting China over the summer, she met a Buddhist monk who led a summer course in medical science that Dynasty was enrolled in.

Dynasty and the monk traveled to various cities in China, and she eventually became his apprentice.

Before you know it, Dynasty classified herself as a Chan Buddhist, a branch of Buddhism that focuses on meditation in the current life.

As a practice, Dynasty journals about the good and bad that occurred during her day. She also writes scripture and calligraphy while inhaling the aromas of her incense.

Dynasty enjoys learning about different religions and traditions. She has visited Shinto shrines, mosques, Buddhist temples, and Tao temples. But she believes you don’t need a special place to find your faith.

“Temple is where you build it,” she says.

Growing up as an only child in a family of steel factory workers, Dynasty’s family started out nearly in poverty. Until Dynasty began singing.

Dynasty shares her insight from her studies at biweekly interfaith dinners hosted by Interfaith United.

Whether sharing insightful stories or just listening to others, Dynasty inspires the group.

At a recent meeting on Monday in Wilson Ballroom, the students around a table were asked to describe their faith. Students talked about being Jewish, Methodist, and Catholic. When it was Dynasty’s turn, she didn’t speak about being a Chan Buddhist. She told the room her religion was interfaith.

“My tradition comes from this Interfaith background,” she says. “Although I lean towards a Chan Buddhist, these different beliefs do not conflict with me.”

By Olivia Lender 11

MADISON

By Macy McFerren Beauty. Resilience. Determination. That is what I see in this photo of Madison, who is my gorgeous twin sister. She has been my patient model and muse for years. I've seen her at her lows and I've seen her at her highs. We've been through a lot together. Even then, she is a constant reminder to me that even the strongest of us sometimes need help. Even the most strong-willed people will break down and need a shoulder to cry on. It is important to ask for help when you need it but to also be that shoulder to cry on.

INTERFAITH

By Olivia Lender Vice President, Interfaith United

Two Mondays a month, as I sit in Hayworth Fellowship Hall, I discovered the complexity of faith.

I've listened to friends of mine talk about Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism – just so many religions – and I’ve come to realize no two people on this campus are alike.

In fact, no two people on this planet are alike.

Though upbringing may help to shape people into who they are, experiences contribute as well. Those experiences do form beliefs.

And during interfaith dinners, we talk about beliefs.

These beliefs can be as serious as how religion impacts our beliefs, on if mandating the COVID vaccine is ethical, or as simple as what color sand would be best to use for the flower petal of a Rangoli (a Hindu art design used in Diwali).

This semester has truly led me to question my beliefs.

Or in other words, what do I really believe in?

One may think that I simply grew up Jewish. Though this is true, I have a Buddhist mother who took me to her Buddhist Temple each year and a Catholic stepmom, who I would go to Church with for Christmas mass.

I formed beliefs, but not just from one singular place. I learned from all those around me.

I’m like a sponge that has the power to control which molecules of water to absorb.

At HPU, being surrounded by international students from the Mediterranean and Africa and learning from their experiences and beliefs, I have come to realize the complexity of beliefs.

Beliefs are complex because they are always evolving. They are not set in stone.

Interfaith dinners provide a safe space for a small group of individuals to express their beliefs and opinions in a safe space. Together, the group learn and grow from the opinions of each other.

By hosting these dinners, I feel as though I have helped to form a community of like-minded individuals.

Whether it is researching and tasting Indian foods for Diwali or listening to my peers, I am always learning about other people.

The universe has gathered me with these individuals for a reason. I may be meant to establish beliefs from them or just even listen to them. But no matter the reason, it is meant to be.

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Dr. Nahed Eltantawy reflects on how her son told her that he missed participating in the youth group led by Imam Sheikh Badi Ali. Little did he know that one week later, Ali would die unexpectedly from COVID-19. He was 60.

Ali was the chief strategist for the Islamic Center of the Triad. In this role, he impacted the Muslim community by hosting refugee workshops to prepare people for citizenship, created weekend food bank drives, and led social groups for people of different age groups.

Eltantawy worked with him on the food bank operated by the Islamic Center of the Triad. Matter of fact, she’s on the board of the center’s food bank.

But what she’s really captivated by is how Ali worked with the youth in the Muslim community, that includes her son.

She witnessed the growth of her son who was an active member of Ali’s youth group from elementary school to high school.

During these group sessions, Ali would bring a group of 15 children into his house and tell stories of Islam, pray with them, and feed the group dinner. The gatherings would provide these children with the opportunity to meet other Muslim children, as well as serve as a safe space.

Ali continued to instill the kids with good habits and confidence at times where they were not receiving good messages about their religion,” says Eltantawy, an associate professor of Journalism at HPU. Eltantawy’s saw her children’s lives heavily influenced by the positive impact of Ali and his attitude toward life.

“He was always calm, smiling, and never got tired,” Eltantawy says.

However, she was not the only one whose life he changed.

Thousands of people attended his funeral in February.

Many of which traveled worldwide to attend.

After the funeral, the men paid their respects in the mosque, while women paid their respects to Ali’s wife and daughter at their house. This occurred for three days, known as “Azaa” or mourning to the Muslims.

The younger population of those who knew Ali posted on social media to honor his legacy. Eltantawy read dozens of these posts. The responses showed Eltantawy -and many others- how much Ali will be missed by the Muslim community and others whose lives he impacted.

By both young and old.

May he rest in peace.

Ali felt the need to support children growing up Muslim in the U.S. Through the negative portrayal of Muslims on the media to holidays that do not align with the prominent holidays of the U.S., Ali always found a way to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Amen.

Since the kids did not celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, Ali worked to make the kids feel that they had a purpose.

During the celebration of Eid, which signifies the end of Ramadan, he annually rented out a movie theatre to brighten up their spirit. He also created large festivities for during the Muslim holidays to promote value in their religion.

BADI ALI

By Olivia Lender

During the weeks before spring break, many of my friends were looking to take a senior trip somewhere to celebrate our last spring break altogether. But for some reason, something was telling me that I did not need to take a trip over spring break and that I needed to stay locally at home in Concord, North Carolina, or at High Point University.

Then two weeks before spring break my friends were trying to convince me to go on a trip with them but then an amazing opportunity came my way.

Rev. Andria Williamson asked me if I was planning to do anything over spring break and I remember thinking to myself and realizing that this was the reason I was called to stay home over the break. Even though I had responsibilities to accomplish over spring break I knew that there was a reason I wanted to stay here at High Point University, but I just could not understand it.

I then agreed to go on the pilgrimage, and I remember having to wake up earlier than normal but for some reason, my body felt excited to be up when usually it takes me forever to even be able to wake up. I knew from that day there was a reason I was on this pilgrimage.We then as a group went to two distinctive church services on Sunday. Both services were quite different in multiple aspects, but even though they were different they were all rooted in helping our community improve through the faith of God.

church is conducted, and this church was conducted very differently. This opened my eyes because now I understand that there are multiple ways to worship God and create that sense of faith within yourself. Even though I enjoyed the service, I felt like something was missing the whole time I was listening to the service. The second church that we attended was more like my childhood church and it was conducted very similarly. During their service, I felt more comfortable but still felt like something was missing and I could not put my thumb on it.

The first church we attended opened my eyes to understanding that not every church service is the same, growing up as an African American child I am used to a certain way that

After the two services, I was in a constant questioning stage of why I feel like I am still in the darkness and feel as though something was missing.I remember Rev. Andria

PILGRI MAGE

By Alon Parker

Williamson saying that we were going to attend Wake Forest Divinity school and I did not have much want to go since I didn’t have a desire to go into Divinity school after college. We ended up going and learning more about the divinity school but also the curriculum they teach regarding faith and how they incorporate these teachings into their everyday lives.

During that specific conversation is when I came out of the darkness and understood what was missing the previous days that I was searching for. During Wake Forest Divinity I was learning how to incorporate faith into a lifestyle and how to feed that faith into others through actions that you are called to achieve. Once I understood how faith and your relationship with God does not have to be about the knowledge you have about the books in the bible, or how many times you go to church on Sunday. It is all about incorporating your faith as a lifestyle and understanding that the actions you take are through the lens of God and that you will create a change in this world by fulfilling your faith and love for God as a lifestyle. Lastly, Once I learned about creating this certain type of lifestyle, we all went together and walked on the labyrinth, and during that time of walking on the labyrinth, I could feel all the darkness, worries, stress & confusion leave my body because I was now becoming someone that utilizes my faith as a lifestyle instead of a characteristic of myself. That is how Alon Parker was able to come out of the darkness during this amazing pilgrimage.

16

PHOTOGRAPHY By

Benita

VanWinkle

Staircase, Helena, AK 6-2021 I always tell my students “Just look for the shadows if you want to know where the light is coming from”. Sometimes the light is from above.

Frosted Sunrise, Pfafftown, NC 2-19-2022 My husband and I were on our way to breakfast after being up long before sunrise; the frost on the window had not cleared all the way as we pulled out of our driveway. How could I not photograph THAT?

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Winter Sunrise, Pfafftown, NC 12-28-2021

Walking back from taking breakfast to my neighbor, I noticed the frost on the grass and where the sun was glistening from the sunrise. Just a fallen leaf, but what a spectacular one to witness.

There are no two sunrise images that are the same. Every day is a gift if you believe

it to be so.

Winter morning frost, Pfafftown, NC 12-22-2021

Reynolda Sunrise, 2-12-20221 Exercising with the dogs at sunrise around the perimeter of the Reynolda House on the walking trail. Looking back, my friend gasped as she saw the light circling the tall grass. I almost missed it!

All You Need Is Love, Greensboro, NC 11-5-2021

glow. People hurried past. Ah, they didn’t even notice what they forfeited.

Pulling up to the Lyric Theatre, the neon bathed the sidewalk with enticing

Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg, VA 2-10-2022

A street painted with a message we all need… just love one another.

Archway, Helena, AK 6-202 There is always a way, if you want to believe it. Always a way, if you want to be it. Thank you Amanda Gorman for your inspiration.

The

By Millie Bowman

When I was younger I always slept with a nightlight The darkness was too much for me It was overwhelming, deafening.

Every night before I closed my eyes I would scan the room, Searching for a glimmer of hope, a sliver of light.

Hope that the darkness would subside And light would soon again Fill in the creases of my pink floral sheets Or sneak through the holes in my Polka dot socks.

Sure enough, I would wake up the next day, The soft morning light Would kiss my face And relief would set into my heart The texture of the The splintered wood door and soup stained rug Return and the darkness had been conquered once again, By the light.

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Our walk through life is the same.

Through each and every trial We scan the place for that shimmer of hope We pray that the Darkness wouldn’t take over And that we wouldn’t have to Stumble our way through life.

Reaching out for every close item That could provide us a second or two Of stability.

But there’s a light, In the midst of the darkness Even brighter than my nightlight, Brighter than the sun, even.

This creator of the universe can and will paint Over all your fears and worries In the brightest shade of yellow And these obstacles will no longer Stand in your path Waiting to trip you up.

There is hope in the darkness, There is a light Ready to walk you though Your darkest moments All you have to do is open your eyes.

IF YOU LOOK FOR THE

ITS ALL YOU WILL

EVER SEE

IF

YOU LOOK FOR THE YOU CAN OFTEN

FIND IT

I walked out stunned after seeing the Collision Worship Band Sunday night.

On stage inside Hayworth Chapel, I watched another student, surrounded by six band members playing uplifting music. As Collision played, a congregation of at least 50 people stood and sang.

“Sing that again,” said Farrelle Franks, one of the leaders.

And they all jumped back into the song.

A day later, I called my mom because I wanted to tell her what I had witnessed. She gave me some good advice.

“If it makes you happy, then continue to go,” she told me.

“Not for religious purposes, but because you enjoy it.”

I was raised Jewish in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I went to Hebrew School on Sundays, and when I was 13, I was a Bat Mitzvah. In other words, I was a woman in the eyes of God. So, when I went that Sunday night to see Collision perform, I really didn’t know what to expect. I knew people attended the worship service, but I didn’t know why. I went to understand Christian worship, but I got intrigued with one person in particular: the one leading without shoes.

The second I walked in the doors, what I saw and felt struck me like lightning. It was something about the happiness and energy filling the room, something about the people singing along. It was something about the people standing up. And most of all, for me, it was something about the confident young leader in the middle of it all: Farrelle.

I attended after talking to Farrelle about her passion for leading worship through Collision.

I went because I wanted to find out more about a student-run faith group that played contemporary music as an element to praise God. Farrelle is no stranger to music. At age 6, she began playing piano. However, her first instrument was her voice.

As a young girl, Franks moved around quite often. Though most of her beginning and later childhood was spent in Greensboro, she lived in Texas from age two to ten.

“The Lord told my parents to go to Texas,” she told me.

At that moment, I thought about the reasons why I would move across the country. Maybe for work. Or for family. But the Lord? Probably not. But Farrelle and her family?

Absolutely yes!

Farrelle was a homeschooled child in a church co-op and gained exposure to the world. She got involved in local activities such as community worship singing and community theater. She also led a worship band for her youth group in which she sang and played piano and the ukulele.

When Farrelle entered HPU, she knew she wanted to be a member of Collision Band because her brother, Manning, helped found the group nearly eight years ago. She started off by playing piano for the group until the end of her sophomore year when she switched over to playing guitar.

Though Farrelle had limited guitar experience at the time, she learned by listening.

By the end of her freshman year, Collision lost its band leader. The next year, Farrelle became the team leader herself, alongside Laila Jones and Reyna Alston.

For the past three years, she has organized band practices and ensured that the Sunday night performances go smoothly.

When she performs on Wednesday and Sunday nights at Hayworth Chapel, Farrelle strives for excellence. But sometimes, Farrelle feels the Holy Spirit takes over her.

“The Lord gives me the gift of singing,” she said. “Therefore, I exercise this, drawing me closer to who I am and to who God is” When Farrelle first told me this, I was blown away. But after seeing the performance, it made more sense based on the lyrics in the songs. The one lyric I remember is: I’ve seen You move. You move the mountains.”

Though I knew God was not human, I never envisioned him literally moving an unmovable object, even in a metaphorical manner. I also never envisioned seeing someone barefoot in a church.

As a young girl, I was always told to dress up and look nice to go to synagogue. That Sunday night, I walked into a religious performance where the main worship leader was onstage without shoes. Comfort and feeling at home were not emphasized in my tradition. Instead, it was about respect and doing a mitzvah (or a good deed) for God. However, it was important for me to realize that this could be interpreted as a home where people feel comforted and loved regardless of their attire.

As I sat in the back, I saw so many people spiritually moved.

The attendees sang together in a state of comfort, showing a sense of belonging.

This allowed me to see the power of music. Music has the power to draw people together, whether it is for religious purposes or even a rock concert.

I’ve never seen someone in a church without shoes. It makes me think of Moses and Jesus and holy ground. Maybe shoes aren’t really needed after all. Maybe, it’s all about love.

I realized I had discovered a loving community. I had taken a kind of multifaith field trip all within the confines of our campus. I had visited other places of worship, including churches and Buddhist temples, so it didn’t seem new to me.

However, I didn’t expect to meet other students during a sitdown service so willing to engage in conversation with me and passionately tell me why they were there. We talked about our majors, campus involvement, and our fall break vacations.

No matter what we talked about, I felt welcomed. That’s what mattered.

By Olivia Lender 24

IN THE

LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT

Out of darkness. Out of darkness comes light. Holding onto that promise is difficult when darkness consumes your vision. When I look back on my adolescent and college years specifically, darkness has been an unwanted companion for major periods of my life.

Depression hits…and lingers. Sickness arises…and robs those you love. Going into college, I never would have expected such encounters with grief and sorrow, such long days of confusion and anguish. But never would I have expected brilliant light to emerge from those shadowy periods of life. Growing up in church as a worship pastor’s kid, I was surrounded by music, art, and more importantly by parents who truly loved the Lord and emulated a Christ-centered life. Before I was consciously aware, these two things were injected into my soul; I was captured by music and enfolded into the love of God. I couldn’t help but make melodies and feel the rhythms that flowed in my mind; I felt an ever-growing tug to know Jesus in a real way.

Both these desires spread into my activities and passions, ultimately compelling me to lead worship in high school and later as I transitioned into HPU. I knew I wanted to pursue worship leadership, but I would never have realized how much the Lord would form me through it.

Worship is a lifestyle. That was my dad’s M.O. Worship isn’t just a part of a Sunday service, rather, worship is a continual attitude of heart in which believers should remain in. I never really understood how vital this is for spiritual leaders, until I was challenged in my own leadership. During this new season of grief, the Lord comforted my heart by showing my complete dependence on Him. When there was no hope for the next day, He revealed a glimmer. When I could find no ounce of joy, He offered a sweet taste of it. In moments when I felt utterly inadequate to lead a band and others in worship, He reminded me of His strength in my weakness. It was throughout this time when I discovered that worship starts in the depths of the heart. It doesn’t start in the mind. It doesn’t start with planning songs, aiming for perfection, or thinking how the congregation will respond. Rather, it starts in the quiet, the stillness, the listening, the simple delight of being with our Heavenly Father. This is where God humble us, reminds us of His abundant love and authority, and forms us into who He’s calling us to be.

Only through this practice, I believe, can worship leaders begin to discern well and lead in Godglorifying ways.

Beginning my freshman year, I got involved with Collision worship band and immediately saw exciting possibilities for musical and relational development.

What an opportunity for musicians and artists to create and develop their God-given skills while being in community! I was thrilled when former leaders Austin and Olivia offered me a position in leadership.

However, when I look back at that time, my excitement was focused more on what I would accomplish and how I would be perceived. My ears ached to hear “Wow, Farrelle has done so much for this community, she’s the face of chapel!” or “She’s so cool, she’s like Lauren Daigle”. My intentions were so skewed. I was glory hungry. Rather than desiring to be used as a vessel by the Lord pointing to His glory, I sought my glory. Before I knew it, my world shifted, and darkness settled into my vision. After years long battle with Multiple Myeloma (bone cancer), my dad suddenly died at the end of my freshman year.

Nothing seemed real or important anymore. Darkness dragged me deep into its core and I yielded to its pull.

It was in this time, in these moments of despondency, where the Lord began to work in my heart, and I didn’t even know it.

Being a part of Collision has been such a humbling experience. Through the death of my father, the Lord met me in my grief to reveal to me my complete dependence on Him. It was in this stillness, that I learned to listen and learn from my Heavenly Father; in need of Him as a child is in need their father. I found that in remaining in this attitude of surrender, of worship, I was able to lead Collision with greater humility and desired to glorify God through each step of the worship planning process. I have by no means led perfectly during my time in Collision, but my greatest hope is that people encountered the Living God through the team’s music. The Living God whose love is abounding, grace unending, and peace beyond understanding. The Living God who desires His children to meet with Him, delight in Him, and seek to become more like His son Jesus. The Living God who is patient in our failings, faithful in our faithlessness, and strength-filled in our weakness. Through darkness, suffering, and learning to lead, the Lord has begun to transform and mold me into who he has called me to be, reminding me that He is our deliverer, provider, and sustainer even in the darkness. “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me’, even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” Psalm 139:11-12

By Farelle Franks 26

HILLEL

By Amy Epstein

Why Hillel?

Hillel is the center for Jewish Life on college campuses. There are over 550 Hillels around the globe. At High Point University, our Hillel has grown immensely the past several years. Through study, prayer, fun, food, holidays and more, Hillel is a place where Jewish students can come together based on shared values. But Hillel is not just for Jewish students. At High Point University, our Hillel educates about Judaism. Jewish life, culture, religion and peoplehood. Judaism is unique that some affiliate religiously, some affiliate culturally, some affiliate being connected to the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam and repairing the world, and some are just Jewish.

You will find that our community is inviting, welcoming and an inclusive space for students to explore their own individual Jewish journey while being a part of the greater Jewish community on campus. We strive

to be a place of belonging. Whether that means to teach friends and colleagues about Judaism or learn a prayer or learn about a holiday or learn about Israel. It can mean to do a tikkun olam project and make a difference to others. Our favorite time is to enjoy Shabbat Dinner together on Friday nights (the Jewish Sabbath). All of this is what we do in Hillel.

Our students wrote the following mission statement: At High Point University Hillel, we aim to educate the community about Jewish traditions through religious practice and shared cultural experiences. We remember our past while continuing to build a more inclusive and cohesive environment on campus.

So join us. Come practice or learn about Judaism. Ask questions, discuss answers, make new friends. Hang out with old ones. Our door is always open.

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A

Heavenly Father, When we look around us, We are surrounded by people who need healing.

People are feeling incomplete, broken, scared, and worried.

Let us not reach for the easy fix, If that’s hurting someone’s feelings or something else that ends in emptiness.

Please God give us the strength to stay In this uncomfortable, anxiety-filled condition Until we see, feel, and have contemplated on what this is trying to tell us.

Maybe it’s to love people more and realize the interconnectedness we embody.

Whatever it is God, let us saturate our hearts to become better people.

Staying in this place will be so uncomfortable, And God, Heavenly friend, Miracle worker, abundant Spirit, loving Creator, we crave your Presence.

Protect us from becoming hateful ourselves.

Remind us continuously of how our hearts should be positioned towards each other.

God, for all the hate we see in the world, provide us strength.

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Strength to speak words and perform actions that are filled with Your love.

God, during this crisis, empower us the ability to be people Who just don’t speak of hope, but make our words living in this world.

God, I pray for the broken, scared families.

For the 2,000 refugees fleeing, we pray that they’re greeted with a loving shelter.

For the 2,000 soldiers who have passed away, Let us celebrate their lives and for the beautiful gift of life.

I pray for the people who want a hateful world Because we are all interconnected.

God, thank you for the gift of gathering together and talking to you.

Please God provide us with heavenly wisdom, so we may share the fruits of the Spirit with others.

Please keep us safe, and provide the power to spread love and hope.

I love you, Amen.

FOR

By Sophie Carter Sophie Carter, a senior psychology major from Cherryville, North Carolina, is the president of the Board of Stewards. She provided this prayer at vigil at the outset of the invasion of Ukraine.

CEREMONY On Friday, February 21, two dozen students gathered in the garden outside Hayworth Chapel to pray for the victims of the Ukrainian invasion.

The

IN BETWEEN

By Millie Bowman

The day is more beautiful Because there is a night.

Knowing it will end, Allows us to soak up Our moments in the sun.

The glory days are special, Because not every day Is your best one.

Life can be captured Through small moments of joy, But the most important parts Are the ones in between.

The silence that follows laughter.

The darkness before the sunrise, Or the seconds leading up to the next song After the first one ends.

The inbetween reminds us How beautiful and fleeting life can be.

It helps us savor the best parts Because we know they Will end.

The darkness makes the light So much more beautiful.

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STEWARDS

by Olivia Lender I met Ann Claire for the first time in the children's jeans isle.

We were Christmas shopping the Sunday before Thanksgiving at Target to give children in the community Christmas gifts. It’s something Board of Stewards, the student leaders of Hayworth Chapel, do every Fall. They use the fall offering to support anywhere from 100 to 150 families in the city of High Point.

Back to the children’s jeans isle.

I was standing with the Rev. Dr. Preston Davis, the minister of the university, and we were struggling to decide if a regular, elastic stretch, or boot-cut jeans were the most appropriate pair of jeans to put in our cart for the nine-year old girl we were assigned. This was foreign territory for us.

Not knowing what to do, Preston and I turned and saw Ann Claire and immediately asked for help. She seemed to know what she was doing!

Ann Claire is not a stranger to serving others or to the Hayworth Chapel community.

As a freshman, Ann Claire took Chapel for credit. It’s a one credit course where you come to weekly Chapel, and it helps you think theologically about your life. Little did she know she would meet her best friend, Lauren McAtte, who drew her to the Board of Stewards.

She came to the Board to deepen her faith, she stays in it because of her friendships.

The High Point University Board of Stewards are a group of 15 individuals who stive to enhance worship services and serve the community in honor of Jesus Christ. Their name comes from the fact that they steward the offering of the Chapel. In the fall they partnered with the Salvation Army to support the Angel Tree Project. In the Spring they have supported various other organizations, but traditionally partner with West End Ministries, a organization that helps some of the most vulnerable in High Point, particularly youth and women trying to get back on their feet.

Throughout the year, the students diligently work to propose bills to the Student Government Association and other clubs to receive donations. By doing so, they gain fundraising experiences as well as benefit the community.

For Ann Claire, Jesus put himself in the world of those who had less than Him. He did this by talking to them and getting to know them.

That was his way of showing his love and appreciation.

That’s why Ann Claire is in the children’s jeans isle in Target shopping for children so they can have Christmas gifts.

“I look at shopping for these kids,” she says, “as being the hands and feet of Jesus.”

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No worries about paper and pen. You may not need them until the end.

From where you are seated, go ahead, and relax, you may close your eyes if you’d like, but begin to take some easy breaths. Deep breaths. Begin to focus and locate yourself in the present moment, then open your mind’s eye to all that surrounds you.

Become aware of any external factors that on the day to day keep ou from being present to the needs of self.

Taking a deep breath, gather this awareness and sit it out before you. you from being present to the needs of self. Taking a deep breath, gather this awareness and sit it out before you.

Shift your attention now to your thoughts and self-talk. Notice anything here that could contribute to any feelings of stress or anxiety. Breathe into this noticing. Allow, if it resonates and you feel comfortable, the compassionate and loving presence of the divine meeting you here. Notice anything you might see, hear, Allow, if it resonates and you feel comfortable, compassionate and loving presence of the divine meeting you here. Notice anything you might see, hear, or experience in the presence of the divine. If there is anything you’d like to experience or receive from the divine, you are invited to open yourself to that. Taking a deep breath, gather this awareness and sit it out before you.

Now, begin to shift your attention to your body.

Notice any physical sensations that happen in your body when you feel stress? Locate them as you scan your body from either direction. Breathe, and if necessary, begin to slow these sensations down. From a place of compassion, begin to imaging how you might show up for yourself in these sensations? If you feel comfortable, imagine how you’d hope the divine would show up for you in these sensations? Be with what has been given you, take a deep breath, and when you are ready sit this awareness out before you.

EXAMEN A technique that can be used for prayer and reflection, cultivating awareness, identifying God’s presence, and discerning direction.

By Rev. Andria Williamson Manager of Chapel Programs

Begin to shift your attention to your heart. Notice any physical sensations or emotions that come up for you as you reflect on the ways your heart may be affected by stress. As you and the divine are compassionately present, do you notice any images, sensations, or spoken word that seeks your attention. If so, I invite you to see, to listen, and to be with this communication. Gathering this awareness, take a deep breath, and place it out before you.

Finally, Shift your attention to your soul. Take a deep breath, and another, and another. Being as present and as honest as possible with yourself,

listening even more deeply, simply be with. be before your soul. Breathe into this space. Breathe. Breathe, breathe.

Noticing any images, any spoken word, any movements? What messages does your soul have for you, if any? Take another deep breath.

Knowing that you can always come back to this place.

If you’d like, you may take a moment to jot down anything you’d like to remember, to be, or to do. Anything, you’d like to carry with you, perhaps in the space you’ve created on the inside.

Using single words and short phrases, what was that like for you?

Breathe in, breathe out. Connecting with your breath supports you to be in the present moment – an anchor to be in the here and the now. I was 16 years old when I attended my first yoga class, but I solely used it as a workout - to sweat out toxins. Little did I know that as I grew up, gained more wisdom, and became more connected to the practice that Yoga was not a workout but a “work-in” and the first layer of connecting to your inner self. I became certified in Yoga last summer, and it was not just about getting a certification, but an unexpected spiritual journey that was healing to my mind, body, and soul. It allowed me to let go of energy that no longer served me. It was a tool to help me move ‘out of the darkness. It was a pathway to seek serenity in my everyday life.

The first Yoga class I taught consisted of teaching my peers at High Point University and it changed my perspective on many things. At first, I was intimidated and nervous to teach but over time, I have learned to gain more confidence and find a style that works best for me as well as others.

The most rewarding thing to see is witnessing students experience “yoga” and seeing their elevated states of awareness and connection throughout the practice. One of my favorite things is seeing the student’s morale after savasana and how it revitalizes, transforms, and rebirths them. I’ve started to fall in love with teaching yoga because I’m of service to others, making a difference. At the end of every practice, I always tell my students to give themselves gratitude

– gratitude for showing up and for being present.

Yoga has brought me to many beautiful communities and has led me to people who have the same outlook as me. Through Humbled Warriors, a local studio in High Point, I met a woman who is an acupuncturist. She gave me advice that if I ever feel anxiety (which is a normal emotion to feel) to bring my awareness and focus to my breath. She suggested visualizing five inhales and five exhales and slowly bringing the counts to eight and then ten. I noticed that tuning into your body and bringing self-awareness to it has been the best tool to help me understand the situations that are occurring

GUIDED

throughout my body and environment.

Through yoga, meditation, and becoming more self-attuned, I have learned to let go of negative thoughts, negative energy, and negative tension that I may have been holding on to. I can redirect my thoughts to positive light, energy, and intention.

At the beginning of yoga, I always guide my students through mediation and allow them to scan their bodies and to not only tune in to their souls but to let go of energy that is no longer serving them. Visualizing letting go of things that no longer serve you and directing energy to an intention allows individuals to bring their focusand attention to something greater. I realized that “bringing yourself out of darkness” can be as simple as redirecting your thoughts to a more positive light and bringing an intention that is life giving.

My yoga teacher taught me that your thoughts can dictate your reality and redirecting your thoughts and mindset can bring a law of attraction. I learned that being in tune with your emotions and energy is one more step to not only reaching your highest potential but to healing yourself.

So, my suggestion to you is to tune in, breathe in and breathe out, and bring awareness to what you may discover

By Pallyanna Borello

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According to Reverend Ken Cadette, “God did not abolish darkness at creation. God added light. But for many, darkness symbolizes all that is negative, harmful, evil and fearful.” Over this past year of living during a global pandemic I have felt, and learned about negative, and harmful things that have incited fear in many people around the world. Whether that has been through statistics on the number of lives lost due to COVID 19, the current war occurring in Ukraine, or many of the other world events that don’t spark joy. However, despite these things occurring I have found it important to actively seek out light during these dark times.

It all began about a year ago when I was bored out of my mind one day. I had already gone on a long walk since people online were saying those were good, but you can only walk for so long. I had already eaten all the junk food in the house and binge watched everything trending on Netflix (regardless of whether or not I enjoyed the content) and now had nothing else to do. I began to wonder about what I used to do for fun in my spare time and realized that I couldn’t remember what I used to do. I also couldn’t remember when the last time was I had done something I actually considered to be fun. Don’t get me wrong, eating junk food and watching shows on Netflix are good for relieving stress temporarily but I’ve never met someone who has stated that they did those things for fun or that they were their hobbies. Normally when people are asked about what they like to do for fun or what their hobbies are, they say they like to play chess, or swim, or work out or many other things.

Alarmed by the realization that I hadn’t done anything I actually considered fun or would be considered a hobby, I began thinking back on my childhood to figure out what I used to do for fun. I realized that when I was younger I loved rushing to get home afterschool to watch cartoons. I would watch shows like Ed, Edd, and Eddy, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, Teen Titans and any and everything that would come on Cartoon Network. I would also learn dance routines afterschool with my friends every day because one of them wanted to be a choreographer in the future. I would also go to the arcade every day to

play video games. I loved playing video games. So, being ecstatic I began doing all of the things I loved doing again. But, in the beginning I was nervous about doing those things because I was left with the question of “Why did I stop doing the things I love doing and why does everyone else seem to have stopped doing the things they love?” Is it because we become too busy? I ruled that out to be a no, because despite how busy everyone is we all have moments of spare time. So, was it because the things we love to do would be considered immature? I considered that to be possible. Or even more heavily was it because doing the things we love doing would be frowned upon? That seemed to be truer than the other two options.

Take for instance, there’s a man in his late thirties who loved to roller blade and skate board around his neighborhood when he was a kid. If that grown man suddenly started rollerblading or skate boarding around his neighborhood, people might begin to think he’s weird, that he’s a danger to the children who might also be outside or even worse that he’s doing this because he’s going through an early mid-life crisis. So, what does the man who loved to rollerblade and skateboard do? He never does those things again out of fear for being the object of ridicule, or condemnation from his neighbors.

Now I’m not saying that all who happen to read my article for this year should start rollerblading and skateboarding around their neighborhoods but what I am saying is, if there was something you loved to in that past that made you a happy person, as long as they’re not hurting anyone, you should begin doing those things again. Ever since I started working time into my schedule to watch cartoons, dance, and go to the arcade, oddly enough my grades in school have gone up. I sleep better at night and overall feel happier during the week and don’t rely on weekends as much for breaks. But, most of all, while I may have not been able to expel the darkness that shrouds the everyday news everyone is subjected to, I have been able to pull myself out of the darkness and into the light despite those things.

LIGHTNESS OF A

By Cynthia-Mae Hunt 37

2

I EMPOWER

By Angela M. Parks

I Empower you to be great I Empower you to be successful I Empower you to be the most authentic you that YOU can possibly be Society does not need carbon copies It needs YOU, your unique blueprint & DNA Will it take effort, will it take a little bit of your time, will you lose a few friends along the way...

Yes! But you must remember that very thing that keeps you up at night and fuels the passion inside of you, it’s worth holding on to and fighting for I Empower you to believe I Empower you to receive everything you have achieved It takes heart, will-power, elbow grease, and even a few tears To muster up the incredible powers that exist within But if anyone can accomplish such a task I Empower it to be you I Empower you to never give up Please don’t ever quit You may take a break to catch your breath, Wipe the sweat off your brow—and even get a drink of water from time to time…

But whatever you do— do it with all your might Do it with your soul For in life tomorrows not promised We will always have giants to face and mountains to climb But the generations looking up to us will lose their way before they even start if you stop running If you stop chasing your dreams I Empower you to reach down deep— Grab whatever tools, resources and encouragement you need Wear it as a badge of honor Never take NO for an answer because YES is always right around the corner Are you looking?

I Empower you to promise me that you will never look back Never back down I Empower you with the promise that you will win

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Flip through the pages of Infinite Space this year, and you’ll find the theme on every page.

Bless those in need of healing with r'fuah sh'leimah The renewal of body, the renewal of spirit And let us say Amen.

Out of darkness. It does seem so appropriate.

After two years of angst and worry, we took off our masks and emerged from a global pandemic, thanks to a vaccine.

More than two dozen of us from High Point University circled up that day. We bowed our heads and held a moment of silence for two minutes.

Two minutes for the 2,000 dead.

That Hallelujah Moment, though, seems so short-lived.

We find ourselves following a modern-day David vs Goliath on the other side of the world. On a Thursday in late February, Russia sent their massive army into Ukraine and started a war.

Two minutes for the 2 million refugees.

Two minutes for the 200 injured.

That all happened in Ukraine. In just two weeks.

From that darkness, can hope spring forth?

Turn to page 29. That’s a prayer from Sophie Carter, a senior from Cherryville, N.C., and president of HPU’s Board of Stewards. On a Friday afternoon in March, as she stood outside the Hayworth Chapel, Sophie read what she wrote in black ink for the Prayer for Peace vigil for Ukraine.

Or turn to page 8. That’s a story about Blake Freeman, written by Olivia Lender, the editor from Infinite Space.

Olivia is a junior from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and she talked to Blake about what he discovered after visiting 17 countries in the past year.

He found that people are nothing like their governments.

They are much more like him. And me. And you, too.

Or maybe, turn to page 6. That’s a personal essay from Kamryan Collis, a freshman from Raleigh, N.C. She writes about how she found comfort in three verses from the Book of Matthew. The first verse starts out this way: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Press on, Kamryan.

Since 2017, Infinite Space has provided students, staff, and faculty a canvas to describe their own faith walk through photos and poems, essays and stories. This year, # students as well as one professor reveal how their own personal journey led them out of darkness toward a light that heals rather than hurts.

That light, I believe, can live inside each of us. I felt it on that Friday afternoon in March.

Shadows stretched long across the bricks at the garden beside the Hayworth Chapel by the time Julia Staffin, the president of HPU’s chapter of Hillel, sang the Jewish Prayer for Healing.

By that Friday afternoon, the war felt far from over. We came to pray for peace. We also came to support one of our own.

Annie Borovsky is an HPU student, a first-generation Ukrainian. Michelle McGuigan, the mother of HPU junior Richie McGuigan, heard about Annie on the HPU Parents page on Facebook, and she felt she had to do something to ease the pain Annie felt.

So, Michelle had a banner made that showed the flags of the United States and Ukraine framing a message that read: “HPU Stands with Annie and Ukraine.”

Richie’s family owns an ice rink in Long Island, and they’ve raised money for all kinds of charities. But this was different. This was for one student whose parents immigrated from Ukraine to the United States.

Today, that banner holds a few dozen signatures with sentences and phrases like “stay strong” and “sending love” and “We are all God’s children everywhere! Blessings Annie & family. We love you.”

It’s hard to find hope these days when the world feels like it’s unraveling around you. Yet, as everything around us seems so dark, I hope the images and words you find in this issue of Infinite Space give you a sense of optimism, a sense of hope.

It all reminds me of something the Rev. Dr. Preston Davis said that Friday afternoon.

“What would God’s prayer say about this?”

Maybe what Sophie said.

We are all interconnected.

We can’t forget that.

Jeri Rowe, the senior writer at High Point University, is one of the staff advisors for Infinite Space.

By Jeri Rowe

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