Mars' Hill Newspaper Vol 21 Issue 1

MARS’ HILL VO L U M E 2 1 IS S UE 1

NOT SO FRESH WHAT I TS LI KE TO B E A MATU R E FR E SHMA N PG. 9

REC OLLEC T IO NS

THE DEPTH BENEATH THE WAVES A M E S S A G E F ROM Y OU R 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 T WU S A P R E S ID EN T PG . 1 0 - 1 1

SE PTE M B E R 21. 2016

LEAVING A LEGACY MURRAY H ALL’S 3 2 Y EAR C ONT RI B UT I ON T O S PAR TAN AT H LET I C S P G. 16

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THE T EAM JOEY SCHWEITZER Managing Editor

FR OM T HE EDIT O R

SARAH WRIGHT Visual Editor

“Turning ill and being distrustful, they consider sinful: they walk warily. He is a fool who still stumbles over stones or men! People still quarrel, but are soon reconciled—otherwise it upsets their stomachs.“ We have discovered happiness,”—say the Last Men, and they blink.”

IVET ALFARO Layout Editor

(Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra) We are now in our third decade of Mars’ Hill. This year, our beloved newspaper has been around almost as long as I have—21 years. But this is only true if you start your count when Mars’ Hill replaced The Today as Trinity Western University’s official newspaper in 1996. There existed—for a short while—an earlier, underground newspaper named Mars’ Hill, which was founded in critique of the deeply establishment-affirming Today. This paper was operant for two issues during the spring of 1988 before it was shut down by university administration. All copies of the first issue were confiscated and disposed of, and are now nowhere to be found.

Just one copy of the second and final issue is sheltered in the current Mars’ Hill archive. It was rather curious, then, that only eight years later, the new title of The Today would be a direct reference to that earlier illicit paper.

Clearly, the 1988 Mars’ Hill controversy was sharply emblazoned on the collective memory of the TWU Community.

MARIAH SCHUURMAN Chief Copy Editor

RYAN SCHAFFRICK

Advertising and Finance Manager

DAYNA SLUSAR Online Editor

What can we learn from these now somewhat faded recollections of Hill history? For one, all underground newspapers fulfill an essential need: whereas art may exist for its own sake, the underground newspaper ventures to the surface only when it is ushered there by duty. Most ideas lap along with the current, passing under the waves of an ocean of complacency. There are but few ideas hovering above the waters that are potent enough that not even the depths of oceans could erase their necessity. Mars’ Hill was born out of such necessity: it was controver-

TORI NIKKEL Photo Editor

MADISON HIGGINBOTHAM Illustration Editor

sy with a purpose. Let’s remember this. The demise of a university newspaper occurs only when its student readership issues hardly any complaint—that, seemingly, cannot envision anything better, nor has the will to create it.

We must not merely blink.

What of the allusion to the historical Mars’ Hill? Mars’ Hill, or the Areopagus as it was also known, was a central location in Athens during New Testament times. People would come here to discuss the issues of the day.

Freedom of speech and consequent freedom from persecution was ensured. The Emperor, by his own decree, could not punish individuals for speaking out on any topic—even if the topic was the Emperor himself—as long as the words were spoken within the safety of Mars’ Hill. Mars’ Hill was a public forum, a channel of communication via whichthe people of Athens could issue critical thought, ponder opposing opinions, and discuss all of these issues freely. In his tractate defending the freedom of press, fittingly named the Areopagitica, John Milton summarized my plea far more eloquently than I ever could: “Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.”

It is my vision for Volume 21 of Mars’ Hill to be just such a free forum, facilitating purposeful, thought-provoking, and informed discussion for the TWU community. This is a call for humility: A public forum knows that it does not reap the truth, and therefore cannot dismiss the claims of the other or overlook any vested interest or concern.

Its controversy is always with a purpose.

MARS’ HILL

MISSION TO MARS

EDITORIAL POLICY

CONTRIBUTORS

Mars’ Hill is a student publication of Trinity Western University, floated with funds raised by the Student Association. Mars’ Hill seeks to be a professional and relevant student publication, reflecting and challenging the TWU community, while intentionally addressing local, national and international issues.

The mission of Mars’ Hill, as the official student newspaper of Trinity Western University, is to inform and entertain its readers, cultivate awareness of issues concerning the TWU community and provide a forum for purposeful, constructive discussion among its members in accordance with the Community Covenant, Statement of Faith, and Core Values of the University.

Mars’ Hill encourages submissions and letters to the Editor. Mars’ Hill reserves the right to edit submissions for style, brevity and compatibility with the Mission, Statement of Faith, the Community Community Covenant, and the Core Values of the University.

Anonymous authorship of any material may be granted at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief.

Opinions expressed in Mars’ Hill belong to the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, Trinity Western University, its officials or its Student Association.

Michelle Scully Hannah Powell John Krneta Darby Arens Aline Bouwman MacKenzie Cameron Sam Rosenau Leanne Witten James Frendo Nicolas Renowitzky Jenna Kastelein Andrew Richmond Cam Thiessen Emilio Rodriguez Jarrett Fontaine Martin Garcia

MEDIA ADVISOR: LORANNE BROWN

What would you do for a million dollars, but not for ten thousand?

7600 Glover Rd, Langley, BC, V2Y 1Y1 604-513-2109 marshill@gmail.com www.marshill.com This issue brought to you by Joey’s Aeropress, Jim’s Pizza and Clammy.

COMMUNITY CORNER

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C O M M U N I T Y CO R N E R DE-CLASSIFIEDS Test message

Did it work this time??????

Long live the declassifieds!

Like this post if you go to UBC I don’t even go here... can I get a shoutout?

Hey girl I met at O-Week, will you be my girlfriend?

Dear confused student, Sex is not when hands touch.

Make De-Classifieds great again I did 911.

- George Bush Who pooped on my car?

Dear brown haired girl in my RELS 101 class, I like you.

Bring Back Bruce Beck To the guy picking his nose on the Douglas building tour, you know who you are. I saw you

Give me a “woop woop” if you think ISIS sucks

To the guys running the Donald Trump fanclub at 230am on the roof of Fraser, can you keep it down?

Long time declassified poster, first time Mars’ Hill reader.

Turns out this newspaper is pretty good.

Best bathrooms to poop on campus: 1. Library Basement 2. Between the Low Caf and TWUSA 3. Beside the Prayer Room 4. Northwest 5. Neufeld $500 off your dorm fees in Douglas for the Spring Semester if you can Clean & Jerk more weight than Paul Curtis.

Remember Sammy Jenkis If you don’t intend to date me, please stop smiling and acting like you like me. Better walk away and never talk to me ever again. - Sincerely yours desperate 4th year

What do you need to survive Freshman Year? “Jesus” -June Na Is it just me or Ezra Miller and Sam Rosenau are twins which got lost at birth?

Cass and Graeme?!?

PM me for deets ;) Why would I go see a play when I could go see a bad movie instead?

Dear Fraser Courtyard, We stalk all your DTR’s.

Sincerely, Fraser Apartments You know your doing something right when randoms stop by to check out your decorations #pinterestinreallife When your a fourth year and the fresh men aren’t all that appealing #notacougar #stillneedmyringbyspring #conflicted Hi Aline!

Good job TWUSA for not being cliquey this year!

SUBMIT YOUR DECLASSIFIEDS AT: WWW.MARSHILLONLINE.COM/DE-CLASSIFIED

Let the parking games begin.

Bring it on parking police.

Attn: Guys, please wear shirts!! You’re very distracting to us females. We can’t help ourselves when we see your torso. Our primal urges go crazy when your skin is showing. Thank you “Sitting is the new smoking.

Puff away.” - Mike Bodner Laura rubbed bacon all over herself before every date.

Laura was a genius.

When you realize the incoming class was born in 1999 Forget about ring by spring, I’m not sure I’m even ready to commit to a lab partner for the semester “The government is you and I” - Dr. Maxwell Ofosuhene My mom keeps referring to O-week as “zero-week” #shedoesntevengohere Dorm skits: fire is the new blood

How to properly hint to men about relationships. “Why are you alone. You need a girl. To take care of you, to love, you need a good girl. Me.” Shoutout to the maintenance guys for fixing our toilet, shower, sink, other sink, fridge, microwave, and closet door the week we moved in #qualityfraserapartments #notallheroeswearcapes O-Week was an inside job.

Mars’ Hill wants to know what you think about our content!

If you have any comments, complaints, or compliments, write a Letter to the Editor! Submissions addressed to the Editor will be printed without edit. For this reason, all submissions must be signed by name.

E-mail your submissions to marshill@gmail.com

Mars’ Hill editors reserve the right to edit or reject submissions based on content and/or length. A printed submission does not necessarily reflect an endorsement of any kind, nor does it necessarily reflect the opinions of Mars’ Hill staff, the student association, or that of the University. In fact, probably not.

N OTIC E OF COR R EC T IO N...

In the “Supplies” section on pg. 9 of the Freshman Issue published on September 7, Mars’ Hill is not seriously recommending that students scan complete copies of books at the library as stated in a comment in the section. Norma Marion Alloway library also does not endorse the comment in any way, shape, or form. Mars’ Hill acknowledges that the Fair Dealing section of copyright law allows the copying of limited amounts of copyright material for the purpose of education or personal study, but that this doesn’t extend to the copying of whole books.

On the pg. 6-7 spread, “Know Your Surroundings,” a drawn map of campus was printed on which the Northwest building was depicted in a rather unflattering light. Mars’ Hill has taken notice that some residents of the Northwest building were nun too impressed, and wishes to assure the reader that it was just a joke.

POLL Want to know what the community really thinks about important issues on campus?

Participate in the anonymous Mars’ Hill poll and find out the results in the next issue.

Did you read the Community Covenant before you signed it?

YES NO PARTIALLY Answer the poll on the front page of marshillonline.com!

Get stung by a wasp because I’m deathly allergic to wasps and my epipen isn’t guaranteed - Alex Gust

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KELSEY TUFFIN

NEWS A Pe rf e c t l y P e r c ul ate d P r efe r e nc e KELSEY TUFFIN From start to finish, coffee is an art form—a practice if you must—and a somewhat subjective one at that.

The consumer is left to determine their preferences, whether it is floral and clean with a touch of acidity, or a full roast with warm flavours and the slightest hint of butter. Wherever you choose, there is something for you. In the midst of all the notes and roasts, the culminating efforts to a good cup of coffee cannot be compromised. University culture is a culture of coffee. We drink it a lot and we talk about it a lot. However, the push for convenience and ‘on the go’ often results in the prevalence of quick and frankly poor coffee.

For Mark Janzen, having convenient coffee shouldn’t be divorced from it also being a quality brew.

Not even a month ago, Trinity Western University’s own Assistant Sports Information Director dreamt and brought into fruition a little space designated to good coffee, here on TWU campus. Thoughtfully named The Proper Coffee Project, Janzen has set out to share with the world— or campus—that “making it slow, not using a machine and keeping it casual” is the way to go. Janzen’s office, second floor of the David E. Enarson Gymnasium, hosts an opportunity to enjoy coffee making methods such as a Chemex, syphon or the classic French press. So, the question is: Why coffee? Janzen shared that his love for the dark, liquid gold has not always run strong.“ I hated coffee until I went to Italy, where I had espresso and just fell in love with it.” His adoration evolved from Americano to pour-

over, finding the clean, full flavours something to be appreciated.

As he poured me a fresh cup of 49th Parallel brew, I asked if he thought his experience of coffee was enhanced by who he drank it with. “Oh, absolutely,” he adamantly declared. “They have a term in Sweden, fika, which means that at least once per day you should have coffee with someone and just chill. I mean, I like having a cup of coffee by myself but the point is to be with people. And here at TWU, that is part of my job—getting to know people, particularly athletes.”

For Janzen, there is great joy in brewing coffee and experimenting with different complexities. But be aware that there is the requirement of added patience and care to yield a great cup of coffee—but the product of such labour is worth it. I asked Janzen ofhis hopes for this coffee endeavor: “Well, it isn’t about the business,” he laughed, “It’s about the coffee, and bringing the experience of delicious, unknown coffee to the people of TWU. There is no set fee but donations are welcome and encouraged, with all funds would go toward coffee equipment for The Proper Coffee Project and just bringing in new, unique coffee.”

When left with the final question, ‘What are you hoping to give?’

Janzen’s response was simple: “A reason to put the Starbucks away.”

KELSEY TUFFIN Perhaps you are not aware that Trinity Western Univeristy even had a dance team, and you are not alone. “I was standing at the O-Day Welcome table, sharing about our teams and activities, and shared that we have a dance team. One student looked totally shocked, saying, ‘Wait, there is a dance team here? How!?’” shares Kianna Wong, one of this year’s co-captains. “He had no concept of how you could incorporate dance in a Christian environment.” Wong and her co-captain, Lindsay Ries, have set out with the goal to come together as a group of people who love and support one another and worship God through dance. The experience of the dance team is not reserved to only its members. Naomi Watson, a student at TWU, said that “the first time I watched the dance team perform I was literally brought to tears. Not tears of sadness, or even happiness, but of pure emotion that seeing such beauty provoked out of me. Watching the Impact Dance Team drew out the motions that were tucked within me that needed to be released.” As classically trained dancers, Wong and Ries came from a competitive dance environment with little team bonding and support. “It’ s crazy what happens when you take out the competition and replace it with God,” laughed Ries. “I’ve never seen a team like this before: you are so supported, and I’m amazed by the ability we have to worship the Lord.”

Sell my body - David Ellis

Wong and Ries could not be more enthusiastic and passionate about their ability to worship God through their beloved form of expression.

They simply loved to dance and saw the TWU dance team as an opportunity to continue their dance career.

“When I auditioned in first year, I was struck by the humility of the leader,” said Ries, “Then, when I later was accepted onto the team, she started our year off with a devotional about what it meant to dance for the Lord and using our body as a way to worship. It was entirely something new for me.”

Both Wong and Ries shared how this team has deepened their personal relationship with God: worshipping the Lord is not limited to singing in church.

“Being on this team has broadened my spectrum of all the possibilities to worship: art, acts of service—whatever you like do you, do it with a heart for Him and loving Him.” It is apparent that Wong and Ries are adamantly cultivating a space of community, support and well, a good time. As a student looking to audition for the team, dance experience will work in your favor. “But we are so excited to just have students come and learn about this form of worship,” Wong and Ries assured us. In their first year under the branch of Rec Services, you can expect to see the Dance Team in Chapel five times over the course of the 2016-2017 school year.

NEWS

TWU:

T H E “ S I L I C O N VA L L E Y ” O F C H R I S T I A N I N N O VAT I O N EMILIO RODRIGUEZ

What does it take for a place to produce innovators? CNN writer/ reporter Andrés Oppenheimer went to Silicon Valley—hands down the most innovative place on Earth, and home of leading companies like Google, Facebook, Apple—to answer that question. He wanted to know first-hand the reasons behind the large gathering of innovative, global companies taking place in the middle of California.

Some possible and commonly held explanations, Oppenheimer said, are that the United States government may have designated that area as a place for technological development. Another explanation is that the financial and economic environment of the nearby city gave big opportunities for these companies to grow. It could potentially be its close proximity to Stanford University, one of the best universities in the world for scientific and technological investigation.

This would give the companies access to brilliant graduates.

But none of these explanations turned out to be enough as Vivek Wadwha, vice-president of innovation and investigation at Singularity University, revealed the missing piece: “It’s the people. The secrets of Silicon Valley don’t have anything to do with the government, or with economic incentives or technologic and scientific centres. The secret is the type of people that gather here. You can see it with your own eyes.”

Wadhwa added, “Take a walk

by Castro Street, the main street of Mountain View, and you will see with your own eyes what I’m telling you. The cafés are filled with young people with their laptops, immersed into their projects of start-ups, asking from table to table how to solve problems of software, even if they don’t know each other. All these young people want to be the next Steve Jobs.” He concludes by saying that even more important than cultivating the right innovative environment is the vital part relationships play in making connections among talented individuals in a central place.

Economist Richard Florida from the University of Toronto supported this theory by stating that what generates creativity is mainly the presence of other creative people. Florida claimed, “the idea that creativity is something related with great individual geniuses is a big myth.” This is a new way of understanding creativity and innovation as a collective result rather than its usual connotation as a thunder that strikes a gifted mind in isolation.

After reading these theories, the first thing that came to my mind was the potential Trinity Western University has to be the Silicon Valley of Christian innovation. At TWU, we have a great gathering of talented young Christians, passionate about fulfilling Jesus’ mission for their life in such diverse ways and professions. If Silicon Valley is a place full of great minds in technology and can produce the latest innovations in the world, then TWU is the ultimate place that can make so many positive changes in the world inspired by the doc-

Cut off a toe of my choice - Joey Schweitzer

trine of love from Jesus. We have every tool to accomplish that: a great campus life, activities that united, quality education that can transform our creativity into innovation. We also have plenty of spaces for social interaction, spiritual growth and inspiration everywhere, along with the support of a campus body for any idea that we propose. One example is Lighthouse Voyage, an NGO founded in 2013 by TWU student David Punnamannil. The NGO’s board is comprised of TWU students and alumni. They have been supported by the donations from many activities sponsored by TWU. So far, the funds from this organization have helped save 310 women and children from the sex trafficking industry in India.

Similar to Lighthouse Voyage, there are countless other initiatives that can become successful if we come together as a community and make them happen.

I believe that TWU is the perfect place for our collective dreams to come true. We just need to take this Christian community to its maximal potential and be both leaders who propose the innovation and supporters who can carry it through.

My question to start this fall semester is this: What new things will come out of TWU in this new academic year? I’m very excited about the answer, and I can’t help but to dream about all the good things that such a special place filled with talented people, will be able to give back to this world.

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NEWS

MEET THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS:

A N I N T E R V I E W W I T H M AT T H E W S T. J O H N ALINE BOUWMAN Did you know that there is a higher administrative body than the president at Trinity Western University?

The Board of Governors (BoG) oversees the main administrative bodies at TWU, including President and the TWUSA Constitution. The decisions made by the BoG directly affect students at this university, and it is therefore important that the student body has a good understanding of its operations. In this segment, Mars’ Hill interviews different members of the Board of Governors to improve transparency between administration and the student body.

MH: Mars’ Hill MSJ: Matthew St. John MH: Please introduce yourself briefly: who are you, what do you do, and what is your position on the Board of Governors?

MH: Are members of the Board appointed or elected? How were you selected to serve on the Board of Governors?

MSJ: My wife, Christa, and I live in Minneapolis, where I have the privilege of being the senior pastor of New Hope Church, a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic congregation with nearly 3,000 people gathering each weekend. I have served as a senior pastor for over two decades, have enjoyed interacting with ministry leaders all over the globe, and own a deep passion for helping spiritually hungry people move toward Jesus and take others with them. Regarding Trinity Western University, I have been on the Board of Governors for six years, and serve as vice-chair of the board and chair of the board’s governance committee.

MSJ: While our constituent members participate based upon their respective roles within the TWU community, like those representing the faculty, staff, the student body, or alumni association, for instance, most of the members are approved by the Board of Governors after a nominating and vetting process facilitated by the board’s governance committee.

In 2009, a couple of TWU board members who knew of my experience elsewhere on globally-strategic boards, as well as my passion for higher Christian education, invited me to consider being on the Board of Governors. Because of previous commitments, I demurred for a couple of years, but did step onto the Board of Governors in 2011. Regarding my own participation, besides serving as the board’s vice-chair and chair of the governance committee, I offer my experience as a theologian and ministry leader to serve the board as it fulfills its unique purpose.

MH: What does the Board of Governors do? What is your specific role on it?

MSJ: The Board of Governors largely focuses on two things. First, it is the board’s responsibility to steward Trinity Western University’s distinctly evangelical vision and values, and to appoint and empower servant-leaders, such as our president, Bob Kuhn, to ensure the university’s vision and values permeate the school’s culture and shape the desired outcomes. Secondly, it is the board’s responsibility take required steps to ensure that the university is functioning in an optimal manner so as to achieve its purpose as a markedly Christian community for higher learning.

MH: How often does the Board of Governors meet? Are meetings held at Trinity Western University?

MSJ: The university’s charter requires that the Board of Governors meets at least three times a year, though occasionally circumstances necessitate additional gatherings. Normally, we meet fall, winter, and spring, and nearly always on the main campus in Langley.

MH: How long do members of the Board serve?

MSJ: Constituent members of the board serve as long as their positions within their respective associations allow, while the majority of board members may serve up to two, five-year terms.

MH: How is the Board of Governors held accountable? What are some personal expectations the Board has of you?

MSJ: Accountability largely falls along two lines. The Board of Governors is accountable to the university’s founding documents (including the Mission Statement, Statement of Faith and Community Covenant), values and principles, ensuring continuity with mission and purpose. Also, the board is accountable to the university community as a whole, whose natural scrutiny demands humility, wisdom, and optimal stewardship of the school. Besides these two things, the board has mechanisms in place for both personal accountability and professional development, safeguarding board unity and health. Expectations for me are like those for any board member—a vital relationship with Jesus Christ; high reverence for the Word of God; agreement and compliance with TWU founding documents; faithfulness in prayer for the school; g e n e r o s ity with time and talent and treasure; wisdom and humility for the tasks at hand; a deep love

and passion for the students and faculty and staff; and robust belief in the school’s vision, values, and mission.

MH: Does the Board of Governors decide what is (and what is not) in the Community Covenant? Do you feel that the Community Covenant is an essential part of Trinity Western University?

MSJ: Being charged with the oversight of the university, and as stewards of the school’s vision and values, it falls upon the Board of Governors to ensure the university maintains an optimal, Christ-honoring environment for its students, faculty, and staff. The Community Covenant is one key reflection of that commitment, and is an essential framework providing for a life-giving, safe, and edifying community in which all may flourish.

MH: What is something that Trinity Western University students should know about the Board of Governors?

MSJ: If you ask any board member he or she will tell you that a favorite activity as a board member is having personal interaction with the students, such as when we go to chapel or when we sit down together for lunch or when we go to athletic events, and so forth.

We LOVE the students! We pray for them all the time, love hearing their stories, and celebrate their accomplishments with joy and gratitude. We welcome their prayers for us, and value any feedback they may wish to provide.

7 CHRIS TOWNSEND

ACADEMY T H E FORG OTTEN O NE JOHN KRNETA As the last page of their life was about to be turned, a deep cry of “Remember me!” sprang forth. These are the words of the sinner and the Saviour. Is this really what it comes down to? A longing for recognition and the hope found in it? Or shall we say, a hunger for life itself and the Food which can sustain it?

Even God craves to be remembered, and in doing so He displays a beautiful vulnerability. A child who poured his heart into making—to the best of his ability—some work of art to be given to those who meant everything to him would be painfully wounded if his creation was not acknowledged. So it is with the One from whom all things

came. A small and simple recognition of pure and beautiful intentions is a form of praise fills the Receiver’s heart with joy. God wants to be one who is thought of just like a sweet and tender young lady giving a quick glance to see if the one she loves is noticing her and thinking of her.

A great athlete in their prime will amaze crowds with deftness and determination and receive fame, fortune, and fans. Records are made and then broken—adulation shifts to others in the years to come. The spotlight moves to the latest victors. We consider this normal and feel that giving such glory is right. Yet played out in a cosmic forum are the exploits of Him who hurls lightning bolts and forged the universe.

EVEN GOD CRAVES TO BE REMEMBERED, AND IN DOING SO HE DISPLAYS A BEAUTIFUL

Another person worthy of such recognition is a mother. Any and every mother is due honour, for a mother sacrifices deeply from prior to preg-

R E C OLLECTION S HANNAH POWELL I remember my grandma Grace as the person she was six years ago.

The lady who was always smiling, her signature maroon lipstick flawlessly outlining her teeth in the way children aim to fine-line their colouring books. We always connected well as granddaughter and grandmother. We would talk about a lot: the drama of elementary school, boys, and even friendships.Grandma Grace was just one of those ladies who you knew was pretty inside and out when she was younger and enjoying the prime of youth.

She was enjoying the prime of implicit memories, where memories aren’t forcefully made, but just recalled effortlessly. Six years ago, all of her high school and university memories easily flooded to her. There was no need to try hard to remember. Her wedding ring brought the tale of the charming boy introducing himself in the cafeteria. Grandma Grace knew his name was Gerry and she also knew he was a master of the “ dad joke,” which was quite an eggcellent skill. For Grace, an emotion was felt, a door was opened, and a memory was stored.

The day Gerry proposed to her was probably the best day of her life.

Grandma had probably cherished the milestones she had made—especially the milestones as a wife and soon as a mother. When her first child, my Uncle Jeff, came into the world, he was probably close to her heart as well.

Daily faces brought out a story without trying.

Now, I say probably because she does not actually know. In fact, Grace can’t even recall her most precious recollections.

My Grace was diagnosed with dementia six years ago. Eventually, our precious conversations became slurs of words, and our ability to communicate and understand each other was akin to running around in circles.

My mom would tell me how to talk to her—how to emphasize, but not pity. “Now Hannah, don’t finish her sentences.” “Look patiently as she tries to talk.” “Always smile, Hannah.”

“Avoid distractions, Hannah.” “Make sure she gets this amount of sleep.”

“Hannah, have you ever asked your grandma about her pet therapy?”

“Never leave her alone.” Facing my Grandma’s dementia, I am reminded of when John Green once said, “ the only things worse than having cancer is watching a loved one suffer from it.”

In a culture where desires can be achieved with the swipe of a finger or the click of a button, our ability to recall memories is taken for granted in this society of instantaneous information. I just wish we would take the time to appreciate the ability to recollect. As you might know of the popular romantic movie, The Notebook, the heart throb Ryan Gosling portrays a husband still so in love with his Juliet. The movie occurs in two settings.

One is the summer when they fell in love and the other is in a nursing home where they both are growing older.

She, too, suffers from a memory-erasing disease and the only way Ryan Gosling’s character can get his wife back is through retelling their love story, painting pictures of memories in the form of simple sentences.

My only prayer at night is to remember my memories—to take the time to actually recollect what is significant, to appreciate the ability to remember how to love, how to live, how to walk.

I use my grandma’s story as a wake-up call. It reminds me to pause. My grandma lost the ability to share life with her loved ones, as well as herself. Her mind is now filled with cobwebs and governed by forgetfulness. I just pray she’ll earn these back in heaven. The people you meet, the places you see, the things you’ve done; take the time to remember. Write it down. Choose to remember. Choose to live after you’ve stopped remembering.

Eat a cup of leeches. - Ere Santos

nancy. Even after her young have grown old, her offspring always remain children to protect and care for in her eyes. As a mother hen wishing to gather her chicks under her wings, Jesus eyed His own—the people of the city for which He gave Himself. Although they and others were not then willing to be gathered, the Gatherer would have Himself made known. A servant of God was sent to those for whom He had become unknown.

His simple message was this: To know and to remember the One who was raised from the dead. He who desires to be remembered finally made His own book, and it is composed of those who remember Him. “They shall be Mine,”said He.

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ACADEMY

CALL ME M AY B E ALINE BOUWMAN The idea of Calling has occupied a special place in the administrative vocabulary of Trinity Western University as of late. In his latest Convocation Address, Calling was the topic President Bob Kuhn chose to speak on to the TWU community. According to Kuhn, our Calling must be “dug out from under the rubble of ignorance,” the arbitrary decisions and volitions that compose the content of our lives.

Drawing on Ephesians 4:1, Kuhn proclaimed that we all have been “personally summoned by the Creator of the Universe,” even if half of us don’t know yet what His Calling for us is.

“We are never more ourselves than when fully sheltered by this calling,” Kuhn stated, “so when God is calling you, maybe just pick up the phone.”

I did not grow up an Evangelical, and the word “Calling” was never a part of my vocabulary. I see the particular narrative of Calling as something that dwells within the horizon of an interpretative framework which already includes that concept. Someone who grew up interpreting the pivotal moments and formative decision of their lives as manifestations of Divine Calling is inclined to keep imposing this narrative upon their past and present choices. Outside of this interpretative framework, however, the same thing might as well be called Fate, Free Will, Mere Coincidence—or whatever one’s language game of choice happens to be. This article is not to dismiss the idea of Divine Calling itself, or to call its validity into question. It is, however, to call to critical consideration the contexts in which it is employed.

If a narrative of Calling displaces our personal responsibility, informed decision-making and critical engagement in the service of a greater metaphysical command, that narrative must be questioned. TWU is, after all, a university: a place of higher learning where critical thinking should be expected and encouraged.

My fear is that the narrative of Divine Calling sometimes seems to interfere with TWU’s identity as a university. In an e-mail from the President’s Office sent on June 30, the day after TWU lost its case against the Law Society of Upper Canada, Kuhn noted that “in spite of the law school-related challenges, we are anticipating record enrollment numbers for the fall. More students than ever before have decided that TWU is where God is calling them” (italics mine). We might wonder if these prospective students might have decided they were called because of the law school-related challenges, and not in spite of them. Their decision to attend TWU might have been based on the values exemplified

by TWU in the law school case, which, in retrospect, fit well into the narrative of Calling. Yet, attaching a metaphysical dimension to this interpretation— Divine Calling, after all, implies that the individual responding to that Call is carrying out Divine Will—certainly adds weight to the matter.

What other ramification does one need to cough up some of Canada’s most expensive tuition for a university with an increasingly poor reputation in secular media? If it is God’s Calling, must not all other considerations be abandoned?

A point brought up by the Christian Legal Fellowship (CLF), an intervener on behalf of TWU on day two of TWU vs. Law Society of Upper Canada, seems to suggest something to this effect: “The practice of law can be considered a religious calling—it’s an extension of the call to act justly. For many, TWU will be the best place to prepare for that calling. Refusing entry to a calling, including one that requires a license, is a serious matter.”

The argument the CLF seems to be making is that because someone might feel Called to TWU law school, no one has the right to deny its existence.

The implication of this argument is that the case for the TWU law school is not controlled by human interest but

by God himself. When we take this idea to its logical end, to criticize it is to criticize God.

W H AT O T H E R R A M I F I C AT I O N DOES ONE NEED TO COUGH UP SOME OF C A N A D A’ S M O S T EXPENSIVE TUITION FOR A UNIVERSITY WITH A N I N C R E A S I N G LY POOR R E P U TAT I O N I N SECULAR MEDIA?

If this is the case, the narrative of Calling paralyzes any attempt at criticism. How often have you heard the following sentence? “TWU may not have [X], but we have such a great, unified community.” I hear this sentence at least once per week, with strong influxes whenever I choose to voice a complaint. The all-too-familiar narrative that having a “unified community” should placate any desire for

Run naked around campus for a full hour evading security - Linda Burger

change at TWU is not too surprising— our theme for the year, after all, is the hilariously redundant “Called to Unity, Committed to Community.” Within the narrative of Divine Calling, God’s call to unity renders insignificant any petty complaints about such minor issues as internal conflicts of interest, problems of accountability, and lack of inclusivity. When you are Called to unity, you are by extension called to be an ambassador for TWU and sacrifice for its cause. When you are Called to unity, you have no place to criticize it or to work in any way that might hinder it.

To reference the Convocation Speech once more: when God calls, maybe just pick up the phone.

If these logical extensions of an extreme interpretation of Calling in any way reflect a present reality at TWU, we have a problem. Perhaps I am mischaracterizing the way in which the concept of Calling is being utilized right now, and skewing a beautiful theological concept into an oppressive myth.

However, I have also been told by a Student Life Representative that people who really disagree with what TWU is and stands for should just leave. This is something that I believe is contrary to the nature of a university. Is not critical engagement at every level of the institution something that is edifying, at least, to accountability? We might wonder if it is a testament to a lack of openness to such critical engagement that so many writers for Mars’ Hill choose to publish anonymously. My fear is that a comment such as the one above stems from an implicit belief that the metaphysical weight of being “Called to unity” eclipses our ability to think wcritically, hold each other accountable, and point out problems where they exist. But perhaps I am just being too critical.

ACADEMY

9

6 THINGS I WISH I HAD BELIEVED WHEN I BEGAN MY STUDIES AS A “MATURE” STUDENT MICHELLE SCULLY

When I hear the word “freshman,” some of the images that come to mind are fresh vegetables ripe for the picking, laundry “fresh” out of the dryer, or a product “freshly” assembled from the factory. What does this terminology imply about fourth-year students?

Does it somehow insinuate that—by the time you get to fourth year—you are stale, hardened by years of deconstruction, and crusty around the edges from a chronically challenged worldview? And why don’t we have a snappy catchphrase for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years? All these ponderings considered, what do we really mean when we designate students as “mature”? “Mature,” in my case, meant that I had previous university education and diverse work experience. As I entered university for the second time feeling like an awkward misfit, I heard many words of wisdom from a variety of sources. But I simply didn’t believe them. After all, I was a “mature student”—what did they know anyways? It turns out they did know a few things, and I learned a few others that I wish somebody had told me. Because of this, I pass on to you, new student—of any age or situation—what I have learned from my “freshman” year of my second degree.

1

T H E R E IS ALWAYS R OOM FO R GRO WTH

You are not fully developed.

Just because you have already obtained some university education, spent time away on mission trips, travelled, worked, or whatever else it was that kept you from pursuing the completion of your university degree until now, there is always room for growth.

The trick is to be humble (easier said than done), because only from this place can one be honest with themselves about the areas in which they are not experts. It isn’t easy to have a humble attitude when you look around at the 19-year olds who will have their career path laid out before them by the time they are in their early twenties.

2

B E WAR E O F P R I D E

Being categorized as a “mature student” implies that one has somehow attained virtues, skills, wisdom, and experience that those “fresh” on the block are lacking. This delusion, embedded in the very language we use, disconnects us from a whole cohort of students who have just as much to offer the community as mature students do. Wisdom comes in many shapes and forms, and sometimes inhabits the most unlikely of people and places. When it comes to academia: Be humble when you have to re-take a class you deem to be unnecessary and repetitive. I can guarantee that there will be helpful reminders, theories that need refreshing, an increased or supplementary perspective offered by a different professor, and even new knowledge and truths never before realized. Be humble enough to remain engaged, even in the classes you think are below your educational skill level.

3

B E WAR E O F V I CT I M ME N TAL I T Y

Mature students often return to complete their degrees burdened with responsibilities of which freshmen generally cannot relate. If you are like me, you have the added stress of working to pay bills and the constant search for creative ways to fund your education while simultaneously enduring the pressures associated with being a fulltime student. Apart from this, juggling your life established outside of school creates stress and busy-ness which can be isolating and further entrench a sense of loneliness. When I began looking beyond myself and engage with the community, I discovered that many others (“mature” or otherwise) were in the same boat. No, not everyone will be able to entirely understand your unique struggles, but everyone has their own trials, no matter how “put together” they appear to be.

Trinity Western University has an amazing community—don’t believe the lie that you are in this alone or that you are somehow “on the fringes” of TWU culture.

4

LO O K FO R F RIE N D S I N U N L I K E LY P L A C E S

Branch out from groups, cohorts, and sections of campus in which you have been placed by TWU staff and student leaders. Get to know someone in a totally different program than yours. Naturally, you will be spending the majority of time with those in your designated program of study. But don’t limit your social network to those areas. Spending time with individuals in other programs can be a much needed breath of fresh air from the repetitive social pressures and conversations surrounding your particular program—as a nursing student, I can only handle so much talk about poop, clinical, catheters, and exam marks.

5

U S E YO U R P RIOR E D U C AT ION A N D E X P E R I E NC E

This may seem like a contradiction to my first few points, but the fact remains that you do have a wealth of unique experience and skills that come with your age. Don’t shy away from opportunities to share!

This will look different for everyone and can be as simple as having the courage to raise your hand in class to contribute stories as they relate to class material. Every member of the TWU community has something to offer, and if you hold back, others cannot be blessed by your experience.

Probably most things. Maybe sell an organ. - Nadine Sikkema

6

TH E P ROF E S S ORS A N D S TA F F RE A L LY A RE H E RE TO S U P P ORT YOU

I know, you have heard it repeated over and over again. This is what makes TWU unique as an educational institution, right? It may sound cliché, but it is true. Last year I thought I would have to drop out mid-semester because certain things fell through which I was relying to fund my education. Being near emotional breakdown and desperately trying to hold it together, it became difficult to be present in class with this cloud of dread hanging over me. Not knowing what else to do, I eventually asked one of my professors to talk. I had no plan and didn’t know what I was going to say. I just vented and she listened. There was not much she could do to help my situation, but she offered what she could: prayer.

Long story short, I walked out of her office and got a phone call half an hour later which completely turned my situation around for the better.Support from staff will not always end in a miracle, but it does ease the experience of suffering. Furthermore, your friends have their limits. They can be amazing listeners, but their ability to guide and speak into your specific situations is often limited because of their age and personal relationship to you. So whether you are fresh or not, check your attitude so that you can become the gift that you are to the community of TWU.

10

THE DEPTH B E N E AT H THE JENNA KASTELEIN

Stay up past my bedtime - Joel Gajdos

11

I

have spent my fair share of time on the ocean. Growing up an hour from the coast, my childhood was full of day trips playing in tide pools and weekends discovering the rugged shorelines of the Gulf Islands. I have spent countless hours on boats small and large—from kayaks to cruise ships—watching the waves from as many vantage points as I could manage. As a little girl, I was enamored with the waves. They are things of profound beauty—moving together at times, crashing into each other at others, but inevitably settling into harmonious stillness.

Waves can make the ocean a place of great chaos, but also a place of incomparable peace. When the idea of making the Trinity Western Student Association brand an image of waves came up this year, we couldn’t help but find it fitting: as a student body, we function in a way that is strikingly similar to a body of water. Although we are composed of many different people that are diverse in every sense of the word, we share a common identity as students and followers of Christ. In a similar way, each wave is different from the next, but they are all participants in the same body of water. That’s why “We Are,” the two small words introduced as TWUSA’s rallying cry two years ago, still holds so much weight today. They preach a message of unity and togetherness—the very core of what makes the student experience at Trinity Western University so transformational.

If you wander past the cafeteria and look up at the banners that grace the path, you’ll see this reflected in the university’s theme for the year: “Called to Unity, Committed to Community. Ephesians 4:16.” “Unity” and “community” are well-worn words around here but, like any good cliché, they are repeated for a reason. They are truly hallmarks of this place. However, they have a depth and substance that can be overlooked. The community has depth not because of the hype—it has depth because this is a place where people are willing to be vulnerable.

“

This community has impacted me because it has provided a place where I can voice that I am broken and where I can express it when I feel alone. “We Are” because we can be real with each other—because we give each other the space to be vulnerable and authentic. This is a place full of people intent on learning—not just how to pass Organic Chemistry the third time around, but how to love themselves and love others. As a community of Christ-followers, we are learning how to live in a manner worthy of the calling we have received. We are learning who we are and how to interact with each other in a way that is full of grace and courage. That is why we can stand behind a message of unity: we are a community of people that strives to be gracious and authentic. We may not always succeed, As the President of TWUSA, I but there is immense beauty in the fact that there is space for us to can tell you that I love this place and am committed to unity. My ultry. timate goal is for TWUSA to conAs a TWUSA council, we see and tribute to making your experience appreciate what it means to be here as rich, warm, and full of the impacted by this community and hope of Christ as mine has been. encounter this transformational University is a time where we get student experience. We know that to ask ourselves who we are, what community is what defines this is occurring in the world around us, place, and we have seen the ways and how we are going to interact that it can shape us. As students at with it. It is our profound privilege TWU, we are offered not only an to do this in a place centered on education but an experience that Jesus Christ—the hope of glory. I challenges us, encourages us, and hope that you take advantage of ultimately shapes us. We believe that privilege this year. Take this this is what makes TWU so remarkyear to ask questions and live couable; as your student council, we rageously. Jump at the opportuwant to help provide space for this nities to grow, and do it with the growth. Thus we stand behind a community around you. I truly bemessage of unity, that We Are one lieve we grow must fully when we student body, diverse but united ask questions together and have like waves in an ocean. We also the courage to answer them honwant to approach this year with the estly. desire to make a positive impact on So my fellow students, as your your experience as a student. The 2016/2017 TWUSA council, we are TWUSA Mission Statement ends with the goal of “positively impact- rooted in the desire to positively ing the life of the university and the impact our community, because community at large.” Of the many We—you, me, our classmates, goals championed by TWUSA, this faculty, and staff—Are what make is what we want to mark our time as TWU a rich place of transformayour student council in every meet- tion, growth, and authenticity. Aling we run, event we host, club we though we are as different as one fund, and committee in which we wave is from the next, we are still one student body. We are as the participate. ocean, remaining constant despite the differences in the waves. As the ocean is beautiful thing to behold, so is our student body.

WE ARE B E C A U SE W E CAN BE REAL WITH EACH O T HE R — B E C A U SE W E GIVE EACH O T HE R T HE SPA C E T O B E VULNERABLE AND A U T HE N T I C .

Tell my roommate: “no, not tonight” - Joel Gajdos

12 KRISTEN MCALLISTER

ARTS & CULTURE

LIFE LESSONS FROM LOMBARDY

WHY ITALIAN CULTURE IS ACTUALLY FOR EVERYONE

MACKENZIE CAMERON Over the last two summers I have boarded a plane at the close of school and hopped time zones to spend three months in the north of Italy as an au pair. “Au pair” is a French term meaning “equal to,” and is meant to represent the relationship between the au pair and the family: the au pair enters the family as a temporary member rather than an employee.

I’d recommend au pairing to just about anyone. If you’re able to take care of kids and have just enough courage to brave a language barrier, then it’s something that you won’t regret, even just for the educational experience. I’ve learned just about as much from my mistakes abroad as I have from anything else. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. So here’s what I’ve learned from Italian culture that can be applied to almost all life’s settings, regardless of queen and country.

1

ACCEPT THE COMPLIMENT

Italians live up to the hype when it comes to appreciation and flirtation. For the first few weeks of my first summer in Italy I was overwhelmed by their outward appreciation for all things good and beautiful.

They aren’t shy when it comes to compliments, which isn’t something we’re necessarily known for in Canadian culture. We’re a little bit careless when it comes to compliments and even worse at accepting them. Halfway through the summer I got really tired of making up excuses for the compliments I was receiving (“The shirt? Thanks, it’s my mom’s,” “My hair? Oh, it’s actu-

ally not a great hair day today,” “My idea? Yours was just as good . . .“) and decided to just say “Thanks.” Despite common Canadian ideology, saying a simple “thank you” is not prideful—it’s an acknowledgement of the other individual and it’s a good way to build confidence.

2

PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS MORE IMPORTANT

Italians are known for growing up in the same area where they eventually raise their children and their children’s children. They don’t move very far, and as a result, they have friend networks rooted in decades of shared moments both small and big. While we’re considerably more transient in North American culture, the idea of always putting people first is something we can definitely take away from Italian culture. We have been groomed to “climb the ladder” from a young age, whether that’s the social ladder, the career ladder, or the religious ladder. Italians don’t live by the same rung rules as we do. It’s less of a ladder and more of a monkey bar set—there’s room for more than one and if you fall off you’ll surely land next to a familiar face.

3

RESPECT YOUR ELDERS

While I only lived in Italy for three months at a time, I always had a Nonna or Nonno (“grandma” or “grandpa”) looking out for me.

These are the balcony-bodies who play cards in the sunshine and monitor the streets for activity. You don’t need se-

curity systems in Italy—you need Nonnas. They’ll yell at you from the third floor as you pass down below with brash greeting like “Ciao bella” (“Hello beautiful”) that lets you know someone’s looking out for you. We may not have spoken the same language, but there was a mutual care and regard for the other that I found really refreshing.

Over time, I was able to master the different greetings reserved for the elders as a sign of respect which made me wish that it was more of a focus here in Canada.

4

INVEST, INVEST, INVEST

It may have just been the fact that I lived with an outstandingly generous family, but it seemed to me that we were never in short supply of individuals who were willing to give of their time and resources for the betterment of the community. Perhaps they all had such a vested interest in the community because they had grown up there and intended to stay for the foreseeable future. Regardless of the reason, I found Italian community members to be motivated and driven when it came to community events.

My Italian town ran a 10-day festival at the end of the summer where everyone chipped in—from the children who collected garbage and waited tables, to the elderly who prepared food trays and ran the ticket lottery. It was a lively festival for such a small town. It showed me that there really isn’t power in numbers, but power in the passion of the people who show up.

Read Plantinga. - Jesse Rintoul

5

TAKE A SEAT

There is no such thing as a togo cup in Italy. It’s also a bit of a faux-pas if you ask for your food to be boxed up at the end of a meal. When you order your food or beverage you are expected to sit down and enjoy it with the people you ought to enjoy it with. As North Americans, we live busy lives. We shouldn’t need a reason to take the time to sit down and indulge in a lush blueberry muffin or savour the patriotic Double-Double. While living with my Italian family, we had all of our meals around the table with a table cloth to spoil, enough bread to spare, and plenty of stories to share.

I have come to love my Italian family as I love my own family—we have shared the same space for enough time to see each other on good days and bad. I’ve bathed their girls, wiped their bottoms, blown their noses, held their hands, traced their fingers to paper, lifted them into and out of swing sets, and kissed them goodnight. In return I’ve had my fingers held, my hands traced, my swing pushed, and my pockets filled with flowers. I’ve been kissed goodnight. It has been equal parts heartbreaking and fulfilling to have gained a whole new family— heartbreaking to say goodbye, fulfilling to know that four people across the globe hold my heart as close as I hold theirs.

ARTS & CULTURE

13

WHY THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS MAKES ME FEEL THINGS SAM ROSENAU Before writing this article, I could look back at one my favourite childhood shows and feel wondrous, fluttery feelings. These fluttery feelings would often occur as I remembered wishing I could go on those amazing adventures lead by Ms. Frizzle or how jealous I was of her pet lizard, or any of her neat gadgets for that matter. The feelings I am describing are what is commonly known as “nostalgia.”

The term nostalgia was originally contrived by Johannes Hofer in 1688.

The word stems from two Greek words nóstos and álgos, meaning “homecoming” and “ache.” Little did Johannes know that 328 years later, an 18-year old would later take advantage of his coined phrase to discuss how he feels about a children’s show about a kooky lady with a bus.

Interestingly enough, it seems that nostalgia is almost always a positive feeling. Alan R. Hirsch explains this

beautifully when he says that nostalgia is “a longing for a sanitized impression of the past, what in psychoanalysis is referred to as a screen memory—not a true recreation of the past, but rather a combination of many different memories all integrated together, and in the process all negative emotions filtered out.” This perfectly explains why sometimes when we revisit something we enjoyed in the past—because it’s not quite as spectacular as we remember. Although I have had sentimental feelings for The Magic School Bus, once I actually watched it again with my new, more cognitive brain, I understood that my childhood fantasy is not exactly Oscar-winning material.

This makes me the perfect anecdote to Hirsch’s statement.

So does this mean that nostalgia is a completely futile emotion? Something that will leave us empty, as we cannot physically return to that place or time we long for? Well, maybe sometimes.

Nostalgia can occasionally be depressing and in extreme cases lead to what is called “self-discontinuity,” which is essentially a feeling of missing the way you once were in the past. Fear not, because the benefits of nostalgia may still outweigh its downsides. The New York Times says that “nostalgia has been shown to counteract loneliness, boredom and anxiety.” Furthermore, it has been witnessed that “[c]ouples feel closer and look happier when they’re sharing nostalgic memories.” Unfortunately, this latter point isn’t exactly applicable to all of us. Nonetheless, nostalgia— with its pros and cons—

is ultimately an amazing tool where one may mentally enter an intangible portal to return to a world that once was, and will never be again. The feelings we receive from nostalgia can absolutely be useful, and (potentially) healthy. So feel free to daydream about Pogs, Hubba Bubba tape gum, or a Justin Bieber song from 2009, because if the emotions you experience are used well, they may very well benefit you in ways only that special portal we call “nostalgia” can.

W H AT I S C U LT UI R E

KIRSTEN MCALLISTER If you approach your Arts & Culture editor this year to fan out about that actress in that movie in 2003, she will not know who you are talking about.

I have the embarrassing job of admitting that I am not one of those blessed individuals who will impress you with their cultural relevancy and guide you to the latest and greatest movies, shows, and albums. If you can do this, you are considered cultured in contemporary Canadian society. Of course there is nothing wrong with being well-versed in the arts unless the goal of your cultural knowledge is to participate in trendy experiences. If you are satisfied with knowing all of Beyoncé’s new songs but do not let her

experience as a black woman impact how you see equality and justice, you are not as cultured as you think. If this happens (and I think that it has), not only is culture diminished to a series of fads, but you have also excluded a significant number of people who are not privileged enough to have access to these luxuries. If culture has come to mean something only applicable to the upper class (which let’s be honest, if you attend a private university, this is what you are), we have re-created hierarchy.

The irony of Canadian multiculturalism is that, although you would expect our country to be rich in culture as a result of it being so culturally diverse, the feeling of isolation and lack of identity among us reveals that the truth remains otherwise. The paradox of our culture is that we live both at

ease and without rest. Levels of anxiety and depression are soaring not because we do not have the time, but we don’t know what to do with it.

Aristotle wrote that “this is the main question, with what activity one’s leisure is filled.” German philosopher Josef Pieper would build upon this perspective nearly two millennia later by arguing that it is only on the foundation of leisure that culture is formed.

If this is the case, then millennials— though infinitely connected and relevant—could be the most uncultured generation yet. Unable to be at leisure, we stuff our moments between classes with ritual Facebook checks, and the latest, smallest, most famous animal on the internet. We cannot sit still in our own existence.

Although the meaning of culture has been hijacked by the rich and powerful to climb the chain of success,

Direct God’s Not Dead 3. - Trevor McMahan

initially it was a word for the peasants. The word “culture” emerged in the 15th century from the Latin word “cultura” which meant to cultivate the land. While farming takes plenty of digging, tilling, planting seeds, and watering, it is easy to forget that regardless of all their labours—the most time-consuming activity for a farmer is to wait for their plants to make their own way out of the Earth. This is not a step that can be by-passed with harder work, but a crucial moment meant to make us contemplate the gift of our lives. This means going to the Spartans game, writing down that poem, planting a garden, or making a good meal. Sometimes this is the most difficult work we will do—no one ever said that it is easy to be cultured.

14

ARTS & CULTURE

DARBY ARENS

Hello, my name is Darby. I am an artist and outdoor enthusiast whose favourite farm animal is the goat and whose favourite food is ice cream and chocolate. Chocolate ice cream.

See what I did there? I just made an introduction. Introductions have been on my mind a lot lately because they are the first step in starting something new. When you meet someone, you introduce yourself; when you read a book or watch a movie there is an introduction; and when you walk into your first university class the professor introduces the course.

I remember my first year of university and the countless introductions I had to new people, experiences, and information. Whether you are new to Trinity Western University or returning, the start of a semester provides many new beginnings. While introductions can be the start to something exciting and new, we often do not expect them. Once I completed my degree in April, to many it appeared as though my introduction into the “real world” was a walk in the park. After graduating with an Art and Design Honours Degree, I landed a full time job in my field as a Graphic Designer and started the Monday after graduation. I found a place to rent with two amazing roommates. It appeared as though I had my life figured out. However, if that was all I told you, I would not be telling the whole story. The truth is, sometimes introductions are a painful process.

As the weeks went by, it turned out that my job had a steep learning curve and there were many times when I wanted to call it quits. I felt like an imposter and that at any moment someone was going to figure out that I had no idea what I was doing. I felt like a failure because, while I loved my degree, after spending so much money on school I now wasn’t sure I even liked the job in my field. I wondered how I could tell my friends and family, who only saw my success, that I felt so unsatisfied and alone. We don’t like to talk about these types of introductions.

As the summer went on, things started to get better. I slowly gained confidence at work and had the opportunity to do some travelling in Europe.

This reminded me that this is only a small chapter in my life and that introductions don’t last forever.

Just when things seemed to be going my way again, disaster struck and I broke my foot by falling off a curb.

Yes, a curb. Bedridden and immobile, I had a lot of time to think about the past four months of my life, from graduation to present. I realized that things had been going by so fast that I had been unable to process it all. As my foot healed, the bruising was initially just in the area of the impact. As time went on, however, the deep bruising surfaced in places I thought were not affected by the break. It spread from my ankle to my toes and I watched as my purple and green foot served as a visual example that healing takes time and can be messy. When we are discouraged, things come to the surface that we think we have already dealt with. It took a painful introduction for me to recognize some of the brokenness in my life which I had not previously allowed to come to the surface.

It was only once I had been removed from the safe familiarity of my school and home environments into a place of pain and isolation that I was forced to become vulnerable and reach out for help.

I want you to know that some of the introductions you face this year will be tough, maybe even painful. We need to learn to be patient with ourselves as we process and adapt to new situations and realize that it’s okay to be messy. This is something I am still learning and walking out (as best I can with a broken foot). It has taken time, support from others, and lots of prayer, but I finally feel as though I am ready to turn the page. Sometimes introductions will seem less like a welcoming handshake or the opening pages of a good story and more like a shock, a revolution, or the first night in an unfamiliar place. The beautiful thing about introductions, whether they are good or bad, is that they are only a beginning. So for all of you being introduced to new situations, feelings and challenges, keep turning those pages, and soon enough you will see your introductions turn into unforgettable chapters of your life.

Live in dorms for four years. - Ryan Domingo

SOMETIMES INTRODUCTIONS WILL SEEM LESS LIKE A WELCOMING HANDSHAKE OR THE OPENING PAGES OF A GOOD STORY AND MORE LIKE A SHOCK, A REVOLUTION, OR THE FIRST NIGHT IN AN UNFAMILIAR PLACE.

15

lets talk about secTs

This new section is dedicated to a discussion of topics in Christian theology and ecclesiology from perspectives informed by a multiplicity of Christian “sects.”

Our topic for this issue:

TRADITION

ANGLICAN LEANNE WITTEN Traditions are the customs and beliefs that the church has practiced for generations. Tradition has been an important in the Anglican church since it was founded in 1534. Anglican churches value church creeds and retain the hierarchical structure of bishops, priests and deacons. Typically, services also include reading scripture and liturgy, a time of greeting one another and wishing one another peace, and taking the Eucharist. Liturgy and the sacraments are central in the Anglican church.

Entering an Anglican church for the first time, one might ask: Why all this tradition? The short answer: every tradition is meaningful because it is attached to the beliefs of the church, all of which are centered around faith in Christ. Tradition is one of the things that led me to join an Anglican church in university, though I came from a less traditional church background.

rooted in right doctrine. Reliance on tradition serves as a foundation that ensures that the church does not lose sight of the beliefs held by the Church Fathers. It keeps the church from straying from orthodox beliefs. Traditions exist to help the body of Christ in their faith understanding, rather than to distract from the overall message of the Gospel.

The important thing about the Anglican church’s reliance on tradition is that it allows the church to remain

E VA N G E L I C A L NICOLAS RENOWITZKY Ah, the T-word. It’s an interesting topic for an Evangelical to cover, seeing how we Evangelicals have established an “anti-tradition” tradition within our church. You see, we Evangelicals get nervous around anything that seems even the least bit “Catholic” or “ Liturgical” in our church services. Stained glass, paintings, and ornamentation is usually a big no-no, singing is always backed up by musical instruments, and our church leaders try to stay away from wearing anything that looks even a teensy bit “priestly.” In

all honesty, our Evangelical “traditions” are really just trends—they’re always changing and vary from congregation to congregation. Things like Bible study groups, life groups, prayer groups, youth groups, youth services, altar calls, preaching, tithing, hanging at least one decorative cross, or even having services within church buildings aren’t necessary. When it comes to the way we do Church, anything can be changed, added, or removed.

For example, I remember attending a Church that was just one small room.

C AT H O L I C JAMES FRENDO Pope Francis has declared September 5th as the feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta. The canonization of a new Saint is a good time to reflect on Church Tradition. Take the Traditional practice of intercessory prayer through others.

Intercessory prayer is the Tradition of asking other Christians to pray for you.

Sound familiar? Catholics often also petition Jesus through specific holy people (Saints) we know are with Him. Peter could have personally asked Jesus about the betrayer, but interceded through John because he had a deeper relationship with Christ (Cf. Jn 13:24-26).

There was no preacher, and people in the congregation would just share what Bible verses were on their heart and what they meant to them. In another church, they had dancers and flags, and people would be speaking in tongues as the pastor preached.

Both churches fell under the category of “Evangelical.”

In reality, Communion/Lord’s Supper and Baptism are our only consistent traditions, and even then, we only do them because Jesus says so in the Bible. Unlike all other forms of Christian-

But there are oceans more to Tradition than intercessory prayer. Tradition is about finding and teaching the best way to interpret, practice, and obey the commands and instructions of Christ. Tradition pumped the heart of Christianity by preserving the Gospels and their message before the Biblical Canon of 405 AD immortalized them.

The Second Council of Nicea gathered Christians to discuss sacred art and avoid idolatry. St. Benedict formed his Rule for prayerful monasteries worldwide. St. Thomas Aquinas compiled The Golden Chain, the Biblical commentary of Church Fathers. St. Louis de Montfort articulated intercession to Jesus through His Mother. St. Teresa of Calcutta exemplified how to love the poor and forgotten.

O RT H O D O X MICHELLE SCULLY To quote St. Vincent of Lerins: The Tradition of the Church is “that which has been believed everywhere at all times, and by all.” So what does that mean?

The Orthodox way asserts mystery and nuance while simultaneously acknowledging the need for tangible means of guiding individuals on their way to life in Christ. In the Orthodox faith, there is a liturgical, a sacramental, an administrative, and a spiritual tradition. There are those Traditions of the Church which are considered “big T’s”

(non-negotiables) and “little t’s” (negotiable within reason). But life is messy— we can’t categorize and define everything. There is no earthly head of the Church—Jesus Christ is the head. All bishops are equal. A bishop can make a decision but it will not be received as canon law unless the people first accept its teaching as true. So, in Orthodox fashion, the following open-ended statements are intended to capture the spirit of Tradition rather than delineating a comprehensive list:

ity, we believe that these “ordinances” (the Evangelical equivalent of a sacrament) aren’t necessary for salvation and are instead just outward expressions of spiritual realities. Sort of like how wearing a ring symbolizes that one is married, but it isn’t the marriage itself. And that’s Evangelical “tradition” in a nutshell—it’s all symbolic.

Tradition is the work of the Holy Spirit in history, which includes, but is not limited to, Holy Scripture.

The goal of the Tradition is to preserve the fullness of the Christian faith as it has been passed down to the Church by the Apostles.

The entire life of the Orthodox Church exists so that we can be restored to spiritual health.

All of life is to be understood sacramentally.

Ask Cal Townsend to explain every book he has read. - Matthew Stinson

Tradition is present in pious practices, orations, and writings. It gives us a rich map of Christian faith, charity, prayer and humility.

If Truth is a double-edged sword, then Tradition is the guard, and Scripture the handle. A sword is laughably clumsy without a handle, but the handle is defenseless without the guard preceding it.

After St. Teresa died, people begged her to pray for them. Jesus answered St. Teresa’s prayers, working miracles and healing diseases for those who asked. So ask somebody holy (alive or dead) to pray for you—it’s Traditional!

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MADISON EVANS

SPORTS

IMAGES COURTESY OF TWU ARCHIVES

LEAVING A LEGACY

Murray Hall’s undeniable contribution to the growth of Spartan athletics MADISON EVANS As the Trinity Western University Spartan teams gear up for the 2016-2017 season, we say farewell to an athletic department MVP who has been on the Spartan team for 32 years and has overseen massive growth in the Spartan athletics program. This past spring, Murray Hall stepped down from his long-standing title as Athletic Director. He is one of several pioneers in the athletic department at TWU whose contributions over the years have been integral to the transition of the TWU Spartans from college league contenders to Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) champions.

Murray Hall first came to TWU in the fall semester of 1984. He was hired as an associate professor in Physical Education on a one-year trial basis. This was the same year that TWU was added to the list of “internationally-recognized degree-granting universities” by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. The following year, the school officially became known as “Trinity Western University.”

Because the school was now “running with the big dogs” academically, there was pressure from the public to see the school moving in a similar direction with the athletic department. However, the department was still tiny the year TWU officially became a university. The Spartans were still part of a small, local college league. The budget for the entire athletic department at

the time was only $30,000 and the total athletic scholarship budget was $1500. Spartans coaches were paid between $500-$1000 annually, and all of them worked full-time outside of coaching at TWU in order to support themselves.

In 1988, Dr. Bill Luke, the previous Athletic Director, left the school to pursue his doctorate. Murray Hall stepped into the vacated position, and became Chair in Physical Education in that same year (a position that today would be referred to as Dean of Human Kinetics). At this point, Hall was still teaching fulltime. In only four years, Hall had moved from a temporary position to a full commitment to athletics at TWU. “God got a hold of me and said, ‘You need to be there,’” Hall said.

That was also the year the athletic department began a graduate internship pr ogram. This salaried position would entail working 60hour weeks, eight months of the year, for $1000 a month. Hall attributes a great deal of the success of the athletic department to the work of these interns. Many of them continue to work in the athletic department to this day. Blair Whitmarsh, Al Alderson, Steve Scholz, Jeff Gamache, Tim Demont, and Julie Ratzlaff were all interns who played a huge part in developing the program in its early years.

By the year 1995, a four-year program was implemented. TWU slowly increased the budget for athletics while continuing to compete at the British Columbia Colleges’ Athletic Association level.

In 1999, TWU launched four teams into the biggest interuniversity sports league in Canada: men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s volleyball. “This is about God and working through people,” Murray stated concerning the launch of the TWU Spartans into the CIS. “The Lord orchestrated this at the right time with the right people. Without them we wouldn’t be where we are today.” Hall notes part of the success of Spartan athletics is due to the early administrative team: President Neil Snider, Dr. Don Page, Ron Kuehl,Harvey Ouellette (the former Director of Finance), and a very supportive Board of Governors.

“This is a miracle story—it really is,” said Hall. “Something like this shouldn’t have happened. It’s probably never happened in Canada before, it might never happen again [...] a program with maybe a budget of $30,000 across all these teams migrated into what was called the CIAU (later known as the CIS) [...] It was a strategic decision by the university to differentiate us from the small colleges.”

Hall took a pioneering approach to his role as Athletic Director: starting new things is in his nature.

“That’s just how God’s wired me,” he said. “I love to start, and make things better [...] I think of myself as an ‘excuse taker-awayer.’” Hall was well-known by others in the athletic department as a big dreamer; this quality certainly played a large role in the rapid growth and success of Spartan athletics. He attributes the success of the program to his trust in the Lord, as well as to the

Not hug a puppy for three years. - Keenan Marchand

many people who were involved in the program along the way.

“It’s not my credit,” he said. However, there is something to be said about the vision of the former Athletic Director. “I learned a term years ago called ‘godly discontent,’ and it’s not about grumbling and complaining [...] it’s about not being content with the status quo.

Don’t just blindly accept things the way they are.”

Now that Hall has finished his career with Spartan Athletics, what lies ahead? “I am reading a lot and learning many new things.

I am able to invest more time in my Christian spiritual growth. I am working on some projects with my children, I am on a wait-list for total knee replacement surgery after which I may begin training for Masters Throwing again.”

“We have so much to be grateful for. There are the many lives changed for Christ. Since the 19992000 season, we have earned 10 CIS national championships, 28 CIS championship medals, and 47 Canada West championship medals. This past season, seven of our 10 programs ranked in the CIS Top Ten.” Murray continually asks himself, “With the right attitude, Lord, how can we make this better?” It has been an approach that has been instrumental in leading the program to where it is today. He also cautions that “contentment can be very bad. I encourage people to keep learning, and to get around people who are further down the road than they are.”

SPORTS

17

AT H L E T E SPOTLIGHT MEET THE ROOKIES Mars’ Hill: What was your first contact with Trinity Western University and the Spartans track and field team?

Mars’ Hill: What made you want to get involved with varsity track and field?

Makaila: I got to experience the community of the team through training sessions I went to. I was always included, which was a nice change from other team cultures I had experienced.

Makaila: I quit pole vault in grade 12 thinking I wouldn’t go back. School was busy, and I had work at the vet clinic. But then Rob (the head coach) asked me to come back. At first I thought, “maybe not,” but as I thought about it more, I realized that at this point I don’t need to be training like an Olympian. I can do it for me, and for fun, and enjoy it—I love pole vaulting and being athletic.

Mowa: I first heard about TWU’s track team through a teammate who went to the school.

Mars’ Hill: What are your goals for the season?

Makaila: My goal would be to balance track and school, and maintain good grades while still having some fun while I’m here. I’ve been able to do that since school started. We’ll see what happens once midterms come around.

Mowa: To set new personal bests, and hopefully make it to CanWest. I want to be able to balance school and track, and get a high GPA.

Mowa: There was this grade ten race. I remember coming in third, and thinking to myself, “What? I have never not won before.” The competitiveness of the sport got me into track. I always want a better result than the time before. I ended my grade

Name: Mowa Adeleye

Name: Makaila Lapointe

Major: Biology (Pre-Med)

Major: Biology (Pre-Vet)

Event: Triple jump, high jump, sprints

Event: Pole vault

Hometown: Calgary

Hometown: Abbotsford

Mars’ Hill: How has your walk with God been connected to your experiences with track and field?

Makaila: Being a part of this team will challenge me in a new way. God put me in this spot for a reason. Through these challenges I will be tested, and I believe God will use this to draw me closer to him.

twelve season thinking, “I don’t feel finished yet.” I feel like I have more to offer. Being on a team also helps to meet new people, which is a definite plus.

Mowa: He gave us everything we have. We can glorify His name and show others how faithful He is through the gifts He has given to us.

At the start line, the beginning of a hard practice, every time I feel that I want to give up, or it’s too hard, I remember that the ability to overcome through the power of God is stronger than my physical ability.

WHAT IS SUCCESS TO YOU? JARETT FONTAINE What is success? The answer to this question varies for all athletes, because success comes in many different forms. When I think of success, I think of a process rather than an end result.

The accomplishments I make while playing the sport I love are what drive me to keep moving forward—whether I have a good practice, or score a goal at a game. Overcoming obstacles and making small improvements are factors that motivate many to keep coming back for more.

As an athlete, I have been able to experience the challenges and obstacles that come with doing the sport I love.

Although there are many good experiences, there are also darker times that are often kept behind closed doors.

Hating something you love and have loved all your life is confusing for any athlete. Answers are often hard to find, and many do not understand the internal struggle and frustration. One thing that has had a huge impact on the decisions I have made is the support system that stands behind me. A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to receive a gift from my parents that would change my life, give me reassurance, and provide me with answers for which I had been helplessly searching. I was sent to a five-day intensive life course seminar which made me dig deeper than I ever had before. It made me realize that I had the wrong approach to the questions I was ask-

ing myself. Instead of asking why I hated hockey, I should have been asking myself what I loved about hockey and why I have loved it all my life. This experience allowed me to reflect on all my past accomplishments through the good times and the bad. I came back a stronger athlete than I was before because I was reminded to have faith in myself and my abilities.

WHAT IS IT THAT MOTIVATES US TO KEEP COMING BACK?

Kill someone. Or should it be more funny? - Julian Ksinan DeGroot

Everyone plays their sport because it has some aspect that they enjoy or love. What is it that motivates us to keep coming back? Our experiences are a reminder of why we continue to pursue the things we do today. They have helped us discover our interests, passions, and inspirations. The adrenaline rush from the crowd, a big hit, a save or a goal are all just a part of what leads athletes to thrive. The answer is not always in the end result, but rather how to get that result: the accomplishments, the disappointments, the lessons learned and the life experiences.

These are the factors that connect us and keep us connected to our sport of choice. They are what have helped us to learn what it is we love, and why it is that we love it.

18

Whoever you want me to - Anonymous

19 CONNOR THIESSEN

HUMOUR I CHANGED AND STUFF, I THINK CONNOR THIESSEN One of the most common questions that the mentors in our lives ask is how we’ve changed over the past year. Almost every time I’m asked this, my response is, “I don’t know, you tell me.”

It’s as though they think we’re regularly able to have some sort of out-of-body experience and take stock of our own character development. “Well, it’s Tuesday, which means it’s time to separate my perspective from the bonds of my earthly body and observe the quantifiable measure by which I’ve improved my relational skills.” Life is

not some video game where—if you live long enough—you end up with a whole bunch of skill points that you can use to solely upgrade your charisma.

That’s not to say that it’s impossible to notice your own growth as a person. I can say with almost 100% certainty that I am less socially awkward than I was in grade seven. I am also taller than I was in grade 10. I didn’t take any time to specifically work on these things, although the awkwardness definitely would’ve been worth it.

My point is, don’t worry about whether you can tell if your confidence has grown, or if that moustache is finally an actual moustache, or if your hands get less clammy than usual when talking to the opposite sex. Just make sure that you keep yourself moving towards improvement, and the change just kind of happens. It’s like when you let the apps on your phone update automatically: At some point, you’ll try doing a thing and you’ll realize that doing the thing is easier, or different, or more fun, etc. The key is to keep being a

living person with a personality, and keep doing stuff. In the words of Mark “Markiplier” Fischbach (one of my favourite internet personalities), “You do you, and I’ll do me, and we won’t do each other, probably.” As far as I can tell, it worked for me.

THE CHERRY BLOSSOM With Andrew Richmond

MAN FINALLY REMEMBERS NAME OF THAT GIRL HE MET AT THE CLUB LANGLEY, BC—After 20 years of soul searching and difficult self-discovery, Harry Mahnn remembered the name of that girl he met at the club. On September 12th 1996, Mars’ Hill interviewed Mahnn.

“Oh . . . um, yeah,” said Mahnn.

“We talked for like ten minutes that one time. She was pretty hot. I got her number. It was chill.” Mahnn went on to describe the sheer calamity of the following moments: “Yeah, like, she left and I was gonna text her but she never told me her name. It was alright though. I got three other numbers that night.”

All hope was lost for the forlorn Mahnn. However, after years of careful investigation and research, the patient and loyal writers at Mars’ Hill finally located the love of Mahnn’s life. Our reporters tracked down the mystery woman and confronted her with the exciting news.

She was overjoyed at the potential restoration of this tragically broken bond and was so overcome with emotion that she ran away screaming in triumph. Thankfully, she dropped her purse in her sudden moment of unrestrained passion. Our reporters identified her

as Sandy Womihn. We returned to Mahnn with the good news of the discovery of his long lost love as he was strolling through the park with his wife and three children. He was ecstatic, exclaiming, “Who are you people?” and “Get away from my family!” Such is the joy of reviving long lost memories through careful intentional investigative reporting.

Crash my car through Douglas.. oh maybe not Douglas.... I like Douglas. .. - Brian Yoon

Figure 1.1 Harry Mahnn’s phone

OOPS

Looking for the de-classifieds? Turn to page 3!

BY STEN

THE Connor HIMNAL Thiessen

year: 3rd

age: 20

Major: Theatre BFA

height: 6’1’’

Age limit (max/min)? I’m not sure what this question means, so if it refers to the max difference in age between me and potential datee, then probably Hometown: Calgary, AB Age Limit (max/min)?

How do you Know if it’s Love?

8 years.

Denomination:

Last time I checked Mennonite Brethren, but I’m not sure anymore.

Fave Christian Non-Worship Song?

Local Construction by Relient K Fave Man in the Bible? Mephibosheth.

‘Nuff said.

Views on Courtship?

A judicial system on a boat doesn’t sound like a good idea.

This question makes me uncomfortable.

Idea of a perfect date?

Brunch, video games, Nerf gun battle, and Netflix marathon, in that order.

If either or both of you prioritize spending time together over personal hygiene.

How many kids do you want?

Just enough to start a pop-punk band.

Best Place for a First Kiss?

Love language?

Top Quality in a Future Mate?

Skill that makes you “the one”?

Right here?

A really weird sense of humour.

Work for Mars’ Hill - Michael Brouwer

Physical touch, quality time, and Junior Chickens.

I’m already working on my arsenal of dad jokes.