Volume 24 Issue 5: I Heard the Bells

TWU’S FINANCE PG.

10&11

VOLUME 24 I HEARD THE BELLS

MERRY (PHALLOGOCENTRIC) CHRISTMAS PG. 14

OH, I HEARD ‘EM ALRIGHT PG. 18

ISSUE NO. 5 11.27.19

2

I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Christmas might be the most literary of holidays. Christmas at the Ciro household is mostly comprised of evenings spent reading simply by the light of our gaudy, but beloved, Christmas tree. My mother is a teacher–– our entire home, especially at Christmas, is populated by beloved treasures from her former students. My mother––minimalist and aesthetically conscious for as long as I can remember––bears it out of sentimental devotion.

We each have our favourite books. I always reread two: C.S. Lewis’ The Horse and His Boy and Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol. The latter emphasizes that the posture of Christmas can be carried into the new year, and the former invites the reader to encounter the inherent temporality of their existence. Both texts, about loss and dislocation, remind the reader that in Lewis’ words, “We were made for something greater.” I find that these texts richly compliment the posture of Advent, as we remain conscious of our barnyard-like surroundings.

In some quiet moments, our Christmas is about grief, too. My mom’s dad died before I was born, and despite my grandmother remarrying, bringing a wonderful man into our lives, my Grandpa Norm’s absence occupies an important place in our holiday observance. The holidays have an uncanny and undeniable capacity to force us to encounter our physical and emotional distance from our loved ones.

Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

In the midst of this intense awareness of distance from our loved ones, we seek comfort in Emmanuel. Our Christmas story, regularly profoundly performed by little ones in bathrobes is about loss, death, oppression, dislocation, and then presence. Bookended by shepherds shivering in the cold and a young family fleeing violence, we have “Peace on earth, good-will to [wo]men.” We were made for something greater, Lewis says. Christmas invites us to imagine what that might be.

And in despair I bowed my head; “There is no peace on earth,” I said; “For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow writes this poem in a fit of grief for his wife who died young and his son killed in the midst of the Civil War. Profoundly conscious of their absence one Christmas, Longfellow brings this poem to life. It captures a raw grief that seems to inherently contravene the hopeful anticipation of the Christmas season.

In this issue of Mars’ Hill we explore the emotional and spiritual significance of the Christmas season. Two pieces in our humour section play with the symbolic and ritualistic function of bells and their capacity to influence our belief and perception. We publish the final results of our survey on the university’s core documents and report on the financial status of our institution. Liv Walton, our invaluable intern who took it upon herself to be featured in every section, challenges us to reevaluate our body image expectations of the artists performing the Christmas staple, The Nutcracker ballet. We continue our series on the language that we use to interact with the nature of God––with a unique Christmas twist. Here, in our holiday observance, we encounter the devastating space between ourselves and the embodied relationship we desire with our Creator.

Christmas at the Ciro household is also often about dislocation and distance. Growing up on the island meant that we were often distant and isolated from family. As a culturally blended family, our traditions and practices are amorphous, constantly to be renegotiated and rethought. We open presents on Christmas Eve to simulate partying all night after Midnight Mass, like good Latinos.

Christmas for us is a narrative of conspicuous absence.

My grandpa’s train-set around the Christmas tree, my dad’s nephews leading us in a racus rendition of Los Pastores, and my Auntie Shannon’s roasted bacon brussel sprout casserole, all missing.

As ever,

MARS’ HILL

MISSION TO MARS

Mars’ Hill is a student publication of Trinity Western University located on the tradtitional ancestral territory of the Sto:lo people. 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.

EDITORIAL POLICY

CONTRIBUTORS

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, the Statement of Faith, the Student Handbook, and the Core Values of the University.

Anonymous authorship of any material may be granted at the discretion of the Editorin-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.

Braedon Grover Annika Sydney Janina Carter Audrey @original_twu_memepage

Sunnes Boganes Dvorak Ritzen Sawatzky Loeffler

Media Advisor: Loranne Brown 7600 Glover Road, V2Y1Y1 Langley, British Columbia, Canada marshill@gmail.com marshillnewspaper.com

WHAT SHOULD TWU DECK WITH LIGHTS NEXT?

3

SUBMIT YOUR OWN AT MARSHILLNEWSPAPER.COM/DECLASSIFIEDS Joshua Park’s Social Issues in Education is the best class that I have ever taken in my life and nothing will every compare to it.

To Andrew Dyck: what classes are you taking next semester?

To the guy who borrowed my Beyblade and never gave it back: give it back. father, son and holy gust We love you, Mark Kramm!

The best thing I learned this year is that potatoes have more potassium than bananas Kendra Kay is like so pretty i get nervous even talking to her.

-A Guy Trinity’s new Christmas lights, the best thing for mental health since sleep.

Two ways TWU made my day this semester: - RNT Water fountain - Campus-wide Christmas lights current mood: dr.husbands saying ‘homoerotic inclinations’ Trin students will buy a $250 pair of Bludstones but then dang that $25 Christmas Gala ticket is expensive right?

Eggnog and faith are the only things getting me through finals.

She’s a first year commuter, you probably wouldn’t know her.

To the lucky ears of the dude in the hallway: I don’t always pretend to retch, but when I do, it’s because I’m being extra about taking out the trash.

What’s with the community members who show up at TWU-sponsored events and have never heard of seminar etiquette? #okboomer #ididntseeyournameontheposter

PERSON IN CHARGE OF PARKING: “We don’t have a parking problem, we have a walking problem.”

COMMUTERS: *Clears Throat* Well try walking from Northwest to RNT with a backpack full of binders and textbooks, a bag with more textbooks, a laptop, lunch AND dinner, and a purse. WE DO HAVE A PARKING PROBLEM. #packmule #commuterlife

name a more badass duo than chrisaleen ciro and kelsey morris... i’ll wait

i no longer get an ego boost from the Egg Discourse. instead it haunts me. it is Wretched and it must Die.

Who is Sam Rosenau you ask?

Why it’s Sam Corbett of course!

I hate eggs so much. Like imagine there was an egg. I wouldn’t eat it. That’s how much I hate them. #stoppostingeggs

When all I will do Is dance, forever, raving with you. I can only imagine

Gge. If you summon the reverse of egg, does that cancel out the egg’s tormenting power growing up is scary” : a horror movie Of all the Christmas lights to go out its the COLORED ones..

TWU Diversity plan (check emoji) @the guy who keeps making eye contact with my roommate in the caf. here’s her number 604-483-1572 Anyone else find a random clothespin attached to them @5low if you’re reading this you’re legally obligated to give $50 to a gay person i will only accept we are all spartans when trinity accepts how gay the spartans were i’d rather study in a crowded Starbucks than an empty Tim Hortons Jonny Yu’s rugby photo is the most serious and scariest thing I’ve ever seen 3G is a cult. Prove me wrong.

Fun fact: Hippos are an invasive species in Colombia and are threatening the manatee population there. #staywoke Them: you can’t makes memes through the declassifieds Me: does it Them: surprisedpikachu.jpeg

I can only imagine

Surrounded by his locks What will my heart feel Will I dance for you, Christophe Or in awe of you be still.

I can only imagine What my eyes would see When Christophe Towells is dancing before me Because he’s the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we’ll hunt him. Because he can take it. Because he’s not our hero. He’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector. Braedon Sunnes.

PSA: if you need to fix your shoes, your TWUSA committee is here for you: duck tape shoe fixing seminars available. now i actually don’t know whether or not rees and nyssa are related i am confusion america exPLAAAIIIN Homeboy can greet me with a holy kiss anytime ;) If you need the latest update about ANYONE - Janice Nikkel is your woman, thank God for her Sarah Creach is the freakin goat of the CFA team

I already understand the beauty of God as a Father that’s why we need to understand God as a Mother too. “Agreed” - Rees Morgan Douglas North Up is objectively the best dorm on campus @twusa “one another” temporary tattoos pls Fetus Rees Morgan looks like Lucas from Pretty Little Liars “It

really frightens me that people have access to my fetus pics” - Rees Morgan”

Ladies. It’s happening. He’s real. Justin Van Heek is up for grabs. Act now. Limited time offer, while goods last.

“You know what animal Riley reminds me of?”

“A malnourished lion” Northwest needs more recycling bins If humans are also animals, then isn’t all climate change a natural process? @blondechick in art 181B please stop shooting up in the middle of class, heroin can wait Anyone else find a random clothespin attached to them @5low I never thought owning Don Cherry merch would be this controversial Do you think people would still read mars hill if it wasn’t for declassifieds? #hottakes Rees Morgan is the incarnation of the word meta.

Here is an example of meta for all you plebs: “the enterprise is inherently “meta,” since it doesn’t review movies, for example, it reviews the reviewers who review movies”

“I give the person who wrote this declassified a 9.8/10” - Rees Morgan

Rumor has it Andrew Richmond’s spirit still roams the halls of campus, tormenting smashers everywhere

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.

WHAT IS YOUR NAME? Monique Bouchard WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR? Fake Business (#sorryBrent) WHERE ARE YOU FROM? 3km from TWU. I haven’t gone far in life.

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE (FICTIONAL) CHARACTER AND WHY? I used to be daily inspired by the 1960’s Nancy Drew. In fact, if you had asked me what I wanted to be when I was 11, I would have said a spy.

My parents were not enthused.

WHY DO YOU WRITE FOR MARS’ HILL? I write for Mars’ Hill because 1) I have lots of opinions, and 2) I like to share them occasionally. I also like to support student-led initiatives and groups on campus, and Mars’ Hill does some dang fine work and deserves lots of love.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING? I just got this fluffy jacket. $25 from Superstore.

11/10 recommend. I look like a black sheep.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK AND WHY? Fiction: Definitely The Blue Castle by the legendary L.M. Montgomery. It’s her only young adult novel, and it’s got all you need: feels, love, and laughs. Also, there are free PDFs of the book online.

Non-Fiction: God has a Name by John Mark Comer. It’s for the skeptic, and it takes you through what God says about himself. Also, great endnotes, so you know he’s legit.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ARTICLE YOU’VE WRITTEN FOR MARS’ HILL AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? A few issues ago I wrote a piece remembering my friend Mark Warawa, the MP for Langley-Aldergrove. It’s not everyday you find an MP with so much character. He was one in a lifetime.

“CAL TOWNSEND SO HE WILL LIGHTEN UP A LITTLE” - ALEX PERNSTEINER

4

ANNIKA BOGANES On November 4, the workers of South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (SCBCTA), known to many as TransLink, which provides bus, SeaBus, and SkyTrain services to Greater Vancouver, began strike action. As the strike continues with no end in sight, transit users are wondering how much more it will affect their daily commute. In a world where climate change is at the forefront of media discourse, transit has become a popular option for many to lower their carbon footprint and avoid high gas prices.

In 2018, TransLink reported that the number of rides taken on TransLink services during that year rose by eight percent on buses, six percent on the SeaBus and almost six percent on the SkyTrain. With an increase in the use of transit, the looming threat of a full-scale strike in the Greater Vancouver area impacts many residents.

On November 1, TransLink maintenance workers took action by refusing to take overtime shifts. The overtime strike highlights to both the CMBC and the general public the amount of overtime required by TransLink employees. Such a strike works to protest this unacceptable practice, pursuant to labour standards. SeaBus sailings have seen several disruptions in the past few weeks due to a backlog of maintenance work resulting from the refusal to take overtime.

While Translink drivers will soon reject overtime requests if an agreement cannot be reached, the drivers are already making a statement through a uniform strike, beginning on November 1. As the public expects TransLink employees to be in uniform, seeing someone who does not look like a typical driver forces them to recognize the presence of a protest.

Although CMBC has reopened negotiations with Unifor, the union for the TransLink employees, the negotiations will not begin until November 28, and the union has announced a full shut-down of the TransLink services scheduled to take place during negotiations. Currently these negotiations are working to improve the wages of the TransLink drivers and specialized workers, such as maintenance. Priorities also include emphasis on increased staffing, improved sick leave, and more consistent breaks.

Until a deal is reached, the residents of the Lower Mainland who rely on TransLink services should carefully track what delays may occur in their daily commute as the situation develops.

Students attending postsecondary institutions in the area are advised to maintain communication with professors regarding interruptions to their regular commute.

LIV WALTON

In 2013, Nicolás Maduro succeeded Hugo Cháves as President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Maduro won the election with one of the smallest margins in Venezualan history, leaving many Venezuelan citizens unhappy with their new president.

The people loved Chávez’s socialist and populist ideologies and while Maduro entered his presidential term intending to continue this legacy, he was stiffly opposed. By 2014, the opposition escalated and took to the streets to publicly protest the Venezualan government—aiming their attention at Maduro.

During this time, oil prices remained low for four years, sending Venezuela into an economic crisis. Ninety-five percent of Venezuela’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is dependent on oil exports. Without the usually prosperous revenue from these exports, the bolívar, the Venezuelan currency, quickly dropped in value. Soon Venezuelans were faced with the devastating effects of hyperinflation, as the prices of goods rose drastically while the value of the local currency decreased. As a result of hyperinflation, the Venezuelan government was forced to cut funding for social assistance and poverty dramatically increased.

The correlation between Maduro’s election and Venezuela’s economic crisis caused most Venezuelans to blame Maduro for the situation. Despite this, Maduro won a second presidential election in January 2019 and remains in office, even though there is a substantial amount of evidence indicating that the electoral vote was rigged. Venezuelans were furious; their country, which was once considered a success story of democratization in the Global South, now teeters on the brink of collapse. Currently,

the middle and working classes are unable to afford daily necessities like food, housing, and medicine. With hardly any work available and rising rates of disease such as malaria, Venezuelans are fleeing their homes, seeking refuge in surrounding countries.

Two weeks after Maduro’s inauguration, Juan Guaidó declared himself interim president of Venezuela and swore himself into office. Guaidó has been recognized by Canada, the United States, and fifty other countries as the official president of Venezuela.

Maduro, however, is still recognized as president by the United Nations (UN) and continues to receive support from some Venezuelan citizens.

THIS IMMATURE, BUT FRIGHTENING, CHICKEN FIGHT FOR PRESIDENCY HAS LED TO DIVISION IN VENEZUELA, AS WELL AS DIVISION IN FOREIGN SUPPORT. Many countries do not know which president to support for the duration of this crisis.

In the coming year, President Guaidó will seek to restore some level of peace in Venezuela and refresh the government’s democratic transition. But while he does, Venezuela’s economic destitution has contributed to a devastating humanitarian crisis. Foreign aid is being provided, but unless some semblance of peace is realized soon, there is no guarantee that any amount of aid will reach Venezuela.

“EVERY SINGLE BLADE OF GLASS IN THE REC FIELD” - NYSSA MORGAN

5

TYLER JONES

OFFICER OF THE YEAR: SEYNABOU DIOUF On November 9, 2019, Don Cherry delivered his final rant on Coach’s Corner.

In a conversation about Canadians who choose not to wear poppies in honour of Remembrance Day, Cherry chastised Canada’s immigrant population. Calling the group, “you people,” Cherry made the claim that it is immigrants who generally neglect this practice.

While Cherry has been admired throughout his career for his passion for Canadian troops, many Canadians felt this comment went too far. With the variety of cultures and ethnic backgrounds in Canada, Cherry’s comments struck a nerve.

Complaints from a population of Canadians, both hockey fans and not, reached Sportnet, the host network of Coach’s Corner. Cherry was fired two days after the incident took place. Since then, numerous journalists, sports pundits, and keyboard warriors have rallied to tarnish Don Cherry’s legendary status as a cornerstone in hockey culture. Though his political opinions may be deemed outdated, Cherry’s last straw revealed an interesting trend in all facets of media and journalism.

Don Cherry coached his final season in the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1980.

After an extensive career playing and coaching hockey, Cherry began gaining traction as a media personality. In 1982, CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada gave Cherry his own show, featuring Dave Hodge.

This new show was named Coach’s Corner. Cherry went on to fill 38 seasons with his infamous ramblings. Throughout his tenure with Coach’s Corner, Cherry managed to extend support to many different groups of people. Whether Cherry was supporting healthy treatment of animals, organ donation awareness, or the Canadian Armed Forces, Cherry’s intentions over the course of his long tenure are not in question. As wonderful as many Canadians have found some of his work to be, Cherry has made no shortage of blatantly problematic statements throughout his time on national television.

It is easy to see why many perceive Cherry’s recent statements to be wrong. As many of his political comments collected in unfortunate fashion, this seemed to be the last transgression to be publicized on national television. In both a game and country that are seeking to ethnically di-

versify, there is little room for generalizations about Canada’s immigrant population. The issue here is not whether some immigrants, as well as Canadian citizens, express their support for Canadian troops differently. Instead, many Canadians took issue with Cherry’s choice to paint all the individuals in one group with the same brush. These antics have not only called Cherry’s integrity into question, but that of his long-time partner, Ron MacLean.

As something has to give in situations like this, the comments led to Cherry’s expulsion from Sportsnet. Since justice had been served in the eyes of one side, one response stood out to those who maintain respect for Cherry.

Jessica Allen, a personality on CTV’s The Social gave the most notable indictment of Cherry. In fact, Allen’s comments regarding the incident were perceived to be just as hurtful and hypocritical as Cherry’s. On the morning talk show, Allen hurled generalized statements about hockey fans, players, and their families.

Allen employed rhetoric that seemed to cast the entire hockey community as rich, white bullies who are insensitive to others. Many felt that Allen meant to devalue the choices of parents whose children play hockey by suggesting that they could be participating in better activities.

As sports contribute to a healthy lifestyle, hockey is contributing positively to the lives of many Canadian children. These statements sparked anger throughout a significant portion of the hockey community. In fact, there are petitions aiming to force CTV into firing Allen as her statements alienated people just as surely as Cherry’s.

There is little doubt that Don Cherry was wrong, but Jessica Allen’s comments cannot go unnoticed. It doesn’t matter if one is an 85-year old conservative man, or a left-wing host of a talk show; seeking to unify all people is a goal that must not be abandoned, or tarnished by foolish comments. By placing a select population into a box, people will not only feel dehumanized, but excluded from the rest.

“THE GEESE” - MARITHIA LOWE

SYDNEY DVORAK

Major Seynabou Diouf of the Senegal National Police has been selected as the United Nations (UN) Female Police Officer of the Year. According to the UN, the Female Police Officer of the Year award was created in 2011 to recognize female police officers of the UN and their exceptional accomplishments.

Diouf has served in the Senegal National Police force for 33 years. In addition, she leads a task force with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) working to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse.

She also leads the UN Police Women’s Network, which connects female officers for mentorship and support and enhances their skills through training and professional development.

Diouf received her award on November 5, 2019 at the UN Headquarters in New York. Upon learning that she had been nominated, she said, “Preventing sexual exploitation and abuse is a priority for me and my team and for my mission. And I believe that our efforts are paying off.”

Rape and sexual violence are common in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but it is unfortunately under-researched. It has been estimated that there are 200,000 survivors of rape living in the DRC today.

There have been no new allegations of sexual exploitation brought to the MONUSCO in the last year under Diouf’s leadership. Luis Carrilho, UN Police Adviser, said “Since early in her career, she has shown her determination to make the extra effort, go the extra mile, to achieve her goals. She has demonstrated her commitment to giving women a voice and putting an end to [sexual exploitation and abuse].”

Though her missions have been successful, Diouf stresses that it is more important than ever not to fall into complacency. She says, “We need to continue doing everything we can to ensure that this number remains at zero and victims of abuse receive the support they deserve.”

6

GRACE GIESBRECHT Hospitals can be scary places: they can also be expensive ones. In British Columbia, as in the rest of Canada, the expense of healthcare is managed by public service plans. In BC, these plans are called medical service plans (MSP). Residents pay into these MSPs regularly through monthly fees called premiums. Temporary residents, including students from abroad who come to Canada to study, have been included in this system for 30 years.

Previously, international students at TWU paid for insurance through an MSP group plan administered by the university, after their first three months in the country, where payments were listed on monthly student statements. This plan was eliminated with the MSP premiums.

Lundberg said that the group plan kept any students from “falling through the cracks” between interim and provincial healthcare insurance.

But this is changing as BC’s provincial government restructures the way provincial healthcare is funded. The new international student insurance fee eases international students’ transition into Canada, providing them with access to medical coverage as premiums are phased out for provincial residents.

An international student’s first three months at TWU are currently covered by an interim insurance provider which, due to this new system, is under review by the university. Lundberg expects TWU to transfer to a company called Guardme, a common provider used by large universities for student insurance. Guardme caters to universities by funding specific services—most notably a paid student employment position to aid in the communication about health services and insurance for students.

The fee is twice the amount paid for the last three years and is no longer included in fees paid to the university, making students responsible for their own payments. Moving forward, students and staff at postsecondary institutions like Trinity Western University (TWU) are looking into how the new system will realistically work.

Public Health Minister Adrian Dix announced the $75 fee in August, a rate that matches the original MSP premiums before they began dropping for residents in 2017. When premiums are eliminated completely for residents, international students will still be required to pay the original $75—without this policy, international students would not be contributing to their insurance coverage. “One of the consequences of eliminating MSP was just this: eliminating the contribution international students make to healthcare,” Dix said.

Director of TWU’s Wellness Centre, Kurt Lundberg, explains, “With insurance premiums being removed for the permanent residents, international students who used to be treated as residents are going to have to have this international student fee.”

The Employer Health Tax will replace the premium system on January 1, 2020. Instead of charging individuals, it places the financial burden of healthcare on corporations. The premium was often considered a regressive tax, because the price is the same despite income differences, Dix explained. “People making 60 000 a year pay the same as someone who makes 100 000 a year.” International students are not considered contributors to this plan because they are not expected to be working for a corporation that pays the tax.

TWU’s large community of international students was made aware of these changes in a letter on October 16, after the first two insurance payments were made through the university. In addition to a change in the cost, every international student will be responsible for paying this fee directly to BC Health.

Lundberg believes that this point of communication will be an excellent addition to TWU, especially with students now responsible for their own health insurance payments. “For students coming, especially from abroad where English isn’t their first language, navigating the insurance system is complicated.” Lundberg went on to say that, hopefully, this service will be set up in the Global Engagment Office (GEO) where students can help other students figure out the system in their own languages.

International student Georgia Henkle has had trouble navigating this new system, and knows other students have, too. TWU’s Wellness Centre has also had difficulty adjusting to these changes. When the announcement was made in August, it was done after student accounts had been “coded” for the original $37.50 international students would have paid. “We said: MSP would have to go after that [other half] of the payment directly,” Lundberg explained. Student’s direct payments have been the other $37.50. On January 1, 2020, the payment to MSP will be the entire $75 fee—instead of half being paid through TWU and half being paid directly to MSP. This was partially explained by the letter students received well after a month of classes had passed, but many questions were left unanswered.

Lundberg admits that TWU was slow in getting information about the situation to students. Throughout the summer as the announcement approached, information changed. “Depending on who you talked to and what week it was, you got different messages,” he said. “It didn’t look like the right hand knew what the left was doing.”

Lundberg said that more information from the Wellness Centre will be coming out at the end of November on the situation and about how this will roll out in the future.

TYLER JONES Since the dawn of the league, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has always given its fans the amazing gift of the very best matchups on Christmas Day. Whether you care about basketball or not, you are making a massive mistake if you decide to avoid watching the Christmas Day games that the NBA has to offer. Here are three exciting things you can expect from this year’s line-up.

The Battle of Los Angeles is upon us, and relevant once again.

After two consecutive seasons without a Christmas Day game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers, this marquee matchup is back and ready to astound fans.

With LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, and Paul George—four of the top ten players in the NBA—participating in this game, this Christmas is going to pop.

2019. As his team, the New Orleans Pelicans, will be stacking up against the powerful Denver Nuggets, there is no question that this game will provide a gripping storyline.

After several seasons of quality play, the Toronto Raptors have finally been awarded the honour of playing on Christmas Day against the Boston Celtics. The reigning NBA champions, supported by a majority of Canadian NBA fans, are excited to see this wonderful opportunity unfold on their home court in Toronto.

Whatever you do, make some time to enjoy the wonderful story that will be unfolding on December 25!

Zion Williamson, the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft is expected to return from his knee surgery on December 17,

“THEIR CIS-HETEROSEXISM” - KIERAN WEAR

7

JANINA RITZEN “I’m not saying we got our way but . . . we got our way.”

My father threw out this curious phrase after nearly six weeks of interfamilial drama that occurred over choosing a date for my wedding. The excitement of our new engagement was swiftly stifled by parental pressure to secure the venue and the date—you have to choose the venue before the date because as heaven knows, these dates go quickly.

simple, and they do it all for you. I don’t see the need to look anywhere else.”

We are given a budget between the two families. But after my fiance’s parents hear that my mother threatened to remove her support, my future mother-in-law is anxious to seek maternal revenge. They offer to pay for the wedding in its entirety, if necessary. The sounds of the forest grow stronger within my heart; they want out. My father is livid.

My fiancé proposed on December 30, 2018, a beautiful He demands to know why my fiancé’s family believes that gesture which was rescheduled time and again because he is unable to provide financially. He misses the statement of family commentary. Our engagement day was 363 days about supporting children’s wishes amidst the alleged asaway from December 28, 2019—the day we dreamed of sessments of his bank account. My parents take it out on me. They lament their marginalization and interrogate my getting married. heart, asking, “What are you hiding from us?”

I love winter. I love the cold, and one could say that my soul resides at negative two degrees. I adore evergreens, dress- Days pass and the tension builds. One evening, my mother es with sleeves, wood burning fires, and tinsel. A wedding tells my fiancé and I that she needs to share some great between Christmas—my favourite holiday—and New Years news. We sit. She and my father, after a period of intencould be lit by twinkle lights and garnished with poinset- tional prayer, have both had a major change of heart. She tias and ferns. I can picture the white dress, black suits, and claims the Lord has worked in them; in the past twenty-four wine red bridesmaid dresses. If I pray hard enough, maybe hours, they have come to realize that the answer lies in my fiancé and I making all of the decisions regarding our it will even snow. wedding date, as they have done their utmost in raising I have come to believe that sharing one’s dreams is an open me and it is time to love their child enough to let her go. invitation to their destruction. I breathed my vision and was She can find the consequences of her own actions, even if sentenced to silence. My parents grew increasingly uneasy those consequences are having a wedding in December. at the thought of a winter wedding, bringing up the hassle, the possibility of low attendance, and complaints from Is this a legitimate decision? All I can think of is the weight others about the inconvenience. Following this came the of what was presented as the most life-altering choice critical hit: “We will not support any marriage until after imaginable: the difference of four months spells either a successful future for my fiancé and me, or a failed maryour degrees are finished.” riage on the edge of financial destitution. My parents have What does it mean to no longer have your parent’s sup- washed their hands of the matter, and my mother still does port on something so dear? Previously they had alluded not comprehend why her statement of removing support to a preference for marriage after graduation, but the line of our wedding was hurtful. Rather, she wants me to reflect was never drawn. Now they claim we were blind to not see upon how I nearly tore our relationship apart by assuming it all along. A wedding in the summer of 2020 is rational— my parents did not have much to contribute financially.

Perhaps I was wrong in assuming that a lifetime of scrapit is what good children do. ing by and hearing my father stress about costs meant we A week later, my fiancé’s parents book a consultation at did not have much money.

Newlands, a potential venue, without telling anyone. Word gets out, and my parents are upset. They, too, book a con- Pride. Status. Power. In yet another conversation pressursultation; the betrothed and their mothers set off on a ing me to choose between next May or this December, my father emphasizes that he was so angry with me before cloudy morning in early January. the change of heart that he was going to book a family I TIE UP MY VISIONS OF AN INTIMATE vacation for that same week in December. The money he would have contributed to my wedding would be used to FOREST WEDDING WITH MY FAVOURITE boycott it entirely, ensuring that none of my immediate PHOTOGRAPHER; THE SOFT SOUNDS OF family would attend. My mother rejected the idea. He did THE BRANCHES BENEATH BLACK BOOTS not care. He claims that both he and my brother would gone. The words hang in the air, they swell my throat.

UNDER AN ELABORATE GOWN WITH NO have He moves onto the next topic assuming they had no imMUSIC, WALKING DOWN THE AISLE. THEY pact: it’s just sharing the truth after all.

ARE NOT SAFE TO SHARE, DROWNED OUT BY THE “YES, MUM” AND “NO, MUM,” THE NODDING-OF-HEADS, PAMPHLETS, INTERRUPTED SPEECH, THE BALLROOMS, AND THE PARENTAL DREAMS.

What God has joined together, let no man separate. I count my blessings and cross off the days, silently. I hold my breath and whisper to my heart: soon. Perhaps there will come a day when parents, two young lovers, and wedding bands can exist in a space which also feels like home.

It is settled then, the wedding will be at Newlands. “I wish that I had all of this when I was your age,” I hear. “It is so “PRIDE FLAGS” - HANNAH AHRENDT

8

EMMETT HANLY “Why’d ya spill yer beans?”

After a movie, I often remain in my seat throughout the credits, allowing myself to breathe out the experience and process what I have witnessed. However, when the credits began to roll for The Lighthouse, written and directed by Robert Eggers, I was left stunned and totally unable to catch my breath. I have left theatres frightened, exhilarated, and heartbroken, but never before has a film left me physically winded like this surreal, dark comedy of isolation, substance abuse, and gaslighting.

For that, I adore this movie.

The Lighthouse tells the surreal tale of two lighthouse keepers: Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson) and Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe). Wake constantly berates the tortured Winslow for not performing his duties properly, and Winslow can only watch with envy as Wake locks himself in the top of the tower each night—both seeming to have a sexual attraction to the light itself. As the weeks wear on, the two develop a bipolar relationship; in a matter of seconds they go from sharing a tender slow dance to beating each other senseless on the floor. Soon, lies become indistinguishable from the truth as Winslow encounters strange visions of creatures from the deep. Time loses meaning as the two men slowly go insane, and the lines of reality blur. Are the two men hallucinating all the tentacles, mermaids, and ghosts, or is something supernatural exerting its sinister will upon them?

Pattinson and Dafoe’s performances are undoubtedly the most impressive feats of The Lighthouse. Pattinson is primarily remembered from his role as Edward Cullen in the notorious Twilight Saga, but his acting chops on display under Eggers’ direction are exceptional. His haunting and, at times, hilarious performance as Winslow will certainly be a landmark role in his career, and it is enthralling to watch him delve into the depths of misery.

The Lighthouse is also a masterwork of cinematography, brought to life by the film’s director of photography, Jarin Blaschke. Every frame could be a poster, with meticulous natural lighting and shot composition reminiscent of Wes Anderson’s still, symmetrical aesthetic. Much of the film was shot on an island off the coast of Nova Scotia, and all of the wild weather is the authentic work of Mother Nature. The titular lighthouse was built from scratch, dismantled, and rebuilt over and over again in order to get the necessary camera angles to tell the story. The most unique technical choice, however, was the decision to make the aspect ratio 1.19:1, meaning that the whole movie takes place within a box that takes up only about a third of the screen.

This adds to the tight, claustrophobic atmosphere of Wake and Winslow’s microcosm of the world.

Though it is indeed a horror story, The Lighthouse is not the typical grindhouse flick that horror audiences often crave. Its aim is not to make you leap from your seat or squeal in terror, but to present the uncanny nature of a nightmare in its truest essence. It is more disturbingly bizarre than it is scary, opting to disorient instead of to shock. So much of the film is abstract and symbolic that each person who experiences it will walk out with their own interpretation. With that being said, people who prefer neat, satisfying endings with clear messages will probably find themselves frustrated with its ambiguity.

For me, The Lighthouse is the movie of the year. It certainly will not appeal to everyone, but it does not need to. It is wholly original—a breath of fresh air in an era of sterile horror sequels, remakes, and franchises. This was the most visceral experience I have ever had at a movie, and I was compelled to see it a second time within a week.

Now, I look forward to eventually watching Winslow “spill his beans” a third, fourth, and fifth time.

Dafoe has never failed to impress in any role that he chooses, and his portrayal of a salty sea dog is wholly transformative; it will be a crime if he is not nominated in next year’s Academy Awards.

LIV WALTON Christmastime is here, and with it comes seasonal festivities such as Hallmark movies, gingerbread cookies, and sound-controlled Christmas light displays. For many families, going to see The Nutcracker ballet performance is a traditional part of the season. For dance companies and studios, The Nutcracker is the performance of the year; from beginners to prestigious principal dancers, most ballerinas have taken part in some rendition of The Nutcracker. In professional dance companies, Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece precedes the holiday season, requiring months of preparation. This type of preparation and discipline exemplifies ballet’s perfect intersection between art and sport. “Ballet culture,” however, threatens this balance with painfully high performance standards that spread into the various veins of a dancer’s life.

Ballerinas must be able to simultaneously maintain postures of both elegance and strength while dancing. The art of ballet is linear; the movement of every bone and muscle seamlessly flows into the next.

The sport of ballet requires conditioning; the ballerina must sustain controlled movements for long periods of time. But these ideals—essentially intertwined though they are—prove to be contradictory. To obtain the coveted linear figure, a ballerina must be lean with minimal muscle. Yet, to execute the extreme maneuvers, a ballerina must be exceptionally strong. Ideally, a ballerina will have a slim frame, long neck, high insteps, and proportionate arms. According to Dance Magazine, ballerinas should stand somewhere between 5’5” and 5’8”.

While most dance companies are not eager to explicitly mandate a specific frame of weight when holding auditions given today’s commentary on body positivity, many ballerinas know that if they appear heavier or weigh more, they will most likely be denied an audition. The companies worry that when there is too much variation in the height and weight of the ballerinas, it could jeopardize the desired symmetry of the dancers as a group.

The competitive standards of ballet translate into a destructive dialogue around the bodies of dancers. Ballerinas often develop disordered eating habits over the course of their careers—in many cases, these patterns devolve into clinical eating disorders. It is not uncommon for ballerinas to recount experiences of being told by an instructor or coach to lose weight quickly, by any means necessary. Thus, ballerinas are especially prone to disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and body dysmorphia.

The effects of disordered eating habits are very serious, and if not treated, have the potential to become life-threatening. While eating disorders may be socially contagious, they do not resolve with rest and lots of fluids. When an individual is suffering from an eating disorder, it is the result of trained and repeated behavior that has rewired the way their brain perceives food. Instead of seeing food as source of life, those with eating disorders view food as a threat. Though this can be treated, it is not a problem easily fixed by medication. Overcoming an eating disorder takes bravery, responsibility, and loyalty to self.

It is important for dancers to engage in positive discourse about body image early on in their dance careers and in their everyday lives. With popular culture making significant strides to honour the beauty of every body type, dance culture has started to follow suit—but it may take a generational shift to bring change to an art form that has been loved—and broken—for so long.

“ BALLET CULTURE, HOWEVER, THREAT-

ENS THIS BALANCE WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS THAT SPREAD INTO THE VARIOUS VEINS OF LIFE.”

“JUST F****** DECK ME IN THE FACE” - ABBI SEIDLE

9

CARTER SAWATZKY

Coining the term “self-partnered,” Emma Watson has single-handedly saved singleness.

of “single” has not worked for everyone, and Watson is not alone in this experience. Singleness is commonly defined by its lack rather than its abundance; whether we want it or not, being single has become synonymous with being unwanted, lonely, desperate, or unloved. For many people, singleness is only a transitory state or waiting period before their anticipated coupling. Being self-partnered, however, transcends these narratives and may prove to be a healthy and empowering alternative.

In a recent interview with British Vogue, Watson revealed her exhaustion with being a woman in the public eye. As she approaches her thirtieth birthday, she expresses the “incredible amount of anxiety” she faces by not having settled down with a house, husband, baby, and stable career.

Having one’s relationship status repeatedly questioned can be emotionally draining. For such an accomplished woman, this is especially disheartening as she surely has more But does Watson’s self-partnership truly fill the need for those who desire to put off impending partnership? As the to offer than trivial details about her personal life. term “celibate” becomes increasingly outdated and filled Watson explains how she “never believed the whole ‘I’m with unwanted “holier than thou” connotations, Watson’s happy single’ spiel” and that it took her a long time to be- self-partnering could become an improved term for posicome very happy in her singleness. She uniquely pinpoints tive self-commitment. It positions itself against the restless how the pressure for single people to “pair up” increases form of singleness that many people embrace: trying to as they grow older. Sick of allowing the word “single” to solve the problem of one’s singleness. steer her own narrative, Watson decided to officially redeAmidst this hope for one’s Prince or Princess Charming, fine herself as “self-partnered.” singles are caught in a conflict to both keep searching for Creating a clever version of a conventional word is noth- their true love via swiping on various dating apps, scouting ing new. In 2014, Gwyneth Paltrow took part in this when for crushes, or taking part in blind dates, as well as mainshe popularized “conscious uncoupling” to deliberately re- taining the “I’m happy single” spiel that Watson describes.

It is unsurprising, therefore, that Watson never found that frame her public divorce. particular refrain convincing.

Additionally, self-partnership follows the recent rise of “self-marriages,” also known as sologamy. This fringe prac- Watson leads the way in teaching us that we are not only tice has been made popular in the last decade, especially committed once we are in a romantic or sexual relationby organizations like Marry Yourself Vancouver, who func- ship with another individual. We can already be committed tion with the purpose of empowering women who aspire to ourselves. There is no need to wait for another person to make the first move. to still have their “special day.”

By redefining herself this way, Watson cleverly makes the On behalf of the single people discovering the possibilities statement that nothing is missing in her life and that she of self-partnership—thank you, Emma Watson. really “don’t need no man.” But what is the point of Watson making a dramatic label change? Does she just want MANY PEOPLE, “ FOR to feel more confident in her unmarried status? Does she SINGLENESS IS ONLY A truly think she’s not like other girls?

Words do indeed matter, even if some may sound pretentious at first. If a word fails to communicate one’s intended meaning, there are a few options: the word may be reclaimed through repeating the desired meaning, or the word can be forsaken in favor of a replacement. With self-partnership, Watson moves past reclamation of the word “single” to reveal the deep societal need for more ways to describe life without a romantic partner. The label

TRANSITORY STATE OR A WAITING PERIOD FOR ANTICIPATED COUPLING. BEING SELF-PARTNERED, HOWEVER, MOVES PAST ALL THAT AND MAY PROVE TO BE A HEALTHY AND EMPOWERING ALTERNATIVE.”

“THE STANDARD GRADING POLICY” - LINDA ARCE

TWU’S TWU’SFINACIAL FINACIALSITUATION: SITUATION:

““Over Overananeight-year eight-yearperiod, period, TWU TWUhas hasreduced reduceddebt debtbyby about about$24 $24million; million;the the university universityisisa alittle littlemore more than than$23 $23million millioninindebt debt currently.” currently.”

EE TTHH

EE O M O M S E OES

NNEEYY CCO

NDDWWHHEERREEITI T G G O

ISHITA WILSON

WHER WHE FR S FSR

COME COME

Trinity Western University (TWU) is a fairly expensive university, and over the years, students have often wonWILSON deredISHITA where their money actually goes. As TWU’s key stakeholders, students have the right to know where and how Trinity money Westernis University (TWU) is a statements fairly expensive their tuition spent. TWU’s financial university, and over the years, students have often have always been public information, but Mars’ Hill sought to wondered where their money actually goes.

As TWU’s key create an easy-to-understand breakdown of the university’sstakeholders, students havewith the right to know where and how financial identity, compiled the help of Aklilu Mulat, their tuition money is spent.

TWU’s financial statements Senior Vice President of Business Administration and Chief have always public information, but Mars’ Hill sought to Financial Officer atbeen TWU. create an easy-to-understand breakdown of the university’s identity, with worked the help with of Aklilu After financial graduating from compiled TWU, Mulat bothMulat, Senior Vice President of Business Administration and Chief non-profit organizations and corporations; he also taught Financial Officer at TWU. professionally and in academia. His driving mission has always been “making a difference in people's lives,” whether After graduating Mulat worked with both that be in their education,from their TWU, economic state, their social non-profit organizations and corporations; he also standing, or their future. He started working at TWU onetaught professionally and in academia. His driving mission has year ago with that goal in mind. always been “making a difference in people's lives,” whether that TWU be in their their economic This year, is in education, a better financial position state, than ittheir has social standing, or their future.

He started working at TWU been in during the last 8 to 10 years; it is heading in the right one yearbut agoitwith that goal to in mind. direction, is important understand all the nuances that make up TWU’s financial situation.

This year, TWU is in a better financial position than it has in during the last to 10 years; is heading in the right TWU been is funded primarily by 8students anditdonors.

Its revedirection, but it is important to understand all the nuances nue, during the fiscal year-ended April 30, 2019, was approxthat make up TWU’s financial situation. imately $100 million. Its expenditures were approximately $86 million, consisting of compensation, operating costs, TWU isand funded primarily by students and donors. scholarships bursaries, interest, and overhead costs. Its revenue, during the fiscal year-ended April 30, 2019, was approximately $100 period, million. TWU Its expenditures were by approximately Over an eight-year reduced its debt about $86 million, consisting of compensation, operating $24 million; and still, the university remains in debt by a little costs, and bursaries, costs. more scholarships than $23 million.

However, interest, not all ofand thisoverhead debt is “bad debt.” About $20 million of this debt is “friendly debt” in the Over an eight-year its debt form of notes payable toperiod, peopleTWU who reduced have given loansby toabout and still, the total university remains debt by a little TWU. $24 Onlymillion; $2.5 million of this debt is moneyinthat TWU more than $23 million.

However, not all of this debt is “bad owes to the bank. debt.” About $20 million of this debt is “friendly debt” in the form enrolment of notes payable to people who increases. have givenThe loans to As TWU’s grows, tuition revenue TWU. Onlywas $2.5actually million of total debt is money that TWU last fiscal year thethis first time TWU’s revenue owes to the bank. exceeded $100 million. Currently, TWU’s Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, and Amortization (EBITA) is at eight percent.

As is TWU’s enrolment tuition The goal to have EBITA at grows, 15 percent: fiverevenue percent increases. for capi- The last fiscal five yearpercent was actually the first time TWU’s revenue tal expenditure, for new initiatives, and the last exceeded $100 million.

Currently, TWU’s Earnings five percent to deal with debt or to enhance unrestrictedBefore Interest, Taxes, Amortization (EBITA)this is atwill eight percent. fund balance.

At theand current rate of growth, take The goal is to have EBITA at 15 percent: five percent for capiabout four to five years to accomplish. tal expenditure, five percent for new initiatives, and the last five percent withTWU’s debt or to enhance unrestricted Despite this growthto in deal revenue, surplus is not increasfund balance.

At the current rate of growth, this will take ing at the same rate because expenditures grew along with about four to five years to accomplish. revenue. This is because as a non-profit organization, TWU does not exist to generate profit. Tuition revenue is spent this growth in aid, revenue, TWU’s surplus is not increasmainlyDespite on salaries, financial buildings, maintenance, and ing at the same rate because expenditures grew along administration to serve students. This year, TWU spent with This isthe because a non-profit funds revenue. on renovating library,asand next year,organization, Student Life TWU doestonot exist tothe generate also plans renovate atrium. profit. Tuition revenue is spent mainly on salaries, financial aid, buildings, maintenance, and to serve students.

Thisare year, TWU spent Otheradministration capital and campus planning projects underway funds on renovating the library, and next year, Student or in the planning stages. These include constructing the Life also plans to renovate the atrium.

Robert G. Kuhn building, planning for a new dorm building, expanding the Richmond campus, adding parking lots, renocapital campus planning projects are underway vatingOther biology labs, and improving accessibility, and beautifying or in the planning stages.

These include constructing the the campus.

Robert G. Kuhn building, planning for a new dorm building, expandingisthe Richmond campus, adding parkingTWU lots, renoThe university also putting funds into expanding vating biology labs, improving accessibility, and beautifying Global; this project will result in a higher surplus because the thecost campus. delivery is relatively low. TWU recently launched new FAR Centers, which function as collaborations with partner The university is also putting funds these into expanding universities in other countries, and through FAR Cen- TWU Global; this project will result in a higher surplus because the ters, students across the globe can take online TWU courses. delivery cost is relatively low.

TWU recently launched This is not a high-cost venture because TWU does not need new FAR Centers, which function collaborations partner to provide dorm buildings or otheras services outside with of the universities in other countries, and through these FAR Cenonline courses themselves. ters, students across the globe can take online TWU courses. is not a high-cost because TWUsalaries. does not Lastly,This TWU wants to focus venture efforts on increasing A need provide dorm buildings or other services large to percentage of employees earn below the outside industryof the online courses themselves. average for similar jobs, and leadership wants to change this during the upcoming years.

Lastly, TWU wants to focus efforts on increasing salaries. A large to percentage of universities employees of earn below industry Compared other private similar size,the TWU average for similar jobs, and leadership wants to change is performing financially well and is likely to continue in its this during upcoming years. growth.

TWUthe has a promising future, and its financial position is improving.

Compared to other private universities of similar size, TWU is performing financially well and is likely to continue in its growth. TWU has a promising future, and its financial position is improving.

OM A OM A

CORE DOCUMENTS SURVEY RESULTS

TWU SHOULD BE COMPRISED OF FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS WHO CAN WHOLEHEARTEDLY ALIGN THEMSELVES WITH ALL OF THE CORE DOCUMENTS OF THE INSTITUTION

STRONGLY DISAGREE (13%)

STRONGLY AGREE (14%)

SOMEWHAT DISAGREE (27%)

The data from this survey suggests that a large group of students are consistently engaging with the core documents—and the implications thereof—in their entirety. It seems, though, that they are uncertain about how much these documents should influence hiring and admissions decisions.

SOMEWHAT AGREE (34%)

PARTICIPANTS:

NEUTRAL (10%)

90 TOTAL 71 STUDENTS 19 ALUMNI

PROFESSORS SHOULD RESERVE THE RIGHT TO QUALIFY THEIR THEOLOGICAL VIEWS AND/OR EXPRESS DOUBT ABOUT THEIR THEOLOGY

STRONGLY DISAGREE (10%)

NEUTRAL (6%)

SOMEWHAT DISAGREE (8%)

SOMEWHAT AGREE (33%)

STRONGLY AGREE (46%)

DISAGREEMENT IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF A HEALTHY EDUCATION

STRONGLY DISAGREE (0%)

SOMEWHAT DISAGREE (0%)

NEUTRAL (6%)

SOMEWHAT AGREE (42%)

STRONGLY AGREE (50%)

More than a third of the participants said that they have had a professor disclose that they disagreed with an aspect of the Statement of Faith, and nearly 80 percent agree that professors should reserve this right. This generation of TWU students seems to value diversity of thought and belief, not just in the secular world, but in their most intimate communities of faith. In fact, only one participant disagreed with the idea that varying theological interpretations is an important part of a Christian education, and only nine thought it would be a good idea for TWU to identify with any specific denomination.

13

AUDREY LOEFFLER

The Trinity Western University (TWU) community watches as Lorne Jacobson, chair of the board of governors, begins Dr. Mark Husbands’ inauguration as TWU’s new president.

“I would now ask you to raise your right hand and place your left hand on the digital Bible,” Jacobson says. “Trust me, the app is there.”

digital Bible might make people more likely to take this medium of the Bible for granted.

Dr. Kent Clarke, a religious studies professor at TWU, encourages Christians to be thoughtful of the disposable nature of digital Bibles. A traditionally bound Bible may hold sentimental and spiritual meaning that the non-tactile naThe concept of using a digital Bible for a swearing-in cer- ture of a digital Bible lacks. emony is not exactly new. American government officials have been sworn in on digital Bibles for at least half Bibles are also an outward expression of our faith. If a pera decade. Nevertheless, at TWU, this was met with a low son were to walk into a room with a bound Bible, they chuckle throughout the auditorium. Not using a physical would hold it in higher reverence than they would a Bible Bible for a Christian university’s Presidential Inauguration app. seems an odd choice. The use of technology itself conveys Perhaps the use of use of a digital Bible at Dr. Husband’s a message. inauguration was an accident. Or it may just be a sign of The idea of media ecology was conceptualized by Marshall the times. Maybe our replacement of the physical with the McLuhan, a twentieth century Canadian philosopher. He digital is not so different from watching the live stream of coined the phrase “the medium is the message.” As tech- the inauguration ceremony, as I did, instead of attending nology becomes increasingly common in worship spaces, in-person. is the distinction between a physical book and a digital Whatever the situation, how much will we continue to inteapp important? grate technological mediums into our spiritual lives?

A decade ago, the use of technology might have been unusual in church spaces, but now it is commonplace. Churchgoers use Bible apps on their phones, pastors use tablets, and PowerPoint presentations are standard for sermons.

Some larger churches with multiple locations even live stream the sermon for convenience.

In addition, Bible apps often offer a wide variety of translations and languages for greater accessibility. This integration of technology makes the Bible easier to use and more convenient than ever; but what is the medium’s message?

While phones and tablets can be used as Bibles, that is rarely their sole purpose. Mobile devices can be used for messaging, calling, gaming, researching, posting, or mindlessly browsing for hours. Furthermore, the nature of a

“I

WOULD NOW ASK YOU TO RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND PLACE YOUR LEFT HAND ON THE DIGITAL BIBLE,” JACOBSON SAYS. “TRUST ME, THE APP IS THERE.”

“CHAPEL NEEDS UPDATED LIGHTING” - JORDAN BURGESS

14

KIERAN WEAR The god who I encountered in Bible school was omnipotent in hierarchy and omnipresent in scope, but I think he was just oppressive in volume. Yet for years, despite the ear-numbing noise, I felt comfort. My fatherly god was so big that my problems seemed small. Louder and louder, his words drowned my world.

But the only function the words served was to cover the silence behind them.

Soon, I was worshiping the words. My god became a set of propositions derivative of my dog-eared copy of “the Word.” I could never quite swallow the puzzled fear, however, of one of them: “ineffable.” The fact that I needed a word that literally means “impossible to describe in words” to describe God is indicative of the sheer amount of empty language that I used to keep my fear of an empty universe at bay. When we worship with language alone, I am not so sure that it is anything other than white noise anaesthetizing our patriarchal fear of wordlessness. We might do well to worship with less Unstoppable God and more Silent Night.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (English Standard Version, John 1.1).

So began the reading at the last Christmas service I attended.

It was compelling, until I remembered logocentrism. Logocentrism describes philosophies that understand language, specifically spoken language, as ultimate reality. That is, for logocentrists, language is the means to the truth. But logocentrism is not inherently problematic until it is tied to heterosexism, which tends to be exactly what happens. So, last Christmas, the congregation around me did not merely stop with “the Word.”

Traditionally, the domain of words—expressed in rationalistic speech—belonged to men. Women, undereducated and undervalued by patriarchy except as commodities, were thus left to pick up the rest of human experience. To contain God with logocentrism is not enough. As usual, penises needed to get involved.

alone—God must be our father. Our encounters with God must be, then, phallogocentric.

Jacques Derrida coined the term “phallogocentrism” to show the ways that patriarchy has weaponized rationalistic logocentrism to dominate women. Inasmuch as the Bible has proven itself to be one of patriarchy’s strongest weapons, it fails to create an equitable world for those not favoured by its own phallogocentrism.

So one day, frustrated with the words of my tradition’s god—of my Bible’s god—I stopped reading and listened, really listened, for God. I heard absolutely nothing.

God is not my father. Nor is God my mother. To me, God is silent.

Ultimately, I do not care to prescribe what we call the divine of our imaginations, but this Christmas, I think I might dwell on what a “Silent Night” should mean for me. Maybe some Bible students should try the same.

But if God is silent, is there a point in caring about them at all?

Yes, there is. But only when we divorce our notions of God from those of the phallic echo-chamber that is “the Word alone.” This divorce opens us up to an experiential worship that brings us much closer to God than wordy patriarchal holdovers. Rather than purely “the Word made flesh” or “our Father in heaven,” we would do well to allow for the possibility of a god of silence.

This Christmas, perhaps God is the awkward moment between Spotify tracks. Maybe God is the quiet, still space, right at the edge of my overwhelming disbelief in their existence. Possibly, God is so unaccountably, wonderfully small that any time I use hierarchical words to describe them, they simply drown. But ineffable? How meaningless.

Christians felt that we must assert, by means of our “unerring” sacred text that the hegemonic god is—and is only—a father.

We might apply “phallocentrism” here. To be phallocentric is to prioritize male (phallic) experience above any other. So not only is God encountered as the Word alone and through the Word

LIV WALTON It is rare to scroll through social media platforms without seeing jokes that target self-worth. Modern humour largely revolves around comparisons between the self and undesirable objects, events, or states of being. Relatability is the big schtick of self-deprecating humour, as it provides comedic relief for the myriad uncomfortable situations that many people face. The nihilistic nature of self-deprecating humour appeals most to millennials and members of Generation Z. The cruel vernacular of these generations has ingrained itself into popular culture, and ultimately damaged many people’s self-esteem. By taking part in self-deprecating humour, people promote this effect in themselves and forward the trend of harmful humour to those around them.

Self-deprecating humour is concerning because the way we talk to and about ourselves matters. Research has suggested that positive and negative self-talk both induce neurological responses. When one talks positively about themselves, their perception of self is more inclined to be positive and their sense of self-efficacy—their belief in their ability to accomplish what they set out to do—increases. Likewise, when there is a perpetual social and inner dialogue of negative self-talk, the brain begins to base self-perception on this negativity, and the individual’s sense of self-efficacy declines.

While self-deprecating humour has become a trend, it can also be a sign that somebody might need help. When mainstream comedy uses self-deprecating humour as a source of entertainment and relatable content, it takes power away from the

tool of humour. Humour is a versatile route of communication: it can bridge gaps, add lightness to a conversation, and also be used as a coping mechanism. If someone is living with a difficult situation, their inner dialogue may subconsciously show up in their sense of humour through self-deprecating or other kinds of harsh jokes.

Since mental health issues are increasing in younger generations, this spike in self-deprecating humour might be a cultural reaction to a new paradigm. Even so, this does not negate the neurological effects of negative self-talk. When people make self-deprecating jokes, they start to identify with their cruel vernacular; essentially, people are engaging in self-imposed bullying. By combating the use of self-deprecating humour in popular culture, people can promote mental health awareness and stewardship both in themselves and those around them.

“ RELATABILITY IS THE BIG SCHTICK

OF SELF-DEPRECATING HUMOUR.”

“THE TREE OUTSIDE MY APARTMENT… OH WAIT” - CHRISALEEN CIRO

15

LIV WALTON Snowboarding has been recognized as an official sport since it entered the Olympics in 1998. Since then, snowboarders have been switching things up on the slopes, bringing a new game, style, and culture to snow sports. Women’s snowboarding has played a huge part in this paradigm shift. Since the beginning of boarding, women have been shredding, never letting men’s boarding get too far ahead. In the last 21 years of snowboarding, two women in particular stand out in the competitive sport.

Kelly Clark is the legend of snowboarding history, specializing in half-pipe and superpipe competitions. Clark is a five-time Olympian, three-time Olympic medalist, and the winningest athlete in snowboarding history. In addition to this, she has dominated the X Games, appearing in 19 consecutive winter games. In recent years, Clark took time away from the mountains, started the Kelly Clarke Foundation, and wrote the book Inspire: Pursuit of Progress, which tells the interconnected story of her snowboarding career and relationship with Jesus Christ. It is safe to say that Clark has made a name for herself with her honourable sportsmanship and outstanding character, both on and off the slopes. This past year, at age 35, Clark announced that she would be retiring from competitive snowboarding and is now focusing on life outside of the sport.

Chloe Kim is an unmatched game-changer for snowboarding.

Like Clark, Kim specializes in super and half-pipe events. She started snowboarding at age four and took podiums at competitions by age twelve. Before the world could blink, Kim’s career took off as she became the only athlete in X Games history to earn three gold medals before the age of sixteen. Over the past five years, Kim and Clarke have competed neck and neck, both

in the X Games and in the Olympics. This past year, at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games, Kim took home the gold medal for the half-pipe event. This summer, Kim announced that she would be taking the 2019/20 season off from competitive snowboarding to attend Princeton University. In a YouTube video, Kim explains that while she loves snowboarding, she is ready to be back in a classroom and explore other aspects of life. Rest assured, this is not the end of Kim’s career, as she plans to compete again in the 2020/21 season.

Both Clarke and Kim have been revolutionary athletes in the world of snowboarding. Clarke cleared the path in women’s snowboarding for younger athletes such as Kim. Being a young Korean-American, Kim says she hopes to inspire Asian athletes and kids to give their passions a chance. As the 2019/20 season kicks off, women’s snowboarding is going to look very different than it has for the last five or so years. The FIS Snowboard World Cup website calls fans to be on the lookout for two new names in women’s half-pipe: Cassie Sharpe of Canada and Kelly Sildaru who will be dropping in from Estonia.

“ SINCE THE BEGINNING OF BOARD-

ING, WOMEN HAVE BEEN SHREDDING IT, NEVER LETTING MEN’S BOARDING GET TOO FAR AHEAD.”

“YOUR MOM” - NICOLE MARA

16

MARS’ HILL: WHAT IS YOUR NAME, MAJOR, AND YEAR AT TWU? ANNA ZHU: My name is Anna Zhu and I am a transfer student currently in my 3rd year, studying Worship Arts.

MH: WHAT IS YOUR ROLE WITH THE SPARTANS DANCE TEAM? AZ: I am the Director.

MH: THIS YEAR, THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT DANCE TEAMS: SPARTANS DANCE TEAM AND AGAPE. COULD YOU TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT THIS CHANGE AND THE TWO TEAMS? AZ: Last year Maryo and I started Agape, which started small, but this year, by God’s grace, grew and we were able to make another team which is the Spartans Dance Team. Basically, Agape is not a competitive team anymore, but more of an understudy for the Spartans Dance Team. The Spartans Dance Team is now the competitive team that gets to represent the school and go across Canada to compete; basically like the Spartans Athletic teams. Not only do we dance, but we do strength and conditioning, weight training, and cardio every day. We train as if we are professional dancers.

MH: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN DANCE? WHERE DID YOU TRAIN GROWING UP?

MH: IS THIS SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE PROFESSIONALLY? HOW ARE YOU HOPING TO USE YOUR TALENT FOR DANCE AFTER YOU GRADUATE? AZ: I think dance is going to be always a part of me. Whether I pursue to teach or take it as a professional dancer, I’ll be dancing everyday while I’m cooking or taking a shower (sorry if that was too much information). Currently I am pursuing becoming a worship pastor and I think dance could be such an awesome tool to reach people. Dance is a form of worship: I dance when I’m joyful, I dance when I’m sad, and I dance when I don’t understand what is going on in my life. Either way, it’s such a gift from God where I get to express and share who God is to me through dance; it’s like a prayer. I want to give God the most honest prayer that I can. The glory of God is everywhere. When I dance, I want people to see and experience the glory of God, because he created dance and is the most creative person you will ever meet. Dance is a gift from him that we can use to praise him, and it is a privilege to be a vessel to show his glory.

“ WHEN

I DANCE, I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE THE GLORY OF GOD, BECAUSE HE CREATED DANCE AND IS THE MOST CREATIVE PERSON YOU WILL EVER MEET.”

AZ: I started dancing when I was 12 years old, and I started dancing professionally when I went to Korea to train as a K-pop singer when I was 17 years old. I was in the industry for six years, and had six years of intensive training.

MH: WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE STYLE OF DANCE? AZ: Urban Hip-Hop. MH: DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MUSICIAN TO DANCE OR CHOREOGRAPH TO? AZ: Kanye’s new album, Jesus is King.

MH: DO YOU FIND YOU CAN EXPRESS YOURSELF MORE WHILE DANCING OR CHOREOGRAPHING? AZ: I think it depends, but one hundred percent when I’m choreographing. You create something that is in you, whether or not you realize it. Dancing is more someone else’s artwork and you can express it well, but it wouldn’t be the same as the person who made the piece [performing it].

“ALL THE GIRLS OUT THERE TRYING TO FIND A HUSBAND, SO THE GUYS KNOW WHO TO PICK” - SKYLER HUBER

17

“I

HOPE THAT WE CAN GIVE ALL OF OUR EFFORT TOWARDS THE CHALLENGES THAT MAY ARISE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON AS I WANT TO KNOW THAT WE PLAYED OUR HARDEST IN EVERY SINGLE GAME WE PLAY THIS YEAR.”

MARS’ HILL: WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING RUGBY? LARA GADSBY: My rugby career began in 2012 when I started high school back home in Ontario. I enjoyed a successful high school rugby career which carried on into the chance to play for a college varsity team for two more years. This brought me out to BC where I now represent the TWU Spartans as a member of the Women’s Rugby team!

MH: IF YOU WERE STUCK ON AN ISLAND FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WITH ONLY ONE MOVIE AVAILABLE TO WATCH, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY? LG: The Notebook because I’m a sappy romantic. Also, who doesn’t love Ryan Gosling (sorry Quinton)?

MH: HOW CAN TWU SUPPORT SPARTANS RUGBY IN THEIR FIRST SEASON? LG: We would love to see TWU students at our games to support us and bring the hype! After all, we are all Spartans, right? Let’s each do our part in helping one another succeed as our first season continues on.

MH: WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS SEASON? LG: I look forward to watching each team member grow together not only on the field, but off of it as well. I hope that we can give all of our effort toward the challenges that may arise throughout the season as I want to know that we played our hardest in every single game we play this year. Whether we win games or lose them, I just want to know that we left everything out on the pitch.

“MARK HUSBANDS” - ELIZABETH BROWNING

18

@ORIGINAL_TRINITY_MEMEPAGE

LIV WALTON

EMMETT HANLY A groundbreaking discovery has been made by anthropology students at Trinity Western University (TWU). It turns out that there has been a massive labyrinth hidden beneath our campus’ iconic bell tower since the time before time, and now students are flocking to the hidden doorway in order to discover the untold riches of the maze. However, these young adventurers have been interrupting the advent preparations of the labyrinth’s denizens.

Other residents, however, seem to welcome the new seasonal company. “I’ve been wondering for years now where that obnoxious ringing at random intervals had been coming from,” said Xangothgoroth, the giant floating eyeball monster. “Finally some business major told me what it was.

He made for a delicious Christmas roast, too.”

At the moment, TWU administration is advising students to avoid dungeoneering beneath the tower, but that hasn’t “It’s actually been a real pain in the neck,” expressed the stopped the steady flow of brave daredevils descending labyrinth’s resident minotaur, Cratur Zathak. “We’re trying into its depths. Mars’ Hill wishes all those planning to spend to get set up for Christmas down here and now we have to their holidays defeating monsters in the endless vault good deal with all these dang kids running around. All I want to luck and a Merry Christmas! be doing right now is cozying up to the eternal flame with a cup of hot cocoa, but if I get another ‘OK boomer’ from one of these first years, I’m going to hand in my resignation.”

BRAEDON GROVER SUNNES The day is December 25, 2007. It is roughly 2:34 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. The setting: my informal bedroom with curtains instead of walls, adjacent to the living room, where the dazzling Christmas tree stands. My Eve-ning insomnia has kept me up since I got my needed four hours, and I am patiently waiting for 4:00 a.m. precisely to get up with my sister to open our stockings.

And it was at that exact moment, when I calculated the trajectory of the ringing to be coming from above my house, I knew that Santa was real and devoted to his God-given duty.

Though many doubt this story, I hope it convinced you, like it did Cole, of the existence of Santa Claus.

By this time in my life, Cole Altenader had already ruined my faith in Saint Nick by shouting to my whole first grade class that he didn’t exist, so I wasn’t expecting much magic. But the Lord works in mysterious ways. Lying there, I heard a faint jangle, a louder jingle, and then a deafening ringadingaling.

“No, it can’t be! But Cole said . . .”

“MY RIGHT LEG” - TINA FU

TAILGATE STARTS AT 4:30PM

WOMEN 6PM

MEN 8PM

ON CAMPUS AT THE DAVID E. ENARSON GYM

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29 VS

MACEWAN

Merry

Christmas

From

The

Mars’

Hill

Team

“THE LINES IN THE PARKING LOT” - RILEY WIEBE