University of the Cumberlands Student Newspaper Fall 2024
Issue 3
October 24, 2024 Inside A1 A3 A4
News Features Lifestyle
Features
Lifestyle
Got Games? Archery Fiends
Weekend Getaways PAGE A4
PAGE A3
Fall Awakening Disciples in the Making
PHOTO BY JONAH MUMFORD
BY: SYDNEY SCHWENKE STAFF WRITER
Fall Awakening is a three-night event hosted by Campus Ministries. Students gathered together for lawn games, fall snacks, and worship. Matt Jolley spoke on the topic of discipleship, which he is passionate about. He serves as a Global Service Associates missionary in North Carolina with his wife, Crystal Jolley. They have developed a discipleship planner as a tool for Christians. Dr. Jacob Ratliff, Campus Minister at the University of the Cumberlands, says that discipleship “Is to teach and model the commands of Christ for one another.” He also stated that discipleship is “helping others see what the Bible says about Jesus.” In short, being a disciple means to model one’s life after Christ’s to honor him and to encourage others to as well. Laney Fultz, a freshman who is taking
Dr. Ratliff’s Christian Leadership class, describes discipleship as “leadership and fellowship.” Fultz says that living out the concept of discipleship looks like, “a group of people [who are] all kind of supporting each other and being leaders to each other.” She also echoed Ratliff’s belief that Christians disciple each other so that they can make more disciples to spread the gospel of Jesus. Chandler Wilson, another freshman at UC, who is enrolled in Dr. Ratliff’s Christian Leadership class said, “discipleship is important for the personal growth of Christians.” Wilson and other students in the class have been using the discipleship planner written by the Jolleys. Wilson said that it has been beneficial for him personally and in the context of going through it with others in class. Dr. Jacob Ratliff described the way that Matt Jolley became connected at Cumberlands
Trick or Treat
as “actually kind of crazy.” Jolley has previously done some ministry loosely with the University of Kentucky’s baseball team and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The FCA director encouraged him to drop by Cumberlands after a visit. This unplanned visit led to Jolley speaking for UC’s Fall Awakening. Matt Jolley works as a missionary at a church in North Carolina serving with their college ministry. Jacob Ratliff and Cumberlands FCA Director, Matthew Plementosh, invited Jolley to be the Fall Awakening keynote speaker because, as Ratliff said, “He is a good communicator, he’s really passionate about teaching the Bible, and he’s really passionate about helping students discover a love for discipleship.” Matt Jolley spoke on some of the benefits of discipleship, and he encouraged students to answer the question, “what does God want from my life?”. His heart for the students is imminent through his vulnerability in sharing how Jesus saved him and in the way he encouraged UC students to be faithful disciples of Jesus. Lane Roberts, a Cumberlands junior who attended Fall Awakening said that he has been learning about spiritual care in his Missions and Ministry Caring for Others class. Roberts noted that Jolley referenced some of what he had learned in class. One of these lessons is that, “the act of someone pouring into you is so important to maintain mental and spiritual health in general.” Roberts said that he would absolutely encourage other students to attend upcoming Fall Awakening and Spring Renewal events which are great opportunities to meet new people and to grow.
Reslife Department Shows up for the Community BY: JUDIT GARRETA YUSTE STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY NICHOLAS JACKSON
As Halloween approaches, the dormitories at University of the Cumberlands are getting ready to host a special trick-or-treat event aimed at the young kids in the local community. Scheduled for next Thursday, October 31, this event invites children and their families to explore and collect candy from students dressed in creative costumes. The goal is to create a safe and fun environment where kids can enjoy the Halloween spirit while allowing university students to connect meaningfully with the local community. The event is organized by the Res-life department, with each dorm following a different theme and handing out candy to the children and other visitors. The focus is primarily on children who lack a safe place for traditional trick-or-
treating, especially those living in rural areas. Rebecca Mitchell, Resident Hall Director of Asher, said, “We are trying to reach kids here that do not have, necessarily, a safe place for them to go.” For many, traveling from house to house can be challenging, with long distances between homes and unsafe roads to cross. The university aims to provide a central space in the city where kids can enjoy trick-or-treating safely. This year marks the second time the dorms have hosted this event. In previous years, there were similar efforts, including a “trunk-or-treat” where student volunteers distributed candy from the trunks of their cars. School organizations, such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the campus ministries, also set up booths to hand out candy and engage the kids in fun activities. Although the campus ministries are not participating this year, the SCA will participate this year, lining up their cars up Main Street and offering candies from their vehicles. Speaking with some Resident Assistants involved in the year’s event, they shared that participants enjoy the excitement of the celebration and receive community service hours for their involvement. While all RAs are required to participate, any student interested in volunteering can join by coordinating with the leaders of each dorm. The event, therefore, provides an excellent opportunity for students to give back and create positive experiences for local families who join in the fun.Drew Minton, Resident Assistant of Kleist Hall, said, “It is nice
to see their [kids from Williamsburg] faces light up; they are so happy to be there and that some college students take time giving to them.” Beyond candy distribution, the event includes fun games and activities to make it even more engaging for kids. For example, last year, one dorm set up a corn hole toss where kids could win extra treats, while another had a soccer goal challenge where children earned additional prizes if they scored. These playful activities add an interactive element, making the event more than just about collecting candy. One of the highlights of the event is the creativity in costumes. Each dorm has selected a theme that allows their entire staff to dress up together. For example, Gillespie Hall will be transformed into the world of The Wizard of Oz, while Asher Hall is taking on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with Rebecca Mitchell dressing as Willy Wonka and the rest of the staff as Oompa Loompas. On the male side, Robcook Hall is adopting a Star Wars theme, while Kleist Hall is going all out as the Power Rangers. According to the organizers, one of the biggest challenges was choosing themes that would accommodate all participants while keeping everyone excited about the idea. With a mix of costumes, games, and community spirit, this trick-or-treat event promises a Halloween experience that local kids will love. It is a chance for the university to bring some festive fun to the community, creating memories that will last long after the candy is gone.
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