0 n April 10, 2017, the Student Association (SA) held ''A Day in the Word" in front of the Benson Auditorium, an event which tied into the chapel theme for the year, "The Transforming Word of God." enior Dakota Ellis wa the head of the chapel committee and played a large part in organizing the e,·ent. tarting at 5 a.m. and continuing until 11 p.m., the event center d on reading the Bible, beginning with cne is. There ¼'a a Ii t of 50 to 60 people who read throughout the day; when one person finished reading, another would step in and pick up where they left ff. ''We often talk about God's word and listen to podcasts," Ellis said. "But God spoke ut (fromj His Word, and T wanted the student body to hear it and read it for what it says." Alumna Sarah Roe-Hall was excited about the idea. However, it came as a shock when he learned that women were unable to read from the Bible during the event. town hall meeting was held in one hapel on pril 12 in part to address the issue for students who supported women reading in future events. "Due to the decision to exclude women fr m reading, it was harder for me to pay attention t the real purpos of covering ur campus in scripture," Roe-Hall said. "I think the decision to include women will be monumental for chi event and ~ r Harding, and there -... ill be a more -... hole ome per pective on cripture a you hear it read thr ugh ve el with varying perspective. Women will feel more empowered and able, which is always a wonderful thing." llis was aware of the issue as it had come up days before the event. He believed the concern arose from a much larger part of the Harding community because women were allowed to read in Bible classes, but they were unable to at this event. "To tho e who were aware of women being unable to read, it truck a [chord]," Ellis said. "My hope is that this event c ntinues o we can focus on the fact that God's word is important." enior Zachary Cowdery was one of everal readers lined up for the event and believed that having the Bible read all day on campus was a blessing. " ometimes reading is tiring, and it's beneficial to sit back and let those words be read to you," owdery said. "It was cool coming out of the Benson after chapel and hearing the word of God being spoken over campus." Cowdery emphasized that reading the Bible raised hard questions, which ome students were able to address at the town hall meeting. "[When] the Bible addresse something and it convicts y u, you know what needs to change to be better," owdery aid. ''We started the process of making this event better." llis wa eager to ee the event continue in pring 2018 and add even more to the meaning of the " Day in the ord" event. I 'The Transforming Word of God" is the chapel theme for spring 2017. Senior Dakota Ellis was the head of the chapel committee and played a large role in organizing the 'A Day in the Word' event held on April 10, 2017. // Photo by Abigail Cooper 0 ~ r -< C "Tl m ::::::: ..... u,
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