29 VIRTUAL CHAPEL Computer CAMARADERIE As students left for spring break 2020, neither students nor faculty could have predicted how the events of the summer would affect the following semester. One of Harding’s most beloved traditions, chapel, would soon be experienced through a screen rather than a physical communal experience among students and faculty. As students adjusted to the reality of the fall 2020 semester’s changes, they also had to shuffle through the mixed emotions of having a virtual chapel. Senior Tyler Roth was disappointed when chapel moved to a virtual format. However, Roth tried to maintain a positive outlook by using the extra time to focus on meaningful relationships. “It was always such a pleasure to gather with my closest friends each and every day to build community inside the Benson Auditorium,” Roth said. “Moving online feels like I’mmissing out on the full Harding experience, but on the flip side, moving chapel online has made my daily schedule much more flexible and allows me to dedicate more time in other areas such as building personal relationships with my professors, spending extra time with my teammates and maybe even fitting in an occasional nap.” Sophomore Kamie Provence also understood the need for a virtual chapel, although she wished circumstances were different. “Considering the circumstances, virtual chapel is not ideal because it loses the aspect of worshipping as a student body, but it still continues the tradition,” Provence said. “The new virtual chapel is a safe alternative with the circumstances we have encountered this semester and is very convenient for everyone to be in attendance.” In previous years, chapel was held for two different services, 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. For fall 2020 there were plans to combine the two services into one so the entire student body would have the chance to worship together. Junior Joey Lawhorn expressed his disappointment when he learned that returning to one assembly in the fall was no longer an option. “I was really looking forward to having one large chapel,” Lawhorn said. “Chapel is obviously one of Harding’s big features, and I wish we could do it all together, but having a virtual chapel is better than nothing.” story by Maryn McAfee The production of chapel is monitored behind the scenes in the HU16 office. Virtual chapel gave students live news experience. | photo by Stanley Morales Students and staff participate in the first semester of virtual chapel. Lights, camera, action! Sophomore Madison Meyer assists the production of chapel behind the scenes in the HU16 office as Dr. Jesse Robertson addresses viewers. Virtual chapel involved many students and faculty. | photo by Stanley Morales
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