Author: Houghton STAR

The student newspaper of Houghton College for more than 100 years.

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Opinions

Creating in Times of Crisis

 Jonan Pilet

Last December, I had the privilege of giving a talk at Houghton University titled Fiddling While Rome Burns: The Significance of Stories in a World on Fire. It was an opportunity to wrestle with a question that plagues many writers, artists, and thinkers: does any of this matter? In the face of global crises, suffering, and uncertainty, why do we create? Why do we tell stories? Now, I have the opportunity to bring these thoughts to a new audience through the Houghton Star, and in doing so, I aim to give some hope to students who are trying to build meaningful lives in a world that often feels like it’s unraveling.

The World is on Fire

The truth is, it’s hard to ignore the weight of the world. Every day, we are bombarded with news of escalating conflicts, economic turmoil, environmental disasters, and political division. AI is advancing at breakneck speed, threatening job security. The coffee is weak. The world feels unstable, chaotic, and at times, downright terrifying.

Meanwhile, life continues. I sit at my desk, trying to write a story—a story that may never be read by anyone but me. My son plays down the hall, unaware of the world’s problems. I am not solving global conflicts. I am not fixing the economy. I am not even making the coffee stronger. I am just writing.

And that, sometimes, feels like a failure.

The Guilt of Creation

I suspect many students here at Houghton feel a similar tension. You are working hard toward a degree, preparing for a future that feels increasingly uncertain. You are investing in education, in creativity, in growth—but for what? What if the world you’re preparing for doesn’t look the way you expected? What if, in the grand scheme of things, your efforts seem small or insignificant?

As a Christian writer, I struggle with another guilt. In the face of eternity, why do I write? Shouldn’t I be doing something more practical, more impactful? Why bother adorning the foyer of eternity when the walls themselves are crumbling?

But then, I think about my wife, who—despite constantly browsing Zillow for better homes—still insists on repainting our guest room. Life doesn’t stop. Creation doesn’t stop. And maybe that, in itself, is a kind of resistance.

Creation as Defiance

C.S. Lewis, in The Weight of Glory, speaks directly to this dilemma. He acknowledges that “plausible reasons have never been lacking for putting off all merely cultural activities until some imminent danger has been averted or some crying injustice put right.” And yet, humanity continues to create. We write stories. We paint. We compose music. Not as distractions, but as declarations.

I have come to believe that telling stories in the midst of crisis is not an act of indifference—it is an act of defiance. It is a way of saying that the world, with all its chaos and destruction, does not win. Stories connect us. They break through the isolation of our own minds and remind us that we are not alone. They show us that others have walked through darkness before us and found their way.

So, to the students of Houghton: I know many of you are carrying the weight of uncertainty. The future can feel overwhelming, and it may seem like the practical response is to put aside your creative passions, your dreams, and your hopes in order to focus on sheer survival. But I urge you—don’t stop creating. Don’t stop investing in the things that bring meaning to life, even if they seem small in the grand scheme of things. Because they aren’t small. They are acts of resistance against despair. ★

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Campus News

Women of Waymaking

Friendsgiving RAs
Friendsgiving RAs - Courtesy of - The Boulder
by Victoria Arndt '25

Tomorrow, the residence leaders of Gillette and Lambein are hosting “Women of Waymaking” in the Center of Fine Arts (CFA) Recital Hall from 1 to 3 p.m. Organized by Residence Assistants Chesnie Waddingham ‘26 and Hannah Dunmire ‘26, and Resident Director of Gillette and Lambien Morgan Neno, “Women of Waymaking” is created to give dorm residents a chance to rest, reset and reflect on who they are in Christ through a series of stations and worship. Additionally, the event provides Around the Table credit. 

The goal of the afternoon is to encourage women to follow the path God has called them on while helping them refresh in a spiritual and social way after a long week.

“The event was inspired by the concept of exhaustion that most college students are running on at this point,” Dunmire explained. “They don’t necessarily need another hype up event and instead may need more of a recharge while also wanting some social time,” she added.

Waddingham agreed with this idea. “Events like this have been done in the past, specifically when Morgan Neno was a student here,” she said. “It was exciting for us to bring that back to life, and for us to put our own spin and ideas into it … I believe this event is a perfect example of all the ways we can help solve, serve, and encourage one another in the incredible calling and plan God has for each of us.”

Planning “Women of Waymaking” has been fun for both, as they have watched their team come together to shape the event. Dunmire enjoyed seeing how the team’s strengths helped to plan the event more effectively. “Watching our team just continue to show the love of God as our cups that are filled by our residents can be outpoured back to them,” she said.

Waddingham also expressed her excitement in seeing the progress of planning the event. “I have really enjoyed the brainstorming for this event,” she said. “We got to talk about what we wanted to get out of the event, as well as what those attending might need to receive. It’s a sweet thing to be reminded that we are not alone, and we can all get something out of an event like this. It’s been a lot of fun, and I’m excited to have everything play out the day of the event!” ★

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Campus News

Student Exhibition

Ortlip Gallery Show
Ortlip Gallery - Courtesy of - Ortlip Gallery
by Jiana Martin '26

The Ortlip Gallery, located in the Center of Fine Arts (CFA), will host its 36th Annual Juried Student Exhibition tonight at 6:30. The exhibit provides an opportunity for students to showcase their artwork and celebrate their accomplishments. A total of 53 pieces by 28 student artists were chosen by the jurors, Eric and Maria Holbein ‘09. 

Many art mediums will be represented, including painting, drawing, ceramics, printmaking, photography, sculpture, digital illustration, digital animation and furniture design. Instead of a theme, the jurors picked pieces that represented the different styles, media and conceptual approaches. Nine awards will be handed out for outstanding artistic achievement.

Ian Campbell, the new Gallery Director, said “seeing the diversity of artistic styles and approaches that Houghton student-artists employ” has been a fun part of organizing the show. This is Campbell’s first exhibit that he has fully organized as the director. The planning process has “been a bit of a juggling act,” but Campbell received a lot of help, including that of his gallery assistants Evan Babbitt ‘25, Aria Larson ‘27 and Aubrey Armes ‘25.

Babbitt enjoyed seeing all the works submitted. “It is easy to forget that there are more than just art majors that make great work,” he commented, “so it is always surprising to see what people have been working on in and out of classes.” 

In addition to being an assistant, he submitted three pieces, two abstracts and a self-portrait. He is excited for opening night and recommends people attend or at least “poke your head in to see what is up the weeks following the opening.” 

Larson has two pieces in the show. It has been a slight challenge for her to balance being both an assistant and a student artist. However, she has enjoyed getting to see everyone’s work, even those that don’t make it into the exhibit. 

“A lot of the pieces that people submit to the show I’ve seen in progress or caught glimpses of up in the art building, which makes it really cool to see the finished product when it gets dropped off,” Larson added. 

She is looking forward to meeting the attendees because it is a great opportunity to engage with people from both the campus and the community. 

“I also have to admit it’s fun to have an event that showcases our projects as art students,” Larson said, “and allows us to share our work with others.” 

Armes has four pieces in the show, three of which count as one piece, making it a triptych. She enjoyed working with Professor of Art Ted Murphy to frame her pieces and is grateful for his help. On opening night, she is excited “for all the artists to see their work hung in an intentional space.” 

“It is so special to be able to share your hard work with your community, and it is a privilege to be able to celebrate with everyone,” Armes said. 

Along with his assistants, Campbell is excited to share all of the student artist’s work with everyone.

“Art-making is often made in isolation,” he said, “so I enjoy being able to publicly acknowledge the hard work and talent that went into the pieces on display.” ★

Categories
Opinions

Love On a Deadline

Jo Borges Edwards '25

The concept of “Ring by Spring” is a cultural phenomenon prevalent in many small Christian colleges, where students feel pressured to get engaged before graduation. While marriage is a beautiful and meaningful commitment, the societal expectation that young adults should rush into lifelong partnerships by their early twenties is concerning. Although this tradition may work for some, delaying marriage could lead to healthier and more stable relationships for most.

Many students at Christian colleges experience an unspoken expectation to find a spouse before graduation, and Houghton is not the exception. This pressure often comes from religious and cultural beliefs that prioritize early marriage as a means of preserving purity and fostering family life. Students may feel that their time in college is their best or only opportunity to meet a compatible Christian partner. Additionally, being surrounded by peers who are getting engaged can create a sense of urgency that leads people to prioritize marriage over other essential aspects of personal development.

However, the pressure of getting engaged within a limited timeframe can lead people to make hasty decisions. Many “Ring by Spring” engagements happen after only a few months of dating, which may not provide enough time to truly understand a partner’s values, communication styles, and long-term goals. Rushing into marriage under these conditions can increase the likelihood of incompatibility and marital struggles down the road.

From a biological perspective, the human brain does not fully develop until around age 25. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation, continues maturing well into a person’s mid-twenties. This means that many college students are still growing emotionally and psychologically, making it harder for them to make fully informed decisions about lifelong commitments. This biological fact affects both parties. Their partner’s brain is still developing; therefore, the person they are marrying now might be completely different in a few years.

Moreover, research in psychology suggests that young adults benefit from exploring their identities, career aspirations, and personal values before settling down. The early twenties are a critical period for self-discovery, and rushing into marriage can sometimes hinder that process. Without a solid sense of self, people may struggle to navigate relationship challenges and personal growth in a healthy way.

Sociological research has also shown that waiting until later in life to marry correlates with lower divorce rates and greater marital satisfaction. According to studies, people who marry after age 25 tend to have more stable relationships than those who marry in their early twenties. This is likely because they have had more time to establish their careers, develop emotional maturity, and understand what they want in a partner.

Additionally, couples who take more time to build their relationships before getting engaged tend to have stronger foundations. Studies suggest that knowing a partner for at least two years before marriage significantly reduces the risk of divorce. This period allows couples to experience different life situations together, resolve conflicts, and truly assess compatibility. Unfortunately, many “Ring by Spring” engagements happen after dating for less than a year, which can leave couples unprepared for the realities of marriage.

Another key factor in delaying marriage is financial stability. Many college students have not yet secured stable jobs or financial independence. Marrying young often means navigating significant financial stress, such as student loans, entry-level salaries, and the costs of setting up a household. These pressures can create tension in a marriage and make it harder for young couples to focus on building a healthy relationship.

Additionally, early marriage can sometimes limit career opportunities, particularly for those, typically women, who may feel pressured to prioritize family over professional aspirations. Establishing a career before marriage can give people greater financial independence and security, ultimately strengthening their future partnerships.

While “Ring by Spring” may work for some couples, it is important to recognize that healthy relationships take time to develop. Young adults should be encouraged to build relationships intentionally instead of rushing into engagement due to societal pressure. This means prioritizing communication, shared values, and long-term compatibility over meeting an arbitrary timeline.

Marriage is a significant commitment that should not be rushed by external pressures. While “Ring by Spring” may seem like a romantic tradition, it can lead to hasty decisions that might not be in the best interest of young couples. Instead of pressuring students to find a spouse before graduation, Christian communities should encourage intentional, thoughtful relationships that prioritize long-term compatibility and personal growth. ★

Categories
Campus News

Flics and Fondue

Flics and Fondue Poster
Flics and Fondue Poster - Courtesy of CAB
by Rebecca Dailey '25

Tonight from 8 to 10 the Campus Activities Board (CAB) will host their Valentine’s Day event, “Flics and Fondue,” outside of Java in the Reinhold Campus Center basement. The evening will include a chocolate fondue fountain with assorted snacks, valentine writing supplies and a showing of the “Princess Bride”! 

Emma Podobinski ‘27, who is leading the event, expressed her excitement: “I have always loved Valentine’s Day, and that definitely inspired this event. I wanted to create a cozy and chill event for people to enjoy on the holiday while doing thematic activities. To me, eating chocolate fondue, watching a romance movie, and writing Valentines sounded like the perfect Valentine’s night.” 

Jana Newberry, Director of Student Engagement and the supervisor for CAB, shared, “Emma mentioned the idea for this event in her CAB interview process and so it’s very cool to see it come full circle! Valentine’s Day is a fun one, and I like that the event feels both special and relaxed. I like that anyone could come and have a good time.”

Significant planning went into this event. Newberry helped coordinate behind the scenes details and supported Podobinski’s process of reserving a space, ordering food and decorations and renting equipment.

“CAB works collaboratively on most of our events from the idea phase to putting on the actual event,” Newberry stated. She added that “Typically, we have one or two people ‘on point’ in this case Emma Podobinski had the idea and energy for this event and has done a great job with the planning!” 

Podobinski wanted to create an atmosphere for everyone. “For this event, my favorite part of planning was creating the atmosphere that I envisioned the event to have,” she said. “When I was ordering decorations, I had a lot of fun planning how I wanted to transform the space outside of Java 101 into the cozy place I was imagining. I relied on Pinterest to see the vision come together and to come up with fun ideas for the event.” 

While Valentine’s Day may be centered around love, this event is meant to share with all, Newberry said. “We wanted to do something specific for Valentine’s day and most people can get behind food and movies,” she commented. 

She added, “Again, everyone is welcome, whether they can come for the whole time or just drop!”

“I want everyone to be able to enjoy Valentine’s Day, whether they are in a relationship or not,” Podobinski expressed. “So, I hope this event creates a space where people feel comfortable and can spend time with their friends and loved ones on the holiday.” ★

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Campus News

Limits on God’s Sovereignty Panel

Bible Study Panel Discussion
Lecture Pannel - Courtesy of Unsplash Debby Hudson
by Abigail Bates '26

“Limits on God’s Sovereignty” will begin next Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Willard J. Houghton Library, room 323, and is Around the Table credit. The panel is part of a series sponsored by Assistant Professor of Physics Dr. Katrina Koehler and Professor of Philosophy Dr. Benjamin Lipscomb. The series began in 2023 with the first discussion on Nov. 15 covering the conflict in Gaza and has since then covered topics like masculinity and censorship in the fall 2024 semester.

Koehler said they started the panel discussions to promote “thoughtful conversation[s] on hot-button issues.” They wanted to show how intellectual Christians can engage in complicated topics, not only “from their areas of expertise, but also as thinking believers,” she explained. Although such topics are discussed in classrooms, Lipscomb added, “it seemed to both of us that there was an empty space for something more.”

“If we as an institution don’t sponsor and model serious, challenging discourse, we abdicate our role as educators,” he said.

When Lipscomb arrived at Houghton in 2002, and throughout Koehler’s undergraduate years, Houghton University’s campus held many events similar to the current panel series. A few included topics on the Iraq War, nudity in art, sexual ethics and interpretations of feminism. 

In recent years, however, few such events have occurred. Lipscomb listed reasons such as the institution’s population decrease, COVID-19 pandemic and fears of cancellation.

“But we remember how valuable these panel discussions were to participants and attendees,” Lipscomb said, because the events exposed “students to professors outside their majors and [gave] students opportunities to listen in on and join serious, respectful conversations by members of their community.”

Next week’s panel will host Professor of History Dr. Christian Esh, Associate Professor of Old Testament Dr. Andrew Walton, Interim Dean of Spiritual Life Rev. Dr. J.L. Miller and Associate Professor of Vocal Music & Conducting Dr. Daniel Black.

Lipscomb explained that the topic of divine sovereignty is one that has long divided Christians. He added that “it’s the kind of thing students sometimes debate in dorm lounges late at night, but unless they’re in a theology class, they don’t get the opportunity of thinking in a more rigorous and grounded way about it.”

He expressed that even in theology classes, usually only one professor facilitates and comments on discussions between students, which limits the conversations.

“The whole point of the series, though, is to make available conversations of a different sort: open to more people, involving more people,” Lipscomb said.

He described the topic as pastoral, relating to the care and guidance of Christian followers, because it connects directly to who God is; what God controls and how he directs that control. “It’s not just academic; it’s existential,” he added. Some Christians are “suffering and watching others suffer,” he said. They wonder “what God has to do with it.”

Lipscomb hopes students leave the panel series with “a sense of what disagreement and mutual exploration within the body of Christ can be like.”

“In a polarized world,” Koehler said, “we want to demonstrate nuance, shades of grey, and the value of thoughtful discourse. Most importantly, we want to show that disagreement can be done well.”

Later this semester, the question “Should you have children?” will be addressed, which Koehler said “reveals deep, often unspoken value systems beneath our varied responses.” They are already considering future topic possibilities such as missions, immigration and AI, and are happy to take suggestions. ★

Categories
Stories In Focus

Evelyn Simanowski’s Musical Journey

by Jiana Martin '26

Senior Evelyn Simanowski ‘25’s greatest passion since childhood has been music. Pursuing music in her studies and career was always a part of her desired plans and a “series of perfectly crafted ‘God moments’” allowed her to attend Houghton University (HU) to follow those dreams.

“I believe so deeply that the talents God has given us correspond with the life He has written for us and the musical gifts He has given me deserve to be honed and developed to glorify Him and live out the life He has for me to the fullest,” Simanowski expressed. 

Despite her undying love for music, her musical journey has not unfolded without some hardships. One of which has been accepting that perfection is unattainable. As a perfectionist, it has been a hard lesson for Simanowski to learn that a perfect performance will never be achieved despite all the time and effort put into it. 

“When you learn that lesson you can become discouraged and give up,” Simanowski reflected, “or you can rise to the task at hand and pursue excellence anyways for the sake and value of the art.”

During her years at HU, one of her greatest professional accomplishments has been placing as a finalist in the National Association for Teachers of Singing Solo Festival in the Finger Lakes Region. Simanowski also noted that having the opportunity to play Amalia Balash in the Lyric Theatre’s production of “She Loves Me” was “a huge marker of the progress [she] made in these last four years.” However, despite these milestones in her Houghton career, Simanowski’s greatest achievement has been perceiving her musical talents as God-given gifts and interactions as opportunities to give him the glory.

As a culmination of her time at HU, Simanowski will be performing her senior recital titled “Faint Heart Never Won” on Feb. 19 at 8 p.m.

Simanowski shared that the title originates from the English proverb “Faint heart never won fair maiden,” which “serves as a lesson that if one sets out to achieve difficult things, effort will be involved.”   

She has chosen to perform pieces she loves containing female figures and characters who lived through unfavorable circumstances, yet are remembered for their strength and dignity. The performance will include “Try Me, Good King” by Libby Larsen that uses the last words of each of the wives of Henry VIII, a song cycle by Debussy using some French poetry and “Song to the Moon”, an aria by Antonin Dvořák.

“I chose pieces for my recital that would challenge me vocally and intellectually, requiring thought on my part to bring the text and the composer’s vision to life,” Simanowski explained.

Reflecting on his time working with Simanowski as a collaborative pianist, Senior Ryan Nickelsen ‘25 has appreciated her “willingness to be flexible in the way she performs any given song.” Rehearsing and performing with her has been an easy and enjoyable experience because she sees the pianist as a fellow performer rather than a supporting role. Simanowski’s professionalism and enthusiasm in her singing stand out to Nickelsen. 

He commented that as a past observer and a current accompanist, “it has been a delight to see her continue to push herself to become a better singer, even when it seemed as if she had already hit her cap.” 

Nickelsen is excited to share the hard work he and Simanowski have put into the recital and hopes that everyone will enjoy it as much as he has enjoyed putting it together with her. 

For Prof. Kimberly Prins Moeller, Associate Professor of Voice, walking with Simanowski and getting to know her over the past four years has been a privilege and a joy. She admires her dedication, willingness and how she welcomes feedback and critique in a positive manner. 

“They say still waters run deep and I think that is quite appropriate for Evelyn. Her head is always on straight, she is a thoughtful student in every way, and she is not afraid of the effort it will take to achieve her goals,” Moeller shared. “Evelyn is also extremely self-aware and unafraid of questioning and revisiting her dreams and plans,” she added.

Moeller is excited about the many stories told through Simanowski’s selections, and the new colors and qualities of her voice that will be displayed. 

“It’s a compelling recital that you definitely don’t want to miss,” Moeller said and added, “I trust that this recital will be a celebration of all her creativity, work and accomplishments!” ★

Categories
Opinions

Anxiety

By Rhyan Lorenc ('26)

    Sometimes I love harassing myself over things I’ve done in the past. This obsession I’ve had with my previous and minor mistakes has cost me so much, even someone I cherished more than anything on this planet. Having anxiety is one of the worst things a human could have. People with anxiety are constantly worried and continuously going over the many variables and different outcomes a certain situation could have, and like many others, this mental disorder has done so many things to hold me back. It’s taken me 20 years to finally face reality, I am finally seeing a therapist, I’m finally taking medicine to counteract these thoughts that I have on a regular basis. Do I look back and regret a lot of the things that happen? Yes, I do. Do I wish I could change the things that happened?? In a way, but I wouldn’t have gotten the help I required if I didn’t get the wake-up call I needed. I didn’t see that then, but I do see it now. 

Anxiety, a disorder of the mind that sees a person have a constant feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. It’s something that plagues the world and many may not notice it, may not recognize it, but is truly a part of their lives. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States. Over 40 million adults in the U.S. (19.1%) have an anxiety disorder. Meanwhile, approximately 7% of children aged 3-17 experience issues with anxiety each year. Most people develop symptoms before age 21.” To me anxiety is like that magical stuffed animal that you don’t remember getting that just shows up in your room one day. Or it’s that childhood toy that lies dormant in your basement until you dig it up one day. It’s something you don’t recognize at first, but more and more, events of life shape it more into reality, more into your peripheral vision. 

There is not just one type of anxiety disorder, there are actually many anxiety disorders. Some of these include, but are not limited to; Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Separation anxiety disorder, and Substance/medication-induced anxiety disorder. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5- text revision (DSM 5-TR) “Anxiety disorders include disorders that share features of excessive fear and anxiety and related behavioral disturbances. Fear is the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat, whereas anxiety is anticipation of future threat.” (pg.215) Anxiety is the fear of being embarrassed in public. Being away from a safe space that you can go to just to be yourself.

I am here to tell you, be yourself. Be your goofy, silly, crazy, annoying, chatty, emotional self. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be scared to be yourself, to go seek help. Criticizing yourself every now and then is ok, it helps build strength and pushes you to get better, but berating yourself constantly is not. Go, seek help, go find someone to talk to and someone who won’t judge you. Finding help and talking to someone has been the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, I feel so much better, both mentally and physically. There is a stigma in this world that going to talk to a therapist means you’re weak, no, it just means that you care for yourself, you care for your health. Help break the stigma around mental health. It is ok to not be ok. Let that resonate with you as you go about your day to day lives, through all the ups and downs of being a college student. Seek peace within yourself, trust me, and more importantly trust God, it helps more than you could ever imagine. ★

Categories
Campus News

The Door of Paradise

Chamber Choir Rehearsal
Chamber Choir Rehearsal - Courtesy of Kaitlyn Avery 
by Danielle Skinner ('27)

Tonight at 6:30 p.m. Houghton University’s (HU) Chamber Choir will be performing in the Center for the Arts (CFA) Atrium. The performance is titled The Door of Paradise. 

The Chamber Choir is the most elite of HU’s choirs and requires a year-long commitment. Only sixteen spots are available that students must audition for.

The choir is directed by Dr. Kevin Dibble, the Associate Director of the Greatbatch School of Music, Associate Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music. 

Junior Susannah Denham ‘26, a choir member since the spring of 2024, explained that the Chamber Choir is unique compared to other campus choirs.

“We don’t usually perform music for large choirs and we do mostly a cappella pieces,” Denham noted. “Since we only rehearse twice a week, less than any other choir on campus, everyone is a strong musician and confident in sight reading.”

Denham commented on the importance of the “performer-audience relationship.” The ensemble needs the audience, and she said the choir wants to share their hard work and “this beautiful combination of pieces” with listeners.

“Personally I’m excited to perform these pieces for family and friends,” Denham said, and added that “Dr. Dibble has arranged a beautiful collection of compositions, each with a story and depth behind them.” 

In addition to traditional and modern pieces, the choir will also perform pieces composed by HU students and faculty. 

“Each piece is truly incredible,” she said. 

Denham stated that out of their music selection, she particularly enjoys “Song for Athene”, “Entreat Me Not to Leave You” and “Heart Fire”. “Song for Athene” is a musical composed by John Tavener with lyrics by Mother Thekla, an Orthodox nun. It was written after Tavener’s family friend, Athene Hariades, was killed in a cycling accident. “Entreat Me Not to Leave You” is one of Dan Forrest’s best-known a cappella pieces based on Ruth’s plea in the Bible. “Heart Fire” is composed by Carrie Magin (https://www.carriemagin.com/store/heart-fire) who explained it “expresses a raw abandon that comes from the beauty of experience and from the natural world around us.”

Denham advised attendees to “pay attention to the texts and how the music supports them and creates a specific atmosphere.” 

Faculty and students alike are encouraged to attend the performance. ★

Categories
Campus News

Life Together Groups

Life Together Groups Bible
Life Together Groups - Courtesy of Kaitlyn Avery
by Sadie Nakamura ('26)

Houghton University (HU) offers a variety of weekly small groups around campus called Life Together Groups. These gatherings are open to all students and designed to foster a sense of community and encourage meaningful spiritual connection. 

Interim Dean of Spiritual Life J.L. Miller explained that Life Together Groups were created to help students share their spiritual experiences and grow together in faith. Each group features a unique focus, providing opportunities for students and faculty to engage in deeper spiritual connection. 

“I chose the name Life Together Groups from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s seminal work called Life Together,” Miller said. “The book explore[s] what it look[s] like living together. I think it’s such a gift to be at an undergraduate institution like Houghton where you are surrounded by peers, faculty, and staff all interested in being at a Christian University, growing in their faith, and studying together.”

Miller emphasized the importance of creating intentional spaces for Bible study, prayer and spiritual discussion. 

“I think one aspect of doing Life Together as Christians is creating [these spaces],” he said. “I wanted to be sure the Spiritual Life office was doing something to enhance the offerings across campus.”

Miller’s overall vision is to ensure that a variety of small groups and Bible studies are consistently available for students because he believes “it is important for students during their college years to be connected with peers and classmates on a spiritual level.”

Although student-run small groups already existed on campus, Miller sought to provide additional support to help students easily find groups that fit their interests and schedules. One aspect Miller appreciates is the flexibility and creativity of these gatherings. “I love the variety of styles in the different groups,” he noted.

One such group is Daily Prayer. Lee James ‘26, a double major in bible & theology and history, is one of the students who helps lead the Daily Prayer Life Together Group. The group meets every weekday at 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Spiritual Life Office, located on the lower level of the Campus Center. 

“Daily Prayer is open to everyone,” James said. “It’s a great way to take a breather in the middle of a chaotic week.”

James emphasized the positive impact of leading a small group, sharing that daily prayer provides a safe opportunity to connect with others, adding, “It would be really cool to see more people get involved!”

Another popular group is Board Games and Big Questions led by Julia Collins ‘26, a history major. The group combines fun with meaningful conversations, inviting participants to engage with both games and thought-provoking questions. 

“I think it can be really encouraging for people to come together in a small group setting,” Collins shared. “Everyone has burdens and it is so beautiful to help each other carry these burdens.” 

Collins believes the Life Together Groups provide opportunities to form friendships with “people that you might not otherwise meet!” She added that some “of my best friends are the ones that I’ve met in life together groups.” 

Through Life Together Groups, HU continues to cultivate a spiritual community where students can build meaningful relationships and deepen their faith. ★