Staff Writer- Cora Hess
Photo Credits: Fin Gustafson
Throughout campus, Gustavus offers a number of resources for students, but one that stands out, as it’s situated right in the center of the campus, is Christ Chapel. Not only is the Chapel a key resource, its neighboring building, Old Main, holds the Chaplains’ Office which is open to even more opportunities.
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, everyone on the campus is invited to the Chapel from 11:30 to 11:50 a.m. to share a moment of combined spiritual practice. Chaplains Ben and Alicia Hilding lead these services alongside students.
“Tuesdays are ‘Morning Praise’ which features an emphasis on music and prayer. Thursdays include a message on faith given by either a member of this community or a guest speaker for the day,” Ben Hilding shared.
Both Tuesdays and Thursdays give attendees a glimpse into different versions of worship. The 20 minutes are filled to the brim with music, prayer, worship, messages, and blessings.
“Tuesday’s service is ordered around the values of Gustavus and full of Scripture and beautiful musical offerings from the gifted ensembles on campus. Each Tuesday service ends with a blessing that I find to be a meaningful reminder of our shared values, which begins with ‘Setting aside the pursuit of perfection, may we reach for a more excellent way: where service shapes our hearts, where justice guides our work, where community upholds our well-being, and where faith enriches our lives,’” Alicia Hilding exclaimed.
There are many great speakers in line to attend the Chapel Break services every week. One who will be speaking soon is a member of the Gustavus Board of Trustees.
“Next Thursday (10/8), Bishop Dee Pederson will be reflecting on a vision for the future of the church. As bishop of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA, Bishop Pederson also serves on the Gustavus Board of Trustees. We are fortunate to hear her words of hope and inspiration,” Ben Hilding expressed.
On Sundays at 4:00 p.m., Christ Chapel is filled with members of the campus attending Sunday Worship Community (SWC).
“This Sunday, October 4th, at 4:00 p.m., for our Sunday Worship Community service, we welcome back to campus Scott Bur. As we prepare for the Nobel Conference next week, we are thrilled to hear from Dr. Bur, who was the Director of the Nobel Conference for many years. Now, since he has retired from Gustavus, he has started seminary classes. He’ll be reflecting on the relationship between faith and science,” Ben Hilding exclaimed.
While Christ Chapel is used as a place of communal worship, it can also be used for individual growth and reflection.
“Christ Chapel, at the center of campus, can be a space for multiple things at the same time: for community and solitude, reflection and rest, challenge and comfort. Chapel Services invite us to pause and consider the significance of the sacred in our lives, while the windows that draw us beyond, invite us to consider our calling and the purpose of our education as we leave to continue with the rest of our day,” Alicia Hilding shared.
There are many other resources on campus that are open for students to engage in prayer, individual worship, and growth through and in faith.
“You may also choose to engage in Meditation offered Thursdays in the Bonnier Multifaith Center, walk the labyrinth in the Arboretum, or stop for a few minutes of personal prayer or reflection,” Ben Hilding said.
A new addition to the resources surrounding the Chapel is the Carillon Café, which is located in the basement of the Chapel. Assistant Director of the Chaplains’ Office, Jodi Maas wanted to repurpose the basement of the Chapel for the use of the students.
“Over the summer we repurposed the lower level of Christ Chapel into student study/hangout space and we also added a free cold brew coffee maker and an ice machine. We offer this to students twice a week: Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.. There will be a neon sign directing you towards it. The great news is, for that hour, there is no charge for cold brew. There’s cold foam, creamer, and syrups to create your cold brew how you like,” Maas shared.
The Chaplains’ Office also co-sponsors the Gustie Pantry, run by United Christian Ministries. Located in the lower level of Old Main, the Gustie Pantry is open for students to grab a snack between classes; to eat something that will tide them over through the long day.
Another resource that many people around campus might have noticed, is Chapel and Chill. The moving cold brew carts rotate to a new academic building each Monday. Before the curriculum was changed, Chapel Break occurred five days a week and Chapel and Chill used to be situated in the Chapel during the Chapel Break.
“When the curriculum changed, it left Chapel Break to occur only two days a week. I decided that I would take coffee ministry on the go. It’s a form of ministry on wheels. We choose a different academic building each week on Mondays and serve cold brew at 10:15 a.m. until it’s gone. Follow us on Instagram (@gac_chaplains) to see where Chapel and Chill will pop up on Mondays,” Maas said.
The final resource for students on campus is simply the listening ear of everyone in the Chaplains’ Office. The Chaplains are a confidential counseling resource for all students on campus, regardless of faith identity, and all students are welcome to utilize these important resources.