Convocation preview: One Body
Lee’s bi-annual Convocation week begins this Sunday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 p.m. This semester, students can participate in Convocation from various venues across campus to maintain adequate social distancing.
Emulating the regular chapel format, freshmen students will attend with their Gateway classes, and upperclassmen students can attend Convocation from Walker Arena, the DeVos Recreation Center or the Humanities building.
All photos courtesy of Lee University Office of Public Relations.
Following each service, an attendance code will appear on the screen for students to input into the “iAttended” app.
“Students are supposed to apply to attend Convocation online, but there is nothing to stop them from watching online,” said Coordinator of Chapel Attendance Morgan Schalk. “We are giving [students] permission to watch virtually this year, [through the virtual code access.]”
This semester’s theme of “One Body” emphasizes the need for our campus to unite, despite the challenges of COVID-19 regulations.
Jeremy Issacs will speak at Monday night’s Convocation service.
“We really feel like more than ever, we needed to reaffirm the idea and the concept that regardless of the changes and the challenges that exist on campus right now, we are still one body, and we are stronger together in this,” said Campus Pastor Robert Fultz. “This is not forever, and I think the strength in which we move forward together will largely determine the strength that we have on the other side, whatever that may look like.”
Lee President Dr. Mark Walker will kick-off the series on Sunday evening, followed by Jeremy Isaacs on Monday evening. Isaacs is the lead pastor at Generations Church in Canton, Georgia.
Laurel Bunker, Tuesday’s Convocation guest speaker.
Services will continue on Tuesday with Laurel Bunker speaking at both morning chapel and evening service. Bunker is the associate vice president of Christian formation and church relations at Bethel University and frequently speaks on leadership, spiritual development and biblical issues in the 21st century.
Fultz understands attending Convocation looks different this year, but he is confident students will still be able to engage in the services.
“A lot of that depends on our own open hearts and our own open minds,” said Fultz. “Like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it. Authenticity trumps aesthetic every time. If you come into a classroom or a lecture hall or a venue with that mentality in mind, you will meet God in that place.”
While the messages will be livestreamed from Conn Center, Fultz hopes to include a live element at each venue, like acoustic worship. Students are also encouraged to attend Convocation services with their clubs, campus organizations or roommates.
“Even though it will be different, we believe it will be a tremendous Convocation and that God is going to do a great work through it,” said Fultz. “It’s not just about tradition. It’s genuinely an opportunity for us to collectively and spiritually gather together in unique ways that we may or may not get outside of this context.
Convocation will conclude Thursday morning with worship from “Re.Created,” a team lead by School of Music alumni Caroline Ward and Carlos Rising.
“Re.Created” will conclude Convocation week on Thursday morning.
Students must attend three out of the four evening Convocation services offered. More information about Convocation can be found from Campus Ministries at campusministries@leeuniversity.edu.
