Chapel ushers reflect on a year of adapted chapel services
Photo by Christopher Vega, Senior Photographer.
Working behind the scenes to keep chapel running smoothly, chapel ushers served campus with purpose this year, despite limited in-person seating and primarily online chapel experiences.
Assistant Director of Campus Ministries Fijoy Johnson focused on ensuring care for his team, as they navigated how to spiritually serve students well.
“Dr. Walker always said, ‘This is not a sprint. This is a marathon,’” said Johnson. “We will do whatever it takes to make sure everyone has a great experience in chapel. So [the ushers] have been very flexible. They’ve been understanding. They are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure we have a great chapel service.”
For senior exercise science major Seth Konkel, his experience as a chapel usher has changed vastly due to the pandemic.
“It stinks not seeing the Conn Center full of students,” said Konkel. “That was always something I loved seeing, especially when the worship team was playing, [and] watching all the students worshipping and praising the Lord.”
Although Conn Center is no longer packed with familiar faces and the echo of worship from Lee’s student body, chapel ushers aim to prioritize pouring into others, even with COVID restrictions.
“Make sure you’re welcoming to students coming in because you don’t know what kind of day they’ve come from, or the day they’re getting ready for,” said senior nursing major, Michaela White. “Following with a smile, being encouraging, and welcoming them helps make the chapel experience.”
Johnson encourages chapel ushers to lead with wisdom and instills the three p’s — professionalism, punctuality and proactivity.
“Live up to being where you need to be when you need to be there,” said Brad Wudski, assistant head usher and senior pastoral ministries major. “You never know the weight of what someone is carrying and coming in with.”
Sophomore early childhood development major Tehilah Gichuru emphasizes Johnson’s mission of making the chapel a place where students feel welcomed.
“Mr. Fijoy says ‘joy is not the circumstance that you’re in but what you cannot see,’” said Gichuriu. “He said ‘I just want you to know that sometimes, what we’re passing to students as we’re doing this work is not just a smile, but we want to give them joy; joy that sustains them as they leave.’”
Johnson aims to make an impact on his team, even beyond the Conn center.
“I’m big into one on one relationships,” said Johnson.” During convocation night, we all sit down together and have dinner. I love listening to people’s stories about where they’re from and what’s going on in their lives. I love that aspect,” said Johnson.
As the semester closes, chapel ushers are reflecting on the impact their role plays in the lives of students as they welcome them into a time of fellowship twice a week.
“I no longer see it as a place where I get to make money but a place where I can stand with the students and whatever they’re going through,” said Gichuru.
For more information about becoming a chapel usher, contact Fijoy Johnson fjohnson@leeuniversity.edu
