Comfy blue blankets with the Honors insignia were littered across the Flag Mall in uneven patches as students and faculty gathered for the annual fall Honors Agape Feast on Friday, September 11.
With the restrictions placed on events by University Covid-19 guidelines, it is a given that large-scale events look drastically different from those of last fall. Normally, the Honors Agape Feast would have been held at Chan Shun Hall, with neatly decorated tables and a scrumptious array of cheeses, fruits, and snacks meticulously prepared by volunteers and the Honors office. The evening would be occupied with singing, special music, a few words from the speaker, and chatting with nearby acquaintances.
This year, holding onto boxed vegetarian dinners, students and faculty plopped themselves down on the best patch of grass they could find. Masks muffled conversations and the voices of the speakers, while people naturally formed groups within which they interacted, visually representing the impact of Covid-19. Mics were placed in front of the James White Library, and the entrance was ingeniously used as a backstage area for auditory equipment.
Although the event was unlike past Agape Feasts in many aspects, Jay Martinez (senior, finance) remarked that "It was great seeing all the new faces at Agape feast and the music was entertaining. The message was really touching. It was an encouraging way to kick off the semester."
Along with the introduction of the Honors officers, Dr. Pittman recounted the turmoil of the past few months in a meaningful message that ended on a hopeful note. Terika Williams (junior, english pre-med) and Adoniah Simon (junior, social work), the two speakers of the evening, also did not fail to emphasize this year’s theme, which is found in Isaiah 41:13: “For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’”
This message proved to be encouraging to students. HeeYun Oh (junior, biology pre-med), said "Sharing in the scripture reading and listening to two student’s messages on Isaiah 41:13 in the current situation of Covid gave me hope and strength. It was a great time for me to remember God's promise that he would hold my hand and help me."
Despite the many changes to such a well-loved event, the Honors Agape Feast maintained its identity as well as its ability to instill a sense of community and hope in these uncertain times. Although we cannot help but compare the current situation to that of last year, we do not have to despair. In fact, the pleasant peacefulness while dusting grass from the blankets, packing up any leftover food, and slowly walking back to the residence halls under a calm, gray sky may only be experienced in an outdoor event such as this.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.