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I will always wear pink and green!
By Brandon Ayers Agnew ’08
STAFF WRITER

The recent news of Chap Brewer's departure at the end of this semester has sent waves of emotion across Sweet Briar's campus. Whether you know Chap personally, or just see his grinning face from time to time, everyone seems to be feeling a sense of impending loss. Though Sweet Briar is a secular college, religion, spirituality, and just plain guidance plays a dramatic role in many of the student's lives here. Religion should not be a forbidden topic of discussion. In fact, I think many would find it shocking that not only is this campus laden with spiritual students, but also with numerous opportunities for religious leadership, fellowship, or simple meditation.

Just last week the Chaplain’s office began a prayer program entitled “40 Ways in 40 Days.” This program, which is accompanied by a list of 40 possible ways to incorporate prayer into our everyday lives, speaks thoroughly of this college’s robust spiritual programs. Prayer is an avid part of any spiritual student's life, whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or otherwise. In the chaotic schedule of an average Sweet Briar student's day, prayer sometimes seems to be ignored. Also, those who have the time often feel awkward in using this available opportunity for prayer. Now I'm not recommending that we all stand hand-in-hand every day in the Quad, though for some this might seem a wonderful idea. No, instead I merely suggest that students who choose to be spiritual, in whatever form, feel comfortable to express their individual desires on this campus. The “40 Ways in 40 Days” program allows those who choose this path, to embrace their spirituality.

There are also several on-campus religious opportunities that can be taken advantage of. Monday nights consist of Roman Catholic Mass at 7 p.m. in the chapel and Campus Christian Fellowship meetings at 9 p.m. in the basement of Dew. CCF not only allows a chance for group fellowship, but also opportunities for prayer buddies and one-on-one discipleship with one of the executive members. Wednesdays bring prayer at 12:30 p.m. in the chapel, which is a wonderful way of incorporating prayer into our daily lives in only 30 minutes. On Thursday nights students can attend the Future Lens Co-Ed Bible study in the Honors Center at 6:30 p.m., with good food and good times. Sundays also bring the Open Doors Service at 6:30 p.m. in the chapel, which is a great addition to the traditional church service. For those of us who have trouble getting up early on the weekend, like I do, this is a great alternative. The Hesychia Prayer Room, in the entrance of the chapel, is always available for private prayer or meditation time. And let's not forget the Sweet Spirits, who provide programs such as the Open Doors Service and Gospel Fest, coming up this spring to the students. Also, Chap is always available for one-on-one meetings or chat sessions to discuss your spiritual needs or concerns. His open arms will be missed next year.

For many Chap has been like a father figure on this campus, providing guidance and support to many when it was most needed. It will be hard to find another chaplain who could bring the same joy and spiritual guidance. It will definitely be sad to see Chap and his wife Rena leave at the end of the semester. However, we must all keep in mind that just because Chap is moving on to fulfill lifelong goals of his own at Anderson School of Theology, does not mean Sweet Briar's spiritual and religious activities need to leave with him. He worked hard during his time here to create “a sense of spiritual community, especially among students,” and we must not let his efforts fall apart. We must stand in support of whoever will come after Chap, helping bring comfort to his or her transition to our campus. Sweet Briar is not a college of religious conformity, and that is one of the great things about this school. Instead, we are a college that embraces individual's beliefs or non-beliefs and are proud to cater to students of all walks of life. Our pink and green unites us whether we like it or not and as Chap put it, “I will always wear pink and green!”

After almost five years of service, Dr. Guy Brewer will be leaving Sweet Briar at the end of June to move to Anderson, Indiana where he has accepted a faculty position as Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology in the Anderson School of Theology.