Many St. Olaf students find the midmorning chapel break a time to relax at their dorms, get some extra work done, or eat lunch. The majority of the school overlooks the real reason for this break and never attends a daily chapel service. However, there are still many students that do attend and find this break a time of rest in which to communicate with God.

"Itıs a great conversation that people miss out on when they donıt come to chapel," said Pastor Bruce Benson. "Itıs good to listen to each other struggle out loud with matters of faith in our their own lives. Daily chapel is the only place where this happens."

On Mondays and Tuesdays a wide variety of faculty, and staff members, senior students, and visitors to campus speak. They call attention to scripture texts and issues of Christian life that concern them.

Last Monday, Oct. 16, Tim Schroer, Buntrock Commons director, spoke about moments in his life when his faith was tested. On Tuesday, Oct. 17, James Pence, vice president and dean of the college, spoke.

On Wednesdays, chapel speakers address several different themes. So far this year, people have spoken on two different topics, "Faith and the Painter" and "Religion and Politics". The Religion and Politics series was devoted to peaking peopleıs political interest prior to the elections. Throughout the year, they will have many other series. The next series is "Reading Faith in Poems and Hymns." Other series will be "With the newspaper in one hand and the Bible in the Other," "Faith Reads Fiction" and the return of "Faith and the Painter." "We come up with these ideas for the series through conversations with faculty members and students," said Benson.

Wednesday, Oct. 18, Heidi Bartemen, a Presbyterian pastor and director of Minnesota Womenıs Consortium from St. Paul, spoke as part of the "Religion and Politics" series.

"I think it is important for people to sing every day," said Benson. The title of Thursday worship is "Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs." St. Olaf music ensembles often participate in Thursday worship.

Thursday, Oct. 19, John Ferguson, music professor led the worship from the organ on the balcony. He spoke about the "divorcing and remarrying" of different songs and tunes.

Fridays are services of morning prayers and features readings from the Apocrypha and the Old and New Testaments. On Friday, Oct. 20, Cantorei sang in the morning worship.

"One thing that students always complain about is how they feel trapped in Œthe bubble,ı said Jennifer Koening, associate pastor. "If you came to daily chapel, you would have to work hard to stay in the bubble. It keeps you in touch with the rest of the world and brings outside experiences in."

The Daily Chapel Services are held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:10 a.m. and on Tuesday and Thursday at 11:10 a.m. in Boe Memorial Chapel.