by Erin Gupton | Dec 13, 2012 | Uncategorized
Lipscomb students who already have been involved in missions know they have benefited and offer encouraging words to those who have committed their time to future mission department adventures. Participating in a mission trip changes you for the positive, said Kathy Short, a junior from Indianapolis. “Going to Germany through Lipscomb Missions opened up my eyes to things that I wouldn’t have experienced through anything else,” she said. “I got out of my comfort zone while I was there, and it helped me grow as a Christian but also just as a person.” Lydia Buckley, a senior from Knoxville, used to work in the missions department and has participated in missions team trips to Cozumel for 3 years. “In doing so, I got to see how the department really tries to plan a trip that best fits specific skill sets,” Buckley said, “and I’ve been able to see all types of people get involved for that reason.” The Lipscomb community is affected by the trips as well because the teams say they come back with deep friendships and a renewed joy for the Lord. “Through the missions department, I’ve been able to make so many meaningful relationships at Lipscomb and in Cozumel, and it’s been a blessing,” Buckley said. “Instead of going to the beach for a week, I got to participate in the Kingdom of God in a very tangible way and grow closer to the teammates.”...
by Emily Snell | Dec 10, 2012 | Uncategorized
Uncommon is the norm for Terry Briley. For example, it’s uncommon to find a Bible scholar who regularly attends one of the nation’s largest outdoor music festivals. It’s also uncommon to find a male faculty sponsor for a women’s social club. But Briley, professor of Biblical Studies and former dean of the College of Bible and Ministry, regularly attends the four-day Bonnaroo music and arts festival down in Manchester, Tenn. Briley, dean for 10 years until this fall, also is faculty sponsor for Kappa Chi. The former is because of his love for music, which is also why he’s a ticket holder for the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. In fact, he’s even taking violin lessons. The latter, well, it sort of began out of necessity. “When I first started here, we didn’t have as many female faculty members, so social clubs always struggled finding sponsors,” Briley said. During his first semester as a Lipscomb adjunct, he said a student asked him to sponsor the women’s club. “I’m pretty sure it was a notion of ‘Here’s the new guy; he doesn’t know anything.’” Of course, he did it, and “over time, it sort of stuck.” Briley, a professor at Lipscomb since 1986, said building relationships is one of the best things about his job. “To me, the relational side of it is as important, as rewarding, if not more so, than the academic side,” he said. “One of the things I really like about it is not just the relational side while students are here, but the fact that you’re able to stay connected after they’re gone. I know students and...
by Brynn Watkins | Dec 7, 2012 | Uncategorized
When fashion and social justice go hand in hand, progress happens. The company Rags2Riches is no stranger to social justice. Rags2Riches Inc. is a for-profit company based in Manila, Philippines that creates fashion and home accessories out of scrap cloth by working with women living in impoverished cities across the country. Rags2Riches’ philosophy stands upon four bottom lines: people, profit, planet and positive influence. Rags2Riches got its start in 2007 in the poorest districts of the Philippines. According to the Rags2Riches website, women living in Payatas, “one of the Philippines’ largest dumpsites and home to 12,000 families,” were scavenging waste in order to find and recycle fabric scraps for weaving. This became a way for the women to make a living and provide for their families. However, the website reports that, “over time, the industry became exploited by a series of middlemen who controlled both the supply of scrap fabric and the women’s access to the market, which created an unfair value chain for the women who, at the end of the day, earned only pennies per finished product.” Thus, Rags2Riches was funded, providing fair-trade work for hundreds of women in need. With the help of Rags2Riches, the women are taught financial and health training so they can maximize their career potential. To help create its fashionable products, Rags2Riches teamed up with fashion designers Rajo Laurel, Amina Aranaz-Alunan and Oliver Tolentino to help mold the scrap and indigenous fabric into beautiful handbags and accessories. Though Rags2Riches has only been around for four years, the progress the company created has been life changing. It has empowered 450 women across 21 communities in the Metro Manila...
by Bridgette Begle | Dec 6, 2012 | Uncategorized
This fall at the multiplex, we have seen relationships between mental illness patients in Silver Linings Playbook and sexually abused children growing up and limping through high school in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, but Hollywood kicks back to the simplicity of cute romance and predictable plots in Playing for Keeps. Just because a movie is predictable does not make it bad. I mean, Gerard Butler uses a Scottish accent, and Jessica Biel and Catherine Zeta-Jones are gorgeous — it’s hard to go wrong there. Butler plays George, a former soccer star, who ends up coaching his 9-year-old son’s soccer team. He is faced with the challenges of divorced soccer moms throwing themselves at him, while he tries to cope with his ex-wife’s (Jessica Biel) upcoming marriage. In the process, George learns responsibility and tries to become an adult, hoping it will be enough to win her back. Directed by Gabriele Muccino (The Pursuit of Happyness), Playing for Keeps is definitely a movie that hits home with the issue of divorce. George’s son, played by Noah Lomax, portrays the innocence of a little boy dealing with the emotional journey of his dad coming home while he has a future stepfather pushing his way in. The film definitely hits home with serious topics like divorce, so bring your tissue box. Something that might surprise you watching this movie is Dennis Quaid’s role. He is not the sweet, fun-loving dad of twin daughters that were separated at birth any more. Quaid plays a money-loving manipulator, which, of course, he does so well because of his acting abilities. Butler is a good-looking man. I get it....
by Brynn Watkins | Nov 30, 2012 | Uncategorized
Looking for shiny new gifts for the holiday season? Why not support gifted merchants from around the world while doing your shopping for loved ones this season! If that idea sounds appealing, then the Red Earth Trading Company should be your one stop shop. Based in Nashville, the Red Earth Trading Co. was founded in 2010 by Travis Gravette. Gravette wanted to create a company incorporating both fashion and philanthropy. While traveling in East Africa, he discovered talented artisans who were getting paid very little for their beautiful work. Gravette saw the talent and drive of these gifted merchants and thought of an idea. This idea turned into Red Earth Trading Co., a company creating hope for merchants in East Africa by generating trade and commerce. The company collaborates with the artisans to create high quality home goods, jewelry and accessories with 100 percent of the company profits going back to help fuel development of non-profits in Africa. According to the Red Earth Trading Co. website here is how the process works: 1. We build relationships with artisans in developing nations that create exceptional products, value their employees and desire to make a difference in their community. 2. We work directly with our artisans to design and create quality products that are fashionable. 3. We pay at or above fair market prices on all products and pay up front for each order. 4. We import our products to the U.S. and sell them for a profit. 5. We cover our expenses and reinvest in the business. 6. At the end of the year, our profits are given to sustain the community development work of...
by Crystal Davis | Nov 28, 2012 | Uncategorized
The voices of the Lipscomb student chorus could be heard across campus Tuesday night as the eighth annual Lighting of the Green began. Santa was tucked away in the Hall of Fame room, smiling as children and families came to take pictures and tell him their Christmas wishes. Members of the Lipscomb theatre department handed out hot chocolate and cookies to the children as they awaited the outdoor concert. Young and old seemed to enjoy the festivities, which included shopping among the vendors, sampling holiday food and drink, and taking pictures with Santa. The Merry Marketplace began at 4 p.m. where vendors set up tables outside of the Hall of Fame room. There were Christmas decorations, clothing, jewelry, hats and, of course, Lipscomb outerwear and T-shirts. Fringe and Lace, an online boutique for young women, was one of the popular vendors. Owner Natalie Sawyer is a Lipscomb alumna who graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s in communications. Outside of Allen Arena, children ran around playing hide and seek among the dimly lit trees that sparkled with Christmas lights, while adults sipped hot chocolate. Hundreds of stark white wooden chairs were assembled in front of the stage just waiting to be filled for the evening concert. Keeping with the annual tradition, Amy Grant hosted the concert which featured special musical guests including: contemporary Christian artist Ashley Cleveland; Mandisa, of American Idol fame; The Martins, a Christian music vocal trio; L’Angelus, a Cajun inspired band; Scat Springs, a classic rhythm and blues singer and the founder of the Scat Band; Michelle Swift, contemporary Christian singer; and the Lipscomb student choruses. As...
