Written by Emma McDaris // Graphic by Makayla McDonald
A beloved chapel tradition will get a new update next week due to a class project connecting the Harding student body to women in the community.
The “Muffin Chapel” tradition will be replaced with “Cookie Ministry Chapel” April 16 when women in the Searcy community will hand out over 1,500 cookies they have baked for the student body. This project was created by students in the Department of Communication’s PR Campaigns class as a new way to interact with and appreciate the women of Harding and the Searcy community.
Senior Matti Otto was one of the students organizing Cookie Ministry Chapel and explained the process and intentional thought behind the change.
“We have redirected the attention of muffins to cookies in honor of the women whose dedication is reflected in the pages of the Harding cookbooks,” Otto said. “Cookie recipes often carry sentimental value and personal touches from their cooks. By embracing these cookie recipes crafted by the women themselves, we foster a bridge between past and present generations of students.”
Assistant professor of mathematics Jill Davis interacted with both students and the women who made the cookies for the project and said she has high hopes this project will encourage different generations to engage with and learn from one another.
“I hope that the Harding students see another generation of people that have something to teach them and get curious, or you know, maybe go ask their aunt or grandma or something,” Davis said. “So that’s one thing I also hope. I really hope that they recognize the effort that was put into it.”
Harding Ambassador Lisa Williams asked Cheryl Finley, one of the women who participated in making cookies, to partake in this experience.
“I asked some ladies in my Wednesday morning Bible study group to help bake cookies and consider being there to pass them out,” Finley said. “Not sure how many signed up, but they thought it sounded like a great idea. We all agreed that the students would probably like it — much like muffin chapel but with a personal touch.”
The theme of hospitality and honoring previous generations consistently stays at the forefront of the event’s intentions.
“So the idea is sometimes people think hospitality is hard, and it really doesn’t have to be hard,” Davis said. “Most people can get good at one thing. You know if you can find your go-to cookie or your go-to pie or cake.”
