Trinity Students Participate in Festival of Faith and Writing
–By Rachel Townsend ’16
To celebrate religious expression in literature, Dr. Michael Vander Weele ’73, professor of English, and five English students from Trinity made their way to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., to attend the Festival of Faith and Writing. Through April 14-16, they went to lectures, workshops, readings, concerts, and plays that spoke on issues of faith, ethics, and justice. Guest speakers, including Zadie Smith, Luci Shaw, and James Schaap, spoke of the importance of storytelling in today’s fallen world.
Crystal Linzy ’17, Kailah Price ’19, Hannah Bresser ’19, Kezia Stephanie ’17, and Molly Hofman ’19 represented the first students from Trinity’s English Department to attend the festival. The group committed to read one book from a recommended list before the festival and visit the keynote addresses and at least eight sessions during the festival. After the festival, they all wrote a reflection paper on their experience, sharing what they learned with writing advisors and English professors Dr. Erick Sierra, associate professor of English, and Dr. Mark Jones, professor of English.
This learning experience not only brought faith and literature together, but also Trinity’s English staff and students, strengthening their community.
Since its creation in 1990, the Festival of Faith and Writing has united those who believe in faithful writing, individuals who combine their love of God, and literature. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, around 2,000 readers, students, and teachers attend the annual event