NEWS
2022 New Year Chapel Hour
Update: January 14, 2022
The 2022 New Year Chapel Hour was held at the university chapel on Wednesday, January 12, 2022.
This year, as a measure to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, the seating was kept at a comfortable distance and a live webcast was provided via Zoom Webinar.
The service was conducted by Rev. Shoko Kitanaka, and all the attendees listened to the organ performance of Hymn "Lord of All Being, Throned Afar" and the Scripture Reading of John 5:2-11.
Following the Scripture Reading, President Shoichiro Iwakiri delivered his message.
Full text of President Iwakiri's message is below.
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Hymn: "Lord of All Being, Throned Afar"
Scripture Reading: John 5:2-11.
Happy New Year. In the new year, the word "new" contains hope for the future. Hope in this era is not an optimistic one, such as one considering that we will develop with no problems as long as we do things the way we have. It is hope, tied together with awareness, where a transition in our ways of thinking, lifestyle, and civilization is urgent.
We are facing numerous issues: the endless spread of COVID-19, global warming, natural environment, energy, human rights, and so on. I am hoping that 2022 will be a year abundant with visions and practice of designing and creating a better future.
How was your winter break? I spent my time reading novels. In one of the scenes, the narrator describes the emotional struggle of a man who has to make a decision about his love.
This kind of battle is not over in a few hours like the battles of old, but similar to modern battles that will not end tomorrow, the next day, or next week. One must put all one's strength into it. One always feels the need to exert one's last ounce of strength. However, even after a year, there is still no "decision."
Marcel Proust, The Prisoner
(Translated from the Japanese text by translator)
A "modern battle" refers to World War I. The word "decision" is "décision" in the original version. A state of being sluggish in decision making remains contemporary and applies to us as well.
What should we decide for the future? Based on a comprehensive vision, let each one of us question, discuss, and decide, making use of our personal specialities.
Last year, the renovation of the East Wing of the Diffendorfer Memorial Hall was completed. This year, students will gather there again using new facilities for many events. We are also proceeding with the construction of new buildings. At present, international exchanges among students are suspended, but we are always ready to resume.
This year let us continue to do our utmost to create a world rich in diversity and peace, always with a global outlook, while cherishing the founding ideals and ensuring the freedom and joy of education and research.