EBC Christmas Production of 2007

Ball Hockey at Tyndale

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We are so discontent.
We sit in our dorm rooms, trying endlessly and fruitlessly to write a paper on the Theology of Mushrooms or whatever, eyes glazed over, mouth dripping, lost in a sea of eternal monotonous academia and our mind starts to think, what am I doing here?
When we are not pleased with our lives, we become so demanding of God. We begin to ask why we’re so bored, or why our lives don’t feel so important right now. Where am I going in life? What is the meaning of anything? We start to get these ideas running through our head. We start to remind ourselves how much we are worth. Why am I not famous right now? Why am I not preaching in stadiums? Why am I not writing shocking new systematic theology? Why am I not the next greatest thing? I’m worth more than this.
Maybe I’m making silly assumptions, but this is a problem that affects me often. As soon as I get bored with the things around me, I feel like I’ve been let down. I feel like I’m worth more than I’m being used for. Its in these moments that it helps to get a good dose of nature.
I had a small and very nice revelation the other day. Something which helped to shock me out of my boredom, and something that I feel might be applicable to many of the things that might ail us emotionally. I was walking as the snow fell quietly down, and the wind blew in my ears, and I was really feeling how lovely it is, and it really hit me what we have been offered by God already.
God made you human. You have the opportunity to run your feet through blades of grass in the summer. He gave you the opportunity to sit in the snow and watch it silently blow down and rest upon the ground, placing a clean white blanket over the world. You can understand music, you can hear the wind blow. You can smell flowers. You can live. At the very least, you have been given everything. It’s sad when the silly pursuits of the world get in the way of that.
Sometimes we get afraid that we’re not going to have enough. We get scared we wont be enough, or do enough. What if we have to be poor? What if we end up friendless? (or worse, single) What if we don’t become the next greatest thing since sliced pudding? What if, if, if? You have already been given the opportunity to live, and until we get to heaven, and receive more than we could ever want or deserve, that can be quite a lot.

By Wesley Hague

I seek to honour those before

Whose words and art I do adore.

With words so strung, tied and laced

All my words seem so misplaced

A simple phrase, rhythm or rhyme

Do or will they last in time?

Or will my work, fade as most?

As sunlight drains from off the coast.

To work with words, this precious art

I can only do my part.

As we know, they can harm or heal

Words, can alter, just how we feel.

As with this is art it is so true

I write about, what I feel, see, and do.

For one to smile, think or laugh

I have succeed in this chosen path.

It does not matter if these works will last

As all things will fade to past.

Some people have been asking me about the article written about me in the voice a few weeks back. (see ‘Simon Boucher: The Inhumanity Shall Never End’) Knowing that it might have come off the wrong way, I wanted to say on Jordan’s behalf that a good part of the article was tongue-in-cheek, and that our editor had asked me if he could post it a few days after I’d been teasing him about something. if the piece he wrote seemed too aggressive, it was only because some of the preamble behind the joke hadn’t been explained. Anyway, I hope that clears a few things up,

Simon Boucher

Editor’s Note
Indeed the aforementioned article was one which has been part of a long-running joke, and one which Simon has allowed me to allow our paper to be a part of. If anyone has deemed it offensive, understand that I would not write such a piece about someone who has not gained the respect and good humour in my mind that allows me to joke around at this level. I’m sorry if it rubbed off the wrong way, hopefully the satirical nature of the piece can be appreciated.

Jordan Vetro

This is for all of you out there who thought Superbad was quality film making. The American film institute released a 100 best American films of all time list. We’re gonna review the top ten. We’ve even avoided foreign films for those of you who can’t stand subtitles. It’s easy. These are good films. Important People think so. They must be watched. Here we stop and evaluate the best 10 films on the list.

1) CITIZEN KANE
Released in 1941, Kane told the story of a man who obtained so much in his life, and died with a wish that no one could understand. A haunting and beautiful portrait of a man’s life, written, directed and starred in by Mr. Orson Wells, whose performance is still one of the best of all time. Seeing as its made in the forties, there’s none of that grotesque visual R rated stuff that people seen to think is necessary for a ‘real’ film nowadays. Somewhat depressing and deeply moving, you should see Citizen Kane.

2)CASABLANCA
How many wonderful quotes have we stolen from Casablanca that we don’t even remember. “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” “Play it Again, Sam.” “Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.” “Here’s Lookin’ at You Kid.” This is because secretly, everyone, even those who have never heard of him, wants to be Humphrey Bogart. Casablanca is a timeless picture of wit, love, war, politics and humanity.

3) THE GODFATHER
I’ll bet you’ve heard of this one. Possibly the most ‘infamous’ on this list. The Godfather is the best mobster movie of all time. Why? Because it balances on the edge of a knife to combine cliches and realism, and really wrote a few cliches in the process. Be very warned about very much violence and other less than savory behaviour, as mobsters to do tend to show. Though this is a deep film, it is one that is difficult to recommend, because of its gruesome subject matter.

4) GONE WITH THE WIND
OK, maybe you hate this film, there are a lot of people who hate this film. But really, you hate it for all the right reasons. And you deep down, have to know that this is a worthwhile film. You hate it because Scarlett O’Hara, who plays men for fools and does the worst things to the best people was painted so wonderfully as the oober-villian. With a heartless cruelty to challenge Darth Vader, she tears men to shreds, and you hate her, and love this movie. Watch out for another memorable quote. “Frankly my dear…”*

5) LAWRENCE OF ARABIA
This is a brilliant film. It is actually the only film on this list that I own in my collection. (trusting I would own more of these if I were not a student) Lawrence of Arabia is the story of a common British soldier who takes his ambitions into the Arabian desert and unites the Arab tribes under one banner. This film is the watermark for the epic genre. Lord of the Rings and Braveheart are held up and scrutinized in comparison with this film.

6) THE WIZARD OF OZ
This I expect you to have seen. One of the true original fantasies. With wonderful little ditties, wonderful little people, horrible witches, flying monkies, and other mystical wonderfulness that had such a profound affect on so many childhoods. It goes without saying this colourful, peculiar, quirky and cute film is a classic. If you have not seen this, you must do so, for you are being silly.

7) THE GRADUATE
The story of a young man who gets pulled into sad deeds he never wished to be a part of. This film is peculiar in all of the most shocking, provoking and interesting ways. Completely scored by Simon and Garfunkel, starring the incomparable Dustin Hoffman, you will come away feeling very quizzical and somewhat astounded. Be warned of mature subject matter, this is the story of a man pulled into an affair, which he doesn’t wish to be a part of, but either way, some of the material must be handled with maturity, I leave that to you.

8 ) ON THE WATERFRONT
This is the second film on the list starring the astounding Mr. Marlon Brando, one of the true Renaissance men of Hollywood. The film is intensely interesting in that it is the story of the man directing it, trying to explain to the world why he testified in a court trial against fellow union member. Within this is a look at politics and the bigger picture, through the eyes of a situation that is very real and powerful.*

9) SCHINDLER’S LIST
The masterpiece of Steven Speilburg, director of so many films we have come to know and love (Indiana Jones, Saving Private Ryan, Jurassic Park, Hook, ET) This film, shot in glorious black-and-white, stylistically remembering a powerful wartime story that resonates with a viewer, is the most recent film on the list. (1993) It is, hopefully, a testament to the fact that amidst all the garbage that the recent industry has been producing, there are still filmmakers out there who are not only making good films, but great films, and ones that will stand out in time as masterpieces. Be warned of very-mature subject matter relating to the horrors of war and evils of humanity.

10) SINGING IN THE RAIN
I was so pleased that this film was on the list. If you have not seen this film, you are missing out on a goldmine of comedy, music, dance, history and just pure golden, classic, excellence. The favorite film of musical lovers, starring Gene Kelly, one of the past masters of the genre which was sadly abandoned later in history. It is films like this that makes me happy the musical is being revived. Maybe we will soon see a return to that classic fun and beautiful filmwork that was given to us in “Singing in the Rain.”

*The Editor has not seen these two films. The opinions in the two articles above are mined from different respected sources. No doubt their place on the list should be inspiration to see them anyhow

by: Mike & Mary Salvatore

Jeff Hopkins is a weird guy. Maybe a little too weird… In this issue, The Voice is going to get to the bottom of what’s so weird about Jeff Hopkins.

Have you noticed any strange behaviours coming from Jeff Hopkins?

Andrew Walleeeeeeeeeen
He dropped his pants in the sack today.

Jordan Vetro
I’m not at liberty to say.

Amanda Gray
I can’t say some of them. I might get in trouble.

Laurie Winfeld
I don’t see him that often. Hiding out in his room, though that’s not strange.

Mark McDermott
[Raising eyebrows repeatedly]. Much like the Simpsons, the hair is taking over. His hair has a will of its own.

Curtis Healy
Odors are not behaviours.

Jason Green Shirt
Yes. He’s been shaving.

Amanda Grierson
No.

Caleb Neumeister
I have noticed him growing a tail.

Matt Winger
There is a lot of werid language being written on his door. A language he has never heard of. A lot of commotion in his room when the door is closed.

Stephanie Vincent
Not anymore than usual.

From The Editor’s Desk
Merry Christmas to one and all from the VOICE of Emmanuel Bible College. As your doom approaches, and exams draw nearer, let me offer you words of comfort from the Bible. “This too shall pass.” Yes, I know some of us are crouched under such a mountain of papers that we cannot raise our heads to see the sun. Yes, we have so much studying to do that we do not feel we could fit that knowledge into our stomachs, much less our minds. Yes, sometimes you just wish you had decided to leave high school and get yourself a steady job so that you didn’t have to put up with this stress and agony. But don’t worry, this too shall pass. No matter how agonizing, how painful, how gruesome this final stretch of semester one be, nothing will change the fact that in a few weeks, you’ll be at home, free of your bonds, lost to the bliss of the Christmas season. So keep that in mind, and get back into your books you lazy slug!

Happy Holidays and God Bless
Jordan Vetro

In This Issue

EBC Christmas Production: Katelyn Unger

Creative Corner: To Honour Those Before Me: Wesley Hague

Devotionals: Contentment: Jordan Vetro

Opinions and Editorials: Letter to the Editor: Response to a Previous Article: Simon Boucher

Reviews: American Film Institute’s 10 Best Films of All-Time

Tabloid: Worst Dressed List and “The Creature”

Voice on the Street:What’s Wrong With Jeff?

By Katelyn Unger

The lights are low and the audience silent, out burst Jason, Brandon and Jordon in amazing song. Okay, so this isn’t how the night started but it is a part that stands out in the mind of the audience members. The Christmas production started many, many weeks ago at the hand of Marjorie, Tabitha and Matt. Rehearsals, meetings and more rehearsals were the lives of many students around campus. As November 23 grew nearer, there was an excitement and nervousness in the air that crept from every corner. It was not hard to find someone from the choir or band throughout the weeks prior to the Christmas production. Down every hall, someone could be heard practicing their part in the event.
Finally, November 23 came. The cast were in costume and the audience seated, each act and song that came on stage was amazing. The opening choir was breathtaking, their voices harmonizing beautifully. Rachel Neumeister at the piano and all the other band members were spectacular. The soloists Sarah Capeling, Tabitha Rozeluk, Jolene Voskamp and Graham Sweet astounded the crowd with their voices. There were monologues by Brandon Meyers, Katie Bailey, Daniel Wallace and Jordan Vetro, all of which were convincing portrayals of the characters they were playing. Those in both the men and women’s choir got a great response after their songs. Erica’s dramatic reading held everyone’s attention and finally the Advent reading by Bethany and Angel was a great way to tie everything together.
There will be many hilarious memories taken away form the practices, but there will also be times of achievement and joy when one looks back at the performances. The nights of November 23 and 24 will be remembered as great nights to those both in the production and those in the audience.
Thanks to everyone who participated, both behind the scenes and on stage. A special thanks to Marjorie for all her hard work. Last but certainly not least, thanks to all those who came out. You were the ones who made the nights a success.
I am already looking forward to next year’s performance and I hope you are all as well.