Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes
Since 1907
Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes
Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes
Ella Vanden Berg

Ella Vanden Berg, Religion Reporter

Ella Vanden Berg is a junior studying Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) with a minor in Religion. Ella is a Religion Reporter for Chimes for the 2025-2026 school year. She enjoys spontaneously bursting into song, watercolor, and listening to copious hours of podcasts.

All content by Ella Vanden Berg

150 Psalms for 150 years of Calvin University

Ella Vanden Berg, Religion Reporter
November 3, 2025

Dwelling in the Psalms is the theme for the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW), marking Calvin University’s 150th anniversary with 150 psalms, for 150 years. Aiming to connect Calvin’s Reformed...

The hidden beauty of Calvin’s organs

The hidden beauty of Calvin’s organs

Ella Vanden Berg
October 27, 2025

Most students may walk past the chapel or music department without realizing that Calvin houses seven pipe organs on its campus, each with its own voice, history and unique beauty. From the resonant Dobson...

“In the round”: How Calvin University’s chapel was built to shape worship

“In the round”: How Calvin University’s chapel was built to shape worship

Ella Vanden Berg, Religion Reporter
October 6, 2025

Calvin’s chapel — known for its iconic roof, round worship space and the lively Friday chapels it hosts — wasn’t a part of campus until 1989. How have the architecture and theological convictions...

Constitution Day celebration sparks dialogue on campus

Ella Vanden Berg, Religion Reporter
September 22, 2025

To celebrate Constitution Day on Sept. 17, Calvin students who gathered on the day before were invited to ask a provocative question: should Americans celebrate the Declaration of Independence? This...

Strength in spirit: The faith-fueled fitness journey of Macy Gerig

Ella Vanden Berg, Religion Reporter
September 15, 2025

At 15 years old, Macy Gerig was preparing to play collegiate soccer. By 17, she wasn’t even allowed to drive.  Now a senior at Calvin University, Gerig is a kinesiology major minoring in business,...

New rhythms: Calvin Chapel Transitions to MWF Format

New rhythms: Calvin Chapel Transitions to MWF Format

Ella Vanden Berg, religion
September 8, 2025

While the first day of classes may have felt similar to years past, there was one noticeable difference: there was no chapel service on Tuesday morning. Due to chapel attendance changes and a shift in...

Photo courtesy of Matt Halteman

Going Vegan: A conversation with professor Matthew Halteman

Ella Vanden Berg, Religion Reporter
November 11, 2024

This Tuesday, Nov. 12, Calvin Philosophy Professor Matthew Halteman’s new book, Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan, will be released. In the book, Halteman aims to shift how people...

The Calvin chapel plaza

Reformation Day: A historic moment in the ever-reforming church

Ella Vanden Berg and Graham Kort
November 4, 2024

Last Thursday, Oct. 31, marked 507 years since a monk named Martin Luther posted his “Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences” — now known as the 95 Theses — to a church door in Wittenberg,...

The spiritual exercise of asking questions

Ella Vanden Berg, General Assignment Reporter
October 28, 2024

While one might not think of asking questions as a spiritual exercise, New York Times columnist David Brooks, in his book How to Know a Person, suggests that practicing curiosity is formative both in shaping...

Why ‘Every square inch’ matters

Ella Vanden Berg and Malachi VerWys
September 30, 2024

If to you, “Every square inch” is just an antiquated Christian nationalist slogan, then you’ve probably never actually read Kuyper. One of the most basic ideas in Kuyper’s writings is the concept...

Load More Stories