The Phone Stack: A Covenant Hall Tradition

Picture this: It’s 5:00 p.m. at Covenant College, and someone from your dorm calls down the hall to let everyone know they are heading to the dining hall for dinner. Soon, pairs of roommates emerge from their rooms, and together, you walk down to the Great Hall. You grab a plate of food, but before you begin eating, someone places their phone in the middle of the table, followed by the announcement, “Phone stack!” 

Devices flood out of pockets and hands and soon pile on top of each other to create a tower in the middle of the table. They remain there untouched until the food is finished, and you leave dinner with a full, present heart.

Letting Go of Distractions

The phone stack is a cherished tradition my hall, Jungle, upholds. Although this habit started years ago before I even arrived at Covenant, the community has honored the spirit behind the phone stack: to be present and intentional in conversation by setting aside the distraction of electronic devices. 

As an incoming freshman, the community at Covenant seemed so wonderful and yet intimidating. How could I be sure I had a place in this community? Experiencing firsthand a small habit like putting my phone away during dinner conversations showed me the depths of the richness of the Covenant community. Suddenly, being part of this great thing wasn’t scary. It was a privilege and an honor.

Embracing Community

Hall traditions like the one Jungle practices not only helped me feel welcomed into the community but also inspired me to give back to it. Being with a group of people who valued me enough to give me their full attention made me feel loved and cherished. In them, I saw the love of God. In return, I learned that putting down my phone helped me to give them my attention back. It encouraged me to engage in meaningful conversations as I grew closer with the girls in my hall and sought to uplift them as they had uplifted me. 

Participating in the phone stack shows me what it means to embrace friendships and the beauty of a distraction-free life. So, next time I enter the Great Hall with my phone, I will be the first to put my phone on the table and let go of distractions in order to embrace those closest to me.