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Discernment Groups are regular gatherings of students and
campus ministers, where students learn to listen and respond
to God’s call through conversation, friendship, and
prayer. The following brief descriptions are provided to
acquaint you
with the focus, format and structure of vocational discernment
groups. For more information, email
the leader of the Discernment group, or contact the PathWays
office at (919) 668-0485.
Getting Involved with God: Rediscovering the Old Testament
This group will explore the Old Testament as a means of hearing God’s good news and finding guidance for our lives. We will read Ellen Davis’s Getting Involved with God, and the author will be invited to join a group meeting. The group will meet Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons based on participant availability.
Contact: Dr. Christy Lohr-Sapp, christy.lohr@duke.edu
Risking Vulnerability: A Bodily Theology of Christian Desire
This group will attempt to locate notions of risk and vulnerability in a bodily theology of desire. By focusing on both biblical theology and personal narratives, we will examine gender, sex, race and ability through a Christocentric lens. The group will work through a curriculum designed by its leader, Adrienne Koch, as a project for the Gender, Theology, and Ministry Certificate at Duke Divinity School.
Contact: Adrienne Koch, adrienne.koch@duke.edu, 919-684-2032
Theology and the Origins of Race
Why has Christianity, with commands of neighborly love, failed in its attempts to heal social divisions? This group will dive into issues of race, society, theology, and ecclesiology by reading The Christian Imagination by Duke Divinity School professor Willie Jennings. The American Academy of Religion awarded it the Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion in 2011. Bruce Puckett, Pastor to the Congregation at Duke Chapel, will lead this challenging and engaging study. The author will be invited to join the group later in the semester. The group will meet Monday or Tuesday at 3pm depending on participant availability.
Contact: Rev. Bruce Puckett, bruce.puckett@duke.edu
What Does it Mean to be Beautiful?
Chapel worship director, Meghan Feldmeyer, will be leading a small group on the book Unsqueezed: Springing Free from Skinny Jeans, Nose Jobs, Highlights and Stilettos. Local Durham author Margot Starbuck provides a humorous and thoughtful account of cultural understandings of body image, beauty, and what it means to embrace who God has created us to be: body, mind, and spirit. A visit from the author may be forthcoming. Meeting Tuesdays at 11:30.
Contact: Rev. Meghan Feldmeyer, meghan.feldmeyer@duke.edu
Decisions, Discernment: Your Career and Your Life
This discernment group will gather bi-weekly to read Os Guiness’ book, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life. Rev. Keith Daniel will facilitate this contemplative time involving prayer and theological reflection, practicing clarifying conversations that aim at asking the right questions more than attaining solutions for our unique lives that are not our own. Schedule will be determined by participants.
Contact: Rev. Keith Daniel, m.keith.daniel@duke.edu
Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit
We will explore the freedom of a life filled with peace, joy, gentleness, and other positive characteristics (Gal. 5:22-23). By encouraging participants to develop and maintain an intimate relationship with the Spirit of God, this study will help you to nurture and cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in your daily lives. The Learner Guide includes personal interactive study five days a week, plus listening guides for the group video sessions.
Contact: Rev. Kori Jones, Kori.Jones@duke.edu, 919-323-2576
Faith, Evil, and Suffering in a Broken World
How do we wrap our head and heart around a God that is loving and good when there is suffering and pain in the world? This group will take on some of the big, tough questions about God and suffering. We'll put CS Lewis in conversation with several other theologians as we wrestle with questions of faith and evil. I don't promise that we'll resolve everything or tie your faith into a perfect little bow, but I do promise that you'll come away with a deeper way to think about these questions. As always, we'll continue to be a group that prays for one another and seeks to discern God's presence and call in our lives.
Contact: Rev. Katie Owen, katie.owen@duke.edu
Experiences of Faith, Grief, and Loss in the Death of a Parent
This small group will discuss the complex experiences of faith, grief, and loss that surround the death of a parent. We may read a few short essays on death and suffering, but the group will not focus primarily on a text. Instead, the shared experience of losing a parent will anchor our discussions. By taking a more conversational than intellectual approach, we will endeavor to share our lives and experiences with humility and honesty. Any students who have experienced the death of a parent are invited to join. Meeting time will be determined by the participants.
Contact: Dr. Adam Hollowell, adam.hollowell@duke.edu
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