How do I build a meaningful vocation into my career? How is God calling me to express my unique life mission? Do you desire a group of friends to reflect and respond to these types of questions? Your campus ministers and student participants invite you join them in small groups.

Discernment: The power to be able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure; the power to see what is not evident to the average mind. Discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art) <the discernment to know true friends>. Synonyms: wisdom, insight, perception, perceptiveness, sagaciousness, sagacity, sageness, sapience.
-- Merriam-Webster OnLine

One of the most fun and rewarding experiences sponsored by PathWays at Duke is the regular gathering of small groups of students with campus ministers for the purpose of learning how to listen and respond to God’s call and claim upon their lives. The following brief descriptions are provided to acquaint you with the focus, format and structure of vocational discernment groups. Groups will begin meeting in September and journey together through the entire academic year. Feel free to contact the campus ministers for more information on specific groups and when they will gather. You may also contact the PathWays office if you would like additional information or wish to speak with the vocations counselor or program director.

Vocational Discernment Groups

Newman Center
The Discernment Group led by Father Joe Vetter meets for an hour and a half twice each month, usually on Sundays. Six to eight participants share a meal, have some prayer, and discuss what is happening in their lives regarding vocation, learn about various vocations in the Church, and sometimes have conversation with guests about their vocation experience. The group includes women and men. Participants tend to be Roman Catholic, although that is not a requirement. The group is open to all undergraduates, who are expected to commit to be present for most of the meetings. Father Joe Vetter is Catholic campus minister at Duke. Meetings are held at his home: 1506 W. Markham Avenue, across from East Campus.
PathWays Mentor: Father Joe Vetter, Catholic Chaplain
Contact info: joe.vetter@duke.edu, 919-684-1882

Seniors Group
Open to all seniors, this group meets every week in the late evening. Participants will be occupied less by the question of “What am I going to do?” and more by the claim of “Who am I going to be?” Pursuant to this objective, we will critically examine the racial, sexual, economic, political, and religious discrimens that comprise our lives. When individuals face important life decisions during the year, the entire group will offer the participant a “Clearness Committee”—the Quaker practice of individual discernment. This is not group discernment, but group support for individual discernment. Only the individual can know for sure the best decision, but the clearness committee can provide prayer and caring to move the discernment process forward. The result is a powerful sense of community and mutual accountability around a shared commitment to faithfulness.
PathWays Mentor: The Reverend Jennifer E. Copeland, United Methodist Chaplain
Contact info: jec16@duke.edu, 919-684-6735

“Athletes and athlete types” Group
Using scripture along with Os Guiness’ book, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life, engaging reflection through modern film clips, and sharing real life illustrations, this discernment group led by PathWays director, Keith Daniel, and the former director of Athletes-in-Action at Duke, Michael Thomson, gathers on a bi-weekly basis to explore the question of how to listen deeply and responsively to God’s call and claim upon our lives. The group moves patiently together as Christian witnesses and disciples pursuing a more intimate walk with God in Christ. The group journeys through the challenging work of discernment and discovers the joy of hearing the many ways that God beckons and blesses His servants for the service of others.
PathWays Mentor: The Reverend Keith Daniel, PathWays Director
Contact info: kd1@duke.edu, 919-668-0476

Habits of the Christian Life
This group will be led by the Rev. Craig Kocher, Associate Dean of the Chapel. It assumes our primary vocation as Christians is to learn and embody Christ-like habits such as learning to pray, reading the Bible, serving the poor, taking part in corporate worship, and developing holy friendships. Each week we will discuss a particular Christian habit and try to make that habit a part of our daily lives. The group meets each Wednesday nights from 6:30-7:30p in the Chapel conference room. Interested? Have questions?
PathWays Mentor: The Reverend Craig T. Kocher, Associate Dean of the Chapel and Director of Religious Life
Contact info: ctkocher@duke.edu, 919-684-2909

Spirituality and Ecology
This group is especially for students who want to explore the relationship between spirituality and ecology, with the intentional focus on the question of how we are called to care for the earth. In a sense, "tending the garden" (Genesis 2) is everyone's vocation. But some of us are already committed to environmental vocations or are considering how we might be inspired, informed, and motivated by spiritual truth to accept this responsibility and live more ethical and sustainable lifestyles. This group is for honest seekers, from the curious to the committed, who see the ecological crisis and want to respond in a way that makes a difference. During our bi-weekly meetings, we will use some readings, films, and group activities as a basis for reflection, allow a lot of time for personal interaction, engage in meditation and other spiritual practices, and make use of tools for practical help in the discernment of vocation.
PathWays Mentor: Ted Purcell, Interfaith Dialogue Project
Contact info: ted.purcell@duke.edu

Focused Prayer Discernment Group
Effective discerners need to be prayerful people and good listeners. This discernment group will meet bi-weekly and will primarily use the text, “Listening Hearts: Discerning Call and Community” by Farnham. This group is open to all undergraduate students and meets for approximately 1 hour. We usually gather for a meal and then formally begin our session with prayer. Our goal is to create conditions conducive to God’s call through prayer, discussion, and dialogue. We do not strive to be advisors or commentators, but we will ask each other simple questions after prayerful reflection.
PathWays Mentor: The Reverend Patrick Thompson, Director of Black Campus Ministries
Contact info: pt13@duke.edu, 919-684-6519