At a Glance
Theme:
Introduction to Baptismal Theology
Faculty Speaker:
Rev. Dr. Fred Edie, Assistant Professor of the Practice of Christian Education and Director of the Duke Youth Academy for Christian Formation
Lectionary Texts:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Psalm 119:1-8,33-48,129-144; Romans 6:3-11; John 6:26-36
Mentor Paul Kim offers a blessing to student Adam Crouch during evening Eucharist. |
Students Hannah Barnwell and Emily Childress enjoy a game of blindfold tag on the lawn (Kirsten Woodall looks on). |
Student Moriah Webster sings along in Dr. Edie's morning plenary session. |
Reflections on the Lecture
The first plenary session was filled with water. Dr. Edie began by asking students to consider the roles water plays in human experience. Myriad answers were offered: commerce and energy source, healing and contamination, life and death. Then we considered religious symbols as objects which have contradictory meanings, elicit emotional responses and carry moral significance. Putting it all together, we explored water as religious symbol, moving into a rich discussion of the power and significance of Christian baptism in our lives.
Quotable Quotes
“Our differences are important, indeed essential to the health of the body. We are essential to each other. I need what you bring, and you need what I bring to the community.”
— Dr. Edie during plenary session
“In modern days, most people would say this looks like a cult initiation!”
— One student after exploring baptism in the early church.
“I'm gonna need a PlayStation patch.”
— A student comments on his impending withdrawal from video games, which are not present (nor are televisions) at DYA
Other Activities
After plenary session this morning, we had our first worship workshop, wherein we discussed various definitions of worship and our different views on worship styles. This afternoon we got to know each other better through games on the Chapel lawn, and then we stretched our boundaries through yoga, African dance, storytelling and music during option time. Dr. Edie enlightened and inspired us while making us laugh during the evening sermon on the “ordo” of Holy Things, and Rev. Sally Bates led us in the Eucharist liturgy. We met in our mentor groups for the second time and are enjoying getting to know one another as we dive into theology.
What’s Ahead...
Tomorrow we get our first taste of the Arts Village, where we will learn to encounter and experience God through creative media (pottery, storytelling, creative writing, visual arts and liturgical dance). We will enjoy a plenary lecture from Dr. Ellen Davis on creation, and we will have our first hospitality dinner with Emmanuel Presbyterian Church.
« Journal Home | Day 2 »
|
