At a Glance
Theme:
Creation
Faculty Speaker:
Dr. Ellen Davis, Professor of Bible and Practical Theology
Students Maggie Cupit and Louisa Meyer learn new steps in the liturgical dance workshop during Arts Village. |
Student Monica Laytham shares with a guest from Emmanuel Presbyterian Church during worship. |
Student Samuel Alvarez works on his icon drawing during the Arts Village. |
Student Sara Bowen takes notes during morning plenary. |
Lectionary Texts:
Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 33; Romans 8:18-25; 2 Corinthians 5:6-21
Reflections on the Lecture
Dr. Davis taught us this morning that the creation stories of the Bible, which are actually beautiful poetry, were written during Babylonian exile. Thus, we explored the stories from the point of view of both exiles and baptized Christians. We found connections between the creation stories and our own experience of baptism and were awed by the “harmonious differentiation” commanded and created by God.
Quotable Quotes
“If everyone is created in the image of God, so am I. If everything else in my experience is telling me I am worthless, this story gives me a counter-text.”
— Dr. Davis, during morning plenary
“God created us at the risk of ruining the divine reputation!”
— Dr. Davis, during morning plenary.
“I don’t know why God couldn’t ‘it was so’ me a sandwich…”
— Julian Pridgen, Jr., thinking as a hungry exile about the repeated phrase, “it was so” in the creation story of Genesis 1.
Heard in the Hallways
“I’m liking these plenary sessions way more than I thought I would!”
— Student, to her visiting youth pastor.
“I think I’m so wet that I don’t look wet!”
— Ben Jones, after running back to the dorm in the evening in a summer rain.
Other Activities
In worship workshop this morning, we learned the basic biblical pattern of worship: gathering, proclamation, thanksgiving and communion, and sending forth. This afternoon, our artists showcased their gifts, teaching us why we practice creative arts at the Duke Youth Academy – creating art is an opportunity to worship God. We saw examples of spoken word and written word, bodily movement, clay throwing, icon writing and batik. We also had a chance to work in these media ourselves. This evening, we had a hospitality meal with Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, a new Hispanic congregation in Durham. We were blessed by their wonderful cooking and fellowship as well as their music offered in worship. The Revs. Joey and Connie Shelton, the Divinity School’s co-directors of field education and church relations, shared God’s word with us through team preaching, and student Rebecca Young led a time of prayer with a beautiful flute solo.
What’s Ahead...
Tomorrow we will focus on Covenant, led in morning plenary by Matt Schlimm. In the afternoon, we will head out to our first service projects all over the region. One of our own mentors, Paul Kim, will preach in evening worship while Rev. Nathan Kirkpatrick, will preside over Eucharist.
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