Contrary to popular belief, “The Table” is not an object to eat around. Nor is it for dancing on or playing card games at—though surely that could be arranged. “The Table” is a fairly new Bible study on campus that, according to the Associate Director of Intercultural Development at the Bridge Center, Kelsey Joseph, began fall of 2023. Joseph said that at “The Table,” “You have the opportunity to engage with one another and the Bible in a meaningful way.” There are a multitude of opportunities and resources on NW’s campus for this sort of engagement with students and Scripture, so why should “The Table” Bible Study receive a busy students’ time over the others?
In typical Raider fashion, “The Table” stands out in more ways than one. In addition to it being “…a great collaboration between the Bridge Center and Campus Ministry,” Martha Draayer, Director of Intercultural Development at the Bridge Center, said that “The Table” welcomes “…all students, but has an emphasis on commuter students who may have trouble making the other chapel opportunities work in their schedule.” For this reason, “The Table offers Christian Formation credits. Yeah, that’s right—two to be exact. In fact, there are a total of eight Christian Formation credits available during the semester. “The Table” congregates every other Thursday during community hour, specifically from 11:05 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. in the Commuter’s Lounge, located in the lower level of the science building.
Fear not, it is not exclusive to commuter students. It is uniquely designed for: “…commuters, married students, male and female students to gather in one space,” said Joseph. However, sophomore Jorge Menéndez, the Commuter Laison of the Bridge Center and leader of “The Table” Bible Study, said “The Table is meant for any person who wants to understand the Bible on a deeper level.” Another reason “The Table” stands apart, according to Menéndez is that “It is one of the only co-ed Bible studies on campus.” Menéndez said that “The main purpose of “The Table” is to build an even stronger Christian community by combining the male and female perspective that we have of the Bible.” Why should this matter? It is important to “…be able to see and understand the feelings from both genders on a specific subject, chapter, or verse from the Bible,” Menéndez said. “I, as a male, am not going to have the same perspective as a woman, and vice versa,” Menéndez said. “This way,” Menéndez said, “…you get to learn and understand so much more than what you would at a normal Bible study.”
According to Draayer, the ecumenical nature of “The Table” Bible Study brings together students who “may not know if they belong,” through, “honesty and an openness to asking questions about faith.” When asked why she goes to “The Table,” freshman Kyra Visser said “I love being able to be open about what I believe in and have other people around me share their wisdom as well.” Visser also said, “We all come from different backgrounds, too, so it’s really cool to hear what the others have to say.” Whether it is for the Chapel credits, the chicks and dudes, or the welcoming community with the shared desire to gain a deeper understanding of one another and Scripture—whatever brings you through the doors, know that there is always a seat at “The Table” for you.
Students gather from all across campus to learn and grow together
