Assistant Dean of Christian Formation Barb Dewald spoke Wednesday Sept. 12 in the first segment of a four-week-long series titled “Pulled In: Creating Space to be Shaped by God”.
A new addition to the Christian Formation schedule, the mini-series takes place 10:05-10:25 a.m. every Wednesday in the Vogel Room in the upstairs of the Dewitt Learning Commons.
According to Dewald, the idea for the series was spurred by students’ feedback suggesting that the continuity of a series would help students “focus or dig deeper into a topic,” as well as allowing “more interaction with a particular topic.” Each week, the session will feature a specific spiritual discipline, a story of the discipline in practice and several application tips.
The series title originates from 1 Peter 1:15, which urges: “As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness” (The Message).
This scriptural basis creates an image dear to Dewald, of “being ‘pulled in’ to all that God offers.”
For Dewald, this series holds deep personal significance. Reflecting on her own spiritual growth, Dewald said, “my connection with God became richer when I discovered there are many different ways to pray…and many other practices.”
Dewald encourages students to attend and join her in putting into practice spiritual rhythms that “create space in our lives and then fill it with practices that allow us to listen to and be shaped by God. And as God transforms us, we will live lives that make a difference in the world for the Kingdom.”
Students will receive one Christian Formation credit for each installment of the series.
