Helping my Soul Grow

This summer I read a book where the author said, "Do things that make your soul grow." I love this, and decided to dedicate this blog post to the spiritual formation-y things I have been doing so far at Duke.

Morning Prayer

I have been trying to go to morning prayer as much as possible. I got into the habit last year of going to morning prayer (but honestly, it was hard not to go since I lived with Lesley!), and I have kept going this year. Since Duke is affiliated with the Methodist Church, it is nice to go to an Episcopal service at school, even if it is at 8am every day. This wouldn't be too bad except that my commute is about 35 minutes door to door. It makes for some early mornings, but I do really enjoy it. My favorite service is the Friday service when we chant morning prayer. I love it!

They had a training session this week for people who were interested in leading morning prayer, and after much deliberation I decided to go. I figure if I realize I don't like leading people in prayer I should probably re-think this whole vocation thing. ha. But I volunteered to lead chanting and the regular service, so we'll see what happens! There were a lot of people there, so I may only be able to do it a couple times this semester.

Morning prayer is nice because it's a great way to start off the day, and it also gets me to campus early. If I have learned anything so far, it's that I'm so unproductive at home. I need to be at school, in a place where I know I will focus if I want to get things done. So getting up, getting to school for 8, and being able to read/study from 8:30 to when I have class is going to be a great routine for me to keep. (Plus it will get me to go to bed by 10:30/11. Old Lady status at 23. yes yes)

Spiritual Formation Class

As part of the M.Div program, we have to take a class called Spiritual Formation. I sort of joke each Tuesday asking my friends if during the hour they were "formed" and they usually smile and say "Oh yes, I'm formed now!" But honestly, it is a great class. We've only had a couple of meetings (since contrary to popular belief we are only heading into Week 3!), but I love the group of people I was placed with. The groups are intentionally comprised of people who are different ages and come from various backgrounds. We will be learning about different ways to pray, sharing things about our lives, and writing/sharing a spiritual autobiography. The man who runs my group is a Baptist minister, and he is super nice. I look forward to meeting with my group each week. (It helps that we have no homework, we just have to show up and be ourselves. I'm good at that!)

Anglican Spiritual Formation

Aside from being formed with a group from different backgrounds, as part of the Anglican Studies Program I also am taking Anglican Spiritual Formation. This will be a much smaller group (probably about 4), and we'll meet together more informally and talk about life and such. This hasn't started up yet, but it should during the next couple of weeks, and I'm looking forward to this too!

Women's Retreat

This weekend I went on a Women's Retreat. As part of the Spiritual Formation class I have to go on one overnight retreat this semester and one day-long retreat next semester. I decided to fulfill this requirement early in the semester before everything gets too crazy, and I'm so happy I did. There were about 20 women on the retreat this weekend, and it was great. We studied some scripture, we worshiped together, we talked about our stories, and we talked about where we are going/how we are going to get there. I would describe the time as emotionally draining but spiritually fulfilling.

That phrase basically describes my week. I was very much in a funk during the middle of the week, and I wasn't quite sure what was wrong but I was overly sad for no apparent reason. I talked it out with my amazing mom ,and through crying, laughing, and lots of talking I got out of the funk. Then, having this retreat to spend some quality time with God and some amazing women just filled me right back up. Emotionally draining, spiritually fulfilling.

Knitting

Before this weekend, I hadn't knit in a long time. I basically put it down for the summer, and I hadn't had time to start a new project since being at Duke. I started a new project on Friday at the retreat, and it really is amazing how knitting helps me be calm and centered. I have to remember that I have to keep things in my life that I enjoy doing. I have to take sabbath time and do things that make me happy, that make my soul grow.

Church

I went to church this morning and was reminded of how much I hate going to church alone. It's probably one of my least favorite things to do, even though I love church. I remember when I first started going to St. Peter's, and on Sundays when the choir didn't sing I felt awkward sitting by myself and wasn't yet confident enough to ask people if I could sit with them. I am back to having those same exact feelings at St. Luke's. It makes me really want to go to choir rehearsal on Wednesday just to meet some people and maybe start singing with them. I do love to sing, but I don't want to stretch myself too thin. However, usually singing in choirs just makes me happier and not more stressed, so we'll see :-)

Also, I got a postcard in the mail from St. Luke's inviting me to the newcomers luncheon in October. I feel super cool. hahaha. Definitely going to that! :-)

Next week Lauren Winner is leading Adult Ed and she's talking about Judaism in relation to church history. She is basically my scholarly idol, so of course I want to go. I may bribe some of my friends with complimentary coffee/lunch if they come with me!

Retreat-Like State

The 504 has been in a retreat-like state all weekend, meaning that last night and for most of today we haven't done much work :-P However, we did finish a puzzle. Started it last night and finished it this afternoon.

Note T.J.'s amazing shirt. :-)

Television History. 1000 pieces. 10ish hours. haha

Gorgeous Day

On this absolutely gorgeous day in Durham, we have all the windows open and are basking in the non-humid 75 degrees. If this is fall in the South, I will be happy. I am also being a Jewish mom and making challah for the Shabbat dinner I'm preparing to have on Friday. So excited :-)

Jukeboxing

I'm going to go religious on y'all, but you probably expected that after this blog post. haha. (You can totally ignore all the ocean shots in this, lol. I just love the song!) Hymn, by Brooke Fraser.

Alright, I'm off to braid my challah.

Peace, Love, and Smiles y'all
Christa