Sept. 20-24 for high school

by Malaina Weldy ('12)

article from September 10, 2010 Reflector

It’s that time of the school year again. Students have finally adjusted to new rules, classes, and faces. We’ve gotten to know the new teachers, fallen into a daily routine, finally started to have athletic events on a regular basis, and are working hard on the fall musical. With so many new things beginning all around us, it’s hard to imagine even one more. But there will be yet another new change to this school year. Spiritual Life Week is just around the corner, occurring in the fall as opposed to the spring, and many students and faculty are working hard to make it a success.

This year’s Spiritual Life Week will offer opportunities such as a student survey, fellowship through music, and sharing with fellow classmates. Various students are also involved in contributing artwork and media visuals. When Nathan Swartzendruber, a member of this year’s Spiritual Life Week Committee, was asked what benefits he saw from having this week in the fall, rather than in the spring, he said, “It’s a great way to draw students together into community from the very start.” Dale Shenk, also a member of this committee, added “It will conflict less with events such as dramas and sectionals,” and that it is, “An opportunity to set a theme for the entire year.” This year’s theme: “Don’t Be Afraid” promises to challenge students to identify their fears as well as give them tools to overcome them.

The speakers for the week include John Troyer, a pastor at Clinton Frame Mennonite Church, and Stefani Wade, a psychologist and wife of former Bethany teacher Jeremiah Wade. John will be talking about the Christian response to fear, and Stefani will be talking about fear from a psychological perspective. Both of these speakers promise to bring a great deal of thought and insight into the issue of fear, as well as provide students with some skills to deal with it in everyday life.

So what is the purpose of Spiritual Life Week? Nathan says, “I hope students walk away feeling encouraged and affirmed in their thoughts and feelings. I hope they feel supported by their classmates and teachers and understand fear to be natural.” Dale says, “I hope it helps students to name their fears.” Both of these statements are important for us to remember as we enter into this year’s Spiritual Life Week.

Spiritual Life Week can be extremely beneficial, but this is largely dependent on how willing you are to get involved. Don’t Be Afraid: to sing loudly during worship (don’t worry, the person next to you won’t mind), to participate in discussions, to step out of your comfort zone, and to enter into fellowship with your friends, teachers, and classmates. Let this week be one that helps to strengthen you, even as it makes you vulnerable, and teach you, even as it makes you realize how much you didn’t know.