Deeper Life Days Report
Friday, November 7
The Faith and Life Committee presented their annual Deeper
Life Days on Wednesday, November 5, and Thursday, November 6 with the theme
“Growing the Future: In pursuit of a healthier world”. The days featured a series of speakers,
activities, and games that focused on envisioning a healthy, prosperous
future. The scripture focus was
Jeremiah 29:11: ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord,
‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future.’
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| Rachel and Danielle |
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| Song leaders - Katie, Sergio and Ariane |
The event kicked off with some singing and a presentation
from RJC alumnus Joel Ens. Ens
spoke on the topic of the environment.
Ens is a scientist and professor at the U of S in the area of soil
science. He used a slide show entitled
‘the parable of the aspen tree’ (based on the parable of the mustard seed) to
show how the people of God can learn from nature. He relied on research and slide shows with graphs and charts
to show some of the challenges facing the planet, as well as some practical
solutions, which pointed toward a brighter future.
Following Dr. Ens’ presentation the Faith and Life committee
led a session about the topic of healthy relationships. What good is a healthy planet if our
relations are toxic? Students played
some games centered on myths about the internet, and challenged one another to
‘look up’ from their electronic devices, and to be more present and real with
one another in this technological age.
Following lunch Mary Ellen Brockman visited the chapel and
led students in a session focused on pursuing a healthy lifestyle. Brockman gave advice and showed
examples of how to decrease stress and anxiety and to increase energy and
vitality. This is particularly
helpful for students as they face illness during flu season, stress during
exams, and lack of energy due to active social lives and late nights!
The Faith and Life committee organized some activities
following Brockmans’ presentation.
Student were randomly paired and played asked one another some deeper
questions, then played ‘partner dodgeball in the gym to blow off some steam
before the final session of the day “pursing a healthy, fair economy’.
Carol Reimer-Wiebe, manager of 10,000 Villages store on 45th
St. in Saskatoon, shared her vision for a fair-trade economy. RJC is happy to be hosting 10,000
Villages fair trade Xmas sale on Wednesday, December 10 at RJC!
The following day kicked off with students creatively acting
out bible skits before the opening.
Jae and Karen (and their two cute daughters!) visited us from South
Korea and shared about their peace-building work in this country. Jae is a former South Korean army
veteran who now works for peace.
Following this session the worship band led some songs and the next
speaker was introduced. Another
Alumnus, Crystal Lau, led the final session ‘pursuing a diverse future’. Lau is a student at U of S in the
linguistics department. Her
challenge to the students centered on the need to be open-minded to other
cultures.
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| Jae and Karen |
The Faith and Life committee executive closed the event with
a summary led by Danielle B., Rachel F., and teacher Ryan Wood. Students prayed for one another and for
a healthy future. Thank you to all
people who helped make this a successful, meaningful event. With all the negative messages in the
news, the media, and our world it is important to remember that we are a people
of hope! Let’s make the world a
better place. We are rooted in
faith; we are growing the future!
