The King’s College Launches New ‘Public Reading of Scripture’ Initiative
Each Monday at noon (excluding holidays), students, faculty, and staff will have the opportunity to gather together to eat lunch and listen to scripture read by members of the King’s community.
This past Monday, August 28, 2017, The King’s College launched a new initiative: the Public Reading of Scripture. Each Monday at noon (excluding holidays), students, faculty, and staff will have the opportunity to gather together to eat lunch and listen to scripture read by members of the King’s community.
Carter Fletcher, the Director of Spiritual Life for The King’s Council, says that over the summer, he was speaking with Eric Bennett, Vice President for Student Development, about spiritual life initiatives for the 2017-2018 academic year. Fletcher says that he and Bennett decided that they wanted “scripture to be at the forefront” this year. Fletcher and Bennett thought that a public reading of scripture would complement some of the other spiritual life initiatives, such as The King’s Liturgy, Refuge, and student prayer groups. At each Public Reading of Scripture, passages will be read by a mix of students, professors, alumni, and members of The King’s Cabinet.
“Incorporating the public reading of scripture into the rhythm of our week reminds The King’s College community that spiritual disciplines are not only for contemplatives, but for students who have to study for tests, who ride subways, and who have jobs and internships,” says Bennett. “It teaches us that spiritual discipline is meant to be practiced in the midst of life—together. I’m thrilled for this new initiative and what it will mean for our personal and corporate moral and spiritual development.”
This past Monday, Trivette Knowles (PPE ’19) served as one of the readers. “Looking over the entire room and seeing heads bowed and faculty, staff, and students alike praying and trying to receive God’s presence was inspiring and amazing,” he says. “During the Public Reading of Scripture, we were all reminded that we are brothers and sisters in one community.”
Zeke Ward (MCA ’18) and Alexandria Burch (MCA ’19) both attended the reading this week. “The Public Reading of Scripture was one of the coolest things I’ve seen on this campus,” says Ward. “It was amazing to see the whole community come together to hear God’s Word read aloud.” Burch says she thinks Public Reading of Scripture is an incredible opportunity for students, faculty, and staff. “It is so encouraging to see King’s taking time to emphasize that when we encounter God’s Word, we encounter God himself,” she says.
Support for Public Reading of Scripture is generously provided through The Grace and Mercy Foundation. The next reading will occur on Monday, September 11.