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I had my first Seminary Class last week.

I have been avoiding writing this post because it's difficult to explain the class. It's a class specifically designed for women, with a goal of Spiritual Formation through creativity.

The teacher is a (female) chaplain. We started out the class with her instructing us to choose a piece of coloured paper and a writing utensil. She had all different colours, pencil crayons, markers, crayons, oil pastels, and chalk. Then she instructed us to draw a line, any kind of line, any size, direction etc. Then draw a circular line anywhere on the page. From there she told us to "doodle" on the page while she introduced this class that she's been teaching for 9 years, which she explained is easier to describe what the class is not vs. what it is. It is not a Bible Study, it is not a small group, it is not.....

When we were done doodling she explained to us that if she had asked us to draw what we ended up with on our paper's - we would have been sooo critical as we drew and wouldn't feel like it worthy of sharing, but when it's a doodle - that's what it is, nothing more. Yet you can learn a lot about yourself from a doodle.

She went on to show us this picture:

and then explained that there are 3 stages of orientation, disorientation and new orientation in the Psalms. |

1. Psalms of Orientation
These psalms reflect a confident
belief that the world is well
ordered, reliable, and life-
giving to the person of faith.
2. Psalms of Disorientation
These Psalms reflect the
brokenness of life when it is no
longer orderly but savage.
Spoken out of the depths,
they are still bold acts of
faith.
3. Psalms of New Orientation
The pit is not the end of life;
There is more. New orientation
Psalms reflect the surprise of
New possibilities that are
Experienced as pure gift from
God. They are full of thanks.

After going into depth on these, she said it's possible to be in all 3 stages at the same time. So we filled out a form, filling in what aspects of our lives fell under these categories.  The Disorientation one was at the bottom of the wreath/pyramid and the 2 more positive ones were at the top. She simplified it by saying 1. Things are going pretty well Lord, Thanks! 2. I'm in the pit of despair, Lord Help!! 3. Whew! That was a Close one Lord!

Then we had to doodle that. However we saw fit. Some people put the 3 categories on their pages and filled them in with flowers, or worship like positions, or some drew one picture that described it all. It was neat to see how each women interpreted the assignment. Then we all had to present our doodles and explain why how.

There is a disclaimer to the class that whatever is shared in the class doesn't go beyond the walls. She also said that we need to be transparent but not vulnerable. The difference is that with vulnerability it, it gives others the ability to hurt you.

I hope that gives you an idea about the class, I'll know more about it the more classes I have.... which the 2nd is tomorrow!