Theatrical Duo to Lead Spiritual Life Week Feb. 8-12

EMU will hold its second semester spiritual renewal week Feb. 8-12 on the theme, "Faith and Doubt: Finding Our Way."

The week’s activities, sponsored by the campus ministries office at EMU, will begin with a student-led hymn sing on the theme 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8 in Martin Chapel. A campfire worship service led by student pastoral assistants will follow 9 p.m. Tuesday on Thomas Plaza of the Campus Center.

Check the official schedule for updates/cancellations due to weather.

Focus on faith and doubt

Professional actors/renewal speakers Jim and Carol Anderson Shores
Professional actors/renewal speakers Jim and Carol Anderson Shores

Professional actors/renewal speakers Jim and Carol Anderson Shores will explore the struggle of doubt and faith through dramatic presentations in several settings the remainder of the week.

The couple, who perform under the rubric "Acts of Renewal," will open the series 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, in Lehman Auditorium by probing the question, "Does God make sense when my family doesn’t?"

At 8 p.m. that day in Martin Chapel of the seminary building, the couple will use theater to explore differences between the sexes and ways to hone healthier communication skills.

A gathering at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, in Martin Chapel on the theme, "Stress and Sabboth," will offer ways to find more balance in the midst of hectic schedules.

Jim and Carol will present "LSD: The Hallucinogenic Combination of Love, Sex and Dating" at 8 p.m. Thursday in the Strite Conference Room of the Campus Center. They will use theater to contrast sexual brokenness with sexual wholeness and how to move toward the latter for a healthy life.

The series will conclude 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12 with a university chapel presentation in Lehman Auditorium on "Doubt, Faith, Stress and other Relaxing Topics," sorting out where God fits in the midst of personal struggles and in ministering to others in their spiritual quandaries.

Check the official schedule for updates/cancellations due to weather.

More about the speakers

The Anderson Shores are residents of Black Mountain, N.C. They have performed at over 60 colleges and universities and at numerous conventions and conferences across North America.

Carol developed the worship arts major at Montreat (N.C).) College. She teaches workshops nationally, helping churches integrate the arts, creative worship and theater in worship settings. Her one-woman show on on eating disorders, "A Size 7 Forever," has aired on PBS. Jim heads up the communications major at Montreat College as well as teaching environmental science.

"We’ve been eager for some time to host Acts of Renewal on campus, and things came together for this winter, said Brian Martin Burkholder, EMU campus pastor. "Jim and Carol use their creativity to help people grow in their relationship with God and with each other. Both have come through some significant challenges in life, and they use their personal experiences to engage and inspire others toward renewal of self and faith."

All spiritual life week events are open to the public. For more information, contact the campus ministries office at 540 432-4115.