• Photo by Danid Dubois Spiritual Life ... Retreats, devotionals unify clubs While social clubs are an integral part of campus life, they are more than juSt induction week activities, functions and ring ceremonies, according to Jon Denman, aspirimal life director for Knights men's social club. The focus of each club is the spiritual aspect that the club affords each member, Denman said. "It's awesome seeing God pull everything together and change lives," Denman said. "Ir's definitely a humbling experience." I~ addition to devotionals held during club meetings, a number of clubs organized prayer groups each week, which helped members stay focused on God and accoumable for their sins, Denman said. Clubs also used retreats to grow closer co fellow club members and to God. Each fall Delta Gamma Rho holds an advance for club members; the focus of the evem is to advance club member's spiritual beliefs. "It allows us to express our struggles co each other and lean on God because He's our whole fo undation," Amy Martin, the club's spiritual life direccor, said. LaSt fall, 60 Delta Gamma Rho members attended the advance, which focused on spiritual reality checks, according to Martin. "The focus was realizing what Jes us has done for us- that it is real, not juSt something you read about," she said. According to Martin, the weekend advances have benefited the entire club. "The advances have taught us strong communication within the club," Martin said. Paul McMullen, junior member of Knights, leads singing during the Social Club Open House, Sept. 2, in the Ganus Athletic Center. Devotionals helped create unity among the social dubs on campus. "Every day I have someone encouraging me." Knights men's social club also benefited from retreats. For the past three years, club members of Knights have devoted one weekend a semester to a retreat that allows them to focus on God, according to Denman. "The retreat lets everyone be open and creates a family atmosphere," he said. "It bases everything on God." During [he fail semester, more than 70 Knights and friends spent the weekend at Camp Tahkoda9. fo llowing a hectic induction week. "The focus of the retreat was to give time to the Lord, getting away and praying and confessing together," Denman said. "It's probably the biggeSt and most imporram thing our club does." Club members spent the week before the retreat praying for the success of the upcoming even t. While on the retreat, club members spent time in prayer and praise to God. The retreat ended Sunday morning with communi on, Denman said. "Every year the retreat is completely different, bU[ God always opens up doors," Denman said. Chi Sigma Alpha social club also begins each school year with a retreat and bonfire. "We each bring a stick whi ch we throw in the fire," ].A. Wiser, senior Chi Sigma Alpha vice president, said. "The stick gives each person a chance to speak and share personal goals for the upcoming school year." -Sarah Terry Plio lo by D~n id Dubois Alisha King. sophomore, sings during a GATA devotional at their meeting, Dec. 6. Clubs took time out of their bimonthly meetings to worship and fellowship. Spiritual Life 221
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