The 76th Torrey Conference brought in a host of speakers to engage and encourage students to not only educate themselves about the Sabbath, but also to experience sabbathing.

In light of this foundation for the conference, the campus was transformed around a concept that would allow students to experience the Sabbath in various ways — eight to be exact.

During the three day conference, four different speakers outlined and detailed various ways that Christians should and could observe the Sabbath. Each with reputable backgrounds, the speakers challenged students to gain a foundational view of the Sabbath and rest in it.

Motivations behind Sabbath Spaces

Eight Sabbath Spaces were set up around campus to drive the concepts of prayer and community home. Taking place in-between conference lectures, these stations brought a depth to what the conference was outlining. These Sabbath spaces were constructed for students to experience, first hand, the Sabbath in an individual and communal way.

“The theme of Play and Pray isn’t really an actual event, but more of a concept for our experiential stations,” said Danica Overton, Singspo coordinator and Torrey Conference volunteer.

Each space had two central focal points in observing the Sabbath: to reflect on God in a unique way and to enjoy community.

Spaces such as foot washing and communion focused on finding rest in community while demonstrating service to one another. This allowed students to reflect on God’s generosity and to generously serve one another.

Team sports and backyard barbecue games allowed students to engage with one another in observing the gift of community and fellowship. Spaces such as the burden tree and the nature/creation room allowed students to be more vulnerable in opening their hearts to God and being still in his presence and creation.

More indicative spaces were created for students to express their Sabbath experience in the form of painting, poetry and crafts. Students gathered together outside Crowell Hall and painted their depictions of the Sabbath. Students were able to worship God and find reverence by sharing their experience of Sabbath through the written word in the poetry lounge.

Catering to those that desired to evince their heart in an artistic way other than writing and painting was a crafts section and a cross displayed located at Fluor Fountain. This station played to the needs of those desiring to create something beautiful while lifting up their prayers together.

Individuals respond to Torrey message though Sabbath Spaces

By creating eight specific spaces: foot washing and communion, craft and cross display, poetry lounge, painting area, burden tree, team sports, nature/creation room and backyard barbeque games, students were able to share their individual takes on the Sabbath and how they appropriately observe it.

In openly sharing their heart through these mediums, students were able to take part in this year’s theme by taking time to stop, listen and recharge.