Spiritual Formation

Our mission is to meet the unique need of the academic community by using Scripture to identify the lies and truths we believe about ourselves, God, and the world, and to address how to practice intentional spiritual disciplines and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Spiritual Formation program is a fellowship for graduate and professional students and postdocs that meets weekly to address the unique spiritual challenges in academia. A biblical view of integrating academic pursuits, personal lives, and faith is explored through scripture study, faculty lectures, retreats and personal mentoring.

Christian Flourishing at Yale and Beyond

As followers of Christ, it is our desire to grow in our faith and see Christ “formed” in us. Spiritual Formation is the process that enables us to move from knowledge to practice as we seek to live as Christ followers in the spheres of influence in which we find ourselves. We develop practices in the context of community that serve to ground us in a greater sense of identity and purpose as Christians—especially through the enormous challenges of academic and professional life. Our sequential curriculum focuses on the Gospels, Psalms, and Epistles as well as spiritual practices such as Contemplation and Lectio Divina.
 

Programming

 
 

Weekly Gathering

Our weekly Friday night gathering is the core of our programming. We learn how to live into our identity in Christ and how to be intentional about living a more faith-integrated life. A typical meeting includes a catered meal, a scripture-focused teaching, large and small group discussion, and personal reflection.

 
 
 
 

First Friday Faculty Series: “Finding God at Yale”

On the first Friday of each month, instead of holding our regular scripture study, we invite a faculty member from the graduate and professional school community to share how they integrate their faith with their work and life here at Yale. Q&A follows the presentation.

 
 
 
 

Retreats

We kick off the school year in the fall with a Seaside Day Retreat that is open to students, post-docs, spouses, and staff. All Yale graduate and professional Christian fellowships are invited to attend.

During the spring semester, we host an Evening Prayer Retreat to practice various Spiritual Formation disciplines.

 
 
 

Upcoming Meetings & Events

 
 

Building Deeper Community

  • Social Gatherings

    A few times a semester we host social gatherings like cookouts and picnics, hikes, game nights, and prayer and worship nights. Check our schedule of events and sign up for our email list (below) to stay informed about upcoming gatherings.

  • Prayer Pods

    If you’re looking to go deeper in fellowship with your fellow students and colleagues, join a prayer pod! Prayer pod sign up typically happens once per semester. Pods are usually arranged by academic discipline or gender.

  • Individual Mentoring

    We love connecting with individual students! Individual mentoring is a great way for students and postdocs to process through what God is teaching them at Spiritual Formation and in their personal lives.

 

Are you a graduate student, professional student, or a postdoc?

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About Our Directors

 

Karen Mahan

Karen has been involved in campus ministry at Yale for over 30 years and has been a part of Rivendell since its founding in 1995. As co-director of Spiritual Formation, her longstanding work with the Yale graduate community is motivated by a passion to help students integrate Scripture with their daily lives. READ MORE >>

 

Sue Smedley

Sue brings a wealth of mentoring experience and a heart for connecting with people to her position as co-director of Spiritual Formation at Rivendell. Since her move to Yale in 2001, she has developed close relationships with many graduate and professional students, and is driven by a passion for guiding them towards discovering their own worth and identity in Christ during a time of life fraught with personal and academic challenges. READ MORE >>

 

Spiritual Formation Internship

Every year we welcome a select group of graduate students and postdocs who have been consistently involved with the Spiritual Formation Program to help plan the weekly gatherings and retreats, mentor first year students, and lead some of our Spiritual Formation lessons. The internship provides an opportunity for these students to continue to grow in their personal spiritual discipline and scripture-based approach to life as they assist our directors throughout the school year. At this time, the internship is by invitation only.

 
 

Hear From Our Students

 

“Being part of Rivendell’s Spiritual Formation for the last two years was a highlight of my time at Yale. I’ve developed indelible friendships and mentorship that have strengthened my identity in Christ and encouraged me to better integrate my faith and vocation. I’m grateful for this God-centered and generous community that is welcoming to all.”

— Xiao, ‘20

“These [Spiritual Formation] evenings at the Rivendell house were some of the most powerful and inspiring experiences which I ever had at Yale. I learned what it means to desire and seek God both with my heart and my mind. Because of the ways that the Lord used Rivendell, my faith has increased, and I have been given a greater imagination for the way God works in the world and in our lives.”

— David, MPH ‘20

 

FAQs

  • Spiritual Formation is the process that enables Christians to move from knowledge to practice as we seek to fully identify as Christ followers in the world. You will develop practices that serve to ground you in a greater sense of identity and purpose as a Christian – especially through the enormous challenges of academic and professional life.

  • We welcome graduate, professional students, postdocs, and their spouses. A variety of disciplines and departments are represented in our fellowship to foster cross-discipline discussion and community.

  • No! We love the rich conversation that flows from bringing together people of different denominational and traditional backgrounds.

  • Spiritual Formation typically meets once per week throughout the school year. Information about meetings and events is dispersed through our weekly emails.

 
 

Interested in partnering with the Spiritual Formation Program?

You can partner with Spiritual Formation by praying for us! Paul’s prayers express our heart for our students, interns and directors:
Ephesians 1: 16-19 and Philippians 1: 9-11

If you feel led to be a ministry partner through financial giving, your donations will be applied to weekly meals, monthly speaker honoraria, intern stipends, special events, and the administrative costs of running the Spiritual Formation Program.

We thank you for your support!

 

Check donations should be made out to Rivendell Institute. Please write “Spiritual Formation” in the memo line so that we know how to designate your contribution. Donations can be mailed to:

Rivendell Institute
291 Edwards St.
New Haven, CT 06511

For questions about donations or for a copy of our 501(c)3 status, please email info@rivendellinstitute.org.