Every week, a group of Mercerians gathers virtually for a few minutes of reflection and prayer. The “Still Small Voice” meditations are held at 10 a.m. Wednesdays and led by School of Theology Dean Dr. Greg DeLoach.
Dr. DeLoach began the midweek meetings at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when most of the Mercer faculty, staff and students were working from home.
“I felt very disconnected both with the school itself and the University,” he said. “That was the largest motivator, to create some sort of connectivity. I enjoyed doing it. It was meaningful to connect.”
The phrase “still small voice” comes from a passage in 2 Kings in the Kings James Version of the Bible and refers to finding God in quiet and subtle moments, Dr. DeLoach said.
“I’ve long loved that phrase, ‘still small voice,’” he said. “We are sometimes looking for the holy encounters in the big and bombastic and noteworthy, (but) maybe it’s going to be in these more gentler encounters that we can experience some sacred place.”
The meditations are kept to five minutes to accommodate busy schedules, but attendees often hop on the Zoom call a few minutes early to chat. Dr. DeLoach begins each meeting with a welcome and encourages attendees to share prayer requests with the group or privately. Then, he reads a few verses of Scripture, which are generally pulled from the Lectionary, offers a few thoughts and closes with a prayer.
“At work, we are defined by productivity, by our utility to the organization, and all of those are important. But all of us are individuals with souls that need to be nurtured and cared for,” Dr. DeLoach said. “This allows some space to acknowledge and care for that. In a University like Mercer, we have permission to ask those questions of meaning and value. That nurtures something deep and transcendent for all of us.”
The meditations have been a way to build community among Mercerians. Attendance ranges from around 10 to 20 people from various Mercer campuses, departments, and schools and colleges. Some of the same faces can be seen each week, while others join when they can or when they need a little extra support.
“It’s been a nice way to transcend the silos, the divisions that any organization will have. It does bring people from different parts of the University to one space. It’s kind of a neutral space,” Dr. DeLoach said. “I look forward to it each week because it’s that point to be together. There’s the mutuality of sharing our common hunger and our common need to be valued.”
Amanda Burton, executive assistant to Dr. DeLoach, attends every week and leads the sessions when Dr. DeLoach has a scheduling conflict.
“It’s a way to build bridges across campuses. I enjoy being a part of it, whether I’m leading or attending,” Burton said. “Being a participant, it’s nice to have that community moment. It’s nice to have that grounding in the middle of the week. When I get to lead … it’s a way of sharing my own voice and bringing my creativity in a way that serves my community, serves my God.”
Candace Whaley, associate vice president for human resources, has been participating in “Still Small Voice” since it was launched.
“In the midst of busy workdays, the opportunity to share Scripture and listen to Dean DeLoach’s insights offers a peaceful, spiritual moment that helps quiet my mind,” Whaley said. “It serves as a reminder to realign my focus and provides valuable guidance for the day ahead. I am especially grateful for the time spent with other members of the Mercer community, as it fosters a deep sense of connection and allows us to come together in Scripture and prayer.”
Morgan Ponder, a retired Samford University chemistry professor, started signing in for the “Still Small Voice” virtual meetings two years ago when he became a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry student at the School of Theology.
“I really enjoy the interaction with Dean DeLoach. I appreciate his encouragement. I usually log on just a few minutes early, and we can chat a bit. I enjoy his insights on the Lectionary reading for that day,” he said. “There are folks from all other parts of the Mercer community who participate. I assume that, like me, they find this a help in their work.”
Interested in joining “Still Small Voice?” Email Dr. DeLoach at deloach_cg@mercer.edu or Burton at burton_ac@mercer.edu to be added to the mailing list with reminders and the Zoom link, or join at https://mercer.zoom.us/j/94524005941. Meetings will resume at 10 a.m. Aug. 6.
