Hillsdale students memorized chapters from the book of Acts over the summer to recite Sept. 7 at 2 p.m.

The event, hosted by the Memorization Club, will take place at the Mauck Solarium. The 28 students involved will each recite a chapter from Acts to complete the whole book. 

“When you hear Scripture out loud instead of just reading it on your own, it comes to life in a different way,” Ashley DeVore, senior and vice president of the Memorization Club, said. 

The Memorization Club decided to recite Acts as a continuation of their recitation of the book of Luke, which they did in the spring, according to junior and club treasurer Ellery Toman. 

“For Acts specifically, it’s the story of how this church was formed,” Toman said. “Like in Chapter 11, it’s that they’re in Antioch, they’re first called Christians. So I think it’s a story of a shared heritage.”

Toman tries to work on her passage for five to 10 minutes every day. DeVore frequently listens to her passage to familiarize herself with it, then writes the first letter of every word and looks at it to start piecing together the memorization. 

“The Memorization Club also gives you the excitement of looking forward to sharing what you memorize with other people,” DeVore said. “Not just like, oh, I have to do it, but like, I can’t wait for someone else to get to hear it.”

The club will provide refreshments such as iced coffee, chocolate, and a charcuterie board. People are encouraged to stay as long as they are able. 

“It’s going to be great,” Toman said. “There’s 28 students reciting, so anyone who comes will probably know someone reciting. So you get to support your friends and have good refreshments, so that, in general, will be a fun time.” 

Toman said she is always encouraged by what other people are reciting and the community within the club.

“I think that community, like experiencing Scripture in community is really important, and that’s something we neglect a lot of the time,” Toman said. “It’s like a personal devotion, or maybe memorizing on your own, but really it’s great to just do it all together.”