The next
Turning the Gem Gathering:
Spiritual Typography
(part two)
with Special Guest: Dr. Naomi Walters
March 21, 2026 — 6:30pm
@ Evanswood Church
2601 E Square Lake Rd, Troy, MI 48085
At our last session, Dr. Naomi Walters led us through a Spiritual Typology assessment to see which of the four spiritual types we might most align with: Conceptual, Charismatic, Mystic, or Activist Spirituality.
In this session, Dr. Walters will explore what each of these expressions of spirituality looks like in our everyday life, as well as recommend specific spiritual practices to help you grow in your faith, according to your preferences and expressions.
Previous Gatherings & Topics
Spiritual Typography
(part one)
Dr. Naomi Walters
March 21, 2026
Have you ever been bothered by the congregational pronouncement, “If that song didn’t bring you to tears, there’s something wrong with you?” Have you ever been befuddled when the book you recommended as profoundly meaningful lies untouched on a friend’s shelf?
Despite our tendency to view differences between us and those around us as indications that something is wrong with us (or more often, with “them”), the first session of this two-session series will introduce a spiritual typology that might give us language to name and understand individual and congregational spirituality types.
Promise & Pain:
Loving the Church we cannot escape
Cory Hendrickson
March 7, 2026
The Church can be baffling and beautiful, flawed and holy, wounding and life-giving — sometimes all at once. At this gathering, we made space for the complicated love many of us carry: a love that questions, laments, hopes, and stays.
Together, we explored what it means to remain rooted in a community that has marked us deeply, and to seek renewal in the midst of its imperfections.
Processing Lament
Shalini Bennett
February 21, 2026
Prayers of Lament are ways to approach God with the realities of sorrow, frustration, and angst that consume and distract us.
Shalini helped us better understand what lament is, why it's such a powerful way to turn to God, and showed us how we can practically put our words into a prayer of lament. We both privately and corporately practice this way of praying, and walk away with a new spiritual tool that helps to face the difficulties in our lives and the world around us.
Creation Care & Consumerism:
The Call of the Creation Story
Tatiana Schmidt
February 7, 2026
In Genesis 1:28-30, we read, "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
But what does this passage say about our purpose and way of being in the world today? Tatiana explored how God created the world and its inhabitants in love, and calls us to love creation by caring for animals, being mindful of our consumption habits, and advocating for the flourishing of all created things around us.
Special Events
Thank you so much for your attendance and interest in these unique events.
We are working on more offerings in the coming months
Along with our twice-a-month Turning the Gem live gatherings, The Open Table Collective offers other special trainings & seminars designed to lead to more individual and collective well-being and flourishing.
On this page you will see the next few special events coming up in 2026. Please come join us! You will not regret investing into your spiritual health!
Previous Seminars, Trainings, and Events:
THE TIIMELINE EXERCISE SEMINAR W/ALAN LIM
One of the most transformative and powerful exercises a person can do is to look over their own life time and identify how God has shaped them over a lifetime. Alan Lim is an expert leadership coach and guide that will help each participant discover truths that can lead to transformation.
ENNEAGRAM & IDENTITY SEMINAR W/AARON MANES
The Enneagram is just one tool to help people understand how God has made, shaped, wired, and gifted them. Aaron Manes is an expert in the Enneagram and a wonderful coach in the process. Come join us to discover more about yourself and grow in your view of yourself, your neighbor, God, and the world.
LEADERSHIP & RULE OF LIFE SEMINAR W/DANNY COX
One of the most basic tools we believe each person needs to have in their belt is a "rule of life". If you don't know what a "rule of life" is then maybe this shorter seminar is for you. We will help each person write a personal rule of life and help with focusing ones values and direction of life. .