Earthen Vessels is a renewal ministry

Earthen Vessels provides opportunities for clergy and laity who serve in the Church to take time out to reflect on their experiences in the light of the Paschal Mystery, in the company of fellow ministers. The goal of EV is to facilitate the renewal of one’s commitment to Jesus. People who have attended Earthen Vessels experiences have found prayerful ways deepen their understanding and acceptance of themselves and to discover deeper intimacy with others and with God.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Earthen Vessels?

Earthen Vessels is a peer ministry. We minister to you – the people who serve in the Church. Earthen Vessels offers separate programs for a variety of groups who serve in the Church:

For priests, married couples, and ecclesial ministers.

The best way we know to minister to others is to ask Jesus to guide the process. For this reason, Jesus is at the center of an Earthen Vessels experience.

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How can Earthen Vessels benefit our ministry?

As human beings we are “earthen vessels,” fragile yet beautiful. In order to serve well, we need to do as Jesus instructed his disciples: “Come away and rest for a while.” Earthen Vessels benefits people who serve in ministry by providing a structured renewal experience. These experiences are held in a setting which is conducive to spiritual relaxation as well as to spiritual growth.

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Why is Earthen Vessels not a "retreat" but an "experience"?

A “retreat” is usually conducted by 1 person or a team on a theological topic with few opportunities for interaction or for integration by the participants.

Earthen Vessels offers “experiences” during which there are several presenters, each of whom tells a story from their life which is connected with a parallel moment in the life of Jesus. Participants are encouraged to interact and are presented with a proven way to interact fruitfully. These activities help each participant to explore their own life story, by seeing in his/her own life how Jesus is present, through their own Paschal journey experience.

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How is Earthen Vessels a “renewal ministry”?

Earthen Vessels is an intense spiritual experience for the renewal of those who serve the Church in ministry. It is a walk with Jesus through the Paschal Mystery, to help us understand our own Paschal journey. The emphasis of an Earthen Vessels experience is on how our own journey in Church ministry parallels Jesus’ story from Palm Sunday through Pentecost. Part of the experience helps participants get in touch with moments of triumph in ministry and of intimacy with Jesus. Another part of the experience focuses on healing the hurts we experience in ministry, including, but not limited to, the distress of the recent sex abuse scandal. An Earthen Vessels experience also helps participants to clarify their vision of their future in ministry and in their walk with Jesus.

People who have attended Earthen Vessels experiences have found prayerful ways to deepen their relationships with those whom they serve, with the fellow ministres with whom they serve, and with God.

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