The Potter and the Clay: A Retreat Day with Marise May, OSF  

The creation story in Genesis tells us that God scooped some clay from the ground and formed the first human person from it. The word “human” itself comes from the word for soil. We are of the earth - we're earthy! And God is still creating us. After ”knitting us together in our mother’s womb," God now invites us to let the Creator work with the inner person that we are.

Using the metaphor of the potter at his wheel, this retreat will use prayer and poetry, slides and song to guide us in reflecting on how the Divine Potter continues to mold us. It is up to us to be pliable in God’s hands so we might become the “earthen vessel” containing Divine Treasure.

The day begins at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 13, and ends at 3 p.m. The cost for the day, including a catered lunch, is $28. Contact the Center to register.

20 years of bringing the Spiritual Exercises to Central New York  

Is this the year you make the Spiritual Exercises?

Applications for the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola are now being received. This is a foundational retreat, spread over thirty weeks, for anyone who seeks to grow in relationship with God. The Spiritual Renewal Center has been offering these Ignatian exercises for more than twenty years, and it has proved to be a powerful transformational experience for all who participate. It fits into the liturgical year; it fits into your everyday life!

For more information and/or an application packet, call the Center at 472-6546

Mentoring program for the Training of Spiritual Directors...  

Have you sensed a call from God to become a spiritual director?

The Spiritual Renewal Center will be offering our basic training program this fall through spring for men and women who are beginning to pursue this ministry of service. We will consider new applications until the program begins on the first Monday of October, or until the class is full.

Contact Jim Krisher at the Center for more information, or for an application.

Spiritual Direction at the Center  

Since this ministry began in September of 1978, the People of God in central New York and surrounding areas have been able to find gifted and trained spiritual directors here at the Center to assist them in their walk with God. Perhaps it’s time you considered meeting with a spiritual director yourself.

Direction is an ancient ministry in the Christian tradition. Your spiritual director’s job is to help you develop your awareness of God’s activity in your life, and to help you be more responsive to that activity. A good director can also assist you with spiritual discernment when you’re facing decisions, can help you process disturbing life circumstances or emotional struggles, and can help you deepen your life of prayer and enjoy God’s love more fully.

If you think you might like to try meeting with a director, there’re no long term commitments – contact the Center to arrange an initial meeting, or for more information.

Save the Date…  

September 23 - Evening of Renewal with Mary Ellen Curtin, CSJ

October 14 – A men’s spirituality program with Gary Smith

October 7, 14, 28, Nov. 4 – spirituality course with Jim Krisher in Camillus

Watch the July/August newsletter for more information and additional Fall, 2010 programs

Address Corrections...  

Note: Please let us know if you have a change of address or if you no longer wish to receive the newsletter. You can contact us byemail@spiritualrenewalcenter.com or by calling 472-6546.

Testimonials...  

The Center is looking for people to submit testimonials on how the Center has touched their lives. We would like to use them for our newsletter, E-newsletter and our website. If you are willing to write a paragraph or two on your experiences at the Center or how one of our programs has influenced your life, please submit them to by email@spiritualrenewalcenter.com or by calling 472-6546.

Holiday Hours...  

We will be closed Friday, July 2 and Monday, July 5 for the Independence Day national holiday.

A note from our director  

My dear friends,

This September marks thirty-two years since I began this ministry at our first location on East Genesee Street. I was then a single man in my twenties who had no inkling of where it would all be going, but with no doubts about setting out on this journey. When I reflect on it, I am astonished at how much God has accomplished, how much the Center has grown, how many wonderful colleagues have come to share in this work. I am very much aware of how blessed I am – I love my work and my co-workers; I love the people I am so privileged to serve in Christ’s name. My vocation brings me joy.

In those early days back in 1978, there were plenty of voices telling me not to get my hopes up – the Spiritual Renewal Center was a wonderful idea but it certainly would not survive. I was told we would not be able to find the financial resources to keep it open. I was told I would not be able to earn enough to marry and have kids. Yet, thanks be to God, here we are thirty-two years later! We’ve not only kept the ministry going but kept it growing as well. And I have been married nearly twenty-nine years and have now graduated three of my four kids from college. (The youngest, at age 15, has a few more years before he leaves home.)

I am more aware than anyone how precarious the journey has been and continues to be. I am more aware than anyone of how much it has required from me, and from the many, many good folks who have given generously to support the Center and its ministers. I am humbled by the sheer goodness of all those who have believed with me in this work and sacrificed with me to make it happen.

And it keeps happening - the work keeps going, the mission continues, and the blessings keep on coming - alleluia!

May I count on your continued companionship on this journey of faith? May I count on your continued financial support of the Spiritual Renewal Center? Thank you for anything you can offer. Thank you for giving us hope that in thirty-two years from now this ministry will still be here working in God’s Name!

In Christ,
Jim Krisher
Director

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