El Camino: The Road to Emmaus 

A Young Adult Retreat 

Retreat Schedule

Young Adulthood (college age- late 20s) is often a time of trying on new experiences, recognizing inherited gifts & skills, and seeking out new tools to brave the wilderness of adulthood. Many questions emerge during this time of life, such as: “who am I?” “how do I make sense of society?” “what am I called to do with my life?” “how do I respond to grief, anger and anxiety?” “what is a healthy, good life mean?” “how do I have nourishing relationships with others & myself?” “what is my place in church & world?” and “where is God in all of this?” All young adults have inherited vital tools for their journey, and are often seeking new tools to live well. 

In this spirit, our theme is “El Camino” to honor the journey of young adulthood. We are curious to ask: as you prepare for this journey, or are on the journey already, what is in your backpack? Every backpacker that embarks, for example, on long pilgrimages like El Camino de Santiago, needs to pack tools for the journey. So we will reflect & wonder, on what tools do you already have? What ones do you need for your journey? And, overarchingly what does wellness look like for you, as you make this journey? 

The story of the disciples on the Road to Emmaus reminds us that God is with us as we embark on journey, especially in liminal and uncertain times. The story is a post-resurrection account of Jesus meeting two disciples walking away from Jerusalem towards Emmaus. They recognize Jesus with them in their offering of hospitality, and in the breaking of the bread. So, this retreat will be a journey in self-exploration. The hope is that community will be built in dialogue & reflecting together, and participants will leave refreshed with a better sense of what is in their backpack & wellness practices for the journey.