Vessels & Characteristics
Cecily Thompson will be our guest speaker for the 2025 Annual Conference being held on Saturday, June 7 at Parchment Valley Conference Center in Ripley, WV. Cecily is an ordained pastor with the WV American Baptist Convention and the co-founder of of a non-profit women’s ministry operated out of Parkersburg, WV called Seasons Ministry.
“Seasons Ministry was born out of a road trip: four friends in one car for one weekend conference. We came away inspired from that time of sharing and growth thinking, “How can we bring this feeling of fellowship and support back to our faith communities and give local women a chance to participate? What if we can extend that conference glow and help women’s ministries locally?”
Seasons isn’t here to replace your local church’s women’s ministry; rather, it’s our vision to empower, enhance, and equip local ministries with resources and support.
Whether through Bible-based devotions, study curriculum, or live events, we’re here to walk alongside you—whatever season you’re in”
“I soon realized that many other women were struggling with trying to do it all, be everything to everyone, and wondering why they were always striving but felt nothing except weariness and failure. I am passionate about Seasons Ministry because I found my true source of strength and place of rest in Jesus, and my heart longs to share Him with other women. As I my faith has grown, I have discovered a deep desire to teach. The Bible is my rock, and the true desire of my heart is to hear and know God through His Word.
My hope is to encourage others, especially women, to ‘make every effort to enter that rest’ (Hebrews 4:11) offered by Jesus when he said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’ (Matthew 11:28)”
We are so excited to have Cecily as our keynote speaker for this year’s Annual Conference. To give you some insight to what she will be discussing during her three short Bible Study Sessions, she share the Scripture she has included along with some questions to motivate you to prepare for her messages. We hope you will read the info below and share with all of the other ladies in your church. Cecily is a blessing that you do not want to miss!!
What kind of vessel are you?
2 Timothy 2:20-21
“Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable use and some for dishonorable. So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.”
As we are preparing to study this passage from Paul’s final letter, consider the following:
Why do you believe Paul uses the word “vessel” in his second letter to Timothy? Can you identify a specific reason Paul would choose the word “vessel” in this letter to Timothy when he uses words like “servant” and “minister” in other epistles?
Read Romans 1:1, Galatians 1:10, and Ephesians 3:7
Read 1 Timothy 4:6 and Colossians 4:12
Read Colossians 1:7 and 4:7
Take time to read the entire Book of Second Timothy then reflect on the following:
2 Corinthians 4:5-7
“For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus's sake. For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.”
Paul’s use of the word “clay” in this passage is intentional but for a different reason than the way he is using it in our passage in Second Timothy (we will discuss this much more). However, for our study, we know that a jar is actually a type of vessel so after reading both of these passages, how many characteristics can you find to describe a “vessel” that is “useful to the Master” (2 Timothy 2:21) or a jar carrying the “treasure” (2 Corinthians 4:7) of the Gospel?
