Emmaus Newsletter - Fall 2008
NEWS AND EVENTS
New Database Opportunity - Our office receives many requests for help with their community's database. We have been working with Internet Membership Systems (IMS) and together, we have a system to help Emmaus and Chrysalis communities nationally.
Emmaus/Chrysalis Celebration - Online registration now open! Mark your calendar now for the upcoming celebration: November 7-9, 2008 in Fresno, CA.
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A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
DeColores to all of you,
We concluded our first ever International Advisory Committee Meeting for Chrysalis and Emmaus. We had members from England, South Africa, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Mexico, in addition to members from all over the United States. What a joy it was to have all of us together.
And that is what these two movements are all about, working together in the name of Jesus Christ. I believe that the Chrysalis members opened the eyes of most of the Emmaus members. For instance, I had no idea how little I knew about all the possibilities that exist for our website. But I had young adults and older adults – together – showing me the things that we can do and the things that interest youth and young adults when they look at a website. Now I don’t know about you, but I’m 57 years old and I only learned how to operate a computer about 10 years ago. Who taught me? It was my daughter. If it wasn’t for her, I may still be looking for the on/off switch My generation is the first generation that is learning things from our children. And, oh, do they have things to teach us! Technology is moving fast and they are all over it and willing to teach us – IF ONLY WE’LL LISTEN!
When we talk about important features of Chrysalis, two features come to mind, one is that Chrysalis offers role models and mentors, and the second one that sticks out in my mind is that Chrysalis involves young people in partnership with lay adults and clergy. As Christian adults in Emmaus, we must remember that we ARE role models and the youth and young adults are looking at us all the time. Are we setting a good example of how Jesus leads or lives? And are our young adults and youth really in partnership with us? We need to understand that our youth and young adults are not just our future leaders, they ARE our leaders, now.
As adult Christians who have experienced Emmaus, it is time for us to BE Emmaus and to be the Body of Christ who are Changing Our World. These are not just talks, they are who we are challenged to be. Take another look; you can see the love of Christ in them. They want to be in a Christ-like partnership with us. Let’s get up and walk across the room with our hands extended.
Fly With Christ,
Greg
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LETTERS FROM REPRESENTATIVES
The Logic of the Model
Walk to Emmaus is a movement inspired by the Holy Spirit and demonstrated through a 72 hour retreat experience emphasizing agape love and anonymous servanthood. It is held in a cloistered environment using traditional Christianity as its structured model.
Though many feel the Spirit is constrained by the model, and thus develop local traditions in order to “loose the Spirit”; the true Emmaus model follows a carefully constructed theological outline that presents the one Spirit that is consistent with Scripture. If every community “did their own thing”, what would our movement resemble in a few short years?
Rather than taking personal liberties with the Emmaus model seeking diversity of the Spirit, it is recommended each community recognize and accept there is one true Spirit; and this same Spirit, like Jesus, is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The diversity we seek comes not from the manner in which we attempt to manipulate the Spirit, but in the various reactions of each pilgrim as each is allowed to meet and recognize the risen Christ at a time and place on the Walk chosen by the true Spirit, rather than you, me or another team member.
Each of us understands “standard” or “benchmark” meaning something you relate to in order to maintain a certain level of quality assurance. There is no way any Emmaus community can maintain the desired consistency walk to walk, year to year, using unwritten tradition or the memory of present leadership. You will find universal agreement that there are many ways in which pilgrims can be spiritually moved through events not standard to the Emmaus model, but where would it all end? When would your walks take on the personality of your community’s gifted leaders? At what point does the Holy Spirit become second fiddle?
It is up to you. Will you do it your way or THE way?
- Scoofer Jordan
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LETTERS FROM PARTICIPANTS
Testimony on the first Russian walk to Emmaus
The Walk to Emmaus for me was a great revelation of God’s love. Before the Walk I knew that God loved me and that I was supposed to love others, but only during the Walk I felt the real effect of God’s love. My heart was touched by God through the expression of love by other people.
The Walk to Emmaus for me was like a burning bush for Moses. I made a decision at the Walk not to be a passive Christian any longer. I need to labor to multiply the rows of saved people, to enlarge the army of God. I realized that I have power. I came to understanding, that the Body of Christ is united and I was shown an example how to love, how to serve, how to bless.
Now I am taking all this into my Fourth Day. I am active in church ministry, I joined a drama club in our church, I help my friends to overcome the doubts of earthly living. I am going to participate in a youth conference next month. But soon the summer break will be over and I will go back to Chelyabinsk to continue my studies. That will be a true start of my Fourth Day: spiritual warfare and overcoming many temptations. But I know I will be a winner! Thanks to all who organized, participated and served at the First Russian Walk to Emmaus. I love you all so much!
Eli Haibullin.
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Emmaus and strong churches are a dynamic partnership that helps to deepen the spiritual growth of the members of the congregation; this is what has been experienced at Macedonia United Methodist in Southmont, North Carolina. The first two members of Macedonia UMC entered the Emmaus Community on Piedmont Emmaus Walk #50 in the fall of 2005. Now, over 25 members of the congregation have attended the Walk to Emmaus. Macedonia has an active worship attendance of 230, so over 10% of church attendees are part of the Emmaus community. And the members of the Emmaus community are active in leadership in all areas of the churches life.
Early on there was a bit of tension in the church as people went on the Walk to Emmaus and came back transformed by the radical hospitality that they experienced. Now there is a growing desire of those who were skeptics to experience what their friends are so excited about. How did this happen? This church transformation was made possible through the work of dedicated laity, clergy support, and most importantly the movement of the Holy Spirit.
As the pastor of the church, I have supported all of our laity as they have taken their walks and I have encouraged them to remain focused on using their renewed enthusiasm in leadership at Macedonia. I have also encouraged the people who have been on the walk to sponsor others. Many of the first participants from Macedonia had already had their faith deepened through a strong Disciple Bible Study ministry, faithful participation in worship and Sunday school, and other means of grace.
The real secret to the success of the partnership between the Emmaus community and Macedonia is the laity who have gone are dedicated first to Christ and realize that the local church is where they are primarily called to live out their faith. In addition they are modeling the radical hospitality they experienced as they dedicate themselves to ensuring that those they sponsor have a similar experience on their walks. Many of our members, in addition to their local church ministries, are serving at the Piedmont Emmaus walk weekends in the kitchen, praying, sorting agape, and/or cleaning the cabins and facilities. The members of the “Macedonia Cry Babies” (a name given our group because our men and women get weepy at the closing worship of every weekend) are first and foremost servants and they are happy to be so!
Emmaus is a wonderful way to deepen the spiritual lives of the members of the congregation, to develop leaders and enhance the life and ministry of your church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
DeColores,
Rev. J. Burton Williams
More Information about Emmaus including Regional Representatives, Emmaus staff members and more is available at www.upperroom.org/emmaus (http://www.upperroom.org/chrysalis)
The Upper Room
1908 Grand Ave
Nashville, TN 37203