Light for the Journey

Transcription

1 BLUE RIDGE EMMAUS INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Light for the Journey Walk #85 2 F A L L Chairperson s Corner BRE Prays Together An Exciting Prayer WE WANT YOU! On-Line Directory Prayer Chapel and Treasurer s Mark Your Calendars: is right around the corner... Women's Walk to Emmaus #86 February 14-17, Debbie McCraw, Lay Director Amazon Smile Kitchen and Dining Room ASK the Upper Room Sponsor s Checklist 72 Hour Prayer List 2018 BRE Board Bonclarken Info Men's Walk to Emmaus #87 May 16-19, Doug Morris, Lay Director Women's Walk to Emmaus #88 October 24-27, Jamie Davis, Lay Director

2 Women's Walk to Emmaus #85 October 25-28, 2018 Rose Seleska, Lay Director BRE Walk #85 is very near. Oct 25 is almost a month away. The team has bonded even though we have had a few little upsets. I am looking forward to watching the pilgrims faces as the weekend unfolds. When I think of my walk, I wonder if they will be as nervous as I was in not knowing what to expect. With each walk that I take, my own spiritual walk is uplifted and enriched more and more. I have learned so much! My hope for each pilgrim is that they will have the experience that God wants each to experience. Remember the song In Your Easter Bonnet you will be the Grandest Lady? This walk will be the Grandest Walk ever! Thanks to the team, all of the silent angels behind the scenes for all the work and prayers that have been and will be sent up to God! I pray that we can fill all the spots! De Colores! Rose Seleska Pilgrims Preferred Names: Barbara Blankenship Annette Owen Christen Nourrcier Alice Roberson Suzanne Ingle Sue Long Janet Rowland Judy Gibbs Sharon Phillips Bonnie Kershaw Mary Pearson Margo Tolbert Cindy Campos Bobbie Payne Tiffany English Shannon Allison Betty Porter Katie Keith Judith Moore Jessica Ferguson Britney Stines Susan Ragle Libby Flowers Is God calling YOU to sponsor a pilgrim on this walk? There is still time and space available! Please, be in prayer for the Team members, Pilgrims, and behind the scenes volunteers as this weekend unfolds. And, don t forget to sign up for the 72 Hour Prayer Vigil on the Blue Ridge Emmaus Website. Log in to and click on the Prayer Vigil button then select Walk #85 to choose a time to pray. SEE pages of this Newsletter for a list of things to pray for. L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 2

3 Chairperson s Corner Greetings Brothers and Sisters of the Blue Ridge Emmaus! The summer is coming to an end and our Creator s greatest artwork will be displayed over the next two months as the leaves change, the temperature drops, and fall colors overwhelm us. For me it always adds a quickness to my step and a rush of energy. Now it is time to present our Women s Walk #85, led by Rose Seleska on October at The Bonclarken retreat center in Flat Rock. We have 23 pilgrims registered (there is still room for more) and the team is ready to give us the best walk ever. We need your help. The Emmaus movement is a totally volunteer army of Christ followers who are eager to give our new incoming pilgrims the same experience that we all remember on our own personal walk. Please set aside a few hours to come help in the kitchen, the dining room, the prayer chapel and the agape room. Let s all show our support by attending Send-Off on Thursday, Candlelight on Saturday and Closing on Sunday...you really never grasp the complete joy of the Emmaus movement until you come back and serve. I cannot wait! I hope you feel the same way. De Colores! David Dunaway Community Chairperson L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 3

4 BRE Prays Together! Not even hurricanes stop us! Prayer Events are being held every month in different locations in the BRE geographic area. During the events, the Holy Spirit is welcomed with praise and worship. Powerful Spirit-led prayers are then lifted up for the BRE community and Emmaus communities around the world. The events end with healing prayer for participants desiring it. Prayer events with wonderful participation have been held in Asheville, Cashiers, Burnsville and Morganton. The September prayer event was held in Morganton, NC on the weekend Hurricane Florence blew through! All of these events were awesome times of unity with the Holy Spirit and each other! The next BRE Prayer Events are as follows: October 7, First UMC of Hendersonville th Ave W, Hendersonville November 11, Piney Mountain UMC - 14 Piney Mountain Church Rd, Candler Everyone is invited! If you can t make it, please lift up a prayer wherever you are during that timeframe. If you are interested in hosting or helping with these events, please contact Barb Korb at barbarakorb@yahoo.com or (630) Thessalonians 5:16-18, we are urged to rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus. Watch what God will do as we actively seek His face and heart as a community! Praying together is a loving act of Christian discipleship. author Megan Hill L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 4

5 AN EXCITING PRAYER It s that time of the year when we notice changes all around us. The warm air begins to feel cooler, the light of each day becomes shorter, and the trees begin to show their beautiful colors, signaling their preparation for shedding leaves. Many find Fall to be a time of anticipation as they begin to think about the upcoming holidays, family get-togethers and special events (and football?!). Yet, there are those among and around us who almost dread what lies ahead. For them, times together and celebrations will be reminders that someone is no longer present here on earth, or that the daily struggles of life cannot make room for joy and peace. The holidays become a time of sadness and grief. Thinking about those who may have difficult times ahead, I began reflecting on the Walk to Emmaus experience. So many of the talks encourage the pilgrims (and each of us!) to be Christ in the world, to be one who changes the world around us by our actions, and to help others see God s grace at work. We live in an artificial society. On the outside, we look and act like we are just fine. But so often, on the inside hurts run deep. What a blessing it is to have reunion groups where we can celebrate our true, authentic selves and both help others and have others help us see ourselves as God sees us. We need that! But for those around us who live day by day, hoping things will get better, who do not have someone with whom he or she may experience hope, you and I may be that hope! What a privilege it is to ask God whom might need a special touch each day. It is an exciting prayer to pray because there is always someone often the one we least expect. I would like to hear some of your stories of how God used you to bring hope to another, or how God used someone to bring hope into your life. Send me an (joyfilledjan1) sharing what God is doing on your fourth days and, as your fourth days move into Fall and the upcoming holidays, may you be the hands and feet of Christ helping others find hope and God s grace. Blessings and joy! Jan Johnson Community Spiritual Director L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 5

6 We Want YOU! Our Comm-UNITY is in need of help in the following areas: Board Member for Follow-Up and Gatherings work with a team to organize BRE follow-ups and gatherings. Contact David Dunaway at (828) Assistant Community Spiritual Director work with the Community Spiritual Director to address the spiritual needs of our community. Contact Jan Johnson at (828) th Day Reunion Group Assistance - contact reunion groups to gather and organize information needed to update our new on-line directory. Contact Irv Hendricks - gamecocknc@aol.com or (828) Sponsor Mentor Assistance work with sponsorship team to connect first time sponsors with experienced sponsors to answer questions and guide them through the process. Contact Barb Korb at (630) BRE Church Liaisons - collect the contact information from all BRE members of your church as input to our new on-line directory. Contact Ed Pagan at (828) Please pray about it! God may be calling you to use your gifts to assist in one of these needs. Remember Christ is Counting on You and You Can Count on Christ! According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Com-mu-ni-ty Noun 1: a UNIFIED body of individuals: As... b: the people with COMMON interests living in a particular area HENCE there is Unity in Comm-UNITY! L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 6

7 YES!!! BRE NOW HAS AN ON-LINE COMMUNITY DIRECTORY! The new BRE on-line community directory is helping us stay informed and connected! The directory contains names and contact information of every active member from BRE Walk #1 until now. Login today and check it out! Request your username by ing Ed Pagán at then follow the instructions on the login page at Top Ten Reasons to Use the new BRE On-line Directory: 1. Quick Access to Members Information For any member in the directory, you will be able to quickly obtain their , phone number and address. 2. Update Yourself! Make sure people are able to get in touch with you by ensuring that your own information is correct. You can also Opt Out of the Community Directory. 3. Find Other Members of Your Church Did you ever wonder if someone from your church attended the Walk to Emmaus? You can search for members by church name. 4. Do a Good Deed Data in the directory is not perfect - you can help! On the Homepage, select Incorrect Member Information from the Provide Feedback drop down menu to provide valid information for your friends so that it can be corrected. Also, we are looking for one member from each church to volunteer to collect the contact info from all BRE members of their church. Please talk to Ed Pagan if you are willing to serve in this way. 5. Find a Reunion Group Find the locations and time of groups and get plugged in. 6. Team Experience Ensure that all of your BRE experience is accurate and up-to-date. This will be a huge benefit to the team selection committee. 7. Ensure You Get BRE Announcements If your is part of the directory, you will be on distribution for all BRE Community communications. You can also Opt Out of s. 8. Be a Prayer Warrior BRE has a prayer chain. If you want to be part of it and receive prayer requests from the community, sign up by checking the Prayer Warrior box. 9. Reconnect with Friends Have you ever been wondering about an Emmaus friend that you haven t seen in awhile? Find them in the directory and reconnect with them blessing you both in the process! 10. It's Secure - Access to our member site is limited to BRE members and requires a unique username and password. Passwords have minimum requirements and information sent between your WEB browser, and the application is secure and encrypted. SO, Login today! Give it a try and see why many delighted BRE members are already taking advantage of its many benefits. L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 7

8 Greetings Brothers and Sisters! As we draw closer to the Fall Women s Walk, know with Great Joy that our passion to serve Jesus, will change lives. Can any of us say that the Walk to Emmaus experience hasn't changed us in some way? From the newest Pilgrims to the most seasoned Emmaus alumni. Maybe something in one of the 15 talks given has made a difference. The experience of the Walk to Emmaus has touched us all in its own way. Your experience wasn't the same as another's, but we all should be able to say that this experience has given us the opportunity to see Christ like the two that were walking with him on the road to Emmaus. We pray all our eyes have been opened to Christ's Love. We invite you to join us in the Prayer Chapel as we pray for each speaker, both before and after he/she has presented what God has prepared for them to impart to the pilgrims. Rick & Joan Phillips From the Treasurer s Notes This will be my last news notes as your treasurer. Donna Sheline will be your treasurer effective January 1,. The state of our finances is still strong thanks to your continued support. The board members in their various capacities have worked to keep our expenses in line and to use God s gifts as He meant them to be used. As of September we have over $15,000 cash on hand. About $9000 or so of that will be used for Walk #85. Our annual campaign has thus far produced a little over $6000. We still have about 300 members to contact regarding the annual campaign donations. If you have not yet received a solicitation letter, you will in the next two months. Please pray and give consideration to continuing our efforts to glorify God and make disciples for his flock. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve God in this manner for the last three years and look forward to seeing all of you at future events. Oh yes! And remember, I GOT MY EYE ON YOU. De colores! Lynn Long L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 8

9 Did you know that BRE has a year round fund raiser that doesn t require any extra effort or even money on your part? It s called AMAZON SMILE! All you do is log-in to the main page and type in Blue Ridge Emmaus in the box at the bottom where you can pick your own charitable organization. (See Below) After you click on Search, then, simply select Blue Ridge Emmaus and start shopping. It s that easy! From then on, you do not have to do a thing. This would be a great idea to start today before you do all that holiday shopping!! L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 9

10 Food does a body good! In the Bible, Christian and Jewish celebrations always include a feast and hospitality centers first on feeding your guests. Whether it s the Passover meal celebrating the Last Supper or the feeding of the 5000, Jesus ministry recognized how teaching and building relationships are best done over a meal. As our next Emmaus weekend grows near consider serving our Pilgrims with Agape love through the fellowship meals they will eat. Come join us in the kitchen or dining room and have some fun, experience God s joy through food and make a new friend. Absolutely no experience necessary, all are welcome and appreciated. Come for a few hours or all day, whatever time you can spare! Please , text or call us and let us know what times you are available deenabingham, Kitchen, Peirce and Deena Bingham link2you416, or Dining Room, Bill and Linda Kelder FRIDAY To Help in Kitchen Arrive at: To Serve in Dining Room Arrive at: Breakfast 6:00 am 7:30 am 8:00 am Mealtime Lunch 9:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 noon Dinner 2:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:30 pm SATURDAY To Help in Kitchen Arrive at: To Serve in Dining Room Arrive at: Mealtime: Breakfast 6:00 am 7:30 am 8:00 am Lunch 9:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 noon Dinner 2:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:30 pm SUNDAY To Help in Kitchen Arrive at: To Serve in Dining Room Arrive at: Breakfast 6:00 am 7:30 am 8:00 am Lunch 9:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 am Mealtime: L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 1 0

11 Ask the Upper Room! Ask the Upper Room will be a featured article in the BRE Newsletter attempting to address your questions about the Walk to Emmaus. Please send your questions to the editor, Brenda Pagán at bwp1970ps23@hotmail.com. Question: When may Sponsors be seen by the pilgrims after a Walk weekend has started? Sponsors do not serve as a team member on the same event, and participants should not see their sponsors serving behind the scenes as support persons at any time during the event. The absence of the sponsor gives the participants the space they need for their own interaction with and experience of God during the event. (taken from the Emmaus Ministries Community Manual; 2017, pg. 80) Question: Who may participate and attend the major events during a Walk to Emmaus weekend? Only people who have completed a Walk to Emmaus weekend, or any other comparable three -day movement event (i.e. Cursillo, Tres Dias, Via de Cristo), may attend the major events or serve behind the scenes on a weekend. Only these 4 th -day members may attend Sponsor s Hour, Candlelight and Closing. Everyone is welcome to attend the Follow-Up that happens after the weekend. All family members and friends are encouraged to attend this event. L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 1 1

12 BLUE RIDGE EMMAUS SPONSOR S CHECKLIST PRIOR TO WALK Pray for my pilgrim. Provide the What is Emmaus book to my pilgrim. Answer ALL questions my pilgrim has (there are no secrets). If my pilgrim is married, present the Walk to Emmaus to the spouse as well. Confirm Walk dates, time and location. Confirm Follow Up date. Explain to my pilgrim what to bring to the Walk: Comfortable clothing and shoes, jacket, umbrella, flashlight, medications, personal items, etc. Explain to my pilgrim what NOT to bring to the Walk: clocks, watches, phones, electronics, cameras, etc. Explain tobacco restrictions. Complete the Sponsor Application form and the Pilgrim Application form, and Submit both to BRE registrar, along with the Walk fee payment as soon as possible. Find out if my pilgrim has any food allergies or dietary restrictions and give this information to registrar. Make arrangements to take care of the pilgrim s personal responsibilities during the Walk weekend, such as childcare, meals, house-sitting, pets, mail, plants, carpools. Sign up for the 72-hour prayer vigil on the BRE website. ( Obtain Agape letters from 12 or more family members and friends. (minimum of 12 letters is needed). Be sure to include pilgrim s spouse if applicable. Write my own personal agape letter to my pilgrim. Contact Pilgrim prior to weekend to confirm attendance and schedule. WALK WEEKEND Thursday: Pray for my pilgrim. Make sure I have my own personal Agape letter for my pilgrim. Make sure I have 12 or more letters from family and friends, including the pilgrim s spouse if applicable. Clearly mark the letters. Put my pilgrim s full name in center front of envelope. Provide emergency contact numbers to family members. Pick my pilgrim up and have a light meal if necessary prior to arriving at the Walk site. Take my pilgrim to the Walk site, arriving by 6:15 on Thursday to check-in. Give the Letters, any Agape, or Agape food to the Agape Support Team. Have my pilgrim bring all medications necessary and have a WRITTEN note that details when the medication should be taken and what dosage. This should be given to the Registrar at Check-In. Attend Send-Off at 7:00 PM and Introduce your pilgrim to their roommate. Participate in Sponsor s Hour immediately following Send-off and pray for my pilgrim. Friday: Pray for my pilgrim and Serve behind the scenes. Saturday: Pray for my pilgrim and Serve behind the scenes. Participate in Candlelight, arriving at the Walk site by 7:30 p.m. and pray for my pilgrim. Sunday: Pray for my pilgrim and serve behind the scenes. Attend Closing, arriving at the Walk site by 4:00 p.m. Take my pilgrim home. AFTER THE WALK: Pray for my pilgrim. Check in with my pilgrim on Monday. Remind them about Follow Up. Help my pilgrim get established in a reunion group. Bring my pilgrim to the Follow-Up Gathering Pilgrim s family and friends are welcome to attend. Encourage participation, sponsorship, and volunteering at future walks and events. L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 1 2

13 Things to pray for on 72-hour Prayer Vigil during an Emmaus Weekend: Emmaus and Chrysalis community members often state they have trouble identifying specific things to pray for, especially if they have committed to a full hour of prayer. Just move down this list in your prayers, or start at any point and let the Spirit lead you from that point forward (Romans 8:26, 27). Regardless of how you go about it, just do it. Pilgrims and the team members are counting on you. More importantly, Christ is counting on you! Pray: for each pilgrim by name, and ask God to help them forget the outside world for the weekend that God will be with each pilgrim who may be resisting the Spirit's call that each pilgrim will enter into table discussions and freely give of her/himself when it comes to responding to questions, etc. for peace of mind for each pilgrim so that s/he will hear the messages shared by each speaker that each pilgrim will faithfully die out to some obstacle in their life during Dying Moments Communion, and really examine their life during other chapel services for each pilgrim by name that, if s/he doesn't know the Lord Jesus as personal Savior, s/he will ask Him into his or her heart that each pilgrim will feel the love of Christ in a very special way that s/he has never felt before and that s/he will accept it, then take this love back home to be shared with others that each letter and each piece of agape will warm the heart of each pilgrim that the letters of agape received from other communities will show them how far and wide God's love reaches that the Holy Spirit will work in each pilgrim s life at the Closing service and into all of their Fourth days for each pilgrim that, when s/he returns home at the end of the Walk, s/he will be able to go back to work without too much difficulty making up the work they may have missed on days of the Walk that each pilgrim will walk closely with Lord Jesus and keep His name on their lips, and His Spirit in their heart at all times that when appropriate each pilgrim will thank their sponsor sincerely for their support of the Walk for each team member by name, and ask God to help them forget the outside world for the weekend and to concentrate their total effort on serving Lord Jesus through their interactions with the pilgrims that all family members of each pilgrim and team member who was left at home during the weekend will be protected from harm and be maintained in good health that God will grant good health and restful sleep to each pilgrim and team member throughout the weekend for each pilgrim and team member that they will be able to "Let go and let God" in all they think or do this weekend Con t On next page... L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 1 3

14 Things to pray for on 72-hour Prayer Vigil during an Emmaus Weekend con t: that gifts of agape to pilgrims and team members will be accepted with love for the donor(s), knowing they were Christ-inspired for the Spiritual Directors that Lord Jesus will continue to bless them, and that through them, the Lord's Gospel will be clarified and His name will be glorified manner God intends for the Lay Director that Lord Jesus will continue to bless them, and that through them the Lord's Gospel will be clarified and His name will be glorified for the Lay Director-in-Training that Lord Jesus will continue to bless them, and that through them, the Lord's Gospel in this Walk and the next one will be clarified and His name will be glorified for the Music Directors that Lord Jesus will continue to bless them, and that through them and their gift of music the Lord's Gospel will be clarified and His name will be glorified for the Asst. Lay Directors that Lord Jesus will continue to bless them, and that through them, the Lord's Gospel will be clarified and His name will be glorified for the Table Leaders that Lord Jesus will continue to bless them, and that through them, the Lord's Gospel will be clarified and His name will be glorified for the Asst. Table Leaders that Lord Jesus will continue to bless them, and that through them, the Lord's Gospel will be clarified and His name will be glorified for the Board Representative that Lord Jesus will continue to bless them, and that through them the Lord will be glorified for each Speaker that the Lord will speak to pilgrims through them and that each talk will be a blessing to all those who will hear it for those who are preparing the food and helping serve it to each pilgrim and team member, asking God to bless them, and to use the food to nourish each person in the for each Sponsor who loved the pilgrim so much that s/he made this Walk possible for the pilgrim that there will be no problems encountered in matters that compromise the safety or comfort of the pilgrims and team members, such as fire, break-ins, theft, etc. that Lord Jesus will reap a harvest of souls due to the efforts of these new Fourth Day members as they establish their own ministries that our Lord will be blessed by all that is done in His name throughout the weekend that all which is done over the weekend will be done in our Lord's name that the Lord will remind me to continue praying faithfully throughout the weekend that His will shall be done Amen. L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 1 4

15 Position Name Phone Address Term Ends Community Chairperson David Dunaway jdaviddunaway P.O. Box 743 Cashiers, NC Community Spiritual Dir Jan Johnson joyfilledjan1 1 Hampton Lane Weaverville, NC Asst. Spritual Director Leader Needed For This Position Vice- Chairperson Barb Korb White Pine Dr Asheville, NC Treasurer Lynn Long Cottage Row Highlands, NC Secretary Sally McCoy State Hwy 197S Burnsville, NC Team Selection Sue Marvin Riverbirch Dr. Fletcher, NC Web Servant Michael Trufant michael.trufant Registrar Cindy Contillo Echo Hills Drive Fairview, NC Robinhood Rd Asheville, NC Send-off/ Sponsor's Hr. Michelle Cole Abee Farm Dr Connely Springs, NC Send-off/ Sponsor's Hr. Dave Cole Abee Farm Dr Connely Springs, NC Gatherings/ Follow-Ups Leader(s) Needed For This Position Agape Co-Chair Robin Corbin Bayberry Way Hendersonville, NC Agape Co-Chair Robin Royal quiltchick Solomon Cir. Hendersonville, NC Hour Prayer Vigil Frances Corbin Jupiter Hills Road Weaverville, NC Prayer Chapel Rick/Joan Phillips Pondberry Court Asheville, NC L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 1 5

16 Position Name Phone Address Term Ends Candlelight Freda/ William Graham Eagles Court Hendersonville, NC Purchasing Malinda Holley P.O. Box 1884 Cashiers, NC Kitchen Peirce/ Deena Bingham deenabingham 458 Cow Branch Road Green Mtn, NC Co-Kitchen Dave/ Michelle Cole Abee Farm Dr Connely Springs, NC Dining Room Bill/Linda Kelder link2you416 P.O. Box Asheville, NC Closing Larry/Betty Morris larrymorris78 P.O. Box 791 Cashiers, NC Set-up/ Tear Down Chris Donaldson Crystal June Lane Fairview, NC Volunteer Coordinator Leader(s) Needed For This Postition Most Recent Chair Sherri Noble Flint Hill Road Alexander, NC Technology Dave Korb david.e.korb Newsletter Brenda Pagán Th Day IRV Hendricks White Pine Dr Asheville, NC Hickory Dr. Mars Hill, NC Poplar Court, Hendersonville, NC Until #85 Women's Lay Director Rose Seleska Brown Lynch Rd, Candler, NC Oct #86 Women s Lay Director Debbie McCraw blest.byond.blief 95 Frog Pond Dr. Burnsville, NC Feb L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 1 6

17 Bonclarken Conference Center 500 Pine Dr., Flat Rock, NC GPS users: Enter 5 Pine Drive, Flat Rock, NC This will bring you to the main entrance. Many GPS systems do not recognize 500 Pine Drive. For a Google map see our website above under Directions. L I G H T F O R T H E J O U R N E Y P A G E 1 7