Texoma Emmaus Community

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1 Texoma Emmaus Community 1 Newsletter, February, 2015 Ed. Then the two of them from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road and how they had recognized him as he was breaking bread. Luke 24:35 NLT A message from our Chair J Net Chambers Newsletter news: Please get your information into the database to ensure continued electronic receipt of the newsletter. Go to to enter your address. If you need to receive a paper newsletter, please send your mailing information to: Texoma Emmaus P O Box 665 Sherman, Tx UPCOMING WALKS Women s Walk #89 Lay Director: Patti Gardner March 26-29, 2015 Men s Walk #90 Lay Director: Barry Ebersberger April 25-28, 2015 Women s Walk #91 Lay Director: Lynda Lewis September 24-27, 2015 Men s Walk #92 Lay Director: Jesse Farrer October 22-25, 2015 RENEWAL. Not a big word, but a powerful one. Simply put, it means to make things new again. We have embarked on a new year. And although we are into it only a short way, much has happened. Or at least in my world it seems so. Your new board has met and set 2015 in motion. What an exciting time. New board members, with new ideas and thoughts. Please welcome Leeora Bryant, Colleen Reilly, Paul Welborn, Eddie Herman and Christi Haywood to the board. They have answered a call and embarked on a new journey. You have elected them to represent your interests in the Community. Each year the board is in a state of renewal. Perhaps you will be called to serve. I am honored to serve as your 2015 board chair. By the time you read this edition of the newsletter, we will have Lay Director Training behind us and shared our first gathering. Sharing communion, song, and worship presents an opportunity of renewal or re-acquaintance with your Emmaus family and friends. Four new walks are on the calendar for this year. Have you considered sponsorship? If this is a new experience for you, there is help on the web site, and a board member is just a call or away. Sponsorship puts your pilgrim in a candlelit room on a Saturday night. Definitely a new experience for the pilgrim perhaps for you as well. Each candlelight brings a warmth that defies description. In scripture we hear of many new things: wine, moon, song, growth. Have you witnessed the new comet Lovejoy? God constantly showers us with something new. Maybe this year will bring you a new job, new relationship, new adventure.. Are you new to the community? Have you considered where your place is in all this? Join your community in pulling a walk together. It takes many hands. Are you a seasoned member? Your guidance and wisdom will be more than welcome. I found my way by participating in 4 th day activities: helping at set up and take down, serving in the dining hall for send-off, and attending candlelight. Doing so, I met many people and made many new friends long before ever working a walk. Welcome to It will Segway into In between will be many new things. Please go to the website and look at the calendared events there. Maybe you can add an Emmaus happening to your own calendar. I look forward to sharing them you with you. As we journey together, we will carry the promises of God. In Ezekiel 36:26 as the renewal of Israel takes place, God tells the Israelites I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you Isaiah 66:22 God gives his people a message of comfort and hope "As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me," declares the LORD, "so will your name and descendants endure. DeColores, J Net Chambers

2 From our Vice-Chair-Patsey Smith 2 As we prepare for a new year of beginnings, spiritually, every moment is a new beginning in Christ. We all know the Walk to Emmaus doesn t exist without pilgrims. We encourage you to share the gift that you received, reach out to those in your church, community, get involved and be the light for Christ. We all have been appointed to be the hands and feet for Christ. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10 When Jesus says we re to love each other, as I have loved you (John 15:12), it s a command not an option! Jesus love is totally sacrificial. He defined it in John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. He loved us to such an extent that He died for us, irrespective of our condition or response. We have developed a Texoma Emmaus group within our church. We share the sponsorship, each member is appointed to pick up the pilgrim, take the pilgrim home, to follow-up, purchase agape, prepare letters and introduce to a reunion group. This has worked out very well for our church. We thank God for the opportunity and we are sharing the gift. I wanted to share this in hopes you would consider trying this at your church. If you would like to discuss in more detail, please let me know. I am counting on Christ and Christ is counting on you! DeColores, Patsey Smith Our concept of love seems so much smaller by comparison. We love others who meet our needs, who makes us feel good, who do things for us, and who give us things we want. In short, our first concern is having our own needs met. Jesus outlined a radically different kind of love a love that puts the needs and well-being of others before your own. Start loving others as Jesus loves you. Why? Because He says so. We have heard rumors that our community has ran its course. We beg to differ because God has the last call. We have experienced over and over if we let go and let God that He will do the rest. There are things that we want to control. I don t know what you re going to face this week or this year. You don t either. But I can already tell you what God wants you to do: Let go, and know. Let go of control, and know that God is in control. Psalm 46:10 says, Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth (Something to consider.) There are 12 members of my church that are members of our Texoma Emmaus Community.

3 Board Members If you would like to serve in any area, or have any questions, please contact any of the following Board members. J Net Chambers Chair jnet1957@aol.com Patsey Smith Vice Chair/ Team Selection patsey.smith@att.net Samantha Parson Spiritual Director parson.sam88@yahoo.com Leon Veazey Assistant Spiritual Director leon.veazey@yahoo.com Duane Marks 4th Day Chair Duane1688@gmail.com Carolyn Cherry Kitchen Team Chair mommycarolyn72@gmail.com Ben Foytik Registration Chair bfoytik13@gmail.com Leeora Bryant Agape Chair leeorabryant@gmail.com Sandra Carter Treasurer msjecarter@gmail.com Michelle Dunaway Secretary/Historian Chair mychelledunaway@yahoo.com Robin Woodall Communications Chair (Website, Reunion Groups, Sponsorship) woodall13@me.com Paul Welborn Literature Chair Paul.welborn.cgci@statefarm.com Lonnie Pointer Supplies Chair circle9lp@yahoo.com Colleen Reilly Database Chair (e-blast) Colleen.reilly@sbcglobal.net Eddie Herman Fundraising Chair toniaherman@yahoo.com Chuck Bell Follow-ups and Gatherings thebells_ct@excite.com Christi Haywood Music Selection Chair haywood.christi@yahoo.com 2015 Texoma Emmaus Calendar February 28, :00 a.m. Rooster Run, Stonebridge UMC, McKinney, TX 10:00 a.m. Gathering, Crosspoint Church, McKinney, TX 12:00 noon Board Meeting, Crosspoint Church, McKinney,TX March 22, :00 pm. Board Texoma Baptist Youth Camp 4:00 p.m. Walk Set-up March 26-29, 2015 Women s Walk #89 April 7, :30 p.m., Women s Walk #89 Follow-up, King s Trail Cowboy Church, Whitewright, TX April 19, :00 p.m. Board Meeting, Texoma Baptist Youth Camp 4:00 p.m. Walk Set-up April 23-26, 2015 Men s Walk #90 May 5, :30 p.m., Men s Walk #90 Follow-up, Stonebridge UMC, McKinney, TX May 16, :00 a.m., Board Meeting, Tom Bean UMC, Tom Bean, TX July 11, :00 p.m., Board Meeting, Northpark Baptist, Sherman, TX 6:30 p.m., Gathering, Northpark Baptist, Sherman, TX August 15, :00 p.m., Board Meeting, Trinity UMC, Denison, TX 6:30 p.m., Gathering, Trinity UMC, Denison, TX September 20, :00 p.m. Board Meeting, Texoma Baptist Youth Camp 4:00 p.m. Walk Set-up September 24-27, 2015 Women s Walk #91 October 6, :30 p.m., Women s Walk #91 Follow-up, Grace UMC, Sherman October 18, :00 p.m. Board Meeting, Texoma Baptist Youth Camp 4:00 p.m. Walk Set-up October Men s Walk #92 November 3, :30 p.m., Men s Walk #92 Follow-up, FUMC Howe, Howe, TX November 14, :00 a.m., Board Meeting, The Harvest Church, Allen, TX December 5, :00 a.m., Board Meeting, TBD 12:00 p.m., Gathering, TBD John Orozco Newsletter Chair john.orozco@tombean-isd.org Charlie Philips Past Chair cphilips@philipsandepperson.com

4 4 A Message from our Assistant Spiritual Director Leon Veazy REVIVE US AGAIN! I remember singing this hymn often in my early church life. "Revive us again, fill each heart with thy love. May each soul be rekindled with fire from above. Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Hallelujah, Amen! Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Revive us again!" This is a prayer I share from my heart with you, my Emmaus Brothers and Sisters. In a recent Gathering, the statement was made that The Texoma Emmaus Community will experience REVIVAL in That's a wonderful vision for us! I think of "Revival" of less than a mystical phenomenon that we can only hope and pray for, and more of a spiritual reality in our lives when we intentionally seek the Lord and allow Him to use us as His vessels. So, with that in mind, what can each of us do to allow God to use us in our pursuit of Revival in our community? in being a pilgrim on a walk, take steps to be his/ her sponsor or join with some of your Emmaus Brothers and Sisters to share the responsibilities and cost of sponsorship as a group. I believe as we experience Emmaus together again and again through our service, our sponsorships, and our being refreshed by the Emmaus experience of our pastors and other friends and family, we will truly see a work of Revival in our Community! Perhaps this changes the hymn emphasis from "Revive Us Again" to "Lord, Send A Revival... AND LET IT BEGIN IN ME!!!" De Colores! Leon Veazy 1.) PRAY for it earnestly! 2.) SERVE on an Emmaus Team this year in some capacity. 3.) ATTEND more gatherings and follow-ups than last year. 4.) SPONSOR a pilgrim (or join a group, e.g.--small group and sponsor a pilgrim as a group) 5.) ***SPONSOR a Clergy!!! I highlight that last one because we have only a few Emmaus qualified clergy who are still passionate about serving on teams for walks, and these few are overwhelmed with how frequently they end up serving. This is due to a number of factors. For example, our United Methodist Clergy get reassigned to new fields of service outside our Texoma Emmaus area, and some non-united Methodist Pastors just don't know enough about Emmaus to want to participate. Regardless of your denominational affiliation, please request a meeting time with your Pastor, or other vocational ministers at your church, and share your heart about how your Emmaus walk has changed your life. Give them a chance to have any misconceptions they may have dispelled through your testimony of your own experience. When you have a pastor on your church staff that is interested

5 5 From our Newsletter Chair John Orozco As we begin 2015, we are looking forward to four new walks and providing a special encounter with God for many new pilgrims that only those of us that have been on a walk can attempt to explain. Take a few minutes to introduce your friends and family to the Texoma Emmaus Community by inviting them to attend a walk this year. At this time in history, we are certainly in need of strong Christian leaders in our churches, homes and within the community and our country. I hope each of us will take the time to invite someone to attend a walk and sponsor them as they experience God s Amazing Grace and Love in such a wonderful way! DeColores, John Orozco From our Secretary/Historian Michelle Dunaway De Colores Emmaus brothers and sisters! My name is Michelle Dunaway and I am your new Secretary/Historian for I am honored to serve my second year on the Texoma Emmaus Community Board. I believe we as a community are on the horizon of a great renewal. Now is the time for sponsorship and to get involved in your 4th days. If we stay away from the fire we can grow cold and our light can become dimmed. The enemy is not threaten by those who are not willing to take the promise given to us by God and see it through. This past year as a community we have been faced with great opposition. I believe that opposition is a spiritual indicator of opportunity. We all have an opportunity to sponsor. We all started as pilgrims when we started on our Emmaus journey and there were community members making our weekend a YAY GOD weekend. Now is the time for us to pay it forward and give someone the gift of God s mercy, grace, love and fried chicken. There is a scripture I would like to share with you. John 4:35: Don t you have a saying, It s still four months until harvest? I tell you open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for the harvest. We need to look to fields because they are ready for the harvest. Pilgrims are out there and it is up to us to take a step in faith and share the gift of Emmaus. If you believe someone is interested in the Walk to Emmaus please share your experience with them. We are called to be the hands and feet of God. If you meet a need in someone you will receive an invitation into their lives. Many blessings to you and your family, De Colores!

6 From our Communications Chair Robin Woodall 6 Keeping our community connected Be sure to visit our community website, texomaemmaus.com, to keep up with community events and dates. I wanted to point out where some of the common items we look for can be found: Quick Events You will see this floating on the left side of the home page. This is a quick calendar that has events that the entire community should come to, such as gathering and 4th day opportunities. A full calendar can be found from the calendar link at the bottom of any page. Board of Directors contact information On the "About Us page you can find the contact information for your Board of Directors. Walk Membership On the bottom of any page you will find a link to Walk Membership for upcoming walks. Applications A walk application is always just a click away - you can either click the icon on the home page or the forms button on the bottom of any page. (or just send this link to a potential pilgrim: assets/2015-applicationnew.pdf) Database Link If you go to the footer of any page you will see a link to the Database Log-In. Donations If you are unable to make a gatherng or event, you can still donate to the community. Just click the "Donate" button on the bottom of any page. In addition to the community website, you also have the opportunity to connect with other members by joining our Facebook group at: This group is for people who have already completed a walk and is a great place to share with one another and stay connected. DeColores, Robin

7 7 From our Data Base Chair Colleen Reilly Hello from your new database chair.. My name is Colleen Reilly and I took my Walk to Emmaus in February 2005 and sat at the Table of Rachel. I would have never dreamed that 10 years later I would be elected to the Texoma Emmaus Board which I feel privileged to serve. All of this would have never happened if my sponsor, Lisa Reyes, hadn t asked me to go on the Walk to Emmaus. I was filled with love and peace and brought closer to Christ after my Walk that I wanted others to experience it too! I began to think and pray about who I could share this experience with and who would benefit from it. The first person I sponsored was a close friend who was in my Mom s Ministry group at church. It was such a neat experience being a sponsor and sharing in Cindy s experience and seeing her transformation that I wanted to continue to share this joy with others. Over the years I have been privileged to sponsor a number of people and to me sponsoring a pilgrim is the greatest gift you could ever give them! I know sponsoring someone takes time and effort and a commitment to be at all the Walk events but for me it is a willing sacrifice. If you know you won t be able to make all the weekend events or don t have time to collect all the letters, etc., share the sponsorship with a reunion brother or sister (or spouse, as my husband has helped me numerous times when I was also working the Walk!) Patsy Smith told me that her reunion group prays about sponsoring a pilgrim and then they split up the duties of the sponsor with one person taking them to send off, one collecting letters, etc. I think that is a fantastic way to sponsor someone! We are all aware that we couldn t have Walks if we don t have pilgrims and we won t have pilgrims if we don t have sponsors. Please consider sharing this experience and sponsoring someone in I promise, you won t forget it and your pilgrim will never forget you. Thank you again Lisa! DeColores, Colleen From our Gatherings and Follow-Up Chair Good morning community, I sit here at my computer composing a short message for the funeral for my Father in Law. And as I write, I am reminded that no one can preach our funeral for us, we do that with our life. Let me repeat that, our lives are our funeral, obituary, and story. Accepting and knowing that, what kind of story are you writing? All of us are influencing and mentoring those around us, whether we know it or not. Do you do your life with purpose? Are you being the Salt and Life to those around you? I had a conversation with a few men yesterday morning, and the subject was turning more of our lives over to God's control. Then I made the statement, "When we became Christians, God took control of all of our life. Our job now is to recognize that fact, and submit to it." Sponsorship needs to become a greater priority to us as an Emmaus community, not just because it keeps us a thriving community, but also because it increases Christ's influence on the world around us. I hope that when I pass on to the next full life, that I will be able to look at this one and know I did what I was asked to do. Be Christ to those around you. De Colores, Chuck Bell

8 8 Pastor s/clergy Page Currently we are discerning the clergy teams for our Spring walks in 2015: Women s Walk 89, March 26-29, and Men s Walk 90, April Please be in prayer for those positions, and if you are interested in service opportunities, please get in touch with me! I am also scheduling clergy to preside and assist with Candlelight for 89 & 90, and for gatherings if the Church Pastor at our site for the month is unable to do so once we finalize the Gathering Schedule for All I need for you to do is: 1. Download an Emmaus clergy application from the website. (If it won t load on the Texoma site, then go to The UpperRoom and look under the Emmaus Resources.) 2. Complete the form and either send it as an attachment to me at: parson.sam88@yahoo.com - or snail mail it to me at 201 N. Parvin St., Prosper, TX Be aware of our clergy expectations as good and faithful stewards: Emmaus Clergy Training will be held in conjunction with the Team Meetings that are so vital in building unity, relationship, and trust; at least 3 of the 5 clergy will need to stay the full weekend; and in partnership with the whole community and Team, budget accordingly for the weekend fee of $150.** 4. PRAY!! Pray, pray, pray that the Spirit will fall afresh in North Texas, that Emmaus will be an instrument of grace in our midst, that our churches will indeed grow up into the maturity of our only Lord and Savior. I look forward to working with you as we all strive to build-up the Body of Christ in love. Be encouraged! Rev. Samantha Parson, Pastor, Cottage Hill UMC, , parson.sam88@yahoo.com **This is not intended as a restriction for serving on a team partial or full scholarships are available just let me know if that is needed when I contact you for service.

9 9 From our Treasurer Sandra Carter The Texoma Emmaus Rooster Run is coming up on Saturday, February 28, This is a fundraiser as well as a great opportunity to participate in a healthy activity with fellow Emmaus Community members and others interested in participating in the 5K run/walk. What a great opportunity to invite someone to come out and enjoy the activity and get introduced to the Texoma Emmaus Community. I have attached some information about being a sponsor and also for registering for the event. I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday, February 28, DeColores, Sandra Carter Rooster Run Sponsors Donation Rooster Level $250 Cluck Hen Level $100 Babe Chick Level $50 Agape Level $ Rooster level receives 2 shirts and 2 race entries Cluck Hen level receives 1 shirt and 1 race entry Babe Chick level receives 1 shirt Agape level is whatever your heart desires. All sponsors will have their names listed on the back of the shirt. If you would like to donate items for the goodie bags, please contact Sandra Carter at msjecarter@gmail.com or (903) In 2014, we did not hand out goodie bags, but we would like to try something a little different. We plan to hand out Agape goodie bags! Remember all that fabulous Agape you received on your walk? If you, your business or your reunion group would like to donate items, please let us know, no later than 2/12/15. We would like to pick up the items no later than February 20. Please mail all sponsorship donation to: Texoma Emmaus Community PO Box 665 Sherman TX 75091

10 10 Texoma Emmaus Rooster Run ENTRY FORM SATURDAY, February 28, 2015 Please Print Clearly! Name: D.O.B. / / AGE ON 2/28 SEX: M / F City: State: Zip: Phone: Emergency Contact: (Name & Phone Number) Stonebridge Resident: yes / no Shirt Size: SM MED LG XL XXL XXXL Packet Pick-Up: 7:00 am Stonebridge United Methodist Church 8:30 am 1800 S Stonebridge Dr McKinney, TX Release and authorization: By my signature below, I hereby authorize Michelle Huddleston to obtain emergency medical care for me, my children, heirs, executors, assigns or administrators in the event of accident or illness requiring medical attention while participating in any /all Stonebridge Races. In consideration of your acceptance of this registration, I, for myself, and my children, heirs, executors, assigns and administrators hereby waive and release any and all rights and claims against Michelle Huddleston, her sponsors and all other persons or entities associated with this event for any and all injuries or damages sustained by me, my children, my heirs, executors, assigns, and administrators during participation in any run. I represent by my signature below, that I understand and agree to the terms of this release and authorization and that the information given in this registration form is true and correct and complete to the best of my knowledge. Fees are non-refundable and t-shirt sizes cannot be guaranteed. SIGNATURE: Date PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN SIGNATURE, FOR MINOR Date $ 25 Pre-Registration 5K $ $30 Race Day $ Mail application with check or money order made payable to: Texoma Emmaus Community PO Box 665 Sherman TX 75091