Cross Point Emmaus. Kelly Shannon. The Canon of the Emmaus Team. Community Lay Director. Snack Agape

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1 Cross Point Newsletter Copyright 2012 Cross Point Emmaus Cross Point Emmaus Volume XXIV, Number 7 Inside this Issue: July Gathering page 2 Herb Garden page 3 Check out this Special Report on the road to the Camp page 4 Things to Consider - page 4 Board Report - page 5 Snack Agape Kelly Shannon How long has it been since you've read the Emmaus Canon? Honestly, it's been a while since I've read it, so what a better time to look at the Canon than as our teams are preparing for their first training at the end of July. As I read the Canon, I asked the Holy Spirit to deepen my understanding and awaken my spirit to its meaning. What came to my mind was "mission" mission trips, mission field, mission-minded churches, etc. When I have been on mission trips to foreign countries, being submissive has meant letting go of "my ways" and relinquishing control to "local ways" of doing things, which isn't easy for a controlfreak like me. The people of the mission field were always the focus of our mission team regardless of whether or not we finished the construction project we set July 2012 Community Lay Director out to complete. Spending time getting to know the people meant so much to them, and we in return were humbled by their appreciation towards us. We didn't become a "mission team" overnight. We would meet several times before the trip to discuss what it meant to serve as a missioner, to understand the culture, to pray for understanding of Christ's call upon us for that particular mission, and to pray for one another. Growing together as a mission team was the Holy Spirit's work in us to become the Body of Christ representing God's church to God's people in God's timing. Isn't that what we do as a team in the Walk to Emmaus? We are the missioners; the pilgrims are the mission field; the entire team is God's church, and the flow of the week- See Kelly page 2 The Canon of the Emmaus Team As a member of an Emmaus team, I am only one part of a complete being! As an imperfect earthen vessel, my position is to be a servant. The Holy Spirit calls for my love, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control in all things. Therefore, I will serve in humility and gratitude. My prayer is to submit to the Holy Spirit in every area of my life. The Holy Spirit, as my Counselor, reminds me that God works through committed, obedient, and yielded people as instruments to renew God's church. By God's grace I am confident that God will work God's mighty acts through me - not because of me. I will pray for team members and pilgrims, asking our Lord to strengthen them and to reveal Himself to them in new and wondrous ways. See Canon, pg. 2

2 PAGE 2 CROSS POINT EMMAUS VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 7 Kelly from pg. 1 end is always in God's time. I encourage you to read the Canon, many times, as we prepare for the upcoming walks - we are all a part of these teams whether in body or in spirit. Philippians 2:5, "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus." Emmaus, from page 1 Kelly Shannon July Gathering The June gathering will be held July 14th at 6:00 pm at the Calvary Christian Fellowship, Ardmore. A map link is on the website under Maps (go figure). The new gathering format will be followed: First fellowship/eating, then praise & worship songs, laity witness, and Holy Communion. The lay speaker will be Brandii H chin! Please come and re-united with Emmaus members! My position is to be a servant in word and deed - not glorifying myself or any other team member and not emphasizing self-importance. Other people are the main reason for my presence and my prayers; therefore, "I" must be used as little as possible during these three days. This team is more important than me. In all things, I will accept and be obedient to the authority and discipline under which I serve. My responsibility is to be obedient to the church and totally responsive to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Whatever passions and excitement seize me, I will express through joyful praise of the Father, my Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I will give God all the glory for anything and everything that occurs on this Walk. I will raise my voice only in praise of God and will bow my head in reverence and submission to Jesus Christ. God can use me more powerfully as a servant than in any position of my own choosing. As a member of an Emmaus team, in all things during this weekend, I shall pray, "Not me, but Christ." 2012 Cross Point Board Members Kelly Shannon Community Lay Director Rev. Roger Wood Community Spiritual Director Shawna Carnahan Assist. Lay Director Sharri Hiller Secretary Donna Young Treasurer Clinta Taylor Registrar Rick Drummond Newsletter Tabbe Drake Kitchen Snack Agape Dale Monkres Music Jerry Howry Table Agape Daniel Oyler Letter Agape Mark Newman Setup Tear Down Karen Black Literature and Supplies Rev. P J Stewart Denton Gatherings Rev. Brad Houchin Fourth Day Rev. Temple Diehl Candlelight Sponsors Hour

3 PAGE 3 CROSS POINT EMMAUS VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 7 Herb Garden Janis Bart Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. Ephesians 5:1-2 (Amplified) T his morning I was in my garden, not my prayer garden, but my herb garden, gathering ingredients for my famous Italian sauce... well, truthfully it s only famous to my family, but it s pretty good! I love the joy of choosing and cutting just the right amount of fresh oregano, basil, garlic chives, and parsley. It gives me a great sense of satisfaction that I ve hand-picked what goes into the sauce. Each herb has its own particular fragrance, and they all have the ability to make my mouth water as they release those fragrances in the cutting process, as if to say Yes, I m ready to give my best for you! But honestly, the taste of the herbs, each on its own merit, is not that great. Garlic chives are too strong, parsley is a little bland, oregano... well, it can actually taste a bit bitter until it s combined with other ingredients, and the flavor of basil, while it s really pretty good in anything, it truly stands out when combined with crushed Roma tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, garlic, garlic chives, olive oil, a little salt (brings out the weaker flavors,) a couple tablespoons of sugar (reduces the acid of the tomatoes) and parmesan cheese. Of course, it s only when they ve been simmered in the heat of the crock pot for about 8 hours that each of these ingredients gives up its own unique personality and combines with the others to become the sauce! And oh, the heavenly aroma that greets me when I step in the door after work and immediately know that the sauce is ready to be savored on whatever Italian dish I have planned for that evening! Of course, no Italian meal is complete without fresh bread, spread thick with butter that has been enhanced with garlic powder and fresh rosemary, and for some, a nice wine to drink. Okay, I know you re wondering if I m ever going to get to the point of this... or if there even is a point other than to brag about my gardening skills or my cooking skills (neither of which bears bragging about as both are somewhat elementary.) Of course, the Holy Spirit had a lesson here! The teams for Cross Point Emmaus walks #87 and #88 have been chosen. All those chosen have unique talents and gifts to offer. Some are surprised to find themselves in the positions they have been called to work, but the Holy Spirit within them is not surprised! Some are very strong, while some have not yet discovered their strengths. But ALL have been CHOSEN by GOD to serve in exactly the role He has placed them! As the training begins, the teams may at first seem a bit out of balance, but soon, with a little salt to draw out the flavor of the more delicate ingredients and some sugar to reduce the acidity of the bolder ingredients, and even some heat to burn away the junk and meld the team into one accord, each team member, both inside team and outside team, will come to the understanding that no one member is greater than another, that we must depend on each other as members of the Body of Christ to stay true to the Canon of Emmaus, to serve with humility and to walk with Jesus every step of the way. Only then will the team give off the fragrance of Christ, a perfect backdrop for the meal God has planned for these hungry pilgrims. And though the pilgrims will remember the fragrance that drew them in initially, it will be the Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation, offered in that atmosphere of unconditional love and acceptance, that stays with them for all of their fourth days! Janis Bart

4 VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 7 Report from Cross Point Camp Ken Long IMPORTANT!!! Just received this information from my County Commissioner... Donahoo Street in Kingston (Rock Creek Road in Marshall County) will be CLOSED to thru traffic (ALL CAMP TRAFFIC)... beginning Monday, July 16. Fortunately, bridge replacement work will begin about 1 mile south of Kingston and traffic will be rerouted. I've been pushing this be done for the last 10 years, and it's finally going to happen. Timing, yes, it could have been better, but at least it's finally happening! There have been too many lives lost at this location. Since this is COUNTY work, do NOT expect great signage re-directing you. This situation should be in effect for at least 5 months...that's thru December...!!! I have just learned this information and will begin working on new maps that can be sent out and posted on web. Things to Consider s we are beginning to plan and prepare for A another set of walks this fall, we at the Newsletter want to say thank you for serving! Are you thinking I didn t serve on this last walk? did I? There are a lot of ways to serve and many of you do it without knowing, so thank you! Thank you for the cookies you baked, for that delicious cheese ball, and for the fresh fruit. Thanks for the agape gifts that bear the imprint of all the love that went into providing them. Thanks for coming to Candlelight and giving the pilgrims a little glimpse of CROSS POINT EMMAUS PAGE 4 Basically, from the intersection in Kingston, we will have to go to the next major road going south about 2 miles west at flashing light. This road is called either OK70F (aka: Blackland Farm Road) or Enos Road. There is a gas station at this intersection. Then we will have to go south to what is W. Lasiter Road (aka: Whiskey Road), this road ONLY goes east. It is about 1/2 mile before you get to some water-tower standpipes. Towards the east end of this road, there are some steep hills and low water crossings that are dangerous, so do NOT get in a hurry!!! At the stop sign, you are back to Rock Creek Road and will turn right to head back south. If coming through Madill, you can actually save a few miles if you will turn right soon after you leave Madill on OK70F (aka: Blackland Farm Road). It turns into Enos Road where it intersects OK32. Then you just go straight south until you get to Whiskey Road or W. Lasiter where you will go back east. Know this will be an issue, but at least we have a little heads up. You can go to a web-based map program and see what I'm talking about. As always, be sure to give your drivers my cell number. Please call me with any questions... Please forward to any others that you think might be affected that I did not include above... heaven. Thanks for the prayers and the letters. Thank you for welcoming the teams into your church and feeding them as they prepared. Thank you for the applause at closing. Did I mention the food you always bring to gatherings? Thanks a lot (especially for those little meatballs!) and thanks for taking the time to come to gatherings and sharing memories. Thank you for supporting this community and making each new pilgrim feel as though he/she is special because they are! And guess what? You are too! Thank you for serving. THE NEWSLETTER Blessings, KEN LONG Director/Manager Cross Point Camp cell/text

5 VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 7 CROSS POINT EMMAUS PAGE 5 Board Report The Cross Point Emmaus Board meets at 4:00 pm prior to every monthly gathering. In the June meeting, the Board discussed several issues that are important to the community. Roger Wood, the Community Spiritual Director is in the process of updating and putting together a list of all the clergy who have participated on a walk. If you are clergy and you have served on a walk you might want to contact Roger and reaffirm your desire to be included. He can be reached at: dblrbarw@cableone.net or you can call him at Brad Houchin, who is the Fourth Day Representative, is working on reunion groups and would like your help. There is a link on the Cross Point webpage ( for posting your name if you are seeking a reunion group. Click on the link on the homepage and then clicking the Add button at the bottom to add your information. If you are in a reunion group, whether or not you are open to new members, Brad would like to have your information such as your group name, when you meet, and who are your members. This will help to track the groups out there and make it easier to place new members as openings occur. You can contact Brad at: JOHN.HOUCHIN@chickasaw.net The Board approved the selection of Team Members for the Fall walks. A Team Selection Committee meets after the cut-off date for the submission of Volunteer applications and helps the Lay Directors putting together their teams. The completed recommendation is then made to the Board, which has the responsibility for final approval. Only then can the Lay Directors begin calling team members. This process takes time, so if you are interested in volunteering for a walk you need to get your application in as soon as the Spring or Fall walks are over. The Fall walks are: Men #87, September 20-23, 2012 Women #88, September 27-30, 2012 The walks scheduled for next year are: Spring Men #89, April 18-21, 2013 Women #90, April 25-28, 2013 Fall Men #91, September 19-22, 2013 Women #92, September 26-29, 2013 As a new agenda item the Board approved the establishment of a Facebook page for the Cross Point Community. Sharri Hiller will be responsible to oversee this. As always, suggestions to the Community Lay Director, or to individual Board representatives are welcome. This is your community and Shawn Harkins your board. Get involved. #87 Men s Lay Director Cheryl Patman #88 Women s Lay Director THE NEWSLETTER New Scholarship Fund Established: In order to fund future pilgrim and team scholarships, the Board has established the Scholarship Fund. Since Cross point Emmaus Community of Oklahoma, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, donations are taxdeductible and letters may be issued for donations to the Scholarship Fund. Future scholarships will be limited to the balance of the Scholarship Fund, so contributions are very much appreciated.

6 CR OSS POI NT NEWS L ETT ER COPY RIGHT 2012 CR OSS POI NT EMMA US Address: Phone: crdiii@sbcglobal.net Newsletter 1331 Crestpark ST Ada OK Cross Point Emmaus We re on the web crosspointemmaus.org On the Road to Emmaus 13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles [a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over. So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us? Luke 24: 13-16, 28-32