Grounded in the Road to Emmaus scripture Today we aim to learn about

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2 Grounded in the Road to Emmaus scripture Today we aim to learn about 1. recognizing Jesus in our stories 2. fresh perspectives on story telling & listening 3. our (personal and communal) Road to Emmaus 4. the power of story telling 5. story telling circles in your own context Through the lens of diversity and inclusion

3 How our time together will unfold: Opening Listening Traveling Sharing Breaking bread Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?

4 Opening A Prayer of Self-Dedication BCP 832 Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

5 Opening Exercise: Pick a partner to practice story telling!

6 Opening Debrief: What surprised you about this exercise? How was your personal perspective changed?

7 Listening Michael Harvey, author of Creating a Culture of Invitation 1. The Damascus Road. This is the road on which someone encounters Christ, often dramatically, and is gloriously convinced of the Christian Faith. (Acts 9) 2. The Desert Road. This is the road where you keep reading the Bible and somebody comes along and explains what you are reading, and suddenly the passage comes alive and everything begins to make sense. (Acts 8) 3. The Emmaus Road. This is the road where you are asking question about God [and telling your story], and a friend comes along and journeys with you for part of the journey and explains a little. (Luke 24) Three roads: Reflect for a moment: how has this happened for you? Now prepare to hear The Emmaus Road story close your eyes; allow it to seep in

8 A reading from the Gospel According to Luke (Luke 24:13-35) Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, What are you discussing with each other while you walk along? They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days? He asked them, What things? They replied, The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.

9 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him. Then he said to them, Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory? Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

10 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over. So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us? That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon! Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24:13-35) Now: we allow for silent reflection

11 Listening Tell a story about a time Join into triads groups of three A story teller, a listener, an observer Prepare for 3 minutes each: To tell a story To listen to a story To observe story telling

12 Listening Tell a story about a time (pick one) When Jesus met you on the Road. When you were seen as more then just a number. When you couldn t breathe. When the church came and journeyed with you in your time of need.

13 Listening Debrief: What surprised you about this exercise? How was your personal perspective changed or how was your heart transformed?

14 These key elements of the Emmaus story connect to our Diocesan Guidelines for Diversity and Inclusion : Jesus LISTENS to them. Jesus TRAVELS with them Jesus SHARES his story with them. And only then does he break bread with them

15 Listening Jesus listens to the disciples and welcomes them into conversation. Listening: one of the most counter-cultural thing to do in our modern world. a profoundly life changing gift. Deep yearning in our society This is an ACTIVE Verb Guidelines: Try it on It s okay to disagree

16 Traveling Notice: they are traveling together and talking about spiritual matters, while walking away from their religious home. Is that our society today: spiritual but not religious? Jesus invites himself to travel with them in their moment of deep grief this is also counter-cultural to a society that distances itself from people in grief. We need to go to where the people are. Where can you travel to hear stories? Guidelines: It s not okay to blame, shame, or attack self or others Practice self-focus Notice both process and content

17 Sharing Only after traveling with them and listening to them does Jesus open up the scripture to them and breaks bread with them. He connects their experience to the larger story of the movement of God in all of history. How can you connect a story to scripture? Guidelines: Practice both/and thinking Be aware of intent and impact Confidentiality

18 Connecting Stories to Diversity and Inclusion Breaking Bread together! Guidelines for Equity and Inclusion 1. Try On 2. It s OK to disagree 3. It is not OK to blame, shame or attack, self or others 4. Practice self-focus 5. Notice both process and content 6. Practice both/and thinking 7. Be aware of intent and impact 8. Confidentiality

19 Connecting Stories to Diversity and Inclusion Breaking Bread together! Share a story in your groups about one of these guidelines: Name an time when you did not do so (risky!) Name an time when you did follow guideline The first story teller is the one who *we honor confidentiality in these conversations!*

20 Breaking Bread Debrief: What surprised you about this exercise? How was your personal perspective changed? How did you notice. Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?

21 Grounded in the Road to Emmaus scripture How did we do? Today we aimed for recognizing Jesus in our stories fresh perspectives on story telling & listening our (personal and communal) Road to Emmaus the power of story telling story telling circles in your own context Through the lens of diversity and inclusion

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