OCONEE RIVER BASIN WALK TO EMMAUS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER. May 3, 2016 CHRIST IS COUNTING ON YOU ORBEC ANNOUNCEMENTS

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1 ** Volume 4 OCONEE RIVER BASIN WALK TO EMMAUS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER May 3, 2016 CHRIST IS COUNTING ON YOU Issue 3 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat * * May 2016 ** Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat * * June THIS NEWSLETTER IS PACKED WITH INFORMATION. YOU WON T WANT TO MISS A PAGE ORBEC ANNOUNCEMENTS ***ORBEC Board of Servants meets on the 3rd Monday of every month*** *May Rainey s Farm...Friday, May 13th.6:00 PM.Meal 7:00 PM. Praise & Worship,,,,4th Day Speaker.Hot Dogs & Hamburgers will be grilled on site. Community Members are asked to bring sides and desserts for Hot Dogs & Hamburgers. The farm is on Pea Ridge Rd. between Eatonton & Milledgeville. Look for the large hay bale with scripture on it at the entrance. There will be plenty of food, fun and faith. *June 6:00 PM Praise Music and Worship, Holy Communion, 4th Day PM

2 ORBEC GATHERING AND FUNDRAISER FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016 GREENSBORO FUMC AT CAREY STATION 6 PM MEAL...7 PM PRAISE & WORSHIP, SINGING, HOLY COMMUNION, 4TH DAY TALK YOUR CHOICE: SALMON OR CHICKEN DOOR PRIZE TICKETS FOR $50 INCLUDE A CHANCE TO WIN A WEEK S STAY IN A LOVELY 3 BEDROOM, 2 1/2 BATH HOUSE IN HIGHLANDS, NC PLUS 2 MEALS FROM THE CHOICES ABOVE. MEALS ONLY, WITHOUT A CHANCE FOR THE DOOR PRIZE DRAWING, ARE $10 EACH. ALL MEALS INCLUDE A SIDE AND A DESSERT. FOR DOOR PRIZE TICKETS, RESERVATIONS AND CHOICE OF MEAL CONTACT EITHER JAMES PRESSLEY AT jameskpressley@gmail.com OR JANE LANG AT janelang1@me.com COME AND ENJOY THE FOOD, FUN AND FELLOWSHIP.

3 KNOW YOUR ORBEC BOARD MEMBERS WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE ORBEC BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES? EXACTLY!! EACH MONTH WE WILL BECOME BETTER INFORMED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT THEM TOO. Community Lay Director Shirley Wiley My name is Shirley Wiley, and I attended the Central Carolinas Walk to Emmaus #86 where I sat at the Table of Ruth. My husband, Larry, and I serve and worship at Milledgeville FUMC. We have two children, a son, Kevin (Amber) who is in the Insurance business and a daughter, Lindsey (Jimmy) who is a para-legal. We have five Grandchildren. My passion in serving the local church is Stephen Ministry. I was trained as a Stephen Minister after my Walk in Stephen Ministers walk along beside those who are hurting. It was my privilege to serve as Lay Director for the ORBEC Walk #10 and a year on the ORBEC Board of Servants as Assistant Lay Director (in training). I am beginning my term as Community Lay Director (April 2016). It is my honor to serve in this position. The Walk to Emmaus, as defined by the Upper Room Handbook on Emmaus, is a way by which Christians reclaim their Christian heritage with enthusiasm and return to their churches with new vision and commitment. We have all heard the phrase, Keep the main thing, the main thing. This is the main thing and everything we do as a Community should focus on this statement. The possibilities for Walk to Emmaus in this community are endless. The desire has been for younger people to become involved. Walks #13 and 14 had several young people participating, and who seem to be getting involved in Reunion Groups and the Community.

4 The goal is for the Board Membership and Community participation to come from a larger cross section of our area churches. Fourteen churches were represented on the last Walks. New Board Members represent some different churches, as well. Board Members are excited about serving your Community and will assist you in your involvement in the Walk to Emmaus, from Sponsorship to starting a Reunion Group. The Community is always welcome to attend a Board meeting, held on the 3rd Monday of every month at 6:30 PM at River of Life Church at Lake Oconee. Our request is for the Community to pray for the Board, that we will follow God s guidance and seek His face in everything that we do. Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always. Psalm 105:4 De Colores ************************************************************************************* ATTENTION ORBEC MEMBERSHIP..VERY IMPORTANT A number of proposals to Amend ORBEC By-Laws have been approved by the ORBEC Board of Directors. Now the ORBEC membership is asked to vote yes or no on the slate of proposals. The 1st proposal is to remove the specific address in Article VII, Section 1, Banking, Sub-section a which reads: Article VII-Finance Section 1. Banking a) A non-profit checking account has been established at Peoples Bank, Eatonton, GA. Bank correspondence including statements Will be mailed to the Oconee River Basin Emmaus Community, 5800 Lake Oconee Parkway, Greensboro, GA The 2nd proposal is to add Sub-section d to Article IX-section 2- Approval as follows: Article IX Ammendments Section 2 Approval d) The Board of Directors must approve any announcements or requests to be made at Gatherings or any ORBEC event.

5 The 3rd proposal is to add, except the Spiritual Director and Assistant Spiritual Director who are elected by the Board. to Article V-Board of Directors, Section 4, Sub-section a, which currently reads: Article V Board of Directors Section 4 a) All Board members are elected by the ORBEC Community The 4th proposal is to change the definition of quorum in Article V-Board of Directors, Section 7, Sub-section a to the following: Article V- Board of Directors Section 7 Quorum a) A quorum will consist of 1/2 of current Board Members. If a quorum does not exist, no formal decisions may be made. The 5th proposal is to amend Article VIII The Walk Guidelines, Section 4-Team Selection, Sub-section a to recommend this committee be comprised of the following members: Article VIII- The Walk Guidelines Section 4 Team Selection a) These committees will include, but not be limited to, the upcoming LD the last LD, the upcoming Coordinator, the last Coordinator, the upcoming Kitchen Head, the last Kitchen Head and the Team Selection Servant. The 6th proposal is to amend Article V Board of Directors, Section 2, Sub-section b, position 19 Community Nominations/ Elections Servant by the following: Article V- Board of Directors Section 2 b) The Board Positions and job descriptions will be designated as follows but may be adjusted by the Board as needed to meet the needs of the Community. 19-Community Nominations/Elections Servant The Board of Directors will fill the responsibilities of CNS until further notice, working with the Community to identify and recruit members from the widest possible range of churches, locations and talents.

6 The 7th proposal amends Article V Board of Directors, Section 2, Sub-section b, by adding Position 24 -Quartermaster with the following description of responsibilities: Article V Section 2 b) The Board positions and job descriptions will be designated as follows, but may be adjusted by the Board as needed to meet the needs of the Community. 24. Quartermaster The Quartermaster is responsible for overseeing, storing, and transporting ORBEC property and supplies. He/She and their team will deliver property and supplies to the weekend facility for each ORBEC Walk. They also will pick up property and supplies after each Walk, returning them to the Storage Facility, The team will not be considered part of the Weekend Team or required to train or pay Team fees. The 8th proposal is to amend Article V Board of Directors, Section 2, Sub-section b, by adding responsibilities to the following Board Servant Positions as follows: Article V Section 2 b) The Board positions and job descriptions will be designated as follows, but may be adjusted by the Board as needed to meet the needs of the Community. 7 Community Registrar Servant Add the responsibility of maintaining and updating the Master Data Base of members for the ORBEC Community and distribution via of all official communications. 17-Community Sponsorship Servant Add the responsibility of communicating with Sponsors in the event of incomplete payment. 18 Community Prayer Servant Add the responsibility for developing and execution of each Weekend Prayer Vigil and for insuring each Weekend, all Gatherings, meetings and other events are covered in prayer from inception to completion.

7 22 Newsletter Servant Add responsibility of serving as a backup for communications to the Community Registrar. The Newsletter Servant may also serve as Web Servant with the responsibility of maintaining the ORBEC Website and Facebook page. PLEASE YOUR VOTE ON THIS SLATE OF BY-LAW AMMENDMENTS TO THE ADDRESS BELOW BEFORE MAY 13, 2016 ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WRITE YES IF YOU AGREE OR NO IF YOU DON T AGREE AND HIT SEND. myemmausvote@att.net OR SEND IT BY U.S. MAIL TO 5800 LAKE OCONEE PARKWAY, GREENSBORO, GA BEFORE MAY 13, The By-Laws will be considered amended upon receipt of a simple majority of affirmative votes out of the total received by the deadline. The Board will certify the vote at its next meeting and so notify the Community via of the amendment s approval and modify the By-Laws accordingly.

8 The Clergy Corner Again this month we thank the Reverend James Smith for an excerpt from one of his sermons at Wesley Chapel UMC in Eatonton. James is so very generous to share these messages with his ORBEC Community. Are you staying connected to Jesus, and not only getting connected, but remaining there. Jesus called it abiding in Him so that He might abide in us. If we separate ourselves from Him we are simply cutting our own throat and many do not even realize it until we have bled out of our life source. There is power in staying connected to Jesus. He said that He came to give us life and to give it to us more abundantly (John 10:10) and that there would be fruit that would be produced all along the way of life. In fact, He said there would be much fruit! In the fruit producing business there is great advantage in staying connected to Jesus. Our lives begin bearing much fruit and others are affected and blessed and built up by God and no one is more surprised than we are because the fruit of the Blessing comes from Him and not us. I don t know about you, but I would much rather have fruit in my life that comes from Jesus than anything that I could possibly produce in my own abilities. Many of us don t see the fruit that Jesus wants to grow through us because we are not even willing to try. I rather enjoy the challenges of life. I like a situation that looks impossible because I know that it s getting time for God to show up in great power. And I know from experience that He is able. He is able to overcome any problem that you have in your life. And He is able to work in your life when you stay connected and abide in Him so that your fruit will remain and your Joy might be full. ************************************************************************************* Are you a member of an Emmaus Reunion Group? If you are. Congratulations! If you are not a member of a Reunion group there are 2 ways to become a member. If you would like to start-up a new group contact Tom Collier, Board Servant for Reunion , who will assist you with the process. The 2nd way to become a member is to join one of the existing groups. You can contact the following.members for information also. Linda Hank Flo

9 REUNION GROUPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY (1) SPIRIT SISTERS GAZEBO GUYS Weekly /Friday / 10:00 am /Greensboro UMC Weekly Tuesdays 7:00 pm Harmony Road Gazebo Ann Maddox maddoxta@aol.com Jim Rudolph Dianne Gibson dgibson13@windstream,net David Wallace davewallace@gmail.com MARYS AND MARTHAS OCONEE FISHERMEN Monthly /1 st Thursday/ 1:15pm 3:15pm People's Bank Weekly/Tuesday/7:30 AM/ Walker UMC Community Rm Hwy 44 and Harmony Rd Linda Ervin lindae@plantationcable.net Tom Collier fish1127@outlook.com Sheryl Causey sacbanker@att.net Ken Langolf klangolf@plantationcable.net THANKFUL FOR MONDAYS Weekly /Monday 7:30 am /Huddle House on #4 Ken Pressley kennethpressley@gmail.com Lane Grayson lgrayson@tri-star group.com EARLY RISERS Weekly /Thursday/ 7:00 AM / Reynolds Plantation Clubhouse David Hubbard david.bb@teradata.com Hank Raehn hankjean@gmail.com HOPEWELL HOPEFULS Weekly / Wednesday /5:30 pm Hopewell UMC Flo Douglas mariner105@hotmail.com Jeanene Vinson jpvinson@windstream.net THE GAZEBO GALS Meet at different homes & Restaurants/Tues Sandy Rudolph IF YOU DO NOT SEE YOUR REUNION GROUP LISTED ON THESE 2 PAGES, OR IF THERE IS AN ERROR IN YOUR GROUP S INFORMATION, PLEASE SEND THE CORRECT INFORMATION TO SHERYL CAUSEY AT sacbanker@att.net, AND IT WILL BE ADDED OR CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU, SHERYL CAUSEY DE COLORES

10 DO-DADS Meets at Cracker Barrel, Madison REUNION GROUPS GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE (2) Meets 2nd & 4th Sun/12:30 PM At Grace Fellowship weekly on AM Darlene Nicklow Butch Thompson Carrie Scott CLUCK HENS PUT ME IN COACH Meets monthly at various locations Meets at various locations Lisa Roberts Brook Thomason Renee Wright Linda Griggs MEN'S MILLEDGEVILLE GROUP THE LOVE BUGS Monday nights Greensboro FUMC Carey Station every other Mon Carroll Lynn Bowers Al Renee SISTERS OF LOVE SPOTLIGHT Every Other Wednesday at Greensboro 1ST Wed/monthly/summer months/spotlight Theater FUMC Carey Station 8:30 AM Susie Pressley Susan S. Ann Maddox Diane TUESDAY MORNINGS WAYFARERS Sebastian Cove Clubhouse weekly Tues 7:30 AM Walker UMC Hank Dale Ward Pete Topken =7533 Jack Haynes PROMISE KEEPERS WOMEN OF GOD Wednesday- 8:00 AM Freedom Church Milledgeville, GA Sebastian Cove Clubhouse Kathy Martin =9824 Hank Raehn Jack Minchey

11 Fourth Day Thoughts Kenneth Pressley stepped up to the podium on the night of the March 2016 Gathering and began : Ya ll get out your Reunion Group Cards; Don t have one? Get out your purple book and turn to page 48 and pray the Prayer to the Holy Spirit with me. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of Your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created and You shall renew the face of the Earth. Oh God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by that same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy Your consolations. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen This is my card. It s coming apart now. I put it in my wallet one Sunday afternoon 22 years ago. I had no idea how important it would be in my life and the life of my family. My name is Kenneth Pressley. I went on Athens Area Walk to Emmaus #1 and sat at the Table of Peter. I worship with my wife, Susie, at Greensboro 1st Presbyterian Church. Like many of you, I didn t think I needed Emmaus. I d been on lots of retreats, camps, seminars, revivals, camp meetings, Lay Witness weekends..you name it.and I thought this would be just one more event. My son, James, who had been to Chrysallis, my wife, Susie, who had been on an Emmaus Walk and a Lot of friends thought differently. Before I knew it, our new preacher at Social Circle UMC, our youth minister and I were signed up to go on Athens Area #1. So I went to get everyone off my back. It was a good weekend, but on Sunday, when they gave me this card and started talking about a Fourth Day, I thought, Wait a minute. I signed up for three days! The next day, Monday, I was surprised to get a call from my Table leader and Assistant Table Leader. Then I got a call from a guy who d been at my table. His name was George, and he wanted me to come to the Gathering Friday night. Susie and I went. I ll tell you more about George later. At that Gathering I began to see that maybe there was more to this than I thought. They talked a lot about the Fourth Day and Reunion Groups, so I went home and found myself a Reunion Group with my preacher and that youth minister. We added members, some who had been on Walks and some who never did. In that Reunion Group I learned that preachers could be my friends. I was in that group until we moved to Conyers, GA.

12 I got another call and an invitation to join a ready-made Reunion Group. It consisted of guys I didn t know then, but 20 years later 4 of them are still among my best friends. Our wives are best friends, too. The guys met for years on Monday mornings at 7:00 AM. I learned from them that brothers don t have to be blood. We used to go fishing together, and on one trip my son, James, brought his best friend to join us for a couple of days. He introduced these guys to his friend as his uncles. He really thought of them that way, because if he needed anything they were there to give it..encouragement, correction..even a place to live once. Now I m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but when I heard that introduction I realized that there was even more to this. Fast forward 10 years. Susie and I moved to the Lake Oconee area, and what s more, these guys and their wives moved there,too. That s not as weird as it sounds, as we were all reaching retirement age. We continued to meet on Monday mornings. Susie and I heard about a new Emmaus Community planning their first Walk. We got involved, sponsored a few guys, and before I knew it, I was in another Reunion Group called the Fishermen. We meet on Tuesdays at 7:30 AM. I don t know why Men s groups always feel the need to meet at the crack of dawn. I used to tell Susie I was going to join United Methodist Women instead of men, because they meet at 10 or 11 AM. It does say something, though, that we re up and out every week. We have 12 members, though we re told that is too many. It seems that 12 is more like a Gathering than a Reunion Group. Here s the problem: Someone would sponsor a Pilgrim, invite them to visit our group, and then they wouldn't want to leave. One of our members has started two other groups that meet at the same time at that church.learning every week what this Fourth Day is. We ve been through a lot together...cancer, major surgeries, new knees, getting older, the deaths of mothers or fathers, and hardest of all, the loss of one member s wonderful wife. Somehow we re there on Tuesday morning to share it all.

13 The Tuesday after Jack s wife died 11 of us showed up at the church early. There was no plan; We must have just realized we needed to be there together, and we stayed for a couple of hours. That s all we knew to do. The Fishermen have been together for 5 years now. You can see that my Reunion Group means a lot to me, but that s not all there is to my Fourth Day. I said earlier that I d tell you about George. He was a big part of my Fourth Day. Remember it was George who got me to that first Gathering, and it was George who encouraged me to serve on a walk. Dr. George Bailey sat at my table o Walk #1. He was a world famous scientist, a surface chemist. Do you know what that means? I could never understand what he did, but at his retirement party there were scientists from all over the world. George and I had little in common except Jesus Christ and the Walk to Emmaus. He and his wife Joy became a part of our family. They were at every birthday party, graduation, wedding and funeral. We traveled and vacationed together. Our son and daughter loved George and Joy; they were another Emmaus Uncle and Aunt. Do you remember when everybody was wearing the What would Jesus do? Bracelets? That s a big stretch for me, but I always just try to think, What would George do? I hope each of you has a George in your life. We served on Walks together for 10 years. George died 5 years ago. His funeral was an Emmaus celebration with over 400 people present. George was just one of the amazing people God brought to our family through Emmaus, Look around and see the ones God has put in your lives for this time. Everyone experiences the Walk to Emmaus in their own way. My Walk made me aware. My Reunion Groups grew me. Serving on Walks made me part of the Community; And the Emmaus Community has blessed me and my family. If you re not in a Reunion Group, join one. If you can t find one, start one. If you haven t served on a Walk, serve on one. See what this Fourth Day thing is all about..de Colores

14 ORBEC PICTURE OF THE YEAR 2016 A CHORUS LINE OF PREACHERS!! (L-R) RON SCHORNHORST, MIKE MORGAN, JAY HODGES & MIKE CAVIN ACCOMPANIED BY DAVID WALLACE AND ALAN DEARISO

15 Spotlight on Reunion Groups The Do-Dads Now where did that name come from? It seems that Reverend Grady Mosley uses the term do-dads in his sermons sometimes when he hands out little things, do-dads. The Do-Dads Reunion Group was established in 2012 and is made up primarily of men from Madison FUMC. There are currently 5 members, a good number for a reunion group. The group meets on Thursday mornings at 7:30 AM at the Cracker Barrel in Madison, GA. The men in the group each participate in a more fluid conversation about their closeness to Christ, the obstacles to Grace they have encountered and prayer needs. The members feel that their Reunion Group meetings really enhance their Walk with Christ. The group is active in seeking other Christians to attend the Walk to Emmaus. The members actively seek out and sponsor new Pilgrims for the Walk to Emmaus. They want their friends and loved ones to have the loving experience that they had on their Walk. All members of the Do-Dads have served on Walks to Emmaus. They know the blessings to the Pilgrims on the Walk weekend are doubled for those who serve those Pilgrims. Service and love for their Brothers in Christ are true blessings for the members of the Do-Dads. ***************************************************************** March Gathering The March Gathering was held on Friday, March 11th at Greensboro FUMC at the Carey Station Campus. There were 55 in attendance... Their participation made it seem like a much bigger crowd! David Wallace and Diane Bassett led the group in singing, and the Reverend Karen Compton, pastor of Union Chapel UMC, celebrated Holy Communion, assisted by Hugh Hendrickson, associate pastor of Greensboro FUMC. Kenneth Pressley gave the Fourth Day Talk. He expressed his firm belief in Reunion Groups. He had the original Reunion Group card from his Walk to Emmaus Weekend of 20 years ago in his wallet. He took it out and used it to illustrate what it represented in his Fourth Day. He remarked that the men who were in his original Reunion Group have remained the best of friends...brothers...for the past 20 years. He is now a member of The Fisherman Reunion Group. Kenneth's talk was very uplifting. Not only was there an abundance of members at this Gathering, but food was in abundance, as well. The main course was provided by women of the host church, and community members filled in the blanks with lots of good side dishes and desserts. There were several guests in attendance on this evening. Everyone seemed to have an enjoyable time. Come and join us in April on the 3rd Friday night. This will be a special Gathering due to it being the first Gathering for the new members from Walks #13 and #14 of the two previous weekends. The April Gathering will be held at Milledgeville FUMC.

16 Special April Gathering Typically ORBEC doesn't plan to hold a Gathering in the week after Walks to Emmaus weekends. TO EVERY RULE THERE IS AN EXCEPTION. There was a Gathering in April, following Walks #13 & 14, however, and it was EXCEPTIONAL. There were 108 community members and visitors in attendance on April 15, The Gathering was held at Milledgeville FUMC in Milledgeville, GA. The ORBEC membership is blessed to be hosted by churches within the community and lovely local properties. We are grateful for their hospitality. The evening began with praise music and announcements. The music was provided by Sandy Rudolph, Courtney Hitchcock, Tim Collis and Alan Deariso They did a great job. Susie Pressley welcomed the members and visitors, with a special welcome to the many new members from Walks #13 & 14 who were in attendance. She announced a Fundraiser coming up in June, and turned the microphone over to James Pressley who explained the Fundraising plans. See "FUNDRAISING" on the menu of the ORBEC website for more information. It's exciting! The dinner followed, with fried chicken provided by the ORBEC Board of Servants and wonderful side dishes and desserts, too numerous to name, provided by the membership Everyone appeared to enjoy the meal. Charles and Diane Beasley gave a joint Fourth Day Talk. They shared how they have taken Christ's command to make Disciples seriously and how they have been blessed in doing so. Holy Communion was celebrated by ORBEC Spiritual Director, Michael Stewart, assisted by retired pastors Mike Cavin and Ron Schornhorst. Michael shared a message from the Biblical Book of Philemon. He compared the story of Paul's love of Onesimus, brother and slave of Philemon, to the love God has for His children. The exception which was made to hold an April Gathering truly became an Exceptional event! If you haven't been attending Gatherings, you're missing an integral step on your Walk To Emmaus. and an integral part of your Fourth Day. Come and join your Oconee River Basin Emmaus Community at the next Gathering at Mike Rainey's farm on Pea Ridge Road between Eatonton and Milledgeville on May 13th. De Colores SC

17 ORBEC Gatherings are on the second Friday of each month except those in which there are Walks. Please put these dates on your calendar. May 13, 2016 & June 10, 2016 For more information about Gatherings, contact: John or Jeanie Wilson at FAITH, FAMILY, FELLOWSHIP, FOOD, FUN, LOVE, MUSIC, WORSHIP, FRIENDSHIP, COMMUNITY, MEMBERSHIP, PLANNING, CELEBRATING, SHARING, SISTERHOOD, BROTHERHOOD, CONVERSATION If you have an item for the Newsletter or if you would like to help with the Newsletter or Publicity please Susie Pressley at or Sheryl Causey at DeColores