Face To Face (A Hybrid Adaptation of The Walk to Emmaus for Residents of Senior Excitement Centers.)

Transcription

1 Manual Face To Face (A Hybrid Adaptation of The Walk to Emmaus for Residents of Senior Excitement Centers.) Danny E. Morris 04/07/2010

2 2 Sanctioned and Edited by Staff of the International Office, Walk to Emmaus, Greg Engroff, Lay Director Victor Perez, Spiritual Director Thomas Albin, Team Leader, Program Ministries Unit Sarah Wilke, World Editor/Publisher, Upper Room Ministries Nashville, Tennessee

3 3 Table of Contents Preamble... 5 We Have A Mother Ship... 6 Purpose... 7 History and Scope... 7 Face To Face is a Hybrid Adaptation of Emmaus for Senior Excitement Centers... 7 The Goal... 8 The Manual... 8 Initial Guidelines... 9 Team Members... 9 Team Responsibilities Participants Pre-Walk Letter Hand-Outs That Will Be Used By Participants During Event Cursillo and Emmaus De Colores The Wesley Grace Brief Summary about Jesus and His Friends on the Road to Emmaus Prayer to the Holy Spirit Pilgrims Team Supply List Order of Talks Outline of Talks Prevenient Grace: Priesthood of all Believers: Life of Piety: Means of Grace: Christian Action: Obstacles to Grace: Discipleship: Changing Our World: Sanctifying Grace: Body of Christ: Coping in Tough Times Perseverance and Fourth Day General Clarifications The Fourth Day Preparation for and the Flow of these Eight Weeks

4 4 Daily Schedules for Eight Weekly Mornings First Wednesday Second Wednesday Third Wednesday The Dying Moments and Holy Communion Service Fourth Wednesday Fifth Wednesday Sixth Wednesday Seventh Wednesday Eighth Wednesday Printable Handouts Printing Instructions for Handouts Face To Face is a Hybrid Adaptation of Emmaus for Senior Excitement Centers "Face To Face" - Persona grata Pre-Walk Letter Team Supply List Cursillo and Emmaus De Colores The Wesley Grace A Brief Summary about Jesus and His Friends on the Road to Emmaus Prayer to the Holy Spirit Pilgrims Post-Walk Letter General Clarifications Meditation # 2: Four Responses of Christ (Spiritual Director)... 61

5 5 Preamble You are holding a modified version of The Walk to Emmaus. It has been sanctioned and edited by The Upper Room National Emmaus Staff with a specific constituency in mind: Persons who live in almost 20,000 Senior Living Communities. Because of the age and physical circumstances of this audience, major adjustments have been made to the authorized Emmaus Manual. This model presents the basic theological and Biblical content of Emmaus, but is not a typical Emmaus format. This amended model will function under the sponsorship, guidance, and accountability to current Emmaus Boards that choose to sponsor it. This set of documents is to be used by current Pilgrims in the formation, goals, and demeanor of leadership. These required alterations are dictated not only by the age of senior constituents and their stamina, but also by the scarcity of space in Senior Living Communities that already offer a full program. Many of the favorite features of Emmaus could not be included here and should not be added!

6 6 We Have A Mother Ship The Eight Wednesday Mornings we will spend together are intended to have many desirable qualities. The vital Christian community we are forming here will feature Systematic Theology, tasty refreshments, lots of laughs, and several surprising personal encounters and memorable spiritual breakthroughs! That was a lot to say in a single sentence, but not too much to wish for and to expect! We are not moving into deep water or stormy seas. In fact, we have the powerful model of the Walk to Emmaus that is like our Mother Ship. The Walk to Emmaus has produced a remarkable record. It began in The Upper Room about thirty years ago. In 2008, we welcomed the one-millionth Emmaus Pilgrim as participants are called. That phenomenal response has occurred because Emmaus a Short Course in Christianity is a dynamic Three-day spiritual event. In a regular Emmaus Walk an interdenominational group of forty to fifty persons enter into a unique communal experience. From Thursday evening until Sunday evening, they listen to fifteen Talks covering the waterfront in Christian spirituality. They laugh and listen, worship and wonder, eat lots and sleep little. And many have said that what happened to them in those three days was life giving! What we will experience here over these eight Mornings is not a Walk to Emmaus. This is a hybrid of that retreat model, tailored to meet senior men and women on their own terms. We shall hear abbreviated versions of the Talks they hear in an Emmaus Walk. Also, we shall worship, sing, joke with each other, experience an avalanche of God s grace, and talk about no one but Jesus and ourselves together! Most of us will fare better in this model that is tailored made for us by one of us! In the Walk to Emmaus they ask everyone not to anticipate, just let it happen! Don t spend time trying to figure things out ahead of time, and end up missing exciting things that frequently occur on an Emmaus Walk. Perhaps we do want to anticipate that this simpler, amended model will have multiple surprises, strengths, and delights like our Mother Ship gives to people like us! For now Welcome home!

7 7 Purpose The purpose of Emmaus is to renew the church as the body of the risen Christ in the world, through the spiritual formation and development of Christians as faithful, committed disciples of Jesus Christ. Persons whose spiritual lives are renewed and strengthened through Emmaus are called to share within their community and beyond the grace they receive. History and Scope In 1975, Danny E. Morris, Director of Developing Ministries for The Upper Room, participated in a Lutheran Cursillo in Florida and recognized the need for an ecumenical offering of Cursillo. On the same weekend, Maxie Dunnam, then World Editor of The Upper Room, participated in a prayer retreat at First UMC., Peoria, Il. where Catholic Cursiestas were table servants for participants at the retreat. He was moved by their spiritual presence about the tables as they served. Together, they began to take steps toward including Cursillo as an Upper Room program. Under the leadership of Robert Wood, The Upper Room s first two model Cursillo Weekends were held in Peoria in In 1978, Robert Wood joined the staff of The Upper Room to launch the new Upper Room Cursillo movement. Under his leadership, the new model of The Walk to Emmaus (for adults) and Chrysalis (for youth) were created and implemented. In the thirty years of the Walk to Emmaus, as of 2008, one million Pilgrims (by actual count) have made their Walk. Face To Face is a Hybrid Adaptation of Emmaus for Residents of Senior Excitement Centers Number of Retirement Communities: --Ibis World reports that there are more than 19,000 Senior Living Properties. --Real Estate Home Guide.com says that Active adult 55+ communities are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. homes market. Persons range in ages 65 to 90 (and higher). Their health risks and energy levels require a longer schedule than three days, and shorter Sessions than is typical of Emmaus. Theoretically, there is a compatible interface of Emmaus values and rituals, and the needs and interests of seniors. This hybrid adaptation of the original Walk to Emmaus is for women and men in retirement. The adaptation is necessary because of the usual, attendant physical and energy restrictions of this age-level demographic.

8 8 The model has been sanctioned by the International Office of The Walk to Emmaus at Upper Room Ministries. It shall be scheduled, implemented, and evaluated under the supervision of each local Emmaus Board and is open to all denominational and ethnic groups. The Goal For a group within the Christian Community to provide leadership for a spiritual formation experience for individuals in community customized to meet the needs and requirements of retired persons. The overarching theme is Living in Grace! The Manual This is the Planning Manual to guide selected leaders in preparation for this Hybrid Model of Emmaus. The Manual is available online and can be reproduced for use by the designated committees. A representative of the sponsoring Emmaus Board will submit the one-time fee of $125 for each of the two Coaches which covers the Virtual Training Sessions, as stipulated by the Manual. (Manuals are not available in hard-copy.) A code for opening this document will be sent to the Coaches named by the sponsor. Suggestions for printing the Manual (See pp. 51) After all have registered, the fee of $80.00 per Pilgrim should be remitted along with completed Applications to The International Office of Emmaus at The Upper Room. (All Team Members remits $20 to The Upper Room for participation.) (A printer-friendly version of the Application is on pp ) The registration fee covers the following Initial development of the new program of Face To Face. A prototype brochure to be customized and printed in bulk to invite participation. The almost, weekly preparation of approximately twenty team members over a three-month period. Funds required for the use of the facilities of the Excitement Center or the sponsoring church (if any). Refreshments for eight Sessions. Printed materials for eight Sessions. Personal Emmaus Crosses and lanyards for each Pilgrim.

9 9 Initial Guidelines Support by the Sponsoring Emmaus Community Support by the Sponsoring Emmaus Community for Face To Face is similar to sponsorship of a three-day Walk, but is spread over eight Wednesday mornings instead of three days. Team Members For the first Event, the Leadership Team shall be comprised of members of the Nashville Emmaus Community and National Emmaus Staff. A Team of Pilgrims selected by the Emmaus Board will be invited to plan and manage the initial event. The Leadership Team, comprising 33 persons will serve under the Emmaus Board in the following capacities: 2 Coaches, 1 Lay director, 1 Assistant Lay Director (ALD), 1 Spiritual Director, 1 Worship Leader, 1 Music Leader, 1 Agape Leader, 1 Logistics Leader, 7 Table Leaders, 16 Prayer Team Members (4 persons on each of the 4 prayer teams) and 1 Emmaus Prayer Support Team Leader. As you assemble your team, be sure to get their address as well as their phone number. Phone Number Team Address Coach-Female Coach-Male Lay Director (opposite gender from Spiritual Director) Assist Lay Director (ALD) Spiritual Director (Clergy) Worship Leader Music Leader Agape Leader Logistics Leader

10 10 (The Following Seven Table Leaders should be Lay Persons) Table Leader 1 Table Leader 2 Table Leader 3 Table Leader 4 Table Leader 5 Table Leader 6 Table Leader 7 The Following Four Prayer Teams consist of a minimum of 4 persons who will be present for two successive Wednesday mornings Prayer Team 1 Prayer Team 1 Prayer Team 1 Prayer Team 1 Prayer Team 2 Prayer Team 2 Prayer Team 2 Prayer Team 2 Prayer Team 3 Prayer Team 3 Prayer Team 3 Prayer Team 3 Prayer Team 4 Prayer Team 4 Prayer Team 4 Prayer Team 4 Emmaus Prayer Emmaus Prayer Support Team Leader

11 11 Team Responsibilities 1. Coaches: Designated by the local Emmaus Board as Co-Team managers, and contact persons. The Coaches lead through the first session of this Training Module, when the Lay Director becomes the active Leader. (If a Team Member has to interrupt service during the event, the Coach will assume those duties.) 2. Lay Director: (Opposite gender from Spiritual Director.) Coordinates the entire process of Previewing Talks; becomes the Guide for team Meetings (with SD) in preparation for Day One, and following; pushes Repercussion Buttons (see p. 0); guides the spirit and flow of the Sessions. 3. Spiritual Director: Teams up with Lay Director in managing the Morning Sessions; is available to provide Spiritual Direction; contacts and coordinates additional Spiritual Guides when necessary; coordinates the flow between Prayer Chapel; Worship in the Conference Room; and Table Visits to the Chapel. (Takes assignments of sundry duties to assistant overall coordination!) Clergy will work with SD in offering Talks, support and prayer. 4. Worship Leader: Coordinates and/or leads expressions of worship. Plans creative worship centers that reflect the movement of the Community from week to week. Is responsible for worship aids that enhance worship services, as well as Eucharistic Services. 5. Music Leader: Teaches music appropriate for worship and for fun! Searches for Pilgrims who may wish to share their musical talent. Assists in leading and coordinating worship. Remains sensitive to persons, times, and ways music may enhance the spirit and mood of the Community. Sings solos! Provides copies of songs and prayers. 6. Agape Leader: Select four persons, each responsible for cultivating, receiving, and arranging Agape for two Wednesday mornings. Select an additional person to coordinate the gathering, arrangement, and presentation of personal letters. Print gender/biblical table cards for table names. Provide the Purple Book for Dying Moments and other communion liturgies. Print copies of four Living Fully homilies.

12 12 7. Logistics Leader: Arrange for table service and location for serving refreshments at site. Consult with contact persons at the site about table and chair arrangements and what spaces and services they can provide. Serve as basic liaison contact between the Community and the site. Generate and display refreshments for registered Pilgrims for eight Wednesday mornings. Arrange for photographer on the final day for group photograph During the first week ask four persons from the Emmaus Community to do the following: First Person Refreshments Strategist Ask a person to plan and direct a strategy for the Emmaus Community to invite Reunion Groups and other groups at Send-offs to provide Agape Goodies of cookies/cakes/candies, etc. for eight Sessions, for 40 Pilgrims and 32 Team Members and willing workers. (Determine dates for delivery and drop-of points.) Second Person Cookie Monster Ask a cookie monster to arrange for refreshments to be picked up/delivered in a timely manner. Build a list of willing workers who will assist. Third Person Agape Letters 1. Retrieve the references from the Applications of the Pilgrims. Ask four Willing Workers to contact the spouses (or another if no spouse is listed) of Ten Pilgrims requesting that he/she asks persons listed on the Pilgrims application to send Agape letters. Emphasize that these letters are to be a surprise for the Pilgrim! Ask these persons to write a letter of appreciation (friends) or love (spouses and/or family members) naming good qualities they see and admire in this person! Write the name of the Pilgrim on the envelope, seal it, and send all sealed envelopes to (List your address.) You need all letters by the beginning of the Seventh Session. (If five to seven letters have not arrived for each Pilgrim, call the person you contacted. 2. At the beginning of Session Eight, arrange all letters in packets for distribution at the end of the Session. 3. Beginning in Session Seven, ask someone to quietly request Team Members to write letters as they choose. Forth Person: Printing See that pages in this manual are printed and distributed to appropriate persons.

13 13 8. Seven Table Leaders (Lay persons) The Table Leaders will be prepared to help guide discussion at their Table. 9. Four Prayer Teams Request the Logistics Leader to locate a room to serve as the Prayer Chapel. Invite a Prayer Team of at least four persons to be present in the Prayer Chapel for two successive Wednesday Mornings. Coordinate production of a Prayer Poster and keep it current for the eight weeks. To illustrate Acts of Agape all Prayer Team participants will be listed on the Prayer Poster, week-to-week. 10. Emmaus Prayer Support Team Leader: To request prayer for Pilgrims, produce copy for the Emmaus Community newsletter one month ahead of the First Day. Maintain vigilance to encourage a suitable response. Participants Registered Participants shall be all persons who register and pay the modest fee, and are committed to active, on-going participation in these Sessions and the Emmaus Community. They will receive a packet of guidance materials for the duration of the Sessions, and beyond.

14 14 Pre-Walk Letter Below is a sample of a Pre-Walk Letter for anyone wishing to request scholarship funding from their church. A printable version of this letter can be found on page 55. (Date) (My Pastor.com) Dear... Greetings! This is a request for funding from the Leadership Development Fund to attend Face To Face, (a Hybrid version of Emmaus.) It is a Short Course in Christianity for three hours over eight Wednesday Mornings. This should not be considered a scholarship because there will be no tests and no graduation. It may be considered a spiritship, since I will be entering a vital Spiritual Formation Christian community for eight weeks. The registration fee will cover the following: Four months of planning: Fourteen lay and clergy speakers prepare, critique, and present Talks on Systematic Theology. Six persons will critique (to enhance) the Talks over a period of five weeks. Twelve Team Members will receive training and make preparations to serve. Eight weeks of leadership: Twelve Team Members will provide leadership over eight Wednesday mornings. Lunch will be provided for all Team Members on the first day. Four Prayer Team Members will attend each Session. Seven Table Leaders will be at each Session. Refreshments will be provided at each Session. Hard-copy materials will be distributed at each Session. An Emmaus Cross will be given to each Pilgrim at the end. The registration fee is $ If the Leadership Development Committee feels this meets their criteria, I will appreciate a favorable response. Sincerely, (name)

15 15 Hand Outs That Will Be Used By Participants During Event (A Printable Version of this handout can be found on pages 57-58) Cursillo and Emmaus Cursillo (pronounced Cur-see-yo) is a Spanish word for Short Course in Christianity. It is Spanish because the movement was originated in Majorca, Spain by a Roman Catholic Diocese. In 1977, The Upper Room adopted the Catholic model. The Cursillo manual of preparation and instruction was carefully followed. Catholic theology and rituals were incorporated in The Upper Room Cursillo model in the first forty-three communities. The Catholic Cursillo Communities in Nashville, Peoria and Atlanta were eager guides and participants in introducing what became The Upper Room Cursillo. When The Walk to Emmaus was eventually selected as the Biblical metaphor and name of the movement, the basic format was retained, but Protestant and Wesleyan theology, and liturgies, began to be featured. De Colores The song, De Colores, ( the colors of God s creation) has a long-standing tradition in Cursillo and Emmaus. This song speaks of God s beauty in the world. According to tradition, the words to De Colores were written by people who had experienced the three-day short course in Christianity and wanted to musically express their joy about God s love. The words are sung to an old folk tune from Majorca, Spain. (Director s Manual, p. 36) The colors were reflected off of the tails of roosters in a barnyard near where their bus broke down. While awaiting repairs of the bus they wrote many verses of De Colores. The Wesley Grace The tradition of singing grace before and after meals (our refreshment times) comes from the Benedictines, who prayed God s blessings before the meal and thanked God for the blessing of food and fellowship after the meal. (Director s Manual, p. 36) Brief Summary about Jesus and His Friends on the Road to Emmaus This story provides the Biblical metaphor for our time together. Two friends, disciples, were walking together, sharing the deepest concerns of their hearts. The risen Christ joined them and walked with them. Christ responded to their

16 16 needs through the Scriptures. The result was a heart-warming experience as the risen Christ walked and talked with them on the road. The illuminating climax came when Christ blessed and broke the bread during the meal. The eyes of the two disciples were opened, and they recognized the risen Christ. They jumped to their feet and ran all the way back to Jerusalem to tell others about their experience. (Directors Manual, p. 96) We are going to view a half-hour film entitled, In Remembrance. This film presents two important concepts: the humanness of the disciples and the context for understanding the sacrament of Holy Communion. As we observe the disciples, we shall gain an appreciation of the fact that they were ordinary people from a variety of occupations and positions in society. Christ selected them for what He saw they would become, not for who they were. If Christ could use these people to carry out his ministry on earth, he can also use each of us for the same purpose. The film presents how the bread and wine were used for the Passover meal in Jesus day. It shows how Jesus took these common elements and made them sacred symbols that we treasure today. (Directors Manual, p. 100) Prayer to the Holy Spirit 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. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit Did instruct the Hearts of the faithful, Grant that by the same Holy Spirit we May be truly wise and ever enjoy your consolations. Through Christ our Lord: Amen. Pilgrims The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were walking to the next town. Nothing unusual about that! But this trip turned into something very special. In fact, because of the spiritual meaning they received, they may have felt that they had been on a spiritual pilgrimage. Hence, when one of us joins our contemporaries in our Walk to Emmaus, we often sense that we are Pilgrims Emmaus Pilgrims on a spiritual pilgrimage of three days, eight weeks, or a life-time!

17 17 Team Supply List (A Printable Version of this handout can be found on page 56) Provide supplies for 8 tables of five residents and a Table Leader. (i.e. Eight Tables of six = 48 tables - more tables if needed) (If you need more than 8 tables, strive to add in increments of six per Table.) Emmaus Crosses and lanyards Bell(s) Name tag (for team members who do not have one) Pencils/pens & steno pads Team roster Roster of participants Songbooks (check with Music Director) Communion elements (check with Spiritual Director) Lectern (if the facility does not have one) Bible, cross to set on table, candle and matches (if allowed), cross for Speakers to hold. Microphone/sound system (if needed) Ice chest, coffee pot, coffee, serving containers, cups, cream and sugar, etc. Paper cups, forks, napkins Basket for prayer requests and notes to write on Boxes of Kleenex (1 box for each table, each day)

18 18 Talks Re-written Talks for this constituency will feature the current Biblical and Theological emphases of Emmaus. When feasible, the Talks will have additional content directed to coping with aging. Clergy Talks will be given by the Spiritual Director and up to four additional clergy. All additional clergy will be asked to be present for the entire three hours on the day they speak. Order of Talks Priority What will I do with my life? The amended Priority Talk will be read by the Lay Director prior to showing film. 1. Prevenient Grace God s grace envelops us. (Spiritual Director or another clergy person) God loves us and offers a relationship. 2. Priesthood of All Believers Sharing grace with others. (Table Leader) Laity and clergy alike are called, and given authority to be priests to one another. 3. Justifying Grace How do you respond to God s grace? (I accept.) (Clergy) The kind of grace in operation when we honestly accept the relationship God offers us. 4. Life of Piety Living a life of devotion to God. (Table Leader) A life lived in relationship with God. 5. Means of Grace Ways I receive and live in Grace. (Clergy) A deeper understanding of the sacramental moments in our lives and the ways we participate in God s grace.

19 19 6. Christian Action Sharing Christ with others. (Table Leader) Characterizes a Christ-centered life flowing from a relationship with Christ. 7. Obstacles to Grace How one responds to impediments to a life of grace? (Spiritual Director or Clergy) Barriers to a relationship with God. 8. Discipleship Committing to Being Christ in the church and the world. (Table leader) Responding fully to the relationship God offers by devoting one s life to Christ. 9. Changing Our World What difference do I want to make in this world? (Table Leader) Developing my plan of action to bring the world to Christ. 10. Sanctifying Grace Ways I can grow in holiness and embody grace. (Clergy) The work of the Holy Spirit in moving us towards perfection in love and truth. 11. Body of Christ Sharing with all members of the community in the ministry and mission of Christ. (Table Leader) The church empowers us to be Christ s representatives to the least of these. 12. Coping in Tough Times Featuring an experienced Hospice speaker, or a team member, who has lost a spouse, speaking on Coping Beyond My Loss. Can be Lay or Clergy. Finding my way forward. (30 minutes) 13. Perseverance and 14. Fourth Day What will you do to persevere in grace? (Lay Director) Continues the idea of perseverance, in that each succeeding day will be a fourth day every day hereafter, for the rest of your life!

20 20 Outline of Talks Priority: What will I do with my life? Some basic differences distinguish humans from the rest of the created order. For one thing, humans can set priorities. This means we can choose an ideal. We have imagination, the power of reason, and the ability to dream dreams. The created order is remarkable because of three unique kingdoms: Plants: No one seems to know how many types of plants there are in the world. In our garden I have actually killed many types myself. Have you ever heard of a blue thumb? (I have one right here!) Animals: Our world is full of animals. The good news is that we are supposed to be on top of the animal heap. Minerals: Minerals are rich and valuable. I m not sure which mineral it is, but one mineral has been turned into water. Perhaps you ve heard of mineral water! Of all the kingdoms, only the top on the top level can handle a priority. Definition: Your priority is something that is spectacular in your life. Your priority is What you live for! Your priority is a major shaper of your values. Don t spend another full night before you identify your priorities. You will probably start with family. Then add possessions to your list if you still have any possessions left. Your work is somewhere near the top of your list especially, if you like your job. Money and time has great value to you. Try running out of money and see what happens. (But don t try running out of time!) If you do that, you will be going no-where, fast! How will you list your five or six top priorities? After you jot down your list, take a careful look to judge their value. Does one or more need to be: Discarded? (Pause) Changed? (Pause) Enhanced? (Pause) De Colores!

21 21 Prevenient Grace: God loves us and offers a relationship. (See Power of Humor p. 29) It is God s nature to be infinitely creative, loving, and good. The human situation: created in the image of God, fallen from grace through sin, offered salvation in the reconciling work of Jesus Christ. God loves us and desires a relationship with us even more than we desire a relationship with God. Definition of prevenient grace God s love pursuing us, awakening and convincing us to come home. Prevenient grace prepares us for the moment of decision. It is the hidden hand of God working in us. The loving acts of others also communicate God s love to us. Personal statement by presenter on how he/she became aware of God s love. For Table discussion, Have I experienced grace in my spiritual journey? Priesthood of all Believers: All believers laity and clergy alike are called, and given authority, to be priests to one another. (See Power of Humor p. 29) The world does not know how to cooperate in God s grace. The answer to the needs of the world is the salvation offered in Jesus Christ. Definitions The Roman Catholic Church is noted for the spiritual office of priest. The Protestant Church is noted for lay and clergy being priests to one another. In either case, a priest acts as God s representative to persons in the world. Attempts to define world usually leads to the language of grandiosity. The world of senior living is noted for becoming increasingly restrictive. This is our world to be priests to one another! Here s how: The church consists of people who have experienced God s love and grace, who live in relationship with God, and share their relationship with others. Personal statement by presenter about her/his experience of functioning as God s representative in ministry to the world.

22 22 Justifying Grace: We are justified (put right) because God has taken initiative to offer us forgiveness for our sins. (See Power of Humor p. 29) God loves us unconditionally as we are: While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5: 8) While prevenient grace beckons us and convinces us of our need for God, justifying grace moves us to accept the gift of a loving relationship with God as the priority and wellspring for our life. Justifying grace gives us a new heart; enables us to be born again, to be born of the Spirit. Justifying grace is also known as conversion, new birth, being born again, saved from sin, and being born of the Spirit. Of all the changes we may experience (or offer) a community of retired person, the greatest is spiritual conversion. Here is how I have experienced it (or have seen it happen.) A big question: In the previous Talk a question was Would you like to be born of the Spirit? Here are necessary steps: A. B. C. Acts of agape demonstrate God s love for us through the prayer and sacrifice of others on our behalf. Life of Piety: The life of piety is a life lived in relationship with God because we give our hearts to God. (See Power of Humor p. 29) Prayer is the language we use to communicate with God and to express our relationship with God. Scriptures provide us with knowledge about the mind, heart, and will of God. We can nurture our relationship with God through the spiritual discipline of living in God s presence. The life of piety is not pious-ity but natural, manly/womanly, courageous, believable, and joyful. Personal statement by presenter about his/her experience of God s grace.

23 23 Means of Grace: The sacramental moments in our lives and the ways we corporately celebrate God s grace. (See Power of Humor p. 29) The sacraments are those acts of worship, instituted by Christ, in which Christ is represented to us in such a way that we experience his presence anew in our lives. All Christian traditions recognize Baptism and Holy Communion as sacraments. Important spiritual practices: prayer, scripture reading, meditation, worship, and spiritual direction. Characteristics of a life of piety: attention, honesty, authenticity, communication, and resourcefulness. These need not be diminished in our process of aging! Other means of grace include the sacred moments in which Christ is made real to us through symbolic action or ritual, whereby we overcome some form of living death at work in us, as God restores us to life. By grace through faith the Holy Spirit renews our spirits through every means of grace. How have you experienced sacramental moments in the many gifted persons in our community? (Await answers from the group.) (At Communion Services, participants may attend the services to receive the Host or cross themselves to receive a spiritual blessing.) Christian Action: Flows from a relationship with Christ, and is characterized by a Christ-centered life. (See Power of Humor p. 29) This process begins when individual lives become Christ-centered. We give our hearts to Christ (piety); we give our minds to Christ through our (study) of the Word; and we give our hands and feet to Christ (action). We can help others know Christ by making friends, truly being a friend, and sharing with friends our most important relationship Jesus Christ.

24 24 Where have you seen Christian Action in this community? (Talk about a couple of examples.) How would you characterize these acts? Surprising? Unusual? Expected? What do you think prompted these acts? Obstacles to Grace: Despite God s gift of grace and new life in Christ, we can hinder or revisit the grace of God. (See Power of Humor p. 29) Becoming aware of and admitting our obstacles to grace is the first step to overcoming them. We overcome all obstacles to our relationship with Christ and with our neighbor through spiritual guidance, daily prayer and repentance, and surrendering anew to God s direction in our lives. Which obstacles are peculiar to being older? Presenter, name three or four. Ask the group to (name and then discuss) others. Discipleship: The acts of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. (See Power of Humor p. 29) Discipleship means fully responding to the call of Christ with heart, head, hands and feet. As disciples, walking with our Lord and growing in his likeness is our highest personal goal. Our individual response to Christ s call to discipleship is what these eight week are all about. Discuss: What is the bottom line about Christ s call to us? Changing Our World: Here we are again back to the world! (See Power of Humor p. 29) People all around us need God s transforming love and vision for life in this world.

25 25 The world is changed whenever we bring to bare Christ s love, truth, justice, and peace in our five fields of ministry: (1) ourselves; (2) our family, friends, and church (3) where we are living; (4) our city, state, and nation; (5) people of other languages and cultures. The world is changed whenever we help others realize what it means to follow Christ. How is that true where we live? Sanctifying Grace: Involves Divine energy helping us grow in relationship to God. (See Power of Humor p. 29) Recap: Prevenient grace involves God courting us, wooing us into a relationship. Recap: Justifying grace involves God moving us to the point of decision. Sanctifying grace pours into us Divine energy for our spiritual growth! It is this simple and sublime: As we live in obedience to God s call, and practice the means of grace, the Holy Spirit empowers us to love as Jesus loved, and to mature in the likeness of Christ. We must not (1) get pre-occupied with our growth in goodness, but (2) focus upon our call to humble service to Christ in the world. Give examples of any of the above. Body of Christ: All disciples who offer their lives to continue Christ s ministry in the world. (See Power of Humor p. 29) God has given gifts to every member of the Body; these gifts need to be called forth and exercised. Our part is to work together to build up the church, to form living Christian communities, and to show forth Christ s life and Spirit in definitive ways so that the world may experience more of God s love.

26 26 In what ways are you aware of the Body of Christ where you live? --People at worship (going to worship); --Doing acts of love and service; --Any other kind of caring for others? Presenter, give additional examples. We are privileged to work together to build up the church to be living Christian communities that show forth Christ s love. The true measure of the effectiveness of the Body of Christ is its effect on the least of these. At your tables, discuss specific ways that where we live, or our church, can become such a community. Coping in Tough Times (20 Minutes) (Given by an experienced Hospice speaker or team member who has lost a spouse.) (See Power of Humor p. 29) What do I have left, and how I am coping with my loss? Spouse A child Familiar home-setting Funds Living the single life Perseverance and Fourth Day Perseverance (10 Minutes) We are called to persevere in Grace. We are called to be in the struggle to bring God s justice and peace to the least of these, and to unhealthy systems in which they live. Describe Emmaus Group Reunion and tell of your personal experience. A key to perseverance is regular weekly attendance and commitment to share, support, and enter into accountability, and guidance. Fourth Day (10 Minutes) The rest of your life. (See Power of Humor p. 29) Origin of the Fourth Day

27 27 We are sent out to be Christ s apostles. There will be obstacles, but we can overcome them through contact with Christ and other Christians. Describe Emmaus community Gatherings, Group Reunions, other Emmaus involvements. Offer specific local church opportunities which provide support for the journey. We have shared eight wonderful weeks in grace. Now we are sent to live the rest of our lives as a Fourth Day in our continuing Walk to Emmaus with Christ.

28 28 General Clarifications (A Printable Version of this handout can be found on pages 60) Face To Face, The Emmaus Community, is not a closed society but a movement within Christianity. The Team for this retreat is thankful that all of the events of these eight weeks are gifts of God s grace to you who are our new sisters/brothers in Christ, and to us! The following maxim expresses what the team wishes to do for this community of Faith: Pray as if everything depended on Christ; Work as if everything depended on all of us! The Fourth Day The Catholic Cursillo model forerunner of the Walk to Emmaus spans three days in spiritual retreat. They characterized all that immediately followed the retreat as the Fourth Day, or all the rest of one s life! Preparation for and the Flow of these Eight Weeks. The team has spent several weeks in prayerful preparation for our time together. The flow of these eight weekly retreats has distinct phases: First and Second Weeks: We center on God and the grace God offers. Three of the Talks will focus on the priesthood of all Believers living in grace! Third and Fourth Weeks: The theme is about knowing Christ, personally. The Talks shift attention to Christ teaching Pilgrims how to be apostles and/or spiritual leaders. Fifth and Sixth Weeks: Attention focuses on the Holy Spirit equipping Jesus disciples to be His Body. The Talks on these two Wednesdays are about how a Christian community looks, in action. By this time in the Retreat, an enthusiastic spirit should prevail within this Emmaus Community. The Pilgrims may begin thinking about the end of this Experience. Rather than trying to anticipate what is ahead, it will be more productive to live in the moment. Seventh Week: A Hospice Leader will speak directly to subjects that many seniors share in common: What do I have left? How do I cope with my loss? Eighth Week: Persevering in our Call and Vocation.

29 29 Daily Schedules for Eight Weekly Mornings 8:30 to 11:30 (Note) Table Groups will be arranged by gender. Table names will be the same as for Emmaus. All eight Sessions will be from 8:30-11:30 with a refreshments break. (Place Agape Agape Leader) First Wednesday 8:30 to 11:30 (Allow 20 minutes for the following three items.) 8:30 Pilgrims meet and greet the Emmaus Team Refreshments Team Members name and interpret their ministries on the team 8:50 Lay Director s Greeting, Welcome, Announcements, and the first Funny Story. (Call for volunteers who will tell a funny story at the beginning of all remaining Sessions. Because good humor is a spiritual thing, we ask you to contact the Spiritual Guide and sign up to tell a funny story. All stories should be short, funny, and clean.) The Power of Humor The humorous beginning for each Session is in three parts: a funny story; Thought for Today; Agape gifts. The principle: Any presentation can be improved with humor every six minutes. The practice: We begin with humor, and endeavor to continue at least, every few minutes. The Thought for Today for each morning has been printed and should now be given to each Table Group as a keep sake. The Agape gifts have been made by funny looking people just like you for funny looking people, just like you! (This practice is to be continued each day.) Let me leave you with the first Thought for Today: God doesn t call the qualified; God qualifies the called. Have a helper ready to quietly distribute copies of the "Thought for Today" to each table group-without comment. (This practice is to be continued each day.)

30 30 9:00 Spiritual Director 1. Identify yourself and your role 2. Briefly welcome the Pilgrims 3. Express your desire to visit with each Pilgrim during these days. 4. Explain that Spiritual Guides will be available each day. 5. Explain that Emmaus is ecumenical. It is important to remain open to various faith traditions. 6. Stress that Holy Communion will be celebrated several times, and is open to all. 9:10 Lay Director s abbreviated introductory Talk. (5 minutes) Welcome to Face To Face. These eight Wednesday Mornings will be a Short Course in Christianity. We will experience the love and grace of God. We have come here to consider our faith journey and to fill our hearts with fire! Many of us have been trained in our work to analyze, judge, and evaluate. This is fine and we want you to do that. But wait to evaluate until we are near the end of these Sessions. Please don t prejudge or anticipate what s coming. "Face to Face" is a well-constructed experience tailored for Senior Residents. Every part is important. Relax, and go forward moment by moment. 9:17 (Lay Director, read the Priority Talk.) Priority (What will I do with my life?) Some basic differences distinguish humans from the rest of the created order. For one thing, humans can set priorities. This means we can choose an ideal. We have imagination, the power of reason, and the ability to dream dreams. The created order is remarkable because of three unique kingdoms: Plants: No one seems to know how many types of plants there are in the world. In our garden I have actually killed many types myself. Have you ever heard of a blue thumb? (I have one right here!) Animals: Our world is full of animals. The good news is that we are supposed to be on top of the animal heap. Minerals: Minerals are rich and valuable. I m not sure which mineral it is, but one mineral has been turned into water. Perhaps you ve heard of mineral water! Of all the kingdoms, only the top on the top level can handle a priority.

31 31 Definition: Your priority is something that is spectacular in your life. Your priority is What you live for! Your priority is a major shaper of your values. Don t spend another full night before you identify your priorities. You will probably start with family. Then add possessions to your list if you still have any possessions left. Your work is somewhere near the top of your list especially, if you like your job. Money and time has great value to you. Try running out of money and see what happens. (But don t try running out of time!) If you do that, you will be going no-where, fast! How will you list your five or six top priorities? After you jot down your list, take a careful look to judge their value. Does one or more need to be: Discarded? (Pause) Changed? (Pause) Enhanced? (Pause) De Colores! 9:20 (Lay Director) Our Spiritual Director will give you a glimpse of what you can expect during these Sessions. Spiritual Director reads Luke 24: (After the reading is completed) This story provides an image of our time together. Two friends, disciples, were walking together, sharing the deepest concern of their hearts. The risen Christ joined them and walked with them. Christ responded to their needs through the scriptures. The result was a heartwarming experience as the risen Christ walked and talked with them on the road. The illuminating climax came when Christ blessed and broke the bread during the meal. The eyes of the two disciples were opened, and they recognized the risen Christ. They jumped to their feet and ran all the way back to Jerusalem to tell others about their experience. Worship Leader: Teaches Sing Alleluia Wesley Grace, and De Colores. 8:50 Introduce and show the film entitled, In Remembrance. (25 minutes) 9:15 Following the film, Worship Leader sings or plays a meditative solo. Worship Leader leads Wesley Grace Ten minute break (with residual refreshments available) Introduce the ministry of the Prayer Team and present the Prayer Poster. (3 min)

32 32 9:45 Lay Director:. With a clean sheet of paper, high idealism, the spirit of cooperation and charity, and pen in hand, prepare for the next Talk, which will be given by a clergyperson/layperson. We light this candle as a symbol of Christ s presence, and we place the open Bible here as a symbol that all the Talks are based on scripture. (Light a candle and place it, along with an open Bible, on a table at the front of the room.) Worship Leader leads Sing Alleluia. Announce name of speaker and title of Talk. (The speaker begins this Talk with a brief, personal prayer not the Prayer to the Holy Spirit.) 9:50 First Talk Prevenient Grace (20 minutes) (Spiritual Director) 10:10 Introduce procedure for Table discussions in about three sentences. 10:15 Table Discussions (15 minutes) 10:30 Agape Leader describes Agape and presents first Agape gifts. (Five minutes) 10:40 Worship Leader teaches appropriate songs for Communion. 10:50 Comfort break (Refreshments will still be available from the gathering time.) 11:00 Closing Worship (Led or coordinated by Worship Leader) Eucharist (25 minutes) (Pilgrims may attend the Communion Service to receive the host or cross their arms in front of their chests, and receive a spiritual blessing. ) 11:25 Closing prayer about the WALK that is before us! (Spiritual Director)

33 33 (Place Agape Agape Leader) Second Wednesday 8:30 to 11:30 8:30 Lay Director s Greeting, Welcome, Announcements A Funny Story by a Pilgrim. Thought for today: We don t change God s message; God s message changes us! (Helper distributes the "Thought for Today" card to the Pilgrims.) Agape Leader presents Agape gifts that are on the tables. (Announce that the Spiritual Director is available for personal spiritual direction during Sessions, or afterward.) 8:40 Fun Singing (10 minutes) (Worship Leader) Worship Leader teaches the Prayer to the Holy Spirit. 8:50 Meditation # 1: The Loving Father (Prodigal Son) (Spiritual Director) Read the parable of the Loving father and the prodigal son, Luke 15: (Narrative following the reading.) Let me talk about God s mercy. The Bible records the story of how God always reaches out to us, wanting a relationship. When Adam and Eve had done the very thing God had told them not to do, they hid in the garden. God went walking among the bushes, calling, Adam, Eve, where are you? Throughout the Bible, God called people into relationship: Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Esau. God also called Jonathan, David, Ruth, Naomi, Miriam, and Esther. The story of Jesus Christ reveals that same theme: God calling to us, Bob, Scott, Carlos/Carmen, Latoya, Anne, where are you? I want a relationship with you. I want to love you, and I want you to love me. Briefly, tell your story of how God offered you a relationship (cf Luke 15: 17-20). Is one of the following responses familiar to you? He came to his senses... Father, I have sinned... I am no longer worthy... So he got up and went... End the meditation on a challenging note: My son, the father said, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. (Luke 15: ) God is waiting for you to come home. The message of this day is that God s mercy and love are available to you. All you have to do is come home. We hope that, like the prodigal, your response will be, I will return to my father.

34 34 9:00 Have someone bring in the Prayer Poster and put it in place. Lay Director: With notebooks open and pens ready, let s continue in the spirit of self surrender, charity, and high idealism. We light this candle as a symbol of Christ s presence, and we place the open Bible here as a symbol that all the Talks are based on scripture. (Light a candle and place it, along with an open Bible, on a table at the front of the room.) Worship Leader leads Sing Alleluia. The second Talk will be given by a layperson. (Name of speaker and title of Talk.) (Speaker begins with the Prayer to the Holy Spirit.") 9:05 Second Talk Priesthood of all Believers (20 minutes) (A Table Leader) 9:25 Table Discussions (15 minutes) 9:45 Worship Leader leads Wesley Grace Ten-minute Break (Refreshments available) 10:00 Lay Director: With notebooks open and pens ready, let s continue in the spirit of self surrender, charity, and high idealism. Light a candle and place it, along with the open Bible, on the table at the front of the room. Worship Leader leads Sing Alleluia. Announce name of speaker and title of Talk (Lay Director) (Speaker begins with the Prayer to the Holy Spirit. ) 10:05 Third Talk Justifying Grace (20 minutes) (Spiritual Director) 10:25 Lay Director: Last Wednesday, and again today, you have been challenged to think about what is most important in your life, (pause) to respond to God s offer of grace and to accept God s love, (pause) to be intentional in cultivating your relationship with God, (pause) and to be a living example of God s presence in the world. Now, there are two things I want to share with you. First, there is no formula response expected of you here. If you have given 100 percent of yourself to the experience, then your response is authentic. If you have been honest with yourself and with those around your table, then you have made an authentic response. Second, everything that happens during these days can give you insight into your relationship with God. Cleopas and his companion could have resisted the stranger who joined them on the road to Emmaus, but instead they met Christ in