The Emmaus News Columbus Indiana Area Emmaus Community, Inc. June 2018 volume 26 issue 6 A Note from the Community Lay Director After our Gathering on Friday, May 18 th, I asked one of the new Community Members what the Walks had meant to him and his wife; they both had attended the Spring Walks. They had nothing but positive comments for how the Walk had impacted their lives and their marriage. After this conversation, I started thinking how God has impacted my life since I went on my Walk eleven years ago. What might my statement of faith be regarding the passion I have in serving the Lord. Before I attended my Walk #65, I was very much like the society we live in very self-centered and thought only about taking care of my family, my work and church in that order. When a believer develops an inward focus, their fruitfulness in ministry begins to decrease. I had studied God s Word diligently for over 9 years through an organized Bible Study BSF. I was being fed through His word and my personal study but I felt there was something missing. Where was the happiness we should feel by being in a relationship with Christ and serving Him? I was working hard at being his servant, but not hard at being what God had called me to be. I thought if I could be successful in serving him through my work in the church, that would bring happiness. What I have come to discover is there is a big difference between happiness and joy. We will not always be in a state of happiness, but the joy we feel from trusting the Lord is much more fulfilling. You see, a lot of us are afraid to trust Jesus with our lives because we think that means he will narrow it. He ll cramp our style and make our life smaller with lots of rules and restrictions. When I came home from my Walk, my life started to change dramatically. As we say, I was on Fire for the Lord. Through the renewal of my faith in Christ, I found instead of Christ making my life more religious, he made it more alive! He was showing me how I could experience the life he meant for me to live. He expands our horizons and gives us the ability to see things we ve never seen before. We may be living a good life now, but God wants to offer us a better life. What we discover on the Walk to Emmaus is that Agape Love that God has for us. We discover, maybe for the first time, that God is our heavenly Father; he made us, he loves us, and he finds joy in us. I found in Him, that a fuller life was what he wanted for me a life I was destined to have. The joy I feel every time I participate in a Walk, renews the experience I had on my Walk #65. God has called us not to a life of comfortable tradition, but to an adventure of obedience. So, answer the call that God is sending out to you, so you may experience the joy he has instore for you. Phil
Dates for Upcoming Walks & Flights... Chrysalis #69 and #70 Sept. 1 3, 2018 Lay Directors Cody Mosier and Chris Hime @ Camp Hilltop Currently taking applications!!! Men's Walk #109 Oct. 18 21, 2018 Lay Director Dave Goodner @ Camp Lakeview Currently taking applications!!! Women's Walk #110 Oct. 25 28, 2018 Lay Director Debbie Schill @ Camp Lakeview Currently taking applications!! An updated version of the Pilgrim Application has been posted on the website. You may download it at Columbus Area Walk to Emmaus Pilgrim Application
A Note from our Spiritual Director... Who might I sponsor for the fall walks? As you seek God s leading in whom to invite to one of our upcoming Walks, I want to point out an important portion of each candidate s application. It is critical to have each candidate s Pastor involved in this application process. Because that Pastor should know their members well, each Emmaus Team will benefit if a candidate s Pastor can affirm that: the Candidate is an active participant in that congregation, the Candidate is not currently facing any situations which might detract from their Walk experience, and the Pastor will offer prayer support & encouragement on behalf of the Candidate. If a Candidate has chosen for a long time not to avail themselves of the Church s means of grace in order to mature spiritually, the chances are high that what they experience on their Walk will be met with a closed heart & mind. Likewise, if a Candidate is currently facing great emotional or life struggles, they may be too distracted at that time to soak in God's message for them that weekend. So the feedback from the Pastor of Emmaus Walk Candidates is invaluable in determining which Candidates are truly being sought by God for a particular Walk, and which ones might better benefit from participating on a later Walk. While you discern with God in these months whom you believe might be ready to attend a Walk, partner with your Pastor! Together, reach agreement that a Candidate will indeed be blessed by attending, & then return with a blessed renewal and commitment to family, Church family and their community! De Colores, Mike Seaney Community Spiritual Director
SPONSORSHIP SPONSORING: It is never too early to be praying for the upcoming walks and whom might God be putting on your heart to sponsor. Also, be aware that the Board has approved putting an additional two liner at end of candidate's application for candidate to check whether they want their email address to be put in the database for newsletters and strictly Emmaus reminders We are aware that some people may not want their email known and some would list their email if they knew it would be used in confidence for newsletter. Never used by a second or third party. I have received email addresses since this last walk since not everyone understood this. And in today's world it is good to be cautious. REUNION GROUPS: I hope everyone has found a small group to be "at home" with for prayer and support. Your reunion group can be a new one or you can join an established one. It can be two people meeting, texting, praying, messaging, etc. in support of each other and accountability to each other. It could be 10 people who meet over a meal for 1 hour or several (according to one's schedule and inclination). The point of a reunion group is to be reminded frequently that we are not doing this walk alone; there are others surrounding us who can be helpful. It is a reminder that in "Counting On Christ" that we need others sometimes to help us be faithful to the max. "Christ is counting on you; and I am counting on Christ!" God Bless you, Marsha Rodenberger ATTENTION EMMAUS COMMUNITY REC Collection update At our March Gathering, it was announced we would be taking up a Free Will Offering at our Gathering on May 18 th. The purpose of this free will offering was an opportunity for our Columbus Emmaus Community to help New Day REC to offset the cost of a Video they are having produced to tell the REC jail ministry story. WE collected around $1270.00 for REC s video project!! May God continue to Bless REC s ministry and all of those who encounter Christ because of it!!
First of all a HUGE THANK YOU to every person that assisted in making these Walks and Flights possible! You all know the hours of service that go into a walk/flight are too numerous to count, and every aspect is vital to all of the events. We are the Body of Christ, and it s an honor to be a part of this community and watch each person grow as they are involved in each walk and flight. As we begin our summer, remember to spend time each day in God s Peace to further your relationship in Him, pray about who God is placing on you heart. Most importantly enjoy those you LOVE!! A Note from Team Selection... The Team Selection process for the Fall walks is underway. Please be in prayer for Dave Goodner & Debbie Schill as they prepare for Walk 109 & 110. If you are interested in serving on either of the Fall walks, please go to our Emmaus Website and follow the link for "Walk Team Application". Brenda Stoner, Team Selection
Going on Vacation this summer??? You know those toiletries in hotel bathrooms that you don t use??? WE CAN!!! these can be used at our walks and flights, just bring to any gatherings and give to Supplies or any board members!! Thank you, Perry Shepard, Supplies
Community Gatherings June 15th Ogilville United Methodist Church 7:00pm N-Z bring snacks FALL Flight & WALK DATES Chrysalis Flight #69 & 70 Sept. 1st -3rd Men s Walk #109 Oct. 18th -21st Women s Walk #110 Oct. 25th -28th Board Meetings Chrysalis Tuesday, June 5th, 6:00 pm @ The Rock 3990 Rocky Ford Rd. Columbus Emmaus Saturday, June 9th, 9:00 am @ Westside Community Church, Columbus Columbus Indiana Area Emmaus Community, Inc. www.columbusareaemmaus.community Emmaus Information Page (for community members) Username: columbus password: 4thday!