ACCOUNTABILITY IN ACTION! For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Eph 2:10 In the last two issues we discussed ACCOUNTA- BILITY What is it? What does it look like? Why is it necessary? What are the results? Why do September 2018 Inside this issue: Community Lay Directors 1 Community Trainers 2 General Information and Agape 3 Lay Director 4 Conference Room Team 5 Agape Team & Updates 6 Community Service Opportunites 7 Connect with us! 8 Rooster Tales U p p e r R o o m M i n i s t r i es Dick and Netha Pipho, Community Lay Directors Courage and Encouragement matter? And now for the third element, ACTION. While serving as your Community Lay Directors over the last couple years, we have been encouraged by instances in the Bible when leaders of God s people, after much prayer, planning, and preparation, are told to Do It. In 1 Chronicles, David, after having planned and gathered materials for the anticipated building of the temple, tells his son Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, to just Do It. If Solomon needs to be told to Do It, how much more do we need to be told the same when we face unfamiliar opportunities! As a Community, as a Board of Directors, as a Committee, as a weekend Walk Team, we must also strive to follow this advice as we work and fellowship together for the sole purpose of bringing others closer to the knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. When there s a task at hand, we know that with prayer and preparation, we just have to Do It too. Do you know there are just over 2,300 members of the Iowa Emmaus Community? With that many it is fairly easy to get lost in the shuffle or to just duck under the radar. We don t want that to happen to you. This community holds 6 Emmaus weekend walks, 1 Chrysalis flight (possibly 2), 1 Face to Face encounter (possibly 2), each year. That means there are literally hundreds of opportunities for you to take part in ministry in a small part or more significant role, as you choose. If you have merely made the walk, worked agape, given a talk, been a leader or anything else, we want to hear from you, and we ask for your participation in any way you can. Check the calendar of coming events in this issue. In January, there may also be opportunities to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors, since some terms of office may be fulfilled. If you would like to discuss your interests in person, please send us a note. Write to Iowaemmaus@gmail.com. Just Do It, we want to hear from you, and we guarantee a reply! Blessings to you all!
U p p e r R o o m M i n i s t r i es Jeff & Toni Anderson Community Trainers SPONSORSHIP Good sponsorship is vital to the integrity of Emmaus. Many communities take sponsorship for granted; they assume that everyone knows the how and why of sponsorship. Yet sponsorship is the most important job in Emmaus. It is more than just signing up people. The quality of sponsorship influences the pilgrim, the health of the Emmaus Movement, and the church affected by the movement. First, good sponsorship is your first act of agape before a Walk ever begins; the experience of the Walk for a pilgrim really starts with how we handle sponsorship. Second, good sponsorship undergirds the whole weekend with sacrificial love on behalf of each pilgrim. Sponsors use discernment in recruiting pilgrims, embody the personal commitment of the community to each pilgrim, and provide personal acts of agape during the three days for the pilgrims. These acts of agape include prayer, agape letters, and presence at Send off, Candlelight and Closing, as well as followup. Third, good sponsorship is the foundation for a healthy, effective Emmaus movement that is fulfilling its true purpose - the development of Christian leaders and the renewal of the church in ministry. The strength of any Emmaus community is a direct result of its recruiting practices. If the community is committed to recruiting strong church leaders for the purpose of strengthening the local church, then the community will be a strong, vital force in the renewal movement. If, on the other hand, the Walk to Emmaus is looked upon as a hospital where every human ill can be cured, it will have a weakening effect on the entire community. The aim of a sponsor should not be to get all my friends to go, to fill up the weekend, to fix people's problems, or to reproduce one's own religious experience in others. Rather, the aim of the sponsor is to bring spiritual revitalization to Christians who, in turn, will bring new life and vision to the work of the church in the congregation, home, workplace, and community. The aim of sponsorship is to build up the Body of Christ. If you have any questions about sponsorship, please feel free to contact us. Jeff & Toni Anderson andersons@jeffandtoni.com 2
General Information 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS: If you have any thoughts or ideas, share them with any one of these directors. Please pray for them that they will serve with diligence and faithfulness in the coming year. Community Lay Directors; Dick and Netha Pipho (Grimes) Community Spiritual Directors: Pastor Dennis Shepherd (Panora) and Pastor Evelyn Lewiston (Ogden) Members: Jeff and Toni Anderson (Belmond)(Trainers), Jim and Linda Burk (Minburn), Brad & Luanne Gafford (Grimes)(Chrysalis) Brent Gibbons (Minburn), Jeri Goodell (Lake Park), Gary Harris (Belmond), David Mock (Ankeny), Steve Nielsen (Ankeny), Dawn Parker (Perry)(Face To Face), Jeff and Mary Patterson (Lohrville), Mark and Cindy Willson (Johnston), Rosie Wurpts (Odgen) Support The Agape I would ask that everyone prayerfully consider working with the Agape for the upcoming walks, # 136 &137, October 18-22 (Men) and 25-28 (Women), at the Ankeny First UMC, 206 SW Walnut St. We always appreciate help with the unloading of the trailer starting at 4 PM, Setting up beds, bringing in supplies and setting up various other areas. To some of you this is different from past experiences, but for those who have done it this way, it has proven to be a much smoother operation. There will be a meal served to all who help get this weekend off to a great start. If there is any particular area that you would like to be part of, please let me know - 515 480 2439. Ladies, call Netha Pipho 515 577 8964. Those of you who are able to work the Banquet please remember your White Shirt and Black pants. The Agape team is very important to the success of these weekends. Remember your walk? Regardless of how long ago or how well you were treated, now you have the opportunity to be part of this behindthe-scenes joy for this group of PILGRIMS. Being part of the Agape team reminds of the parable of the mustard seed in Mathew 13:32. The mustard is the smallest of seeds but it grows into one of the largest plants in God' kingdom. As the Agape team grows in numbers the more love can be spread to the Pilgrims. Please keep the incoming pilgrims and all who are part of this weekend in your prayers. Blessings Brothers and sisters in Christ. Mike Wessels, Men s Agape Director 3
I o w a W a l k t o E m m a u s Jackie Riccio, Women s Lay Director I am excited to see what God has in store for the Pilgrims (and all of us) that attend the Fall Women's Walk in Ankeny, Walk #137. I feel humbled and honored that God has called me to serve as the Women's Lay Director for this walk. This is surely an example of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit taking us places we never imagined and also helping us grow in our faith to simply trust and obey. When we open our hearts and ourselves and take that leap of faith, we place our trust in the Words from Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I pray that you are able to support us this weekend by your presence, agape service and/or mail and/or your continued prayers. All who humbly serve give of themselves knowing that we give all honor and glory to our Almighty God. My prayer is that the Pilgrims, the Agape and the Conference Room Team all come to feel the power and presence of the Holy Spirit during our time together and into our Fourth Day. I thank the Emmaus Community for all of your prayers, support and assistance. I now know first hand how much God continues to lead all of us in the planning and preparations that go into the success of these weekends and I am so very grateful to be a part of that beautiful blessed energy! Blessings & Peace! De Colores my Brothers and Sisters in Christ! 4
Conference Room Positions Leonard Willis Daniel Evans Ken Meyer Steve Nielsen Mike Gudka David Mock Mark Wilson Daniel Evans Louie Gallo Jon Williams Gideon Gallo Shane Foote Brad Peterson Mike Gudka Jody Mayo Steve Peters Travis Garrett Paul Abbott Jerry Neal Patrick Mulloy Leonard Willis Ken Meyer Josh Clauson Joseph Reusswig Rod Mundy Robert Williams Andy Oppedal Gary Ruka Men s Walk Conference Room Lay Director ALD - 1 ALD - 2 ALD - 3 Spiritual Director Music Leader Board Representative Talk -TL/ATL Priorities (ALD-1) Prevenient Grace (ASD) Priesthood --Believers (TL/ ATL) Justifying Grace (ASD) Life Of Piety (TL/ATL) Growth Thru Study (TL/ATL) Means of Grace (SD) Christian Action (TL/ATL) Obstacles To Grace (ASD) Discipleship (TL/ATL) Changing Our World (TL/ATL) Sanctifying Grace (ASD) Body Of Christ (TL/ATL) Perseverance (LD) Fourth Day (ALD-2) ATL s Jackie Riccio Rosie Wurpts Diane Duis Alice Erb Shannon Pascual Women s Walk Tere Rohret-Erickson Mary Patterson Rosie Wurpts Christy Ehrie Kathy Van Pelt Linda Von Fumetti Kendale Vosberg Anne Nygaard Shannon Pascual Jo Bardole Karen Berg Chrissy Seaholm Kathy Bice Steve Campbell Cathy Buggar Jackie Riccio Diane Duis Evelyn Keen Kelli Kraft 5
Agape Positions Mike Wessels John Meister Troy Hall Frank Haag Jeff Anderson Brian De Prez Brian De Prez Men s Walk Agape Lay Director Spiritual Director Head Cook Housekeeping Mail Room Prayer Chapel Facilities Coordinator Kim Ausborn Women s Walk NOTES AND UPDATES FACE TO FACE UPDATE We are in the process of putting together the date and place for Face to Face Encounter #2 for next year. Please watch the next issues and the web site for information in the near future. We look forward to experiencing another spirit filled encounter with men and women over 60. Dawn Parker, Committee Chairman CHECK YOUR BOOK SHELVES!!! Over the years we have not gotten all of the manuals returned and continue to replace them. If you have been on a team or agape in recent years, please check your book shelves for any Team, Talk or Agape manuals/binders. If you find you have one, please bring it or arrange to get it to the supply or mail room during the Ankeny walks in October. Or just call me and we ll arrange for its return. Thank You. Netha Pipho, Supply Chair. 515-577-8964 CHRYSALIS The next flight begins on April 5 th, 2019. Watch future issues for more information. 6
Community Service Opportunities COMING THIS FALL: Fri, Sep 28 29, Walks 136 & 137 Practice Weekend, First UMC, Ankeny, for Team and Agape Thurs. Oct 18 - Men s Walk to Emmaus begins, First UMC, Ankeny, Leonard Willis - LD 4:00 p.m. Help unload the trailer, have dinner and fellowship 6:30 p.m. Pilgrims arrive & registration for pilgrims, team and Agape 8:00 p.m. Sponsors Hour Service. All sponsors & Community are invited to attend. Sat. Oct 20 8:30 p.m. Candlelight Service Sun. Oct 21 4:00 p.m. Men s Closing Ceremonies (Help load or move supplies at 3:00 p.m.) Thurs. Oct 25 Women s Walk to Emmaus begins, First UMC, Ankeny, Jackie Riccio - LD 4:00 p.m. Help reset facilities for women, have dinner and fellowship 6:30 p.m. - Pilgrims arrive & registration for pilgrims, team and Agape 8:00 p.m. Sponsors Hour Service. All sponsors & 4th dayers are welcome to attend. Sat. Oct 27 8:30 p.m. Candlelight Service Sun. Oct 28 4:00 p.m. Women s Closing Ceremonies (Help Load the trailers at 3:00 p.m.) Mark your 2019 Calendars with these events: WINTER WALKS WEST DM UMC: Jan 18-29, Practice Weekend Feb 7-10, Men s Walk to Emmaus, Daniel Evans, Lay Director Feb 14-17, Women s Walk to Emmaus, Rosie Wurpts, Lay Director CHRYSALIS FLIGHT: Apr 5-7, Boys & Girls Flights, Clarion UMC & Church of Christ FACE TO FACE ENCOUNTER; Watch the November Chicken Chatter for news & dates SUMMER WALKS FAITH UMC, HUMBOLDT Jun 28-29, Practice Weekend Jul 18-21, Men s Walk to Emmaus Jul 25-28, Women s Walk to Emmaus Please join us in praying for these events and their teams. You can participate by working Agape, attending Sponsor s Hour, Candlelight and Closing. These are great opportunities for the community to support these pilgrims and teams. We invite all, especially newer 4th dayers to join the Agape team for all or part of the weekend. This will help you learn and progress as you wish in this great ministry. We also unload the trailers and set up Thursday evenings at 4:00 6:00 p.m. just preceding Walks/Flights. Both Team and Agape members should participate and then remain for the pilgrims arrival and/or Sponsors Hour. This is also a great way for newer 4th dayers to get even more acquainted, make more friends, and be a part of the fellowship. Many hands make light work, so come and join us. Refreshments will be served at 5:30 p.m. 7
Connect With Us LOOK for info on upcoming Walks, pilgrim and team lists, articles on Agape FAQ s, Sponsorship info, links to other Emmaus communities throughout Iowa, etc. Contact us via email using IowaEmmaus@gmail.com. Like our Facebook page to receive updates on upcoming Iowa Walks Remember to include Iowa in your search for our page. h t t p : / / w w w. i o w a w a l k t o e m m a u s. o r g / Read about us on the Conference web site at IAUMC.ORG - Ministries and News & Media - Iowa news The purpose of Emmaus is to develop leaders for the church. Emmaus will inspire, challenge, and equip participants for Christian action in their homes, churches, and places of work. Emmaus lifts up a way for our grace-filled lives to be lived and shared with others. 8