The Emmaus News Columbus Indiana Area Emmaus Community, Inc. Letter to the Community January 2017 volume 25 issue 1 I am writing to you the last week of 2016 and you will probably not read this until the first part of 2017. Whatever year, or week, or day I hope this will still touch you in some way and that we all have confidence that He will provide as we continue to seek. A Star in the East For the past four years through most of December there has been a lit star on the east side of a valley in Brown County. It is put there as a reminder that Christ was born for you and me. And we should follow His bright light always. Follow His light through our pastor, our church, our Emmaus Community, at work, the Bible, a Christ lit face, on the streets, and even as we sleep or try to. (By the way it is 12:59 am right now.) When the Holy Spirit wakes you up with thoughts you better document them before they get lost by morning. This light may go dim or just be stagnate if we are not reminded by listening to sermons, Bible study, and personal daily time to seek Him, journaling your thoughts, time in small sharing groups, sharing your faith, and other ways that may work for you. A few things to consider this New Year are to review who around you has gone on a Chrysalis Flight or Emmaus Walk but is not getting the email newsletter? First we all need to be reminded to review the newsletter and website for monthly activities and to consider sponsoring existing and future Christian leaders for a means of expanding their Christian walk and following the first commandment (Matthew 22:38). Yesterday s inventory of my own family found two daughters: one who went to Chrysalis and one to an Emmaus Walk but are no longer getting the newsletter. Both have stated to me they want to read them and gave permission. My assignment now is to get their emails to the community by going to the web http://www.columbusinemmaus.org and click on the Newsletter Subscribe lower left area of the page and if your mail is not set up to work just send a note to mriley@columbusareaemmaus.community. My next assignment is to review my church members who have gone and ask each one if they get the emails and if not ask them if I can put them on the email list. Lastly, this month have I planned sessions with my church adults & youth, and community Christian acquaintances on what a Chrysalis and The Walk to Emmaus weekend is and how they could participate. Finding appropriate sponsors is also a big part of that. I am seeking His guidance through prayer, being still to listen, through each of you and knowing His Plan will be lit bright in 2017 all along the way. Fly with Christ always, and sharing a bright DeColores! Dan Kirkling Your 2017 Columbus Indiana Area Emmaus Community Lay Director
Dates for Upcoming Walks & Flights... Men's Walk #103 March 30-April 2, 2017 Lay Director Tim Toborg @Camp Lakeview Pilgrim Application Deadline... March 2 Women's Walk #104 April 6-9, 2017 Lay Director Jodi Engalstad @Camp Lakeview Pilgrim Application Deadline... March 9 NOTE DATE CHANGE Chrysalis #63 and #64 April 29 May 1, 2017 Lay Directors Tyler & Leah Griffin @Hilltop Camp Caterpillar Application Deadline... April 21 ($20 application discount deadline is April 14)
From the Chrysalis Lay Director... Please continue to lift up in prayer Leah and Tyler Griffin as they contact potential Chrysalis team members. The spring Chrysalis flights April 29- May 1, 2017 at Camp Hilltop will be here sooner than we realize. These are wonderful opportunities for freshman in high school through freshman in college to take a weekend away and focus on their journeys with Christ. Do you know a young person in your life who you could sponsor on these upcoming flights as a New Year's gift? Is there a special young person on fire for Christ at your church? Do you have a daughter, son, niece, nephew, granddaughter, or grandson who would enjoy going on a flight? Some might think they want the young people in their lives to experience Walks to Emmaus, and are hesitant to sponsor them to go on Chrysalis flights, but I'd encourage you to consider Chrysalis as a great opportunity to ground them in their faith as they navigate what can be difficult times to be a Christian in high school hallways and on college campuses. Going on Chrysalis flights have been great experiences for my four children, and I now have the joy of seeing them working on Emmaus Walks as they get older. Let's all make sure the Chrysalis flights in 2017 are overflowing with caterpillars! Applications to attend the flights can be found on the website. -Dale Guse (Columbus IN Chrysalis Lay Director)
Let s learn about our new board members... Community Spiritual Director Hi! My name is Mike Seaney, El Shaddai Emmaus Community Walk #7, Table of Mark. I am so humbled that you have chosen me to take on the role of the Columbus Emmaus Community Spiritual Director. I know it will be a challenge to take up the mantle that Jon Carlstrom has faithfully borne for quite a while. So I trust that your patience and prayer support will sustain and guide me, as it has him. I have always appreciated how God raised up the Emmaus Walk to further the Kingdom of God. As a Pastor, I love how each Walk offers a major step forward in the spiritual maturity of Church members. Each time we sponsor a follower of Christ to attend a Walk, we help that man or woman develop a deeper relationship with Jesus. And at the same time, each participant is even better equipped to then serve their congregation and their community! I consider that a worthwhile investment of my time and energy, and I hope you feel the same. With the start of this new year, let s ensure that those we ve sponsored in the past are continuing their 4 th Day growth in a Reunion group. And as we consider sponsoring someone for our Spring Walks, may God inspire our selection and invitation to attend! Mike Seaney, 2017 Emmaus Community Spiritual Director Music Greetings to the Columbus Area Emmaus community, My name is Mark Neafus, walk #28, table of Mark and I am the new music board rep for the community. I am looking forward to doing the Lord's work and am excited about organizing some awesome praise and worship teams for our walks and gatherings. Married 27 years to my beautiful wife Trish, we have three children, Emily, Shane and Nick. We live in northeastern Bartholomew County. We attend The Cross of Hope, where I am a guitarist on the praise and worship team and we also attend Community Church of Columbus. I've owned and operated Neafus Masonry and Soot Busters Chimney Sweep since 1991 and I love to pick the blues. Trish works as a system analyst for CRH. Our daughter Emily is a wife, mom and law student. Shane has just recently finished a four year stint with the US Marines and is working in the family business and our youngest son Nick is a senior at Hauser and has enlisted into the US Marines and will be shipping out in July. My love for God and my desire to play music for Him has enriched my life. De Colores
January Community Gathering Friday, January 20, 2017 @ 7:00 pm Trinity United Methodist Church 333 S. Chestnut, Seymour M-Z bring snacks and drinks Future Community Gatherings February 17-- Ogilville Christian Church March 17 -- Central Christian Church, Seymour (Team Commissioning) April -- no Gathering due to Flights/Walks Board Meetings at The Rock 3990 Rocky Ford Rd., Columbus Chrysalis Tuesday, January 3, 6:30 pm Emmaus Saturday, January 14, 9:00 am SEVERE WEATHER ALERT If an Emmaus event is cancelled due to severe weather the community will be notified through the following sources On our Website www.columbusareaemmaus.community and an E-mail alert Columbus Indiana Area Emmaus Community, Inc. www.comumbusareaemmaus.community Emmaus Information Page (for community members) Username: columbus password: 4thday!