SONrise Emmaus Newsletter Strengthening the Local Church Summer 2016 Edition 2015 Board Members Ernie Vogel 677-5302 Community Lay Director John Aycock Community Lay Director Elect Steve Pate Community Spiritual Director. Community Spiritual Director Elect Melisa Morse Community Chrysalis Lay Director Mike Roberts Community Chrysalis Lay Dir Elect Lisa Beverly Secretary Daryl Anderson Treasurer Jamey Ferguson Worship Chair Rodney Oden Facilities Chair Mike/Melanie Austin Registrars Chair Mike Hawn Agape Chair Joe Bettini Historian Stephanie Blythe Purchasing Chair Communications Chair WALK REGISTRARS Men s Registrar Ellen West Women s Registrar Wanda Valentine Boy s Chrysalis Flight/Journey Mike/Melanie Austin Girl s Chrysalis Flight/Journey Phil Clemons Community Lay Director This newsletter contains reflections from several of our community members to these questions: What did my Pilgrim Walk Mean to Me? Why Do I Volunteer? I encourage you to read these reflections and think about your own answers. Two more closely related questions are: How has God worked in my life since my Pilgrim Walk? How might God be calling me to serve? I encourage you to serve. Volunteer or say yes when asked. I find that I always receive much more than I give when serving in this community. Further, whether serving in the community, on a team, or on the board, it just keeps getting better as I see God working in my own life and in the lives of others. For suggestions on how you might serve, see the "How can I help" section in this newsletter. I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and serve in a new way. Whenever I have, I have found that the blessings far exceed any concerns that I had. Thanks to all of you for your support of the community and of our future pilgrims and caterpillars. Chrysalis News De Colores, Ernie Vogel Summer is a season of growth and Chrysalis is blooming. We know the revival is a result of your prayers and we thank you for being faithful prayer warriors. Come and celebrate with us Friday, July 22 4pm on Duck Island at Warrior s Park. Bring a covered dish and join us for some fun in the sun and water! Then Friday, August 5 Sunday, August 7 we are having a girls and boys Chrysalis Flight at Colonial Heights Baptist. It is for upcoming Sophomores to age 21. Applications will be available soon, be praying about who you can sponsor. Also, please pray for the upcoming caterpillars and teams. If you have any questions or would like information on how you can help, call me at 423-416-3052 or message me on Facebook. Have a great, blessed summer! de Colores, Melisa Morse, 2016 Chrysalis Community Lay Director Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? Then I said, Here am I. Send me! Isaiah 6:8 SONrise Emmaus
Pilgrims names will be published on the website after Send Off. Look for them on the community page of the SONrise Emmaus website and on the yahoo group postings. Get Community Information On-Line One of the ways you can stay connected and get information is to join the Yahoo Group for SONrise Emmaus. Community information will be available on line. Just prior to Walks, Flights and Journeys, newsletters will be published in electronic format and from time to time will be mailed to community members. All of them will be available on line at: www.sonriseemmaus.org/holyspirit Consider signing up for our community emails, if you have not already done so. Go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sonrise-emmaus/ KEEP INFORMED JOIN! Join our Yahoo news group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sonrise-emmaus/ Click on the button that says, "Join Group Please provide your name along with the community where you attended the Walk (and Walk number or year attended) Note: This will not generate spam or unwanted e-mails. This group will only be used for news/information for our SONrise Emmaus community. Be sure to log in with a yahoo id to have full access to the website calendar, etc. Receive the latest, most up-to-date information on walks, gatherings, etc. Receive driving directions to location, churches, events Join us on Facebook SONrise Emmaus Community Group is a private group that you can join to receive notices of Gatherings and general information. You will also be able to share prayer request and other information with the Facebook community. Contact Stephanie Blythe at scadgrad98@gmail.com. Our Emmaus Website As part of our Emmaus Community, you have access to a great resource, our SONrise Emmaus website. You can access a wealth of community information on this website. In particular, you can find: the historical newsletters and the most current applications for Emmaus, Chrysalis, and Journeys Gathering dates and locations Pilgrim Lists Hint: If you forget the website address, go to a search engines on the web and type in SONrise Emmaus Use the address with /holyspirit to find all the information above. Website: http://www.sonrise-emmaus.org/holyspirit/ SONrise Emmaus 2
Reflections: What did my Pilgrim Walk Mean to Me? Why Do I Volunteer? I love to serve as a volunteer on Emmaus weekends! Emmaus is the Body of Christ as it was meant to be believers from many different congregations working together in agape love to minister to other believers. Hearts are healed, bondage is broken, faith is renewed. The same talks are given, but they are different and powerful every time because they are given by people with different life experiences. The teams are different every time, but that doesn t matter because God always shows up, and uses each person to display His love. Emmaus is serious ministry, and is blessed by God! Blessings, Kathy McDavid Walk 35, Table of Sarah My children were quite young when my husband, Chas, and I went on our walks. We did not actively participate at that time in Community Events. However, since they are now grown, we have served on several teams and have seen the workings of the Holy Spirit from the community and team side of the walk and stand amazed at His mighty work. If you have been hesitant to get involved, please let someone know that you are interested in serving on a team and become the hands and feet of Christ in a movement that lifts high the name of the Lord in the Kingsport area! It's never too late to get involved. Patty Seeger Walk 39, Table of Anna My Emmaus walk saved my life. I volunteer because I am so grateful for that fact. Betty Crawford Walk 95 Table of Martha I serve the SonRise Emmaus Community fellow members and new pilgrims, hoping to return to them the love and grace I experienced on my Pilgrim Walk. Besides attending a reunion group; Serving meals, on teams, setting up, taking down, and helping with background tasks such as purchasing, logistics or communications are just a few ways to stay connected and minister to one another. Stephanie Blythe, Walk 81, Table of Martha SONrise Emmaus 3
Reflections: What did my Pilgrim Walk Mean to Me? Why Do I Volunteer? I have bragged so many times about our wonderful SonRise Emmaus Community! It's made of precious people who are focused on, and centered around our Amazing Lord Jesus Christ! When I went on my pilgrim walk, I had 4 young children at home, including an infant daughter whom I had just weaned! I was a little reluctant to go on the walk, but was absolutely amazed by the experience! It was all about "living in the moment" and "basking in the love of God!" And the only thing that beats the incredible experience of my pilgrim walk is getting involved in volunteering and serving on and to other teams! The blessing never stops, and truly, it just keeps getting, better and better!! DeColores! Laura Cox Walk 37 Table of Sarah Since I first participated as a Pilgrim on the Walk to Emmaus back in 1993, I have said many times that it was one of the high points of my spiritual journey, a true mountaintop experience, even though church attendance has always been part of my life. Serving as a member of the Emmaus Community, I often think how this must have been like the Early Church. Regardless of our denominational affiliation, we work together to fulfill the needs of the pilgrims, caterpillars, and team members without hesitation and without expectation of something in return. We understand the blessings they will experience and we serve for the pure joy of giving in the name of Jesus Christ. Susan N. Lodal, Table of Sarah, Walk #16 SONrise Emmaus 4
Reflections: What did my Pilgrim Walk Mean to Me? Why Do I Volunteer? "It was life changing" has taken on a new meaning. On July 8, 2014 while attending a Celebrate Recovery Summit meeting in Orlando, Fla, John Baker (from Saddleback Church, Rick Warren Pastor) asked 3 questions: 1) What in your past, a hurt or wound, lie from the enemy is keeping you from being all God has created you to be? 2) What in your present is keeping you from being everything God created you to be? 3) What in your future are you fearful of that could keep you from being everything God created you to be? My answer came quickly. The lie of the enemy that had taken root in my early childhood, that I wasn't really loved, I wasn't worth someone fighting for me, never quite good enough to be loved. That it was always my fault. After we answered all 3 we nailed them to the cross. "It is finished" On July 26, 2014, I experienced a catastrophic accident. My life changed forever, in a split minute all control given to my Savior; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Due to head trauma, leg shattered, orbital eye blow out, broken nose, wrist, etc. was I going to make it? It was in the midst of a horrific storm, God used the Emmaus Community to heal and seal the deep wound of childhood. He showed me His unconditional, never ending, compassionate, tender, agape love, through the body of Christ, you my brothers and sisters. It was through prayer, visits, meals, transportation, cards, texts, phone calls, the truth of His Word spoken over me, His love poured out. He didn't leave any portion of my heart untouched, healing and sealing. The enemy intended to harm me, but God intended it for good! So when I say my Emmaus Walk in 2010 was "life changing", Oh, it was life changing for sure, I could not have made it without Jesus Christ working through each of you. A beautiful display of the "Body of Christ". Forever grateful, forever thankful! "And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 De Colores! When someone ask me about my Emmaus Walk experience my response is always; "It was life changing" Michelle Campbell Walk #87 2010 - Table of Ruth SONrise Emmaus 5
Reflections: What did my Pilgrim Walk Mean to Me? Why Do I Volunteer? What My Pilgrim Walk Meant to Me Beautiful voices lifted in continuous praise and honor To the One who drew me there, on purpose, With a mighty plan to shake up my world Laughter bursting forth from lungs gasping for the next breath Legs crossed for fear of you know what Giggling Out of control amidst the whirling Holy Spirit Talk after Talk amidst a roomful of snotting women Touched by those being used by God to reveal who He is to us And how His Grace in all its forms is sufficient... period Tears of joy streaming down a shining face Turned upwards to a God who thoroughly, jealously loves me With an unfathomable love I reclaimed my Peace and Joy, that I had allowed others to steal from me. Katherine Janney Walk 108 Table of Mary Quiet meditation in a sanctuary filled with muffled sniffles As He does His work, as He meets me there, as He ministers And heals in a profound and beautiful way Soulful sobs wracking an aging body bent in pain Pouring out grief and anger and regret at dying moments As walls come down and barriers crumble A glimpse of heaven through a candlelit sea of saints A celebration of God s triumph in the afterglow of a powerful victory Over pain, over bondage, over loss all left at the altar A roller coaster ride of emotion ending with healing letters from home More tears cleansing tears - healing tears crossing over To a new fourth day adventure, changed forever. I am here today because of the Emmaus Community. My pilgrim walk came during a very low point in my life. I challenged and dared God to do something--he did far more than I expected. Mike Baird ********************************************** It was a life-changing experience and that is why I volunteer to pay it forward. Cheri Morgan Walk# 77 Table of Esther Since my walk I have stayed involved in the Emmaus Community. It is such a blessing to serve our awesome God. I have made lifelong friends, have a wonderful reunion group that provides accountability, and serving others bring me great joy! Lisa Beverly Walk 91, Table of Sarah. SONrise Emmaus 6
I went on my pilgrim walk almost exactly ten years after coming to faith as a middleaged adult. The walk reinvigorated my faith and allowed me to connect with a diverse community of people who all believe in the saving grace of following Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It provided guidance on how to maintain my faith through piety, growth, and action. But much more than that, it demonstrated how true love, as demonstrated by Christ, is alive and well in the world today and that I have ample opportunity to share that love with those in the world around me. Howard Carman, Walk 101, Table of John I volunteer for SonRise Emmaus walks so that others may experience the love, kindness, joy, grace and compassion like I received when I went on my walk. My heart was heavy when I went on my walk and now it is light as a feather! God has blessed me with the SonRise Emmaus community. Christine Newman, Walk 106, Table of Sarah Hi Emmaus peeps. After my pilgrim walk I wanted to share the same love I had received during my walk. I found that by helping at set up and even serving some meals I was indeed showing God's love. Shawn Blythe Walk 96 Table of Peter The reason I like to volunteer my time in Emmaus are the life long lasting relationships that I have made with people from all walks of life. It is amazing how God knits us together and even though we may not see some as often as we would like - when we do come together it is as if we have not even been apart. He is our common thread that holds us together... Angels With Crooked Halos Kubie Ford Walk# 47, Table of Martha SONrise Emmaus 7
SONrise Emmaus Community Let s Be the body of Christ in action How can I help, you ask? 1. Pray pray for the teams and the pilgrims and pray to see if God is leading you to sponsor a pilgrim/ caterpillar for a walk/flight. Sign up for the prayer vigil for the upcoming walks/flight. 2. Sponsor a pilgrim/caterpillar (see registrar information) 3. Volunteer to serve on teams 4. Serve meals during the walk jump right in and help the teams (set tables, clean up after meals, wash dishes, etc.) 5. Come to sendoff, candlelight and closing to support the pilgrims and teams 6. Help with the facilities setting up and taking down (we really need lots of help with this) 7. Share your musical ability with the community become a part of the worship team for gatherings, candlelight, etc. 8. Are you a good planner or organizer? Would you like to help with purchasing or shopping? Contact Stephanie Blythe scadgrad98@gmail.com 9. Do you have a passion for the youth? Get involved in the Chrysalis program!! 10. If you are interested in serving on a team, OR HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT TO SHARE, let the community lay director know! 11. Contribute pay for a pilgrim/caterpillar scholarship or donate to the general fund. We are non-profit but we do have lots of expenses. 12. COME TO THE GATHERINGS AND BRING FRIENDS AND RELATIVES SONrise Emmaus Calendar July No Gathering August 5-8 Chrysalis Flight Colonial Heights Baptist August 14 at 4PM Community Picnic Bays Mountain Eastman Shelters 28 and 30 September 10 Gathering (at 6:30 PM) Mayfair Oct. 6-9 Oct 20-23 Women's Walk Lay Director: Laura Cox Men's Walk Lay Director: Andy Harkins Colonial Heights Baptist Colonial Heights Baptist Gatherings begin at 6:30 p.m. with a covered dish dinner and fellowship, followed by our program at 7:30 p.m. Your family and friends are invited. Feel free to bring a guest! In months with Fourth Days meetings, they begin at 5:30 p.m. SONrise Emmaus 8