el Quiri
Greater Sidney Area Emmaus newsletter February, 1998
From your SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR ...
A REMEMBRANCE OF LOVE:
As Valentine's Day approaches, I think back to those early school days when I rushed home, emptied the oatmeal out of its big round container, gathered up glue, paper, crayons, glitter, and started making a box for all those valentines I hoped I would receive. Was there that "someone" special you hoped would give you a valentine, only to realize after all the cards were passed out the "someone" forgot you?
In the book, A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Dale Galloway shares this touching lesson (story):
"Little Chad was a shy, quiet young man. One day he came home and told his mother that he'd like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, 'I wish he wouldn't do that!' because she had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other. But Chad was never included. Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son. So she purchased the paper and glue and crayons. For three weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made 35 valentines.
Valentine's Day dawned, and Chad was beside himself with excitement. He carefully stacked them up, put them in a bag, and bolted out the door. His mother decided to bake him his favorite cookies and serve them nice and warm with a cool glass of milk when he came home from school. She just knew he would be disappointed and maybe that would ease the pain a little. It hurt her to think that he wouldn't get many valentines - maybe none at all.
That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table. When she heard the children outside, she looked out the window. Sure enough, there they came, laughing and having the best time. And, as always, there was Chad in the rear. He walked a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he got inside. His arms were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened she choked back the tears.
She told Chad, 'Mommy has some cookies and milk for you.' But he hardly heard her words. He just marched right on by, his face aglow, and all he could say was: 'not a one. Not a one!' Her heart sank. And then he added, 'I didn't forget a one, not a single one!' "
Others may forget us, but we are assured that God, through His Son, Jesus Christ will never forget us! "I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; . . ." Isaiah 49:15b, 16
Kathy
On the Road ...
One of the "gifts" that each pilgrim receives from The Greater Sidney Area Emmaus Community is a booklet entitled "Day Four...the Pilgrim’s Continued Journey." Most likely you received it in your information pack even if you did not take your Walk in Sidney. It is a very good book about the Walk and has a whole chapter on duties of sponsorship. I would encourage you to read and read again this booklet to help understand the focus of Emmaus.
I’d like to share a portion of that book with you. There is a chapter that relives the weekend and explains the third day like this: "The third day began with the meditation ‘The Humanity of Jesus.’ It recalled scriptural experiences in which Jesus used human qualities such as empathy, understanding, anger, and love to share God’s spirit and grace with those around him... It challenged you to use your human qualities to share God’s spirit in your daily life. The talks.... suggesting practical ways of being a good disciple in transforming your day-to-day environments and helping them become more Christ-like."
Is that what you remember about Sunday of your Walk? Or were you too tired to remember anything? Sunday truly is a challenge for our Fourth Days to come. But are you living up to the challenge? Are you using your human qualities to share God’s spirit in your job, your family, your church, or your community? How are you transforming your day-to-day environments and making them more Christ-like? Remember, the Emmaus and Chrysalis communities offer many ways to recharge your batteries through gatherings, share groups, communion, and weekend service. Please take advantage of those opportunities to help you focus on your main goal...to equip and empower our churches and to change our worlds so that Christ is better known. If you are not doing those things, you are not using the gifts that God has given you. Have you ever felt disappointment when a child tosses aside a gift that you gave to them to focus on something else? How much worse must God feel when He has carefully chosen and given each of us gifts that we do not use?
As we are beginning a new year, I encourage everyone to find a share group. There is NO better way to keep track. Also attend a Gathering when you can. Sidney’s is the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. If you haven’t been there lately, why not come and recharge? We’ll be glad to share with you in communion and fellowship. And who knows...you might just get that "recharge" that we all need from time to time!!
Ed Maxwell
News from the Good Shepherds!
Happy Valentine’s Day from your Good Shepherds Steve Hunsucker and Judy Cartwright.
Thank you for all your responses to our share group questionnaire. We still need information if you have not yet responded.
It is so important for us to have that information so that we may help you maintain your present share group or start new ones if the need arises. We also have a responsibility to the new members of the community to help them establish and maintain share groups.
As you know, part of our growth in our walk with God is entering into a lasting relationship with Him through our accountability. This can be achieved to some degree through membership in a share group.
Before we completed our walk and entered into our Fourth days, we were encouraged to become involved in a share group as soon as possible.
The Board of Directors is strongly encouraging everyone to become involved in a share group. This encouragement extends especially to those who participate in walks as team members. As we share with each other in a group, we are also learning a great deal about accepting the sharing from pilgrims in the conference room. God will bless you also.
Thank you so much for your cooperation in this matter. Our prayers are with you as you continue through your Fourth days.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Women’s Walk #11 - April 30-May 3, 1998
Women’s Walk #12 - July 9-12, 1998
Men’s Walk #11 - July 30 - Aug 2, 1998
Women’s Walk #13 - October 15-18, 1998
Men’s Walk #12 - November 19-22, 1998
Recipe Corner
Here is a "Ridiculously Easy Recipe" taken from the Internet--not necessarily one you’ve eaten at a Walk or Gathering: CROCK POT POTATO SOUP
1. Wash, peel & slice 6 medium-sized potatoes.
2. Toss into crock pot with 1½ cups of heavy cream, 4 cups milk and 1 stick butter.
3. Turn crock pot on high, cover for 3 hours.
4. Uncover, add ½ tsp sage, ½ tsp oregano, ½ tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper and 2 tsp dill.
5. Smush mixture, if level is low, add some more milk, cover again for another hour.
6. Uncover, mush until smooth.
You don’t have to worry about overcooking, however this is a cholesterol fest. But GOOD!
Ladies Ladies Ladies!!
Do you like to sing? Come join us in singing praises to our Lord! We have had a great start with 8-10 ladies at our first rehearsal. We need more to join us.
No audition — No need to read music
Come and try us out at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday before the Gathering begins at 7:00. We will not sing at the Gatherings for several months. For more information call Judy Cartwright: 492-4966.
FEBRURY BOARD MEETING
First United Methodist Church
Thursday, February 19, 1998
(note change in date)
6:45 p.m. - Chapel
Help is Always Appreciated!!
There are many ways to serve God, the Emmaus community and Pilgrims during a weekend:
Set-up / Wednesday - 6:30 p.m.
Send-off Meal / Thursday - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday Evening Meal Decorating - 2 - 3 p.m. and 3:20 - 4:30 p.m. (This is only done between speakers giving talks and after lunch is over.)
Ice Cream Social / Saturday - 10:00 until midnight
(This is a good activity for a share group)
Sunday morning set-up / Sunday - 6 - 8 a.m.
(We must have the classrooms back in order by 7:30)
Closing Meal Tear-down / Sunday - 7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
Contact: Gene & Elaine Mitchell - 596-6696
For Prayer Vigil contact: Judy Zweibel 492-0521
We encourage you to submit information and articles for this newsletter. Deadline for the March newsletter is Feb. 25. If you have any additions or corrections to the mailing list or any other suggestions for this newsletter or our Emmaus community, please let us know. Address correspondence to:
Greater Sidney Area Emmaus Commun
230 E. Poplar Street, Sidney, OH 45365
or fax Christi at 937/498-8189
or e-mail "clthomas@bright.net"
Visit our website: www.oneinspirit.com/emmaus/index.html