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Greater Sidney Area Emmaus Newsletter February 2004

Listening.............

The spiritual practice of deep listening is essential for us to live healthy and whole in the body of Christ.

WHEN SOMEONE DEEPLY LISTENS TO YOU
When someone deeply listens to you
It is like holding out a dented cup
You*ve had since childhood
And watching it fill up with
Cold, fresh water.
When it balances on top of the brim,
You are understood.
When it overflows and touches your skin,
You are loved

When someone deeply listens to you,
The room where you stay
Start a new life
And the place where you wrote
Your first poem
Begins to glow in your mind*s eye.
It is as if gold has been discovered!

When someone deeply listens to you,
Your bare feet are on the earth
And a beloved land that seemed distant
Is now at home within you.

**John Fox
**In Finding What You Didn*t Lose

Deep listening is a spiritual experience. Our need is to talk. Our need is to share what we know. But Jesus asks us to listen. If we can remain still and listen we soon find ourselves on holy ground. If we remain quiet we may have the privilege of touching the very heart of God in someone. It is like going to visit someone who is very ill or someone who has lost a loved one. We do not know what to say. We trust God for the conversation and leave having been blessed by the very person we thought we were going to bless. Can we remember that an encounter with someone is not just an encounter but is God putting you in place to listen. We are all called to the ministry of listening.
Go and listen.***DeColores
****Barbara Staley

Kitchen News
You may have noticed a few changes in the Kitchen on the recent Women's Walk. The most noticeable change is that there are now more opportunities to serve! There are now 6 cooks and 8 servers needed for each meal, except on Saturday night where 6 cooks and 12 servers are needed. That means that if you have been longing to work in the kitchen, now is your time! Also, there have been a few menu changes, as well as a change to having daily coordinators in charge of the kitchen each day of the Walks.
While cooking and serving meals in the Kitchen on Walk weekends, you are the Body of Christ in action to the pilgrims and team you are serving. This is one of the greatest opportunities that you could have to serve Christ. Just some reminders.....if you are serving on Saturday night, you will need to remember to wear a white shirt/blouse and black slacks/skirt. You will be serving food and drinks, helping clear the tables, and doing dishes. When serving meals on other days, no specific clothing is required, but the duties are the same. When cooking or serving meals, please arrive promptly at the appropriate time, and stay until you are excused to go. If you have any questions about the kitchen, please see Suzie Baker, GSAE Kitchen Coordinator.

Kitchen Crew for Men's Walk #28

Friday, February 20

Breakfast-served @ 8:00 am--Cooks arrive @6:00 am
1. Sharon Herring**4.
2. Betty Alder**5.
3. Jim Alder**6.
Servers - Arrive @ 7:30 am
1. Burns Wren**5.
2 Mary Lou Wren**6.
3. Sandy Lockwood*7.
4. Mike Madden**8.
Lunch -Served @ 12:30pm-- Cooks arrive @ 10:00 am
1. Janis Blake**4. Mike Linton
2. Ken Sims**5. Shelly Linton
3. Lisa Newcomer**6.
Servers: arrive @ 12:00 pm
1. Jill Ludwig**5.
2. Melody Schneider*6.
3. Connie Hudson**7.
4.***8.
Supper-served @ 5:30 pm- Cooks arrive @ 3:00 p.m.*
1. Janis Blake**4. Lee Heintz
2. Peggy Fogt**5. Jan Heinrich
3. Mark Burd**6.
Servers - arrive @ 5:00 pm
1. Cheryl Pulfer**5. Mike Snider
2. Fred Pulfer**6. Kelly Connor
3. Jason Snider**7.
4. Diane Snider**8.

Saturday - February 21

Breakfast-served @ 8:00 am- Cooks arrive @ 6:00 am
1 John C. Thomas**4.
2. Shelia Nuss**5.
3. Monty Riegle**6.
Servers arrive @- 7:30 am
1. Gloria England**5. Joyce Shirk
2. John England**6. Don Shirk
3. Eric Moore**7. Tim Flinn
4. Billie Moore**8. Kevin Queen
Lunch-served @ 12:30 pm - Cooks arrive @ 10:00 am
1. Janis Blake**4. Steve Staton
2. Vera Piper**5. Carol Buck
3. Neal Piper**6. Chuck Buck
Servers- arrive @ 12:00 pm
1. Harry Congdon* *5. Bonnie Deck
2. Nancy Congdon**6.
3. Jody Prater**7.
4. Trisha Deck**8.
Supper-served @ 5:40 pm- Cooks arrive @ 3:00 pm
1. Janis Blake**4. Cheryl Micheal
2. Tara Schultz**5. Bob Francis
3. John Schultz**6.
Servers - arrive @ 5:00 pm
1. Deb Rinehart**7. Carleen Pettit
2. Roger Beaver**8. Opal Logan
3. Tim Brookman**9. Lee Logan
4. Wilma Williams*10. Jason Snider
5. Jody Prater**11. Kelly Connor
6. Ellen Grieshop**12. Jennifer Stutz

Sunday,February 22

Breakfast-served @ 7:30 am-- Cooks arrive @ 6;00 am
1. Fritz Serr**4. Kay Rickey
2.Deb Serr**5. Mark Burd
3. Terry Sharp**6. Bob Francis
Servers -arrive @ 7:00 am
1. Don DeWeese**5. Shirley DeWeese
2. Candy Sharp**6. Tim Flinn
3. Wilma Williams*7. Dave Rump
4. Ellen Grieshop**8. Phyllis Rump
Lunch -served @ 11:30 am-- Cooks arrive @ 10:00 am
1. Jody Prater**4. Kevin Queen
2. Carleen Pettit**5.
3. Karen Queen**6.
Servers - arrive @ 11:00 am
1. Janis Blake**5.
2. Wilma Williams*6.
3. Earl Shidecker**7.
4.***8.

As you can tell there are a few empty spots where people are still needed. If you can help out please call Suzi Baker at (937) 596-5533 or e-mail her at linkertucky@earthlink.com. Also, if you are unable to work please try to find someone to replace you - every worker is important! Thank You!

F.Y.I.
In case an emergency arises during an Emmaus Walk weekend and you need to contact a pilgrim, the following phone numbers are being made known to the Community. The order is based on the location of the home of the Executive Board Members in relation to the church, to assist in getting information to the team and pilgrims promptly.
#1 Sidney First Un. Meth. Church (937) 492-9136
#2 Treasurer Patty Yinger (937) 498-1599
#3 Leadership Sharon Halter (937) 585-4869
#4 Chairman Jerry Noble * (937) 465-7696
#5 Vice-Chair John Lockwood (419) 991-8532
#6 Secretary Lisa Newcomer * (419) 753-2121

Come and welcome our newest
*Emmaus members.
Let's show them some true
* agape LOVE...
Candlelight is at 8:00 p.m. Saturday night, February 21, at the First United Methodist Church.
The Closing for the pilgrims will be at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Please come after 4:00 p.m. and meet in the Old Fellowship Hall.

2004 Calendar of Events---Sidney Emmaus Community
Feb. 10**Gathering
Feb. 19-22**MW#28, Eric Truxal, Lay Director
**Neil Whitney, Spiritual Director
Feb. 26**GSAE Board Meeting
March 9**Gathering
March 13**Dayton Training Event(8:30am-4:30pm)
March 25**GSAE Board Meeting
April 13**Gathering
April 22**GSAE Board Meeting
May 11**Gathering
May 27**GSAE Board Meeting
June 8**Gathering
June 17-20**WW#33, Janice Locker, Lay Director
June 24**GSAE Board Meeting
July 13**Gathering
July 15-18**Men*s Walk #29, Burns Wren, Lay Director
July 22**GSAE Board Meeting
Aug. 10**Gathering
Aug. 26**GSAE Board Meeting
Sept. 14**Gathering
Sept. 23**GSAE Board Meeting
Sept. 24-25*National Celebration, Albuqurque, NM
Oct. 7-10**Women*s Walk #34
Oct. 12**Music Gathering
Oct. 28**GSAE Board Meeting
Nov. 4-7 **Men*s Walk #30
Nov. 9**Gathering
Dec. 14**Gathering
***Nov/Dec. Board Meeting Date/Time To Be Announced

Emmaus & Chrysalis Celebration 2004
September 24 & 25, 2004
First UMC - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Join national and international members in celebration, training, and sharing experiences.

Registration is $50 up to two (2) weeks before event. $75 thereafter (walk-ins welcome).

For more information contact Sharon Halter, Leadership Chair, @ 937.585.4869 or halters@2access.net <mailto:halters@2access.net>
 

Agape
A reminder that we will need agape for Men*s Walk #28 which begins on February 19. We need 64 pieces for mealtime or 36 pieces for pilgrim bedtime. Please mark on your bag/box how many pieces there are so we don*t have to count everything to figure out where it goes. This is a great help to us.
Also, no SUPER agape for pilgrims. If it won*t fit in the Sunday packet, save it until after the Walk.
We have also been getting letters for pilgrims for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Pilgrims only receive agape letters on Sunday afternoon so please do not send any letters except for Sunday. Any letters received during the weekend will go in their Sunday packet regardless of what day is written on them.
Please make sure all letters have a first and last name on them (and no nicknames) so we know who they go to.
Giving agape is one way we can all show the pilgrims how much they are loved.
If you have any questions about agape, please feel free to call me or see me in the agape room on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night of each Walk. You can also see me at the Gatherings.

Thanks for being disciples of Christ.

Pat Gregg
Agape Chairperson

2004 Gathering 4th Day Speakers
February 10**Nadine Bryan
March 9***Jason Snider
April 13***Cairos Community
May 11***Chrysalis Community
June 8***Suzie Baker
July 13***Mindy Settlage
August 10**Jody Prater
September 14**Dave Bemus
October 12**All Music Gathering
November 9**John Lockwood
December 14**Curt Hostetler
01-13-05***Tim Martin
If you are interested in being a Gathering 4th Day Speaker, please contact Vera Piper, Worship Chair.

2005 Walk Dates
Women's***Men's**
January 20-23***February 17-20
June 23-26***July 14-17
October 13-16***November 3-6

Emmaus Community Training Workshop
Saturday March 13, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Conducted by Cathi Eberly
North Central Regional Representative, Walk to Emmaus
Normandy UMC ~~ 450 West Alex-Bell Road Dayton Ohio 45459
******Topics will include:
Purpose, Mission, Vision of Emmaus, Spirit of the Walk to Emmaus, Sponsorship, Team Formation
Behind-the-scenes Servanthood, Gatherings, Share Groups, Leadership Development, 3-Day overview * And much more!
Lunch Provided!
These need to be *solid* commitments since lunch is provided and the entire day is at no charge.
For more information contact Sharon Halter, Leadership Chair, @ 937.585.4869 or halters@2access.net<mailto:halters@2access.net>

....the table is prepared......COME.......EAT.........
Greetings and Blessings to the Emmaus Community From Scott and Suzy Schulze!
As new directors of the Social Committee.......we would first like to thank each willing servant who helped us with opening and closing of the Women's Walk # 32. As the snow was flying, and everyone scurried to the safety of their home.......those of you who stayed and helped with the clean-up were GOD SENT and appreciated MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW!
That was our first walk in our new position......and it was a trial run for us. We shared fellowship, had a blast, learned alot, and came away satisfied and happy. However, we realize that the need for additional help is detrimental during walks.
We so enjoy the "social" aspect of this position......as well as the ability to serve our community, which has so generously served and loved us. This need is much like the one you serve in the kitchen area during walks, only it encompasses the entire community vs. just the team and pilgrims. It's not hard work, but it is IMPORTANT work.... there are many things going on at one time that most of us don't realize. The warm food must stay warm....the cold food must stay cold....pies and cakes need cut...silverware, plates, cups, napkins must find their way to the table. A small thing like serving drinks requires a minimum of 4 people on walk nights, just to pour pop. Then....Just like any meal we eat....there is cleanup required after the meal.
This is our PLEA.....our CALL....To the Emmaus Community. Many times, there are people who are desiring a way to serve this beautiful community we have entered in to, but aren't sure HOW. Maybe you aren't able to help each walk...maybe you could only come on Sun. and not Thurs....maybe you would like to serve Ice Cream for the ice cream social ......
The kitchen area fills quickly, with many willing people left behind, with no space needing filled. WE have places where an extra pair of hands would make the difference ten fold. ARE THOSE HANDS YOURS????
Our Mens Walk #28 is coming....SOON. We need 2 or 3 willing servants to head the Ice Cream Social on Feb. 21. This is a wonderful opportunity for a share group, or just a group of willing friends. We also need extra hands for the opening (Thurs. evening) and closing events (Sun. evening). If you are led to serve or just desire information, please contact us at 937-492-5347.
********In Christ's Love, Scott and Suzy

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a
refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a
Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith
and made an appointment to watch him at work.
She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up.He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. "She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment.
Then she asked the silversmith, "How do
you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's
easy - when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the
fire, remember that God has His eye on you
and will keep watching you until He sees His image
in you.

"Life is a coin. You can spend it any
way you wish, but you can only spend it once."

Sponsorship: An important Job
Sponsorship is an important part of Emmaus. The quality of sponsorship influences the pilgrims, the Emmaus community, and the church.
Sponsorship is the first part of the Emmaus Walk. Good sponsorship shows love or agape to the prospective pilgrim. Sponsorship includes acts of agape such as prayer, agape letters, your presence at Candlelight and Closing, and of course, follow-up in the 4th days.
The foundation for a healthy, effective Emmaus Movement is good sponsorship. This is the start of the development of Christian leaders and the strengthening of the church ministry. The Emmaus community becomes a strong vital force in the renewal movement.
The goal of the sponsor is to bring spiritual revitalization to Christians, who in turn will bring life and ideas to the church, to the workplace, to the community and into their homes. THE AIM IS TO BUILD UP THE BODY OF CHRIST.
Encourage your pilgrim to become involved in their 4th days. Help the pilgrim find or start a share group. Take the pilgrim to Gatherings. Help the pilgrim to act out new commitment and enthusiasm within their church. Encourage the pilgrim to serve the Emmaus community and be involved with future walks. Allow the pilgrim to become a light and servant of God.
Sponsorship is an act of love for God, for the Emmaus community, and for the church. It allows us to be instruments of Prevenient Grace.

Shirley DeWeese, Sponsorship Chair

The Ginghamsburg Church will be having a Gathering each 4th Friday of the month and the next one will be on Feb 27th. It will be held at the South Campus Discipleship Center at 6:30 PM. Bring a covered dish and your enthusiasm to meet and share with the community. The contact/liason person for these gatherings is Diana Searls and can be reached at dsearls@gum-net.org

We encourage you to submit information and articles for this newsletter. Deadline for the April newsletter is April 2 . 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 Community
230 E. Poplar Street
Sidney, Ohio 45365
or email melinda@bright.net