el Quiri
Greater Sidney Area Emmaus Newsletter January 2004
New Year's Greetings........
Several years ago my father told me, "One of these days,
you'll have children of your own". This coming March, I will have been a father
for thirty years. That's more than twice as long as I haven't been. That doesn't
seem possible to me at times. I'm still a kid, at heart. Those of you who know
me can attest to that. By today's society, I think I would be considered on the
low end of middle age at 48. Now that I've given you those two numbers, you can
do the math and figure out how old I was when our son David was born. You can
also see what I mean when I say that I'm not old, I just have old kids.
"We were kids, having kids and didn't have any clue what it meant to be a
parent, let alone a role model for a newborn. I was still trying to figure out
what my parents were all about. Of course, not doing a very good job of it
either. Never thinking I'd be able to attend college, I settled into a job. Just
like my dad, I was supporting the family. Through the government's miracle of
financial aid, college no longer was a distant dream, but an eternity of
repayment reality. Some of you may be living that experience now.
A good friend of mine has said it best, "I went to football to play college".
After cramming 4 years into 5, degree in hand, started living the life that
would bring my family and me, now with a second child, eternal happiness. So far
in this long story you see that we were doing things, we thought, that God had
planned for us. What was missing was the "God" part. We went to church, put on a
pretty good show for quite a few years. Trouble was, over those years God kept
getting pushed farther and farther away. This you see was getting what I wanted
accomplished, but not what God wanted. What He wanted was a true relationship
with me in order for Him to guide me in my path leading my family in His
direction.
Emmaus gave me focus and turned my life around, as I'm sure it has for all of
you. When we have our minds and hearts focused on Christ, it's when we get the
most in return from our Savior. Mary and Joseph had their focus on Christ that
night over 2000 years ago. They put aside all their human wants to do God's
will. Luke 2: 40-49 says that even the Christ child at a young age of 12 also
knew to keep His mind focused on his Father's business. This became very evident
to me over Christmas break. Now a grandparent, I need to continue to show Christ
through my actions to little Bryce Matthew Noble. I received the first
opportunity to do so while he was here two weeks ago. Twenty minutes of holding,
rocking, and singing to him a song from our community cantata. "Do not be
afraid, God has come to earth..... Emmanuel has come! Come and see what God has
done".
Let's all be about our Father"s business this year. God Bless!
In His Service,
Jerry Noble
Listings for Women's Walk 32.
Sidney Women's Walk # 32 Team Roster
GSAE Women's Walk #32 Pilgrim List
Come and welcome our newest Emmaus members.
Let's show them some true agape LOVE...
Candlelight is at 8:00 p.m. Saturday night, January 24th, 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.
Agape
A reminder that we will need agape for Women's Walk #32 which begins on January
22. We need 72 pieces for mealtime or 42 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.Giving agape is one way
we can all show the pilgrims how much they are loved. 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. 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 Walk Dates
Women's
January 22-25
June 17-20
October 7-10
Men's
February 19-22
July 15-18
November 4-7
2005 Walk Dates
Women's
January 20-23
June 23-26
October 13-16
Men's
February 17-20
July 14-17
November 3-6
Kitchen News
The list of kitchen servers and cooks was not available at press time. If you
are interested in serving in the kitchen on the Women's Walk, please contact the
Kitchen Coordinator, Suzie Baker. You can reach her at (937) 596-5533 or e-mail
her at linkertucky@earthlink.com.
For each meal 4 cooks are needed, and 6 Servers; except on the Saturday night
Candlelight meal, where 12 servers are needed.
Kitchen Crew for Women's Walk #32
Friday, January 23
Breakfast-served @ 8:00 a.m.
Cooks arrive @ 6:00 am
Servers - arrive @ 7:30 am
Lunch-served @ 12:30 p.m.
Cooks arrive @ 10:00 am
Servers: arrive @ 12:00 pm
Dinner-served @ 5:30 p.m.
Cooks arrive @ 3:00 p.m.
Servers - arrive @5:00 pm
Saturday - January 24
Breakfast served @ 8:00 a.m.
Cooks arrive @ 6:00 am
Servers - arrive @ 7:30 am
Lunch-served @ 12:30 p.m.
Cooks arrive @ 10:00 am
Servers arrive @ 12:00
Supper-served @ 5:40 p.m.
Cooks arrive @ 3:00 pm
Servers -arrive @ 5:00 pm
Sunday, January 25
Breakfast-served @7:30 a.m.
Cooks arrive @ 6;00 am
Servers - arrive @ 7:00 am
Lunch-served @ 11:30 a.m.
Cooks arrive @ 10:00 am
Servers - arrive @ 11:00 am
If you can help out please call Susie Baker at (937) 596-5533. Also, if you are
unable to work please try to find someone to replace you - every worker is
important! Thank You!
A new Babysitting Coordinator for Gatherings has begun her work. Tara Schultz has stepped forward to facilitate this important position in the Community. She replaces Janis Blake in this position. Thank you Janis for a job well done!!! These ladies only coordinate the babysitting though---they need you! Yes, you! At each Gathering a "team" of adults is needed to watch our dear children, so if you are interested in helping with this, please see Tara and offer your services to her! You'll be glad you did!!!!!!!!
2004 Calendar of Events---Sidney Emmaus Community
Jan. 13 Gathering
Jan. 22-25 WW#32, Carleen Pettit, Lay Director
Myra Ary, Spiritual Director
Jan. 29 GSAE Board Meeting
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/Normandy Training Event
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
July 22 GSAE Board Meeting
Aug. 10 Gathering
Aug. 26 GSAE Board Meeting
Sept. 14 Gathering
Sept. 23 GSAE Board Meeting
Oct. 7-10 Women's Walk #34
Oct. 12 Music Gathering
Oct. 28 GSAE Board Meeting
Dear Community,
Would you like to do special music at a Gathering? 2003 has blessed us with some
very special music---maybe God has laid it on your heart to share your gift of
music with the Community as well. If you are interested, please contact Eric
Truxal at a Gathering or by e-mail. The e-mail address is truxale@nationwide.com.
Remember-if you feel God nudging you to share your gift of song, then I invite
you to let your light shine!
I love you all,
Eric Truxal, GSAE Music Chair
2004 Gathering 4th Day Speakers
January 13 Mike Snider
February 10 Nadine Bryan
March 9 Jason Snider
April 13 Cairos Community
May 11 Chrysalis Community
June 8 Susie 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.
Help Wanted: Several positions available, great benefits, set
your own hours. Earn rewards that cannot be measured. No previous experience
necessary, or special skills required. No referrals or resume required. Just
start as soon as you want. Job description: Prayer partner for Emmaus Community.
Check out these testimonies "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of
the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified..." St. Paul to the Thessalonicans.
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much..." James the
brother of Jesus. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy
Spirit, who is in you..." St. Paul to the Corinthians and "the Spirit intercedes
for the saints in accordance with God's will." St. Paul to the Romans. Be a part
of a great team!!!
(Anonymously submitted by a Greater Sidney Emmaus Community Member)
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!
As the new year begins, the transition of the GSAE Board has also begun as we
welcome new members, and say goodbye to "retiring" members. The Community
appreciates all that you do for the benefit of furthering the kingdom of God in
the Greater Sidney area. May God richly bless each of you!
Lisa Newcomer replaces Cindy Stienecker as Secretary
Suzie Baker repalces Iva Lenhart as Kitchen Coordinator
Scott & Susie Schulze replace Diann Gault as Social Chair
Denny Brown replaces Steve Beers as Logistics Chair
Marilane Fry replaces Nancy Freshour as Wom. Good Shepard
Carol Overholt replaces Linda Dulin as Women's Registrar
Shirley DeWeese replaces John Lockwood as Sponsorship Chair
Jerry Noble moves to Chairman/Lay Director
Sharon Halter moves to Leadership Chair
John Lockwood moves to Vice Chairman
Jeff Smalley and Don Ramsey-Assistant Spiritual Directors
Our most heartfelt thanks also goes out to Randy Locker, who ended his 3 year
term on the Executive Board as the Leadership Chairman. The Board is indebted to
Randy for his hard work and dedicated years of service to the Greater Sidney
Area Emmaus Community. Well done, thy good and faithful servant!
GSAE Board News ............
Have you ever wanted to know more about how you can better serve your Emmaus
Community? This might be the training opportunity you have been waiting for! The
Dayton/Normandy Emmaus Community has invited our community to an all day
training event on Saturday, March 13 from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Lunch will be
provided. More details about this event will be coming at a later time, but mark
your calendars now! You won't want to miss this!
ABC's OF A FRUITFUL LIFE
A lways put God first in your life.
B e a true friend and you will have many friends.
C ount and thank God for your many blessings daily.
D iscipline yourself. Decide to make your life count.
E dify and encourage others consistently.
F ollow great leaders and then become one.
G ive liberally and joyfully of your time, talents and means.
H ave an attitude of gratitude.
I nvert any negatives thrown your way. Turn them into positives.
J ourney through life one step and one day at a time.
K eep written goals set ahead. Make specific plans to accomplish them.
L ove and forgive everybody.
M aximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
N ever, never, never give up!
O pen the door wide when opportunity knocks.
P ractice patience. Promote peace.
Q uit bad habits by replacing them with good habits.
R ead God's Word and other profitable material every chance you get.
S hare the Gospel whenever and wherever possible.
T ake time to appreciate everything and everyone God has given to you.
U se your God given common sense.
V isualize your dreams and stretch to reach for them
W atch, listen and pray without ceasing.
X amine your motives on a regular basis.
Y ield to the Holy Spirit when He prompts you.
Z oom in on God's real purpose for your life.
-- Author Unknown
We encourage you to submit information and articles for this
newsletter. Deadline for the February newsletter is Jan. 30th. 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
Check out our website at www.oneinspirit.com/emmaus for up to date team and pilgrim lists, newsletters, and links to Christian websites and other communities.