el Quiri

 Greater Sidney Area Emmaus Newsletter June 2004

Telling it like it is.............

Community, matters:

Don*t know how exactly to start this letter, but my dad always told me to *Tell it like it is.* Well here*s like it is. Over the past couple of months there has been a Disturbance in the Force! What I mean by this is what I referred to in the last cover letter in the April newsletter. Change?! Why do we need to change anything? *I like it the way it is.* To tell you the truth, so do I. When I took the Board position of Vice Chair at the beginning of 2003, I committed myself to doing the best job I could do to help the Greater Sidney Area Emmaus Community grow. As previously stated, we do a lot of things here at GSAE well. Does that mean that we*ll never need to fix, adjust, tweak or change things? I*m afraid not. Could this Board ignore the *suggestions* to get closer to the *Model* that Nashville wants? No! We as a Board all signed a covenantal letter of compliance with Nashville to follow Emmaus guidelines. I don*t know about the rest of you, but I take that very seriously. Will we make changes for the sake of change? No! The Board has begun to discuss what may be happening in the future. Some will be easier than others. Some we*ll try and keep, some we*ll say no thanks. Whatever the case might be, I would ask in a spirit of cooperation and charity, whether you agree, disagree, like or dislike, give it a chance.
John Lockwood stated at the May Gathering, that we would be introducing a couple of new things over the period of the next few months at each of the next two walks. The announcement will be repeated at the June Gathering. Here*s what we*re talking about at the present:

1. Send-off: The wall will not be constructed until after the meal. This will give us more space to eat and socialize as a community. Once the 10 minute warning is given, Logistics and the weekend logs will set up for the calling of names. Also during this time, we as a community need to prepare for our exit immediately after all names have been called, by gathering up our food items and anything else we need to take with us. This will help with the noise level during clean up. Wanting to give the pilgrims as much time as possible, we will also try to cut down on the length of send-off. What has been proposed is that we will hold our applause to the end of the list and give the entire walk a balanced round of applause.
********(continued on next page)

Telling it like it is............
*(continued from first page)

2. Agape for the pilgrims, which would include all table and bedtime agape should only have the names of Share Groups, not individuals. The reason for this is to continue to support the whole *Body of Christ* and not for us as individuals to stand out. Please do not misunderstand, no one has ever put their name on a piece of agape for their own glory. This follows the same idea of the need of more than 200 people, *behind the scenes,* to put on a walk.

3. Closing: There are two things we would like to try during closing. First, as we finish for the weekend, we would like for the pilgrims to take communion one last time before leaving. This has in the past been done with sponsors and family. Yes, that is a special time and we don*t want to ruin the celebration of holy communion. The thought is that the pilgrims will now be leaving and for the most part will not have another opportunity to be with their table as a group again. So, we would like them to take communion together as a table. This is not to take away the privilege from the sponsor, but to give the table one last bonding time. Let*s not forget as sponsors, we need to continually sacrifice for our pilgrim. In addition if we follow our sponsorship guidelines and remain part of our pilgrims life, after the walk, we will have plenty of times to commune with them.

4. Lastly, we will be trying, at the end of the walk, in order to get the pilgrims and team members home to loved ones and family ASAP, there will be no agape meal. Reason being is that all walk participants are tired and some are ready to get home. That includes all logistic people who have to clean up after closing. If you have ever stayed to do so, you know it can get quite late. Plus if you recall back this past winter when we had a snow storm for closing, I, for one, didn*t want people to be driving home after dark with the conditions we had that night.

You may by now be thinking, *What is going on?* *I remember back on my walk and that was a special time for me.* You*re right, at that time it was special for you and as far as you knew this is the way Emmaus has been since its conception. The point is, maybe there were changes made just before your walk and you didn*t have a clue. Most pilgrims don*t and wouldn*t unless they were told. So, here at Sidney I would ask again to go with the judgment of your Board. We wouldn*t try to *ruin it* for anyone. Let*s face facts folks, it*s not about us, it*s all about the pilgrims. Now do we want you to follow without questioning? No! If you have any comments, feel free to talk with any of your Board members, agree or disagree. I ask only one more thing, if you need to talk, please talk with us not about us.

*******In His Service,
*******Community Chair
*
*******Jerry Noble

Agape
A reminder that we will need agape for Women*s Walk #33 which begins on June 17 and Men*s Walk #29 which begins on July 15. We need 72 pieces (Women*s Walk) and 66 pieces (Men*s Walk) for mealtime. For bedtime agape we need 42 pieces for Women and 36 pieces for Men. 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.
In the last newsletter there was a list of people who I have agape letters for. If you know any of those on the list and would be willing to hold their letters until they go on a Walk, please let me know. If they have already been on a Walk, if you can give me their address, I will mail them. I will have the letters with me on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights of both Walks or you can call me at 937-394-7396.

Thanks for being disciples of Christ.
Pat Gregg
Agape Chairperson
 

2004 Gathering 4th Day Speakers
June 8***Marna Carey
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.
 

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

* HELP! HELP! HELP!
We are in Dire Need of Kitchen help for the Women's Walk #33. If you could find it in your hearts and busy schedules to help us out, it would be sooooo appreciated. Thank you in advance for your willingness to serve. The sign up sheets will be at the Gathering on Tuesday, June 8.

Kitchen Crew for Women's Walk #33
Friday, June 18

Breakfast-served @ 8:00 am--Cooks arrive @6:00 am
1. Lisa Sims**3. Shelly Harrod
2. Nancy Miller**4.
Servers - Arrive @ 7:30 am
1. Jason Snider**4.
2.***5.
3.***6.
Lunch -Served @ 12:30pm-- Cooks arrive @ 10:00 am
1. Janis Blake**3.
2. Ken Sims**4.
Servers: arrive @ 12:00 pm
1. Connie Hudson**4.
2. ***5.
3.***6.
Supper-served @ 5:30 pm- Cooks arrive @ 3:00 p.m.*
1. Janis Blake**3.
2. ***4. J
Servers - arrive @ 5:00 pm
1. Kevin Queen**4.
2. Karen Queen**5.
3. Mike Snider**6.

Saturday, June 19

Breakfast-served @ 8:00 am- Cooks arrive @ 6:00 am
1 Bob Francis**3. Darrell Miller
2. Linda Nuss**4.
Servers arrive @- 7:30 am
1. Gloria England**4 Joyce Shirk
2. John England**5. Don Shirk
3. Eric/Billie Moore*6.Mike Snider
Lunch-served @ 12:30 pm - Cooks arrive @ 10:00 am
1. Janis Blake**3. Jim & Stacy Painter
2. Bob Francis**4. Darrell Miller
Servers- arrive @ 12:00 pm
1. Jason Snider **4. Carol Overholt
2. Neal Piper **5.
3. Vera Piper**6.
Supper-served @ 5:40 pm- Cooks arrive @ 3:00 pm
1. Janis Blake**3. Rick & Jan Poppe
2. Bob Francis**4. Darrell Miller
Servers - arrive @ 5:00 pm
1. Kevin Queen**7.
2. Karen Queen **8.
3. Tim Flinn **9.
4. Jim O'Rourke**10.
5. ***11.
6. ***12.

SundayJune 20

Breakfast-served @ 7:30 am-- Cooks arrive @ 6;00 am
1. Bill Rickey**3.
2. Terry Sharp**4.
Servers -arrive @ 7:00 am
1. Jason Snider**4.
2.***5.
3..***6.
Lunch -served @ 11:30 am-- Cooks arrive @ 10:00 am
1.***3.
2. ***4.
3Servers - arrive @ 11:00 am
1. ***4.
2. ***5.
3. ***6
As you can tell there are a few empty spots where people are still needed. If you can help out please call Susie Baker at (937) 596-5533 or e-mail her at suzie_bake@hotmail.com. Also, if you are unable to work please try to find someone to replace you - every worker is important! Thank You!

004 Calendar of Events---Sidney Emmaus Community
June 8**Gathering
June 17-20**WW#33, Janice Locker, Lay Director
**Barb Staley & Ben Weisbrod, Spir. Directors
June 24**GSAE Board Meeting
July 13**Gathering-Reunion WW#33
July 15-18**Men*s Walk #29, Burns Wren, Lay Director
***Don Ramsey, Spiritual Director
July 22**GSAE Board Meeting
Aug. 10**Gathering-Reunion Men's Walk #29
*****Announce Board of Director's Openings
Aug. 26**GSAE Board Meeting
Sept. 14**Gathering
Sept. 23**GSAE Board Meeting
Sept. 24-25*National Celebration, Albuqurque, NM
Oct. 7-10**WW #34, Marianne Shepard, Lay Director
Oct. 12**Music Gathering
*****Vote on Board Nominations
Oct. 28**GSAE Board Meeting
Nov. 4-7 **MW #30, Harry Congdon, Lay Director
Nov. 9**Gathering-Reunion
Dec. 14**Gathering
***Nov/Dec. Board Meeting Date/Time To Be Announced


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

Board News and Notes..........................
The Greater Sidney Area Emmaus Board regretfully accepted the resignation of Susie Baker, Kitchen Coordinator, as of early June. She is unable to continue working on the Board because of personal concerns. We would like to thank Susie for her efforts on behalf of the Sidney Emmaus Community. This is one of many important positions in the Community. We would ask that Community members would prayerfully consider taking on the responsibilities of this position. If you are interested in fulfilling this role on the GSAE Board of Directors, please contact Chairman Jerry Noble, Vice Chairman John Lockwood, or Leadership Chair Sharon Halter to express your interest.
Social Concerns
There is a need for a Share Group or 3 or 4 individuals who would like to dip Ice Cream for the Men's Walk in July, on Saturday night after Candlelight. If you are interested, please contact Scott or Suzy Schulze to volunteer your assistance with this event. You can reach them at (937) 492-5347.
Men's Good Shepherd
Harry Congdon, Men's Good Shepherd, has a need for a Share Group that is willing to make a place for a new member. The gentleman is from Sidney and would like to join with a group of caring individuals who would accept someone with a new perspective to their group. If you are willing, please contact Harry at (937) 773-4902.
Newsletter News..................
Remember to check your address label to see when your Newsletter subscription runs out. If you would like to renew your subscription, the cost is $5.00 a year, and you can send your money to the Sidney First Church, Mindy Settlage, or Theresa Truxal or see us at the Gatherings for a subscriptuon form. Also, if you have anything that you would like to submit for the Newsletter, please send it to me by e-mail at melinda@bright.net or by snail mail to PO Box 162, New Knoxville, Ohio 45871. Also, be sure to visit us online at our website at www.oneinspirit.com/emmaus
 

A New meaning for A.S.A.P.
Here's a new perspective on A.S.A.P.
Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.?
Generally we think of it in terms of even more
hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we
think of this abbreviation in a different manner,
we will begin to find a new way to deal with
those rough days along the way.

"There's work to do, deadlines to meet;
You've got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry-
A.S.A.P.-ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

In the midst of family chaos,
"Quality time" is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest-
A.S.A.P.-ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather-
A.S.A.P.-ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

God knows how stressful life is;
He wants to ease our cares,
And He'll respond
To all your needs
A.S.A.P.-ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

Today I'm saying a little prayer that
GOD will smile on you and send you all