el Quiri
From Beginning to End......
Let me take you back in time not too many months ago, when I heard that my
daughter, Kami, was engaged to be married. Actually, her fianc'e Jason, came to
me the old fashion way. Well, maybe a newer version of old fashion, he called
me. It really doesn't matter. What mattered is the final outcome. Now married,
just this past weekend, we can continue building a relationship, which should
last until I leave this world.
Those of you who are married know what I mean when I say a marriage is something
that needs constant attention to make it work. We've been working on ours now
for almost 31 years. The thing is, we knew going in that it meant a lifetime of
dedication to each other and the relationship. The newlyweds will be finding
this out soon. They were warned! During the Father's talk, he addressed the
couple and the families, and stressed the importance throughout all their lives
together. Does this remind you of anything else? It does me.
Many years ago I started a relationship with a very special person. Most of you
have the same relationship going too. Every morning when I get up I need to
continue to work on that relationship. By now you know whom I'm talking about.
Yes, we have a special relationship too. God offers this gift without even
asking. The trouble is we aren't always accepting or willing to spend the time
to develop it. It's good to know, even if we fall short, God will always be
there. His arms will always be open, willing to catch us when we stumble and
fall. Most importantly, the Father will always love us even if we give Him the
prodigal son/daughter treatment. Much like in a marriage, when the relationship
breaks down, turn around and get back to the place where it all started. When
two hearts become one, a unity begins, as shown in the lighting of a unity
candle in a wedding ceremony. When we accept God's gift of eternal life we join
with Him forever.
The newlyweds are just starting an earthly union, "the beginning", which will
last till death due them part, "the end". This is a commitment to each other and
to God. I leave you with this thought; do you need to retie your knot?
In His Service
Jerry Noble
Community Chair
Pilgrim's list Women's Walk # 34
For Your Information.........
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
Sponsorship is very important to the survival of the Emmaus Community. As a
sponsor of a Pilgrim you need to prayerfully consider your responsibilities to
the Pilgrim. Prayer needs to be voiced from the time of talking about the
application till the Pilgrim feels comfortable in the Emmaus community.
As a sponsor you need to help the Pilgrim and the family with the many
responsibilities that occur in the household during the Walk. Offer to fix a
meal for the family or help carpool the kids to all of their events. Fill in as
if you were family member for the weekend if needed.
You need to properly prepare the Pilgrim for the weekend both emotionally and
spiritually. Answer any and all questions the pilgrim or family may have. Any
type of secrecy only makes the person more apprehensive. Also make a checklist
of items needed for the weekend so the Pilgrim can feel more relaxed knowing
that all points have been covered.
During the weekend prepare food for the Pilgrim's family so the Pilgrim knows
that everything is being taken care of. Remember sponsor's hour following
kick-off in which you pray over the Pilgrim's cross. A sponsor attending the
candlelight and the closing is so important. Taking the Pilgrim home on Sunday
night after closing is so rewarding.
Agape Letters' are so important. Feel free to ask people within the Emmaus
community to write, whether they know them or not. The Pilgrim needs to know of
the love of the Emmaus Community. Ask a family member for names and phone
numbers of relevant people in the Pilgrim's life. Make a little extra effort. It
will be greatly appreciated later.
After the walk, help find a share group for the Pilgrim. Ask the Pilgrim to
join your share group or find another person to start a share group. Then let
the Board know of the new share group so that others may join. You do not have
to be friends to start a share group. You already have many things in common and
lots of things to discuss. Outside opinions are sometimes the most meaningful to
us.
Bring and encourage the Pilgrim to attend Gatherings. It is a great way to
worship together as well as to take communion. The fellowship and praise of
Christians, like you, can carry you through the week and help overcome many
obstacles. Let your Pilgrim know that the 4th days support is available. What a
wonderful experience for a new Pilgrim.
Last, but not least, listen to the new member of Emmaus. Be interested in their
spiritual welfare. Let them know that you are proud to have been their sponsor
and a contributing factor on their walk with God.
Be the kind of sponsor that God would want you to be.
DeColores
Shirley DeWeese
Sponsorship Chairman
Dew7087@logan.net
www.upperroom.org/emmaus for Sponsorship Materials
Agape
A reminder that we will need agape for Women's Walk #34 which begins on October
7 and Men's Walk #30 which begins on November 4. 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 are still 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.
Thanks for being disciples of Christ.
Pat Gregg
Agape Chairperson
Becoming God's Friend
No matter how we come to the Walk to Emmaus, God woos us into deeper
relationship. Our walk reminds us that everyone could be a part of this
relationship because there is power in the resurrection that leads to eternal
life.
All are invited to walk with Christ. Therefore out of God's invitation and our
great love for what Christ has done for us, we are called to reach out. We are
bound by love in our hearts for Jesus. Our love compels us to share this great
gift of God's salvation with others. This is the challenge of the "Christian
Action" talk.
Paul put it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:16:20."Because of this decision we don't
evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah
that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at Him
that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with
the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life
burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship
between us and Him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each
other. God put the world square with Himself through the Messiah, giving the
world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task
of telling everyone what He is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses
us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work
of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now:
Become friends with God; He's already a friend with you." The Message"
God wants to be our friend. A new friend is exciting. Most likely you will spend
time in conversation with them, and then you will process their thoughts to know
them better. As the relationship grows you seek ways to be close. Each day you
realize you are growing in respect for them and in love with them. This is the
same discipline of the Christian journey, as we become friends with God. If you
decide that you want Jesus for a friend, begin to talk with Jesus in prayer.
Hear the words of God through daily bible reading. Think about what Jesus is
saying to you through the word of God, scripture. And soon, as with human
friendships, you realize that you are growing into a friendship with God.
Kitchen News
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 #34
Friday, October 8
Breakfast-served @ 8:00 a.m.
Cooks arrive @ 6:00 am
1.Ray Prater***3. Linda Nuss
2.Jayne Griffith**4. Shelia Nuss
Servers - arrive @ 7:30 am
1. Denny Brown**4.Jim Alder
2.Tom Jones***5.
3. Brian Shepard**6.
Lunch-served @ 12:30 p.m.
Cooks arrive @ 10:00 am
1. Ray Prater***3. Tom Jones
2. Jan Heinrich**4. Janis Blake
Servers: arrive @ 12:00 pm
1. Tammy Wilson**4. Brian Shepard
2. Lisa Shively**5.
3. Mark Shively**6.
Dinner-served @ 5:30 p.m.
Cooks arrive @ 3:00 p.m.
1. Janis Blake***3. Peg Fogt
2. Jan Heinrich**4. Tom Jones*
Servers - arrive @5:00 pm
1. Glenn Kuhn**4. Brian Shepard
2. Dave Helman**5.
3. Violet Helman**6.
Saturday -October 9
Breakfast served @ 8:00 a.m.
Cooks arrive @ 6:00 am
1. Janet Metz***3. Bob Francis
2. Daryl Miller **4.
Servers - arrive @ 7:30 am
1.Brian Shepard**4.
2.****5.
3.****6.
Lunch-served @ 12:30 p.m.
Cooks arrive @ 10:00 am
1. Janis Blake***3. Daryl Miller
2. Bob Francis**4. Bobbi Sims
Servers arrive @ 12:00 p.m
1. Brian Shepard**4. Tammy Wilson
2. Harry Congdon**5. Shirley Hostetler
3. Nancy Congdon**6. Clarabelle Plank
Supper-served @ 5:40 p.m.
Cooks arrive @ 3:00 pm
1. Janis Blake***3. Daryl Miller
2. Bob Francis**4. John Schultz
Servers -arrive @ 5:00 pm
1. Glenn Kuhn**7.
2. Rod Schilling**8.
3. Joyce Brown**9.*
4. Denny Brown**10.*
5. Kevin Queen**11.
6.****12.
Sunday,October 10
Breakfast-served @7:30 a.m.
Cooks arrive @ 6;00 am
1. Tom Jones** 3. Kay Rickey
2. Terry Sharp* 4. Bill Rickey *
Servers - arrive @ 7:00 am
1. RonThompson 4.Debbie Woodell*
2. Brenda Thompson5.Brian Shepard*
3. Diane Taviano*6. Don/Shirley DeWeese
Lunch-served @ 11:30 a.m.
Cooks arrive @ 10:00 am
1. Janis Blake**3.
2. Tom Jones**4. ** Servers - arrive @ 11:00 am
1. Brian Shepard*4.
2. Lisa Shively*5.
3. Karen Siebert*6.
If you can help out please call Iva Lenhart at (937) 497-8852. Also, if you are
unable to work please try to find someone to replace you - every worker is very
important! Thank you for being the feet and hands of Christ!!
2004 Gathering 4th Day Speakers
October 12 All Music Gathering
November 9 John Lockwood
December 14 Curt Hostetler
O1-11-05 Tim Martin
If you are interested in being a Gathering 4th Day Speaker, please contact Vera
Piper, Worship Chair.
Calendar of Events---Sidney Emmaus Community
Oct. 7-10 WW #34, Marianne Shepard, Lay Dir.
Barb Staley, Spiritual Director
Oct. 12 Music Gathering(Vote on BD. Nomin.)
Oct. 28 GSAE Board Meeting
Nov. 4-7 MW #30, Harry Congdon, Lay Director
Nov. 9 Gathering-Reunion WW #34 & MW#30
Dec. 2 Nov./Dec. GSAE Transitional Bd. Mtg
Dec. 14 Gathering
Jan. 11 Gathering
Jan. 20-23 WW#35, Mindy Settlage, Lay Director
Jan. 27 GSAE Board Meeting
Feb. 8 Gathering-Reunion WW#35
Feb. 17-20 MW#31, Bill Rickey, Lay Director
Feb. 24 GSAE Board Meeting
March 8 Gathering-Reunion MW #31
March 24 GSAE Board Meeting
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
We encourage you to submit information and articles for this newsletter.
Deadline for the November newsletter is October 8th. 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