Blue Ridge Emmaus - Asheville, NC - January, 2007 Newsletter

Commitment. Not usually a word I like to talk about. One of its meanings is “a pledge or promise“. So why is the phrase “to be committed” something ugly? Usually meaning that someone has just been tossed into an institution for some recuperative period. Well this time of year, one naturally thinks of their commitments. January is named after the Roman god Janus which had two faces, one looking forward, one looking back.

Look back over your commitments for the last year and then look forward to the commitments you will make this year. How did you decide your commitments? If you are like me, you employ many methods. Sometimes, they’re well planned. Sometimes, they just happen to you and all you can do is deal with them. Other times, you’re given a choice and you have to weigh the value of the time and money spent or some other resource. You can often determine whether you’ll commit by the expected results. Occasionally, you might commit to an event to avoid a negative outcome other times because you know it will be a positive one.

Looking back to your Walk to Emmaus experience, you might have been a little hesitant to commit your time to the 3 day weekend. I may be way off base but if you are receiving this newsletter, I suspect you had a positive outcome. Now armed with the assumption that you had a good Emmaus experience, you probably want to share that with others.

Once again, if you’re like me, you may find it tough to be evangelical. I used to think that role is best left to ministers, pastors and other clergy. So I have in the past, only shared my Emmaus experience with close friends and family. I avoided sharing my good news and Jesus’ Good News because I wasn’t comfortable talking. I came to discover that I was being selfish by letting my fear of rejection overcome the positive experience awaiting the person in front of me. I was happy to volunteer for any role that didn’t require my being vocal. In a manner of speaking, I avoided evangelizing to others by putting myself into the work behind the scenes. Think about that feeling of exhilaration that so many have when they go up to speak at closing. Many times it’s people who tell us they would not have been speaking aloud just three days ago. How much on fire the new community members are to change the world.! How quickly the ember cools when it’s not in the fire.

Do you know people who would benefit from this experience who you may have been hesitant to share with? Perhaps they were outside your normal comfort zone? Maybe it’s time to let them in on the Good News? So think about your commitments this year. Are you willing to commit time to this positive experience? Willing to serve on teams? In the Prayer Chapel? In the kitchen? Participate in candlelight? Prepare agape? Attend gatherings and follow ups? Attend reunion group?

I hope you are willing to commit some time to Blue Ridge Emmaus. It’s time well spent. Time lifting up pilgrims so they can become leaders in their faith communities. Time spent in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. I’m asking each one us to recommit. To look upon our involvement in Blue Ridge Emmaus not as a millstone but as a task we happily join in. The more you are involved, the more rewards you will receive. In the year ahead, how many peoples lives will be touched through Emmaus? Will you stand on the sidelines being content to let others shoulder the work?

What part will you play? What will you be committed to this year?

DeColores!

Phillip Crouch

Feb 1-4, 2007, Blue Ridge Walk to Emmaus # 52 Women’s Walk will mark the first time in North Carolina Emmaus history that Walk to Emmaus has been made accessible to the Deaf. Walk #52 will welcome a full table of Deaf ladies led by a Deaf Pilgrim from the Maryland area. Prayerfully in future Walks that are made accessible, this table will be led by a NC Deaf Pilgrim. There will be 5 N.C. licensed interpreters assisting with this Walk. Everything on the Walk will be interpreted and logistics such as lighting and alerts have been studied and planned for months.

Brenda Reed the Lay Director for this Walk and all the Blue Ridge Emmaus Board has been so helpful, willing and excited to make every effort in making this a reality. This has been a three year process and the Lord is blessing these efforts daily. It is our prayer that as these Deaf leaders in their churches return to their community they will be so excited for the Lord they will spread the Good News of Jesus even further into the Deaf Community.

Who better to share Jesus with a Deaf person than another Deaf person? With prayer and continued efforts in this area we pray that the statistics by many missions groups of approx two percent of Deaf people having a relationship with the Lord will be increased. The Deaf have been listed as the largest un-reached group in North America.

First Table for the Deaf
Welcome to the first table for the Deaf in North Carolina Emmaus History led by a Deaf pilgrim from Maryland. We hope the next table for the Deaf in some future walk will be led by a NC pilgrim.

Mountain Ridge Chrysalis
Journeys Age Reunion and
Covered Dish Dinner

WHEN: 7 PM to 9 PM, Friday March 9, 2007

WHO: Journeys age 21-35

WHERE: Covenant Community Church , Reynolds. 11 Rocket Drive, Asheville.

If you do not have internet access and need further directions please do not hesitate to call (828) 231-4417.

Please plan to bring a covered dish and a soft drink, tea or lemonade. Cups and plates will be provided.

Come join us in the Prayer Chapel.
We had a great time on the last Walk singing,
reading scripture and praying.
What a treat it is to see the Holy Spirit at work!
It is an experience you won't forget.

Virginia and Lee Wilkinson,
Prayer Chapel Chairpersons

Information from the Registrar
Jami Davis is the registrar for the Blue Ridge Emmaus.
Please be sure to turn in your balances as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, you can either e-mail me at
jami.c.davis@smithbarney.com or call me at 828-250-8736
or 828-654-8231. Thank you!!!!!
Blue Ridge Emmaus, PO Box 8256, Asheville, NC 28814.

Candlelight Comments

Candle Light Service will be held at the chapel on Christmount Campus. Please come to support the pilgrims and join in on great Emmaus Fellowship, see your old friends, worship together, singing praise music and hearing a message. Service at 7:45 PM February 3, 2007.

***Remember Be Quiet arriving and departing so as not to disturb the pilgrims. What a wonderful way to show God's Love and your Support to the Pilgrims and the Community. Come to Candlelight If any one would like to have lots of fun helping set up please contact Nancy Cole (828-231-6914) We meet at 6PM rain, shine or snow!!,

I’m sure most of you have seen the TV program ”Fear Factor." The contestants compete for prizes by seeing who can eat the most disgusting things--grasshoppers--worms--spiders--etc. In our Emmaus kitchen we have the sissy version. Our version is who can eat the most Oreo Delight--ginger cookies--yeast rolls---cheesecake. Come join us. We laugh, talk, pray, and share in a great fellowship.

YOU could win the Emmaus Fear Factor for Sissies. (I currently hold the yeast roll title---19 yeast rolls in four minutes.)

How Much Agape?
•    When you are making agape for a walk, please be sure to include enough for everyone (pilgrims and team) plus 1-2 extra in case of breakage or spills. It is helpful to count your agape and label the bag/box with that number.
•    A good rule of thumb – Table/Dining Room agape: 60 items; Pillow agape: 40 items.
•    PERSONAL AGAPE: If you wish to give your pilgrim any personal agape, please do so on the ride home AFTER leaving Christmount.
        We strive to show ALL pilgrims God’s love through agape and when some pilgrims receive things that others don’t, feelings are hurt.
•    Reminder: Table agape is an expression of unconditional love; therefore personal names are not attached, although Reunion Group or church names are welcomed.
•    As you pray for the pilgrims on the upcoming walk, please pray for the Emmaus walks all over the US and the world.
•    Empty ALTOID tins needed ASAP to be transformed into Chrysalis agape. Please contact Julie Bagamary @ 628-1746 or gods6bags@lwol.com. Thank you very much.

The most important next step after your walk is to join or form a reunion group. Reunion groups serve to keep you accountable for living your life to the Glory of God. They also serve as all important sources of strength when you needed it the most. The group provides opportunities to study the ways of the Lord and how to use the Word practically in everyday life. So join or create with others a reunion group. You will forever be grateful for taking this step. When you form our new group, please let the Chairperson of the community know the name, meeting time, meeting place and who the members are.

PARTICIPATE

Not Sure What To Do During A Weekend?
Please note that you do not have to have a pilgrim on the Walk to participate in any of these Community wide activities throughout the weekend. All members of the Emmaus Community are encouraged to attend send-off/sponsor’s hour, candlelight, closing & follow-up.

You are also encouraged to work in the kitchen & dining room, lift up prayers in the prayer chapel, place your name on the prayer banner & pray up the Walk. Always remember the need for snack foods, drinks & baked goods. You may not have a pilgrim on this Walk, but the Pilgrims and Team still need the support of the Blue Ridge Emmaus Community in all facets of the weekend.

SEND OFF – Thursday, Feb. 1 @ 7:00pm Christmount Christian Assembly – 222 Fern Way, Black Mountain, Guest House Dining Hall Directions: From Asheville, drive east on I-40 to Exit 64. Turn right onto Highway 9. After you drive past Wendy’s, the road will split. Stay on Highway 9 bearing left at the fork in the road. Go about 1 mile. Christmount is on the left. Bring a snack to share!

SPONSOR’S HOUR – Immediately following Send Off.
Guest House Chapel next to dining hall – Sponsors need to stay for this to pray over your pilgrim’s cross!

CANDLELIGHT – Saturday, Feb. 3 @ 8:00pm
Christmount Christian Assembly –Lower Chapel

CLOSING – Sunday, Feb. 4 @ 4:30pm
Christmount Christian Assembly – Guest House dining hall.

FOLLOW-UP – Friday, Feb. 9 @ 7:00 pm.

Sponsor’s Responsibilities

BEFORE THE WALK
•    Provide application & "What Is Emmaus" book for your applicant.
•    Begin praying for your applicant.
•    Pick up completed application & book.
•    Fill out sponsor's form.
•    Mail completed application, sponsor's form & $50 deposit.
•    Meet with the applicant & family. Tell them about possible changes & answer all questions.
•    Begin collecting agape letters from family & friends, well in advance.
•    Sign up for a slot on the 72-hour prayer vigil.
•    Pay the remaining money for the walk.
•    During the Walk
•    Do something special for your pilgrim's family this weekend.
•    Check on them & answer any questions they may have.

*Thursday
•    Pick up your pilgrim.
•    Take them to dinner (optional).
•    Have them at Christmount no later than 6:45pm.
•    Take them to registration.
•    Carry their bags to their room.
•    Take them to the send-off location by 7:00pm (bring a snack to share).
•    Introduce them to their roommate.

*Saturday
•    Work in the kitchen/dining area if possible, your pilgrim should not see you.
•    Visit the Prayer Chapel and pray for Pilgrims, Walk and the Community.
•    Attend Candlelight at Christmount. Community gathers at 7:30pm. Remember boundaries - No touching or hugging!
**PRAY FOR YOUR PILGRIM AT CANDLELIGHT.

*Sunday
•    Work in the kitchen/dining area if possible, your pilgrim should not see you.
•    Visit the Prayer Chapel and pray for Pilgrims, Walk and the Community.
•    Be at Closing. Closing is scheduled for 4:30. This will be the first time your pilgrim will see you – Smile ☺
•    Help your pilgrim with their bags.
•    Take pilgrim home.