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Blue Ridge Emmaus Community Newsletter
Volume 14, Issue 4, November 2007
Please be in prayer for the pilgrims who will be attending Walk #55
Click here to access the Walk #55 Pilgrim list (sign-on required)
Men’s Walk #55 –Nov. 15-18, 2007
Christmount Christian Assembly
Men’s Walk #56 – April 3-6, 2008
Camp Tekoa, Hendersonville NC
Women’s Walk #57 – April 10-13, 2008
Camp Tekoa, Hendersonville NC
Men’s Walk #58 – Sept. 18-21, 2008
Christmount Christian Assembly
Women’s Walk #59 – Nov. 20-23, 2008
Christmount Christian Assembly
Follow-Up
Follow-Up will be on Nov. 30, 2007 at Central UMC, 27 Church St. Asheville, NC.
*Note this Change*This is a special gathering to welcome new pilgrims.
To get to Central UMC:
From I-40 E or I-26 W, take I-240 E to the Patton Avenue exit, 4B, toward downtown, make a slight right onto Patton Avenue, make a right onto Church Street in about half a mile.
From future I-26 E (Hwy19/23 S), take the I-240 E / US-74-A E exit on the LEFT toward I-40 E /downtown Asheville and Patton Avenue, make a right onto Church Street in about half a mile.
From I-40 E, Merge onto I-240 W via Exit 53B toward Asheville, take Exit 5A toward US-25/Merrimon Avenue, turn left on US-25/Merrimon Avenue, turn right onto College Street, turn left onto Haywood Street, turn left onto Patton Avenue, turn right onto Church Street.
Q: What can I do This Weekend? A: Come and Serve!
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 baked goods, snack foods and drinks. 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.
Come and join us in the Prayer Chapel. We have a great time on every 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
Send Off:
Thursday, November. 15 @ 6:45 pm
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 one mile, Christmount is on the left. Bring a snack to share!
Candlelight:
Candlelight 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 November 17, 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. So come to Candlelight! If any one would like to have lots of fun helping set up please
contact Nancy Cole at (828) 231-6914.
Set-up starts at 6PM rain, shine or snow!!
Closing:
Sunday, November 18 @ 4:30pm Christmount Christian Assembly in the Guest House dining hall.
Come an empty vessel and get filled.
Notes from the Community Lay director
Well, here we are in November. The year is already winding down but many things are still on the horizon. Walk 55 will happen November 15th-18th at Christmount. We have 28 Pilgrims scheduled to attend this Men's Walk. Their names are listed at the top of this page. Please be in prayer for them and if you haven't already done so find a slot or two that you can fill on the 72 Prayer Vigil.
Next year, the two Spring Walks will be held at Camp Tekoa in Hendersonville. This is the home of Chrysalis and Journeys currently and we're excited about having two Walks out there. These two Walks are scheduled one week apart with a joint Follow-Up one week later. This method is done in other communities with great success. Dates were not available for Fall 2008 so we'll be back to Christmount for those.
After these two ‘trial' Walks at Christmount we'll make some determinations about where future Walks will be held for 2009 and beyond. Some reasons for holding Walks at Camp Tekoa . . .
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1. Beautiful natural setting that permits Pilgrims an opportunity to rest away from technology.
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2. Prices for renting space at Camp Tekoa are less. If these Walks are successful, then we may be able to reduce the price in 2009.
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3. If price reductions are approved for 2009, this will mean Community members will pay less for Pilgrims or when they serve on a team. The hope here is that lower prices may make it easier to sponsor Pilgrims and encourage more willingness to serve on a team.
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4. By having it at Camp Tekoa we help support them by providing income on dates that might otherwise have none. This helps them provide year-round staffing and ministry.
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5. Having Chrysalis & Emmaus at the same venue simplifies coordinating schedules some.
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6. Volunteers can spend the night; the cost is $17/night which is of 1/3 of what it is at Christmount.
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7. No contractual commitments. In November 2006 we postponed a Men's Walk because there were only around 14 Pilgrims scheduled. Christmount assessed a hefty fee because our contract with them requires substantial advance notification of cancelation.
Please note that volunteers can spend the night there inexpensively. In general, we have noticed that volunteers and servants on weekends have slowed some. We would hope that this inexpensive cost might encourage people to come out for more that just a breakfast, lunch or dinner. Also on nights where events happen late, one might consider staying and serving breakfast the next morning.
We know that Camp Tekoa may be a farther drive for many but it will be less for others. We know that extra drive time can be a concern. To that end the Board has approved that anyone who comes out to serve and chooses to spend the night for either of the weekends at Camp Tekoa in 2008, the Board will pay the cost for you to spend the night! You can contribute the cost if you like but certainly this is not required. Perhaps we will begin to develop a group who serves one or more nights every weekend and stays. This is similar in some ways to the Big House at Chrysalis.
On that note, you may have noticed, we want to encourage more attendance of volunteers. Not sure why but attendance is dipping for volunteers. It is easy in this world to let everything else plan your life for you. Just like when you went on your Walk, sometimes it's time to take off the watch and dedicate some time to spiritual matters. Serving other Pilgrims is a wonderful burden to bear. When you get these newsletters and announcements, put it on you calendar, in your PDA or in some way commit the time right then. Don't let weekends be an afterthought but instead make them a priority. As I said in an e-mail a few months ago, "Many hands make light work and leave more time for conversation. So come and serve and not only will you be a blessing,
you'll receive a blessing as well."
2008 presents some exciting changes to Blue Ridge Emmaus and asks a question, "What will your commitments be in 2008?" We want your feedback as these changes happen. Speak with a Board Member about ways to build up this Community. Even consider being a Board Member. You may have noticed we have several open slots and your talents could be useful in growing brothers and sisters in Christ. You do not have to have been a team member to serve on the Board, merely a Community member. In fact, having new people on the Board keeps it fresh and keeps us from having the same people making decisions. It keeps us from doing things just because ‘that's the way we've always done them'. If you are interested in serving on the Board,
contact an existing member and let them know.
May God bless the Blue Ridge Emmaus Community. DeColores!
Phil Crouch
Sponsor's Responsibilities
*BEFORE THE WALK
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Provide application & "What Is Emmaus" book for your applicant.
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Begin praying for your applicant.
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Pick up completed application & book.
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Fill out sponsor's form.
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Mail completed application, sponsor's form & $50 deposit.
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Meet with the applicant & family. Tell them about possible changes & answer all questions.
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Begin collecting agape letters from family & friends, well in advance.
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Sign up for a slot on the 72-hour prayer vigil.
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Pay the remaining money for the Walk.
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During the Walk
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Do something special for your pilgrim's family this weekend.
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Check on them & answer any questions they may have.
*Thursday
- Pick up your pilgrim.
- Take them to dinner (optional).
- Have them at Christmount for registration no later than 6:45pm.
- Carry their bags to their room.
- Take them to the send-off location by 7:00pm (bring a snack to share at send-off).
- Introduce them to their roommate.
- Turn in the agape letters, approximately 12, label them if possible with a description like "Spouse, Friend, Child" in the corner.
- Bring a special snack (to be shared by everyone) for your pilgrim.
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*Friday
- 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.
*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 7:45pm. 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 -
- Help your pilgrim with their bags.
- Take pilgrim home.
*AFTER THE WALK
Call your pilgrim on Monday evening to see how their first Fourth Day went. Be prepared for a long conversation. Have your pilgrim at follow-up on Friday night. Bring a snack to follow-up. Get your pilgrim into a Reunion Group.
HowMuchAgape?
- 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: 65 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.
- Reminder: 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 world.
- Do you eat Altoids? Empty ALTOID tins needed ASAP to be transformed into Chrysalis agape. Please contact Julie Bagamary @ Gods6bags@lwol.com or 628-1746. Thank you very much.
We strive to show ALL pilgrims God's love through agape and when some pilgrims receive things that others don't, feelings may be hurt.
REUNION GROUPS
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 your new group, please let the Chairperson of the community know the name, meeting time, meeting place and who the members are.
Asheville Area
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Spirit Seekers- 2nd & 4th Sunday 5:15 pm
Contact: Karen Perry @ 684-9796
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Still before God-Women's Group-Every other Monday 2 pm Meets at From His Hand Art/Gift Gallery (across from Home Depot West) Contact: Susan Hinz @ 667-3404
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Men's Group- ASBURY UMC, Monday 7:00am
Contact: Gordon Jones @ 254-3860
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Men's Group- CENTRAL UMC, Tuesday 7:00am
Contact: not given
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Covenant Pilgrims- Monday 6:30pm
Contact: Julie Bagamary @ 628-1746
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Men's Group- FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, Room 130
Tuesday 12:00pm
Contact: Tim Towery @ 254-4162
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Walking in the Truth Women's Group-Thursdays 11 am, Meets at Iannucci's Restaurant. Contact: Jean Wilson @ 645-8226
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Women's Group-Wednesday 5 pm @ Christ UMC Contact: Nell Fine @ 645-8226
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Men's Group-Mondays at 8:30 pm at Christ UMC Contact: Jay Fine @ 645-8226
BURNSVILLE AREA
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Burnsville Babe Chicks-Monday 9:30 am, Meets at Higgins Memorial UMC Library
Contact: Mary Tom Aldridge @ 682-6436
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S.I.N.G. (Sisters In Neverending Grace) Women's Group-Monday evenings at 7 pm contact: Debbie McCraw @ 675-475
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Women's Group-7 pm, Meets at Higgins Memorial UMC Library Contact: Betsy Myer5s @ 678-9395 or Diane Dover @ 675-9608
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Men's Evening Group- Monday 7:00pm, Meets at HIGGINS MEMORIAL UMC Friendship Room Contact: Charles Aldridge @ 682-6431
Candler Area
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Men's Group - Wednesday 7:30am, Piney Mountain UMC in the Fellowship Hall Contact: Jerry Denham @ 667-3031
Fairview Area
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Women's Group- Monday evenings at 7 pm, Meets at Fairview Forest Clubhouse
Contact: Trudi Peters @ 628-1683 or trudipeters@hotmail.com
Flat Rock Area
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Men's Group- EAST FLAT ROCK UMC- Tuesday 5:15pm
Contact: Dick Hodges @ 685-2265
- Haywood county area
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The Fishing Hole Reunion Group-1st & 3rd Monday 6:30pm
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PINEY GROVE UMC Contact: Vickie Wilson @ 342-2835 or
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cowboycafe@charter.net
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The Clergy Reunion Group- 1st tuesday of each month
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Contact Dick & Diean Campbell @
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revfuzz38@netzero.net
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Hendersonville area
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Women's Group- M & M- 2nd & 4th Tuesday 6:00pm
Contact Dick & Diean Campbell @
revfuzz38@netzero.net
Hendersonville area
Women's Group- M & M- 2nd & 4th Tuesday 6:00pm
Meets most evenings at Mills River Restaurant
Contact: Jodie Nolf @ 693-6788
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Women's Group- All 4 Him- Wednesday 6:00pm BALFOUR UMC Contact: Martha Gaillard @ 693-5354
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Men's Group- FIRST UMC- 1st & 3rd Wednesday 4:15pm
Contact: Roy Andersen @ 697-0828 or rw3andy@bellsouth.net
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Women's Group- Bag It- 1st & 3rd Wednesday 4:15pm FIRST UMC Contact: Elizabeth Gray @ 698-0203
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Men's Group of Highlands UMC Group- Wednesday 12:00pm
Meets at the home of Dr. Dave Wheeler
Contact: Eddie Ingram @ 526-3376 or humcpastor@dnet.net
LAKE JUNALUSKA/WAYNESVILLE AREA
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Crossroads- Wednesday 7:30am
Duvall's Restaurant, 1104 N Main, Waynesville
Contact: Walter Miles @ 452-2823 or themiles2@earthlink.net
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Junaluska Sunrise- Wednesday 8:00am
Shoney's Restaurant-Clyde
Contact: Janet Miles @ 452-2923 or themiles2@earthlink.net
Leicester Area
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Leicester Lambs-2nd & 4th Thursday 6:30pm WESTERN CHAPEL UMC Contact: Brenda Reed @ 683-9640
Morganton Area
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The Pilgrim's Progress Group-Tuesday 7:00pm GLEN ALPINE UMC-1st Contact: Mary Gordon @ 584-7358
Spruce Pine Area
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Men's Group- Wednesday 7:00am TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH Contact: David Houser @ 765-0362
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Women's Group- Thursday 9:00am 80 Meadowlark Drive-
Contact: Jyl Duffy @ 765-8239
Note: If your reunion group is not meeting anymore, needs corrections
or is not listed, please call or e-mail all changes to
Vanessa Crouch at (828) 274-2554 or vanessacrouch@charter.net
Board of Directors & Committee Chairs
Call or email these representatives
"plug in" to our community!
(Area Code for these phone numbers is 828)
Gatherings
The goal of the community is to be able to have a Gathering every month. We are going to start with God's help on January, 2nd Sunday afternoon 3pm-5pm. Location to be announced. We hope that this will invigorate the Community toward more fellowship and fun and bring us closer to Christ. We would like to spread the gatherings all around the community. If you would like to host a gathering at your church, please notify Carolyn Dickens, 456-2829 or 508-8090. Check for the second Sunday afternoons in a month at your church - small, medium or large. You'll need to set up a place for worship, fellowship hall or sanctuary, have communion supplies and furnish cups, utensils, napkins and plates. Let's give everybody a chance to visit all over the community.
FOLLOW-UPS
If your church is in a central location and would be willing to host a Follow-up, please call Carolyn Dickens 456-2829 or 508-8070. Typically, a Follow-up is the Friday evening following a Walk but plans may change depending on the location and dates for the Walks.
NEWS LETTER INFO
The newsletter is most enjoyable when there is fresh information each time. The Board welcomes submissions from Blue Ridge Emmaus Community. How did the Emmaus experience change or improve your life? Maybe you had a special experience in service during the Walk. Share about your Fourth Day if you wish. Please submit your experiences via e-mail to vanessacrouch@charter.net or mail to Vanessa Crouch, 311 Onteora Blvd, Asheville NC 28803.
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