Blue Ridge Emmaus Community Newsletter  Volume 16, Issue 1, February 2009

Please be in prayer for the Pilgrims who will be attending Walks #60 and #61 (sign-on required).

Notes from the Blue Ridge Emmaus Community Lay Director

     Do you remember your Walk? Do you re-member all the wonderful gifts of time and energy and food and agape that were given you?  Do you remember all the work done on your behalf so that your Walk would be the best Walk ever?
     Blue Ridge Emmaus is in need of YOUR help if we are to continue as Blue Ridge Emmaus.
     If you recall the purpose of Emmaus is to encourage growth of leadership in the church and the community. Without new energy, new workers, new volunteers, new Board members the Emmaus you knew and loved will not exist. Where are YOU in helping grow and sustain the community?
     At this time, we, as a community are in need of folks to be on the Board in the following positions:   

              Secretary,     Registrar,     Prayer Chapel,     Closing,     Set-up/Tear Down

     It is YOUR Community. Be a part. Don't say, "Oh, someone else will do it." If we all say that then no one does the job. Don't say, "Oh, I can't do that." Let God equip you and take the challenge. You may be surprised what you can do. Don't say, "I don't have time." Others have made the time....and if you have lots of people willing to work with you it won't take that much of your time.
     Recruit your Reunion Group---you do belong to a reunion group, don't you?---to help.
     With four Walks being held per year...and approximately 20-25 pilgrims on each Walk we are adding 80-100 community members each year. Where are You?!? Don't wait to be called--VOLUNTEER. Contact any of the Board members to find out where you may be needed the most.
     Emmaus is a wonderful, life-changing experience. Rekindle your fire. Continue the journey. Remember, your community is only as
healthy and vital as its members allow it to be. Support Blue Ridge Emmaus with your prayers and also through your action.

A thought: May you never become so heavenly-minded that you become no earthly-good.

               De Colores ,  Karen Perry

                 Community Lay Director, Blue Ridge Emmaus

Notes from the Mountain Ridge Chrysalis Community Lay Director

  Blessings to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

   Jesus has been working through Mountain Ridge Chrysalis in a mighty way! The last Journey (17) brought four new butterflies into the Blue Ridge Emmaus and Mountain Ridge Chrysalis comunity. 

   Over the past few years, the numbers of sponsors and caterpillars has decreased significantly from the past, which led the Chrysalis board to evaluate the current schedule. Many weekends have brought fewer than 10 caterpillars, some fewer than five per weekend. After much prayer and planning, the Chrysalis board met in January and decided to continue to hold two college-age Journey weekends and two high school age Flights per year.

   It's hard to understand why more people aren't sharing the gift of Chrysalis with the young people in their life, but the board wants to continue to provide the opportunity each year for both age groups. If this means there are small numbers, the weekends will still continue as planned.

   There is a renewed energy in our community, which is evident by the volunteers and Big House participants each weekend. The board wants to invite you to sponsor a young adult on a Flight (age 15-18) or Journey (age 18-26). Weekends are only $75 and scholarships are available to anyone who requires one. All weekends are held at Camp Tekoa in Hendersonville, NC.

   The annual schedule has changed a bit from pervious years to provide optimal opportunity for the young people in your life. Starting in 2010 - January: Women's Journey; March: Boy's Flight; October: Men's Journey; November Girl's Flight. Dates are posted Online at MountainRidgeChrysalis.org. The next Flight will be Boy's 54 March 27-29. Michael Hale is the Lay Director. Applications and payment can be completed online or fill out an application and mail it in.

   We look forward to serving you in the upcoming year and are excited to see what God has in store for the future leaders of Western North Carolina. Come and be a part of the shaping of our youth!

   "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"  - II Corinthians 5:17

                    De Colores,  Adam Bennett

                       Community Lay Director Mountain Ridge Chrysalis

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AGAPE INFORMATION

Start planning early for our agape goodies. If each reunion group would make 1 or 2 items, we would have a good amount of agape. Individuals are also encouraged to make agape. Just a reminder, that things should not be signed except for a reunion group name. Rule of thumb for amounts: 70 for table and 40 for pillow agape. Then maybe one or two extra if something gets lost or broken. If you need ideas, please feel free to call or email me. Lori Freeman;  890-4220 or lawfreeman@aol.com

Also, it would be helpful if you could let me know what your group is making so we don't double up on treats.

PERSONAL AGAPE: If you wish to give your pilgrim any personal agape, please do so on the ride home AFTER leaving YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly.

  Thinking about sponsoring someone but not sure how to approach it.  You can give them a What is Emmaus or What is Chrysalis book.  We have received a donation for the both of the books. 

Now, they are free so pick one up at the next Gathering, Follow-up or other Blue Ridge Emmaus event.  Mailing them is expensive so please don't ask.  Let's use this resource to recruit more Pilgrims and Caterpillars.  Please remember these books are donated so please take all you want but only what you will use!

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Kairos Marion 2 is looking for 10 more team members. We can use men and women. Kairos is an interdenominational Christian ministry whose programs are designed to be presented in state and federal men's and women's correctional institutions in the U.S. with adapt-ations for other countries & languages.

  If you are interested contact:

         Emil Liptak

         214 Rattlesnake Mt Trail 

         Black Mountain, NC 28711 

Home #:  (828)669-8029 Cell #:  (828)230-2601 

E-mail:  kibotos@yahoo.com

Weekend Dates: 5/14/2009 to 5/17/2009

       Team Meeting Schedule

3/21/2009  First Christian, Black Mtn.

4/11/2009  Glenwood Baptist, Glenwood

5/02/2009  Providence Methodist, Marion

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Did you ever wonder where those lanyards you receive at the crossing ceremony come from?   Well someone hand crochets every one of those.  She has been doing it semi-anonymously for about 11 years now and probably made over 1000 of them to give away.  Now, she's passing the mantle on to someone else.  They'll be able to know the joy she feels every time she sees a community member wearing one.  What a great agape gift!  If you would be interested in taking over this lovely ministry for all our Pilgrims please contact Irma Crawford at 645-6157. 

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 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.

We have returned to cooking the meals ourselves!  We always need help in the Kitchen and Dining Room! 

So please come out and help prepare and serve the meals.

Kitchen/Dining Room Servant Schedule:

   Breakfast        6:30 am           7:30 am        8:00 am  

   Lunch              9:00 am          12 noon          12:30 pm

   Dinner             2:00 pm           5:00 pm       5:30 pm

Saturday

   Breakfast          6:30 am         7:30 am        8:00 am

   Lunch              9:00 am           12 noon       12:30 pm

   Dinner              2:00 pm          5:00 pm       5:30 pm

Sunday

   Breakfast         6:30 am           7:30 am        8:00 am

* All times are estimates and subject to the leading *

* of the Holy Spirit without advance notice. *

Note: We love for you to stay and eat with us and even clean up afterwards.  With food costs rising at such exorbitant rates over the last 12 months, we've had to raise our meal price to all. As a result, we ask those sharing the meal with us to contribute Kitchen agape $4.00 per meal.  Thanks for your contribution!

Prayer Vigil

Current and previous sponsors, all Emmaus pilgrims from past walks, please click here to sign up for the prayer vigil for Walks 60 and 61.  You can choose your time and even print a reminder!  If you know someone who does not have internet, but would like to pray, please put them on the list, or have them call meat 828.628.1683.
If you have never been on the prayer vigil it is another one of those agape gifts that rewards you even more than the pilgrims.  You can pray at home, at Blue Ridge Assembly in the prayer chapel, or where ever you may find yourself at your chosen time. 
Current sponsors, it is one of your responsibilities to pray during the weekend. Your pilgrim will look for your name and be blessed to know you were praying.
 
De Colores,  Trudi Peters
Blue Ridge Emmaus Walk 27,  Table of Rebekah

PRAYER CHAPEL

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

Walk #60 & 61 events we want you to attend!

Send off:

#60  Thursday, Feb. 26 @ 6:45 pm

#61  Thursday, Mar.  5  @ 6:45 pm

  in Weatherford Hall at Blue Ridge Assembly.

  Bring a snack to share!

Candlelight:

#60  Saturday, Feb. 28 @ 7:45 pm

#61  Saturday, Mar.  7  @ 7:45 pm

  in the Weatherford Hall.

Please contact John Klees, 828 667-0580 or 56john44@charter.net

Closing:

#60  Sunday, Mar. 1 @  4:30 pm

#61  Sunday, Mar. 8  @ 4:30 pm

 in Weatherford Hall.

 Come an empty vessel and get filled.

Follow-Up (Both Walks):

  Friday Mar. 13^th @ 7:00 pm at

  Central United Methodist Church

  27 Church St, Asheville NC. 28801

  This Joint Follow-up that not only serves  to welcome the newest Community Members from Walks 60&61 but as our Community Gathering for March 2009. Bring a snack to share.  We're still hungry!

Feel like sometimes you've lost your direction?

Well here are some to help you along the way.

Directions to YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly:

•·         From Asheville, drive east on I-40 to Exit 64.

•·         Turn right onto Hwy 9.  After you drive past Wendy's, the road will split.

•·         Go right at the split on Hwy 9 and go straight on Blue Ridge Road. Travel  9/10 of a mile and turn left at small Blue Ridge Assembly sign, then proceed to our entrance.

Directions to Central UMC:

   From I-40 E or I-26 W

~take I-240 E to the Patton Avenue exit, 4B, ~toward downtown,

~turn a slight right onto Patton Avenue,

~turn right onto Church St. in about 1/2 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,

~turn right onto Church St. in about 1/2 mile.

   From I-40 E

~Merge onto I-240 W via Exit 53B to 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.

   From West Asheville:

~Take I-240E to exit 2

~Turn left onto Hanover Rd

~Turn west onto Haywood Rd at the light

~Trinity is 2 blocks on the right after you  

   cross back over I-240.  Please park in back.

   From East or North Asheville:

~Take I-240 W to exit 2

~Turn right at the light onto Haywood Rd

~Go approximately 2 blocks on the right.

   Please park in behind the church.

Sponsor's Responsibilities

*BEFORE THE WALK

•v       Provide application & "What Is Emmaus" book for your applicant.

•v       Begin praying for your applicant.

•v       Pick up completed application & book.

•v       Fill out sponsor's form.

•v       Mail completed application, sponsor's form & $50 deposit.

•v       Meet with the applicant & family. Tell them about possible changes & answer all questions.

•v       Begin collecting agape letters from family & friends, well in advance.

•v       Sign up for a slot on the 72-hour prayer vigil.

•v       Pay the remaining money for the Walk.

•v       During the Walk, do something special for your Pilgrim's family this weekend.

•v       Check on them and answer any questions they may have.

*Thursday

•v       Pick up your Pilgrim. 

•v       Take them to dinner (optional).

•v       Have them at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly-Weatherford Hall for registration by 6:45pm.

•v       Carry their bags to their room.  Turn down their bed for them.

•v       Take them to the send-off location by 7:00pm (bring a snack to share at send-off).

•v       Introduce them to their roommate.

•v       Turn in the agape letters, approximately 12, label them if possible with a description like "Spouse, Friend, Child".

•v       Bring a special snack (to be shared by everyone) for your Pilgrim.

       *Friday

•v       Work in the dining area if possible, your Pilgrim should not see you.

•v       Visit the Prayer Chapel and pray for Pilgrims, Walk and the Community.

       *Saturday

•v       Work in the dining area if possible, your Pilgrim should not see you.

•v       Visit the Prayer Chapel and pray for Pilgrims, Walk and the Community.

•v       Attend Candlelight at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly--Weatherford Hall. Community gathers at 7:45pm. Remember boundaries - No touching or hugging!

•v       PRAY FOR YOUR PILGRIM AT CANDLELIGHT.

       *Sunday

•v       Work in the dining area if possible, your Pilgrim should not see you.

•v       Visit the Prayer Chapel and pray for Pilgrims, Walk and the Community.

•v       Be at Closing. Closing is scheduled for 4:30. This will be the first time your Pilgrim will see you - Smile J

•v       Help your Pilgrim with their bags.

•v       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, March 13^th. Bring a snack to Follow-Up.  Get your Pilgrim into a Reunion Group!  Better yet, take them to one!

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.

Click here to view the ReUnion Groups

Are you  Plugged in?

Click here to view the Board Contact List

Have you checked out our web page?  It's a great source for up-to-date information!  Especially between newsletters.  To get to it, enter www.blueridgeemmaus.org in your browser (Oh, you've already done that!)  Some of the information is of a more confidential nature so we require a password for that!  Here's what it looks like on the home page (on the lower left).   You have to enter the username and passwords ao you can see the confidentail material.  It's published in the paper version of the newsletter but to obtain it online, please send an e-mail with your name and Walk # to Community@BlueRidgeEmmaus.org. We'll confirm that information with our database and then send you the Username and Password.  Please allow up to a week for a response.  If you need a quicker response, call Phil Crouch at (828) 274-4554 with your information and he'll call you back as soon as possible with the Password. Please note the password is NOT capitalized!