Volume 5 - May 2008

Check back here monthly for news from the Fredericksburg Emmaus Community.

board news...

This month at the Gathering, we will elect the new members to the Board that begins in July 2008.  The following are biographies of those who are running for office.

Board Candidate Biographies

Dick Barnett

Dick walked in the Spring of 1993 at Camp Easter Seal (#7) - after his wife Patty walked on Emmaus #6 the previous Fall.  Since then Dick has Teamed many times, served a term on the Emmaus Board, been Weekend Lay Director on Walk #29, and served as Community Lay Director - a true "Old Buffalo".  Dick is currently serving with wife Patty as your Pilgrim registrar and leads the 4th Day Ministry.  The 4th Day Ministry has played a key role in helping the Emmaus Board transform Teaming training, DDU and Gathering formats over the past few years.

Emmaus has meant a lot to Dick over the years and he truly enjoys service to the local Emmaus Community.  Dick is retiring from the volunteer positions of Pilgrim Registrar and 4th Day Ministry leader after six years and looks forward to serving on the local Board if elected by the Community.

 Ruth Thomas

Walked on Fredericksburg Emmaus # 50.  Served on E54 & E65 on the Music Team and had various readings. 

I attend Tower of Deliverance Church where I serve as a missionary and also serve as an ordained Deaconess.

Rosemary Blankenship

I attend Fairview Baptist Church and walked on E-34 in November 1999.  At Fairview, I serve on the worship planning team and the media team.  I also play hand bells with “Ringers for the King.” 

I served on the Emmaus board from 2003-2006 and currently serve with the Fourth Day Ministry team.  I have served on several teams and regularly attend gatherings and serve as a cha on weekends. 

My Emmaus weekend was a life-changing event for me and I enjoy helping make it possible for others to have a similar experience.

 Jennifer McDaniel

I am an active member of my church's praise team and help to lead worship each Sabbath.  I have assisted with the treasury and planning seasonal programs (e.g. our Christmas and Memorial Day programs) and other special events that come up during the year.  I am a current member of the Sacred Dance Ensemble of Fredericksburg, which ministers through music and dance to various churches in the greater Fredericksburg area.  Since my walk to Emmaus (April 2007), I have assisted as a cha for FE68 and FE69 and am serving on the FE 71 team as an assistant table leader and the Christian Action speaker.  I look forward to being more involved with the Emmaus community as I see the great value it has for strengthening churches.

 William J. Moore (Bill)

Bill walked on National Capitol Emmaus #45 in 1992. He has since teamed on many Loudoun Valley Emmaus and National Capitol Crysalis Weekends since then. He served on the NCA Crysalis Board for the period of 2002 - 2005 and as Asst Lay Director in 2003.

Since moving to Lottsburg, VA in 2005, Bill has continued to team and has been on five Fredericksburg weekends. He is currently a member at large on the Team Selection Committee and serves there as the secretary.

Bill is a member of Melrose UMC and is married to Rev. Edna F. Moore, the pastor at Melrose. He has three grown children and four grandchildren.  He teaches high school Sunday School and is active in the choir. 

Maria Fortune

I walked on Fredericksburg Emmaus #32 in1999. I have teamed on eleven walks with various duties including Weekend Lay Director on Walk #61. I also served on the Emmaus Board as Board Treasurer.

I worship at Shepherds UMC where I currently serve as church treasurer, a member of our witness/evangelism committee, and the Elementary Sunday School teacher.

 Mike McDonald

Mike McDonald attends Woodbridge Christian Church, walked on Fredericksburg Emmaus #25, and sat at the table of Matthew. He has teamed on Fredericksburg Emmaus #64, #66, #68 and most recently #70.

Mike has been a member at Woodbridge Christian Church for 13 years. He served as a deacon, was on the missions board and was fellowship ministry leader. He currently assists in the youth department for Sunday morning Jr. High Worship and Wednesday evening youth group/bible study and is active in the men’s ministry. His wife Lola and son Marc are also active in the Fredericksburg Emmaus community and at their church.

Michael Selph

Michael Selph attends Bowling Green United Methodist Church, walked on Fredericksburg Emmaus # 62 and sat at the Table of Peter. He has been an active member of the Fredericksburg Community since then; serving as Cha, attending Candlelight, sponsoring Pilgrims, providing agape and, of course, participating in the prayer vigils. He served as Assistant Table Leader at Table of John and read Please Hear What I Am Not Saying at Dying Moments on E- 68. He is teaming on E-70 and will serve as the Table Leader for Table of John and will give the Life in Piety talk. He gave his Fourth Day Talk at the January 2008 Gathering.  - "I believe that Emmaus is one of God's most powerful tools and I am humbled to be a part of this ministry. May we all strive to be reflections of the risen Christ." 

DeColores,

The greater Fredericksburg area Emmaus Board of Directors