January 1993
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The year 1992 has come and passed.  In our Community, there have been a lot of wonderful things that have happened.  We have had some real good times and we have had some sad times, but the Lord has been there walking with us.  Now is time for us to start thinking ahead as we enter into a new year.  We need to think of the things that the Lord wants us to be doing for Him in His Kingdom.

As I stated in the last newsletter, Jim Graham was selected and has accepted the position of Weekend Lay Director for Men's Emmaus 7.  That weekend will be held at Camp Easter Seal 11-14 March 1993.  By the time you get this newsletter, Jim will have started his meetings.  Let's all remember Jim and his team as they start to prepare for Emmaus 7.  Sylvia Seiden has accepted Weekend Lay Director for Women's Emmaus 8, and she too is well underway with her teaming process.  Remember her and her team as they prepare for their weekend.

The Board of Directors will be appointing a Nominating Committee to search for members for the new Board.  The term of this Committee will commence immediately and run through 31 August 1993.  This Board will be looking to fill five vacancies, two men, two women and one clergy.  Any one that would like to serve on the Nominating Committee or Board of Directors is asked to contact the Community Lay Director.  Look elsewhere in this newsletter for more information on the method of election this Committee will be following.

Now is the time for you to start thinking about sponsoring candidates for the upcoming weekends.  The next weekends are just around the corner.  We would like to give as much notice as possible to the candidates, and in order for us to be able to do that, we need to get the applications in NOW.  So if you are thinking of sponsoring someone, get the applications in.  Also if you would like to serve on a team, you need to get your application in.  Teaming is a wonderful experience.  TRY IT, YOU WILL LOVE IT.   It is not to early to get them in for the fall weekends.  

Again, I want to thank each and everyone of you, from the bottom of my heart, for all the support you have giving to this Community and to me this past year.  I am looking forward to working with you this coming year.  

Remember, your life is God's gift to you.  What you do with it is your gift to God!!

I love each of you very much.  God bless.

David Young

Newsletter Delay

As Newsletter Editor, I want to apologize for the delay in publishing this first monthly issue of 1993.  All of us get buried under other priorities during the Holiday periods.  To improve the timeliness in the future, work on the Newsletter must begin immediately after each monthly Gathering.  Your support is needed in getting applications in early and other Newsletter material to the Editor promptly, so that we may meet our goals.

The Next Fredericksburg Gathering

What:	Fredericksburg Emmaus Community Gathering
Where:	Peace UMC, Fredericksburg VA.
Why:	Worship and Fellowship
	Worship	- 6:30 PM, October 17, 1992
	Begin music for the Gathering	- Promptly at 6:30
	Opening Prayer of Gathering	- 7:00
	Fellowship & Refreshments	- ≈ 8:30 PM (after Gathering)
How:	In Grace of Our God & Fellowship of His Holy Spirit

The Fredericksburg Emmaus Community looks forward to seeing each of you at the monthly Gatherings (known as "Ultreyas" elsewhere). Our Gatherings are open to fellowship for all Christians whether you have been to an Emmaus/Chrysalis/Cursillo Walk or not.  Feel free to bring friends or guests from your church to share in the Grace of our God.  For directions, see the map elsewhere in this newsletter.

Upcoming Weekends

Dates	Weekend	Dates	Weekend
Mar.  11 thru 14, 1993	F'burg Emmaus Men's 7	Mar.  25 thru 28, 1993	F'burg Emmaus Women's 8
Nov.  11 thru 14, 1993	F'burg Emmaus Men's 9	Dec.  9 thru 12, 1993	F'burg Emmaus Women's 10

Reunion Groups

Small groups are the backbone of keeping the fires burning.  The weekly challenge to Study, Piety and Action as well as the special fellowship and the power of His Presence amongst you are a continuing inspiration.  We encourage all of you to join or start a group.  WHY GROUP?

A basic continuation of your Walk to Emmaus is a group reunion.  This is important in keeping open the lines of communication and sharing, which were discovered on your walk.

HOW TO GET STARTED?

Initiate a group reunion as soon as possible after your weekend by finding a number of pilgrims from your table, church, neighborhood, place of business, etc., who wish to meet on a weekly basis to share their Christian walk.  A group of 3-6 members is ideal.  Come together in the spirit of sharing through use of the Group Reunion Card (Service Sheet) you received on the weekend.  This is not a social time, but a time of building trust, being supportive, and aiding each other in becoming better Christians.

WHAT HAPPENS IN A GROUP REUNION?

Friends in this atmosphere soon learn to share everything:  what they are, do, and have in terms of a Christian life.  Piety, study, and action are basic points to consider through the service sheet because it asks specific questions of each of us.  Pick a group, a time and place, and your reunion group is started.  Make a firm commitment to this weekly reunion.  Some day, when you feel you don't need or want to attend your grouping, may be just the day when one of your group desperately needs to hear what you have to say and share.  Use this commitment as one of your methods of perseverance on your Fourth Day.

OPEN GROUPS

If you want your group to be open to others, we will periodically list groups in this column of the newsletter.  Some of us group as listed below.  These are open groups and you are welcome to join in.  We'd love to see you!!  Call David Young @ 703-659-5921 if you want your group added to the list.

When	Place	Contact	Address	
Saturday @ 7:30 AM	Roy Rogers	Steve Seiden	Route One across from Aquia Town Center
Wednesday @ 8:00 PM	Sammy T's in rear	Joe May	Caroline Street in Fredericksburg

Newsletter

WHAT IS IT?

The Upper Room Emmaus of the Greater Fredericksburg Area publishes a monthly newsletter which is the primary means of communication to the entire Emmaus Community.

WHAT IS IN IT?

The Newsletter typically includes:

- a message from the Community Lay Director 

- lists of candidates and team members of upcoming Emmaus weekends

- names and address of new Community members

- inspirational articles from the Community concerning Fourth Day activities

- information from the Emmaus Board of Directors

- explanatory articles on different aspects of the Emmaus program 

- notices of future meetings, seminars, and gatherings.

WHAT ELSE IS IN IT?

Also found in the Newsletter are:

- messages from the Spiritual Directors in the Community

- "Want Ads" from those in the Community seeking reunion groups.

-   directions to Emmaus weekend locations and gathering church locations

- information of sister communities(Roman Cursillo, Lutheran Rainbow, Episcopal Cursillo, and other Emmaus communities) to include their Ultreyas or Gatherings, their weekends, and other activities

-   other items composed by, or appropriate for, the Community

HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE?

Contributions to the Newsletter are welcome and encouraged, although due to space limitations all items may not be published immediately.

Please contact the Community Lay Director, David Young @ 703-659-5921, or the Editor of the Newsletter, Steve Seiden @ 703-659-8953, if you have something to contribute to the Newsletter.

EDITOR NEEDED!!

The position of Newsletter Editor for Fredericksburg Emmaus is open.  The Newsletter is a vital communications link for the Fredericksburg Emmaus Community.  Honestly, there is a lot of work involved, including:  compiling the original copy; arranging for printing; folding, stapling and labeling; sorting and banding for bulk mail; and delivering to the main Fredericksburg Post Office Bulk Mail department.  But it is a very rewarding job.  This work can be done by an individual, a family or a team sharing the load.  Please prayerfully consider this important position.
Lost and Found

Several items were left at Camp Easter Seal after F'burg 5 & 6.  A man's white shirt, size 16/35, and cotton khaki trousers, waist size 34, were left in one of the bedrooms.  These were together on one hangar.  A large flat white Tupperware container about the size of a large roasting pan without anyone's name was left with the snacks.  A round aluminum platter of the type provided by Giant and Safeway caterers was also left with snacks.  If you own any of these items, contact Sylvia Seiden @ 703-659-8953.

Cha's, Cha's, Cha's

Sign ups are open for F'burg #7 & 8 as indicated below.  This is a big commitment and your presence throughout most of the day will be required.  Evening Cha's will be asked to arrive about 5:00 PM so that the others may head for home at a reasonable hour.  The hours are long, there is no pay, but being a cha, selflessly serving the Lord and the Pilgrims is one of the greatest rewards Emmaus has to offer.  While a Cha you will also be able to participate as a prayer warrior in the prayer chapel's during talks.  If you would like to sign up to be one of the Community cha's on either weekend, contact Steve Seiden @ 703-659-8953, or sign up at the next Gathering.  There are many who want to serve, so initially please sign up only once.  If there are still vacancies for the weekends at the February & March Gatherings, you will have an opportunity to sign up for more than once at that time.

F'Burg 7 - Men	F'Burg 8 - Women
March 11 - 14, 1993	March 25 - 28, 1993

Day	Name	Day	Name

Friday Daytime, March 12		Lead	Friday Daytime, March 26		Lead
Friday Daytime, March 12			Friday Daytime, March 26		
Friday Daytime, March 12			Friday Daytime, March 26		
Friday Daytime, March 12			Friday Daytime, March 26		
Friday Daytime, March 12			Friday Daytime, March 26		
Friday Daytime, March 12			Friday Daytime, March 26		
Friday Daytime, March 12			Friday Daytime, March 26		
Friday Evening, March 12		Lead	Friday Evening, March 26		Lead
Friday Evening, March 12			Friday Evening, March 26		
Friday Evening, March 12			Friday Evening, March 26		

Saturday Daytime, March 13		Lead	Saturday Daytime, March 27		Lead
Saturday Daytime, March 13			Saturday Daytime, March 27		
Saturday Daytime, March 13			Saturday Daytime, March 27		
Saturday Daytime, March 13			Saturday Daytime, March 27		
Saturday Daytime, March 13			Saturday Daytime, March 27		
Saturday Daytime, March 13			Saturday Daytime, March 27		
Saturday Daytime, March 13			Saturday Daytime, March 27		
Saturday Evening, March 13		Lead	Saturday Evening, March 27		Lead
Saturday Evening, March 13			Saturday Evening, March 27		
Saturday Evening, March 13			Saturday Evening, March 27		

Sunday Daytime, March 14		Lead	Sunday Daytime, March 28		Lead
Sunday Daytime, March 14			Sunday Daytime, March 28		
Sunday Daytime, March 14			Sunday Daytime, March 28		
Sunday Daytime, March 14			Sunday Daytime, March 28		
Sunday Daytime, March 14			Sunday Daytime, March 28		
Sunday Daytime, March 14			Sunday Daytime, March 28		
Sunday Daytime, March 14			Sunday Daytime, March 28		

Supplies Needed for Weekends

Weekend Equipment and Supplies:  After each Emmaus weekend, there is a need to replenish supplies exhausted for the next weekends.  Gracious gifts of the items listed below will contribute to the success of the Emmaus program.  Pray about what you can do, and contact Sylvia Seiden @ 703-659-8953 to let us know what you plan to give.

Kleenex	Foot Washing Soap
Safety Pins (1 box)	Blue tack (5 packages)
Two Pocket Portfolios (with three hole paper retainers)

Pray about Providing Scholarships for Weekends

Can you help Scholarship others?  We are a Community of faith, and we have faith that Christ will meet the needs!!

January Prayer 

God so loveth us that He would make all things channels to us and messengers of His love.  Do for His sake deeds of love, and He will give thee His love.  Still thyself, thy own cares, thy own thoughts for Him, and He will speak to thy heart.  Ask for Himself, and He will give thee Himself.  Truly, a secret hidden thing is the love of God, known only to them who seek it, and to them also secret, for what man can have of it here is how slight a foretaste of that endless ocean of His Love!

A column will be open each month for Prayer Requests.  Submit your praises or needs to the newsletter editor, Steve Seiden @ 703-659-8953, by the first Saturday after each Gathering:

Election of the Board of Directors

Although it feels as if we just elected our Board of Directors, the time has come for F'burg Emmaus to begin the nomination process to support Election of new members at the May Gathering.  Actually, we are behind schedule in that a Nominating Committee still needs to be named.  If you are interested in serving the Community in this important capacity, please contact David Young @ 703-659-5921.

Five new members, two women, two men and one clergy, will be seated in July.  Nominations will be sought from volunteers from the Community.  Requirements are that Board members have served on a team and have attended a Day of Deeper Understanding.  Additionally, special provisions in an addendum to the By-Laws allow those elected to the first Board, who drew a one year term by lot, to be nominated for reelection.  The provisions of the By-Laws that apply to the nomination process are quoted below:

Article V, Section 3.  Method of Election

The Board of Directors shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three (3) persons for a one (1) year term commencing September 1 of each year and terminating August 31 of the following year.  The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for the organization and conduct of the Board election at the May Gathering and shall attempt to ensure fair and equal Community representation on the Board.  The mechanics of the election process shall include the following:   

A.  Beginning in February of each year, the Nominating Committee shall receive nominations for Board membership, both lay and clergy, from Fredericksburg Emmaus Community Members.

B.  Nominations shall be submitted for persons who have agreed to have their names placed in nomination and who meet minimum Board membership requirements.  Nominations shall be submitted to the Nominating Committee no later than the March Gathering.  The Nominating Committee shall examine the nominations and ascertain that the nomination is valid based on the Board membership requirements in Section 2 of the By-Laws.

C.  The Nominating Committee may add other qualified nominees to the slate as the Committee deems appropriate and desirable to ensure fair and equal representation of the Community, including the following:  ecumenical representation, geographical and ethnic distribution, and to ensure a slate of quality nominees.  The Nominating Committee should place in nomination a list of nominees larger than the number of vacancies.  The slate of valid nominees shall be placed on the ballot for the May election.

D.  The Nominating Committee shall advertise the slate of nominees and the time of election at the April gathering and in the April and May newsletters.

E.  The Nominating Committee shall not distinguish between candidates on the basis of manner of nomination.  The Nominating Committee shall not endorse any nominees for the Board, nor shall they advocate the defeat of any candidate.

F.  Once announced, the list of nominees can be altered only by nominations of qualified candidates from the floor at the May Gathering.  Candidates nominated from the floor must be present at the May Gathering.

G.  All members of the Emmaus Community are eligible to vote.  The election shall be conducted by written ballot.  An absentee ballot shall be published in the May newsletter, giving a full list of nominees and instructions for voting, including an announcement of a closing date for absentee ballots to be received by mail.  Other special instructions pertaining to the election shall be published in the May newsletter.