April 1993
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

What an exciting time in the life of the Greater Fredericksburg Emmaus Community.  We have just completed our spring Emmaus Walks.  All these beautiful men and women are now on their Fourth Day.  We wish for them many beautiful Fourth Days.  We all know, that in our Fourth Days, we have many hills to climb, and many valleys to go through, but climbing those hills and going through those valleys are much easier when we have the Lord with us.  Let us all remember that we don't have to travel that road by ourselves.

These last two weekends have been wonderful experiences for the pilgrims and the teams.  Let me add, that the weekends have been wonderful experiences for us that support those weekends in the many ways that we do.  Oh how I remember, Saturday of the men's weekend, the phone started ringing early in the morning.  Some of us were worried about what would happen if we missed the Candlelight program on Saturday night.  I kept saying God will take care of that, we just need to place it in His hands.  We did, and what a great and wonderful plan God had for those men.  

We received the following note in the mail the other day:

	Dear Emmaus Community:
	I walked on Women's Emmaus 4, and have since moved to Japan.  Here we are involved in Tres Dias and are enjoying the friends and fellowship.  Because it is military affiliated, and largely funded by base chapels, the financial needs here are different.  My husband and I consequently would like to contribute some of our money to the Fredericksburg Community to help provide scholarships.  This way we can sort of team up with others who would like to sponsor, but the financial end of it is difficult at this time.  We hope to drop you some money now and then, and pray that it helps meet some of the needs of the Community.  
	DeColores! Joy Vroonland  

We thank you, Joy, for your love letter and your love gift.  It will be put to good use in your Community.  It is also wonderful to see how God works through us, to help others.  God Bless you and your husband as you continue God's work in Japan.

It is that time of the year that the Nominating Committee is looking for persons to serve on the Board of Directors.  If you have nominees please contact, Bill Klingenstein, George Shortridge, Angel Fulkerson or Sam Jones.  

We have now had eight weekends completed in our Community.  We hope to see all of you at the monthly Gatherings.  See you there.  God Bless you!!

David Young

April Gathering & Day of Deeper Understanding

The Gathering this month will be at Regester Chapel UMC at Stafford Courthouse on April 17th.  The Day of Deeper Understanding for F'burg #7 & 8 will be conducted from 1:00 - 4:00 PM before the Gathering.  After a short break, we will begin the Gathering with a Pot Luck from 5:00 - 6:00 PM followed by the normal fellowship and praise beginning at 6:30 PM.

F'burg 7 & 8 pilgrims, sponsors and team, as well as those from F'burg 1 thru 6 who could not attend their Day of Deeper Understanding earlier, are encouraged to participate in this Day of Deeper Understanding for a time of rich fellowship, reunion and instruction.  In addition to Praise and Worship, topics will include more information about Emmaus, teaming and sponsorship.

The May and June Gatherings will be at Ebenezer UMC in North Stafford on the second Saturday at 6:30 PM

The Next Fredericksburg Gathering

What:	F'burg 7 & 8 Day of Deeper Understanding & Fredericksburg Emmaus Community Gathering
Where:	Regester Chapel UMC, Stafford VA.
Why:	Day of Deeper Understanding, Pot Luck, Fellowship, and Worship
When:	Day of Deeper Understanding	- 1:00 PM, April 17, 1993
	Day of Deeper Understanding adjourn:	- Not later than 4:30
	Pot Luck	- 5:00 PM, April 17, 1993
	Grace before the Pot luck:	- Promptly at 5:00
	End of meal & clean-up	- 6:00
	Worship	- 6:30 PM, April 17, 1993
	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. 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	
1-4 April 1993	Richmond Emmaus Women's 19	15-18 April 1993	Maryland Emmaus Women's 27	
15-18 April 1993	Southside VA Emmaus Women's 4	15-18 April 1993	West VA Emmaus Women's 30	
22-25 April 1993	Shenandoah Emmaus Men's 3	22-25 April 1993	Tidewater Emmaus Men's 20	
29 April-2 May 1993	Nat. Cap. Emmaus Men's 53	29 April-2 May 1993	Shenandoah Emmaus Women's 2	
29 April-2 May 1993	Sonshine Emmaus Men's 1	6-9 May 1993	Richmond Emmaus Men's 20	
13-16 May 1993	Tidewater Emmaus Women's 21	20-23 May 1993	Maryland Emmaus Men's 28	
20-23 May 1993	Sonshine Emmaus Women's 2	27-30 May 1993	Loudoun Valley Emmaus Women's 1	
3-6 June 1993	Nat. Cap. Emmaus Women's 54	3-6 June 1993	Richmond Emmaus Women's 21	
10-14 June 1993	Loudoun Valley Emmaus Men's 2	17-20 June 1993	Maryland Emmaus Women's 29	
1-4 July 1993	Richmond Chrysalis Coed 3	1-4 July 1993	Tidewater Chrysalis Coed 6	
8-11 July 1993	Maryland Chrysalis Coed 9 *	12-15 August 1993	Maryland Chrysalis Coed 10	
12-15 August 1993	Nat. Cap. Chrysalis Coed 19	26-29 August 1993	Southside VA Emmaus Men's 5	
9-12 September 1993	Nat. Cap. Emmaus TBD 55	9-12 September 1993	Richmond Emmaus Men's 22	
9-12 September 1993	Tidewater Chrysalis Young Adult 4	9-12 September 1993	VA Kairos (Prison Min.) Men's 8	
16-19 September 1993	West VA Emmaus Men's 31	23-26 September 1993	Maryland Emmaus Men's 30	
30 September -3 October 1993	Southside VA Emmaus Women's 6	30 September -3 October 1993	West VA Emmaus Women's 32	
7-10 October 1993	Nat. Cap. Emmaus Women's 56	13-17 October 1993	Richmond Emmaus Women's 23	
21-24 October 1993	Shenandoah Emmaus Men's 5	21-24 October 1993	Sonshine Emmaus Men's 3	
28-31 October 1993	Shenandoah Emmaus Women's 6	28-31 October 1993	Tidewater Emmaus Men's 22	
4-7 November 1993	Maryland Emmaus Women's 31 **	4-7 November 1993	Sonshine Emmaus Women's 4	
11-14 November 1993	F'burg Emmaus Men's 9	11-14 November 1993	Tidewater Emmaus Women's 23	
9-12 December 1993	F'burg Emmaus Women's 10			

*  College Age	** Deaf Included

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.  I encourage all of you to join or start a group.  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!!

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 F'burg	

Now is the Time!!
Send Team Applications for F'burg 9 & 10!
Read the back of the application.  Pray about the Commitment asked of you.  Availability??  Sacrifice???

F'burg Emmaus 7 Pilgrim Directory

Tim Aho
302 Windsor Ridge Court
Falmouth VA 22405
F'Burg EM 7
Stafford County Christian Church
Home Phone - 703-372-9451
Dick Barnett
11713 Kennedy Lane
Fredericksburg VA 22407
F'Burg EM 7
Chancellor Christian Church
Home Phone - 703-785-0569
Paul Beith
Route 1, Box 1727
Dunnsville VA 22454
F'burg EM 7
Howertons Baptist
Home Phone - 804-443-6887
His Work Phone - Same
Henry Brinton
6120 N. Kings Highway
Alexandria VA 22303
F'burg EM 7
Calvary Presbyterian
Home Phone - 703-550-2013
His Work Phone - 703-768-8510
Bob Canaday
12516 Chewning Lane
Fredericksburg VA 22407
F'burg EM 7
Chancellor Christian
Home Phone - 703-785-0677
Jim Chappell
1623 Winterwood Place
Herndon VA 22070
F'burg EM 7
Fairlington Presbyterian
Home Phone - 703-437-6379
His Work Phone - 703-742-9019
Bill Geary
628 S. 24th Street
Arlington VA 22202
F'burg EM 7
Calvary UMC
Home Phone - 703-548-6447
His Work Phone - 703-591-1855
Bob Glisson
5062 Gallager Drive
Fredericksburg VA 22407
F'burg EM 7
Peace UMC
Home Phone - 703-786-3382
Larry Goodyear
14053 Fallbrook Lane
Woodbridge VA 22193
F'burg EM 7
First Church of the Nazarene
Home Phone - 703-730-6299
Scott Grover
5705G Woodlawn Gables
Alexandria VA 22309
F'burg EM 7
Calvary Presbyterian
Home Phone - 703-799-7821
His Work Phone - 703-222-0070
Bill Henley
Route 1, Box 440
Partlow VA 22534
F'burg EM 7
Rehoboth UMC
Home Phone - 804-448-3953
Ken Koy
3380 Fort Lyon Drive
Woodbridge VA 22192
F'burg EM 7
Bethel UMC
Home Phone - 703-494-4373
His Work Phone - 202-287-9311
Roy Mitchel
3588E Kelly Circle
Bolling AFB Washington DC 20336
F'burg EM 7
Woodbridge Christian
Home Phone - 202-563-1498
Jon Moriarty
1620 Winding Waye Lane
Silver Spring MD 20902-1456
F'burg EM 7
Forcey Memorial
Home Phone - 301-942-1907
Rex Ostrander
6806 Orchid Lane
Fredericksburg VA 22407
F'burg EM 7
Peace UMC
Home Phone - 703-786-5306
His Work Phone - Same
David Pinney
2007 Victoria Drive
Stafford VA 22554
F'burg EM 7
Summit Presbyterian
Home Phone - 703-659-7369
Karl Pittelkau
PO Box 768
Warrenton VA 22186
F'burg EM 7
Warrenton Baptist
Home Phone - 703-347-2703
His Work Phone - 703-347-3982
Abby Ravella
14670 Kogan Drive
Woodbridge VA 22193
F'burg EM 7
Woodbridge Christian
Home Phone - 703-670-9847
His Work Phone - 703-892-7837
Gary Robbins
608 Halleck Street
Fredericksburg VA 22407
F'burg EM 7
Tabernacle UMC
Home Phone - 703-786-9350
His Work Phone - 703-786-6162
Jesse Rocha
2917 Daisy Street
Alexandria VA 22306
F'burg EM 7
Word of Life
Home Phone - 703-765-8410
His Work Phone - 703-385-7535
Linwood Smith
1380 Brooke Road
Falmouth VA 22405
F'burg EM 7
Clever Oak Baptist
Home Phone - 703-720-1877
His Work Phone - 703-371-5000
Gerry Sutter
137 S. Potomac
Baltimore MD 21224
F'burg EM 7
Grace Fellowship
Home Phone - 410-558-0433
His Work Phone - 301-492-4222
David Tillette
5720 Crawford Drive
Rockville MD 20851
F'burg EM 7
Valley Brook Community
Home Phone - 301-468-1097
His Work Phone - 301-496-5556
Roger Todd
13753 Mahoney Drive
Dale City VA 22193
F'burg EM 7
Bethel UMC
Home Phone - 703-590-6114
His Work Phone - 703-697-4582
Glenn Tolbert
4554 Rincon Place
Montclair VA 22026
F'burg EM 7
Bethel UMC
Home Phone - 703-680-7026
His Work Phone - 202-944-7221
Donald Walz
218 Hampton Road
Spotsylvania VA 22553
F'burg EM 7
Eastland UMC
Home Phone - 703-582-6388
His Work Phone - 703-371-3800
Wayne Watkins
PO Box 263
St. Stevens Church VA 23148
F'burg EM 7
St. Stevens Baptist
Home Phone - 804-769-2680

A Walk Through the Snow to Emmaus
R.L.T. Beale Reporting	Reprinted by permission of Caroline Times-Post

Snow Bound!...  What do these two words make you think of?  Have you ever been snow bound?  Were you thus encumbered last week‑end?  Let's consider some  "snow‑bound" situations:

For several days after the storm, some  kids from inner‑city Detroit were lost in the mountains of North Carolina.  That's scary.  But, thanks to the efforts of dozens of searchers, all were  found..."safe‑and‑sound."  Not so, of the 120 folk who  died in the "worst storm since 1898".  On the other side of the  concept, is the man who told me of the "wonderful week‑end" spent  with his lady; watching TV and enjoying each other's company!   (Remember the song, "Baby, it's cold outside!"?)  Sandwiched in between are all the rest of us who, in varying ways, were either greatly inconvenienced or had a fantastic week‑end!  

Down in the lower  south‑east corner of Caroline County is Camp Easter Seal East.  I am startled every time I see it, for I expect to see a big corn field next to Byrd's Mill!  Instead, I see a beautiful group of buildings dedicated primarily to helping handicapped children, from all over the state, as they deal with their problems.  Although the Easter Seal Foundation strives to make the maximum use of its facilities with its own programs, there are occasional times when it is available to the general public for other uses.  

Months ago, they had contracted with the Emmaus Community of Greater Fredericksburg to let them hold a week‑end retreat in these beautiful surroundings, beginning on Thursday, March 11.  The night before, TV and Radio Weather‑persons were predicting "a possibility of snow".  Who cared?  "It's almost Spring ", said one who has seen 90 Springs.  "If it snows, it  won't amount to much!" 

(Now, I do remember helping out with snow removal some 35 years ago, in March.  The Highway Department  sent two men in a truck with a snow blade to follow my Massy‑Harris 44 tractor with 3‑point hitch and grader‑blade.  It took the better part of a week [and a set of brake‑shoes for the tractor!] to remove 6 foot snowdrifts on the roads around Sparta, Alps and Passing.  And, I had a good time in addition to being paid for the use of my tractor.  But, that was then.  Blizzards are a thing of the past!)  So, sixty brave men from Maryland, Northern Virginia, Fredericksburg, Sparta and her  environs  began to arrive on Thursday afternoon.  

It is not my intent to publicize the Emmaus program. Suffice it to say that it is an ecumenical, church related activity to broaden the Christian experience of the participants.  But, here we were , all full of expectations for a good time of sharing.  And, share we did!  The program was carefully planned.  The leaders had been meeting for 2 1/2 hours every Friday night  for two months.  Every minute of the week‑end was accounted for.  Those in charge knew what would be discussed and who would be discussing it, weeks in advance.    But, nobody had asked the question, "What do we do if it snows?"  

Note:  If you are ever given a choice of places to be snow bound, opt for Camp Easter Seal!  The kitchen, under the direction of Barbara A. Fortune, produces superb food.  "Are we having Barbara's fried chicken?" was an oft repeated question.  {We did!}   The rooms, designed to accommodate four children or an entire family, are each  heated individually and have a large bath .  Not unlike one of the better motels.  The lobby, with a crackling fire in the massive brick fire‑place, lends itself to quiet meditation and "fire‑side‑chats".  And, a drowsy "unwinding" after a busy day.  "It's going to snow!"  Who cares?

Slowly, it began to dawn on us that all of us cared!  Normally, the week‑end does not include calling home.  But, we did.  Normally, we don't worry about our jobs, week‑end obligations or "tomorrow".  But, we did.  Normally, we don't leave the retreat, once we get there, until the end.  But two  stubborn, hard‑headed,  "who's afraid of the big‑bad‑snow" characters drove to Woodbridge between 11:00 PM Friday night and 3:30 am Saturday morning.  They  left in a van, in snow‑dust.  They returned, driving a 4x4 snow‑plow, in a blinding  snow‑storm.  Bring on the drifts!

When a tree fell on the power lines, emergency power gave us dim lights.  But, we lost our water pump.  "Don't worry", I told my city‑brothers.  "This is Rappahannock Electric Cooperative territory.  They will have us back 'on line' before you know it!"  And, as always, they were prompt.  But, I didn't know that the pump had to be re‑primed and the lines purged to activate the fire‑sprinkler system.  So, the engineer was contacted, and after a "every‑man‑for‑himself" potty‑break, we resumed our planned program without a hitch.  (Correction:  There was a brief "fire‑drill" when the loudest horns I ever heard were tested in the middle of a talk!)

We had expected company on Saturday night.  We called and told them not to come.  No sense in their risking life and limb.  So, we all sat around the big fire‑place and sang  songs of Faith.  Were we not entitled?

Meals (remember Barbara?} had continued without interruption!  When she  realized that she might not be able to return if she went home, Barbara and her very capable assistants had taken one of the rooms and "crashed" for the night.  Such dedication!  Those who had planned to drive down from Fredericksburg and wait tables each day were absent.  Local members of Emmaus tried to get to us but were unable to get through  until one got a "running‑start" and blasted through the last three‑foot drift!  {Obviously, the two who had gone to Woodbridge the night before were not the only "dummies" in the group!  They had the snow‑plow but didn't know where it was needed.)  

Most of what we had decided to "miss" last week‑end at home, in order to be at our retreat, was canceled.  But, by late Sunday, the rain and sunshine had made the roads passable .  Nobody got hurt.  New friendships had been formed.  Happy memories were in place.

The next time someone says "It's going to snow!", sixty men can   shout, "Who cares?"
F'burg Emmaus 8 Pilgrim Directory

Ruth Ann Balderson
1607 Kings Highway
Fredericksburg VA 22405
F'burg EM 8
First Christian
Home Phone - 703-373-3613
Elaine Balizet
PO Box 42033
Fredericksburg VA 22404
F'burg EM 8
Chancellor Christian
Home Phone - 703-786-4996
Her Work Phone - 202-898-1050
Judy Bennett
2573 Merrywood Court
Woodbridge VA 22192
F'burg EM 8
Pohick Bay Christian
Home Phone - 703-491-3468
Her Work Phone - Same
Lee Clements
1006 N. Vail Street
Alexandria VA 22304
F'burg EM 8
Fairlington Presbyterian
Home Phone - 703-379-2443
Her Work Phone - 703-695-9385
Jan Douglas
11904 Daisy Lane
Fredericksburg VA 22407
F'burg EM 8
St. Patrick's Catholic
Home Phone - 703-785-0779
Her Work Phone - 703-898-2900
Dee Garnett
1100 Dewberry Drive
Fredericksburg VA 22407
F'burg EM 8
Union Bell Baptist
Home Phone - 703-786-5835
Her Work Phone - 703-979-4600
Gloria Geary
628 S. 24th Street
Arlington VA 22202
F'burg EM 8
Calvary UMC
Home Phone - 703-548-6447
Mary Glisson
5062 Gallager Drive
Fredericksburg VA 22407
F'burg EM 8
Peace UMC
Home Phone - 703-786-3382
Vicki Henley
Route 1, Box 440
Partlow VA 22534
F'burg EM 8
Rehoboth UMC
Home Phone - 804-448-3953
Gloria Humphries
207 S. Limestone Street
Gaffney SC 29340
F'burg EM 8
First Baptist
Home Phone - 803-487-8717
Her Work Phone - 803-489-6055
Paula Johnson
13324 Kerrydale Road
Dale City VA 22193
F'burg EM 8
Woodbridge Christian
Home Phone - 703-590-3271
Teresa Lough
1411 Elizabeth Drive
Fredericksburg VA 22405
F'burg EM 8
Ferry Farm Baptist
Home Phone - 703-373-8934
Her Work Phone - 703-825-6056
Debbie McKeen
12614 Spotswood Furnace Road
Fredericksburg VA 22407
F'burg EM 8
Stafford Church of God
Home Phone - 703-786-6029
Her Work Phone - 703-898-2900
Laurie Mitchel
3588E Kelly Circle
Bolling AFB Washington DC 20336
F'burg EM 8
Woodbridge Christian
Home Phone - 202-563-1498
Bonnie Ostrander
6806 Orchid Lane
Fredericksburg VA 22407
F'burg EM 8
Peace UMC
Home Phone - 703-786-5306
Renee Palm
20 Farrell Lane
Fredericksburg VA 22407
F'burg EM 8
Crown of Life Fellowship
Home Phone - 703-898-4443
Linda Perry
1750 Log Cabin Road
Beaverdam VA 23015
F'burg EM 8
Rehoboth UMC
Home Phone - 804-448-2459
Her Work Phone - Same
Pam Pinney
2007 Victoria Drive
Stafford VA 22554
F'burg EM 8
Summit Presbyterian
Home Phone - 703-659-7369
Her Work Phone - 703-659-4151
Brenda Ravella
14670 Kogan Drive
Woodbridge VA 22193
F'burg EM 8
Woodbridge Christian
Home Phone - 703-670-9847
Her Work Phone - 703-553-5582
Sarah Rice
Route 1 Box 118-D
Newtown VA 23126
TW CH 1/F'burg EM 8
Upper King & Queen Baptist
Home Phone - 804-769-2368
Laurie Sciascia
10708 Bradford Street
Spotsylvania VA 22553
F'burg EM 8
Spotswood Baptist
Home Phone - 703-786-2122
Her Work Phone - 703-371-5000
Pat Steimer
2015 Admiral Drive
Stafford VA 22554
F'burg EM 8
Summit Presbyterian
Home Phone - 703-720-1758
Sandra Stein
8401 Gray Ghost Lane
Fredericksburg VA 22408
F'burg EM 8
Fredericksburg Baptist
Home Phone - 703-891-2628
Her Work Phone - 703-898-2900
Nella White
13515 Fitzhugh Lane
Woodbridge VA 22191
F'burg EM 8
Stafford Christian Fellowship
Home Phone - 703-491-9990
Margaret Wilson
6113 Oak Grove
Fredericksburg VA 22407
F'burg EM 8
Abundant Life Victorious
Home Phone - 703-898-4450

Halleluia!!!   Praise God for His good work!

New Supply Coordinator Needed

After coordinating the Community's Weekend supplies for a year and a half, Sylvia Seiden is looking to pass this important and rewarding Community Job on to another willing volunteer.  This is a complex job, but someone with good organizational skills and a spare bedroom (or garage space, etc.) to store the trunks and materials can easily do it.  Pray about what you can do, and contact Sylvia Seiden @ 703-659-8953 or David Young @ 703-659-5921.

Placemats

A big thank you to those who have decorated placemats!!  Would you like to "pass it on" by doing placemats for an upcoming weekend? You can do it in your time, in your own home!  Reach out to the Pilgrims with Christ's love.  Call Diana Farrar, Fredericksburg Placemat Coordinator @ 703-372-7535 for blank placemats and ideas, patterns, etc.  You can do placemats with your reunion group or have a "placemat party"!  Use your imagination to brighten a weekend and praise the Lord!.

Child Care at Gatherings

At the February F'burg Emmaus Board meeting, the Board decided that child care could ONLY be provided for children through fifth grade age group.  Children older than that age must sit with their parents throughout the Gathering.  

Heartfelt Thanks!!

To all of my Brothers and Sisters in Christ.  
I thank you for your prayers and cards during my recent illness.  Your love helped me get over a rough spot in my life.  
DeColores,

Prayer Requests

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:

Praise for God's healing of Craig Carlson - Surgery to remove brain tumor	Team & Pilgrims of F'burg 8
Frank Rice	
New baby first day of Spring - Mother, baby & proud Aunt Sharon Powell doing well	Daryl Bennett - For legal matters coming up
Steve Rudich & family - Home burned	
Tom Self - Death of wife Linda	Garfield's Daughter - Crysta	
Bob Glisson - For wife Mary of F'burg 8	Thula Hampton	
Jesse Rocha - Missionary to Columbia S/A, Pray for the world, for unemployed, those who haven't accepted Christ, wife tired of praying for husband & giving up, Thanks for wonderful daughter with great faith and love for others	Kathryn Morris - Recovery from knee injured in fall at team party 
Mary Lawson - Recovery from brain surgery,
For all with financial problems
Praises for F'burg EM 7 & 8 team & pilgrims	
Robert & Kim Costello - Rhonda's sister who just got married last month - the Holy Spirit enters their hearts
Skeeze Lockhart - Healing after surgery - diabetic
Foster Family - Death of Lauren 8 month daughter	Susan Short - To be established in a local church
Mallett Family - May the Holy Spirit move them to search & reach out to the church community	

Chrysalis in Fredericksburg

Halleluia!  While our launching of Chrysalis may seem slow to some, we are moving in God's time.  The very first meeting of the Chrysalis Steering Committee was held April 3rd.  He was there!!!  We have the Upper Room's notebook on creating a new community, the Weekend Manuals (Lay Director, Spiritual Director, Team, etc), and the Talk Outlines.  We will be holding Information Nights to attract Caterpillars to attend Weekends now to be ready to team later.  We have some team and Caterpillar applications on file with National Capital, and have applications and information available.  But more than that, we have some good people, adult and youth, and the Lord in the chair at the head of the Committee.  He has called the next meeting for 9:00 AM, Saturday, May 1 at Peace UMC.  If you love the Lord and have a passion for our young adults, come join in the excitement of His new creation.  Halleluia!  

Clergy Alert!!  Please pray about your role in Chrysalis.  Is it I Lord???  Do I hear you calling in the night?  Will you lead me?  We have a great High Priest, but He wants a Spiritual Director (or two), filled with the Holy Spirit and on fire for Jesus and His children, to make a commitment to hold those children in your heart(s)!!  To be Spiritual Director(s) on the Chrysalis Steering Committee.  

Election for the Board of Directors

The nomination process for the Board of Directors has been completed in accordance with our By-laws.  The election will be conducted by written ballot at the May Gathering.  The following have agreed to be nominated to serve on the Board:

Men (Three to be elected, one to replace a resigning board member, and fill his remaining term)	Women (Two to be elected)	Clergy (One to be elected)	
			
Joe May, F'burg, Meth.	Betty Gray Thompson, Falmouth, 	Mark Dunn, F'burg, Non Denom.	
Joe Pace, Stafford, Meth.		Non Denom.	Judy Carlson, Alexandria, Meth.	
Richard Warner, Woodbridge, Meth.	Eva Wehrle, Stafford, Presby.	Jeff Hendrix, F'burg, Meth.	
Monte Luhr, Stafford, Meth.	Mandy Luck, F'burg, So. Baptist		

The By-Laws provide that additional nominations may be made from the floor the night of the election (the May Gathering) provided the nominee meets the qualifications and is present at that Gathering.  Biographical sketches of each nominee will be published in May so that the Community can be informed voters.  And an absentee ballot will be published in May so the entire Community may vote, whether present at the May Gathering, or not.  

Agape Bag Workshop

COME OUT AND HELP MAKE AGAPE BAGS!!!  Fay Dunmire has been making agape bags for our community, but is unable to continue.  Thanks, Fay, for being faithful.  Agape bags are needed for the upcoming weekends! So.......

You are invited to Peace UMC on Saturday, May 15, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM for fun, fellowship and sewing.-- Come for the whole four hours, or for as long as you can! Bring a bag lunch and your sewing machine and sewing supplies.  We will use an assembly-line approach to make LOTS of agape bags.  They are easy to make and making them with your Emmaus friends is an added benefit!

If you don't sew, don't despair!  You can measure and cut fabric or thread cord or press the bags.  There'll be a placemat table; bring your markers.

Can't attend the workshop and want to help?  Donate bright, happy fabric (1 yard makes 4 agape bags), cording (long, bright shoelaces work well) or the money to purchase supplies.

Call Diana Farrar @ 703-372-7535 for more information or with your questions.

Some Thoughts on Keeping Faith with the Manuals

By Stephen Bryant

I am continually heartened by the degree of consistency in and commitment to the standard Emmaus model across the movement. Even where there are differences due to tradition, there is almost always a strong desire to be true to the fundamental intents and structure of the Emmaus Walk. Adherence to the Upper Room's Emmaus manuals is important for the Emmaus Movement, for the church, for The Upper Room, and for the persons who are sponsored to go on Walks. Here are some of the reasons why:

1. The manuals provide quality assurance - the assurance that the Emmaus Weekend will be conducted with excellence, will present that which it is designed to present, and will represent the commonly held essentials of Christianity as set forth in the Emmaus Walk.

2. The manuals prevent Emmaus from being remade after the likeness of the various leaders. Unlike many religious events. Emmaus is not leader-centered; it does not depend on charismatic personalities, especially gifted presenters, or experienced retreat masters. Rather, Emmaus depends on a team of ordinary Christians working together in the spirit of Christ according to the directions of an objective manual for a proven model. The Lay and Spiritual Directors for each Walk are responsible to the local Emmaus Board of Directors - and the local Board is a covenant with The Upper Room to lead Emmaus according to the manuals.

3. The manuals assure everyone the Emmaus, no matter where it is conducted, will be a common and experience. We should be able to sponsor family and friends in other states and in other countries with confidence that Emmaus will be the same event for them as it was for us. Church leaders in one part of the country should be able to recommend Emmaus to church leaders in another part if the country, knowing that the design and standards are uniform everywhere. This strengthens the Emmaus Movement and its value in the church. If, on the other hand, communities take liberties with the model, then the trustworthiness of the Walk is weakened and the quality depends increasingly on who the particular weekend leaders are. What we say on the first evening of the Walk in true. Pilgrims come trusting the recommendation of another person that the Walk to Emmaus will be worth their time. Therefore, we must honor the sponsors' faith that the Emmaus team will, in fact, offer the Walk to Emmaus in its integrity, not an unexpected variation on it.

4. The manuals set forth a model in which all of the parts are theologically congruent. The Emmaus Walk is a tightly woven event. Years of experience have gone into honing the model, which has proven its value and effectiveness as an instrument of the Holy Spirit for revitalizing Christians as members of the body of Christ. As we say to the Pilgrims on the first night, every part has a purpose. When we rework the model, adding this part and removing this part, we increasingly diminish its potential for working as a whole toward communicating the Christian message on many levels.

5. The manuals serve as a check on our human inclination to innovate. The fact is, most additions and changes in the model are for the team, not the pilgrims. We may want others to have the experience we had on one variety of Cursillo weekend. We may be bored with the same procedures, weekend after weekend and want to try out a few of our own ideas. Some leaders have a special gift for designing learning experiences and retreats; they may feel they can improve Emmaus, given the opportunity. Team members may have experienced an especially meaningful worship service or ritual in another religious setting which they feel would add even more to the value of the Walk. The Walk to Emmaus, however, already includes more than anyone can absorb in three days and enough to chew on for a lifetime. The Walk does not need to include every religious experience that is meaningful, should not reflect every variation on Cursillo, and cannot address every need in life. We must remember there are many other opportunities for Christian renewal; not everything that is meaningful has to happen during the three days of the Emmaus Walk.

6. The manuals encourage creativity to be focused where it should be - on the given tasks within the Emmaus model. The place for creativity on the Walk is not in redesigning the architecture of the model, but in making the most of the given design to prepare the way of the Lord for the Pilgrims. Emmaus' structure does not crowd out the Holy Spirit; rather, it creates trustworthy space for the Holy Spirit to work in the midst of the participants, who should not need to be anxious about the weekend design. Accepting the model and the manuals as a given frees leaders to focus on the Pilgrims and to trust the Holy Spirit not their own creativity for designing retreats. Also, changes by independent-minded team members set a dangerous precedent. While their innovations may - work, - future teams will want to claim their right to be creative as well and to try out their own ideas. More serious still, changes becomes tradition overnight because new Pilgrims believe their experience represents the way Emmaus should be. Traditions build upon traditions. The manual is the plumb line that prevents this from happening and keeps each weekend centered on the prescribed program.

7. The manuals free the Board and teams to focus their energies in the proper direction: on preparation for Walks and on Fourth Day challenges, rather that on the design of the weekend. This is the gift of having a well-designed and carefully tested program with complete materials for leading it. Communities which become caught up in a squabble over the procedures of the weekend suffer internal struggles. Their preoccupation with the three-day model results in a weakened Fourth Day emphasis. The design of the weekend should not be an issue or source of contention for an Emmaus Community. The Emmaus model is a given which frees local communities to get on with the business at hand.

8. The manuals warrant adherence simply because a community is an Emmaus Community in covenant with the Upper Room. As a condition of that covenant, each community has agreed to follow the manuals. No doubt, other experiences and practices are rich and meaningful; to affirm the Emmaus model is not to negate the various expressions of Cursillo or Tres Dias which differ from Emmaus and which people find rewarding. But if a community and its leaders have truly decided to be an Emmaus Community, that decision dictates that they present the distinctive Emmaus model. Emmaus Communities function under the banner of the Upper Room and are responsible for doing so in a manner that is faithful to the conditions of that relationship.

Each community will have its own local color, and minor differences will exist between some communities due to their background. This has always been the case and is more noticeable in some parts of the movement than in others. But the direction of change in a community's Emmaus Weekend should always be toward the standard model, not away from it. Since Emmaus is a copyrighted program of the Upper Room, initiatives to change the Upper Room Emmaus model should be brought to the International Director of Emmaus and members of the National Steering Committee.

May God be with you in your work with Emmaus. May the Lord Jesus make you an effective instrument of grace. May the Holy Spirit use you mightily to up-build the Body and make real Christ's kingdom in the midst of this world.