May 1993
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

At the May Gathering we will be conducting our annual election to choose who will be serving on the Board of Directors for 1993/94.  Elsewhere in this newsletter you will find the absentee ballot for you to use in case you cannot be at the May Gathering.  It is very important that you cast a vote for who you would like to be on your Board of Directors.  Seek the advice of the Lord, before casting your vote.

Received a letter recently from the Director of the International Emmaus Movement at the Upper Room in Nashville.  She encouraged us to beware of the idea that the "Walk to Emmaus" has "secrets".  Here is what the Upper Room Handbook on Emmaus has to say:

THERE IS NOTHING SECRET ABOUT EMMAUS

Emmaus Pilgrims can harm the unity of the church by acting as though Emmaus involves secrecy, like a lodge or a mystery cult.  The single greatest obstacle to a graceful relationship between Emmaus and the church over the years has been the image of secrecy.  Secrecy creates barriers; they bind together those "in the know" and separate them from those who do not know.  The only secret Christians share is a secret we are called to tell: "the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest … which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."  (Col. 1:26-27).

There is nothing secret about Emmaus.  Only Candlelight, personal agape letters, and the community's presence at the Closing are not highlighted or mentioned when Emmaus is explained to a person being sponsored.  Our hope is that these events will be experienced afresh as surprises and as gifts.  Pilgrims actually encounter the love that is communicated through these special events of the weekend.  But I would rather explain all than convey an attitude of secrecy!

We hurt the Emmaus movement by saying to persons, "Well, I can't tell you what happens".  This is not true.  It is true that we may have difficulty putting into words the experience of the weekend, and that we can inadvertently say more than our friends are interested in hearing.  Nevertheless, the weekend contains objective ingredients which can and should be shared with persons who are being sponsored.  These objective ingredients of the weekend are described openly in the brochure, "Emmaus-For the Development of Christian Leaders": talks, discussion groups, meaningful services of prayer and Holy Communion, and acts of love by a support community.

The International Emmaus Office will be releasing very soon a video that can be used in our local churches to help us with the "Secrecy" issue.  I will inform you when it is available.  

So long for this time my friends, see you at the Gathering on 8 May at 6:30 PM.

God Bless and may the Lord always be first in your life.

DeColores,

David Young

May & June Gatherings - Ebenezer UMC

The May and June Gatherings will be held at Ebenezer UMC in North Stafford on the second Saturday of each month.  See the map elsewhere.  Mark your calendar and join us at Peace UMC for a night of singing and praising the Lord.

The Next Fredericksburg Gathering

What:	Fredericksburg Emmaus Community Gathering
Where:	Ebenezer UMC, Stafford VA.
Why:	Worship and Fellowship
	Worship	- 6:30 PM, May 8, 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	
		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	Loudon 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	Loudon 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	

F'burg Emmaus Directory

Once a year we will publish a complete F'burg Emmaus Directory for your use.  This may be removed and retained.  It now contains a Board Directory, a Community Volunteer Directory and a Clergy Directory for your information.

The Vision of the Walk to Emmaus 

We should never forget what the Emmaus Vision is:

The vision of our movement is threefold:

•  to develop Christian disciples/leaders in the local church;
•  to strengthen local congregations;
•  Christianize the environment outside the local church.

We accomplish this vision through:

•  sponsoring wisely
•  team selection and formation
•  putting on quality weekends
•  Fourth Day activities (Reunion Groups, Gatherings and relating to the Local Church)

The role of your community Board of Directors is to oversee, coordinate and educate the community.  Sponsorship will determine the health of the Emmaus Community to a large extent.  We must sponsor with our sight kept on the Emmaus vision.  In a recent letter from the International Office, and I quote, " Local communities cannot talk about the importance of sponsorship enough".

Emmaus and the Local Church

I would like to share a list of ideas that have been used in congregations in order to share Emmaus.  These include: 

•  sharing about Emmaus and other spiritual formation events in worship
•  offering an Emmaus information hour
•  yearly or quarterly articles in the church newsletter
•  practice tithing
•  volunteer for the toughest assignments in your local church
•  pray yourself and form new prayer groups
•  become interested in further training opportunities offered by your church or denomination
•  use the Emmaus team model for committee work in the local church
•  avoid Emmaus jargon; paraphernalia and excessive or exclusive hugging, etc.

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.

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!.

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.

Weekend Cost - There Is a Need

Can you help Scholarship others?  We are a community of faith, and we have faith that Christ will meet the need of His work.  Your gifts of Love do reap a bountiful harvest! If you would like to contribute to the Scholarship Fund to "PASS IT ON", that others may share the Emmaus Walk experience, provide a check marked "Scholarship" in the offering at the monthly Gatherings, or send your contribution to Sandy Pace or David Young via the PO Box address shown below.

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.  

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:

Workplace ministry at McLane Mid-Atlantic	Kathryn Morris	
Michelle Shortridge - Mallet family - to search for warmth & understanding of your guiding light	Anderson family - protection for children - your will for parents	
Grimm family - may God's will be done	Wayne Garfield	
Healing for Maureen	Healing for Bill & Deborah's marriage	
Healing for Warren Johnson - coma	Lillian Pack - back surgery May 13	
Daughter traveling back to Colorado	Frank Rice - understand need for God in his life	
Rex & Bonnie Ostrander - to understand & do God's will in lives.  Pray we deal with negatives that tempt us with God's help	Team for NatCap EM 54
Praise for 2 new nieces in one month in Powell family - mothers & babies well	
Praise for children	A son whose mother gave up parental rights	
Jesse Rocha in South America
Ron Neal - Brain surgery complications
Frances Dotson - diabetic	Jo Anne Scott - Praise for mother's healing & God for His love for me.  Pray for wisdom & God's Divine will in life & for Tim Johnson to stop smoking..  	
Brenda Shreve's sister Rhonda in Air Force in Bosnian War Zone	David Pinney's father recovering from heart surgery & for his mother wheelchair bound with broken ankle	
People struggling to become strong loving family	Paces return home safely	
People struggling to know Lord despite obstacles at home	Outpouring of Holy Spirit in local churches	
Gerry & Evelyn Michalliga - Gerry with MS	Rhonda - lifted up from some of life's let downs	
Praise God for His continued blessings
Doris - in need of our prayers	Jody - strength during testing to qualify to work with retarded children	
Kristy Erisman - our prayers & for love offering to go to Austria as summer missionary	Kenny - do God's will
Pray that God's will be done in my life	
Pray for Stan, Dusty & children	Pray for Tita, her family & unsaved in Mexico	
Wally Moore - trip to Bogota Columbia	Tommy Wallace (Debbie McKeen's father) - cancer	
Serving on an Emmaus Team

Team Leaders - All that is done within the three day Emmaus weekend must be typical and natural.  Therefore, the leaders must be part of a Christian community so their witness will be authentic.  Even before the Emmaus weekend they must be church, build up the Church, live Church, give a community witness.

The team is a miniature Church community which shows, through both its words and its witness of life, the need for community and individual commitment, the elements that make possible the living experience of the church.

The team within an Emmaus weekend must be a Christian community which is a sign of faith, hope and love.  The Church is made more visible by the team for the small world of the Emmaus community. The goal of the Emmaus program is to create nuclei churches, as signs of Christ.  The Walk to Emmaus should be a deep, personal and community-based living experience of the Church.

When we speak of leaders we speak of all who form the team, because all are required to give the same living witness, the same commitment and enthusiasm.  Some proclaim the message in the talks, but all must proclaim it in their lives.

All the team - laity and clergy alike - are living examples of Christians in action, not only expounding truth in the various talks, but demonstrating truth through their actions so that the truth penetrates consciences and moves them.  They all, each team member, share, in relation to their specific function, the responsibility for the proper development of the Emmaus weekend. All must enter the weekend with the attitude of living it, not merely giving it.

Cooperation, shared responsibility, caring, love, and awareness of the Holy Spirit are characteristic, necessary, and apparent among the team members throughout the three days.  Teamwork, unity of values, sensitivity and an attitude of servant are also essential. These attributes are emphasized and honed during the weeks of team building and preparation before the weekend.

Team Applications - In order to serve on a team a person must fill out a team application and turn it in to one of the board members or to the Pilgrim/Team Registration Coordinator, Gary Farrar.  Submitting a team application does not mean you will serve on a particular team or part of a team. 

Selection Process - The Weekend Lay Director will select his or her team, after the Team Selection Committee has approved the applications that were received.  The Weekend Lay Director will make the final determination of where you will serve after much thought and prayer.

Team Makeup - The team will be made up of the Weekend Lay Director, three Assistant Weekend Lay Directors, Music Director, three or four Spiritual Directors and normally about 12 other team members.  The other team members serve as Table and Assistant Table leaders.

Team Training - Preliminary team training before being chosen to serve on a team may include music seminars, Day of Deeper Understanding Programs, etc.  During a period of approximately eight or nine weeks preceding the date of the Emmaus weekend, the Weekend Lay Director, Assistant Weekend Lay Directors, Music Director and Spiritual Director conduct several meetings to train the team members for the conduct of the weekend.  During this period, through prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit, team building occurs and a unity of purpose and a oneness of spirit develop among the team members.

Qualifications - The prospective team member should:

•  Be a Christian Leader in his/her church;
•  Have attended an Emmaus, Cursillo, Rainbow, or similar weekend;
•  If possible, have attended the Day of Deeper Understanding or other Emmaus Leadership Seminar Training;
•  Be a living example of a person who is following Christ. 

Snack Agape

The amount of homemade goodies, fruit and purchased snack food provided for our Walks has been overwhelming.  As Snack Agape Coordinator, I thank you for this display of God's love.

And now I come to you with another plea.  Have you noticed the lack of snack food at our after-Gathering Fellowship time?  We need your contributions of food, drink, paper products and ice for these monthly meetings.  Let's laden our snack food table at our Gatherings as we have on our Walks.

Jesus said … "Come and eat …"	John 21:12

Your Sister in Christ,

(Cut Here)

Proxy Ballot for the Board of Directors

I.	Certification of membership.  I am a member of Fredericksburg Emmaus, eligible to vote by virtue of attending a Walk to Emmaus sponsored by the Fredericksburg Emmaus Community, or a Walk to Emmaus, Chrysalis or other Cursillo based weekend in another area.	Yes	o

II.  Men (Vote for Three of Six)		III.  Women (Vote for Two of Three)
						
Darrel Bennett	For	o	Mandy Luck	For	o
Monte Luhr	For	o	Betty Gray Thompson	For	o
Joe May	For	o	Eva Wehrle	For	o
Joe Pace	For	o	(Write In)	For	o
George Shortridge	For	o	(Write In)	For	o
Richard Warner	For	o
(Write In)	For	o
(Write In)	For	o
		
IV.  Clergy (Vote for One)		
		
Judy Carlson	For	o
Mark Dunn	For	o	
Jeff Hendrix	For	o	
(Write In)	For	o
(Write In)	For	o

V.  Each member of an Emmaus family is entitled to a separate 	Fredericksburg Emmaus
ballot.  To be counted, proxy ballot(s) must submitted at the 	PO Box 972
June Gathering, or mailed to be received by May 8th at:	Stafford VA 22554