June 1993
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Well Brothers and Sisters, this is my last official newsletter article to write as your Community Lay Director.  This has been an exciting year for me, but it is now time for me to pass the reign over to someone else in the community.  When I wrote my first newsletter, I shared with each of you, my feelings regarding my position as Community Lay Director.  I shared with you that in Isaiah we read, "Arise, shine, for your light has come."  Well my light did come this past year.  The Lord provided that light many times.  I also shared with you the fears I had as I accepted the position, and I asked each of you to continually pray for me as I undertook this position.  I also shared with you, that I was afraid that I wouldn't have anything to say each month, as I sat down to prepare the my newsletter article.  The Lord provided me the words to say each month.  I shared with you the fear that I had standing up in front of large crowds.  The Lord took care of that fear too.  Most of all, the fears that I had, were taken care of by each one of you.  I really felt in my heart that you provided me the prayer support to carry out this mission.  From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each of you for your support, and your prayers, this past year.  I don't plan to quit participating in functions of this community.  I will be seeking the advice of the Lord, as to what I should be involved in. The bottom line of this whole year is, we must trust in the Lord always, and He shall provide us the support we need.

At our May Board meeting, there were several concerns about the way we, as a community of believers, conduct communion.  There are those that were concerned that we don't take the communion service seriously enough.  Those that believe that we socialize too much, talk too loud, and disturb others while we stand in line to take communion, or after.  Those that believe communion singing may contribute to a disorderly atmosphere.  I'm telling you this because we do have a concern.  Communion is a time of celebration, but it is also, or should be, a time of reverence.  The Community Spiritual Directors will work to set an appropriately reverent atmosphere during communion, but it is incumbent on all to respect the worship time of one another.  I was very touched by the special music that was provided in lieu of the singing during Communion at the Lord's Table during the May Gathering.

Last month I shared with you, what the Vision of Emmaus was.  Elsewhere in this newsletter, I will share with you what our International Director shared with us in her last newsletter.  I do hope you will read it.

Let us all be praying for Steve Seiden and Nita Cline, the Weekend Lay Directors for Emmaus 9 and 10.  They have already started working on those weekends.  May the Lord bless each of you, as you prepare for His weekends.

I would like for each of you to keep your present Board Members in prayer, as we have the task to select your next Community Lay Director at our June Board meeting.  We ask the Lord to show us who He wants to serve in that position.

As I said before, this has been a great year.  We have accomplished at lot, but we have a lot of work ahead.  I asked you to provide your next Community Lay Director the same support you have provided me. He or she will need that support.

I must go, I love each of you from the bottom of my heart.  I will see you at the next Gathering, which will be at Ebenezer UMC, at 6:30 PM on 12 June.

God Bless and may the Lord richly bless you.
DeColores,

David Young
Until further consideration by the Board, Fellowship time will continue to be held after the Gathering vice before.

The Next Fredericksburg Gathering

What:	Fredericksburg Emmaus Community Gathering
Where:	Ebenezer UMC, Stafford VA.
Why:	Worship and Fellowship
	Worship	- 6:30 PM, June 12, 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.  Child care is ONLY provided for children through fifth grade age group.  Children older than that age must sit with their parents throughout the Gathering.  

Upcoming Weekends

Dates	Weekend	Dates	Weekend	
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	

Let Us All Remember

Set your PRIORITIES so that you as a Priest can exhibit DISCIPLESHIP in CHRISTIAN ACTION as you become the BODY OF CHRIST in CHANGING OUR WORLD.  GOD'S GRACE will support you as you STUDY how to live A LIFE OF PIETY and PERSEVERE in your Christian Walk on all your FOURTH DAYS.
Fern Lindloff, Waco, TX.

The Vision of the Walk to Emmaus 

The following is what our International Director, Cherie Jones has to say about the Vision of Emmaus:

The Scriptures remind us that, "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18, KJV).  A vision of where we want to go gives us a sense of direction as well as purpose.

The vision of The Walk to Emmaus is threefold.  First, we seek to develop Christian leaders.  We invite Christians who are active members of local churches to go away for a three day weekend. During this time, they hear 15 talks which describe what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and to live in His grace.  They worship together, celebrate Holy Communion, sing, and live together in a Christian community.  They are challenged to take on the disciplines of piety, study and action for the rest of their lives.

After the weekend, they may participate on teams.  During their service on a team, they have the opportunity to develop and enhance skills such as preparing and presenting a talk, leading small group discussions on sensitive issues, leading a group of people through a tightly scheduled agenda and so on.  All of these skills can be used outside of the Emmaus weekend.  But our vision does not end with the development of Christian leaders.

Secondly, we seek to strengthen local congregations.  We want our pilgrims to return to their local churches and continue to offer themselves in service to their congregations.  They take back their understanding of a life marked by piety, study and action.  The bring home a renewed energy of loving God and neighbor.  They bring back a revitalized desire to offer sacrificial love within the Church.  One German layman, after attending Emmaus, offered to give five hours a week to his pastor to serve the congregation.  The pastor nearly fainted when the offer was made but gladly took the man up on his offer.  Additionally, pilgrims bring back the skills they have honed while working on a team.  There are countless stories across the movement of people who have learned skills at Emmaus which they have then offered to their churches.  But our vision of Emmaus does not end with the strengthening of local congregations.

Thirdly, we seek to Christianize the environment.   We want our pilgrims to return to their homes, work-places, schools and neighborhoods and be faithful witnesses to the grace of Jesus Christ.  Our prayer is that their witness will make a difference in their world, that their lives will be marked by honesty and integrity and that the light of Christ will shine through their words and deeds.

This is a lot of hope but is not impossible to achieve, at least not when you take grace into account.  What do you think of this vision?  Do you agree?  Would you add anything?  What is your prayer for your Emmaus Community?  
In the next issue of the International Newsletter, Cherie will share with us ways in which we seek to achieve this vision.  

We thank you Cherie for sharing this with us, and we look forward 
to what you have to tell us about achieving this vision.

Good News About Emmaus

The good news about Emmaus is there are now 225 communities around the world; walks were begun in Germany and Costa Rica in 1992.  In 1992, there were over 700 weekends with an estimated 25,000 pilgrims who attended The Walk to Emmaus.  An estimated 225,000 persons have participated since the inception of Emmaus in 1978.  Those of us that have attend an Emmaus Weekend in the Fredericksburg Area Emmaus Community are in that count.  

The other good news about Emmaus is that 1992 was a memorable year in that it is the first time that the International Emmaus movement has supported itself financially through the Emmaus Funding Plan and royalties.

Clergy Talks Update

Word from the International Office, the Clergy talks outlines should be ready for use around 1 September 1993.  We will keep our Community Spiritual Directors informed when they are available.  

By this the world will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another. (Jn 13:35)

There is therefore now no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:1)

Election Results

If you missed the May Gathering, the following are the results of the Elections:

Men	Women	Clergy	
Joe May		3 year	Eva Wehrle		3 year	Mark Dunn		3 year	
Joe Pace		3 year	Betty Thompson	3 year		
George Shortridge	1 year			

Congratulations to each of you on your being selected to serve in this community as Board members.  We will see you at the July Board meeting.  God bless each of you.

Emmaus Volunteer Chairpersons Needed

Last month in the newsletter we printed for your convenience the Chairperson for various committees in our Emmaus Community.  We made several errors and they need to be corrected.  The are:

	Prayer Vigil Coordinator - Angel Fulkerson, she is not the Chairperson, and that position is vacant.  

Asst. Lay Director - Paul Mickey.  Sorry Paul, You were in the Data Base as Assistant Lay Director in National Capital, and somehow it got mixed up in our Data Base.  We apologize for this mistake.

Now for the vacancies that we do have, and we are looking for volunteers to come forward:

	Prayer Vigil Coordinator	Agape Coordinator	

These positions are very important in our Community, and we can't have a weekend without the positions being filled.  So please pray about them, if you feel you can serve, please call David Young on 703-659-5921.  

Mr. Randy Avis, from Woodbridge Christian Church has volunteered to serve as our Community Music Director.  We pray that all our musicians will give him full support as he takes on this position.  Randy will be purchasing a guitar soon and will be learning to play, so give him a big welcome.  

Volunteers to Supply Transportation for Weekends

Another need the Fredericksburg Emmaus Community has for support of weekends is for transportation of the weekend supplies from their to regular storage site to Camp Easter Seal on Thursday morning at the beginning of each Weekend, and back again after the Weekend on Sunday evening.  What is needed is a driver and the use of a covered vehicle (for inclement weather) such as a small truck, large pickup or 12 passenger van with seats removed.  Several foot lockers, the large cross, some 10' pieces of conduit (for hanging the talk room curtain) and other miscellaneous items must be moved each way.  Originally, this requirement was the obligation of each team to coordinate.  Recently Bill & Sandy Klingenstein have donated a rental vehicle.  Our sincere thanks to Bill & Sandy, but the Board feels that, with the enthusiasm we now see in this rapidly growing Community, we should be able to meet this need through one or a number of volunteers.  Three things are needed: (1) a Transportation Coordinator, 
(2) a list of those who have, or can obtain access to such vehicles, or could make vehicles available for other drivers to use when required, and (3) a list of those who could provide their time to drive borrowed vehicles.  If we can assemble such lists, then the Coordinator can have a pool of people to call on for help for each weekends.

Cleanup after Weekends

And yet another need the Fredericksburg Emmaus Community has for support of weekends is for cleanup after Closing on Sunday evenings.  There is about 30-60 minutes of work to be done after the closing, including cleanup of the dining hall, packing and loading the last of our supplies on the assigned vehicles, etc., that has fallen on the same few repeatedly in the past.  To resolve this problem, the Board has decided to add additional Sunday afternoon Chas to the Community Cha sign-up list to arrive about 3:00 PM and assist Bill Klingenstein who is the Facility Cleanup Coordinator.  We will ask that these Chas not be sponsoring anyone, so that they can concentrate on the task at hand without inconveniencing a new pilgrim.  This is a dirty (not really) job, but somebody has to do it!  Christ said, "So pray to the one in charge of the harvesting, and ask Him to recruit more workers for his harvest fields." and "The greatest among you will be your servant."  Jesus is counting on us!  Pray about giving your time in humble service to filling this need and let's fill al  these new Sunday afternoon Community Cha positions when the sign-ups for the next weekends are circulated.

Chrysalis Steering Committee

The Chrysalis Steering Committee has been meeting regularly for the past two months and is addressing options and ideas for the beginnings of Chrysalis in Fredericksburg, potentially in the summer of 1994.  The adrenaline is flowing and we are excited about the possibilities this service to our Lord has for changing young lives forever throughout the Greater Fredericksburg region.  

The next Chrysalis Steering Committee meetings in June and July are on the first Sundays at 3:00 PM at Peace UMC.  This Steering Committee is open to all who are eager to serve in bringing this good work to full fruit.  And we need your help.  Please pray for the Lord's guidance and follow Him to be a part of this new ministry.

Praise God, Jeff Hendrix has answered the Clergy Alert!! and offered to be the Spiritual Director on the Chrysalis Steering Committee.  Thanks Jeff for answering God's call to feed His lambs.  We know He will touch many through you.

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:

Lillian Pack - Recovery from back surgery
Marie Miles - Continued healing from a long term illness	Monte Luhr - Pray for son Karl living in England for a few years	
Murphy family - Death of Father
All Christian mothers who want to raise young disciples	Teresa Lough - Pilgrim F'burg 8 - Normal pregnancy & healthy baby	
For the leaders in local, state & nation.  May the Lord raise up Godly leaders for this nation	Sylvia Seiden - Healing multiple ailments, aches & pains	
Family & Fiancee - To know Jesus as Savior	For Emmaus members - In or going to Columbia	
Phil Sharp Family - Loss of his Mother	Tom Richardson - Recovery from cancer surgery	
Jon & Renee Palm - Praise - Lord is opening new doors & our t-shirt business "WordWear" is growing, & "good News of Jesus" is being spread.  Pray with us for His continued guidance & direction for this ministry.	Matthew Jensen - Reoccurrence of Aplastic Anemia
Pete Sunderlin - Salvation & Praise his return home
My Mom - Alcoholism
Paula Penninger - Pray for a safe trip to Missouri	
Ernest Langford & Family	Carrie Horne	
Ellen & Richard Nash - Mission trip to Russia in May	For Children	
Gary Farrar - His Dad, David, newly diagnosed with arteriosclerosis, the disease his Mother died of	Karrie Erisman - Safe vacation in Florida
Uda & Jessica - 2 exchange students having hard time	
Exchange Students - As they prepare to return to home countries after being away from families for a year (leaving mid-end of June)	Ken & Julie McKeen - Financial trouble
Friends - Serious marital trouble - deciding on divorce
Don Johnston - Terminal cancer	
Tracey O'Brien (friend of Sheri Trudeau) - Recovering from breast cancer surgery (2nd of 3 surgeries)	Janet Dunn - Pray for healing of muscle spasms
Ron Bennett - God & my work in South America	
Wyatt Gosnell - Loss of Karen - March 30, 1993