June 1994
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: 

	Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17

	This time a year ago I was sitting down to write my "first" letter to you as your new Lay Leader.  A time of change in my life.  Taking on new responsibilities for Lord.  The Lord had been my constant companion through these many months.  He has directed me in many ways and shown me how much He loves me.  He has shown me understanding and through stressful times.  And He has given many, many blessings.  I have grown closer to Him and have seen His mighty hand at work in our community.  Yes, changes in our lives are definitely something we can count on.  New jobs, new homes, saying hello to the new and goodbye to the old.

	But, goodbye is not appropriate for me to say at this time because I will continue to see you at the Gatherings each month and continue to participate in other activities in the community.  I will look forward to seeing each of you and collecting many hugs and goodwill that is so much a part of our loving Christian family.

	Let me say thanks to each of you who have kept me in your prayers..."prayer warriors"  are such a vital part of everyone's life.  A special thanks to my fellow Board Members for their constant support and willingness to work for the good of all of us in the community as we continue to grow as Disciples for Jesus Christ.

	And an especial loving thank you to my husband Tony for his faithful understanding,  his listening ears and loving, caring heart.

	I will paraphrase the little allegory I shared with you last month about the geese and how this past year has paralleled those words. . .

	Those who share a common direction get there faster helping one another . . . you each have helped me in many ways.  I hope I have had as much sense as a goose. . .anyway I have tried to stay in formation and headed in the right direction. . . I have had a couple of tiring moments and have dropped back briefly so someone else could fly point because it does pay to take turns doing a hard job.  You have been very supportive and I really love each of you for being there for me when I needed you.  I will be there for you should you need me in the future.

	So, please consider the following prayer as this new year of leadership begins (taken from Portals of Prayer, Vol. LVI, No. 338):

Help us, O Lord.  Behold we enter upon another year;  in Thee our hopes and thoughts are now centered.  
Renew our courage for the way.  Renew life, new strength, new happiness.  We ask of Thee, oh hear and bless! May every plan and undertaking this year be all begun with Thee.  When I am sleeping or am waking, still let me know Thou art with me.  Abroad do Thou my footsteps guide, at home be ever at my side.  Amen.

	Father, we ask that you guide us and help us dedicate ourselves to share completely so all people might know God's love in Christ.  And, Father, thank you for being the solid rock in my changing life.

De Colores,

Kathryn Morris

COMMUNITY NEEDS!

We need you help!  The community Needs a new Supplies Coordinator.  The coordinator is responsible for storing the trunks used on the weekend as well as making sure that all supplies in the trunks are sufficient for the weekends.  If you are interested in this position, please contact a board member. ASAP!

The board is also requesting a donation of a heavy duty button maker to be keep in the trunks.  This way if there are any last minute additions, changes or correction the team can take care of them immediately and not have to rely on others.  If you feel you can assist in the donation or give the money needed to purchase one it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, Sylvia Sieden is looking for some folks interested in helping in the kitchen for the Chrysalis weekend.  She has put together some menus and a list of cooking supplies but she need others to help pull everything together so our beautiful Butterflies can eat on their weekend.  If you can serve in this way, please call Sylvia at (703) 659-8953.

The Next Fredericksburg Emmaus Gathering
	Where:	Peace United Methodist Church
	Why:	Worship and Fellowship

	When:	6:00 PM,  June 11, 1994
Social Hour*:	6:00 - 7:00 PM Begin music for the Gathering:	Promptly at 7:00 Opening Prayer of Gathering:	7:30
	How:	In Grace of Our God
		& the Fellowship of His Holy Spirit
	Devotions:	Sharon Powell
	Fourth Day Speaker:	Carolyn Jenkins
	Child Care:	
*Please bring drinks and light refreshments at this time.

The Board will meet on June 11, 1994 at 4PM.  

Mark your calendars now for the July Gathering.
Date:  July  9, 1994
Time:  6:00 PM
Place:  Peace United Methodist Church

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; older children are expected to sit with their parents during the Gathering.

Mark the dates of other upcoming Gatherings!

	July 9, 1994	Peace UMC

Next Newsletter Deadline is June 18, 1994

Upcoming Weekends Dates

Weekend	Dates

Richmond #26 (women)	  2-5   June 1994
Loundon Valley #6 (women)	  2-5   June 1994
National Capital #60 (women)	  2-5   June 1994
Southside Virginia #8 (women)	  9-12 June 1994
Highlands of Virginia (men)	 14-17 July 1994
Highlands of Virginia (women)	 21-24 July 1994
Richmond #27 (men)	  8-11 Sept 1994
Richmond  #28 (women)	13-16  Oct  1994
Sonshine #7 (men)  	 20-23 Oct  1994
Sonshine #8 (women)	  3-6    Nov 1994
F'burg Emmaus Men's 13	  3-6    Nov 1994
F'burg Emmaus Women's 14	  8-11  Dec 1994

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
 
 Tuesday @10:00AM
 Brenda Sunderlin' Home
 Brenda Sunderlin
659-3975
 427 Telegraph Rd
Stafford, Va.
 
 Wednesday @ 8:00 PM
 Sammy T's in rear
 Joe May
 Caroline Street in F'burg
 
Hello and praise our Lord Jesus Christ!
Hallelujah

	The spring walks to Emmaus have brought new faces to the community and blessings have poured out abundantly.  We are looking forward to a Day of Deeper Understanding, and pray that there will be a great attendance for this is how we continue on in our fourth day sharing Jesus continually and faithfully.

	A couple of months ago, I had the privilege to stand in a middle school as they opened with announcements, and the pledge allegiance to the flag. . .

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation, under God with liberty and justice for all. (Oops ... it was done a bit different) one nation, with liberty and justice for all.

	Many schools today are taking out God and what are they taking away . . the truth.  Our country was founded and established on the Word of God, and it has been blessed in our continuing to give God the glory but now, people are turning away from the truth and giving credit to "SELF".  I pray that people will have their eyes opened to see that they need God, but without Jesus they have lost their way.  Will you help to ensure the ongoing of a country God developed and deserves credit for?  We need to find out where we are pledging our allegiance to.

There is a song I've heard on 90JOY...
I pledge allegiance to the LAMB with all my strength with all I am...

	Have you heard it?  Consider where you have given and pledged your allegiance?  We need to begin to pray for our country, and the people within it's borders, and it's leaders.  We need to pray that they hear from God and do His will not theirs and quit complaining about their wrongs, and what they do that we don't like.  Let's pray that God will once again be in charge of this country and fill it with men who will lead as the Holy Spirit leads them.  All things are possible with God, if we will just trust Him enough to let Him handle it.

GOD IS IN CONTROL
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE LAMB
WITH ALL MY STRENGTH AND
WITH ALL I AM...

With Love and Prayer
Forever in Christ's Service,
Angel

Praise, Joys, and Concerns

The list below is taken from last month’s Gathering.  However, I will be glad to list any others I receive from the community through a letter or telephone call..  Submit your praises or needs to the newsletter editor, Mary Ruth Forstall @ 703-659-2461 or mail to P.O. Box 34 Brooke, Va.  22430, by the first Saturday after each Gathering:

Praise and Joys
Praise God for the awesome work He's done in making E#12 Team -ONE! ONE in His Work, to His Glory!
Praise for a broken leg healing without surgery, so far
Praise for my brother Tony's bypass surgery
God's bountiful supply in my life
Thank God for His love (unconditional) and grace
Praise the Lord for YAY (Youth active in Youth) 4/30/94
Praise the Lord for wonderful things that have happened since my walk (Frances)
Praise for Angel's mom who does not have cancer Hallelujah!

Prayers and Concerns

Prayers for Emmaus #12
Healing for Nancy Graver and strength for family
Kathryn's mother, Marie Miles who is ill
Prayers for understanding, Kathryn's dad, Herb Miles
Ruth Ellis undergoing chemo treatments
Don Baker - recuperating from back surgeries
Mike and Kathy - that they might feel God's grace
Debbie & Mandy Bennett - peace and stability
Sylvia Seiden's health
Continued prayers for Janet Dunn's health
Prayers for the loss of Lewis Lootens (Bob's oldest brother)
Prayers for the Stanley family (father Terry died)
Prayers for Angel's family - Grandmother died
God' will in John's retirement plans
God's will for Jean, Phyllis
Prayers for Bob Glisson as he gets ready to retire from the Marine Corp
For a pay raise
My car will get me home
Prayers for children away from home
Frank Rice
Michelle Brown
Ruby Doumlele
Jennifer Keller
Families in distress because of divorce

with all I am . . .

	Have you heard it?  Consider where you have given and pledged your allegiance?  We need to begin to pray for our…

Emmaus Newsletter____Tony Forstall,