SWTC EMMAUS BOARD MEETING

July 21, 2007

Those of you that know Dr. Richard “Dick” Gilmore as the Chrysalis/Emmaus International Lay Director of the Upper Room, has retired. Greg Engroff is stepping into Dr. Gilmore’s position.

They told us there is a decline in the overall pilgrims signing up for a walk. Example is, where they usually have 36, the average to date is 27. As of this month, the fees remain the same as listed on the 2007 schedule. If the fees need adjustment at the sites, it will happen in the fall as they start their reevaluations. If you already have a pilgrim signed up for, a future walk it is my understanding you will have the current fee locked in for that pilgrim.

Your pilgrims application may be filled out on line. You still have to print it to have the clergy, sponsor and the pilgrim sign it and send it to the SWTC Emmaus Treasurer as listed on the application. Starting in 2008 you will be able to do the registration for a pilgrim on line with a credit or debit card. However, there will be an additional $3.00 processing fee for use of the card. You will still need to get the signed paper work to them ASAP. That is the pilgrim‘s confirmation when they receive the signed paper.

The SWTC are reducing the number of walks due to decline in pilgrims and Clergy leadership being available. The clergy need to attend ELTS training every 3 years. They also need to fill out an application. Starting next year the ASD will need to be qualified as a SD to be able to work walks. ELTS (Emmaus Leadership Training Seminar) can be register on line. If they do not have a minimum of 10 they will cancel the training.

At the Emmaus and Chrysalis celebrations in the past the registrar has taken the photographs of past walk events in a binder. Soon you will be able to view these on line.

SWTC will be hosting a Chrysalis/Emmaus celebration at Mt. Wesley on April 4, 5, 6 of 2008. They need help from all Fourth Day Groups. There will be more information to follow as the celebration gets closer. Discussion of the celebration at both the executive and regular board meetings was lengthy… Some of our questions were not answered because there was not time to discuss everyone’s questions. Training with Carleen Alderman is required.

The outside support has to pay the full fee for working walks to make up the difference we do not have on a walk being full. They assure us they are losing money on the walks at Cathedral Oaks site. The question of us being able to pay for the other 15 pilgrims we would not have registered and still have the walk did not make it to the executive board at this time.

The next SWTC board meeting will be October 20, 2007.

Respectfully submitted.

Mary Ellen Lloyd

SWTC Board Rep.

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New Database to be used for team selections!  Read more below:

A form is now available to take the place of the Walk Team Application. We are asking everyone in the ABC community to fill out one of the forms. The information requested will be much like the information on the current team application. The information will then be entered into a database to be used by the Team Selection Committee for future team selections. Once your information is in the database, you will only need to let us know when your information changes. When you serve on an ABC team, the position served and Walk number will automatically be added to the database. You will be responsible to let us know when you serve on a team in another community.

Since our fourth day group encompasses five towns and is constantly growing in membership (Praise God), a database will help us know who has been on a Walk from each town. This could also be a valuable tool in helping people find reunion groups, aiding in the selection of future Walk Lay Directors and possibly other ways such as leadership roles and training. Pilgrims will be asked to fill out a form on the Walk. Copies will be obtained from your local coordinator, board representatives and on the web at

http://www.abc4thday.org/pdf/database_app.pdf

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What is the purpose of Emmaus?

This is a great explanation of why we do Emmaus walks:

 

As the friends were sharing their deepest concerns, the risen Christ joined them and explained the scriptures as they walked. The climax of their heart-warming experience was when Christ took bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them. The two had their eyes opened, and they recognized him as the risen Christ.

Our "Walk to Emmaus" is also with friends, and the scriptures are explained in such a way to bring light and understanding. For many, it will be a heart-warming experience. Many will share so deeply in worship and Holy Communion that their eyes will be opened and see the risen Christ. Participants will study, discuss and experience God's grace.

There are 15 presentations led by lay and clergy around the theme of God's grace and how that grace comes alive in the Christian community and expresses itself in the world. This grace becomes personal through a unique approach to table group discussions. Those attending the weekend personally experience God's grace through prayers and acts of service of a living and loving support community.

The Walk to Emmaus teaches basic Christian doctrine and practices: "Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts; I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides me." (Isaiah 44:6) "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." (Ephesians 2:8) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:6) "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God." (Romans 8:I4)

There are two expectations of a person following his or her "Walk to Emmaus." (1) Expand his or her own inner spiritual life; and (2) Become a more active disciple of Christ in the world through his or her church. The real focus of the Emmaus Community is not on itself, but on the local church. The objective of Emmaus is to inspire, challenge, and equip local church members for Christian action in their homes, churches, places of work and communities.

Author Unknown

 

 

 

 

 

 

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