Greater Scioto Valley

In His Time…

I can’t believe that fall is just around the corner. Seems like yesterday that the kids were celebrating the end of the school year; and now they’ve begun a new year already. Where does the time go? The same goes for this term as Community Lay Director – I can remember saying in February, “Two gatherings down, ten to go!” Now it’s eight down, four to go! Before you know it, we’ll be shopping for Christmas (I’ve already seen seasonal items for sale in some stores). Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to rush anything, nor am I in a hurry to get out of this Emmaus commitment – believe me, life’s goes by too quickly, anyway (yes, I’m still having to work at slowing down!). One thing I have found out this year is that there is a time for everything.

A friend reminded me of that this evening when she called because her daughter needed help finding a scripture verse to use in an essay. Off hand, she knew the verse, but couldn’t remember where to find it. So with great confidence, she called me! Amazingly, I was right in my guess. The verse was from Ecclesiastes 3. I’m sure you are familiar with the verses (and, like my friend, many of you probably had to think hard about where to find it!). (Thanks for the inspiration Pam & Darci!)

The scriptures begin, “Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses (TEV)”. Last Saturday night, a group from our church attended a Columbus Clippers baseball game, followed by a Christian concert sponsored by Evangelist Scott Dawson. Zoe Girl, Avalon and Bob and Dave from the Veggie Tales entertained the crowd. In between sets, Mr. Dawson spoke to the crowd. I expected that, knowing that any Evangelist can’t have a captive audience and NOT share the gospel!

What I didn’t expect was the reaction my ten-year-old son, Justin would have from the presentation. Of course, he went for the baseball game and was a little put off by the fact that he had to sit through a concert. But he came home knowing that he had Christ in his heart! During the presentation, Mr. Dawson asked everyone to bow their heads. He asked those who didn’t know Christ or those who had never made a commitment to Christ to pray a prayer of commitment with him, but not aloud. Then he asked only those who had truly prayed that prayer in their hearts to open their eyes and look at him. He only wanted to speak to those who had made a new commitment to Christ. Of course, I was peeking because I could tell Justin was engrossed with what was being said on the field. Justin was listening intently, with eyes focused on Mr. Dawson. The people who had made a new commitment to Christ were asked to come to the field for a time of prayer and to receive some study materials. Justin did not go down, but lots of other people did. Then Mr. Dawson asked others in the stadium to be the Evangelists – he asked each one of us to find someone around us and directly ask them if they wanted to go the field. Justin’s dad leaned over and asked him if he wanted to go – and they stood up and walked down together. Talk about a time for everything! First, just to see my son so interested; second for him to ask Jesus into his heart at a ball game and third, to see two of the men in my life to walk down the steps and onto a baseball field to commit a new life to Christ! WOW! It was my time to weep (verse 4); to embrace (verse 5) and to love (verse 8)!

And to think we just went to have a good time --, “Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses (TEV)” – even at a baseball game!

De Colores!

Diana Hall

Board Hi-Lites

· Community Database will have in hand next meeting.

· Regional Training will be sometime next spring.

· Board Nominations- Need them by end of September for October newsletter.

· Sound for Prayer Chapel ----Still working on this

· Tech support person will be added to future teams with full responsibilities of team member

· Chrysalis will be conducting October Gathering

Future Lay Directors…2005

Women Men

#33 Feb. Denise Kiger #23 April Kevin Pancake

#34 June Sharon Schumacher #24 Sept. John Tussey

#35 Oct. Cheryl Schomburg

FROM THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Can We Make a Difference?

“As the old man walked the beach at dawn he noticed a young boy ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Finally, catching up with the boy, he asked him why he was doing this. The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun. ‘But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish,’ countered the old man. ‘How can your effort make any difference?’

The young boy looked at the starfish in his hand and then threw it to the safety of the waves. “It makes a difference to this one.’ He replied.”

How many times have we said, “What difference does it make anyway?” Or, “Nobody will even care?” God sent His Grace and Love through Jesus Christ to the whole world, but also to you and me as individuals. And what a difference that can make in our lives. How many of those people have made a difference in your life?

The need around us is immense, and God’s purpose is seen everywhere we look. But God can make a difference in who we are, and what we do. He can make a difference through us. Maybe only to a spouse, or to our children, or a neighbor, or a pilgrim, but the effort is always worth it. God’s Love is always worth the effort. Each day, open your eyes to where God is pointing—and go make a difference!

De Colores,

Dennis Mohler

HELP WANTED….

Needed – a few good men and women willing to commit to serving on the Greater Scioto Valley Emmaus Board. Qualifications: A true servant’s attitude and ample time to work to keep this community healthy, happy and on God’s track. Must be willing to commit to attending the monthly Board meetings and gathering and also be available to serve in the assigned capacity before and during the walk weekends. Term: Three years, beginning in January 2005. Position: Varies – wherever the work is needed! To express your interest in serving, contact Diana Hall or any board member by September 16^th to be nominated. Board position descriptions are available upon request. Voting by the Community will begin in October.

ATTENTION ALL SPONSORS!

It is your responsibility to inform your pilgrims of the expectations before, during and after the walk weekend. This includes telling them about no cell phones, watches, hats, etc. Even if you have been a sponsor many times, please, please, please read and re-read the information packet you receive – we are constantly updating and improving the information given to you so you can provide the most pleasing experience for your pilgrim.

Meet The Board

The first Board member for this month is Dennis Mohler and his position is Spiritual

Director for our community.

1. Year and location of original walk?

Central Ohio Walk #5 in 1986.

2. What is your real job?

Lead pastor at Walnut Street UMC in Chillicothe.

3. Family?

Married 26 years to Sue, who is a surgical nurse at Adena Hospital. 3 kids: Melissa, 22, Asst. Manager of Sprint store at the Easton Mall; Michelle, 20, Junior Pre-Med Bio-Chemistry major at Otterbein College; and Michael, 17, Senior at CHS.

4. What so you do in your leisure time (if you have any leisure time).

Reading, Wood-working and construction, Softball

5. What church do you attend and what are you involved in there?

Walnut Street UMC, you name it!

6. Special Emmaus Memory?

Finding the power of God’s Love over and over again- not only in my life but everyone who goes through a Walk.

7. Anything else you would like the community to know about yourself?

I do Christian Gospel Magic, am the Asst. Baseball Coach for CHS, chair the Portsmouth District Board of Ministry, and a partner in DreamBuilders Ministries, a Church Consulting company

The next person on our Board that we will get to know a little better is Lou Ann Drummond. She is one of our hard working housekeeping people.

1. Year and location of your original Walk.

I went on GSVE Women’s Walk #21 in February , 2001.

2. What is your real job?

My favorite job is being a Grandmother but I am a medical lab tech with Adena Health Care Systems to earn money on the side.

3. A little about your family, please.

My husband Jerry and I will celebrate our 25^th anniversary on September 15^th. Daughter Jennifer and husband Nathan Huff have one very active 2 year old daughter, Madeline Grace. Our older son, Matt, will be a senior at Ohio State this fall. Our younger son, Justin, is a sophomore at Asbury.

4. What do you do with your leisure time (if you have any leisure time)?

Any free time is spent being “Mammy” , reading, coloring, watching videos, or doing anything else that just can’t wait until tomorrow.

5. What church do you attend and what are you involved in there?

I am a member of Clarksburg UMC where I am active with Kid’s Club, Children’s Church, choir, women’s retreats, Sonshine Committee, and anything else Cindy and Denise volunteer me for.

6. Special Emmaus Memory?

I don’t have any “ one” special memory. God amazes me by the way He touches me through Emmaus.

7. Anything else you would like the community to know about you?

Denise and I welcome anyone who feels the need to serve others by keeping Trinity clean for the pilgrims and team during the walks.

Dates to Remember

Women's Walk #32 .….……………...………………………………September 9-12

Candlelight…………………………..……………………………......September 11

Closing…………….…………………………..………………………September 12

Mini Gathering………………………………………………………..September 16 @ 6pm

Gathering……………………..…………………...………………….September 16 @ 7pm

Next Board Meeting……………….…………………………………September 16 @ 5pm

Calling all Sisters…

We have been asked to take our act on the road again to perform at the luxurious Hotel Emmaus on Saturday, Sept 11, 2004. If you can come and participate, be in the Youth Room (old conference room) at 5pm. This is a time to give a little agape to the pilgrims of Walk #32 and have a lot of fun at the same time. If you have never joined us before come share in the fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!