Greater Scioto Valley Emmaus
October, 2005
Volume 11, Issue 10
The smell and feel of fall is in the air. Cool nights, warm, breezy days, festivals, colors, Buckeye football, and harvest. Fall is my favorite time of the year. Most allergens are gone, the weather is most pleasant, and from a farmerŐs perspective, we reap the harvest results of a yearŐs hard work. The long, hard days and expense of preparation, tillage, fertilization, planting, weed control, and praying for a decent growing season can be quite draining-emotionally, physically, and financially. But during the harvest, when we see the fruits of our labor pouring into the bins, we can give thanks for the rewards of our effort.
From the bounty of our harvest and depending on the crop, we may put back some seed for next yearŐs crop. We will put up produce to feed us through the winter. We put away some to feed the livestock, and remaining goes to market.
Fall and harvest often reminds me of the AesopŐs fable, ŇThe Ant and the GrasshopperÓ. Perhaps you remember how the ant toiled and toiled all summer long, putting away food for long, cold winter ahead. All the while the grasshopper exhorted the ant to take a break and stop and visit and chat. The ant however, stayed with the task. As fall passed into winter, the grasshopper then knew it would have been best if he had worked harder in preparation for the days of necessity.
A more modern day application of this fable might be seen in those who, understanding the importance of the harvest, the necessity of pulling together and sharing the load, and a shared anticipation of the rewards that lie ahead, compared to those who take the path of least resistance, want everything convenient and now, and are constantly seeking the next thrill, the higher mountaintop, the faster roller coaster.
I would like to believe that we, as Christians, havenŐt bought into the, ŇwhatŐs in it for meÓ, or, Ňtake me higherÓ, mindset. Many havenŐt, and continue working the harvest of souls with the selflessness that Christ modeled for us. They are always faithful, showing up and getting the work done, without a wit of care about who gets the credit or even if anyone noticed them doing it. This is much the way that the progressive servant hood model works on an Emmaus weekend, and how the Community as whole, operates. In a past article, I mentioned how, on my pilgrim walk, I was amazed at how everything was done, in place and order, clean, food prepared, bathrooms clean, and conference room supplies always ready and available. To this day, I can name but a fraction of the people who selflessly and anonymously gave of themselves that I might want for nothing so that I could spend every available moment with my Jesus and fellow travelers.
The Greater Scioto Valley Community is awesome! We draw a wide variety of folks from metro areas to backwoods hollers. We come together to serve and to share, all in praise to our Lord. This community has seen over 2,600 pilgrims pass through the Hotel Trinity. Demographics and attrition aside, it seems that as we grow larger in population, we experience more difficulty in staffing the same servant needs for the Weekend walks and Community gatherings. Simply stated, your Community needs your help. We need to ensure that every pilgrim who walks with Christ on a weekend is served, anonymously and selflessly just as you and I were served. WonŐt you consider signing up to serve? I look forward to joining you on the next Walk.
De Colores! Kevin
Did you ever take on a job and then wonder if you actually have the ability to do it? I have done this more times than I can remember because I like a challenge. There is always that moment when you genuinely question if you can do it.
This week I started a renovation project at home that involved replacing the electrical box. You need to understand that when you do such a project you have a limited amount of time to complete it so I felt the pressure of time constraints. Next, I kept thinking about the last time I had done a similar project which was 12 years ago. Could I still do it?
I shared my concern with Wanda who quickly replied, "I have no doubt you can do it." She then left for work and left me with the project.
To make a long story short I was putting the last breaker in when Wanda returned home that afternoon. completed the project and was pleased to know that I could. On the other hand, Wanda merely said, "I knew you could do it."
How much of our lives are spent wondering if we can:
do the job?
pay the bill?
say the right thing?
be a servant of God?
Don't get me wrong, it is appropriate to evaluate and consider if abilities are adequate but it should not cripple us so that we are unable to do God's will. Listen to Isaiah 61:1a "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me..."
What can give us encouragement any better than the Holy Spirit? What can empower us to do God's will other than the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is upon us. Don't forget that! You can do whatever God wants you to do!
In closing, there is a church sign in my area that says, "Faith is not believing that God can do it, faith is knowing God will."
In His Service,
Pastor Phil
Please check website for the updated Pilgrim List!
Prayer vigil time slots are available by signing up on the website or by contacting the Lay Director (see page 4). Please pray that these pilgrims see Christ throughout the entire weekend and in their Fourth Days.
Agape guidelines: Pilgrims begin receiving agape Friday at supper and then again at bedtime. For table agape, please provide 64 identical pieces. For pilgrim bedtime—36 pieces, for the entire walk roster—64 pieces. Personal gifts received during the walk weekend in the agape room will be held and returned to the sponsor after the weekend to give to the pilgrim later. Letters for the packets should be received in the agape room by Sunday morning. Please do not visit the pilgrim or team sleeping quarters at any time during the weekend. Each pilgrim is to receive GodŐs love equally.
Please see the website for current Team list!
Monthly Gatherings are held the Third Thursday of each month. The next gathering will be Thursday, September October 20th at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church. Plan on attending and bring a friend!
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE FOR THE ONLINE PRAYER VIGIL AND KITCHEN AND HOUSEKEEPING VOLUNTEER SIGN UP SHEETS FOR FUTURE WALKS.
www.gsvemmaus.org
SPECIAL TIMES AND OTHER INFORMATION FOR THE WALK WEEKEND
Pilgrims to arrive at Trinity: Thursday, October 13th between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m.
Send Off, SponsorŐs Hour and Prayer Chapel: Thursday, October 13th at 7:30 p.m.
Candlelight: Saturday, October 15th at 8:30 p.m.
Closing: Sunday, October 16th at 5:00 p.m.
Participation in these services is limited to those who have participated in the Walk to Emmaus, Cursillo or Chrysalis. Child care will NOT be available for any of these services — please make other arrangements for your children.
TO SIGN UP TO WORK IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS, CONTACT THE BOARD REPRESENTATIVE LISTED AND/OR CHECK THE WEBSITE (www.gsvemmaus.org):
Kitchen: Tom Dishong* or Dale Stevens*
Housekeeping: Neil Foster*
Prayer Vigil: Kevin Pancake* or Jeni Goedde
*All board phone numbers and e-mail addresses are listed on back page and also on the website