Greater Scioto Valley Emmaus Newsletter—January 2006—Volume 12, Issue 1

 

A Note From The Chair…

 

A Happy New Years greeting to all!!!

As I sit and ponder all that has happened, all that is at hand, and all that is to come, what comes to mind and seems most appropriate is a gentle sigh. No point in worrying. It’s not my will, it’s to the glory of God and His praise that we sacrifice, serve and give it our best to further the Kingdom and all that it encompasses. As someone once told me, “stop worrying and give it up!”

We begin this new year with challenges, hopes and dreams, not to mention a fear or two.

If we are going to influence this community for Christ we need to be honest with ourselves and honest with the world and openly admit we are no better than anybody else. This community is a place full of imperfect people. I’ll place my name first


on the list. But by the Grace of God I continue to learn, study and mature each and every day. Today, if you’re new to this community or you’ve been around awhile, I want to tell you that you are not sitting among a bunch of religious people who think they are better than anyone else. In fact, most of us will admit that, if it wasn’t for Jesus Christ, we’d be in pretty big trouble. I am reminded daily of how the “Emmaus experience” has changed my life forever. It influenced me to open my heart to Jesus and allow Him to enter every crevice and bless me in so many ways. Christ is counting on us and we—not only as individuals, but as a community of believers—are counting on Christ.

 

                                            De Colores!

                                            Jon Mark Hall

 

 

Text Box: New Board Members The following members were elected in November to serve on the GSVE board for the next three years. Each one has accepted with an attitude of humble service to our Emmaus Community. Please welcome and encourage our new board members: Harley Barney, Peg Beekman, Dena Benner, Arla Bush, Amy Edler, George “Pat” Miller, Danny Morris, and Ed Ruggles. Jon Mark Hall is the new community Lay Director and Tad Grover is the new Spiritual director.
From the Spiritual Director . . . A New Year

 

Yes, it is 2006, and by now you’re probably tired of hearing about new years and other new things.  Have you ever looked in a concordance under the word “new”?  You’ll find lots of entries if you do.  Think about the ways in which we read about new things in the Bible.  God is always doing something new.  We hear God say in Isaiah, “I am about to do a new thing.” (Is 43:19)  We hear of a new heaven and a new earth, a new covenant, a new commandment, a new Jerusalem, a new song, a new heart, a new spirit, a new teaching, new wine, a new creation, a new creature, and the list goes on and on.  This is a new year and God will be doing new things, so keep your eyes open.

My name is Tad Grover and I am the new Spiritual Director for the community for 2006.  See, it’s already happening.  God is already doing something new.  I am following in the footsteps of a wonderful Spiritual Director: Phil Howard.  We all owe Phil a great deal.  He did a wonderful job.  Thanks, Phil.  Please know that you served not only this community but also God in your efforts last year.

Who am I?  I’m one of the pastors at Trinity United Methodist Church.  I’ve been in Chillicothe for about 2 ½ years.  I came from Church of the Messiah United Methodist in Westerville, where I served for 5 years.  Before that I served the Wilmington United Methodist Church as the student associate pastor while I went to seminary.  I was a banker for 12 years before becoming a pastor, so I’m on career #2 right now.  I went on my Emmaus walk with the Southern Ohio Emmaus Community, Men’s Walk #16, table of Peter.  One year, almost to the day, later, I resigned from the bank and embarked on this journey.

I look forward to serving the community and God for the next year.  I hope to get to know all of you and be a part of your journeys with Jesus.  May God bless you in this new year in new ways.

                                                                                                            Pastor Tad

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

Men’s Walk #25, February 9-12

There are still many slots on the 72-hour prayer vigil, housekeeping and kitchen schedules. To sign up for any of these, use the website (gsvemmaus.org) on-line signup, sign up at the gathering, or phone the board member in charge of the area in which you want to serve. Phone numbers and email addresses for the board members are on the last page of this newsletter. Sister Act, (Saturday after supper) Babe Roosters (Friday after supper) and Saturday evening servers are needed. Candlelight is at 8:30 Saturday, February 11 and Closing is Sunday, February 12 at 5 pm. Please plan to support the team and pilgrims by participating in these events.

Gatherings are held at Trinity United Methodist Church, the third Thursday of the month at 7 P.M. in the sanctuary.
 
 

January Gathering,

Thursday, January 19 at 7 P.M.

February Gathering

Thursday, February 16 at 7 P.M.

 

 

Text Box: Newsletter Subscriptions As you are aware, postage, paper and copying costs continue to rise. If you wish to receive the GSVE Newsletter in the mail, please fill out the following form and enclose $5 to cover the cost of printing and mailing. Of course you can always get the newsletter online at our website: gsvemmaus.org. Name Address City_____________________ State_______ Zip Mail completed form with your check for $5 made out to GSV Emmaus to: GSV Emmaus Newsletter Subscription c/o Trinity United Methodist Church 24 S. Mulberry Street Chillicothe, OH 45601


See You at the Gathering!

                                                    

      The next gathering of the GSVE Community is scheduled for 7 P.M. Thursday, January 19th at Trinity United Methodist Church. Attendance at recent gatherings has not been as high as it once was and that puzzles us. We still have great music, great speakers, great fellowship, great food and most of all, the ear of our great God. Remember how you once came away from gatherings feeling blessed and spiritually fed? Perhaps your busy schedule leaves you feeling too tired to go out another evening. If that’s the case, we urge you to examine your priorities and make an effort to be there. God will bless you for making the effort. After all, you can’t out-give God!

 

 

Thank You

Trinity

 

Have you ever stopped to think about the tremendous gift Trinity United Methodist Church has given us, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ? They let us use their beautiful facilities for walks 5 times a year—that’s 20 days, for monthly gatherings—that’s 12 evenings, and up to six team meetings per walk that’s another 30 days. They handle our mail, and let us use their office facilities, kitchen facilities and electronic equipment. They have even given us our own room. Wow! If you are not a member of Trinity UMC, but know others who are, be sure to tell them how much we appreciate the agape they show us month after month, year after year. Praise God and thank you Trinity!



2006 GSVE Board Members

 

POSITION                NAME                  TERM YR.      PHONE         eMAIL

Agape 1                      Cheryl Schomberg          3           740-776-7539      cschom@adelphia.net

Agape 2                      Jeni Goedde                   2           740-335-1905      cjgoedde@adelphia.net

Chairperson                 Jon Mark Hall                 2           740-626-2791      halls@horizonview.net

Chrysalis                     Joanne Charles              A           740-354-4494      jcharles@shawnee.edu

Computer                    Kevin Pancake               A           740-703-8782      pancake@bright.net

Good Shepherd            Sandy Blakeman            2           740-456-4433      sanlee@adelphia.net

Housekeeping 1           Dena Benner                  1           937-981-4162      db0142@dragonbbs.com

Housekeeping 2           George “Pat” Miller          1           740-446-1537      pjmiller@frognet.net

Kairos                         Jim Mathers                   A           740-983-2120      jmathers@columbus.rr.com

Kitchen 1                     Tom Dishong                  2           740-596-4353      dishong@ohio.edu

Kitchen 2                     Danny Morris                  1           740-606-1562      capmorris@hotmail.com

Leadership                   Kevin Pancake               3           740-703-8782      pancake@bright.net

Music 1                       Peg Beekman                1           937-981-9805      pbeekman@direcway.com

Music 2                       Community Committee

Newsletter                   Amy Edler                      1           740-642-2938      amyedler@horizonview.net

Outreach                     Neal Foster                    2           740-998-6753      fosters@horizonview.net

Purchasing                  Dale Stevens                  2           740-335-2041      ww4625@dragonbbs.com

Registrar, Men             Ed Ruggles                    1           740-998-4843      huge@bright.net

Registrar, Women        Karen Edmnonson          3           740-998-5650      bedmonson@bright.net

Secretary                    Cindy Sykes                  2           740-993-2789      csykes@mail.gsn.k12.oh.us

Social 1                       Jim Brammer                  3           937-981-3243      jbrammer@in-touch.net

Social 2                       Harley Barney                1           740-998-6523

Special Projects           Phil Howard                    3           740-820-8557      philandwanda@hotmail.com

Spiritual Director          Tad Grover                     2           740-773-6640      tad@trinityumchurch.net

Sponsorship                LouAnn Drummond         3           740-993-4386      jerlou@bright.net

Treasurer                     Arla Bush                       1           740-773-7865     

(1,2,3)=Term Year

A=Board Appointed