Greater Scioto Valley Emmaus
Newsletter
May
2006—Volume 12, Issue 5
A Note From The Chair…
My
fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, April has passed and with it another
Easter celebration. God has blessed us with the newness of spring in vibrant
color. What a joyous time in our faith walk with the Lord, to be able to share
with others the truth and hope of eternal life through the resurrection of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Have
you had the opportunity this Easter to witness to someone? Remember, God has
placed you strategically in the marketplace to reach others with the message of
His love. Perhaps the people He wants you to reach were not at church last week
and they don’t plan on being there this weekend. They are probably not
listening to Christian radio or TV. How much of that did you do before you
became a Christian? They could be lost and seeking the answer we have all come
to know.
I
want to challenge you to keep your eyes open for the person God puts in front
of you that needs His love. In fact, ask God for that opportunity, and then
keep your eyes open. You never know when the opportunity may come your way. God
may be calling one of them as a pilgrim for the next walk.
God
doesn’t need us, He wants us. He wants us to spread His love to everyone. We
are truly the “Priesthood of all Believers.
DeColores,
Jon
Mark Hall
A Word
from Our Spiritual Director . . .
Out of the Mouths of Babes
A fascinating thing happened in church this past Sunday.
I was talking with the children about joining together so everybody would have
enough. The sermon text that day was Acts 4:32-35. We read there about all the followers of Jesus selling what they
had to provide for those in need. I started out by giving some of the children
pennies. Then I said I had some jellybeans for sale. Immediately one boy said
he would trade me his pennies for the jellybeans. I told him he did not have
enough pennies to do that. Then I asked how they could work together to get the
jellybeans. Another boy suggested they
all put their pennies together, which was the right answer, of course. But I
asked them about the children who didn’t have any pennies. What about them?
They all quickly agreed that they should get jellybeans, too.
I had brought 20 pennies and 20 jellybeans, not knowing
how many children to expect. There were seven children. I asked them how I should divide up the
jellybeans. One child suggested I should give everyone 2 jelly beans and eat
the rest myself. What a great idea! But I said I didn’t need any. Then I said
everyone could have three if one person was willing to have only two. Without hesitation one girl said she would
forfeit one jellybean so everyone else could have three. What a wonderful example. Then the amazing
thing happened. One boy said that I should give that girl a penny back since she
had offered to get one jellybean less than the others. This was an unsolicited
suggestion. Instead of simply being glad he was getting three jellybeans, he
was thinking about the girl who had forfeited one. He had gone beyond the
lesson I was trying to show them, and was truly being concerned for another of
the group.
Jesus told his disciples that others would know they were
His followers by their love for one another. That story in Acts was an example
of that love, and that example, as well as others, was the testimony that
showed the world they believed in the resurrection of Jesus. For just a few minutes, those children gave
evidence of the same kind of love, the love for others. I think they call this
agape. What a wonderful lesson these children gave our congregation. God bless
you.
Tad
CHRYSALIS?
What’s That
You Say?
Biologists, (and
elementary school children), can tell you all about it! They will quickly explain
that chrysalis is a special time of growth during which a caterpillar develops
into a beautiful butterfly. Therefore, it is not surpriseing that “Chrysalis”
was the name chosen for a very special Christian growth experience for young
people. It is designed to be an outstanding opportunity for high school youth
to grow in their faith. Here is how it works.
Each participant is
sponsored by an individual who has attended Emmaus or Chrysalis and who
believes the young person is prepared for, and will benefit from, the Chrysalis
experience. Chrysalis takes place during a three-day weekend in which the young
people do not leave the building. Each day has been specifically designed to
shower participants with the love of God, to enable them to grow spiritually,
and to encourage them to share the light and love of God with others as they go
back into the world. As with Emmaus,
the entire program has been carefully designed by Upper Room in Tennessee and
has been well tested over time. It works!
As you might
imagine, the weekend combines a wide variety of activities. Several talks, given by clergy, adults, and
young people, present themes for discussion. Contemporary Christian music keeps
the pace lively and Christ-centered.
Excellent food keeps hungry teenagers well satisfied! In addition,
special moments of worship are particularly powerful and leave lasting memories
of a truly special time spent in the presence of God.
In a world where so
many negative influences impact the lives of our young people, rest assured
that God is good. Yes, God provides
positive and uplifting experiences for youth.
Chrysalis is one of those positive experiences. The summer “flight” dates are:
Girls Sat.-Mon. July 8-10, 2006
Boys Sat.-Mon. July 15-17, 2006
All
flights are held at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Portsmouth, Ohio.
Additional information and applications can be found on our website: www.southernohiochrysalis.com.
If you have questions, you are also invited to call me at (740) 354-4494.
God bless and keep you!
FLY WITH CHRIST ! !
Joanne Charles
Southern Ohio Chrysalis
Community
Lay Director
Live-In Team for Women’s Walk # 36
Spiritual Director Les Grooms Means of Grace
Asst. Spiritual Director Ron Dodds Sanctifying Grace
Lay Director Amy Edler Perseverance
Lay Director in Training Sharon Schumacher
Asst. Lay Director Lana McGrath Priority
Asst. Lay Director Lorri Stewart Discipleship
Asst. Lay Director LouAnn Drummond Changing Our World
Board Representative Jeni Goedde
Music Director Peg Beekman
Music Director Cyndi Newman
Music Director Jessica Wise
Logistics Myra Brown
Logistics Tracy Cruz
Technical Representative Jamie Prater
Table Leader Sharen Bridges Fourth Day
Table Leader Charlotte Spires Life of Piety
Table Leader Karen Edmonson Priesthood of All Belivers
Table Leader Dee Dawson Grow Through Study
Table Leader Gin Simmons Christian Action
Table Leader Dena Benner Body of Christ
Asst. Table Leader Brenda Phillips
Asst. Table Leader Lemoyne Hayes
Asst. Table Leader Suzanne Bandy
Asst. Table Leader Brenda Lester
Asst. Table Leader Pat Cook
Asst. Table Leader Melissa Nicholson
Prospective Pilgrims for Women’s Walk # 36
Brenda Armstrong Jackson Ann Sheward
Krystal Bradley Hillsboro Bernice Corcoran
Kathy Bradshaw Orient Ronald Bradshaw
Lisa Chaffin Kingston Steve North
Linda Clark Albany Debbie Huff
Barabara Cole Greenfield Pam Fabin
Janet Conley Bourneville Melissa Nicholson
Kelly Cox Hillsboro Peg Beekman
Barbara Cullom-Glass Greenfield Karen Yeager
Alice Dudding Nelsonville Neva Kemplin
Ved Elliott Bainbridge Cathy Hall
Ann Fankell Wheelersburg Sandy Blakeman
Debbie
Fouch Circleville Carolyn Cupp, Wanda Reed,
Ann Hoffman
Pam Free Frankfort Brent and Karen Edmonson
Nancy Graham Chillicothe Jeff and Jenny Perry
Paige Harrington Stoutsville Kevin and Sheri Quincel
Le-Ann Horton Albany John Horton
Sybil Johnson Dayton Judy Pirnat
Mindy Maxson The Plains Leah Finney
Rhoni Maxwell-Rader Portsmouth Melody Williams
Janine McKinney South Vienna Jim and Nancy Penix
Brenda Mears Cynthiana Sandy Strouth
Ruth Mollett Laurelville Benjamin Edwards
Linda Morgan Washington CH Charles Morgan
Cindy Potts Bainbridge Rick and Vicki Stafford
Doris Pulse Greenfield Pam Fabin
Clara Ridgeway Jackson Jan Mann
Paula Ridgeway Jackson Jan Mann
Vicki Satterfield Bainbridge Jan Mann
Jo Shappard Stoutsville Suzanne Bandy
Elizabeth Stoltzfus Guysville Rusty Thomas
Joanne Stoltzfus Guysville Rusty Thomas
Leah Stoltzfus Guysville Leah Finney
Meredith Thompson Bainbridge Rick and Vicki Stafford
Linda Toleman Sciotoville Rochelle Barney
Cheryl Whitt Waverly Jan Mann
You Can
Serve on Walk #36 Too!
There are many ways to serve even if you aren’t part
of the live-in team.
Kitchen—You can sign up to cook and serve
any meal during the walk. You can signup by accessing the online signup sheet,
signing up during the May gathering or calling Tom Dishong at 740-596-4353 or
Danny Morris at 740-606-1582.
Housekeeping—Did you know that cleaning
bathrooms can be fun? You will be blessed and be a blessing to others when you
join the housekeeping crew. Signup online at www. gsvemmaus.org, or call Dena
Benner at 937-981-4162 or Pat Miller at 740-446-1537. Special crews are needed
for setup on Wednesday evening and teardown on Sunday morning and Sunday
evening. If you can help at these times, please call or signup on line or at
the gathering.
Agape—Whether you are part of a share
group or not, you can bless the pilgrims by making agape. By the way—if you
aren’t in a share group and don’t know how to get into one, why not start one
of your own?
72-Prayer
Vigil—Last, but not least, you can serve by praying for the
pilgrims and team. Signup online or at the gathering, or call or email Amy
Edler at 740-642-2938 amyedler@horizonview.net.
Blessings
Editor’s
Note: Board member, Jeni Goedde, gave the following devotion at
the April meeting
of the GSVE Board. We were all so blessed by it that we wanted to share it with
all of you.
Max
Lucado’s book, Stronger in the Broken Places, begins with these four
lines:
Resentment . . . a door quietly closes,
Anger . . . the door slams shut!
Hurts from your heritage . . . fasten the latch!
Weakened faith . . . throw the bolt!
Life
holds some wonderful things for us. It can also hold hurt, disappointment,
regret, anger, etc., etc.
If
I’ve learned nothing else in my many years in this life, it’s that I can always
count on Jesus to be there with me through it all. I try to hold fast to the
passage from another of Max Lucado’s books, The Cross: “I imagine Him,
bending close to those who hurt. I imagine Him listening. I picture His eyes
misting and a pierced hand brushing away a tear. And although He may offer no
answer, although He may solve no dilemma, although the question may freeze
painfully in midair, He who also was once alone understands.”
We
seem to have no difficulty feeling His presence when all is well, but when
adversity strikes, we tend to forget that we are not alone.
When
we toss out the resentment, let go of the anger, forgive the hurts, then we
strengthen our faith that may have been weakened.
I
wrote this prayer several years ago, and re-discovered it today. Maybe I’m
supposed to share it with you. You can plug in your own circumstances.
My prayer— Father
God, my blessings are many, my thanks are sometimes few.
When I am slowed by
physical condition and movement from place to place or project to project is
difficult, please remind me of the young man who, for over four months had
locked himself in his parents’ bathroom—his fear of contamination paralyzing
him from opening the door and walking out.
When
I am frustrated because my house is cluttered and needs cleaned, but I’m not
able to do what needs to be done, remind me of those who carry their belongings
around in a trash bag and consider themselves fortunate to have a cardboard
box to shelter them from the elements.
When
I am angered because my child is being argumentative, remind me of those
parents whose children have been abducted and know not where they are or if
they are all right.
When
I can’t have everything I want, remind me that I have everything I need and
more. When I am hurt because I felt that someone should have taken my part and
didn’t, remind me of this story: “They came for a black man, but I’m not black,
so I said nothing. They came for a Jew, but I am not Jewish. I said nothing.
Then they came for a man, but I’m a woman, so I said nothing. Oh, but then they
came for me. I looked around and there was no one left to stand up for me.”
Father,
thank You for the good, the bad, and the ugly that comes into our lives. May
all of it increase our faith.
Amen
Jeni Goedde
4-20-06
Calling
All Sisters and Babes!
Yes,
it’s that time again. Sister Act and Babe Chicks will be offering their special
brand of ministry during Women’s Walk # 36.
Babe
Chicks will perform Friday June 16
at dinner. Contact Brent Edmonson at 740-998-5650 or email him at bedmonson@bright.net for information on
when and where to assemble.
Any
woman who likes to sing (you don’t have to be good) is invited to join the
hilarity of Sister Act Saturday, June 17. The good sisters will
congregate for a brief practice at 5:30 in the youth room, located upstairs in
the southeast corner of Trinity UMC. Enter the door by the office or kitchen
and go up the stairs. Please remember to keep your presence hidden from the
pilgrims, especially if you are sponsoring a pilgrim on the walk. Newcomers are
always welcome. Sue Kelley and Roberta Strawser are the mothers superior and
road managers for this world famous troupe. Join us. You’re sure to be blessed
by the experience.
Opportunities to Serve:
Sign up sheets for Kitchen, Housekeeping
and the 72-Hour Prayer Vigil for the June Walk will be available at the May
gathering as well as on-line at GSVEmmaus.org
May Gathering—May 18 at 7
P.M.
See you
there!!!
Women’s Walk #36 June 15-18
Babe Chicks, Fri., June 16
Sister Act, Sat., June 17
June Gathering—June 22 at 7 P.M.
Mini-gathering for new pilgrims at
6 P.M.
