Greetings to all and prayers that you and yours are well. As we discovered once again at the gathering Thursday evening, there is much to pray about. Many were lifted up with the mention of various illnesses and problems. Answers to prayer were revealed, and praises and joys were many. I thank you very kindly for praying for me. It is a great comfort especially now with so much happening.

The next four weeks are going to be extremely busy. There is a Kairos event at Ross Correctional Institute February 1-4, a Men’s Walk at Trinity February 8-11, and a Boys Chrysalis Flight in Portsmouth February 17-19. With so much going on I know it is difficult to decide when and where to help. A better term would be when and where to serve because that is what you would be doing, serving others in the same way that others served you. As your servant I am making a plea. Please serve somewhere. A community member called me this morning very concerned about the fact that there are so few names on the signup sheets, both the regular sheets and the online sheets. I was not able to give an explanation, but I would like to make you aware of some opportunities. Because of some board members having surgery the need for servants in the kitchen for the Men’s Walk is very serious. The Walk is Feb 8-11. The need exists not only for kitchen “helpers” but for those who would step up and help coordinate the efforts in the kitchen. Housekeeping needs servants and the prayer vigil is not nearly full. I remember how I felt when I discovered how many had served to make my Walk to Emmaus the profound event in my life that it was. Let’s show the pilgrims that same love.

My response to the question “where are all the people?” is, “I don’t know”. The numbers at the gathering last Thursday were small. Everyone there could have sat in the same front section in the first eight rows. If ten percent of those who have been on a GSV walk would come to every gathering there would be hundreds there. My friends, you get no judgment or rebuke from me because I am no one special. Perhaps you were sick, out of town, or had a commitment you just couldn’t miss. I understand all these things. But I want to tell you. I miss seeing your face and hugging your neck. I miss hearing how the Lord has blessed your life. I want to sing with you, praise with you, and serve with you. I am one with you and one of you and it’s because of Him that I keep coming to serve.

I will be praying for you and praying that servants will show up in great numbers. The Lord is good and greatly to be praised.

Decolores

Ed Ruggles

Contact Information Corrections:

We need to update our records. If you or other community members have changed address, phone or email address, please let us know. Send the corrected information to GSVE c/o Trinity United Methodist Church, 24 S. Mulberry St. Chillicothe OH 45601, or email Kevin Pancake at pancake@bright.net.

From our spiritual director . .

Something to Lean On

When I was a boy my family visited the farm of our young pastor, Ford Hoff, just outside of West Union, Ohio. While we were there Dad would do light repairs on the old farm house and we would all get out of the city for the weekend. Sometimes we would take these opportunities to go on long hikes. You couldn’t do much of that in the city then. And if we were to go on a hike, we had to have walking sticks.

In Psalm 23:4 the psalmist says “your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The promises of God are like a needed staff for the uphill climbs of life. We might stumble and fall without the aid of divine assistance required for such a climb.

Some of you have loved ones overseas serving in the military in Iraq or Afghanistan. For you this has been the climb of a lifetime, until they are home, safe, out of harms way. Others have experienced the death of a loved one, maybe from war, an accident, a terminal illness or simply from old age. And though we know that death is a possibility or even a certainty, we are never quite ready for it, when it comes. The climb can be quite challenging, or disturbing, if not impossible, if we are left to do it in our own strength.

For others of us, our line of work may require us to move from time to time if we plan to keep our jobs (I’m with you, there), and it may happen at a time when our families have other plans (of staying!) Being forced to leave the familiar and go to a place that is new, different and perhaps lonely can create separation anxiety.

So got your staff in hand? Are you ready to hike? Don’t go unprepared because we don’t know how long we will be on the journey or when it will end. But by taking the staff, the word of God, in your heart and mind, you will be able to face those challenges and obstacles head on in the strength of the Lord. For “In quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. The promises of God are true and worthy of our trust. All the great heroes of the Bible were given orders to make the climb and succeeded in doing so. So can you!

DeColores,
Neil Foster
Spiritual Director

Walks In 2007

Men’s Walk No. 27 Men’s Walk No. 28

February 8-11, 2007 September 11-14, 2007

Lay Director: David Ginn Lay Director: Kevin Kimbrough

Women’s Walk No. 38 Women’s Walk No. 39

June 21-24, 2007 October 11-14, 2007

Lay Director: Debbie Michael Lay Director: Peggy Allen

Don’t forget to sign up at the gatherings preceding
the walk or online for kitchen, prayer vigil and
housekeeping duties during the walks!!!

Kairos Events

Ross Correctional Institute # 14
February 1-4

Southern Ohio Correctional Institute (Lucasville) #6
March 22-25

Cookies needed by 3-16

Drop them off at the March gathering!

2007 GSVE Board Members

POSITION NAME TERM YR. PHONE eMAIL

Agape 1 Jeni Goedde 3 740-335-1905 cjgoedde@roadrunner.com

Agape 2 Laura Miller 1 740-332-6003 laurabeth@bright.net

Chairperson Ed Ruggles 2 740-998-4843 huge@bright.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 3 740-456-4433 sanlee@roadrunner.com

Housekeeping 1 Dena Benner 2 937-981-4162 db0142@dragonbbs.com

Housekeeping 2 Richard Schumacher 1 937-981-4296

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

Kitchen 1 Tom Dishong 3 740-596-4353 dishong@ohio.edu

Kitchen 2 Harley Barney 2 740-998-6523

Leadership Jon Mark Hall 3 740-626-2791 halls@horizonview.net

Music 1 Peg Beekman 2 937-981-9805 pbeekman@hughes.net

Music 2 Community Committee

Newsletter Amy Edler 2 740-642-2938 amyedler@horizonview.net

Outreach Les Grooms 1 937-549-2113 theministerles@yahoo.com

Purchasing Dale Stevens 3 740-335-2041 ww4625@dragonbbs.com

Registrar, Men Tony Siders 1 740-884-4622 tsiders@mail.gsn.k12.oh.us

Registrar, Women Denise Kiger 1 740-335-0016 kigerd@nationwide.com

Secretary Cindy Sykes 3 740-993-2789 csykes@mail.gsn.k12.oh.us

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

Social 2 Pat Arthur 1 740-776-6501

Special Projects Tad Grover 3 740-773-6640 tad@trinityumchurch.net

Spiritual Director Neil Foster 2 740-998-6753 fosters@horizonview.net

Sponsorship Pat Cook 1 740-634-3277

Treasurer Arla Bush 2 740-773-7865

Visit the GSVE Website at GSVEmmaus.org

You can read current and past newsletters, and signup on the
prayer vigil or kitchen and housekeeping crews for walks.

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 Mulberry Street

Chillicothe, OH 45601

Why Go to Gatherings?

Our gatherings follow a familiar format: worship music, community “business”, praises and prayers, special music, Fourth Day speaker, special music, short message from the spiritual director, communion, closing and fellowship. Wow! I guess we pack a lot into a short period of time.

We start out with worship music that lifts us up out of our day to day routine and turns our hearts to God. Then we catch up on what’s going on in the community. Next we take a moment to thank God for the things He has done for individuals in the community and their loved ones.

Then we solemnly go to the Lord in prayer. There’s a special feeling at this time as the Holy Spirit moves throughout the sanctuary, prompting members to pour their hearts out by simply naming the persons on their hearts. Jesus promised that when two or more are gathered together in His name, He will be there. I think most will agree that our gathering prayer times are holy moments.

Following prayer, we are blessed by an ordinary member of the community who shares his or her walk in faith since the Walk to Emmaus. And it is a blessing! You come away feeling like you know and love the speaker more than you did before.

Then there’s the special music. I don’t know about you, but music cuts right through to my soul. Sometimes I can be unaffected by a soulfully delivered sermon, but a simple song can melt away all the defenses I’ve built, all the worldly junk that I’ve allowed to isolate me from God. Then our spiritual director draws the whole experience together and gives words to encourage us to go out and live for Jesus. We always end by commemorating the Lord’s sacrifice by taking communion—always a renewing experience.

Wow! How could you cap all of that off? Well you know—it’s Emmaus, and when Emmaus meets, Emmaus eats! We gather in the fellowship hall and share food and, more importantly, fellowship. It’s time to meet and greet new members of the community and to catch up with old friends.

Do you have to bring a covered dish to take part? No! Don’t let your inability or lack of time stop you from coming and enjoying this time together. If you can, bring something you bought or cooked, or drop a dollar or two in the basket, but you don’t have to do any of that. Just come and be part of the GSVE community. The Spirit of God will be there. Shouldn’t you?

Gatherings, as always, are the third Thursday of each month at 7 PM at Trinity United Methodist Church. If you bring something for the fellowship, leave it in the fellowship hall downstairs before you go up to the sanctuary. Our social committee will get things set up so you can enjoy the worship service.

See you at the gathering!

DeColores!

—Amy Edler

Chrysalis
Where Caterpillars Become Butterflies

Southern Ohio Chrysalis is sponsored by GSVE.
It is the teen version of Emmaus.
There is a boys Chrysalis Flight
coming up February 17-19.
They need housekeeping and
kitchen help just like Emmaus.
Call Joanne Charles at
740-354-4494
to sign up.

Kairos Cookies

Kairos, the prison ministry extension
of the Walk to Emmaus gives homemade
cookies as agape to the prisoners—2 dozen
for every prisoner and CO in the facility.
The team members need your help.

Call Jim Mather at
740-983-2120
for instructions and dates

Calling All Musicians!

If you would like to share your musical talents
by leading worship music or providing special
music during gatherings or serving as music
director on a live-in team, we want to know!

Please call Peg Beekman at
937-981-9805.

Pilgrim Registration Form

Please see the pilgrim registration form elsewhere on this site.

Live-In Team for Men’s Walk No. 27

Lay Director David Ginn Perseverance

Lay Director In Training Kevin Kimbrough

Spiritual Director Paul Goshorn Means of Grace

Assistant Spiritual Director Jeremy Beverly

Assistant Lay Director Larry Milstead Priority

Assistant Lay Director Brent Edmonson Life in Piety

Assistant Lay Director Mark Cope Body of Christ

Music Director Rusty Statem

Music Director Kevin Banks

Logistics Rick Harper

Logistics Dave Bennett

Board Representative Tony Siders

Table Leader Jim Blair Discipleship

Table Leader Brant Cockerill Christian Action

Table Leader Bryan Cockerill Grow Through Study

Table Leader Mike Hawkins Priesthood of All Believers

Table Leader Rick Hall Fourth Day

Table Leader Ray Roberts Changing Our World

Assistant Table Leader Dan Berry

Assistant Table Leader Jim Chaney

Assistant Table Leader Nick Cummings

Assistant Table Leader CJ Frey

Assistant Table Leader Joe Rhonemus

Assistant Table Leader Mike Reiterman

Prospective Pilgrims for Men’s Walk No. 27

Name City Sponsor

Eddie Blazer Waverly Kenny & Cheryl Walls

Robert Brown Waverly Dave Burris

Mark Clendaniel Chillicothe Glenn Claytor

Steven Good Waverly Ed Ruggles

William Hamm Portsmouth Cindy Hamm

Russ Harr Lucasville Richard Wells

Jim Hill Chillicothe Glenn & Alicia Claytor

Eric Huffer Greenfield Tim & Brenda Lester

Dan Jones Circleville Mel Wickenseimer

Rob Kelley Washington CH David Ginn

Chester Lytle Chillicothe Barbara Tillet

Ted McReynolds Leesburg Ted Avery

Joshua Murray Waverly Brenda Armstrong

Dennis Shaw Circleville Kevin Quincel

Phil Shaw Athens Sherri Crabtree

Kenneth Spahr Jeffersonville Jerry Spahr

Paul Wiseman Greenfield Jim & Garnet Brammer

So You Want to Be a Sponsor?

Great! That’s awesome! We commend you—But . . .

But, we want you to be aware that there are some serious responsibilities attached. You probably already know that you are responsible for getting your pilgrim to and from the walk and getting agape letters from his or her friends and family. But have you been praying for your pilgrim, the team, and the success of the walk? Have you signed up for the prayer vigil, housekeeping crew and/or kitchen crew? Did you get a Fourth Day book for your pilgrim? Have you discussed the weekend with your pilgrim? Are you prepared to step in and help shoulder your pilgrims’ duties at home while he or she is on the walk? Will you be at Candlelight and Closing?

After the walk will you attend the mini-gathering with your pilgrim? Will you invite your pilgrim to work side-by-side with you on the next walk? Will you help him or her find a share group?

That’s a long list of questions, and they aren’t meant to discourage you. Rather, they are meant to encourage you to be the best sponsor you can be. Remember, prayer is the foundation of good sponsorship. You should pray about who you should sponsor, and once your pilgrim commits to a walk, you should pray even more, even harder, for this special moment in his or her life.

When your pilgrim confirms he or she will fill a spot on a walk you will receive a packet that details the sponsor’s responsibilities. I urge you to go through the packet carefully and do everything you can to make the Walk to Emmaus a great experience for your pilgrims—it’s an act of love, in the name of Christ.

--Amy Edler

A Note from the Chair…

Contact Information Corrections:

Pilgrim Registration Form