A Note From The Chair…

Greetings to all and prayers that you and yours are well and enjoying spring. I hope you are happy in this spring season.

I have been reading a book by Patrick Morley titled “Ten Secrets for the Man in the Mirror”. Mr. Morley calls the contents of his book “startling ideas about true happiness”. I would like to share some of his ideas both now and in the coming months.

We have often shared our thoughts together about Emmaus, Chrysalis, Kairos, etc and what makes people want to go or not go. It has been a rare occurrence to encounter someone who was not happy to have attended one of these events. We know that Emmaus is not intended to “fix” people or to be a cure-all. Our events are about love and service. Here is a quote from the book. “The Christian life is a broad road of happiness, joy, peace, blessing, success, significance, and contentment, which is ironically gained by choosing the narrow road of surrender, obedience, self-denial, self-sacrifice, truth, worship, and service”.

When I went on the Walk to Emmaus I was amazed at people’s willingness to “serve.” They seemed very happy while serving. The world would say, “Want to be happy? Get a better job, live in a different neighborhood. Take a vacation. Drive a different car. Send your children to a different school. Accumulate this much money. Join this club.” God says, “Want to be happy? Surrender your life to me. Obey me. Seek the truth. Live by faith. Deny yourself. Give yourself away in service.” Are we giving ourselves away in service? At our Churches? At Emmaus, Chrysalis, or Kairos? More opportunities to do so are about to happen.

When we yield our lives to Jesus, bring ourselves under his authority, allow him to be Lord, and walk in His way of obedience, service, and self denial—things that sound like giving up happiness—He rewards us with every spiritual blessing.

To be happy we must be seekers of truth. The Bible says, “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” (John 4:23). Happiness is linked to serving others. Jesus said, “Whoever serves Me must follow Me, and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.” (John 12:26).

I hope you are very happy. The chance to serve is coming quickly. I am looking forward to seeing you there and serving with you.

Decolores,

Ed Ruggles

If God controls you on the inside,
you’ll be genuine on the outside

From our spiritual director . . .

April was a deadly month for our troops serving in Iraq. We know that war can inspire heroic behavior, like that of Gavin Colburn who was killed when he laid over an explosive device to save the life of a fellow soldier

But did you know that music has also found its inspiration in the context of war? For example, when have you last attended a sporting event where you haven’t heard the Star Spangled Banner? What do you know about how and when this inspiring song was written?

In September of 1814 the United States and Britain were engaged in the War of 1812, which was declared because of Britain’s interference with American commerce on the high seas. Just weeks earlier a small company of British troops had sailed up Chesapeake Bay, setting fire to the Capitol, the White House and other public buildings. On their return to their boats, they took a prisoner. Francis Scott Key was called upon to negotiate the release of this prisoner, but he was also taken prisoner because the British feared Key would warn the American troops of their imminent attack on Baltimore. When the battle was under way, Key was released and watched the British bombardment of Fort McHenry from afar with his companions. No one could tell which way the battle was going until “By the dawn’s early light,” the American flag was still seen flying overhead. It was at that time that Francis Scott Key knew the Americans held their ground and he was inspired to pen those famous lines.

Later, that night Key wrote out a fresh copy, which is still preserved in an art gallery in Baltimore, Maryland. Within a week his poem appeared in two Baltimore newspapers and began to catch on with the American public. Within a month the words were put to music. As the years passed it increased in popularity, and finally in March 3, 1931, by an act of Congress, it became our National Anthem. May you find inspiration as Francis Scott Key did, when he wrote the following

O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilght’s last gleaming,

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight

O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air

Gave proof throught the night that our flag was still there.

O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

DeColores,

Neil Foste

Kairos Torch

The first Torch weekend will be held Sept. 13-16 at
Circleville Youth Correction Facility.

To volunteer or contribute to their startup needs, contact:

Dana Schmidt

740-626-2357

mdlksch@horizonview.net

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.

Women’s Kairos Team Forming

Here’s an opportunity for women to serve on a
Kairos team. -- Kairos Franklin Pre-Release #5 in Columbus will be held September 20-23, 2007.

If you are interested in being part of this ministry, contact weekend leader, Darlene Roberson at

droberso@insight.rr.com

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

Walks In 2007

Women’s Walk No. 38

June 21-24, 2007

Lay Director: Debbie Michael

Men’s Walk No. 28

September 13-16, 2007

Lay Director: Kevin Kimbrough

Women’s Walk No. 39
October 11-14, 2007
Lay Director: Peggy Allen

Don’t forget to sign up at the
gatherings preceding the walks

or online for prayer vigil, kitchen

or housekeeping duties during

A couple of years ago Women of Faith’s Patsy Clairmont published a book entitled, Sportin’ a ‘Tude. I thought it was a very clever title and bought the book, expecting it to be a light-hearted, humorous look at ways to improve our attitudes as Christians. It turned out to be a more serious, but very insightful look at attitudes held by Christians, both good and bad.

Jesus also had something to say about attitudes. We know them as beatitudes. He sat down with his disciples and many other followers and talked about the way they (and we) should live — not just outwardly, but inwardly, through and through. In the sermon on the mount He talked about meekness, mercy and peacemaking. He said if we truly embrace these characteristics and live by them we will be blessed.

Here is how he prefaced the Sermon on the Mount:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.(Matthew 5:3-11) (NIV)

How different are these qualities that Jesus espoused from the ones we see dominating the world today. Just about anywhere you go it seems the disagreeable get ahead by dint of bullying, boasting and lying. Sadly, the following worldly beatitudes are the norm:

Blessed are the aggressive; for they get on in the world.

Blessed are the hard-boiled; for they never let life hurt them.

Blessed are those who complain; for they get their own way in the end.

Blessed are the blasé; for they never worry over their sins.

Blessed are the slave drivers; for they get results.

Blessed are the knowledgeable; for they know their way around.

Blessed are the troublemakers; for they make people take notice of them.

Which set of ‘tudes will you embrace? Do you find yourself slipping into worldly mode when you go to work? Do you pick up the habits of those around you? Do you manipulate and scheme or stretch the truth? Do you throw your weight around or flaunt your superior knowledge? Are you overly demanding? It takes courage and commitment to turn away from the way things are done in the world. But we are called to display a Christ-like attitude, to be clearly different from the world. By doing so, you may not “get ahead” in this world, but you will surely be blessed in the next. Jesus promised it.

Amy Edler

Women’s Walk #38 Team Roster

Team Member Position Talk Talk Time

Debbie Michael Lay Director Perseverance (Sunday afternoon)

Peggy Allen Lay Dir. In Training

Jim Groves Spiritual Director Means of Grace (Saturday morning)

Dena Benner Asst. Lay Director Discipleship (Saturday evening)

Arla Bush Asst. Lay Director Priority (Friday morning)

Jenifer Goedde Asst. Lay Director Fourth Day (Sunday afternoon)

Pat Arthur Board Rep.

Sue Kelley Music Director

Theresa Staten Music Director

Gin Simmons Logistics

TBD Logistics

Amy Edler Technical Rep.

Myra Brown Table Leader Changing Our World (Sunday morning)

Marilyn Carnes Table Leader Body of Christ (Sunday morning)

Heather Evans Table Leader Grow Through Study (Saturday morning)

Nancy Penix Table Leader Priesthood of All Believers (Friday Afternoon)

Charlotte Spires Table Leader Life in Piety (Friday evening)

Kay Stewart Table Leader Christian Action (Sunday morning)

Katrina Barton Asst. Table Leader

Julie Hill Asst. Table Leader

Barbara Miville Asst. Table Leader

Dottie Molebash Asst. Table Leader

Jennifer Strickland Asst. Table Leader

Sara Thurston Asst. Table Leader

Carol Davis Clergy Speaker .Previenient Grace (Friday morning)

Martin Denes Clergy Speaker Obstacles to Grace (Saturday afternoon)

Tad Grover Clergy Speaker Sanctifying Grace (Sunday morning)

Dennis Mohler Clergy Speaker. Justifying Grace (Friday afternoon)

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

May 2007 Gathering is the 17th.

Get Involved!

Your help is needed on Walk # 38

June 21, 22, 23 and 24

Kitchen: There’s lots to be done in the kitchen. You can choose, Wednesday morning (receiving and stowing supplies). Thursday afternoon, Thursday evening, Friday breakfast, lunch or dinner, Saturday breakfast lunch or dinner, and Sunday breakfast, lunch or afternoon cleanup.

Call Tom Dishong at 740-596-4353 or Harley Barney at 740-998-6523 to signup or go to the website kitchen signup page.

Housekeeping: Housekeeping is fun at Emmaus. You can signup for Wednesday evening setup, Thursday evening, Friday morning or evening, Saturday morning or evening, Sunday morning tear down or Sunday afternoon/evening final cleanup. It really is a pleasure to work side by side in service to God and the pilgrims.

Call Dena Benner at 937-981-4162 or Richard Schumacher at 937-981-4296 to signup or go to the website housekeeping signup page.

Prayer Vigil: Prayer is the foundation for the Walk to Emmaus. We need your prayers.

To sign up for the 72-Hour Prayer Vigil, call Amy Edler at 740-642-2938 or go to the website prayer vigil signup page.

A Note from the Chair…