The Walk to Emmaus

International Newsletter

Spring/Summer 2001

========================

DEAR EMMAUS SERVANTS:

One witness to the resurrection was not enough! Luke 24 includes the

story of Cleopas and his companion, the women who visited the tomb, and

Simon as those who testify to the resurrected Lord.

We do well to remember that there is not solitary witness to this event

-- not one person alone. Witness of resurrection is a community role.

One reason is that a solitary eyewitness can be discounted.

There is another reason. None of us, no matter how vital our

relationship with Christ, speaks the full message of resurrection.

Resurrection requires community to convey the devastation of death and

the richness of life that resurrection gives. The theologian's

eloquence and the simple declaration of a young convert that "Jesus

lives!" do not voice all that resounds from an empty tomb.

In the International Office of The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus, we hear

from around the world the repercussions of resurrection's fullness.

One person bearing that witness alone as Director is not enough. Jean

Johnson Green as Assistant Director, Metral Smith as Assistant to the

Directors, and five part-time Regional Representatives in the U.S. have

provided wonderful assistance and helped the movement immensely. Still,

the amplifying work of our resurrected Lord through Emmaus is greater

than our best efforts can contain.

We are taking on new roles to focus on vital interests of the movement,

more closely resembling the movements at the community level.

We will add a Lay Director of the movement, who will focus on key

responsibilities with laity. I will center my work on the role of

Spiritual Director, working with clergy. Elsewhere in this newsletter

you will hear more about these new positions. I am also happy to

announce that Dick Gilmore, a long-time member of the International

Steering Committee and experienced trainer and author of resources in

the movement, has agreed to serve as the Interim Lay Director effective

May 1, 2001.

When you call our office, you may speak to Dick, Jean, Metral, or me.

Please know that we want to be faithful witnesses to the resurrection,

to the work of God's grace, as it is known through The Walk to Emmaus.

De Colores!

Ron Colwell, International Spiritual Director

The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus

========================

Excitement is building around the new configuration of the Emmaus Office

Staff. As International Spiritual Director, I will focus first and

foremost on Fourth Day. The principal reason the movement exists is to

strengthen the local church as we are more closely formed into the image

of Christ day by day. I will work with clergy, inside and outside the

Emmaus movement, to assist in integrating Emmaus pilgrims into their

congregations. I also hope to help clergy understand their role as

Spiritual Directors in the church and in the Emmaus movement.

The new office configuration will allow me to serve the growing demand

for new communities around the world and support those international

communities that already are thriving. It is essential that we continue

to resource and serve the global Emmaus community. We must continually

give beyond ourselves, even as Christ served beyond himself.

I covet your prayers as we move into this new day of greater service to

the Emmaus community.

Ron Colwell

International Spiritual Director

The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus

========================

As Assistant to the Directors, I keep the office functioning smoothly.

While my role will primarily support the Lay Director and Assistant Lay

Director, I will also provide support for the Spiritual Director on a

limited basis.

In reality, all of this is support for you as members of the Emmaus

community. I will work with the Directors to support the entire

movement. Please hold me in your prayers as I work to serve as unto the

Lord.

Metral Smith

Assistant to the Directors

The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus

========================

25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

We are in the planning stages for our 25th Anniversary Celebration in

2003. We need your help. Please e-mail your response to the following

questions by Sunday, July 15, 2001. Send the e-mail to:

emmaus@upperroom.org. Please include in the subject line "25th

Anniversary Celebration."

We are considering the following dates for the 25th Anniversary

Celebration:

July 3-6, 2003

July 24-27, 2003

Which date works better for you?

Could you attend either date?

Is there a date you could not attend?

Thank you for your assistance.

========================

GREETINGS TO ALL EMMAUS PILGRIMS . . .

God has blessed The International Office of Emmaus with a new addition.

The Holy Spirit has moved The Upper Room officials to add the new

position of International Lay Director. This makes the office a

four-person operation. For the present, I have been asked to fill this

new position on an interim basis.

What are we "anticipating" with this new arrangement? The expectation

is that we will be better equipped to serve and support the works of

every community. We will be able to begin some long-range planning for

celebration events five years into the future as well as for the 25th

Anniversary Celebration.

With the help of Jesus, we will be looking at the office calendar to

establish better ways to handle the routine events and activities. We

will be intentional in developing the four people into a productive team

that will function like a well-oiled machine. The "oil" will be your

prayers for us.

In addition, there are many documents that need to be reviewed, revised

and put in concert with the recently revised handbook (available in

January 2002). We plan to undertake some new initiatives. There are

areas that need to be evaluated, and effective instruments for these

evaluations need to be constructed.

Your prayers for us will be greatly appreciated. Pray that God will

guide us, strengthen us, and support us in these efforts for His glory

and the furtherance of His work through the Walk to Emmaus.

In His Service,

Dick Gilmore

Interim International Lay Director

The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus

========================

As the Assistant Lay Director of the Emmaus Office, the new office

configuration will allow me to provide enhanced support and

interpretation of the movement to the Regional Representatives,

communities, and individuals, primarily in the United States.

I will be supporting our celebration events and working with new

community start-ups in the USA. Another feature of my work will include

assistance for community training events and consultation.

I look forward to working with you as together we seek to support this

movement of God.

Jean Johnson Green

Assistant Lay Director

The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus

========================

WHAT IS THE LETTER OF AGREEMENT?

The Letter of Agreement is an annual letter that describes the nature of

the relationship between The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus Office and a

local Emmaus Community. We think of it as a covenantal agreement,

reminding us of biblical agreements. It describes a rich, mutually

enhancing partnership that binds us together and calls us to our highest

and best as Christian disciples. It gives opportunity each year for an

Emmaus Community to consider its alignment with The Upper Room Walk to

Emmaus. The Letter of Agreement addresses two areas:

1. What the local community agrees to do in the covenantal

relationship. This includes maintaining communication with our office,

conducting the movement according to the guidance of The Upper Room

Handbook on Emmaus, and honoring the copyrights of The Upper Room.

2. What the Upper Room Emmaus Office agrees to do to support the

movement: providing consultation, guidance, and resources to support

Emmaus. This includes the 40% discount on Upper Room books for Emmaus

communities, training opportunities for communities and members, and the

newsletter that you are reading now.

The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus is a result of careful, deliberate,

prayerful discernment over more than twenty years. The Letter of

Agreement helps insure that the movement continues in that pattern, by

forging a mutual accord of service and support between the International

Office of Emmaus and the local communities around the world.

========================

EMMAUS UPDATE

We have several new communities in different stages of start-up in the

United States and in other countries. If you know other pilgrims in

countries where the Walk to Emmaus does not have an active community,

please send their names and addresses to the International Office so we

can notify the Steering Committees about them. If you want to make

financial contributions to these efforts, please send them to the

International Office, and note to which country you are contributing.

Please continue to pray that Emmaus will begin in countries when and as

the Spirit leads.

Part of the responsibility of this office is to coordinate the expansion

of Emmaus. Expanding into other countries requires the blessing of

Spiritual Leadership within that nation before we can proceed.

Therefore, remember that if you are making contact in other countries or

sponsoring international persons to walk, first please contact the

International Office. Thank you.

========================

BOARD ROOM WEBSITE

Remember to check the Board Room website for information changes for

your community and also to enter your Walk Dates. To enter the Board

Room site you will need your user name and password. If you do not have

this information, your Community Lay Director should call the

International Office to obtain it. [Please see the Office's contact

information below in this e-mail.]

The site is located at http://www.upperroom.org/fourthday/boardroom.

========================

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

All of your Regional Representatives are working hard to serve your

community. When they make contact with your leaders, please make them

feel welcome. Also, please feel free to contact them as you need them.

NORTH EAST

Regional Representative

Bob Brandt

28 Hoitsma Court

Fair Lawn, NJ 07410

(201) 797-6037

bbrandt@matriixcc.com

Connecticut

Delaware

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Vermont

Virginia

West Virginia

NORTH CENTRAL

Regional Representative

Cathi Eberly

264 Tinkers Trail

Aurora, Ohio 44202

(330) 562-9626

myagape2u@juno.com

Fax: (330) 562-9552

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Michigan

Minnesota

North Dakota

Ohio

South Dakota

Wisconsin

SOUTH EAST

Regional Representative

Scoofer Jordan

12401 Lakewood Dr.

Laurinburg, NC 28352

(910) 276-7081

scoofer@carollinamet

Alabama

Florida

Georgia

Kentucky

Mississippi

North Carolina

South Carolina

Tennessee

SOUTH CENTRAL

Regional Representative

Carleen Alderman

702 North Valley Parkway

Lewisville, TX 75067

(972) 436-0596 Home

(972) 539-8547 Work

cookiie@hpcserv.com

Arkansas

Kansas

Louisiana

Missouri

Nebraska

New Mexico

Oklahoma

Texas

WEST

Regional Representative

John Whittemore

24172 Avenue 14th

Madera, CA 93637

(805) 717-9604 (mobile)

jmwhit@earth11nk.net

Alaska

California

Hawaii

Montana

Nevada

Washington

Arizona

Colorado

Idaho

Oregon

Utah

Wyoming

========================

FREE NEWSLETTER

The International Emmaus Newsletter is now coming free of cost to you.

We hope to communicate with everyone who wishes to remain informed of

the ministry of this wonderful movement. We are offering the free

newsletter in two ways:

1. You may subscribe to receive the newsletter by e-mail by directing

your browser on the Internet to

http://www.upperroom.org/emmaus/online/lists.asp. On that page, check

the box next to the "Emmaus News" list. Subscribing in this way will

help us by reducing our costs of printing and mailing the newsletter.

If you currently receive the paper version of The International

Newsletter and wish to receive it by e-mail, please be sure to remove

yourself from the paper version list. To do this, please send an e-mail

to emmaus@upperroom.org. Please put in the subject line, "Remove from

Paper Emmaus Newsletter List." Be sure to include your name, address,

city, state, zip code, and country.

2. You may request the printed newsletter by sending your name and

address to Upper Room Walk to Emmaus Newsletter Mailing, P.O. Box

340004, Nashville, TN 37203-0004

Please tell all your Emmaus friends and community members about this

free service.

========================

IN MEMORIAM

Rick Schweitzer, former Regional Representative for the Western Region

of the Upper Room Walk to Emmaus in the U.S., died on May 4, 2001. He

is survived by his wife Sherri. He died during a trip to England. No

details of a memorial service were available at press time. Contact

with his family can be arranged through his son, Bob at 13835 NE 69th

Street, Suite 683, Redmond, WA 88052, bob@sammadata.com.

We remember Rick as a wonderful disciple, visionary leader, and caring

friend. His work in Emmaus enhanced the movement in significant ways,

and his memory will motivate us all to strive, as he always did, for

excellence in serving others.

========================

CANDLELIGHT

I see a healing is taking place

as I watched the tears streaming down your face.

I watched you when I signed "I love you."

And Dad I hope you know that it's true.

I have been on that stage and I have let go all the rage.

I have been where you are and I am on that same Journey;

on the road to a perfect healing

that will take place in eternity.

You too are God's child.

By that alone your life is worthwhile.

I know you won't forget

the light of the candle

the love in a smile

or the peace that God brings.

So cry your tears of joy, of hurt, sorrow and pain

and always remember:

GOD CAN MAKE YOU WHOLE AGAIN!

-- Lacy Bedell

De Colores

In honor of Candlelight February 26, 2000

========================

A PILGRIM'S WITNESS

For a very traditional Dutch Reformed Church member, I experienced my

Walk to Emmaus with mixed feelings. After the first day I felt that I

was wasting my time and decided to go home. A good friend of ours

convinced me that I should at least stay until lunchtime the following

day.

During the following morning the Lord spoke to me. He opened my heart

and my mind to hear and understand His voice. Needless to say that

during the closing time I was still there.

The Gloriosa Community had their 34th walk last weekend and I had the

privilege to serve the Lord as a table leader. What a wonderful

experience it was! Although my home language is Afrikaans, the Lord gave

me the strength and he spoke through me to the pilgrims during the talk

on "Grow through Study."

Some of my friends at work helped me during the preparation of my talk

by editing the talk and putting some ideas on transparencies. I

realized afterwards that my friends had already been included in the

Lord's plan when He chose me to serve him during the Walk, and they

didn't even know it. The first thing I did after the Walk was to share

with them how the Lord operates and to share with them some of the love

I have experienced.

What a wonderful God we serve. Remember, my brothers and sisters, Jesus

loves you and so do I.

De Colores!

Bertus Pieterse

Gloriosa Community

South Africa

========================

NOTES FROM THE EMMAUS OFFICE

--Office Address--

When mailing materials to the Emmaus office, please address them to: The

Upper Room Emmaus (be sure to put Emmaus in the address), 1908 Grand

Avenue, P.O. Box 340004, Nashville, TN 37203-0004. If you fail to

include Emmaus in the address, your mail will be delayed in getting to

our office. Our phone numbers are toll free: 877-899-2780, ext. 7189,

Ron; ext. 7288, Dick; ext. 7222, Jean; and ext. 7227, Metral. Our fax

number is 615-340-7257.

--Customer Service Department--

1-800-972-0433

One of the goals of the Customer Service Department is to fill your

orders as quickly and accurately as possible. We want to have enough

supplies in stock for your needs. We encourage you to place your order

six to eight weeks in advance of your Walks. This will give us time to

fulfill your order accurately and will lessen your stress levels.

Remember to have your community account number available when you place

your order.

Also, remember that you may order the Emmaus Handbooks from the Emmaus

Office. We prefer a credit card (Visa, Mastercard), and will also

accept a check made out to The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus.

--Office Hours--

The Emmaus office is open between the hours of 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (U.S.

Central Time)

--The Upper Room Prayer Center--

1-800-251-2468

If you are in need of a special prayer, please remember The Upper Room

Prayer Center. You may call any time. The Prayer lines are answered by

volunteers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

--Emmaus/Chrysalis Celebrations--

Mark your calendar for the upcoming Emmaus/Chrysalis Celebration,

sponsored by The Upper Room Emmaus International Office.

Celebrations in 2002

* Hosted by Emmaus of the Rockies and Western Rockies Emmaus

Communities

August 9-11, 2002

First United Methodist Church, Colorado Springs, CO

* Hosted by Keystone Emmaus Community

September 13-15, 2002

Charlton United Methodist Church, Harrisburg, PA

--Regional Representatives--

We have all of our Regional Representatives staff on board.

With great pleasure, we want to introduce three recent additions to our

Regional Representatives of The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus. The South

Central Region Representative is Carleen Alderman of the Dallas Emmaus

Community. Carleen has extensive experience in the Emmaus movement,

having served as Lay Director of the Dallas board and also on the

International Steering committee. She may be contacted at (972)

436-0596; e-mail: cookie@hpcserv.com.

The West Region Representative is John Whittemore, former Lay Director

of the Southern California Community and former pastor of Living Faith

Free Methodist Church in Brentwood, TN. John brings a unique

perspective from both his lay and clergy experiences. John has moved to

California, it is best to contact John at his e-mail address:

jmwhit@earthlink.com.

The North Central Regional Representative is Cathi Eberly. In addition

to being former Lay Director of the Western Reserve Emmaus Community,

Cathi has served the Northeast Ohio Chrysalis Community in several

capacities. This combined with her extensive church work and experience

in the business world makes for the well-rounded representative that we

know she will be. She may be contacted at (330) 562-9626, or e-mail at:

myagape2u@juno.com.

========================

EMMAUS FUNDING PLAN CONTRIBUTIONS -- 2000

These communities made contributions to the Funding Plan for 2000. Our

thanks and appreciation are extended to each one. The total as of

December 31, 2000 was $226,137.50.

Alabama

Alaska

Albermarle

Aldersgate

Arizona

Ashland Area

Big Country

Billings

Bloomington-Normal

Blue Lake

Bolivar

Bowling Green

Brazos Valley

Bread of Life

Burning Hearts

Campbellsville

Cape Fear

Cedar Rapids

Central Alabama

Central California

Central Carolina

Central Coast

Central Illinois

Central Mississippi

Central Ohio

Chattanooga

Channel Island

Chesapeake

Coastal Carolina

Coastal Georgia

Comunicad Puebla

Sureste, Mexico

Comunic- San Juan, PR

Columbus Area

Columbus Cluster, GA

Cross Bayou

Cross Country

Cross Point

Crossroads

Dakotas

Dallas

Dan River

Darke County

Dayspring of Indiana

Delmarva

Diakonia

Eastern Panhandle of WV

East Ohio

Elizabethtown

El-Shaddai of Illiana

Emmanuel

Emmaus Of The

Cumberlands

Emmaus of the Midlands

Emmaus of the Rockies

Evansville

Florida Crown

Foothills

Garden State NJ

Georgia-Lina

Golden Spread

Golden Triangle

Grand Rapids Area

Great Smoky Mt.

Great Plains

Greater Cincinnati

Greater Columbus Ohio

Greater Dayton

Great Plains

Greater Fredericksburg

Greater Indianapolis Area

Greater Sydney

Greater Scioto Valley

Green Country

Greensburg Area

Gulf Coast

Heartland of Kansas

Heart of Carolina

Heart of Georgia

Heart of Ohio

Heart of the Ozarks

High Desert West

Hi-Sky

Hoosier Hills

Houston

Idaho

Illinois Heartland

Illinois Prarieland

Iowa

Jackson Area

Kanawha Valley

Keystone

Koinonia of NE MS

Lake Cumberland

La Mesa De Dios

Living Waters

Llano Estacado

Loudoun Valley

Louisiana Annual Conf.

Louisville

Low Country

Lynchburg Central

Maryland

Michigan Lifeline

Mid Michigan

Midwest Crossroads

Minnesota

Missoula

Missouri East

Mountain Top

Mountain Top of Eastern

Pennsylvania

Mountain Trails

Nashville

National Capital

New-Ark Area

New Covenant

New England Conf.

New Horizons

New Mexico Conference

New River Valley

New York Annual Conf.

Noahs of Ark

Northeast Texas (Net)

Northern Illinois

Northern Lights

North Central NY

North Central West VA

North Georgia

North Indiana

North Mississippi

Northwest Michigan

Northwest Ohio

Northwest Oklahoma

Northwest Region -NM

Ohio Valley

Orange County

Owensboro

Pennyrile

Piedmont

Pioneer Country

Purchase Area

Quad City

Rainbow's End

Reynoldsburg

Richmond, VA

River Walk

Rolling Plains

Rushing Wind

Sandhills

San Diego

Seaside

Shenandoah Valley

Show Me the Way

Skylands

Sonflower

Sonlights in P.R.

Southeastern Indiana

Southeastern Wisconsin

Signal Mountain

Southern California

Southern Nevada

Southern New England

Southern San Joaquin

Southern Sierra

South Georgia

Southside Virginia

Southwest Indiana

Southwest Texas Conf.

Spirit of the Sea

Springfield Area

Superiorland

Three Rivers

Tidewater

Troy Annual Conference

United

Wastach Front

Western New York

Western Rockies

West Michigan

Wilmington Area

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"The Walk to Emmaus International Newsletter" is a publication of The