Thanksgiving – Thanks Living!  
                 --Trisa Chancey
                 GIWTE #2, Table of Mary

I love holidays. My childhood holiday memories revolve around getting together with family and enjoying huge meals with each other. Christmas is my favorite holiday, but Thanksgiving runs a close second.

I remember a long-ago Thanksgiving. I lived in an apartment and had two small children. Mom, Dad, and my little sisters lived in the same apartment complex. I invited them, and some neighbors who were without family, over for Thanksgiving dinner. Each family brought what they could to contribute to the meal. I taped some butcher paper to the wall, and we all wrote things we were thankful for on the butcher paper. It was exciting to watch that butcher paper fill up!

Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11 that he has learned to be content in whatever situation he finds himself in. Can you say the same? I know there are times that I cannot.

I recently visited my mother-in-law’s church in Milledgeville, Georgia. During the service the regular choir combined with the senior citizen choir and sang “Through it all, through it all I’ve learned to trust in Jesus. I’ve learned to trust in God. Through it all, through it all I’ve learned to depend upon His word.” I sat mesmerized, watching their faces and listening to their voices united in singing praise to the God they adore. Some of the older people sang with such fervor and emotion that it nearly made me cry.

I am reminded of a song we sing during the Walk to Emmaus…The Servant Song. How many of us are truly comfortable letting others minister to us? I know I prefer to serve rather than be served. But let’s work together on letting others serve us as they feel led to do so. Let us serve with grace, but also accept service with a thankful heart.

As you consider who you can express thanks to this month remember to, “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle you know nothing about.”
Helpful Links for ALL Community Members

Click on the link below to view a video about the Walk to Emmaus. It's a great introduction for prospective pilgrims



Upcoming Events
 
Community Gatherings

November 4 at 7:00 Waynesville Missionary Baptist Church

December 2 at 7:00 Wesley at Frederica UMC on St. Simons Island

If you would like to offer your church to host a Gathering in the future, or would be interested in sharing a Fourth Day testimony, please contact Phil Scott at scottjp@comcast.net   for more information regarding what is required of a host church.
REUNION GROUPS: We Need Your Help!

Elizabeth Houston is compiling an updated list of Reunion Groups to put on the GIWTE Webpage.

Kindly assist her by clicking HERE  t o email her. B e sure to include the name of your Reunion Group and the day, time, and location where you meet.

Thank you!
Reflections from the Heart

                Fred DeZouche, Lay Director                         Men's Walk #31       

Once the Spring Walks of 2016 were completed, our community Spiritual Director, Emory Wilson, challenged the Board to conduct Fall Walks. The Board resoundingly approved them!

Both Gail Ashurst and I got started, and team building commenced. During this time of phone calls, missed messages, and e-mails, our spirits sometimes fell low. During one of our many meetings, we shared some of our concerns, and Gail said to me that God was in control, as well I knew, but what she said next struck me right in my chest: “It will be good!” These four words became our battle cry during a long summer, our team training sessions, and right up to send-off.

Men’s Walk #31 took off like a rocket on Thursday with a lively community serenade led by the Dudley/Jim team and twenty three pilgrims aboard for the ride. New found friends broke the ice, and the men seemed open but cautious.

As the team moved silently from the dining hall to the chapel for movie time, I could hear a small ruckus from the kitchen. So as the group filed out, I cracked open the kitchen door to hush the noise. Who did I first see as the door slowly opened?  My wife, standing there in the middle of the prep room leading the conversation! The look on her face when she spotted me, finger to my lips in the shush fashion, was priceless. The remainder of the evening went smoothly, and the pilgrims were eventually sent to their dorms to get some rest.

On Friday, before day-break, a certain sleepy lay director awoke and, equipped with shaving kit, towels, and fresh clothes, proceeded to the speaker’s chapel to shower and shave. Well, the door would not budge, no matter how hard I pushed it, which resulted in my dropping all my stuff. (Those Kitchen pranksters really are up and starting early! I thought.) Finally, I was able to force the door open by pushing as hard as I could, and the culprit was found; the tall suit rack loaded with speakers’ suit bags and shoes had collapsed under the weight and completely blocked the door.

The rest of Friday went well with a somewhat subdued room that had great discussion times. By Friday evening the room had completely changed. The tables and their unique personalities came bursting forward as the men literally took to the stage to explain talks and perform their artistic impressions.

Saturday started slowly with more than half a dozen early risers chatting outside the chapel, way before the bell! These guys were on a different schedule, since it was the first day of Hunting Season. Also that day, we transported an ill pilgrim to Ware Mayo. His brothers at the Table of John collected his things and left a symbolic chair open for the remainder of the weekend.

Saturday evening the pilgrims were “Blown-Away” by the out pouring of love shown by the community. Many stayed in the Chapel and never made it to the ice cream social afterwards.

Sunday morning’s wake-up went well with song and the proclamation by one pilgrim of “thank-you Lord for not ringing that bell!” The day progressed fine with talks and the cross ceremony being highlights. Closing took place on time, and the pilgrims responded well with every single one taking a turn at the podium.

Many thanks to the Board and all the others who made this walk successful and so special. My body was physically spent as we prepped the room for the ladies of Walk #32. At that time, I reflected back on Gail’s wisdom and agree, IT WAS GREAT!

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.                     

-1 Peter 4:8-11  

            Gail Ashurst, Lay Director                
                Women's Walk #32                      

I want to thank the Board for allowing me to be the Lay Director on Walk #32. I grew in my reliance on the Lord, learning over and over to allow Him to be the leader and to give up my desire to control things. I learned that even when things appear to not go the way I think they should, God is still in control, and the end result will bring Him glory, and I will receive good from it.  

Walk #32 was bathed in prayer from the moment it was determined to hold the Fall Walks right through Closing and into the start of the Pilgrims’ 4th Days.  Although there were misfires and stumbles, the teams worked together for God’s glory with a love you don’t see every day.  

The bonding at the Tables was amazing. Hearing laughter and seeing the caring nature of people who had never met before was really a wonderful thing. Each Table group seemed to develop its own personality quickly. God was in the Conference Room and His Spirit was working at each Table.  

C andlelight was wonderful. The ladies really were moved by the outpouring of love from the Community. God was moving in lives.   

Everyone working in the Background Teams was focused on making the Weekend about the Pilgrims and did whatever was asked of them when it was asked of them in a very humble and gracious manner. Because of their kindnesses, the Conference Room team could concentrate on the Pilgrims and not worry about other things.   

I was and am in awe of the faithfulness of our Lord in that He would allow us to be a part of His plan. Again, I would like to thank you for allowing me to serve at the Lay Director. 
Golden Isles Walk to Emmaus Board Meeting
GIE Board Meeting December 3rd, 9 AM   Brunswick FUMC, Miller Building.
(The meeting will be held on the FIRST Saturday in December due to the Holidays.)

Emmaus community members are always welcome at Golden Isles Emmaus Board Meetings, which are normally held the third Saturday of each month at the Miller Building behind Brunswick First United Methodist Church. 
 G olden Isles Walk to Emmaus mail@goldenislesemmaus.org  www.goldenislesemmaus.org