Florida Crown Emmaus Newsletter
| A Gateway to Christ |
June 2017 |
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ARE
YOU
SPENDING
TIME WITH
JESUS?
Please come with me as we take a quick trip back to 1969 when NASA placed two astronauts on the moon. Along with millions of Americans, I watched the TV screen as this dramatic 'seemingly impossible' feat unfolded before our eyes. Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong had landed on the moon! Men of earth landed on the moon only 66 years from the Wright brothers first flight! I also remember when some people said it couldn't be true. But it was true and the question is: "How could such an unbelievable feat be accomplished?"
Even with a sophisticated space ship and lunar module, how was it possible for these astronauts to guide their craft and safely land on the moon, 238,900 miles away from home? The answer: on board the Apollo 11 Command Module was the 70-pound Apollo Guidance Computer, a machine that had 64 kilobytes of memory and operated at 0.043 MHz, (ask your computer savvy teenager just what that means). In comparison, an iPhone 5s, which
you can easily fit into your pocket or purse, has a CPU running at speeds of up to 1.3 GHz--enough to enable the execution of millions of calculations each second. And the iPhone's 7GB of RAM should well suffice for storing the 6 megabytes of code that NASA developed to monitor the status of its spacecrafts and astronauts in 1969.
WOW ... my smart phone is able to do all that! But as great as my smart phone is, at the end of the day when my smart phone's battery is depleted, I might as well carry a rock in my pocket rather than a smart phone. When my phone's battery becomes empty -- this fantastic hand held 'mini computer' possesses no more capability then any paper weight on my desk. To help me in my life and servant ministry, my phone needs to daily '
spend
time' with the charger. The question for each of us on our fourth day journey:
"
Are
you
spending
time with
Jesus?"
Jesus promised that if we would walk with Him, we would "do even greater works than He did". This seems impossible, but when we meet with our Lord and Savior every day, we find His presence and power transforming, energizing, and enabling us to share God's love in servant ministry far beyond what we could do ourselves. He provides what we need for the journey. God consistently calls us to step aside and draw near to
Jesus; this is God's way of restoring your soul and filling
you with the power and passion of His Holy Spirit!
It seems so contrary in our reasoning to stop and get off the treadmill of life to
spend quiet
time with the Lord. It may seem at
times that
spending
time with
Jesus will only slow
you down or set
you back. That's a lie of the devil! Ignoring God's call to
spend
time with
Jesus doesn't work any better than trying to use a cell phone
you never take
time to recharge. Don't be fooled by the enemy. Every day
spend
time with
Jesus; your life depends on it, and so do the lives
you will humbly touch with the love and light of our risen Lord!
"
You will do even greater works...." at first it seems impossible, but it isn't! It's
Jesus promise to every one of us, who on our 4th day journey draw aside and
spend
time with Him!
DeColores,
Assistant Spiritual Director,
Grant Siegfried
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The Sustaining Breath of Florida Crown Emmaus
Just as we breathe in and out to sustain our lives, the sustaining "breath" of the Emmaus community is SPONSORSHIP. That is what keeps our community alive, vital and growing.
Within our churches, we are called to make disciples for Christ. Likewise, once there are people following Christ, their faith is nurtured for growth by attending a Walk to Emmaus. Who do you know that is looking for a way to grow their faith and strengthen their personal journey with our Lord? Who do you see within your sphere of influence that would benefit from the blessings of a weekend with Christ? Isn't it time to invite them to participate?
And you? Are you prepared to invite them, coach them as they prepare, complete the Pilgrim application AND the sponsor forms and be certain they are received by our community Registrar, Verna Fields? Then, your job as a sponsor begins. Pick them up, take them to dinner and on to send-off, attend Sponsor's Hour on Thursday evening, Candlelight service and Candlelight, and of course, Closing. But wait! After closing, carry their luggage, take them to dinner, return them safely home and make certain they understand how important attending the 4
th day Gathering is, explaining it is the last opportunity they will have to share their experiences of the first of their own Fourth Days. Walk with them through at least the first year, introducing them to others in the community and to the events throughout the year. Yes, as you can see, it is a JOB, but one with more rewards than anyone could fully explain.
Take time TODAY. Talk to someone who would benefit from a weekend, invite them and walk with them on the Road to Emmaus. The board members are waiting to meet your pilgrims.
DeColores,
Kathy Scott
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THE TABLE OF (Outside) SERVANTS
Walk 79 is almost here. The inside teams have been chosen and have completed half of their meetings. There is still opportunity to experience the blessings of serving. Opportunities are still available to serve on the outside teams - helping keep things going in the conference room and in the dining hall. You may come briefly to serve a meal or you may elect to spend the entire weekend serving on the outside team and bunking with your brother/sister servants.
On a recent walk I was blessed to serve with five other brothers for the entire weekend. When we were not cleaning, preparing snacks or delivering agape, we had time to fraternize and bond - much like the team members and pilgrims were doing inside the conference room. We even had our own chapel call as we set the chairs up outside for the tables. We had formed our own table - the table of (outside) servants. At the end of the weekend we realized how blessed we were to be able to serve the walk and to consciously feel the Holy Spirit.
If you haven't served on a walk as part of the outside team, I encourage you to give it a try. If you have served, please share with others the blessings that you experienced as a part of serving the team, the pilgrims and Christ.
Be Blessed,
Mike Oakes, Physical Arrangements Coordinator.
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LET'S TAKE A WALK
"Let's take a WALK." That's a great invitation to spend a little time drinking in the wonderful creations our Lord has given to us, to stretch our legs, enjoy the company of a friend or loved one, even just to clear our minds. Yes, even to keep track of those steps on a Fitbit! Within the Emmaus community, that is an invitation to spend some time exploring the fourth day journey we are sharing with Christ.
When is the best time to extend an invitation to attend a Walk to Emmaus? Right now, today, while the thought is fresh on your mind, while God is urging you to "Bring a Friend to Christ." Likewise, when is the best time to submit an application to attend an upcoming Walk? Right now, TODAY!
We currently have applications for
2 men and 6 women for Walk # 79. The Emmaus community NEEDS a
minimum of 20 (maximum of 28) confirmed, committed -to-attend pilgrims for each weekend of the Walk. The sooner your pilgrim's application is submitted, the more likely he/she is of being assigned to the very next walk.
The deadline for the next Walk is September 4th. All applications with sponsor form must be complete, processed, and confirmed with deposit or weekend fee paid at least 1 MONTH prior to the Men's walk.
We are called to be God's hands and feet in the world. That implies action on our part. Don't hesitate to take action and invite someone to take the WALK today. Spend time in prayer about who might be waiting to hear that special invitation from you.
Your servant in Christ,
Verna Fields, FCE Registrar
4956 Red Pine Court
Jacksonville, FL 32210
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Testimony
Our Emmaus Walk 78 was an amazing experience for me. Amazing because of the folks that lovingly worked these two weekends. Folks who did not know one another before those weekends left each other with long hugs and promises that we shall do this again. "It was great." Do it again...really, .work long hours, stand on your feet and serve unseen others and yet feeling blessed and having a great time. What an experience. Please consider volunteering to serve in the kitchen or dining room for our upcoming walks. Coordinators and teams are needed. I am happy to talk with you, meet with you and work with you. DeColores.
Ailene Wood - home 904-4914900, cell 904-583-1344, ailenew@comcast. Thank you in advance for your service
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Chrysalis Testimony
I'm sure you've heard that I am the lay director for flight number 34 in September. One of my team was a caterpillar on the last flight and sent me a very heartfelt testimony that I wanted to share in the hopes that it may be released in the newsletter. T
hank you for your consideration. He
gave me permission to share this:
"Personally what touched me most about the chrysalis retreat and why I loved it so much was that it made me realize who I am as a person and why we act the way we do, it's because God has given each of us gifts and wants us to use them to our full potential and when I was on the retreat you really find out what that gift really is and it basically sets us up for the types of careers and the types of people we want to be with.
This why I feel led to serve because I want the next set of butterflies to experience the love and work of god that I did when I was on my retreat."
Blessings,
Ian Keane
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Upcoming Events/Walks/Chrysalis Flights
Pilgrims needed by September 4th for Walk 79
20 Men and 18 Women
Men's Walk #79 - October 5-8, 2017
Women's Walk #79 - October 12-15, 2017
Chrysalis Flight #34
Which will be held at Mandarin UMC
Girls September 8-10, 2017
Boys September 15-17, 2017
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| Emmaus Newsletter Check with all of your Emmaus friends to ensure that they're getting the newsletter. If they aren't, encourage them to go to the website to sign up, text EMMAUS to 22828 for a signup prompt, or send a note to [email protected]to get their email address added. There are several ways and we want our Community to stay informed! |
| Board of Directors List Community Lay Director - Ernie Busack (904) 779-6499 Asst. Community Lay Director - Kathy Scott (904) 612-4361 Community Spiritual Director - Rev Karl Wiggins (904) 314-1902 Asst. Community Spiritual Director - Rev. Grant Siegfried (904) 646-2698 Treasurer - Debbie Frendahl (904) 509-3927 Men's Team Selection - Bill Adams (904) 771-4268 Women's Team Selection - Barbara Rowe (904) 642-5995 Secretary - Hugh Fletcher (904) 223-4744 Registrar - Verna Fields 771-7450 Agape, Prayer Vigil - Phil Jacobs (904) 406-0105 Gatherings - David Arrington (909) 652-8630 Kitchen Coordinator- Aileen Wood (904) 491-4900 Physical Arrangements - Mike Oakes (904) 434-7444 Music - Joe Alexander (904) 221-5791 Communications Director - RIchard Jacobs (904) 742-5151 Reunion Groups - Vacant Click here for email addresses |
Agape for Chrysalis
Hello again! We are getting closer to the next flight quickly and getting so excited! Teams are preparing, prayer for God's butterflies and protection of all who will be on the weekend is being lifted. There are many changes taking place in Chrysalis as our world is evolving and the Chrysalis Board is constantly working to continue building our community and God's Kingdom! We need your help! We still need to work on getting the prayer vigil filled in! Have you signed up? If not, just go to
www.signupgenius.com
Click search in the upper right corner
After you enter the computer code it will bring up the boys and the girls prayer vigils. Follow the instructions from here and you will be on your way to signing up! Sign up for all the slots you are interested in over the two weekends and it will even send you an email reminder if you would like.
Our Chrysalis 34 & Journey 16 flights will be held at Mandarin UMC.
Girls: September 8
th - 10
th and Boys September 15
th - 17
th.
Pieces of Agape are such a wonderful way the community is able to show God's Love during a weekend! With our community showing an amazing outpouring of Agape items the last couple of weekends, an Agape check in sheet will now be available when dropping off Agape. You will be able to mark the sheet when dropping it off letting the Agape Coordinators know if you want any leftover agape returned and it will be available before closing and again during the Hoot/Gathering held on September 23
rd at Mandarin UMC.
In His service,
Kim Stallings
Important Dates: Note - All events at Mandarin UMC
Send-Off/Sponsor's Hour, 8:15 am: Girls - Fri., Sept. 8; Boys - Fri., Sept. 15
Communion Service, 8:00 pm: Girls - Sat., Sept. 9; Boys - Sat., Sept. 16
Candlelight Service, 9:00 pm: Girls - Sat., Sept. 9 Boys - Sat., Sept. 16
Closing, 4:00 pm: Girls - Sun., Sept. 10; Boys - Sun., Sept. 17
RUSH/4th Day Gathering, 6:00 pm:
Both teams - Sat., Sept. 23
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| ABOUT THE WALK TO EMMAUS The Mission: Empowering Leaders to be the hands and feet of Christ
The Vision: Fourth Day Leaders Embodying Jesus Christ
"I continue to dream and pray about a revival of holiness in our day that moves forth in mission and creates authentic community in which each person can be unleashed through the empowerment of the Spirit to fulfill God's creational intentions." -- Unknown
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| Florida Crown Emmaus PO Box 351588 Jacksonville, FL 32235 flcrownemmaus.com
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2017 Gatherings:
August 19 - Middleburg UMC
September 23 Mandarin UMC Rush/Gathering
October 21 - 4th Day! Orange Park UMC
November 18 - Memorial UMC in Fernandina Beach
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Florida Crown Emmaus
www.floridacrownemmaus.com
Jacksonville, Florida 32235
Communications
904-382-7323 |
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