Florida Crown Emmaus Newsletter
| A Gateway to Christ |
January 2017
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New Beginnings
A new year has begun and with it new opportunities to advance God's kingdom through the Walk to Emmaus. Unlike past years we have begun 2017 with a Walk, and that is an exciting way to start the new year! Hurricane Matthew came along and we thought that meant we had to change our plans for the Women's weekend, but in reality, God's plan was actually at work. Women's Walk #78 took place this past weekend and was an awesome experience of God's love, power, and grace. Even though it was three months from the original date, the team stayed intact and even more pilgrims attended. God is great!
As usual, there are changes on your Florida Crown Emmaus board of directors in 2017. Richard Arklie, Bobby Huff, Linda Gardella, Rev. Marvin Nash, and Linda Twiggs have all rolled off. Please take the time to thank each one of them for their service and commitment. The new board members are Rev. Karl Wiggins (Community Spiritual Director), Hugh Fletcher (Secretary), Barbara Rowe (Women's Team Selection) Mike Oakes (Physical Arrangements), and Lois Stewart (Reunion Groups). In addition, two more new members are joining us to fill positions that have been in flux the past couple of years; David Arrington (Gatherings) and Richard Jacobs (Communications). I look forward to working with them and all of the members of the board.
As many of you know, another change for 2017 is that there is only one Walk scheduled for this year, which is Walk #79 taking place in October. The main reason for this is the limited availability of Camp Team Effort. The board is already working on possible locations suitable for this community to hold Walks so there will be more flexibility in scheduling in the future. If anyone in the community has knowledge of possible locations please pass that on to a board member and we will check them out.
When I made my walk on FCE #54 it was a step of faith just to go on the weekend. When the weekend was over I had a strong desire to become involved and serve in some way, but I believed at the time that I would never be able to serve as a table leader, give a talk, or be an ALD or lay director. I would not have felt worthy or qualified to be a member of the board. So, what changed? One great revelation that God gave to me on that weekend and over the next days, weeks, and months was that it is not about believing that I am worthy or qualified; it is all about being willing and trusting that God is always faithful. From that point, whether in Emmaus, my church, or wherever I am the effect of that weekend on my life has led me to say yes to most of the opportunities God has put before me. And when I do say yes I always see His faithfulness even when things don't turn out the way I expected or wanted. This just shows me that it is not about what I do but what He does, sometimes in spite of me. I feel humbled and privileged to be serving with you, the Florida Crown Emmaus community, as we move into this new year and I thank you for all that you do to make Jesus more real to people through this ministry we call Emmaus. Decolores!
"Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." 2 Corinthians 3:4-5
In His Service,
Ernie Busack
Community Lay Director
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW PILGRIMS
In October 2016 our WALK #78 included 19 men. Please welcome them to our Emmaus Community:
George Ackley Richard Armistead Ervin Bartley
Kevin Beale James Collins Ronald Elliott
Thomas Everett Chad Fowler Mark Hensley
Barry Kendall Alan Ketchum Allen McBride
Gene Melton Kevin Roye Terry Schofield
Jamie Smith Robert Sweatland Martin Tubbs
Jim Wilson
In January 2017, Walk 78 included 32 women: Please welcome them to the community.
Gloria Ackley Nikki Angelo Joanna Armistead
Bonnie Boothe Beth Boyd Amy Buggle
Molli Collins Rosie Cox Darlene Curtiss
Carol Dannenfelser Deb Donald Patty Durden
Nancy Elliott Yolanda Elmore Liz Foster
Donna Johnson Leslie Kendal Roxie Kulczynski
Jude McBride Nickie Owens Patty Peacock
Beverly Phillips Vera Pierce Jan Ruth
Charlotte Shepherd Angelee Smith Vashti Strickland
Shirley Terrell Tammy Thomas Peg Washington
Nikki Wood
Verna Fields, Registrar
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Becoming Transformed
I would like to start out this new chapter within the Emmaus Community; by expressing my gratitude to God for allowing me the opportunity to serve you as your Community Spiritual Director. I have been praying over Florida Crown Emmaus, and what this new season means to God. The word "Transformed" came to my spirit. The more I pondered this word, the more I felt lifted up by the Power of the Holy Spirit through this word. Transforming lives, is what God does, and the Emmaus Community is one of the avenues which God uses to increase His Kingdom. Remembering a particular passage about a transformed community, I turned to Acts 4:32-35. I encourage you to read this Scripture asking God to reveal its meaning to you through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I asked myself, "How did this "Acts" community come to be transformed?" That's the question I am pondering as I write this article. I went back to Scripture to find the answer. I discovered Peter was a central figure in this community. Peter healed a man who had been crippled since birth. The power brokers told him to stop healing, but Peter said he was supposed to obey God, not men. Those men recognized that Peter was unschooled and ordinary, but they realized he had been with God. Thus, the game changer for Peter was his encounter with the living Christ. This was the same Peter who denied Jesus, the same Peter who had been reinstated after pledging his love to Jesus and given a new mission? Yes, Peter had been transformed! Peter went from vehemently denying Jesus to proclaiming Him boldly to the world. This encounter was not a one time occurrence, rather a continuous encounter, a continuous transformation that should be taken place in all who profess Jesus as Lord. This should not be a little fuzzy feeling, rather a transformation that rocks us to our very core.
As I think about this, is this not the sole purpose of why we exist as the Emmaus Community. Let's go back to my question- can a community be transformed? Absolutely. But it begins with the influence of those who have been transformed. My prayer is that we will be so transformed by Jesus, that we can't help but show Him to the world. It is my prayer that as we move forward, the presence of the Holy Spirit will be so palatable that we cannot help but emulate this power of transformation to the world, not because of us, but in spite of us, Jesus Reigns from Glory to Glory.
DeColores
Community Spiritual Director
Karl Wiggins
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Welcome
First, I would like to welcome all of the new pilgrims from Women's Walk #78 into the fellowship of the Emmaus community! Now that you are living in your Fourth Day, which as you learned on your weekend is every day for the rest of your life, please remember that this community is here to help you. Over the course of your three day Emmaus weekend the life in grace offered to us by Jesus Christ was discussed in great detail through the fifteen talks. Those talks made the clear point that we cannot do this alone, nor does God expect us to even try. Staying in contact with Jesus and with fellow believers is what it takes for encouragement and accountability as we strive to live the life in grace. Following is a recap of some things to remember as you journey in your Fourth Day.
o Find and join a Reunion Group and begin practicing the disciplines of piety, study, and action. Remember, this takes commitment on your part in order to grow in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
o Find your place to serve in your local church. Be open to new opportunities.
o Attend the monthly Emmaus Gatherings and be active in supporting the Emmaus community.
o Volunteer to be a part of a committee that supports the FCE board and all of the Emmaus activities.
o Participate in the activities of Walk weekends: attend Send-Off, Candlelight, and Closing; serve meals and sign up and pray as part of the 72 hour Prayer Vigil. There is always something to do!
o Volunteer (with a servant spirit) during Walk weekends. Whether you serve in support roles or on the conference room team, what a great way to show your agape love to others! Remember, no one individual or position is any more or less important when serving on an Emmaus weekend.
o Sponsor others to attend the Walk to Emmaus! Share your joy!
Again, we welcome you to your new Emmaus community!
Decolores!
Ernie Busack
Community Lay Director
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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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| Upcoming Events 4th Day Gathering! Jan 28, 2017 Southside UMC 3120 Hendricks Ave Jacksonville, FL 32207  Chrysalis Flight March 3-5, 2017 Girls Cheryl Branyon LD March 10-12, 2017 Boys Joe Burns LD Men's Walk #79 Oct 5-8, 2017 Women's Walk #7 Oct 12-15, 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! |
 The Walk to Emmaus is a gift from God!!
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| 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 - Lois Stewart (904) 310-6295 Click here for email addresses |
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2017 Gatherings
January 28 - 4th Day Southside UMC
February 18 - 1st UMC Starke
March 18 - Rush! Swaim UMC
April 22 -New Friendship Baptist
May 20 -
June 17 -
August 19 -
September 16 - Lakeshore UMC
October 21 - 4th Day! Orange Park UMC
November 18 -
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MEET
OUR COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR!
My name is Richard Jacobs I am the new Communications Board representative. I originally made my Walk on Florida Crown Emmaus Walk Number 26 where I sat at the table of Luke. I have served on several Walk teams. I am married to the love of my life Lesa. I have a 26 year old son who is disabled and he lives in an Independent/Supported Living Home. I am a Special Education Teacher with Duval County Public Schools, I have been teaching for 11 years. Before that I spent 22 years in the Navy and retired from that in February 2005. I am looking forward to serving this Emmaus Community as the Communications representative.
Richard Jacobs
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DeColores and Happy New Year!
As the year 2017 begins I also begin a commitment of serving on the Florida Crown Emmaus Board in the role of Women's Team Selection. I attended FCE Walk #21 in February 1998 and God's timing was perfectly planned for me to attend at that time. I was the shy, quiet pilgrim at my table and wondered, "what in the world have I gotten myself into and why am I here?"
My Fourth Day for the past 19 years has seen its ups and downs just like any other person. Fast forward to 2017 and once again this shy, quiet pilgrim is taking another step of faith to serve on the Florida Crown Emmaus Board. With God's help and your prayers, I look forward to being a humble servant in leading the women's teams' selection committee for the next three years and once again it's all in His perfect timing.
Is it your time to serve on a team? Answer God's call and complete a volunteer form now. They are available online, at gatherings or call me at 904-642-5995. When you serve on a team you will be blessed beyond measure and then some. Don't hesitate, complete your application TODAY! To God be the glory.
Barbara Rowe
Women's Team Selection
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