Florida Crown Emmaus Newsletter
| A Gateway to Christ |
September 2017 |
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Who Are You Investing In?
At first my question may sound like a commercial for an investment firm, a new break-through technology, a sky-rocketing stock, or even a pitch to buy some precious metals. But my question involves something of much greater value than any of these. The question I am asking involves our Lord and Savior's call for us to invest our lives in others. All other investments will pass away, but those you love into the Kingdom will last for all eternity!
In the gospel of John, chapter 17, we are allowed to listen in as Jesus prays to the Father on behalf of his disciples. Even though his disciples no longer belong to the world, Jesus "doesn't ask the Father to take them out of the world, but rather to protect them from the evil one", (John
17:15). Jesus is asking the Father to allow the disciples to remain in the world that they might invest their lives in those around them: "As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world." (John
17:18)
Jesus then goes on and includes you and me, and those who will come to know him because we invested our lives in them: "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their work...". (John
17:20) You and I would not be walking with Jesus today if others had not invested in us. Ordinary men and women, just like us with all our shortcomings, enjoy the blessing and privilege of investing in eternity as we share our Master's love with others!
Through the
Emmaus Walk, Kairos, Chrysalis, and every other expression of Christian witness, sharing, and serving you are an investor with dividends and returns that will last through all eternity! That's awesome and the most wonderful bountiful investment you will ever make! "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." - Jesus as He prays for His Disciples - John 17:3
DeColores,
Assistant Spiritual Director,
Grant Siegfried
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God's Time
Almost one year ago hurricane Matthew made its presence felt all along the east coast of Florida and led to the postponement of Women's Walk #78. Today hurricane Irma is on a similar track and that has led to our Chrysalis Flights being postponed until January 2018. Without question the most important thing is for everyone to make it through the storm safe and sound and that is my prayer. But one thing we experienced last year was just how much God is in control. Women's Walk #78 was awesome and truly demonstrated the perfection of God's timing! I believe we will witness the same with the Chrysalis weekends in January.
In the meantime, Men's and Women's Walk #79 are set to go the weekends of October 5-8 and October 12-15. There is plenty of room for more pilgrims on both weekends so be in prayer for those who God may have placed on your heart and intentional about offering to sponsor them; then help them fill out and application and send it in to Verna Fields, our community registrar.
Remember, there are many ways to serve before and during the Walks; signing up for the Prayer Vigil, serving with the Outside Team, serving meals and helping clean up and set up the dining room, praying in the Chapel, making agape, and attending Sponsors Hour, Candlelight, and Closing. Come and join in the experience and receive a blessing.
Praying that all of you and your loved ones stay safe through Irma and any other storm life sends your way.
Decolores!
Ernie Busack
Community Lay Director
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Calling ALL....
Yes! We are calling on
ALL past lay directors, participating members of the Florida Crown Emmaus community and any persons interested in being part of the FCE Board of Directors (you remember us? The decision-making team elected by you, the members!)!!
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
It is that time of the year when elections are around the corner to replace the members of the FCE Board who are rolling off at the completion of their term of office.
What positions are vacant you might ask? Here's the rundown:
Agape Coordinator: Responsible for all prayer chains, returning leftover agape and encouraging members to send agape for the Weekend participants. For more details, contact Phil Jacobs.
Men's Team Selection chair: Organize a committee to recommend and select FCE and/or prior Chrysalis and Journey members to serve on Weekend teams, as well as assisting in the training and constant communication with the Weekend leadership teams, reporting back to the FCE board with pertinent information and specific needs.
For more details, contact Bill Adams.
Reunion Groups coordinator: Help new pilgrims locate reunion groups with openings in or near their home or work location. Additionally, it is strongly encouraged that a list of reunion groups be available to assist in the process, as well as heading a team (or committee) from various areas in the FCE "district". For more details contact Linda Twiggs OR any current member of the FCE board.
Treasurer: Handle all financial needs for the Florida Crown Emmaus community by making deposits, keeping track of PayPal payments, gifts to the community, paying all bills and keeping records of all transactions. The treasurer also participates in the annual audit of both the FCE and FCChrysalis community financial reports. For more details, contact Debbie Frendahl.
If you are a past Lay Director, we especially ask that you consider taking a board position, as only Past Weekend Lay Directors who are currently on the Board are eligible to serve as Community Lay Director or Assistant Community Lay Director. Please understand, also, that board members may not serve on a Weekend team during their term of office OTHER THAN as the Board Representative. Due to this requirement, we highly recommend prayerful consideration before submitting your name for the ballot.
All board members are committing to abide by the Upper Room covenant, attend all board meetings, Gatherings and Weekend events. We do understand things come up and other commitments may prevent attendance of every meeting or event, however, we do ask that you be as diligent as possible in participating fully.
If you have questions or are interested in joining the leadership of our community, please contact ANY seated board member. We will be glad to answer all questions, concerns and most certainly we will gladly accept your willingness to serve our community.
Pray today and then answer whatever call our Lord places on your heart. It is only with willing volunteers that our Emmaus Community can continue to be a vital part of God's plan in Northeast Florida.
Answering His call,
Kathy Scott
Asst. Community Lay Director
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Calling All Prayer Warriors
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We serve a loving and awesome God whose mighty work is all around!! I'm excited for the upcoming walks. To me, there is just something so very special and indescribable about being at Camp. Perhaps it is the ANTICIPATION that God WILL do amazing things and lives will change before our eyes.
Here's a special opportunity to partner with God during this time. FCE Walk #79 prayer vigils are up and running! It is said many times during the weekend that Prayer is the lever that can move the world, so take your turn on that lever.
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DeColores,
Phil Jacobs
Agape Coordinator
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Calling all who are Crafty... And those who do not think they are...
God's unconditional, unmerited love is shown in many ways on an Emmaus Weekend. One of the most tangible ways is through Agape. Do you remember the excitement that you felt the first time you walked back in to the Conference Room and there were little Trinkets in your place at the table? Do you remember blowing bubbles, finding mints on your pillow, making the rooster "cluck" at dinner, or just reading the messages of Agape Love from people that you did not even know? Well, those things did not happen by accident, they happened because somebody cared enough about you to make it happen. As we look in to the very near future, Walk 79 will be upon us.
So now is the time, all of you who are crafty, and those of you who think you are not, to get together with your Reunion Groups and get that AGAPE ready. Whether it is intricate bead work, pretty gems, or fishers of men, each item is an expression of God's Love displayed for His people, by His people. We serve a God of abundant Love so love abundantly. Please remember when preparing Agape to prepare a minimum of 55 matching pieces for each Walk weekend.
DeColores,
Phil Jacobs
Agape Coordinator
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SEEKING PILGRIMS FOR WALK #79
Do you remember the joy and love you felt overwhelming you during your walk? Don't you want to share God's love with others? The way to do that is to sponsor someone on the Walk to Emmaus.
The goal of the Emmaus Board is to see every walk filled to capacity! That's
28 men and
28 women. This number has been established due to the limitations of the facilities we are currently using. The decision deadline for our next Walk is
September 4, 2017. At this time we have 4 men and 10 women. We need
at least 20 for each walk. You have an opportunity to register online or to print the applications and mail them to me. Don't procrastinate! God is depending on us to take action. God will lay someone on your heart and it is up to us to do the next steps.
God puts all kinds of opportunities in your life to share about the Walk to Emmaus. Look for these opportunities to share the Walk to Emmaus.
Please remember that for the application to be complete, I must have the completed Pilgrim's application, the sponsor application and a deposit of $25.00. The deposit may be done on PayPal or you may mail a check to me at the address below. Make checks payable to FLORIDA CROWN EMMAUS (FCE).
I look forward to serving you,Verna Fields, Registrar
4956 Red Pine Court,
Jacksonville, FL 32210
904-771-7450
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LEADING OUR PILGRIMS
Serving as a sponsor to a pilgrim carries with it the responsibility of leading that pilgrim not only through the three day walk but throughout the fourth day. Responsibilities of the sponsor
during and after the walk include:
- Getting your pilgrim to send off between 6:45 - 7:00 p.m. and assisting with check in
- Introducing your pilgrim to others through send off
- SPENDING TIME IN PRAYER over the pilgrim's cross at the sendoff
- Signing up for the 72 hour prayer vigil
- During the 72 hours checking on your pilgrim's family to provide necessary assistance
- Attending Saturday communion/Candlelight service
- Providing the 12 LETTERS of agape by the candlelight service
- Being at closing.
- Getting the new member to the gathering after the walk and introducing him/her into the Emmaus Community.
- Helping the Emmaus Member get linked to a reunion group.
- Teaching the new Emmaus Member how to be a good sponsor and being sure he/she understands the responsibilities of good sponsorship.
- Telling the pilgrim how to serve the Emmaus community in future Walks.
If you are not sure of any of these responsibilities, ask a board member.
Blessings in Christ,
Verna Fields
Registrar
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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:
Sept. 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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