Menu

The Walk to Emmaus

"Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus.  While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them...their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.  They said to each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?' "

The Gospel of Luke 24:13, 15, 31-32

Merry Christmas everyone!  What a great time of the year.  All of the fun and excitement about Christmas giving, good cheer, and helping folks less fortunate than us is combined with the Celebration of the Birth of our Lord and Savior.  Hard to imagine the thoughts of the virgin Mary and her supportive husband, Joseph, as they were anticipating the transformation that comes with starting a family.  And beyond that, raising the Son of God!  We talk about serving as the hands and feet of Christ.  This couple stepped up big and must have had a number of concerns about how this would turn out.  And they must have had a ton of faith.

Every time I hear the song, “Mary Did You Know”, particularly this time of year, my heart is touched.  The lyrics, “when you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God.”  How special we have felt when we kissed the face of our children and grandchildren.  We thought we were kissing the face of God who provided us with a most special gift.

Thanks Community, for a great year 2018 !  Appreciate your presence, support, prayers, encouragement ,and service.

Thanks Community for sharing the Emmaus Walk and ministry with 161 new pilgrims during the year.

Each new year has uncertainty that comes with unpredictable happenings.  Also each new year brings the possibility of taking positive steps to improve our spiritual and physical lives.  As we continue our spiritual growth in 2019, we can look forward to serving our Lord and responding to the call of being His feet and hands.  If your joy in serving is Emmaus we look forward to your help again this year.

In review, we can see continued involvement of the 4th Day Community.  We would like to expand this involvement in 2019.  Looks like, on average, if we are able to add just 5 additional pilgrims to each Walk, they would be full.  By your proactive involvement in asking friends and family about going on an Emmaus Walk, we could possibly have waiting lists to help ensure full walks for the year.  If you don’t have a place of service, prayfully the Lord will bless you with one this year.

Emmaus Walk leadership for 2019 has been identified and is posted.  Add these folks to your prayer list in support of developing their walks.  In addition, Team Selection has pulled together the list of prospective team members for the Spring Walks.  These folks will be contacted and asked to work the walks.  If you are contacted, give serious consideration to your serving.  Serving as most folks will tell you deepens the Emmaus blessing and joy of serving.

Congratulations to our newly elected HNEC Board members:  Donna Drabek, Diana Malin, Jill Oliver Corey Worthen, Mike Allen, Kevin McMachen, Scotty Scott, and Douz Spitz.  These people truly have servant hearts and will be great additions to the board.  Although not elected to the board, Matt Pearce and Laura McMeans did the community a great service just by stepping up and running.  As the Board forms its committees for the upcoming year, we hope to find a place where they can put their talents to use.  If you are interested in serving on a committee, the board always needs volunteers.  Take a moment to go to the list of the current Board of Directors, look up the area that you feel passionate about and reach out to the person leading that area for the Board.

Finally, I’d like to announce that Rick Bruce has been elected to serve as the Community Lay Director  for 2019.  In addition, Tammie Walterbach has accepted the role of Assistant Community Lay Director, to serve in the 2020 calendar year.  If you know these folks you understand what a blessing it is for the Community to have their leadership.  Both have extensive Emmaus experience.  Tammie has served on the Board once before.

The most outstanding qualification for both is their Emmaus HEART!  Don’t be shy!  Drop them a note of appreciation and support.  Their emails are Rick Bruce (Rickbrucer@gmail.com) and Tammie Walterbach (Tammielahman@yahoo.com).

The HNEC Community continues to be a great place to serve and further expand your spiritual growth.  Jump in for 2019 so we can utilize the talents the Lord has blessed you with.

  DeColores!