January 1992
Grace to You and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

A few years ago, a dear friend opened a Communion meditation at an Emmaus Gathering with the salutation above from Philemon.  If you look through the Epistles of Paul, the Apostle addressed each letter to those he loved in nearly the same manner, as did Peter, John and Jude.  I can think of no better way to greet the Body of Christ as we begin a New Year in the Service of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  As I write this first letter of 1992, I pray for each of you, the full measure of the Grace of God the Father, and Jesus Christ, His Son, and all the Peace that this Grace can afford.

In his letter last month, Joe May noted that he would step aside as Lay Director of Fredericksburg Emmaus at the end of December.  At the Gathering in December Joe told us he had started the process to become an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church which would take too much of his time for him to continue to lead this Community.  

I want to recognize the fine work that Joe and the original Steering Committee members have done, with Christ at their side, to bring Fredericksburg Emmaus to the point of presenting two highly successful Walks this past Fall.  Few can realize the amount of work required to start such a Community from scratch.  But with His help, fewer than 20 people carried the full burden, much of it falling squarely on Joe and one or two others, as time before the weekends grew close.  And as a result, 50 Pilgrims have experienced the Grace of God firsthand, complete with Rainbows, and been challenged to recommit themselves to a renewed life of Discipleship equipped with new tools, Piety, Study and Action.  To Joe and the other members of the Steering Committee, I know Jesus joins me in saying, "Well Done, Good and Faithful Servants!!!"

Your Steering Committee is committed to carrying on the high standards and good work that has gone before.  We have two primary objectives as we proceed into 1992.  First and foremost is to ensure the success of F'burg 3 & 4.  Second is to formalize the structure of Fredericksburg Emmaus.  To formally establish Fredericksburg Emmaus as a non-profit Christian organization, we must approve a set of by-laws, and elect a Board of Directors to direct the Community in place of the Steering Committee.  This is about a six month process and we will keep you informed of progress through the newsletter and at Gatherings.  The Gatherings will be very important as they will provide the forum for voting on by-laws and for the Board members.

At its regular meeting, prior to the December Gathering, the Steering Committee elected me to fill the position of Steering Committee Chairman for the next few months until an elected Board of Directors can be put in place.  I accept this responsibility with true humility.  There is a great deal of work in front of us.  I ask for your whole hearted prayer, and your full support, as I work with the Steering Committee members to support you, and Fredericksburg Emmaus, in Service to our Lord and Saviour.

Love in Christ

Steve Seiden

The Next Fredericksburg Gathering

What:	Fredericksburg Emmaus Community Gathering
Where:	Eastland United Methodist Church
Why:	Pot Luck, Fellowship, and Worship
When:	Steering Committee	- 4:00 PM, January 11, 1992
	Pot Luck 	- 6:00 PM, January 11, 1992
	Worship	- 7:00 PM, January 11, 1992
How:	In Grace of Our God & Fellowship of His Holy Spirit

The Fredericksburg Emmaus Community looks forward to seeing each of you at the monthly Gatherings (known as "Ultreyas" elsewhere).  Our Gatherings are open to fellowship for all Christians whether you have been to an Emmaus/Chrysalis/Cursillo Walk or not.  Feel free to bring friends or guests from your church to share in the Grace of our God.

For directions, see the map elsewhere in this newsletter.

Newsletter Articles

Please submit newsletter material by the first Saturday after each Gathering so that the newsletter can be mailed at least two weeks before the next Gathering.  The newsletter editor is:

Steve Seiden
2019 Admiral Drive
Stafford VA 22554
703-659-8953

Upcoming Weekends

Dates	Weekend	Dates	Weekend	
Jan. 30 thru Feb. 2, 1992	Tidewater Coed* Chrysalis 1	Feb. 14 thru 17, 1992	Nat. Cap. Coed Chrysalis 15	
Feb. 14 thru 17, 1992	Tidewater Coed Chrysalis 4	March 5 thru 8, 1992	Nat. Cap. Emmaus Men's 45	
March 19 thru 22, 1992	Maryland Emmaus Men's 21	March 26 thru 29, 1992	F'burg Emmaus Men's 3	
April 2 thru 5, 1992	Maryland Emmaus Women's 22	April 2 thru 5, 1992	Richmond Emmaus Women's 14	
April 2 thru 5, 1992	West VA Emmaus Men's 24	April 23 thru 26, 1992	Nat. Cap. Emmaus Women's 46	
April 23 thru 26, 1992	Southwest VA Emmaus Men's 9	Apr 30 thru May 3, 1992	F'burg Emmaus Women's 4	
April 30 thru May 3, 1992	Tidewater Emmaus Men's 16	April 30 thru May 3, 1992	West VA Emmaus Women's 25	
May 7 thru 10, 1992	Richmond Emmaus Men's 15	May 7 thru 10, 1992	VA Kairos (Prison Min.) Men's 5	
May 14 thru 17, 1992	Southwest VA Emmaus Women's 10	May 14 thru 17, 1992	Tidewater Emmaus Women's 17	
May 28 thru 31, 1992	Nat. Cap. Emmaus Men's 47	May 28 thru 31, 1992	Southside VA Emmaus Men's 1	
June 4 thru 7, 1992	Maryland Emmaus Women's 23	June 4 thru 7, 1992	Richmond Emmaus Women's 16	
June 18 thru 21, 1992	Southside VA Emmaus Women's 2	June 25 thru 28, 1992	Nat. Cap. Emmaus Men's 48	
August 13 thru 16, 1992	Nat. Cap. Coed Chrysalis 16	Sep. 9 thru 12, 1992	Maryland Emmaus Men's 24	
Sep. 24 thru 27, 1992	Nat. Cap. Emmaus Men's 49	Sep. 24 thru 27, 1992	Richmond Emmaus Men's 17	
Sep. 24 thru 27, 1992	VA Kairos (Prison Min.) Men's 6	Sep. 24 thru 27, 1992	West VA Emmaus Men's 26	
Oct. 1 thru 4, 1992	Maryland Emmaus Women's 25	Oct. 15 thru 18, 1992	Richmond Emmaus Women's 18	
Oct. 15 thru 18, 1992	Southwest VA Emmaus Men's 11	Oct. 22 thru 25, 1992	Nat. Cap. Emmaus Women's 50	
Oct. 29 thru Nov. 1, 1992	Harrisonburg Emmaus Men's 1	Oct. 29 thru Nov. 1, 1992	Maryland Emmaus Men's 26	
Oct. 29 thru Nov. 1, 1992	Southwest VA Emmaus Women's 12	Oct. 29 thru Nov. 1, 1992	Tidewater Emmaus Men's 18	
Nov. 5 thru 8, 1992	Harrisonburg Emmaus Women's 2	Nov. 12 thru 15, 1992	Tidewater Emmaus Women's 19	

*  College Age

Thoughts from the Lay Director - F'burg 4

"And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee:  fear not, neither be dismayed."	Deuteronomy 31:8

And the Lord said, "Go".  And I said, "Who me"?  And He said, "Yes".  And I said, "But I am afraid".  And He said, "I will be with you".

When the Lord asks us to do His work, it can be a task we never thought we could handle.  But as I prayed about this job of Weekend Lay Director of Fredericksburg Emmaus #4, I knew He would be beside me every step of the way.  He will be directing me and choosing those who will be working with me.  He knows us all so very well and makes just the right choices to fulfill His purpose every time there is a "Walk to Emmaus" weekend.  From leadership roles, to pilgrim selection, to community angels.  The Lord is in charge.  And no matter what we humans do to try to direct things our way, He always prevails.  And isn't it a blessing that He does?

If the Lord leads you to work on the team, please get your application in to Steve Seiden as soon as possible.  The selection of the team will begin in the next couple weeks.  If the Lord leads you to sponsor a pilgrim, we need that application right away also.

The dates for the ladies weekend will be April 30 through May 3, 1992 and will be held at the Easter Seal Camp at Bowling Green, VA.

Please keep Fredericksburg Emmaus #4 in your prayers.  I love you all.  May God bless each and every one of you.

DeColores.

Kathryn Morris

Applications

In case you haven't thought of it too seriously yet, the time for submission of applications for F'burg 3 & 4 is now.  Because 3 & 4 are less than five months away, there is no slack time after 1 & 2.  The Weekend Lay Director/Spiritual Director Selection Committee will meet and make recommendations in the next couple of weeks.  The Team Selection Committee for 3 must meet in December and the Pilgrim Selection Committee for 3 should have over 30 applications to review in January.  Please try to submit applications in accord with the following time table:

F'burg 3	F'burg 4	
Team	December 6, 1991 *	Team	January 10, 1992	
Pilgrims	January 10, 1992	Pilgrims	February 7, 1992	

*  It may not be late to apply to serve on F'burg 3.  The team is being invited now and there may still be room.  There is definitely a need for more applications for F'burg 4.

Have you applied to serve on F'burg 3 or 4?

What Can You Do??

To continue its good work in support of the church, Emmaus needs laborers.  As we prepare for F'burg 3 & 4, and to formalize the structure of the Fredericksburg Emmaus Community, we need to fill many jobs within the Community.  Some jobs, such as treasurer, should appropriately be filled by a Board (or Steering Committee) Member.  However, most jobs can be performed by willing volunteers, totally independently of the Community leadership.  Filling these jobs is important to share the workload of the Community, and to ensure specific weekend related work is completed to extend Christ's work through Emmaus to many others.  If you feel led to volunteer your services without sacrificing your work for your local church, or infringing on other priorities, contact Steve Seiden @ 703-659-8953, or any other active member of the Steering Committee.  The following F'burg Emmaus Community jobs need to be filled:

Newsletter Editor	Registrar for Team & Pilgrims	Sponsor's Hour/Candlelight Coord.	
Snack Coordinator	Prayer Chapel Agape Coordinator	Facility Cleanup Coordinator	
Day of Deeper Coordinator	Fourth Day/Gathering Coordinator	Child Care Coordinator	

One other important need is for storage space for weekend materials.  We have several footlockers and other items that require year round weather protected storage with occasional access by the Community Supply/Material Coordinator and/or Weekend Lay Directors.  Half a garage or an empty basement or bedroom is ideal.  We are currently paying for commercial storage at $47.00 per month, so if you can donate such space near Fredericksburg, it would be a valuable contribution to the Community.

Prayer Requests

A column will be open each month for Prayer Requests.  Submit your praises or needs to the newsletter editor, Steve Seiden @ 703-659-8953, by the first Saturday after each Gathering:

Meg Thomas - Cancer 21 year old	George - Mental hospital	
Marie, Carol & David - Poor health, prayers for healing	Gene - Cancer
Richmond Chrysalis 1 - January 2-5, 1992	
Christmas focus - On the Birth of Christ child, not commercialism	Diane Deckert - Cancer
Alice Young - Depression	
Lillian Goodson - Divided family
Holiday travelers	National Capital College Age Chrysalis - January 2-5, 1992	
Steve & Karen Klix - Seeking custody of children	Shirley - Paraplegic	
Tony - Drinking problem	Prayers for our church	
Joys - Thank-you Lord for F'burg Emmaus Comm. 
That Elsie, Christine & Kris will all be here for Christmas
To make my first meeting
Family	Prayers in helping family find church
Healing for Julie & Judy Cover
Health restored to Archie Cover
Howard Glenn - Cancer
Joyce Jones & Family
Prayer for all those traveling at Christmas	
Families of Eula Bushong & Roberta Parker	The Unsaved of Mexico City	
A dear friend as he adjusts to losing a leg	Family	
Families from Belmont Apts. who were burned out	Tim Johnson - God's guidance in my daily life	
Glen Hanks (Garland's Father) - Recovery from surgery	Goldie Meadows (Brenda Sunderlin's Grandmother) - Recovery from broken hip	
Prayers for Willie Pullen - A prisoner at Buckingham Correctional Center	Praise for Steve's healing	

DeColores!!

Second Mile Giving for Emmaus
(above and beyond what you've pledged to your local church)

As the Lord leads you, please help our Community remain financially sound by indicating how you wish your contribution toward the ongoing expenses of the Upper Room Emmaus of the Greater Fredericksburg Area.  If you are unable to attend a Gathering or Closing where offerings are taken, contributing through the mail is another way to support Emmaus.

Please apply my donation as follows:

_____	Defray the cost of printing and mailing the newsletter	
	(approximately 50 to 75 cents per issue)	
		
_____	Scholarship for a youth to attend a Chrysalis weekend (in neighboring Communities)	
	(approximately $100.00 per caterpillar)	
		
_____	Scholarship for an adult to attend a Fredericksburg Emmaus weekend	
	($130.00 per pilgrim)	
		
_____	Emmaus general expenses	

Many things are required to make a weekend possible, and your contribution of time and talent is as important as your money.  Each weekend needs support through donations of snack/food agape, names for the prayer vigil for prayer support during the weekend, a prayer wheel, decorated placemats, grace cards, door tags, bed tags, and nametags.  You may want to be in service by serving on a team or volunteering to serve on a committee.  Will you allow God to use you as His instrument?  Through God we can do anything, and it can be exciting to be His instrument to get things done.

_____	I wish to contribute my time and talent as follows:  _____________________________

_____________________________________________________________________	
		
_____	I wish to serve on a team.  Please send me a Fredericksburg Emmaus Team application.	
		
Name	______________________________________________________________________	
		
Address	____________________________________________________________________	
		
City, State & Zip	_____________________________________________________________	

Return this form to:	Fredericksburg Emmaus
	PO Box 972
	Stafford, Virginia 22554

Words to Grow By

			
God is like Ford,			
He has a better idea.			
God is like Coke,			
He is the real thing.			
God is like Pan Am,			
He makes the going great.			
God is like Bayer Aspirin,			
He works wonders.			
God is like Ivory Soap,			
He is 100% pure.			
God is like General Electric,			
He lights your path.			
God is like Pepsi,		Love Came Down	
He's got a lot to give.			
God is like VO5 hair spray,		Love came down at Christmas,	
He holds through all kinds of weather.		A manger was His bed.	
God is like a Mattel toy,		To Bethlehem came wise men	
You can tell He's swell.		Who by a star was led.	
God is like Tide,			
He gets the dirt out that others leave behind.		The shepherds on the hillside	
God is like American Oil,		Heard angels sing His birth,	
You can expect more from him and you get it.		And followed, too, the star light	
God is like Hallmark Cards,		To find that Peace on Earth.	
He cared enough to send the very best!!			
		The wise men gave Him treasures	
		And shepherds told afar.	
		Each served in his own manner	
		The Babe that caused the star.	
			
		So now we have this season	
		To learn of love and light:	
		And know that king and shepherd	
		Are equal in God's sight.	
			
		© Pearl Eastburg 12/14/84