June 1992

Dear Friends Who Love God, 1

During the May Gathering I shared how the "Prayer to the Holy Spirit" was special to me, and how I had discovered that at least some of its text, "Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth", was taken directly from the scriptures.  I was unable to quote the verse directly, but have since found it again in Psalm 104, verse 30.  Several things are interesting about this verse.  First, the Psalmist identifies the Spirit as the creator.  Genesis 1:2 identifies the Spirit of God in the creation of the earth and mankind.  Second, the conjunction "and" implies that through our creation, we are instruments of renewal.  In Revelation 22, when all things are to be made new, Jesus tells John that He is "the Beginning and the End (Rev. 22:13), and "both David's Root and his Descendant"  (Rev. 22:16).  And verse 17 says that the "Spirit and the bride say 'Come'  Let each one who hears them say the same 'Come'.  Let the thirsty one come––Any-one who wants to; let him come and drink the Water of Life without charge."  The Spirit and the church (bride) call man to renewal, and those who hear are instructed to call others.  Third, he identifies God as the renewer of the earth.  It is we who are created, and we who accept God's call to "pass it on" to others, but it is God ("…you shall renew…") who is responsible for the harvest.  It is the Spirit that produces fruit, "love, joy, peace, …" (Gal. 5:22-23).  

As an Emmaus Community, and as members of the church, the Body of Christ, we are called to a life of Discipleship.  In one outline for the "Discipleship" Talk that I have used, it tells us to make a friend, be a friend, and bring a friend to Jesus, and then it cautions the speaker to remind the listeners that, "The duty is ours, but the results are God's".  We are Christ centered, and trust that the work we are called to is in faithful obedience to His call.  We have the assurance that we have been created as a fruit of His Spirit, and that the work we do is both directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

As we head into the election of a Board of Directors and the final steps of establishing our formal Fredericksburg Emmaus Community, let us remember who we serve.  Let us recommit the Emmaus Community and the selection of its leadership to the Holy Spirit.  Commit yourselves to prayer, that the Spirit may select the new Board.  And follow the Spirit daily, that the world may see that our Emmaus Community is a community of "Followers", like Peter and his fellow Disciples, who truly follow the Shepherd.

And the march goes on •••!  

Steve Seiden

Summer Gatherings

The June Gathering will be at St. Matthias UMC in Falmouth on June 13th.  In July, August and September, Gatherings will be at Mitchell's Presbyterian in Mitchell's, VA. near Culpeper.  A map will be provided in the July Newsletter.

Because of the rapid growth in the size of the Fredericksburg Emmaus Community, and space limitations of many of our churches, such as Eastland and Mitchell's, the Steering Committee has decided to change the format of our Gatherings during the summer months.  We will not have a Pot Luck at Mitchell's.  Rather, we will start with music at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary, and will ask the Community to bring light snacks and beverages for refreshments and fellowship in the fellowship hall after the closing of the Gathering.

Pot Lucks have been a very special and intimate part of our Emmaus fellowship as an infant Community.  But as we rapidly grow, fewer and fewer churches can support them.  The new Board will review the format for Gatherings after the summer months.

The Next Fredericksburg Gathering

What:	Fredericksburg Emmaus Community Gathering
Where:	St. Matthias United Methodist Church
Why:	Pot Luck, Fellowship, and Worship
When:	Steering Committee	- 4:00 PM, June 13, 1992
	Steering Committee adjourn:	- Not later than 5:45
	Pot Luck	- 6:00 PM, June 13, 1992
	Grace before the Pot luck:	- Promptly at 6:00
	End of meal & clean-up	- 6:40
	Worship	- 7:00 PM, June 13, 1992
	Begin music for the Gathering	- Promptly at 7:00
	Opening Prayer of Gathering	- 7:20
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.

Upcoming Weekends

Dates	Weekend	Dates	Weekend
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 Women'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. 8 thru 11, 1992	F'burg Emmaus Men's 5
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	Nov. 19 thru 22, 1992	F'burg Emmaus Women's 6

Reunion Groups

Small groups are the backbone of keeping the fires burning.  The weekly challenge to Study, Piety and Action as well as the special fellowship and the power of His Presence amongst you are a continuing inspiration.  I encourage all of you to join or start a group.  If you want your group to be open to others, we will periodically list groups in this column of the newsletter.  Some of us group as listed below.  These are open groups and you are welcome to join in.  We'd love to see you!!

When	Place	Contact	Address	
Saturday @ 7:00 AM	Hardee's	Steve Seiden	Route One across from Aquia Town Center
Wednesday @ 8:00 PM	Sammy T's in rear	Joe May	Caroline Street in Fredericksburg

Newsletter Articles

Please submit newsletter material to Sandra Herrell by the first Saturday after each Gathering so that the newsletter can be mailed at least two weeks before the next Gathering.  Sandra can be reached at:

Sandra Herrell
14726 Barksdale Street
Woodbridge VA 22193
703-680-1594
Election of the Fredericksburg Emmaus
Board of Directors

The election process to establish the first Board of Directors began in parallel with the review and approval process for the By-Laws.  The election will be conducted by written ballot at the June Gathering.  The following have agreed to be nominated to serve on the Board:

Men (Six to be elected)

Dick Beale, Bowling Green, Upper King and Queen Baptist, Walk on F'burg EM 1.  

Gary Farrar, Falmouth, Peace UMC, Walk on NatCap EM 35.  Team on NatCap EM 40 (Cha) & F'burg EM 3 (ATL & Priority).  Community Registrar for Pilgrim/Team applications.  Married with two sons.  Serve former church on Outreach Committee & Head Usher.

Larry Garfield, Falmouth, St. Matthias UMC, Walk on NatCap EM 23.

Bill Klingenstein, Stafford, Ebenezer UMC, Walk on Richmond EM 10.

Earl Thompson, Falmouth, Attending Chancellor Christian (Non-Denominational) while seeking new church home.. Attended Gatherings long before Walk on F'burg EM 1.  Teamed on F'burg 3 & Cha for F'burg 4.  Sponsored to F'burg 2/3/4.  Married with two daughters & a son.

John Wilbur, Culpeper, Mitchell's Presbyterian, Walk on F'burg EM 1.

Dave Young, Stafford, Summit Presbyterian, Walk on NatCap EM 1.

Women (Six to be elected)

Nita Cline, Wolftown, Graves Chapel Episcopal, Walk on NatCap EM 20.

Cathy Garfield, Falmouth, St. Matthias UMC, Walk on NatCap EM 24.

Sandra Herrell, Woodbridge, Prince of Peace UMC, Walk on NatCap EM 36.

Yvonne Jensen, Stafford, Ebenezer UMC, Walk on Richmond EM 9.

Kathryn Morris, Lost Valley (Madison Co.), Mitchell's Presbyterian in choir.  In former church, choir, Sunday School teacher, church treasurer, altar guild.  Walk on NatCap EM 8.  Teamed on NatCap 20, 29, 37, 41 F'burg EM 2 & 4 as Cha, TL, ATL, and Weekend Lay Director (3 talks & musician).  Given 4th Day talks & devotions, play music, at Gatherings & Day of Deeper.  Married with three step-children, one granddaughter, & two dogs. 

Sandi Pace, Stafford, Ebenezer UMC, Walk on Richmond EM 2.

Bobbie Jo Penning, Stafford, Ebenezer UMC, Walk on F'burg EM 2.

Stacia Rice, Newtown, Upper King and Queen Baptist, Walk on Tidewater EM 9.

Sylvia Seiden, Stafford, Ebenezer UMC, Walk on NatCap EM 6.

Pat Weinhardt, Fredericksburg, Chancellor Christian (Non-Denominational), Walk on F'burg EM 2.

Clergy (Three to be elected)

Tony Forstall, Brooke, Andrew Chapel UMC, Walk on Richmond EM 3.

Jim Luck, Fredericksburg, Baptist, Walk on NatCap EM 43.

Bill Smith, Fredericksburg, Baptist, Walk on NatCap EM 33.

These nominations are complete.  The By-Laws provide that additional nominations may be made from the floor the night of the election (the June Gathering) provided the nominee meets the specific qualifications, and is present at that Gathering.  Biographical sketches of each nominee will be published so that the Community can be informed voters.  And an absentee ballot will be published so the entire Community may vote, whether present at the June Gathering, or not.

Proxy Ballot for the Board of Directors

I.	Certification of membership.  I am a member of Fredericksburg Emmaus, eligible to vote by virtue of attending a Walk to Emmaus sponsored by the Fredericksburg Emmaus Community, or a Walk to Emmaus, Chrysalis or other Cursillo based weekend in another area.	Yes	o

II.  Men (Vote for Six of Seven)		III.  Women (Vote for Six of Ten)
						
Dick Beale	For	o	Nita Cline	For	o
Gary Farrar	For	o	Cathy Garfield	For	o
Larry Garfield	For	o	Sandra Herrell	For	o
Bill Klingenstein	For	o	Yvonne Jensen	For	o
Earl Thompson	For	o	Kathryn Morris	For	o
John Wilbur	For	o	Sandi Pace	For	o
Dave Young	For	o	Bobbie Jo Penning	For	o
(Write In)	For	o	Stacia Rice	For	o
(Write In)	For	o	Sylvia Seiden	For	o
			Pat Weinhardt	For	o
IV.  Clergy (Vote for Three)			(Write In)	For	o
			(Write In)	For	o
Tony Forstall	For	o	
Jim Luck	For	o	
Bill Smith	For	o	
(Write In)	For	o

V.  Each member of an Emmaus family is entitled to a separate 	Fredericksburg Emmaus
ballot.  To be counted, proxy ballot(s) must submitted at the 	PO Box 972
June Gathering, or mailed to be received by June 13th at:	Stafford VA 22554
(Cut Here)

Prayer Requests

A column will be open each month for Prayer Requests.  Submit your praises or needs to the newsletter editor, Sandra Herrell @ 703-680-1594, by the first Saturday after each Gathering:

Applications

Dates are set for Fredericksburg 5 & 6.  It is not too soon to submit applications for both team and pilgrims.  The team for Fredericksburg 5 will be chosen in June, and for Fredericksburg 6 a month later.  Encourage potential pilgrims to apply without worrying if their calendar is clear.  We will ask 32 maximum and applicants are invited according to the date the application is received, so don't delay.

Food for Thought

The following is an excerpt from "The Upper Room Disciplines 1987".  This devotional publishes a series of seven weekly devotions written by a single author to address the Scripture published in the Common Lectionary.  During the week of April 27-May 3, 1987, the entire series was devoted to Luke 24:13-35, the story of the walk to Emmaus.  This coincided with the National Capital's Emmaus 19 (April 30-May 3, 1987), to which I sponsored two Pilgrims from Virginia Beach.  The coincidence was rather striking.  I am reprinting one devotion from this series each month.  Here is the fifth:

ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS	
April 27-May 3, 1987	Marjorie J. Williams†
Friday, May 1	Read Luke 24:28-29.

As Jesus expounded scripture to the two disciples, they soon drew near to the village of Emmaus where they lived.

Jesus did not ask if he could spend the night with them or even hint that he needed to find lodging.  He started to walk on down the road.  But Cleopas and his friend had been so impressed with his exposition that they constrained him to stay with them.

In the Greek, constrained means to "Presbyterians with urgent entreaties."  They did not yet know it was Jesus, but they did not want to part with this gracious stranger.  They pointed out that the day was far spent and it would soon be dark.  Besides this, robbers and wild beasts might hide in the darkness, and it would not be safe to continue.

Now we see the courtesy of Jesus.  He comes in to dwell with those who offer him an invitation.  The disciples made time for him and, at their insistence, "he went in to stay with them."

Revelation 3:20 says, "I stand at the door and knock; if only one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Jesus rewards the constraint of consistent faith (see Matt. 15:22-28).  If we want the Lord to fellowship with us, our love must be great enough to detain him.  Matthew tells us that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force (11:12).  Seek the abiding Presence of Christ, even if you must wrestle to secure it.

Prayer:  Lord, help me to be like Jacob who said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me."  Amen.

†Freelance writer, member of First Assembly of God Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado.  

Copyright 1987 © The Upper Room.  Permission to reprint granted by the Upper Room on 1/14/92.