WALK TO EMMAUS

OVERVIEW

The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The program's approach seriously considers the model of Christ's servant hood and encourages Christ's disciples to act in ways appropriate to being "a servant of all."

The Walk to Emmaus experience begins with a 72-hour short course in Christianity, comprised of fifteen talks by lay and clergy on the themes of God's grace, disciplines of Christian discipleship, and what it means to be the church.  The course is wrapped in prayer and meditation, special times of worship and daily celebration of Holy Communion.  The "Emmaus community," made up of those who have attended an Emmaus weekend, support the 72-hour experience with a prayer vigil, by preparing and serving meals, and other acts of love and self-giving.  The Emmaus Walk typically begins Thursday evening and concludes Sunday evening.  Men and women attend separate weekends.

During and after the three days, Emmaus leaders encourage participants to meet regularly in small groups.  The members of the small groups challenge and support one another in faithful living.  Participants seek to Christianize their environments of family, job, and community through the ministry of their congregations.  The three-day Emmaus experience and follow-up groups strengthen and renew Christian people as disciples of Jesus Christ and as active members of the body of Christ in mission to the world.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EMMAUS

The Walk to Emmaus® is grounded theologically and institutionally in The Upper Room ministry unit of the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church..  It is offered through local Emmaus groups around the world.  Although connected through The Upper Room to The United Methodist Church, The Walk to Emmaus is ecumenical.   To learn more about this ministry, visit their website http://www.upperroom.org/emmaus/

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER AND WHO TO CONTACT

To get involved in Emmaus, each person must have a sponsor who has already attended Emmaus him- or herself..   If you have a friend who has been to Emmaus, ask your friend to tell you about his or her experience with the program.  Your friend can help you decide whether or not you would find an Emmaus experience helpful.  You can also contact one of the following members of SPUMC Emmaus Ministry who will be glad to tell you more about the Walk to Emmaus:

Alice Allor 410 544-4647,   Dawn Cullis 410 647-1786,   Ann Harrison 410 987-4182 or

Lois Rutledge 410 647-3781 ... e-mail jrutledgejr@erizon.net

EMMAUS WALK SCHEDULE

Men

September 11 through September14, 2008 ... New Windsor

September 18 through September 21.2008 ... Stepping Stone

March 9 through March 12, 2009 ... Stepping Stone

March 26 through March 29, 2009 ... New Windsor

September 17 through September 20, 2009 ... New Windsor

September 24 through September 27, 2009 ... Stepping Stone

Women

October 2 through October 5, 2008 ... New Windsor

October 16 through October 19, 2008 ... Stepping Stone

April 16 through April 19, 2009 ... New Windsor

April 30 through May 3, 2009 ... Stepping Stone

October 15 through October 18, 2009 ... New Windsor

October 22 through October 25, 2009 ... Stepping Stone

For further information call Lois Rutledge 410 647-3781