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What
Is The Walk To Emmaus?
Source: www.upperroom.org
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 servanthood and encourages
Christ's disciples to act in ways appropriate to being "a servant
of all."
[Read
The Emmaus Account From Scripture - Luke 24]
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.
The
Upper Room, a ministry unit of the General Board of Discipleship of
The United Methodist Church, sponsors The Walk to Emmaus and offers it
through local Emmaus groups around the world. Although connected through
The Upper Room to The United Methodist Church, The Walk To Emmaus is
ecumenical.
When
And Where
Are The Emmaus Walks Held?
The Purchase Area Emmaus
Walks are held twice per year at the Brothers and Sisters In Christ
(B.A.S.I.C.) facility in Hardin,
Kentucky. In the spring there is one men's and one women's
walk. In the fall, there is one men's and two women's walks.
The Emmaus Walk begins at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening and concludes on
Sunday evening.
Interested?
Here's How To Attend!
To attend the Emmaus
Walk, you must be sponsored by a person who has attended the Emmaus
weekend. Please speak with your sponsor regarding any questions
you may have prior to the weekend. Your sponsor will be able to
tell you what items to bring to the weekend and other important
information. Contact
Us
Download an application
(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Sponsor's
Responsibilities
When sponsoring a pilgrim
on the Emmaus Walk, there are some things you need to know and do before,
during and after the weekend. Among the responsibilities of the
sponsor are:
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Caring for the
pilgrim's family while they are away on the weekend
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Bringing the pilgrim
to and from B.A.S.I.C. [map]
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Gathering
and delivering agape letters from friends and family [Agape Letter Request form]
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Encourage and help the pilgrim to
get involved in a reunion group
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Above all, pray for the
pilgrim and others on the walk
Here
are some informative links for sponsors from The Upper Room Emmaus Website:
Sponsorship
Overview Responsibilities
As A Sponsor What
Is Emmaus?
After
The Emmaus Experience - The Fourth Day
As participants conclude their
Walk to Emmaus weekends, they are introduced to the concept of the
Fourth Day -- a symbol of the days of Christian pilgrimage that follow
the three-day Emmaus experience. The Walk to Emmaus is a unique
opportunity to reflect on one's faith journey and make a deeper
commitment to Christ... [more]
Reunion Groups
Volunteering
To Serve
There are many opportunities
to serve your brothers and sisters in Christ through the Walk To
Emmaus. The Purchase Area Emmaus Community is always in need of
volunteers to be the hands and feet of Christ. If you feel led to
volunteer, please complete and return a volunteer sheet.
Emmaus
Volunteer Sheet
(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
For
More Information
For
More Information About The Emmaus Movement In The United States And
Internationally, Visit The Upper
Room Website At
www.upperroom.org/emmaus
For
More Information About The Purchase Area Emmaus Community, Visit Our Contact
Information Page
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