EMMAUS
What is the Walk to Emmaus?
The Walk to Emmaus is a three day retreat sponsored by The Upper Room that is a beautiful refresher course in Christianity as well as an inspiring reminder of how much Christ loves us. It is for new and veteran Christians. There are Walk to Emmaus communities all over the world and you can learn about them through The Upper Room’s website (www.upperroom.com). The name of our local community is Gulf Coast Emmaus with a family of about 4,000 and we have a website, too (www.gulfcoastemmaus.com). The weekend consists of a team of about 50 people, including 5 clergy. They clean, cook, serve, help, pray, share and lead the weekends. All weekends have for their principal theme the story from Luke 24 after Jesus’ resurrection when he walks along the road to Emmaus with Cleopas and a friend. (Read that account yourself and see if you would desire such a meeting.) Each weekend is led by a Lay Director elected by the Gulf Coast Emmaus Board of Directors and a Head Spiritual Director. The retreat has many beautiful daily communion experiences and a total of 15 talks given by 10 laypersons and the 5 clergy. They share personal testimonies as well as imparting information on titles such as “Priorities”, “Changing Our World”, “Growth through Study”, etc. with the clergy talks all giving new understanding on grace. Our Gulf Coast Emmaus Community has 3 Walks per year usually January/February, May and September. Each Walk has a men’s weekend followed by a woman’s weekend. Once a year there is an extra women’s weekend. The weekends are ecumenical with several denominations participating, and the main purpose being to grow and refresh leaders in all the local churches. To attend all you need is to seek someone who has attended a weekend to sponsor you. They will provide you with an application for you to complete and return with a deposit check and then have the appropriate portion filled out by themselves and the pastor before mailing it to Gulf Coast Emmaus. Money should never be a deterrent for not attending as scholarships are open for everyone, partial or full, with complete confidentiality. The Walks occur on the Caloosahatchee River at the beautiful Riverside Retreat, which is a Methodist camp in Alva. Apply early because the weekends fill up fast! If you don’t get invited to the very next weekend after you submit your application, you should trust that you will attend the weekend God wants you to attend.
Why do you need a sponsor?
First of all, your sponsor will be in prayer for you and your family. They also will drive you to and from the camp. When you attend a Walk to Emmaus at the remote Riverside Retreat your sponsor will be your liaison to the world through an Emmaus Board Representative on the weekend. You will be asked (not forced) to leave your cell phone (and watch) at home to be with the Lord for the entire weekend. If there is any emergency, your sponsor can be in touch with the Board Rep. The sponsor will take care of anything you need at home during your weekend away to relieve you from all worry. If someone has already spoken to you that they would like to sponsor you—consider yourself very loved! They have made a commitment on your behalf because of their love for the Lord and for you. You will be covered completely in prayer!
What is a 4th Day?
The 4th Day is how Emmaus alumni refer to the rest of their lives after their weekend. By all means attend an Emmaus Gathering at our church and hear the 4th Day speakers to hear for yourselves what others experienced on the weekend—what it meant to them and what they are doing because of it. There will be opportunities for you there to meet others and maybe meet your sponsor and complete an application for what will be one of the most memorable, spiritually powerful events of your entire life. Just ask anyone there! De Colores!
For more information please contact Cindy Hase at: Cindyhase4@aol.com
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