As a child, I loved spending time on my grandparent's farm. Among all of the other usual farm equipment, buildings and livestock, they had a chicken coop with hens and roosters. Every day, my grandmother would enter the whitewashed wooden building with chicken wire on the windows. In mostly darkness, she would carefully and lovingly search each nest to gather the eggs. She could have left the eggs where they were. Some might have hatched. Some might have done nothing except sit there. But when she gathered the eggs, she brought them together and put them to use for a greater purpose. Some, she gave to friends as gifts. Some, she used to bake a pie or cake which she then served to family or friends. Others, she simply gave to those in need.

In the same way, each of us can do some good if left alone in our own cozy little nest. But...if we gather together and share our experiences and knowledge with one another, everyone benefits and God is supremely glorified.

The Dallas Emmaus Community has traditionally held an annual Gathering each January, called the New Year Gathering. In the same way as my grandmother gathered her eggs, our Dallas Emmaus Community gathers to share Christian fellowship and love with one another, particularly our newest Community members. Gatherings are the only regular community-wide Emmaus meetings. The Upper Room's Handbook on Emmaus says it best:  "The Emmaus Community's tradition and vision, common memory, and common mind concerning the weekend model can be shared and passed on in the Gatherings."

The purpose of the DEC's New Year Gathering is to allow the brothers- and sisters-in-Christ in this Emmaus Community to do just that. We learn, pray, fellowship, sing, worship, serve...and eat!....together. Come for the fellowship....come for the food.....come for the instruction....come for the music.....come to worship......just come! Everyone - whether you attended your Walk to Emmaus in 2009 or in 1989 - is invited and encouraged to attend.

At the New Year Gathering each year, several informational sessions are held to better equip you to serve. The 2010 New Year Gathering will be held on Saturday, January 23, at Highland Park United Methodist Church [http://www.hpumc.org/]. The event will begin at 3:00p.m. and will conclude by 7:00 p.m. Sessions offered include Musician Training, 4^th Day Service, How to Write a Talk, How to Prepare PowerPoints and Posters, the Ins and Outs of the DEC, How to Make a Lanyard, How to Be a "Good" Sponsor, and more. We will also have time for fellowship, share a potluck dinner, and recognize the Pilgrims and Servant Leaders from Walks in 2009.  We will close with a celebration of praise in song, worship and Holy Communion. For a complete schedule of events, times and locations, please refer to the Gathering Flyer. 

So, pull out your basket or just use your apron like my grandmother often did. Gather your eggs. Talk with your Reunion Group brothers or sisters about coming to the Gathering. Let others in your church who have attended the Walk to Emmaus know about the Gathering and encourage them to attend. If you sponsored a Pilgrim, whether in 2009 or in years past, call them up and ask them to go with you. This is one time when putting all your eggs in one basket is actually a good thing!

De Colores!  Sings the rooster....and the cluck hen....and the babe chicks.

Nancy Summers

Walk #177

Table of Rebekah

1. Updated Music Director's Manual
2. Checklists for Musicians
3. Updated Communion Service for Musicians (complete with music)
4. Thematic Lists and how to select songs during the weekend
5. Responsibilities at Candlelight ( for the "lead" musician/ for all other attending musicians)
6. Song Lists
7. CCLI information
8. Using "Song Select"