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 | Upcoming Emmaus Events
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Feb 16th - 19th
Men's Walk 237
Mt. Lebanon
Mar 15th - 18th
Women's Walk 238
Sabine Creek
Sign Up for 4th Day
June 21st - 24th Men's Walk 239 Camp Copass
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Kairos of Texas
Inside & Outside
If you know any woman who would benefit from Kairos Outside, please contact KONT by email |
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Upcoming Walks
 Men's Walk #237
Mt. Lebanon
Women's Walk #238
March 15th -18th
The Community is encouraged to attend the following events for all Walks:
Send-off which starts at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Candlelight begins at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday. Closing will start around 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Please be careful not to arrive earlier than 7:15 p.m.
for the Candlelight services on Saturday.
The online Prayer Vigil supplements (but does not replace) the paper Prayer Vigil passed around at Candlelights and other DEC events for signature. Both Prayer Vigils are posted during Walks for Pilgrims to see who has been praying for them. Please follow the links above to sign both Walks' online Prayer Vigil.
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Message from the Community Communications Chair
The Power of "Do Overs"
"Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11
The senior minister of the church my wife and I attend has been doing an impactful sermon series on directions in life and our power to choose to follow them and/or take detours. The one that I felt most affected by was the middle sermon on U-turns. As I have watched the events of the grounding of the Contra Concordia, the reef-stranded Italian cruise liner, I wonder what Captain Francesco Schettino would give for a "do over" on 
the series of events leading up to the grounding catastrophe of January 13th? At a minimum, 16 lives were lost, 16 more souls are unaccounted for, a $600 million dollar ship is likely totally destroyed, there will be hundreds of millions in lost bookings and revenue, the cruise industry has taken a black eye, a pristine nature preserve is threatened by fuel oil, and the list goes on. Taking it a step further, the cruise line was previously concerned about alleged actions by the Captain but left him in command. Are they rethinking that decision?
We would each hope to never make such a huge error and catastrophic lapse of judgment. But, in our everyday lives, are there areas where our actions and/or inactions have impacts against others that in perspective are just as harmful? The failing to come to the aid of one in need, an unkind word, missing the chance to visit a sick friend, failing to help a strained motorist, engaging in gossip about others, lying to our spouse or children, and similar acts are harmful and do not engender good will. Getting out of the practice of family time, Bible study, attending worship or service to others harms ourselves, our relationship with others and our relationship with God.
The good news is that God's love is unfailing and we can make U-turns and make amends. Is it easy or quick? Not always. Do we know how? Perhaps not. Yet anyone who has been through an Emmaus Walk has a powerful roadmap toward making that turnaround:
* Assess our priority (Priorities)
* Study the Word; learn to apply it in our lives (Growth through Study)
* Serve others (Christian Action)
* Be a living, breathing part of your church and family (Body of Christ)
* Minister to each other (Priesthood of All Believers)
* Live a life as Christ-like as possible (Life of Piety)
* Be aware of evil and harmful habits (Obstacles to Grace)
I could go on but you get the idea. No matter where we are in our spiritual journey and our relationships with others, if we live the life of piety, study and action, we have begun the process of healing and restoration. We have the choice to continue down our current path or pray for His strength and guidance to make the U-turn. Will you join me in making a decision?
De Colores,
Chuck Rohre
Community Communications Chair
Walk #186
Table of Paul
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Message from the Community Spiritual Director
Forgiveness : Another Look at Do Overs
And speaking of Obstacles to Grace (thanks for the lead-in Chuck), just last week I had an opportunity to experience the effects of an obstacle to grace. However let me not start at the end, but at the beginning.
"You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison." Matthew 5:21-25
 A couple of Saturdays ago we, the Dallas Emmaus Community that is, held our Annual Gathering. We had training - How to Write a Talk, All about Emmaus, How to do PowerPoints, How to Make Lanyards, Music, etc.; we had dinner; and we had worship. And guess who wasn't prepared to deliver a message? Me! But that isn't my obstacle necessarily. As people were enjoying the spread of great food, I was flipping through a Bible wishing I had the obligatory "sermon in my back pocket" mentality. Alas, I do not - and found myself flying by the seat of my pants.
Of course, we never really pull anything out of the air - I had come with a heavy burden on my heart that day. And "God-cidentially" that very day I had previewed a talk for Walk 237 - yes, Obstacles to Grace. You may remember (who could forget) the lists of obstacles - obstacles between us and our relationship with God, obstacles between us and our relationship with ours, and obstacles between us and ourselves. One of the obstacles between us and others that is listed is murder. Now most of us can say - CHECK MARK - I have never killed anyone, but the talk goes on to say that there are more ways to murder someone than the physical death of that person.
Yes, we can murder people's spirit, their spirituality, their heart - and I was feeling like I had a dagger in my heart due to some very cruel words that had been said to me by someone who was upset with me. And it hurt. I knew their allegations were untrue, yet the words read like venom to me and I was wounded. So, as I flipped through that little red pew Bible at Highland Park United Methodist Church, the above scripture screamed at me. I had to say to myself, and to the Gathered Community, "I get it - words hurt." I also had to say that we have to forgive, we are called to forgive and if we can - well you can read for Jesus' words above with the consequences for yourself. Unforgiveness is also an obstacle to grace.
I am really very thankful most people never remember our little homilies at these gatherings, because that night definitely wasn't well thought out or planned - yet I hope no one forgets the opportunity we have to forgive - both ourselves and others.
I challenge you: Who have you injured with words? Who injured you with words? Really, think about it. Did you just tripped over that obstacle? If so pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try a little forgiveness.
Rev. Cathy Partridge
Assistant Community Spiritual Director
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2012-2013 DEC BOARD ELECTIONS
Your Dallas Emmaus board of directors consists of twelve elected Community lay members, each serving a three-year term. Each year, four new lay members are elected to the board, and four lay members roll off. Similar to a Walk team, each member of the board has a specific role, and it takes all members of the board working together for all of the work to be done.
Ballots are now available for the 2012-2013 DEC Board Elections. Two men and two women will be elected. Candidates for the men's slots are (in alphabetical order): Dennis Arnold, Kerry Goad, Robert Lattier and O'Keefe Scallen. Candidates for the women's slots are (also in alphabetical order): Deborah Dennis, Ruth Dunn, Stephani Huffman and Carolyn Jestis.
 Voting has never been easier. Download the ballot, click your selections, and type in your name and email address. Then simply press the 'Submit by Email' button and your ballot will be on its way via email. Quick and easy! You can even print a copy of your completed ballot if you wish.
Of course, you can still print the ballot, make your handwritten selections and sign the ballot, then mail it to the DEC. All ballots must be received via email or postmarked by March 31, 2012. Be sure to get yours in the mail today!
Ballots will be at Candlelight's for Walks #237 and #238 for in-person balloting.
I would also like to announce the appointment of Chuck Rohre as the Assistant Community Lay Director for our community for the balance of the 2011-2012 board year. Chuck was elected to the DEC board in 2011 and will add the Assistant CLD duties to his other board duties.
Our community is blessed with willing volunteers and elected servants who give of their time and talents for the Lord. Please do your part. Please take a moment now to pray about and then vote for the four new members of your choice for the 2012-2013 DEC Board of Directors. Deadline for ballots is March 31.
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Message from the Board
My Thomas Story
Looking at this beautiful baby, I certainly had my doubts whether or not it was mine, and I kept asking my husband to check our bracelets to make sure the numbers matched. What a marvelous gift of God! My daughter has grown more beautiful since birth. Doesn't every mother believe that about her children? And of course, it's true! Every place we went, she was sure to catch someone's eye.
When Amanda was 4, we enrolled her in a pre-school program, and she caught the eye of a boy in her class. One late afternoon, we arrived home, and the phone was ringing. The voice on the other end said, 'Hello', and I said, 'Hello, who is this?' The young voice said, 'When you hear this voice, you will know it's Thomas.' His declaration was clear and bold. Trust me, from then on, there was no doubt recognizing whom that little voice was on the other end whenever he called. So, to this day, I have my own Thomas story.
But you and I share a great Thomas story from the gospel of John. Wouldn't we love to hear and know the voice of Thomas, the disciple? Why did he choose to follow Jesus? Did he actually touch Christ, touch the wounds? But John tells us, there were many things that happened during their time together with Jesus. He has written only these things so that you and I would believe.
John also doesn't tell us where Thomas was or why he wasn't with the other disciples when Jesus first appeared. Thomas had to wait. And sometimes, so do we. John does tell us that, in time, Thomas encounters the risen Christ, and makes the greatest of declarations, 'My Lord and My God.'
No matter where you are in your relationship with Jesus today, the good news is that He will show up at the right time. In a way that touches you, He graciously draws you near to His heart so you might know his love, grace, peace and comfort.
Your 'right time' may have been on your Walk to Emmaus. You may have encountered Jesus in some way, at some time, during the weekend. I have had the great blessings of experiencing this closeness each time I serve, regardless of how and where I serve. Before, during and after the walk, in silence and praise, in talks and conversation, in song and laughter, Jesus' voice has now become easier to recognize. I have the assurance that He is only a prayer away.
You may also have been blessed this way--especially during your Emmaus Walk. What a marvelous gift of God! Prayerfully use it, enjoy it and share it with others as a time to renew and strengthen your relationship with Christ.
The Goals of Emmaus are to raise up Christian leaders and to renew the body of Christ in action. It doesn't take a whole community to raise up a good Pilgrim. We'll leave that to God. But, do you hear and know the voice calling you to represent Christ in the Emmaus community? Will you answer clearly and boldly the call to Sponsorship, to prayer, to servanthood, to represent heaven at Candlelight, to listen listen listen at Closing, and to continue to love love love in support during their Fourth Days?
The Community is committed to keep your relationship with Christ vital and inspired, and to help keep your local church community vibrant and growing. We want you to have current and relevant information to pass along to lay and clergy members who may be interested in encountering Christ through the Walk to Emmaus.
Using updated contacts, we can also relay current information about Community events and Gatherings where you can renew friendships, join or start an accountability group, and learn about the many ways in which you can serve the Emmaus community.
Please take the time to update your contact information on the Dallas Emmaus website by clicking here. Also encourage others in the Community to do the same. If a person does not have computer access, that information can be mailed to: Dallas Emmaus Community, P.O. Box 2361, Rockwall, Texas 75087.
Make no doubt about it, we want to recognize you!
Patricia Downing
Chair, Church Connection and Clergy Liaison
Walk #155
Table of Esther
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Message from the Community Lay Director True Love is a Living Sacrifice
Valentine's Day is upon us once again. It is a time when we give our love to others in special ways. We give cards, flowers, and gifts of various kinds. It is, indeed, a day for special acts of affection. But what about the other days of the year? If God is love and we are made in his image, shouldn't we live a life of love every day? After all, we are commanded by our Lord to love one another.
What is love anyway? Is it a certain feeling or a specific action? Are there degrees of love? Suppose you meet someone. At first, all you know is their name. That may be as far as the relationship goes. Suppose you spend time with that person and learn more about each other and develop a friendship. Perhaps you become best friends. What if that relationship grows until you say you love that person? What I am describing are degrees of love. The ultimate degree would be when all you want to do is live for that person. We have a saying about that kind of relationship. We say, "He worships the ground she walks on." One person loves the other so much, that they lay down their life for the other. Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
In Romans 12:1 we read that we are to be living sacrifices. We don't physically die, but we lay down our lives for Jesus. It also states that being a living sacrifice is our spiritual act of worship. In other words, we love Jesus so much, we worship the ground he walks on. Blessed are those who have laid down their life for Jesus, for they have truly worshiped him!
That is what being a Christian is all about. It is the way we should live every day, the way we should be in our relationship with Jesus and with each other. There is no place in the Christian life for self. Setting self aside allows Jesus to live through us. We have died with Christ. It is not us, but Christ who lives in us. It is not our love that we share, it is Christ's love. Don't be stingy with God's love. Let it flow out to others.
There are many ways to share God's love - a pleasant smile, a warm greeting, a hug. In the Emmaus community we also share God's love with applause and agape. Give as you have received. If you received little, give little. If you received much, give much. Give what you feel you can afford to give.
The love of Christ shines brightly on an Emmaus Walk because we lay down our lives for those three days. Imagine what God could do through us if all of us laid down our lives every day for Him!
DeColores,
Anna Clemons
Community Lay Director
Walk #96
Table of Ruth
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TECHNICALLY INCLINED VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Dallas Emmaus Community needs a group of technically inclined women and men to serve the Community on a relatively short-term and in some cases, long-term basis.
For the short term, we need volunteers to assist in designing how we want our community database to function and to automate as many functions as possible, to include on-line registration, tuition payments and report generation capacity such as Walk lists, 4th day lists, etc. Individuals with knowledge of and practical experience with database administration software and their applications are particularly sought. The effort will also include the examination of utilization of a vendor and/or purchase of new software. This commitment will last 3 to 6 months, depending upon the frequency of meetings and needed follow-up.
A volunteer or volunteers are also needed to serve for the long term as the Community Database Administrator. Terry Hershberger, who has served us admirably in this role for many years, is stepping down as soon as his replacement is identified and trained. Many thanks to Terry for his work to revitalize the database and keep it up to date. This individual or individuals should be well versed in computer technology and database administration, have a flexible schedule, attention to detail and be self motivated.
If you have an interest in either role (or both) please e-mail Chuck Rohre (communications@dallasemmaus.org), Community Communications Chair, or Anna Clemons (laydirector@dallasemmaus.org), Community Lay Director, to indicate your interest. Contact Chuck on his mobile phone 972.839.0884 for questions.
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 You can easily donate money to the Dallas Emmaus Community at any time by clicking here. PayPal is a secured donations system which directly deposits all funds into the Dallas Emmaus Community account. This is a great way to make payment for a pilgrim you are sponsoring or to keep the cost affordable for others who may not otherwise have means to sponsor a friend or loved one. |
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Help Wanted
 Working on a Fourth Day Team is a rewarding way to participate in the Emmaus weekend as as the hands and feet of Christ, and the easiest way to stay connected with the Community. To sign up, email the 4th Day Director for the walk you want to serve on. |
DEC is on FB
Next time you are on Facebook, search the Dallas Emmaus Community, then select the "Like" button to be updated on the latest news and events including Candlelights, potlucks, prayer requests and more. "Share" or "Suggest" the page to your friends so they can stay easily connected to the Dallas Emmaus Community too. As of January 31st 2012 there are 437 likes!
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: You do not have to be on Facebook to see what's going on... click here to see what's it is all about. Email Melinda O'Brien with any questions. 
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Looking for an opportunity to serve in a powerful ministry? Visit Kairos of Texas online to find out about the units and areas of ministiries near you.
Kairos is a prison ministry whose success is dependent on the community of faith support in providing agape such as prayer chain signatures, cookies, and financial donations. If you are interested in knowing more about how you can participate, or to find out how to attend a Kairos closing, email the editors for information.
"... whatever you did for the least of my brothers, you did for me."
~ Matthew 24:40
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Contact Information
214-502-4072
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