|
|
 | Upcoming Emmaus Events
| |
|
|
June 21st - 24th
Men's Walk 239
Camp Copass Sign Up for 4th Day
July 19th - 22nd
Women's Walk 240
Camp Copass
Sep 13th - 16th
Women's Walk 241
Sabine Creek
|
| |
|
| |
and
Kairos of Texas
Inside & Outside
If you know any woman who would benefit from Kairos Outside, please contact KONT by email |
|
|
|
|
Men's Walk #239
June 21st - 24th
Women's Walk #240
July 19th - 22nd
The Community is encouraged to attend the following events:
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.
There are still spots available for both Walks. Please prayerfully consider if you are being called to sponsor a friend, or member of your congregation.
"The aim of sponsorship is to build up the body of Christ."
|
Message from the Community Spiritual Director
How Do You Know When It Is Easter?
Often people ask me about why the dates for Easter jump around from late March to early April. Their eyes begin to glaze over when I tell them about the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox. But I do think there is a deeper spiritual answer to that question. We know it is Easter when we experience God's recreation of life with trees budding and flowers blooming. We know it is Easter when we see the rainbow shine after the ominous thunderstorm. We know it is Easter when God shows us a way when we could not see any way. We know it is Easter when a hopeless situation parts to show us a saving possibility. We know it is Easter when we experience abundant life in the midst of dry and barren circumstances. We know it is Easter when a heart of stone is transformed into a new heart and a revived spirit. We know it is Easter when the breath of God blows new life into bone dry conditions.We know that it is Easter when we are raised from the power of sin and death to newness of life by God's grace.
Emmaus people celebrate Easter every time we get together. Emmaus people see Easter happen on every Walk.Emmaus people know that every morning is Easter morning because we are given new life, new hope, and new joy.
So on April 8 enjoy and celebrate the goodness of another Easter Day, but as you do so, remember Easter happens without the help of full moons and Vernal Equinoxes.
Rev. Milton Gutierrez
Community Spiritual Director
|
Watch for the Results of the
2012-2013 DEC Board Elections
in the May Issue of Koinonia!
|
FOOD!FUN!FELLOWSHIP! Please join us for the Dallas Emmaus Community's 25th Anniversary Celebration!!!
Saturday, April 28th
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Northway Christian Church 7202 W.Northwest Hwy., Dallas, Texas 75225 See the attached flyer for more details! 25th Anniversary Flyer Please contact Deborah Dennis & Carolyn Jestis with any questions: MetroGatherings@DallasEmmaus.org
|
Message from the Community Lay Director Who Are You Serving? 
One of my daily devotionals is GRACE FOR THE MOMENT by Max Lucado. This is a collection of "Inspirational Thoughts" from his various books. As we come to the time of service for the Walks, one of these devotionals spoke so clearly to me about our servant role that I want to share it with you. It is from Lucado's book He Still Moves Stones.
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:40 -42 NIV
Martha is worried about something good. She's having Jesus over for dinner. She's literally serving God. Her aim was to please Jesus. But she made a common, yet dangerous mistake. As she began to work for him, her work became more important than her Lord. What began as a way to serve Jesus, slowly and subtly became a way to serve self ... She has forgotten that the meal is to honor Jesus, not Martha ...
It's easy to forget who is the servant and who is to be served. My prayer for all of us is that while we are busy doing the work of the Community, we do not lose our focus - that our work does not become more important than the One we serve! De Colores, Anna Clemons Community Lay Director Walk #96 Table of Ruth |
Message from the Community Communications Chair
A Little Help From Our Friends
It was a short and relatively brief e-mail; yet, it made my day! "Chuck, Great article in this month's Koinonia! Just wanted to let you know it's being read and appreciated!
De Colores, JW." Other than my loyal fan and critic, my lovely bride, and one of my reunion brothers, I was unsure anyone was actually reading what I wrote in the monthly Dallas Emmaus Community newsletter. Having no delusions of grandeur, it was still a nice affirmation and a kind gesture.
Motivational writers and speakers talk about "Balcony People." This is a brief description of a book by that title, written by Joyce Landorf Heatherly: "There are some people in the "balconies" of our lives who cheer us on, energizing us by their warm affirmations. There are others who live down in the "basement," coldly tearing away at our souls with their unfair and critical judgments. This book is about discovering the balcony people in your life and about being a balcony person to others."
The Apostle Paul wrote, in 1 Thessalonians 5: For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
In the Emmaus tradition, we have a marvelous way of encouraging each other. When we see one in distress, we say "De Colores." Are we sincere when we do so? When talks are introduced on the Walks, the Pilgrims are called to exhibit a spirit of cooperation and charity. When the talks are previewed during team meetings, the reviewers are called to be kind and positive as they affirm the speaker and the talk. We drive sometimes considerable distances to be at Candlelight for Pilgrims we hardly know, if at all.
Will we exhibit that same spirit of cooperation, charity and encouragement in the rest of our life or only during Emmaus?
Will you be a balcony person for a brother or sister this week or next?
Will you be the positive voice in a sea of gloom?
And most importantly, will you see the spark of Jesus that lives in all of us and honor that little piece of divinity innate in our fellow man?
As we consider our options, we should remember that from all reports, the view is better from the balcony than in the cellar.
Community Communications Chair
Walk #186
Table of Paul |
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. |
 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. |
|
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 March 1st 2012 there are 445 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.  |
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
|
|
|
|
Contact Information
214-502-4072
|
|
|
|
