October 2014
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Leadership
Fritz Serr
Chairman
Lisa Newcomer
Vice Chairman
Mark Kaufman
Treasurer
Rita Metz
Secretary
Jane Langston
Sponsorship
Randy and Sherrill Skinner
Men’s Registrar
Larry Reed
Women’s Registrar
Deb Hagan
Agape
Kelly and Carol Foster
Men’s Good Shepherd
John Oakley
Women’s Good Shepherd
Karen Queen
Kitchen
Melody Schneider
Supplies
Kelli Skidmore
Logistics
Kevin Queen
Literature
Mitch Hensley
Social
Joe and Janell Welker
Worship
Rick Poppe
Music
Curt and Tracey Hostetler
Outreach
Corinne Olson
Newsletter
Dawn Pulfer
A Word From the Chairman……
This summer the internet was invaded with a challenge. For those who
may not spend too many hours on the computer, let me explain… the ALS Ice
Bucket Challenge invited people to challenge their friends and family members to
dump a bucket of ice water over their heads and/or make a donation to ALS,
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The purpose was to bring awareness to this
debilitating disease, raise funds for research, and ultimately save lives.
There is another life-saving challenge that has been going around much
longer than just this summer. Jesus Christ gave us a challenge more than 2000
years ago when he asked us to deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow Him
(Matthew 16:24-26.) But He didn’t stop there. He also challenges us to go out and
make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:16-20.) Asking us to make everyone we
encounter aware of Jesus Christ and the eternal life only He can give them. And
that was just the beginning of what Jesus wants from us. Jesus wants us to love.
In John 15:12, Jesus tells us “as I have loved you, love one another.” And 1 John 4:7
says “let us love one another, for love is of God.” The minister at a wedding I
attended reminded me that when someone you know deserves it the least, is when
they need your love the most. Jesus also challenges us to forgive others. From
Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you.” And in Matthew 18:21-22 Jesus tells us we must
forgive “seven times seventy.” And our forgiveness should come without judgment
as Jesus said in John 8:7 “let he who is without sin throw the first stone.” Jesus
challenges us to serve. Mark 10:45 says “For even the Son of Man came not to be
served but to serve.” And in John 13 after the Passover meal, Jesus washed the feet
of His disciples telling them “I have set you an example that you should do as I have
done.” In Matthew 25:35 he reminds us “what so ever you do for the least of my
brothers, you do unto me.” And 1 Peter 4:10 we are instructed to “serve one
another with whatever gifts each of you received.”
And finally Jesus challenges us in Ephesians 4:1 “to live a life worthy of the
call you have received” and for us to choose to give every minute of every day to
Jesus. (Galatians 2:20) Make everyone you encounter aware of the greatest gift of
all - salvation through Jesus Christ. Spread the message of love to one another,
forgive others as Christ forgives you, serve by being the hands and feet of Christ,
and work to live a life worthy of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Take up the
challenge!
DeColores!
Lisa Newcomer, Chairman
Women’s Walk #64
October 16-19, 2014
Pilgrims
Be still and
know that I am
God; I will be
exalted among
the nations, I
will be exalted
in the earth.
Psalms 46:10
Wendy (Jo) Anderson – Sidney
Kathy Ann Belka – Wapakoneta
Ann Briggs - Celina
Kim Brown - Sidney
Alicia Bruce – Celina
Heather Clingerman Bellefontaine
Linda Decker – Delphos
Jessica Dolan - Bellefontaine
Terri Elliott – Huntsville
Deborah Emerick Bellefontaine
Pat Golden – Wapakoneta
Elizabeth Grace - Sidney
Marilyn Hecht – New Knoxville
Jeannie Kuras – Sidney
Sheryl Losh – Roundhead
Jan Lowry-Hutchinson Bellefontaine
Holli Musser – Bellefontaine
Stacie Parks - Piqua
Christina Riffell - Versailles
Laura Schneer – Cridersville
Cheryl Searfoss - Celina
Kristi Setser - Versailles
Jodi Steinke – Shelbyville, KY
Erica Stone – Sidney
Deb Vining – St Marys
Sara Wellman – Sidney
Shelia Westrick - Celina
Team Roster
Lay Director
Ellen Grieshop - Perseverance
Lay Director in Training
Shirley DeWeese
Board Representative
Corinne Olson
Assistant Lay Directors
Rita Metz – Priority
Nancy Freshour – Changing Our
World
Lynnette Goodwin – Body of Christ
Music Directors
Cindy Stieneker,Tami Baird-Ganley
Logistics
Marianne Shepard, Tracy Comer,
Misty Fisher, Audra Sutton,
Aubrey Hance
Table Leaders
Betty Blue –Priesthood of all
Believers
Jana Becker – Life in Piety
Kelli Davis – Grow Thru Study
Deanna Stieneker – Christian
Action
Jill Burd – Discipleship
Tracey Hostetler – Fourth Day
Assistant Table Leaders
Margeret Sumpter, Cindy Frantz,
Monica Pughsley, Sandy Freewalt,
Sarah Holobaugh, Lori Jones
Spiritual Director
Linda Dulin-Moore – Means of
Grace
Assistant Spiritual Directors
David Moore – Prevenient Grace
David Chivington –Justifying Grace
Eddie Freshour – Obstacles to
Grace
Eileen Hix – Sanctifying Grace
Men’s Walk #60 November 6-9, 2014
Team Roster
Community
Information
Lay Director
Larry Grieshop - Perseverance
Lay Director in Training
Dave Rump
Board Representative
Rick Snyder
Assistant Lay Directors
Scott Newcomer – Priority
Chris McVety – Priesthood of All
Believers
Jim Billing – Life In Piety
Music Directors
Eric Truxal, Ed Skidmore
Logistics
Ken Ihle, Derek Skinner, Joe
Sutton, Kevin Queen, Tom
Thwaits
Then I heard the
voice of the Lord
saying, ‘Whom
shall I send?
And who will go
for us?’ And I
said, “Here am I,
Send me!”
Isaiah 6:8
Table Leaders
Patrick Bayman – Grow Thru Study
Rex Stienecker – Christian Action
Darwin Burkholder – Discipleship
Mike Fisher – Changing Our World
Tom Frantz – Body of Christ
Denny Brown – Fourth Day
Assistant Table Leaders
Rick Bowers, Kirk Helmandollar,
Jerry Noble, Dan Elliott, Kevin
Judy, Earl Ludwig
Spiritual Director
Barbara Staley – Means of Grace
Assistant Spiritual Directors
David Moore– Prevenient Grace
Randy Locker – Justifying Grace
Mike Martin – Obstacles to Grace
Eddie Freshour – Sanctifying Grace
The Greater Sidney
Area Emmaus
Gatherings are held
on the 2nd Tuesday
of the month at
7pm. We meet at
the First United
Methodist Church,
230 E. Poplar St.,
Sidney, Ohio.
Please come join us
in worship and
fellowship.
UPCOMING FOURTH DAY
SPEAKERS
Tuesday November 11th
Lisa Viers
Tuesday December 9th
Joe Welker
Tuesday January 13th
TBA
Tuesday February 10th
TBA
Special services on
Walk weekends
8:30 pm Saturday night in the
Church Sanctuary
4:30 pm Sunday afternoon
Please arrive at the church after
4:00pm and meet in the
Tabernacle on the 2nd floor
Board Meetings
th
4 Thursday of each month
Meet in the Chapel at 6:45pm
Welcome to the Emmaus
Community
Pilgrims of Women’s Walk #63
July 10-13, 2014
Rodneyann Bensman
Sherri Judy
Tara Binkley
Liz Krouse
Jennifer Bowman
Deb Loewer
Anna Byrne
Bailey Maier
Cindy Cable
Pam McKee
Roxy Chivington
Kathy Mullins
Cathy Collins
Janey Napier
Laura Dalton
Kaneta Schaub
Abby Deal
Brenda Shaw
Stacey Erb
Dee Stroup
Amy Glover
Jessica Suttles
Liz Hansen
Angie Swabb
Abbie Higgins
Laura Taylor
Kathy Huseman
Amanda Webb
Cindy Jackson
Reflections from the Lay
Director of WW #63. . . . .
Women’s Walk #63 was indeed a special
weekend. What an amazing opportunity to serve
our Lord and Savior as the Lay Director. From
assembling the team, to the team meetings to
finally the weekend, blessings abounded. God
placed wonderful, Spirit-filled women to lead the
pilgrims on their journey. Their hearts for Jesus
were evident during the meetings and the
weekend. And then came the pilgrims…what an
inspiration! These ladies grew in friendship, selfconfidence and their love of the Lord
tremendously during those 72 hours. They basked
in the love from the community through the
agape, meals, prayers and more. At our reunion,
these women were still glowing from their
rejuvenated faith and the love they received that
one special weekend in July!
Our team verse was Ephesians 3:20-21.
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, according to his power
that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the
church and in Christ Jesus throughout all
generations, for ever and ever! Amen. That
passage rang so true. God did do immeasurably
more than we could have ever asked! I am so
thankful that God was in control and not Maurya
Ryan or the ALD’s or LOGS or Spiritual Directors or
Table Leaders or Music Directors. He knew
exactly where each pilgrim needed to be met
along the journey and was right there for each
lady.
Our prayers now go out to the team and
pilgrims of Women’s Walk #64. We know our
Great God will meet you at just the spot needed.
Be still and know that He is God.
DeColores,
Maurya Ryan
Lay Director, WW#63
Welcome to the Emmaus
Community
Pilgrims of Men’s Walk #59
July 31-August 3, 2014
Keith Allen
Lanny Bailey
Tom Bell
Jim Bellmer
Aaron Cox
Don Erksine
Todd Gallant
Rob Glenn
Cody Griffith
Dominion Kenner
Michael Krouse
Russel Krouse
David Loewer
Matt Mabry
Joe McKee
Reed Nutt
Shawn Nutt
Hook Parsons
Adam Redmond
Travis Rimes
Chris Saunders
Bernie Schnipke
Clyde Searfoss
Rex Searight
Chester Shurelds
Don Thomas
Dave Thrasher
Jeff Wiggs
Reflections from the Lay
Director of MW #59. . . . . .
I can happily report to you that the Greater Sidney
Area Emmaus Men’s Walk #59 was a great
success! It was my honor to be the Lay Director
for this Walk. The team and the pilgrims
developed lasting relationships during the
weekend which has led to many emails and group
texts well into the Fourth Days. I am very
humbled that I was asked by the Board to lead the
team of Walk #59. It was a pleasure and a lifechanging experience that I will never forget.
Dan Kirby, Lay Director, MW #59
Data Base
Update
With each passing month, we
continue to make progress and improve
the Data Base! There have been several
informational Eblasts sent out to the
community. In addition, several forms
and documents have been added to the
Data Base. However, we still need
contact information for many
community members. If you are
reading this October Newsletter on the
Emmaus website or Facebook page and
did not receive it via email, then your
personal contact information is missing
or is incorrect in the Data Base.
In order for the Data Base to work
effectively, We need YOU to take the
initiative to have YOUR PERSONAL
INFORMATION correct. It will help us to
keep you informed and have a better
understanding as to who wants to serve
on teams, serve in the kitchen,
supplying Agape, blessing us with
special music, etc. or whatever your
God-given gifts may be. (continued on
next page)
(Data Base Update continued)
If you have not updated your personal
information yet or if you are having
difficulty accessing the Data Base
website, please contact Corinne Olson at
[email protected] (that’s
Emmaus_outreach) and she will assist
you.
Please note: The Emmaus website and
the Emmaus Database website are NOT
the same; however, a link to the
Database website is located on the
Emmaus website.
MISSING TEAM MANUALS!
A few of our team manuals are
nowhere to be found in the Emmaus
Room. Have you served on a live-in
team and still have your team manual
lying around the house? If so, please
return it to Sidney First UMC, dropping
it off at the 2nd floor Emmaus storage
room or give it to any board member.
Your help in this matter is greatly
appreciated!
Serving in the Kitchen . . .
If you would like to serve in the kitchen during an Emmaus weekend,
please contact Melody Schneider at [email protected]
AGAPE DO’S AND DON’TS
One year ago, in the October 2013 edition of the Greater Sidney Area Emmaus Newsletter, the
issue of ‘super’ agape being given to the live-in team and/or pilgrims was addressed. We would like
to stress AGAIN that ‘super’ agape is not appropriate on a weekend. ‘Super’ agape can be distractive
and disruptive and even cause a sense of disappointment for those who do not receive ‘super’ agape
and witness someone else receiving it. All agape must fit in a 9x11 envelope. This article is a follow-up
to last year’s agape article to clarify HOW and WHEN to give Agape.
On an Emmaus Weekend, agape is first introduced to the pilgrims on Friday during the
Justifying Grace talk. Team members begin receiving agape on Thursday evening at bed time.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, ARE THE PILGRIMS TO RECEIVE ANY PERSONAL/INDIVIDUAL AGAPE
ON THEIR BEDS ANY NIGHT OR AT TABLE DURING MEALS. The pilgrims begin receiving bed time
agape Friday night and EVERYONE receives the SAME thing.
If you or your share group plan to provide bed time agape, DO supply enough pieces so that
ALL of the pilgrims and/or team will receive it and properly label it. If you are short (even by one
piece), your agape will not be distributed. 35 pieces are needed for pilgrims only, 65 pieces for team
and pilgrims.
If you or your share group plan to provide meal time agape, DO supply enough pieces for
EVERY place setting in the dining room. Again. . .if you do not provide enough for everyone to
receive your agape, it will not be distributed. 65 pieces are necessary.
DO write agape letters for the pilgrims to be given to them in their Sunday packet. These
letters are powerful evidence to each pilgrim that he/she is personally loved by those who know the
pilgrim best.
DO drop off all of your agape in the Agape Room so that it can be properly distributed.
DON’T separate agape in the Agape Room. Simply place your agape in the appropriate
baskets and the Agape team will properly sort it. They have a system in place to sort agape
efficiently. Too many ‘helping hands’ creates confusion and mis-sorted agape.
If you are on Team, DON’T give any pilgrims any form of agape in the conference room other
than what they are to receive in their Sunday packet. This includes no ink pens, journals, t-shirts,
flowers, personal gifts, etc. for your pilgrims at your table.
Providing agape for bedtime, mealtime and Sunday packets is just another way you can share
God’s love with the pilgrims and team members. We appreciate your cooperation as you follow the
agape guidelines.