Emmaus Community Fishnet
April/May 2005
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Dear CIE Community,
Welcome to the new CIE
Community members who took Walk #32; it was a time of growth and rejoicing for
both pilgrims and team. We are thankful
for the themes of trust and servanthood that emerged as the Walks progressed; a
message our hearts long to embrace. It
was a challenge and blessing holding the Walks at the
The themes from Walk #32
will certainly accompany us as we move into preparation for Walk #33! Our Lay Directors, Lynne Hartley and Kevin
Ferguson, have a word from the Lord for us in this Fishnet!
Some CIE updates:
The Spirit of God is
stirring the hearts of the CIE Board and Community to focus on
Sponsorship! In his article, Rev.
Cavalain reminds us to be still and listen to God. As we listen in the
stillness of His presence, we might hear him calling us to the ministry of sponsorship,
I pray we may say with the song “I will go Lord, if you lead me!”
DeColores,
Jeanne Catlett
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Walking in the presence of
God
We all long to walk in the
presence of the Lord. One of the primary reasons we attend church is to
experience His presence. What is most
amazing is that we often fail to recognize the Lord when He is in our midst.
In I Kings chapter nineteen
Elijah is searching for the Lord’s presence. The Lord commanded him in
We must be open to the endless ways by which God may
be speaking to us. He may be speaking through the situation that you are
running from and find no rest. He may be speaking to you through your child who
seems ungovernable. Perhaps it is the affliction that seems to cause you much
discomfort. God’s means of revealing His presence and desires are limitless. My
prayer for you brothers and sister is to pray about your challenge or desires
and open your heart to hear His response. Do not limit the means or ways by
which He may make Himself known. When He was here incarnate His own people did
not recognize him and He was in their midst! He lamented and cried:
“O Jerusalem,
Take a moment to be open to new possibilities of how
He is speaking and take time to listen. I leave you with Psalm 46:10
“be still and know that I am God.”
Blessings,
Rev. Cavalain L. Hawkins
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From the Mens Walk
#33 Lay Director:
I
have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ
lives in me.
Galatians
My hope and prayer for this
upcoming Walk is that not only the pilgrims God has already chosen to come, but
also the team that He will assemble, will find a new strength in their hearts
because of their commitment to attend and an honor that can only be found
within the binding of our souls with the Lord Jesus Christ. I have already
spoken with some of you in regard to God’s vision for this Walk, and I ask the rest
of you through this letter to please come and serve with Him and me this
August. He will draw us closer as “Brothers in the
Gentlemen, I bid you peace,
health, and a power that only He can provide. May God bless you and yours
richly.
Strength & Honor My
Brothers,
Kevin Ferguson
Lay Director
Walk #33
From the Womens Walk
#33 Lay Director:
Be
joyful always: pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is
God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Unusual things have been happening since
I said “yes” to the call to be the Lay Director; a trip (a joy), a family
crisis (pray continually), and my computer crashed (give thanks in ALL
circumstances).
I planned to begin organizing; creating
lists, collecting thoughts for the perseverance talk. Everything of
course was on the computer. And so I find myself in a different
place than I had planned. God is so good. He plans so much better
than I do. I now have time to focus on God; meditate, pray, read
scripture. Instead of doing, I’m resting with God. I invite all of
you to set aside time to be present with God for a while.
In Christ’s Service,
Lynne Hartley
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FOURTH DAY GROUPINGS
De Colores, Emmaus Community
Members,
First, let me welcome the
men and women who recently completed their walk. I know the experience for all
was one of spiritual growth and Christian love. You’ve made some new friends
and possibly life long connections that will extend into eternity. As for myself, working the walk was, as
always, a wonderful time of service with my brothers and sisters from the
Emmaus community and also a time of reflection on what my relationship with
Jesus means to me. Of course, another way to stay connected with these new friends
you’ve made during the weekend is to join a Fourth Day group or start one of
your own.
As you know, the Walk to
Emmaus is a unique opportunity to reflect on one’s faith journey and make a
deeper commitment to Christ. The Fourth Day group’s purpose is to provide a
place for accountability, further study into God’s Word, and a launching pad
for mission in the community. I offer my time to anyone who would like to start
a new group or strengthen one that is already meeting. I will come to you for
support, encouragement, or to provide whatever resources you might need to get
going. The Fourth Day grouping is a great place to strengthen our own faith
walk, help one another grow through caring for each other, and an opportunity
to share our Fourth Day experiences every time we meet. If you are interested, please contact me at
(805) 522-9910 or e-mail me at VThunder1@aol.com.
Thank you for your commitment to serve Christ Jesus.
In His Service,
Kevin Ferguson
Grouping Coordinator
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Dont Miss the 2005 Summer Picnic for
the
When: Saturday,
May 14, 2005
Time:
Where:
What to bring:
A
side dish to share
Drinks
to share
Something
to cook for your family
(BBQ
pit & hot coals provided & ready by
Musical
Instruments (guitar, banjo, tamberine, ceilo, flute, washboard etc.)
Outdoor
Games (badminton, horse shoes, watertoys, etc.)
Your
Name Tag (bologna or butterfly )
Lawn
chairs for the games
Picnic
supplies (cups, plates, napkins, and utensils)
Family
(Young and old )
Friends
(future pilgrims/candidates )
A
big smile and a happy heart.
Come and enjoy a day of fellowship with
your brothers and sisters in Christ.
We will have time to sing, get community
news, and have communion together.
Contact:
Rick Schoonover
805-659-2806
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Walk #33 Dates to Note:
Team buildings:
June 25
July 9 Thousand Oaks UMC
July 23
Walk #33 Weekends:
August 4 - 7 Men’s Walk Thousand Oaks United
Methodist Church
August 11 - 14 Women’s Walk Thousand Oaks United Methodist Church
August 27
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