10/6/21

October Gathering info

October 6, 2021


OCTOBER GATHERING:

October 9, 2021, 6:00 p.m., Bon Air United Methodist Church

Hello Emmaus Community,

Are you ready to come and relight your flame at our October Gathering?  Gatherings are an enjoyable way to stay connected and if you haven’t been to a Gathering in a while, you are missing out.  We believe that God is moving within the Richmond Emmaus community.  

Although we have had to postpone the 2021 Walks, now is a time to be recruiting, planting seeds, and sponsoring for next year’s pilgrims. Talk to your friends at church, at school/jobs and your families about sponsoring someone for our 2022 Walks.  We can also use this time to make agape and do other things needed to have successful Walks in 2022.

The Richmond Emmaus Board is using this time to review and amend our Bylaws, prepare an Operating Manual, revamp our website, change email systems and participate in training sessions. The Board is committed in following the Covenant that we sign with the Upper Room annually, which means following the model and manuals that we are instructed to obey.  We are striving to have the best Emmaus community possible and we need YOU to help make that possible!

We hope to see you at the Gathering this Saturday, October 9, 2021 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Bon Air United Methodist Church located at 1645 Buford Road, NorthChesterfield.  

Note:  We will be meeting in the newly renovated gym so please make sure that you use a folding chair that has a rubber foot on it. We don’t want to leave marks on the gym floor. Also, we are unable to have food or beverages at this time.  We will let you know if this changes for future Gatherings.  

De Colores,

Sandy Livingston

Assistant Community Lay Director

09/20/21

Richmond Emmaus Upcoming Walks

September 20, 2021

Greetings Richmond Emmaus Community,

As you may already know that our walks for 2021 have been cancelled due to COVID, but our God is greater and we have faith that Richmond Emmaus WILL have walks in 2022 and beyond. The Richmond Emmaus Board and the Nazarene Camp have approved these walks for 2022-2024:

Men’s Walk #135 – March 10-13, 2022 – Pete Tucker WLD

Women’s Walk #136 – March 24-27, 2022 – Elizabeth Barbee WLD

Men’s Walk #137 – September 29-October 2, 2022 – Clyde Lessard WLD

Women’s Walk #138 – October 6-9, 2022

Men’s Walk #139 – March 9-12, 2023

Women’s Walk #140 – March 23-26, 2023

Men’s Walk #141 – September 21-24, 2023

Women’s Walk #142 – October 5-8, 2023

Men’s Walk #143 – February 29-March 3, 2024

Women’s Walk #144 – March 14-17, 2024

Men’s Walk #145 – September 26-29, 2024

Women’s Walk #146 – October 10-13, 2024

We are excited to see what God is going to do during these walks and transformation of lives that will take place. We ask you to keep praying for the future pilgrims and the teams during this time.

We look forward to seeing you at our next Gathering on October 9 @6pm at Bon Air UMC.

DeColores,

Juliana Paradie

Secretary and Website Administrator

R-130

09/13/21

Board Nominations

Here are the board nominations for the Richmond Emmaus Board (class of 2024).

Kenny Miller
Rachel Pack
Kathy Lafoon
Margaret Braddy
Thom Koertge
Please pray for these individuals and their desire to serve the Richmond Emmaus community for the coming 3 years. We will hold our official board election at the November gathering.
De Colores,
Cody Dedmon
Nominations Committee Chair
09/4/21

September Gathering information

September 4, 2021
Greetings Richmond Emmaus Community,

This is a reminder of our up coming Gathering that will be held at 6:00, September 11th at Bon Air United Methodist Church. The address is 1645 Buford Road, Richmond, VA. Our Gathering will be held outside, please bring a chair. We will not be required to wear mask outside. Please bring a mask with you, it will be required if you enter the building to use the rest room. We will be meeting at the east end of the building, where we were meeting before we moved inside.
We will be announcing our up coming walk dates for the spring and fall of 2022. All of our dates are currently scheduled through 2024.
We look forward to seeing each of you as we move forward in unity bringing this community back together.
Clyde Lessard
CLD R-100
07/14/21

Pilgrim/Sponsor Application Information

July 14, 2021

Greetings Richmond Emmaus Community,

As you know the #136 Mens Walk that is set for September 23-26 is almost here. We are excited for Pete Tucker and his team to finally set their feet on the Nazarene Campground in Buckingham, but before that can happen, we need your help. As of right now, we have 8 pilgrims confirmed and our goal is to have 20 pilgrims by September 9. 

We have made a way for you to either fill out an application online or print out the application and hand it to the future pilgrim. I am posting a link to where both of these applications can be found.

Please go to: https://richmondemmaus.com/forms/  Once you are on the website, you will see a Pilgrim/Sponsor application. If you would like to print the application, please go to the print icon on the screen and follow directions to print. 

Once the application is filled out, please send the application and appropriate fee(s) to: Richmond Emmaus, ATTN:  Registrar; P.O. Box 1717, Midlothian, VA 23113

If you would like to fill out the application online, please click the Pilgrim/Sponsor application under the printed copy and you are able to fill it out online. 

If you have any questions regarding the application or the website, please contact the Emmaus Board members.

We are excited to see what God is going to do during this walk and the transformation of lives that will take place. We ask you to keep praying for the future pilgrims and the team during this time.

We look forward to seeing you at our next Gathering on August, 14 @6pm at Bon Air UMC.

DeColores,

Juliana Paradie

Secretary and Website Administrator

R-130

07/10/21

July Gathering Info

July 10, 2021

Greetings Richmond Emmaus Community,

We will be holding our July Gathering tonight at 6:00 pm at Bon Air UMC. It is located at 1645 Buford Road, Richmond, VA. We will be holding the Gathering inside, at this time no food can be served.

We are currently looking for people who have an interest in updating and rewriting the by-laws. If you have an interest on serving on the board, they will be a discussion held by the nominating committee.

Last but not least. We have a mens walk scheduled for September 23-26. It will be held at the Nazarine Camp in Buckingham. We are currently taking applications for the walk. Prayerfully consider sponsoring a pilgrim.

Looking forward to seeing you there. If you have Emmaus family and friends, please forward this email to them.

Your brother in Christ,
Clyde Lessard
CLD       R-100

06/10/21

June Gathering Info

June 10, 2021

Greetings,

Gathering will be held June 12th beginning at 6:00pm. We will be meeting at Bon Air UMC, 1645 Buford Road, North Chesterfield. Our meeting will be held outside, at this time we cannot have food. Please bring a comfortable chair.

We will be introducing the pilgrims from Walk 134, that was led by Sarah Zammett. Come out and show your support for our new Emmaus members. Think back to when you were introduced to the Emmaus Community. The excitement and love you felt at that time. Let’s share that love and excitement with our new members.

Walk 135, that will be led by Pete Tucker, is fast approaching. That walk is taking place September 23rd-26th. We are currently accepting applications for Pete’s walk. Now is the time to send pilgrim applications in.

We look forward to seeing you, as we start moving forward with your Emmaus Community.

De Colores,
Clyde Lessard, R100
Community Lay Director

06/3/21

June Gathering Information

June 2, 2021

Greetings everyone:

Happy June! I hope this finds you well and in good spirits.

Great things are happening in our Emmaus community! We have started to hold our monthly Gatherings in-person again. Can I get an AMEN? We came together as the Body of Christ on May 15, 2021 at Bon Air UMC for a beautiful outside Gathering. Our new Community Lay Director, Clyde Lessard, gave the Community his vision for moving forward in 2021. Clyde needs everyone in the Community to come together so we can get Richmond Emmaus moving at “full speed” once again. The Men’s Walk is scheduled for September 23-26, 2021 and we could not be more excited. In order to have this weekend, we need Pilgrims. Please think of someone you can sponsor and get their application in ASAP.

Our next Gathering is scheduled for June 12, 2021 at Bon Air United Methodist Church starting at 6:00 p.m. Due to COVID shutdowns, the Pilgrims of Richmond #134 were never introduced at the March, 2020 Gathering. Now that we have started meeting again in person, it’s time to meet the newest members of our Community. Please make every effort to attend this Gathering so that you can give them a warm welcome.

The Board of Directors desires your input regarding new Board members. A term of service is three years and a new term begins January 1, 2022. There are four slots to be filled for the 2022 term. Please contact Cody Dedmon or Bob Moseley if you, or someone you know, would like to be considered to become part of the Board of Directors.

Be on the lookout for additional information from your Community Lay Director regarding the June Gathering and the fall weekend. Please begin praying and thanking God for the Pilgrims He is bringing for the fall weekend.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

De Colores!

Sandy Livingston, R-28

ACLD

05/10/21

Message from Clyde Lessard (CLD)

May 10, 2021

Greetings,

The past year has been a struggle for all of us in our daily lives. The time of separation has taken a toll on our families and to our Emmaus community families. As we move forward in our lives getting back together with families, I am happy to say we come back together as an Emmaus family.

Kevin, Shawn and Abbey had to step down from their positions on the board. I would like to thank all of them for their hard work through the years as members and leaders in our Emmaus community. They certainly will be missed. I ask each of you to keep them in your prayers.

I am notifying the community that we will be having an in person Gathering this Saturday, May 15th beginning at 6:00pm. The location of the Gathering is; Bon Air UMC, 1645 Buford Road, North Chesterfield. The meeting will be held outside, at this time we cannot have food. Please bring a mask and a comfortable chair. We will be socially distanced. Holy Communion is planned using pre-packed elements. Ned Hood will be providing music, and a 4th day speaker is scheduled.

We look forward to getting back together for in person Gatherings. Please pass this on to your friends and the folks you have sponsored.

De Colores,
Clyde Lessard, R100
Community Lay Director

05/7/21

Message from Rev. Mark Rooks (CSD)

May 7, 2021

Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The past 14 months have been a tumultuous time for everyone. This includes Richmond Emmaus. Walks have been put on hold, the few Gatherings have been virtual and Reunion Groups have been limited in their ability to meet. Connection and community have been lost. The good news is that things are improving and the ministry of Walk to Emmaus will resume. There are even walks scheduled for this fall and next spring.

During this time your Richmond Emmaus Board of Directors has continued to meet and discern a course forward. We realize that many are ready to resume our ministry activities and that is our desire as well. As we push ahead there is important information that I write to share with you today.

First, I am saddened to share that our CLD Shawn Holt and his wife Abbey will be leaving our community. Shawn has accepted a new position in North Carolina and they will be moving very soon. Both Shawn and Abbey have been active in our community; Shawn most recently as CLD and Abbey as a Spiritual Director. Their loss will be keenly felt. Please join me in wishing them well as we hold them in prayer.

Next, stepping in to serve as CLD will be Clyde Lessard who has been serving as Assistant CLD this year. In addition Sandy Livingston will serve as the new Assistant CLD. Both of these have been very active in our community. Please keep them in your prayers. But, let me also add that the fruitfulness of our community is not determined by a few leaders, rather by all of us serving and using our gifts together to carryout the mission of Walk to Emmaus. I encourage you to get reconnected and involved in our community however you are able. The Board needs your help.

Now I’d like to share something encouraging. An in-person Gathering is coming up on Saturday, May 15th beginning at 6:00pm.

The details are…

Gathering location: Bon Air UMC, 1645 Buford Road, N. Chesterfield

Other details: We will be meeting outside, there will be no food served at this event, you should bring your own chair, masks are required, we will be socially distanced. Holy Communion is planned using pre-packed elements. There will be singing, a 4th Day Speaker, fellowship and more.

Over a year ago the Board began exploring a new location to hold our Gatherings. We made arrangements to begin meeting at Bon Air UMC and then the pandemic hit. Bon Air UMC will be our new home for Gatherings going forward but actually this is kind of a ‘return home’. Prior to our time at Bethia our community held gatherings at Bon Air UMC for several years.

Finally I share this: “They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them, but they were kept from recognizing him.” Luke 24: 14-16

We know well these verses. As the two disciples walked along, Jesus was there even though they did not recognize his presence. The ministry of Walk to Emmaus has not ended and Jesus has not disappeared. He continues to be with us, lead and guide us into the future. Is there a lot of work ahead of us? Will we face challenges going forward? Certainly the answer is yes. But, Jesus continues to walk with us. We will be witnesses of His presence when we gather on May 15th and as we carryout the mission of Walk to Emmaus. I look forward to seeing you soon.

De Colores!

Rev. Mark Rooks, R67
Community Spiritual Director