Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I pray that everyone had a wonderful and Blessed Easter Sunday. Easter is not over after the Sunday celebration – it is just beginning and continues throughout the Easter Season to Pentecost Sunday! This year Pentecost is on June 9th. We will have one more Gathering during the Easter Season, on Saturday, May 18th at Burnt Factory UMC. The Worship gathering at 6:30 PM will be proceeded by the Day of Deeper Understanding (DDU) at 4:30 PM, and the Pot Luck at 5:30 PM.
This spring Lonnie DeHart and Mary Snyder were scheduled to lead the LV89 and LV 90 walks. We had to postpone these walks (they are not canceled – just re-scheduled) because we didn’t have enough pilgrims. We must have 20 men and 20 women pilgrims to hold a walk. Lonnie and Mary have agreed to lead the walks this fall – let’s make sure we have plenty of applications.
Let me tell you why I am continually focusing on the number of applicants and pilgrims. Each fall the leadership of our local churches does a sermon series on Stewardship. Just as the leadership of our churches is called to be good stewards of the Churches finances; the LV Emmaus Board of Directors and I are called to be good stewards of the community’s money. In the past, the Board and Community has made the decision to hold walks without sufficient pilgrims. This results in the weekend costing more money than is brought in through fees for the pilgrims and the team. It is not a sustainable model.
My husband and I have been participants in this community for two decades. We have sponsored a number of people that have blessed this community with their service. Who do you know that you can sponsor? Remember the Walk to Emmaus is an experience of Christian spiritual renewal. It is a short course in Christianity – and designed to inspire, challenge, and equip our Brothers and Sisters in Christ to action in their homes, churches, and communities. Surely you know someone who is ready to be inspired, challenged, and equipped for this mission.
If you are looking for an inspirational movie – may I suggest I can Only Imagine. It is a 2018 film about the song of the same name by Mercy Me. My husband and I both enjoyed this very much.
Gatherings:
Our next gathering will be at Burnt Factory United Methodist Church, 1943 Jordan Springs Rd, Stephenson, VA 22656. We will have a DDU at 4:30 pm, for those that haven’t attended one. I hope to see you there!
DeColores
Pam Sallada
LVE #30 (table of Abiding Peace)