8/14 Nashville Emmaus Candlelight

Bi-Monthly Newsletter of the Nashville Emmaus Community

August 2014

4th Day Focus “And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem.

And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.” (Luke 24:33-35) The story of the two disciples’ walk to Emmaus consists of twenty-two verses in Luke’s Gospel and is one of the longer post resurrection events recorded in the New Testament.

Contained in the text are the results of Jesus encounter with two

lesser known disciples. And you might say that this is their 4th day testimony … being empowered to tell others of the good news of Jesus resurrection. They began their journey to Emmaus in despair. They left Emmaus full of hope. They began to live out what we would call their 4th day experience. I believe that these disciples gained a purpose and a mission that day and I marvel at how instrumental those two must have been in revealing the truth.

I share this familiar story with you as we, the Nashville Emmaus Community, begin to prepare for the 2014 fall walks. Our prayerful focus should be on shepherding these fall pilgrims into a Holy Spirit empowered, grace filled 4th day experience! This prayerful focus should guide everything we do, from sponsorship, prayer time, team building, talks, candlelight, agape, and the event itself – everything we do should have the prayerful goal of stirring people into a wonderful 4th day walk with Jesus. Our direction should be as great and powerful as what happens during this very special weekend and like those two disciples we should leave empowered and full of HOPE! I pray that as we continue our 4th day journeys, we will walk in the grace of God, and share the love of God with every person.

DeColores, John W. Arnold Community Spiritual Director

In This Issue

While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and began walking with them...

Luke 24:15

“4th Day Following God’s Lead............................................2 Kairos Corner ..................................................................................3 Prayer ..................................................................................................3 Face to Face.....................................................................................4 Chrysalis ............................................................................................4 Gatherings ........................................................................................4 Up Coming Events.......................................................................4 Nashville Emmaus Board .........................................................4

“4th Day” Following God’s Lead Since my Walk in 1997, I’ve been acutely sensitive to God intervening in my life. It happens a lot. For years I had been frustrated that my life was on a track that was anything but what I was planning. It was not a bad life, but, being a Type A personality, I wanted it to be my way. A major insight for me on my Walk was that all those detours that I was so frustrated with over the years, were probably God intervening in my life. While I was frustrated at the change of direction, things always turned out well. I could not see that I was a blessed person. I was too focused on myself and my abilities. So my answer to "What am I going to do about it?" was to stop fighting God and let him lead. My first priority would now be following his will for my life, wherever that may lead. It was a scary thought for a person who likes to be in control. But life is better with God in the lead. God and I are getting along just fine.

Most of the time when I sense God intervening in my life it’s little things, but occasionally it can be pretty major. Let me share with you an example of the kind of thing he does.

One February, my wife, Gwen, and I were returning home from a vacation in South Florida. We usually travel in a small, single engine aircraft.

It’s very convenient, pretty fast, there’s no baggage restrictions, no security hassles, and, coming from an avid pilot, a lot more fun than driving or taking the airlines.

If you know any pilots, you know their favorite TV program is not “Dancing With the Stars”, it’s The Weather Channel. The first thing we ask when we check into a hotel is do they carry The Weather Channel.

For planes like ours, your schedule is somewhat subject to weather conditions. We’re not like the airlines that can handle just about any weather.

We’re always open to the possibility of leaving early or staying later to avoid bad weather. The standard travel caveat in our household is, “we’ll be there -- depending on the weather.” Overall it works out pretty well.

On this Florida trip, it was important that I be back on Saturday for a Sunday commitment, one I felt God had a hand in. Early in the week the long range forecast was for good weather, so no need to leave early.

Leaving Saturday morning looked like it would work fine.

As you’ve probably noticed from watching your TV weather man, long-range forecasts are rather suspect and sure enough, the forecast we got on Friday night for Saturday was not pretty. Dense fog in south Florida, heavy thunderstorms across our flight path in North Florida, strong headwinds all the way home, and not particularly good weather in Nashville.

From a pilot’s perspective, it was a very ugly forecast.

While long-range weather forecasts are taken with a grain of salt, short-range forecasts for the next 24 hours are pretty accurate. When we went to bed Friday night it was unlikely we would be leaving for home the next morning. We’d make a final decision in the morning, but we were already resigning ourselves to at least a one day delay. In my mind I began rehearsing the dreaded call I’d have to make begging off my commitment.

My prayer that night was, “God, if you want me in Nashville Sunday morning, I need your help. I’m prepared to go, but there’s weather out there that’s way beyond my capabilities. I’ll do all I can, but I can’t do this alone.

I need your help.”

When morning arrived, I got my answer–first in the form of bright sunshine rather than dense fog. As for the thunderstorms in North Florida, they were there, but they were west of our route. If we left soon, we should be able to get around them. No change in the strong headwinds though so we planned a stop for fuel half way at Albany, Georgia which was forecast to have reasonably good weather.

With that, we departed Florida for Nashville. A slight detour got us around the thunderstorms just as we had hoped, but the planned stop at Albany was out of the question as there was a thunderstorm right over the airport. Time for Plan B. Columbus, GA – a few minutes north was foggy and possible, but would it not be easy. But, lo and behold, we could see that the Nashville weather was now better than forecast to the point we could safely continue the flight without stopping.

Four hours and forty-five minutes, two peanut butter sandwiches and a chocolate chip cookie later, we landed in Nashville in bright warm sunshine. To add to the drama, within an hour after we passed the nasty weather in North Florida, the path was totally blocked by heavy thunderstorms. That was our window of opportunity and we made it.

I'm convinced God wanted me back in Nashville to make my commitment on Sunday. Would the world come to an end if I had not made it back? No, but the importance of the job God has for us is not for us to judge, is it? He has his plan and we need to do our part as best we can.

What then was my part in this adventure? It was to simply be committed to the goal, – to stay the course and not give up. No heroics, no undue risk, just fly the plane like I was trained and have faith that the mission was important in God’s eyes and that he would provide what I needed to succeed.

The hard part of this adventure was dealing with some very ugly weather. The plain fact is I had nothing to do with that. Thunderstorms and fog are what they are. All you can do is avoid them. For God though, anything is possible and on that day, he was in control, and control he did.

This is just one example of God intervening in my life. Some would say I’m just lucky or that it’s just coincidence. There was a time when I would agree. But this kind of intervention happens so often and in so many ways that I am confident it’s God working behind the scenes helping me carry out his plan.

How will God intervene in my life next? I have no idea. But I’m sure he’s not done yet. While my Fourth Days are not all sunny and bright, my future is secure trusting in the wisdom of his lead and the assurance he will provide all that I need.

De Colores, Peter Cassidy

Prayer The Emmaus Board began this year with a decision to have intentional prayer for ourselves as a whole, for each other and for you, our community. We are sensing something happening in the Nashville Community. Something good!

We have reached out in faith and prayer and had successful Spring Walks. Our Chrysalis community has completed successful Flights this summer, inviting several youth to deepen their walk with Christ and become leaders in our churches. Our Face to Face community has reached out and completed our fourth successful Encounter, helping new community family to continue their walks with Christ. Our circle, Emmaus family, has reached out in prayer and has grown! We have been reaching and growing spiritually within ourselves and within our community.

We are continuing with fall walks being led by Ann Shafer and David Chavis. We ask you to join us in praying for all aspects of these walks.

Face to Face dates and location are set for 2015. However, it’s not too soon to be looking for a church who would like to host the 2016 Encounter. We ask you to spread the word and join us in prayer for this newest ministry of our community.

Chrysalis is working on Flights in 2015 where more youth will become important parts of our churches and deepen their lives in Christ. We ask you to join us in prayer for our Chrysalis Board and the work ahead of them.

We are hearing of churches who are hosting “mini” gatherings to bring their Emmaus family together and share what Emmaus has meant to them and offers to others. We ask that you pray for other churches who are reaching out. If you are hosting something like these in your own church, let us know so we can pray for you and join us in prayer for all the gatherings.

The sense of something happening is growth in the many ways that families grow together through prayer and support and reaching out to each other and others.

“I was in prison and you came to me…”

Matthew 25:36 Romans 5:8 The second Kairos “One Day Retreat” was held at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution on July 12th. A Kairos retreat is a one or two-day refresher course held for past Kairos graduates, featuring talks on Christianity with testimony, prayer and share small groups, and singing. Six team members served 15 residents.

Most were graduates of the recently held Kairos #1 Weekend, but some were graduates of the program from other institutions who have been transferred into Riverbend. In addition to fellowship, singing and spiritual activities, everyone enjoyed a pizza lunch. The purpose of Kairos is “to bring light into a dark place,” and that was certainly accomplished this month.

RMSI Weekend #2 is scheduled for this fall. Anyone interested in participating in that Weekend, either as a team member or in another capacity, may contact either Dan Preston at dan_preston1945@yahoo.com (754-6148) or Rev. John Gebhart at johnhgebhart@mac.com (871-8950).

"Praying for the Walks!"

We are looking forward to the Fall Walks, and we need your help in a couple of ways.

1) your prayers for the weekends leadership and teams.

2) and for person(s) you have been praying for and talking with about attending one of these weekends.

The deadlines for submitting the applications is two weeks before the walks.

If you have any questions, please get in touch me at evaughan@tds.net and I will be glad to answer your concerns or needs.

Blessings and joy, Edna Community Lay Director

What’s Happening in Your 4th Day? We all remember our own Emmaus experience and what it meant to us personally. We held that cross at Closing and answered the questions about what the Walk meant to us and what we are going to do about it.

Others can benefit from our stories of what happened next.

They are witness to God’s work in our lives and an inspiration to others as they persevere in life’s challenges. If you would like to submit your story for consideration, please email it to the Candlelight Editor at News@NashvilleEmmaus.org

Chrysalis

Gatherings

We are in the process of scheduling our winter flights.

They will be posted on the Chrysalis website www.NashvilleChrysalis.com when available.

Out Board continues to look for a few more lay and clergy members. If you would like more information, let me know.

September 27 • Good Shepard UMC Hendersonville

Fly with Christ,

December • Andrew Price UMC Nashville

Patrice Rullo Nashville Chrysalis Community Director

Emmaus Walks Fall Men’s Oct 2-5 Womens Oct 16-19

Chrysalis Flights Winter Flights schedule will be available shortly

Face To Face Encounter May 6, 7, 13, 14 2014 • Hilldale UMC Clarksville Check the Community website for the latest schedule

Face To Face The dates for the 2015 Encounter are May 6, 7, 15, 16 at Hilldale UMC in Clarksville. We appreciate the Community support in encouraging pilgrims to attend.

Face to Face is looking for some kind people to make banners for us. It would be so great to have our very own, some we could fold because as we move around we have to pack everything in boxes. If you can do this, please contact Pat Mishler at pmish5@comcast.net or 615-406-1367.

Renew Emmaus Friendships Have you wondered how your new best friend is doing? Haven’t seen your table mates in a long while? Well, here’s an opportunity!

Community gatherings are beginning! Our first community gathering in a long time is scheduled for September 27 at 6 p.m. at Good Shepherd UMC in Hendersonville. The address for the church is 525 New Shackle Island Road, Hendersonville. The meal will be catered at the cost of $775. This includes BBQ, rolls, beans, slaw, dessert, and beverage. SO no cooking, just come and enjoy your visit with old friends and also make new friends!!!

Note: 2nd Community Gathering Andrew Price UMC December, 2014.

If you are interested in hosting a community gathering, please contact me Jeanne Bell at jonbell0213@gmail.com

2014 Nashville Emmaus Board of Directors Executive Leadership Edna Vaughan - Community Lay Director Charlene Eubank - Secretary Jon Bell - Treasurer Lay Board Members Greg Engroff - Registrar • Immediate Past Community Lay Director Jeannie Bell Sandie Glover Steve Grayson Carla Hunt Nancy LeSuer Hugh Mason Jane Melrose Pat Mishler John Nance Bill Nelson Sam Trott Clergy John Arnold - Community Spiritual Director Allen Weller - Assistant Community Spiritual Director Jon Bell Loyd Mabry Ex-Officio Patrice Rullo - Chrysalis For More Info on Board Members and their areas of service, or to email a Board Member NashvilleEmmaus.org/About_Us/