Cross 

 Point

MONTHLY GATHERINGS				WALKS
(Board Meeting at 5:00 PM)				Men’s Walk #77		Apr 15 - Apr 18
Nov 14th		Ada First UMC 129 West 14th Street		Women’s Walk #78		Apr 22 - Apr 25

How are you preparing for the next Walk to Emmaus? Are you praying? The dates are April 15-18 & April 22-25, 2010 for Walks #’s 77 & 78, respectively. Those dates will be here all too quickly.

At every closing I encourage everyone to invite someone or some couple to go on the next Walk to Emmaus — someone in your social web — family members, church members, friends, or co-workers. Others are more cautious! I’ve wondered about this cautiousness, because we NEED sponsors to invite new pilgrims to go on the Walk to Emmaus to make the Walks a “go.” But we also need sponsors, because so many could benefit from the blessing they might receive on an Emmaus weekend. So I’ve been asked to say a word about sponsorship.

I’m convinced that the very heart of the Walk to Emmaus is good sponsorship. It’s what makes the Walks tick. Bad sponsorship leads to bad experiences with pilgrims. Good sponsorship leads to good experiences with pilgrims.

I typically write down the names of ten or fifteen people who might benefit from going on the Walks. Then for a week or two I pray over that list — add to and subtract. Then, methodically, I get an appointment to visit about Emmaus with the individuals or couples who seem to rise to the top of the list. I couch everything in prayer. I may invite one or two, or six or eight to go.

What do I say to an individual or couple about Emmaus? I tell them EVERYTHING. It takes about an hour to go over it completely. I talk about three home-cooked, country-style meals a day, two or three snack times a day, fifteen lay and clergy talks about basic Christianity, sitting at round tables with five or six other people who become dear friends before the end of the weekend, great fellowship, wonderful singing and worship, table discussions and posters, Dying Moments and Candlelight, and agape letters. Share what you were most excited about on your weekend. EVERYTHING!

Then I pull out the pilgrim’s application and sponsor’s form (you can download forms from the website). I tell them to go ahead and fill it out in my presence, if they’re ready. And many times they are. If they’re at home, they can easily give you the completed applications and a registration check. And they’re signed up.

Why is it so easy? Because, if you’ve been praying, the Lord has prepared the way! They will pick up on your excitement. And you will be a blessing in their lives forever. I encourage you to let God use you in this way.

Let’s commit ourselves to inviting as many as we can. I know I sponsored eleven on my first set of Walks as a sponsor. You can do it! And the Lord will bless you!

De Colores,
Dan Patman
Cross Point Walk to Emmaus #1
Table of Mark

Folks, please fill out and send your volunteer applications today. Jon and Jeannie are praying about team formation right now and they need volunteers!!!

You can send volunteer apps to me either via snail mail: 1017 McLish, Ardmore, OK 73401 OR email them to me at: paula@ardmore.com

Thank You!
Paula Pfau

I just want to thank each and every one who contributed to Emmaus walk # 75. God was moving in mighty ways throughout those three days. We saw lives changed in the pilgrims and in those who were working the walk.
Thank you God!

I was asked a question at the fourth day meeting last week; “Now that you have been a Lay Director, what happens next? Are you through? Will you be able to work a walk again?” The answer is an emphatic YES, you can and should continue to work in the Emmaus community. Being a lay director, in my opinion, is just another step in your Christain growth. I can also tell you, it is very comforting to have a half dozen ex-Lay Directors working on the team for each walk. When problems arise on a walk, and they always do, someone will have a solution. I, for one, will continue to volunteer to work as long as God allows. My prayer is that you will too.

De Colores,
Ben Owens

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Table Agape on this last set of walks. I worked in the conference room for the women’s walk so I can tell you, first hand, that the ladies loved all the surprises at the tables each meal and the pillow agape that awaited them at night. They kept up with their "goody" bags after each meal. As soon as we returned to the conference room, pens and markers came out to write their names on them so they wouldn't get lost.

Each and every gift is so important!

Again, thank you for your dedication, and let's keep up the great work.

DeColores,
Karin Nuner
Table Agape Board Rep

Do not say to yourself, "My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth." - Deuteronomy 8:17 (NRSV)

We work so that we have money to buy what we need to live and to maintain a comfortable home. We could say, "I worked hard to earn these things and they are mine." But the truth is, God created the earth and everything in it, including us. God gave us gifts of intelligence, strength, and creativity so we can enjoy a prosperous life style.

Praise be to God!

Pilgrims’, sponsors’, and scholarship application forms are available on the website. If you need forms but do not have internet access (or a printer), then please contact a board member.

Spring 2010
Men’s # 77		Apr 15 - Apr 18		Jon Barnes – Lay Director Duane Baker – Spiritual Director
Women’s #78		Apr 22 - Apr 25		Jeannie Owens – Lay Director Stephen Hale – Spiritual Director
Fall 2010
Men’s #79		Sep 30 - Oct 3
Women’s #80		Oct 7 - Oct 10

The next Gathering is scheduled for November 14 in Ada, OK at the First United Methodist Church (129 West 14th Street). The worship service will begin at 7:00 PM and will be followed by fellowship and, of course, food. The board meets at 5:00 before each gathering. If you would like to host a gathering at your home church, contact Reverend Kay Buchanan.

Mark your calendars, invite a friend or neighbor, and we hope to see you there!

Here is the gathering schedule for the next few months…

	December 12th		Ringling: UMC		7:00 PM
	January 9th		Ada: Asbury UMC		7:00 PM
	February 13th		Durant: Western Meadows Baptist Church		7:00 PM
	March 13th		tbd		7:00 PM
	April 17th		Men's Candlelight		8:00 PM
	April 24th		Women's Candlelight		8:00 PM

If you have changed your mailing address, email address, name, or phone number then please either go to the website (www.crosspointemmaus.org), click on MyContact, and update your information or send a note by mail.

If you have a 4th day testimony, a devotional, a news article, or an announcement that you would like to share for publication in the Cross Point Emmaus newsletter then please send it by mail or email. Thank You!

Rev. Dan Patman		Community Spiritual Director
Vicki Swigert		Community Lay Director
Paula Pfau		Assist. Community Lay Director
Rev. Kay Buchanan		Gatherings
Rev. Les Bussell		Fourth Day
Rev. Roger Wood		Candlelight | Sponsors Hour
Barbara Wood		Secretary
Toni Hignight		Literature
Mike Carnahan		Letter Agape
Dewayne Gipson		Treasurer
Karin Nuner		Table Agape
Jeff Hiller		Music
Ben Owens		Setup | Tear Down
Julie Altom		Registrar
Joe Sherbert		Newsletter
Kelly Shannon		Kitchen | Snack Agape