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The Walk to Emmaus and First UMC

What is the Walk to Emmaus?

The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual reneuwal program sponsored by the Upper Room. It is intended to strengthen local churches through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. Like its predecessor, Cursillo do Christiandad (Spanish for "short course in Christainity"), the Walk to Emmaus is a three-day experience that takes a New Testament look at Christanity as a lifestyle. It is a highly structured weekend designed to strengthen and renew the faith of Christain people, and through them their families, congregations, and the world in which they live. Emmaus is a combined effort of laity and clergy toward the renewal of the church.

The weekend begins on Thursday evening and ends Sunday evening. At Emmaus you will spend three busy but very enjoyable days, usually at a retreat center. Separate Emmaus weekends are held for men and women. You will live and study together in song, prayer, worship, and discussion. Discussions center around fifteen talks given by lay persons and clergy. The talks present the theme of God's grace, and how that grace comes alive in the Christian community and expresses itself in the world. You will have the opportunity to participate in Holy Communion daily and to begin to understand more fully the presence of Christ in his body of believers. You will experience God's grace personally through the prayers and acts of service of a living support community. There generally is a small application fee, but otherwise there is no charge for attending the Walk to Emmaus.

Although your Emmaus weekend lasts only three days, you are invited to build on it for the rest of your life. Those who attend a Walk to Emmaus are encouraged to do two things following their weekend: 1) expand their own spiritual lives through study and congregational participation and 2) become more active disciples of Christ in the world through their churches. To nurture this process of discipleship, the Emmaus movement offers specific opportunities. First, reunion groups of four to six persons meet weekly to reflect on their quest for spiritual growth and encourage one another in their discipleship. Second, all persons in a particular Emmaus community are invited to monthly meeting, called gatherings, for fellowship and worship. Third, members become aware of support needs for Emmaus weekends and often pursue opportunities to help with future weekends in a variety of ways.

I guess the way I would describe the Walk to Emmaus is that it provides an object lesson in giving and receiving Christain love. While courses such as Disciple Bible study appeal to the head, the Walk to Emmaus appeals to the heart. It can be a powerful and transforming experience.

Who is Emmaus For?

Emmaus is for active church members, their leaders, and less active church members who are seeking to renew a relationship with God. Emmaus assumes a certain familiarity with the basics of the Christain faith. It is nondenominational, especially for all those who seek to follow Christ without regard to labels and camps.

The Walk to Emmaus may not be for everyone--and that is okay. There are those of the body of Christ who feel called to a different type of ministry. It may also be that God wants you to wait. Always prayerfully consider before you commit yourself to attending an Emmaus walk.

How Do I Learn More?

First UMC has an active Emmaus community, and nearly thirty current members have attended the Walk to Emmaus, Cursillo, or other similar 72-hour weekend. If you want more information on the Walk to Emmaus or how you can attend an Emmaus weekend, please contact one of the following folks or contact the Church Office: Dave Meixner, Tim Reed, Judy Sinkovitz, or Greg Sweitzer.

For general information on the Walk to Emmaus, please visit www.upperroom.org/emmaus