OCONEE RIVER BASIN

WALK TO EMMAUS COMMUNITY

NEWSLETTER

July 1, 2016

CHRIST IS COUNTING ON YOU

www.ORBEC.org

Volume 4

www.upperroom.org

Issue 4

The ORBEC Walk Team Selection Committee has

started taking names of those interested in serving on

Walks #15 & 16. details on page 2

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July Gathering set to be held at Wesley Chapel UMC

on July 8th more information on page 2

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Reunion Groups continue to form following the ORBEC

Walks #13 & 14 in April 2016. See page 8

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Why were ORBEC Walks #13 & 14 so successful in

so many ways ? See the answer on page 3

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OF FURTHER INTEREST

The Clergy Corner See page 7

Know Your ORBEC Board Members See page 8

Fourth Day Thoughts See page 9

May Gathering See pages 10 & 11

Reunion Group Listing See pages 12 & 13

Team and Pilgrim Applications See pages 15-17

Thank you See page 14

The Christmas in June Fundraiser was lots of fun and

quite successful. Pictures and details on pages 4 & 5 & 6

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 * 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31

July 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15* 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

August 2016

*

*ORBEC Board Meetings will resume on August 15th.

* July Gathering will be held at Wesley Chapel UMC on Sparta Hwy, Eatonton

on July 8th with Dinner @ 6 PM and fellowship and program at 7 PM. The

Wesley Chapel members will provide a spaghetti supper. ORBEC members are

asked to bring sides and desserts. Come and enjoy the music, food, worship

and fellowship.

* August Gathering will be held at Eatonton FUMC on August 12th. Specifics

to follow.

TEAM SELECTION TO BEGIN

Flo Douglas, ORBEC Walk Team Selection Board Servant announced at the

May Gathering that she was accepting the names and contact information

for all those who are interested in serving on the Men’s Walk #15 scheduled

for March 30– April 2, 2017 and the Women’s Walk #16 scheduled for

April 27-30, 2017. The Team Selection Committee will begin the team

selection process in September 2016. If you are interested in serving on a

Walk, email your name and contact information to Flo Douglas at

mariner 105@hotmail.com.

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Are you a member of an Emmaus Reunion Group?

If you are. “Congratulations!” If you are not a member of a Reunion group

there are 2 ways to become a member. If you would like to start-up a new group

contact Tom Collier, Board Servant for Reunion Groups @ 706-296- 9530, who

will assist you with the process. The 2nd way to become a member is to join one

of the existing groups. You can contact the following members for information

also.

Linda Ervin @770-229-5729 Hank Raehn @678-333-6948 Flo Douglas @478-451-7866

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Successful Community Building Through Sponsorship

An example of good sponsorship is most apparent in the way that a pilgrim is led by his/her sponsor to approach the Fourth Day…as they are encouraged to participate in the Gatherings, reunion groups ….perhaps even to serve on a Walk and become a sponsor, thus growing the ORBEC Community. Such was the sponsorship of Pilgrims for the 2016 Walk to Emmaus weekends. Many who were “pilgrims” on Walks 13 and 14 have attended Gatherings, joining in as community members to eat, fellowship, and worship together…many have also joined existing reunion groups, as well as helped to form new ones…and many have already signed up to serve on the next Walks. The Fourth Day activities of new members help to build the Community and help to ensure success in future Walks. “Success” on the Walk to Emmaus begins and ends with appropriate sponsorship.

Though team selection, training and community participation are essential components of a Walk To Emmaus weekend, they have meaning only as they relate to the experience of the pilgrims. The sponsorship process begins when a sponsor prayerfully asks God to lay on his/her heart the name of someone who might be interested in attending, then thoughtfully talks with that person to explain the Walk To Emmaus and answer questions. Potential pilgrims should be encouraged, but not feel forced, to consider attending the Walk. Once they have said, “Yes” to the experience, sponsors stay in close touch as they walk with them through the process of application submission and making plans for themselves and their families for the Walk weekend. The weekend is a benchmark, a point on the timeline of our Christian walks. What makes Emmaus different from most “retreats” is that it keeps on going. It designs a pathway for us to follow to become more Christ-like, and to encourage us on the journey. Sponsorship does not end, but continues when a sponsor passes on to his/her pilgrim the baton of giving the gift of Emmaus. It is never too early to begin to pray for God to nudge us towards potential pilgrims, and to begin to plant seeds of interest in their hearts and minds.

De Colores Flo Douglas, Lay Director, Walk #14

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ORBEC CHRISTMAS IN JUNE FUNDRAISER

Temperatures outside were in the 90s, but inside the

fellowship hall at Greensboro FUMC at Carey Station,

Emmaus members and their guests walked into a Christmas

wonderland through a lovely arch and to tables decorated

for Christmas. All the merriment was the creation of the

Emmaus decorating team made up of Sandy Rudolph,

Darlene Nicklow, Diane Bassett, Shirley Wiley, Ann Maddox

and Linda Ervin.

Susie Pressley opened the Gathering and Shirley Wiley

welcomed everyone. The program started with the Music

Director of Greensboro FUMC, Alexis Renee Ford, leading

everyone in traditional Christmas songs. Greensboro FUMC

Associate Pastor Hugh Hendrickson proudly modeled his

ugly Christmas sweater.

Entertainment was provided by storyteller, Jim Martin.

Jim attends Walker United Methodist Church. He shared, in

a comical way, his growing up in Duluth, Georgia in the

40s with nine other siblings from his parents' blended

family. Christmas was a special time, and he got the same

red wagon from Santa for three straight years! Needless-to

say, his Dad was very creative.

Everyone enjoyed their choice of gourmet salmon or

chicken dinners prepared by our own Chef James Pressley

and his helpers, Butch Thompson, Diane Bassett, Jane Lang,

Susie Pressley, Ann Maddox, Nancy Wicker and Linda

Ervin . Jane Lang even taught the cooking team how to

make homemade rolls.

5 cont’d on page 6

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CHRISTMAS IN JUNE FUNDRAISER 2016

The Entrance to the Christmas in June Fundraiser

Christmas Décor & Elves Christmas Songs

Good Fellowship Ugly Christmas Sweater Door Prize Winner

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Silent Auction

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The silent auction was conducted by Ron Lang. It was a very

successful addition to the Fundraiser.

The desserts for the Dessert Contest were served by Celeste Pressley

with her children, Emma, Sam, Annie, and Beau and Linda

Ervin. Emma was also Santa from time to time. Each slice or

serving of dessert cost $1 and was also an excellent money maker

for the Fundraiser. The $100 gift certificate from Clothing Depot

in Greensboro was won by Ann Maddox for the most votes for her

banana pudding.

Jane Lang and Associate Pastor, Hugh Hendrickson, conducted

the drawing for the Highlands week. The winners were Ken and

Susie Pressley.

The Christmas in June Fundraiser made over $3600. for ORBEC.

The Fundraising Committee wants to thank those who helped to

make the evening happen by the giving of their time, energies

and ideas. The committee is truly grateful.

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THE CLERGY CORNER

God says, “Moses, I have heard the cry of the people

and I have chosen you regardless of your background to

speak. It is I who commands the rise and fall of kings,

and priests, and prophets. It is I who has spoken! And

it shall be done! I just choose you.”

And He chooses us today. Not out of abilities, but out of

availability despite our excuses.

James Smith 7

Today begins three days of our Annual Conference. Preachers

and pastors will be there at every turn as attendance is

mandatory. Some preachers are popular. Others not so much,

but we are all called to be prophets of God in some way.

Moses was not popular with the Egyptians, but neither was he

popular with the Israelites, the people he came to save. They

complained that things were going too slowly.

This is the reality---The Call of God does not come to us

because we are qualified. I take comfort when I think of the

story of Balaam’s donkey speaking for God. I have seen it

happen in the pulpit, but it’s just that I have never heard it

mentioned or announced from the pulpit!

The very story of God is counter-cultural and that’s the reason

He called you and me to speak prophetically. To preach in the

moment with an eye on the past that which God has prepared

for the future. Prophets speak to the issues of the moment

Agendas, financial disparity in wages, economics, the

oppressed, and the ever-growing number of poor in the

world. We speak a word, not from this place, but from another

world. The Divine from heavenly places. The word forms us

before it transforms the people.

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Jan’s duties include the receiving, recording and reporting of all applications for

both team members and pilgrims for all scheduled walks. She also does the

maintenance and updating of the master data base of members for the ORBEC

Community, and she is responsible for the distribution via email of all official

communications.

Jan attended Oconee River Basin Walk to Emmaus #8, ans she sat at the table of

Esther. She has served on Walks 10 and 12 on the Kitchen Team

Jan and her husband, Randy, live in Eatonton. She was born and raised in

Eatonton, but moved to Milledgeville for 6 years. She and Randy have been back in

Eatonton for 4 years. She works at Central Georgia Technical College in Milledgeville as

an administrative assistant to the VP of Satellite Operations.

When asked what the Walk to Emmaus has meant to her, Jan said that it’s been said

over and over again, but the weekend was life changing to her. She said that before

she attended the weekend, she played at being a Christian, but after the weekend was

over she had a new direction that she wanted to go in. Being around ladies that

were there for the same reason she was, to know more about Jesus, and to

develop a deeper relationship with him was an amazing experience.

KNOW YOUR ORBEC BOARD MEMBERS

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE ORBEC BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES? EXACTLY!!

EACH MONTH WE WILL BECOME BETTER INFORMED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND LEARN SOMETHING

ABOUT THEM TOO.

ORBEC Registrar, Jan Harrington

NEW REUNION GROUPS FORMED

There have been 4 Reunion Groups organized since Emmaus Walks #13 and 14. As of

the publication of this Newsletter, there are 2 Men’s groups, as yet unnamed, and 1

Women’s group, also unnamed, meeting at Milledgeville FUMC. There is a group named

“Women of God” which has formed at Freedom Church . Another group, as yet

unnamed, has been established and meets at Crockett’s Restaurant in Milledgeville.

Dan and Janet Kelhoffer are meeting with interested members to establish a Women’s

and a Men’s Reunion Group out of Eatonton UMC in Eatonton. Do you have a Reunion

Group yet? 8

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Fourth Day Thoughts

Diane and Charles Beasley related their shared Fourth Day experience at the April

Gathering. Charles attended Ga-Lina Walk to Emmaus #106 and sat at the Table

of Phillip, and Diane attended Ga-Lina Walk to Emmaus #107 and sat at the table

of Hannah.

Diane said that after their walks they both wanted everyone they knew and loved

to experience a weekend filled with the love of God as they had done. They wanted

to serve on walks with the many friends they had made on their walks and in the

Oconee River Basin Walk to Emmaus Community.

Diane and Charles have done just that by serving in many ways on the 14 ORBEC

Walks. They have also been blessed to sponsor 9 Pilgrims since their Emmaus

Weekend. Both Diane and Charles are also ORBEC Board Servants.

Diane said their Walk to Emmaus encouraged both of them to be more involved in

their church. They are Greeters on Sunday morning, serve as Hospitality host and

hostess to visitors, and she is blessed to teach 5 to 12 year old girls at Wednesday

evening Bible Study. She also rotates with others to serve in the church nursery

on Sunday mornings. Diane added that she and Charles have hearts for people

who have a difficult time getting to church. They currently pick up a lady on

Sunday mornings and take her to church with them. Diane said this, too, blesses

them to be able to help her. Charles said that they had picked up an elderly

friend, Mr. Maury, several years ago, and they would take him to church,

sometimes even having to help him get dressed when they picked him up. They

enjoyed Mr. Maury and loved helping him. Charles said they learned a lot from

him, too. They were truly blessed by him.

Diane said she and Charles have recently joined the Gazebo Guys and Gazebo Gals

Reunion Groups. She said that they have had great fellowship with some wonderful

Christians. These reunion groups are very important to them both. They both also

attend Men’s and Women’s Fellowship at their church each month. They love their

church family.

Diane told of hearing a quote, which made her think of the Walk to Emmaus, on

Family Life Radio. It was, “Stops of Jesus are as important as Steps of Jesus .” She

said that on the Walk to Emmaus we “Stop” to be in His presence . When we do as

Christ commanded us to do, we are actively taking the “Steps “ to support our

Pastor and go into the community and make disciples. Charles and Diane said

that their Walks gave them the knowledge and desire to follow Jesus’ example and

commands. De Colores

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May Gathering at Mike Rainey’s Farm

Fun was had by all.

Scenes from the Cookout Gathering in Eatonton on May 13th.

See the next page for what you missed.

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May 2016 Gathering

The afternoon was warm, the sky was clear, the breeze was ever so light, and about 80 members and guests of the Oconee River Basin Walk to Emmaus Community turned out for the May Gathering at Mike Rainey's farm in Eatonton. What a beautiful location it is, and Mike is so very generous to host the Emmaus Community.

The Fisherman and Wayfarers Reunion Groups provided hot dogs, cooked onsite, and the fixins' for the meal, and the Community brought various side dishes to accompany them. There was potato salad, various kinds of slaw, pasta salads, baked beans, chips, and a variety of deserts. Everyone present seemed to enjoy the meal.

ORBEC Lay Director, Shirley Wiley, welcomed the membership and asked that any guests with them be introduced. Again this month there was a large number of new members from Walks 13 and 14 which were held the first of April.

James Pressley updated the group on the progress of the current Fundraiser which is the focus of the June Gathering, called Christmas in June. He announced that there are a few tickets left for the dinner for two for the evening and a chance to win the Door Prize of a week's stay in beautiful Highlands, NC.

Flo Douglas, ORBEC Team Selection Servant, asked that anyone who is interested in serving on Walk #15 or #16 next Spring see her before leaving, so that she can get their name and contact information. Flo also noted that the success of Walks #13 and #14 was the direct result of excellent sponsorship. She asked that all members be praying about the upcoming walks and who they know could benefit from them. Then pray for them.

Janet Kelhoffer announced that she and her husband, Dan, were in the process of establishing a Women's and a Men's Reunion Group at Eatonton FUMC. She asked for those interested to contact Dan or her for more information and to get in on the ground floor of the setting up of the two groups.

The music for the Gathering was provided by David Wallace, Jim Rudolph, Sandy Rudolph and Diane Bassett. They led those in attendance in a number of old hymns.

Susie Pressley was the Fourth Day speaker for this Gathering. She shared the story of the Oconee River Basin Walk to Emmaus Community. She gave a short description of the origin of The Walk to Emmaus, and explained how it began as a Roman Catholic retreat and was adopted and adapted for use by Protestant churches in the United States. Susie shared some of the many blessings the Oconee River Basin Walk to Emmaus Community has received, including the generosity of many of its members, local churches, and the foresight of those members who decided to start ORBEC in 2011. She noted that in its six year existence, ORBEC has completed 14 Walks and is looking forward to many more.

Michael Stewart, ORBEC Community Spiritual Director, was assisted by retired Pastor, Ron Shornhorst and Hugh Hendrickson, Assistant Pastor of Greensboro FUMC, in celebrating Holy Communion. Michael's message was about how the Holy Spirit and His testifying of Christ in us gives us the Fruit of the Spirit. He noted how the Fruit of the Spirit, likewise works in marriage.

The May Gathering ended at dusk, with a beautiful horizon to complete a beautiful day, evening and ORBEC Gathering.

DeColores SC

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(2)

REUNION GROUPS

DO-DADS GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE

Meets at Cracker Barrel, Madison Meets 2nd & 4th Sun/12:30 PM At Grace Fellowship

weekly on Wednesday @6:30 AM Darlene Nicklow nicklowd@aol.com706- 224-1056

Butch Thompson oconeeloghomes@bellsouth.net Carrie Humanhuman.carrie@gmail.com706-347-2302

Scott Webbswebb@agsouthfc.com 706-717-8488

CLUCK HENS PUT ME IN COACH

Meets monthly at various locations Meets at various locations

Lisa Roberts lerob1960@gmail.com 706-473-1229 Brook Thomason 706-485-9722

Renee Wright nonnie_7@yahoo.com..888-904-9800 Linda Griggs

MEN'S MILLEDGEVILLE GROUP THE LOVE BUGS

Monday nights Greensboro FUMC Carey Station every other Mon

Carroll Smith.cntsinga@charter.net478-251-4536 Lynn Bowers lybowers@windstream.net4784148133

Al Whitehouse..bawii@charter.net...478-453-9624 Renee Gibsontomrenee@plantationcable.net4784564022

SISTERS OF LOVE SPOTLIGHT

Every Other Wednesday at Greensboro 1ST Wed/monthly/summer months/Spotlight Theater

FUMC Carey Station 8:30 AM Susie Pressley jimmiepressley@yahoo.com 7706307592

Susan S. Young..ssyoung75@gmail.com..770-330-7510 Ann Maddox maddoxta@aol.com 706-473-1511

Diane Bassett.bassettd@plantationcable.net.706-485-1280

TUESDAY MORNINGS WAYFARERS

Sebastian Cove Clubhouse weekly Tuesday @8:00 Tues 7:30 AM Walker UMC

Hank Raehn...hankjean@gmail.com..706-485-9530 Dale Ward 706-453-9496

Pete Topken p.topken@gmail.com 678-699=7533 Jack Haynes 706-467-0899

PROMISE KEEPERS WOMEN OF GOD

Wednesday- 8:00 AM Freedom Church Milledgeville, GA

Sebastian Cove Clubhouse Kathy Martin 706-444=9824

Hank Raehn 706-485-9530 Jack Minchey

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REUNION GROUPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY (1)

SPIRIT SISTERS GAZEBO GUYS Weekly /Friday / 10:00 am /Greensboro UMC Weekly – Tuesdays – 7:00 pm – Harmony Road Gazebo Ann Maddox maddoxta@aol.com 706-473-1511 Jim Rudolph 706-473-3492

Dianne Gibson dgibson13@windstream,net706-318-4812 David Wallace davewallace@gmail.com 706-473-1132

MARYS AND MARTHAS OCONEE FISHERMEN Monthly /1st Thursday/ 1:15pm – 3:15pm People's Bank Weekly/Tuesday/7:30 AM/ Walker UMC

Community Rm Hwy 44 and Harmony Rd Linda Ervin lindae@plantationcable.net 706-473-9082 Tom Collier fish1127@outlook.com 706-623-4496 Sheryl Causey sacbanker@att.net 404-583-8208 Ken Langolf klangolf@plantationcable.net 706-347-0507

THANKFUL FOR MONDAYS

Weekly /Monday 7:30 am /Huddle House on #4

Ken Pressley kennethpressley@gmail.com 404-630-4571

Lane Grayson lgrayson@tri-star group.com 678-776-0581 EARLY RISERS Weekly /Thursday/ 7:00 AM / Reynolds Plantation Clubhouse

David Hubbard david.bb@teradata.com 706-347-1681

Hank Raehn hankjean@gmail.com 678-333-6948

HOPEWELL HOPEFULS THE NEW LADIES’ REUNION GROUP

Weekly / Wednesday /5:30 pm Hopewell UMC Meets on Monday @ 11 AM at Crockett’s Restaurant Flo Douglas mariner105@hotmail.com 478-451-7866 Sylvia Puckett.478-452-6083.sylviapuckett@windstream.net

Jeanene Vinson jpvinson@windstream.net 478-457-5059 Kathi Gunter.478-452-8340..kathigunter@yahoo.com

(Name of this Group is forthcoming)

THE GAZEBO GALS

Meet at different homes & Restaurants/Tues

Sandy Rudolph 706-473-3493

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IF YOU DO NOT SEE YOUR REUNION GROUP LISTED

ON THESE 2 PAGES, OR IF THERE IS AN ERROR IN

YOUR GROUP’S INFORMATION, PLEASE SEND THE

CORRECT INFORMATION TO SHERYL CAUSEY AT

sacbanker@att.net, AND IT WILL BE ADDED OR

CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY.

THANK YOU,

SHERYL CAUSEY

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ORBEC Gatherings are on the second Friday of each

month except those in which there are Walks.

Please put these dates on your calendar.

July 8, 2016 & August 12, 2016

For more information about Gatherings, contact:

John or Jeanie Wilson at jjwil@plantationcable.net

FAITH, FAMILY, FELLOWSHIP, FOOD, FUN, LOVE, MUSIC, WORSHIP, FRIENDSHIP,

COMMUNITY, MEMBERSHIP, PLANNING, CELEBRATING, SHARING,

SISTERHOOD, BROTHERHOOD, CONVERSATION

If you have an item for the Newsletter or if you would like to help with the

Newsletter or Publicity please email:

Susie Pressley at jimmiepressley@yahoo.com

or Sheryl Causey at sacbanker@att.net.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE

WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS MONTH’S

ORBEC NEWSLETTER

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Please apply only if you can be present for the entire three days, 7:00 p.m. Thursday through Sunday closing and

attend the follow-up meeting. All information on this form is required for placement on a Walk. Each applicant

must be sponsored by someone who has attended a Walk to Emmaus or Cursillo type three-day weekend Please

enclose a registration deposit of $75. This deposit will be applied toward your fee of $200. This deposit is non-

refundable. However, if you are not able to attend this walk, it will be applied to the next walk. After you have

completed this application, please give it to your sponsor. The information you provide will be kept confidential.

THE WALK APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THE SPONSOR FORM. REGISTRATION FEE IS DUE IN FULL 6 WEEKS PRIOR

TO THE WALK.

LAST NAME________________________FIRST NAME__________________________

NAME DESIRED ON NAME TAG __________

ADDRESS: ______________________________CITY___________________STATE_______ZIP________

DOB_______________HOME PHONE_(_______)___________________CELL ( ____)____________________

E-EMAIL ADRESS______________________________OCCUPATION_________________________

[ ] CLERGY [ ] MARRIED [ ] SINGLE [ ]DIVORCED [ ] WIDOWED [ ] SEPARATED

SPOUSE’ S NAME______________________________PHONE NO. _____________________

ALTERNATE CONTACT_________________________PHONE NO._____________________

CHURCH_______________________________DENOMINATION _____________

WHY DO YOU WISH TO ATTEND?_________________________________________________

HAS YOUR SPOUSE BEEN TO EMMAUS/CURSILLO/TRES DIAS? [ ] YES { } NO IF YES, WHEN? ___________

WHERE? If NO, Has your spouse applied to go on the Walk to Emmaus? [ ] YES [ ] NO

DIETARY CONCERNS: [ ] Y [ ] N ROCK EAGLE CAN PREPARE THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL MEALS:

PLEASE CIRCLE THE TYPE YOU NEED:

DIABETIC GLUTEN FREE NO BEEF OR PORK TOSSED SALAD VEGETARIAN

TIME SENSITIVE MEDICATIONS [ ] Yes [ ] No PHYSICAL NEEDS _______________________

NAME OF SPONSOR ______________________________________ HAS YOUR SPONSOR SATISFACTORILY

EXPLAINED “THE WALK TO EMMAUS” TO YOU, I.E., FOLLOW-UP MEETING, REUNION GROUPS, AND THE

MONTHLY COMMUNITY GATHERINGS?[ ] YES [ ] NO

APPLICANT’S SIGNATURE__________________________________________DATE_________________

APPLICANT’S PASTOR’S SIGNATURE__________________________________DATE_______________

All signatures are required or the application will be returned to the sponsor and your registration will be delayed)

MAIL TO: OCONEE RIVER BASIN EMMAUS, 6350 Lake Oconee Parkway, Suite 102-29,Greensboro, GA 30642

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OCONEE RIVER BASIN WALK TO EMMAUS

Walk Application Form (PLEASE PRINT)

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WALK TO EMMAUS APPLICATION PAGE 2

Guidelines for the Application to Attend the Walk to Emmaus

In accordance with the polices established by the Board of Directors, we ask that you take

special note of the following items on this Application to Attend the Walk to Emmaus. The Board has

directed the Registrar to return incomplete applications and request additional information before ac-

cepting the application. It will help register you more quickly if you take note of the items below. Ask

your sponsor for clarification and help if needed. Thanks!

INFORMATION REGARDING CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Because Emmaus is not intended to make disciples, but rather to strengthen those who are already

disciples, persons accepted for a Walk are expected to be active members of a Christian congregation.

Please indicate the NAME and DENOMINATION of the congregation in which you are an active

member. Students may indicate the church they presently attend if they have not formally moved their

membership. Non-students who are members of one congregation but are actively attending another

congregation should confront the issue of where God is calling them to service. Make a commitment to

a worshipping community before applying for a Walk to Emmaus, so that you are ready to participate

fully in that community on your return from the Walk to EmmauS.

INFORMATION REGARDING SPECIAL NEEDS

If you do not understand the question, “Has the Walk to Emmaus been explained to you,” please talk

to your sponsor before you complete this form. Your sponsor should not sign this form until they have

explained Emmaus and its follow-up to you.

It’s especially important that we know if you need a special diet, take medication, have any special needs or

challenges. It is rare that these need cannot be met so that you can participate fully in the Walk to Emmaus;

however we need to know as far ahead as possible, so that we can make your Walk a fulfilling experi-

ence for you. NONE OF THIS INFORMATION WILL BE RELEASED except to those responsible for

meeting your needs.

SIGNATURES REQUIRED ON FORMS

There are two signatures required on this form. Both signatures must be included, or we will return the

form to your sponsor for completion, delaying your reservation. It is the responsibility of your sponsor to

see that these signatures are complete.

Your signature. This is your free commitment to accept God’s invitation to attend the Walk. Therefore,

you must sign the form personally. A sponsor’s, friend’s or spouse’s signature is not acceptable since no

one else can make this free commitment for you. Your Pastor’s Signature. This signature signifies the

commitment of the Pastor of the congregation in which you serve to work with you in developing your

service to God after the Walk. It is not mandatory that your pastor has completed the Walk. Emmaus is

not intended to bypass the authority of the pastor of your congregation in any way. If your pastor is

opposed to you attending a Walk to Emmaus, you will be unable to serve effectively after the Walk and

you will be frustrated and discouraged. Your sponsor should contact the pastor on your behalf, or with

you, to help explain Emmaus and assure those who are uncertain or hesitant. Your sponsor may call on

the Community Spiritual Director for any assistance in explaining Emmaus.

OCONEE RIVER BASIN EMMAUS, 6350 Lake Oconee Parkway,Suite 102-29, Greensboro, GA 30642

KEEP THIS PAGE DO NOT MAIL IN