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Cancelled – 9/19/20 Covered Dish Gathering

Cancellation of 9/19/20 Covered Dish Gathering

Even though there has been some loosening of restrictions of COVID-19 restrictions within the state, there have been recent college outbreaks and an incident rate above 1.03.

Because the Board has been entertaining concerns from community members regarding live gatherings, we must consider the safety of all. Even though we know the food will be safe, it is the gathering around the food, and live singing that are problematic.

I know many were looking forward to meeting in person again, but because of these concerns, and the opportunity to gather virtually with the international community, the executive board is promoting virtual meetings at this time.

I want to thank Mary Buckley for the perseverance and dedication she has shown during this difficult time to deal with a schizophrenic period in our history with this pandemic and offer her my deepest thanks for planning events that get cancelled.

I know we are not here to gain praise, but it has been difficult and frustrating for all.

De Colores

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May 2020 Letter to the Community

Dear Garden State Walk to Emmaus, Chrysalis, & Face to Face Community,

For many of us now journeying through the 7th week of staying at home we find ourselves anxious for the future only God knows past the COVID-19 pandemic. It is in times like these, that we must remember our walks and stay as connected as much as possible with each other. Hold true to the scripture from Luke 24:13-35 which The Walk to Emmaus is founded on. It is in Luke 24:30-32 we are reminded that “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Whether we attended a Walk, Encounter, or a Flight we each can recall that God is always walking by our side even in these unprecedented times. We can get through this together, God is calling us to continue to persevere in the days and months ahead, as a strong faith community steeped in prayer.

Amidst the pandemic, God is still ever present in new and innovative ways here in The Garden State Walk to Emmaus Movement. A governing board has been established and has begun the large task of evaluating our Past, Present, & Future. Prior to the pandemic with much excitement we welcomed 9 new Pilgrims into the community from the Face to Face Encounter. However, more recently the governing board has had to make some difficult decisions and has decided to cancel the Flights this spring, as well as the Walks in the fall of 2020. This decision didn’t come easy and was done with much prayer. The Garden State Walk to Emmaus governing board coupled with directives from The Upper Room in Nashville, TN came to the decision that our number one priority is for the community’s safety and well-being.
All is not lost for 2020, we are encouraged and will be hard at work choosing dates for Flights, Walks, & Encounters for 2021. Once a decision has been made, we will promptly send out the information, we all have work to do! If you are interested in serving on team or if you have a pilgrim or caterpillar you would like to sponsor, please reach out.

As you can imagine this is a busy time for all pastors and churches alike as we are all worshipping virtually. We would encourage you all to join us for our next gathering (via zoom) on June 20th @ 3pm. A link will be sent out and posted on our Facebook page as we get closer to the day. Don’t forget to share this communication with others in our community of faith. We love and miss you all, go out into the world (virtually for now) to share the news of Christ.

Sincerely,
The Governing Board of Directors

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Cancellation of Chrysalis Flights

Dear Emmaus community,
It is with a heavy heart that the board of directors has postponed the upcoming spring flights for Chrysalis. This is at the suggestion of the International Emmaus board in Nashville, as well as the current emergency within the state of New Jersey and the world.

We are still busy planning for our next Emmaus events and hoped to have our next gathering in June at the Y camp in Medford. Please stay tuned for more information

Walks will hopefully go forward. Please pray as we are currently selecting our Lay Directors for the men’s and women’s flights dates will be sent out in a separate email.

During this difficult time please keep all in prayer. This virus touches many lives. Follow directions from your state and local officials, wash your hands, pray often, and God bless you

De Colores
Deb Selm Orr
President Governing Board
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Winter Gathering – Saturday, February 15th 2020

Garden State Walk to Emmaus Winter Gathering

Saturday, February 15th 2020 @5pm

Beverly United Methodist Church
133 Warren St., Beverly, NJ 08010
Please bring a dish to share!

For more information, please contact:
Robyn Clark: 609-222-0601
Mary Buckley: 732-267-0852

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Face-to-Face Encounters

Please let your congregations and friends know about our “Face to Face Encounter.”

Face to Face is an adaptation of The Walk to Emmaus, specifically crafted to meet the needs of older adults, 60+, and those with mobility issues.

It invites persons to experience Jesus through a four session journey, covering subjects such as discipleship, mission, grief, and end-of-life issues.

It is led by laity and clergy. The dates are: Jan. 28th and 30th, and Feb. 1st and 4th, 2020, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Lunch is included. Snow dates are Feb. 6, and 8th.It will be held at the Beverly United Methodist Church, 133 Warren St., Beverly, NJ.

For questions, contact:
Bill and Carol Doron:856-854-6875 or bcdoron@aol.com

Registration fee: $50.00.

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August 2019 Letter to the Community

Dear Emmaus, Chrysalis and Face to Face Community

It’s hard to believe summer is more than half over and Labor Day is 2 weeks away. It seems like we just celebrated Memorial Day. I hope and pray that everyone has had a safe, fun and enjoyable summer.

I want to begin by addressing some changes to the Emmaus Community Board of Directors.

Due to church, family and personal commitments Pastor Jessica Campbell has resigned from the board. We thank Pastor Jessica for her time on the board and hope to see you at the walks and gatherings.

Marie Gardner has also resigned. Marie and Pastor Dave Gardner are relocating to Tennessee. Marie and Pastor Dave have been active in Emmaus and Chrysalis for years and will be greatly missed. Good luck on the next phase of your lives.

A few years ago, the Upper Room had notified the Emmaus Communities on a change to the structure of the Board of Directors. We are to go from a “Working Board” to a “Governing Board”. This requires a consolidation of the Emmaus, Chrysalis & Face to Face Boards into 1 Board with committees for Emmaus, Chrysalis & Face to Face. Our past Community Lay Director, Debbie Campion, had been working diligently on making this happen. The current board has continued this process. A few months ago, the Chrysalis Board was merged with the Emmaus Board. At the July Board meeting a motion was made and a vote taken to appoint Carol Doron as Lay Director and Joan Hutchinson as Spiritual Director for Face to Face. Our goal is to become a Governing Board on January 2020. More details on the board and committee structures will be addressed at the September 21 Gathering.

We are currently seeking nominations to serve on the Board for 2020. If you or someone you know is interested in serving on the board, please contact myself or a current Board member. We will be holding elections at the November Gathering.

With Labor Day here that also means we are fast approaching the Men’s and Women’s Fall Walks. Lynn Maun and Larry Bakely, The Lay Directors for the Fall Walks, have been working very hard in putting together their teams.

The Women’s Team is just about filled. If anyone is interested in serving, contact Lynn to see if there are still positions that need to be filled.

Larry Bakely has been diligently reaching out to the community. However, the Men’s Team is still in need of Conference Room and Background team members. If anyone is interested in serving on the Men’s Team please contact Larry or Charlie Ryan, Team Selection Chair.

Our next Gathering is going to be held on Saturday September 21 at South Seaville UMC. This Gathering is being held during the Men’s Walk weekend. The Gathering will start at 5:00pm. It will be POTLUCK so bring your favorite dish. There will be singing, entertainment and lots of fellowship. This should be a very fun and enjoyable evening.

Now is the time to get those sponsorship applications filled out and sent in. I’m sure if you’re like me you have a list of names who you feel are ready to go on the walk. Now is the time to pray for and sign them up. Please download the most current application with the “Hammonton” mailing address.

Remember, back when each of you did your walks. Remember how you felt. How this experience brought you closer to Christ. How grateful you were that someone took the time to pray for and sponsor you. Let’s get that list of names we have and sponsor someone so they can have that same experience, that same feeling, that same closeness to Christ.

DeColores

Don DeFiccio

Community Lay Director

Garden State Emmaus

 

Upcoming Dates:

Gatherings

Saturday September 21, 2019- South Seaville UMC, 5:00pm

Saturday November 16, 2019- St. Paul’s UMC, Brick N.J. Time: TBD  Elections will be held

 

Emmaus Walk #46

Emmaus Training Weekend- September 6-8, 2019

Men’s Walk Weekend- September 19-22, 2019

Women’s Walk Weekend- October 10-13, 2019

4th Day- Saturday October 19, 2019 Indian Mills UMC

 

Face to Face

Face to Face: Lay Director- Dee Dee Langshaw

Orientation- December 7, 2019

Training- January 15 & 18, 2020

Encounters- Tuesday January 28, Thursday January 30, Tuesday February 6

February 6 & 8- Snow Days

 

Chrysalis

Orientation- February 29, 2020

Training- March 27-29, 2020

Girls Flight- April 23-26, 2020

Boys Flight- April 30- May 3, 2020

Next Steps- May 16, 2020

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Correction to Upcoming Women’s Walk Dates

Please note that the Women’s Walk will be on October 10-13th, 2019.

The previously posted dates have been changed.

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2019 Garden State Walk to Emmaus Committee Chairs

Board positions for 2019 include:

Community Lay Director – Don DeFiccio
Assistant Community Lay Director – Deborah Selm-Orr
Community Spiritual Director – Pastor Peter Jamieson
Recording Secretary- Larry Tipton
Financial Secretary – Jon Johnson
Registration- Danny Clark
Team Selection- Charlie Ryan
Membership- Charlie Ryan
Agape- Rod Henry
Inter-Community Liaison- Rod Henry
Prayer Coordinator- Ken Long
Fourth Day Activities/ Gatherings- Robyn Clark
Music and Entertainment- Mary Buckley
Site Coordinator- Pete Buckley
Weekend Supplies- Pete Buckley
Chrysalis Lay Director – Danny Clark

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Letter from the Community Lay Director

Dear Emmaus, Chrysalis and Face to Face Community –

My name is Don DeFiccio, I went on the 30th Garden State Walk to Emmaus, I sat at the Boaz table and I worship my Lord at Crossroads Community Church in Shamong.

It is a privilege and honor to have been nominated and voted by the Emmaus Board to be the Garden State Emmaus Community Lay Director. I hope everyone has had a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.

I want to take a few moments and inform you of what is happening on the board, in the community, upcoming gatherings, future walks and flights.

Currently we are scheduling 4 Gatherings for this year. The first Gathering is going to be held on Saturday, February 23, 12-3pm at the New Egypt United Methodist Church, 38 N. Main St. New Egypt, N.J. 08533. This is going to be a Potluck lunch. All are encouraged to bring your favorite dish for everyone to taste.

Every fall new board nominations are received to replace those board members whose terms are expiring at the end of December. These names are then presented and voted on at the November Gathering. Due to a scheduling conflict this voting did not take
place. The elections for the new board members are going to take place at the Gathering on February 23.

The following are the new board nominees; Jon Johnson, Deborah Selm-Orr, Pastor Jessica Campbell, Charlie Ryan.

Please join us at the gathering and vote on the incoming board member nominees.

The dates and locations for the other Gatherings will be:

  • September 21- South Seaville UMC
    This gathering will be held during the Men’s Walk weekend. It is our hope to have a large turnout. After the gathering the community would then head over and fill the Chapel for the Men’s Candlelight service.
  • November 16- St. Paul’s UMC, 714 Herbertsville Rd. Brick, N.J. 08724, Time to be
    determined.
  • There will also be a Gathering in June or July. More information will be available once
    a location has been selected.

On Saturday March 30, 1-3pm at the Indian Mills UMC, the board will be having a meeting to discuss ways to grow our community. This meeting is open to all community members. Participate in an opportunity to grow our community! We will prayerfully consider the ways we can accomplish this with a focused in depth look at where we are and where the spirit is leading us. Take 2 hours and give the time to God in looking at how we can be Christ in the world. We can feed the world as we are also fed.

Upcoming dates for Flights and Walks are as follows:

Chrysalis
Training Weekend- April 5-7, 2019
Girls Flight- April 25-27, 2019
Boys Flight May 2-5, 2019

Emmaus
Training Weekend- September 6-8, 2019
Men’s Walk- September 19-22, 2019
Women’s Walk- October 10-13, 2019

The Emmaus Board looks forward to seeing everyone at the gathering on February 23.

DeColores
Don DeFiccio
Community Lay Director
Garden State Emmaus

1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

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Upcoming Fourth Day and Community Gathering

Come and welcome the newest members of the Garden State Walk to Emmaus Community!

Garden State Walk to Emmaus Walk #45 Fourth Day
Saturday, October 20th
8:30am – Fellowship
9:00am – Program begins
Zion UMC
652 Zion Rd
Egg Harbor Twp, NJ

Please note that attending Fourth Day is required to sponsor a pilgrim or serve on a Walk to Emmaus team in the future. If you are unable to attend this Fourth Day, the next opportunity will be in the spring at the Garden State Chrysalis version of Fourth Day known as Next Steps.

Please bring your reunion cards and worship books.

Emmaus, Chrysalis and Face-To-Face Covered Dish Community Gathering
Saturday, November 17th
5:00pm
First Vineland UMC
700 Landis Ave
Vineland, NJ 08360

Bring a covered dish to share!  Rekindle old friendships and build up the body of Christ!  Potential Pilgrims and Caterpillars are welcome!

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