Merry Christmas to All

Two thousand years ago a young boy was probably playing in the villages in what is now Israel. He didn't celebrate Christmas at the time, he didn't ask for gifts or toys to be given to him, he didn't ask to see Santa Claus. He didn't need diamond and gold jewelry or fancy clothes to impress others. He was content spending his time growing up and teaching others about humility. I can imagine that life must have been difficult for this young boy because he knew everything. In time, the young boy knew what the future held, and he graciously accepted his role.

He lived in a time where there was no central heat, no automobiles, no television, no computers or MP-3's, and he had no shopping malls to hang out at. He was not greedy, and he shared everything he had. All he had was his family, friends, and strangers to keep him company. He spent the next several years talking with people about faith, and the need for doing what was right. Toward the end of his life, he had people coming from miles around to hear him talk about life and how they should live. He became quite popular, and before long, the people would turn on him. Ultimately, the people would demand his death.

He gave so others would be forgiven for their sins. He put up with intolerable pain so that others would not have to suffer. Jesus gave his life to save humanity.

During this Christmas season, we should all take a moment to stop what we are doing and honor Jesus by saying "thank you." We should take the time to say some kind words to our neighbors and to strangers on the streets. We should take some time to reflect back on our lives and say "thank you" for the gifts and talents that we have. We need to take a moment to say "what can I do different to help others in need?" We should be grateful for our lives, our families, our friends, and for our abilities to provide for others. To give ourselves, in remembrance of Him.

Rev. Dr. Bruce Jones found a wonderful song on YOU TUBE that he shared with members of La Plata UMC, and I'd like to pass this on to the Southern maryland Emmaus community as well.

For everyone in the Southern Maryland Emmaus commuunity, I pray that you and your families have a wonderful Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!

Prayer Request: Addie Leonard

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Could you please pray for my sister and me as we are trying to get the headstone for my mother's grave? We put down a down payment but still need $880 by January. We want to be able to just walk up to her grave without trying to remember where it is. God is good. Thank you.

Addie Leonard

Advent Calendar Now Available Online

I have been working on an online ADVENT CALENDAR for 2009. I have it completed and you can view the calendar on the Southern Maryland Emmaus News page on the website. I tried to put some verses and thoughts together that were relevent to the holiday season, as well as some trivia notes. I ended each day with a prayer.

I can't think of any better way to honor Johanna Brennan than dedicating this ADVENT CALENDAR to her memory. She would have enjoyed it.

De Colores.

Prayer Request: The Brennan Family

It is with my deepest regrets to announce the passing of Johanna Brennan earlier this week. Johanna is the mother of Dan Brennan (Pat), of La PLata. Johanna worshipped at Calvary United Methodist Church and La Plata United Methodist Church. Johanna walked on one of the earliest Walks to Emmaus in southern Maryland, and it is believed that she may have been to eldest to do so.

Johanna's funeral service will be at La Plata United Methodist Church on Monday, November 30, 2009, at 11:00AM. The funeral will immediately follow.

Please keep Dan, Pat and the rest of the Brennan family in your prayers during this difficult time.

De Colores, Johanna. We will miss you.

Congratulations to Pastor Sue Shorb-Sterling and Family

Congratulations to the Rev. Sue Shorb-Sterling, pastor at Salem UMC in Brookeville, and her husband Charles ["Chuck"] on the birth of their granddaughter Lydia Hope. She was born on Friday, Oct. 9, and weighed 9 pounds, 1 ounce.

Pastor Sue is a former Southern Maryland Emmaus Community Spiritual Director.

Submitted by: Rich Weaver

Prayer Request: Sandy & Wilbur

Dear Friends of Cindy & Jacques Banks,

Cindy's father Wilber suffered a severe stroke last night. He was transported to Civista hospital and then flown to Washington Hospital Center. This morning news is that it was a big stroke and they are now waiting for more tests results. We do know that the left carotid artery is 90% blocked. Please keep the whole family in prayer. Cindy's mother Sandy has just had surgery and is recovering so as you can imagine Cindy and Jacques are concerned about both of them. Cindy has asked for her prayer warriors to keep this matter in prayer. Please pass along to other prayer warriors.

Let's keep this matter before the Lord!

Sarah Miller
Indian Head UMC

"Plastic Jesus", Sound Familiar?

Here is an eye-opening video titled "Plastic Jesus". It is found on TANGLE (ex: GOD TUBE).

I think there are people in the world who are quick to say one thing, but in reality, they act in other ways. They are screaming inside for a sign from God.

These are the people we should reach out to and be a friend. So if you know of anyone who has taken a few steps backward, step-forward and be a good Christian and offer a consoling word, such as "God Loves You".

YBIC

Pat

Praise Report: Kristin and Baby

Good morning everyone:

We have a "praise report!" Wayne called this morning to report that his daughter, Kristin, delivered a healthy baby girl last evening around 11:34 pm. The baby weighed in at 7 lbs, 2.2 oz & 19 and 3/4 inches long; with a full head of beautiful black hair. Mom, baby and dad are all doing fine and getting plenty of rest today. In fact, the proud grandparents have all decided to take the day off to rest as well. :-)

Wayne and Elaine Welsh wish to thank everyone for your prayers during Kristin's travail of labor.

Blessings,
Mildred (Calvary UMC)

Prayer Request: Rev. Sue Shorb-Sterling

From the 8/28/09 edition of e-Connection:

"The Rev. Sue Shorb-Sterling, pastor of Salem UMC in Brookeville, underwent unexpected surgery Aug. 24."

God is the Great Physician and He knows exactly what Sue needs. Let us keep her in our prayers that she will feel our love.

Cathy Lavoie

Prayer Request: Kristin and Family

Our daughter, Kristin, is having a baby, and we ask the community to pray that everything will go well for her, her husband, and the baby. We're all getting pretty anxious!

Thank you all for your love and support.

Wayne and Elaine Welsh
Fredericksburg Emmaus 24 and 25

Prayer Request: Gloria Hutchins

Please take a moment to keep Gloria Hutchins and her relatives in your prayers. Gloria's grandchildren are going through some difficult times and with your prayers to God almighty, He will take care of them according to His plan.

YBIC

Pat Knowland

Southern Maryland Emmaus Summer Picnic a Success!

DeColores community!

The weather was fabulous, Gilbert Run Park, absolutely beautiful, and the picnic was a huge success. If you did not attend, you missed a fun time.

Please remember - NO GATHERING IN JULY

Gathering schedule for the remainder of 2009:

August 15 - Calvary UMC in Waldorf - 5:00 pot luck, 6:00 gathering.

September 19 - Calvary UMC in Waldorf - 5:00 pot luck, 6:00 gathering.

October and November - will have community wide gatherings at Chrysalis and Emmaus weekends.

November 21 - Fourth Day Seminar - 4:00, pot luck - 6:00, mini gathering at 7:00

If you sponsored a pilgrim, and has not attended their Fourth Day Seminar, no matter when they walked, please bring them.

ALL are invited to attend the Fourth Day Seminar, pot luck and mini gathering. Come see old friends, friends you made during your pilgrim weekend, come meet some new best friends.

YSIC,
Janet
So Md Emmaus Walk #2
Table of Esther

Prayer Request for J. T. Hindle

I have a prayer request for my husband JT. He was admitted to Civista last night. He may be coming home today, and going to see his cardiologist in Fairfax. We are praying all continues to go well.

God Bless you.
Donna Hindle

Prayer Request for Ken Lee

Please storm the gates of heaven for Ken Lee. Ken called me last night to ask for prayer from his brother's and sister's in Christ. Ken has a medical condition and a good outlook, but will face some challenging situations in the coming weeks. Please pray for his health and for his endurance throught the treatment, for his family; his wife, Mary Ellen and his sons, as they care for him through this difficult time, and for the doctors who will coordinate his treatment.

YSIC

Mary Ulrey

Thank You All Departing BOD Members

I'd like to say "thank you" to all of the departing members of the Board of Directors. Your vision and guidance of the Southern Maryland Emmaus Program are appreciated and be at peace knowing that you've touched so many lives in our community and we love you all!

Upcoming August Gatherings

Don't forget that Gatherings will take place Saturday, August 15 at 5:00 PM (pot luck social), followed by the Gathering at 6:00 PM. The Gathering will take place at Calvary UMC, Waldorf.

Chrysalis Flight Dates Confirmed

Chrysalis in Southern Maryland will hold their inaugural flights this fall! How exciting is that! The Girls Flight #1 will be on October 15-18, 2009; and the Boys Flight #2 will be on October 22-25,2009.

All members of the Southern Maryland Emmaus community are encouraged to help support this new program in southern Maryland. For more information on Chrysalis in southern Maryland, contact Ken Horne or visit the Chrysalis in Southern Maryland website.

Prayer Request Browne/Scheffelin Families

Please keep the family of Margaret Scheffelin in your prayers. Margaret's daughter, Mary Browne, is a member of the Southern Maryland Emmaus community. May you rest in peace with God, Margaret.

Pat Knowland

Prayer Request

Please keep Jacques and Cindy, and other members of their family in your prayers. Their granddaughter is ill.

Sarah

Prayer Request for the Drechen's

Please keep Mari-Beth and Jim Drechen in your prayers.

Lisa Cates

Prayer Request for Yax Family

Please keep the family of Laura Yax in your prayers. Laura Yax passed away last week and is with our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Elizabeth Harrell

Prayer Request for a Friend

Please pray for a friend of mine who has been dealing with the knowledge that she has breast cancer. She has been wrestling with this knowledge for the past couple of months. Pray for peace for her and for her to make the decisions that God wants her to make regarding treatment. Let her rest easily knowing that she is God's daughter and HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW.

Cathy Lavoie

Prayer Request for Rev. Jeff Jones

Please be in prayer for the Rev. Jeff Jones (brother of Rev. Bruce Jones of La Plata UMC and a member of our community) who is pastor of Liberty Grove UMC in Burtonsville, MD.

YSIC

Cathy Lavoie

Inspirational Video

A touching story sent to me by a special lady. Think about this video the next time you feel sorry for yourself. Remember, God has His plans, and look at the wonderful results.

YBIC
Pat Knowland

Chrysalis Applications on Emmaus Website

If anyone out there is looking for a link to the Chrysalis in Southern Maryland Team or Caterpillar Applications, you can find them on the Southern Maryland Emmaus Website!

YBIC

Pat Knowland

Southern Maryland Emmaus Walk #31

My name is Pat Knowland, I worship at La Plata United Methodist Church, I walked on Southern Maryland Emmaus Walk #21, and I sat at the Table of Matthew (clap).

So how's your Emmaus fix going so far this spring? We've had a great turnout for the Men's Walk (#31) and Women's Walk (#32) this year! As a matter of fact, we had the largest walk ever for the Men's Walk (20 Pilgrims)! Now that's something to praise God for!

I just wanted to say that I had the opportunity to Team this spring, and I had a very good experience! I met several new friends, re-newed old friendships, and of course, got closer to God! You can't get any better than that for a great experience!

I just wanted everyone to know that it's never too early to start thinking (and praying) about this falls walks! You need to start sending in your PILGRIM and/or TEAM applications as soon as possible so we can start planning the fall walks!

The Men's Walk went real good. Joe Hegedus did a masters job of keeping everyone in line (even Everett and Lawrence). Chris Owen reports that the Women are having a great time, and they should be finishing this afternoon.

Remember, send your applications in soon!

YBIC

Pat Knowland

Prayer Vigil

There are 12 prayer slots still open for the Women's Emmaus Walk that begins this Thursday. Please sign up to pray!

Peace,
Sara Martin
Prayer Vigil Coordinator

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.
- Proverbs 16:3

Prayer Request for Family of Bill Brennan

Please keep the family of Bill Brennan in your prayers. He passed away late Tuesday night. Please keep his family in your prayers.

Kathy Lavoie

Prayer Request for Addie Leonard

Addie Leonard, who was a Pilgrim on last fall's Women's Walk, lost a relative. Please pray for the Lord's comfort for Addie and her family.

Linda D. Flanagan

Prayer Request

Please continue to keep my brother, Bill, in prayer. He is fighting multiple health conditions, and needs all the prayers that we can give him.

De Colores,
Dan Brennan

Prayer Vigil Reminder

Dear Emmaus Community,

There are several prayer vigil slots still open for the upcoming spring men's walk. I'm sure you remember that the prayer vigil is a very important part of the weekend. Please take a few minutes today to sign-up to pray. The link is below. While you're there, why not sign-up for the women's walk as well. Thanks!

Prayer Vigil

Peace,
Sara Martin
Prayer Vigil Coordinator

Letters

To all members of the Emmaus community, the spring walks are here!

Please take a few minutes from your busy day to sit down and write a few letters to your "loved ones". These are important forms of communicating with those close to your way of life, and will mean so much more than any email received!

Just a thought!

Pat Knowland

Prayer Requests for the Jackson Family

Jim, Jasmine and Mildred Jackson are going through difficult times, and need our help. Mildred is an Admin Assistant at Calvary UMC, Waldorf. Please keep them all in your prayers as they deal with this stressful time.

Dan Brennan

Uplifting Video

Hey everyone, we're coming up on the Spring Walks, and it's time to start getting uplifted! Check this out....

Final Notice on Signing Up for the Spring Walks!

Southern Emmaus brothers and sisters, we're fast approaching the final deadline for Pilgrim applications. That deadline is Thursday, March 26! If you know of anyone who will be applying, will you give them a gentle reminder of what an awesome God we have and how much he's waiting to bless them? Thank you!

DeColores

Shelley Wilson

Prayer Vigil Sign-Ups Needed!

Just a reminder to everyone in the Emmaus community that we need to have volunteers to sign-up for the 72-hour prayer vigils for the Spring Men's Walk #31 and Women's Walk #32.

De Colores!

Pat Knowland

Childcare Volunteers Needed

DeColores everyone!

The community wide March gathering is quickly approaching. March 21st is the date - so mark your calendars and join your brothers and sisters in Christ for a wonderful potluck dinner and gathering at Calvary UMC.

We are in need of a couple of volunteers for childcare at the gatherings in March, April and for the community weekend events of candlelight and closing.

Please email Janet Goodwin at janet.goodwin1@gmail.com, or call her at 301-737-4070 if you are available to serve in this very special way.

YSIC,
Janet

Retreat Meals and Assistance Needed

This is a call to all aspiring chefs in the Southern Maryland Emmaus Community. One of the components of the team preparation for each walk is a weekend retreat. Meals are needed for the team members during these retreats.

The Men's retreat is March 27-29. Meals needed include breakfast, lunch, dinner on March 28, and breakfast on March 29

The Women's retreat is April 24-26. Meals needed include breakfast, lunch, dinner on April 25, and breakfast on April 26

3-4 people will be needed to prepare and serve each meal (may vary depending on menu). If you can help, or for more information please contact Elizabeth Harrell( lunchladyesh@hotmail.com).

Dan Brennan

Franklin Family Prayer Request

Hi All,

I'm asking you all to keep the Franklin Family in your prayers today. Heidi, went to wake her 1 yr. old up from a nap and discovered her little girl had passed away while sleeping. This is loving family who needs all our prayers right now, so please pray they have the faith and strength to get through this tragic time in their lives and that they can move on feeling the love and support needed. Thank you.

Lisa

Shout to the Lord

Here is a very nice version of "Shout to the Lord" by Darlene Zschech. If you haven't seen it yet, it's well worth your time.



De Colores!

FEBRUARY'S COMBINED "GATHERING"

We had a terrific "Gathering" this evening, hosted by Calvary United Methodist Church in Waldorf. The evening started in grand Methodist style with a complete table spread of pot luck dinner that would be the envy of any church!

After an hour and a half of great Fellowship time, we were escorted into the Calvary UMC Sanctuary, where a rag-tag "Praise Group" of singers led the members of the Southern Maryland Emmaus community in delightful praise music.

For pictures of this evenings Gathering, visit www.somdemmaus.org.

The next Gathering will again be a combined event, hosted by Calvary United Methodist Church, Waldorf, on Saturday, March 21, 2009.

De Colores!

Praise God for Song

Praise God for putting such wonderful voices in our lives.

Prayer Request

Please pray for Mary Ulrey. She went to Calvert Memorial Hospital this morning for a fast high heartbeat.

Dan Brennan

Prayer Request

Dear Indian Head UMC Family and Friends,

Please be in prayer for Chyanne, Jacques and Cindy Bank's granddaughter. She is in critical sickle cell crisis and was taken to St Mary's hospital last night and then transferred to Children's Hospital by helicopter a little after 7 pm. She is now receiving blood transfusions at this time as the ones last night produced little change. Please keep the whole family in prayer.

Sarah

Prayer Request

Please keep my brother Bill in your prayers as he prepares for surgery on Wednesday to remove his right leg below the knee. He has been in the hospital waging a battle to keep the leg since before Thanksgiving, but less radical surgeries have proven ineffective in stemming the infection that caused the original problem. Your prayers will help him to face this difficult time.

Blessings,
Dan Brennan

Prayer Vigil Sign-Ups for Spring Walks

Dear Emmaus Friends,

The Southern Maryland Spring Weekends will be here before we know it! Please take the time to sign-up for the prayer vigils as follows:

Men's Walk: April 30 - May 3, 2009
Women's Walk: May 7 - 10, 2009

Thanks so much!

Peace,
Sara Martin
Prayer Vigil Coordinator

Emmaus Newsletter

Need more update information on Emmaus? The Upper Room puts out a newsletter that you can get e-mailed to your address. To receive go to http://www.upperroom.org/emmaus/registry/.

De Colores!

Chrysalis Hoot -- February 7th

The next Southern Maryland Chrysalis "Hoot" will be on Saturday, February 7, 2009, from 7:00pm to 9:30pm at Trinity UMC, Prince Frederick. All Youth between 8th Grade and College are invited, as well as any adults from the Southern Maryland Emmaus Community. For more information, contact Alan Hemming.

Prayers for Rev. Evan Young

The Rev. Evan Young, who serves as assistant to Bishop Schol, and also serves as a Guide in the Washington Region, is recovering from surgery. Please include Rev. Young in your daily prayers.

Medical Update on Tim Reed and Son

Hi Folks,

Regarding Tim's transplant surgery, both Tim and Jeffrey (Tim's son and live donor) continue to improve after liver transplant surgury. For those who wish to send a card to Tim, please contact me. Preliminary estimates are that Tim could remain in the hospital for a week. Nicole, Jeffrey's wife, thanks all of you for your prayers and support.

De Colores,
Dave Meixner

Spring Walk Applications Due

February 12 is just around the corner!

Pilgrim application deadline is approaching fast! If you are thinking about sponsoring a Pilgrim, please hurry and submit your applications before the 12th!

Shelley

Consolidated Emmaus Gathering

De Colores!

There will be a combined Gathering on February 21, starting at 5:00pm. This consolidated Gathering will bring all-three zones (North, Central, and South) together for a fun-filled evening at Calvary UMC, Waldorf.

A Potluck dinner will start at 5:00pm, followed by a Gathering at 6:00pm. Childcare will be provided. Bring someone with you. Let's make it the best attended Gathering we've ever had. It's a great opportunity to see people you haven't see in a while. In fact, you are probably just the person someone else has been longing to see.

Shelley

Chrysalis News Update

Good Morning Southern Maryland Community!

I hope that everyone is having a good year and that God is working through all of you. I have some big news from Chryslais in Southern Maryland. We met last night at our monthly committee meeting and discussed about the upcoming flights/weekends. After some praying we as the committee have decided to postpone the March weekends until a later date.

Our goal is for the fall and it cannot be done without you! We need agape for those future caterpillars/pilgrims and lots and lots of prayer! Also if you feel a youth from 15 to 23 (or 10th grade through college) is ready to see how amazing God's love is send in an application to us! I am so excited for the weekends!

If you cannot send any supplies to support the weekend, make any agape, or sponsor a caterpillar please just pray your socks off for the future flights! If you have any questions, I mean any questions about Chrysalis please email me at alan.hemming@gmail.com or Ken Horne at thekidfrog@comcast.net

Also don't forget that there is a HOOT (gathering) on Feburary 7th at Trinity UM in Prince Fredrick. All are invited and it is a blast for young and old alike. The HOOT starts at 7 pm so be there!

Applications for caterpillars should be attached but if they are not just send me an email and I will get it to you as soon as I can. God Bless and hope to see you at a gathering (or maybe a hOOT too!).

-- FWC,
Alan Hemming

Update on Tim Reed Medical Condition

News update from Dave Meixner (via Dan Brennan):

Hi folks,

An update on Tim Reed's situation, as of Thursday night. Tim and Jeffrey are both done with the surgery, which ran into the early evening. Nicole (Jeffrey's wife) spoke with both surgeons and all went very, very smoothly. She thanks all for their prayers. I have assured her that they are ongoing. Tim was then moved into intensive care (routine for this surgery) and Jeffrey should be moved onto a regular floor soon. Leslie (Tim's wife) says that everyone should be home in a week.

Dan

Prayer Request

Our brother, Tim Reed, at First United Methodist will be having a liver transplant on Thursday January 22, 2009 in Philadelphia, PA. Tim’s son, Jeffery, will be donating part of his liver for his Dad. Prayers are needed for Tim, Jeffery, their Family, as well as all the medical staff.

Dave Meixner

Hello Chrysalis Nation!

CiSM will be on this new adventure so make sure to check back every once and awhile to see what is going on in the Chrysalis side of Emmaus!

FWC,
Alan Hemming

Church Sermons and Web Technologies

I'd like to let everyone within the Southern Maryland Emmaus community know about a wonderful website. It is called SERMON CLOUD and this site is rich in sermons given by all denominations. The site can be found at www.sermoncloud.com/. SERMON CLOUD allows you to post audio, video, and text versions of your sermons.

We recently started to record our sermons at La Plata UMC and needed a host to keep the sermons (both text and audio) on a FREE server. The SERMON CLOUD site provided that, and I have found it relatively simple to use.

If anyone has a question about this website, or any other technological (how to) questions about your church websites, please let me know.

By recording your sermons, you can save them as a .wav formatted file, which can then be placed onto a CD and mailed out to those homebound members of your congregations. This can really improve the quality of their lives.

I've been able to build website for virtually no costs, and it takes no funds to maintain them. A sample of the La Plata website is provided so you can see how the audio sermon can add to your web presence. Visit the site at www.laplataumc.com.

YBIC

Pat Knowland
La Plata UMC

Volunteers Needed!

The following is from Diane Walker (redruth@mindspring.com):

Dear Southern Maryland Emmaus and Chrysalis Community,

I'm looking for 4 individuals who would be available on Saturday, January 24 at 9:00 a.m. to help me unload and sort the trailer supplies. We will be meeting at Lexington Park UMC. Our first Chrysalis flight is in March so we need to get our inventory ready. Thank you for this agape!

Diane Walker

Welcome to Southern Maryland Emmaus!

De Colores! We're making progress on putting some technology to use here on the Southern Maryland Emmaus website.

If you are a member of the Southern Maryland Emmaus community and would like to regularly post your comments, please let me know and I'll add you to the BLOG account. My email address is spknowland@gmail.com. You'll have to sign up for a GOOGLE MAIL (GMAIL) account, and use that address to post.

It is an excellent way to get information out to everyone quickly and accurately. So please mark this page, and refer to it often!

YBIC

Pat Knowland