New Life News – September 2007
(A monthly publication of the New Life Emmaus Community)
ANNOUNCEMENT: This will be the final edition of the New Life News. A general lack of submissions leads us to believe that the News has run its course. Respectfully, The editor
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However; We need everyone’s input to make this a meaningful publication. So whether you are a member of the Board, a named Lay Director, or just an interested community member, please keep those inputs, faith stories, and insights coming in. God’s work in this publication depends on each and every one of you.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT – Please forward items that you feel might be appropriate for this section to Rakbuck@flash.net . This month’s Food for Thought is titled “The Bamboo and the Fern” and was sent in by Alison Buck.
One day I decided to quit.... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality..... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo".
He said. "In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.
In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.
He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant.
But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could
not handle."
He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others."
He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they both make the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come," God said to me. " You will rise high!"
"How high should I rise?" I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you........
Have a great day! The Son is shining!!
NEXT GATHERING: The September gathering will take place this coming Tuesday at 7:00 pm, September 18th at New Hope UMC. Directions: Take 1604 and exit in Universal City at Kitty Hawk. Proceed west on Kitty Hawk and turn left at Kitty Hawk Middle School. The church will be about one mile down on the right.
2007 GATHERING SCHEDULE:
September 18 New Hope UMC, 10155 Old Cimarron Trail, Converse, TX 78109 210-658-1220
October 16 Bethany UMC, 4102 Eisenhauer, SA, TX 78218 210-655-5473
November 20 Rolling Oaks Christian, 7150 Stahl Rd, SA, TX 78247 210-654-1744
December (no gathering scheduled)
If your church/community is interested in joining the New Life Emmaus community for Northeast San Antonio, please contact the Lay Leaders to be added to the 2008 listing.
LOCAL CHURCH GATHERINGS:
We are posting the day & date of local church gatherings in the newsletter to invite others to come. Please update this information by replying to this newsletter if your church changes/cancels your meeting.
Local Gatherings scheduled:
Alamo UMC: 2nd Sunday of every month, 12:15 pm, pot luck.
First UMC New Braunfels: 4th Tuesday of every month, 7 pm.
Northern Hills UMC: Last Monday of every month, 7 pm.
Schertz UMC: 1st Tuesday of every month, 7 pm.
St Andrew's UMC: Fridays, quarterly.
Universal City UMC: 1st Sunday, every other even month 7 pm – Next Gathering will be in October.
2007 WALK SCHEDULE:
Walk# Dates Lay Director Site
1401M Oct 18 – 21 Gary Belcher Mt Wesley
2008 WALK SCHEDULE:
Walk# Dates Lay Director Site
1445W Jul 31 – Aug 3 Mary Robertson Mt Wesley
1468M Oct 16 – 19 Rick Bernhardt Mt Wesley
WALK NEWS:
Walk 1401 – Walk 1401 has one team meeting remaining. Time is short. As of COB Sept 12 we had 15 confirmed pilgrims with several more promised. The cut-off date for this Walk is 4 Oct 07. If we do not have a compliment of at least 20 pilgrims by that date the Walk will have to be cancelled. We believe that God will provide those 20 pilgrims and each of us on the team remain in earnest prayer for those yet to be named. Please get those applications in as soon as possible. Our final team meeting will be Saturday, October 6th. Please be in prayer for the team and in particular for the pilgrims that God will place in our care. I’ll have the Walk sign-up Board at the Gathering on Tuesday evening.
DeColores
Gary Belcher, Lay Director
FROM THE NEW LIFE LAY DIRECTORS:
The New Life Community will hold elections for officer positions at our October Meeting at Bethany UMC.
If you are interested in serving in any of the elected positions or would like to nominate someone to fill one of those positions, please submit your nominations to our Interim Board Representative (Bob Buck) at rakbuck@flash.net before our Next Board Meeting which will be held at Schertz UMC at 2:00 PM on Sunday October 14th, 2007
Positions to be filled with qualification and duties include the following:
New Life Spiritual Director – One year term starting in January 2008:
The Spiritual Director shall:
Be the theological and spiritual leader of the Board.
Have veto power on any suggested walk Spiritual Director.
Maintain the programmatic intent and integrity of the Upper Room Walk to Emmaus.
New Life Lay Director(s) – One year term (normally extended to two years) starting in January 2008:
Be the Chief administrative office of the Board and Community.
Call all meetings of the Board and preside over such meetings.
Be responsible and responsive to the Board for all administrative decisions made on behalf of the Board.
Maintain the programmatic intent and integrity of the Upper Room Walk to Emmaus.
Preside over all Community Gatherings.
Schedule and make arrangements for all Community Gatherings.
And perform other such duties as directed by the Board.
Asst New Life Lay Director(s) – One year term (normally extended to two years) starting in January 2008:
Preside at Board meetings or Community Gatherings in the absence and/or at the pleasure of the Lay Director(s).
Maintain the programmatic intent and integrity of the Upper Room Walk to Emmaus.
Perform other such duties as directed by the Lay Director(s) of the Board.
Treasurer – One year term starting in January 2008.
The Treasurer shall:
Serve as Chairman of the Finance/Budget Committee.
Submit a financial report at each Community Gathering and Board Meeting as requested.
Maintain the programmatic intent and integrity of the Upper Room Walk to Emmaus.
Assist Walk Lay Directors in final accountings of each walk.
Maintain all financial records/checking account for the Community.
Distribute scholarship and other monies for the Community.
And perform other such duties as directed by the Lay Director(s) of the Board.
Secretary – One year term starting in January 2008:
The Secretary shall:
Keep and distribute the minutes of the Board meetings.
Preside at Board Meetings/Gatherings in the absence of the Lay Director(s) or LDIT.
Maintain the programmatic intent and integrity of the Upper Room Walk to Emmaus.
And perform other such duties as directed by the Lay Director(s) of the Board.
Team Selection (Male) – Two year term starting in January 2008:
Team Selection representatives shall:
Meet at least six (6) months prior to each Walk with the Community Board
Representative and Lay Director to oversee selection
of each team in accordance with Upper Room Guidelines.
Maintain a list of interested people as prospective team members.
Maintain the programmatic intent and integrity of the Upper Room Walk to Emmaus.
Perform other such duties as directed by the Lay Director(s) of the Board.
Team Selection (Female) – Two year term starting in January 2008:
Team Selection representatives shall:
Meet at least six (6) months prior to each Walk with the Community Board
Representative and Lay Director to oversee selection
of each team in accordance with Upper Room Guidelines.
Maintain a list of interested people as prospective team members.
Maintain the programmatic intent and integrity of the Upper Room Walk to Emmaus.
Perform other such duties as directed by the Lay Director(s) of the Board.
Agape Chairperson – One year term starting in January 2008:
The Agape chairperson shall:
Distribute agape letters to Lay Directors of Walks to Emmaus.
Maintain the programmatic intent and integrity of the Upper Room Walk to Emmaus.
And perform other such duties as directed by the Lay Director(s) of the Board.
Prayer Vigil Coordinator – One year term starting in January 2008:
The Prayer Vigil chairperson shall:
Distribute all prayer vigils received to the Local Communities.
Maintain the programmatic intent and integrity of the Upper Room Walk to Emmaus.
And perform other such duties as directed by the Lay Director(s) of the Board.
Newsletter Editor – One year term starting in January 2008:
Develop the monthly New life Newsletter Editor
And perform other such duties as directed by the Lay Director(s) of the Board.
Board Representative – Three year term starting in January 2008. Qualifications and duties listed below:
1. Must have served as a prior Walk Lay Director
2. The Board Representative shall:
Responsibilities to the Southwest Texas Conference Board:
Attend quarterly meetings of the Conference Board or notify an alternate
representative from the Community Board of Directors to attend the meeting
in your absence.
Responsibilities of Community:
Attend monthly gatherings of Community and report to representatives of
other communities in your district.
Report to gathering on actions taken by the Conference Board.
Write articles for local newsletter of Board action and other pertinent
information.
Responsibilities to the Upper Room Contract Agreement:
Aid in making decisions and setting policy.
Protect the integrity of the Emmaus Program.
Additional responsibilities:
Attend quarterly meetings of the Board, or notify your alternate board representative to attend the meeting in your absence.
Request preferred dates and locations of local Fourth Day Groups Walks
Notify Board of Lay Directors, Spiritual Directors and Board Representatives for your Fourth Day Group scheduled Walks, 6 months prior to the Walk.
Ascertain date(s) of participation of Lay Directors and Board Representatives in Emmaus Leadership Training Seminars (within 15 months of scheduled Walk).
Ascertain date(s) of participation of Spiritual Directors in Emmaus Leadership Training Seminars (within three years of scheduled Walk).
Serve as New Life Representative to the quarterly Board Meeting for the Emmaus Southwest Texas Conference. All information must be brought back to our Fourth Day Group - New
Life.
If you fit the requirements, please prayerfully consider one of these opportunities for service. Christ is counting on faithful servants to step forward to continue the work of this Emmaus Community.
EVERYDAY-USE TIP OF THE MONTH:
A lot of the stuff you get over the Internet is junk. This one sounds excellent. I never thought of it this way, but doing the key thing anywhere sounds very smart.
Here's a little tip for everyone.
Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar or rapist won't stick around... After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And, remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there..... This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or stop a sexual abuse crime.
P. S. Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone.
PRAYER REQUESTS – In order to provide timely response in this area, we request that you forward any prayer requests that you have by “reply” to this letter. Those requests will be sent out VIA immediate distribution to all members of the New Life e-mail chain. Please continue to be in prayer for Diane Jacobs who is dealing with the uncertainty of a melanoma which was discovered on her leg last week by her dermatologist. She has met with an oncology surgeon and plastic surgeon and will be having surgery next Wednesday and Thursday September 19-20.
PRAYER VIGILS – If you are a Prayer Vigil coordinator for your local church, don’t hesitate to reply to this email if you are having trouble filling your requests. We’ll put out an e-mail alert and get them filled ASAP.
NEW LIFE WEB SITE – Check it out at http://www.gbgm-umc.org/newlife-sanantonio .
CLOSING THOUGHTS – “The Eyes of a Blind Girl” – sent in by Kathy Birkner
There was a blind girl who hated herself because of her blindness. Not only did she hate herself but she hated everyone else, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything, including her boyfriend.
Her boyfriend asked her, "now that you can see the world, will you marry me?"
The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind too, and refused to marry him. Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her that simply said. "Just take care of my eyes dear."
This is how the human brain changes when our status changes. Only a few remember what life was like before and even fewer remember who to thank for always being there even when times were painfully unbearable.
Life Is a Gift. Today before you think of saying an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.
Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house, someone didn't clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the streets.
Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.
But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another remember that not one of us is without sin and we all answer to one maker.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around.
Life is a gift, live it, enjoy it, celebrate it, and fulfill it.
RELISH THE MOMENT, IT MAY NOT COME AROUND AGAIN!