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Grand Rapids Area Emmaus Community Update Jan 2009!

Next Board Meeting January 6, 2009 7:30pm St. Paul’s UMC

Dear Friends,

2008 has come to a close, and I look forward with great anticipation to what the Lord has planned for the Grand Rapids Area Emmaus Community in 2009.  

Foremost, I would like to thank those who have served this community with passion and love over the last year.  I can only hope that I have touched their lives as much as they have mine, especially in the areas of discipleship and servanthood.  I couldn’t ask for a better group of folks with whom to serve my Lord.  My many thanks to the board and in particular to those whose term on the board is now complete… Gail Holmes(Database Chair), Rex & Karen Wambaugh (Facilities Management Chair), and Dave & Kathy Twaites (Gatherings).  Thank you so much for all you have done.

Second, I need to update the community on the action items stated in our last communication.  As a reminder here’s an excerpt from that letter…

“The Board agrees that we need to meet these conditions in order to continue the work of the Community:

  1. We need 10 board positions filled by January 1, 2009 (there are currently 15 total positions on the board). The open positions are listed at the end of this letter.
  2. We need a committed spiritual director in place by January 1, 2009
  3. We need $2000 donated to us by February 1, 2009
  4. We need an additional $3000 donated to us by May 1, 2009

 

With these positions filled and money in the bank, we will be able to get back on our feet, communicate with you via newsletters, pay our bills and have money to have walks.

 

If all of these items are met, we WILL have fall walks. We will set the Fall walk dates at the May 2009 board meeting. Registration will be open, you will be able to send your registrations at any time. We are committed to having walks again and will not cancel them once the walk dates are set, regardless of how many pilgrims are registered.”

 

1. I praise Him for the faithful leaders who He has raised up …Pastor Scott Otis,  Bill Dykstra, Denny O'Neil, Kristy Somsel, Dave Gombert, Barb Miller, Cassie Wnuk, Joel Darling, and Jennifer Darling.  As you see, we have not met the 10/15 filled board positions.   These positions are essential for the holding of walks.  I am counting on Christ to provide these leaders by the next board meeting.  If you have felt that gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit now is the time to come forward.  Christ is counting on you.  The next board meeting is this Tuesday,  January 6th, 7:30pm at St. Paul’s.  If you are unable to attend the meeting feel free to contact me, or any board member to discuss your interest in serving.

2. Pastor Scott Otis is our new Spiritual Director.  He has served on many walks and fulfills all of the requirements set forth by the Upper Room.  I am so thankful for Pastor Scott’s genuine love of people and for Lord.  I am excited that he will be a part of the board this year.

3. & 4. I’m pleased to see that the community is willing to support the walks through donations.  We have received around $100.  Granted it is a long way to our goal of $2,000 by February and a total of $5,000 by May, but every ten dollars makes a difference.  God will not call us to something where He has not already provided the provisions. 

Please consider joining the board and/or supporting your community through a financial gift.  God has given each of us a talent.  It is up to us to use them.

I look forward to seeing what God has planned for us in the coming year. 

Blessings!

Jaclyn DeLaney

Community Lay Director

616-881-9252

Jaclyn.delaney@yahoo.com