News & Concerns......

Our Emmaus community is at a critical crossroads. We have been operating with a steering committee since COVID shutdown and have been blessed to have completed 8 walks but struggled to do so. We have trouble filling team and pilgrim list. We have struggled to have our Emmaus family join in monthly gatherings and fill our candlelight services. I do believe the pilgrims that we have served during this time have been blessed and will continue to show the love of Jesus Christ. We are reminded that over 3,500 people have completed walks through Emmaus of the Albemarle and I want to thank you personally for making that possible. I know lives are continuing to be changed and those people are being a witness for our lord and savior Jesus Christ to build the kingdom.

We are at the point that Emmaus of the Albemarle needs to have an election and form a board to be able to continue this ministry. We need our brothers and sisters to submit your names to go on a ballot to be voted at the January 9th gathering at Mount Olivet UMC.

We will be accepting names by text, email, Facebook messaging or you can call Ann Twiddy or Ramona Wescott.

Ann Twiddy - 252-339-1008, twiddyann@gmail.com

Ramona Wescott - 252-305-5160, monamwescott@gmail.com

To be considered you must have teamed on a Walk at least one time, be an active participant in Gatherings and community events, and be willing to serve rather than fill a spot. Please go to God in prayer and listen to his words and he will lead you. This community is an important part of the plan as we read in John 12:44-5. Remember your cross, I Am Counting On You.

The board consists of three classes with four laypersons and one clergyperson in each class. In addition to these 15 board members, a clergy Leader of the Emmaus Community is selected by the board from among all clergy participants in the Emmaus Community.

The Emmaus Community elects the board by voting each year on members of a new class. That means that one third of the newly elected board will serve in class one for a period of one year. One third of the newly elected board will serve in class two for a period of two years. The remaining one third of the newly elected board will serve in class three for a term of three years.

Before the new board is seated, the current board will elect a Community Spiritual Director who will serve as the sixteenth member of the board. The Community Spiritual Director is elected annually.

Once the new board is seated, they will select among themselves a Board Chair who will become the Community Lay Director.

After the election, the Board of Directors shall elect officers annually at their January meeting for a one year term effective with the close of the January meeting. Officers are a Community Lay Director who is Chair of the Board, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Spiritual Director for the Community. The Board of Directors shall name board members to chair the following committees: Gatherings, Pre-Weekend Coordinator, Agape, Team Selection, Music/Entertainment, Community Training, ARK Keeper, Facility Liaison, Candlelight/Sponsors' Hour, Newsletter/Website/Communications.

In addition to the Board officers serving as committee chairpersons, individual community members are recruited/volunteer to serve on the committees. Each committee can consist of three to four members of the Emmaus Community and should have a broad awareness of the Community membership and a solid understanding of team needs.

If you do not feel led to serve as a Board Officer, please prayerfully consider serving on one of the service committees. The Emmaus community needs lots of helping hands.

The Emmaus Board of Directors meets the third Monday of each month via Zoom. The exception is an in-person meeting held once a year shortly after the election for a board training session. In addition, special meetings may be called by the Chair of the Board when needed.

Under the leadership of the Board of Directors, the Community shall follow the guidelines of The Upper Room Emmaus Ministries programs in the presentation of any Emmaus Ministries event.