Hi Sky Emmaus Community Newsletter
January, 2010 - Page 2

Message from the Community Spiritual Director

The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The program's approach seriously considers the model of Christ's servanthood and encourages Christ's disciples to act in ways appropriate to being "a servant of all.”

This opening statement in the booklet about Emmaus tells us that the benefits of our “Best Walks Ever” do not end when we depart for home on Sunday. They do not end when we arrive home and give our family members great big hugs and kisses. The most beneficial part begins with our Fourth Days; they are the days and years in which we cultivate the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In our fourth days, we are proactive in servant ministry for our Lord Jesus.

To the point, we are given the ministry to cultivate (witness, encourage, and lead) others to seek an increased faith relation to God, through Christ Jesus. The letter to the Ephesians states it thus,

“…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ..to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (4.12f)

People in the Church have led me to Christ in many ways, one of which is Emmaus. My prayer for our HiSky Community is that we will be pillars of steadfast faith in our respective congregations. The month of January is a good opportunity to recall 2009, and ask oneself, “How have I contributed to the ministries of my church?” It is also an opportune time to set some priorities for witness and service in our churches in 2010. I look forward to fellowship and Holy Communion with you on January 26.

De colores, Larry Bailey
Community Spiritual Director - 2010