Emmaus

A JOURNEY WITH CHRIST

The gospel of St. Luke relates the story of the risen Christ appearing to two who were going along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Two friends were walking together, sharing their hearts' deepest concerns. The risen Christ joined them and explained the scriptures as they walked, how it was ordained that Christ should suffer and so enter his glory. This experience on the road was a heart-warming experience as the risen Christ walked and talked with them. The illuminating climax of the experience was when Christ took bread and said the blessing, then broke it and gave it to them. The two had their eyes opened and they recognized him as the risen Christ and they rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the others. (Luke 24:13-35)

WHAT IS THE WALK TO EMMAUS?

The above story provides the image for Emmaus, an Upper Room program that calls forth and renews Christian discipleship. Like its predecessor,Cursillo de Christiandad (Spanish for "short course in Christianity"), the Walk to Emmaus is a three-day experience which takes a New Testament look at Christianity as a lifestyle. It is a highly structured weekend designed to strengthen and renew the faith of Christian people, and through them their families, congregations and the world in which they live. Emmaus is a combined effort of laity and clergy toward the renewal of the church.

WHAT HAPPENS AT EMMAUS?

The Walk to Emmaus" is a 72-hour experience. The weekend begins on Thursday evening and ends Sunday evening. At Emmaus you will spend three busy but very enjoyable days, usually at a retreat center. You will live and study together in singing, prayer, worship, and discussion. Discussions center around fifteen talks given by laity and clergy. These talks present the theme of God's grace, and how that grace comes alive in the Christian community and expresses itself in the world. You will also discover how grace is real in your life, and how you can live in the life of grace, bringing grace to others. You will have the opportunity to participate in the daily celebration of Holy Communion, and to begin to understand more fully the presence of Christ in his body of believers. You will experience God's grace personally through the prayers and acts of service of a living support community.

If you are interested in going on a Walk to Emmaus or a Chrysalis Flight, please click on the link below for more information. Then contact us! We will be glad to help get the process going.

What is a Chrysalis?

Chrysalis is the growth stage between caterpillars and butterflies. While on the surface it may look like nothing is happening, the delicate process changes a caterpillar into a butterfly with wings and beautiful colors. This symbolizes that through dying to self, Christ can transform us into new beings. Jesus Christ can transform us into something beautiful. We must open ourselves to Jesus for this transformation to occur.Chrysalis is the name chosen for the Youth Walk to Emmaus because it symbolizes faith growth in the lives of high school and college aged young adults - the spiritual growth that is necessary between adolescence and adulthood. It is a crucial time of maturing faith for discipleship. Chrysalis has its roots deeply planted in its parent movement, the Walk to Emmaus. Chrysalis is a three-day spiritual renewal retreat that provides participants an opportunity to learn more about the faith, to experience Christian love and support, and a chance to make new commitments in their faith journey. The content of the three days focuses on God's grace, how one experiences Christ as friend in the body of Christ, and how one is called into discipleship, giving love to a needful world.

What happens at Chrysalis?

You will spend three days with other young people in worship, prayer, fellowship, recreation, singing, and discussion. You will experience the love of Christ through the prayers and acts of service of a loving support community. You will hear talks given by youth and adults. The talks focus on the needs of maturing youth and offer the message of the Gospel and the friendship and example of Jesus Christ. Five talks are given each day followed by discussion and reflection on how these messages can be helpful to your personal faith. You will explore how this friendship with Jesus can help you live your faith with family, friends, and community.

What happens after Chrysalis?

Following the three-day retreat, you are invited to become intentional about your faith through local church participation, small group studies, and interpersonal sharing groups that provide the fellowship and support for giving love to a needful world. You are invited to build upon your Chrysalis® weekend for the rest of your life. You are invited to rise to a new day, every day.

Purpose of Chrysalis

The focus ofChrysalis is commitment to Jesus Christ through the local church. The objective of Chrysali is to inspire, challenge, and equip local church youth for a closer friendship with Christ and for Christian action at home, church, school, and community. Chrysalis lifts up a way for you to be a friend of Christ in the world.

Who should go to Chrysalis?

Chrysalis is for the development of Christian youth and young adults who: · wish to strengthen your friendship with Christ · may have unanswered questions about prayer, study, and sharing your faith · understand that being a friend of Christ, or Christian, involves responsibility · are open to dedicating your everyday life to God in an ongoing manner. Chrysalis is open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors and college-aged young adults of any denomination.

Are You Interested?

We invite you to join in an exciting three days spent in meeting Jesus Christ as your friend who comes to you in God's love as expressed through other Christians. We invite you to rise to a new day! For more information on Chrysalis contact: rfreeman@umcswtx.org, or contact us at Hill Country Christian Church.