Greetings!
We’re well into 2024 and while those in northern states shiver and shovel snow, we continue to enjoy our South Florida winter. It’s the season of “toast” days—crisp on the outside, soft and warm in the middle!
Our January gatherings at Plantation UMC and February at Grace Wesleyan Church brought the community together for fellowship and spiritual inspiration. The March gathering will be held at Community Church of Davie on Sunday, March 10 from 5-7 pm. Note the change of day and time. I hope you will be able to join us as we seek to strengthen our Emmaus community.
The spring walks are coming up soon. The Men’s Walk will be April 11-14 and the Women’s April 18-21.
Lay Directors for the weekends are:
Men’s Walk #99 – Pete Audet
Women’s Walk #100 – Kim Brown
At this time, it is important to prayerfully consider who should be attending the Walk to Emmaus. Pilgrim applications and sponsor instructions are available on this website. The servant teams are beginning their planning meetings and will be ready when the days for the walks arrive, but the walks will only happen if there are pilgrims.
There are many other ways to be involved in the Oceanside Community. In addition to sponsoring pilgrims and serving on the weekend teams, you can make or provide agape, attend gatherings, send-off and candlelight, serve on the Board of Directors, and most importantly, PRAY!
Pray for the Oceanside Community, all other 4th day movements, and churches around the world. Pray for our world leaders that they may look to the needs of those they govern. Pray for those who live in danger and poverty or who are fighting illness.
Pastor Simon Osunlana, the District Superintendent of the Southeast District of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, has been involved with the Walk to Emmaus for many years. When he attended the September Oceanside Board of Directors meeting, he emphasized that Emmaus is an ecumenical movement where all believers can feel welcome, comfortable, and at home. Those of us in the community need to remember this as we prepare to welcome new pilgrims in the coming months.
The database has been updated with the most current information on members of the community. The current mailing list is comprised of anyone who has served on a walk in the last 10 years, any new members from the last 6 walks, and persons who specifically asked to be added to the mailing list.
As I step into the role of the Oceanside Community Lay Director, I want to thank Mike Bierman for his dedicated service over the past 2 years. Mike has spent many, many hours organizing and updating the Oceanside procedures and has handed over a well-organized system for me to follow.
I know that God is leading and providing as he always does, and I covet your prayers that I will be able to serve you well. I am excited to see what God has planned for us!
Carolyn Curry
Oceanside Emmaus Community Lay Director
