What is Emmaus? It's a Journey
As They Walked
While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and walked with them. -Luke 24:15
The Gospel of Luke relates the story of the risen Christ appearing to two men who were walking along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. The 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 die on the cross.
What happened on the road was a heart-warming experience as the risen Christ walked and talked with them. The 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 hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the others that they had met Christ on the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24:13-35)
Join us and experience the “Walk To Emmaus.”
What Is The Walk To Emmaus
The Walk to Emmaus is a three day spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders.
It is intended for established Christians who want a refresher in the basic tenants of faith and an opportunity for spiritual development through the sharing of GOD’s grace.
The Emmaus Walk focuses on the servanthood of Christ and encourages Christ’s disciples to be servants to others. During the 72-hour experience members of the community work to serve, love, and offer many acts of self-giving.
The New Covenant Community was created to provide this unique encounter with GOD to Christians of southern most Tennessee and Northern most Alabama. The New Covenant Community is a part of the Upper Room Ministries and although part of the United Methodist Church, The Walk to Emmaus is ecumenical.
What Happens At Emmaus?
While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and walked with them.
-Luke 24:15
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 days studying and learning with others that have joined you on your “Walk.”
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 story of God’s grace, and how that grace comes alive in the Christian community and expresses itself in the world. You’ll also discover why grace is real in your life, and how you can live a life full of grace and bring grace to others.
You will participate in the daily celebration of Holy Communion, and 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.
After The Walk
Your “Walk” lasts only three days, but you are invited to build on it for the rest of your life.Jesus teaching
Those who attend a “Walk to Emmaus” are encouraged to do two things – expand their own spiritual lives through study and congregational participation and become more active disciples of Christ in the world.
- Expand their own spiritual lives through study and congregational participation.
- Become more active disciples of Christ in the world through their churches.
To nurture this process of discipleship, the Emmaus movement offers specific opportunities. First, reunion groups of four to six people meet weekly to reflect on their quest for spiritual growth and encourage one another in their discipleship. Second, there will be monthly meetings called “Community Gatherings.” All people in a particular Emmaus community or area are invited for fellowship, worship, and informal instruction. Third, through a newsletter, members become aware of support needs for upcoming Walks to Emmaus and there are opportunities to work during future weekends in a variety of ways.