The shoebox in my closet holds precious memories

Dear East Alabama Cluster,

When outgoing Cluster Lay Director Allen Brewer suggested (told me) that I needed to write a letter to the East Alabama Cluster as your lay director for 2008, I looked for inspiration in a shoebox that’s stored on a shelf in my bedroom closet. Since I am a journalism professor and former newspaper reporter-editor, people often assume that writing is easy.

Emmaus has been such a life-changing experience for me. I assure you that writing this letter isn’t “easy.”

The shoebox I mentioned.

On the outside is written, “Walk to Emmaus 71, Sept. 1-4, 2004.” So many memories are stored inside. Like that old hymn, “Precious Memories,” so many memories really do flood my soul as I sort through the contents of this shoebox.

I dig past the dried up carnation from serenade, past the agape packages of Kleenex (I save everything), all the crosses, key chains, flashlights, pencils, mouthwash, magnets, handouts and so much other “agape” from my walk, to the most treasured part of that shoebox of memories.

The agape letters. From family, from friends, from people I do not know. Or did not know at the time of Walk 71.

The letter on top is one of the most treasured. “You do not know me,” the letter begins. “Our reunion group, ‘Mountain Top Moms,’ has been praying for you by name.” The writer goes on to say that my sponsor, also in her reunion group, had been on her knees praying for me, and that my sponsor had felt strongly that God telling was telling her that she should invite me on Walk 71.

“By looking at your face last night during candlelight, I am guessing that God was right,” the letter writer continues. “Welcome to the Emmaus community. May your fourth days be filled with the love, joy and peace that comes from knowing Him!”

It was signed, “In the love of Jesus, Jackie Waters.”

Jackie and her husband, Gary, have become two of my closest and dearest friends in church and the Emmaus community. Jackie also happens to be lay director of our first walk of the new year, Walk 105, set for Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 2008.

Before Walk 71, I did not know Jackie and Gary. Isn’t that one of the most awesome parts of Emmaus? For the most part, we do not know the pilgrims. They do not know us. Why do we spend literally thousands of hours in prayer, in planning a walk, in putting on a walk?

The theme scripture verse for my Walk 71 from Mark 9:35 has taken on new meaning in the months and years since September 2004:  He sat down, called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

We are not called to be heroes, but rather humble servants. It’s what Jesus did. It’s what Emmaus is about. It’s about being the hands and feet for Christ. It’s about discipleship in all our four days after Emmaus.

I am humbled to be asked to serve as your lay director of our East Alabama Cluster for 2008. I ask for your prayers, help and guidance. Following in the footsteps of Allen Brewer is daunting. That God “doesn’t call the equipped but equips the called” as I have heard so many times by members of the Emmaus community to which I have become a part -- this statement certainly rings true for me.

Ten walks are scheduled in 2008. We will see 420 men and women transformed in their relationships with Christ. We encourage you to be a part in these walks. We will be blessed as we bless others as they see Christ through us.

One of the most important things we can do as an Emmaus community and as sponsors is getting pilgrims connected with a reunion group after their walks.

If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or needs please call on any of your Cluster Board members and me. You can find your Cluster work area representatives on the Board Members link from our home page, http://www.eacluster.com/boardmembers.asp Also, please bookmark on your computer our East Alabama Cluster home page at http://www.eacluster.com/indexasp

Being one of Jesus’ disciples -- it's a great place to be!

De Colores,

Ed Williams

East Alabama Cluster Lay Director

2008

Central Alabama Walk to Emmaus #71

Table of Peter