Emmaus

What is the "Walk to Emmaus"?

The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The experience begins with a 72-hour short course in Christianity, comprised of fifteen talks by lay and clergy on the themes of God's grace, disciplines of Christian discipleship, and what it means to be the church. The course is wrapped in prayer and meditation, special times of worship and daily celebration of Holy Communion. The Emmaus Walk typically begins Thursday evening and concludes Sunday evening. Men and women attend separate weekends. The Walk to Emmaus is ecumenical. For more information…

What are Chrysalis and Journey?

Click here for more information about the Walk to Emmaus for Youth and Young Adults.

What is the scriptural basis for the Walk to Emmaus?

The Walk to Emmaus gets its name from the story in Luke 24:13-35. Luke tells the story of that first Easter afternoon when the risen Christ appeared to the two disciples who were walking together along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. These two disciples' sadness and hopelessness seemed to prevent them from seeing God's redemptive purpose in things that had happened… much like today’s Christians and churches who are blinded by preoccupation with their own immediate difficulties.

Would you like to go on a Walk?

To go on a Walk to Emmaus, Chrysalis, or Journey, you must have a sponsor who has already attended either Emmaus, Chrysalis, or Journey. If you have a friend who has been to Emmaus, ask your friend to tell you about his or her experience. Your friend can help you decide whether or not you would find an Emmaus experience helpful.

Do you think that you don’t know anyone that has been on an Emmaus walk? Chances are that the person who sits next to you in church, Sunday School, or Wednesday night dinner has been on a walk and would love to talk to you about his or her experience. Just ask around, call the church office, or contact anyone in the Bayou Blessings Cluster.

One of the best ways to find out if Emmaus is right for you is to attend the annual pot-luck that is sponsored by the Bayou Blessings Emmaus Cluster. The next potluck will be on February 21, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This is an excellent way to meet the local Emmaus folks and find out more about the Walk to Emmaus. The event is open to those who have been on a walk as well as those interested in going on a walk. You do not need to be a member of this church to attend this event. There will be announcements in the church bulletin and in the church newsletter as the date approaches.

You may also visit the "Links" page (see blue menu at the top of this section) to find out more.

What is the Blue Lake Community and what is the Bayou Blessings Cluster?

The Blue Lake Emmaus Community holds its walks, flights, and journeys at the Blue Lake Methodist Assembly Grounds located near Andalusia, Alabama. This is the Emmaus Community that you are most likely to hear about at our church, though you will also hear people say that they went on their walk in some other state or at a nearby community other than Blue Lake.

The Bayou Blessings Cluster is the name of the Niceville Emmaus group. Because Emmaus is not limited to Methodists, many of the Bayou Blessings members are members of Assembly of God, Baptist, and other local churches. Membership in our cluster is open to anyone that has been on an Emmaus Walk, Chrysalis, Journey, Cursillo, etc. regardless of church membership.

We encourage you to contact any board member for more information about the Walk to Emmaus or about the Bayou Blessings Cluster.