The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program
intended to strengthen the local church through the
development of Christian disciples and leaders. The Walk to
Emmaus 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
community," made up of those who have attended an Emmaus
weekend, support the 72-hour experience with a prayer vigil,
by preparing and serving meals, and other acts of love and
self-giving. The Emmaus Walk usually begins Thursday evening
and concludes Sunday evening. Men and women attend separate
weekends.
During and after the three days, Emmaus leaders encourage
participants to meet regularly in small groups. The members
of the small groups challenge and support one another in
faithful living. Participants seek to Christianize their
environments of family, job, and community through the
ministry of their congregations.
The Upper Room of The United Methodist Church sponsors
the Walk to Emmaus and offers it through local Emmaus groups
around the world. The three-day Emmaus experience and the
follow-up groups strengthen and renew Christian people as
disciples of Jesus Christ and as active members of the body
of Christ in mission to the world.
*Excerpt from
What Is Emmaus by Stephen D. Bryant.
Copyright © 1995 by The Upper Room
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
See the Upper Room Emmaus Library at
http://www.upperroom.org/emmaus/walk.html
What Is Emmaus?
