OREGON TRAILS WALK TO EMMAUS

4729 S.W. Taylors Ferry Road

Portland, OR 97219

June 1, 2005

Dear Members of the Emmaus Community,

            The story of Emmaus in Luke 24 is the story of people on a journey, filled with grief and searching for meaning.  Biblical commentaries tell us that no one has been able to identify the exact location of the village of Emmaus.  Perhaps that is just as well.  Emmaus then becomes a personal journey for each one of us, a journey in which the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

            The Walk to Emmaus weekend is an opportunity for you to deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ and your commitment to be in ministry.  The Walk is intended to further equip you to serve in your own church and your community.  Each of us are urged to identify the ways that God is calling us into leadership in our congregations.

            The Emmaus Community exists to provide on-going support to those who have attended a Walk or Flight, and to extend the opportunity to others to participate in a Walk/Flight.  About two years ago, the Oregon Trails Walk to Emmaus Board took a giant step of faith for funding the Walks and Flights.  In the past, workers and pilgrims/butterflies assumed most of the expense of the event.  Now participants in a Walk/Flight are asked for a donation, but no fee is required for participation.  It is the responsibility of all of us in the Emmaus Community to financially support future Walks and Flights.

            You know the impact that your Walk/Flight had on your relationship with Jesus Christ and the potential of the Walk to strengthen others for ministry.  You are called to support your own church, and then in your second-mile giving, to support the Emmaus Community.

            The Board is working hard to save on costs.  One of our large on-going expenses is mailings of the Rooster Booster.  In the future if you have access to e-mail, you will receive an electronic version of the Rooster Booster.  This will save several hundred dollars for each mailing.  If you think we may not have your current e-mail address, please send it to utilboss@adelphia.net.

            We also try to economize on the cost of each Walk or Flight, but increasing food costs and liability insurance that has doubled in recent years are taking their toll on our budget.  Anticipated expenses through early fall are more than $16,000, some of which are past due bills.  While the costs are increasing, our income has decreased.

            Oregon Trails Walk to Emmaus and Chrysalis has touched the lives of 330 youth and more than 1900 adults, and you are one of those people.  Won’t you sit down now and give thanks to God with a generous financial contribution?  Your gift will make a difference in someone’s life.

In Christ’s Service,

Rev. Karen Nelson

OTWTE Board Member