From the Community Spiritual Director...

The Holy Spirit frequently reminds me that we are created in the image of God. I believe that one of the chief qualities of being made in His image is the capacity to give – and not just to give, but to give as God gives, selflessly and from a motivation of pure love. As some wise soul once said, “You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.”

Some giving is easy. Giving money or “stuff” can be done without much thought or effort. But giving of the self can be a bit harder, requiring real thought and self-sacrifice. Giving ourselves in love to our heavenly Father involves three areas of effort. We learn about God and His will through scripture reading and study. We grow to know Him and love Him through prayer, worship and devotion. And we respond in love by giving ourselves in service. Hey, wait a minute. This sounds familiar – something about a three legged stool and piety, study and action!

Unfortunately we tend to get out of balance on these three points, depending disproportionately on one or two of these areas of self-giving to the neglect of the others. The reason farmers use three-legged milking stools is that they are stable on uneven ground. (In math three points define a plane.) This is also why we need a balance between the three areas of self-giving. These three point give us stability and define us a disciples. On the uneven ground of a broken world we need that stability.

As we enter this new year of 2018 let’s think seriously about how well we are conforming to the image of God. Are we truly giving ourselves to Him, and to the world, in piety, study and action? As for me, I want this to be a growing edge in the coming year.

De Colores! - Alan Jackson

From the Community Lay Director...

Hello Lexington Emmaus Community!

I am looking forward to meeting with you at our next Gathering at Richmond UMC on October 5. The Richmond UMC Praise Band will be leading us in the music.

Also looking forward to seeing you at the Emmaus Fall Retreat on October 27 at the Bluegrass Christian Camp. Please register so that we can plan food, seating and supplies. Also please note your willingness to help before, during or after the event. After the retreat is finished, we’ll take a tour of the Bluegrass Christian Camp. It is a potential site for future Emmaus Walks.

Hurricane Florence caused an extensive amount of damage in the Carolinas earlier this month. Centenary UMC in Lexington is hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser for disaster relief on Saturday, October 6. Food will be served from 7:30 to Noon. Proceeds from the breakfast are to be sent to UMCOR, the Methodist disaster relief organization. I’ll be in the kitchen. I would love to see you there, either in the kitchen beside me or in the dining hall.

De Colores!

Michael Watts

Lay Director

Lexington Emmaus Community