From the Community Lay Director

I am hoping you had a good Thanksgiving and are looking forward to a Merry Christmas!

I think it was in the January 2025 newsletter that I shared with you that my wife and I had really enjoyed bell ringing for the Salvation Army on Christmas Eve and that we were going to make it one of our Christmas traditions. We are all signed up for Christmas Eve 2025. If you would like to sign up for bell ringing for the Salvation Army, just go to registertoring.com and get signed up.

Forrest Gump stated an immortal truth - "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get". Bell ringing for the Salvation Army is like a box of chocolates. It could be cold; it could be warm. It could be cloudy and rainy; it could be sunny. The wind could be blowing; it could be calm. The people you encounter could be grumpy towards you; they could be joyful, or at least neutral.  There may be chocolates in that box of which you are not a great fan. But there is probably nothing in that box of chocolates that would keep you from enjoying a future box of chocolates. I am not a great fan of bell ringing in 20 degrees with wind in my face. There is probably nothing that could happen in a bell ringing experience that would keep me from bell ringing in the future. Just need to be prepared for the weather conditions.

Being part of an Emmaus Walk or a Chrysalis Flight team is like a box of chocolates too. Things can run smoothly; things can be rocky and confusion and conflict reign. Can be right on schedule for the entire weekend; might need to tell the kitchen team you are going to an hour late for the next meal. But unlike that box of chocolates, being part of an Emmaus Walk or Chrysalis Flight team, I do know what I am going to get. I am going to be blessed far more than I deserve for the amount of time and effort I put in.

And unlike that box of chocolates, I do know what I am going to get each day of my life. I think I knew it in my head before my Emmaus Walk. After, and because of, my Emmaus Walk, I now know in my heart and soul. I know that I am loved and filled with grace from my Heavenly Father. I know that I walk with my Saviour each and every day. I know that the Holy Spirit leads, guides and directs me in the way that I should go.

A Chrysalis Flight is on the calendar for February 14-16, 2026. Men's Walk 156 and Women's Walk 157 are on the calendar for April 16-19 and April 23-26, respectively. Wouldn't you like to be blessed beyond measure by being part of a team? Wouldn't you like for your friends and family to know that they are loved so deeply by their Creator? Volunteer to be part of a team. Sponsor someone to be part of a Flight or a Walk. Take a risk for the opportunity to change your world and theirs.

DeColores!

Michael Watts

Community Lay Director

Lexington Emmaus Community

Mission Statement

Renewing Christian Disciples,

Strengthening Local Churches

Welcome to the Lexington Emmaus Community!

Next Gathering

Date: Friday, december 5

We will meet at 6:00 for fellowship, dinner provided by the Board at 6:30 and worship at 7:15.

place: centenary Church
2800 Tates Creek Rd, Lexington, KY, 40502

NOTE: During the Winter months Emmaus Gatherings will follow Fayette County Schools policy on closings in the event of inclement weather conditions.