The Walk
to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to
strengthen the local church through the development of Christian
disciples and leaders. The program's approach seriously considers
the model of Christ's servanthood and encourages Christ's
disciples to act in ways appropriate to being "a servant of
all."
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 typically 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 three-day Emmaus experience and 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.
Prescott United Methodist Church has long been
a supportive Emmaus congregation. Many in the congregation
have participated in Emmaus weekends, and the church has hosted
several Emmaus weekends on our campus. Once
construction is completed on the new building, we hope to return
to hosting Emmaus weekends.