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Reunion Group Guide
Question 1: What is a reunion
group?
Answer: A reunion group is a gathering of
3 to 8 people meeting regularly to explore and grow in their piety,
study and action. Group reunions meet at regular times, usually
weekly for an hour. The meeting consists of persons' sharing
the stories of their walk with Christ during the past week. Let's
examine more closely what group reunion members share.
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PIETY
- How their spiritual life is nourished through scripture, prayer and the
sacraments. One suggestion is for each member of the reunion group
... answer the question: "When did you feel closest to, or furthest from,
Christ since the last meeting?"
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STUDY
- Each member in turn might share what they read
which caused them to experience the "A-Ha phenomenon" ... about Jesus,
or their brothers and sisters in the LORD or themselves.
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ACTION
- Each member may share the ways they tried to
make JESUS more visible in their environments (home, work, neighborhood
and/or Church congregation).
Fourth day pilgrims are encouraged to use this web page as
a resource to finding a reunion group in your area. If a group is
not available in your area, start a new reunion group. The "reunion
group chairman" will assist you with this mission should you need help
... just contact Jack Karamanol via email: jack@karamanol.com
... or call ... 570-443-9741 ... we can then arrange a time
and place to start a new group.
When reunion group members meet for the first time ...
they mutually agree on the time and the meeting place.
There are many possibilities for the type of reunion group you would like
to start. For example, you can have groups of all men, all women,
a mixture of both men and women, either married or single, married couples,
varied ages. Since there is many variations of the types of reunion
group you can start up, the time and place will most likely vary from group
to group. Each group establishes a workable meeting place, duration
and frequency. Meetings are usually weekly or bi-monthly and range
from one to three hours in length.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a reunion
group?
Answer: Participation in a reunion group
provides a secure holding environment where people can be themselves ...
and to open up to be spiritually nourished and inspired. Ongoing
participation in a reunion group provides an atmosphere of love, acceptance,
support and a sense of belonging which most of us need to grow personally
and spiritually. Their group experience might allow them to uncover
and develop their spiritual gifts and receive the support and encouragement
from their group to go forward and pursue a call from GOD.
A reunion group is a place where the fourth day pilgrim
can relate their successes and failures in answering the question we are
all familiar with and that is ... What will you do in the future with your
love of GOD? By sharing what is current in one's faith and lives
... the pilgrims are strengthened and become more open and honest about
their faith in JESUS ... among those with whom they come in contact.
Question 3: What is a gathering?
Answer: A "gathering" is a large form
of reunion group in which the larger Walk To Emmaus community come together
and celebrate their ongoing fourth day pilgrimage. The gathering
reinforces, supports and encourage the three day Walk To Emmaus experience.
The gathering is usually held monthly at "Faith
Alive" United Methodist Church in Bowmanstown, PA. It's a joyful time
which includes singing songs, reading scripture, praying, a lay talk and
sharing in small groups. Usually there is a communion, singing and
refreshments. A gathering is not a substitute for worship,
communion and participation in one's own church.
Conclusion:
In conclusion ... participating in a Christian community
helps secure a personal relationship with JESUS. If you have a choice,
it's not good to be an isolated fourth day pilgrim ... remember we are
all called to be an "apostle" to spread the "good news" of our living,
three dimensional GOD. "Christ is counting on YOU!"
We all need the support of other saints and working together do the WILL
of GOD ... group reunions are a good medium to do good works which makes
us feel GOD'S spirit within us. Many groups give their group reunion
a name when starting up ... and gives one a sense of family. Group
reunions are an important part of Christian living and participants should
make a commitment with each other to attend their group regularly!
Please ... join or start a reunion group in your geographic location as
soon as possible.
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SERVICE SHEET
Christ needs you. He needs you
committed
in faith, so that you may witness that faith in Jesus with your brothers
and sisters through: Piety; Study; and Action. |
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Your Piety
"You shall worship the Lord with your
whole heart."
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Morning devotion
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Prayer Life
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Worship Attendance
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Communion
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Spiritual Retreat
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Your Study
"The truth shall make you free."
You will realize God's presence through:
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Reading Holy Scriptures
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Daily Spiritual Guides
Your horizons will be widened through
reading:
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Religious publications
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Denominational newspapers
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Religous magazines
You will grow in your religious understanding
by attending:
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Bible Studies
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Church School Classes
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Religious Seminars
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Your Action
"Go into all the world, preaching
the good news."
What have you done during the week
so Jesus will be better known and loved in your:
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Family
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Work Place
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Home Community
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Reunion Group
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Church Community
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Christian Community
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ORDER OF THE REUNION
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of
Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth
Your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face
of the earth.
O, God, Who by the light of the Holy
Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same
Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy Your consolations.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
1. Review your service sheet ... Piety,
Study, and Action.
2. Closest To Christ ... At what
moment this past week did you feel closes to Jesus? |
3. Call to Discipleship ... At
what moment during this week did you feel you were responding to God's
call to be His disciple? Where did you participate in being the Church
this week, the heart beat of Jesus Christ.
4. Dicipliship Denied ... When
was your faith tested this week through failure?
5. Your Plan ... What is your
plan for piety, study and action for the week to come?
6. Reunion Group Activities
7. Prayers for Special Needs ...
Pray
for those who may not have attended.
8. Prayer of Thanksgiving ... Almighty
God, who lives and reigns forever, we give You thanks for all the gifts
You have bestowed upon us. Amen. |
The Mountain Top Walk To Emmaus
Active Reunion Groups
[Reunion Group Chairman: Jack Karamanol]
jack@karamanol.com
570-443-9741
REUNION GROUP LIST LAST UPDATED OCTOBER 2007
| TYPE OF GROUP |
LOCATION |
DAY |
TIME |
FOCUS |
MEMBERS |
CONTACT |
|
Couple's Group
|
Rotates between members' houses (Walnut port area) |
Usually every other Friday, but subject to change. |
Usually 7:30PM, but subject to change. |
Currently using the "Alive Now" book offered through the Upper Room
for small group ministries. |
Kim & Scott Leskowich; Rev. Todd & Gail Glassier; Dale &
Fan Oplinger |
Kimberly, 610-533-1269 |
| Couple's Group |
Danielville area (rotating homes) |
Every other Thursday |
7:00-8:00PM |
Soon to begin a new study, probably of Revelation |
Bill & Diane Ritzenthaler; Barb & Jim Costalas; Another couple
not in Emmaus |
Diane Ritzenthaler, 610-261-0840 |
| Men's Group |
Pen Argyl area |
Thursday (weekly) |
7:00-8:30PM |
Bible study/Your Better Life Now by Joel Osteen, & Fellowship |
? |
Len Petraitis, 610-863-6151 |
| Men's Group |
Bethlemhem (Westgate Diner, Schoenersville Rd. ... Approx. 1 mile south
of Rt. 22 exit, just beyond the Walgreens on the left side) |
Wednesday (weekly) |
6:30AM |
Currently discussing The Purpose Driven Life, with prayer and fellowship
(delicious breakfast). Dependability & weekly meetings are strengths. |
Joe Trovato; Tome Seyfried; perhaps others. |
Joe Trovatos, 610-868-742 |
| Men's Group |
George's (On Rt. 873, just north of Neffs, PA.) |
Wednesday (weekly) |
6:30AM |
Topic and discussion, from the Upper Room Daily Devotional |
Tim De Mott; Dale Zellner; Ron Levenhagen; Craig Klevenhagen; Wally
Frisch; Forrest Wessner; Bill Wehr; Donald Bachman |
Dale Zellner, 610-767-5065 |
| Women's Group |
Orwigsburg, usually in a member's home |
Monday (weekly) |
7PM |
Several ... accountability, prayer, study, and fellowship. |
Mary Harrold; Brenda Binns; Debbie Pelachick |
Brenda Binns @ BBinns1@msn.com & Mary Harrold, 570-366-2286 |
| Women's Group |
McKeansburg (sometimes Cressona) |
Monday (weekly) |
6:30PM |
Worship, intercessory prayer, some study, accountability |
? |
Karen Stonesifer, 570-640-4945 or karenstonesifer@
verizon.net |
| Women's Group |
Northhampton (Gospel Chapel) |
Wednesday |
6:30-8:00PM |
Accountability |
Angelique Labadie-Bartz, Lorrie Day |
? |
| Women's Group |
Pen Argyl |
Wednesday |
9AM |
The Bible, Upper Room Devotional, small group study guides, prayer
and encouragement |
? |
Sue Petraitis, 610-863-6151 |
| Women's & Men's Groups (separate but simultaneous) |
Fleetwood |
Wednesday |
6:45-8:15PM |
Sharing with an emphasis on living by Biblical principles |
? |
Wendy Boehm, 610-926-6022 |
| Women's Group |
Danielsville |
Thursday |
7PM |
Accountability |
Barb Rubright, Kim Leskowich |
Barb Rubright, 610-767-1339 |
| Women's Group |
Orwigsburg |
Thursday (weekly) |
9AM |
Keeping each other focused on serving God with our talents |
Sonja LeVan; Lisa Wagner; Anna Mease; Carolyn Nemec; Linda Olseon |
Sonja LeVan, 385-4095 |
| Both (Currently Women) |
Trexlertown (Admin 3 at Air Products) |
Wednesday |
12:30-1:15PM |
Study, using The Upper Room |
Robin Roman; DeeDee Urffer; Sharon Haberern |
Sharon Haberern |
| Both (Men & Women, Adults & Youth) |
Pen Argyl |
First Saturday of the month |
5:00PM |
Fellowship (potluck), Emmaus activities, sponsorship |
The Yurkovitch's; Greg & Betty Berry; Matt and Lori Bartholomew;
Len & Sue Petraitis |
? |
| Both |
Stroudsburg |
? |
? |
? |
? |
JoAnn Calkins, 570-402-1210 or carotjce@ptd.net |
| Both |
Bethlehem |
? |
? |
? |
? |
Carolyn Miller, 610-767-5048 or cdmiller@rcn.com |
| Men's Group |
Orwigsburg |
Monday or Thursday |
Early AM |
? |
? |
Mike, 570-366-1591 |
| Women's Group |
Slatington area (Berlinsvill, Palmerton, Walnutport) |
Monday, Wednesday or Friday |
Evenings |
? |
? |
Diane, 610-767-8697 |
| Women's Group |
Allentown area |
? |
? |
? |
? |
Jan Zotter, 610-530-1647 or auntjj.1@juno.com |
| Both (Men & Women, Adults & Youth) |
White Haven and Freeland area Mountainview Community Church, Fellowship
Hall |
Wednesday |
7PM |
Prayer & Praise, Bible Study |
Open to those who believe that Jesus is the Only Living Son of God
and their Messiah |
Pastor Joe Shimko, 570-443-9438, Cell: (570) 233-4220 or pastorjoe@mcfmc.org |
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...Luke
Chapter 24: 13-35, The Walk To Emmaus
