Emmaus

 

Aldersgate United Methodist Church has a large and active Emmaus Community.  We are members of the Grace Emmaus Community (GEC) which serves the Western Piedmont and Foothills. The Grace Emmaus Community hosts several Emmaus walks each year. The GEC monthly gathering is held on the 3rd Friday night at 7:00 P.M. at various locations within the Grace Emmaus Community area. Visitors are always welcomed and invited.

What is Emmaus?

The Gospel of St. Luke relates the story of the risen Christ appearing to two men who were going along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Two friends were walking together, sharing their hearts' deepest concerns. The risen Christ joined them and explained the scriptures as they walked, how it was ordained that Christ would suffer and so enter His glory. This experience on the road was a heart-warming experience, as the risen Christ walked and talked with them. The illuminating climax of the experience was when Christ took bread and said the blessing, then broke it and gave it to them. The two had their eyes opened, they recognized Him as the risen Christ, and they rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the others. (Luke 24: 13-35)

The Biblical story of the Walk to Emmaus provides the image for the Walk to Emmaus, an Upper Room program that calls forth and renews Christian discipleship. The Walk to Emmaus is a three-day experience which takes the New Testament look at Christianity as a lifestyle. 

What is the Purpose of Emmaus?

The purpose of Emmaus is threefold:

  1. To strengthen our relationship with Jesus Christ
  2. To build church leaders
  3. To spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Emmaus is a partnership between laity and clergy toward the renewal of the church. Emmaus is for the development of Christian leaders who are members of a local church and desire to strengthen their spiritual lives.

Sponsorship:

The Upper Room, a ministry unit of the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, sponsors the Walk to Emmaus and offers it through local Emmaus groups around the world. Although connected through The Upper Room to The United Methodist Church, The Walk to Emmaus is ecumenical.

If you'd like more information, please contact the church office, 704-487-8491.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. Luke 24: 30-31