De Colores

From the Community Lay Director...

For millions of people, the Christmas season means nothing more than parties, gifts, decorations, and time off work. For Christians, however, this time of year is a happy reminder of the hope we have because of Jesus Christ. Before Jesus came, God seemed distant, hidden in the Holy of Holies in the temple, accessible only to the high priest. Worshipers wondered whether their sacrifices were acceptable. They doubted their salvation. Jesus, you have hope. And he is not a false hope, a childish fairy tale that we wish will have a happy ending. When Christ rose from the dead that ended the argument. Period. Our hope in him is solid and it is real. Christmas is a renewal of that hope. It reconfirms it for us if our vision has grown dim. It was settled long ago, so we don't have to doubt any more. Jesus is the fulfillment of our hope, our deepest longings come true.

Christ means hopeto the person out of work, to the Merry Christmas & De Colores! struggling single mother, to the dying believer, to Debbie Baxter those who mourn. Even if you're just slogging your Community Lay Director, 2012 way through the disappointments of life, if you have

Community Headlines
New Board Members and Community Lay Director
At the November/December Combined Community Gathering, we announced our new Board Members and Community Lay Director. Charlotte Bosecker, Melanie Huddleston, Ashley Coco, and Kerry Mansour. These four will be serving a term that will last until December 2015. Gregg Ulvestad will be serving as our 2013 Community Lay Director.

Upcoming Walk Updates

As of Sunday, December 16, 2012, Mens Walk #207, scheduled for February 21-24, 2013, has 6 men signed up to take their pilgrim walk. Applications for your pilgrims to go on this walk will be taken anytime from now until February 14, 2013. Also, Womens Walk #208, scheduled for March 21-24, 2013, already has ten women signed up for their pilgrim walk. Applications are being accepted now and will continue to be accepted until March 14, 2013. Also note that applications will be accepted for all walks and flights scheduled for 2013 anytime from now until one week prior to the start date of the walk. The fee for walks is $200 and for flights is $125.

Help Wanted
If you have given a talk on either a mens or womens walk since August 2008 we are asking, if you can, that you give a copy to Jimmy Smith. Our example pool is getting low. You can either email a copy to smith@gimmejimmy.com or take a hard copy to him.

Applications can be mailed to the community P.O. Box or brought by Rhett and Bailey Livelys (the community registrar) home. (Note: If Rhett and Bailey are not home, feel free to drop applications in their secure, lockable mailbox. Any questions about the registration process can be emailed to registrar@hiskyemmaus.com or you may call Rhett at (432) 894-9832.

From the Registrar and Nerd...

Updated Application
The Pilgrim application for Hi-Sky Emmaus has been updated for the 2013 season. On the form you will notice a few lines that are highlighted. While we ask that each application be filled as completely as possible, we ask they you and your pilgrim pay special attention to these lines. If, your pilgrims happens to not have the information requested (such as an email or one of the phone numbers), please write N/A in the blank. The information requested on the application helps us in two ways. As we prepare to get information to the pilgrim for their pilgrim walk, accurate information is important to help make contact with the pilgrim to let them know of the information they need before arriving at the start of the walk. Also, as after the pilgrim weekend, this information helps us to keep in touch with our new community members so that they can get plugged into the community and continue their journey into their fourth days. The application also now includes a listing of the 2013 dates and answers to a few of the most common questions asked during the registration process. If you still have questions, Rhett and Baileys email and phone number is also listed there for your convenience.

Database Information Update

We are working to update the contact information and experience listings for all members of the Hi-Sky Emmaus and Chrysalis Communities. As time has passes many of us have had changes in our addresses, phone numbers, emails, etc.

Reunion Group Updates

In preparation for our upcoming walks in 2013, we are asking that ALL reunion groups send in an updated listing for your reunion group. There are many that have been listed on the website for sometime that seem to be no longer active or do not have the correct contact information. As a In order to help our upcoming lay directors build service to the pilgrims and caterpillars who will each of the next best walks ever, we are asking be joining our community this coming year, please take a moment to send us an update. that everyone take a moment to print the Database Information Form, which can be On the Reunion Groups page of the website, you will notice that there is currently a list for the found in the Form link on the website, fill out all the information which is applicable to you and 2013 season as well as the older list from 2012. On or about January 31, 2013, the 2012 lists will mail the form into the community P.O. Box or be removed from the website in preparation for bring it to Rhett Lively either at community or the first walk which will take place in February. drop it by his and Baileys house. This is a new request for an update. Even if you Several have already updated their information sent in an update earlier this year, we ask that and to those, thank you. If you havent had a you do so again so that we have a fully complete chance yet, we look forward to getting your inforand accurate listing. If you have not had a chance mation up-to-date. to update your reunion group, please print Note: The database does limit the information the Reunion Group Information Form (found in you can update for yourself. the forms link of the website) and mail it into the P.O. Box or bring it to the next community gathering and give it to Rhett Lively.

Agape Request
We would like to make books available free of charge to the caterpillars on a Chrysalis flight. You can help make that happen! Gather new or gently used books that teenagers would be interested in and donate them. Check your thrift stores, garage sales and book store sale racks to see what you can find. There will be a box available at community meetings each month to accept your donations. If you don't want to shop for the books yourself, you can always donate money and someone else will buy the books. The following link will take you to a suggested book list that teens and others have recommended. To view a list of suggested books, please visit the Chrysalis page of the website then click the link on the right.

The Time is Now...

As a parent or grandparent, you know how quickly your childs calendar fills up, especially in the summertime. We realize this too which is why we have already set the dates for our two Chrysalis Flights this summer. Boys Flight #50 will be July 11-14, 2013 and will once again be held at Howard College in Big Spring, TX. Girls Flight #51 is two weeks later, July 25-28, 2013 also at Howard College in Big Spring. Ashley Coco and Cherilyn Amburn this years lay directors, are already hard at work preparing for this years flights. The fee this year is $125 for the weekend and applications are already being accepted so feel free to place this on your childs calendar before it gets filled with other events. Applications can be found on the website and for more information, please visit the Chrysalis Page!

Chrysalis will have their team selections in January. If you want to work on a Chrysalis team please contact Kyle Groves tontotx9@gmail.com or Wilma Stirl wjstirl@juno.com.

Take Note

RUSH
Our next RUSH will be January 5, 2013 from 6-9:30pm at First United Methodist Church in Midland, TX. There will be basketball, volleyball, other games, food, and worship with Next Step sharing. We hope to see you there!

Community Prayer List

Upcoming Walks
Mens Walk #207, Lay Director Joe Willis, Spiritual Director Glenn Pipes February 21-24, 2013
Womens Walk #208, Lay Director Dani Pool, Spiritual Director Macky Pitts March 21-24, 2013

The Grieving
The families affected by the Show of Support Tragedy The Family of Candice Martinez (Charlotte Boseckers daughter) Terry Gwins family as they mourn the loss of his grandfather The family of Juanita Hutton (David Sapps Aunt)

Health Concerns
Shirley Raymonds Brotherin the hospital Iris Hall-Sandersrecent surgery C.L. Sappalezheimers C. Bisbeepneumonia Happy Jack Harveyrecovering from a ruptured ulcer

Those with Cancer

Bailey Lively Bill Spisak

Other Concerns
First Baptist Church as they recover form the fire in their fellowship hall The Families and Students affected by the school shooting in CT.

And dont forget.

Pray for our country, county, city and community leaders. Pray for those who wont have a roof over their heads this Christmas Pray for our soldiers who are fighting for our freedoms Hi-Sky Emmaus is a wonderful praying community. If you have a prayer request, need, or praise, please let us know by emailing us at communications@hiskyemmaus.com or send your request in from the Prayer Page on the website.