Hello Community,

I write this last newsletter of the year and my last as your Community Lay Director with

conflicting emotions. On one hand, this has been a very busy year for me so I am ready to have a restful period of time next year. But on the other hand, I have loved leading the community through the rebuilding period after the pandemic. It has been so rewarding seeing the community thrive through the building of teams for the walks and the transformation of the pilgrims because of the service of those teams and the mighty work of the Holy Spirit. May the Spirit continue to guide and bless this Emmaus community.

During this Advent season, I love the message of the candles of the Advent wreath. I write this on the Sunday where we talk about peace. Do you remember the message of the angels to the shepherds? They praised God singing, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace and good will to men.” The angels knew that because Jesus was born,

men on earth could have the peace that only He could bring. And Jesus did bring us peace, not as the earth brings peace but as Jesus gives it. Peace always brings to my mind, my favorite verse. It is Phillipians 4:8-9: