COMMUNITY NEWS: In September, the Board of Directors expressed concern about proceeding with further plans for an Emmaus event without first assessing whether there was sufficient community support. The Board made tentative plans for a Women's Walk to be held in March of 2025, and put together a community survey to help assess the commitment level of our members. Access to the survey was given via emails to all registered community members, and via a post on the community's private Facebook group. The survey window was closed on October 14th.
Upon review of the survey submissions, the Board has assessed that our commitment level is not sufficient; therefore, the Board has made the difficult decision to not proceed with the March Women's Walk.
We don't yet know completely what this means for our community. The Board has previously discussed other ways we can continue to 'renew Christian disciples' and 'strengthen local churches,' including the possibility of partnering with other Emmaus communities in close proximity to ours.
What we DO know is that we need to be in conversation with community members about where we go from here. To that end, at our upcoming November (26th) Gathering, the small-group discussion time will focus on our community's next steps.
The New-Ark Area Emmaus Community is made up of persons who have attended an Emmaus Ministries or equivalent spiritual renewal experience. The Community is hosted by First United Methodist Church in Newark, Ohio.
Persons who attended an Emmaus or equivalent experience elsewhere may become members of New-Ark Area Emmaus by participating in its activities, and by registering their contact information with the Community.
Community Gatherings, open to all, are held in the First United Methodist Church Sanctuary. Gatherings are generally held on the fourth Tuesday of each month (an exception is December, when it is held on the second Tuesday). Gatherings are preceded by food and fellowship at 6:30 PM, and begin with music at 6:45 PM.
For information about Emmaus ministry event offering dates and application/registration forms, please see our Dates & Forms page.
