Emmaus Blog

Sunday, December 21st, 2025: An Invitation to celebrate Christmas Eve at Christ Church United Methodist: Lindsey Kerr, Pastor of Christ Church United Methodist is inviting us to attend the Christmas Eve service at Christ Church with her community: Lindsey writes:   "We 'd love to see you in person next Wednesday Evening, December 24, 2025 at 7:00PM"  Merry Christmas!  If you can’t attend in person, here's the Zoom link to our Christmas Eve service next Wednesday December 24, 2025 at 7:00PM https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83355435726. Of course, we 'd love to see you in person as well! Merry Christmas!  Prayer: God of the Ordinary, Who shows up in the form of those whom governments forget, the ones whom churches leave out, the ones who disappear from the eyes of the elite. We remind ourselves that you sit with us at the dining room table. With our microwaved meals, and our dirty dishes. Waiting, not for perfection, but to fill up our plates. As we Ordinary Folk heed yo...

 Thursday, December 18, 2925: Dear Ones -- a note from  Sister Emily TeKolste, SP, from NETWORK Catholic Lobby Every Sunday, a group in my community gathers at a local park to share hot meals and a few other food items to help folks through the week. The park is across the street from a federally subsidized affordable housing project for seniors and people with disabilities, so the residents often stop by for food, as do others in the community. A few weeks ago, when President Trump was withholding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to build pressure and block access to affordable health care, one woman asked about her benefits. She said she had cancer, and SNAP was her only form of "income" since she can’t get disability for cancer.   On a recent Sunday, a young couple, that included a woman who was eight-and-a-half-months pregnant, stopped by. They recently lost their housing. There wasn't room in any of the local shelters for them, so th...

Wednesday, December 17, 2025: Voices supporting justice can offer hope to families in fear, and guide a church seeking to live its mission. Silent shepherds: Church leaders are ignoring  our immigrant neighbors When voices meant to guide us fall silent in the face of cruelty, the Gospel itself seems to whisper rather than proclaim. Like many Americans, I have been heartbroken seeing so many migrant family separations taking place across our country, on Long Island, and even within my own community of Westbury. What’s been even more heartbreaking is the apparent indifference on the part of so many of Long Island’s Catholic clergy, who, in my view, should be speaking out boldly against this injustice. The Gospels make it clear that following Jesus means committing to justice and standing up to oppression. His ministry was rooted in compassion, righteous anger in the face of injustice and a deep concern for the dignity and protection of the most vulnerable. But too many of our religio...

 Tuesday, December 16, 2025: Allow Your Wonder to Wander Elder and retired pastor Wes Granberg-Michaelson views awe and wonder as resources to inspire us when we come to the end of our own knowing: When your rational certainty breaks down—as of course it will—give attention to where your soul, the integrated center of your being, wanders. Where are you drawn? What do you long for? What gives you joy? What captures your curiosity?  My guess is that you will be drawn to beckoning experiences of connection…. These will likely include connections not only to people, but to the created world where experiences of awe and transcendence intersect with you in worship, music, art, and practices that unlock a fresh spiritual encounter opening your inner self to God’s presence. Those who are called mystics nearly always display an intimate sense of connection to the created world. Often this comes with striking particularity, like a reflection on a stone, or Julian of Norwich’s vision of ...

Monday, December 15, 2025: Awe is enough. Announcement! The Education Committee will present the 2nd video  of a      4-part series on Tues., Dec. 30, at 1:00pm at Nancy and Bob’s.  Please  RSVP Nancy at RNMCFAR1938@yahoo.com or text or call 707-280-4705.  Below is info on Meghan McKenna, the speaker, and a brief description of her talk. Reflection: The roots of ultimate insights are found … on the level of wonder and radical amazement, in the depth of awe, in our sensitivity to the mystery.  —Abraham Joshua Heschel,  God in Search of Man  Richard Rohr and several other thinkers and writers teach that awe is a foundational spiritual experience that keeps us open to the mystery of God:  I believe the basic, primal, foundational spiritual intuition is a moment of awe and wonder. We say, “God, that’s beautiful!” Why do we so often say “God!” when we have such moments? I think it’s a recognition that this is a godly moment. We are somehow aw...

Sunday December 14, 2025:  Please Join Us Today for our Emmaus Community Celebration - Gaudete (Rejoice!!!) Sunday Time: 1:45 Greeting. Our liturgy begins at 2:00PM with light potluck following.  All are welcome Join us in Person at Christ Church United Methodist  1717 Yulupa Avenue in Santa Rosa  Join Zoom Meeting using this link: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5193158573?omn=85410943005
 Passcode: 1234
 Meeting ID: (after starting Zoom) 519 315 8573
 Passcode: 1234 For Phone: One tap mobile dial
+16699006833,,5193158573# US (San Jose)
+16694449171,,5193158573# US Emmaus Liturgy Celebrating REJOICE (Gaudete) Sunday, Third Sunday of Advent, December 14, 2025 Opening: Ring the Singing Bowl three times followed by a moment of silence and welcome to all new people. Opening Song: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You (Beethoven) Call To Worship:  Pat: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad- All: The desert shall rejoice and blossom like the rose. Pat: The trees clap thei...

Saturday, December 13, 2025:  Please Join Us Tomorrow for our Emmaus Community Celebration, on Sunday,  December 14, 2025 Time: 1:45 Greeting. Our liturgy begins at 2:00PM with light potluck following.  All are welcome Join us in Person at Christ Church United Methodist  1717 Yulupa Avenue in Santa Rosa  Join Zoom Meeting using this link: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5193158573?omn=85410943005
 Passcode: 1234
 Meeting ID: (after starting Zoom) 519 315 8573
 Passcode: 1234 For Phone: One tap mobile dial
+16699006833,,5193158573# US (San Jose)
+16694449171,,5193158573# US Emmaus Liturgy Celebrating REJOICE (Gaudete) Sunday, Third Sunday of Advent, December 14, 2025 Opening: Ring the Singing Bowl three times followed by a moment of silence and welcome to all new people. Opening Song: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You (Beethoven) Call To Worship:  Pat: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad- All: The desert shall rejoice and blossom like the rose. Pat: The tree...