On July 24, 2003, a formation committee met to discuss the feasibility of establishing a new Emmaus community in or near Mobile, Alabama. This had long been a vision of many, including Rev. Paul Wolfe, District Superintendent for the Mobile District, and Rev. Linwood Lewis, who was so instrumental in the success of the Blue Lake community. It was decided at this meeting that efforts to establish this new community were feasible with the support of the Blue Lake Community, which would serve as a sponsor. A meeting was scheduled for August 26, 2003, to nominate a steering committee.
On August 26, 2003, a steering committee was nominated, and officers elected. This committee consisted of Tommy Gaillard (Chairperson); Ernie Gentry (Vice Chairperson); Linwood Lewis (Spiritual Director); Jamie Blake (Secretary); Gwen Leo (Treasurer); Steve Spining (Liaison with the Blue Lake community); Vann Bush; Mitch Wescovich; Craig Dykes, Robin Dykes, Heidi Gaillard, Patricia Gentry, Thad Chesser, Edwenia Johnson, Shirley Hosea, and Paul Wolfe.
The selection of a name for our community was not an easy task. At least a dozen names were nominated. Many of these were eliminated because they too narrowly defined a geographical area. Some were already used by other communities (and the Upper Room requires that each community have a unique name).
Finally, the name Servant Heart Emmaus was selected by the committee. It was felt that this name did not by definition, limit our geographical outreach and also was a name that conveyed the strong Emmaus concept of having a servant’s heart (service). This name was officially registered with the Upper Room.
As you might imagine, finding a suitable campsite that has all of the components necessary for an Emmaus weekend is also not an easy task. A number of sites were considered, including the Visitation Monastery in Mobile. Ultimately, it was decided that the best available site would be Camp Whispering Pines at Citronelle. This is a Baptist campground but seemed to be well suited for our Emmaus weekend needs. Tres Dias had already used this camp for their first two weekends and it seemed to work well for them.
This played a part in our selection decision as well. The camp is less than an hour drive for most people in Mobile, Clarke, and Washington counties. It is also a reasonable distance for folks in Baldwin County. The campground consists of a chapel, conference room, dining hall, break room, and adequate areas for agape storage (both permanent and weekend). The lodging is primarily dorm-style. There are four dorms with double bunk beds. Each dorm could house a maximum of 40 people. There are also eight private motel-type rooms that could house up to 3 people per room. The committee felt that the location and configuration of the camp was the best option for our start-up efforts.
We were given a discount rate of $81.00 per person for the weekend. This cost will include 3 nights' lodging and 8 meals. We have reserved the camp for our first two walks and plan to reserve dates for four weekends in 2005. To cover this cost plus the $7.50 per pilgrim to the Upper Room, pilgrim cross & ribbons, worship booklets, supplies, etc., we have set a pilgrim cost of $100.00 for a weekend.
The Upper Room requires that any efforts to establish a new community must show evidence of sufficient support within the proposed area. Thus, there is a requirement to hold two gatherings with a required attendance of 75 to 100 people at each gathering.
This required a significant amount of work in order to notify people in our area of these events. We obtained from Blue Lake a portion of their contact database. We spent time verifying contact information, producing labels and applying them to postcards for mailing, and coordinating the gatherings themselves including refreshments, handouts, etc.
We scheduled our first gathering for October 25, 2003, and had 132 people in attendance! Our second gathering was held on April 3, 2004, with 80 in attendance! At this gathering, Jean Johnson Green (representative from the Upper Room) was our guest speaker. She met with our committee prior to the gathering and explained our covenant with the Upper Room and read the letter of agreement.
At the gathering, the letter of agreement was signed by each member of the steering committee. This letter of agreement and this covenant with the Upper Room state that we will abide by the Emmaus model as described in the Emmaus Handbook. Also, by signing this letter of agreement, we have officially become an Emmaus community and have been entered into the official database of the Upper Room. A representative from the Upper Room will schedule a time for community and board training and will be present at our first two walks in an advisory capacity.
A very important step in our efforts was to identify someone who would be willing to serve as registrar for the community. Actually, several people volunteered for this job, which was a bit of a surprise based on the fact that there is a fair amount of work involved in being registrar. All of the people who volunteered were fully capable of filling this position. These were nominated, and the steering committee selected Don Davis (Mobile Co. Probate Judge) to serve as registrar for the Servant Heart Emmaus Community.
Camp Whispering Pines is a beautiful seventy-six-acre camp and retreat facility located in picturesque Citronelle, Alabama. Since 2005, CWP has hosted our Walk Weekends and has been a great partner in our ministry.
When you arrive at this newly renovated camp, you'll find your way to the camp Dining Hall where you will check in.
This is also where the camp dining staff will prepare all your meals throughout the walk weekend.
After check-in, you'll make your way over to the Pine Tree Inn, a newly renovated hotel.
This 28-room hotel has rooms with two twin-size beds, a vanity, and a full bathroom.
Once you're situated in your room, you'll make your way back to the Dining Hall, where all the other pilgrims will be. Once everyone has arrived, it's time for send-off. Each person who will be participating in the walk will have their names called and line up.
Then, you'll make your way to the Conference Room in the Pine Cone Lodge.
After you receive a few instructions, each pilgrim will have the opportunity to meet someone new and get to know them better.
Afterward, the group will make their way to the Tamarack Chapel.
You'll have an opportunity to watch a short video about Emmaus and then the Emmaus adventure begins!