Rev. Ed Hackett's Clergy Appeal
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NLT)
Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Clergy of the Living Waters Emmaus Community of the Adirondacks and Green Mountains, the words of James both describe our times, our circumstances and our present situation that we find ourselves in as an Emmaus Community. We have not held a Men’s or a Women’s Walk since Covid. We have attempted several and have failed for a number of reasons, but two mainly: we have struggled to put together enough laity and/or clergy to serve on these Walks.
All of us who have served churches know how valuable Emmaus has been to us and our laity who have experienced a Walk. Many, in living out their Fourth Day, have served on teams, making an Emmaus Walk or a Chrysalis available for the youth and adults in our churches. This enabled them to see and experience God’s love and grace transform lives, empower them to count on Christ, and live for Him as leaders in our churches and communities. Many have heard God’s call upon their lives to serve as local and lay pastors, and some have even gone on to seminary and have become ordained ministers.
Where would we be as individuals, as churches, and even as an Annual Conference, if it weren’t for Emmaus? For the last four years we have struggled mightily, and our faith has been tested: mine as the Community Spiritual Director, and those who have served with me on the Board, but we have considered it an opportunity to grow as James put it, “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” (V.3)
I’m not sure that at this point we can “consider it all joy” (V.2), but I do know that we serve a great God who still loves us all beyond measure. He is still willing and able to utilize Emmaus as a tool to transform lives and call them to love and serve others on a Three Day Walk to Emmaus. That is if there’s a community of laity and clergy who are willing to pray, prepare, and serve in faith with generosity. I know because I have seen and have heard countless testimonies regarding this from such transformed lives.
James challenges us with these words, “So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (V.4) I, we, as the Living Waters Emmaus Community need to know whether you are willing to endure with us as clergy sisters and brothers of the LWECAGM, and consider this endeavor worthy of your time, energy, gifts, and service. Remember, “Christ is Counting on you!” Are you willing to pray for, support, participate with your time, gifts, and presence as clergy, as a vital part of our Emmaus Community? Please take the time to reflect, pray and to let us know what you decide by calling, texting, and/or emailing me. Praying and hoping we can endure together!
Blessings, Ed Hackett, Jr.
Spiritual Director of the LWAGM
