Please be in prayer for all those who are in need both within and without our Pioneer Country Emmaus community.
To the Pioneer Country Emmaus Community
May 27, 2025
First, I want to personally express my heartfelt gratitude to the members past and present of the PCE community. I know my life is but one of many touched by PCE over the years. I am thankful for the opportunity to work alongside so many caretakers in the sowing of the Gospel. It is with fondness that I get to look back on the many Walks and Gatherings I have had the privilege to be a part of over the years.
The unfortunate reality is that the PCE community has faced several challenges over the last few years. These words are here to simply state the challenges, no blame or shame is intended or should be interpreted. The PCE community has been fighting the headwinds of both declining participation and declining Pilgrims and has been the topic of many PCE Board discussions. As a reminder, please read Jeff Bull’s letter to the community from October 2024 with an open heart.
The PCE community is at a point where things can no longer continue as they are. With that in mind, the Board contacted the Upper Room for guidance. Several conversations were held with Doc Hall from the Upper Room about the possible options. These conversations were started to address the many concerns we (as a Board) have been discussing over the last few years. The PCE Board simply has too few members to continue as it is now. Moreover, several of the current board members need to step back for a time due to personal reasons (myself included).
The PCE community primarily had two options to consider as ways to move forward. The two options were: convert into a Steering /4th day community or shut down entirely. After the initial discussion with Doc Hall a summary letter was sent to the active Board members and then a second discussion was held with Doc to answer any questions and concerns. The decision, unanimously approved by the participating Board Members on the call, is to convert to being a 4th day community. As a 4th day community, PCE will continue to hold gatherings, possibly quarterly and keep communications lines open to the PCE community as a whole. The goal will be to do everything possible to minimize ongoing expenses while working to mentor/build/encourage new volunteers to take the PCE community forward.
Marvin Scheele has volunteered to take on the responsibility of directing what will become the 4th day community. While the PCE community transitioning away from being a full Board will reduce the time and effort required to run the Community, there will still be a need for a core set of people to keep the community alive. Myself, Susan and Jeannie have volunteered to provide what assistance we can to support Marvin as the new community lay director in this endeavor. It is my hope that this message will be prayerfully received and considered by all who read it and that everyone will keep their hearts and minds open and available for the future of the PCE Community.
De Colores,
Phil Christie, CLD
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?” Luke24:32
First, I want to thank Phil Christie for his years of service on the board of directors for Pioneer Country Emmaus (PCE). He has done a great job as our Community Lay Director. The other members of the board have done an excellent job as well and we thank them for their service. As Phil stated in his letter, PCE will take a step back and be a Fourth Day community with a steering committee of five to seven people instead of a board of directors. This was decided in consultation with the Upper Room. There are several reasons for this decision. In the last few years interest in Emmaus has dwindled. Attendance at Gatherings has been minimal. Many people are no longer interested in participating on teams or participating behind the scenes, and few are willing to sponsor new Pilgrims. Some of the reasons, given as feedback, for this was the COVID epidemic and the diversification of the United Methodist Church. Despite that, I believe that PCE can be a vibrant community once again. Therefore, I have volunteered to head up the steering committee as Community Lay Director. A few of the current board members will remain on the steering committee. Very soon I will be contacting a few good people to help us renew the spirit of the Holy Spirit in Pioneer Country.
Hopefully COVID is behind us for good. The diversification of the UMC is over and has affected many churches in Pioneer Country. I remind you that Emmaus is ecumenical, it is not United Methodist and is only loosely connected to the UMC administratively. Emmaus is Wesleyan and follows the Wesleyan principles of grace and is open to all. I still believe in the mission: “The Walk to Emmaus seeks to inspire, challenge, and equip leaders for Christian action in their homes, places of work, and communities”. This can only be done through Perseverance and prayer. If you are part of a Reunion Group, please continue to meet on a regular basis. If you are not part of a Reunion Group, I encourage you to find or form one. Together we can revitalize Pioneer Country Emmaus. If you would like to help us do that, or if you just have questions or suggestions (I am always open to suggestions),please contact me by email at mscheele3@cox.net. Please be in prayer for the steering committee and Pioneer Country Emmaus.
“Let us not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:8
Let us all be the hands and feet of Christ.
DeColores,
Marvin Scheele
Pioneer Country Walk to Emmaus #63
Table of John
New Covenant Church