History and Actions:
The Walk to Emmaus Program is based on love of Jesus Christ, and Brotherly/Sisterly Love. It involves much Singing, Small Group interaction, Holy Communion, Group Worship, and lots of food, laughs and sometimes hugs. Walk to Emmaus would not be the same without these things. However, shortly after holding our Walks in February of 2020, the COVID-19 Pandemic brought about changes to our world at many levels. The precautions we were all told to take in an effort to curb the spread of the virus made holding Walks during the remainder of 2020 and into 2021 very difficult throughout the world. Therefore, the East Texas Emmaus Community (ETEC) Board of directors decided to postpone our 2021 Walks.
As we near the end of 2021, the virus safety precautions are better understood, and vaccinations are available for those who wish to get one. Therefore, the ETEC Board of Directors has chosen February of 2022 as a date when we can hopefully start holding Walks again. This remains to be dependent on the actions of the Local, State, and Federal authorities who regulate our actions.
What are we doing?
- Walk Training Guidelines are being developed by our Walk Teams to help protect our teams during the training that precedes all Walks
- Walk Safety Guidelines are being developed by our Walk Teams to help protect both our Pilgrims and Walk Teams including Daily Screening Process (temperature checks), Social Distancing Recommendations, and Cleaning Supply Kits
- The ETEC Board is monitoring Local, State, and Federal guidelines/requirements to ensure we adhere to any Covid-19 Rules and Regulations set forth at that time, by the Local, State, and Federal regulating organizations in our area.
- The ETEC Board is in regular communication with the church camp where our Walks are held to stay informed of their facility improvements, safety rules and regulations, and to determine how to best incorporate our Walk Safety Guidelines.
- The ETEC Board and Walk Teams will ensure personal choice for Pilgrims and Team members to protect themselves from potential infection. This includes vaccination, mask wearing, social distancing, and other sanitation actions. Everyone will be free to take whatever precautions that they feel necessary.
What should Pilgrims do?
· Monitor Local, State, and Federal guidelines/requirements
· Consider your own personal risk and whether going on the Walk is right for you
· Don’t hesitate to submit questions to the ETEC Board regarding the Walk Safety Guidelines
We sincerely want the Walk to Emmaus experience to be as meaningful for you as it was meant to be and we hope that you come away from this experience with an enhanced love of Jesus Christ, and a desire to go forward, making disciples of Jesus Christ for the Betterment of the World.
DeColores,
ETEC Board of Directors
September 11, 2021
