How to Attend a Walk to Emmaus

1. The metropolitan Atlanta area has a population of over 3.5 million people, and covers over 3000 square miles in 22 counties. As such, there are several Walk to Emmaus communities covering greater Atlanta. The Atlanta South Walk to Emmaus (ASWTE) Community generally serves those counties south of Interstate I-20. These counties include south Fulton, Coweta, Fayette, Clayton, Henry, Rockdale, Spalding, Troup and Meriwether. There are exceptions to this rule (the ASWTE community includes at least one active church north of I-20 in Paulding county) but it is generally preferred that pilgrims attend their walk in the community closest to their home and church. Potential Atlanta pilgrims living north of I-20 are probably better served attending a walk in the North Georgia Walk to Emmaus Community, the Northwest Georgia Walk to Emmaus Community, or the Pathways East Walk to Emmaus Community.



2. Every potential pilgrim must have a community sponsor. The sponsor plays a key role in identifying prospective pilgrims for upcoming weekends. The sponsor then supports the pilgrim on the weekend thru prayer and by meeting the pilgrim's special needs (baby sitting, transportation, etc.).

3. It is expected that married couples submit their applications together. We believe the Walk to Emmaus program works best in a family when both partners attend the weekend within the same time period. This is not a just local ASWTE policy, but is included in the Walk to Emmaus guidelines established by the Upper Room in Nashville. Rare exceptions to this policy are granted by the ASWTE Board on a case-by-case basis. Requests for exceptions must be submitted in writing and in sufficient detail by both the prospective sponsor and the pilgrim's pastor. Exceptions to policy are not automatic.

4. The support of the local pastor is crucial in the Walk to Emmaus program. All applications for a weekend retreat must process thru the local pastor. A pilgrim cannot attend a weekend without the support of a dedicated sponsor, and the support of their pastor. Pastors are encouraged to attend a Walk to Emmaus weekend to better understand the program.

5. Sponsors must remember three important points in selecting potential pilgrims:

God is always at work. It is ultimately up to God to determine who will attend a weekend.

Emmaus is ecumenical. Although Emmaus is sponsored by the United Methodist Church, pilgrims may attend from any denomination.

Emmaus is not necessarily for everyone.
6. Good potential pilgrims:

Those that the sponsor is lead to by prayer.

Leaders or potential leaders in the church.

People who want to strengthen their spiritual lives.

People with unanswered questions about prayer, study and sharing their faith.
7. Walk for Emmaus is not for everyone:

People with psychological, psychiatric or other emotional problems that are better handled by professional counselors, or on a one-to-one basis, are not generally good pilgrims.

People who have recently suffered grief (loss of a loved one, divorce, separation, etc.).

People with unresolved grief.
8. We have an ASWTE pilgrim application you can download. You can find it in the 'Downloads' section.