CTC Emmaus is proud to announce

Its first Alarga Weekend was October 23^rd to 26^th, 2003 at Glen Lake Camp in Glen Rose! It was an awesome event for those with physical limitations or older age persons. Alarga is not suitable for persons with intellectual limitations or the very elderly. My understanding is that this was only the second in the country. The next one is in the planning. Stay tuned as God goes to work in this great ministry.

Alarga comes to America from Australia. During the first Emmaus Walks in Queensland Australia it was felt there was need for a walk which was a little less strenuous, so that those who were not able to cope with the heavy Emmaus program would also have the opportunity to experience this very special program. A goal was set and the Alarga Weekend in Queensland in September 1991 was the first of these programs.

Permission was given by the Upper Room to shorten the length of the talks and combine some talks to enable pilgrims to have an afternoon rest, and because the plans were to take both men and women, The Upper Room asked that name be changed – Emmaus does not have mixed Walks.

Since the Emmaus Walk originated in Spain a Spanish word was chosen, and since this was weekend where Emmaus was reaching out, the name of the Walk became "Alarga" which in English means just that – "reaching out."

Apart from the differences mentioned, everything else is the same – agape, prayer, the theme of the talks, everything you will experience this weekend is experienced at an Emmaus Walk, and everything experienced at an Emmaus Walk will be experienced on an Alarga. But since Alarga is a little more leisurely it is called an Emmaus stroll.

If you would like to sponsor a man or woman to attend Alarga, Pilgrims must fill
out the Alarga application, as well as the normal Emmaus pilgrim application. (Both are available on the down load page) Further information will be sent to both the pilgrim and the sponsor. The team will visit each prospective pilgrim to assess his or her medical and dietary needs before their acceptance to attend Alarga. The person’s caregiver is encouraged to also be a pilgrim on Alarga.

Anyone wanting to serve on the Alarga Team should fill out an Emmaus Team application and mark on it that they are interested in serving on an Alarga team. I do not believe the Emmaus Team application has been updated to include interest in Alarga, so just write it on the top of the application where Denise will be sure to see it.

If you have any questions please contact the CTC Emmaus Administrator at centexemmaus@txun.net or www.ctcemmaus.org.