Greetings Hoosier Hill Emmaus Community from your Lay Director, 

 

 

I know many were bothered by the events of our recent gathering and I want to apologize that it has taken so long for it to be addressed by the board.  I assure you that it wasn’t from a lack of prayer, discussion, and evaluation of the many comments we received.  The board thanks all who shared your comments with us.

Levi and I had drafted a statement that was to be sent out.  But some on the HHE board did not like it.  In fact, Rynn sent it to the Upper Room to get their opinion on the matter.  The Upper Room has responded with guidance regarding the initial incident and the drafted letter.  The guidance from the Upper Room is shown below:

 

“Thank you for reaching out and for sharing both your concerns and the attached draft letter. I appreciate the care you clearly have for the Hoosier Hills Emmaus community and for the spiritual well-being of both pilgrims and leaders.

After reviewing the situation and the proposed letter, I do have significant concerns about both the handling of the incident and the framing of the response.

First, Emmaus is an ecumenical ministry. Communities covenant together around shared essentials of Christian discipleship while recognizing that participants, clergy, and leaders may come from different denominational traditions and theological perspectives. Throughout the Christian tradition, there have been faithful theologians and denominations that have used feminine imagery and language for the Holy Spirit. This is not outside the bounds of historic Christianity, nor is it incompatible with Christian teaching.

In scripture itself, the Spirit is described through a variety of images and linguistic forms. Additionally, many Christian traditions engage theological language differently depending on their denominational context, liturgical heritage, and understanding of metaphor and mystery. Emmaus is not intended to function as a doctrinal enforcement body that determines which faithful Christians are “true” or “false” believers.

Our model has long emphasized that Emmaus talks are not intended to become platforms for promoting denominational disputes or personal theological agendas. At the same time, when participants encounter theology that is unfamiliar or uncomfortable to them, the appropriate pastoral response is invitation into conversation, discernment, and consultation with their own pastor or spiritual authority — not public rebuke or public shaming.

I am especially concerned by the language in the draft letter referring to “false teaching,” “false God,” and “unbelievers.” I do not believe that language reflects the ecumenical commitments communities agree to uphold in covenant with The Upper Room. I would strongly discourage this letter from being distributed in its current form.

I am also concerned about the decision to withhold communion from the gathered community. Communion is traditionally understood as a means of grace, reconciliation, and unity in Christ. Withholding it in response to a theological disagreement of this nature risks causing spiritual harm, especially for new pilgrims who may have experienced confusion, fear, or exclusion as a result.

It is important that any communication to the community focus on healing, humility, reconciliation, and restoring trust — not drawing theological battle lines or assigning orthodoxy to one perspective over another.

I appreciate your willingness to advocate for careful, compassionate handling of this situation. I will continue discerning appropriate next steps and appreciate you bringing this to my attention.

 

Grace and peace,

Brittany

Brittany Sky (she/her)

Director of Emmaus Ministries

The Upper Room

1908 Grand Ave. Nashville, TN 37212”

 

I thought it appropriate to share this guidance as it will be used to guide the board in our decision making and in how we might address similar future occurrences.

Some will be pleased as it seems we got the green light to refer to the Holy Spirit as a woman.  I’m not certain what else is not included in “shared essentials of Christian discipleship” but I have a few ideas.

Some will be pleased to know there will not be rebukes for most anything.  Also, seems communion will be given no matter what happens.  This should address much of the community outrage over the past 2 weeks.

Some will also be pleased to learn that Levi Bridges left the community moments after Rynn posted the Upper Room response to our HHE Board Teams Community.  This should address additional community outrage.

You may have noticed Brittany made reference to “the ecumenical commitments communities agree to uphold in covenant with The Upper Room”.  These covenants must be signed by each board member.  In doing so, we agree to adhere to Upper Room requirements.  In my writing of the letter under her review, I was called out by Brittany for violation of the covenant.

So, I am faced with a decision.  Adhere to a covenant written by “Christians” with pronouns (let that sink in); or adhere to the infallible word of God.  Easiest decision ever.

 

This letter is my final action as your Community Lay Director and as a community member.

 

So, De Colores one last time.

 

In Christian Love,

 

 

Scott Smith