Our Blessed Community

With Easter and Holy Week now behind us, we’ve been thinking a lot about Emmaus House’s legacy of faith. A mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, Emmaus House was founded in 1967 by Father Austin Ford, an Episcopal priest and civil rights advocate. 

The name “Emmaus House” refers to the Easter story in which two disciples are walking on the road to Emmaus (north of Jerusalem). In this story, the resurrected Jesus walks alongside them but disguises himself. He listens to them speak about all that has happened, and only later reveals himself to them as they are breaking bread together.

Faith In Action

There are a lot of things one could take away from this story, but one is the idea of God’s revelation coming through fellowship. There had been plenty of opportunities for Jesus to reveal himself along the road: while they were discussing the Messiah and the meaning of all that had happened. But he chose this moment of simple hospitality and kindness. 

Faith is one idea that draws us together into a blessed community, but it’s in caring for one another that God is ultimately revealed.

Church On The Move

In April each year, Emmaus House hosts a special service exploring the Stations of the Cross. We do not do so from within the walls of our chapel, but by going out into our Peoplestown community and visiting sites where residents have fought against racism and the destructive effects of police brutality, expressways, urban renewal, stadium projects, white flight, and gentrification.

At Emmaus House, we believe that we are all created in the image of God. So as we visit each of these sites, we consider how the themes of justice and mercy reflect the story of Christ in the Stations of the Cross. We ask ourselves, “Who is Jesus here?”

Everyday Faith

We’re proud of our legacy of faith, and while we appreciate traditional expressions such as the proclamation of God’s word and the celebration of the Eucharist, we recognize its most profound expression is living as Christ lived: among the people, for the people, with infinite love. 

Click below to learn more about our legacy of faith and the Emmaus House Chapel.