Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Cor. 5:17
Chrysalis is a weekend (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon) experience which takes a look at Christianity as a lifestyle. It is designed to strengthen and renew the faith of young Christians. Chrysalis is an ecumenical, combined effort toward renewal of the Church.
Those attending the weekend will spend busy but enjoyable days living and sharing together in singing, prayer, worship and discussions centred around twelve talks given by both laity and clergy. These talks present the theme of God’s grace and how that grace comes alive in the Christian community and expresses itself in the world. Chrysalis is the growth stage between caterpillars and butterflies. While on the surface it may look like nothing is happening, the delicate process changes a caterpillar into a butterfly with wings and beautiful colours. This symbolises that, through dying to self, Christ can transform us into new beings. Jesus Christ can transform us into something beautiful. We must open ourselves to Jesus for this transformation to occur.
Chrysalis is the name chosen for the Young Adults, Walk to Emmaus because it symbolises faith growth in the lives of youth -the spiritual growth that is necessary between adolescence and adulthood it is a crucial time in a maturing faith for discipleship.
Chrysalis has its roots deeply planted in its parent movement, the Walk to Emmaus. Chrysalis is a spiritual renewal retreat that provides participants an opportunity to learn more about faith, to experience Christian love and support, and a chance to make new commitments in their faith journey. The content of the weekend focuses on God’s grace, how one experiences Christ as a friend in the body of Christ, and how one is called into discipleship.
What Happens at Chrysalis?
You will spend the weekend with other young people in worship, prayer, fellowship, recreation, singing and discussion. You will experience the love of Christ through the prayers and acts of service of a loving support community. You will hear talks given by team members. The talks focus on the needs of maturing young adults and offer the message of the Gospel and the friendship and example of Jesus Christ. Talks are given each day followed by discussion and reflection on how these messages can be helpful to your personal faith. You will explore how this friendship with Jesus can help you live your faith with family, friends, and community.
What happens after Chrysalis?
Following the weekend retreat, you are invited to become intentional about your faith through local church participation, small group studies, and interpersonal sharing groups that provide the fellowship and support for giving love to a needful world. You are invited to rise to a new day, every day.
Purpose of Chrysalis
The focus of Chrysalis is commitment to Jesus Christ through the local church. The objective of Chrysalis is to inspire, challenge, and equip local church youth for a closer friendship with Christ and for Christian action at home, church, school, and in the community. Chrysalis lifts up a way for you to be a friend of Christ in the world.
Who should go to a Chrysalis?
Chrysalis is for the development of Christian young adults who:
- Wish to strengthen your friendship with Christ
- May have unanswered questions about prayer, study, and sharing your faith
- Understand that being a friend of Christ, or Christian, involves responsibility
- Are open to dedicating your everyday life to God in an ongoing manner
Chrysalis is open to young adults from 16+ and of any Christian denomination.