What is a Chrysalis? 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 colors. This symbolizes 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 Youth Walk to Emmaus because it symbolizes faith growth in the lives of high school aged young adults - the spiritual growth that is necessary between adolescence and adulthood. It is a crucial time of maturing faith for discipleship. Chrysalis has its roots deeply planted in its parent movement, the Walk to Emmaus. Chrysalis is a three-day spiritual renewal retreat that provides participants an opportunity to learn more about the faith, to experience Christian love and support, and a chance to make new commitments in their faith journey. The content of the three days focuses on God's grace, how one experiences Christ as friend in the body of Christ, and how one is called into discipleship, giving love to a needful world. What happens at Chrysalis? You will spend three days 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 youth and adults. The talks focus on the needs of maturing youth and offer the message of the Gospel and the friendship and example of Jesus Christ. Five 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 three-day 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 build upon your Chrysalis weekend for the rest of your life. You are invited to rise to a new day, every day. Persons who have attended a Chrysalis Flight ARE also eligible to later attend an Emmaus Walk, IF they have not worked an Emmaus Walk. 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 community. Chrysalis lifts up a way for you to be a friend of Christ in the world. Who should go to Chrysalis? Chrysalis is for the development of Christian youth and 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 high school students of any denomination in grades 10-12 (between the ages of 15-18). Exceptions will be considered for Sophomore to Senior students who do not meet the age guideline, but it requires a board vote and a letter of recommendation from his/her pastor must accompany the application.