What is Chrysalis?
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 designed for high school youth ages 15 to 18. At this age, young people are making major decisions about religion, lifestyle, vocation, and lifelong relationships. Chrysalis challenges them to grow not only in mind and body but also in spirit and faith.
The Chrysalis weekend events, referred to as Flights, are offered separately for girls and boys to allow youth freedom to explore their relationship with God without worrying about how they may appear to the other gender. It provides an opportunity outside their local congregations or youth groups to grow in their faith alongside their peers.
Who Should Go Chrysalis?
Chrysalis is designed for high school youth ages 15 to 18. At this age, young people are making major decisions about religion, lifestyle, vocation, and lifelong relationships. Chrysalis challenges them to grow not only in mind and body but also in spirit and faith.
- Are members of a local church
- Have a desire to strengthen their spiritual lives
- May have unanswered questions about their faith
- Understand that being a Christian involves responsibility
- Are willing to dedicate their everyday lives to God in an ongoing manner
What happens during the Chrysalis Weekend?
The Chrysalis weekend events, referred to as Flights, are offered separately for girls and boys to allow youth freedom to explore their relationship with God without worrying about how they may appear to the other gender. It provides an opportunity outside their local congregations or youth groups to grow in their faith alongside their peers.
The butterfly provides the central image and metaphor of the Chrysalis experience. An ancient Christian symbol of Christ’s death and resurrection, the butterfly illustrates one model of the spiritual journey: caterpillar, cocoon (chrysalis), and butterfly. To become what it is meant to be, the caterpillar essentially dies as it goes through a metamorphosis in the chrysalis until it finally becomes a butterfly and breaks out of the chrysalis. Similarly, our Christian transformation involves dying with Christ to our old self through faith in God’s accepting love, rising with Christ to a new life motivated by hope in God’s promises, and going forth with Christ in love to joyfully share Christ’s ministry of reconciliation and love with an alienated world.
What happens after the Chrysalis Weekend?
You are invited to have a closer walk with Christ for the rest of your life; this is called the Fourth Day. Those who attend a Walk to Emmaus are encouraged to:
- Expand their own spiritual lives through worship, study and active participation in their local church
- Become more active disciples of Christ in service to the world
To nurture this process of discipleship, the Emmaus movement offers specific opportunities. First, groups of four to six people meet weekly to reflect on their spiritual journey and encourage one another in accountable discipleship. Second, there are monthly community gatherings where Emmaus participants meet for fellowship, worship and instruction. Third, community members are regularly informed of the support needs of upcoming Walk to Emmaus weekends, and other opportunities for servant leadership.