Sponsor Guidelines
for Closer Walk of Upper New York 
(Formerly known as North Central New York Walk to Emmaus)

(Remove this sheet before giving application to candidate)
Sponsors:
1.	Pray for guidance: Speak to God about your candidate before you speak to him/her. Ask God if he/she is ready for the Walk, if it is time to discuss Closer Walk with him/her, and if you should invite him/her. Ask God to guide your discussion time and give you a humble and enthusiastic spirit.
2.	Live the message of the weekend; know the goals and methods of Closer Walk.
3.	Know the needs of your candidate.
4.	Make sure your candidate is going because he/she wants to and not just as a favor to you.
5.	Discuss with the Candidate that his/her weekend has been paid for by past Candidates and that he/she is encouraged to "Pay it Forward" as well. Give present cost of weekend.
6.	Transport your candidate to and from the weekend site.
7.	Support your candidate during the weekend.
8.	Continue to be in contact with your candidate in the 4th Day.
9.	Help your candidate to find a permanent Small Group (Grouping).
10.	Invite/bring your candidate to monthly Ultreya.
11.	For detailed sponsor information, contact the current Registrar or your local Ultreya leader.
Candidates:
1.	Should have a desire to grow as a Christian.
2.	Should have an attitude of listening, friendship and a disposition that includes change.
3.	Be willing to participate in a community of believers.
4.	Should understand Closer Walk is not just a weekend but is a way of Christian living.
5.	Should have no psychological or emotional problems that would prevent their participation in the Weekend and interaction with others.
6.	Should be mature, responsible and able to make his or her own decisions.
7.	May be single, married, or divorced. Since Closer Walk is an experience to be shared, even though the weekends are separate, married couples are encouraged to make the same set of weekends. If both are going on the same set of weekends, both applications should be submitted together. No one is denied acceptance due to a spouse not wanting to go on a weekend.
Procedures:
1.	Explain Closer Walk Weekend and Post-Weekend opportunities (i.e. Grouping, Ultreya, Reunion).Answer any questions and help candidates complete the application form (both husband and wife if married). All blanks on the application must be completed.
2.	Fill out the Sponsor's portion of the application and mail both Sponsor's and Candidate’s application to the Registrar (see below). Send NO money with the application.
3.	Take the Pastor's portion of the candidate’s application and addressed, stamped envelope to candidate’s pastor to complete and mail. Pastor’s recommendation is fully confidential.

Mail all applications to:
Lisa Edger
101 Philo Rd. W.
Elmira, NY 14903
607.738.8574
laedger@stny.rr.com

"The opinions, views or doctrine of the “church facility” used by Closer Walk of Upper New York do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints or opinions of The Closer Walk Upper New York".  
Closer Walk supports the stance of the United Methodist Church as expressed in the United Methodist book of Discipline and the United Methodist Book of Resolutions.
Closer Walk of Upper New York recognizes that the Body of Christ is composed of many members. Our prayer and our goal is that Christ is represented through the Closer Walk community. The Closer Walk community is a community of love and support so that the members of the Body of Christ may grow in love for each other and for the Kingdom of God. 5/2012