About Chrysalis

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 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.

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.

Who should go?

Chrysalis is open to members of any Christian denomination. Chrysalis is for the development of Christian leaders who:

• 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 at a Chrysalis weekend?

You will enjoy three days of singing, learning, laughing, worshiping, reflecting, praying and participating in small groups.  Discussions center around fifteen talks given by youth and adult laity and clergy.  These talks present the theme of God’s grace, how that grace comes alive in the Christian community and how it is expressed in the world.  You’ll also discover how grace is real in your life, how you live a life of grace, and how you bring that grace to others. 

You will have the opportunity to participate in the daily celebration of Holy Communion and to understand more fully the body of Christ.  You will experience God’s grace through the prayers and acts of anonymous service offered by the Chrysalis community.  You will leave with an experience of Christian love in action that will equip you for new levels of grace-filled service and leadership.

What happens after the 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 Chrysalis 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 Chrysalis 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 Chrysalis 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.

Check out the next Flight under ‘Events’, then Signup - we can’t wait to meet you!

Chrysalis Safety Policy

To help protect children, the Iowa Walk to Emmaus (IaWTE) has adopted the following Child and Youth Abuse Prevention Program. It is important that all IaWTE and volunteers understand and implement these guidelines to help prevent sexual abuse against children. The following document includes the Purpose and Definitions for these guidelines, the outlines of Protection and Prevention, and an Acknowledgement to be signed by those people working with children.