The Olympics' second week offers another opportunity for reflection, this week on the notion of "excellence." We have witnessed much athletic excellence in these days.  Peter Gomes, minister of the Memorial Church at Harvard University, reflects on the more general notion of "excellence" from the vantage point of his ministry at Harvard.

 

     Excellence seems a rather abstract and cold virtue, for simply to be the best at what one does without reference to what one does empties the term of any moral content.  Al Capone was an excellent  gangster, very good at what he did and perhaps even the best; but surely, even in the age of the nearly universal appeal of The Sopranos, we would not hold him as an example to be emulated or as a person to be rewarded simply because he was the very best at what he did....

     When on Sunday mornings I look out at my congregation, I see ...a generational mix punctuated by a genuine spiritual hunger, an intellectual acuity, and a desire - I will even say a passion - for goodness.  Excellence and fairness are assumed, and it is good that they can be assumed, but most people would argue that as good as that is, it is not good enough.  What has moved and stimulated me over the years is the ever growing sense that young people, as self-aware a group as could be imagined, are eager to translate what they know and feel into something useful and good that they can do and be..."a capacity for greatness."

(from The Good Life)

     Exodus 1:8 - 2:10

     Romans 12:1-8

     Matthew 16:13-20

 

Nursery Clean-up:  Lauren Fouts invites volunteers to gather on Saturday, August 23, 2pm, in Trinity Hall for some much needed cleaning of our nursery room, toys, and Sunday School supplies.  Contact the church office for more information about the work to be done and how you might help.  

 

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, August 24, 10am, in Trinity Hall as we discuss the Scripture lessons for the day, with particular attention to "Peter's Confession" in Matthew.  Stop in for a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

 

Fellowship Dinners:  Fellowship Dinners are coming in the fall.  You might remember these small group gatherings

(6 -8 persons) in various homes for a meal and fellowship.  We are currently signing up persons who would like to attend and/or host a meal in late September.  Use reply email, the sign up sheet in the sanctuary foyer, or call the church office (263-5304) to indicate your interest.  Contact Sherry Warden or Dorothy Brockopp for more information.

 

Men's Dinner - The next Men's Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, 6pm, at Jo-Beth Booksellers Cafe.  Our guest for the evening will be Mr. Bill Roberts who will offer observations regarding the upcoming election season from the Republican Party perspective. (A similar program from the Democratic Party perspective will be offered in October.)  Contact Gene Brockopp for more information and/or to rsvp for dinner.

 

In the Community:  St. Michael's Episcopal Church (2025 Bellefonte Drive) invites the community to a "U2-Charist" (a service of Holy Communion using the music of the band "U-2") on Sunday, August 24, 5pm.  This worship opportunity is open to all ages.  Refreshments will follow the service.  Call St. Michael's (277-7511)  for more information.

 

Thanks, news, etc....

     *Thanks to...David Sharrard, Gene Brockopp, and Jeff DeReamer for their help re-placing the furniture in Trinity Hall after our recent floor refinishing;

      *Nell Horman represented Walnut Hill at a recent planning meeting for this fall's CROP Walk.  The CROP Walk is an ecumenical event to raise funds in support of hunger relief.  This year's CROP Walk will be held on Sunday, September 28. Watch for more details.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward      

 

 

Over these last few days, in an all too familiar pattern, another international dispute has been "settled" by violence at the cost of many lives and livelihoods. An ancient oracle offers an alternate vision and calling:

 

    The Lord says, "I am making a new earth and new heavens.  The events of the past will be completely forgotten...There will be no weeping there, no calling for help.  Babies will no longer die in infancy, and all people will live out their lifespan.  Those who live to be a hundred will be considered young...People will build houses and get to live in them - they will not be used by someone else.  They will plant vineyards and enjoy the wine - it will not be drunk by others.  Like trees, my people will live long lives.  They will fully enjoy the things that they have worked for.  The work they do will be successful, and their children will not meet with disaster.  I will bless them and their descendants for all time to come.  Even before they finish praying to me, I will answer their prayers.  Wolves and lambs will eat together; lions will eat straw, as cattle do, and snakes will no longer be dangerous.  On Zion, my sacred hill, there will be nothing harmful or evil.

(Isaiah 65:17-25, Today's English Version)

     Genesis 45:1-15

     Romans 11:1-2, 29-32

     Matthew 15:21-28

 

Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, August 16, 8am, at Paneras (Richmond Road).  Feel free to stop in for as long or short a time as your schedule allows.  No rsvp required.

 

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, August 17, 10am, in Trinity Hall as we discuss the Story of Joseph (Genesis 37, 39 - 50).  Participants are encouraged to read the story this week.   All are welcome to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

 

Sunday Hospitality - Hosts are needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday, August 17.  Remember that refreshments need not be elaborate, just something simple to gather around as we visit after worship.  Use reply email or call the church office (263-5304) to volunteer for this Sunday.

 

Fellowship Dinners:  Fellowship Dinners are coming in the fall.  You might remember these small group gatherings

(6 -8 persons) in various homes for a meal and fellowship.  We are currently signing up persons who would like to attend and/or host a meal in late September.  Use reply email, the sign up sheet in the sanctuary foyer, or call the church office (263-5304) to indicate your interest.  Contact Sherry Warden or Dorothy Brockopp for more information.

 

Men's Dinner - The next Men's Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, 6pm, at Jo-Beth Booksellers Cafe.  Our guest for the evening will be Mr. Bill Roberts who will offer observations regarding the upcoming election season.  Contact Gene Brockopp for more information and/or to rsvp.

 

Thanks, news, etc...

     *Thanks to...Matt and Amy Trail and Lauren Fouts for our refreshments last Sunday; Ruth Sharrard for the weekly flower arrangements that she provides for worship; Barbara Waldmann-Ward for some weekend gardening work at the front gate and in the courtyard.

     *Walnut Hill member Aaron Sharrard recently graduated from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Police Academy and has begun his work as a sworn officer with the LFUCG Police Department.  Congratulations to Aaron, and thanks for his service to the community.

     *The wood floor in Trinity Hall is being refinished this week.  Be sure to take a look on Sunday.  Thanks to David Sharrard for overseeing this project, and thanks to all those whose contributions to the Building Fund make such projects possible.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward

August 6, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

The Olympics begin this week.  Whether or not we follow it closely, the event reminds us of the amazing potential of the human body.  In her book, Honoring the Body, Stephanie Paulsell reflects on this theme.

 

            The bodies of others sometimes evoke our praise and wonderment.  And often they do this through feats of bodily exertion.  Think of Olympic runners and swimmers, gymnasts and skaters, beautiful in their strength and speed...Athletes who explore the edges of physical limits with their bodies remind us that human beings are fearfully and wonderfully made indeed.  They clothe the mystery of the body in the vivid garment of their disciplined, striving flesh.  Watching them, we are inspired to test the limits of our own bodies and our own lives.  No wonder the apostle Paul so often draws on the image of the athlete to inspire new Christians to embrace their path with rigor, singleness of purpose, self-control, perseverance, and endurance.  No wonder the prophets used images of physical  strength to describe the coming reign of God.  "Strengthen the weak hands, make firm the feeble knees." When God's people return to Zion, Isaiah writes, "the lame shall leap like a deer."

 

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, August 10:

            Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

            Romans 9:1-5

            Matthew 14:13-21

 

The Walnut Hill Working Group will be in session this Sunday, August 10, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Walnut Hill members and friends are invited to gather for conversation regarding the proposed Worship Book that we have been using over these recent Sundays.  Share your observations, criticisms, suggestions, etc, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

 

Fellowship Dinners:  Fellowship Dinners are coming in the fall.  You might remember these small group gatherings

(6 -8 persons) in various homes for a meal and fellowship.  We are currently signing up persons who would like to attend and/or host a meal in late September.  Use reply email, the sign up sheet in the sanctuary foyer, or call the church office (263-5304) to indicate your interest.  Contact Sherry Warden or Dorothy Brockopp for more information.

 

Nursery Clean-up:  Summer is a good time to clean out the closets and other places where things seem to accumulate.  One such place is the church nursery.  We are looking for some volunteers to help get the nursery in readiness for the Sunday School year ahead.  Contact Lauren Fouts for more information.

 

Thanks, news, etc…

            *Thanks to…Kelly Peterson for her service at the organ last Sunday; Phil Bloomfield and Sherry Warden for preparing Communion elements; Mark and Nell Horman, Phil Bloomfield, John DeReamer, and William Ward for their assistance during worship; Gene Brockopp for his assistance with our after worship refreshments.

            *Walnut Hill children Katie Swim, Spencer Horman, and Benjamin Horman recently attended summer camp sessions at Cathedral Domain.  Be sure to inquire of these young people regarding their camp experiences.

            *Walnut Hill has received a "thank you" card from the congregation of Grace Methodist Church, Lucedale, MS, acknowledging our recent support of their community rebuilding efforts.  The card has been posted on the bulletin board in Trinity Hall.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward 

 

 

Last Sunday's violence at (and against) a Tennessee church has cast an unexpected spotlight on "liberal" religion.  So what response does liberal religion offer to such an experience of violence and/or other ambiguities in this world?  Consider these thoughts from a Unitarian writer in a chapter titled, "Liberal Religion: Some Beliefs."

 

     What we need for a faith is not something to hate or fear, but something to love and trust.  What most of us need is to be inspired by the life we live, to be filled with a spirit of life which gets us out of bed in the morning and about our business of making the lives of the people in the world...better for our having got out of bed that morning.  We need to be inspired  to use whatever we have left of our own life as a gift of something precious which will never be repeated.

 

     We have a faith that we must look at the truth of the suffering world.  We do not want to look at the suffering world, and we know that we do not have to look at the suffering world.  There are many ways we can divert our eyes, but we believe that we must look, and when we look, respond.  We are aware of our limitations in making as full a response as we can, but despite our evasions and procrastinations we turn back again to look at the suffering world and to respond to it.  That reality commands us.  

 

     Though we may differ in our faiths, we can reach out to one another when we are bruised and hurt, and even when we may not have the power to heal the wounds and restore the losses of others, we can help make those wounds and losses bearable.  We show our true faith by our works, and what we do or leave undone tells more about what we believe than any creed or statement of belief.

(from Cycles of Reflection, by Robert E. Senghas)

 

In Memory:  We are saddened to report the recent death of Walnut Hill Church Friend Frank "Skip" Dean.  Services for Skip were held at Walnut Hill Church on July 24, with burial in the Walnut Hill Church Cemetery.  Our ongoing sympathies and prayers are with Martha and her family. 

 

     Genesis 32:22-31

     Romans 9:1-5

     Matthew 14:13-21

 

Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, August 2, 8am, at Paneras (Richmond Rd).  Feel free to stop in for as long or short a time as your schedule allows. No rsvp required.

 

Sunday Conversations resume this Sunday, August 3, 10am, with focus on the Scripture lessons for the day (see above).  You are invited to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

 

Hospitality - Hosts are needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday, August 3.  Refreshments need not be elaborate, just something simple to gather around as we fellowship after worship.  Use reply email to inquire about hosting, or co-hosting, this Sunday's refreshments.

 

CROP WALK - The 2008 CROP WALK, an ecumenical event to support hunger relief efforts around the world, will be held at the end of September.  Walnut Hill has been represented in the walk for each of the last three years, the result being over $1,000 from Walnut Hill to support hunger relief efforts. An organizational meeting for this year's walk will be held on Thursday, August 14, at Second Presbyterian Church.  Use reply email or contact the church office (263-5304) if you would be willing to represent Walnut Hill at the organizational meeting.

 

A Ride to Church - We are currently looking for volunteers who would be willing to offer an occasional ride to church to a few of our fellow members who are no longer able to drive.  Contact Mike Ward for more information about this opportunity to make our Sunday worship and fellowship accessible to those who otherwise might not be able to attend.

 

Thanks to all who by their service in so many ways, obvious and not so obvious, made it possible for the Ward family to enjoy a restful vacation.  It is good to know that Walnut Hill's ministry is in the hands of so many good and able folks.

 

 

Mike Ward