Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter
Wed, Jul 28 2010 06:14
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Greetings to all!
In his book, Here and Now, Henri Nouwen reflects on the notion that "joy"
is a "choice."
It might sound strange to say that joy is the result of our choices. We often
imagine that some people are luckier than others and that their joy or sorrow
depends on the circumstances of their life - over which they have no control.
It is important to become aware that at every moment of our life we have an
opportunity to choose joy. Life has many sides to it. There are always
sorrowful and joyful sides to the reality we live. And so we always have a
choice to live the moment as a cause for resentment or as a cause for joy. It is
in the choice that our true freedom lies, and that freedom is, in the final analysis,
the freedom to love.
It might be a good idea to ask ourselves how we develop our capacity to
choose for joy. Maybe we could spend a moment at the end of each day and
decide to remember that day - whatever may have happened - as a day to be
grateful for. In so doing we increase our heart's capacity to choose for joy. And
as our hearts become more joyful, we will become, without any special effort,
a source of joy for others. Just as sadness begets sadness, so joy begets joy.
Communion Sunday - The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be served
during morning worship this Sunday, August 1, 11am.
Hosts Needed - Sunday refreshment hosts are needed for the following
Sundays, August 1 & 8. Remember that Sunday refreshments need not be
elaborate, just something simple to gather around after worship. Use reply
email to volunteer for either Sunday August 1 or August 8.
Preaching over the next several Sundays will include:
Sunday, August 1 - the Rev. Dr. David Sharrard
Sunday, August 8 - the Rev. Dr. John Cavendish
Sunday, August 15- the Rev. Dr. David Sharrard
Sunday Conversations will be on summer break during the month of August.
Look for Sunday Conversations to resume on Sunday, September 5, 10am.
Inquiry Team Reports - The Walnut Hill Inquiry Team has issued its
recommendations to the Vestry. Check out the Walnut Hill Church website,
www.walnuthillchurchky.org (select "Inquiry Team Recommendations" tab), for
a summary of the Inquiry Team report. Thanks to the Inquiry Team for their
good work.
Summer Food Drive: Bring non-perishable food items over the Sundays of the
summer to be part of Walnut Hill's Summer Food Drive. Place your donations in the
big blue barrel located in Trinity Hall. When the barrel is full, God's Pantry will
distribute the items throughout central and eastern Kentucky.
Watch Your Mail for two important items soon to arrive in your postal mail box
including the August/September edition of the Walnut Hill Newsletter, and mid-year
contribution statements.
Thanks to...Mary Lee Snyder and Artie Antrim for providing last Sunday's
refreshments; Rachel Childress, Executive Director of Lexington Habitat for
Humanity, for her visit to Walnut Hill; Lisa Smith for her work as editor of the
Walnut Hill Church Newsletter (print version); Virgil Proffitt for his work maintaining
Walnut Hill's contribution and other financial records.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
Sunday at Walnut Hill Church
Fri, Jul 23 2010 06:16
This Sunday, July 25, at Walnut Hill Church...
Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall
"Who Needs Organized Religion?"
Today, when people are increasingly inclined to describe
themselves as spiritual but not religious, Sunday's video
considers the value of organized religion. The presenters
also address a related question: "Are all religions of
equal value?" You are invited to come and enjoy a cup of
coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.
Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary
Sermon: A Look in the Mirror
Text: James 1:22-25
The Inquiry Team will report their summary recommendations.
A 2010 Community Fund Grant will be presented to
Lexington Habitat for Humanity.
Nursery care and Sunday School for Children.
After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall
All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.
Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter
Wed, Jul 21 2010 08:00
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Greetings to all!
The value of "organized religion" is subject to some doubt these days. Kathleen
Norris offers a few thoughts on the subject.
Many say these days that they can't find God in church, in "organized"
religion. I don't find that surprising. Churches can be as inhospitable as any
other institution. What does surprise me is that people will often claim that sitting
alone under a tree or on a mountaintop is the ultimate religious experience, much
superior to being with other people at all. It may be pleasant, if a bit lonely. It
may even be private, if you happen to own the mountaintop; otherwise you have
to worry about what happens when someone else shows up.
Joining a church is not like joining a hobby club; you will find all sorts of
people there, not all of whom will share your interests, let alone your opinions.
But there is a vast difference between the giant abstraction called "Organized"
Religion and religion as people actually live it. Ruben Martinez...states, "I am a
practicing Catholic because I believe in the strength of communities of faith and,
especially, in the role of ritual as a unifying force that allows people to transcend
narrow individualism and reach out to strangers who mirror our own visage: that
moment of the Holy Mass when we turn to our neighbors and offer 'Peace be with
you.'"
(from Amazing Grace)
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, July 25:
2 Kings 5:1-19
Acts 17:16-34
Mark 10:38-41
Men's Coffee: Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday,
July 24, 8am, at Paneras on Richmond Road. Feel free to stop in for as long or
short a time as your schedule permits. No rsvp required.
Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, July 25, 10am, in Trinity Hall. The
topic for this Sunday's conversation: Who Needs Organized Religion? Come and
enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.
Community Fund Grant - Rachel Childress, Executive Director of Lexington
Habitat for Humanity, will be visiting Walnut Hill Church on Sunday, July 25, to
receive a 2010 Community Fund Grant to Habitat.
Summer Food Drive: Bring non-perishable food items over the Sundays of the
summer to be part of Walnut Hill's Summer Food Drive. Place your donations in the
big blue barrel located in Trinity Hall. When the barrel is full, God's Pantry will distribute
the items throughout central and eastern Kentucky.
Sunday Hospitality - Thanks to all our recent Sunday refreshment hosts, most
recently Monta Rae and Forrest Cook, and Dorothy Paull. Just to
let you know we
have a couple open Sundays upcoming, particularly Sundays,
August 1 and 8.
If you would like to volunteer for either of these two Sundays, you
may do so via reply
email or via the sign-up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
Sunday at Walnut Hill Church
Fri, Jul 16 2010 06:01
This Sunday, July 18, at Walnut Hill Church...
Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall
How Can We Love Practically Anybody?
In this video, presenters consider both the calling and the challenge
of Jesus' words, "Love your neighbor as your self." Does that
mean loving him, her, and them? How can we possibly love
everyone, and what does it mean to love them?
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.
Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary
Sermon: The Better Choice
Text: Luke 10:38-42
Nursery care and Sunday School for children.
After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall
All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.
Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter
Wed, Jul 14 2010 06:16
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Greetings to all!
Madeleine L'Engle describes a summer walk to "the brook." Hopefully we all have
such a place to which we can walk, whether on foot or in our thoughts. Enjoy the
walk!
It's a ten-minute walk to the brook. I cross the lawn and go through the willow tree
which splashes its fountain of green down onto the grass, so that it's almost
impossible to mow around it...I wade through the clover of the large pasture.
After the pasture is traversed, I walk through a smaller pasture which has been let
go to seed because of all the rocks, and is now filled with thistles. Then there is a
stone wall to be climbed...Once I'm over the stone wall, the terrain changes. I step
into a large field full of rocks left from glacial deposits; there are many apple trees
which, this summer, are laden with fruit...Then the path becomes full of tussocks
and hummocks; my legs are etched by the thorns of blackberry brambles and
wild roses. Earlier this summer the laurel burst from snow into fire, and a few weeks
later we found a field of sweet wild strawberries. And then there are blueberry
bushes, not very many, but a few, taller than I am and, to me, infinitely beautiful.
I go to the brook and my tensions and frustrations are lost as I spend a happy
hour sitting right in the water and trying to clear it of the clogging debris left by a
fallen tree.
(edited from A Circle of Quiet)
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, July 18:
Amos 8:1-12
Colossians 1:15-28
Luke 10:38-42
Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, July 18, 10am, in Trinity Hall. The topic
for this Sunday: How Can We Love Practically Anybody? Feel free to enjoy a cup of coffee,
join the conversation, or just listen in.
Summer Food Drive: Bring non-perishable food items over the Sundays of the
summer to be part of Walnut Hill's Summer Food Drive. Place your donations in the
big blue barrel located in Trinity Hall. When the barrel is full, God's Pantry will distribute
the items throughout central and eastern Kentucky.
A printed newsletter is in process for publication at the end of July. Contact the
church office by replay email or by phone (263-5304) if you would like to submit
an article for this edition of the Walnut Hill Newsletter. Special thanks to our
newsletter editor, Lisa Smith.
The Vestry will meet this Sunday, July 18, 9:30am, in Trinity Hall.
Camp Season: Ben Horman is at Cathedral Domain this week. Keep Ben and other
campers in your prayers for a safe and fun week. Remember that Walnut Hill
provides 50% scholarship to all Walnut Hill children/youth attending programs at
either Cathedral Domain or Camp Burnamwood.
Thanks to....Doug Price for his service at the organ and Jay Crutcher for his
special music presentations this past Sunday; Anne Atchison, Marian Congleton,
and Mary Ann Davis for our after worship refreshments.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
Sunday at Walnut Hill Church
Fri, Jul 9 2010 07:28
This Sunday, July 11, at Walnut Hill Church
Sunday Conversation, 10am, Trinity Hall
"What About Grace and Miracles?"
In this video, presenters discuss the signs of grace in
our lives, with particular attention to those experiences
that might be described as "miraculous." How does
grace manifest itself in your life? How do you
incorporate the experience of miracle into your view
of the world?
Come and enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation,
or just listen in.
Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary
Sermon: "A Healing Church"
Text: James 5:13-18
Special music presentations by Mr. Jay Crutcher,
saxophonist.
Nursery care and Sunday School for children.
After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall
All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.
Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter
Wed, Jul 7 2010 06:37
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Greetings to all!
Consider these thoughts from Kentucky author Wendell Berry, from his
book Life Is A Miracle.
Overhanging all our thought and work is the question of how certain of
itself human knowledge can be.
I learned from the theologian Philip Sherrard to ask this question: If
things are evolving, and if human consciousness is evolving along with
everything else, where do we find a standpoint from which to understand
the whole process?
To make the same point in a more practical way, let us take that
ubiquitous and misleading word "environment" - which, as used, proposes
that reality is composed of a creature and its surroundings. But if, as in
fact we know, the creature is not only in its environment but of it, and if the
relationship between creature and environment is mutually formative, and
if this relationship is a process that cannot be stopped short of the
creature's death, then how can we get outside the relationship in order to
predict with certainty the effects of our participation?
Religion begins with such questions. But even reason can see that they
define the issues of propriety and scale. If we can not know with final
certainty what we are doing, then reason cautions us to be humble and
patient, to keep the scale small, to be careful, to go slow.
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, July 11:
1 Samuel 16:14-23
James 5:13-18
Mark 1:40-45
Men's Coffee - Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, July 10,
8am, at Panera's on 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, July 11, 10am, in Trinity Hall.
This Sunday's topic: What About Grace and Miracles? Stop in and enjoy a cup
of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.
Special Music: This Sunday, July 11, Mr. Jay Crutcher will present prelude,
offertory, and postlude selections on the saxophone during morning worship
(11am). Jay is currently studying in the Ph.D. program at the University of
Kentucky in the area of music theory, with particular emphasis on using music
to heal body and mind.
Summer Food Drive: Bring non-perishable food items over the Sundays of the
summer to be part of Walnut Hill's Summer Food Drive. Place your donations in
the big blue barrel located in Trinity Hall. When the barrel is full, God's Pantry
will distribute the items throughout central and eastern Kentucky.
Thanks, news, etc...
*Thanks to...Doug Price for his service at the organ this past Sunday;
Sherry Warden and Phil Bloomfield for preparing the Communion elements;
Spencer Horman, Monta Rae and Forrest Cook, Phil Bloomfield, Barbara
and Chris Bohmer for their leadership and assistance during worship; John
Bauer and Kathy Steinmetz for providing our after worship refreshments.
*Walnut Hill Church was lately recognized by Church World Service for
our participation in last fall's CROP Walk, particularly for raising a combined
total of more than $750. The CROP Walk is a national event to raise awareness
and funds for hunger relief. Thanks to all who participated as walkers and/or
sponsors.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
Sunday at Walnut Hill Church
Fri, Jul 2 2010 05:58
This Sunday, July 4, at Walnut Hill Church
Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall
"How Do We Right the Wrong?"
In this video, theologians, writers, and others discuss the role
of faith and the church in addressing the serious issues facing
our nation and world. What are the most pressing social
issues of our time? How does your faith affect the way you
view and respond to those issues? What should religious
institutions be doing about them?
Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary
Sermon: "And Justice for All"
Text: Micah 6:6-8
The sacrament of Holy Communion will be administered.
Nursery Care and Sunday School for children.
After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall
All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.
Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter
Wed, Jun 30 2010 08:05
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Greetings to all!
This Sunday, July 4, is Independence Day, a good day to recall the words and works
of our nation's Founders, including Thomas Jefferson. Among Jefferson's words and
works was the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, one of three accomplishments
Jefferson requested be inscribed on his grave marker.
Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free; that all attempts to influence
it by temporal punishments or burthens, or by civil incapacitations, tend only to beget
habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and are a departure from the plan of the Holy
author of our religion...
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that no man shall be compelled to
frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be
enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise
suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to
profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the
same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge or affect their civil capacities.
(as found in American Gospel)
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, July 4, the Sacrament of Holy Communion:
Isaiah 59:9-15
Romans 13:1-10
Mark 12:13-17
Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, July 4, 10am, in Trinity Hall. The topic for
this Sunday: "How Do We Right the Wrong?" Come and enjoy a cup of coffee, join the
conversation, or just listen in.
A host (s) is needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday, July 4. Remember
that our Sunday refreshments need not be elaborate, just something simple to gather
around as we fellowship after worship. Use reply email to volunteer for this Sunday,
or check the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary for a Sunday later in the summer.
Summer Food Drive: Bring non-perishable food items over the Sundays of the
summer to be part of Walnut Hill's Summer Food Drive. Place your donations in
the big blue barrel located in Trinity Hall. When the barrel is full, God's Pantry
will distribute the items throughout central and eastern Kentucky.
Sermon Podcasts: As you are travelling this summer, remember that the Sunday
Sermons at Walnut Hill are available as podcasts via the Walnut Hill Church website,
www.walnuthillchurchky.org. Thanks to Nelson Barnes for his work maintaining the
Walnut Hill website.
Thanks, news...
*Thanks to...Mr. Scott Wells for his supply service at the organ during the Sundays
of June; to all those who participated in our Wednesday evening gatherings in June, which
yielded much fellowship as well as service to the church, community, and world.
*The middle school youth group of the John Knox and Avon Lake Churches (Cleveland,
OH) overnighted at Walnut Hill last Friday evening on their return trip from a youth event
in Tennessee.
*Robert and Donita Henry visited Walnut Hill last Sunday on behalf of the Mission
Lexington Dental Clinic to receive a grant from the Walnut Hill Community Fund. A copy
of Dr. Henry's remarks to the congregation is posted on the bulletin board in Trinity Hall.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward