weekly letter

October 10, 2007

 

Greetings to all!

 

In her book, A Circle of Quiet, Madeleine L'Engle recalls an experience that occurred during a writing class at Ohio State University.

 

     One morning in Ohio someone brought up the separation of church and state, and the fact that hymns and prayers are now forbidden in public schools, and I agreed with those who felt that any kind of religious proselytizing in a public school is an impertinence..."But," I found myself saying, "you will find that you cannot help teaching children your own religion, whatever it is....If a belief in God motivates your life, the children are going to know that...whether you ever mention God or not.  If you are more interested in money than anything else, that's not going to escape them.  You've got to accept the fact that you are basically not teaching a subject, you are teaching children.  Subjects can probably be better taught by machines than by you.  But if we teach our children only by machines, what will we get?  Little machines.  They need you, you as persons."  And I quoted Emerson: "What you are speaks so loudly over your head that I cannot hear what you say."  So I know, with a sense of responsibility that hits me with a cold fist in the pit of my stomach, that what I am is going to make more difference to my own children and those I talk to and teach than anything I tell them.

 

The Scriptures for Sunday, October 14:

     Genesis 9:8-17

     Acts 2:37-42

     Luke 24:44-53

    

Men's Coffee: Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, October 13, 8am, at Paneras on Richmond Road.  Feel free to stop by for as long or short a time as your schedule allows.  No rsvp required.

 

Children's Choir:  This Sunday, October 14, 10am, Nell Horman resumes her music work with the Walnut Hill children.  Children, preschool through 5th grade, are invited to take part in these Sunday morning music times leading toward a Christmas presentation in December.  Look for Nell on Sunday in the Children's Chapel (weather permitting) or in the upstairs office of Trinity Hall. For more information, contact Nell (273-1021).

 

Sunday Conversations regarding the Scripture lessons for the day (see above) resume this Sunday, October 14, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Feel free to stop in for a cup of coffee, to share an idea or question, or just to listen.

 

Hospitality Opportunity - A host(s) is needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday, October 14.  Use reply email or contact the church office (263-5304) to volunteer.

 

In the Community:

    *The Franciscan Peace Center will host a "Walk for Peace" on Sunday, October 14, 3pm, downtown Lexington.  Gather at the High Street parking lot above the Lexington Transit Center. See www.franciscanvision.org for more details.

     *The Interfaith Alliance of the Bluegrass will host its Annual Meeting and Dinner, on Thursday, October 18, 6pm, at Christ Church Cathedral.  The keynote address, "From Hazard to Amman: A Journey to Find One People and One God", will be offered by Mr. William E. Davis, a national leader in the Baha'i Community.  Dinner tickets ($15/person) may be reserved by email (tiabg@qx.net) or phone (559-5943).

     *The Old Richmond Road Neighborhood Association Dinner Meeting will be held on Monday, October 22, 6:30pm, at the Jean Farris Winery and Bistro.  For more information, see the flyer on the Trinity Hall bulletin board or contact Mary Diane Hanna (263-4231).

 

Thanks, news, etc...

   *Thanks to all who were so helpful in coordinating our "Ecumenical Sunday" observance including...our special guests the Rev. Carlos Malave, the Rev. David McKee, and the Rev. Chris Skidmore; Karl Crase who provided our refreshments for the day; children's teachers and nursery keepers; Lee Tucker and her welcoming team; Linda Barnes and Vestry members; Angela Hurley, the choir, Bob and Natalie Watt, Bill and Maggy Patterson for their leadership in worship.  A podcast of Rev. Malave's sermon, "A Tradition, A Calling, and a Future", is available on the Walnut Hill Church website, www.Walnuthillchurchky.org.

     *Diane Gwin and Matt McCormick  were married at Walnut Hill Church on October 6.  Diane is the niece of Walnut Hill member Charles Snow.

     *Thanks also to...Linda Barnes and Gene Brockopp for coordinating last week's women's and men's dinners respectively and to our guests Judge Pamela Goodwine and Senator Ernesto Scorsone; Ruth Sharrard for hosting the Women's Guild meeting on Monday.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward