Friday, November 30, 2007

Christmas Season Potluck

WALNUT HILL CHURCH
CHRISTMAS SEASON POTLUCK
 
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2
AFTER WORSHIP
TRINITY HALL
FOR ALL AGES
 
BRING A SALAD, SIDE DISH, OR DESSERT
 
NO RSVP REQUIRED

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

weekly letter

November 28, 2007
 
Greetings to all!
 
We enter the season of Advent this Sunday, December 2, and with it the opportunity to become aware of God's presence in our midst.
 
     Could there be any better time than Advent to focus on and remember that God dwells in our midst?  I find it particularly necessary to be aware of God's nearness when I am zooming through December, busy about too many things.  It is easy to get swallowed up by my anxiety or discouragement, knowing that I am unable to do all the planning and preparations I would like to do before Christmas comes.
     I draw inspiration and encouragement when I recognize that the one whose birth I am preparing to celebrate, dwells in the midst of all my activities and relationships.  I have only to open my inner eyes and recognize the presence of God in the love, joy, care, concern, honesty and peace of those around me.  I also need to be mindful of how God is present in those who have very little joy because of their physical or mental condition, financial deprivation or the violence of their political situation.  It is here that I meet the suffering Christ.  Busyness dulls my awareness of the presence of the Emmanuel.  Excessive attention to material things lessens my bond with God.  God is with me, if only I slow down long enough to look and see.
(from Inviting God In by Joyce Rupp)
 
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, December 2, the 1st Sunday in Advent, Holy Communion:
     Isaiah 2:1-5
     Romans 13:11-14
     Matthew 24:36-44
 
CHRISTMAS SEASON POTLUCK, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, AFTER WORSHIP:  Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert and join in this delicious Walnut Hill tradition.  Meat and beverages will be provided.  The Bohmers and the Hilliards are coordinating this year's potluck.
 
Sunday Conversations around the lessons for the day (see above) continue this Sunday, December 2, 10am, in Trinity Hall. David Sharrard will be leading our conversation this Sunday.
 
The Giving Tree will be up this Sunday, December 2, in Trinity Hall.  The Giving Tree is decorated with ornaments, each representing one gift for a child or adult from a family referred to us by the Nathaniel Mission.  Pick up an ornament (or ornaments) on Sunday, purchase the gift suggested, and return the gift (with the ornament) by December 16.  We will see that all gifts are delivered in time for Christmas.  Thanks to Diedre Talbott who is preparing our Giving Tree this season.
 
CHRISTMAS PARTY, DECEMBER 9, 3 - 5 PM:  Our annual Christmas party for adults is scheduled for Sunday, December 9, 3 - 5 pm, at the home of Irene and Alan Bloomfield, 1202 Delong Place.  Bring an hors-d'oeuvre or dessert item.  Kim Bloomfield and Irene Bloomfield are hosting this year's party.
 
Athens-Chilesburg Elementary 5th Graders are once again planning a trip to Washington D.C.  Fifteen (15) children need sponsorship support in order to participate.  The cost of the trip is $465 per student.  We are currently accepting donations in any amount toward the sponsorship of these fifteen children.  Make your check payable to Walnut Hill Church (designated "ACE Trip") and place it in the Sunday offering box or mail it to the church.  Contact Natalie Brown or the church office for more information regarding this project.
 
Thanks, news, etc...
     *Thanks to...Nell Horman and Amy Trail for their work with children last Sunday; Carol and Norman Drury, Mary Lee Snyder, and Barbara & Bob Berryman for our refreshments last Sunday.
     *Walnut Hill member Windy Ellis celebrates his 86th birthday this Friday, November 30.  Feel free to send Windy a birthday greeting at Thomson-Hood Veterans Ctr, 100 Veterans Drive, Wilmore, KY  40390.
     *The Vestry will meet this Sunday, December 2, 9:30am, in Trinity Hall.
 
Peace to all.
 
Mike Ward

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

weekly letter

November 20, 2007
 
Greetings to all!
 
Consider this prayer for your family's use on Thanksgiving Day.
 
     Almighty God, we have received this good land as a heritage.  Make us always mindful of your generosity and observant to do your will. Bless our land with honest industry, sound learning, and an honorable way of life.  Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.  Make us who have come together from many lands with many different languages a united people.  Defend our liberties and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there might be justice and peace in our land.  When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; and, in troubled times, do not let our trust in you fail.  We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
(adapted from the Book of Common Worship, 1993)
 
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, November 25, the Sunday of Christ the King:
     Jeremiah 23:1-6
     Colossians 1:11-20
     Luke 23:33-43
 
Men's Coffee:  Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, November 24, 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 concerning the Scripture lessons for the day (see above) continue this Sunday, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Feel free to drop in and join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen.
 
Children's Choir:  This Sunday, November 25, 10am, Nell Horman continues her music work with the Walnut Hill children.  Children and youth 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 upstairs office of Trinity Hall. For more information, contact Nell.
 
Looking Ahead:  For your holiday season planning, keep the following dates in mind.
     Sunday, December 2, immediately after worship - Christmas Season Potluck-  Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert and enjoy this delicious Walnut Hill tradition.  The Bohmers and the Hilliards are coordinating this year's potluck.
     Sunday, December 9, 3pm - 5pm - Christmas Party- This year's Christmas party (for adults) will be hosted by Kim Bloomfield and Irene Bloomfield at the home Irene and Alan Bloomfield (1202 Delong Place). Bring an hors-d'oeuvre or dessert dish.
 
In the Community:  A community Thanksgiving Worship service will be held on Wednesday, November 21, 7pm, at Second Presbyterian Church.  Several congregations participate in the sponsorship and leadership of this annual ecumenical and interfaith service.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend.  For more information, call 254-7768.
 
In the World:  The people of Bangladesh are recovering from a powerful cyclone that brought much loss of life and destruction.  Keep Bangladesh in your prayers.  Those attending worship on Sunday, November 25, will have opportunity to contribute to immediate and long term recovery via Church World Service.  For more information regarding relief efforts and/or to contribute on line, visit www.churchworldservice.org.
 
Thanks, news, etc...
     *Thanks to...Mark Horman and Dave Sharrard for their service related to the memorial service for Mr. Donald Stonecipher on Saturday; Nell Horman, Amy Trail, and Derek Vaughan for their work with children and youth on Sunday; Lee Sturtevant and Tom Ward for providing our refreshments after worship on Sunday; the DeReamer family for hosting youth for a gathering after worship on Sunday afternoon; Martha DeReamer for her work editing this month's printed newsletter. 
     *Walnut Hill Church delivered 15 pans of dressing to the Nathaniel Mission on Tuesday in support of the Mission's community Thanksgiving dinner.  Over 300 people will be served at this free Thanksgiving meal.
     
Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Mike Ward

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

weekly letter

November 14, 2007
 
Greetings to all!
 
As we approach the holiday season, we become more aware of the importance of giving, sharing with others.  In his book, Jesus Today, Albert Nolan offers a new look at the old idea of sharing.
 
     Today more than ever we need to find ways of reviving Jesus' spirit of sharing...What Jesus had in mind was something more than mere almsgiving or what we call "charity." Sharing means more than giving to the poor out of our abundance.  Any attempt to live Jesus' spirituality of oneness in splendid isolation, with nothing more than generous handouts to the poor, simply does not work. Oneness means not only that I identify with others but that they identify with me too...It will be in families and in small sharing groups of one kind or another, in the churches or outside of them, that we today will come to experience something of what it means to be treated as persons and to treat others as persons, and what spontaneous love might mean.  It will be from some such base that we will reach out to all our human brothers and sisters in solidarity and love.  Some of us will be more fortunate than others with regard to opportunities for mutual loving and sharing, just as some of us are more fortunate than others with regard to opportunities for silence and solitude.  Our opportunities, like our roles in life, are different and decidedly unequal. Nevertheless, we are all one flesh.
 
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, November 18:
     Deuteronomy 26:1-11
     Philippians 4:4-9
     John 6:25-35
(the lessons for Thanksgiving)
 
Sunday Conversations around the scripture lessons for the day (see above) continue this Sunday, November 18, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Stop in to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just to listen.
 
Children's Choir:  This Sunday, November 18, 10am, Nell Horman continues her music work with the Walnut Hill children.  Children and youth 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 upstairs office of Trinity Hall. For more information, contact Nell.
 
Looking Ahead:  For your holiday season planning, keep the following dates in mind.
     Sunday, December 2, immediately after worship - Christmas Season Potluck-  Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert and enjoy this delicious Walnut Hill tradition.  Barbara and Chris Bohmer are coordinating this year's potluck.
     Sunday, December 9, 3pm - 5pm - Christmas Party- This year's Christmas party (for adults) will be hosted by Kim Bloomfield and Irene Bloomfield at the home Irene and Alan Bloomfield (1202 Delong Place). Bring an hors-d'oeuvre or dessert dish.
 
In the Community: Christ Church Cathedral (166 Market Street) will host a Holiday Bazaar on Sunday, November 18, 9am - 3pm.  There will be 35 booths selling handmade or retail items including handmade clocks, quilts, silver jewelry, bake goods, and much more.  Proceeds will benefit Christ Church outreach ministries.  For more information, contact Christ Church Cathedral (254-4497).
 
Thanks, news, etc....
     *Thanks to...Ruth and David Sharrard, Cory and Aaron Sharrard for our refreshments last Sunday; Ruth Sharrard for hosting the Women's Guild meeting on Monday; Gene Brockopp for coordinating and Rick Lowery for speaking at our Men's Dinner on Tuesday.
    *Mr. Don Stonecipher, a former member of Walnut Hill Church, departed this life on November 8.  A memorial service will be held at Walnut Hill Church on Saturday, November 17, 11am. 
    *The Vestry invites your recommendations of persons to serve on the Vestry, Class of 2010.  The Vestry will consider all persons recommended, from which two persons will be nominated for election by the congregation on December 9.  Contact Linda Talbott Barnes with any suggestions you might have.
    *Thanks to all those who contributed toward our co-sponsorship of the Nathaniel Mission Community Thanksgiving Dinner.  With your support we will be providing the dressing (a.k.a "stuffing") for the meal, which will serve over 300 persons from the neighborhood surrounding the mission.
     *On November 13, Nelson Barnes and Mike Ward attended a program hosted by the Kentucky Refugee Ministries.  The program presented opportunities for congregations to co-sponsor religious/political/ethnic refugees who have been granted legal entry into the United States.  Speak to Nelson or Mike to learn more about this important ministry of hospitality.
 
Peace to all.
 
Mike Ward

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

weekly letter

November 7, 2007
 
Greetings to all!
 
November 11 is traditional Veterans Day (formerly Armistice Day), which will be observed this year on Monday, November 12.  Veterans Day is an occasion to remember with appreciation the service provided by thousands of men and women in wartime and peace.  In his book, The Greatest Generation Speaks, Tom Brokaw includes a moment of appreciation experienced by a World War 2 veteran, Harold W. Duket.
 
     I am 76 years old, a veteran of the European Theatre of Operations...This past week ago Monday my wife and I attended the Memorial Day services at a small town in Wisconsin.  As was my custom I wore my Eisenhower jacket (which I can get on but can't button) with my T5 rating on the sleeve along with 4 gold stripes for two years overseas and the few ribbons I picked up along the way and my overseas cap.  I stood at the right times and saluted at the right times.  As we got up to leave, an army officer from the Vietnam conflict who had been on the band shell as one of the speakers came up to me and said: "I saw you in your uniform and I just wanted to say thank you." It was later on that day when I realized he hadn't said, "Thank you for coming to the ceremonies" or "Thank you for being here."  He just said, "Thank you."  As I approach the 55th anniversary of my going ashore in France, I must say this is the first time anyone ever said thank you for what we assumed was just our duty and obligation.
 
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, November 11:
     Haggai 1:5 - 2:9
     2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
     Luke 20:27-38
 
Men's Coffee:  Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, November 10, 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 concerning the Scripture lessons for the day (see above) continue this Sunday, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Feel free to drop in and join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.
 
Children's Choir:  This Sunday, November 11, 10am, Nell Horman continues her music work with the Walnut Hill children.  Children and youth 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 upstairs office of Trinity Hall. For more information, contact Nell.
 
The Women's Guild will meet on Monday, November 12, 1:30pm, at the home of Ruth Sharrard.  The Guild will continue its study of Ten Gospel Promises for Later Life, this month focusing on "Powerlessness is Powerful."  All Walnut Hill women are invited to attend.  Contact Lee Tucker or Ruth Sharrard for more details.
 
Men's Dinner:   Tuesday, November 13, 6pm, at Buddy's on High Street.  The speaker will be Dr. Rick Lowery, Interim Dean of Students at Lexington Theological Seminary.  His topic for the evening: "Still Brewing in Kentucky, Sacrifice in the Old Testament, and Conflict Resolution."  To rsvp, contact Gene Brockopp or use the sign-up sheet in the sanctuary.
 
In the Community:  "Is America's First Freedom Under Siege" is the title of a program on Monday, November 12, 7pm, at Joseph Beth Booksellers. Presenters will include the Rev. Oliver Thomas who will present remarks, "Erosion and Attack:  Our Constitution at Risk," as well as several other panelists. The program is sponsored by The Interfaith Alliance Foundation, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and The Interfaith Alliance of the Bluegrass.
 
Thanks, news, etc...
     *Thanks to...Nell Horman and Amy Trail for their work with the children; the choir, Linda and Nelson Barnes, Phil Bloomfield, Lisa Smith, and Ron Johnston for their leadership during worship; David Sharrard for leading our Sunday Conversation; Karen, Jerry and William Ristau and Lauren Fouts for our after worship refreshments last Sunday.
     *The Vestry invites your recommendations of persons to serve on the Vestry, Class of 2010.  The Vestry will consider all persons recommended, from which two persons will be nominated for election by the congregation on December 9.  Contact Linda Talbott Barnes with any suggestions you might have.
 
Peace to all.
 
Mike Ward