weekly letter

February 27, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

Rabbi and author Lawrence Kushner recalls an experience "bird watching" one winter morning.

 

     In the distance, the horizon is becoming visible now as a dark ribbon of deep red in the winter chill.  And dawn comes.  The whole sky explodes into bright orange.

     And then, within the next fifteen minutes, we watch in awestruck silence, as 25,000 snow geese, cranes, great blue herons, and God only knows who else, awake from their sleeping on the water and fly off for the next leg of their migration.  They are so close and there are so many of them, I can literally feel the flapping wing-flung wind on my face.  The park rangers call it "the flyaway."  Last evening they warned:  You're never the same after the flyaway. And I understand:  Somehow, simply being  present to experience this event changes your perception of what it means to be a creature.

     And here's the thing that chastens and humbles me: The birds do this all the time...doing what they know how to do, doing the only thing they know to do, doing what they were "meant" to be doing, doing what they're "supposed" to do.  While I, in my ignorance - obsessed with completing some writing assignment - am doing what I'm supposed to be doing, what I am meant to do.  All these creatures, moving on their ways, going about their business, one orchestrated flow of life.  My God, I can still feel the wind of their wings on my face.

(from the essay "An Ocean of God" as found in God at 2000)

 

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, March 2, the Sacrament of Holy Communion:

     1 Samuel 16:1-13

     Ephesians 5:8-14

     John 9:1-41

 

Jesus Today book discussion continues on Wednesday, February 27, 7pm, at the Wards', 341 Albany Road.  The discussion focus on February 27 is "Part 3 - Personal Transformation."

 

Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee on Saturday, March 1, 8am, at Paneras 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, March 2, 10am, in Trinity Hall. David Sharrard will lead this Sunday's conversation.  The topic for the day will be Bishop Stacy Sauls' address to the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington Annual Convention on the topic of being "Pro-Human Being."  The hour will include viewing a video recording of the Bishop's address.  Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

 

Men's Dinner - The next Walnut Hill Men's Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, 6pm, at Joseph Beth Booksellers Cafe (private dining room).  Our special guest for the evening will be Grant Phelps who will speak on the topic, Katrina + 2 Years.  Grant will talk about his recent work on the Mississippi Gulf Coast coordinating rebuilding projects for Habitat for Humanity.  Contact Gene Brockopp or use the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary to rsvp.

 

REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT MEETING - Persons interested in learning more about and/or participating in Walnut Hill's sponsorship of a refugee family are invited to a brief meeting after worship on Sunday, March 2.  Nelson Barnes, who will be chairing our sponsorship team, will be available to answer questions and sign up those who would like to help.

 

Children's Choir - The Walnut Hill Children's Choir is practicing at 10 am on Sunday mornings in the upstairs office of Trinity Hall.  This choir is open to all Walnut Hill children and youth who enjoy making a joyful noise!  Through the use of song, sign language, and rhythm instruments, Nell Horman leads our children in the celebration of God's good gift of music. 

 

Speaking of choirs, volunteers are invited to become part of Walnut Hill's Worship Choir.  As you know, the Worship Choir leads our music on Communion Sundays.  If you would like to be part of the Worship Choir, contact Angela Hurley or simply come to the Sanctuary at 10am on Communion Sundays (including March 2) to prepare for that day's service.  We are grateful to the Choir and to Angela for their music leadership.

 

Thanks to...David Sharrard for leading our Sunday Conversation; Joanne and Jody Wallen and Mary Lee Snyder for our after worship refreshments; Nell Horman, Stephanie Prewitt, and Derek Vaughan for their work with children and youth last Sunday.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward 

weekly letter

February 20, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

One Lent, Madeleine L'Engle looked for a way implement the Beatitude "Blessed are the peacemakers."  She found opportunity in the face of a laborer whose path she crossed daily while walking her dog.

 

     One winter the man with this thankless job (loading cartons into a supermarket warehouse) was large and strong-looking, but older than a man ought to be who has to lift heavy cartons...So, one morning as the dog and I slid through the bottleneck, I smiled and said, "Good morning."  I got no response. Naturally.  The sour look did not soften.  Why should it? It was stubbornness which made me persist in saying "Good morning," or "Thank you," day after day.  One day he smiled back.  One day he smiled first. Not much in the way of peacemaking, is it? But it is what is offered me each morning.  And, as my grandmother was fond of reminding me, little drops of water and little grains of sand make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land.

     The way of peacemaking given us my be something so small that it seems hardly worth doing, but it is these small offerings which build our reflexes for the larger ones...it may not seem like much; it is not much; but it is what is given at the present moment, and it is what ultimately provides the grace for the greater tests.

     When we are given the grace to be peacemakers even in these little, unimpressive ways, then we are children of God, children by adoption and grace, but children nevertheless, who are bold to call him Father, Abba.  So we children are helped to become peacemakers, and one day we will truly be able to cry, Shalom!

(from The Irrational Season)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, February 24, the Third Sunday in Lent:

     Exodus 17:1-7

     Romans 5:1-11

     John 4:5-42

 

Jesus Today book discussion continues on Wednesday, February 20, 7pm, at the Wards', 341 Albany Road.  The discussion focus on February 20 will be "Part 2 - Jesus' Spirituality."

 

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, February 24, 10am, in Trinity Hall. David Sharrard will lead this Sunday's conversation.  Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

 

Host Needed - A host(s) is needed for our after after worship refreshments this Sunday, February 24.  Use reply email to let us know if you would like to host, or co-host, this Sunday's refreshments.  By the way, a new hospitality sign up sheet has been posted in the foyer of the Sanctuary for the rest of the winter and spring.

 

Children's Choir - The Walnut Hill Children's Choir will begin practices again at 10 am on Sunday mornings starting February 24.  This choir is open to all Walnut Hill children and youth who enjoy making a joyful noise!  Through the use of song, sign language, and rhythm instruments, Nell Horman leads our children in the celebration of God's good gift of music.  Please talk with Nell if you have questions or would like for your child to participate.

 

Men's Dinner - The next Walnut Hill Men's Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, 6pm, at Joseph Beth Booksellers Cafe (private dining room).  Our special guest for the evening will be Grant Phelps who will speak on the topic, Katrina + 2 Years.  Grant will talk about his recent work on the Mississippi Gulf Coast coordinating rebuilding projects for Habitat for Humanity.  Contact Gene Brockopp or use the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary to rsvp.

 

Thanks, news, etc...

     *Thanks to...Gerard Howell for supplying the pulpit this past Sunday; Ruth Sharrard for serving as host to our guest preacher and his wife, Jane; David Sharrard for leading our Sunday Conversation; Mark Horman for opening/closing the buildings and gates; Mary Lee Snyder, Carol and Norman Drury for providing our after worship refreshments.

     *Condolences are extended to David and Lauren Fouts on the occasion of the death of David's father, Dr. Herschel A. Fouts.

     *The 112th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington will be held February 21 - 23 in Lexington.  Mike Ward will be attending the Friday and Saturday morning sessions of the convention.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward

weekly letter

February 13, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

Perhaps we are still early enough in Lent to benefit from some general thoughts about the season.

 

     In many cultures there is an ancient custom of giving a tenth of each year's income to some holy use.  For Christians, to observe the forty days of Lent is to do the same thing with roughly a tenth of each year's days.  After being baptized by John in the river Jordan, Jesus went off alone into the wilderness where he spent forty days asking himself the question what it meant to be Jesus.  During Lent, Christians are supposed to ask one way or another what it means to be themselves.

     If you had to bet everything you have on whether there is a God or whether there isn't, which side would get your money and why?  When you look at your face in the mirror, what do you see in it that you most like and what do you see in it that you most deplore?...Is there any person in the world, or any cause, that if circumstances called for it, you would be willing to die for? If this were the last day of your life, what would you do with it?

     To hear yourself try to answer questions like these is to begin to hear something not only of who you are but of both what you are becoming and what you are failing to become.  It can be pretty depressing business all in all, but if sackcloth and ashes are at the start of it, something like Easter may be at the end.

(by Frederick Buechner as found in Listening to Your Life)

 

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, February 17, the Second Sunday in Lent:

     Genesis 12:1-4

     Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

     John 3:1-17

 

Jesus Today book discussion will begin on Wednesday, February 13, 7pm, at the Wards', 341 Albany Road.  The focus of discussion for February 13 will be "Part 1 - The Signs of Our Times."  Discussions will continue on Wednesday evenings through March 5.   

 

Saturday Coffee - Men are invited to gather for coffee on Saturday, February 16, 8am, at Paneras on Richmond Road.  Feel free to stop in for as long or short a time as your schedule allows.  No rsvp required.

 

Sunday Conversations resume this Sunday, February 17, 10am in Trinity Hall.  David Sharrard will be leading the conversation this Sunday titled: "Gambling in Kentucky: Issues to Consider".  Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

 

Children's Choir - The Walnut Hill Children's Choir will begin practices again at 10 am on Sunday mornings starting February 24.  This choir is open to all Walnut Hill children and youth who enjoy making a joyful noise!  Through the use of song, sign language and rhythm instruments, Nell Horman leads our children in the celebration of God's good gift of music.  Please talk with Nell if you have questions or would like for your child to participate.

 

Men's Dinner - The next Walnut Hill Men's Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, 6pm, at Joseph Beth Booksellers Cafe (private dining room).  Our special guest for the evening will be Grant Phelps who will speak on the topic, Katrina + 2 Years.  Grant will talk about his recent work on the Mississippi Gulf Coast coordinating rebuilding projects for Habitat for Humanity.  Contact Gene Brockopp or use the sign up sheet in the sanctuary to rsvp.

 

Youth - "Just Dinner" is scheduled for Monday, February 18.  Confirmation Class continues this Sunday, February 17.  Contact Lauren Fouts for more information regarding youth activities.

 

Thanks, news, etc...

     *Thanks to...Ron Johnston for his leadership during the 10am hour and his remarks during worship last Sunday; Natalie and Bob Watt for our after worship refreshments last Sunday.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward  

Walnut Hill Working Group

February 8, 2008

 

Dear Members and Friends:

 

You are invited to attend the first session of the "Walnut Hill Working Group" this Sunday, February 10, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  The purpose of these "working group" sessions is to provide opportunity for the congregation to participate in addressing issues before the Vestry, such as the question raised at our last congregational meeting: How might we best use Walnut Hill's financial resources (congregational priorities)?  This Sunday's working group session is titled,

 

Where Do We Go From Here?

 

We will "set the table" of issues before us with some opening discussion and give opportunity for you to express your initial questions, ideas, concerns, and interests regarding those issues.  Ron Johnston, our Senior Warden, will moderate the conversation. 

 

Future working group sessions will occur on second Sundays of the month, the next one being Sunday, March 9.

 

Peace,

 

Mike Ward

weekly letter

Wednesday, February 6, 2008, Ash Wednesday

 

Greetings to all!

 

Attendance at an Ash Wednesday service is a tradition for many people. 

 

     I am always amazed at how many people come to Ash Wednesday services.  Each Lent I wonder what brings them there.  Why do they make such an effort to take their lunch hour or to rise earlier than usual or to come to church after a wearying day's work when they might not come to Mass any other weekday of the year?

     Perhaps it is the call to "return."  Maybe a sense of hope is kindled in hearts by the possibility of coming back to God and trying once more to strengthen one's faith.  I think it may also be the realization that there is always a part of one's heart that has not yet been given over to God.  When we look within, we see that there is still more that needs to be brought home to the Holy One.  There are always parts of us that we hold back and that need to be re-joined to God, in whose heart we truly belong...Let us enter this Church season trusting that God will draw near and help us in our desire to "return."

(from Inviting God In, by Joyce Rupp)

Speaking of Ash Wednesday services, opportunities abound, including:

     *Noon and 7:00pm at Christ Church Cathedral

     *7:05pm at Second Presbyterian Church

 

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, February 10, the First Sunday in Lent:

     *Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

     *Romans 5:12-19

     *Matthew 4:1-11

 

The Walnut Hill Working Group is an opportunity for Walnut Hill members and friends to gather and work together on issues important to Walnut Hill's present and future.  The first "working group" session will be held this Sunday, February 10, 10am in Trinity Hall.  Come and join in the conversation, the work, and the fun.  Watch for the next "working group" session on the second Sunday of March. 

 

Jesus Today, a book discussion, will be offered on Wednesday evenings in Lent, beginning Wednesday, February 13, 7pm, at the Wards', 341 Albany Road. Copies of the book (Jesus Today, by Albert Nolan) are available at Walnut Hill or by purchase through Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.  For those attending on the 13th, the discussion focus will be Part One - The Signs of Our Times.

 

During Lent four Walnut Hill youth will begin their studies as the Confirmation Class of 2008.  They will meet early on Sunday mornings  to discuss the Bible, worship, Christian doctrine, ethics, and stewardship.  Their goal is to become confirmed members of Walnut Hill via their confirmation on Easter Sunday.  Please include Braxton DeCamp, Meredith Rawlings, William Ristau, Chloe Talbott and their families in your prayers as they journey toward claiming the promises made at their Baptism.

 

Thanks, news, etc...

     *Thanks to...Chris and Barbara Bohmer and Phil Bloomfield for their assistance serving the Sacrament last Sunday.

     *Thanks to all those who participated in the "Souper Bowl" festivities last Sunday, to the young people for their inspiration, to Lauren Fouts for coordinating the event, to our soup tasters, and particular thanks to our soup chefs Emily Talbott, Karen Ristau, Martha DeReamer, Kim DeCamp, Lauren Fouts, Mike Ward, Oggie Hilliard, and Deanna Rawlings.  $225 was received to support the work of God's Pantry. 

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward