weekly letter

April 23, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

For your post-Earth Day reflection, consider these thoughts from Dr. Matthew Sleeth who, along with his family, changed from an average consumer lifestyle to a more earth-friendly lifestyle.  He writes about the experience in his book, Serve God, Save the Planet.

 

     I am frequently asked about the nuts and bolts of living a less consumptive lifestyle:  "How exactly did your family make a change?"  I have tried to relate some of the steps we took, but the most important change is not the automobile you drive or the house you live in.  What we need most is a change of heart.

     Let's say that because of reading this book, you decide to change the lightbulbs in your home to compact fluorescents.  The primary motivation may be your growing concern about the fumes from a power plant, or your desire to help a third-world asthmatic, or your hope to decrease a neighbor's chance of getting cancer.  Or you may want to have a bit of extra cash to put in the collection plate.  But what is really happening is a change of heart.  You move over and make more room for God...

     There is much work to be done if we are to hand our great-grandchildren a world as good as the one we got.  It will take many changes and even sacrifices.  Now that the church is taking up the biblical mandate for creation care, I have great optimism.  I pray that we will all keep in mind what is important, and that we will carve "God is love" on the tablet of our hearts.  We are commissioned to do God's will on earth through loving acts of faith.  With God, all things are possible.

 

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, April 27, the Sixth Sunday of Easter:

     Acts 17:22-31

     1 Peter 3:13-22

     John 14:15-21

 

IN MEMORY: Walnut Hill member Ed Czerwinski departed this life in the morning of April 23.  Ed's survivors include is his wife Mary, and his daughter and son-in-law Joanne and Tom Blanck.  Service arrangements are pending.  We offer our prayers of thanksgiving for Ed's life and our prayers of intercession for Mary and family.

 

Saturday Coffee:  Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, April 26, 8am, at Panera's (Richmond Rd).  Feel free to stop in for as long or short a time as your schedule allows.  No rsvp required.

 

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, April 27, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Our focus for the day will be "Camp Ministry", as we will talk with guests from Cathedral Domain and Camp Burnamwood.  Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

 

REFUGEE MINISTRY: Walnut Hill Church is co-sponsoring a refugee family scheduled to arrive in Lexington on May 1. Our family (a single mother and two children) is from Iraq. Particular help moving furniture and supplies will be needed early next week as we prepare an apartment for their arrival.  For more information and/or to volunteer your time and other resources, please contact Nelson Barnes or check out the Walnut Hill Church website (www.walnuthillchurchky.org).

 

HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS REBUILD: At its recent meeting, the Walnut Hill Vestry agreed to a partnership with the Grace United Methodist Church (Lucedale, MS) to help Grace Church equip a dormitory building to be used by volunteer workgroups engaged in ongoing post-Katrina rebuilding.  Walnut Hill's particular commitment is to underwrite the H/VAC system for the living quarters of the dormitory.  Total cost of the project is $6,000, of which the Vestry has committed $3,000 from money on hand.  Gifts toward the $3,000 balance are now being received.  Checks may be payable to Walnut Hill Church, designated "Mississippi".  For more information regarding this project, check out the bulletin board in Trinity Hall and/or contact Lyle Hanna.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward