weekly letter

August 28, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

The upcoming Labor Day holiday invites not only the opportunity for an end-of-summer picnic, but also some reflection on the "work" we do.

 

     The demand to "make something of yourself" through work is one that Americans coming of age hear as often from themselves as from others.  It encompasses several different notions of work and of how it bears on who we are.  In the sense of a "job," work is a way of making money and making a living.  It supports a self defined by economic success, security, and all that money can buy.  In the sense of a "career," work traces one's progress through life by achievement and advancement in an occupation.  It yields a self defined by a broader sort of success, which takes in social standing and prestige, and by a sense of expanding power and competency that renders work itself a source of self-esteem.  In the strongest sense of a "calling," work constitutes a practical ideal of activity and character that makes a person's work morally inseparable from his or her life.  It subsumes the self into a community of disciplined practice and sound judgment whose activity has meaning and value in itself, not just in the output or profit that results from it.  But the calling not only links a person to his or her fellow workers.  A calling links a person to the larger community, a whole in which the calling of each is a contribution to the good of all.  The Episcopal Book of Common Prayer says in the collect for Labor Day, "So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for the self alone, but for the common good."  The calling is a crucial link between the individual and the public world.  Work in the sense of "calling" can never be merely private.

(from Habits of the Heart)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, August 31:

     Exodus 3:1-15

     Romans 12:9-21

     Matthew 16:21-28

 

Men's Coffee: Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, August 30, 8 am, at Paneras on Richmond Road. Feel free to stop by for as long or short a time as your schedule allows. No rsvp required.

 

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, August 31, 10am, in Trinity Hall as we discuss the Scripture lessons for the day, with particular attention to "The Call of Moses" in Exodus.  Stop in for a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

 

Hosts Needed - Hosts are needed for this Sunday, August 31, after worship refreshments.  Remember that our after worship refreshments need not be elaborate, just something to gather around as we enjoy conversation in Trinity Hall.  Use reply email to volunteer as a host (or co-host) for this Sunday.  Check the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer to volunteer for a Sunday later in the fall.

 

Fellowship Dinners:  Fellowship Dinners are coming in the fall.  You might remember these small group gatherings

(6 -8 persons) in various homes for a meal and fellowship.  We are currently signing up persons who would like to attend and/or host a meal in late September.  Use reply email, the sign up sheet in the sanctuary foyer, or call the church office (263-5304) to indicate your interest.  Contact Sherry Warden or Dorothy Brockopp for more information.

 

Men's Dinner - The next Men's Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, 6pm, at Jo-Beth Booksellers Cafe.  Our guest for the evening will be Mr. Bill Roberts who will offer observations regarding the upcoming election season from the Republican Party perspective. (A similar program from the Democratic Party perspective will be offered in October.)  Contact Gene Brockopp for more information and/or to rsvp for dinner.

 

Thanks, news, etc...

     *Thanks to...Natalie Watt and Cheryl Johnston for their help with some much needed nursery cleaning last Saturday;  Derek Vaughan for his work with the youth; Nell and Mark Horman, Lee Sturtevant, and Tom Ward for providing our afterworship refreshments last Sunday.

     *Lexington Theological Seminary has advised us that Barrett Milner has been awarded the Walnut Hill Ecumenical Scholarship for 2008-2009 academic year.  Barrett will receive $1,000 to use toward expenses related to his seminary education this year.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward