Wednesday, September 3, 2008

weekly letter

September 3, 2008
 
Greetings to all!
 
Gustav has come and gone, and behind him comes Hanna, Ike, Josephine, and "?".  Such storms fascinate, awe, and frighten us.  Stanley Hauerwas, Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke Divinity School, offered the following reflection/prayer after Hurricane Fran devastated eastern North Carolina in 1996.
 
     OK God, Job-like, we feel enough is enough.  Is a hurricane Behemoth (Job 40:15)? What are we to say to you:  Are you in a hurricane?  We fear acknowledging that you may be.  We want to protect you. We want to think you and your creation are benign.  The result, of course, is to rob you of your creation.  The hurricane becomes "just nature," but "just nature" cannot be your creation.  do we dare believe that Christ could still the winds?  We want our world regular, predictable, not subject to disorder or chaos.  So if you are in the hurricane, please just butt out.
     We confess that we have lost the skill to see you in your creation.  We pray to you to care for the injured, those in shock, those without housing, those in despair, but how can you do so if you are not in the hurricane?  We confess we do not know how to put this together.  We want you to heal our hurts, but we really do not want to think you can.  We want to think you make it possible for us to help one another, but it is not clear why we think we need your help.  Help us to call for help.  Amen.
(from Prayers Plainly Spoken)
 
Hurricane Disaster Relief - While New Orleans was spared a major disaster this week, many lives were yet affected by Hurricane Gustav, and now Hannah and Ike approach the U.S. coast.  Persons wishing to aid in disaster relief for those affected by this season's storms, may do so at Walnut Hill this Sunday, September 7.  Walnut Hill will be sending a donation via our ecumenical partner Church World Service.  Baskets will be available in the Sanctuary foyer to receive your donations of cash and checks (payable to Walnut Hill Church).

 

The scripture lessons for Sunday, September 7, Holy Communion:
     Exodus 12:1-14
     Romans 13:8-14
     Matthew 18:15-20
 
Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, September 7, 10am, in Trinity Hall as we discuss the Scripture lessons for the day (see above).  Stop in for a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.
 
Godly Play is a an interactive approach to Bible "story telling" for younger children that we will be including in our Sunday School program in the months ahead.  Lauren Fouts will have a sample of the "Godly Play" materials available for your review after worship this Sunday.  
 

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 or call the church office (263-5304) by the end of this week to indicate your interest. 

 

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.)  Use reply email or contact Gene Brockopp for more information and/or to rsvp for dinner.

 

The Fall Potluck Picnic is coming up on Sunday, September 21, after worship.  Make plans to join us for this delicious Walnut Hill tradition.  We are currently seeking a volunteer(s) to coordinate this year's potluck.  This is not a huge job. We just need someone to attend to a few potluck details.  Use reply email or call the church office (263-5304) for more information.

 

Thanks, news, etc...

     *Thanks to...Brenda Trimble and Kim DeCamp for providing our afterworship refreshments last Sunday.

     *The CROP Walk is coming on Sunday, September 28.  Watch for more details or contact Nell Horman for information.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward    

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