September 24, 2008
Greetings to all!
You might be aware that the month of September this year has coincided with the Muslim month a Ramadan, a month of fasting in the Muslim tradition. You might have neighbors or co-workers who are observing a dawn to dusk fast this month (through September 29). In his classic book, The Religions of Man, Huston Smith provides a brief introduction to Ramadan.
The fourth pillar of Islam is the observance of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month in the Arabian calendar, Islam's holy month because during it Mohammed received his initial commission as a prophet and ten years later made his Hijrah from Mecca to Medina. To commemorate these two great occasions, able-bodied Muslims not involved in crises like war or unavoidable travel fast during Ramadan. From daybreak to the setting of the sun neither food nor drink passes their lips; after sundown they may partake in moderation. Being a month in a lunar calendar, Ramadan rotates around the year. When it falls in the winter its demands are not excessive. When, on the other hand, it falls during the scorching summers, to remain active during the long days without so much as a drop of water is an ordeal.
Why, then, does the Koran require it? For one thing, fasting makes one think, as every Jew who has watched through the long fasts of Yom Kippur will testify. For another thing, fasting teaches self-discipline; the one who can endure its demands will have less difficulty controlling appetites at other times. Fasting underscores human dependence upon God. Man, says the Koran, is as frail as the rose petal; nevertheless he assumes airs and pretensions. Fasting is a vivid reminder of essential human frailty and dependence. Finally, fasting sensitizes compassion. Only those who have been hungry can know what hunger means. A person who has fasted for thirty days within the year will be apt to listen more carefully the next time he is approached by someone in need.
(adapted from The Religions of Man)
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, September 28:
Exodus 17:1-7
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:23-32
Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, September 27, 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 around the scripture lessons for the day (see above) continue this Sunday, September 28, at 10am, in Trinity Hall. Feel free to enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.
CROP Walk - The CROP Walk is coming on Sunday afternoon, September 28, 3pm, at Second Presbyterian Church. The CROP Walk is a great opportunity for persons of all ages to walk through downtown Lexington in support of hunger relief efforts locally and globally. Walnut Hill Church will sponsor any Walnut Hill member or friend in the amount of $35/person, but to be sponsored we need to know that you plan to walk. Use reply email or contact the church office (263-5304) if you plan to participate in the CROP Walk.
Ecumenical Sunday is coming on Sunday, October 5. Ecumenical Sunday is an annual occasion for celebrating and exploring Walnut Hill's ecumenical identity and mission. The day will include conversation and activities for all ages at 10am, a special service of Morning Worship and Holy Communion at 11am, and our traditional refreshments at Noon. This would be a great occasion to bring a guest to Walnut Hill.
Men's Dinner - Our next Walnut Hill Men's Dinner will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 6pm, at Buddy's (note new location). Our speaker and program will focus on the current election season from the "democratic party" perspective. Use the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer or contact Gene Brockopp to rsvp.
Thanks, news, etc....
*Thanks to...Carol and Norman Drury, Mary Lee Snyder, many wonderful cooks, and a lot of other helpers for a delicious potluck picnic last Sunday.
*Walnut Hill has sent $551.00 to Church World Service to support relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Thanks to all those who made special contributions to this cause.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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