weekly letter

November 26, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

The Thanksgiving Holiday is before us.  At the center of the holiday is "Thanksgiving Dinner."  

 

     There is nothing like a special meal to mark a day as important.  Certain times - Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mom's birthday, etc. - call for certain foods, and those who are in the know know which and when.  Food and time can be so bound together in our memories and affections that the scent of a certain spice carries us instantly back to a certain day.  Moreover, some times call not just for special food but for lots of it.  When his grown children come home, a friend who is the cook in his family makes too much of everything:  here are all their favorites, not one vegetable dish but three, not one bread basket but two, each overflowing with more than the family can eat.  It is his love of them, not merely the food, that is running over, of course.  Such occasions, whether they are on a public calendar or on days known only within a small circle, are not just meals.  They are feasts. Food abounds, and so does mercy.

(from Receiving the Day by Dorothy C. Bass)

 

Community Thanksgiving:  An ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve Worship service will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 7:00pm, at Park United Methodist Church (645 East High Street).  Representatives from several congregations will share in leadership of the service.

 

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, November 30, the First Sunday of Advent:

     Isaiah 64:1-9

    1 Corinthians 1:3-9

     Mark 13:24-37

 

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, November 30, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  This Sunday we begin a four-part conversation, The Christmas Stories.  Our focus on Sunday will be "An Angel Visits Mary" (Luke 1:26-38).  Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

 

Hosts Needed -  Hosts are needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday, November 30.  Remember that our after worship refreshments need not be elaborate.  Just something simple to gather around as we fellowship.  Use reply email to let us know if you would like host (or co-host) this Sunday's refreshments.

 

Christmas Season Potluck- Our traditional congregational potluck to open the Christmas season will be held on Sunday, December 7, immediately after worship, in Trinity Hall.  Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert.  Don't miss this festive occasion for all ages. 

 

Annual Christmas Party - Our annual Christmas Party will be held on Sunday, December 14, 3 - 5pm, at the home of Irene and Alan Bloomfield, 1202 Delong Place.  This traditional gathering is an opportunity for adults to share Christmas cheer.  Bring an hors-d'oeuvre or dessert item. 

 

ATTENTION Walnut Hill Women:  Natalie Watt and Dorothy Brockopp invite all Walnut Hill women to a dinner and conversation at Buddy's restaurant on Wednesday, December 10, 6:30 p.m.  Each attendee will purchase her own meal.  The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss future women's programs/meetings, including possible dates, topics, speakers, etc.  Please rsvp to Natalie or to the church office (Walnut.hillchurch@verizon.net or 263-5304) before December 3.  You may also rsvp via the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer. 

 

Giving Opportunities:

     -Abundant Christmas - Once again this season we are sponsoring a family through the Nathaniel Mission's "Abundant Christmas" program.  This year's family includes a single mother and three children.  Look for the "Giving Tree" in Trinity Hall from which you can take an ornament(s).  Each ornament represents one gift for one family member.  Gifts must be returned to Walnut Hill by December 21.

      -A.C.E. School Trip - Walnut Hill has committed to sponsor 11 students to participate in the Athens-Chilesburg Elementary School 5th grade class trip to Washington, DC.  These are students who otherwise could not afford to participate.  The cost per child is $535.  Donations in any amount are welcome.  Make checks payable to Walnut Hill Church with "ACE Trip" in the memo.

 

Thanks, news, etc...

     -Thanks to...David Sharrard, John Ragland, Mark Horman, Thomas and Deanna Rawlings for their work in the Sanctuary and Trinity Hall last Saturday; Ruth Sharrard and her sister, Kay Kramer, for the wonderful Thanksgiving Cornucopia arrangement last Sunday; Amy and Matt Trail, Witty and Grant Rea, Nell and Mark Horman for last Sunday's refreshments; Nell Horman, Amy Trail, and Derek Vaughan for their work with children and youth.

     -Walnut Hill delivered one hundred pounds of "stuffing" to the Nathaniel Mission on Tuesday, our contribution to their annual community Thanksgiving Dinner.  Forty-eight non-perishable food items were received during worship on Sunday morning.  These items will be delivered to God's Pantry for distribution in the local community. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Mike Ward

weekly letter

November 19, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

This Sunday, November 23, brings the church calendar to completion with the Sunday of Christ the King.  The church calendar begins anew on November 30 with the First Sunday of Advent.  The Sunday of Christ the King sets forth the image of Jesus, risen, ascended, reigning, returning and judging.  What might this ancient image mean for a modern world?  New Testament theologian Leander Keck offers some thoughts:

 

     Critics of Christianity have seldom faulted Christians for being disciples of Jesus "but rather reproached them with not being his disciples, with betraying his cause." ...[This] observation points to a remarkable phenomenon - that precisely in the modern era, marked in part by vehement repudiations of Christianity, Jesus has become an essential part of the conscience of Western culture.  What he taught and how he lived elicits acknowledgment that "he was onto something" so perennially true that repeatedly it has been capable of energizing passionate commitments to transform what is into what ought to be, whether the propensity of the human heart or unjust structures of society.  Indeed, acknowledging the towering moral stature of Jesus often goes hand in hand with denigrating his Christian followers for domesticating his radical insights, whether because they did not understand him or because they did.  Even so, the fact that those who have no intention of becoming part of the Christian community nonetheless expect Christians to live up to the teaching and example of Jesus shows that they regard him as the criterion, the norm, to which his followers are accountable, and in so doing they too acknowledge his moral stature.  Jesus remains the focal point of Christian thought, mode of life, and devotion, but in one way or other wherever he is known he looks over everyone's shoulder.  This phenomenon deserves far more attention and close analysis...

(adapted from Who is Jesus?)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, November 23, Christ the King:

     Ezekiel 34:11-24

     Ephesians 1:15-23

     Matthew 25:31-46

 

Men's Coffee:  Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, November 22, 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.

 

A Little Home Improvement:  Volunteers are invited to gather this Saturday, November 22, 9:30am - Noon, for some indoor work in the Sanctuary and Trinity Hall.  Our first priority is to complete the Sanctuary floor project, but there are other smaller tasks that need our attention as well.  Feel free to stop in for as long or short a time as your schedule permits.  No rsvp required.

 

Thanksgiving Abundance:  Persons attending worship this Sunday, November 23, are invited to bring non-perishable food items (just one or two items per person) to place in front of the Communion Table even as the traditional Thanksgiving Cornucopia adorns the Table top.  We will share the non-perishable items with local neighbors in need. 

 

Sunday Conversations regarding the lectionary Scripture lessons for the day (see above) continue this Sunday, November 23, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Our conversation will focus on the lesson from Ezekiel.  We will also answer that burning question, "Where does the lectionary come from?"   Feel free to enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

 

The Walnut Hill Children's Choir continues practice this Sunday, November 23, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Nell Horman is leading the children as they learn to use voices and instruments to celebrate God's love.  The children are particularly working on Christmas music leading to a Sunday morning presentation on December 14.  All Walnut Hill children are invited to participate.

 

Thanksgiving Hospitality:  One of the great American traditions is the "Thanksgiving Dinner" as family and friends gather for the harvest feast.  Our new Iraqi friends (Raghad, Rania, and Zahra) have yet to experience this great tradition.  If you have three extra places at your holiday table and would like to extend a Thanksgiving Dinner  invitation to Raghad and her daughters, let us know by reply email and we will be happy to forward your invitation along. 

 

Advent Candle Lighters:  One of Walnut Hill's seasonal traditions is the lighting of the Advent Candles at the beginning of worship each Sunday during Advent.  The invitation is currently open for individuals, couples, or families who would like to lead the ceremony on one of the following Sundays (Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and 21).  Let us know by reply email if you would like to be part of this wonderful tradition.

 

ATTENTION Walnut Hill Women:  Natalie Watt and Dorothy Brockopp invite all Walnut Hill women to a dinner and conversation at Buddy's restaurant on Wednesday, December 10, 6:30 p.m.  Each attendee will purchase her own meal.  The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss future women's programs/meetings, including possible dates, topics, speakers, etc.  Please rsvp to Natalie or to the church office (Walnut.hillchurch@verizon.net or 263-5304) before December 3. 

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward

weekly letter

November 12, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

Someone once said that the life of faith is essentially a life of gratitude, which is nurtured in our ordinary living.  Consider the following:

 

     It is amazing, isn't it, how we can miss so much of life? The key to gratitude is surprise.  When we lose our sensitivity to wonder and awe, when we simply trudge through the days, we can so easily miss the daily gifts of life.  When we awaken to what is within us and around us, when we savor, relish, and taste life fresh each day, our heart holds much more gratitude for our blessings.

     Andrew Harvey writes in The Way of Passion that if we were really looking at this world, we would be moved a hundred times a day by the flowers at the side of the road, the people we meet, by all that brings us messages of our own goodness and the goodness of all things.  To be grateful is to affirm goodness wherever we find it.  The problem with being grateful is not the lack of countless blessings; the problem is with being inattentive and unaware of these blessings.

     One practice that has helped to reawaken my gratitude when my thankfulness has grown lean is to take one of my five external senses each day and be attentive to it.  One day I notice all the sounds that I hear; another day I pay close attention to everything I see, etc.  Doing this helps me to move out of my tired approach to life.  I restore my alertness to my daily gifts and begin again to see the universe as one vast blessing.

(from The Cup of Life, by Joyce Rupp)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, November 16:

     Judges 4:1-7

     1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

     Matthew 25:14-30

 

Sunday Conversations regarding the Scripture lessons for the day (see above) resume this Sunday, November 16, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Our conversation will focus on the lesson from 1 Thessalonians, which is reckoned by some scholars to be one of the earliest writings of the New Testament.  We will explore what this ancient letter might reveal about Christian life and thought in the years shortly after Jesus.  Feel free to enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

 

The Walnut Hill Children's Choir continues practice this Sunday, November 16, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Nell Horman is leading the children as they learn to use voices and instruments to celebrate God's love.  The children are particularly working on Christmas music leading to a Sunday morning presentation in December.  All Walnut Hill children are invited to participate.

 

A Host(s) is needed for this Sunday, November 16, after worship refreshments.  Remember that our after worship refreshments need not be elaborate.  Just something simple to gather around as we fellowship.  Use reply email to volunteer for this Sunday, or check the sign up sheet in the sanctuary foyer for other opportunities in the weeks ahead.

 

Giving Opportunities:

     -A.C.E. School Trip - Walnut Hill has committed to sponsor 11 students to participate in the Athens-Chilesburg Elementary School 5th grade class trip to Washington, DC.  These are students who otherwise could not afford to participate.  The cost per child is $535.  Donations in any amount are welcome.  Make checks payable to Walnut Hill Church with "ACE Trip" in the memo.

     -Non-perishable Food Items- Persons attending worship on Sunday, November 23 (Sunday before Thanksgiving) are invited to bring a non-perishable food item (just an item or two) to be placed in front of the Communion table to complement  the traditional "cornucopia" that will adorn the table top.  Even as we enjoy the visual image of God's bounty, we will share some of that bounty with neighbors in need.

 

In the Community: Lexington Theological Seminary is hosting a workshop, A Call to Action for Communities of Faith, on Tuesday, November 18, focusing on how congregations can be more welcoming and supportive to persons and families living with disabilities.  Mike Ward will be attending the workshop.

 

Thanks, news, etc...

     *Thanks to...Nell Horman and Amy Trail for their work with the children this past Sunday; Ron Johnston for his leadership of the annual congregational meeting held last Sunday after worship.

     *Kim Bloomfield and Irene Ragland have been elected to serve on the Vestry, Class of 2011.  Our thanks to Kim and Irene for their willingness to serve, and thanks to Cory Sharrard and Lisa Smith who are completing their Vestry service at the end of this year.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward    

weekly letter

November 5, 2008

 

Greetings to all!

 

With the election behind us, it is a good time to be in prayer for all those persons currently in and/or preparing for office.  Consider the following prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr.

 

     We pray for all who have authority in the world, for the leaders of our nation and for those who bear office in all the nations, that they may seek the peaceable fruits of justice;  grant that they may know the limits of human wisdom in the perplexities of this day, and calling upon you in humility, and acknowledging your majesty, may learn the wisdom of restraint and the justice of charity.  Amen.

(from Justice and Mercy)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, November 9:

     Joshua 24:1-3, 14-25

     1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

     Matthew 25:1-13

 

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

 

The Walnut Hill Working Group will be in session this Sunday, November 9, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  The Working Group is the name for our 2nd Sunday conversations regarding Walnut Hill's life and ministry.  Our Working Group topic for this Sunday will be "Walnut Hill's Ministry With and To Women and Men."  In what ways might Walnut Hill Church be of support, encouragement, and resource to women and men in regard to their particular needs, issues, and challenges?  All Walnut Hill members and friends are invited to attend this conversation. 

 

The Walnut Hill Children's Choir continues practice this Sunday, November 9, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Nell Horman is leading the children as they learn to use voices and instruments to celebrate God's love.  The children are particularly working on Christmas music leading to a Sunday morning presentation in December.  All Walnut Hill children are invited to participate.

 

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation of Walnut Hill Church will be held on Sunday, November 9, in the Sanctuary, immediately after morning worship.  Business items will include election of Vestry members, approval of the pastor's terms of call, and approval of the 2009 church budget.  All members and friends of Walnut Hill Church have privilege of voice and vote at congregational meetings and are encouraged to attend.

 

Volunteer Opportunities: Use reply email or call the church office to inquire about these opportunities.

     -Newsletter Editor - We are currently seeking a newsletter editor to do electronic layout of newsletter copy for the church's printed newsletter (six per year).

     -Christmas Party Host(s) - We are currently seeking a location and host(s) for this year's Christmas Party, which is scheduled for Sunday afternoon/evening, December 14.

 

Giving Opportunities:

     -Thanksgiving Dressing - Walnut Hill has committed to provide the dressing (a.k.a. "stuffing") for the Thanksgiving Community meal at the Nathaniel Mission.  Approximately 400 people will be served.  Contact Lee tucker if you would like to sponsor a pan of dressing ($20).

     -A.C.E. School Trip - Walnut Hill has committed to sponsor 11 students to participate in the Athens-Chilesburg Elementary School 5th grade class trip to Washington, DC.  These are students who otherwise could not afford to participate.  The cost per child is $535.  Donations in any amount are welcome.  Make checks payable to Walnut Hill Church with "ACE Trip" in the memo.

 

Thanks to...Martha and Jane Lee Moore for providing our after worship refreshments last Sunday; Sherry Warden for preparation of the Communion elements; the Walnut Hill Choir, Ruth and David Sharrard, Bob Watt, John and Irene Ragland for their leadership and assistance during morning worship; Nell Horman and Amy Trail for their work with the children.

 

Peace to all.

 

Mike Ward