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