Wednesday, January 30, 2008

weekly letter

January 30, 2008
 
Greetings to all!
 
This Sunday is the Sunday of the Transfiguration of the Lord, traditionally observed on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.  In his book, The Soul of Christianity, Huston Smith describes the event as an intense experience of "glory," a sort of uninhibited awareness of the divine presence.
 
     In one dramatic incident recorded in the New Testament, Peter, John, and James saw this glory with their physical eyes.  On Mount Tabor - the Mount of Transfiguration, as it came to be called - they watched Jesus's face change while he was praying, and saw his clothes shine with dazzling brilliance.  What they were privileged to see there, as if through a prism, was a condensation of the glory that shone through Jesus's entire life.
 
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, February 3, The Transfiguration of the Lord, Holy Communion:
     Exodus 24:12-18
     2 Peter 1:16-21
     Matthew 17:1-9
 
Men's Dinner: Dr. William "Beau" Weston will be our guest for the next Walnut Hill Church Men's Dinner on Thursday evening, January 31, 6pm, at Applebee's Restaurant (Nicholasville Rd. at W. Tiverton Way).  Dr. Weston is Associate Professor of Sociology at Centre College and author of the recent book Leading From the Center. Professor Weston will offer informal remarks titled, "Success in the Religion Market," exploring why conservative churches are generally more successful than liberal ones. You may rsvp for the dinner by reply email.
 
Men's Coffee: The regular Men's Coffee gathering will be this Saturday, February 2, 8am, at Paneras (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 lessons for the day (see above) continue this Sunday, February 3, 10am, in Trinity Hall. Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.
 
Confirmation Class orientation will be held this Sunday, February 3, 10am in Trinity Hall for confirmation candidates, parents, and mentors.  Contact Lauren Fouts for more information.
 
Jesus Today, a book discussion, will be offered on Wednesday evenings in Lent, beginning Wednesday, February 13, 7pm. Copies of the book (Jesus Today, by Albert Nolan) are available at Walnut Hill, or by purchase through Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.
 
Thanks, news, etc....
     *Thanks to...Cory Sharrard for her work with the children last Sunday; Sherry Warden, Dorothy and Gene Brockopp, Linda and Nelson Barnes for providing our after worship refreshments last Sunday.
     *Barbara Kleine, Director of Kentucky Refugee Ministries Lexington office, visited Walnut Hill Church last Sunday to present information regarding the possible co-sponsorship of a refugee family being settled in central Kentucky.  Please contact Nelson Barnes if you have thoughts or questions regarding congregational or individual participation in this important work.
     *This Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday, and it is also "Souper" Bowl Sunday at Walnut Hill.  You are invited to enjoy a bowl of soup after worship and make a donation to support God's Pantry.
 
Peace,
 
Mike Ward

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

weekly letter

January 23, 2008
 
Greetings to all!
 
In her book, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules, Cherie Carter-Scott tells the story of "Alan and Linda" who dreamed of living the "good life" and did...
 
     Then the stock market crashed in 1987, and Alan and Linda lost a considerable amount of money.  A bizarre but costly lawsuit depleted another huge portion of their savings.  One thing led to another, and they found themselves in a financial tailspin.  Assets needed to be sold to pay bills, and eventually they lost the country club membership, the cars, and the house.  It took several years and much hard work for Alan and Linda to land on their feet, and though they now live a life far from extravagant, they have taken stock of their lives and feel quite blessed.  Only now, as they assess what they have left - a solid, loving marriage, their health, a dependable income, and good friends - do they realize that true abundance comes not from amassing, but rather from appreciating.
     Scarcity consciousness arises as a result of what I call the "hole-in-the-soul syndrome." This is when we attempt to fill the gaps in our inner lives with things from the outside world.  But like puzzle pieces, you can't fit something in where it does not naturally belong. No amount of external objects, affection, love, or attention can ever fill an inner void.  The void can only be filled by looking within.  You already have and are enough; revel in your own interior abundance and you will never need to look elsewhere.
 
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, January 27:
     Isaiah 9:1-4
     Psalm 27:1, 4-9
     1 Corinthians 1:10-18
     Matthew 4:12-23
 
KENTUCKY REFUGEE MINISTRIES: Barbara Kleine, Director of Kentucky Refugee Ministries' Lexington office, will be our guest on Sunday, January 27.  During the 10am hour in Trinity Hall, Barbara will present information regarding KRM's work with churches and other organizations settling refugee families in central Kentucky.  You are invited to come and learn about this important ministry and consider how Walnut Hill might support it.
 
Sunday Hospitality:  Hosts are needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday, January 27.  Contact the church office (263-5304) or use reply email if you would like to host (or co-host) our refreshments this Sunday.
 
Men's Dinner: Dr. William "Beau" Weston will be our guest for the next Walnut Hill Church Men's Dinner on Thursday evening, January 31, 6pm, at Applebee's Restaurant (Nicholasville Rd. at W. Tiverton Way).  Dr. Weston is Associate Professor of Sociology at Centre College and author of the recent book Leading From the Center. Professor Weston will offer informal remarks titled, "Success in the Religion Market," exploring why conservative churches are generally more successful than liberal ones. You may rsvp for the dinner by contacting Gene Brockopp, the church office, or via the sign up sheet in the sanctuary.
 
Jesus Today, a book discussion, will be offered on Wednesday evenings in Lent, beginning Wednesday, February 13, 7pm. Copies of the book (Jesus Today, by Albert Nolan) are available at Walnut Hill, or by purchase through Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.
 
Thanks, news, etc...
     *Thanks to...Kathleen and Art Weinberg, Kim Bloomfield, and Irene Bloomfield for providing our after worship refreshments last Sunday; Cory Sharrard and Nell Horman for their work with the children last Sunday.
     *The winter edition of our printed newsletter is currently in preparation.  Please contact our newsletter editor, Martha DeReamer, or the church office if you have news or other items for inclusion in this newsletter.
 
Peace to all.
 
Mike Ward

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

weekly letter

January 16, 2008
 
Greetings to all!
 
With the Martin Luther King Jr., holiday before us, Peter Gomes invites us to remember some of the people and events that set the stage for Dr. King's work.
 
     Race is America's unfinished business.  William E. B. Du Bois said as much when, in 1900, ....he wrote, "The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line." Sadly, events of the past hundred years would prove him right.  For one shining moment, however, at mid-century, as a result of improved conditions and increased social agitation to secure civil rights for black Americans, it looked as though the problem of the color line was finally to be resolved, with liberty and justice for all.  Between the wars, and often under less than ideal conditions, the race project was prosecuted by Dr. Du Bois, the NAACP, and hundreds of other reform-minded blacks and whites.  When Marian Anderson gave her song recital at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday afternoon, 1939, after having been denied use of Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution - which denial caused First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to resign her membership in the DAR - at the very heart of the nation's capital a symbolic blow for civil rights was struck.  The admirable service of black soldiers, sailors, and airmen, in a still segregated American military, in a war against totalitarianism and racism around the world forced President Harry Truman to issue the executive order by which the military was desegregated.  Then followed the series of court cases, acts of civil disobedience, and the moral confrontations that came to their symbolic head in the great march on Washington on August 27, 1963, the very day on which Du Bois died at age ninety-five in Ghana, where he had gone to live after renouncing his American citizenship.  The next five years, from 1963 to 1968 and the death of Martin Luther King Jr., would witness the second American civil war, this time led not be generals and ground troops but by preachers, students, social agitators, and the combined consciences of young and old, white and black.  For many, these years were the defining years of their lives, and for the nation and the century it was the defining moment of the American experience.
(from The Good Life, by Peter J. Gomes)
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, January 20:
     Isaiah 49:1-7
     1 Corinthians 1:1-9
     John 1:29-42
 
Sunday Conversations regarding the lessons for the day (see above) continue this Sunday, January 20, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in. 
 
Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee on Saturday, January 19, 8am, at Paneras (Richmond Road).  Feel free to stop in for as long or short a time as your schedule permits.  No rsvp required.
 
Confirmation Classes will be offered this Lenten season (February/March) for middle and high school youth who are ready to make their profession of faith and enter into church membership.  Interested youth and/or their parents are invited to contact Lauren Fouts for more information about the confirmation process.
 
Men's Dinner: Dr. William "Beau" Weston will be our guest for the next Walnut Hill Church Men's Dinner on Thursday evening, January 31, 6pm, at Applebee's Restaurant (Nicholasville Rd. at W. Tiverton Way).  Dr. Weston is Associate Professor of Sociology at Centre College and author of the recent book Leading From the Center. Professor Weston will offer informal remarks titled, "Success in the Religion Market," exploring why conservative churches are generally more successful than liberal ones. You may rsvp for the dinner by contacting Gene Brockopp, the church office, or via the sign up sheet in the sanctuary.
 
Jesus Today, a book discussion, will be offered on Wednesday evenings in Lent, beginning Wednesday, February 13, 7pm. Copies of the book (Jesus Today, by Albert Nolan) are available at Walnut Hill, or by purchase through Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.
 
Thanks, news, etc...
     *Thanks to...David Sharrard for leading our Sunday conversation last Sunday; the Hormans, the Bowlings, the Spencers, and the Stewarts for providing our after worship refreshments.
     *Late last week, Walnut Hill delivered a check in the amount $6,975 to the Athens Chilesburg Elementary School to fund sponsorships for 15 students to participate in the 5th grade class trip to Washington, D.C. Several thank you notes have been received from A.C.E. students/families and are posted on the bulletin board in Trinity Hall.  Thanks to many for their individual donations of this effort and to all for your support of the project through your General and Community Fund donations.
 
Peace to all.
 
Mike Ward

Friday, January 11, 2008

Weekly Letter - Correction

January 11, 2008
 
Friends:
 
In this week's "Weekly Letter" I mentioned a gathering of the Christian-Muslim Dialogue this Saturday, January 12. That information was incorrect. The Christian-Muslim Dialogue will not meet this weekend.
 
Instead, the Christian-Muslim Dialogue will be meeting on Saturday, January 26, 10am - Noon, at Hunter Presbyterian Church.  The presenter will be Rev. Philip Troutman who will introduce the recently released open letter, A Common Word Between Us and You, addressed to Christians by 138 Muslim leaders; then Rev. Troutman will introduce a Christian response, Loving God and Neighbor Together, which has been signed by more than 200 Christian scholars and leaders. A potluck luncheon will follow the discussion.
 
Thank you for your patience with this correction.
 
Peace,
 
Mike Ward 

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

weekly letter

January 9, 2008
 
Greetings to all!
 
This Sunday, January 13, is the Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord, the first event of Jesus' adult life mentioned in the Gospel narratives.  Thich Nhat Hanh, the popular Buddhist teacher and writer, offers an interesting perspective on the event.
 
     The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove, penetrated Him deeply, and He became the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.  With the Holy Spirit in Him, Jesus' power as a healer transformed many people.  We also have the seed of the Holy Spirit in us - the capacity of healing, transforming, and loving.  When we touch that seed, we touch God the Father and God the Son.
(from Be Still and Know)
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, January 13, the Baptism of the Lord:
     Isaiah 42:1-9
     Acts 10:34-43
     Matthew 3:13-17
 
Sunday Conversations around the lessons for the day (see above) continue this Sunday, January 13, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Feel free to stop by, join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.
 
The Vestry will meet on Sunday, January 13, 10am, in Trinity Hall.
 
Youth are invited to Just Dinner on Tuesday, January 15.  "Just Dinner" is a great opportunity to enjoy a meal out and visit with church friends.  Contact Lauren Fouts for more information and to rsvp.
 
Confirmation Classes will be offered this Lenten season (February/March) for middle and high school youth who are ready make their profession of faith and enter into church membership.  Interested youth and/or their parents are invited to contact Lauren Fouts for more information about the confirmation process.
 
Jesus Today, a book discussion, will be offered on Wednesday evenings in Lent, beginning Wednesday, February 13, 7pm. Copies of the book (Jesus Today, by Albert Nolan) are available at Walnut Hill.
 
Ecumenical News:
   *The 112th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington will be held February 21 - 23 in Lexington.  The Annual Convention is an interesting and often inspiring gathering of clergy and lay persons from across central and eastern Kentucky.  Walnut Hill is privileged to be invited to the Convention as a sign of our ecumenical relationship with the Diocese.  Please contact Mike Ward if you would be interested in attending all or part of the Convention as a delegate from Walnut Hill Church. 
    *The Presbytery of Transylvania will be meeting on January 22 to act upon a search committee recommendation to elect the Rev. Richard Smith as General Presbyter of Transylvania Presbytery.  Rev. Smith has served congregations in Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois and is currently Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Ashland, Kentucky. In its letter to the presbytery, the search committee wrote: "Richard has the heart of a pastor, the faith and authenticity of a disciple of Jesus Christ, and the leadership skills and experience we believe our presbytery needs in this crucial time."
 
In the Community:  This Christian-Muslim Dialogue meets this Saturday, January 12, 10am - Noon, at Hunter Presbyterian Church.  The Christian-Muslim Dialogue is an ongoing monthly gathering to discuss issues of interfaith concern and interest.  The dialogue meetings are free and open to the public. A potluck lunch is shared after the formal program. 
 
Thanks, news, etc...
     *Thanks to ... the choir, Megan and Carthel Smith, Oggie and Beth Hilliard, and Nell Horman for their leadership and assistance during worship; Phil Bloomfield and Sherry Warden for preparing our Communion elements; Mary Ann Davis, Betty Kinnaird, and Maggy Patterson for our after worship refreshments last Sunday.
 
Peace to all.
 
Mike Ward

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

weekly letter

January 2, 2008
 
Happy New Year to all!
 
In observance of the New Year, there is an interesting custom call the "first-footing" prayer:
 
     In Scotland, New Year is given much importance: folk go from house to house wishing each other a good year ahead, and celebrate their good wishes with food and plenty of drink.  It is often seen as important who should be the first to cross the threshold and "bring in the year" once midnight has passed.  The song below (spoken or sung) asks Christ Himself to come and "first foot" for us.  The door is opened (literally) to welcome Him in and invite His blessing, whether He comes in silence or in the company of other guests.
 
     This day is a new day that has never been before.  This year is a new year, the opening door. (open the door)  Enter, Lord Christ - we have joy in your coming.  You have given us life; and we welcome Your coming.  I turn now to face You, I lift up my eyes.  Be blessing my face, Lord; be blessing my eyes.  May all my eye looks on be blessed and be bright, my neighbors, my loved ones be blessed in Your sight.  You have given us life and we welcome Your coming.  Be with us, Lord, we have joy, we have joy.  This year is a new year, the opening door.  Be with us, Lord, we have joy, we have joy.  Amen.
(from Celtic Daily Prayer)
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, January 6, the Epiphany of the Lord, Holy Communion:
     Isaiah 60:1-6
     Ephesians 3:1-12
     Matthew 2:1-12
 
Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, January 5, 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, January 6, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Our conversation this Sunday will include a brief excerpt from the film Jesus of Nazareth portraying the "Visit of the Magi." Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.
 
The 112th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington will be held February 21 - 23 in Lexington.  The Annual Convention is an interesting and often inspiring gathering of clergy and lay persons from across central and eastern Kentucky.  Walnut Hill is privileged to be invited to the Convention as a sign of our ecumenical relationship with the Diocese.  Please contact Mike Ward if you would be interested in attending all or part of the Convention as a delegate from Walnut Hill Church. 
 
Athens-Chilesburg Elementary 5th Graders are once again planning a trip to Washington D.C.  Fifteen (15) children need sponsorship support in order to participate.  The cost of the trip is $465 per student.  We are currently accepting donations in any amount toward the sponsorship of these fifteen children.  Make your check payable to Walnut Hill Church (designated "ACE Trip") and place it in the Sunday offering box or mail it to the church.  Contact Natalie Brown or the church office for more information regarding this project.
 
Thanks, news, etc...
     *Thanks to...David Sharrard for supplying at the organ for worship last Sunday.
     *An offering of $1,764 was received on Christmas Eve to benefit the Salvation Army's work of sheltering homeless women and families.  Thanks to all who attended and gave so generously.
 
Peace to all.
 
Mike Ward