Wednesday, September 24, 2008

weekly letter

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

Friday, September 19, 2008

Sunday at Walnut Hill

Walnut Hill Church
Fall Potluck Picnic
 
Sunday, September 21, after worship,
in Trinity Hall
 
Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert,
and your appetite!
 
No rsvp required
 
 

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

weekly letter

September 17, 2008
 
Greetings to all!
 
From the financial markets, to geo-politics, to hurricane force winds, these have been rather shaky times.  I am reminded of Paul Tillich's famous sermon, "The Shaking of the Foundations," which he presented shortly after the devastations of World War II.  In one section of the sermon, Tillich observes how such "shaking" eventually breaks through even that often entrenched human response, "cynicism."
 
     There are certainly some among us who are cynical toward most of that which men create and praise.  There are some among us who are cynical about the present situation of the world and the leaders of the world.  We may be cynical, of course, about the true motives behind all human action; we may be cynical about ourselves, our inner growth and our outer achievements.  We may be cynical about religion and about our Churches, their doctrines, their symbols and their representatives.  There is scarcely one thing about which we may not be cynical.  But we can not be cynical about the shaking of the foundations of everything! I have never encountered anyone who seriously was cynical about that...if the foundations of this place and all places begin to crumble, cynicism itself crumbles with them.  And only two alternatives remain - despair, which is the certainty of eternal destruction, or faith, which is the certainty of eternal salvation.  "The world itself shall crumble, but...my salvation knows no end," says the Lord.  This is the alternative for which the prophets stood.  This is what we should call religion, or more precisely, the religious ground for all religion.
(from The Shaking of the Foundations)
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, September 21:
     Exodus 16:2-15
     Philippians 1:21-30
     Matthew 21:23-32
 
Sunday Conversations resume this Sunday, September 21, 10am, in Trinity Hall with conversation regarding the lessons for the day (see above). 
 
FALL POTLUCK - The annual Fall Potluck Picnic is scheduled for this Sunday, September 21, immediately after morning worship in Trinity Hall.  Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert.  Meat and beverage will be provided.  Don't miss this delicious Walnut Hill tradition.
 
Hurricane Disaster Relief - Persons wishing to aid in disaster relief for those affected by this season's storms, may do so at Walnut Hill through this Sunday, September 21.  Walnut Hill will be sending a donation via our ecumenical partner Church World Service to support storm relief efforts along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coast as well as among island nations in the Caribbean.  Baskets will be available in the Sanctuary foyer to receive your donations of cash and checks (payable to Walnut Hill Church).
 
CROP Walk - The CROP Walk is coming on Sunday afternoon, September 28, 3pm.  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.  Contact Nell Horman or the church office if you plan to participate in the CROP Walk.
 

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.  This is your final opportunity to sign up to attend one of the meals being scheduled in October.  Use reply email or call the church office (263-5304) by the end of this week to indicate your interest. 

 
In the Community:
     *The Christian-Muslim Dialogue Group will host a program regarding the "Gulen Movement."  The Gulen movement is the inspiration of a Turkish Muslim teacher, Fethullah Gulen, promoting the possibility of harmony between persons of different religious traditions.  The program will be held on Saturday, September 20, 10am, at Hunter Presbyterian Church (109 Rosemont Garden, near the intersection with Nicholasville Rd).  The program is free and open to the public.
     *The Interfaith Alliance of the Bluegrass will host a program titled "Peace and Justice in Lexington," focusing on efforts to help released prisoners re-enter society.  Participants will include the Rev. Gerard Howell, Chaplain of the Fayette Co. Detention Center, as well as re-entry program volunteers and former inmates.  The program will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 7pm, at Central Baptist Church (110 Wilson Downing Rd, across from Fayette Mall). The program is free and open to the public. 
 
Thanks, news, etc...
     *Thanks to...Bill McAtee and Oscar and Jane Lange for visiting and sharing with the Working Group session last Sunday; Nell Horman and Derek Vaughan for their work with the children and youth; Mary Lee Snyder and Carol and Norman Drury for our after worship refreshments; the Vestry and the Cemetery Association Board for their good work during recent meetings.
     *Walnut Hill men should mark Tuesday, October 14, 6pm, as the date/time for the next Men's Dinner.  More details forthcoming.
 
Peace to all.
 
Mike Ward

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

weekly letter

September 10, 2008
 
Greetings to all!
 
This Sunday, September 14, we will be having a special 10am conversation (see below) focusing on the story of Walnut Hill's ecumenical origin and identity.   A piece of that story is preserved in our "Articles of Agreement" with the Presbytery of Transylvania.  Article I of that Agreement sets forth the purpose of Walnut Hill Church.
 
The purpose for which Walnut Hill Church is formed and organized is to unite persons and resources into a shared ministry through one church in order:
     a) to serve more effectively the Christian community in general and in particular an area in the southeast section of Fayette County, Kentucky
     b) to express more fully the mission and service of the Church of Jesus Christ
     c) to preserve the dignity and heritage of the Walnut Hill Church building and grounds
     d) to provide public worship, the apostolic ministry of Word and Sacrament, religious instruction, and pastoral care and counseling in the name of Jesus Christ
     e) to jointly support a single Christian Community, so that a united and coordinated program shall be developed, conducted and carried out under the sponsorship of the members of Walnut Hill Church, keeping in mind that the program shall respect the liturgical practices of participating judicatories.
 
"Where Do We Go From Here?"  has been the general theme of our second Sunday Working Group conversations throughout this year.  This Sunday our conversation will focus on Walnut Hill's ecumenical origin as a starting place to ask where we might go from here in regard to our ecumenical identity and mission.  Whether you have been at Walnut Hill for a long time or just recently arrived, you are invited to be part of the conversation this Sunday, September 14, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  (Child care will be available.) 
 
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, September 14:
     Exodus 14:19-31
     Romans 14:1-12
     Matthew 18:21-35
 
Men's Coffee:  Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, September 13, 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.
 
Hosts Needed - Hosts are needed for this Sunday, September 14, after worship refreshments.  Remember that our after worship refreshments need not be elaborate, just something to gather around as we enjoy conversation in Trinity Hall.  Use reply email to volunteer as a host (or co-host) for this Sunday.  Check the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer to volunteer for a Sunday later in the fall.
 
Hurricane Disaster Relief - Persons wishing to aid in disaster relief for those affected by this season's storms, may do so at Walnut Hill this Sunday, September 14.  Walnut Hill will be sending a donation via our ecumenical partner Church World Service to support storm relief efforts along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coast as well as among island nations in the Caribbean.  Baskets will be available in the Sanctuary foyer to receive your donations of cash and checks (payable to Walnut Hill Church).
 
FALL POTLUCK - The annual Fall Potluck Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, September 21, immediately after morning worship.  Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert.  Meat and beverage will be provided.  Don't miss this delicious Walnut Hill tradition.
 
CROP Walk - The CROP Walk is coming on Sunday afternoon, September 28.  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.  Watch for more details.
 
Athens-Chilesburg Elementary is seeking volunteers to serve as tutors for elementary age students, approximately one hour per week.  No prior teaching experience is required.  Training is provided.  Contact Natalie Watt for more information about being a tutor at Athens-Chilesburg Elementary.
 
Thanks, news, etc...
     *Thanks to several folks for their service last Sunday...Phil Bloomfield and Sherry Warden for preparing our Communion elements last Sunday; the Choir, Thomas and Deanna Rawlings, Ron Johnston, Emett and Joyce Barfield for their leadership and assistance during morning worship; Nell Horman for working with the children; Laura and Chuck Adams, Joanne Hilliard, and Casey Hilliard for providing our after worship refreshments.
     *Eighteen men attended this week's Men's Dinner. Thanks to Bill Roberts for being our speaker for the evening.  Thanks to Gene Brockopp for coordinating the gathering and to Lyle Hanna for arranging our speaker for the evening.
     *The Vestry will meet this Sunday, September 14, after worship.
 
Peace to all.
 
Mike Ward

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