Greetings to all!
Summer officially begins this weekend. For many people, summer is a season for travel, vacationing, or just relaxing on long summer evenings, a change of pace, if not a full rest, compared to other seasons of the year. It echoes the religious notion of "Sabbath," a day each week to cease activity in favor of worship and appreciation of God and life. Dorothy Bass offers some reflections on the notion of keeping Sabbath.
The practice of keeping Sabbath bears much wisdom for people seeking ways through the crises of these times and the stresses of contemporary life. "The solution to mankind's most vexing problems will not be found in renouncing technical civilization, but in attaining some degree of independence from it," writes Abraham Heschel. Sabbath keeping teaches that independence. Refraining from work on a regular basis is a way of setting limits on behavior that is perilous for both human welfare and the welfare of the earth itself. Overworked Americans need rest, and they need to be reminded that they do not cause the grain to grow and that their greatest fulfillment does not come through the acquisition of material things. Moreover, the planet needs a rest from human plucking and burning and buying and selling. Perhaps, as Sabbath keepers, we will come to live and know these truths more fully, and thus to bring their wisdom to the common solution of humanity's problems...
Rest and worship. One day a week - not much, in a sense, but a good beginning. One day to resist the tyranny of too much or too little work and to celebrate with God and others, remembering thereby who we really are and what is really important. One day that, week after week, anchors a way of life that makes a difference every day.
(from Practicing Our Faith)
A Summer of Questions: We continue our preaching this summer as prompted by your questions. This week's question: "Why do I believe in God?"
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, June 21:
Psalm 14
Acts 17:16-34
Mark 9:14-29
Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, June 20, 8:00am, 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 resume this Sunday, June 21, 10am, in Trinity Hall. We return to our discussion of the video series, "Eclipsing Empire," featuring Jesus scholars John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg. The series focuses on how first century Christianity offered a way of living and being as an alternative to the dominant culture of the Roman Empire, and how Christianity might still offer an alternative to the dominant culture of our day. Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.
Hospitality Opportunity -A host is needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday, June 21. Remember that 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 for a Sunday later in the summer. Thanks to all our refreshment hosts for maintaining this wonderful Walnut Hill tradition.
Assistance Designations - At an open meeting on Sunday, June 14, designations were made for the special assistance fund set aside by the Vestry to use for outreach to our local community. The final designations included: $4,000 to God's Pantry Food Bank; $4,000 to respond to individual assistance needs (rent, utilities, etc) in coordination with the Resource Office for Social Ministry; $2,000 to Jarrett's Joy Cart providing encouragement and support to seriously ill children and their families. We will be receiving visits from these agencies in the weeks ahead as funds are distributed. Thanks to all who have participated in this process of discerning opportunities for Walnut Hill's outreach to our community.
Thanks, news, etc...
*Thanks to...Martha and Jane Lee Moore for providing our refreshments this past Sunday.
*Harper Jamieson Morris received the sacrament of Christian Baptism during morning worship on Sunday, June 14. Harper's parents are Kim and Stuart Morris. Harper is the great-granddaughter of the late David and Jeanie Blythe.
*The Junior High Youth Group of the John Knox Presbyterian Church, North Olmstead, Ohio, spent the night of June 14 in Trinity Hall in route from their home to a youth event in Tennessee. We were pleased to provide simple hospitality to this group of twelve young people and three chaperones. Check the bulletin board in Trinity Hall for a "thank you card" left for the church.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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