Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

July 29, 2009

Greetings to all!

Last Sunday, as we considered the Holy Spirit, we talked about
"breathing" as a simple practice to help us be aware of the Spirit
(breath) of God in our lives. The notion of mindful breathing as a
helpful practice is known in various religious and spiritual
traditions. Consider these reflections from a Buddhist teacher and
writer, Thich Nhat Hanh.

Breathing is the best way to stop - to stop unhappiness, agitation,
fear, and anger. You can practice while sitting, lying down, walking,
standing, or in any position. It is especially pleasant to practice
outdoors, where the air is so refreshing. You can lie down or sit on
the grass or walk slowly and breathe in and out, focusing your
attention on each breath. Without thinking of anything else, you say,
silently, "Breathing in, I know I am breathing in. Breathing out, I
know I am breathing out." If you want, you can just say "In" as you
breathe in, and "Out" as you breathe out...Breathing nourishes us, and
it can bring us a lot of happiness. Practice "In/Out" as many times
as you wish - five times, ten times, twenty times, or more. It is
essential for the practice of stopping, calming, and returning to our
true home in the present moment.
(from Touching Peace)

SUMMER QUESTIONS: Our summer scripture lessons and sermons continue
to be prompted by your questions. This week we have more of a topic
suggestion than a particular question: Forgiveness.

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, August 2, the Sacrament of Holy
Communion:
Psalm 51:1-12
Colossians 3:12-17
Luke 5:17-26

MEN'S COFFEE: Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this
Saturday, August 1, 8:00am, at Paneras on Richmond Road. Feel free to
stop in for as long or short a time as your schedule permits. No rsvp
required.

LTQ2: "Living the Questions - 2.0" video discussion series continues
this Sunday, August 2, 10am, in Trinity Hall. Each session includes a
20 minute video featuring some of today's leading voices of
progressive Christianity, followed by group conversation. This week's
theme: "Taking the Bible Seriously." Feel free to join in the
conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in. Contact the
church office (263-5304) if you need childcare for the hour. We would
be happy to provide it.

HOSPITALITY: A host(s) is needed for our after worship refreshments
this Sunday, August 2. Remember that Sunday refreshments need not be
elaborate, just something simple to gather around as we fellowship
after worship. Use reply email or call the church office (263-5304)
to volunteer for this Sunday. Check the sign up sheet in the
Sanctuary foyer for more opportunities to host refreshments for a
Sunday upcoming.

DIRECTORY: Lee and Jim Tucker are beginning work on a new
congregational address/phone directory. If you have recently changed
your address or phone, please contact Lee or the church office, so
that we might have the most up-to-date information possible. Thanks
for your help.

HOPE CENTER: Over these summer weeks we are collecting travel
(sample) size toiletry items for distribution at the Hope Center.
Bring unopened items that you might collect as you travel, or purchase
locally, and place them in the collection box in the Sanctuary foyer.

SLEEPLESS IN LEXINGTON is a community event at Applebee's Park
overnight Friday - Saturday, August 1- 2, to raise awareness and money
to support organizations working to solve the problem of chronic
homelessness in Lexington. Check out www.sleeplessinlexington.com for
more information.

THANKS TO...Natalie Watt for her work with the children this past
Sunday; Irene and John Ragland for providing our after worship
refreshments; Al Smith for providing an enjoyable program for our
Men's Dinner last week, and to Gene Brockopp and Lyle Hanna for their
help with dinner and program arrangements.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

July 22, 2009

Greetings to all!

Henri Nouwen tells the story of a brief encounter with Mother Teresa.

Once, quite a few years ago, I had the opportunity of meeting Mother
Teresa of Calcutta. I was struggling with many things at the time and
decided to use the occasion to ask Mother Teresa's advice. As soon as
we sat down I started explaining all my problems and difficulties -
trying to convince her of how complicated it all was! When, after ten
minutes of elaborate explanation, I finally became silent, Mother
Teresa looked at me quietly and said: "Well, when you spend one hour
a day adoring your Lord and never do anything which you know is wrong,
you will be fine!"
Reflecting on this brief but decisive encounter, I realize that I had
raised a question from below, and that she had given an answer from
above. At first, her answer didn't seem to fit my question, but then
I began to see that her answer came from God's place and not from the
place of my complaints. Most of the time we respond to questions from
below with answers from below. The result is more questions and more
answers and, often, more confusion.
Mother Teresa's answer was like a flash of lightning in my darkness.
I suddenly knew the truth about myself.
(from Here and Now)

Our Scriptures and sermons continue to be in response to your
questions. The question for this Sunday, July 26: What about the Holy
Spirit?

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, July 26:
Genesis 1:1-5
Romans 8:18-30
John 16:4-15

LTQ2 - "Living The Questions 2.0" begins this Sunday, July 26, 10am,
in Trinity Hall. LTQ2 is a series of video presentations exploring
Christianity. Each 20 minute video segment includes conversations
with leading voices of faith regarding theological issues, and
specific spiritual practices and disciplines. Group conversation
follows the video. Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of
coffee, or just listen in.

MEN'S DINNER - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for dinner on
Thursday, July 23, 6pm, at Buddy's Restaurant. Our guest for the
evening will be Mr. Al Smith, long time Kentucky political
commentator. Contact Gene Brockopp, or call the church office
(263-5304) for more information.

HOPE CENTER - Travel size toiletry items (shampoo, soap, toothpaste,
etc) are being gathered for the Hope Center. You may bring these back
from your travels or purchase them locally. At the end of the summer
season, we will send them to the Hope Center for distribution to their
clients, for whom larger quantity sizes are not practical. You may
place your unopened toiletry items in the box marked "Hope Center" in
the foyer of the Sanctuary.

THANKS, NEWS, ETC...
*Thanks to...Kathleen Egner for her service at the organ last Sunday;
Natalie Watt for leading the children's Sunday School class; ...Glenna
and Phil Fay for providing our after worship refreshments.
*Ms. Susie Basham, from God's Pantry, visited Walnut Hill last
Sunday. On behalf of God's Pantry, Ms. Basham received a $4,000
donation from Walnut Hill in support of the work of God's Pantry in
central and eastern Kentucky.
*Benjamin Horman and Kaden Moreno attended camp at Cathedral Domain
last week. Be sure to ask Benjamin and Kaden about their experience.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

July 16, 2009

Greetings to all!

Today is the 40th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11, which would
take the first human beings to the surface of the moon, landing the
lunar module on July 20, 1969. I was lately reminded of President
Kennedy's words earlier in the decade challenging the nation toward
the goal of "landing a man on the moon."

First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving
the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and
returning him safely to the Earth. No single space project in this
period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important in the
long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or
expensive to accomplish....We choose to go to the moon in this decade
and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they
are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the
best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we
are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which
we intend to win, and the others, too.
(from speeches before Congress and at Rice University)

SUMMER QUESTIONS - Our Scripture lessons and sermons this summer
continue to be guided by your questions. This Sunday's question:
When, where, and how do we hear the voice of God in our lives?

THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS for Sunday, July 19:
1 Kings 19:11-13
Acts 9:1-9
John 4:16-26

SUNDAY CONVERSATIONS continue this Sunday, July 19, 10am, in Trinity
Hall as we view and discuss the video series, "Eclipsing Empire,"
featuring New Testament scholars John Dominic Crossan and Marcus
Borg. 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 this
Saturday, July 18, 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.

MEN'S DINNER - The next Walnut Hill Men's Dinner is scheduled for
Thursday, July 23, 6pm, at Buddy's Restaurant. Our guest for the
evening will be Mr. Al Smith, longtime Kentucky political
commentator. You may rsvp for this gathering via the sign up sheet in
the sanctuary foyer or by contacting Gene Brockopp.

THANKS, NEWS, ETC.
*Thanks to...Beth Hilliard and JoAnne Hilliard for providing our
after worship refreshments last Sunday; ...Rhonda McCleod, Resource
Office for Social Ministry Coordinator, for visiting at Walnut Hill
and sharing regarding ROSM's work in the community.
*The Vestry will meet this Sunday, July 19, 10am, in Trinity Hall.
*Ms. Susie Basham, from God's Pantry, will be visiting Walnut Hill
this Sunday, July 19. Ms. Basham will receive a donation from Walnut
Hill in support of God's Pantry and will speak regarding the important
work done by God's Pantry in meeting local and regional food needs.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

July 8, 2009

Greetings to all!

The response to Michael Jackson's death has been extraordinary, from
the first report to yesterday's memorial service, and quite likely for
some time to come. Whatever else the response might suggest, it at
least reveals the importance of music in our lives. Perhaps you can
relate to these words from a seventeen year old, Liz Mashburn.

Music isn't some shrink-wrapped product you buy at the store. Music
is a human thing, a body thing, and a spirit thing. You don't have to
play a musical instrument to join in the practice of making music.
Simply listening to music or singing along with your friends is a way
of sounding your life. Music is an incredible universal language,
truly a gift from God. Sometimes when I am moving to music, it's as
if time stands still. I'm so focused, so caught in the moment that
the stresses of life and school just seem to disappear. I literally
feel one with the universe.
(from Way to Live)

Summer Questions: We continue our preaching this summer as prompted
by your questions. This week's question: How do we bring together
those who have and those who have not in constructive ways?

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, July 12:
Leviticus 19:17-18, 33-34
Romans 13:8-10
Luke 10:25-37

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday as we view and discuss the
video series Eclipsing Empire featuring New Testament scholars John
Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg. The focus for this Sunday will be
"Eschatology," New Testament teaching about "last things." Feel free
to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

Men's Dinner: The next Walnut Hill Men's Dinner is scheduled for
Thursday, July 23, 6pm, at Buddy's Restaurant. Our special guest for
the evening will be Mr. Al Smith, longtime Kentucky political
commentator. Rsvp using the sign up sheet in the sanctuary foyer or
by contacting Gene Brockopp.

Items for the Hope Center - If you are traveling this summer and
happen to collect some of those hotel size soaps and shampoos, feel
free to bring them (unopened) to Walnut Hill and place them in the box
marked "Hope Center." They will be taken to the Hope Center and
distributed among the Hope Center's clients. If you are not traveling
but would like to donate items, feel free to pick up some "travel
size" toiletry items on your next shopping trip. Look for the "Hope
Center" box in the foyer of the Sanctuary. Thanks to Glenna Fay for
making us aware of this opportunity.

ROSM (Resource Office for Social Ministry): Ms. Rhonda McCleod, ROSM
Coordinator, will be our guest during worship on Sunday, July 12.
Rhonda will accept a donation to ROSM from Walnut Hill and then offer
brief remarks in response. Founded in 1977 by Lexington congregations,
ROSM provides pertinent information to the religious community about
persons requesting financial assistance. ROSM works with agencies and
religious groups as a liaison in finding appropriate resources to meet
valid individual needs.

In the Community: "Sleepless In Lexington" is a community wide event
August 1 - 2 at Applebee's Park. Sponsored participants will spend a
sleepless night raising dollars to support organizations ministering
to the homeless in Lexington. For more information regarding the
event and how you can be part of it, see www.sleeplessinlexington.com.

Thanks, news, etc...
*Thanks to...Mary Lee Snyder for providing our after worship
refreshments last Sunday; the Choir, Irene and John Ragland, Nell
Horman, Phil Bloomfield, and Ron Johnston for their leadership and
assistance during worship; Susan Gillespie for her work with the
children's class.
*New perennial plantings have been placed in the flower bed at the
old gate entrance as well as in the circular flower bed near the front
of the sanctuary. This work was done by Michler Florist and
Greenhouse. Thanks to Ruth Sharrard who coordinated the planting.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

July 1, 2009

Greetings to all!

The July 4th holiday provides opportunity to reflect on the freedoms that are part of our American heritage, including the freedom of religion.  Freedom of religious expression was a particular passion of Thomas Jefferson.  In a letter to the Danbury (Connecticut) Baptist Association, then President Jefferson expresses his thoughts on religious freedom. 

(January 1, 1802)

Gentlemen:

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction.  My duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.  Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.

Summer Questions: We continue our summer preaching as prompted by your questions.  This week's question - "How do we put Micah 6:8 into practice today?"  Your questions continue to be welcome.  Use the "question envelope" in the Sanctuary foyer to submit your question.

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, July 5, the Sacrament of Holy Communion:

Micah 6:1-8

Romans 13:1-7

John 19:8-16

Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to begin their July 4 holiday with some coffee and conversation on Saturday, July 4, 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 continue this Sunday, July 5, in Trinity Hall as we view and discuss the video series, Eclipsing Empire, featuring New Testament scholars John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg. This week's video segment focuses on "The Theology of Paul." Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

Items for the Hope Center - If you are traveling this summer and happen to collect some of those hotel size soaps and shampoos, feel free to bring them (unopened) to Walnut Hill and place them in the box marked "Hope Center." They will be taken to the Hope Center and distributed among the Hope Center's clients. If you are not traveling but would like to donate items, feel free to pick up some "travel size" toiletry items on your next shopping trip. Look for the "Hope Center" box in the foyer of the Sanctuary. Thanks to Glenna Fay for making us aware of this opportunity.

Men's Dinner, July 23 - Walnut Hill men should mark the date, Thursday, July 23, on their calendars, for the next Walnut Hill Men's Dinner. Our guest for the evening will be Mr. Al Smith, longtime Kentucky political commentator. Time and place for the dinner to be announced.

Thanks, news, etc...

*Thanks to...Lee Sturtevant and Tom Ward for providing our after worship refreshments last Sunday.

*Jennifer Mynear visited Walnut Hill last Sunday to receive Walnut Hill's $2,000 donation in support of Jarrett's Joy Cart. Natalie Watt presented the donation on behalf of the congregation, and Mrs. Mynear offered remarks in response. Jennifer also left several copies of a story book, The Importance of Joy, which tells the story of the "Joy Cart" in terms that a child can understand. Feel free to pick up a copy in the Nursery Room of Trinity Hall.

HAPPY 4TH!

Mike Ward