Greetings to all!
Henri Nouwen reflects on joy, a friend, and the sun.
I have a friend who radiates joy, not because his life is easy, but
because he habitually recognizes God's presence in the midst of all
human suffering, his own as well as others'. Wherever he goes,
whomever he meets, he is able to see and hear something beautiful,
something for which to be grateful. He doesn't deny the great sorrow
that surrounds him nor is he blind or deaf to the agonizing sights and
sounds of his fellow human beings, but his spirit gravitates toward
the light in the darkness and the prayers in the midst of the cries of
despair.
My friend's joy is contagious. The more I am with him, the more I
catch glimpses of the sun shining through the clouds. Yes, I know
there is a sun, even though the skies are covered with clouds. While
my friend always spoke about the sun, I kept speaking about the
clouds, until one day I realized that it was the sun that allowed me
to see the clouds.
Those who keep speaking about the sun while walking under a cloudy
sky are messengers of hope, the true saints of our day.
(from "Here and Now")
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, October 11:
Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Hebrews 4:12-16
Mark 10:17-31
MEN'S COFFEE: Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this
Saturday, October 10, 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.
LIVING THE QUESTIONS video discussion series continues this Sunday,
October 11, 10am in Trinity Hall. The topic for this Sunday will be
"The Myth of Redemptive Violence." Feel free to join the
conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.
YOUTH CLASS RETURNS: Beginning this Sunday, October 11, a discussion
class for youth (middle school and high school) will be offered during
the 11am hour on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. We are
grateful to several volunteers who have stepped forward to make this
class possible. We encourage young people to be present for what
promises to be an interesting and lively conversation.
A HOST (S) is needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday,
October 11. Refreshments need not be elaborate, just something simple
to gather around as we fellowship after worship. Use reply email to
volunteer for this Sunday or check out the sign up sheet in the
Sanctuary foyer to host a Sunday later in the Fall. Thanks to all our
volunteer hosts, most recently Mary Lee Snyder who hosted our
refreshments last Sunday.
IN THE COMMUNITY:
*The Kentucky Council of Churches and the Central Kentucky Jewish
Federation are co-sponsoring an interfaith panel discussion on
religion and the environment to be held on Thursday, October 8, 7 - 9
pm, at Lexington Theological Seminary. The event is titled "Religion
and the Environment: How Do We Work Together To Survive?" This event
is free and open to the public.
*During the week of October 26 -30, Southland Christian Church will
be partnering with the organization "Feed My Starving Children" to
pack 5000 meals for the hungry. Volunteers are welcome. For more
information go to www.southlandchristian.org and click on "Hungry."
CONGREGATION NEWS:
*The Rev. Dr. Marian McClure Taylor, Executive Director of the
Kentucky Council of Churches, visited Walnut Hill last Sunday for our
Ecumenical Sunday observance. Dr. Taylor participated in conversation
during the 10am hour and preached during the worship service. An
offering for the Council was received totaling $2,087.
*Water damage repairs continue in the basement of Trinity Hall
including carpet replacement, drywall repair, and painting. The space
should be usable for the Day School and other activities by the end of
this week.
*A farm style fence has been installed around the playground to
enhance the security of children playing there. Oggie Hilliard
supervised the project. The Walnut Hill Day School is paying expenses
related to the installation.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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