Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

September 30, 2009

Greetings to all!

Sunday, October 4, is "Ecumenical Sunday" at Walnut Hill, an
opportunity to celebrate and explore our ecumenical identity. It is a
good occasion to revisit Walnut Hill's mission statement as found in
the Preamble to our Constitution and By-Laws:

We, the members of Walnut Hill Church, an Ecumenical Church, of
Lexington, Kentucky, do hereby organize for the purpose of providing
public worship, the apostolic ministry of word and sacrament,
religious instruction, pastoral care and counseling and in general a
witness to the community of the need for life and work in the name of
Jesus.
We accept for membership with us all those who profess the Lord Jesus
and who share with us an appreciation for the historic creeds,
sacraments, the historic canon of scripture of the Old and New
Testaments, and the historic apostolic ministry. We also include in
our fellowship those who, while seeking truth, may not be prepared to
accept as yet the fulness of the above stated standards. We, as a
church, are a fellowship of believers who wish to bring together all
men and women as children of God and do not wish to make an obstacle
in creed and dogma to fellowship with God's people. We believe that
the true basis of Christian fellowship is love which is greater than
all our differences, and without this love we have no claim to
Christian Fellowship.

THE REV. DR. MARIAN MCCLURE TAYLOR, Executive Director of the Kentucky
Council of Churches, will be our special guest for Ecumenical Sunday.
Dr. Taylor is a graduate of the University of the South (Sewanee).
She later received her Ph.D. from Harvard and her M. Div. from
Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. She has a long history of
ecumenical and international experience. Regarding her hopes for the
Kentucky Council of Churches, Dr. Taylor writes: "With God's help,
the Christian community in Kentucky will reach deeper and wider -
deeper as we enjoy learning from each other's traditions, and wider as
we partner for the good of our most vulnerable fellow citizens. May
all Christians join us as we humbly offer our unity as a witness to
the gospel of Jesus Christ."

ECUMENICAL SUNDAY SCHEDULE
*10am - "Conversation with Dr. Taylor"
- Activities for Children
-Nursery Care for Infants
*11am - Morning Worship and Holy Communion
- Sunday School for Children
- Nursery Care for Infants
*Noon - Refreshments and Fellowship

THANKS AND NEWS:
*Thanks to Karl and Jane Lange, Steve and Mardie Lange for providing
our after worship refreshments last Sunday. Karl and Steve are the
sons of Betty and Karl Lange who were instrumental in Walnut Hill's
restoration and reopening.
*Forrest and Monta Rae Cook have been received as members of Walnut
Hill Church by transfer from Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.
*Seventeen women attended the Walnut Hill Women's Dinner on September
23. Thanks to Natalie Watt and Dorothy Brockopp for coordinating this
gathering.
*Seventeen walkers participated in the CROP Walk as part of a Walnut
Hill team, raising a total of $776 for hunger relief locally and
around the globe. Thanks to all those who participated and to Nell
Horman for coordinating the Walnut Hill team.
*The basement of Trinity Hall sustained significant water damage
during last weekend's heavy rains, forcing the Walnut Hill Day School
to cancel classes this week. Work is underway to repair the damage,
so that the Day School may resume full activities as soon as possible.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

September 23, 2009

Greetings to all!

We hear much about and, if we live long enough, experience the many
challenges of aging. Madeleine L'Engle expresses some "hopes" for
herself in regard to aging.

So my hope, each day as I grow older, is that this will never be
simply chronological aging - which is a nuisance and frequently a bore
- the old 'bod' at over half a century has had hard use; it won't take
what it did a few years ago - but that I will also grow into maturity,
where the experience which can be acquired only through chronology
will teach me how to be more aware, open, unafraid to be vulnerable,
involved, committed, to accept disagreement without feeling threatened
(repeat and underline this one), to understand that I cannot take
myself seriously until I stop taking myself seriously - to be, in
fact, a true adult. To be.
(from A Circle of Quiet)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, September 27:
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50

WOMEN'S DINNER - Walnut Hill women are invited to gather for dinner on
Wednesday, September 23, 6:30pm, at Buddy's Bar and Grill (corner of
Euclid Ave. and High St.). Our guest for the evening will be Dr.
Maureen Flannery, MD, who will speak about alternative healing methods.

MEN'S COFFEE - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee and
conversation on Saturday, September 26, 8am, at Panera's on Richmond
Road. Feel free to stop in for as long or short a time as your
schedule allows. No rsvp required.

SACRAMENTS CLASS - A Sacraments Class will be offered at 10am on
Sunday, September 27. All children and youth who have not yet
completed Confirmation are encouraged to attend. The class will equip
children and youth to understand and participate more fully in the
sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. Contact Lauren Fouts for
more information.

LTQ - "Living the Questions" video discussion series continues this
Sunday, September 27, 10am, in Trinity Hall. The topic for this
Sunday: "Evil, Suffering, and a God of Love." Feel free to join the
conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

CROP WALK - The 2009 CROP WALK will be held on Sunday, September 27,
3pm. The CROP WALK is an ecumenical event for all ages to raise
awareness and dollars in the work to relieve hunger locally and
globally. The 2.4 mile walk begins and ends at Second Presbyterian
Church and includes a good portion of downtown Lexington. Walnut Hill
Church will sponsor any Walnut HIll Walker in the amount of $35.
Walkers are welcome, but not required, to secure additional
sponsorships as well. For more information, to join the Walnut Hill
team, or to sponsor a walker, contact Nell Horman.

ATHENS-CHILESBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is seeking volunteers to serve as
tutors to work with children in reading and other subject areas.
Contact Natalie Watt for more information regarding this service
opportunity.

IN THE COMMUNITY: "The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure" for breast
cancer will be held on Saturday, September 26. For more information
about running/walking or sponsoring a participant, contact Mary Diane
Hanna.

THANKS AND NEWS:
*Thanks to all who helped with and participated in last Sunday's Fall
Potluck. A delicious time was had by all.
*Thanks to the Rev. Bob Sessum who visited with our Men's Dinner
group on Tuesday, September 22. We are grateful for Bob's insights on
the Church gleaned over forty years of ministry practice. Thanks to
Gene Brockopp for coordinating the arrangements of the meal.
*David Burl Hamrick-Moore received the sacrament of Christian Baptism
on Sunday, September 20, during morning worship. We celebrate this
joyful occasion with David and his family.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Walnut Hill Church Fall Potluck

September 18, 2009

Join us for the Walnut Hill Church Fall Potluck to be held this
Sunday, September 20, immediately after worship.

Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert.

See you there!

Peace,

Mike Ward

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

September 16, 2009

Greetings to all!

Among his teachings Jesus offered two similar, yet slightly different,
commandments: "Love your neighbor as you love your self," and "Love
one another as I have loved you." Thomas Keating offers a brief
reflection on these words of Jesus.

To love one's neighbor as oneself is to respect the image of God in
our neighbor with all the rights which that dignity confers. To love
one another as Jesus loves us is to love one another in our humanness
- in our individuality and opinionatedness, in personality conflicts
and in unbearable situations. It is to continue to show love, no
matter what the provocation may be to act otherwise.
(from "Invitation to Love")

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, September 20:
Proverbs 31:10-31
James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8
Mark 9:30 - 37

FALL POTLUCK - The annual Fall Potluck is this Sunday, September 20,
immediately after morning worship. Bring a salad, side dish, or
dessert, and join us for this delicious Walnut Hill tradition. Don't
miss it! (By the way, we could still use a volunteer or two to help
with a couple simple details during the meal. Use reply email to
inquire.)

LTQ - "Living the Questions" video discussion series continues this
Sunday, September 20, 10am, in Trinity Hall. Feel free to join the
conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

WOMEN'S DINNER - Walnut Hill women are invited to gather for dinner on
Wednesday, September 23, 6:30pm, at Buddy's Bar and Grill. Our guest
for the evening will be Dr. Maureen A. Flannery, MD, who will speak
about alternative healing methods. Use the sign up sheet in the
Sanctuary foyer to rsvp, or contact Natalie Watt or Dorothy Brockopp.

MEN'S DINNER - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for dinner on
Tuesday, September 22, 6:00pm, at The Signature Club (Lansdowne
Drive). Our guest for the evening will be the Rev. Robert Sessum who
will talk with us about current issues facing the Episcopal Church
(USA) in particular and mainstream protestant denominations in
general. Use the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer to rsvp, or
contact Gene Brockopp.

CROP WALK - The 2009 CROP WALK will be held on Sunday, September 27,
3pm. The CROP WALK is an ecumenical event for all ages to raise
awareness and dollars in the work to relieve hunger locally and
globally. The 2.4 mile walk begins and ends at Second Presbyterian
Church and includes a good portion of downtown Lexington. Walnut Hill
Church will sponsor any Walnut HIll Walker in the amount of $35.
Walkers are welcome, but not required, to secure additional
sponsorships as well. For more information, or to join the Walnut
Hill team, or to sponsor a walker, contact Nell Horman.

A SACRAMENTS CLASS will be offered at 10am on Sunday, September 27.
All children and youth who have not yet completed Confirmation are
encouraged to attend. The class will equip children and youth to
understand the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion as they
witness and participate in them. Contact Lauren Fouts for more
information.

IN THE COMMUNITY: "The Susan G. Komen Race or the Cure" for breast
cancer will be held on Saturday, September 26. For more information
about running/walking or sponsoring a participant, contact Mary Diane
Hanna.

THANKS AND NEWS:
*Thanks to Ben Horman for his acolyte service last Sunday.
Elementary age girls and boys are welcome to serve as acolytes on
Sunday mornings. Parents may contact Mark Horman for more information.
*The prayers and thoughts of the congregation are offered to Martha
DeReamer and family on the occasion of the death of Martha's mother,
Mrs. Janice Ernst Laing.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

September 9, 2009

Greetings to all!

The issue of health care is much on the minds of people these days,
both the care available for ourselves and our loved ones, as well as
the care available to fellow citizens who are without adequate
insurance. Ideas, often conflicting, abound regarding how to provide
adequate and effective care for all persons. For Christians, the
place of healing (physical, emotional, and spiritual) in the Jesus
tradition is an important consideration. When one of the gospel
writers wanted to summarize Jesus' ministry, he wrote: "Jesus went
through Galilee, teaching... proclaiming the good news of the kingdom
and curing every disease and every sickness among the people." (MT
4:23) Indeed, Jesus' healing ministry has provided a theological
basis for the founding of myriad medical missions and hospitals over
the years. Jesus' example does not provide easy answers to our
current health care questions, but it does remind Jesus' present day
disciples that the issue of health care has dimensions transcending
partisan political and economic arguments. May we bring our best
medical, economic, political, and theological thinking to bear in
these days. Consider the following prayer:

We pray, ever present God, asking that you will bless our efforts to
fashion in the United States a health care system that will bless all
our people. We know there are many who wait in silence for more
accessible and affordable care. Be with those who wait, whose voices
are often not heard in the public debate. But you, O God, hear all
voices. Strengthen our leaders, and all of us, to use our heads, our
hearts, our voices, and our hands to fulfill the vision of a health
care system that includes everyone and works effectively for all. It
is a great challenge, worthy of a great nation. Work through us, God,
to make real your will on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.
(adapted from the "Interfaith Week of Prayer for Health Care)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, September 13:
Proverbs 1:20-33
James 3:1-12
Mark 8:27-38

MEN'S COFFEE - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee on
Saturday, September 12, 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 on Sunday,
September 13, 10am, in Trinity Hall. Feel free to join the
conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

THE FALL POTLUCK is coming on Sunday, September 20, immediately after
worship. Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert and join in this tasty
Walnut Hill tradition. We are currently seeking a volunteer(s) to
coordinate a few arrangement details. Use reply email to inquire or
volunteer.

WOMEN'S DINNER - Walnut Hill women are invited to gather for dinner on
Wednesday, September 23, 6:30pm, at Buddy's Bar and Grill. Our guest
for the evening will be Dr. Maureen A. Flannery, MD, who will speak
about alternative healing methods. Use the sign up sheet in the
Sanctuary foyer to rsvp or contact Natalie Watt or Dorothy Brockopp.

MEN'S DINNER - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for dinner on
Tuesday, September 22, 6:00pm, at The Signature Club (Lansdowne
Drive). Our guest for the evening will be the Rev. Robert Sessum who
will talk with us about current issues facing the Episcopal Church
(USA) in particular and mainstream protestant denominations in
general. Use the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer to rsvp or
contact Gene Brockopp.

A SACRAMENTS CLASS will be offered at 10am on Sunday, September 27.
All children and youth who have not yet completed Confirmation are
encouraged to attend. The class will equip children and youth to
understand the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion as they
witness and participate in them. Contact Lauren Fouts for more
information.

THANKS, NEWS, ETC...
*Thanks to...the Rev. Dr. John Cavendish for supplying the pulpit on
Sunday; the choir, Linda and Nelson Barnes, Phil Bloomfield, Bob and
Natalie Watt for their leadership and assistance during worship last
Sunday; Julia and Charles Snow for providing our after worship
refreshments.
*The Vestry will meet on Sunday, September 13, 10am, in Trinity Hall.
*The 2009 CROP Walk is coming on Sunday afternoon, September 27.
Watch for more details.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

September 2, 2009

Greetings to all!

Labor Day weekend is before us, an opportunity to reflect on the work
we do. Consider these thoughts on "vocation."

It comes from the Latin "vocare," to call, and means the work a
person is called to by God.
There are all different kinds of voices calling you to all different
kinds of work, and the problem is to find out which is the voice of
God rather than Society, say, or the Superego, or Self-Interest.
By and large a good rule for finding out is this: The kind of work
God usually calls you to is the kind of work (a) that you need most to
do and (b) that the world most needs to have done. If you really get
a kick out of your work, you've presumably met requirement (a), but if
your work is writing cigarette ads, the chances are you've missed
requirement (b). On the other hand, if your work is being a doctor in
a leper colony, you have probably met requirement (b), but if most of
the time you're bored and depressed by it, the chances are you have
not only bypassed (a), but probably aren't helping your patients much
either.
Neither the hair shirt nor the soft berth will do. The place God
calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's
deep hunger meet.
(from "Wishful Thinking" by Frederick Buechner)

The Rev. Dr. John Cavendish, Pastor-Emeritus of Walnut Hill Church,
will be leading worship on Sunday, September 6. John served as Pastor
of Walnut Hill Church from 1976 - 2000.

LIVING THE QUESTIONS, video discussion series, continues on Sunday,
September 6, 10am, in Trinity Hall. Feel free to join the
conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just listen in.

THE FALL POTLUCK is coming on Sunday, September 20, immediately after
worship. Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert and join in this tasty
Walnut Hill tradition. We are currently seeking a volunteer(s) to
coordinate a few arrangement details. Use reply email to inquire or
volunteer.

WOMEN'S DINNER - Walnut Hill women are invited to gather for dinner on
Wednesday, September 23, 6:30pm, at Buddy's Bar and Grill. Our guest
for the evening will be Dr. Maureen A. Flannery, MD, who will speak
about alternative healing methods. Use the sign up sheet in the
Sanctuary foyer to rsvp or contact Natalie Watt or Dorothy Brockopp.

MEN'S DINNER - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for dinner on
Tuesday, September 22, 6:00pm, at The Signature Club (Lansdowne
Drive). Our guest for the evening will be the Rev. Robert Sessum who
will talk with us about current issues facing the Episcopal Church
(USA) in particular and mainstream protestant denominations in
general. Use the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer to rsvp or
contact Gene Brockopp.

A SACRAMENTS CLASS will be offered at 10am on Sunday, September 13.
All children and youth who have not yet completed Confirmation are
encouraged to attend. The class will equip children and youth to
understand the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion as they
witness and participate in them. Contact Lauren Fouts for more
information.

THANKS, NEWS, ETC...
*Thanks to...Stephen Trail for his service as an acolyte last Sunday;
Mary Diane and Lyle Hanna for their part in providing last Sunday's
after worship refreshments.
*Mike Ward will be participating in the 225th anniversary observance
of Pisgah Presbyterian Church this Sunday, September 6. Mike served
as pastor of Pisgah Church from 1982 - 2001.
*The Walnut Hill Day School opens its school year next week, after
Labor Day. We wish Marilyn Todd and her staff a good school year.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward