Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

October 28, 2009

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, November 1, is All Saints' Day, an opportunity to recall
and celebrate the communion of saints past, present, and future.
Perhaps we have our "favorite saints," whether they be known to the
world or known only to us. Thomas Merton recalls a couple of his
favorite saints.

The saints of the 15th century are among those who most move me. In
the collapse of medieval society, corruption of the clergy, decadence
of conventual life, there emerge men and women of the laity supremely
obedient to God, especially Nicholas of Flue and Joan of Arc.
Complete and simple signs of contradiction to worldliness and system
and convention and prejudiced interest. Not rebels at all, but
completely meek and submissive instruments of God. In them you see
clearly and movingly revealed what it is not to be a mere rebel but to
be obedient to God as a sign to men, a sign of mercy, a revelation of
truth and of power. I am drawn to these "signs" of God with all the
love of my heart, trusting above all in their love and their
intercession, for they live in the glory of God.
(from "The Intimate Merton")

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, November 1, All Saints' Day, the
Sacrament of Holy Communion:
Isaiah 25:6-9
Revelation 7:9-17
Matthew 5:1-12

THE CHILDREN'S CHOIR continues its practice this Sunday, 10am, in
Trinity Hall. The children are practicing for a Christmas
presentation during morning worship on Sunday, December 13. All
children through elementary age are encouraged to participate.
Contact Nell Horman for more details.

LIVING THE QUESTIONS video discussion series continues this Sunday,
10am, in Trinity Hall. The topic for this Sunday is, "Reclaiming the
World," which offers a new, earth centered, look at the book of
Revelation. Feel free to enjoy a cup of coffee, join the
conversation, or just listen in.

SUNDAY HOSPITALITY - A host(s) is needed for our after worship
refreshments this Sunday, November 1. Keep in mind that refreshments
need not be elaborate, just something simple to gather around as we
visit after worship. Use reply email or call the church office
(263-5304) to inquire about hosting our refreshments this Sunday.
Check the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary for hospitality opportunities
later in November and December. Thanks to all our after worship
hosts, including Kathy Steinmetz and John Bauer who hosted our
refreshments last Sunday.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING - The annual meeting of the congregation of
Walnut Hill Church will be held on Sunday, November 8, immediately
after morning worship. Business items for the congregational meeting
include the election of Vestry members, approval of the pastor's terms
of call, and review of the 2010 budget. All Members and Friends of
Walnut Hill Church have privilege of voice and vote at congregational
meetings and are encouraged to attend.

WOMEN'S DINNER - The next Walnut Hill Women's Dinner will be held on
Wednesday, November 11, 6:30pm, at Buddy's Bar and Grill (corner of
Euclid Avenue and High Street). Our guest for the evening will be Dr.
Graham Rowles, who will speak on issues related to "aging" and
initiatives to support those who are living in their senior years.
Rsvp via the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer or by contacting
Natalie Watt or Dorothy Brockopp.

WOMEN'S OUTREACH - Related to our November Women's Dinner theme,
Walnut Hill women are invited to bring gift items to be donated to
residents at the Bluegrass Healthcare and Rehabilitation facility.
Suggested items include: powders, night gowns, lap blankets, robes,
socks, slippers, bed jackets, purses, makeup bags, stationery with
stamps. These gift items may be brought to the Women's Dinner on
November 11 or to Walnut Hill on Sundays in November.

MEN'S DINNER - The next Walnut Hill Men's Dinner will be held on
Wednesday, November 11, 6pm, at the Chop House (Richmond Road, just
outside New Circle). Our guest for the evening will be Mr. Bob
Babbage, former KY Secretary of State and State Auditor, legislative
lobbyist, consultant, and political commentator. Rsvp via the sign up
sheet in the Sanctuary foyer or by contacting Gene Brockopp.

LOOKING AHEAD - The Christmas season will soon be upon us. Among the
traditional Walnut Hill Christmas activities is the annual Christmas
Party. This year's party is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, December
13. We are currently welcoming inquiries from persons who would be
willing to open their home for this gathering. Use reply email or
call the church office for more information.

PEACE TO ALL.

Mike Ward

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

October 21, 2009

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, October 25, is Reformation Sunday, a day to reflect upon
the events giving rise to the "Protestant" traditions of
Christianity. Among the personalities of the Reformation was John
Calvin, the founder of the so-called Reformed Tradition, who happens
to be celebrating his 500th birthday this year. In observance of
Reformation Sunday, and in recognition of Calvin's 500th birthday,
consider this selection from Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian
Religion" and his thoughts about truth to be found in science and the
liberal arts, particularly as the ancient sciences and arts had been
recently rediscovered in the Renaissance.

Whenever we come upon these matters in secular writers, let that
admirable light of truth shining in them teach us that the mind of
man, though fallen... from its wholeness, is nevertheless clothed and
ornamented with God's excellent gifts. If we regard the Spirit of God
as the sole fountain of truth, we shall neither reject the truth
itself, nor despise it wherever it shall appear; unless we wish to
dishonor the Spirit of God. For by holding the gifts of the Spirit in
slight esteem, we condemn and reproach the Spirit himself. What
then? Shall we deny that the truth shone upon the ancient jurists who
established civic order and discipline with such great equity? Shall
we say that the philosophers were blind in their fine observation and
artful description of nature? Shall we say that those men were devoid
of understanding who conceived the art of disputation and taught us to
speak reasonably? Shall we say that they are insane who developed
medicine, devoting their labor to our benefit? What shall we say of
all the mathematical sciences? Shall we consider them the ravings of
madmen? No, we cannot read the writings of the ancients on these
subjects without great admiration. We marvel at them because we are
compelled to recognize how preeminent they are. But shall we count
anything praiseworthy or noble without recognizing at the same time
that it comes from God?

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, October 25, Reformation Sunday:
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Romans 3:19-28
John 8:31-36

MEN'S COFFEE - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this
Saturday, October 24, 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 25, 10am, in Trinity Hall. The topic for the day will be
"Debunking the Rapture." Feel free to enjoy a cup of coffee, join the
conversation, or just listen in.

CHILDREN'S CHOIR - The Walnut Hill Children's Choir begins practice
this Sunday, October 25, 10am, in Trinity Hall. Nell Horman will be
working with working with the children as they prepare for a Christmas
season presentation. All children through elementary age are invited
to participate. Contact Nell Horman or Lauren Fouts for more
information.

YOUTH CLASS - The Walnut Hill Youth Class will meet this Sunday,
October 25, during the 11am hour. Conversation will spring from the
"Nooma" video series. All youth, middle school and above, are invited
to this gathering, which is held in the upstairs office of Trinity Hall.

WOMEN'S DINNER / MEN'S DINNER - The next Walnut Hill Women's Dinner
is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, 6:30pm at Buddy's Bar and
Grill. The next Walnut Hill Men's Dinner is also scheduled for
Wednesday, November 11, 6pm, location to be announced. Mark the date
on your calendar. Watch for more program information on Sunday, and
in next week's email letter.

IN THE COMMUNITY
*The Christian-Muslim Dialogue will be held on Saturday, October 24,
10am - Noon, at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Clays Mill Road.
Featured speaker for the morning will be Professor Robert Olson.
*The Interfaith Alliance of the Bluegrass Annual Meeting and Dinner
will be held on Thursday, October 29, 6:30 pm, at Christ Church
Cathedral. Featured speaker will be Mr. Jonathan Miller. Call
559-5943 for more information and reservations.

IN MEMORY: Walnut Hill member Floyd Thomasson departed this life on
Thursday, October 15. Services and interment were held at Walnut Hill
Church and Cemetery on Sunday, October 18. Our prayers are with
Floyd's family.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

October 14, 2009

Greetings to all!

With all the clouds and rain the sun seemed a little slow in rising
this morning. Joyce Rupp reflects on the blessings of the daylight
via the Psalms, such as Psalm 90:14 or (my personal favorite) Psalm
118:24.

The ill or those unable to sleep at night are especially grateful at
the first hints of morning light. The dawning rays bring freedom from
the isolation of night's darkness and offer the promise of hope in the
fresh new day. The authors of the psalms understood the special
moment of dawn and were in touch with the human condition. Many
psalms refer to the morning as a time of blessing, an awakening to the
graciousness of God, a restoration of hope, and an opportunity to
realize again how blessed we are to have the gift of life. The
spiritual writer Anthony Bloom once wrote: "This day is blessed by
God, it is God's own and now let us go into it. You walk into this day
as God's own messenger; whoever you meet, you meet in God's own way.
You are there to be the presence of the Spirit..."
Whether we feel drowsy, grumpy, in pain, or energized and refreshed,
ready to begin anew, when we awake with the dawning of a new day, we
know that God is with us. The day that stretches before us is a day
in which God will be our companion. It is a day in which we can bear
the goodness of God to all we meet.
(from "Inviting God In")

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, October 18:
Job 38:1-7, 34-41
Hebrews 5:1-10
Mark 10:35-45

LIVING THE QUESTIONS video discussion series continues this Sunday,
10am, in Trinity Hall. The topic for this Sunday is "Practicing
Resurrection." Feel free to join the conversation, enjoy a cup of
coffee, or just listen in.

ACE CLASS TRIP - As we have in recent years, again this year Walnut
Hill Church will be sponsoring students to participate in the Athens-
Chilesburg Elementary School Fifth Grade Class Trip to Washington,
DC. Fifteen students are in need of financial assistance to attend,
at a cost of approximately $550 per student. Your donations in any
amount are welcome. Make your check payable to Walnut Hill Church,
designated "ACE Trip." Feel free to contact Natalie Watt for more
information regarding the ACE Class Trip and/or other ways that you
can support the important work of education at Athens-Chilesburg
Elementary.

SUNDAY HOSPITALITY - A new sign-up sheet has been posted for Sunday
Hospitality. Look for it in the Sanctuary foyer. There are plenty of
opportunities throughout the fall season. We appreciate all those who
provide our refreshments from Sunday to Sunday.

IN THE COMMUNITY: The Kentucky Council of Churches will hold its 62nd
Annual Assembly on October 15 - 16 at Natural Bridge State Park. The
theme of this year's Assembly: "The Creation Waits With Eager
Longing." Keynote speaker will be Dr. Larry Rasmussen, Professor
Emeritus of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary, New York.
See the Council of Churches website (www.kycouncilofchurches.org) for
more information about the Assembly in particular and the Kentucky
Council of Churches in general. Mike Ward will be attending the
Annual Assembly as a member of the Council's Executive Board.

THANKS, NEWS, ETC:
*Thanks to...Marian Congleton, Barbara Nutini, and Maggie and Bill
Patterson for providing last Sunday's refreshments; Nell Horman and
Derek Vaughan for their work with the youth class; Gene Brockopp for
moderating our LTQ discussion; Stephen Trail for his service as
acolyte, and to Mark Horman for his service as acolyte coach; John
Ragland and Mark Horman for end of season vegetable garden
maintenance; Barbara Waldmann-Ward for recent flower bed maintenance;
David Sharrard for Sanctuary door repair; Ruth Sharrard for our Sunday
flowers; Martha DeReamer for her weekly work as Treasurer. We are
grateful to these persons and many others who by their service keep
things going at Walnut Hill.
*Congratulations to two couples on their recent marriages: Lee
Sturtevant and Tom Ward, Betsy Morley and Ben Bates.
*$116.00 has been received in special gifts, which will be forwarded
to Church World Service to assist in relief and recovery work in Somoa
and Indonesia.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

October 7, 2009

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

Walnut Hill Church Ecumenical Sunday

October 2, 2009

Dear Friends:

This note is just a reminder regarding our "Ecumenical Sunday"
observance this Sunday, October 4.

Our guest for the day will be the Rev. Dr. Marian McClure Taylor,
Executive Director of the Kentucky Council of Churches.

Our schedule for the day:

10:00am - "Conversation with Dr. Taylor"
- Activities for Children
- Nursery Care for infants and toddlers

11:00am - Morning Worship and Holy Communion
- Sunday School for Children
- Nursery Care for infants and toddlers

Refreshments after worship.

See you then!

Mike Ward