Friday, January 29, 2010

Sunday at Walnut Hill

This Sunday, January 31, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Religion, Belief, Modernity, and the Bible

Our conversation will feature a recorded video interview 
with Karen Armstrong.  Ms. Armstrong is a former Catholic
nun who left the convent to pursue a degree in modern
literature at Oxford.  She is among the most provocative
and original thinkers on the role of religion in the
modern world.  She has written more than 20 books.  
Her work focuses on the common ground between Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam.   Armstrong's perspective
is based on compassion instead of reduction.  In her
words, "It doesn't matter what you believe as long as it 
leads you to practical to practical compassion."

(Nursery care is available upon request.  Contact the 
church office [263-5304] to request nursery care for 
your little one.)

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:  Love, the Dark Matter of the Spirit
Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Sunday School and Nursery Care for children.

In case of wintry weather

If wintry weather leaves you wondering about our
services, feel free to call the church office (263-5304).
By 9am on Sunday morning a message will be 
available reporting on the status of our services and 
activities.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

January 27, 2010

Greetings to all!

The return of snow and colder temperatures reminds us we are still in
the midst of the winter season. Robert Senghas writes about seasons
of nature and spirit.

The seasons spin, and we remember the years which began in hope and
expectation, years which were fulfilled in both joy and
disappointment. May we search with the fulness of our wills for the
faith that lies in the heart of each one of us, the faith that sends
us forth into the unknown future to be bearers of light and hope and
comfort. So may we be co-creators of life, worthy of the spirit which
brought us into being, transmitters of that spirit to others now and
to come.
There are seasons in our souls: times of withering, times of
coldness, times of renewal, times of sun and light. May the force
which drives nature to its fulfillment be brought forth in us too.
Within each of us is the power to love and to care, which waits only
for our wills and our own acts to bring it forth. Let us be
instruments of that power which (as it does in all of nature) comes
through us but not from us, the power which waits only for us to bring
it forth.
(from "Cycles of Reflection")

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, January 31:
Jeremiah 1:4-10
1 Corinthians 13:21-30
Luke 4:21-30

MEN'S COFFEE: Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday,
January 30, 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.

SUNDAY CONVERSATIONS continue this Sunday, January 31, 10am in
Trinity Hall. Our topic for Sunday is "Religion, Belief, Modernity,
and the Bible" as presented by Karen Armstrong. The session will
include a video portion of an interview with Ms. Armstrong. Karen
Armstrong is one of the most provocative and original thinkers on the
role of religion in the modern world and is the author of more than 20
books. Armstrong's perspective is based on compassion. In her words,
"It doesn't really matter what you believe as long as it leads you to
practical compassion." Feel free to enjoy a cup of coffee, join the
conversation, or just listen in. Nursery care is available upon
request. Contact the church office (263-5304) to request care for
your little one(s) during the conversation hour.

HAITI UPDATE: Thanks to your generosity, $955 is being sent to the
Haiti Companion Diocese Fund of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington to
provide milk and other necessities for the children and adults of the
communities of Fondwa and Leogone in Haiti. So far, more than $2,450
has been given in support of Haiti earthquake relief through Walnut
Hill Church.

INCLEMENT WEATHER: Just a reminder that in the event of wintry
weather on Sunday, you can call the church office (263-5304) after 9am
on Sunday morning for an update regarding the status of our worship
service and other activities.

WALNUT HILL COMMUNITY GARDEN: (The following was lately received from
Glenna Fay, who is working with John Ragland in organizing this year's
garden.) - "I am starting to get the garden organized for the spring.
People can contact me to inquire or sign up. They can do a whole plot
or half if they think a whole one is too much. I will be glad to share
some 'lazy gardener' methods with people - all the fun (planting and
harvesting) and little of the work (weeding and watering) and organic
to boot!" Let us know by reply email if you are interested in working
a garden plot this year, and we will put you in contact with Glenna.

IN THE COMMUNITY: An Ecumenical Worship Service in observance of the
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held on Sunday, January 31,
7pm, at Pax Christi Catholic Church (off Man-O-War Blvd at Victoria
Way). The service will be led by persons from a variety of
denominational traditions, including the Rt. Rev. Stacy Sauls of the
Episcopal Diocese of Lexington and the Rev. Marian McClure Taylor of
the Kentucky Council of Churches.

THANKS TO...Natalie Watt and Jo Wallen for their assistance in working
with the children and youth classes last Sunday.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

January 20, 2010

Greetings to all!

Below please find a communication lately received from Bishop Stacy
Sauls of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are all shocked and deeply distressed to hear about the earthquake
in Haiti and with the emerging details of the devastation. Our
Diocese has been blessed to be a companion Diocese of Haiti since
2003, and we have many friends there and important links to ministry.
Not the least of our connections is that Reynold Alcuis, the Resident
Manager at St. Agnes' House, is a native of Haiti and, of course,
still has many family members there. Not all of Reynold's family has
yet been accounted for. We are beginning to hear from our friends in
Haiti. I will keep you informed as more news comes.

For now, I am asking that every congregation take a special collection
for at least the remaining Sundays in January, and if possible,
beyond...Other needs may be identified in the days and weeks ahead to
which we can be more directly related. For now, however, there is no
doubt that the immediate need is for relief fueled by our financial
gifts. Thank you for what I know will be a generous and heartfelt
response.

Faithfully yours,
Stacy F. Sauls
Bishop of Lexington

WALNUT HILL RESPONDS: As of today, Walnut Hill has sent $1,527 to our
ecumenical partner Church World Service in support of its relief
efforts in Haiti. Baskets will continue to be available in the
Sanctuary foyer to receive your gifts for the weeks ahead, and we will
forward gifts to CWS as they are received. As information is received
regarding more direct needs, we will turn our attention in those
directions. Thanks for your compassion and generosity.

THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS for Sunday, January 24:
Nehemiah 8:1-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Luke 4:14-21

SUNDAY CONVERSATIONS continue this Sunday, January 24, 10am, in
Trinity Hall. Our focus for Sunday will be "Beyond the Biography of
Jesus," a video presentation by Dr. Alexander Shaia, offering a new
way of interpreting the gospels, not as biographies of Jesus, but
rather as responses to particular questions being asked by followers
of Christ in their day. Feel free to enjoy a cup of coffee, join the
conversation, or just listen in. Childcare is available upon
request. Let us know by reply email if you would like to have
childcare available for your little one during the 10am hour. We are
happy to provide it.

YOUTH CONVERSATIONS: Walnut Hill Youth (middle and high school) are
invited to a "Youth Conversation" this Sunday, January 24, during the
11am worship hour. The focus of our Youth Conversations continue to
be the Nooma video series presenting issues of faith and life in non-
traditional ways.

SUNDAY HOSPITALITY: A host(s) is needed for our after worship
refreshments this Sunday, January 24. Let us know by reply email if
you would like host, or co-host, our refreshments this Sunday. Check
the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary for open Sundays later in the
winter. Thanks to all our Sunday hosts.

WALNUT HILL COMMUNITY GARDEN: (The following was lately received from
Glenna Fay, who is working with John Ragland in organizing this year's
garden.) - "I am starting to get the garden organized for the spring.
People can contact me to inquire or sign up. They can do a whole plot
or half if they think a whole one is too much. I will be glad to share
some 'lazy gardener' methods with people - all the fun (planting and
harvesting) and little of the work (weeding and watering) and organic
to boot!" Let us know by reply email if you are interested in working
a garden plot this year, and we will put you in contact with Glenna.

THANKS TO...Natalie Watt for her assistance in working with the
children's class last Sunday; the Sharrards for providing our after
worship refreshments.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Friday, January 15, 2010

Sunday at Walnut Hill

This Sunday, January 17, at Walnut Hill Church....

SUNDAY CONVERSATIONS: 10AM, TRINITY HALL

Video and Discussion

*Beyond the Biography of Jesus*

Interviewed by Rev. Alan Jones, Dr. Alexander Shaia offers a fresh,
challenging and important interpretation of the traditional gospels,
which answers some current controversies about the Christian scriptures.
He says, "The gospels are not four stories about Jesus' life. Rather,
when read in their original sequence, they lead us through a
spirit-filled, universal process of transformation and healing." Shaia
looks at each of the gospels as a response to a particular issue: "What
questions were they written to answer?" and asks "Why are there only
four gospels?" He sees the four gospels in sequence as a vital,
spiritual
progression that has been veiled since the 7th Century but which he
says remains present today within the core traditions of Christianity
as well as those of most great faiths and spiritual practices.

(Nursery care will be available.)

*****

MORNING WORSHIP: 11AM, SANCTUARY

Responding to the crisis in Haiti through reflection, song, and prayer.
Details of our response via Church World Service.

Sermon: "What Did He Say?"
A reflection on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Nursery care for infants and toddlers; Sunday School for older children.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

January 13, 2010

Greetings to all!

The news and images coming out of Haiti are tragic. Let us all be
watching for ways to support emergency relief and rebuilding efforts.
The immediacy by which we learn of such events these days makes us
mindful of the "global neighborhood" the world has become. Martin
Luther King, Jr., had a sense of our global interdependency, which has
only become greater in the years following his life.

All men are interdependent. Every nation is an heir of a vast
treasury of ideas and labor to which both the living and the dead of
all nations have contributed. Whether we realize it or not, each of
us lives eternally 'in the red.' We are everlasting debtors to known
and unknown men and women. When we arise in the morning, we go into
the bathroom where we reach for a sponge which is provided for us by a
Pacific islander. We reach for soap that is created for us by a
European. Then at the table we drink coffee which is provided for us
by a South American, or tea by a Chinese, or cocoa by a West African.
Before we leave for our jobs we are already beholden to more than half
the world.
(from "The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr.)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, January 17:
Amos 5:18-24
James 2:8-13
Mark 2:23-28

MEN'S COFFEE: Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this
Saturday, January 16, 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.

SUNDAY CONVERSATIONS continue this Sunday, 10am, in Trinity Hall.
"Sunday Conversations" include a wide range of topics from week to
week. Each Sunday's conversation stands on its own, so you can attend
as frequently as your schedule permits. Feel free to enjoy a cup of
coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

HAITI RELIEF: At the time of this writing we are still exploring
possible paths of response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. By
Sunday we expect to have identified an ecumenical partner through
which to provide assistance to the affected area. Watch for more
information on Sunday.

DIOCESE ANNUAL CONVENTION - The 114th Annual Convention of the
Episcopal Diocese of Lexington will be held February 25 - 27 in
Lexington. The Annual Convention will include worship, Bishop Saul's
Address, keynote address by Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katherine
Jefferts Schori, special presentations, and business of the Diocese.
As part of our ecumenical relationship with the Diocese, Walnut Hill
is invited to send observer delegates to the Convention. Contact Mike
Ward if you would like to attend all or part of this year's Convention
as a delegate from Walnut Hill.

WINTER WEATHER - If winter weather on a Sunday morning leaves you
wondering about our Sunday worship service, you can call the church
office (263-5304). By 9am on wintry weather Sundays a special
message will be available on the church phone regarding services and
other activities for that day.

IN MEMORY: Walnut Hill friend Richard Kimbrel departed this life on
Monday, January 11. Our prayers are with Richard's family and
friends, especially his sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Chris
Bohmer. A memorial service will be held at Walnut Hill Church on
Saturday, January 16, 3pm, with visitation at the church before the
service from 2pm - 3pm.

THANKS TO...the Swim family for providing our after worship
refreshments last Sunday. It was a warm and festive gathering on a
wintry day.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

January 6, 2010

Greetings to all!

Today, January 6, is Epiphany, the traditional completion of
Christmastide, the twelve days of Christmas. Epiphany provides an
opportunity for one last look back on Christmas before we leave the
"Bethlehem stories." In that spirit, Madeleine L'Engle remembers her
experience as a child in France.

When I was a little girl in France I put out my shoes on the Eve of
Epiphany. They were ordinary shoes, not proper sabots, so I wasn't
sure that they would be noticed by the three Wise Men; but in the
morning one shoe held a new drawing pad, and the other a box of
colored pencils. I like the idea of presents and feasting on Twelfth
Night, so that Christmas can follow quietly on Advent. Christmas
doesn't start until Christmas Eve, and then it can go on and on and
the tree shines as brightly on Epiphany as on Christmas Day.
And there's more time to make things, which is one of the joys of
Christmas. Our favorite presents are the homemade ones. Several
years ago we decided that we were not going to be bullied by the post
office or the Greeting Card Establishment into mailing our cards well
before Christmas. We make our own cards, and I may not get an idea
for one well before Christmas, for one thing. And there are a goodly
number of people we write to only once a year, tucking the letter in
with the card. So for the past several years we've taken our time,
and as long as the last Christmas letter gets mailed before Lent,
that's all I worry about, and Epiphany is a season of joy instead of
exhaustion.
(from "The Irrational Season")

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, January 10, the Baptism of the Lord:
Isaiah 43:1-7
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-22

SUNDAY CONVERSATIONS continue this Sunday, January 10, 10am, in
Trinity Hall. Feel free to enjoy a cup of coffee, join the
conversation, or just listen in. By the way, we are currently
inviting and welcoming your suggestions for "Sunday Conversation"
topics, which might be used throughout the year. You can submit your
topic suggestions by reply email, or you may write them on paper and
leave them in the envelope posted in the Sanctuary foyer.

YOUTH DISCUSSIONS resume this Sunday, January 10, during the worship
hour. We continue to use the "Nooma" video series, which present life
situations and issues in a non-traditional format. All middle and
high school youth are welcome to join in the Youth Discussions, which
meet in the upstairs office of Trinity Hall.

ACE TRIP - Walnut Hill Church is sponsoring 15 students to
participate in the Athens Chilesburg Elementary School Fifth Grade
Class Trip to Washington, DC. These are students who otherwise do not
have the financial resources to participate. The trip costs
approximately $550/child. Your gift in any amount is welcome. Make
your check payable to Walnut Hill Church, designated "ACE Trip."

WINTER WEATHER - If winter weather on a Sunday morning leaves you
wondering about our Sunday worship service, you can call the church
office (263-5304). By 9am on wintry weather Sundays a special
message will be available on the church phone regarding services and
other activities for that day.

IN THE COMMUNITY - You might have heard that the Catholic Action
Center is in serious need of blankets, coats, hats, and gloves(clean
and in good condition). You can take such items directly to the
Center at 400 E. Fifth Street (corner of 5th Street and Chestnut). If
you prefer, feel free to bring them to Walnut Hill on Sunday, and we
will deliver them for you.

DIOCESE ANNUAL CONVENTION - The 114th Annual Convention of the
Episcopal Diocese of Lexington will be held February 25 - 27 in
Lexington. The Annual Convention will include worship, Bishop Saul's
Address, keynote address by Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katherine
Jefferts Schori, special presentations, and business of the Diocese.
As part of our ecumenical relationship with the Diocese, Walnut Hill
is invited to send observer delegates to the Convention. Contact Mike
Ward if you would like to attend all or part of this year's Convention
as a delegate from Walnut Hill.

THANKS TO...the Choir, Patterson and Kim DeCamp, Bob and Natalie Watt,
Phil Bloomfield, and Spencer Horman for their leadership and
assistance during worship last Sunday; Amy and Matt Trail, Angela
Hurley, and Wayne Doller for providing our after worship refreshments.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward