Greetings to all!
In his book, Overcoming Life's Disappointments, Rabbi Harold Kushner explores
lessons to be found in the story of Moses. The following excerpt comes from
the chapter, "The Mistakes Good People Make."
It is probably unrealistic to expect perfection, not from Moses, not from
Einstein, not from ourselves. It is probably too much to expect ourselves or
anyone to be equally competent in all the dimensions of the complete life. But as
a friend of mine likes to say, "You can have it all, just not all at the same time."
Maybe we can adjust our priorities as our life situation changes, emphasizing what
is important at one stage of our lives and deferring the emphasis on other aspects of
life for a later date. I have known many families who had no time for worship or
serious study when their children were young but made it central to their lives when
their children were grown and they were facing transition into middle age. I have
known many people who worked hard at their jobs for many years and then became
active in their communities or in charitable causes to fill the void of an "empty nest"
or to provide the sense of validation they no longer found in the workplace. Moses
did so many things right that thousands of years later we still benefit from them. But
perhaps we can learn from the one thing he did least well. We can learn to avoid
the mistake that even good people will too often make, neglecting the basic needs
of our souls and asking our families to sacrifice their own well-being while we set
off to change the world.
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, June 13:
Isaiah 11:1-9
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
John 6:1-14
One Spirit, Many Gifts is the title of a three part series of Wednesday evenings in June
(June 9, 16, 23), 6pm - 7:45pm for all ages to gather for a meal and service. The first
Wednesday,June 9, we will gather for a cookout (burgers, hot dogs, etc) and then some
service to Walnut Hill Church. Subsequent Wednesdays will focus on service to the
Community, and to the World. Your rsvp by reply email or by the sign up sheet in the
Sanctuary will help us plan for our evenings together. You may attend any or all these
Wednesday gatherings as your schedule permits.
Men's Coffee: Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, June 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.
Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, June 13, 10am, in Trinity Hall. Our focus for
this Sunday's conversation will be an interview with Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of
several books including the popular best seller, When Bad Things Happen to Good People.
The Children's Choir will practice this Sunday, June 13, 10am, in the Children's Chapel.
The children are working on a presentation for Father's Day, Sunday, June 20. All children
through elementary school are encouraged to participate.
The Vestry will meet this Sunday, June 13, 10am, in Trinity Hall.
Hygiene Kits: Among the service projects included in our One Spirit, Many Gifts program
will be the assembly of Hygiene Kits, which are distributed around the world to persons
recovering from natural disasters. Everyone can help in this project by donating any or all of
following hygiene kit items: handtowel (16"X28"), washcloth, wide tooth comb, nail clipper,
soap (bath size bar), toothbrush, standard bandaids. Bring any items, or a cash donation, to
Walnut Hill by Sunday, June 20.
Thanks and news:
*Thanks to... Grant and Whitty Rea, Phil Bloomfield, Forrest and Monta Rae Cook for their
service during worship last Sunday; ...Mary Diane and Lyle Hanna, Julia and Charlie Snow
for our after worship refreshments.
*The Rev. Emett Barfield, a Friend of Walnut Hill Church, departed this life on Friday, June 4.
Services and burial were held at Walnut Hill Church and Cemetery on Wednesday, June 9.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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