Greetings to all!
This summer's World Cup soccer tournament has brought renewed attention to the
nation of South Africa, particularly its experience since the end of apartheid in 1994.
The end of apartheid was marked by much celebration and hope as expressed in the
following prayer from the National Service of Thanksgiving, May 1994.
O God our loving Eternal Parent, we praise you with a great shout of joy! Your ruling
power has proved victorious! For centuries our land seemed too dark for sunrise,
too bloody for healing, too sick for recovery, too hateful for reconciliation. But you
have brought us into the daylight of liberation; you have healed us with new hope;
you have stirred us to believe our nation can be reborn; we see the eyes of our
sisters and brothers shining with resolve to build a new South Africa. Accept our
prayers of praise and thanksgiving...
We thank you for the spiritual power which gives us new birth. You have given us
the courage to change our minds, to open our hearts to those we despised, and to
discover we can disagree without being enemies. We are not winners and losers,
but citizens who push and pull together to move the nation forward. We thank you
for the Good News that you will always be with us, and will always overcome: that
love will conquer hatred; that tolerance will conquer antagonism; that cooperation will
conquer conflict; that your Holy Spirit can empower our spirits; through Jesus Christ
our Lord.
(from An African Prayer Book)
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, June 20:
1 Kings 19:1-15
Galatians 3:23-29
Luke 8:26-39
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. This
Wednesday,June 16, we will gather for a potluck meal (bring a dish) and then some
service to our Community (focusing on the issue of hunger). Next week's gathering will focus
on service to the World. You may attend any or all these Wednesday gatherings as your
schedule permits. Join us as we fellowship and serve together.
Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, June 20, 10am, in Trinity Hall. The focus
for this Sunday's conversation is the question, "What happens after death?" As always,
feel free to drop in and enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.
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 to...Cheryl and Ron Johnston, Mark Horman, and Matt Trail for their service and
leadership during worship; Nell Horman for her work with the children's choir; Stephanie
Prewitt and Dara Talbott for their assistance in the Sunday School class; the Hormans
and the Trails for our Sunday refreshments.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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