Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Greetings to all!

One of the challenges of modern life is that of "distraction."  In a recent essay, 
Thomas Steagald offers thoughts on "distraction,"  "paying attention," and 
a lesson from  the tradition of St. Benedict.

We see it all the time.  We're on our cell phones talking to someone other
than those at the table with us.  We're putting somebody on hold while we
take another call.  We are shuttled by device and distraction to somebody's
subroutine.  The message is always the same:  whoever is calling needs my
attention more than you do;  whatever this call concerns, it is more important
than the present conversation; whoever or whatever is "out there" is more 
interesting than this, or you, or now...
Instead, we must determine to commit ourselves to "this place and this
conversation," doing the best we can to be attentive to each person in each
situation: listening, engaged, present and available.  We can pay attention by
not checking out, by saving messages and e-mail until later, by leaving the
phone in the car when we go into a restaurant...by taking the earbuds out of
our ears.
...Benedict placed great value on hospitality, "Let all guests be treated as
Christ, for he is going to say, 'I came as guest and you received me.'" Benedict 
says, "Let due honor be shown," and I would add, "to those right in front of us."
(from The Christian Century)

In Memory:  Mary James Ireland Fishback, a member of Walnut Hill Church,
departed this life on Wednesday, June 23.  Service arrangements for Mary are
being made through Milward Funeral Directors.

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, June 27:
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Luke 9:51-62

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 23, we will gather for a "Pizza Night" and then some service 
to our world through the assembling of "Hygiene Kits," which are sent by Church
World Service to places affected by natural disaster. Join us as we fellowship and
serve together.

Men's Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee on Saturday,
June 26, 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 27, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  
This Sunday's conversation topic will be:  "What Good Is Prayer?"  Come and 
enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

A Host(s) is needed for our after worship hospitality this Sunday, June 27.
Remember that our after worship refreshments need not be elaborate.  Use reply
e-mail to volunteer for this Sunday, or check the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary
for a Sunday later in the summer.

Summer Food Drive:  Bring non-perishable food items over the Sundays of the
summer to be part of Walnut Hill's Summer Food Drive.  Place your donations in
the big blue barrel located in Trinity Hall.  Once the barrel is full, God's Pantry
will distribute the items throughout central and eastern Kentucky.

In the Community:  Indian Summer Camp, a camp program for children with cancer,
is seeking donations of old National Geographic magazines and maps as part of 
their global travel theme for this summer's camp.  If you would like to donate a
National Geographic magazine or map, contact Barbara Waldmann-Ward

Thanks to...the Children's Choir (directed by Nell Horman) and John DeReamer for
their special presentations last Sunday in observance of Father's Day; Barbara 
Nutini, Barbara and Bob Berryman, Lee and Tom Ward, and Barbara Waldmann-
Ward for providing last Sunday's refreshments.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward 

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