Greetings to all!
The value of "organized religion" is subject to some doubt these days. Kathleen
Norris offers a few thoughts on the subject.
Many say these days that they can't find God in church, in "organized"
religion. I don't find that surprising. Churches can be as inhospitable as any
other institution. What does surprise me is that people will often claim that sitting
alone under a tree or on a mountaintop is the ultimate religious experience, much
superior to being with other people at all. It may be pleasant, if a bit lonely. It
may even be private, if you happen to own the mountaintop; otherwise you have
to worry about what happens when someone else shows up.
Joining a church is not like joining a hobby club; you will find all sorts of
people there, not all of whom will share your interests, let alone your opinions.
But there is a vast difference between the giant abstraction called "Organized"
Religion and religion as people actually live it. Ruben Martinez...states, "I am a
practicing Catholic because I believe in the strength of communities of faith and,
especially, in the role of ritual as a unifying force that allows people to transcend
narrow individualism and reach out to strangers who mirror our own visage: that
moment of the Holy Mass when we turn to our neighbors and offer 'Peace be with
you.'"
(from Amazing Grace)
The Scripture lessons for Sunday, July 25:
2 Kings 5:1-19
Acts 17:16-34
Mark 10:38-41
Men's Coffee: Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday,
July 24, 8am, at Paneras on Richmond Road. Feel free to stop in for as long or
short a time as your schedule permits. No rsvp required.
Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, July 25, 10am, in Trinity Hall. The
topic for this Sunday's conversation: Who Needs Organized Religion? Come and
enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.
Community Fund Grant - Rachel Childress, Executive Director of Lexington
Habitat for Humanity, will be visiting Walnut Hill Church on Sunday, July 25, to
receive a 2010 Community Fund Grant to Habitat.
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. When the barrel is full, God's Pantry will distribute
the items throughout central and eastern Kentucky.
Sunday Hospitality - Thanks to all our recent Sunday refreshment hosts, most
recently Monta Rae and Forrest Cook, and Dorothy Paull. Just to
let you know we
have a couple open Sundays upcoming, particularly Sundays,
August 1 and 8.
If you would like to volunteer for either of these two Sundays, you
may do so via reply
email or via the sign-up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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