Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Greetings to all!

This year's campaign season has certainly had its moments,  including
those which remind us of the value we place upon the separation of
religion and government.  In his book, American Gospel, Jon Meacham
shares some thoughts offered by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Cases about religious holiday displays and prayers in public places as
well as issues such as abortion about which so many have deeply held
religious beliefs will always play a part in campaigns and in the courts.
The Founders knew this, which is why their system of checks and 
balances remains so essential, for it creates a world in which it is likely
that the center, not the extremes, will hold sway.  "Reasonable minds
can disagree about how to apply the Religion Clauses in a given case,"
wrote Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.  "But the goal of the Clauses is 
clear: to carry out the Founders' plan of preserving religious liberty to
the fullest extent possible in a pluralistic society.  By enforcing the Clauses,
we have kept religion a matter for the individual conscience, not for the 
prosecutor or the bureaucrat.  At a time when we see around the world the
violent consequences of the assumption of religious authority by 
government, Americans may count themselves fortunate:  Our regard for
constitutional boundaries has protected us from similar travails, while
allowing private religious exercise to flourish."

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, October 24:
Joel 2:23-32
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Luke 18:9-14

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Our 
topic for the day will be Religion in a Campaign Season: What are the
Boundaries?  Come and enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just 
listen in.

Children's Choir practice begins this Sunday, October 24, 10:15am, as 
the children prepare for a Christmas season presentation.  All 
children through elementary age are invited to participate.  Look for the
children in the "children's chapel" (weather permitting) or in Trinity
Hall.  Contact Nell Horman for more information.

A Refreshment Host(s) is needed for this Sunday, October 24.  Use reply
email to volunteer for this Sunday, or check the sign up sheet (Sanctuary 
foyer) to volunteer for a Sunday later in the fall.

A Day in the Country:  All ages are invited to an after worship cookout and
program on Sunday, November 7, at the country cabin of Derek and Neal
Vaughan.  The menu will include traditional cookout fare.  The program will 
be a first person presentation on the life of Daniel Boone.  The Walnut Hill 
youth will be helping with the hosting of this event.  You may rsvp via the sign 
up sheet in Trinity Hall or by reply email. 

Women's Christmas Luncheon? For many years the women of Walnut Hill
Church enjoyed gathering for a Christmas season luncheon.  It's been a 
few years since our last Christmas luncheon, so we are asking if such a 
gathering might be of interest to you.  If so, please use reply email or contact
Natalie Watt by Thursday, October 21, to indicate your interest.

Pardon the inconvenience created by work on the walkway leading to the
Sanctuary.  Sunday access to the Sanctuary will be available through the
courtyard and Trinity Hall.  The current work is part of an effort to repair/restore 
the walkways and improve accessibility to the Sanctuary and Trinity Hall.
Contact David Sharrard for more details.

Thanks, news, etc...
   *Thanks to...Kim Bloomfield and Whitty Rea for their work with the children
last Sunday; Irene and John Ragland for providing our after worship
refreshments.
   *The annual meeting of the congregation of Walnut Hill Church will be 
held on Sunday, November 14, immediately after worship. 

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

 

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