Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, October 31, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Jesus Before Pilate

The encounter between Jesus and Pilate is one of those

classic confrontations between persons from completely 

different worlds.  Their meeting seems doomed from the 

start.  The narrative is fascinating not only for its drama,

but also for its subtle messages about authority, power, and

of course, truth.  We will view and discuss a video 

dramatizing the encounter.

Children's Choir, 10:15am

Children through elementary age are invited to gather for singing

in anticipation of a presentation during the Christmas season.  Look

for the children's choir in the children's chapel (weather permitting) or

in Trinity Hall.  

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:  A No-Politics Policy

Text:  John 18:33-38

Sunday School and Nursery Care for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Greetings to all!

By this time next week it will all be over, the 2010 Campaign that is.

Between now and then is "election day."  Stanley Hauerwas, professor

of ethics at Duke Divinity School, offers opportunity for self reflection and

a little humility in his "Prayer on Election Day."

Sovereign Lord, foolish we are, believing that we can rule ourselves by

selecting this or that person to rule over us.  We are at it again.  Help us

not to think it more significant than it is, but also give us and those we 

elect wisdom enough to acknowledge our follies.  Help us laugh at 

ourselves, for without humor our politics cannot be humane.  We 

desire to dominate and thus are dominated.  Free us, dear Lord, for 

otherwise we perish.  Amen.

(from Prayers Plainly Spoken)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, October 31:

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

John 18:33-38

Men's Coffee:  Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, 8am, at

Paneras on Richmond Road.  Feel free to stop in for as long or short a 

time as your schedule permits.

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, October 31, 10am, in 

Trinity Hall.  This Sunday our conversation will focus on the famous 

encounter between the Jewish teacher Jesus and the Roman governor

Pilate as told in the Gospel of John.  

Children's Choir practice continues this Sunday, October 31, 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 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 Luncheon:  A Christmas season luncheon for women is being 

planned.  Two possible dates are being considered: December 9 or 15.  You

may contact Natalie Watt to indicate your preference for one or the other of 

these dates.  You may also use reply email to indicate your preference.

"Pass the Stuffing Please," or perhaps it's "dressing" at your house.  Whatever

it's called, Walnut Hill will be providing it (400 servings) for the Nathaniel 

Mission's community Thanksgiving Dinner.  You can sponsor a pan for $20.

Use reply email, or contact Lee Tucker, to sponsor a pan.

In the Community:  Please Don't Call Me Homeless...I Don't Call You Homed 

is the title of a production by the Actors Guild of Lexington based on the 

stories of those who have experienced homelessness in Lexington.  Walnut

Hill has been given a supply of free tickets for the November 5, 7pm, 

performance at Pax Christi Catholic Church.  Use reply email or call the 

church office for more information or to request tickets.

Thanks, news, etc...

*Thanks to...Amy Dunavant, Amy Trail, and Derek Vaughan for their work

with the Sunday School children and youth last Sunday; Nell Horman for her

work with the children's choir.

*The Vestry will meet on Sunday, October 31, 9:30am, in Trinity Hall.

*The church vacuum cleaner has cleaned its last carpet.  Before replacing it, as 

must be done this week, we thought to ask if someone out there has an 

upright vacuum cleaner in good condition that he/she might like to donate.

If so, let us know a.s.a.p.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, October 24, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Religion in a Campaign Season:  What are the Boundaries?

We'll examine some examples of the ways religion is used in 

political campaigns, discussing the appropriate boundaries 

of such use and how we might respond when those boundaries

are exceeded? We'll also review a "Statement on Campaign Ethics"

adopted and published by the Kentucky Council of Churches.

Children's Choir, 10:15 am

Children through elementary age are invited to gather for singing

in anticipation of a presentation during the Christmas season.  Look

for the children's choir in the children's chapel (weather permitting) or

in Trinity Hall.  

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector - A Close Reading

Text:  Luke 18:9-14

Sunday School and Nursery Care for Children

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

 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday, October 17, at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Bible and Us

Join us for conversation about the presence of the Bible

in our lives, for better and for worse.  We will share our 

recollections of the role the Bible has played in our lives,

such as our favorite passages, the reasons why we read

(or don't read) the Bible, etc.  Come and enjoy a cup of 

coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The Scriptures: Ubiquitous, Ambiguous, and Alive

Text:  2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:5

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Greetings to all!

The presence of the Scriptures, the Bible, in the life of the Church would seem

to be a given.  But what do we make of this collection of ancient writings?  One 

traditional affirmation about the Scriptures concerns its "inspiration."  So what 

does that mean?  Our recent guest, Margaret Ralph, offers these thoughts on 

the inspiration of the Scriptures.

Instead of thinking of inspiration as something that occurred between God and 

one writer it is better to think of inspiration as occurring between God and each

member of the community.  The Bible, from beginning to end, is the product of

God's acting in and through God's people.  God's inspiration, God's acting in the

hearts and minds of people, was present at every stage of the growth process

that resulted in the Bible.  At the time of the event it was God's inspiration that 

allowed the people to experience and interpret the event as a religious event.

Those who were moved to speak and write about their religious experiences

were inspired.  Those who were moved to pass on, reinterpret, and make 

contemporary the lessons from the past were inspired.  The communities that 

accepted and responded to these written works, integrating them into their 

worship services and establishing them in a unique place of honor in their 

religious traditions, were inspired.  A reader today who reads Scripture, who 

finds that it speaks to his or her heart, who allows it to take root, to form

conscience, and to shape action, is also inspired.  God acts in and through 

God's people.  God breathes in and with them.  God inspires them.  The Bible

is a fruit and channel of inspiration.

(from And God Said What?)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, October 17:

Jeremiah 31:27-34

2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:5

Luke 18:1-8

Men's Coffee - Men are invited to gather for coffee this Saturday, October 16,

8am, at Paneras on Richmond Road.  Feel free to drop in for as long or 

short a time as your schedule permits.  No rsvp required.

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, October 17, 10am, in Trinity Hall.

Sunday Conversations range from biblical texts to current events.  Come and

enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Building Improvements:  The Vestry has approved a proposal for several 

building maintenance and improvement projects, most noticeably the restoration

of the two brick walkways and the installation of a ramp to improve access to the 

Sanctuary and Trinity Hall.  Fliers describing the projects are available in the 

Sanctuary foyer or by request from the church office.  

In the Community:

*October 14, 7:30pm, Transylvania University - Dr. Elaine Pagels (Princeton

University) speaking on "The Discovery of the Secret Gospel of Thomas."  Free and

open to the public.  See www.transy.edu for more information.

*October 15-17 - Dr. Elaine Pagels will be at Christ Church Cathedral for a 

program titled, "What's Evil Got to Do With It?"  See www.ccclex.org for program 

and registration information.

*October 28, 6:30pm, Temple Adath Israel - Dr. John Stempel (Univeristy of 

Kentucky) speaking at the annual meeting of The Interfaith Alliance of the Bluegrass.

$20/person includes meal.  For reservations and information, contact tiabg@qx.net. 

Thanks, News, etc...

*Thanks to...Cory Sharrard, Natalie Watt, Derek Vaughan, and Nelson 

Barnes for their work with the children and youth this past Sunday; Glenna Fay

for providing our after worship refreshments.

*Mike Ward will be attending the Annual Assembly of the Kentucky Council of

Churches on October 14 -15.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, October 10, at Walnut HIll Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

UnChristian

What do people outside the church, particularly young people,

really think about Christianity and Christians?  What difference 

do their opinions make? And what, if anything, might we (those

of us inside the church) do about it?  

Come and enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just 

listen in.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:  Advice to Exiles

Text:  Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Greetings to all!

What do persons outside the church think about the church and/or Christianity?

A recent study by the Barna Group revealed some striking, and sometimes

conflicting, responses, particularly among 16 - 29 year olds.

   In our national surveys we found that the three most common perceptions of 

present-day Christianity are antihomosexual (91%), judgmental (87%), and

hypocritical (85%).  These "big three" are followed by the following negative 

perceptions, embraced by a majority of young adults: old-fashioned, too 

involved in politics, out of touch with reality, insensitive to others, boring, not

accepting of other faiths, and confusing.  When they think of the Christian faith,

these are the images that come to mind.  This is what a new generation really 

thinks about Christianity.

   Yet not all reactions are negative.  As part of our research, we found that many

embrace favorable perceptions of present-day Christianity as well...The most 

common "favorable" impression is that Christianity teaches the same basic

idea as other religions...that Christianity has "good values and principles,"...

that present day Christianity is "friendly." Outsiders were split down the middle

when it came to the following images: a faith they respect, a faith that shows

love for others, something that offers hope for the future, and people they trust.

Only a small percentage of outsiders strongly believe that the labels "respect,

love, hope, and trust" describe Christianity.  A minority perceives Christianity

as genuine and real, as something that makes sense, and as relevant to their life.

(from UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity...

And Why It Matters.)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, October 10:

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

2 Timothy 2:8-15

Luke 17:11-19

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, October 10, 10am, in Trinity Hall.

Our focus for the morning will be "UnChristian," reviewing the findings of the study

referenced above. Come and enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just

listen in.

The Vestry met with a full agenda this past Sunday afternoon.  Among the items

of business was discussion following up the five inquiry team recommendations

(see www.walnuthillchurchky.org) with special attention to the matter of identifying

and recruiting congregational leaders as well as a proposal for maintenance and

improvement of the Sanctuary and walkways.  Watch for more details regarding the

building proposal on Sunday morning.

Thanks to all those who helped make "Ecumenical Sunday" a good day including

our guest speaker, Margaret Ralph, the choir, acolyte, communion preparers and 

servers, offering ushers, readers, Sunday School helpers, and refreshment hosts.  

Thanks also to your generous donations allowing Walnut Hill to send over $1,300 

in support of the Kentucky Council of Churches.

In the Community:

*October 10 - 11 - The Pace Warren Lectures at Second Presbyterian Church,

featuring Dr. Thomas Long (Candler School of Theology, Emory University). See 

www.2preslex.org for more information.

*October 14, 7:30pm, Transylvania University - Dr. Elaine Pagels (Princeton

University) speaking on "The Discovery of the Secret Gospel of Thomas."  Free and

open to the public.  See www.transy.edu for more information.

*October 15-17 - Dr. Elaine Pagels will be at Christ Church Cathedral for a 

program titled, "What's Evil Got to Do With It?"  See www.ccclex.org for program 

and registration information.

*October 28, 6:30pm, Temple Adath Israel - Dr. John Stempel (Univeristy of 

Kentucky) speaking at the annual meeting of The Interfaith Alliance of the Bluegrass.

$20/person includes meal.  For reservations and information, contact tiabg@qx.net. 

Peace to all.

Mike Ward   

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

Sunday, October 3, at Walnut Hill Church...

Ecumenical Sunday: An occasion to celebrate and explore

Walnut Hill's identity as an "ecumenical church."

Special Guest: Dr. Margaret N. Ralph - Scripture scholar,

writer, and teacher.

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Join us for informal conversation with Margie Ralph including

her thoughts on vocation, Scripture, and ecumenism as a 

Roman Catholic layperson.

Activities and nursery care will be available for children.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon: I Don't Think You Recognized Me

The Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Nursery care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.