Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Greetings to all!

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  In her poem, "Ashes,"
Ann Weems recalls the practice of burning the preceding year's Palm
Sunday branches to gather the ashes for Ash Wednesday.

Two nights ago I knelt and
took the ashes from the fireplace.
It was some time before I saw evidence 
of the smudge of ash upon my face.
I washed it quickly away.

Last night I knelt and took the bread 
and dipped it in the cup,
and then I felt the cool smooth
finger of ash upon my forehead,
ashes from last year's palms
saved for this holy time.
I wondered if there might still be
some remnant of Hosanna!
lingering in the ashes.

All evening long I wore the ash,
that holy ash,
and when others saw the smudge,
I wondered if they were inclined
to wipe it clean
or to lean closer
in the hope of hearing
some soft Hosanna!
burning still
in ash
or heart...

(from Kneeling in Jerusalem)

Ash Wednesday services are available around town including:
*Christ Church Cathedral at 12:05 pm and 7:00 pm.
*Second Presbyterian Church at 7:00 pm.

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, March 13, the First Sunday in Lent:
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11

Children's Choir practice resumes this Sunday, March 13, 10am, in
Trinity Hall.  All children through elementary age are invited to join the singing
on Sunday mornings as the children work toward a presentation on 
Palm Sunday, April 17.  Contact Nell Horman for more information.

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, March 13, 10am, in 
Trinity Hall.  Our focus for the day is "Jesus In and Through the Gospels."
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

2011 Community Fund Grant nominees are now being received.  All
Walnut Hill members and friends are invited to nominate agencies and 
organizations to receive some part of $10,000 available through this 
year's Community Fund.  Nomination deadline is April 1.  Grant recipients
and amounts will be determined at an open meeting in May.  You may 
submit a nomination by reply email or by contacting any Vestry member.

Sunday Hospitality:  We have done a great job in providing after worship
hospitality for the first couple months of 2011, with all Sundays spoken for up 
through this Sunday, March 13.  Our next available opening is Sunday, 
March 20 (a week from this Sunday).  If you would like to host (or co-host) that day, 
let us know by reply email, or check the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer for a 
Sunday later in the spring.  Thanks to all our Sunday hosts.

Icons in Transformation is the title of an exhibit at Christ Church Cathedral
featuring the work of artist Ludmilla Pawlowska.  In honor of the exhibit, a 
special service of Evensong will be held at Christ Church Cathedral this 
Sunday, March 13, 4:30pm.  For more information regarding the exhibit, 

Thanks to...the Choir, Phil Bloomfield, Deanna and Thomas Rawlings,
Natalie and Bob Watt, Ben Horman, and Stephen Trail for their leadership
and service during last Sunday's worship; Gene Brockopp for leading our
Sunday Conversation; Stephanie Prewitt and Dara Talbott for their work 
with the children; the Smith family for our after worship refreshments.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

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