Friday, July 29, 2011

Sundays at Walnut Hill Church

The next several Sundays at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Inter-Faith Journeys

For the next several Sundays, our conversation focus will be the various ways
in which persons of different faith traditions express and describe their 
spiritual journeys.  Using brief video presentations, we will discover similarities
and differences between faith traditions as well as explore our own spiritual 
journeys.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Guest Ministers: 
*July 31 - The Rev. Jackie Lindberg
*August 7 - The Rev. David Sharrard
*August 14 - The Rev. John Cavendish

Nursery care and Sunday School for children.

Afterworship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

The Big Blue Barrel continues to be available to receive your donations of 
non-perishable food items.  Look for the barrel just inside the double doors
entering Trinity Hall.  Once filled, God's Pantry will deliver the barrel's contents
to our neighbors throughout central and eastern Kentucky.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Greetings to all:

"Time" is a word known to all of us, perhaps too well known.  Madeleine
L'Engle appeals to the ancient Greeks to remind us that not all "time" is the
same.

   Chronology: the word about the measurable passage of time, although its
duration varies: how long is a toothache?  how long standing in the line at
the supermarket? how long is a tramp through the fields with the dogs? or
dinner with friends, or a sunset, or the birth of a baby?
   Thank God there is kairos, too: again the Greeks were wiser than we are.
They had two words for time: chronos and kairos.
   Kairos is not measurable.  Kairos is ontological.  In kairos we are, we are
fully in isness, not negatively, as Sartre saw the isness of the oak tree, but
fully, wholly, positively.  Kairos can sometimes enter, penetrate, break 
through the chronos: the child at play, the painter at the easel...the saint at
prayer, friends around the dinner table, the mother reaching out her arms
for her newborn baby, are in kairos.  The bush, the burning bush, is in
kairos, not any burning bush, but the very particular burning bush before 
which Moses removed his shoes; the bush I pass on my way to the brook.
In kairos that part of us which is not consumed in the burning is wholly 
awake.  We too often let it fall asleep...
   I sit in the rocking chair with a baby in my arms, and I am in both kairos and
chronos.  In chronos I may be nothing more than some cybernetic salad
on the bottom left-hand corner of a check; or my social security number; or
my passport number.  In kairos I am known by my name:  Madeleine.  The
baby doesn't know about chronos yet.
(from A Circle of Quiet)

The lectionary readings for Sunday, July 31:
Genesis 32:22-31
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21

Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee each Saturday morning,
8am, at Paneras on Richmond Road.  Feel free to stop by for as long or
short a time as your schedule allows.

Sunday Conversations continue each Sunday morning, 10am, in Trinity
Hall.  For the next several Sundays we will view and discuss brief
video presentations by persons of various religious traditions describing
their faith journeys.  The videos will provide a starting point for discovering
similarities and differences between religious traditions as well as 
enhancing our own spiritual journey.  Come and enjoy a cup of coffee,
join the conversation, or just listen in.

Sunday School continues for children each Sunday during the 11am 
worship hour.  Be sure to include Sunday School among your children's 
many summer activities.

The Big Blue Barrel is steadily filling up with your donations of non-
perishable food items.  There is still plenty of room in the barrel for your
donation.  The barrel is located just inside the double doors leading into
Trinity Hall.  Once filled, God's Pantry will distribute the barrel's contents
throughout central and eastern Kentucky.

In the pulpit for the next three Sundays will be the Rev. Jackie Lindberg 
(July 31), the Rev. David Sharrard (August 7), and the Rev. John
Cavendish (August 14).

Peace to all.

Mike Ward



Friday, July 22, 2011

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

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

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Future of Christianity

Our conversation will focus on video presentations by
Rev. John Spong ("The Future of Christianity"), Father
Richard Rohr  ("The Emerging Church"), and Mr. Phillip
Gulley ("A Quaker Expression of Faith").  

Childcare available upon request.  Use reply email to 
request childcare.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Not Even Famine...
Text - Romans 8:26-39

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

The Big Blue Barrel has  been placed in Trinity Hall to 
receive your donations of non-perishable food items.
You may bring items any Sunday during the summer. 
Once filled, the barrel contents will be distributed by 
God's Pantry throughout central and eastern Kentucky.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Greetings to all!

The Dalai Lama has been in the United States this week.  The Dalai Lama
is a person of great inspiration, not only for the people of Tibet, but also for
the entire world.  Andrew Harvey recalls a conversation he once shared with
the Dalai Lama.

   "Can you imagine a world religion..."
   His laugh cut me short.  "No world religion.  We have enough religions.
Enough religions but not enough real human beings.  We need more human
beings.  Religions should learn from other, respect each other, but keep 
their identity.  Some people like tomatoes; some people like bread.  People
should be free to eat what they want, and people should be able to choose
what religion is most useful to their growth.  Don't let us talk too much of 
religion.  Let us talk of what is human.  Love is human.  Kindness is human.
Everyone needs love and kindness.  A dog won't come near you if you're
unkind to it.  Our world is forgetting what is essential, what is essentially
human."  His voice rose richly on the word "human."
(from Essential Teachings)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, July 24:
Genesis 29:15-28
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Men's Coffee - Men are invited to gather for coffee on Saturday mornings,
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 morning, 10am, in Trinity
Hall, with a focus on the "future of Christianity" and the "emerging church."
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Speaking of Sunday Conversations, looking ahead to this fall's Sunday 
Conversations, 
you are invited to offer your ideas for conversation topics, 
format, etc.  Join us for 
some "conversation" about this after worship on 
July 24.  
If you can not be present 
on that day, but have an idea to share, 
you can do so 
by reply email or by 
contacting the church office (263-5304).

Sunday School for children continues during the 11am hour each 
Sunday morning.  Be sure to include Sunday School as one of your child's
summer activities.

The Big Blue Barrel has been placed in Trinity Hall to receive your 
contributions 
of 
non-perishable food items.  When 
the barrel is full, the folks 
from God's Pantry 
will 
distribute the contents throughout central and eastern 
Kentucky.  You 
might 
want to 
bring an item from your pantry each Sunday, 
or bring a bag full all at once!  
Don't forget 
to let the children participate by 
bringing an item (s) during the summer.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Friday, July 15, 2011

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, July 17, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Facing the Issues of Mortality

Based on his new book, Eternal Life: A New Vision -
Beyond Religion, Beyond Theism, Beyond Heaven and
Hell, John Shelby Spong discusses these concepts in
an engaging video.  Through his conversational style,
Spong makes these emerging theological understandings
accessible to us.  He also expresses news ways in which 
to combine them with traditional religious concepts.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Thin Places
Text - Genesis 28:10-22

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

The Big Blue Barrel has  been placed in Trinity Hall to 
receive your donations of non-perishable food items.
You may bring items any Sunday during the summer. 
Once filled, the barrel contents will be distributed by 
God's Pantry throughout central and eastern Kentucky.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Greetings to all!

In her book, The Cup of Our Life, Joyce Rupp reflects on the "cup of thanksgiving."

   It is amazing, isn't it, how we can miss so much of life?  The key to gratitude is
surprise.  When we lose our sensitivity to wonder and awe, when we simply trudge
or zoom through the days, we can so easily miss the daily gifts of life.  When we 
awaken to what is within us and around us, when we savor, relish, and taste life
fresh each day, our heart holds much more gratitude for our blessings.
   One practice that has helped to reawaken my gratitude when my thankfulness
has grown lean is to take one of my five external senses each day and be 
attentive to it.  One day I notice all the sounds that I hear; another day I pay close
attention to everything I see, etc.  Doing this helps me to move out of my tired
approach to life.  I restore my alertness to my daily gifts and begin to see the 
universe as one vast blessing.
   Are you living your life right now?  Or, are you still waiting for it to happen?

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, July 17:
Genesis 28:10-19
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, July 17, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  This
Sunday's focus, "Facing the Issues of Mortality," as guided by John Shelby Spong.
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

Speaking of Sunday Conversations, looking ahead to this fall's Sunday Conversations,
you are invited to offer your ideas for conversation topics, format, etc.  Join us for 
some "conversation" about this after worship on July 24.  If you can not be present
on that day, but have an idea to share, you can do so by reply email or by 
contacting the church office (263-5304).

The Big Blue Barrel has been placed in Trinity Hall to receive your contributions of 
non-perishable food items.  When 
the barrel is full, the folks from God's Pantry will 
distribute the contents throughout central and eastern 
Kentucky.  You 
might want to 
bring an item from your pantry each Sunday, or bring a bag full all at once!  
Don't forget 
to let the children participate by bringing an item (s) during the summer.

Summer Sunday School - With folks traveling during the summer, our Sunday School 
is a 
little less formal than during 
the school year.  Nonetheless, Lauren can often use an 
extra 
set of hands to help on those Sundays when we have a 
large number of children 
present.  
You can help by being "on call" for a  Sunday, by which you make yourself 
available 
to help if needed.  Check the sign up sheet in Trinity Hall for a Sunday or two 
on which you 
might be "on call" for our 
children.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Friday, July 8, 2011

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, July 10, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Year of Living Biblically

In this video presentation, A. J. Jacobs describes his quest
to live the ultimate biblical life: to follow every single rule
in the Bible (Old Testament) as literally as possible.  His
description of the experience is fascinating, entertaining,
and informative.  It is in equal parts irreverent and reverent,
and filled with surprising insights about religion.  Jacobs
is editor-at-large at Esquire magazine and author of 
three N.Y. Times bestsellers. 

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The Sower
Text - Matthew 13:1-9

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

The Big Blue Barrel has  been placed in Trinity Hall to 
receive your donations of non-perishable food items.
You may bring items any Sunday during the summer. 
Once filled, the barrel contents will be distributed by 
God's Pantry throughout central and eastern Kentucky.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Greetings to all!

Summer is a time for extra reading.  One of my favorite pieces of literature is Flannery 
O'Connor's short story,  "Revelation," in which the main character, Ruby Turpin, 
is jolted into a new view of herself relative to other "categories" of people in her life.  
In the closing scene, while washing down the pigpen, Ruby has a vision.

   Until the sun slipped finally behind the tree line, Mrs. Turpin remained there with her 
gaze bent to them as if she were absorbing some abysmal life-giving knowledge.  At
last she lifted her head.  There was only a purple streak in the sky, cutting through a
field of crimson and leading, like an extension of the highway, into the descending
dusk.  She raised her hands from the side of the pen in a gesture hieratic and 
profound.  A visionary light settled in her eyes.  She saw the streak as a vast swinging
bridge extending upward from the earth through a field of living fire.  Upon it a vast
horde of souls were rumbling toward heaven.  There were whole companies of white-
trash, clean for the first time in their lives, and bands of blacks in white robes, and 
battalions of freaks and lunatics shouting and clapping and leaping like frogs.  And
bringing up the end of the procession was a tribe of people whom she recognized at
once as those who, like herself and Claude, had always had a little of everything and
the God-given wit to use it right.  She leaned forward to observe them closer.  They
were marching behind the others with great dignity, accountable as they had always
been for good order and common sense and respectable behavior.  They alone were
on key.  Yet she could see by their shocked and altered faces that even their virtues
were being burned away.  She lowered her hands and gripped the rail of the hog 
pen, her eyes small but fixed unblinkingly on what lay ahead.  In a moment the vision
faded but she remained where she was, immobile.
   At length she got down and turned off the faucet and made her slow way on the 
darkening path to the house.  In the woods around her the invisible cricket choruses
had struck up, but what she heard were the voices of the souls climbing upward into
the starry field and shouting hallelujah.
(as found in Listening for God)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, July 10:
Genesis 25:19-34
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, July 10, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  Sunday
conversations cover a wide range of topics from week to week.  Come enjoy a cup of
coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

The Big Blue Barrel has been placed in Trinity Hall to receive your contributions of 
non-perishable food items.  When 
the barrel is full, the folks from God's Pantry will 
distribute the contents throughout central and eastern 
Kentucky.  You 
might want to 
bring an item from your pantry each Sunday, or bring a bag full all at once!  
Don't forget 
to let the children participate by bringing an item (s) during the summer.

Summer Sunday School - With folks traveling during the summer, our Sunday School 
is a 
little less formal than during 
the school year.  Nonetheless, Lauren can often use an 
extra 
set of hands to help on those Sundays when we have a 
large number of children 
present.  
You can help by being "on call" for a  Sunday, by which you make yourself 
available 
to help if needed.  Check the sign up sheet in Trinity Hall for a Sunday or two 
on which you 
might be "on call" for our 
children.

The Vestry will meet this Sunday, July 10, 9:30am, in the upstairs office of Trinity Hall.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward



Friday, July 1, 2011

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, July 3, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Resurrection Experience

We will explore the resurrection of Jesus as it was experienced
by the early "followers of the path."  Our video lecturer, 
Dr. Luke Timothy Johnson, will discuss the cosmic significance
of the resurrection for the earliest Christians as being both 
transformative and transcendent. Through the "inflow" of the 
Holy Spirit they entered the "energy field" of God and claimed 
the life giving power of Jesus.  This religious experience of the
resurrection far outweighed the question of its historicity.

(Nursery care available by request.  Use reply email to 
request nursery care for small children.)

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The Wheat and the Tares
Text - Matthew 13:24-30
The Sacrament of Holy Communion

*****

The Big Blue Barrel has  been placed in Trinity Hall to 
receive your donations of non-perishable food items.
You may bring items any Sunday during the summer. 
Once filled, the barrel contents will be distributed by 
God's Pantry throughout central and eastern Kentucky.