Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Greetings to all!

Mother's Day (May 13) is an occasion to reflect on our life in the context
of family.  Wendy Wright reflects on an "ordinary moment" of family life.

Monday I sent my youngest out the door for his first full week of high
school...[Such] moments are at once so terribly mundane and so
transparently sacred; ordinary moments which, for an instant, connect
us to the depth, width, height, and length of love.  Family life is full of
them.  It is also full of thousands of moments when love shows itself
and we fail to notice.  And it is full of thousands of moments in which 
we come face to face with love's painful absence.  I turn the ancient 
hymn text over in my mind:
"Where charity and love prevail
There God is ever found."
If there ever was a school of love, it is the family; a school not simply
in the sense of an environment where information is passed on, but
an environment that forms us.  There we not only learn our lessons
in the arts of loving but we may be shaped, molded, converted, de-
and re-constructed by Love itself.
(from "Sacred Dwelling" as found in Family Ministry)

The lectionary readings for Sunday, May 13, the 6th Sunday of Easter.
Acts 10:44-48
1 John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, May 13, 10am, in
Trinity Hall.  This Sunday we will hear from one of the church's
"theological mothers" Letty M. Russell (1929 -2007) as she spoke
at Harvard Divinity School on the theme of being an "outsider" and
"misfit."

Children's Choir - Children through elementary age are invited to
gather for music and singing at 10am each Sunday as they prepare to 
present a song during worship on Mother's Day.

Opportunities to Share and Serve:
*Hope Center - During the summer travel season we are 
collecting travel/trial size toiletry articles to share with guests at the Hope
Center.  Look for the collection box in the Sanctuary foyer.
*Community Inn - "Sandwich Ministry" opportunities are available 
for the 4th Sundays in May - July.  Check the sign up sheet in the foyer of 
the Sanctuary.
*A.C.E. Liaison - We are seeking a volunteer to serve as liaison
between Walnut Hill Church and the Athens Chilesburg Elementary School.
Use reply email or contact the church office for information about this
opportunity.

Walnut Hill Hospitaltiy: A Cookbook - Plans are in the works for a 
Walnut Hill cookbook featuring dishes that we have shared together on 
occasions such as seasonal potlucks, Souper Bowl Sunday, and our 
regular after worship gatherings.  Bring your recipe (including title, your 
name, ingredients, and directions) to Walnut Hill any Sunday over the 
next several weeks.   Publication is expected in time for 2012 holiday 
gift giving.

CAMP SEASON - As you plan your children's summer activities, do not
forget the summer programs at Camp Burnamwood ( www.burnamwood.net )
and Cathedral Domain ( www.cathedraldomain.org ).   Walnut Hill will
sponsor 1/2 the cost for any Walnut Hill child/youth attending either of
these camp programs.  Check out the websites for camp schedules and
other information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward 


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