Friday, April 26, 2013

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 28, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Immortal Diamond

We will discuss Richard Rohr's thoughts about the True 
Self and the False Self as found in his book, The Immortal 
Diamond.  Perhaps that for which many search their 
entire lives is already to be found within them.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The Sea Was No More
Text - Revelation 21:1-6

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Greetings to all!

In his new book, The Immortal Diamond, Richard Rohr describes
the True Self within all of us, a True Self that we often look for, but 
do not realize how close it already is.  Consider these opening
words from Rohr's book.

   Conservatives look for absolute truth; liberals look for something
"real" and authentic.  Spouses look for a marriage that will last "'til
death do us part."  Believers look for a God who never fails them;
scientists look for a universal theory.  They are all on the same
quest.  We are all looking for an immortal diamond: something
utterly reliable, something loyal and true, something we can 
always depend on, something unforgettable and shining.  There
is an invitation and an offer for all of these groups from John's
very short Second Letter when he writes:  "There is a truth that lives
within us that will be with us forever" (2 John 2).  But most of us
know little about this, so we end up as St. Augustine admits in his
Confessions: "Late have I loved you,  Beauty so very ancient and
so ever new!  Late have I loved you! You were within, but I was
without."

The scripture lessons for Sunday, April 28...
Acts 11:1-18
Revelation 21:1-6
John 13:31-35

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, April 28, 10am, in
Trinity Hall with discussion of ideas presented by Richard Rohr
in his new book, The Immortal Diamond.  Come enjoy a cup of
coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

THANKS to all who supported our grounds work day and Earth Day
festival over this past weekend.  Approximately 50 different Walnut
Hill members and friends participated over the two days, not to mention
visitors and guests from other congregations and organizations. It
was a good weekend to celebrate "The Good Earth" and Walnut
Hill's corner of it.

Kentucky Gives Day is ongoing today, April 24, a 24 hour online
giving blitz involving more than 300 nonprofits in central Kentucky
and around the Commonwealth.  Among the participating organizations
is the Kentucky Council of Churches, an organization committed to an
ecumenical vision of the Church.   You can donate to the KCC at  
possible recipients of your generosity.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward



Friday, April 19, 2013

This WEEKEND at Walnut Hill Church

This weekend, April 20 - 21, at Walnut Hill Church...

SATURDAY, APRIL 20...

WALNUT HILL CHURCH SPRING LANDSCAPE CLEAN UP

Help us prepare the Walnut Hill Church grounds for the spring.
Join us on Saturday, April 20, 9:30am - Noon for some land-
scaping and clean up.  We will work together to pick up sticks,
spruce up the flower beds, renew the mulch, trim bushes and
trees, and generally beautify the grounds.  Bring such tools as
you might like to use or share.  Join us for as long or short a 
time as your schedule allows.

SUNDAY, APRIL 21...

EARTH DAY SUNDAY & "THE GOOD EARTH" FESTIVAL
(see details below)

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Creation Spirituality

Following up from last Sunday's conversation, we will discuss
the notion of Creation Spirituality/Theology, asking how a 
creation spirituality affects our thoughts about God, the world,
and our selves.

Confirmation Study, 10am, Trinity Hall

High School Youth gather to discuss their study toward their
profession of faith and membership in the church.  This week's
study focuses on "ethics."

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:  God Saw That It Was Good
Text:  Genesis 1:1-31

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

"THE GOOD EARTH" FESTIVAL, 4PM, WALNUT HILL CHURCH

Join us for an afternoon of relaxation, information, fellowship,
food, and worship.

4:00pm - Earth Day Fair - Visit information/activity booths, play with
family and friends, relax around the grounds.
5:30pm - "Bring your own picnic" including all food and utensils for
yourself and your household.
6:30pm - Evening Worship - outdoors

What to bring:
-a picnic meal for yourself and household
-one simple refreshment item for a general hospitality table
-lawn chair(s), blanket
-play equipment for yourself and/or to share

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Greetings to all!

     Like so many people, the bombings in Boston this past Monday left
me shocked, saddened, and wondering what might be next.  Meanwhile,
news reports regarding similar events in places like Iraq, Pakistan, and 
Afghanistan are so common we hardly notice them.  In all cases, innocent 
children, women, and men are killed and injured, and community life is
damaged.  Other than wringing our hands, what are we to do?  We can...

     ...pray peace and healing for the dead, the grieving, and those injured 
in body, spirit, or livelihood.

     ...pray peace and healing for those whose hatred, anger, or illness
leads them to commit such violence.

     ...pray energy, strength, safety, and wisdom for those charged with the
task of protecting the innocent.

     ...resolve and dedicate ourselves to actions personal and public that 
point toward and nurture peace in our individual lives, our families, our 
communities, and our world.

As the apostle wrote, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome
evil with good."

The scriptures for Sunday, April 21, Earth Day Sunday...
Genesis 1

GROUNDS WORK DAY, Saturday, April 20, 9:30am - Noon.  All are 
invited to gather to prepare the Walnut Hill grounds for the spring and 
summer. Come and help out for as long or short a time as your schedule 
allows. Bring tools you might like to use and/or share with others.   

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, April 21, 10am, in Trinity
Hall.  Following up last Sunday's discussion of Redemption Theology,
this Sunday's discussion will focus on Creation Theology/Spirituality.

THE GOOD EARTH, an ecumenical Earth Day festival, will be held on
Sunday, April 21, 4pm - 7pm.  The program includes an Earth Day fair
beginning at 4pm, followed by a "bring your own picnic" at 5:30pm, and
worship at 6:30pm.

*What to bring?  
-a complete picnic for your household 
-one (1) simple refreshment item for a general hospitality table
-lawn chairs/blankets as you might like for the picnic and worship
-play equipment (e.g. corn hole, frisbees, etc) as you might like
to use and/or share

*Want to help?
-simply attend and enjoy yourself
-invite a friend or neighbor, put out a Facebook invite, etc
-arrive a little early if you would like to help with set up or
hospitality
-stay a little late if you would like to help with clean up

Use reply email for more information.

Website Update - Check out the new Walnut Hill website for archived
weekly letters, sermon recordings, events calendar, and more.  The 
website address is    www.walnuthillchurchky.org  .

Peace to all.

Mike Ward



Friday, April 12, 2013

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 14, at Walnut Hill Church ...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Redemption and Creation ...

Does God relate to the world as Creator, Redeemer, or both?  
Over the next two Sundays we will explore these different 
ways of thinking about God, the world, and ourselves.  

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

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children (thru middle school) are invited to gather for music
and singing in preparation for an Earth Day Sunday (Apr 21)
presentation.

Confirmation Study, 10am, Trinity Hall

High school youth gather as they prepare for confirmation
later in the spring.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon:  ... Lost in Translation
Text:  John 21:1-19

Nursery Care and Sunday School for children.

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

Youth Gathering, 5:30pm, Trinity Hall

Youth are invited to gather for pizza and activities.  We
will be making final preparations for the Earth Day Festival
(Apr 21).  There are opportunities for all!  

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Greetings to all!

The recent nuclear saber rattling on the Korean peninsula is
reminiscent of the old "Cold War" days.  Perhaps these thoughts
from Thomas Merton, written back in those days, still have some
relevance today.

We have to be convinced that there are certain things already
clearly forbidden to all [people], such as the use of torture, the
killing of hostages, genocide...The destruction of civilian centers
by nuclear bombing is genocide. We have to become aware of 
the poisonous effect of the mass media that keep violence, cruelty
and sadism constantly present in the minds of ... people.  We
have to recognize the danger to the whole world in the fact that
today the economic life of the more highly developed nations is
centered largely on the production of weapons, missiles, and
other engines of destruction.  We have to consider that hate
propaganda, and the consistent nagging and baiting of one
government by another, has always inevitably led to violent
conflict.  We have to recognize the implications of voting for
politicians who promote policies of hate.
(from Passion for Peace)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, April 14...
Acts 9:1-20
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, April 14, 10am,
in Trinity Hall.  Sunday Conversations include a wide variety
of topics from week to week.  Come enjoy a cup of coffee,
join the conversation, or just listen in.

Children's Choir - Children are invited to gather for music 
and singing this Sunday, April 14, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  The
children are preparing for an Earth Day Sunday (Apr 21)
presentation.

A Host(s) is needed for our after worship refreshments this
Sunday, April 14.  Use reply email to volunteer for this Sunday,
or check the sign up sheet in the foyer to host a Sunday later
in the spring or summer.

Youth (middle and high school) are invited to gather for a meal 
and activities this Sunday, April 14, 5:30pm.  Our activities will 
focus on completing our preparations for Earth Day.

The Good Earth -an ecumenical Earth Day Festival
Sunday, April 21, 4pm - 7pm.
4:00pm - Earth Day Fair:  Congregation and organization 
displays.  Play and relax on the church grounds. 
5:30pm - Picnic:  Bring your own picnic to enjoy.  Be sure
to bring picnic utensils, lawn chairs, blankets, etc.
6:30pm - Earth Day Worship: We will close the day with
worship outdoors.
(In case of rain, bring your picnic at 5:30pm for meal and
worship indoors.)

In the neighborhood:  Walnut Hill members and friends are
invited to a post-Easter service of reflection and celebration
on Wednesday, April 10, 6:30pm, at Pax Christi Catholic Church 
(4001 Victoria Way).  The service (30 - 45 min) combines 
traditional liturgy with contemporary praise music. Mike Ward will 
participate in the service leadership.  A potluck meal follows for 
all who would like to stay.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Friday, April 5, 2013

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, April 7, at Walnut HIll Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Between Doubt and Belief

We will explore the dynamics of doubt and belief through
the experience of Thomas, the disciple who would not
believe until he saw and touched the Risen Christ.  Was
Thomas really the "doubter" that tradition has made him out 
to be, and what about our experience of belief and doubt?

Children's Choir, 10am, Trinity Hall

Children and youth are invited to gather for music and singing
in preparation for an Earth Day Sunday (Apr 21) presentation.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon: Behind Locked Doors
Text:  John 20:19-31

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.

The Good Earth Planning Meeting, Noon, Sanctuary

All are invited to a brief meeting after worship for information
regarding the upcoming Earth Day Festival (Apr 21) and how
you might be part of it.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Greetings to all!

In her book, Receiving the Day, Dorothy Bass reflects on the Easter
message, "life has prevailed over death, and life still prevails over 
death," in the wake of the deaths of her two friends, Larry and Nancy.

I find that I need to learn [the Easter message] again and again,
year after year.  While I was still in my thirties, and they in their 
fifties, first Larry and then Nancy died of cancer.  Their deaths were
real, painful for them and for those who loved them.  Afterward,
however, I remembered most of all how each of them helped me
live more abundantly and how each also proclaimed life to many
other people during the time they were given.  Larry was a minister
and conductor who gathered unemployed musicians into a new 
orchestra, raising their spirits and enhancing the shared spirit of
his city.  Nancy was all compassion as grandmother, teacher, and
friend, and also a brilliant scholar and resolute activist whose work
shed light on oppression and brought help to those whom 
oppression would destroy.  In the often painful mingling of life and
death that shaped their stories, I have no doubt that life finally had,
and has, the victory.

In Memory:  Rada R. Jeffers, a member of Walnut Hill Church,
departed this life on Saturday, March 30, 2013.  Our prayers are
with Rada's family in these days.  For the complete obituary visit

The scripture lessons for Sunday, April 7...
Acts 5:27-32
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, April 7, 10am, in
Trinity Hall.  Sunday Conversations include a wide range of topics
from week to week.  Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation,
or just listen in.

Sunday Hospitality - A new sign up sheet has been posted in the
Sanctuary foyer with plenty of opportunities to host our after worship 
refreshments, including this Sunday, April 7.  Use reply email to 
volunteer for this Sunday, and/or use the sign up sheet to volunteer
for a Sunday later in the spring or summer.

The Good Earth, an ecumenical Earth Day festival, will be held at
Walnut Hill Church on Sunday, April 21, 4pm - 7pm.  We will need 
plenty of help providing hospitality to visitors from several participating 
congregations.  A brief volunteer information meeting will be held 
immediately after worship this Sunday, April 7, or use reply email to 
inquire about volunteering.

One Great Hour of Sharing: Fifteen OGHS fish (collection boxes)
"swam" back to Walnut Hill this past Sunday in what appears to be 
a bountiful OGHS catch.  OGHS fish are still welcome to swim back
to Walnut Hill over the next two Sundays.  Thanks to all who supported
this important Walnut Hill outreach.  For more information regarding
the good that your OGHS fish (and other OGHS donations) will do, visit

New Website:  Check out the new Walnut Hill Church website
at www.walnuthillchurchky.org .  On the website you will find links 
to an activities calendar, the church blog, sermon recordings, and
more! 

Lily sponsors are welcome to take your lily plants home after worship
this Sunday.  Thanks for adding to the Sanctuary's festive appearance
on Easter Day!

Peace to all.

Mike Ward