Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Greetings to all!

We will observe "All Saints' Day" this Sunday, November 3.  In one of his journal 
entries, Thomas Merton describes those "saints" who particularly move him, 
and in the process offers a description of what makes for a saint in any time.

The saints of the 15th century are among those who most move me.  In the 
collapse of medieval society, corruption of the clergy, decadence of conventual 
life, there emerge men and women of the laity supremely obedient to God ... 
Complete and simple signs of contradiction to worldliness and system and 
convention and prejudiced interest.  Not rebels at all, but completely meek and 
submissive instruments of God.  In them you see clearly and movingly revealed 
what it is not to be a mere rebel but to be obedient to God as a sign to men, 
a sign of mercy, a revelation of truth and of power.  I am drawn to these "signs" 
of God with all the love of my heart, trusting above all in their love and their 
intercession, for they live in the glory of God.
(from The Intimate Merton)

The scripture lesson for Sunday, November 3...
Luke 10:25-37

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, Nov 3, with a conversation 
bringing together our EOS* season and All Saints' Day, as we find among the 
saints some examples of contemplative living.

As an EOS* practice this week, explore how your work (paid or volunteer, 
at home or in public) can be spiritual practice by doing work "carefully and well, 
with love and respect for the nature of the task and with due attention to its 
purpose." (Merton)  This week, offer your work as worship.  For more 
information regarding this and other spiritual practices, visit The Tree . 

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation of Walnut Hill Church will be held on 
Sunday, November 10, immediately after morning worship.  Business for the 
annual meeting includes election of Vestry members and officers, presentation 
of the 2014 budget, and approval of the Pastor's terms of call for 2014.  All 
Walnut Hill members and friends are encouraged to attend.

The Zealot - Persons who have read The Zealot might be interested in a two part 
book discussion scheduled for Wednesday evenings, November 6 and 13. 
Use reply email to request more information regarding time, place, etc.  

Thanksgiving Stuffing - Once again, Walnut Hill has been asked to provide 
the stuffing/dressing for the Nathaniel Mission's Community Thanksgiving Dinner.  
You can sponsor a pan of stuffing/dressing for $20.  Use reply email to sponsor 
a pan.

Thanks to all those who donated items for CWS Hygiene Kits and to the young 
people who assembled them last Sunday, enough for 29 complete kits, plus a 
variety of leftover items. With an estimated value of $10/kit, the contributions and 
work totaled approximately $290.  Leftover items will be donated locally via the 
Catholic Action Center and/or saved for future kit assembly. For more information 
regarding CWS kits, visit Kits .

In the community:  An Interfaith Vigil in Support of Immigration Reform will be held 
on Wednesday, October 30, 6:30pm, at Courthouse Plaza (Main & Limestone) in 
Lexington.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward


*EOS  is short for Exploring Our Spirituality, a season of reflection ongoing at
Walnut Hill through Sunday, November 17. 



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