Greetings to all!
This week we enter a season of Exploring Our Spirituality (EOS).
Small group gatherings began earlier this week, and our Sunday
morning conversations and worship will provide opportunity to reflect
on this fall's EOS theme, "Entering the School of Your Experience."
You are invited to engage this season in whatever way makes sense
for you including small group participation, Sunday morning attendance,
personal reading and reflection, or simply living with eyes, ears, and
heart open. We begin our exploration with a description of
"contemplative living."
Contemplative living is a journey through experience in response to
a "word" heard within our inmost hearts to come out of the spiritual
immaturity of self-centeredness into the fulness of being alive in
community. Contemplative living is a way of praying through our
life's experiences in a way that manifests our appreciation of the
adventure and gift of being alive. To live contemplatively is to
commit ourselves to a lifelong extension course in wisdom whereby
we learn the heights and the depths of what it means to become
more joy-filled, courageous, and compassionate human beings.
The scripture lessons for Sunday, October 13...
Mark 1:16-39
Mark 4:1-9
Sunday Conversations pick up the EOS theme this week as we
explore the "Tree of Contemplative Practices." If you would like
to do a little tree climbing ahead of time, visit "The Tree" . Join us
this Sunday, 10am, in Trinity Hall.
EOS Sharing Groups: It is not too late to join an EOS sharing group.
Groups will be meeting for the next five weeks on Sunday evening,
Monday morning, and Monday evening. Use reply email to inquire
about joining an EOS sharing group.
As an EOS practice this week take a walk(s) in your neighborhood
or a nearby park, or simply sit outside for a while. Your walk can be
on your own or with someone. Rather than talking, listening to an I-pod,
etc, simply be aware of the sights, sounds, etc, along the way. At the
end of your walk, reflect and/or talk about what you saw, heard,
experienced, etc.
CWS Hygiene Kits: At the end of October, Walnut Hill Youth will
be assembling Church World Service Hygiene Kits, which are
distributed around the world in the aftermath of disasters. Hygiene Kits
provide some essential items that we take for granted in ordinary times.
You may donate hygiene kit items at Walnut Hill for the next several
Sundays. Needed items include: hand towels (16"x28"), washcloths, wide
tooth combs, nail clippers, bar soap (bath size), toothbrushes (in single
package), standard size adhesive bandage strips.
In the Community: The Interfaith Alliance of the Bluegrass will
hold its annual meeting and dinner on Thursday, October 17, 6pm,
at Central Baptist Church. Speaking will be Dr. Joan Brown
Campbell, who will discuss the "Compassionate Cities Movement."
Cost per person is $20. RSVP by October 10 to tiabg.info@gmail.com.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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