Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Greetings to all!

Last week, along with several Walnut Hill friends, I had opportunity to visit the 
Abbey of Gethsemani near Bardstown.  Popularly known for its cheese, fruitcake, 
fudge, and its one time member Thomas Merton, the Abbey is an ongoing 
community of monks leading a life of simplicity, work, worship, and hospitality.

Ours was a brief visit, just long enough to walk the grounds, enjoy a picnic lunch, 
attend two (of seven daily) services of the hours, and glimpse a life quite different 
than most of us lead.  The life of the monastery is not "better" than our lives, but it 
is different, and a visit provides opportunity to experience that difference, and to 
consider what all of our ordinary, and often ceaseless, activity might cause 
us to miss in life.

As the visitor's brochure described it ..."This monastery is a school of the Lord's 
service, a school of brotherly love.  Following Christ under a rule and an abbot, 
monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani lead a life of prayer, work, and sacred reading, 
steeped in the heart and mystery of the Church.  Pupils in such a school as this 
come to know themselves, their God, and His great mercy."  

Visit the Abbey website for more information regarding the community and its 
ministry.  I hope we might visit there again.

Three Evenings Together is a series of Wednesday evening gatherings 
(June 11, 18, 25), 6pm - 8pm, including a meal, activities for all ages, and 
worship.  This year's gatherings focus on the theme, "Living Water."  
This evening's (June 25) meal and program schedule includes:
  -meal - traditional potluck (bring a salad, side dish, or dessert)
  -program - for children - Baptism ... into Disciple-hood, considering the
place where love and mercy meet.
   - for adults - Living Water for the World
 featuring our 
guests, 
Jan and Ken Cottrell.  The Cottrells will visit with us about the need for 
clean 
and 
safe water for communities around the world, and their experience 
with an 
organization, 
Living Waters for the World , working to meet that need.  
See you there!

The scripture lessons for Sunday, June 29 ...
Genesis 22:1-14
Psalm 13

A HOST(S) is needed for our after worship refreshments this Sunday, June 29.  
Visit the online sign up sheet or use reply email to volunteer for this Sunday.

Sunday Conversations will be on summer break for the next several weeks.
Look for Sunday Conversations to resume in mid-August.  

Walnut Hill Cycling Ride - The 3rd Annual Walnut Hill Cycling Ride will be 
held on Saturday, July 19.  This year we are pleased to partner with both
the Bluegrass Cycling Club and KY Refugee Ministries to provide bicycles
for refugee families.  Watch for more details.  By the way, we are inviting
sponsorships this year to help offset event costs.  Use reply email to inquire
about a sponsorship for yourself or a business.  Visit  Walnut Hill Ride for
more information.  Feel free to share this information with your cycling
friends.

Saturday Coffee - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee each 
Saturday morning, 8am, at Paneras on Richmond Road.  There is no formal
program, simply an opportunity to talk about whatever might be in the news
or on our minds.  Feel free to stop by for as long or short a time as your 
schedule might allow.  No rsvp required.

Sanctuary Refurbishing - The Sanctuary will be receiving a "makeover" this 
summer.  Visit the link ( Sanctuary ) for information regarding this project.   
Thanks to those who have already donated toward this effort. We have so far 
received over $14,000 toward our $20,000 goal.  Your donations continue to 
be needed and appreciated.

Hope Center Items:  While you are traveling or shopping this summer, 
remember that we are gathering "travel size" toiletry items (e.g. shampoo,
toothpaste, soap, etc) for donation to the Hope Center.  Simply bring your
items to Walnut Hill and place them in the "Hope Center" container found in
the Sanctuary Foyer.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

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