Grace to all and Peace!
On this post-election day, ordinary folks and experts alike are counting
the gains and losses. The experience of "gains and losses" is not limited
to politics, but rather is an inevitable part of the human experience.
Henri Nouwen offers some thoughts about the "losses" of our lives.
Better to mourn your losses than to deny them. Dare to feel your
losses. Dare to grieve them. Name the pain and say, "Yes, I feel real
pain, real fear, real loss; and I am going to embrace it. I will take up
the cross of my life, and accept it." To grieve is to experience the pain
of your life and face the dark abyss where nothing is clear or settled,
where everything is shifting and changing. To fully grieve is to allow
your losses to tear apart feelings of false security and safety and lead
you to the painful truth of your brokenness and dependence upon
God alone. Finally, you come to the point where you honestly can say:
"Yes, yes, yes! This is my life, and I accept it."
(as found in Spiritual Formation)
The scripture lesson for Sunday, November 9...
Philippians 3:1-21
Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Nov 9, 10am, in Trinity
Hall. Our conversation will be prompted by this week's EOS text,
Phil. 3:1-21. Watch the Friday update for more details.
Children's Choir: Children through elementary age are invited to
gather for music and singing this Sun, Nov 9, 10am, in Trinity Hall,
as they practice for their Christmas season presentation.
THE ANNUAL MEETING of the congregation of Walnut Hill Church
will be held Sunday, Nov 9, immediately after worship, in the
Walnut Hill Sanctuary. Items of business include the election of
Vestry members, presentation of the 2015 church budget, and action
on the Pastor's terms of call for 2015. All Members and Friends of
Walnut Hill Church are encouraged to attend.
Youth (middle and high school) are invited to gather at Walnut Hill
this Sun, Nov 9, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, for a meal and activities.
Exploring Our Spirituality (EOS) continues this Sunday with the
beginning of our Week 5 focus, "Past, Present, and Future," Phil 3:1-21.
You can participate in EOS in a variety of ways including...
-attendance at Sunday Conversations (10am) and Morning Worship (11am).
-participation in an EOS Small Group. Small Groups are meeting on
Sunday evenings, Tuesday evenings, and Thursday mornings.
-individual exploration using the EOS workbook. Use reply email or
contact the church office to request a workbook, or check out the online
version at Fall 2014 Workbook .
Looking Ahead: Be sure to include these dates on your calendar...
*Sun, Dec 7 - Christmas Season Potluck, after worship
*Sun, Dec 21 - Christmas Party, 3 - 5 pm
The Good Giving Challenge, an online charitable campaign hosted
by the Bluegrass Community Foundation, began this week and is
ongoing through Dec 12. Visit www.bggives.org to learn about and
support dozens of nonprofit organizations including several well-known
to Walnut Hill such as the Kentucky Council of Churches, Mission
Lexington, and Reading Camp.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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