Friday, August 29, 2014

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, August 31, at Walnut Hill Church...

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Preaching - The Rev. Dr. John Cavendish
       Pastor Emeritus, Walnut Hill Church


Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.


*****

Sunday Conversations are dismissed this Sunday and
will resume on Sunday, September 7, 10am.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Greetings to all!

Monday, September 1, is Labor Day, the annual holiday on which we 
celebrate work and workers by giving many workers a day off from work.  
Taking a symbolic day off from our labor to celebrate our labor echoes 
the religious concept of Sabbath, which includes both the notions of rest 
and trust. Wendell Berry reflects on these ideas in his poem "Sabbaths."

Whatever is foreseen in joy
Must be lived out from day to day.
Vision held open in the dark
By our ten thousand days of work.
Harvest will fill the barn; for that
The hand must ache, the face must sweat.
And yet no leaf or grain is filled
By work of ours; the field is tilled
And left to grace.  That we may reap,
Great work is done while we're asleep.
When we work well, a Sabbath mood
Rests on our day, and finds it good.

(as found in Practicing Our Faith)

This Sunday, August 31, we welcome to the pulpit 
the Rev. Dr. John Cavendish, Walnut Hill Church Pastor
Emeritus, who served Walnut Hill Church from 1976 - 2001.

SUNDAY REFRESHMENTS - Take a moment to check out 
the 
online refreshment sign up sheet, and sign up to host 
a Sunday 
later in the summer or fall.  You will find the sign up 
sheet at this 
link ...  Sunday Refreshments .  Thanks to all our 
refreshment hosts!

NURSERY CAREGIVER POSITION OPEN

Walnut Hill is currently seeking a caregiver to staff the church
nursery on Sunday mornings from 10:30am - 12:30pm.  Visit the 
link ( Nursery Caregiver ) for a complete job description and
contact information.  Direct inquiries and referrals are welcome.

YOUTH ACTIVITY LEADER POSITION OPEN

Walnut Hill is currently seeking an activity leader to staff the church's
ministry with and to middle and high school youth.  Visit the 
link ( youth leader ) for a complete job description and 
contact 
information.  Direct inquiries and referrals are welcome.

ACE Trip - Each year the 5th grade class of Athens Chilesburg
Elementary School takes a "field trip" to Washington, DC.  For the 
last several years, Walnut Hill has supported this trip by providing
sponsorships for students whose families would otherwise be
unable to afford it.  Walnut Hill has agreed to sponsor up to six
students ($560/student).  If you would like to help in this 
sponsorship, simply make your check payable to Walnut Hill
Church, designated "ACE Trip."  Gifts in any amount are welcome.

Sunday Conversations will be dismissed this Sun, Aug 31, for
the Labor Day holiday.  Watch for Sunday Conversations to
resume on Sun, Sep 7, 10am.

Coming Events:  Mark the following dates on your calendar
and plan to attend...
Sun, Sep 21 - Fall Potluck: Bring a salad, side dish, or
dessert, and join us for this delicious Walnut Hill tradition.  
Immediately after morning worship.
Sun, Sep 28 - CROP Walk: All ages are invited to this
3 mile walk to raise awareness and dollars to alleviate
hunger locally and around the world.  Gather at 3pm at Second
Presbyterian Church. 
Sun, Oct 5 - Ecumenical Sunday:  We welcome the
Rev. John McCullough, President and CEO of Church World
Service.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward





Friday, August 22, 2014

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, August 24, at Walnut Hill Church...

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Welcoming the Stranger...

Ms. Dabney Parker, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, will be
our guest to talk about the work of KRM welcoming refugee
families to the Bluegrass.  Dabney's visit follows up our
recent Walnut Hill Cycling Ride benefitting KRM, inviting 
us to learn more about the challenges, opportunities, and 
blessings of resettlement ministry.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Beyond "Us Vs. Them"
Text - Romans 12:1-21

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

The Vestry will meet at 9:30am in the upstairs office
of Trinity Hall.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Greetings to all!

The recent events in Ferguson, Missouri, remind us of the frustration,
anger, and potential for violence existing just below the surface of our 
society.  A spark of injustice, actual or perceived, can ignite a destructive 
fire.  For those of us living at a distance, literally or figuratively, from these
events, the challenge is to understand the roots of the anger seen and
heard in the demonstrations.  For those living in the affected neighborhoods,
the challenge is to voice their grievances forcefully without doing violence 
to others or themselves.  For all of us, the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.,
might offer some insight.

I would not wish to give the impression that nonviolence will accomplish
miracles overnight.  Men are not easily moved from their mental ruts or
purged of their prejudiced and irrational feelings.  When the 
underprivileged demand freedom, the privileged at first react with
bitterness and resistance.  Even when the demands are couched in
nonviolent terms, the initial response is substantially the same ... But
the nonviolent approach does something to the hearts and souls of 
those committed to it.  It gives them new self-respect.  It calls up the
resources of strength and courage that they did not know they had.
Finally, it so so stirs the conscience of the opponent that reconciliation
becomes a reality.
(from "Pilgrimage to Nonviolence" as found in Strength to Love)

The Scripture lessons for Sunday, August 24...
Exodus 1:8 - 2:10
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20

WELCOMING THE STRANGER...a conversation about the work of
Kentucky Refugee Ministries, will be held this Sun, Aug 24, 10am,
in Trinity Hall. Our special guest will be Ms. Dabney Parker, 
Volunteer Coordinator for KRM.  This conversation follows up our
recent cycling ride at which over $1,500 was raised to provide
bicycles for refugee families.  

Adult Faith Formation is the topic of a conversation to be held this
Sat, Aug 23, 10am, at the home of Mike Ward (341 Albany Rd)
We will talk about Walnut Hill's current programs (e.g Sunday 
Conversations, and EOS) intended to promote faith/spiritual growth 
as well as explore new program ideas.  Use reply email to let us know 
if you plan to attend, and/or if you have ideas to share.

Sanctuary Reopened - The Walnut Hill Sanctuary has opened for
worship again after 4 weeks of refurbishing! Thanks to all who
supported this effort through their gifts of time, talent, patience, 
and dollars!  See you in the Sanctuary this Sunday, 11am.


SUNDAY REFRESHMENTS - Take a moment to check out
the online refreshment sign up sheet, and sign up to host
a Sunday later in the summer or fall.  You will find the sign up
sheet at this link ...  Sunday Refreshments .  Thanks to all our
refreshment hosts!

NURSERY CAREGIVER POSITION OPEN

Walnut Hill is currently seeking a caregiver to staff the church
nursery on Sunday mornings from 10:30am - 12:30pm.  Visit the 
link ( Nursery Caregiver ) for a complete job description and
contact information.  Direct inquiries and referrals are welcome.

YOUTH ACTIVITY LEADER POSITION OPEN

Walnut Hill is currently seeking an activity leader to staff the church's
ministry with and to middle and high school youth.  Visit the 
link ( youth leader ) for a complete job description and 
contact 
information.  Direct inquiries and referrals are welcome.

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.

The Vestry will meet this Sun, Aug 24, 9:30am, in the upstairs
office of Trinity Hall.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward













Friday, August 15, 2014

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, August 17, at Walnut Hill Church...

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - ...because of and in spite of...
Text -  Genesis 45:1-15

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

While a few small details remain to be finished, the Sanctuary 
refurbishing project is now mostly complete.  We return 
to the Sanctuary for worship this Sunday, August 17!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Greetings to all!

Robin Williams died this week.  Mr. Williams had a wonderful talent
for making others smile and laugh.  He certainly made me laugh on 
more than a few occasions.  The circumstances of his death highlight 
the close proximity of laughter and despair.  In his book, Telling the 
Truth...,  Frederick Beuchner reflects on tragedy and comedy in relation 
to the gospel.

I have spoken of tragedy as inevitable and comedy as unforeseeable,
and seen from the inside of each, that seems to me to be so.  Charlie
Chaplin doesn't see the banana peel on the sidewalk before him
whereas Job knows from the start that in his contention with God he
is doomed to defeat.  But seen from the outside, seen as God sees
it and as occasionally by the grace of God man also sees it, I 
suspect that it is really the other way around.  From the divine 
perspective, I suspect that it is the tragic that is seen as not 
inevitable whereas it is the comic that is bound to happen.  The
comedy of God's saving the most unlikely people when they least
expect it, the joke in which God laughs with man and man with God -
I believe that this is what is inevitable and that this is what King
Lear glimpses when at the end of his tragic life, when the world has
done its worst, he says to the daughter he loves, "...Come, let's
away to prison; / We two alone.../so we'll live,/ And pray, and sing,
and tell old tales, and laugh..."

The scripture lessons for Sunday, August 17...
*Genesis 45:1-15
*Romans 11:1-2, 29-32
*Matthew 15:10 - 28

SANCTUARY REFURBISHING - WEEK 4 REPORT

The Sanctuary refurbishing project is moving toward completion 
this week.  Carpet has been installed.  Move-in is scheduled for 
this eveing (see below).  Meanwhile, final detail items, touch up, 
and clean up work will be ongoing.

A Sanctuary Move-in Party is scheduled for today (Wed, Aug 13) 
beginning at 5pm.  Come along any time that your schedule allows 
and help us return the furnishings to the Sanctuary.  We will be 
ordering pizza around 6pm for all volunteers.

Thanks to all who have contributed toward the expense of the
Sanctuary project.  To date we have received over $21,700 in
gifts and pledges, surpassing our $20,000 goal!

We anticipate worship this Sun, Aug 17, 11am, to be held in 
the Sanctuary.  Watch your Friday update for confirmation of 
these plans.

MEN'S COFFEE - Walnut Hill men are invited to gather for coffee
each Saturday morning, 8am, at Paneras on Richmond Road.
Feel free to stop by for as long or short a time as your schedule
allows.  No rsvp required.

SUNDAY REFRESHMENTS - Take a moment to check out
the online refreshment sign up sheet, and sign up to host
a Sunday later in the summer or fall.  You will find the sign up
sheet at this link ...  Sunday Refreshments .  Thanks to all our
refreshment hosts!

NURSERY CAREGIVER POSITION OPEN

Walnut Hill is currently seeking a caregiver to staff the church
nursery on Sunday mornings from 10:30am - 12:30pm.  Visit the 
link ( Nursery Caregiver ) for a complete job description and
contact information.  Direct inquiries and referrals are welcome.

YOUTH ACTIVITY LEADER POSITION OPEN

Walnut Hill is currently seeking an activity leader to staff the church's
ministry with and to middle and high school youth.  Visit the 
link ( youth leader ) for a complete job description and 
contact 
information.  Direct inquiries and referrals are welcome.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward



Friday, August 8, 2014

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, August 10, at Walnut Hill Church...

Morning Worship, 11am, Trinity Hall

Sermon - Untouchable?
Text - Matthew 8:1 - 4

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

With the Sanctuary refurbishing project ongoing, 
worship this Sunday, August 10, will again be held
in Trinity Hall.  We anticipate returning to the Sanctuary
on Sunday, August 17.  Thanks to all for your patience
and support of the project.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Greetings to all!

This summer marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning
of World War 1.  Today, Aug 6, is the 69th anniversary of the
atomic destruction of Hiroshima, Japan.  Whatever judgments
might be made regarding the just-ness or unjust-ness of these
events, they both remind us, as do more recent events, that 
innocent persons suffer greatly from the wars begun and 
executed by the decisions and actions of others.  Consider the 
following prayer by Janet Morley.

O God, you bring hope out of emptiness
energy out of fear
new life out of grief and loss;
comfort all those who have lost love ones, homes,
   and livelihoods
through persecution, war, exile, or
deliberate destruction.
Give them security, a place to live,
and neighbors they trust
to be, with them,
a new sign of peace to the world.  Amen.

(as found in Woman Prayers and adapted)

SANCTUARY REFURBISHING - WEEK 3 REPORT

Work continues this week including painting the Sanctuary walls 
and trim and the reinstallation of pews. The overall project remains 
on schedule for completion next week.  Some volunteer help will be 
needed next week as we will be "moving-in" the Sanctuary furnishings.

We are pleased to report that a home has been found for our old
pew cushions in the sanctuary of a neighboring congregation
here in Lexington.    

We are also pleased to report that pledges and gifts toward the
Sanctuary project now total approximately $21,000.  Your gifts
toward the total project cost continue to be welcome as they help us 
preserve the Building Fund for future improvements and maintenance.  
Thanks to all who have contributed thus far.  All donations will be 
acknowledged during worship on Aug 17 and in the next printed 
Walnut Hill Newsletter.

We anticipate worship this Sun, Aug 10, 11am, to be held in 
Trinity Hall.  We anticipate returning to the Sanctuary on Sun,
 Aug 17.

NURSERY CAREGIVER POSITION OPEN

Walnut Hill is currently seeking a caregiver to staff the church
nursery on Sunday mornings from 10:30am - 12:30pm.  Visit the 
link ( Nursery Caregiver ) for a complete job description and
contact information.  Direct inquiries and referrals are welcome.

"BACK TO SCHOOL"

Thanks to all who participated in our "Back to School" project
providing outfits for students recommended by the Nathaniel
Mission.  The outfits will be delivered to the Mission this week
for distribution to students next Monday.  By the way, the folks at 
the Mission welcome volunteers who would like to help at  their 
"Back to School Bash"  on Aug 11.  Use reply email for more 
information.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward



Friday, August 1, 2014

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, August 3, at Walnut Hill Church ...

Morning Worship, 11am, Trinity Hall

Sermon - From Scarcity to Abundance
Text - Matthew 14:13-21
Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

Sanctuary work is ongoing.  Supplemental ceiling 
lights have been installed.  Wall cracks have repaired
and filled.  Painting is in process.  Worship this 
Sunday, August 3, will again be in Trinity Hall.

*****

Persons sponsoring students as part of our "Back to
School" program should bring their items to Walnut
Hill by this Sunday, August 3.