Greetings to all!
Independence Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the freedoms
we enjoy in the U.S., not the least of which is the Freedom of Religion.
The free exercise (or non-exercise) of religion was not a given in the
colonies, or in the new nation, but was the result of discussion, debate,
and argument. An important marker in the process was the passage
(1786) of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, authored by Thomas
Jefferson. Below is an excerpt from the Statute.
Be it enacted … that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support
any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be
enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor
shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief,
but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain,
their opinions in matters of Religion, and that the same shall in no wise
diminish, enlarge or affect their civil capacities … and [we] do declare that
the rights hereby asserted, are of the natural rights of mankind, and that if
any act shall be hereafter passed to repeal the present or to narrow its
operation, such act will be an infringement of natural right.
The scripture lessons for Sunday, July 5…
Amos 5:14-24
2 Peter 2:9-17
Mark 12:13-17
Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, July 5, 10am, in Trinity
Hall. Our conversation topic for this Sunday will be "Presidential Faith."
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.
The Walnut Hill Cycling Ride is coming on Saturday, July 18.
Registration opens at 8am. Open road rides (15, 25, 40 miles) begin
at 8:30am. A "Fun Ride" for families and novice riders begins at 9am.
(Helmets are required of all cyclists). A complimentary brunch will be
served beginning at 10am. You can participate by riding, by volunteering
as an event host, and/or by providing food for the brunch. Use reply
email for more information.
Sunday Hosts - Opportunities are available to host our after worship
refreshments for Sundays in July and August. Visit the online signup
sheet to volunteer for a Sunday upcoming. Remember that the
refreshments need not be elaborate, just something simple to gather
around as we visit after worship. Thanks to all our refreshment hosts.
Back to School - A shopper(s) is needed to help Walnut Hill fulfill a
request from the Nathaniel Mission to provide "back to school" outfits
for 10 children (one outfit each). A grant from the Community Fund
will pay for these outfits. We simply need someone(s) to do the
shopping. Use reply email to inquire about helping with this project.
Sermons available: Copies of two recent sermons are available by
request…
*"Offering an Ideal" - the church and human sexuality in the 21st
century.
*"What Can We Say?" - a response to the events in Charleston
Use reply email to request a paper or e-copy of either sermon.
Thanks to all who contributed non-perishable food items in response
to our Big Blue Barrel Food Drive. We filled the barrel in record time!
The folks from God's Pantry will be picking up the barrel this week and
distributing the food to neighbors throughout central and eastern Kentucky.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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