Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Greetings to all!

Before it's all over, Hurricane Harvey will likely be one of the worst natural

disasters in U.S. history.  In the wake of such an event, prayer is a good

place to start…

God of Nature:

We are reminded how fragile are all our lives and livelihoods.

Be with those severely affected by wind and water.

Heal their bodies and refresh their spirits.

Grant them courage to face the days ahead,

and energy to accomplish the work that must be done.

Grant us a sense of our connection with these neighbors,

and may our prayers be matched by our deeds on their behalf.

Through Christ our Lord, who stilled the storm,

we pray.  Amen.

Accompanying our prayers must be our actions, beginning with our support of 

those providing emergency response.  Consider a gift to any of the various 

agencies responding such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army .  

Persons attending Walnut Hill Church this Sunday will have opportunity to 

contribute via one of our ecumenical partners, Church World Service .

*****

The scripture lessons for Sun, Sep 3, the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time …

Exodus 3:1-15

Romans 12:9-21

Matthew 16:21-28

Walking Through Scripture - On Sunday, September 10, 10am, in Trinity 

Hall, we begin  "Walking Through Scripture", an ongoing conversation guided 

by the Sunday lectionary readings.  Put on your "walking shoes" and join us.  

Watch for more details.  (There will no 10am conversation gathering on Sun,

Sept 3).

ACE D.C. Trip -  The annual Athens Chilesburg Elementary School 5th Grade 

Class Trip to Washington, DC, is coming up in October. As in past years, several 

students will need sponsorship support in order to participate.  Sponsorship is 

$499/student.  Your gift, in any amount, is welcome. Make  your check payable 

to Walnut Hill Church, designated "ACE DC Trip."

AED Training - Walnut Hill Church (in cooperation with the Day School) recently 

purchased an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to have on site in the 

event of a cardiac emergency.  While the AED is designed to  be user-friendly, 

we nonetheless would like to "train" a few folks on the device in the event that its 

use is ever needed.  If you would be willing to be among those so trained, let us 

know by reply email.  We hope to schedule a training session soon.

Sunday Hospitality - We have enjoyed some wonderful hospitality over these 

recent summer Sundays.  Check out the online sign up sheet for opportunities to 

host a Sunday in the fall.  Thanks to all our Sunday hosts.

In the Community - St. Andrew Orthodox Church (1136 Higbee Mill Rd) is

hosting an ecumenical service in honor of "World Day of Care for Creation"

on Thursday, August 31, 6:30pm.  The service provides a wonderful example

of orthodox liturgy and music.  

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, August 27, at Walnut Hill Church…

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

The Secret!

We will view/hear brief responses to the question, "What is

the secret to a fulfilling life?"  Perhaps we might have a few

responses of our own.  To view/hear some responses

ahead of time, visit "The Secret!"

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - What Pharaoh Did Not Count On

Text - Exodus 1:8 - 2:10

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

*****

Remember that during the summer months we are

collecting travel-size toiletry items for neighbors at the

Hope Center. Look for the collection box in the Sanctuary

foyer.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Greetings to all!

The beginning of the school year reminds us of the importance of learning,

and study as the work required for learning.  Study can take various forms.

In some circles, study is reckoned to be a spiritual practice along with the

more obvious spiritual practices like worship, prayer, meditation, etc. In the 

case of study, we engage in activities of mind and body to learn about God, 

the world and self. Study as a spiritual practice can include the Bible, theology, 

history, arts and sciences, as well as ordinary life experience. That which 

makes study a spiritual practice is not so much the subject of study as the 

intent, namely to open our awareness to the presence of God in the world 

and in our lives.  Unlike study as an academic program, study as a spiritual 

practice is an endeavor from which one never graduates.  As Richard Foster 

observed, "Study produces joy.  Like any novice, we shall find it hard work in 

the beginning.  But the greater our proficiency, the greater our joy." 

(from Celebration of Discipline)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, August 27…

Exodus 1:8 - 2:10

Romans 12:1-8

Matthew 16:13-20

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Aug 27, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  

Our conversation topic for this Sunday will be "The Secret of a Fulfilling Life."  

Come, enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just listen in.

AED Training - Walnut Hill Church (in cooperation with the Day School)

recently purchased an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to have on 

site in the event of a cardiac emergency.  While the AED is designed to 

be user-friendly, we nonetheless would like to "train" a few folks on the 

device in the event that its use is ever needed.  If you would be willing to 

be among those so trained, let us know by reply email.  We hope to 

schedule a training session soon.

ACE D.C. Trip -  The annual Athens Chilesburg Elementary School Fifth 

Grade Class Trip to Washington, DC, is coming up in October. As in past 

years, several students will need sponsorship support in order to participate.  

Sponsorship is $499/student.  Your gift, in any amount, is welcome. Make 

your check payable to Walnut Hill Church, designated "ACE DC Trip."

Sunday Hospitality - We have enjoyed some wonderful hospitality over 

these recent summer Sundays.  Check out the online sign up sheet for

opportunities to host a Sunday in the fall.  Thanks to all our Sunday hosts.

In the Community - Our frequent pulpit visitor, Dr. James Stillwell, is

offering a "Divorce Recovery Workshop" beginning in late September.

For more information regarding this offering, visit Divorce Recovery .

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, August 20, at Walnut Hill Church…

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

We will talk about how best to use our 10am conversations

during the fall, perhaps for Bible study, spiritual exploration,

topical discussion … to name a few possibilities.  Bring

your ideas and join us.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - An Eclipse of the Sun (Son)

Text -Luke 23:44-49

Greetings from Athens Chilesburg Elementary School

Nursery Care and Faith Development for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Greetings to all!

The events in Charlottesville are as disappointing as they are tragic, to be 

reminded how far we still are from accepting persons of different races,

nationalities, religions, etc, and how easily we can descend into hatred and 

violence.  It is important for persons of faith and good will to respond, rather 

than simply react, to such events.  With that in mind, let us…

…pray for all those involved and for ourselves that minds might be opened 

and hearts softened toward one another.

…reject ideologies that dehumanize others into objects to be despised or

worse.

…reach out with compassion to those who feel threatened because of their 

race, religion, nationality, or opinion.

…offer our time, talents and energy to build bridges of understanding and 

respect between ourselves and others.

The events in Charlottesville were not the first to reveal how far we have

yet to go as a nation and as a human race, and regrettably they will likely 

not be the last, but may we take from them such lessons as we can and 

use those lessons for our own and others'  good.

The scripture lesson for Sunday, August 20…

Luke 23:44-49

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, Aug 20, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  

This Sunday we will talk together about how we might best use the 10am 

conversation hour during the fall, perhaps topical conversation, Bible study, 

spiritual exploration … to name a few possibilities  We would like to hear your 

ideas, so please join us.  If you can't be with us but have an idea to share, 

feel free to send it by reply email.

ACE Partnership - For a number of years Walnut Hill Church has enjoyed 

a partnership with the Athens Chilesburg Elementary School , particularly

with the school's Family Resource Center.  A key element of that partnership

has been our support of the 5th Grade Class Trip to Washington, DC.  This

Sunday, August 20, Ms. Peggy Henderson (Principal) and Ms. Sarah Yates

(FRC Director) will be visiting Walnut Hill.  We look forward to welcoming

them.

Hope Center - During the summer months we are collecting travel size

toiletry items (toothbrush, soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc) for our neighbors 

at the Hope Center .  Look for the collection box in the Sanctuary foyer.

Fall Hospitality - We have enjoyed a wonderful season of hospitality over

these recent summer Sundays.  As you start to look at your fall schedule,

it might also be a good time to check out the refreshment sign-up sheet and

volunteer for a Sunday to host our after worship gathering at Walnut Hill.

Thanks to all our Sunday hosts!

Kroger Community Rewards - Unlike past years, participants in the

Community Rewards program do not need to renew their registration during

the month of August.  Simply continue using your Kroger card, and Walnut

Hill will benefit from your regular purchases.  If you are not currently enrolled

and would like to do so, visit www.kroger.com or call 1-800-KROGERS, opt 3.

Walnut Hill's organization number is 46525.  Thirty households currently

participate in the Community Rewards program supporting Walnut Hill, and

their participation generated approximately $1,200 for Walnut Hill during the 

last program year.  Thanks to all!

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, August 13, at Walnut Hill Church…

Sunday Conversation, 10am, Trinity Hall

Reconnecting with Compassion

Krista Tippett (author and host of NPR's "On Being") explores

compassion as an essential "spiritual technology" for our time

and invoking some lesser known thoughts of Albert Einstein. 

To view the video in advance of our conversation, visit

"Reconnecting…"

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - On the Open Sea

Texts - Matthew 14:22-33 and Matthew 8:23-27

Nursery Care and Faith Development for children/youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

*****

Hope Center Supplies - Remember that we are collecting

travel size toiletry items (toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, etc)

for guests at the Hope Center.  Look for the collection box

in the Sanctuary foyer.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Greetings to all!

Recent international events and rhetoric remind me of some thoughts offered 

by Thomas Merton during the Cold War. Merton reflected on what "praying for 

peace" meant to him in those days.  While today's nations and players might 

be different, I wonder if Merton's thoughts about praying for peace might still 

have relevance.  If you are so inclined, simply change the names to fit today's 

situation.

When I pray for peace I pray to pacify not only the Russians and the Chinese

but above all my own nation and myself.  When I pray for peace I pray to be

protected not only from the Reds but also from the folly and blindness of my

own country.  When I pray for peace, I pray not only that the enemies of my

country may cease to want war, but above all that my own country will cease

to do the things that make war inevitable.  In other words, when I pray for

peace I am not just praying that the Russians will give up without a struggle

and let us have our own way, I am praying that both we and the Russians

may somehow be restored to sanity and learn how to work out our problems,

as best we can, together instead of preparing for global suicide.

(from New Seeds of Contemplation, 1962)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, August 13…

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

Romans 10:5-15

Matthew 14:22-33

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, August 13, 10am, in Trinity

Hall.  Sunday Conversations include a wide variety of topics from week to

week.  Watch the Friday update for details regarding this Sunday's 

conversation.

Sandwich Ministry - For the last several years Walnut Hill has provided

sandwiches for overnight guests at the Catholic Action Center on the fourth 

Sunday of each month.  We continue that tradition even as the center has 

moved to its new location at 1055 Industry Road.  Check the sign up sheet 

in the Sanctuary foyer for information/opportunities to serve as a Sandwich 

Minister. 

Recycling - A blue recycling container has recently been placed in Trinity

Hall.  If you are disposing of a drink bottle/can or other recyclable during the

after worship gathering or other church program, seek out the blue container

and help us be a little more earth friendly. 

Kroger Community Rewards - Unlike past years, participants in the

Community Rewards program do not need to renew their registration during

the month of August.  Simply continue using your Kroger card and Walnut

Hill will benefit from your regular purchases.  If you are not currently enrolled

and would like to do so, visit www.kroger.com or call 1-800-KROGERS, option 3.

Walnut Hill's organization number is 46525.  Thirty households currently

participate in the Community Rewards program supporting Walnut Hill and

their participation generated approximately $1,200 for Walnut Hill during the 

last program year.  Thanks to all!

THANKS to all those who in ordinary and extraordinary ways made it

possible for the Ward family to enjoy two weeks of vacation and family time.

Your leadership and service is greatly appreciated.

Peace to all,

Mike Ward