Greetings to all!
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Among other meanings, Ash
Wednesday provides an opportunity to consider our mortality, not with the intent
of eliciting fear or sadness, but rather to remind us that our lives have their limits,
and we are to live our lives with intentionality and purpose. Lately I became aware
of the death (and life) of Asma Jahangir, a Pakistani woman who spent her adult life
championing human rights in a country where such rights are not always upheld,
and doing so at great cost and risk to herself. Of particular interest was her advocacy
for the rights of women and persons of minority religions and her legal defense of a
Christian youth charged with blasphemy. On this Ash Wednesday, as I consider my
own mortality, I am inspired by fellow mortals like Asma Jahangir to live a life of
intention, meaning and purpose. Thanks be to God!
Ash Wednesday services around Lexington include…
*Christ Church Cathedral - 12:05pm and 7:00pm
*1st Presbyterian Church - 12:10pm and 7:00pm
The lectionary texts for February 18, the first Sunday in Lent…
Gnosticism Goes to the Movies, an exploration of ancient spirituality as found
in modern cinema, continues this Sun, Feb 18, 10am, in Trinity Hall, with the
session Responding to Cracks in Our Reality. This week's film is Pleasantville.
Though not a prerequisite, you might want to view the film in advance of the
session. Nursery care will be available.
A Host(s) is needed for our after worship gathering this Sun, Feb 18. Use reply
email to volunteer for this Sunday, or visit our online sign-up to view this and other
Sundays available for your hospitality. Thanks to all our hosts!
One Great Hour of Sharing - The One Great Hour of Sharing, an ecumenical
offering supporting hunger relief, disaster relief, water projects, and community
empowerment, is ongoing during Lent. Place a collection box on your home
dining table. During your primary meal each day, place a coin in the collection
box and remember some part of the world in your table prayer/conversation.
Bring your collection box to Walnut Hill on Easter Sunday (Apr 1).
Walking Through Scripture, a program of reading and reflection on the Sunday
lectionary texts (see above), continues during the season of Lent. Take a few
minutes during the week to read and reflect on the texts for the coming Sunday.
Use reply email to subscribe to Mike's weekly introduction and commentary on
the lessons.
The annual meeting of the Walnut Hill Church Cemetery Association will be
held on Sunday, March 4, immediately after morning worship. This year's meeting
includes the consideration of revised by-laws. Visit Cemetery By-Laws to view the
document in advance.
Prayer in Action Days, a public advocacy program sponsored by the Kentucky
Council of Churches, continues on Tue, Feb 20, 9:30am, at the Capitol Annex
Building (Rm#129) in Frankfort. This Tuesday's program will focus on the issue
of gun violence. Visit Prayer in Action Days for information regarding upcoming
Prayer in Action gatherings and check out the bulletin board in Trinity Hall for
information from previous gatherings.
2017 Financial Report - The financial books are now complete for 2017, and a
report is available showing a summary of Walnut Hill's financial experience for
the year. Copies of the report are available in the Sanctuary foyer or by request
from the church office.
Peace to all.
Mike Ward
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