Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Greetings to all!

In his book, Tears We Cannot StopMichael Eric Dyson explores the ongoing
challenge of racism in American society.  Addressing white readers, Dyson offers 
suggestions for reducing racism including one suggestion that seems quite 
simple…

Not knowing black folk intimately exacerbates the distance between the white
self and the black other.  One solution is new black friends.  It is distressing that
so few of you have more than a token black friend, maybe two.  Every open-
minded white person should set out immediately to find and make friends with
black folk who share their interests.  It's not as hard as it seems.  Black folk
come in every variety of belief, ideology, and politics, just as any other American
does, and the vast majority of us are morally upright.  Honestly, the fact that you 
do not know real, ordinary, splendid black folk is astonishing. The more black folk 
you know, the less likely you are to stereotype us.  The less you stereotype us, 
the less likely you are to fear us.  The less you fear us, the less likely you are to 
want to hurt us, or to accept our hurt as the price for your safekeeping. The safer 
you feel, the safer we'll be. 

The lectionary texts for March 11, the Fourth Sunday in Lent…

Gnosticism Goes to the Movies, an exploration of ancient spirituality in modern
cinema, continues this Sunday, 10am, in Trinity Hall, as we explore echoes of 
gnostic thought in the writings of New Testament authors John and Paul and
ask what significance it all might have for us today.  The film for this Sunday
is Avatar .

Children's Choir - Children through elementary age are invited to gather for
music and singing this Sunday, 10am, in Trinity Hall, as they prepare for a
music presentation later in the spring.

Spring Hospitality - Visit the online sign up sheet and volunteer to host our
Sunday refreshments one Sunday this spring.  Opportunities include this Sun, 
Mar 11.  Remember that refreshments need not be elaborate. Thanks to all our 
Sunday hosts!  You may also use reply email to volunteer.

Grounds Work Begins -Work has begun in the Walnut Hill Cemetery including
a general clean up, removal of dead/dying trees, trimming existing trees, planting
new trees, and enhancing the Bell Tower area.  Let us know if you might have 
questions regarding this and future work or would like to support it through a 
special contribution.

Holy Week Schedule - Mark your calendar for Holy Week activities including…
Sun, Mar 25, Palm Sunday - Morning Worship (11am) and Egg Hunt (Noon)
Thu, Mar 29, Maundy Thursday - Evening Prayer and Sacrament (7pm)
Sun, Apr 1, Easter Sunday - Sunrise Service (7am), Morning Worship and
Holy Communion (11am)

In the Community - The Theater Department of Tates Creek High School is
presenting Wendy and Peter Pan this week (Mar 9 - 11) at the school. Show 
days/times include Fri at 7pm, Sat at 1pm & 7pm, and Sun at 2pm.  Our own 
Ben Horman is a member of the cast.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward





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