Friday, June 29, 2018

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, July 1, at Walnut Hill Church…

Sunday Conversation, 10am, Trinity Hall

It's Biblical (?)

We will explore Romans 13:1-7, which government
officials recently cited in support of a particularly
controversial policy. What might this passage have 
to say to us today?

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - A Generous People

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

*****

Fun With Chimes - Adults and youth are invited to
gather after worship for a few minutes of fun and practice 
with "chimes" as we continue exploring their possible
use at Walnut Hill.  Follow the chiming to the Trinity Hall
basement.

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Greetings to all!

Last weekend we saw the documentary film, Won't You Be My Neighbor?, 
concerning the life and work of Fred Rogers.  In addition to being a great
refreshment to the spirit, the film is also an opportunity to think about how we 
relate, not only to children, but to all people in our world, which is  arguably 
our "neighborhood." I am reminded of some thoughts about "neighbor" offered 
by Kathleen Norris…

It seems clear, from reading the daily news if nothing else, that there will always 
be some in this world who want their holy wars, who will discriminate, vilify, and 
even kill in the name of God. They have narrowed down the concept of neighbor 
to include only those like themselves, in terms of creed, caste, race, sex, or 
sexual orientation.  But there is also much evidence that there are many who 
know that a neighbor might be anyone at all, and are willing to act on that 
assumption.  (from Amazing Grace)

p.s. If you go to see the movie, be prepared to smile a lot and take a tissue with
you.

The lectionary texts for July 1, the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time…

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, July 1, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  
Sunday's conversation is titled It's Biblical (?) and focuses on Romans 13
which was recently used by government officials to support a particularly 
controversial policy.  We will take the opportunity to explore what the text 
does/does not require of us in regard to life as citizens.

Walnut Hill Pastor Review - Don't forget to take a few minutes to complete
and submit the Walnut Hill Pastor Review Survey.  Use reply email to request 
a link to the online survey or a paper copy. Survey responses must be be
submitted by June 30.  All survey responses are individually anonymous. 
Thank you for your participation.

The 7th Annual Walnut Hill Bike Ride will be held on Sat, July 7, at Walnut 
Hill Church. You can help by providing food for the event, volunteering on the 
event day, spreading news of the event via word or poster, and/or attending 
as a participant.  Use reply email for more information or visit the Walnut Hill

Hope Center: As is our recent summer custom, we are gathering travel size 
toiletry items (toothpaste/brushes, razors, combs, soap, etc) for guests of
 the Hope Center.  Place your donated items in the collection box in the 
Sanctuary foyer.

Thanks to all those who gathered this past Monday evening to celebrate 
the recently completed work in the cemetery, and thanks to all those who 
helped to support that work with their special donations.  Watch for information
regarding possible future developments.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward




Friday, June 22, 2018

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, June 24, at Walnut Hill Church…

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Refugee Ministry

Dabney Parker, from Kentucky Refugee Ministries, will visit 
with us about the current state of refugee ministry in general 
and the work of KRM in particular.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Who Mourns for Goliath?
Text - 1 Samuel 17

The Confirmation of Baptismal Vows

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

*****

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

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Greetings to all!

Today, June 20, is World Refugee Day, a date established by the United
Nations to focus on the suffering, needs, courage, endurance, and resilience 
of displaced persons around the world.  It is also a day for considering our
response to refugees, particularly those who might seek shelter and welcome 
in the United States, and even in Lexington.  As we reflect on the situation of 
refugees around the world, consider the following prayer…

Sheltering God:
Too many children, women, and men find themselves fleeing 
their homes and their homelands because of violence,
and the threat of violence.
Protect, O Lord, those who journey in search of safety.
May they find welcome from their neighbors.
May they find welcome from your people.
Soften our hearts and open our arms to receive
those who come to our shores, to our borders, to our city,
In the name of Christ we pray.  Amen.

The lessons for June 24, the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time…

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, June 24, 10am, in Trinity Hall as 
we welcome Dabney Parker from Kentucky Refugee Ministries. Dabney will 
visit with us regarding refugee ministry in general and the work of KRM in 
particular.

Cemetery Celebration/Update - Join us on Mon, June 25, 6:00 - 7:30pm, 
for an informal gathering to celebrate and learn about the work completed 
and ongoing in the Walnut Hill Church Cemetery. Light evening refreshments 
will be served.  Stop by whenever and for as long as your schedule allows.  
At around 6:30pm, we will hear about the work recently completed. Your 
rsvp (by reply email) is welcome, but not required.  

Walnut Hill Pastor Review - Don't forget to take a few minutes during 
the month of June to complete and submit the Walnut Hill Pastor Review
Survey. In the Sanctuary foyer you will find instructions for completing the 
survey online as well as paper copies of the survey.  You may also use reply 
email to request a link to the online survey. All survey responses are 
individually anonymous. Thank you for your participation.

The 7th Annual Walnut Hill Bike Ride will be held on Saturday, July 7, at 
Walnut Hill. You can help by providing food for the event, volunteering on 
the event day, spreading news of the event via word or poster, and/or attending 
as a participant.  Use reply email for more information.  Proceeds benefit

Hope Center: As is our recent summer custom, we are gathering travel
size toiletry items (toothpaste/brushes, razors, combs, soap, etc) for
guests of the Hope Center.  Place your donated items in the collection box
in the Sanctuary foyer.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward





Friday, June 15, 2018

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, June 17, at Walnut Hill Church…

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Nothing But Parables

This Sunday we will share a walking through scripture
conversation focusing on  Mark 4:26-34 , including the 
parables of the Growing Seed and the Mustard Seed,
as well as Mark's observation that Jesus taught only in
parables.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Beyond the Human Point of View

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

*****

Hope Center - Throughout the summer we are receiving
travel size toiletry items (soap, combs, toothpaste, etc.) 
for guests of the Hope Center.  Look for the collection box 
in the Sanctuary foyer.

*****

Walnut Hill Chimes - Adults and older youth are invited 
to gather after worship in the basement of Trinity Hall for 
some fun making music with  "hand chimes."

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Greetings to all!

This Sunday is Father's Day, offering an occasion to reflect on our family 
relationships, which can sometimes be troubled.  In his autobiography, 
Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen reflects on his relationship with his father…

"My Father's House" is probably the best song I've written about my dad,
but its conclusion wasn't going to be enough for me. In "Long Time Comin'"
I lay out the wish I've had for my children. We honor our parents by not
accepting as the final equation the most troubling characteristics of our
relationship. I decided between my father and me that the sum of our
troubles would not be the summation of our lives together.  In analysis
you work to turn the ghosts that haunt you into ancestors who accompany
you.  That takes hard work and a lot of love, but it's the way we lessen
the burdens our children have to carry.  Insisting on our own experience,
our own final calculus of love, trouble, hard times and, if we're lucky, a
little transcendence.  This is how we claim our own lives as sons and
daughters, independent souls on our piece of ground.  It's not always
an option. There are irretrievable lives and unredeemable sins, but the
chance to rise above is one I wish for yours and mine.

The lectionary texts for June 17, the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time…

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, June 17, 10am, in Trinity Hall, 
with a Walking Through Scripture conversation arising from one or more of 
the Sunday lectionary texts (see above).

Walnut Hill Chimes - Adults and older youth are invited to gather after 
worship in the basement of Trinity Hall for some fun making music with 
"hand chimes."  Children are exploring the chimes during their 11am class.

Cemetery Celebration/Update - Join us on Mon, June 25, 6:00 - 7:30pm, 
for an informal gathering to celebrate and learn about the work completed 
and ongoing in the Walnut Hill Church Cemetery. Light evening refreshments 
will be served.  Stop by whenever and for as long as your schedule allows.  
At around 6:30pm, we will hear about the work recently completed. Your 
rsvp (by reply email) is welcome, but not required.  

Walnut Hill Pastor Review - Don't forget to take a few minutes during 
the month of June to complete and submit the Walnut Hill Pastor Review
Survey. In the Sanctuary foyer you will find instructions for completing the 
survey online as well as paper copies of the survey.  You may also use reply 
email to request a link to the online survey. All survey responses are 
individually anonymous. Thank you for your participation.

The 7th Annual Walnut Hill Bike Ride will be held on Saturday, July 7, at 
Walnut Hill. You can help by providing food for the event, volunteering on 
the event day, spreading news of the event via word or poster, or attending 
as a participant.  Use reply email for more information.  Proceeds benefit

Hope Center: As is our recent summer custom, we are gathering travel
size toiletry items (toothpaste/brushes, razors, combs, soap, etc) for
guests of the Hope Center.  Place your donated items in the collection box
in the Sanctuary foyer.

In The Community:
*The Kentucky Poor People's Campaign will hold a rally at the Capitol
(in Frankfort) on Mon, Jun 18, 2pm.  Visit   KY Poor People's Campaign
for more information. 
*The Buckhorn Children's Foundationserving children and families in
eastern Kentucky, invites you to stop by for lunch at Liberty Road Cafe
(corner of Liberty Rd & Henry Clay Blvd) as the cafe will be donating a
portion of its receipts to Buckhorn during the month of June.

Gospel of Thomas - Thanks to all who participated in our recent exploration
of the Gospel of Thomas, particularly our exploration leaders Kathy and
John.  Visit The Gospel According to Thomas for an audio recording of the 
sermon from last Sunday's celebration of Thomas' gospel.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward 





Friday, June 8, 2018

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, June 10, at Walnut Hill Church…

The Gospel of Thomas, 10am, Trinity Hall

Childish or Childlike

We conclude our exploration into the wisdom teaching of 
Jesus, focusing on saying 37 from the Gospel of Thomas.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - The Gospel According to Saint Thomas
(a somewhat different worship experience)

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Sanctuary

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

*****

Volcano Response - Persons wishing to support relief
efforts for those affected by recent volcanic activity in
Hawaii and Guatemala may be do so by cash or check
(payable to Walnut Hill Church, memo "volcano") this
Sunday at Walnut Hill.  Look for the collection baskets in
the Sanctuary foyer.  We will be sending our support via 
the Salvation Army disaster response. Visit Hawaii and/or 
Guatemala for information regarding SA's response to 
these situations.

*****

Hope Center - Throughout the summer we are receiving
travel size toiletry items (soap, combs, toothpaste, razors,
etc.) for guests of the Hope Center.  Look for the collection
box in the Sanctuary foyer.


Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Greetings to all!

This Sunday, June 10, we will conclude our six week conversation series
regarding the Gospel of Thomas, a recently discovered (1945) text
containing 114 sayings attributed to Jesus.  It is a fascinating collection,
sometimes echoing the New Testament gospels, but more often presenting 
a different picture of Jesus as a wisdom teacher.  As a sample of Jesus' 
teaching as found in the Gospel of Thomas, consider these "sayings" 
regarding the Kingdom of God…

#3 - Jesus said: If your leaders say to you "Look! The Kingdom is in the
sky!" Then the birds will be there before you are.  If they say that the
Kingdom is in the sea, then the fish will be there before you are. Rather,
the Kingdom is within you and it is outside of you.

#113 - His disciples asked him:  When is the Kingdom coming? He replied:
It is not coming in an easily observable manner.  People will not be saying,
"Look, it's over here" or "Look, it's over there."  Rather, the Kingdom of the
Father is already spread out on the earth, and people aren't aware of it.

In Celebration of Thomas:  This Sunday, June 10, we will be celebrating 
the Gospel of Thomas with a 10am Sunday Conversation ("Childish or
Childlike", saying #37) and 11am worship inspired by Thomas.

The lectionary texts for June 10, the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time…

Nursery Volunteers Needed - Due to the happy occasion of a wedding, our
regular nursery caregivers will be away for the next two Sundays, so we
are looking for a few volunteers to fill in during the 11am hour for Sundays,
June 10 and 17.  Use reply email to volunteer, or contact Lauren Fouts.

Walnut Hill Pastor Review - Don't forget to take a few minutes during the
month of June to complete and submit the Walnut Hill Pastor Review
Survey, the results of which will be used by the Vestry in conversation with
Rev. Ward to help him use his time, skills and attention to the greatest
benefit in support of Walnut Hill's life and ministry. In the Sanctuary foyer
you will find instructions for completing the survey online as well as paper
copies of the survey.  You may also use reply email to request a link to
the online survey. All survey responses are individually anonymous. Thank 
you for your participation.

The 7th Annual Walnut Hill Bike Ride will be held on Saturday, July 7, at 
Walnut Hill. You can help by providing food for the event, volunteering on 
the event day, spreading news of the event via word or poster, or attending 
as a participant.  Use reply email for more information.  Proceeds benefit

Hope Center: As is our recent summer custom, we are gathering travel
size toiletry items (toothpaste/brushes, razors, combs, soap, etc) for
guests of the Hope Center.  Place your donated items in the collection box
in the Sanctuary foyer.

Volcano Response - We are currently exploring ways to respond to the
volcanic activity in Hawaii and Guatemala.  Watch for more details in the
Friday update.

Thanks to all who donated craft supplies, books, and cash in support of the
Nathaniel Mission's summer camp program.  We were pleased to deliver
a large amount of supplies and children's books, as well as $250 in
cash, to the Mission's summer camp team.


Peace to all.

Mike Ward







Friday, June 1, 2018

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, June 3, at Walnut Hill Church…

The Gospel of Thomas, 10am, Trinity Hall

Metaphors for the God Within

Our exploration into the wisdom sayings of Jesus continues 
featuring sayings 2470, and 97 .  You might  also want to 
visit this video presentation by Ron Miller, of which brief 
segments are being used each Sunday.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Anger Management

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Faith Formation for Children/Youth

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

*****

The Nathaniel Mission is preparing for its summer program 
including 5 weeks of day camps during the months of June/July. 
Walnut Hill is gathering craft supplies to be used at the camp 
including construction paper, tape, scissors, glue, paint, crayons, 
etc. Bring your items to Walnut Hill this Sunday. If you prefer, 
make a check payable to Walnut Hill Church (memo - "Nathaniel 
Mission"), and we will purchase the items for you.  The Mission 
is also receiving new and nearly new books for preschool 
children through "young readers".  You may bring books to 
Walnut Hill this Sunday as well.

*****

"Chimes" - Walnut Hill has recently been granted the free 
use of a three-octave set of chimes for one year, during which 
we are exploring their possible use at Walnut Hill. Adults and 
older youth interested in learning more are invited to gather 
after worship this Sunday for a brief informational meeting.