Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Greetings to all!

Louisville, the US and the world are celebrating and reflecting upon the life of 

Muhammad Ali, "The Greatest."  Beyond his prowess in the boxing ring, his larger 

than life personality and noteworthy acts of charity, Ali also managed  to land a few 

punches in regard to the matter of racism in the United States.  Among the memorable 

moments for me were his story of being denied service in a Louisville restaurant after 

he won an Olympic gold medal and his humorous, but also powerful, reflections on 

how Jesus seems to always be portrayed as "white."  These moments make me smile, 

even laugh, and think at the same time.  If nothing else, Ali was certainly quotable, 

including this quote attributed to him: "I am an ordinary man who worked hard to develop 

the talent I was given. I believed in myself, and I believe in the goodness of others."

The scripture lessons for Sunday, June 12…

1 Kings 21:1-14

Galatians 2:15-21

Luke 7:36-8:3

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, June 12, 10am, in Trinity Hall.  

Watch the Friday update for a description of this Sunday's conversation.

A SUMMER EVENING TOGETHER - Wednesday, June 22, 6pm - All ages are

 invited to gather for an evening of food and fellowship on June 22.  We'll fire up 

the grill for hamburgers and hot dogs.  Bring a "cookout" side dish or dessert. We 

will share some "fun activities" together and close the gathering with evening prayer 

(around 7:45pm).  We look forward to seeing you there.

Resettlement Update - The resettlement team gathered last Sunday to "compare 

notes" regarding the Al-Nawasra family.  It was agreed that an important need these 

days is for persons to simply "drop by" for informal visits as the family continues the 

work of learning English. Use reply email to inquire about how you might help.

Project Linus - This Sunday, June 12, will be the final Sunday to bring your leftover 

fabric, yarn, thread, etc for donation to Project Linus  Your donations will be used to 

make blankets, etc, for children in hospitals, shelters, and the like.  Look for the 

collection box in the Sanctuary foyer.

The Walnut Hill Bike Ride is coming on Saturday, July 16.  This is an annual event

offering hospitality for cyclists of all ages and skill levels while raising money to provide

commuter bikes to refugee families.  Watch for more information on how you can 

participate as a cyclist and/or a volunteer.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, June 5, at Walnut Hill Church …

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

A Trinity of Relationship

We will view and discuss a video featuring Richard Rohr

presenting the notion of the Trinity as an image suggesting

the importance of "relationship" rather than a rigid doctrine

intended to describe who (what) God is.

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - Elijah's Drought

Text - 1 Kings 17:1-16

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

****

Resettlement 2016 - Persons who would like to learn more

about our work with the Al-Nawasra family are invited to

gather for a few minutes after worship this Sunday.

****

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

Trinity Hall.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Greetings to all!

Memorial Day and Labor Day "bookend" the traditional summer vacation

season.  Some of us will travel during these months, others will take day 

trips to local parks and sites, still others will simply enjoy the long days and

pleasant evenings at home.  Whatever form your "summer vacation" might

take, consider the following…

For many Americans, a prominent recurrent difference within a year is the

difference between vacation and not-vacation, between not-work and work.

A week or two away compensates workers for the labors of the year past

and renews them for the year ahead, or so they hope.  Certain forces seem

to be threatening even this respite, however.  "The summer vacation, once

a near-sacred ritual, is under electronic siege," announced the New York

Times…Now that technology has made it possible to work almost anywhere,

people are taking their laptop computers, tablets, smart phones, etc, along on

those precious days of not-work.  Little thought has been given to limiting

the use of such devices so as to enhance not only productivity but also the

quality of life.  Thus the demands of the business world and the personal

compulsions of many high-tech workers are robbing them of even the

fleeting days of a real vacation.

(adapted from Receiving the Day, by Dorothy C. Bass)

The scripture lessons for Sunday, June 5 …

1 Kings 17:8-16

Galatians 1:11-24

Luke 17:11-17

Sunday Conversations continue this Sunday, June 5, 10am, in Trinity

Hall.  Sunday Conversations include a wide range of topics from Sunday

to Sunday.  Come enjoy a cup of coffee, join the conversation, or just

listen in.

Resettlement Update -  The Al-Nawasras continue their entry into life

in the U.S. with the accompaniment and help of numerous Walnut Hill

members and friends and the staff at Kentucky Refugee Ministries. The 

month of June is an important one for the Al-Nawasra family, and for other 

Muslims, as it is the month of Ramadan (June 6 - July 5).  Ramadan is a 

month of religious observances, including fasting, in remembrance of the 

revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. 

Summer Hospitality:  We are recruiting refreshment hosts for our summer 

after worship gatherings.  Please visit the online sign up or check the sign up 

sheet in the Sanctuary foyer to volunteer for a Sunday this summer.  Thanks 

to all our after worship hosts.

Project Linus: If you have leftover fabric, thread, yarn, etc. from previous 

projects, feel free to bring them to Walnut Hill over the next couple Sundays.  

Your items will be donated to Project Linus , Lexington chapter, to make 

blankets, etc, for children in various situations of need such as in hospitals 

and shelters.

The Vestry will meet this Sunday, June 5, 9:30am, in the upstairs office

in Trinity Hall.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward 

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, May 29, at Walnut Hill Church…

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Faith Vs. Tradition in Islam

We will view and discuss a TED Talk video presentation by 

journalist Mustafa Akyol distinguishing between "core beliefs" 

and "cultural practices" in our common perceptions of Islam.  

To view the video in advance, visit TED Talk .

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - I Thought You Didn't Like Those Roman Soldiers

Text - Luke 7:1-10

Preaching - Mr. William Reed

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.

*****

You are invited to bring any leftover fabric, thread, yarn, etc,

that you might have at home to Walnut Hill this Sunday.  Your 

donations will be given to Project Linus, and will be turned into 

blankets, etc, for children in need.

Walnut Hill Church Weekly Letter

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Greetings to all!

As we conclude our EOS journey through the Sermon on the Mount,

we learn that the crowds were astonished (Mt 7:28) at what they heard.

Huston Smith comments on the "astonishment" often experienced by

those who heard Jesus' teaching…

They were astonished, and with reason.  If we are not, it is because

we have heard Jesus' teachings so often that their edges have been

worn smooth, dulling their glaring subversiveness.  If we could recover 

their original impact, we too would be startled.  Their beauty would not 

paper over the fact that they are "hard sayings," presenting a scheme of 

values so counter to the usual as to shake us like a seismic collision of 

tectonic plates.

(from The Soul of Christianity)

As a parting EOS practice I might suggest taking the time this week

to read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 - 7) in one sitting.

Sunday Conversations continue this Sun, May 29, 10am, in Trinity

Hall.  Sunday Conversation topics range widely from week to week.

Watch the Friday update for this Sunday's topic.

Resettlement Update:  The Al-Nawasra family continues settling in to 

their Lexington home.  Recent activities have included English classes, 

grocery shopping trips, medical exams, social security registration, and

learning to use the LexTran bus system.  Numerous Walnut Hill members 

and friends have been helping out in various ways.  Thanks to all!

Summer Hospitality:  We are recruiting refreshment hosts for our

summer after worship gatherings.  Please visit the online sign up or 

check the sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer to volunteer for a Sunday 

this summer.  Thanks to all our after worship hosts.

Exploring Our Spirituality:  We complete our spring, 2016, EOS

season this week.  Use reply email to let us know what you found to be 

meaningful and helpful for you this EOS season.  A final reminder, EOS 

season sermons are available at EOS sermons.

Project Linus: If you have leftover fabric, thread, yarn, etc. from previous 

projects, feel free to bring them to Walnut Hill over the next couple Sundays.  

Your items will be donated to Project Linus , Lexington chapter, to make 

blankets, etc, for children in various situations of need such as in hospitals 

and shelters.

Peace to all.

Mike Ward

A Summer of Hospitality

Dear Walnut Hill Members and Friends:

The Memorial Day weekend signals the traditional beginning of the summer season.  I hope that your summer will include Sunday mornings at Walnut Hill for worship and fellowship.  With that in mind, this special email is being sent to invite you to visit Walnut Hill's online refreshment sign up sheet and to host one Sunday during the summer season.    Please note that we have openings beginning this Sunday, May 29.

Here is the link:  Online Refreshment Sign Up

If you prefer, you can navigate to the sign up sheet via the Walnut Hill Church website,  www.walnuthillchurchky.org .  ( select the tab "After Church Food Reservations")

When you get to the page, the process is quite simple:

*Select a Sunday that works for you, and click on "edit".

*Find your name in the dropdown box and select it

*If others are working with you, you can type their names in the "comments" box.

*Click "submit."

If you do not see your name in the dropdown box, that simply means we did not have your email on file at the time the list was created.  Let us know, and we will update it.  In the meantime, you can sign up by selecting "new" in the dropdown box and typing your name in the comments section.

If you have any questions or problems using the online sign up, simply let us know by reply email.  Also, you can still sign up via the traditional sign up sheet in the Sanctuary foyer.

Let me take this opportunity to remind us all how important the after worship gathering is for our life together at Walnut Hill as it provides opportunity for us to make and deepen acquaintances and friendships.

Let me also say that the after worship refreshments need not be elaborate, just something simple to gather around for our fellowship.

Please take a moment to select a Sunday, so that we might all enjoy a Summer of Hospitality!

Thanks to all our hosts!

Peace,

Mike Ward

Sunday at Walnut Hill Church

This Sunday, May 22, at Walnut Hill Church …

TRINITY SUNDAY

EXPLORING OUR SPIRITUALITY

"THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT"

Week Six:  The Narrow Way

Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall

Reviving the Golden Rule

Karen Armstrong sees the "Golden Rule" as a starting place 

from which to build a compassionate life and a compassionate

world.  We will view a brief video and discuss the "Golden

Rule" as a foundation for a "Charter for Compassion."

Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary

Sermon - They Were Astounded

Text - Matthew 7:1-29

Nursery Care and Sunday School for Children

After Worship Gathering, Noon, Trinity Hall

All are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship.