Weekly Email

September 20, 2019: Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall A Balm in Gilead: From Lament to Spiritual We explore the experience of lament, beginning with Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 , including the transformation of the image of the “balm of Gilead" from lament to the basis of a well-known African-American Spiritual. Acolyte Training, 10am, Trinity Hall/Sanctuary Older children and youth are invited to gather for acolyte training.  Acolytes provide Sunday leadership by ushering in the “light of Christ” to begin our worship. No prior experience…

September 18, 2019: I was recently introduced to a poetic variation on “The Lord’s Prayer” by Kentucky author, George Ella Lyon.  A “serving” of the poem/prayer is below. Our Mother Who Art in the kitchen cooking us up hallowed may we see all that is Your kingdom here delivered into our hands Your will in children and trees leaping out on earth as if it were Heaven. Give us this day bread we could feed the world and snatch us…

September 13, 2019: FALL POTLUCK Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall Creation Care - Part 2 We continue our conversation regarding Walnut Hill’s Creation Care initiative with particular attention to where we might begin in the areas of worship, education, practices, outreach, buildings and grounds. Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary Sermon - The Gardener Text - Genesis 2 Celebrating Creation Care Faith Formation, 11am, Trinity Hall Nursery Care and Classes for Children/Youth. “Lost and Found” - Luke 15:1-10  FALL POTLUCK, Noon, Trinity Hall Bring…

September 11, 2019: Today is the eighteenth anniversary of the “9/11” events that have had such a profound effect upon our national life and psyche. Around the country will be remembrances of various sorts.  “Remembering” is both a natural human capacity and an intentional human activity. Remembering can be helpful when we use it to identify truth about ourselves from which we can learn and grow. Remembering is not so helpful when it traps us in the past, whether that…

September 6, 2019: Sunday Conversation, 10am, Trinity Hall Creation Care We roll out Walnut Hill’s Creation Care initiative, presenting its components, as well as exploring beginning ideas, activities and projects. Be sure to check out the Creation Care table located just inside the double-door entrance to Trinity Hall. (Nursery care available for young children.) Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary Sermon - Dear Philemon Text - Philemon 1 - 25 Faith Formation, 11am, Trinity Hall Nursery Care and Classes for Children & Youth After Worship Gathering,…

September 4, 2019: As Hurricane Dorian churns in the Atlantic, residents of the Bahamas begin the work of recovery and rebuilding, while residents along the U.S. coastline wonder what the impact will be for them. No doubt all those affected will need the support of neighbors near and far, including prayers… Caring God: Even with all our knowledge and power, we are humbled by wind, rain and tide. To persons in the path of the storm, grant peace and wisdom…

August 30, 2019: Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall Reforesting Faith We will talk about “trees” in the world and in the Bible, including a review of the book, Reforesting Faith, by Matthew Sleeth.  In anticipation of our conversation, you might give thought to the following questions: What is your favorite tree? (may be a specific tree or species) What biblical references, allusions, etc, to trees in the Bible come  to your mind? (Nursery available for young children) Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary Sermon…

August 28, 2019: Global attention to the fires in the Amazon rain forest prompts an occasion to reflect on the environmental, economic, aesthetic, and spiritual importance of trees. Consider these thoughts from the book, Reforesting Faith, by Matthew Sleeth… Trees grow older, taller, and bigger than anything else on the earth. They have been with us since the beginning of time.  We humans owe our very lives to the sap, bark, wood, flowers, and fruit of trees. We are their…

August 23, 2019: Sunday Conversations, 10am, Trinity Hall Responding to Gun Violence We will review recent statements by the Presbytery of Transylvania and the Kentucky Council of Churches as we consider faith responses to the problem of gun violence in American society. (Use reply email to request copies of the statements in advance.) Morning Worship, 11am, Sanctuary Sermon - Jeremiah and Greta Text - Jeremiah 1:4-10 Faith Formation, 11am, Trinity Hall Nursery Care and Classes for Children and Youth. After Worship…

August 21, 2019: At its meeting on Aug 20, one of our ecumenical partners, the Presbytery of Transylvania, affirmed a “Statement on Gun Violence” and recommended it to congregations within the presbytery for reflection, discussion and response.  We will review the statement this Sunday during our conversation hour (10am).  For now, a few excerpts… Today we raise our collective voices in a communal cry of lament.  Faced with a broken world burdened with seemingly relentless evil, we will not remain…