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Updated February14, 2007
Walnut Way
Welcome to the Walnut Way
Walnut
Way... a process for deepening your spiritual journey.
Walnut
Hills invites you to experience
The group meets once a month for an hour to discuss the 6 compass points of
Walnut Way;
Worship in Community,
Acts of Service,
Learning,
Nonjudgmental Way of Life,
Unfolding Spirit and
Tithing.
Group discussion revolves around the question, "how is it with your
spiritual journey?"
Groups are facilitated by a trained facilitator.
Participants may come to listen, to share, to ask questions.
New groups are formed throughout the year.
If you are interested in more information, contact Martha
Schut, check the stub or call the church office at 270-9226.
Walnut Way
W – Worshiping Community
A – Acts of Service
L – Learning
N - Non-Judgmental Way of Life
U - Unfolding Spirit
T - Tithing
Following links are study guides for
children, youth and adults outlining Doug's messages.
Please view and print
Walnut Way - "W" Adult/YouthWhen you make a commitment and decide to join the Walnut Way, you will be placed in a journey group with other people that will share stories and how the Walnut Way pertains to them.
ADDITIONAL WALNUT WAY COMPASS POINT QUESTIONS
W- Worshipping Community
What is unique about what I contribute in community worship?
(Hint: Everybody brings something to the spirit of
worship whether they realize it or not.) |
|
What is not available to the worshiping community when I am absent
from worship?
(Hint: See above.) |
|
What are distractions for me in weekly worship? |
|
What can I do/say to help lessen the power of those distractions? |
|
Are there any distractions I might be bringing unintentionally? |
A – Acts of Service
|
Am I becoming clearer about the distinction between service and social
justice?
(One of Walnut Hills’ vision themes) |
|
How
have I learned more about service by being committed to social
justice? |
|
Do
I understand that true service cannot take place without social
justice and vice versa? |
|
Where
is God calling me to serve next? |
|
Am
I willing to serve on the Principe de Paz or Burns Partnership Teams? |
L – Lear
ning
|
What have I learned that has surprised me? |
|
What have I learned that makes me angry? |
|
What behaviors, opinions and relationships have changed because of
something I have learned? |
|
What am I eager to teach others? |
|
Am I learning the important and worth of other faiths?
(One of Walnut Hills’ vision themes) |
N – Non-Judgmental Way of Life
|
Do I understand the difference between judgment (harmful) and
evaluation (helpful)? |
|
Do I feel judged by someone else? |
|
What happens inside me as a result? |
|
What is helpful for my spiritual journey on those occasions when I
experience the pain of being judged by others? |
U – Unfolding Spirit
|
How is my inner self growing because of my Walnut Way Journey Group? |
|
Who is my primary spiritual mentor?
Does he/she know it? |
|
Am I encouraging the spiritual growth (shared and diverse) in the
entire Walnut Hills community? (One
of Walnut Hills’ vision themes) |
|
Where am I most uncomfortable in my inner journey? |
|
Could this be an area of emerging growth for me? |
T – Tithing
|
Do I have a will? |
|
Is there someone who
consults with me/my family about my/our financial health? |
|
Is generous giving
part of those plans? |
|
Do I pledge to Walnut Hills? |
|
Do I understand the distinction between and need for the different
kinds of gifts to Walnut Hills? General fund, Capital campaign, Permanent Endowment Fund |
|
Am I comfortable
talking about money and my spiritual need to give? |
Readings on Journey - February 19, 2006
Narrator: On the
Come to me, all you that are
weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. – Jesus
Because we do not rest, we lose our way.
We miss the compass points that would show us where to go, we bypass
the nourishment that would give us succor.
We miss the quiet that would give us wisdom.
"What lies behind us
and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within
us."
Journey is not in arriving but in
the going
Work is not in harvest but in the sowing
Life is not in birth but in the growing
Growth is not being told but in the knowing.
All journeys have secret
destinations of which the traveler is unaware.
Every child has known God, Not the God of names, Not the God of don’ts,
Not the God who ever does anything weird, But the God who only knows four
words And keeps repeating them, saying: “Come dance with Me.” Come
dance. - Hafiz
"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance."-
Anonymous
“Life is not a
journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safely in a pretty
well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up,
totally worn out and loudly proclaiming ... WOW! What a ride!”
- Anonymous
For
one hour a month, yes a month we meet in a small group, 6 to 10 people and
share our journeys. In
particular we focus on the 6 compass points of
Thanks.
12321 Hickman Road 
Des Moines 
Iowa
50323
Phone: 515-270-9226 Fax: 515-270-0838
mandi@whumc.org