Parents of Youth: The Youth Advisory Team has put together a survey for parents to gauge parent's opinions on youth ministry in order to improve it for next year. If 2/3 of CTK Youth parents fill it out, there will be a donut party for the youth — so please check it out!
Bike
Being tireless is generally considered a virtue in Cambridge ... unless you're a bicycle. The poor unfortunate ride seen here has been trapped on the bike rack at CTK for ages, and it's high time the deacons free it from its captor. But first, we want to give everyone a chance to claim the frame. If you believe this to be your erstwhile bike, please email the deacons at deacons@ctkcambridge.org by Tuesday, April 30. If there are no claimants by then, we will commute the bike’s sentence to a Cambridge Bicycle where it may find its long-sought redemption.
Meals Ministry
The Meals Ministry prepares and delivers meals to congregants who are going through life transitions such as a new baby, illness or surgery. We are looking for new volunteers who are interested in occasionally providing meals in this way. Reach out to Erin Ward at meals@ctkcambridge.org to find out more information or if you yourself are in need of meals or know someone who could benefit from meals.
Welcome New Members
Welcome to the New Members who joined CTK this past Sunday!
CW Music
Can you play guitar, ukulele or carry a tune but serving on stage with the worship team is not for you? We are looking for some musicians and singers to periodically lead songs in our Children’s Worship classes (takes about 10 minutes during the service). You don’t need to be a rockstar—singers and musicians of all levels are welcome. If you can lend your talents in service of our kids, please contact Dana (dana@ctkcambridge.org).
Men's Ministry Events
Interested in planning a CTK men's event? Whether it's an excursion, a meal, an activity, a class/discussion, or just grabbing drinks -- if you would enjoy it, others will too. Resources and help with the process (scheduling, advertising, etc) are available. Contact Andy at astuntz@gmail.com.
Pre-Check on App
Attention Parents: Introducing “pre-check”—a faster way to check in your kids! Check in your children on your phone (anytime Sunday morning), then scan your code at church to quickly print labels at any check-in station, though we’ve added a new print station in the basement dedicated to pre-check! Download the Church Center app to get started with pre-check.
CW Feedback
WANTED: Feedback about Children's Worship. Teachers and parents, we would like your help to create a more meaningful learning experience for our children in class. We are looking for ideas to test out in Children’s Worship in the coming weeks to help more effectively teach the children and encourage their participation in class. You may add your feedback and suggestions to this working document.
Snow Team
There’s no business like snow business! The deacons are looking for some new members for the CTK Snow Team to keep the church walkways clear of snow this winter. Are you up for the challenge? Email deacons@ctkcambridge.org to join the Snow Team email list.
On-Call Nursery
Nursery Families & Volunteers: Starting January, a new “On Call” role will be added to Nursery to enhance staffing to better care for and support families, staff and volunteers. The on call volunteer will be asked to be on hand the Sunday scheduled to fill in for someone out the last minute or if the room is full and an extra set of hands is needed. Volunteers may check their email inboxes for additional details about how serving on call will work (sent last week), and you may also contact Dana Russell (dana@ctkcambridge.org) for more information or with questions.
Advent Materials
Advent is just around the corner! To get ready to enter this season of preparation and anticipation, Travis and Dana would like to share this list of curated advent devotional resources with selections for adults as well as for families with kids of all ages. May you find one that helps you reflect on the promises of Scripture as you await and celebrate the coming of Christ our King.
CTK Great Pumpkin Event
Join us for the Third Annual CTK Great Pumpkin Event — church-wide pumpkin carving and decorating party on Saturday, October 28 from 2-5:30pm at Sennott Park in Cambridge (new location from last year). All are welcome for food, fun and prizes! Mini pumpkins for decorating will be provided but bring your own pumpkin to carve. Visit ctkcambridge.org/pumpkin for more information about directions & parking, what to bring, and judging categories. Please RSVP (not required but appreciated!). You may also sign-up to volunteer at the event. Note on Parking: The church has a parking consideration in place and attendees may park in residential spots on Harvard, Norfolk and Broadway. In metered parking spots you still need to pay and observe the two-hour limit.
Nursery Volunteers
Calling All Volunteers! Join Our Church Nursery Team! At CTK we want little ones to feel safe, loved, and cared for and their parents to feel supported in worship. This is where our dedicated nursery volunteers come in! Do you have a passion for working with children? Are you a big kid at heart who enjoys constructing train tracks, building towers, and reading stories? If the answer is yes, we would love to have you on our nursery team! Our goal is to have 4-6 new volunteers to schedule an orientation session in November. if you reach out to Dana Russell (dana@ctkcambridge.org) by November 12 you’ll receive a $5 Tatte gift card!
Advent Choir
Attention, Singers! Leonard Layne and Laura Martin are looking to organize an Advent Choir to sing one Sunday in December. If you’re interested in singing or in learning more, please contact them at llayne2@gmail.com and lauraamartin87@gmail.com. Rehearsals start on Saturday, November 18th at 10:30a at the church.
Crates for Ukraine
Crates for Ukraine is a ministry organized by Mission to the World (MTW), the the global missions-sending agency of the PCA. MTW Ukraine and MTW Team Lviv are partnering with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine to provide personal and humanitarian aid from the hands of churches in the U.S. to the hands of churches and displaced communities in Ukraine. If you would be interested in organizing group donations from CTK, please see the details on their website and then email laura@ctkcambridge.org.
Softball
We are fielding a softball team for the Boston Metro Church Softball League again this summer. Games are played Saturday mornings, starting early June through August/September. It is a fun way to fellowship with members of the greater Boston Church community, and spectators are more than welcome. If you are interested in playing (or spectating!), please contact Owen Andrews (joandrews33@gmail.com) to be added to the mailing list.
Eli Poor
CTK Staff would like to say a special thank you to Eli Poor who has been serving as our sound technician since September 2021. Eli graduated high school this spring and will be attending UMass Lowell in the fall to study computer science. Eli, we want to thank you for your faithful service and for using your technical know-how week after week in the worship service. We’re grateful for you and hope all the best for you as you start at UMass Lowell!
Children's Ministry Volunteers
The Children's Ministry is still looking for a few good men and women to help teach classes starting this fall! If you like the idea of serving in class on a regular basis building relationships with kids at CTK, consider Sunday School which meets before the service from 9:15-10:15. Though if serving periodically suits you better, you may assist a few times a quarter in the Children’s Worship classes during the service. As an added bonus to help meet our recruitment goal of 6 new volunteers for the fall, you’ll receive a $5 Starbucks gift card if you reach out to Dana by August 20.
Theology Reading Group
The Theology Reading Group will be meeting this coming Sunday at 9:15a in the Social Hall for study of “On the Incarnation” by 4th-century church father, Athanasius of Alexandria. Have questions? Contact Leonard Layne.
Building Renovations Update
CTK Building Renovation Update. After several years of work, our building renovations are drawing to a close this summer. The repointing and rebuilding of the masonry exterior by the Folan Company is almost complete, and it is predicted that the structure will be able to withstand the New England weather for many years to come!! We look forward to the removal of the scaffolding in the next few weeks. The sanctuary roof reinforcement work being performed by YSC is over halfway done, and the cracked roof trusses are now stabilized. We are thankful to the Lord for His provision throughout this process, including the recent mild winter. There have been no injuries and only minor mishaps throughout the process of both exterior and structural renovation. The renovations have been funded in part by a $500,000 loan obtained to facilitate timely completion of the projects. If you would like to give to the CTK Building Fund dedicated to funding the renovations (including repayment of the loan), you can contribute through Church Center Online. Please visit ctkcambridge.org/renovations for more background, updates, pictures, and financial information about the renovations.