Calling all singers, far and near! Although we are not able to put together our annual a cappella choir for this year's Holy Week services, we'd love to have you join us by participating in CTK's online choir. We will be preparing selections for our services on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Check out www.ctkcambridge.org/online-choir for more information and resources, and email amanda@ctkcambridge.org with questions.
Congregation Care
The elders of CTK Cambridge appreciate the difficulty of participating in the life of the congregation during the pandemic and in the many transitions we are experiencing. Over the next several months the elders will be contacting CTK Cambridge members and regular attenders to arrange brief calls (by phone or Zoom) to “check in” and encourage the congregation in our walks with Christ. Going forward we intend to periodically touch base with individuals and families in a more systematic manner. We also encourage you to connect with a CTK Community Group. You can contact Laura Bullock to learn of a Community Group in your area or one that meets on a schedule that fits yours. As always, the deacons are ready to assist with financial and other needs you may be facing. In fact, deacons will frequently participate with the elders in the visits we are planning. We intend for these visits to help us fulfill our responsibility to “shepherd the flock” (I Peter 5:2) and ask for your prayers for the session as we serve our Lord together.
Finance Committee
Are you gifted in administration or finances and want to serve all the congregations of CTK? Join the CTK Finance Committee! The committee meets once a month and assists the elders of CTK by reporting on church finances, reviewing proposed budgets, and advising on financial and administrative questions. Email finance.committee@ctkboston.org to learn more.
Elder Sabbaticals
Elder sabbaticals: Elders as well as deacons are strongly encouraged to regularly take sabbaticals. For elders, the pattern is usually six years serving and one year of sabbatical before returning to serve. We have two elders going on sabbatical right now: Bob Sawyer and Tyler Holley. Our active ruling elders are Nathan Carter, Tim Carter, Tim Dietz, Leonard Layne, Rick Olson, Greg Russell, Kris Sachsenmeier, and Matt Sherrill. You can find this information on the website as well at ctkcambridge.org/staff-officers.
Discovering CTK
Twice a year we hold a class called Discovering CTK for those interested in learning more about our church and denomination (PCA) and what it means to become a member. The class will run later this spring. If you would be interested in attending or would like more information, please contact laura@ctkcambridge.org.
Community Groups
Now as always, Community groups are central to our life together at CTK as a way to study and pray together and serve each other and our communities. Right now, groups are meeting virtually. Please visit ctkcambridge.org/community-groups for a full listing or contact Laura at laura@ctkcambridge.org.
CCC Diaper Drive
The deacons are partnering with the Cambridge Community Center in a diaper drive for families served by the CCC. If you would like to participate, you can drop off donations at the church building until December 24th, or make a monetary donation to the CTK Special Giving fund — all donations to that fund before the 24th will be ear-marked for this CCC drive. Please contact deacons@ctkcambridge.org with any questions or to arrange a drop off donation.
Church Building
Over the past several months, the deacons have been reviewing the condition of our church property. We commissioned a third-party capital needs assessment (available here) to estimate when different components of the building will need to be repaired or replaced and how much those repairs might cost, and we are currently planning some potential building exterior and sanctuary renovation projects. If you have any questions about the building, or if you are interested in getting involved, email us at deacons@ctkcambridge.org.
Year-End Giving
End-of-Year Giving. If you're considering a year-end gift and want it to be recorded in 2020, here are some tips:
If you donate online, please initiate your gift on or before Thursday, December 31.
If you donate through your bank's bill pay service, please initiate your gift several days before December 31 so that the check is dated on or before December 31. (Mail checks to CTK, P.O. Box 390699, Cambridge, MA 02139.)
If you send a gift by mail, please be sure your envelope is postmarked December 31 or earlier. (Mail checks to CTK, P.O. Box 390699, Cambridge, MA 02139.)
To make a gift of stock, please contact giving@ctkboston.org for instructions.
2020 Giving Statements. To ensure that you receive your 2020 giving statement in a timely manner, please make sure we have your current contact information. To check or edit your information visit CTK Boston's Church Center site, enter your phone number or email address to log in, then select Profile and scroll down to Contact Information. If you prefer, you can email giving@ctkboston.org with any changes to your information.
While there, you can also see your giving history. Select Profile then My Giving then scroll down.
Graphic Design
Do you enjoy graphic design? Are composition, color, and fonts your jam? If so, please consider volunteering to design the sermon series graphic that lives on our homepage. A new graphic is usually needed every few months, and you can get input and feedback from the preacher as needed. If you’d be interested in this role and would like to learn more, please email laura@ctkcambridge.org.
Snow Team
There’s no business like snow business… the CTK Snow team is once again recruiting, and not a moment too soon! If you are willing to be called upon to redistribute accumulations of pretty, white ice crystals from time to time, please contact laura@ctkcambridge.org to sign up for the Snow Team email list. Shovels and salt will be provided. Masks will be required. Gloves and hats, recommended.
Making Room at Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is coming up and it promises to look very different than it has in the past. In years past, we have asked people to Make Room at Thanksgiving in an effort to ensure that no one at CTK is without a place to go for the holiday meal. While we can’t share a meal indoors with others, there are still ways we can connect on the holiday. If you would be interested in hosting an outdoor meal, hosting a Zoom call (maybe with some games?!?!), or if you have another idea of how to reach out to one another this Thanksgiving, please contact laura@ctkcambridge.org. Let’s get creative!
CTK Youth Gatherings
CALLING ALL FAMILIES AND YOUTH! In addition to the Sunday morning Zoom meet-ups, we’re putting together some opportunities for small groups of families and youth to get together in person. To keep group sizes manageable and safe, we’re planning these as outside gatherings around kids of similar ages. For dates and specific details for each age group visit www.ctkcambridge.org/gatherings. Please note that those attending these gatherings are expected to wear masks throughout the event (not required for children under the age of 2) and maintain physical distancing.
Musical Opportunities this Winter
Are you a musician interested in sharing your gifts during this unique season? Here are a few ways you can help out! To learn more about any of these opportunities, please email amanda@ctkcambridge.org.
Join the rotation of musicians helping to lead music on Sunday mornings.
Participate in CTK's annual Christmas Concert, this year taking place online on Saturday, December 12.
Lend your voice to the Online Advent A Cappella Choir, which will provide special music for a Sunday service in December.
Deacons' Fund Offering
Every month we take up an offering for the deacons’ fund to help meet the needs of folks in the congregation and community. Please watch the video above to learn more about the role of the deacons. To contribute to the deacons fund, please click here. If you are in need - great or small - please don’t hesitate to reach out to the deacons at deacons@ctkcambridge.org. All requests are confidential.
Community Groups
Now as always, Community groups are central to our life together at CTK as a way to study and pray together and serve each other and our communities. Right now, groups are meeting online. To find a group, visit ctkcambridge.org/community-groups.
Getaway Brainstorm
An annual highlight at CTK is the Winter Getaway. However, due to COVID-19, we are not going to be able to get “away” like we have in the past. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t still partake in some of the best parts of the Getaway: rich times of learning and fellowship and outdoor activities. The staff have already started to brainstorm ways in which we can adapt, but we are looking to form a Get “Away” Brainstorming Team to help us think outside the box. If you’d be interested in helping out, please email laura@ctkcambridge.org.
Meals Ministry
The CTK Meals Ministry is still up and running! If you have need of support due to a new baby, foster or adoption placement, illness or surgery, loss in the family or other difficulty, please reach out to Erin Ward at meals@ctkcambridge.org. Also, if you are interested in joining the volunteer team for the Meals Ministry and occasionally and flexibly provide meals for people, contact Erin Ward at meals@ctkcambridge.org. It's a great way to practically serve our church at this time.
Sunday School meet-ups
Looking for a way to serve the church remotely? Consider joining our team connecting with kids over Zoom on Sunday mornings. These age-specific groups keep kids (from preschool to teen) regularly connected to peers and adults within the church and also encouraged in scripture and prayer. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Dana.
New Directory
We have recently updated the CTK Cambridge online password-protected directory, which can be found at ctkcambridge.org/directory. If you are a member and you have forgotten the password, please contact the office.