The Men's Bible Study has just started Jude and 1 & 2 Peter, so it's an ideal time to visit! We meet Fridays 6-7am here on Zoom every week to read, reflect on, and discuss one chapter of the Bible. It's been a great time to meet other men in the church and to learn from Scripture and each other. No preparation required and newcomers or one-time visitors are always welcome. Contact Andy (astuntz@gmail.com) with questions.
update from welcome team
The Pastoral Welcome Team would like to offer thanks to the CTK community for your suggestions and contributions to the welcome basket for the Drakes, especially for the "best of Boston" list--there were many great ones! We presented some New England themed snacks/drinks, books, along with memberships to the MFA, Zoo New England, and the Audubon Society for them to explore their new hometown. If you are available to help the Drakes move in when their PODS arrive, please contact Sarah Goodman at ssgoodman617@gmail.com.
CTR Update
An Update from Matt Owens on Christ the Redeemer Quincy & Seven Hills Presbyterian:
Matt Owens, who has preached multiple times at CTK Cambridge over the last two years, has accepted a new call to be the Pastor of Seven Hills Presbyterian Church (formerly CTK Somerville). He had previously served at this church as assistant pastor before planting Christ the Redeemer in Quincy, which had its inaugural worship service in March of 2020. While this new call wasn’t a move Matt was seeking to make, the Lord brought it about and confirmed it, through prayer and counsel with others, including leaders within Christ the Redeemer. The commission that oversees the church plant has determined that Christ the Redeemer will not continue on. This is because the majority of committed members at CTR plan to attend Seven Hills, while others are making plans to go to other good churches closer to where they live. To learn more about Matt’s ministry and this upcoming change, you can watch his video here.
missionary housing
Ted and Carolyn Turnau are CTK-supported missionaries who serve in Prague. They’ll be visiting our area later this month and are in need of a place to stay Saturday night (June 25) through Wednesday night (June 29). If you have space and would be willing to host them, please reach out to Morgan Crago (mcrago@bu.edu).
Boston Faves
The Pastoral Welcome Team is looking for a few more Boston favorites for a book they’re making for the Drakes. They are especially looking for favorite parks and family-friendly activities and festivals in the greater Boston area. If you have any suggestions, please send them to Sarah Goodman (ssgoodman617@gmail.com) in the next two weeks and they’ll put the book together.
Scaffolding
The renovations on the exterior of our building at 99 Prospect will be beginning soon. Scaffolding will be going up shortly and will remain up for about 3-4 months. While we will still be able to use the building for all normal functions during the renovation, we ask that parents be particularly mindful of their children around the scaffolding on Sundays, for everyone’s safety. Thanks!
New Adult Ed Class
New Adult Ed Class starting 4/24: “The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless.” (Ps 146) Such was Ruth, the foreigner. In a day of turmoil, what is the Christian attitude to the foreigner? Remember, when we were strangers to God (foreigners), Christ bought us back, redeemed us. In a 4–5-week survey of The Book of Ruth, we will learn how God redeems the hopeless and turns ordinary lives into the extraordinary. Class will be in-person in the social hall at 9am with a Zoom option.
Training
FREE training for parents! As part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, our partner, Ministry Safe, is offering their online Parent Abuse Prevention Training in April free of charge! This hour-long video training is a great resource to help parents (and others) understand and address the risk of sexual abuse. Note this training is not identical to nor a substitute for the Sexual Abuse Awareness Training required of CTK children/youth ministry volunteers, but rather intended as an additional resource.
Phishing
Phishing alert: Though Pastor Travis hasn’t yet officially started as our senior pastor, and doesn’t even have a CTK email address yet, there have already been phishing attempts under his name to CTK congregants. Unfortunately, churches are frequent targets of this type of scam. If you receive an email that claims to be from Travis or any other member of church staff, please take note of the sending address, and don’t reply to the email unless you are confident it came from CTK staff. When in doubt, compose a new message to us to check.
Cards for Drakes
Over the next few weeks, we would like to show our support for the Drake family as they grieve the loss of Esther’s mom. One way we’d like to do this is to collect cards from the congregation that we can then send to the Drakes over these next several weeks. People are encouraged to write personal cards, cards from their families, or cards from their community groups. We’ll then collect cards on Sundays and mail them as they come in. Though many in the congregation don’t yet have an established relationship with Travis or Esther, we can still communicate to them that we are their community, regardless of how short a time we’ve known them, and that we mourn with them in their grief.
Calling All Singers
Calling All Singers! We are putting together a choir to sing selections at the upcoming Good Friday (4/15) and Easter Sunday (4/17) services. The next rehearsal will be Saturday, April 2 at 10:30 am. If you are interested in lending your voice, please contact amanda@ctkcambridge.org.
Women's Ministry Event Coordinator
Are you a gal? A gal who likes to plan events for fellowship and edification? (Think: picnics, hiking, speakers, workshops, etc.) Then we need you! Women’s Ministry is looking for an event planning volunteer. Please reach out to Martha Olson at MarthaBWOlson@gmail.com or 203-605-9898.
Building Fund Updates
In a recent financial update for members, the elders reported on the upcoming renovation needs for the building at 99 Prospect Street. To that end, they have created a building fund for those who would donate specifically to these needs. There will be monthly updates in the Reader about goals and progress on this front.
Women's Bible Study
Women’s AM Bible Study resumes Thursday, February 3. They will be meeting on Thursday mornings 9:30-11a in the church social hall. Books and childcare provided. This semester they will be studying the first 8 chapters of Luke. Contact Kelly Sawyer (bostonkelly@gmail.com) for more information.
The Women’s AM Bible Study is looking for a childcare worker on Thursdays 9:15-11:30a beginning February 3. If you or someone you know is interested, please email Kelly Sawyer (bostonkelly@gmail.com).
Meals Ministry
The CTK Meals Ministry provided 102 meals to 13 individuals and families in 2021. Meals were provided following the birth of a baby, the loss of a family member or during a move or medical difficulty. Many thanks to all the volunteers who made this possible! If you are interested in volunteering with the Meals Ministry in 2022 or if you are in need of meals, please contact Erin Ward at meals@ctkcambridge.org for more information.
Note from Pastor Clyde
Dear CTK Family,
I want to share with you a brief piece by Tim Keller, All of Life is Repentance. It continues to help me know Jesus better. I encourage you to read it daily for 30 days. Ask some key people to pray for your repentance. As we are learning through our study of Joel, God is pursuing our hearts through the continual call to repentance with wholeheartedness.
Shalom,
Clyde
Making Room at Christmas
Do you have room around your hearth this Christmas? The deacons know of individuals who are alone and looking to spend the holiday surrounded by others. If you are staying in the area and willing to open your home to a visitor on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to share food and good cheer, please email the deacons at deacons@ctkcambridge.org or text Mike Poor at 617-733-0023.
Deacon Nominations
The CTK Diaconate is in need of more deacons. We usually call for officer nominations at the end of each year, but in light of the current need, we are issuing that call for deacon nominations now through the end of May. If you are a member of CTK and want to nominate someone for deacon, or deacons’ assistant, please follow these steps:
Read 1 Timothy 3:8-13 for biblical qualifications.
Approach your nominee and ask that you pray together for wisdom.
With the approval of the nominee, please submit the nomination to office@ctkcambridge.org
St. Mary's
As we have in past several years, CTK will be partnering with St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, staff members of the former Starlight ministry, and First Lutheran Church of Boston to prepare and serve a Christmas meal for those in need or without housing in the Cambridge area. The event will take place Saturday, December 18, at St. Mary’s. If you are interested in volunteering that day or the evening before, please sign up here or contact Morgan Crago or Mike Poor with questions.
Children's Clothing Needed
Do you have clothes that your young child has outgrown? The deacons are collecting warm children's clothing for a family with a boy (1 year) and a girl (5 years). You may bring appropriately sized items for donation to church one Sunday in November. Please contact Janis Dietz or Rosemary Boyle with any questions.