The Barczi family will be transitioning to CTK Newton in March after 15+ years at CTK Cambridge. Please join us on Saturday, February, 27 at 6:30pm for an online celebration of the Barczis and their ministry at CTK-Cambridge. We will spend the evening hearing and sharing stories of our time with the members of the Barczi family. Consider bringing a brief memory or anecdote to encourage the Barczis and our church community. Contact the maoffice for the Zoom link.
Discovering CTK
Discovering CTK is a class for those interested in learning more about our church and denomination (PCA) and what it means to become a member. The next class will be offered the first weekend in October, and registration is now open. Please email laura@ctkcambridge.org with any questions.
Pumpkin Carving
CTK's Great Pumpkin Event This church-wide pumpkin carving and decorating event will be on Saturday afternoon, October 16th at Arsenal Park in Watertown from 2-5:30pm. All are welcome for food, fun, contests and prizes! Bring your own pumpkin to carve from 2-4:30 (tools will be provided) or bring your already carved pumpkin for judging at 4:30 (there will be several different categories and prizes)! Hot dogs and chips served from 4p - 5p and mini pumpkin decorating for all throughout the entire afternoon. Please email dana@ctkcambridge.org if you have questions.
Christmas Eve Instructions
Join us tomorrow night at 6pm for our Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols service. You can find the bulletin for the service here. The service will be over a Zoom call with a shared screen, so we recommend updating your Zoom app so that you’re able to have a side-by-side view. Read further instructions about side-by-side view here. The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87588933067. Please feel free to share this link with family and friends, but please do not post it to social media or other online platforms.
Candle Pick up
Join us on Christmas Eve for a Lessons & Carols service held online. While this service will be different than years past, one tradition we will be maintaining is the lighting of candles for the last two songs of the service. If you would like a candle for the service, we have some available for pick up or delivery - you can sign up for a candle here by Sunday the 20th.
Starlight Banquet
On Saturday, December 12, CTK is glad to let Starlight ministries use our church for their Annual Christmas Banquet. Starlight ministries is a branch of the Emmanuel Gospel Center and works to alleviate homelessness in Boston, and we have helped with their Christmas events in the past. Given the current situation, this will be a drop-by event where guests can come get a packaged meal and a gift. Starlight staff will use our kitchen to cook the food, but will need some help packing things and greeting the guests! Please consider signing up for some of the volunteer slots available on this spreadsheet.
Christmas Concert
Celebrate the Advent season with singing at CTK’s Eighth Annual Christmas Concert, this year online! Come join CTK’s talented musicians for an evening of festive performances and rousing caroling on Saturday, December 12, at 6:30pm. Check the Reader or contact laura@ctkcambridge.org for the link.
Discovering CTK
New to CTK? We recognize these are strange times to be new at a church. We would love to help you connect to our various ministries. You can email Laura Bullock, the church administrator, with any general questions you might have. But in particular, we would like to draw your attention to our Discovering CTK class, for those who would like to learn more about the church and our denomination. Our plan this fall is to do the class over 4 Saturdays on Zoom, from 9-10:30am (10/17, 10/24, 10/31, and 11/7). If you would like to attend but that time doesn’t work for you, please let us know.
Fifth Friday
In the absence of our Fourth Friday get-togethers from pre-COVID days, Rick & Martha Olson are hosting a “Fifth Friday” event on their roof deck on Friday, October 30th at 7pm. Because of social distancing constraints, attendance needs to be limited, but you can sign up at https://doodle.com/poll/txa9di3xm9v7nkuz for a certain time slot(s) between 7p and 10p. Appetizers and drinks provided, but those who prefer to bring their own food/beer/etc. are welcome to do so. For questions, please contact Martha Olson.
High School Event
The high school youth meet up that was scheduled for Sunday, November 1 is being postponed until November 8th because of weather. On Sunday, November 8 at noon the high school youth will be meeting up (socially distanced) at Sennott Park near the church to talk about plans and ideas for youth ministry this year. We invite students in grades 9-12 to join us to give input and fellowship together. Parents are welcome to stay but not required. More details to come. Contact Lydia Carter with questions.
Work Day
Even though we are not gathering in our normal capacity, the church building still requires some TLC. If you would be comfortable attending a masked work day at the church, please save the date: Saturday, October 17th. More details to follow. Please RSVP to laura@ctkcambridge.org or contact deacons@ctkcambridge.org with any questions.
Middle School Gathering
On Sunday, November 1 at noon the high school youth will be meeting up (socially distanced) at Sennott Park near the church to talk about plans and ideas for youth ministry this year. We invite students in grades 9-12 to join us to give input and fellowship together. Parents are welcome to stay but not required. More details to come. Contact Lydia Carter with questions.
Women's Ministry Picnic
On Sunday, October 18, the women of the church are invited to a BYOLunch picnic after church in Sennott Park around noon. For those who were able to attend our meet-up in September, you may remember meeting new friends, reconnecting with familiar faces, and - importantly - ZERO occasions of joining in a conversation only to find yourself on mute. We expect more of that goodness again. NEW this time: We plan to spend a few minutes in conversation and prayer as a group. We hope you can join us! (@ Teens, you too!!)
If you're not able to attend but want to get involved, please reach out to Laura Martin at lauraamartin87@gmail.com. Whether you're new or have been at CTK for awhile, we would love to get to know you and help connect (and reconnect!) you with other women at the church.
Youth Events
Calling all CTK Youth: The middle school youth are invited for a cookout Saturday, June 12 5-7 p.m. at the home of Tim and Janis Dietz. The high school youth will meet on Sunday, June 13 6-8 p.m. at the home of Rick and Martha Olson. Please RSVP to Lydia Carter by June 6 for more info and directions. There will be tasty food, games, and fellowship. Let’s kick off the summer!
Women's Ministry Picnic
On Sunday, Sept 20, the women of the church are invited to a BYOLunch picnic after church in Sennott Park around noon. This is a great opportunity to meet someone new, connect with a leader of one of the upcoming Fall Bible studies, and enjoy this lovely September weather. If you can come, please email Eliza Sheffield - an RSVP is appreciated but not necessary. If you're not able to attend but want to get involved, please reach out to Laura Martin at lauraamartin87@gmail.com. Whether you're new or have been at CTK for awhile, we would love to get to know you and help connect (and reconnect!) you with other women at the church.
Women's Evening Bible Study
The evening women's Bible study will resume on Monday, September 21 to start a new study of 1 Timothy and Titus by John Stott. The study will meet every-other Monday evening at 7:30PM on Zoom. Contact Katie Jentoft (katie.jentoft@gmail.com) or Emily Stuntz (emily.debaun@gmail.com) for more information on the study and getting the materials.
Women's Bible Studies
Women’s Bible Studies have resumed for the Fall. The Morning Bible Study will meet on Wednesdays, 9-10:30a, following a new study by Nancy Guthrie “God does his best work with Empty.” The Evening Bible Study will meet every other Monday at 7:30p (next meeting on 10/5) and will be following a study of 1 Timothy and Titus by John Stott. Please contact Kelly Sawyer (Bostonkelly@gmail.com) for the Wednesday morning group and Katie Jentoft (katie.jentoft@gmail.com) or Emily Stuntz (emily.debaun@gmail.com) for the Monday evening group.
Q&A
Last Sunday, the elders hosted a Q&A to further discuss the pastoral transition and the next steps for CTK. A representative from McGowan & Associates was present to help talk through some specific upcoming steps such as the interim process, the vision and discovery process, and more. You can view the recording of that Q&A webinar at ctkcambridge.org/transition at the bottom of the page.
Fourth Fridays
Once upon a time, we had a monthly event called “Fourth Fridays,” where people could gather at a local pub after work to socialize and meet new people. For obvious reasons, that hasn’t been happening for the last 5 months. But this Friday (8/7), there will be a modified “First Friday” event at 7pm, hosted by Rick & Martha Olson on their roof deck in Cambridge. In order to be socially distant, attendance needs to be limited to the first 6 RSVPs. If you would like to attend, please consider your own risk level, please follow all state guidelines, and please RSVP to Martha Olson.
Women's Ministry Book Club
This summer, the women of the church are invited to a summer reading group. We will be reading Austin Channing Brown's book I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness (2018). In this memoir, Brown describes and reflects on her experiences as growing up as a Black Christian female in America. They will meet one more time on Zoom to discuss the book on August 25 at 7:30pm. Please contact Rachel Thrasher with any questions, and contact Morgan Crago if you would like a copy of the book. We hope to see you there!