Congregational Meeting Announcement: The Session of CTK has called a congregational meeting for Sunday February 21 at 7pm - 8pm. The purpose of the meeting is (1.) to release Pastor Nathan Barczi as a pastor of Christ the King Presbyterian Church* and (2.) to present a communication plan for the Five Year Plan. There will be a prayer meeting directly preceding the congregation meeting, using the same link, starting at 6:30pm. The Zoom link will be emailed to members, or you can request it by emailing office@ctkcambridge.org.
*Because Nathan is an Associate Pastor the congregation must vote to release him from his current role at the church. Nathan has accepted a call to be a pastor on the staff of CTK Newton. He is also currently serving as the director of the Octet Collaborative.
Pastoral Search Prayer Time
The Pastoral Search Committee is well on its way, but for all its considerations and deliberations, we need prayer more than anything. Paula Sachsenmeier and Laura Bullock have started Prayer Visits with our Community Groups to encourage all of us to join in regular prayer for the pastor and path God has in mind for our church family. If you’re not part of a Community Group, or if you missed the prayer visit for your CG, there will also be an additional prayer meeting on Zoom on February 23rd at 7pm. Please contact Laura to get the link. Let’s turn Psalm 127:1 into a prayer of dependence on God and anticipation of His faithfulness, by crying out: ‘MAY the LORD build OUR house…!’
Giving Thanks for the Barczis
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.
Arts Cohort
Do you work in the field of creative arts (painting, film, design, writing, fiber, etc)? The Boston Fellows Arts Cohort is now accepting applications for its upcoming 8-week series starting February 18. Join other artists from varying disciplines to discuss the integration of faith and art. Info and apply at bostonfellows.com/industry-cohorts. This cohort will be led by several Boston-area artists, including CTKers Paula Sachsenmeier and Laura Bullock. Application deadline February 10.
Announcing Ariana Smartt
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.
CTK Transition Plans
In the CTK Reader in December, we announced that the elders had officially issued a call to an interim pastor, and that a few steps remained to be completed: his presbytery needed to release him and our presbytery (Southern New England Presbytery) needed to approve him.
We were hoping that the interim’s current presbytery would complete these steps to release him in January, but that has been delayed until March. The Cambridge elders are still pursuing this interim candidate, but, in case of further delays, they are also working with McGowan to secure other possible interim candidates. This is a disappointing delay for us, but we are respectful of this other presbytery’s decisions and processes, and we trust in the Lord's provision in His time.
In the coming months, Omar Ortiz, the Director of the CTK Church Planting Center, has agreed to step in as acting interim pastor. He will preach at Cambridge through the next two months and will also pick up some of Nathan’s responsibilities as Nathan transitions to CTK Newton. Other weekly responsibilities, such as teaching Adult Education, will be assumed by the elders.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to transition@ctkcambridge.org.
Please continue to pray for CTK’s leadership and our congregation as a whole during this transition: for wisdom, patience, and most importantly, an abiding trust in God's faithfulness.
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.
Job Openings at Gordon College
Gordon College in Wenham, MA has multiple job openings currently available. To apply, go to www.gordon.edu/jobs, select “Open Staff Positions” and the job of interest. A job description, instructions and the required application are included there. All questions can be directed to Susan Wilson, HR Operations Manager, (978-867-4499, susan.wilson@gordon.edu).
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.
Hymn Highlight
Hymn Highlight for Kids: Jesus, Lover of My Soul . To learn this hymn we’ll sing in Sunday worship, parents and kids can read the following paragraph and listen to this recording of the first verse on our website.
Charles Wesley is known as one of the greatest hymn writers of all time. He published over six thousand hymn texts and wrote an additional two thousand! Some people say this week's hymn, "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," is the best ever written in the English language. The words are written as a prayer of trust and dependence in God, who knows and loves his children. The four verses invite believers to find refuge, healing, comfort, and freedom in Christ alone, to know their sin and receive God's "plenteous grace."
Adult Ed
Adult Education this Sunday will be taking a break from the series on the Heidelberg Catechism. It will be taught by a few of our elders at the normal time, 9am on Zoom. The series on Heidelberg will continue on January 17th.
See the website
For continuing announcements regarding the church’s response to coronavirus, as well as for ways to request or offer assistance, and for other ways to connect, please visit ctkcambridge.org/coronavirus. The page is updated often.
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.
Christmas Story Reading
Each year, the CTK Women's Ministry hosts a Christmas brunch, and one tradition at the brunch is a reading of a Christmas story by Gi Yoon-Huang. While we weren't able to gather together this year in person, Gi has graciously offered to share this Christmas story with the whole of the CTK community.
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.
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.
Winnipesaukee Winter Weekends
This year, we will not be having our usual annual Getaway up in Alton, NH. However, the camp we usually visit, Brookwoods, is still offering limited-capacity Winnipesaukee Winter Weekends. These weekends are designed for individuals, couples and or families to give an opportunity and chance to get away for a couple of nights and enjoy the beauty of camp in the winter time. If you’re interested, you can learn more at their website.
Adult Ed & Sunday school Zooms
Please note, both Adult Education and the Sunday school Zoom meet-ups will be taking a holiday hiatus on Sunday, December 27. Regular meetings will resume in January.