July 2020 — Pastor Tim’s Thoughts

July 2020 — Pastor Tim’s Thoughts

“A First Step”

Mark your calendars now for an outdoor, in-person worship service on the front lawn of Christ the King Lutheran Church on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 9:15am! This worship service will also be live-streamed via ZOOM using our normal Sunday morning worship service link, so those who do not wish to participate in person can still access worship from their homes.

Over the past few months, I have been meeting regularly with local pastors, Synod leaders, and other pastors from across the country. (Incidentally, there’s at least one good thing about ZOOM!) These colleagues have been a wonderful source of support, encouragement, and care for me in these extra-ordinary times. We have helped one another in navigating issues that none of us had ever anticipated, and we’ve been a sounding board for each other as we figure out how best to do ministry in this digital environment. Over the last month or two, a dominant topic of discussion has been how best to re-convene for in-person worship when it is deemed safe to do so.

Overwhelmingly, the idea of gathering for in-person, indoor worship services is not gaining a lot of traction nor support. The amount of work and preparation for indoor spaces, much less the necessary disinfection of indoor spaces after and between each event, is incredibly daunting. Additionally, the respiratory nature and transmission of COVID-19 makes gathering inside for a worship service a high-risk activity, making many if not the vast majority of congregation members hesitant to return. Please be assured that we at CtK are working to make this a possibility in the future; but I cannot tell you yet when a worship inside our sanctuary will be possible.

In the meantime, we will take advantage of the beautiful summertime weather in Durango and hold our first in-person worship service in four months on the front lawn of our church building. Holding a worship service outdoors does help to mitigate some of the more difficult issues around worshipping together indoors; but there will still be mandatory precautions in place that will allow us to gather in the safest way possible for all who wish to participate. Please note the following requirements.

  1. Participants must register ahead of time. Please go to https://www.ctkdurango.org/worship and click on the sign-up link for the July 19, 2020 Outdoor Worship Service. That will bring you to a sign-up page. Please enter each worship participant individually. (You can use one email address for multiple sign-ups, if needed.)
  2. Participants must wear a face mask for the duration of the event.
  3. Physical distancing requirements will be in effect. Please maintain at least six feet of distance between households.
  4. Bring your own chair(s) or blanket(s).
  5. Dress appropriately. There is little shade available in our front yard, so be prepared for warm sunshine.
  6. In the case of inclement weather, please check your email on the morning of the event for updated information or news of cancellation.
  7. Bathrooms in the building will be open for emergency purposes, but the rest of the building will remain closed to the public.

We will still offer Holy Communion on the afternoon of Sunday, July 19. Use the appropriate signup to register for that by going to https://www.ctkdurango.org/worship and clicking on the Holy Communion signup link.

At this point, this is the only in-person worship service we have scheduled. If it goes well, however, we hope to be able to offer these in-person, outdoor worship services once a month. Stay tuned for more dates as they are announced.

And finally, thank you to everyone for your flexibility, patience and understanding over these last many months. I know this is a trying time for many, and a regular worship life around the community of your brothers and sisters in Christ is a major aspect of health for all. Having that community taken away so suddenly and for so long is not an easy burden to bear. If you are struggling, or if you are in need of help, or if you just need to talk, please let me know.

Peace,

Pastor Tim

July 2020 — By the Numbers

July 2020 — By the Numbers

Our Gifts Blessing Others:

Synod $  1,826
World Hunger $     415
Social Ministry $  2,070
Total Benevolence $  4,311

 

Synod $ 8,805
World Hunger $ 4,917
Social Ministry $ 6,572
Total Benevolence $20,295

 

Financial Update:

Gifts Received $30,428
Facility Donations $        50
Expenses $23,800
Net Operating Income $   6,678

 

 

Gifts Received $146,745
Facility Donations $      200
Expenses $124,004
Net Operating Income $  22,941
Endowment Fund Balance $152,145

 

Worship Attendance:

June 3, Wednesday 6pm 8
June 7, Sunday 9:15am 73
June 10, Wednesday 6pm 5
June 14,  Sunday 9:15am 66
June 17, Wednesday 6pm 21
June 21,  Sunday 9:15am 60
June 24, Wednesday 6pm 10
June 28,  Sunday 9:15am 63
Grand Total 306

 

 

July 2020 — In Our Prayers

July 2020 — In Our Prayers

Please keep the following Military men and women in your prayers…

To add or remove names from this list, please contact Janeann Jones

  • 1st Lt. Mitch Bugaj stationed in Germany–Nephew of Ronnie Zaday
  • Major Ryan Bankhead—Brother of Eryn Orlowski
  • Sgt. John Dee—Son in-law of Wendy Krull
  • Sgt. Chris Gomez—Nephew of BJ and Danny Pierce
  • Staff Sergeant (SSgt.) Airman Paul Herr—Nephew of Gary & Carol Orlowski
  • Hugh Jones, Jr. Sailor—Son of Rick & Janeann Jones
  • Sgt. Brandon Minser —Son in-law of Wendy Krull
  • LCDR Andy Schaaf—Son of Merilee and Mark Fleming
  • Major Clayton Stransky—Nephew of Kip and Laura Stransky
  • Technical Sgt. & Special Air Force Agent Stephen Van Dover—Nephew of Nancy Van Dover

CtK family & friends who are in need of prayer…

To add or remove names from this list, please contact Linda White

  • The Family of Ardis Ellingson
  • The Family of Shirley Buslee
  • Laura Stransky
  • Dottie Johnson
  • Larry & Lauren Rardin
  • Beverly and Paul Dittmer
  • Mary Southworth
  • Darlene Warring
  • Bonnie Rossmiller
  • LuLu Mae Hess
  • Bev Brown
  • Lori Lachelt
  • Kayla Hefner
  • Carol Gunderson
  • CtK’s ministry and partnership with both the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ and San Juan Bautista Lutheran Church in Zaculeu, Guatemala.
  • CtK’s Homebound Ministry and all those who serve our homebound members through this ministry.
  • Mandy Gardner, CtK’s Director of Faith Formation, has been approved for Endorsement by the Rocky Mountain Synod.
  • All those battling mental illness and addictions.
  • Each person in our CtK church family.
  • All the front-line workers striving to keep Durango and our surrounding community safe, healthy, fed, educated, and mentally and spiritually fulfilled during the Covid-19 crisis.  May God bless and protect EVERYONE!
July 2020 Fellowship Group News

July 2020 Fellowship Group News

CtK Piecemaker Quilters

The Piecemaker Quilters have suspended their meetings until further notice due to covid-19.   However, in keeping with their ministry of reaching out and helping others by way of their craft, many of the quilters have been busy making much-needed facemasks.  If you would like to join them in this ministry or need a mask, please contact the coordinator, Carol Orlowski .  The Piecemakers regularly meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 9:30 am until 2:00 pm in the CtK Community Hall.   We look forward to seeing everyone soon!  So stay tuned for future meeting times or contact Judy, 970-247-2582 for more information.  Till then, stay safe and well. Thank you.

 

CtK Book Club

The CtK Book Club meets on the second Thursday of each month at 3:00 pm in the CtK Library. However, due to the covid-19 pandemic, we are suspending our meetings until further notice.  So stay tuned for future meeting times or contact Stella Welcher at 970-903-9327 for more information.  Till then, be safe and well. Thank you.

July 2020 Bible Studies

July 2020 Bible Studies

 

Bible Studies

Circle of Contemplative Prayer

The Circle of Contemplative Prayer meets on Mondays from 5:30-7:15pm in the Chapel. We are currently studying “The Untethered Soul: the journey beyond yourself” by Michael Singer.  NOTE:  Meetings are currently suspended until further noticeFor more information, contact Sharyn Butler, 970-759-6355.

 

Great Ol’ Broads of God (GoBoGs)

GoBoGs invites you to join them in study and fellowship. They meet at CtK in the classrooms W6/W7 each Monday from 4:00-5:30 pm. (The first Monday of each month is dedicated to Share The Care, GoBoGs’ outreach mission.) They are currently studying “Inspired” by Rachel Held Evans. NOTE:  During the health crisis, they are conferencing via Zoom at 592-847-8387 , the password for this meeting is Testify.  Please join them for study sessions that are deeply rewarding. For more information, contact Kayla Hefner, 970-759-1636.

Midweek Bible Study led by Pastor Tim

Bible Study class meets each Thursday from 12:00-1:15 PM  in the CtK Community Hall.  However, class is currently conferencing via Zoom.   You can  join Pastor Tim  for class by clicking this link:  https://zoom.us/j/698922754 Pastor Tim is currently discussing 2nd Timothy.   After that will be Titus. Our discussions are engaging and span a variety of topics.  Please “zoom in!”

 

Khuvara (“Circle of Friends”)

The Khuvara Women’s Group are currently reading the book “What’s So Amazing About Grace” by Phillip Yangtze. All women are welcome, and we gladly invite new members to join us. We meet each Thursday at 1:30 pm in the CtK Library. For more information, contact Stella Welcher.  NOTE:  Meetings are currently suspended until further notice.

 

Spiritual Study Group (SSG)

Currently the Spiritual Study Group is reading and studying “Consider the Women,” a provocative guide to three matriarchs of the Bible.   The Spiritual Study Group meets weekly on Thursdays at 3:00 pm in the Welcome Center.  Please join us for lively, enriching discussions! For more information, contact Aurora Rose.   NOTE:  Meetings are currently suspended until further notice.