First a little aside: PLEASE plan to attend CtK’s semi-annual meeting on Sunday, November 15 at 10:00am. The link to the meeting can be found at our website, www.ctkdurango.org. We will be ratifying the 2021 Budget for Christ the King Lutheran Church and voting on amendments to the Constitution, Bylaws and Continuing Resolutions. Materials can be found at www.ctkdurango.org/learn-more/documents.

Brrr! As I write this, it is snowing and blustery outside. Thank God! We so badly need the moisture, and I always welcome the first snow of the season. (I’ll change my tune about that by the time we get to February, though!)

As we head into this winter season, we at CtK are working hard to continue to offer worship, fellowship and ministries in a safe way that protects those who are most vulnerable. As cases rise in La Plata County, as they are around the country, we are once again learning to be very flexible with our plans for in-person gatherings as public health guidance and recommendations from local and state officials change. Thank you for your patience as we navigate CtK events through the next couple of months.

One of the changes we have been planning as we head into the colder months is a new format for Holy Communion on Sunday afternoons. I’m so pleased that we’ve been able to offer this Sacrament to our community over the last many months, and we’ve been blessed with weather that has cooperated with that service week-in and week-out since we started back in May! Still, cold weather (and hopefully lots of snow!) will start to be the norm for a while. So, we’ve been trying to come up with ways to offer this service in a way that keeps people safe and warm!

So, beginning November 1^st, we are planning to offer two different weekly Holy Communion service options. The first will take place at Noon each Sunday. This service will be offered indoors, inside the Sanctuary. Participants will be required to sign up ahead of time (go to www.ctkdurango.org/signup or call Pastor Tim at 970-426-9681), and we are restricting the number of people to a maximum of 16 participants. Walk-ins or those who have not pre-registered will not be able to attend, so that we can ensure that we don’t exceed capacity. Face masks and physical distancing between households will also be required for those who attend. Windows and doors will be open, and the ceiling fans will be on to provide the best possible ventilation for the space; so, dress appropriately – it’ll be cold in there! The communion service will be a maximum of fifteen minutes long. And, of course, the availability of this service is subject to change based on the recommendations or orders from public health authorities.

The second Holy Communion worship service will be held at 1:00pm each Sunday. This will be a drive-in service at the CtK parking lot. Participants will stay in their cars, and Pastor Tim’s voice and the musicians will be transmitted through your car radio. Simply tune into 96.5 FM when you arrive at the parking lot for sound. Bread and wine will be delivered to you in your car. There is no limit to the number of people we can have at this service (except the number of parking spaces, of course!), but please sign up so that we have adequate communion supplies prepared. Just go to our Sign-Up Hub www.ctkdurango.org/signup or call Pastor Tim at 970-426-9681 to register for this, too.

We are all learning how to navigate these challenges together, and I’m ever so grateful for your support of Christ the King Lutheran Church and the ministries we have adapted over the past many months to support you in your faith. I know it is not the same, but we’re working hard to sustain or even expand ministries in this new environment.

Peace,

Pastor Tim