November 2023 – Church Explained

November 2023 – Church Explained

Church Explained

Pastor Tim hosts “Church Explained”, a monthly feature video that includes discussions and brief educational summaries on topics related to CtK and our Lutheran Church, traditions, and faith. This month’s episode continues the mini-series about the Liturgy. Enjoy!

November 2023 – In Other News

November 2023 – In Other News

Worship Information

Sunday, 9:30 AM – IN PERSON & LIVE STREAM 

We hope you’ll join us in the CtK Sanctuary and online. All are welcome!

Wednesday “Behold!” 6:00PM – IN PERSON – CtK Community Hall

We are having dinner before Behold! Come and join us for food and fellowship @ 5:26pm prior to the Wednesday evening service.

Thank you for your help in making in-person worship a safe experience for all.  If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Tim or Deacon Mandy.

News You Can Use

We are calling on everyone to prayerfully consider how you might use your time and talents to help propel CtK forward in this new hybrid in-person/techno-based way of doing church. We have the technology. Now, we need YOU! Currently, we are seeking to fill ALL categories of worship volunteers:

  • Altar Guild Assistants
  • Worship Assistants
    • Ushers
    • Readers
    • Communion assistants
    • Soundboard/camera operators
    • Presentation computer operators
    • Online church host. This person would be basically acting as a “virtual greeter/online chat person” for worship services.

If you feel you might be interested in any of these volunteer positions and/or if you have any questions, please give Deacon Mandy a call (970-247-5310) or touch base with her during the week. Training will be provided for all volunteers. Thanks for your consideration.

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The Chancel Choir is filling the Sanctuary with their melodious voices. The choir meets for rehearsals on Monday evenings from 6:30pm – 7:30pm.

Please contact Jared Wright, Choir Director if you would like to sing. Jared can be reached at 970-759-1834 or email chancelchoir@ctkdurango.org  – All are welcome!

 

The CtK Handbell Ensemble is ringing out the good news and praises!

This group practices on Sunday mornings @ 8:30am. Please contact Jared Wright, Choir/Music Director or Anita Ashby if you would like to ring. Jared can be reached at the church office or email chancelchoir@ctkdurango.org  – All are welcome!

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The noisy offering partner for August is: Bread for the World

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Save the Dates – November

Saturday, November 4 – CtK’s Annual Art Gala! Join us in the Community Hall beginning at 5:00pm and view all of the wonderful “Water” themed art creations. See you there and don’t forget to dress up!

Sunday, November 5 – Birthday Sunday!  Be sure to join us as we celebrate our CtK members who have birthdays in November! Join us for fellowship and cake! Amen!

Sunday, November 5 – Semi-Annual Meeting – Be sure to join right after the 9:30am Sunday Worship Service for news on the congregation, ratification of our 2024 budget, and much more! Potluck dinner to follow the meeting! Click here to join the meeting.

Saturday, November 11 – La Plata Family Centers Coalition Toy Drive. Be sure to stop by the CtK Parking lot betwen 11AM – 2PM!

Sunday, November 12 – Join us for Pickle Ball! All levels are welcome, even if you haven’t ever played before! 2PM – 4PM at the Edgemont Ranch tennis courts. CLICK HERE for Google Maps.

Wednesday, November 22 – Thanksgiving Eve Service at CtK. Be sure to join us beginning at 6:00pm for our annual Thanksgiving Eve Service. CLICK HERE to join us online!

For all events and activities, please check the CtK website for the most current updates.

November 2023 – Fellowship Group News

CtK Piecemaker Quilters

We are stuffing stockings again this year! We had such a wonderful event last year and we hope you’ll join us again.

Ideally, we would like to have all items in by Sunday, December 3rd. There will be a box by chapel doors for items to be collected from 11/19 – 12/10.

Here’s what we NEED:

General items:

  • Pencil/crayon sharpeners
  • 8 packs of crayons (so we don’t need to repackage them)
  • Small coloring books (soft cover, adults and children)
  • Playing Cards for kids and adults (poker and/or games [Uno, Go Fish, etc])
  • Jump ropes
  • Play doh® minis
  • Nylon drawstring backpacks
  • Rulers (6′ or 12′)
  • Plain pads of paper multi color 4×6
  • Post it notes pads
  • Combs/brushes/picks/barrettes
  • 3″ balls

Infant stuff:

  • pacifiers
  • spoons
  • baby sippy cups
  • tub toys/books
  • rattles
  • baby wash travel size
  • booties/socks
  • caps/hats
  • mittens

Toddlers:

  • books (soft back)
  • books for learning numbers/letters
  • socks
  • T-shirts
  • underwear
  • mittens/hats
Thank You for your help!!

If you would like to quilt, but don’t know how, join us and we will teach you. For other questions, you can contact Judy Olson at (651)303-8450 or judy_olson@yahoo.com.

 

CtK Book Club

Our book club is currently meeting via Zoom on the second Thursday of the month at 3:00 P.M. This month we are reading “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks.

In the following months, we will be reading:

December    *Christmas Lunch*

2024

January         Hello Beautiful by Ann Napilatano

February       Mad Honey by Jodi Piccoult

If you have any questions, contact Judy Olson at (651-303-8450) or judy_olson@yahoo.com.

November 2023 – Bible Studies

Circle of Contemplative Prayer

The Circle of Contemplative Prayer meets the 1st, 3rd, and (if applicable) 5th Monday at 5:30pm. Silent meditation and prayer sessions are followed by a book discussion.  Currently, the discussion topics delve into the ways the contemplative path calls us to connect our inner search for transformational growth with the external realities of how we live and act, what we eat and wear, etc.

NOTE: Meetings are currently being held via Zoom. For the Zoom link and other pertinent information, please text Sharyn Butler at 970-759-6355.  Thank you.

Great Ol’ Broads of God (GoBoGs)

GoBoGs invites you to join them in study and fellowship each Monday from 4:00-5:30 pm. We are currently reading & discussing “The Book of Hope” by Jane Goodall. Share the Care, GoBoGs’ outreach mission, is addressed upon requests. For more information contact:  Sharyn Butler csharynb@yahoo.com and/or Dian Jenkins  jenkdian@gmail.com

*NOTE:  We are currently conferencing via Zoom at 592-847-8387; the password for this meeting is Testify.  The Zoom meeting ID is 966-5642-4190.  Please join them for study sessions that are deeply rewarding. For more information, contact Kayla Hefner at 970-759-1636.

Women’s Bible Study (Tuesdays) led by Deacon Mandy

This newly formed group meets on Tuesdays from 12:00-1:15 PM. We are currently discussing “Women & God” by Kathleen Nielsen. We hope you can come and join us each week!

Please RSVP to Deacon Mandy if you plan on joining us for the Tuesday sessions. Email: Email Deacon Mandy HERE

To purchase the current book – CLICK HERE

Midweek (Thursday) Bible Study led by Pastor Tim & Deacon Mandy

Bible Study class meets on Thursdays from 12:00-1:15 PM.  Attendees can choose to meet for class in-person OR via Zoom. The link to access these meetings via Zoom is:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83113251991

If you ever misplace this link, you can also find it on our website at:

https://www.ctkdurango.org/worship

The “regular password” is needed to access the meeting via Zoom.  If you need the password, contact the church office at 970-247-5310.  We gladly invite and welcome all to join the class. I look forward to seeing each of you!!!

Khuvara (“Circle of Friends”)

We are a group of ladies that meet every Thursday at 1:15. We are currently meeting on Zoom but hope to meet in person soon. We begin by going around and sharing anything that is concerning us about ourselves, our family or friends, or someone in the congregation. We then have a prayer for people in need in our families, our congregation and friends. We always have a book that we are discussing. Right now we are discussing Finding God In Unexpected Places by Phillip Yancy.  If you would like to join us or have any questions, please contact me at 651-303-8450 or Judy_olson@yahoo.com.

Spiritual Study Group (SSG)

Our group meets on Thursdays at 3:00pm in the Chapel. For more information, or the Zoom link, contact Aurora Rose. (970-382-1848)

November 2023 — Social Ministry News

November 2023 — Social Ministry News

Christ the King – Mission Endowment Fund

Grant Application Deadline! = 15 December, 2023

What is the Mission Endowment Fund?

The fund was designed to support Christ the King Lutheran Church in its mission.  The Fund receives unrestricted gifts and bequests from congregation members and their families, and friends of Christ the King.

This is a permanent endowment fund that is separate and distinct from the everyday operating funds of the church.  The assets are held by the ELCA Endowment Fund Trust to provide for their long-term stability and growth, so donors can be confident that their gifts will endure to continue God’s work within our congregation, the community of Durango, and the world.

How do I apply for a Mission Endowment Fund Grant?

Applications can be made at any time of the year, but the Board meets once a year, in January, to review all applications that were received prior to December 15st of the previous year.

The application form can be found on the Christ the King website at ctkdurango.org/learn-more/documents in a fillable PDF format.

To submit it, you may email to mef@ctkdurango.org.

Or it can be mailed to the church at

Mission Endowment Fund

Christ the King Lutheran Church

495 Florida Road

Durango, Colorado  81301-4730

If you have questions about filling out the application, or what kinds of projects or agencies might be appropriate, feel free to contact the board at mef@ctkdurango.org.  Or, of course, you may talk with any of us at church.

Yours in Christ,

The MEF Board

John Condie, Lynn Mitzlaff, Megan Reid, Renate Widder, and Gary Rollstin

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Christmas is coming, AGAIN!
The Social Ministry Team invites you all to participate in the ELCA Good Gifts program that keeps on giving. Using the online catalogue, you can choose from more than 50 sustainable gifts, in honor of family and friends, to give to people throughout the world who are in desperate need.
Go to, goodgifts@ELCA.org to start shopping.

There is still MORE!!!!!
Don’t forget to put Colorado Gives Day on your calendar! This year it will be held on Tuesday, 12/5/23. This year donations made starting Nov. 1, 2023 through Dec. 5, 2023 will qualify to become part of the Incentive Fund. All nonprofits receive a % of the fund equal to the % they raise for the Colorado Gives Day program. Raise 10%, get 10% of the Incentive Fund.
Go to www.coloradogives.org, choose donate and then location for local and statewide non-profits.

Let’s spread the love!

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The holidays are fast approaching, and with them, the opportunities to share our blessings with others. This year we have three of those opportunities to highlight.

First, as we have for 30-some years, we will be making the stuffing for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner. As always, we will meet at Manna Soup Kitchen beginning at 4 pm on Tuesday, November 22nd. We will chop veggies, sauté sausage, and tear bread until we have 25 full pans of stuffing. It is always a wonderful fellowship event, and a huge service to the community.

Second, as we have for 1-some years, we will be doing a gift collection for our Mission partner, the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, Arizona. Tags with needed items will be posted in the Welcome Center. We will ask you to take one or more tags and purchase the item thereon. Look for these shortly after Thanksgiving.

Third, Colorado Gives Day is coming up. We want to acquaint you with this opportunity to painlessly increase the value of your donations to local charities. Donations made to non-profit organizations that have signed up will be supplemented by some percentage from the Community First Foundation. The percentage depends on total giving to all participating organizations. This year, despite the Colorado Gives “Day” title, giving begins November 1st and continues until the “Day,” December 5th. All donations made during this time qualify for the incentive. For more information, check their website, www.coloradogives.org.

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Ctk’s Noisy Offering began years ago during a time of uncertainty with the church’s budget. Tithing was down, and in the absence of knowing just how much financial gifts the church would receive each month, the Social Ministry budget was cut. This meant that local, necessary, and beloved organizations like Manna, the Food Bank, VOA of SW CO, and others would not receive monies they previously counted on. So the Noisy Offering at CTK was born. Metal cans were passed after the Offering plate, so that coins – change – placed in the buckets would not only make a joyful noise, but the change itself represented the change it was making in the receiving organization and the greater community. The joyful noise of the noisy offering reminds us that giving is much more than a duty. Your regular tithe goes to CtK operating costs and to her ministries, which do include the noisy offering recipients through the social Ministry budget – because giving is a duty and a joy!

CTk’s Noisy Offering is also a way we teach our children the importance of giving and serving. Often our children are passing the noisy offering can, and that’s by design. So especially when a tiny hand passes you the can, remember a tiny face is watching – so joyfully plunk in your change and let the noise ring out!

If you have a non-profit that you want to see included as a Noisy offering recipient, put your suggestion in the box on the credenza in the Welcome Center.