Concert Tonight

A FREE concert will be held at CtK tonight, 7:00pm, with music from several young musicians. A free will offering will be received in support of CtK Youth Ministries.
It promises to be a great time!

Sabbatical: Q&A

Dear Friends in Christ,                                                                                                              

Back in September 2015, the church council approved a Sabbatical leave for Grant and me, for three months, beginning on June 6, 2016.

What is a Sabbatical?

A Sabbatical calls for an extended time of Sabbath-keeping, of stepping away from usual duties and responsibilities. It calls for rest of the body, though also rest of the spirit. For a work-loving person, this will be a challenge, though perhaps all the more necessary. Jewish scholar Abraham Joshua Heschel reminds us, a Sabbatical will be a good grounding in humility that the church will survive (even thrive!) without our help.

How long will we be gone?

We will begin our Sabbatical on June 6, 2016, following the conclusion of the Montana Synod Assembly in Billings. Our last day in the office will be June 3^rd. We will return to the office September 6, 2016.

What will we do?

We look forward to continuing education classes, rest, reading, increased time for devotions, and enjoying creation. As a family, we will travel to Minnesota and Washington, to learn and to spend time with extended family and friends. You can read more details about the classes we’ll take online, at: https://weraise.wheatridge.org/en/projects/30218-Pray--Play--Partner---Sabbatical-2016

All of our activities (and time for rest and renewal) focus around the theme: Pray, Play, Partner.

Where will we worship?

As it would be difficult for us to step out of the role of co-pastors here at Christ the King, our family will worship elsewhere during Sabbatical. Though we will miss being in worship here with you dearly, we hope to share ideas from other congregations upon our return.

Who will cover our responsibilities during our absence?

Pastor Mark Ramseth, member of CtK, is coordinating Sunday morning worship. A schedule of wonderful guest preachers, including some members of CtK, has been put together. Sunday services have already been mostly planned.

The Church Council will have a “council host” each Sunday, to answer questions and make announcements.

Pastors Mark and Carol Ramseth, and LPA John Sheppard will provide pastoral care in emergency situations. The Congregational Care Team has been trained and deployed to offer ongoing pastoral care to members of the congregation. If you are in need of a visit or pastoral care, please call the Church Office, 587-4131.

Kristin Harney is coordinating WoW (Worship on Wednesdays).

Jen Erickson is coordinating WoW dinners.

Josh Keehr is heading up the construction of the prayer labyrinth.

Dawn Byrd and Courtney Yovich will oversee church communications.

The Sabbatical Team is planning special summer events (Spring Clean-Up Day, Madison River Float Trip, Worship at Hyalite, etc.)

Lucy Peterson remains our faithful Family Promise Coordinator.

The Family & Youth Team will coordinate the Middle School Service Plunge and the High School Mission Trip through FLBC.

Amy Yovich and Renee Schon will head up Vacation Bible School.

Know that you all will continue to be in our prayers during this absence.

How is the Sabbatical funded?

The congregation voted at the Annual Meeting to increase the usual “pulpit supply” line item by $1300, to cover the cost of guest preachers for the Sundays of the Sabbatical. Also included in the spending plan is $1500 for continuing education (an annual part of our compensation). Costs above the $1500 will either be funded through our crowdfunding campaign, or paid for by us pastors.

Please see the May 13, 2016 post on the CtK blog (http://ctkbozeman.blogspot.com/2016/05/pray-play-partner-sabbatical-2016.html) for more detailed information on the Sabbatical budget.

Will we be in contact with CtK during Sabbatical?

An important part of a Sabbatical is to make a complete break from things. Dawn Byrd will notify us of any major events in the life of the congregation, and we will continue to receive the weekly email newsletter while on Sabbatical. We will not be checking our CtK email accounts. Please contact the Church Office during the Sabbatical, at 587-4131, or office@ctkbozeman.org.

How will we evaluate the Sabbatical upon our return?

We will submit reports to the Church Council upon our return, and will meet with the Sabbatical Team, the Mutual Ministry Team, the church staff to share experiences of the Sabbatical (both ours and CtK’s). I expect that all of our ministries will continue to flourish while we are away and new ones will arise. A Sabbatical is really a two-way process, with both the staff persons and the congregation reflecting upon prior ministry, being renewed, and seeing new patterns emerge as we discern God’s will for us.

We are excited for this time of renewal and pray it will be a blessing for Christ the King as well.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us, before June 3^rd, with any questions or concerns.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Lindean

New Year's Eve Labyrinth Walk

Happy New Year!
Tonight (new year's eve), CtK hosts the Gallatin Valley Interfaith Association Labyrinth Walk. It provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the year now over and prepare for the new year.
Labyrinths are used in a wide variety of faith traditions. One of the most famous labyrinths is in the floor of the Chartres Cathedral.
Read about the event here, in a Bozeman Daily Chronicle article from last week.

From the website of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, which houses a replica of the Chartres Labyrinth:
General Information and Instructions
The labyrinth is an archetype, a divine imprint, found in all religious traditions in various forms around the world. By walking a replica of the Chartres labyrinth, laid in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France around 1220, we are rediscovering a long-forgotten mystical tradition.

The labyrinth has only one path so there are no tricks to it and no dead ends. The path winds throughout and becomes a mirror for where we are in our lives. It touches our sorrows and releases our joys. Walk it with an open mind and an open heart.

Three stages of the walk
Purgation (Releasing) ~ A releasing, a letting go of the details of your life. This is the act of shedding thoughts and distractions. A time to open the heart and quiet the mind.

Illumination (Receiving) ~ When you reach the center, stay there as long as you like. It is a place of meditation and prayer. Receive what is there for you to receive.

Union (Returning) ~ As you leave, following the same path out of the center as you came in, you enter the third stage, which is joining God, your Higher Power, or the healing forces at work in the world. Each time you walk the labyrinth you become more empowered to find and do the work for which you feel your soul is reaching.

Guidelines for the walk Quiet your mind and become aware of your breath. Allow yourself to find the pace your body wants to go. The path is two ways. Those going in will meet those coming out. You may "pass" people or let others step around you. Do what feels natural.

Photos from the last week of Advent

Photos from the Sunday School Advent/Christmas program on 12/20 and high school/young adult "Cookie Ninjas" delivering treats to those who work the night shift in service to our community, 12/18.

 

Annual Caroling at the Hospital

Warm up your voices!
This Sunday, December 20th, carolers of all ages will gather at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital (at 3:00pm in the chapel, by the main entrance) and share God's love and the joy of Christmas with patients, families, and staff.
Wear a santa hat if you have one!

Happy Thanksgiving!

All are welcome to CtK's Thanksgiving Eve Worship & Pie-Luck tonight at 7:00pm. Come sing (hymns by request at the beginning of the service!), listen, share, pray, and give thanks to God for all good gifts. Then enjoy great company and some yummy desserts!

A BIG Weekend

This Sunday, October 25th, is a big day in the life of the congregation. We'll celebrate Reformation Sunday, singing some favorite hymns, giving thanks for the good news of the Gospel of Jesus and all those the Spirit uses to call people to faithfulness (Martin Luther included!).
Two of the youth of the congregation will publicly affirm their baptism during worship at 10:00am, and profess their faith. It's a big deal, and definitely a day for the church community to gather around them for prayer and support. When an individual is baptized, the assembly is asked this question: "People of God, do you promise to support name and pray for him/her in his/her new life in Christ?"
And the assembly responds: We do.
Then, after the baptism, the congregation addresses the newly baptized: We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share: join us in giving thanks and praise to God and bearing God's creative and redeeming word to all the world.
That baptismal journey continues, and Affirmation of Baptism (aka Confirmation) is a big step on that journey, when a young person becomes an adult member of the community of faith. Don't miss it!
There will be a reception, with cake, and a Reformation Sunday photo booth, after worship.

Sunday afternoon we hold our annual Trunk or Treat. It's always a ton of fun, and a great way to reach out into the neighborhood. Trunk or treating will happen in the parking lot, and there will be games, crafts, and less sugary snacks in the social hall, 4:30-6:00pm. (Family-friendly) costumes are encouraged!

Day of Service

Tomorrow, September 13th, is God's work. Our hands. Day of Service. Everyone who worships with CtK tomorrow morning (worship is at 10:00am and will include an opportunity to hear from the youth who went to Detroit for the ELCA Youth Gathering this summer) will be invited to stick around to help assemble school kits for Lutheran World Relief or decorate cookies and assemble boxes of treats for those who protect and serve our community (first responders, hospital employees, etc.). We'll need a few folks to make deliveries of treats, too.
Would you rather spend some time serving outside? There will be a group heading to God's Garden to pick green beans. Wear your sunscreen and take a water bottle!

What a privilege it is to serve in God's world!

God's work. Our hands. Day of Service - Sunday, September 13th - Part One: School Kits

This fall CtK will join other ELCA congregations for the third annual "God's work. Our hands." Day of Service. There will be several opportunities to serve right here in Bozeman, as well as an opportunity to make a difference around the world.

Assembling School Kits for Lutheran World Relief is one way to have global impact, by making it possible for children who might otherwise not be able to pursue their education to attend school. In order to assemble School Kits, we need folks (you!?) to purchase and donate the supplies for them.

Each School Kit contains:

Four 70-sheet notebooks of wide– or college– ruled paper; no loose-leaf paper
One 30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other
One pencil sharpener
One pair of blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well)
Five unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers
Five black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink)
One box of 16 or 24 crayons
One 2 ½” eraser

It is NOT necessary for you to purchase items for one complete kit. Purchase whichever supplies you like, and when everything is gathered we'll put together as many kits as we can. All items should be new and in good condition.

 

For more information about Lutheran World Relief and where school kits go, check out:

lwr.org/schoolkits

 

 

An ADULT Mission Trip

Here's an opportunity to serve and make a difference on the Rocky Boy's Reservation right here in Montana. It's a mission trip, but it's not for youth. It's for adults! Please read the letter below for information. And if you decide to go and serve, please let me know! (you can send me an email here: lindean@ctkbozeman.org)

A Letter from Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church – Box Elder, MT

July 21, 2015

Greetings!

One thing I have learned as the pastor at Our Saviour’s on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, don’t be shy about asking for what you need! With that in mind, I would like to invite you, as individuals and as congregations, to participate in a service opportunity at Our Saviour’s.
August 29^th-September 3^rd, we will be hosting an adult Servant Group from Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN. The main project they will be working on is roofing two of our four cabins. We will be changing from rolled asphalt roofing to metal roofing.
Here’s the deal. We could use your help! It would be wonderful if we had enough volunteers so that we could get all four of the cabin roofs completed before winter sets in.
There is also the need to re-roof two sections of the asphalt shingles on the Big Church. This building is used by our congregation and our community as gathering space for VBS, Servant and Immersion groups, larger church services like Christmas and Easter, wakes and funerals, and many other things.
Besides needing people on the roofs, people will be needed on the ground as well to clear away stuff, take stuff to the dump, and help with other projects on our site. We can always use people to be part of the meal prep and clean-up crews.
The Servant Group will be arriving on Saturday afternoon (August 29^th), but the actual work on the roofs will not start until Monday morning (August 31^st). If you are willing to come and help with these projects on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (for any or all of those days), coming the night before would help you have a great start in the morning. The Servant Group from Zumbro will leave on Thursday, but we could continue the work on Thursday and Friday (September 3^rd and 4^th), if there were people interested in working on those days, too.
I wish we were able to offer this opportunity to you at no cost, but we are not in the financial position to do that. So, what we are asking is that you help with the food costs by donating $20 per day and if you are able to make an additional donation to help with the cost of materials that would be wonderful (but we are not asking for a specific amount for that).
We have space in our cabins for about thirty people, space in the Mission House for about ten people, and room for four RVs to hook-up to water, electric and sewer connections. Sorry, we don’t have the space to have couples stay together. And, because of the particular type of work we will be doing, this is an adult-only event. Young people who are high school and/or middle school age could help out, but they will, most likely, be back in school by then.
If you are interested in being part of this project, please contact me (Pastor Linda E. Webster) for more details. We’d love to have you come and participate.

Blessings,

Pastor Linda E. Webster
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
499 Mission Taylor Rd.
Box Elder, MT 58521-8983
www.oslcrb.org
406-395-4307

2015 Rummage Sale

It's time! Time to clean out closets, shelves, garages, etc., and to let-go of all those things sitting around collecting dust at your house. The annual Family & Youth Team Rummage Sale is THIS Saturday, May 9th, from 8am-12pm.
The youth are receiving donations now through Friday - please bring your "stuff" and leave it in the social hall. Youth, parents, and other wonderful adults will begin sorting stuff tomorrow evening (5/6) from 6-8pm. They'll sort again on Thursday evening from 6-8pm, and again on Friday, from 6pm until the job is done. If you'd like to help, please just show up!
And THEN, please come back and shop at the sale - this year it looks like there are lots of kids' clothes, and there are always some hidden treasures. Mother's Day is this Sunday - maybe you'll find JUST the thing for a mom in your life!? Rummage Sale proceeds support CtK's ministries with and to youth and their families. This summer we're sending 6 youth and 2 adults to Detroit for the ELCA Youth Gathering. It's going to be great, but it's not an inexpensive proposition... Your support is much appreciated. Thanks for your generosity!

Blessed Advent

Blessed Advent! And Happy New Year!
Today is the first Wednesday in Advent (the 4th day of Advent this year, which started this past Sunday), and here at CtK folks will gather for a simple supper of soup and bread, and then for a service of evening prayer. Advent marks the beginning of a new year in the church calendar, and begins four Sundays before Christmas. During this season, we are invited to prepare our hearts and homes not only for the celebration of Jesus' birth, but also for all the ways Christ comes to us, and for the day he comes again in glory. There's rather a lot going on - and that's before we factor in parties, Christmas cards, shopping, etc.
So, come and take some time to celebrate the season and God's work in and through you this Advent. Take some time to ponder what (or who) it is you're waiting for; what you hope and long for; what is yearning to be born in your life.
On Wednesday evenings this year, we'll think about the four tenets of the Advent Conspiracy: Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All. Since we only have 3 Wednesday services of Holden Evening Prayer, the second and third themes will be combined.
The service is beautiful - piano, flute, guitar, voice, candlelight, quiet.
Come.

PB&A - THANKS!

THANK YOU!
Many thanks to all involved for making CtK's Second Annual Potato Bar & Auction a huge success. $7757 was raised in support of CtK's Family & Youth Ministry!

Special thanks to those donated items to the auction, to those who purchased them, to potato bakers and food providers, and everyone who came out to enjoy one another and have a good time! Monies raised will help send six CtK high school youth and two adults to the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit, AND send CtK middle school youth to Christikon next summer.

The youth of CtK decided to tithe 10% of their PB&A receipts to the Freedom in Christ Prison Ministry in Deer Lodge. Freedom in Christ is in need of financial AND prayer support, and the youth are glad to help make a difference in the lives of prisoners and their families.

Surprised by Hope

Every-other Friday morning, a CtK small group meets at Clark's Fork restaurant at 7:00am. Some folks just drink coffee or tea, some eat a big breakfast. All are part of lively conversation, stimulated by the chapters read for the morning's discussion.
This Friday, November 7th, the group will discuss the last chapters of Take This Bread, by Sara Miles. It's been great food for thought. (pun!)
Beginning Friday, November 21st, the group will discuss the first two chapters of Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, by N.T. Wright. Wright, an Anglican bishop and professor, tackles the question of what happens when we die, and how most Christians get it wrong. This book is more "academic" than the group's previous selections, heavier on early church history and biblical theology, but it is a fascinating read and will inspire great conversations. You are invited to join in! Pick up a copy at your favorite bookseller, bid on the "Friday Morning Small Group Basket" at the PB&A this Sunday, or get a copy here at Amazon:

All are welcome to join the conversation!

TRUNK OR TREAT 2014 - Oct. 26th, 4:30-6:00pm

THIS SUNDAY, October 26th, is CtK's annual TRUNK OR TREAT!!
This fall festival is a great opportunity to get to know each other, and get to know the folks who live in our neighborhood!
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!
Members and friends of CtK are needed to park their cars in "Treat Alley" (the CtK parking lot) and hand out treats as kids "trick or treat." Dressing up in costume and decorating your car are encouraged, but not required. :)
Folks are also needed to help run carnival games on the lawn (weather permitting) and in the social hall. There will be a beanbag toss, "Pin the hat on the witch," possibly outdoor twister, and more.

Sign up in the social hall, or just show up!
Set up will begin at 4:00pm. The event runs 4:30-6:00pm. It takes folks of ALL AGES to make this a success!

Bozeman HAY MAZE - Fundraiser Night for Love, INC

TONIGHT, October 8th, the CtK youth group will be heading to the Bozeman Hay Maze. (The 6th-12th graders will still meet for dinner at 6:30pm, then head out to the Maze. They'll return to CtK at 8:30pm, which is a half hour later than usual).
EVERYONE is invited to join the fun - tonight is a fundraiser for Love, INC, a cooperative ministry of a whole bunch of churches in the Gallatin Valley (CtK is a partner church in Love, INC). The Maze will be open from 5:00-8:30pm. Tickets are $8/person. Bring your flashlight and a jacket. See you there!

Financial Peace

Money is one of those things it's often difficult to talk about. It's personal. And for lots of folks, it's anxiety producing.

Beginning a week from today (the class starts Tuesday, September 30th), CtK will offer Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. It's a 9-week course designed to help individuals and families develop a plan for their money. This class will show participants how to get rid of debt, manage their money, spend and save wisely, and much more!

If you'd like to attend, please register online to pay for and receive your materials. The course costs $93 per family.

Want a preview? Check this out:

Service Plunge & Family Art Night photos

Those gathered at CtK this past Sunday had a great time, kicking off another year of learning in Sunday School, blessing backpacks, and enjoying this video of photos from the Middle School Service Plunge and Family Art Nights this summer. Enjoy!

Back to School - Blessing of Backpacks

Invite your friends, classmates, teammates, neighbors, teachers, students...

CtK Hosting Blood Drive

CtK will host a Blood Drive on Monday, August 11th, from 1:30-6:00pm, in the social hall. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: christtheking.

Giving blood is an easy way to save lives. Thanks for donating!

(And I (Pr. Lindean), say an extra "thanks" for donating - the Red Cross won't accept my blood, since I lived in the UK during a big "Mad Cow Disease" outbreak. The year I spent volunteering in a rural Presbyterian Congregation in Northern Ireland has disqualified me from donating blood until a blood test for BSE is established. I gave blood at my high school and university blood drives, and wish I still could. So, please give on my behalf and I'll give you a big high five!)

From the Red Cross website:

Tips for a Successful Donation

By following a few recommendations before, during and after your blood donation can help you make your donation experience as safe, successful and pleasant as possible.

Before Your Donation

• Maintain a healthy iron level in your diet by eating iron rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals and raisins.
• Get a good night's sleep.
• Drink an extra 16 oz. of water or nonalcoholic fluids before the donation.
• Eat a healthy meal before your donation. Avoid fatty foods, such as hamburgers, fries or ice cream before donating. (Fatty foods can affect the tests we do on your blood. If there is too much fat in your blood, your donation cannot be tested for infectious diseases and the blood will not be used for transfusion.)
• If you are a platelet donor, remember that your system must be free of aspirin for two days prior to donation.
• Remember to bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of ID.

Read more here.