Service bulletins can be found on our website here. The 10:30 AM service will be live streamed through our CEC Facebook Page and our CEC Youtube Page.

We will have Bishop Kai Ryan visit with us on Sunday, March 5, for a confirmation service. Confirmation classes are being held Sundays at 9:00 a.m., in the Library. The classes will be the preparation for anyone (teen or adult) who wishes to be confirmed, or received into the Episcopal Church, or wants to reaffirm their baptism before the bishop.  All are welcome to attend the classes. Contact Fr. Richard or Sarah Martinez, if you have any questions.

The annual meeting of Christ Episcopal Church will take place on Sunday, January 29th, at 9:00 am. The annual meeting will be in the midst of the single, combined service that day. During the annual meeting we will elect Vestry members, hear reports from the Treasurer, Sr. Warden, and Rector, and celebrate our accomplishments during 2022. Written ministry reports will be available and we look forward to the return of the Chili Cook-off and Golden Ladle. More details below.

The Annual Chili Cook-Off returns! All are invited to cook up their best chili in search of the "Golden Ladle." Not interested in cooking chili? We'll have a potluck of sides and desserts as well. Sign-up sheets will be in the narthex for the next couple of weeks. The Chili Cook-Off will occur in the Family Life Center/Back Patio (weather permitting), following the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 29th. (Remember, we have one service that day at 9:00 a.m. The Annual Meeting will be during the service.) We want all to come and enjoy some good food and fellowship as we celebrate the good things God has done and continues to do in our parish.

In preparation for our Annual Meeting on January 29^th, I’d like to ask us all to, each week, look at a passage of scripture and do a little reflection. Please find a few moments of quiet and open the scriptures. There will not be a quiz, but it will serve as a primer for the Rector’s Report.

We all experience loss and grief in a different way and from different situations. We grieve the loss of one that we love. We grieve the loss of health, lifestyle, or relationships. Grief isn't something that we

just get over. It is a journey that we are on, and we move through grief and find that there is joy in life again. Join this session as we have conversations about how to live well through the time of loss and

grief.

The session will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 9am – 2pm in the library. You can register online HERE or there will be a paper sign-up sheet at the counter.

Lunch will be provided. We ask for a registration fee of $5.00 to help with the cost.

Following up with my earlier newsletter announcement about our church’s participation in a diocese-led effort called the Lead Journey, I would like to provide you with feedback regarding your participation in a recent data collection which took place during the Fall Festival last year. This data collection was a kick-off for the first phase of the Lead Journey, which calls for church leadership to LISTEN to and LEARN about our congregation and community.

Those of you who attended the Fall Festival had an opportunity to fill out a survey of basic information about yourselves. There were large sheets of paper on a table where you could record data such as your age range, place of birth, hobbies, and so forth. If you click on the

following link HERE you will find summary data and charts from that data collection.

During the next few weeks all of you will be asked to fill out a more detailed online survey which will provide additional depth of information about your background, preferences and values. Input from each one of you is truly valued and will help us all to understand “Who Are We?” Please be on the lookout for upcoming newsletter communications about the next survey.

In the meantime, if you have any questions about or input concerning the summary charts from the Fall Festival survey, please reach out to me or any member of the Lead Journey team (Deacon Jan, Linda Dozier, Lea Melvin, Cynthia Mudd, Craig Strauss and/or Jerry Woltring). We would love to hear your thoughts about the implications of this data as we seek understanding of our church members and the community.

As we spend this time of listening and discernment of who we are, I am reminded of this line of scripture from the prophet Jeremiah: Lord, you are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name (Jeremiah 14:9). God is in our midst to lead us and guide us. Regardless of how

young or old we are, where we are from, or in our varied interests, God is gifting us and calling us to grow in being ministers of love and grace.

Intercessors will be at the back of the church, near the sacristy door to pray with anyone who would like special prayers during communion at the 10:30 service on Sundays. Often people will ask for prayers for healing for themselves or others, but any prayer request is welcomed. If you would like to pray with one of our prayer partners, you are encouraged to come forward for communion and then make your way to the back for additional prayers. If you have any questions about this ministry or are interested in becoming a prayer partner, contact Cindy Gravis or Fr. Richard.

And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

A copy of CEC’s latest financial statements can be found on the bulletin board in the library. Each month we will post the prior months financial report on the library’s bulletin board after the Vestry meeting.

The Vestry meets on the third Monday of each month. If you have questions about the Church’s finances, please ask any Vestry member or the Church Treasurer.

Discipleship Group - This group meets the first and third Sunday of the month at 6:00 pm in the library. It includes study of the Sunday service gospel readings and is open to anyone wishing to participate. Please contact Bill Sterling at [email protected] for more information.

The Tuesday Book Club has just begun Twisted Scripture: Untangling 45 Lies Christians Have Been Told by Andrew Farley. The book is available on Amazon. If you’re considering this group, this would be a good time to start. Please join us on Tuesdays from 10:30-12:00 in the library for lively discussions, diverse insights and much laughter. All are welcome! Questions, please contact Mary Wybenga at [email protected] or at 303-850-7347.

9:00 AM Adult Forum Class (Library)

Please visit our website (cectx.org) for more information.

Children's Chapel meets Sundays during the 10:30 service in the Family Life Center.

Don't forget - volunteers are still needed! Come help our youngest parishioners grow in Christ! Children's Chapel meets Sundays during the 10:30 service in the Family Life Center. If you can help, please contact our Children's Chapel Coordinator, Meghan Mazy. Lesson plans and supplies will be provided.

Check out the Calendar of Events here for youth group meetings, social activities and more!

Questions? Contact Sherrie Hill or Sarah Martinez.