What We’re Doing This Month
For the past several weeks we have been going through a discipleship series as a whole church community entitled “Love One Another: Growing Authentic Relationships Even When It's Hard”. At the beginning of November we bring this series to a close with Commitment Sunday when, during the services, we will be sharing experiences and stories of growth from our discipleship groups and also choosing one area of personal growth from the discipleship material on which we will focus. People will also be taking other steps of commitment by dedicating themselves as parents, getting baptized or becoming members during this service.
For the rest of November we will walk through a series called “The Gift of Enough”. This will be a preparation for the Christmas season and will suggest an alternative to the rampant consumerism that so often entangles us during this time of year. Following on from the last series the focus will be on putting people first (rather than “stuff”) in our gift giving, celebrating and holiday activities as a means to heightening our awareness and experience of the mystery and magic of the incarnation of Christ that we celebrate at Christmas.
On the last Sunday of November (which is also the first Sunday of Advent) we will return to the “Love One Another” series theme and reflect on progress we have made in the area of personal growth we each chose from the discipleship material.
Opportunities to Serve
During November we will have an art show inspired by the Discipleship Series. If you’d like to help, please contact Betsy Mitchell Henning.
To serve in Children’s Ministry, contact Leigh Ellen.
Cedar Ridge has a variety of projects that you or a group can work on: painting farmhouse, repairing picnic tables, gardening, mowing and much more. If you'd like to help on your own schedule or on our Saturday Morning Workdays (Nov. 14 & 28, 8am-noon) contact Mark Hartley.
Important Dates
November 1: Launch of Fall Art Show
The art that you see around Cedar Ridge this month is from our Fall Art Show: The Answer’s Always Love. Works are being created by members of our community in response to our discipleship series, Love One Another: Growing Authentic Relationships Even When It’s Hard.
Sunday ∙ Nov. 1 through Nov. 30 ∙ Cedar Ridge Church Building
November 8: Elementary/Preschool Potluck
Please join us in the Barn on Sunday Nov 8 after the 11AM service for a potluck for parents of children in preschool and elementary school. This will be a time when we build community, give feedback, and share our experiences raising children. Childcare will be provided upstairs in the Barn. To RSVP for the potluck, stop by the Children's Ministry info desk in the Commons on Nov 1st, use the Cedar Ridge website (www.crcc.org) or email Leigh-Ellen Curl by Nov 5.
Sunday ∙ November 8 ∙ After 11AM Service ∙ Barn 1st Floor
November 8: Divine Conspiracy Discussion Group
Are you interested in exploring Jesus’ answers to foundational questions like: what is reality; who is well off; who is a truly good person; and how does one become a truly good person? If you are, then consider joining us as we talk about “Jesus' good news that the Kingdom of God has come, and that he, Jesus, is its herald and expounder to men as well as, in some special, mysterious way, being Himself the kingdom of God." For additional information contact Fred Morse (C 301-575-6769) or Jim Paraboschi (C 301-275-0674).
Sunday ∙ November 8 ∙ 9—10:15AM ∙ Barn
November 10: Listening Skills Workshop
As part of the current discipleship series (Love One Another: Growing Authentic Relationships Even When It's Hard) there will be an opportunity to engage more deeply with the challenge of “active listening”. On November 10 there will be a listening skills workshop. Please contact Vike Thurston for more details.
Tuesday, Nov 10 ∙ 7-9PM ∙ Barn 1st Floor
November 14 &15: Community Outreach Weekend
We are setting this weekend aside to serve our neighbors! Each of our discipleship groups is encouraged to serve together as a group in their local community or some other agreed location. Brainstorm and plan this in your disciple group and serve in a way that works for you. Check out the “Serving Locally” area of our website (www.crcc.org) for suggestions, help and support. Also check this area for details about how you can serve if you are not in a group. Contact Matthew Dyer for more information.
Saturday & Sunday, Nov 14 & 15
November 19: Prayer Practice
Are you longing to grow spiritually and to experience God's presence and love more deeply in your life? If so, please join our small gathering at this month's prayer practice and discuss and experience contemplative ways of being with God that will calm your spirit and refresh your soul. Everyone is welcome. No prior experience or registration required. Childcare and food not provided. Contact Patsy Fratanduono for more information.
Thursday ∙ November 19 ∙ 7-9PM ∙ Barn 1st Floor
November 20: High School Retreat
High School Students, it's time to sign up for our weekend retreat to Ocean City! We leave November 20 at 6PM from the Barn and will return November 22 at 4PM. The cost ($125 per student) includes hotel accommodations, travel, four meals and activities during the weekend. Limited scholarships are available. Sign up deadline is November15. For information email Steve Mather.
Friday ∙ November 20 ∙ 6PM to Sunday November 22 ∙ 4PM
December 4: Advent Coffeehouse in the Barn
Save this date. We will be celebrating the beginning of the holiday season with music, coffee, food and fair trade gifts to buy. The whole evening will have a special focus on Guatemala.
Friday ∙ December 4 ∙ 7:30PM ∙ Barn
Sign Up on Cedar Ridge Website
We recently launched our new website. Please go to www.crcc.org and register as a user in order to get a login which will give you access to all the interactive features of the site. In this way you’ll be able to sign up for newsletters and updates about any area of Cedar Ridge and post your own thoughts, comments and questions. Your discipleship group can create its own area so you can interact with one another and you can join all kinds of other groups like the Community Farm, Global Engagement, Contemplative Prayer, Parents etc. From now on all our electronic communication will happen via our website so make sure you register and get a login today!
Be a Part of Children’s Ministry
Presently, we are in need of leaders to join some of our 9AM and 11AM teams. These leaders guide groups of children through activities and curriculum on Sunday mornings, and commit to serving with children two or more Sundays a month. We are in need of leaders in the following areas:
9AM 2&3 Year Olds 9AM Kindergarten / 1st grade
9AM 4&5 Year Olds 9AM Second / Third grade
11AM Second / Third grade
During November, we’ll be doing special projects to serve others. If you’d like to help kids on Sunday mornings this fall or with a project on one of these Sundays in November, please contact Leigh-Ellen Curl.
11/15 Hands on service projects at the church
11/22 Handmade treats for others
11/29 Making decorations and decorating the church for Christmas