Happy New Year! This month we will start where we left off at Christmas: reflecting on the incredible hope we can have for our lives because God is present. Specifically we’ll all have an opportunity to look at our year ahead in terms of our inner life and also in terms of how we view and interact with the world around us; and on Sunday, January 16, we’ll all have an opportunity to renew our commitment to Jesus and his way. In the latter part of the month we will begin a series on the book of Genesis. This series (Origins: An Exploration of the Book of Genesis) will give us all an opportunity to examine how we approach the Bible in general as well as help us develop a deeper understanding of the book of Genesis and how we can apply it to our lives.

Sunday               Message                                                     Speaker
                                                  Series: Renewed!
Jan 2          Renewing Our Center                                       Matthew Dyer
Jan 9          Renewing Our Outlook                                     Matthew Dyer
Jan 16       Commitment Sunday                                         Patsy Fratanduono
               Series: Origins: An Exploration of the Book of Genesis
Jan 23       Genesis and the Hebrew Scripture                     Matthew Dyer
Jan 30       Making Sense of Scripture                                 Matthew Dyer

Origins: An Exploration of the Book of Genesis

This seven week series is ideal for group study, and we are encouraging all discipleship groups to meet for discussion. Each Sunday message will address a different aspect of the book of Genesis, and there will be accompanying discussion questions available each week which are ideal for groups. There will be a package of introductory material and guidelines for discussion available for pick-up at the info table in the commons on Sundays, January 9 and 16. If you would like to join a group, please sign up at the info table on those same dates or contact Laura Moffitt.

Opportunities to Serve

You can help make our community a friendly and welcoming place by signing up once a month as a greeter. It only means coming 20 minutes early for one service! Contact Kirk Hoffman.

Important Dates

January 8: The Journey

The Journey is a fun and meaningful introduction to Cedar Ridge and its vision, values and people. Normally a four week course, on this occasion it will be an all day Saturday event beginning at 9:30AM and ending at 3:30PM. It's a time for sharing conversation and food (lunch is provided) and joining fellow companions in exploring the spiritual walk together. It's especially relevant for anyone considering becoming a member at Cedar Ridge and in fact we ask that all those seeking membership first go through the Journey. All are welcome, even long-timers in our community or those who have done Journey in the past. It's essential to read through all the material ahead of time so register and get your materials by January 5 by contacting Laura Moffitt.
Saturday ∙ January 8 ∙ 9:30AM—3:30PM ∙ Barn, 1st Floor

January 12: Come to our Annual Meeting

This is a time for us to come together and review how things are going as we pursue our vision of hope and transformation and also to discuss some of the legal and financial issues that are important for us as a community. At this meeting Matthew Dyer (our Senior Pastor) will give an update on progress with our vision, Shobha Duncan (Chair of our Board) will give a report and Tommy Tavenner (Treasurer) will give an overview of our finances for the year 2009-2010. There'll also be an opportunity for Cedar Ridge members to vote on several issues:

• Election of Todd Beckett and Steve Mather to the Board of Trustees. Both candidates will be available for questions after both services on January 2 and 9. As usual our elections are not a vote between the candidates (this is not a run-off) but will be a secret ballot with a straight yes, no or abstention vote for each candidate.
• Re-election of our chair (Shobha Duncan) and Treasurer (Tommy Tavenner) to the Board.
• Some minor revisions to our by-laws.

Please check our website for all the details.
Wednesday ∙ January 12 ∙ 7PM ∙ Barn, 1st Floor

January 16: Commitment Sunday

If you would like to become a member of Cedar Ridge, or would like to dedicate your child to God or if you would like to be baptized, please contact Betsy Mitchell Henning about participating in this service by Wednesday, January 12, (all members will need to have gone through the Journey seminar).
Sunday ∙ January 16 ∙ 9 and 11AM ∙ Auditorium

January 16: Quarterly Leaders Gathering

All Cedar Ridge leaders from all ministry areas are warmly invited to our Winter Quarterly Leaders Gathering. We'll be looking back over the past quarter and sharing plans for the winter and beyond. It’s a great opportunity for all leaders to give feedback and contribute to our leadership process. A simple lunch will be provided. Please sign up on our website if you plan to attend.
Sunday ∙ January 16 ∙ 12:45-3:00PM ∙ Barn, 1st Floor

January 20: Prayer Practice

The third Thursday of each month is an opportunity to take time to ease life’s stress. We engage in different methods of prayer that help us to be more deeply aware of God in our lives. All are welcome to join us. No food or childcare. Contact Patsy Fratanduono for more information.
Thursday ∙ January 20 ∙ 7-9PM ∙ Barn, 1st Floor

January 23: Discipleship Group Leaders Meeting

If you are a current, past or aspiring small group leader, please plan to join us when we will discuss plans for the winter, and support group leaders for the new discipleship series. Contact Laura Moffitt to RSVP for the meeting or for more information.
Sunday ∙ January 23 ∙ 8:30-10AM ∙ Room 105

It Takes a Community to Raise a Child

We believe a strong partnership between parents and our church community is essential in helping children follow Jesus.  Each Sunday, it takes 22 adults to staff our children's ministry team (infants through 5th grade).  We'd like to  invite you to join our team - we especially need helpers at 11AM.  If you're able to serve once, twice, or more times a month this winter, please contact Bryan Peterson or stop by the Children's Ministry table in the commons for more information. 

Weather Cancellations

What happens when a church event is cancelled due to ice and/or snow? Sunday morning closures are announced by 7AM. Evening event cancellations are posted by 5PM. You can find out the current status by checking our website or calling extension 28. Church-wide events will be announced by email to members registered on our website too. If you know we have closed, please help by telling your friends.

Snow Team

Keeping the property safe and accessible in adverse weather means moving snow off parking lots and sidewalks and salting the surfaces. We have shovels, salt spreaders, snow blowers and a snow plow. If you'd like to join us in keeping Cedar Ridge open and functioning, contact Kirk Hoffman.

Book Discussion Group to Begin

The Sunday morning discussion of CS Lewis’ Screwtape Letters begins Sunday, January 9, in the barn from 9-10:15AM. “Meet ‘n Greet” on January 9, with discussion to begin on Sunday, January 16, and continue for approximately 10 weeks. Bring your own book. For information, contact Fred Morse or Jim Paraboschi.

Calendar

Saturday, January 8            The Journey
Sunday, January 9               Screwtape Letters Discussion Group begins
Wednesday, January 12      Cedar Ridge Annual Meeting - 7PM in Barn
Sunday, January 16             Commitment Sunday
Sunday, January 16             Quarterly Leaders Gathering
Thursday, January 20          Prayer Practice
Sunday, January 23             Discipleship Group Leaders Meeting