What We’re Doing This Month
We begin May with Commitment Sunday, when we will take the time to celebrate our commitments to God, to one another and to serving in the Way of Jesus. This special farm edition will include exciting news about what has been happening and what is coming up for the current season of growing nutritious food to share with our neighbors.
The following week begins the new discipleship series "Awakening to the Life Within" exploring themes to help us grasp a deeper awareness of God's powerful Love within us and around us. Read more information below for details and to find out what's happening for kids or how to sign up for a group.
Sunday Message Speaker
May 1 Commitment Sunday & Farm Celebration Matthew Dyer
Spring Series: Awakening to the Life Within
May 8 Intro: Discovering Life Within Patsy Fratanduono
May 15 Yearning Matthew Dyer
May 22 Presence Bill Duncan
May 29 Surrender Melanie Griffith
Opportunities to Serve
- Property Workdays: Every other Saturday (May 7 and May 21) from 8AM-noon is the time when our community gathers to care for our buildings and land (mowing, weeding, cleaning and occasionally construction). Contact Mark Hartley to join us.
- Help Needed To Run Sound & Screen Projection on Sunday Mornings: We need more sound operators and screen projectionists for our Sunday morning services. Please consider serving just once a month. Previous experience is helpful (especially for sound), and we will provide training. You will get to be part of a very fun team. Contact Gary Young or stop by the sound booth for more info.
- Children's Ministry Team: In order to give our regular leaders some well-deserved time off this summer, we are looking for people who can be a part of our summer Sunday morning schedule. Please contact Bryan Peterson for more information.
Important Dates
May 1: Commitment Sunday & Farm Celebration
We are focusing on the theme of commitment as shown through our work on the farm and in celebrating new members, child dedications and baptisms.
Sunday ∙ May 1 ∙ 9 & 11AM ∙ Auditorium
May 19: Prayer Practice
Come and explore themes and practices related to the "Awakening" discipleship series. Together we engage in discussion, prayer, times of silence and reflection that open us to deeper awareness of the Loving presence and action of God in our minds, hearts, bodies and souls. All are welcome to join us. Contact Patsy Fratanduono for more information.
Thursday ∙ May 19 ∙ 7-9PM ∙ Barn, first floor
Cedar Ridge Farm
May officially kicks off the 2011 season for the Cedar Ridge Community! Our farm is how we use our land to serve the vision and mission of experiencing spiritual growth, deeper community and servanthood.
This year we are trying out a new online signup service. Please create an account and sign up. It’ll even email you a reminder so you don’t forget! (If online signups are a problem, please email Kirk and he’ll assist you or provide an alternate method.)
Sign up here.
Student Service Learning Hours are also available and approved by Montgomery County, for those who need them.
Guatemala Partnership Trip Update
A team of middle and high school students has been selected to serve in Ipala, Guatemala this July. We're looking forward to building relationships with Guatemalan youth, experiencing life in a developing country, and serving in practical ways. We really appreciate the support of the Cedar Ridge community - we've had a great start raising funds, and would welcome your participation in the following:
- May 8 Bake Sale: Bakers and Buyers Wanted
We are looking for some yummy goodies to sell at our Bake Sale on Sunday, May 8. Also, come hungry on that day and be ready to buy some tasty treats for mom (and the rest of the family). If you have questions, please contact Lisa Dyer.
Sunday ∙ May 8 ∙ 9AM - 12:30PM - Commons
- May 21 Guatemala Gala: Tickets on sale, Silent Auction donations needed
On Saturday, May 21, we’ll be hosting an evening of good food, music, and a silent auction in the Barn. Tickets will be required and available in the Commons this month. Proceeds from the event will support our partnership with Guatemalans, including the youth trip. Also, please consider donating goods, experiences, or services for this event, such as gift packs, tickets, lawn care, babysitting, floral arrangements, handmade items, lessons, specialty baked goods, a weekend getaway, etc. To offer your donations, please contact Trish or Hannah. If you'd like to help in any other way, please contact Bryan Peterson.
Saturday ∙ May 21 ∙ 6PM - 9PM - Barn
- All Sundays: Buy your fair trade coffee at the table in the commons.
Spring Discipleship Series:
Awakening to the Life Within
May 8 begins our next Discipleship Series, Awakening to the Life Within. For six weeks we will draw primarily from the gospel of John and look at Jesus' message in a fresh way, as we seek to get in touch with the Love of God at our core. We hope this is a gentle invitation to embrace the incredible reality of who we are called to be as followers of Jesus: God's offspring and image in the world.
- Messages each Sunday will address the week's subject matter and be an essential part of group discussion material. All messages will be available on the website the same day.
- There will be printed or electronic material packets (online at our website) that will include a few pages to read in advance of group time, providing a summary of the Sunday message, with questions for self-reflection and group discussion.
- Groups will also be exploring different practices of prayer that may help to awaken more of Jesus' life-giving spirit within. Guidance will be included in the packet to make these prayer experiences.
Discipleship Groups
Many people at Cedar Ridge meet regularly as groups in homes throughout the region to share life together, and will be interacting with content related to the Discipleship series. Some of our groups have space for new people. If you would like to register for a group, signup at the table in the commons on May 1. For more information contact Laura Moffitt. Current group members need not register.
Group Leader Support Meeting
We look forward to connecting with all group leaders at one of the leader meetings, Sunday May 1, 8:30AM, room 105 and Wednesday May 4, 7PM, in room 104. We'll preview and discuss the material for the Awakening series and share stories, prayer and encouragement. Please RSVP to Laura Moffitt to let her know which meeting you will attend.
“A New Way to Love” Couples Retreat
The first weekend in June will be an opportunity to grow in loving your partner through concepts and practices of Imago Therapy - a radically different approach to strengthening relationships. Retreat will be held in the Cedar Ridge barn with Imago therapist Carolyn Buresh at the greatly reduced cost of $200, including meals. Retreat is limited to eight couples, and is expected to fill up fast. Visit the table in the commons to register beginning May 1 or contact Patsy Fratanduono for more information, or visit the Imago website.
Saturday ∙ June 4 ∙ 9-4PM ∙ Barn
Sunday ∙ June 5 ∙ 2-5PM ∙ Barn
Calendar
Sunday, May 1 Discipleship Group Signups
Discipleship Group Leaders Meeting - 8:30AM
Wednesday, May 4 Discipleship Group Leaders Meeting - 7PM
Friday, May 6 -Sunday, May 8 Middle School Weekend Retreat
Saturday, May 7 Property Workday
Sunday, May 8 Youth Bake Sale
Thursday, May 12 Leaders Retreat - 7PM
Friday, May 13 Leaders Retreat - 9:30AM
Saturday, May 14 Leaders Retreat - 9:30AM
Thursday, May 19 Prayer Practice
Saturday, May 21 Property Workday
Guatemala Gala - 6PM
Sunday, May 22 Children's Ministry Team Lunch - 12:45PM
Saturday, June 4 Property Workday
Imago Couples Retreat
Sunday, June 5 Imago Couples Retreat
Sunday, June 12 Youth Bake Sale
Thursday, June 16 Prayer Practice