CONTENTS
Church Community News
1. God in the Movies
2. Position Opening for Pastor of Children and Youth: Deadline Today
Getting Connected: Opportunities to Live, Learn, and Grow With Cedar Ridge
3. Sexuality Discussion Forum
4. Prayer Practice
5. The Journey
6. Third Annual Cedar Ridge Kickball Tournament and Potluck Lunch
7. Student Promotion Dates for the Fall and Potluck Lunch
Getting Involved: Meeting Needs In Our Church, Community, and World
8. What's New on the Farm
9. Getting Involved in Children's Ministry
10. Cedar Ridge Workdays
11. Serving Our Neighbors
12. Support Guatemalan Students - Send a Book!
PostScript
Contact Information
CHURCH COMMUNITY NEWS
1. God in the Movies
This month we began an annual five week series called "God in the Movies". Each week we examine a film and look at spiritual themes and ways in which God can speak to us through this art form. This is a great opportunity to get together with your small group or friends to watch one or more of the movies and to discuss their impact on us. See the list of movies below:
- June 20: Screenwriting (topic not a title)
- June 27: Avatar
- July 4: John Adams: Miniseries
2. Position Opening for Pastor of Children and Youth: Deadline Today
At the end of June Leigh-Ellen Curl, who has served as coordinator of children’s ministry on a part-time basis for the past three years, will be stepping down from her staff role. Thank you Leigh-Ellen for all you have done! After prayerful discussion among our leadership, we have decided to hire a new full-time Pastor to lead Children's Ministry as well as oversee Middle School and High School. Please see our website for details of the role description and application process. Let’s all especially pray for this process, for the right person to fill the role and for the younger people in our community. Please contact Matthew Dyer for further details.
GETTING CONNECTED: OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE, LEARN, AND GROW WITH CEDAR RIDGE
3. Sexuality Discussion Forum
Our recent discipleship series "In Pursuit of Sexual Wholeness" was an important time for addressing issues related to sexuality and discipleship. The purpose of the series has been to invite the truth and healing presence of Jesus into this important aspect of our lives. How does following Jesus impact our sexuality and what is its impact on us socially, emotionally, and physically? How do we treat others with respect and love in this critical area? As part of this series we also gathered last Monday, June 7, to listen to a panel of people sharing their stories representing a variety of experiences and perspectives related to homosexuality. We did not use this as a time for debate or challenging others, but rather we enjoyed a remarkable evening of listening to and learning from one another in an atmosphere of love and acceptance. The series has proven to be a time of wonder and growth for all of us, yet it has also caused discomfort and has proven to be challenging at times. We want to continue to foster an atmosphere of openness where it is safe to be honest about our perspectives and struggles.
Everyone is welcome to come to the open discussion forum on Tuesday, June 22, from 7-8:30 PM in the barn to dialogue about the series, talk through questions, raise concerns, listen to and engage in discussion with pastors Matthew Dyer and Patsy Fratanduono and other leaders of the church. Contact Matthew Dyer for more information.
4. Prayer Practice
GROWING IN SPIRITUAL AWARENESS
Most of us quite naturally long for a life full of joy and purpose, yet the stuff of our daily lives – busyness, noise, and stress – can be great barriers to experiencing the inner transformation Jesus said was the key to experiencing abundant, meaningful life. Is it possible to live a “typical” life yet grow beyond ordinary daily awareness and into a deeper sense of the hidden yet glorious presence of God in us and all around us? Join us Thursday, June 17, at this month’s prayer practice where we will focus on the discipline of awareness: learning how to see more fully, listen more deeply, and grow in being truly present and spiritually alert in each moment. All are welcome, 7-9PM in the first floor of the barn. No registration or prior experience required. No food or childcare. Contact Patsy Fratanduono for more information.
5. The Journey
The Journey seminar is an opportunity to get to know the pastors of Cedar Ridge and to explore our vision for following Jesus and our values as a community in a group setting. The Journey is also a necessary step for anyone considering membership at Cedar Ridge. The next Journey will be held Saturday, June 26, from 9:30AM-12:30PM in the historic barn. A Journey handbook will be distributed to read prior to the group meeting, and a light meal will be served, so registration is required. RSVP no later than Sunday, June 20. Childcare is not available. Contact Patsy Fratanduono to register or for more information.
6. Third Annual Cedar Ridge Kickball Tournament and Potluck Lunch
Children, teenagers, grown-ups - it's time! Gather your team. Run your conditioning drills. Study the game film. It's all for the glory of winning the Third Annual Cedar Ridge Kickball Tournament. Past teams have included Furious George, Green Farmers and Kick the Bucket. Which team will be crowned champions this time? What team will you join?
We'll gather on Sunday, June 27, for a leisurely potluck lunch at 12:30PM and begin the tournament at 1PM. Teams are required to have 10-15 players per team, with at least two young players (age 10 or under). We hope everyone will participate either as a player or a spectator during this fun opportunity for our whole community to enjoy an afternoon together. Sign up any Sunday in June at the table near the entrance or email Steve Mather by June 20.
7. Student Promotion Dates for the Fall and Potluck Lunch
Students, Parents - please mark your calendars for the fall. We have scheduled our student promotion dates for next year: new 9th graders on Sunday, August 15, and new 6th graders on Sunday, August 22. Throughout the summer students should remain with their current groups. On their promotion date, students should first report to their current room and allow their leaders to ceremoniously walk them and help welcome them into their new group. If you have any questions, please email Steve Mather for High School or Lisa Dyer for Middle School.
And we're inviting everyone to a potluck luncheon in the barn on Sunday, August 22, at 12:45PM. We'll share a meal and look at plans for the new school year for both Middle School and High School groups. While this is an important meeting particularly for youth parents and leaders, this will be an opportunity for everyone to connect with the teenagers in our community. Come learn what the youth have in store for next year!
GETTING INVOLVED: MEETING NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH, COMMUNITY, AND WORLD
8. What’s New on the Farm
Thanks to everyone who attended the Farm orientation on June 6. If you missed it, getting involved is
still very easy:
1. Just go to the farm table in the commons to sign up for a time you’d like to help, and the farm team will
follow up with you.
2. Head out to the farm shed anytime and read on the whiteboard what tasks need to be done for the
week.
3. Every Sunday, after second service, farm leaders will be on the farm at 12:30PM to work alongside
you and answer any questions.
4. Find a friend to co-host a farm party with you –
Farm parties currently underway:
- Wednesday Mornings in June and July from 9–11AM.
Hosts are Deedie Stuart and Victoria Kirby.
Parents please bring your children for supervised, quality fun, work and
play as parents and children interact on the farm.
- Tuesday Evening, June 22, from 6–8:30PM
Hosts are the Thurston’s Columbia Discipleship Group.
They will be providing healthy snacks, drinks and music while everyone is farming.
All are invited to join them for an ice cream stop in Burtonsville when the work is done.
9. Getting Involved in Children’s Ministry
This summer children in preschool and elementary school will go through some interesting, fun and hands-on series Sunday mornings. It’s a great time for members of the church community to get involved in the spiritual development of the children in our community. These are some of the ways you, your family, and your discipleship group can consider getting involved.
How individuals can get involved:
- Sign up to help on occasional dates over the summer, as your schedule allows. You can sign up for the dates, service times, and age group you choose. On those days when you signed up to take part, you’ll assist one of our leaders with their group of children. This is a simple and easy step you can take to support our children as they grow and learn this summer. There are dates throughout the summer when we are in need of assistants.
- Become a leader in Children’s Ministry this summer. Leaders work with groups of children twice or more each month during one of the services, and invest themselves in building relationships with the children in their groups. Leaders guide their groups through hands-on, age appropriate activities on Sunday mornings. Our current leaders may or may not be parents, and many work in fields unrelated to children such as architecture, engineering, health care, and business. All our leaders are interested in spending regular and dedicated time with children, and getting to know the children in their groups well. This summer we are in need of leaders for our preschool groups and nursery throughout the summer, and for elementary groups in July and August.
Get involved as a family:
Serving with your spouse or children is rewarding, and gives you a chance to see each other in new and fun settings.
- Serving with your children: In order to be a regular leader in Children’s Ministry, a child must be at least 13 years old – but children of any age can serve alongside their parents. Some of the kids in our community are naturals when it comes to taking care of younger children, and they sincerely enjoy it. If this is true of your child, consider picking some times and dates this summer when you and your children can help out with a preschool or nursery group. You’ll enjoy serving together, and seeing some of your child’s natural strengths in action.
- Partnering with your spouse or significant other to serve children can be a fun way to spend time together, to help your community, and to get to know some new people.
Getting involved as a discipleship group:
There are a number of different ways that a discipleship group can get involved with Children’s Ministry this summer.
- Individuals could decide on some dates and service times here and there when they are available, and sign up on the board in the commons (or contact Leigh-Ellen Curl) before June 27. After June 27, you'd want to contact Matthew Dyer.
- Another option is for a group to pick one Sunday when the whole group (or many group members) are available, and sign the whole group up for that Sunday. People could pick their preferred service, and Leigh-Ellen would tell people where to go and how they would assist our leaders. We have need for this kind of help on July 4, July 11, July 18 especially, and also some dates in the latter half of August. You can contact Leigh-Ellen Curl by June 27 if you'd like to do this, or Matthew Dyer after June 27. We can help your group pick a date where there is a greater need for assistants.
- A third option is for the discipleship group to consider "adopting" a specific group of kids for a period of time. You'd select the date range (a month, six weeks, or for the duration of a series for example) and determine which one or two members of your group were available which Sundays during that date range. Leigh-Ellen would work with your group to get connected with a leader who will regularly need assistance over the summer. Is one of the people in your discipleship group a leader in Children’s Ministry? Consider serving them by lending a hand over the summer. Each week one or two people from the group would show up to help out (by assisting the regular leader). We have the most need for this kind of help with our 2&3 year old group during the 11AM service, and (depending on the dates) with a few of our other preschool groups. Contact Leigh-Ellen Curl by June 27 if this interests you, and she can work with your discipleship group to help you get plugged in. After June 27, please contact Matthew Dyer.
10. Cedar Ridge Workdays
Workdays are held every other Saturday. The next ones are scheduled on June 26 and July 10. We start at 8AM and work until noon. Please contact Kirk Hoffman or just come by Saturday morning.
11. Serving Our Neighbors
Cedar Ridge has been working with St. Camillus, a multi-cultural church with a large Hispanic community near Langley Park. St. Camillus serves the surrounding community through a completely volunteer run food bank and provides weekly emergency food assistance to between 100-250 families in need, many coming from Guatemala. You can help! There are two big ways you can be involved:
- helping to transport food donations mid-week - (time involved - approx. 1-2 hrs. per transport) and
- working with families to apply for food stamps - some Spanish needed; guidance on how to do this is provided (time involved - 2 hrs).
If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities, please contact Beth Hood at 202-744-0148. If you would like to learn more about St. Camillus, click here.
12. Support Guatemalan Students - Send a Book!
This July a group of local teachers will visit schools in Ipala, Guatemala as part of a mentoring program to enhance English language skills for Guatemalan teachers and students. In order to support this program with very practical resources, Cedar Ridge will be sending familiar children's books with accompanying audio CDs and CD players to help students hear English spoken in schools in Guatemala. A table in the commons on Sundays in June will have material available for people to purchase and donate: books and CDs for $25-40 and sturdy student CD players for $80. For more information on book purchases or the trip, contact Patsy Fratanduono or Dayna Kranker. For general info on the teacher mentoring program contact Vernon Archer or visit the Global Engagement area on our website.
POSTSCRIPT
Contact Information
Cedar Ridge Community Church
2410 Spencerville Road, Spencerville, MD 20868
Phone: 301-384-7444