You crown the year with your goodness (Ps 65:11)

Christ the King vestry met on Monday, December 11. As it was the last meeting of the year, we began our meeting by reflecting on the past twelve months. Let me pass on a few reflections, first from the vestry and then from me:

• Homecoming: There is a lot of transition in our area. People are deployed, relocated, etc. Those same people often return to the area. We’ve been around long enough to welcome back many who have left. It is a joy to re-connect with old friends!
• Growing Reputation in our Community:  At a recent Christmas party, a vestry member spoke with a neighbor to the church: “You guys are the church that hosts Taco Tuesdays for the neighborhood?” “Yes, that’s us.” “What a great idea. We didn’t make it last year. We will next year!” We want to be valued by our surrounding community, even if our surrounding community does not share our beliefs. See 1 Peter 2:12.
• Excellent Leaders: I am grateful for excellent staff and lay leaders:
• The first chapter of the Building and Grounds committee concluded with the presentation of our concept vision on November 19. A parishioner of the church led this committee of three parishioners and two church staff. They have done great work.
• Our CtK Pastoral Residency has been supported by excellent lay leadership. They are interviewing candidates. We intend to launch this initiative early in the new year.
• Our Taco Tuesdays were initiated and led by your vestry. (At first, I didn’t even think this idea would work!) Another vestry person is spearheading a two-day men’s bicycle ride, March 15-16 (I do think this is a good idea!)
• The dedication and professionalism of our staff has been on full display this Advent Season: Beautiful services of worship, community outreach through our Women’s Tea, EOY Youth Party, upcoming Christmas Pageant, and the attentive work of many you don’t see, who facilitate our participation in the Carpenter’s Shelter Gift Drive.

I am encouraged as we close out 2023. God has crowned our year with goodness and our paths overflow with plenty. 

Warmly,



David

CTK Upcoming Events

Carpenter's Shelter Gift Drive

Thank you for supporting our community partner and providing Christmas gifts to their residents! If you did not list your name on the sign up sheet, please send us an email to let us know which gift you will purchase.

Please remember to bring the unwrapped gift to the church by December 17 with the gift receipt and the original tree tag, which gives the child's and their case worker's names. We want them to go to the correct child! You might also add your child to your Advent devotional that God might enter their life through this season. 

Questions can be directed to Communications@CTKAlexandria.org.

Christmas Schedule:

• Christmas Pageant: December 17. 9:00 a.m.
• Christmas Caroling: December 17. 6:00 p.m. Meet at Old Town Starbucks at King & Union Streets.
• Christmas Eve Services: December 24. 3:00 & 5:00 p.m.
• Christmas Day Service: December 25. 10:00 a.m.
• First Sunday of Christmas: December 31. 10:00 a.m.

Notes: The 9:00 a.m. service on 12/17 will not have Eucharist and the 11:15 a.m. service will be simple Eucharist service. The 3:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service is family friendly, and the 5:00 p.m. service will feature Christmas brass by candlelight. Services on 12/25 and 12/31 will be Eucharist services. The church office will be closed from 12/25 - 1/1, reopening on 1/2; voicemails will be reviewed during this time.

Christmas Pageant

December 17. 9:00 a.m.

Don't miss the year's production: A Christmas Nativity Play featuring CtK's children! It will be a service filled with joy and wonder!

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;

The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,

The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay. 

Greening of the Church!

Contribute to the greening of the church by donating a Christmas Poinsettia! Cost for one large poinsettia is $30, and includes your personalized dedication in the Christmas Eve leaflet. Please contact Ann Lee by this Sunday, December 17.

Coming Soon

Volunteer Sign Ups and Training: January 7. 

Ladies' Lunch Bunch: January 7.

Ladies' Caregiver Support Group: January 9.

Protecting God's Children Class: January 14. 9 - 11 a.m.

Rector's Book Club: January 22. 7:00 p.m. All readers welcome to discuss Lonesome Dove.

Men's Oyster Roast: January 28. 5:30 p.m.

Baptism: February 4.

Date Night & Marriage Strengthening: February 9. 6:30 p.m.

Mission Trip: Northern Kenya. February 16-25.

High School & Middle School Youth Retreats: February 16-19 and March 1-3.

Men's 100 Mile Ride: March 15-16.

Ladies' Spring Retreat: May 3-5. Meadowkirk Retreat Center in Middleburg, VA.

Youth Mission Trip to North Carolina: July 20-27.

To view all CtK events, visit our website.

Building and Grounds

Congregational Presentation of CtK Building & Grounds Master Plan: 

On November 19, the Vestry and the Building & Grounds Committee were joined by Kerns Group Architects and Kirk Bereuter Landscape Architecture, for a presentation of our Master Plan. This conceptual vision is a roadmap for our church as we grow and as resources become available, and the Vestry will be considering next steps in the coming months.

You can view helpful background information here, and view the presentations from KGA and KBLA. You may share feedback with the Vestry and the B&G Committee here.

Worship at CtK

Worship service and staff contact information.

Christ the King is a member of the Anglican Church in North American and the Diocese of the mid-Atlantic. Both distribute regular updates and newsletters. You will find information about the Anglican Church in North America here; information about the Diocese of the MidAtlantic here.