Table Talk Newsletter
Pastor’s Letter
Grace and peace to you. As I write to you during Holy Week, we are transitioning from the Season of Lent into the Season of Easter. We are a people on the move and in transition. What a joy it is to be Easter people, that is, living on this side of the resurrection, knowing of God’s love shown to us and all of creation in Christ’s life, death and resurrection.
Speaking of transitions, over the last year and a half since rejoining you, we have been praying, pondering, and considering where God is calling our CTK congregation to share and live the gospel message we receive in and through Jesus Christ in the present and the years ahead. The Ad hoc Committee remains steadfast in its dedication and commitment, meeting regularly and being in conversation with Lutheran ministry partners to consider various ministry directions. Thank you for your continued prayers and witness to the gospel.
Back to the present, as we live into each new day as Easter people, we are called to grow in our relationship with gracious God, we are also to grow in relationship with family and friends and those we have yet to meet in our communities. We are to move simply beyond self and grow in awareness and compassion for the whole of creation. In closing I would like to share a poem I wrote based on Rev. Howard Thurman’s poem entitled The Work of Christmas. My poem is entitled The Work of Easter People:
When Jesus has been turned
over to the authorities,
When Pontius Pilate and the Empire have finished their mock trial, crucifixion and buried Him in a tomb, When the Lenten reflections
and soul searching are over,
And after His resurrection and ascension, When the song of the lament is stilled,
The work of Easter People begins: To find the lost.
To heal the broken.
To feed the hungry.
To release the prisoner.
To rebuild the nations.
To bring peace among all peoples. To make music in the heart. And to share Christ's love with all those we encounter.
Shalom, Salam, Peace,
Pastor Raymond
Council President’s Corner
Hello Church!
Spring: the time when days are getting longer, flowers are blooming, and everyone’s baseball team still has a shot at the World Series. It is also a time for hope and renewal in the church. We celebrate Easter, the hope for eternal life, and Pentacost, the coming of the Holy Spirit to all believers. There are also some important new happenings and people at Christ the King Church.
The Property Committee, under the leadership of Peggy Claassen, has successfully renegotiated a new 3 year contract with Kidango. This extends our partnership with an organization that supports child care and education for lower income families. The increased income will help us close the gap on our expected revenue shortfall for the 2024 budget.
We have also hired a new Music Director for CTK, Maretha Davel. Originally from South Africa, Maratha has multiple degrees from the University of Pretoria, including a Masters in Music Education. She has continued her education in the US with a Masters in Music Composition from Cal State Hayward, and extended studies with the Julliard School of Music. Maretha is currently teaching music at Sunol Glen School. Maretha will officially start on staff April 1st to provide worship music and lead our returning choir. Thanks again to Peggy Claassen for leading the search committee.
Finally, this past month we have continued to strengthen our relationships with other ELCA churches in the area by worshipping together during Lent. And we have a few new faces attending worship at CTK. If you have not yet met them, please introduce yourself at your next opportunity.
Yours in Christ,
Jim Sepeda, President