Updates
Feb 9, 2023

On February 19th, we will have a congregational meeting after church where we will provide a budget update and hold the election for our newly nominated elders. (To hear about our candidates and read their profiles you can visit here) We will vote on these nominees following the steps outlined in our bylaws. All people who consider ECL home are invited and encouraged to stay and participate, the meeting will last about 30 minutes. If you have any questions, please contact one of the elders at elders@ecclesiaclearlake.org

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Feb 9, 2023

This coming week we enter in to the season of Lent. While a season of reflecting on the heavy events that led to Jesus' death and resurrection, it is also a rich season of practicing being present and intentionally pressing in to the practices that draw us in to deeper communion with God and with each other. We feast, we fast, we pray, we meditate, and we celebrate. We hope you plan to join us for the special times of fellowship as we journey together this Lenten season.

Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner, Feb. 21st @ 6:00 pm. Join us at ECL to eat some delicious pancakes together. If you are interested in helping flip pancakes, please reach out to karis@ecclesiaclearlake.org

Ash Wednesday service, Feb 22nd. @ 6:00 pm. Join us for a simple outdoor Ash Wednesday service around a campfire (Weather permitting). We will meet on the lawn of the church to pray, read scripture, reflect on the meaning of Ash Wednesday, and participate in the imposition of ashes. If rain is expected we will have the service indoors.


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Jan 26, 2023

Hello, my friends!

This coming Sunday is Family Sunday. It's been a while since we have had a Family Sunday together, so this is a reminder that our kids will be in service with us and KidConnect and KidConnect Jr classes will not be meeting. But wait, there's more!

I was recently asked if I loved teaching Bible class- and my answer is that I love learning in Bible class. Our kids, without exception, teach me about our Great Big God every week (shameless plug: if you would like to learn more about experiencing God through teaching at ECL, let's talk!). The faith our kids have and navigate this world with is amazing. This Sunday, you get the opportunity to engage with what God is doing through our kids!

Inspired by scripture, our very own Kitty and Seraphine brainstormed ways to help kids in need within our community. After thoughtful conversation with mentors and prayer, Kitty and Seraphine have put together a beautiful plan. You will get to hear more about it from them on Sunday but I want to give you a heads up to bring cash :) There will be a giving opportunity that I am confident your kids will want to be part of. Placing actual money into a tangible collection container is a powerful lesson for our kids to participate in. Sunday won't be the only opportunity you have to join in- but it will be the first!

I could not be more proud of our kids or excited for you to hear from them.

Love,
Karis

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Jan 26, 2023

We have some exciting news! After much prayer, thought, and many conversations, the elders would like to nominate three new candidates for eldership at Ecclesia Clear Lake: Abel Cass, Valerie Hamilton, and Josh McQuinn.

We encourage you to pray over this decision and read their profiles included below. Also, please read over the “Eldership at ECL” document that outlines the roles and responsibilities of an elder at our church.

On February 19th, we will have a congregational meeting after church where we will provide a budget update and hold the election. We will vote on these nominees following the steps outlined in our bylaws. All people who consider ECL home are encouraged to stay and participate. If you have any questions, please contact one of the elders.

Additionally, Jenny Deitz has reached the difficult conclusion that she is no longer able to continue on as an Elder, and will be stepping down at the end of January. We have greatly appreciated all Jenny has contributed as an Elder during her time and look forward to continuing to worship and minister alongside her as she steps away from eldership.

Sincerely,
The Elders at Ecclesia Clear Lake

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Dec 29, 2022

On New Years Day, This Sunday Jan 1, those who are in town are invited to gather at the church for a potluck brunch at 10AM. We will worship by breaking bread and sharing in communion.

*All of our children will be joining with us. There will not be Early Childhood Class, KidConnect Jr., KidConnect, or Youth Connect*

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Dec 21, 2022

Hello everyone,

The elders recognize that the last few months have been a strange time, transitioning away from having Coby as our pastor. As we end 2022, things may be feeling a little uncertain. We wanted to briefly share a few things to bring a little more clarity and information as we head into 2023.

1) We are currently in the process of seeking new elder nominees. Four people have been invited to step into that role, and we hope to have a vote for new elders (at minimum we hope for two, but potentially all four) in early January.

2) This vote would happen at a congregational meeting, which will also cover the current status of the budget. We don’t have a fixed date for this meeting yet, but that information will be sent out in the newsletter as soon as we do.

3) To us, having more elders in place in order to establish a strong elder board is necessary before beginning any kind of pastoral search process. We do anticipate establishing a committee and initiating a search during the first couple of months in 2023. Depending on the process, this search may take another couple of months to resolve/complete.

4) Our initial follow-up with Trisha regarding the listening exercise went in a different direction than we originally anticipated, and the staff and elders used that time to get her counsel, as this was shortly after Coby stepped down. We do plan to do an additional follow up with her to discuss the exercise results more specifically, and will share that information when we get it.

5) While this has been a time of some upheaval, one of the best things that has come out of it is that the elders and staff have been working more closely together than we have previously, and this process is producing a more cohesive, unified team.

Please feel free to approach any of the staff or elders to ask questions at any time.



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Dec 21, 2022

Join us, December 24th at 5:00 pm, as we listen to the story of Immanuel, God with us. We tell this story every year. We tell this story because it illustrates so clearly God’s desire to be in relationship with us. We tell this story because we, too, are invited to come to the manger and witness the miracle of birth. We tell this story because it brings us hope and good news—hope especially for those deemed powerless, unworthy, or unwelcome. We tell this story because it is a story we need to hear again and again; if we didn’t tell it, what would become of our faith? And so, on this night, we will tell this story to pass along the good news and to continue to thread together the generations with hope. We hope you will join us.

Jesus Christ is coming. We wait and prepare in hope, peace, joy, and love.


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Dec 15, 2022

When the sun goes down on December 24, we officially begin Christmastide, twelve days of celebrating the birth of Christ the Savior. We hope you join us for our Christmas Eve Service, December 24th, at 5:00pm.

On Christmas Day, Sunday Dec 25, we will not be gathering together. We hope that you experience deep and rich worship in all of your Christmas morning celebrations.

On New Years Day, Sunday Jan 1, those who are in town are invited to gather at the church for a potluck brunch at 10AM. We will worship by breaking bread and sharing in communion.

On Jan 8, we will resume regular Sunday morning worship times. Christmastide culminates on Epiphany which is January 5th and we will observe this day together on this Sunday. Epiphany, which means 'reveal', celebrates Jesus being revealed and worshipped as God with us.

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Nov 30, 2022

FUNDRAISER UPDATE -

How wonderful to share that this week we have already raised $551. Thank you for your faithful and generous giving.


Dear Church family,

In the past month, El Salvador was hit by hurricane Julia and it caused flooding and landslides across the country. There are so many heartbreaking stories of loss.

We have been invited to join our dear friends at Iglesia Cielos Abiertos in raising funds to provide relief. Pastora Deysi's brother lives near a family who lost their entire home, all their belongings, and their 4 year old son, Carlitos, due to a landslide. ICA and partner churches in El Salvador are raising funds to build a house and buy basic necessities for this single mother and her remaining children.

For the month of November we would love to raise a total of $1500 to support this family. We welcome donations of any amount. All proceeds will go directly to ICA.


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Nov 17, 2022

What a privilege it will be to sit under the leadership of Pastor Jeremias Parada this Sunday. He pastors our partner church, Iglesia Cielos Abiertos. Pastor Jeremias shares often how much he prays for and cares for our community, we are so very thankful to share in ministry with the Parada family. We hope that you will join us this Sunday!

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