This week's sermon:

"Two Readings, Two Responses"

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Luke 4:14-21


Rev. Russ Boyd preaching

This week we hear two stories of scriptures being read publicly: Ezra reads the instructions from the law to the Israelites after rebuilding Jerusalem, and and Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth to read from the prophet Isaiah to the community gathered for worship. Each of these readings elicits a strong reaction, but for different reasons. Find out this Sunday what they can teach us today!

Click here for a preview of this Sunday's worship bulletin

 
COVID rapid tests available at church

Testing is an important way to keep others safe and reduce the strain on our health care workers by limiting the spread of COVID. Our church now has several varieties of COVID rapid tests available to ensure everyone in our congregation can do their part! If you need a test and are having trouble finding or scheduling one, contact Russ at russ@ridgleachristian.org to arrange to stop by the church or have one delivered to you.

Additionally, every household can now order four free at-home tests through the US Postal Service. Tests are expected to ship by the end of this month, and you can order yours here: www.covidtests.gov
 
Church COVID Precautions for Omicron

As the spread of COVID-19 in our community increases dramatically due to the omicron variant, we remember that our calling as Christians is to love our neighbors and care for the sick. In order to do that we will continue doing what we have done throughout the pandemic: help the most vulnerable among us and do our part to reduce the pressure on our healthcare workers.

Recently, our church's staff and lay leaders evaluated our programs to determine what changes or additional safety precautions might be appropriate. Based on that discussion, they reached a consensus on several updates, considerations, and encouragement for our church community. Click here to read a detailed summary in a letter from our Senior Minister, Rev. Russ Boyd, sent on December 31.

Remember: If you feel sick, have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID, or have vulnerable people in your home or in your care, we encourage you to stay connected by worshipping virtually.  

Thank you for always choosing to live out your faith by doing whatever you can to love your neighbors!
 
Donate Winter hats, gloves, and coats
for M.L. Phillips Elementary School


With the weather finally turning colder, we are collecting warn hats, gloves, and coats in children's sizes (between 6 and 12) to donate to Mary Louise Phillips Elementary School. Over the next two weeks you can place your new or gently-used donations in the bin in the foyer, or drop them by the church office during the week and Pam DeVoe will deliver them to the school.
 
Groceries for Refugees

Over the last several months there have been 5-10 Afghan refugee families arriving to Fort Worth each week through Refugee Services of Texas!  As a church we have been providing groceries for 1 family each week.  We take a shopping list, fill up our carts and deliver it so that when they arrive their pantries and fridge are full of food that tastes like home.

There are 2 ways you can help

1) Donate at www.shelbygiving.org/ridglea and choose "Refugees" from the Fund drop-down menu.

2) Be a grocery shopper and deliverer.  When we learn each week the time of arrival of our family you will receive a text.  If you are able to help shop and deliver that day we will get you a shopping list, delivery address, and money to shop with. To be added to the grocery shopper volunteer list email allison@ridgleachristian.org.
 
International Newcomer Academy Volunteer Day

This Tuesday, January 25, 1:30 PM

For the past two weeks we have been helping our partners at International Newcomers Academy prepare a donation room for newly arrived refugee and immigrant families to pick up clothes, furniture and household goods to make their house a home.  

We received this note from Faiha Al-Atrash, the family coordinator for the school, "Words cannot express how grateful I am for all your support helping to organize these two portables.  I truly would not be able to do my job without all of you being on my side.  THANK YOU ALL"

We will have another work day Tuesday January 25th at 1:30 PM.  Meet at 7060 Camp Bowie in the back corner portable.  For questions or to RSVP email allison@ridgleachristian.org
 
Weekly Updates
 
1) Attended Christian Church Foundation Development Conference 
I was thrilled to attend a virtual development workshop with keynote speaker Anne Melvin who directs the Education and Training department for Harvard's Alumni Affairs and Development Office.  I learned great strategies for successful fundraising to help us sustain this powerful ministry.

2) Set up speaking engagements
This week I began setting up speaking engagements with First Christian Church of McKinney, Bethany Fellowships and with the Kansas City region of Disciples churches. If you know of someone who might be a great fit for coming on a Connect Ministries trip or might want to partner with us to support our work let me know so I can connect with them this spring!

3) Registered Groups for Summer of 2022
We added one more group to our summer roster this week, our first Presbyterian church! Currently have 11 groups registered for summer of 2022 from Kentucky, Indiana, Texas, Iowa, Missouri and Ohio! This includes Disciples, Episcopal and Presbyterian churches! Between our 3 sites we have space for 7 more groups! We have spent this week in conversation with congregations and schools who are still planning their summer mission trips. If you know of a group who would love to empower their young people to put their faith into action this summer help connect us!

4) Ministry Internship Applications Open Up Next Week
Next week will open up applications for Summer 2022 Ministry Interns for Connect Ministries.  Interns will help to plan and lead groups in all 3 of our sites (Fort Worth, Nashville & Tucson).  This is a great opportunity for anyone but particularly candidates considering a career in ministry, education, social work, or community organizing. If you, or someone you know, would love this opportunity to serve, teach, connect and do justice check out the website www.connectministrytrips.org on Monday when the application goes live!

-Rev. Allison Lanza
 
RENT A JUBILEE GARDEN PLOT

For just $30 for the whole year you can have your own community garden plot.  We have 15 rented and 8 still available for 2022. All of the tools and the good dirt you need to grow good food will be provided. We also have master gardeners ready to help you so if this is your first time gardening we have got you covered.  You can garden during our community garden workdays or any time that is convenient for you!

To rent a plot for 2022 email lanza.janet@gmail.com

To pay for your plot give $30 at www.shelbygiving.com/ridglea
choose Jubliee Garden from the drop down menu and put your name in the comment line. You can also bring cash or check to the church with a note that this is for your community garden plot. 

2022 Community Garden Workdays
Wednesdays at 10:00 AM

Whether you rent your own plot or not you are invited to join us every Wednesday at 10:00 AM (weather permitting) to help keep our garden looking great, work on our community compost, plant and harvest food in our free food garden for our neighbors and have a great time.  You can RSVP or learn more from Carolyn Sedinger or Janet Lanza or just show up and enjoy a great time!
 

Youth Group & Sunday School

Children & Youth Sunday School
10:00 AM on Zoom
 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86293793418?pwd=SHFyTXF5NFFSSnB4elY5VmEvMlJDdz09

Join us on zoom at 10:00 AM this Sunday! Our kids (kindergarten-5th grade)  will be learning the story of 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31 about how we are one body with many parts. Our youth (6th-12th grade) will be learning about what it was life was like for Jesus when he was a teenager and young adult.

Meeting ID: 862 9379 3418
Password: Ridglea

Youth Group
4:00 - 5:30 PM on Zoom and Outdoors
 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86293793418?pwd=SHFyTXF5NFFSSnB4elY5VmEvMlJDdz09

This Sunday we will gather virtually (and outdoors, weather permitting)! This week we will think about what faith looks like when we are anxious and everyone around us is anxious too!  Get ready for games, prayer, fun and a great night together.

Church Camp Winter Retreats Cancelled & Rescheduled

Due to COVID there have been changes for the midwinter retreats at Disciples Crossing, our church camp in Athens. The DC Kids Retreat for grades 2-5 has been cancelled, and the DC Middle and High School retreats have been rescheduled for April 1-3 as a combined retreat open to grades 6-12.


 
Throughout the pandemic our mission as a church has been to love God and love our neighbors in ways that keep each other safe. This has led us to learn how to be the church and worship in ways that we would have never imagined two years ago. We have learned that God is everywhere, and that nothing can stop us from sharing God's love!

 Below is a brief summary of our current precautions to help you worship as safely as possible:

- Worship is livestreamed each week on Facebook and YouTube
- Masks are required for all indoor church programs
- 50% of pews are blocked off to encourage distancing
- Sanctuary air handlers have REME-HALO UV-C purifiers
- All staff (including childcare) are fully vaccinated
- Individual, sealed bread/juice cups are used for communion

Click here to read a detailed summary of our current COVID precautions and online options

 
Wednesday, January 26 at 7:00 pm on Zoom

So far over 30 people have been participating in a book study with our friends from Community Christian Church and South Hills Christian Church! Every other Wednesday we gather on Zoom and then split into breakout groups of 5-6 participants to discuss a chapter of the book Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 26 at 7:00 pm, and the pastors of the three churches discuss the reading for the week and share it as a podcast by the Monday before the meeting. On January 26 we will be discussing chapter 10. If you'd like to jump in and join the conversation, use the link below to log into the next Zoom meeting:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81658261772?pwd=N2wyM1hzdHM0YWI3SnpNZXl4MjZ3Zz09
 
Meeting ID: 816 5826 1772
Passcode: bridge


 
The Disciples Sunday School Class is continuing their study of the book of Hebrews. All are welcome!

Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84724873091?pwd=dVZKTDB0azkrQjEyTjM4R29ZSlVkdz09

Meeting ID: 847 2487 3091
Password: disciples
The Open Door Sunday School Class is studying Bible passages related to the theme "Justice, Law, and History" every Sunday morning at 10:00 am. All are welcome!

If you would like to join the class online via Zoom, please call the church at 817-738-0612 and let us know any time before 9:30 am on Sunday morning so that we can set up the Zoom meeting.

Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88956846059?pwd=WXducitUV01JY1g4YlpRbG9wWlhuUT09

Meeting ID: 889 5684 6059
Passcode: opendoor
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