November 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
November is the month of endings and beginnings, the ending of the season of Pentecost, and the beginning of the holiday season with Thanksgiving and the beginning of Advent and preparation for Christmas. Here’s a rundown of events for November and for those planning ahead for December.
November 23—Christ The King Sunday. This is the last Sunday of the season of Pentecost. It will also be the day to return our financial commitment cards for budgeting purposes.
November 30—The First Sunday in Advent. The start of the Christian year, a time of preparing for Christ’s return and remembering his first appearing in Bethlehem.
December 6—Christmas Care Kits assembly for LifeQuest. Location this year at Christ The King. Time to be announced.
December 20—Preparing for Christmas: Children’s Pageant, Decorating, and more.
December 24—Christmas Eve Service, 7 pm. Special Christmas Music, 6:30 pm.
Vestry News
The Vestry is now working to finish up several projects including the website and logo redesign. We’re nearly there. The Vestry also gearing up to consider the budget for 2026, addressed in a separate stewardship letter.
Christ The King is sending two lay delegates to the annual Synod meeting (November 20-22) near Cloudcroft, NM. Once again, Sara Receconi and Bob Sutton have graciously agreed to serve: Bob has agreed to serve on the diocesan Standing Committee to fill a vacated term. We have an additional clergy delegate this year with Deacon Sean attending along with Deacon Bill and me.
Parish News
Ordinations are rare events in this part of our diocese. It was a blessing to have Deacon Sean’s ordination here at Christ The King. I’m glad so many were able to join us on a Saturday afternoon for it. Check out the ordination pictures in this issue.
The Women’s Tea on November 1 had forty-seven in attendance. A great time was had by all. Thank you to Gina Fisher for coordinating the event. Thank you to the team that prepared and cleaned up. I’m looking forward to how the Lord will use this as a springboard for deepening women’s ministry.
Please keep the staff and Vestry and clergy in your prayers in November and December, as we end one season, celebrate Thanksgiving, and begin another of preparation for Christmas.
October 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
October is shaping up as a significant month for our parish. I’m thinking in particular of Sean Jennett’s ordination to the diaconate (yes, it’s spelled correctly) on the eleventh at 1 pm. It’s the first ordination of one of our parishioners in nearly ten years, since Deacon John Bowers was ordained. Please plan on joining us for this service, as we celebrate what God has done in Sean’s life to bring him to this point and look forward to what God will do through him service in Christ’s Church.
In October, we are welcoming our friends from Bellehaven Elementary, including the Principal and staff at the second service on Oct. 5. Christ The King has been developing a relationship with Bellehaven for several years through Shine Partnership. Shine is the facilitator and liaison between our church and the school and other churches and schools throughout Albuquerque. Sandy Schotter is our Bellehaven coordinator who with her team helps Bellehaven’s staff with clothes, school supplies, and food items for the children, among other things. It’s a gratifying ministry and a way to bless this school close to where our church building is located.
Operation Christmas Child sends shoeboxes to children in need around the world together with the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. By filling ordinary shoeboxes full of toys and other fun items, you can be part of giving boys and girls what may be their first gift ever! Local churches in more than 100 nations hand out these Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts at festive outreach events where the Gospel is presented in a child-friendly way. Please consider picking up a shoebox in the narthex and follow the instructions. God bless you!
Vestry News
The Vestry has formed a stewardship committee to develop the budget for 2026. The committee will be looking at priorities for funding. To help the planning process, a survey will be sent to parishioners via email. The stewardship campaign begins in November.
Finally, the second Alpha course is underway. We have several people on their first Alpha, being introduced to Christian essentials in an engaging and thought-provoking format. We have many things to be thankful for at Christ The King, especially your generosity of time, talent, and treasure.