The Seed Newsletter

April 10, 2022

THIS SUNDAY AT CHRISTIAN TEMPLE IS  PALM SUNDAY!

Plan to join us as we welcome Jesus into the center of our lives even as we remember his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The day begins with the last session of our most recent Nine O'Clock Forum on Faith and Film. Then, we will welcome our New Disciples for their first stop on their way towards baptism in Fellowship Hall at 9:30. Kids choir will happen at 10:30 when they will rehearse for their part in the Palm Sunday worship service. And, finally, at 11 AM we will worship together in the sanctuary in a service filled with kids, music, prayer and procession! Remember, masks are no longer required but we do ask that all those for whom masking poses no real problem to continue to wear them through Easter.

EASTER BASKET HUNT

Back by request... this Easter we will host another Easter Basket Hunt! We look forward to welcoming you. Read on for details:

• Baskets will be pre-filled (like last year), with age-specific treats
• We are expanding the age group from Birth to 8th Grade
• The Easter Basket Hunt will take place BEFORE Easter Service
• For the Hunt, we are asking families to arrive at 10am
• Kids will be released to "hunt" for their Baskets by age/grade
• A parent/guardian MUST be present with their child(ren) to ensure safety

Lastly, PLEASE complete and submit the following Form so that we may plan for participants, including any dietary restrictions. Forms are due by next Wednesday, April 13th.

Sign Up link: https://forms.gle/VQLGY5idFDCWXhcaA

SIGN-UP NOW FOR EASTER FLOWERS   

This Sunday, April 10th, is the last day to order flowers!  

Sign-up for an Easter flower in honor or memory of a loved one. The flowers will be a beautiful addition to the sanctuary as we celebrate Easter!  You can pick up your flower after the Easter service or leave it to be planted at the church. The price is $11.50 per flower.  You can pay online through our website's Donation Tab or by check (Please write Easter Flowers in the memo line.)  

CLICK HERE for a Sign-up Sheet!

KIDS CHOIR WELCOMES ALL KIDS!

Beginning this week on Palm Sunday, April 10th, the kids choir will be rehearsing live in the Stone Classroom from 10:30 to 10:55. We will also have a zoom option for those who want to join virtually. The kids will be singing in the service both on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday!  We'd love to have your child join us! 

The Zoom link is posted each week at the end of this email, as well as in the Sunday Morning Worship & Information email.

CIRCLE OF LOVE STILL ROLLING

Christian Temple's Afghan Refugee Outreach Ministry Continues!

A few weeks back we were all swept up in the energy around resettling two Afghan families into the Baltimore area. Gifts poured in as we organized an effort to furnish two homes in Cockeysville, along with providing some personal and financial assistance needed for the families to get started in this area. That phase of our work culminated in a visit by the families to Christian Temple on Sunday, March 13th

Since then, our Circle of Love coordinating team has organized a list of things the congregation can do to continue our assistance in less visible, but equally important ways.

First, the good news! The good news is that the fathers in both families (the Mohammedys and the Bamyanis) have found jobs. The OTHER good news is that the families have been approved for food assistance. The OTHER good news is that the kids of school age have been enrolled in school. The OTHER good news is that all of the family members are slowly learning English and adjusting to their new surroundings.

Now, you may ask, what can we do?

The team will be answering that question in regular installments in the Seed, providing different ways for members of the congregation to be of help. As of now, there is one VERY IMPORTANT AND VERY URGENT way we can help both of these families, and that is to offer child care on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 through the month of May This child care will allow the adults in the families critical opportunities to attend English classes. The team recommends that teams of two adults sign up for one or two evenings each. One person can handle the task, but it might be more fun and a little less intimidating for a group of two to go. Any Circle of Love team member can offer information on the names and ages of the kids, along with a little about what we know they like to do. Keep in mind that these kids have grown accustomed to taking care of themselves over the past year. So, while they are kids, they are pretty easy to care for.

So, to volunteer to help with this task, please call or email the church office, or contact any of the Circle of Love team members, and we will get you all set up.  Team members are:  Cherie & Chris Miller, Joan & Ray Bosmans, Pat & Doug LaFon, Cheryl Haymes, Doug Kruse, Doug Brice, Sue Medicus, and Rick & Jaya Powell.

Thanks everyone! And be looking out for more ways YOU can help us sustain this important ministry.

Coordinating Committee, Circle of Love Outreach Ministry

TRANSFORMERS- KIDS CHANGING THE WORLD!

Going forward (and thanks in large part to our pandemic hiatus) our Sunday morning kids ministry will change a little from the program known as Children at Worship. Our new program, called Transformers, will still give our kids opportunities to learn and experience Bible stories, but we will add a hands-on outreach component that will give our little ones an opportunity to learn the importance of serving others. Our hope is that this combination of story and service will, indeed, be transformative for our kids.

CAW & TRANSORMERS FAMILY- INFORMATION REQUESTED

A Note from Kecia Johnson...

Please help to update our records! I am asking ALL Christian Temple families with kids aged Birth to 8th Grade to complete and submit this Form ---> https://forms.gle/h2bDFT7d7LkBHfE39

9:00 FORUM- FAITH AND FILM    

Last Sunday for this series! 

Join us as Jayna Powell leads us in watching (and then discussing) a series of short films that have been nominated for Oscars in the past. Each film raises important personal and social issues that invariably lead us to look at ourselves and our relationship with others, with God and with the world. 

* The Zoom link is at the bottom of this email.   (Notice:  The 9:00 Forum will meet this Sunday, but not on Easter Sunday, April 17th.)

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY

Fridays (1 PM), In-person in the Church Library

Starts March 11th  and ends on April 8th

Please join us!  We plan to meet each week on Fridays at 1 PM for a Lenten Bible Study entitled  Entering the Passion of Jesus- A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week.  If you would like to go on this journey with us, please call the church office at 410-747-2041 to let us know.   Each meeting will last about one hour.  We hope you can make it!  ~  Betty Moore and Barbara Cheadle (Discussion Leaders)

PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS POLICY UPDATED

At its most recent meeting the Official Board updated Christian Temple's Pandemic Preparedness Policy to more accurately reflect the current realities of the pandemic. Anyone who would like to see the policy as it now is written may CLICK HERE.

WATSON HALL  -  ALL "FOR SALE" ITEMS MUST GO!!      

Watson Hall's New Year Sale is almost over! If you are interested in classroom furniture and/or educational toys, then this is the sale for you! So much GOOD stuff can accumulate over the years! If you are interested in purchasing some of these items, please contact Kenda Watson at kenkenwatson78@gmail.com as soon as possible. This deal will only last a few more weeks! Kenda will be able to give you a general description of what is left and also set up a date/time for you to view these items

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY

Every Wednesday at 9:30 to 11 AM, a group of Christian Temple members meet via Zoom to learn and discuss topics about Christianity, the Bible, other religions of the book, religious history, and a variety of other religious topics. Beginning on January 26, 2022 and for the next 23 weeks we will be studying about “Jesus and His Jewish Influences.” If you are interested in furthering your understanding of Christian traditions, practices, and theology we invite you to join us on our journey.

We know that Jesus was born of Jewish parents, that he obtained Jewish religious training, and preached throughout Judea his understanding and views of biblical Jewish law. His followers carried on his teachings, practices, and legacy through Christianity. The aim of this study is to obtain an understanding of how Jesus’s teachings and views were shaped by his Jewish background and context, and illustrated by selected passages from the canonical Gospel accounts.  Use this Zoom link to join us:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89678926477?pwd=Yno4ZW01RER0a00zNGlnWUFyWE9wQT09

TRADITIONAL CHURCH DIRECTORY

The church directory is now back up on the website! It is password protected, so you will need to log-in to your Members & Friends account to view the directory. This document is updated every month or so and should provide you with the latest contact information. (A revision date is on the lower front cover of the church directory.) Please know that we only include contact information in this document that a member or friend would like to have published.

As always, feel free to contact Robin by email office@christiantemple.org or phone 410-747-2041 if you would like to make any changes or additions to your information.

To view the directory, please CLICK HERE

If you are not logged into your Members & Friends account, then please follow the directions on the Traditional Church Directory page (located under Archives). If you have any difficulties, please feel free to contact Robin.

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO ISN'T RECEIVING THE SEED?

Our email distribution lists are almost up-to-date, but we are concerned that we may have missed a friend or two during this process. If you know of anyone who isn't receiving the J&C and/or The Seed, please ask them to let the office know. Contact Robin at 410-747-2041 or at office@christiantemple.org. Thank you!

ZOOM LINKS!

Wednesday Bible Study, Wednesdays (9:30 AM)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89678926477?pwd=Yno4ZW01RER0a00zNGlnWUFyWE9wQT09

The Well, Thursdays (6:30 PM)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89200881845

9:00 Forum, Sundays (9 AM)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/602793616

Children's Choir, Sundays (10:30- 10:55 AM)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87001372088