The Seed Newsletter
August 21, 2022
THIS SUNDAY AT CHRISTIAN TEMPLE
We welcome back Brian Edwards into our pulpit this Sunday, and look forward to his leadership of the service while Rick and Jayna Powell are away visiting family. Brian will be basing his sermon and the service on the lectionary texts from Isaiah (58: 9b-14) and Luke (13:10-17). Both of these texts talk about the notion of sabbath. Remember, there will be no 9 O' Clock Forum this week but we will be meeting next week (see below). Hope to see you in person or online this Sunday!
AUGUST 28TH, 9 O'CLOCK FORUM
"Assault at Chautauqua"
On Sunday, August 28th, the Forum will meet at 9 am. Our presenter will be our Interim Regional Minister, Jeff Stinehelfer. Jeff was in attendance at the Amphitheatre last week when acclaimed author Salmon Rushdie was attacked, and was among those who came to his aid. We will talk about that incident, a little about the Chautauqua Institute,, and add some background about the book "Satanic Verses" that many in the Islamic community took issue with. The latest word is that, while Rushdie's injuries are serious and life-changing, he is expected to survive. Join us at the Forum on Sunday, August 28th at 9am.
SAVE THE DATES!
Come help us celebrate Rick Powell's retirement as pastor of Christian Temple for 27 years, as well as Jayna's remarkable contributions to the congregation and community, at one or all of these special events!
Saturday August 27, the Christian Temple Women’s Group is sponsoring a women’s luncheon for Jayna. Women who have not gotten an Evite yet or have questions about this event please contact Lisa Nichols at lisanichols3@verizon.net or 410-530-0117. The celebration for Jayna on this day may even be continued after lunch at one of Jayna’s favorite establishments so that the guys can join in the fun!
Sunday August 28, Jayna will be offering the sermon during morning worship.
Sunday September 11, we will worship outdoors on the patio at 11 am. It’s a chance to hear The Church Band one last time, and to allow those who aren't yet comfortable worshiping indoors an opportunity to say goodbye to the Powells.
Sunday September 25 will be the Powells' last Sunday at Christian Temple. Rick will be presiding and preaching at the 11 am service, and a luncheon/reception will follow the worship service.
Anyone who is unable to attend is encouraged to send a note to the Powells through Lisa Nichols at lisanichols3@verizon.net or through USPS to Lisa Nichols, 6308 Silvery Star Path, Columbia, MD 21044.
WANT SOME MORE TIME AT THE BEACH? SIGN UP FOR THE ADULT RETREAT!
Click here for more details about the Adult Fall Retreat!
OPERATION WARM!
Soon, millions of kids will be heading back to school - but with inflation reaching its highest rate in 40 years, many families will be forced to cut down on clothing expenses and focus on necessities (food, rent, health, etc.). Together, you and I can help alleviate part of this financial burden for 100 children at Ducketts Lane Elementary School. This particular school has a large number minorities who asked if we could provide another round of 100 coats.
Each winter coat costs $22.00 and up to 5 coats costing $110.00. If you want to help, please mail your check to:
Operation Warm Inc.
C/O Christian Temple Fund
P.O. Box 822431
Philadelphia, PA 191182-2431
When kids have the proper appropriate attire, they can feel confident and be successful academically. More important, they can enjoy being kids.
Thank you very much for helping,
Doug Brice (410-730-8727)
A NOTE FROM OUR REGIONAL MINISTER REGARDING LAST WEEK'S ATTACK ON SALMAN RUSHDIE
Dear Disciples of the Christian Church of the Capital Area:
This morning, evil invaded the tranquility of my spiritual home, Chautauqua Institution, in Western New York State. You are undoubtedly learning of this through media reports, so I am moved to share a firsthand account. With thousands of others, my wife, our son, and I were attending a presentation by the noted author Salman Rushdie. For decades, Rushdie has been living under a death threat imposed by radical Islamists. As Rushdie was being introduced, an attacker ran onto the stage and began stabbing him. Seated on the floor of the amphitheater, I impulsively ran to be helpful. Other men also immediately left the audience and successfully subdued the would-be assassin. During the melee, one of them handed a knife to me, which I believe was not the weapon used to injure Rushdie, because it had no blood on it. I have turned the knife over to the authorities. Rushdie was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Erie, and will hopefully survive. Peaceful Chautauqua is stunned, and Institution officials are responding with measured introspection.
In her services this week, from the same stage, Terri Hord Owens, our General Minister and President, has implored us to be the Church that takes God's limitless love to every corner of our nation and our world. Today's tragedy at Chautauqua is an urgent reminder that this work awaits us as we rise every morning.
Faithfully yours,
Reverend Jeff Stinehelfer
Interim Regional Minister
OFFICE MANAGER'S SCHEDULE
Robin, our office manager, will be away on vacation next week. Due to her schedule, Christian Temple will not be sending out the Joys & Concerns and Seed as usual. We will resume our publications again during the week of August 28th. Thank you for your understanding!
WOMEN'S GROUP
The last Women's Group that Jayna Powell will be leading is on Monday, September 12th. Please mark your calendar! It will be a great time to enjoy the company of Jayna and all your friends at the Women's Group!
This meeting will be via Zoom only and start at 7:30 PM. Movies will be announced the week prior to the meeting.
Please join in on the fun!
REGIONAL ASSEMBLY
In-person and Virtual Regional Assembly October 14 & 15, 2022
Location: The William F. Bolger Center, 9600 Newbridge Dr, Potomac, MD 20854
The theme for the 2022 Regional Assembly is "Justice, Mercy, Humility: What Is Required of Disciples Today?” based upon the scripture passage Micah 6:8
To Register and to make room reservations at the Bolger Center, please check out our registration page https://www.cccadisciples.org/registration
NEWS FROM NAMI: 988 IS NOW AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE!
When you call or text 988, you will be connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network, made up of around 200 crisis call centers and national backup centers. That means anyone, anywhere in the country can contact 988 during a mental health crisis and be connected with a trained crisis counselor who can listen, provide support, deescalate the situation and connect you to additional resources that might help.
The Lifeline can respond to any type of mental health crisis or emotional distress. It is free, confidential and open to a person in crisis or someone calling on behalf of another.
The availability of 988 will help save lives, but there is more work to be done. Efforts to build the system’s local capacity in our state will continue in the weeks, months, and years to come, so that we can help everyone in crisis.
Right now, we need your help spreading the word about 988 in our community. A recent NAMI Survey revealed that 80% of U.S. citizens were unaware of what 988 is. In order to divert mental health calls away from law enforcement and towards mental health care, we must make sure that our Baltimore community knows that this valuable resource is available to them, and we would deeply appreciate your help spreading the word!
NAMI Family Support Groups: Meeting 1st and 3rd Monday of every month from 7-8:30 PM!
Are you the loved one of someone living with a mental health condition, or whose mental health you are concerned about? We're here for you! NAMI Family Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for adults 18+ who have a loved one living with a mental health condition. By joining one of our groups, you'll be able to get connected to people who see the value of speaking up about mental health and will gain insight from sharing your experiences and hearing the challenges and successes of others!
Attend a Support Group Starting in September, we will be offering our NAMI Family Support Group in-person on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month from 7:00pm - 8:30pm. Register on this Eventbrite to receive location details!
***IMPORTANT*** We will follow all safety protocols set in place by both the Baltimore City and County Health Departments and our partners to ensure safety of participants. Space is limited and NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore Staff will confirm registration closer to the attendance date. We will do our best to communicate any cancellations in advance, but please check our website at namibaltimore.org to stay up to date on our latest updates.
Please contact the NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore Help-Line at 410-435-2600 or email info@namibaltimore.org for more information.
TAKING A SUMMER BREAK
Note from Kecia Johnson...
Sunday, June 26th was the last Sunday that we invited the kids to join us in the Library during Worship Service, until this Fall. I will be taking the next few months to get recharged and plan for the upcoming season. During summer, there will be a basket filled with kids' activities for use during service. (You will find this at the welcome table, right outside the sanctuary.)
For families with precious little ones: We will not have a Nursery Room Attendant available during the summer months, but you are still welcome to use that space during Worship if needed.
Over the next few months, there will be a few family and kid activities planned. (More details on those soon!) Until then, hoping each of you have a safe, blessed, and happy summer!
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
OFFICE HOUR CHANGE
Christian Temple office hours have changed slightly through September. Robin Picanso will be in the office from 9 to 3 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. She will be working from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays when, for the most part, Rick Powell will be in the office. As always, Rick and Robin are both available via cell phone and email on most days and times. This change will allow Robin to focus more time on some of the tasks she has as the bookkeeper for the church, which she typically does from home.
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.
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!
The Well, Thursdays (6:30 and 6:15 when choir is practicing)
Zoom only for July 14th
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89200881845
Nine O'Clock Forum, Sundays (9 AM), Zoom Sessions Only
There will be no Nine O' Clock Forum this week.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/602793616
Children's Choir, Sundays (10:30- 10:55 AM)
No Kids' Choir this Sunday, August 21st.
In-person Only on August 14th
Kids' Choir is meeting on Sunday, August 14th at 10:30 AM in-person! The kids will be singing in worship at the 11 AM service.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87001372088
