The Seed Newsletter

March 13, 2022

THIS SUNDAY AT CHRISTIAN TEMPLE

* 9:00 FORUM- FAITH AND FILM

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. 

This week's theme will be A MEANS OF GRACE: Movies as Prayer.  We'll be watching The Neighbors' Window.

* A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR ALL WE HAVE LOST

Just before worship was to begin on Sunday, March 15th, 2020, we received word from the Governor that banned all forms of public gatherings including worship. At the time we were feverishly hoping that we would soon be gathering again. But such was not to be the case. And since then, we have all experienced loss- some small, but some very big. This year, we will be remembering the two year anniversary of the pandemic lock down with a service of worship that will give us an opportunity to call our losses to mind, name them, and offer them into God's gracious care. Let's come to worship on March 13th ready to realize the truth that losses shared, bring healing.

We will be welcoming people to worship with us in-person and, for the time being, asking that everyone wear a mask while in the building. We will also be streaming the service live on YouTube. Once the service is over, you still be able to watch it on YouTube or Facebook at your convenience.  

* PANCAKE LUNCH- MARCH 13TH AFTER WORSHIP

After the benediction is over on March 13th (when we will have remembered the losses we've experienced during these difficult two years) our invitation is to come to fellowship hall for what might be our first "official" congregational fellowship event! We will set up the tables in a distanced and safe way and take care when we serve the food. We will wear our masks except when we are eating. But we will enjoy this opportunity to do something we used to take so much for granted. A free-will offering will be received to help defray the costs of the lunch.

CYF ANNUAL SPAGHETTI SUPPER IS BACK!  

MARCH 19TH  (6 PM)

TWO BIG WAYS YOU CAN HELP!

The long awaited and well loved CYF Spaghetti supper is back with a few twists!

FIRST, COME!

• You know you can count on a great meal (spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and a dessert) for only $15 AND you get a show. And the best part is that you can EITHER come and eat with your CT friends in Fellowship Hall (only 75 tickets will be sold so we can spread people out) OR (FIRST TWIST) come and pick up your dinner and take it home to eat in your cozy living room while watching the show LIVE STREAMED! It's a win for EVERYONE!

SECOND, SHARE YOUR TALENT!

• The CYFers are hosting "Christian Temple's Got Talent!" In the spirit of America's Got Talent, anyone can volunteer to perform and be judged by a panel of infamous but somewhat familiar judges! Performers will get priority to get tickets at church, but you have to sign up quickly! AND you could even sell tickets to family members far and wide...we'll still want their $15 because they are supporting a GREAT cause...the CYF work trip to Los Angeles in June.

Please purchase your tickets by March 12th so we can be sure to have plenty of food. Send a check to the church or hand it to Rick or Jayna. Mark in the memo if you prefer in-person or carry out. We'll have details about carry out & live streaming closer to the event.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CYF BY BUYING YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

CYFers prepping for the spaghetti dinner!   

All we need are people to buy tickets!

COMING SOON!   EASTER FLOWERS!

It's time to begin thinking about  Easter flowers!  Sign-ups in honor or memory of a loved one will be starting next week.  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. We are still waiting for a confirmed price, but we expect it to be around $12.

MY TWO CENTS

Remember back to the early days of the pandemic? There was so much to stress about and obsess over. Fear was in the air, and we were all, in one way or another, acting out of that fear. We were wearing gloves and washing groceries in addition to doing the thing that turned out to matter the most- wearing our masks.

But finally, on most days, after we returned to the safety of our own homes, the masks would come off, and there we’d be. The real “us”.  Gloveless hands and maskless faces. Eating and drinking with the precious people in our pods and in each other’s virtual presence. It was great to see each other in our natural state virtually when we couldn’t be together in person.  But one thing that took some real getting used to, at least for me, was how often the pandemic forced us to look at our own faces, and hear how we sound to others.

Most times when we zoom in for meetings, ours is among the faces in the Hollywood Squares lineup. And, on those occasions when we were first to arrive, or the one who had called the meeting, there we’d be, all by ourselves. And that camera didn’t lie. It was us, all right- the way other people see and hear us.

That experience- of having to look at ourselves as the world sees us- was always jarring for me. But, by now, by this third go around with a pandemic season of Lent, it is also instructive.

When we look at ourselves in the mirror in the morning, we typically have an agenda. We are sprucing up this thing or that. We might be focused on our hair, or on our teeth. But when we are just looking at ourselves- our countenance in the presence of others, we get a sense of our own mortality. THIS is the person who has tried and failed repeatedly to do the right thing. And yet, this is the person God is inexplicably crazy about. That face, there, is the one that has tried to hide the truth to the people we love the most. That mouth has said some really questionable things, and yet those same people- the ones who have to look at that face- still love us.

We are mortal. We don’t look like we used to twenty years ago, or even two years ago. Our minds make promises that our bodies can’t fill- all the time.  And we won’t be around forever. But, in the meantime, these fragile, very ordinary selves are in community with other people just as worried about how they look in their little squares. Tentatively, imperfectly, but also bravely, in a way, our imperfect selves make their way through Lent. And if we should arrive at Easter one day, it will be because other people wearing flawed, beautiful bodies, have walked with us.

Shalom,

Rick

P.S.  Anyone who would like a pandemic loss named during Sunday's worship service is invited to share the information with me at rkpowell1957@gmail.com

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY

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

Starts March 11th  and ends on Good Friday, April 15th

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)

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.

During the Sundays of March, the kids will be restocking the Little Community Food Pantry. They may bring some food from their own homes, but our hope is that each week you will be able to bring in some food from the list below and place it in the bin in the gathering space marked "Transformers". You are welcome to drop food items off during the week or bring them with you on Sunday mornings. Here are the things that are most popular in our Pantry box. You will notice that they are items that can be consumed "on the move".

Small, self opening containers of soups, lasagna, and chili

Individually packaged crackers.

Protein and granola bars

Individual packages of trail mix.

You get the idea! Please add a few of these items to your weekly grocery shopping and give our kids an opportunity to experience how our congregation can be an important part of our community.

AFGHAN RESETTLEMENT MINISTRY UPDATE   

HOW CAN I HELP?

There are several ways we can be part of this important, timely and transformative effort. Some things we need very soon. Other things will be needed over time as we seek to help these two families assimilate into their new homes.

Financial contributions- This ministry came up long after the congregation created our budget for this year. So, while we may incorporate this outreach as an ongoing ministry next year, we could use financial contributions now that will go toward things like rental assistance, gift cards and school supplies. You may give online using the Afghan Resettlement tab or write a check to Christian Temple with Afghan Resettlement mentioned in the Memo. Also, Target and Food Lion Gift Cards would be helpful as these stores are within walking distance of both families. Uber gift cards might be helpful too, as the need for travel to and from appointments becomes necessary.

Longer Term Volunteering- As time goes on we will need people to continue to help. Families with children (or not!) might want to volunteer to play with the kids and help them learn English. We will be able to help with transportation to and from appointments. Computer setup assistance might be helpful. A whole array of opportunities will open as we work with these brave families. Maybe offering to help once a month to do "whatever" would suit you? Or maybe a more specific offer might make sense.

To see the Bamyanis' wonderful thank you note CLICK HERE!  It will definitely warm your heart!

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.

THE ART OF NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION  

The Fourth (sort of) Annual Congregational Symposium Sponsored by the Christian Temple Elders, Saturday, March 12th 9:30 to 11 am

In these divisive times, when there are so many topics and issues that threaten to disrupt our families, our circles of friends, our communities and our congregations, there is a way of communicating that allows us to better connect with each other. Nonviolent Communication, developed by psychologist Marshall Rosenberg, offers us a way to communicate with each other that increases our ability to live with choices, helps us connect empathetically with others, and allows us to share resources that benefit everyone.

On Saturday, March 12th from 9:30 to 11 am the elders invite all members of the congregation to gather over Zoom. We will be led by John Earl Rich, ordained Disciples minister who grew up at Christian Temple and who has used this technique in his ministry. There is no cost for this event but you are encouraged to purchase a copy of the book Nonviolent Communication written by Rosenberg which is available on Amazon or at the website https://www.cnvc.org/bookstore/books/NVC-A-Language-of-Life-3rd-Edition

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

CAW & TRANSFORMERS-  HELPING OUR COMMUNITY!

Hello CAW/Transformer Families! This February let us show "some love" to our local community by filling the Little Free Pantry (upper parking lot of Christian Temple Church). Sign-Ups are every Wednesday and Sunday in February. Please, refer to the email from Ms. Kecia for Pantry suggestions.

Sign-Up here ---> https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44A8A928A1F9C34-love

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

KIDS CHOIR WELCOMES ALL KIDS!

Each Sunday from 10:15-10:45, the Kids Choir meets on Zoom to learn about Jesus through music. We'd love to have your child join us this Sunday! The Zoom link is also posted each week in the Sunday Morning Worship & Information email.  

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 (10:15- 10:45 AM)

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