The Seed Newsletter: March 26, 2023
Dear Christian Temple,
We are getting so close! This Lenten journey through the wilderness is almost complete. You can almost hear the celebration beginning. You can certainly see the celebration beginning to blossom.
There are a few things worth pointing out in our lead-up to Easter.
- The music survey is going to close THIS SUNDAY. If you haven’t filled it out yet, please take a few moments and share your thoughts with the Search Committee. We really want to be able to show candidates our congregation’s deep appreciation for music in worship.
- The Holy Week and Easter Schedule is complete. Please check out the graphic below for specifics. I do want to point your attention to two new opportunities to gather. On Maundy Thursday we will host a lunch fellowship and there will be an evening service on Good Friday. If you plan to attend the Maundy Thursday Lunch and/or the Easter Breakfast, please click this link to respond: https://forms.gle/sLPCWcRU932xg3HR9
How good it will be to sing Alleluia again! I’m looking forward to the celebrations to come.
Much love,
John
MUSIC SURVEY!
The search committee invites you to take this survey about the future of Christian Temple's music ministry. Please use the link below: https://forms.gle/29Zzoau2e1MhpkqKA
EASTER LILIES!
Remember your loved ones this Easter with a special dedication of an Easter Lily. Each lily costs $13 and may be taken home after the Easter worship service.
We have paper order forms on the Welcome Table right out side of the sanctuary, as well as an online order form and payment system. Just scan the QR code below or visit www.christiantemple.org!
Hello, Church Family!
This is Kecia Johnson, current Children's Educator Coordinator, asking for your help... Easter is fast approaching (Sunday, April 9th), and we are planning to return to a traditional Egg Hunt on Easter morning for our kiddos! Therefore, help is needed with two items in particular:
1) Goodies to "stuff" the Easter Eggs with... We do have a few kiddos with allergies to be mindful of (pistachios, walnuts, cashews, and latex - found in band aids, balloons, paint, and gloves, to name a few). Additionally, we would love to receive non-candy options. Some ideas might be stickers, stamps/stampers, slime, trinkets, bubbles, and any small-portioned items that would be found in the party/favor/birthday section of most stores. *Donated items may be placed in the large, clear bin located on the bench in The Gathering.
2) A few people to assist with physically filling the Easter Eggs. I have both daytime and evening availability during the week of April 2nd-8th. If interested, please email me at KeciaCTC@gmail.com or Call/Text at (410) 802-6053.
Thank you, family, for ALWAYS encouraging and supporting our church kiddos and Children's Ministry! 
Women's Retreat | May 6th | 10am-4:30pm
Join us as we embark upon a communal journey of lyrical listening that will include building relationships, breaking bread, and plenty of laughter.
Sign up here.
ATTENTION POTENTIAL GARDNERS
If you are interested in having a garden plot this summer please email Kim Junker at rio_jo@yahoo.com and she will assign you a plot. The plots are $10 a year which includes access to the church’s outdoor water source. The garden plots are located behind the church near the baseball diamond. The plots will need some extra TLC this season since they have been unused during the pandemic.
CATONSVILLE GIVING CIRCLE
The Catonsville Giving Circle is sponsoring a free event to discuss human trafficking on April 17, 7-9 pm at Baltimore Co. Arts Guild Clubhouse, 10 St. Timothy’s Lane in Catonsville. Panel includes representatives from local agencies that support survivors in our community. Donations of women’s sanitary products will be collected. More info: CatonsvilleGiving@gmail.com
A NEW WAY TO CONTACT US!!
We have made a few changes to our email addresses... Feel free to reach out!
Katie Callaway- katie@christiantemple.org
John Callaway- john@christiantemple.org
Mark Wilson- mark@christiantemple.org
Kecia Johnson- kecia@christiantemple.org
Robin Picanso- office@christiantemple.org
COFFEE CONTAINERS NEEDED: URBAN HERBS PROGRAM
My Colleagues at the University of the District of Columbia use sustainable materials in their Urban Herbs Program. They are collecting coffee containers for a project. Students will grow their herbs in recyclable containers. They will paint and decorate the containers. The container can be any size and brand of coffee or similar containers. (pictures below)
Please save your coffee containers and bring them to church. There will be a collection box.
Thanks, Amy Luking (Please email amy.schweitzer@udc.edu with questions)
CALLING ALL CHILDREN AND YOUTH
As we all begin to plan for the summer, our staff needs some help in knowing what interests you. Registration for summer camps has already begun, so help provide us with an idea of what looks good to you and your children.
Adults, please fill out the survey for your children and youth as it will also give us an indicator of our overall numbers. Click this link to go to the survey: https://forms.gle/sZLu7dWkeMjo6m6M8
This is just gauging interest and is not a commitment.
 VOLUNTEER WITH THE KIDS!
We have the best opportunity before us: a whole lot of kids and a need for adults to help! Will you consider volunteering once a month (or even less often) to help Kecia wrangle and love our kids during Transformers? Click here to sign up
 9 O'CLOCK FORUM
Please join us for The 9 O' Clock Forum. This Sunday we will begin a session for lent entitled, "This Here Flesh". Hope to see you on Zoom!
Please use this link to join us: https://zoom.us/j/91547210479
FARMERS' MARKET - NEW DATES!
Please see the upcoming dates below:
April 2nd, 19th, and 26th (9 to Noon)
Every Wednesday starting in May!
Don't forget to let your friends and neighbors know!
The Children's Choir will be meeting on March 26th (10:15 am) to practice. The choir will also be singing in the service on Sunday!
Transformers will also be meeting this Sunday, March 26th. Kids will leave to participate in the program right after the Children’s Moment during our worship service. Kecia Johnson, the Education Coordinator for Christian Temple, will be happy to answer any questions you might have regarding the Transformer program and schedule.
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO ISN'T RECEIVING THE SEED?
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!
Nine O' Clock Forum, Sundays (9 AM), Zoom Sessions Only
https://zoom.us/j/91547210479
Wednesday Bible Study (9:30 AM), Zoom Sessions Only
https://zoom.us/j/94040874646
Join the Wednesday Bible Study! This group is exploring the study, “Understanding the New Testament.” The course is led by Professor David Brakke, Ph.D., and the 24 lecture series takes us behind the scenes to study not only the text of the New Testament, but also the authors and the world in which it was created. The course explores Jewish lives under Roman occupation, reflects on the apocalyptic mood of the first and second centuries A. D., witnesses the early Christians’ evangelism beyond the Jewish communities, and witnesses the birth of a faith that continues to shape our world today.
There is no need to purchase books or course materials, as the WBS coordinator distributes appropriate reading materials and a Zoom link each week for each lecture. Please join us in learning about our Christian faith, its scriptures and authors. If you have questions, please contact Vaughn Ouellette at 410-313-9661 or email: vaughn.ouellette@verizon.net.
PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS POLICY UPDATED
The Official Church 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.
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