The Seed Newsletter: March 5, 2023
Dear Christian Temple Family,
On President's Day, our little family took advantage of the day off from school and work to go to the National Air and Space museum for the first time together. Along with satisfying somewhat-nerdy fascinations with rockets and planetary exploration, we went to the planetarium's show about dark matter narrated by Neil Degrasse Tyson (because who doesn't love him?!).
Billions of years ago, all that would be and could be began in a small, energetic Unity that exploded and expanded so rapidly that particles were created. The particles had a gravitational pull to them, creating larger particles, then molecules, then matter itself. That first expansion was the inciting event for the creation of everything that is, visible and invisible, in our universe. As the universe continues the project of expansion —incorporating more and more space into its very being—one would expect the gravitational pull of the solid matter to have a weaker effect and therefore the expansion to cause a collective falling apart of the matter that makes up this space in which we inhabit. Yet, something is holding the universe together. That something is considered dark matter—empty space, Silence—which dances with visible matter in a cosmic embrace that holds life together while the universe continues its expansion begun millions of years ago with a Bang.
I wonder if Lent is the dark matter of the liturgical year, the silence given, the space, that which holds together the rest of it, against all odds. This week as we talk about wonder, we will also offer you space and silence to let your heart and mind wonder. And who knows, you might just find value in something entirely Invisible.
Grace and peace,
Katie
COFFEE CONTAINERS NEEDED: URBAN HERBS PROJECT
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.
THANK YOU- VALENTINES DAY NOTES
 Hello, families.
Sending a BIG thank you to those who helped in creating Valentine’s Day cards/notes for kids in respite care at The Children’s Home. As promised, they were dropped off at their facility with care. If you happen to be on Facebook, search The Children’s Home for their community thank you with pics.
Additionally, if your family is interested in supporting them further (Christian Temple has work projects for them in prior years), I included a pic below with their info and needs. 🙂
With Appreciation, Kecia
IN SEARCH OF:
The Circle of Love (Afghan Resettlement Ministry) is working hard to help their families improve their employment and career opportunities. Doug Kruse, a member of this committee, would like to communicate with professionals employed by McCormick & Company. This company has a very positive reputation, room to grow as an employee, and is nearby the families we are helping to resettle. If you have any professional contacts at McCormick who might be willing to talk about employment opportunities, then please give them Doug's information: douglaslkruse@gmail.com and 240-753-3947. Alternatively, you can pass your contact's information to Doug and he will reach out to them.
Thank you so much for your help in nurturing these families by supporting the Circle of Love- Afghan Resettlement Ministry!
ARTISTS4ERA
Artists4ERA, an art exhibit developed to bring a renewed awareness to the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), is coming to Maryland from February 27th to March 5th!
AAUW-Maryland, the Howard, Baltimore and Anne Arundel Branches, the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center, Dismantling Racism Committee of Catonsville Presbyterian Church, Grace AME Church, and Christian Temple will sponsor the exhibit and a silent auction. The exhibit will be open weekdays from 6-8pm and weekends from 12-5pm with the reception including speakers, panelists and a silent auction on March 3rd from 6:30-9:30pm.
Tickets for the March 3rd reception at the Baltimore County Arts Guild in Catonsville are free but since space is limited you must reserve your place through the Eventbrite invitation. All donations collected for the artwork financially support the work of VoteEquality to ensure that gender equality is part of our Constitution through online and live releases of limited edition, signed ERA art prints.
Register today >>> https://bit.ly/3ZRMotQ
 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!
The next Farmer's Market will be held on February 8th. (There will be no market on February 1st.) Please see the new dates below:
March 8th and 22nd (10 to Noon)
April 2nd, 19th, and 26th (9 to Noon)
Every Wednesday starting in May!
Please let you friends and neighbors know!
The Children's Choir will be meeting on February 26th (10:15 am) to practice. The Children's Choir will be signing today! Yay!
Transformers will also be meeting this Sunday, February 26th. Kids will leave to participate in the program right after the Children’s Moment during our worship service. Kecia Johnson will be the teacher, and Matt Cerame will be the 2nd adult, for this week's session. 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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