The Seed Newsletter
September 4, 2022
THIS SUNDAY AT CHRISTIAN TEMPLE
This Sunday we will be celebrating the Labor Day weekend by offering worship at 11am! What a concept!?
Our text will focus on doing the good we do "in secret" and the sermon will try to remind us that the church can never really do anything "in secret".
Remember, we will have NO Nine O'clock Forum this week or next. The Nine O'Clock Forum will reconvene on September 18th.
Hope to see you on Sunday!
A THANK YOU NOTE FROM JAYNA POWELL
Wow! I mean, really...WOW! What an amazing day that I will never forget. There are not words to describe how much Saturday (and Sunday) meant to me! If your goal was to make me feel incredibly loved...you succeeded! It was simply a beautiful, meaningful event from beginning to end. I noticed every detail and loved all the words and of course the song...not sure we need to share all the "prompts" with those who weren't there however! Leave it to CT women to know just how much laughter to bring when we gather. For 27 years we have laughed and cried and worked and studied and grown together and you pretty much captured it all in one event. Thank you. To all who spent so much time making it just perfect and to all who came and laughed and cried with us and those who sent greetings who couldn't be there. I appreciate every single one of you! Didn't need to watch a movie to find the Christ figure that day...it was every single one of you!
And thank you for the very meaningful gift as well! I can't wait to use it all in retirement! You all are simply the best. Looking forward to our next few weeks together!
NASIR NEEDS A CAR!
We are so proud of our Afghanistan families! And much of their success is due to YOUR generosity and hospitality! Nasir just started a full time job at John’s Hopkins University! It’s incredible. So what we need now for him is a car! Originally we wanted one to fit all 6 of them, but for now, any reliable car would be so so helpful! Please keep your eye out or let Doug Kruse know if you have one to sell!
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!
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.
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 asked if we could try to 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)
MY TWO CENTS
Hi folks,
Here is a blessing from Kate Bowler who writes beautifully, especially on the topics of living through loss and grief. I found this blessing especially meaningful.
Happy Labor Day!
Rick
A Blessing for Everyday Empathy
Blessed are you, the sensitive one,
attuned to the feelings of others,
for empathy is yours to give.
Blessed are you with the emotional bandwidth to hear hard things,
without fixing or minimizing or deflecting,
for true presence is yours to bring.
Blessed are you, the faithful witness to suffering
who chooses to show up without judgment
with little gifts or small acts of practical help,
for compassion is yours to embody.
Blessed are you who sees the reality
that you cannot soak up and carry away the troubles all around
lest you be overwhelmed,
for your empathy is a precious gift
that needs to be balanced and protected.
Blessed are you who stand ready to pivot
According to the Spirit’s direction.
To find solace and comfort
that you might be shielded, renewed and restored.
To receive in order that you might give again.
O God, blessed are You,
for dancing us down pathways of everyday empathy,
And all for the joy of it!
Amen.
WOMEN'S GROUP
The last Women's Group that Jayna Powell will be leading is on Monday, September 12th (7:30 PM) via Zoom. 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!
Please join in on the fun!
WANT SOME MORE TIME AT THE BEACH? SIGN UP FOR THE ADULT RETREAT!
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
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.
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.
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!
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!
Nine O'Clock Forum, Sundays (9 AM), Zoom Sessions Only
The Nine O'Clock Forum will not be meeting this Sunday, September 4th, but will resume on September 11th.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/602793616
Children's Choir, Sundays (10:30- 10:55 AM)
The Children's Choir will not meet this Sunday, September 4th.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87001372088
