THE SEED NEWSLETTER
November 5, 2023
Dear Christian Temple Family,
We are deeply grateful and wanted to express our heartfelt thanks for the touching recognition and kind celebration of our first year of ministry as your pastors. The love, warmth, and support we have received from this congregation have truly touched our hearts and filled us with immense joy.
The heartfelt words shared and the overwhelming appreciation were incredibly moving and humbling. It's been an extraordinary privilege to serve this wonderful community, and we are sincerely thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this congregation.
Your support, encouragement, and faith in our leadership have been pivotal in making this past year such a rewarding and fulfilling experience. We are continually inspired by the joy, dedication, and love that this congregation demonstrates and feel privileged to be part of such a loving and compassionate community.
We also want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the thoughtful garden you provided for our daughter, Sophie. She's overjoyed and deeply moved by this beautiful gesture. Your generosity and care for our family are deeply appreciated.
Once again, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your generosity, kindness, and unwavering support. We are truly blessed to serve as your pastors and look forward to many more years of shared fellowship, growth, and spiritual enrichment.
With heartfelt thanks and warm regards,
Katie and John
All Saints' Day - November 5, 2023
This Sunday we will raise up and remember all of our saints during worship. Please join for this very special service.
First Sunday Fiesta (November 5th!)
We will be holding our monthly First Sunday Fiesta for children and youth on November 5th! We invite you to leave your kids at church and go out for a quiet lunch. Pastor John, Pastor Katie, and some lovely volunteers will serve the children and youth tacos, play games, then split into age appropriate groups (Children, Chi Rho, and CYF) for a time of study and conversation. First Sunday Fiestas will last until 2pm.
Christian Temple Official Church Board Meeting - November 15, 2023 (7pm)
There will be a meeting of the Christian Temple Official Board on Wednesday, November 15th at 7:00pm. The meeting will take place over Zoom and is open to the congregation to attend. Board members will be sent the link prior to the meeting. Congregants who are not currently on the board, please email the office at office@christiantemple.org and request the link if you would like to attend.
Nominations, Anyone?
The Nominating Committee will soon begin work to nominate members of the congregation for leadership positions for the church year that begins in July 2024. The committee gives its recommendations to the Christian Temple Board for consideration at the January 2024 Board meeting. These positions include Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Historian, Elder, Deacon, and Steward. If you are interested in any of these positions or would like to provide a name of someone you would like the committee to consider for one of these positions, please let one of the committee members know by November12. Feel free to call, email or talk to a committee member at church:
- Kathy Gobbel, Chairperson: 410-715-0323, kgobbel@comcast.net
- Donna Goon: 410-2072938, donna.goon@gmail.com
- Amy Luking: 410-419-9182, amyschweitzerluking@gmail.com
- Betty Moore: 410-314-9746, wbmoore@verizon.net
- Jean O’Donnell: 410-448-5952, jeanodonnell66@hotmail.com
Next Godly Play (Adult Session) / November 12th / 9:15 AM
Are you curious about Godly Play? Godly Play is a very intentional spiritual formation tool that we are using for our whole church. The kiddos have gotten to experience it quite a bit. But we want the adults to have their own experiences with Godly Play. We are hosting another Sunday morning Godly Play session for adults only. Join us at one or both for an hour of curiosity and creativity.
OPERATION WARM COAT- UPDATE!
As of October 12th, the fund has received $1,508.00 towards donating 65 coats towards a total of 100 to the Duckett Lane Elementary School.
This 4th Winter Coat Drive aims to ensure that at least 100 children can stay warm and comfortable during the year's coldest months. A gift of $23.00 buys one coat while $115.00 will supply five winter coats to keep multiple children warm. This coat drive will need to stop on November 18th in order to deliver the coats to the school by Thanksgiving. Please MAIL your gift to: Operation Warm Inc, P.O. Box 822431, Philadelphia, PA 19182-2431 (Memo: "Doug Brice-Christian Temple")
BIBLE STUDY INFORMATION & ZOOM LINKS!
Nine O' Clock Forum, Sundays (9 AM), Zoom Only- October 29th!
We have some great topics planned for this year. Please consider joining us!
A few reminders... We will have in-person Forum at 9:00am on every first Sunday of the month. During that first week of the month, we will introduce a new topic. The following Sundays will be virtual on Zoom. Then when the first Sunday comes around again, we will be in-person.
Talk & Toast, Tuesdays (8:28) on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/talkandtoast
Lectio at Lunch (12 PM Noon) - Zoom Sessions Only
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86986398860?pwd=Ync1V0MwQ3hNNkV0MmFSV3dvcExPUT09
Wednesday Bible Study- Zoom Sessions Only
This engaging Bible study is held on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 – 11:30 am. The new 36- week lecture series is entitled, "Skeptics and Believers: Religious Debate in the Western Intellectual Tradition." Our lector is Professor Tyler Roberts, a professor of Religious Studies at Grinnell College.