The Seed Newsletter
January 30, 2022
THIS SUNDAY AT CHRISTIAN TEMPLE
This Sunday we will be treated to the preaching of Brian Edwards who will be reflecting on what may be the second most recognized passage in the Bible (behind only the 23rd Psalm), I Corinthians 13.What does this chapter entitled "The Gift of Love" have to say to people OTHER than those who are standing at the altar about to be married? Tune in and see, but remember, while we will be recording the service live on Sunday morning, we are still not yet "in-person". That will happen next week or the week after.
A big thanks to Brian whose preaching Sunday has allowed Rick Powell to do some long overdue planning for the rest of the spring!
NEXT SUNDAY AT CHRISTIAN TEMPLE
Our plan now is to be in-person beginning on Sunday, February 6th at 11 AM. If anything changes from that plan we will let people know as soon as possible. For now, we will hope for good weather and a positivity rate that continues to fall.
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
NEW SESSION! 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. Here is the Zoom link to join us in this study:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89678926477?pwd=Yno4ZW01RER0a00zNGlnWUFyWE9wQT09
MY TWO CENTS
AFGHAN REFUGEES- A MINISTRY FRONTIER!
Sometimes we make plans for the ministry we will share at Christian Temple. Other times, well...as it turns out an 80" discarded couch can offer a new opportunity to serve.
Over the Christmas holidays, for reasons that are much too complicated to go into, an 80" couch wound up in our Gathering Space that had to go. Since the couch was too big for a standard pickup truck we began looking at other ways we could "repurpose" it. After a few phone calls, we found a really good one.
Turns out an Afghan family of six is in need of some furniture. The Akbari family has been living in a row home in Irvington for a few weeks, Prior to that they were in a hotel over by BWI. Prior to that, they were being housed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Pemberton NJ. Prior to that they were among the Afghans who were airlifted out of the country in the final days before the Taliban takeover. And, prior to that, for more than twelve years, they had been living in rural Afghanistan providing valuable assistance to US and allied military troops..
On Monday, thanks to some more emails and phone calls, we delivered that big old couch along with a LOT of other important household items to the Akbari's. And what we found there, was not only a family in need of some assistance from a few grateful Americans, but also an exciting frontier for ministry.
Turns out this family needs not only some furniture, but also a few other things: some help getting their kids enrolled in school, some assistance with grocery shopping, maybe a tablet or two to help the kids in the meantime. In short, we have more ways we can serve them than the important things we have already done. AND, we have only recently discovered that the new offices for Lutheran Social Services, a group that has worked very hard to resettle Afghan refugees, are now located in Arbutus.
So, here's the deal, anyone who would like to be part of a ministry team tasked with helping resettle Afghan families into our community is invited to let me know. We will have a virtual orientation meeting with a few people who are already providing this assistance, and then get started.
Oh, and in the meantime, anyone who is available to attend a training session on Monday February 7th is invited to call the office.
Good stuff!
Shalom, ~Rick
The Akbari family was very grateful for the gifts that we delivered. They even served us tea!
MARY MAC FAREWELL SERVICE
Join our Zoom meeting on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 3:30 PM!
RSVP: marymacfarewell@gmail.com Place in Subject Line: MM Farewell RSVP
We welcome everyone to join us in the farewell service of Camp Mary Mac. During the service we will share pictures along with music, messages from some of our Regional officials, and reminiscences from some longtime campers and counselors. After the service, there will be time for live sharing of stories via zoom. Sadly, we are unable to have an onsite farewell, indoor/outdoor, due to COVID and frigid January weather. Another consideration is the fact that the sale has proceeded in a speedy process. We appreciate all support and tributes to Camp Mary Mac and look forward to seeing you Saturday. If you have stories or pictures you'd like to share beforehand, send text/audio/video along with pictures to marymacfarewell@gmail.com
KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE
Tips for Parents
1. Be attentive, and observant. When your child/teen wants to talk, take the time to sit down and listen, and be present.
2. Be observant if your child/teen behavior changes such as change in appearance, demeanor, inappropriately dressed, getting into trouble at school.
3. Set boundaries on the amount of time per day your child/teen spends on social media.
4. Discourage your child/teen from spending the night at someone else's house. Visits are fine, but pick them up before bedtime.
5. If a teen has an "older boyfriend" this could be a red flag
6. Speak to your child/teen about the photos they post on social media, and the personal information that is freely given out such as school, address, cell phone no etc....
7. Encourage your child/teen to participate in activities to keep them free from boredom. Sports, dancing, theater, school/church activities etc..
Tips for Children/Teens
1. Do not post personal information online. (age, DOB, address, telephone no., school)
2. Do not communicate with someone who has made you feel uncomfortable and afraid. Be sure to tell your parents or a trusted adult.
3. Do not join online groups, chats, or games without talking to your parents.
4. Do not meet with someone you met online without telling your parents/guardian first.
5. Do not click on any link that you do not know, and you are not sure is legitimate.
6. Do remember that people may lie online, and say they are something or someone they are not.
CHANCEL BELL CHOIR- REHEARSALS STARTING
The Christian Temple Chancel Bell choir is planning to resume rehearsals starting next Tuesday, February 1st at 7:30 PM. If you have any questions, please contact Beau Lochte at charmcitybronze@gmail.com
NINE O’CLOCK FORUM KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH A SERIES LED BY OUR “OWN” JOHN CHEADLE RICH
Last Session! John Rich will be leading our discussion on Sunday mornings for this coming Sunday, focusing on the scriptural and personal bases for the various calls he has felt throughout his ministry. We hope you are able to join us! Here’s the schedule:
January 30th- “Healing and Health”- How can we be healers in the name of Christ?
WATSON HALL- NEW YEAR SALE! (By Appt Only)
The New Year is always a good time for a change! Watson Hall Montessori School is in the process of selling a portion of its classroom furniture and educational toys. So much stuff accumulates over the years! If you are interested in purchasing some of these items, please contact Kenda Watson at kenkenwatson78@gmail.com She would be able to tell you a general description of what is left and also set up a date/time for you to view these items.
BACK TO THE FUTURE AT CHRISTIAN TEMPLE- OUR “END OF YEAR CAMPAIGN” IS COMING TO A CLOSE
While our members and friends are welcome to continue making gifts to our “Back to the Future” midyear campaign, we will no longer be actively promoting the effort. Thanks to everyone who made a gift to Christian Temple in this significant way.
Please Click Here to see more information regarding our Back to the Future Mid-Year Campaign.
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
