On May 2, nearly 100 people, including many members of our congregation, gathered at Catonsville Presbyterian Church for A Way Forward: Discovering the Power and Beauty of Restorative Justice & Reconciliation, an evening organized by the Dismantling Racism Committee. The event included a shared potluck meal, fellowship among partner congregations, and a powerful address from Rev. Jemaine Ross-Allam, Director of the Center for the Repair of Historic Harms at Presbyterian Church U.S.A. His message challenged those gathered to see dismantling racism not as a side issue, but as part of Christian worship, witness, repair, and transformation. Christian Temple was represented by Rev. Dr. Kelly Sisson and members of the congregation.
Click here to read more about this impactful event.
Wednesday Bible Study - Understanding the New Testament
The New Testament is something of a paradox. On the one hand, it is a single book – or part of a book, the Christian Bible. As such, Christians believe that it communicates a single religious message. On the other hand, it is a collection of 27 different books, written by 16 different authors at various times and places. This paradox expresses itself in a variety of ways. For example, the New Testament teaches that salvation comes through Jesus, but its individual books present differing pictures of who Jesus was and what he taught. This course investigates the diversity of the New Testament by studying the distinct perspectives of its individual writings in their historical context.
Join us Wednesday mornings, starting April 8 and for the next 23 weeks. Wednesday Bible Study begins at 9:00 am on Zoom only. No preparation or book purchase is needed; we watch a 20-minute video and discuss it. Everyone is invited to take part in one, a few, or all sessions.
This Wednesday, May 27, will be listening to lecture # 7, "Worship and Leaders in Paul's Congregations" in the series Understanding the New Testament. Click Here for this week's handout.
Here is the link to join us via Zoom. For more information, please contact Vaughn Ouellette.
Most observers were shocked by the violence they saw at the nation’s capital on January 6, 2021. Many were bewildered by the images displayed by the insurrectionists: a wooden cross and wooden gallows; “Jesus saves” and “Don’t Tread on Me;” Christian flags and Confederate Flags; even a prayer in Jesus’ name after storming the Senate chamber. What was happening is Christian Nationalism in action - a familiar ideology: white Christian nationalism. If you are interested in learning more about this movement, the threats it poses to religious freedom and democracy this Forum study is for you. We will use as our guide the book, “The Flag & The Cross,” by Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry.
The study will focus on what white Christian nationalism is and is not; when it first appeared and how it has changed; where it’s headed and why it threatens democracy. The study will trace the development of this ideology over the course of three centuries - and especially its influence over the last three decades – showing how, throughout American history, white Christian nationalism has animated the oppression, exclusion, and even extermination of minority groups while securing privilege for white Protestants. It has enabled whites to demand “sacrifice” from others in the name of religion and nation, while defending their “rights” in the names of “liberty” and “property.”
The study begins on Sunday, April 12 at 9:30 am in the library in person and on Zoom with Dr. Joe Pettit as leader/guide. This is a five week study. The book is available at the local library, and you can buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, and other book outlets. If you have any questions, please contact Joe Pettit or Vaughn Ouellette.
Click Here to join via Zoom or join us in person in the library.
The weekly market is every Wednesday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm in lower parking lot. The market switches to every other week from January to April. For more information, including a list of vendors updated weekly, visit https://catonsvillefarmersmarket.com/.
