The Seed Newsletter
July 10, 2022
THIS SUNDAY AT CHRISTIAN TEMPLE
If one of our time honored traditions at Christian Temple is to give our CYF an opportunity to lead worship after returning home from their most recent work trip, another equally beloved tradition here at Christian Temple is to recognize and honor our high school and college graduates. This year those two traditions converge on the same day, THIS SUNDAY, July 10th. During worship we will be led by the (mostly) high school youth who will be reflecting on their recent trip to Los Angeles where they worked with All Peoples Community Center- a Disciples affiliated outreach organization. They will sing, pray, tell stories and gain valuable experience doing all of that in front of a loving congregation. Come out and support them!
Then, after worship we will retire to Fellowship Hall where we will honor our (mostly high school) graduates at a luncheon. If you haven't registered and still want to come, please let us know right away by emailing Laurie Rodriguez at lmplr23@yahoo.com. And if you can't come, please keep this amazing crop of grads in your prayers as they transition from high school to whatever is next.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY!
CEA is hosting its annual Christmas in July Food and Funds Drive on Saturday, July 23, 2022 (9AM-2PM)! You don't even have to get out of your car to deliver your food donations! CLICK HERE for more information or scroll down to the bottom of this email!
MY TWO CENTS
Zackary was standing in the gathering, right there by the front door. He was waiting patiently, well, as patiently as a 9-year-old boy can be expected to wait, while I finished up a conversation with someone as they were leaving the building. It was around 12:15 on a Sunday. Our worship service had wrapped up a few minutes beforehand. And people were making their way out the door and on to their way to the pool.
“Say the words”, Zackary said.
“Say the what?”, I responded, not sure exactly what he had said. I was in my “greet people at the church door and try to be present for everyone” mode (ask a minister about it). But I couldn’t quite figure out what Zackary meant by his question, or maybe command.
“Say the words”. My mind was spinning, trying to find a place to land.
That was when Zackary, who was carrying what he had made in Transformers class in one hand, pulled the other one from behind his back. Turns out he was holding one of those communion sets that have become ubiquitous since the beginning of the pandemic.
He carefully put down his project so he could grab his communion with both hands. Then he tore the top off the bread container and said it one more time.
“Say the words.”
Of course. And so, there at the door of the church as people passed by us on their way to the Grilled Cheese Factory, I got down on a knee and said to a very serious Zackary, “On the night in which Jesus was betrayed, he took the bread and broke it…”
Then he turned the kit over.
“And after they had eaten, Jesus took the cup…”
There it was. Communion for Zackary at the front door of the church. Turns out he had gone back into the sanctuary after the service was over to grab the communion kit. Zackary was old enough to be baptized the Sunday before, but still young enough to leave worship for the children’s program. But he didn’t want to miss communion. And he wasn’t going to take it until I said the words.
I think that most clergy will admit to wondering how important “the words” are. We talk so much and in so many ways and venues. We might wonder, how or if people are really listening. We issue invitations that don’t get a response. We write prayers that may or may not be what people listen to during the prayer time. We preach and wonder how much of what we say lands.
“Preach the Gospel often. Use words only when necessary” is a phrase attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. But two weeks ago, I was reminded that the words matter. And a child was my teacher. Going forward I can only hope that the words continue to matter to Zackary and to all of us, who are invited to the table.
“All of this is given to you.”
Rick
DISMANTLING RACISM COMMITTEE TO SPONSOR BUS TRIP TO NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6TH
The bus will depart from Catonsville Presbyterian Church’s large parking lot at 9:15 a.m., arriving in Washington, D.C., for museum entry at 10:45 a.m. We will board the bus for the return trip home at 4:30 pm, arriving back at Catonsville Presbyterian Church by 6:00 pm.
Transportation cost for the trip is $30 per person and includes bottled water, light snacks and a tip for the driver. Any funds left over will be donated to the museum. Tickets to the museum are free.
Tickets are being shared with Grace AME Church and Catonsville Presbyterian Church and are available to church members through July 7th. Beginning July 8th, any remaining tickets will be available to extended family and friends until the bus is filled.
To reserve your seat, contact Laurie Lane:
Email: laurielane49@verizon.net
Phone: 410-788-8069 (You may leave a message on the answering machine.)
Please include your email and cell phone number with your request. Laurie will contact you to discuss payment arrangements.
REGISTRATION: CAMPS & CONFERENCE PROGRAMS
Did you know that a program we have traditionally loved at Christian Temple is starting up again? It is! And the program is the Camp and Conference program of our Regional Church. The Christian Church Capital Area has a facility at Bethany Beach where, this summer, "sleepover" camps will be held.
For kids in preschool through those entering the 3rd grade in the fall, a weekend camp is being planned from July 1-3. This camp will give parents an opportunity to join the fun and will include all sorts of fun activities in addition to time at the beach!
For kids entering Grades 4-9, a week of camp is scheduled from July 10-16. This time at Bethany Beach will "host" two different camps- Junior Camp for those entering grades 4-6 in the fall, and Chi Rho camp for those entering grades 7-9 in the fall.
For Young Adults who have finished High School and haven't yet turned 30, the Young Adult Conference is being planned for August 4 - August 7.
More information is included in the attached brochures about the camps and the registration process through Camp Docs. One important thing to add is that Christian Temple provides half scholarships to all camps and conferences. For more information please contact Pastor Rick or Robin Picanso (office@christiantemple.org and/or 410-747-2041) Thanks!
NINE O'CLOCK FORUM, SUNDAYS (9AM)
Join us as Joe Pettit leads the discussion on the book "Paul: The Pagan's Apostle" written by Paula Fredriksen. No need to have read the book to be part of the discussion, but anyone who wants to purchase may want to know that it is available on Amazon and at local booksellers. Paul may sometimes confuse and even frustrate us, but without his ministry none of us would be here!
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.
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
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!
The Well, Thursdays (6:30 and 6:15 when choir is practicing)
Zoom only for June 30th
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89200881845
Nine O'Clock Forum, Sundays (9 AM), Zoom Sessions Only
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/602793616
Children's Choir, Sundays (10:30- 10:55 AM)
No Kids' Choir this Sunday. Please keep on the look-out for updates!
9:00 Forum, Sundays (9 AM) Join us for our new session, "Keeping the Church Weird".
