The Seed Newsletter: November 6, 2022
NEWS ABOUT THIS SUNDAY
Dear Christian Temple Family,
It is hard to believe that it is already November! As soon as the clock ticked to midnight on Halloween, Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas is You" began dancing around in my head. I will admit, I do enjoy a prolonged season of Christmas music. But, I also recognize that November has a significance in my own life -- and in the life of the church -- that we cannot overlook.
This week in worship, we will celebrate All Saints Day, a liturgical celebration and remembrance of the people who have gone before us and joined the "Great Cloud of Witnesses." We will have the reading of names that you have submitted, calling their names before everyone and lifting up their legacies as worthy of remembrance. John and I will be preaching about grief, sharing with you a bit more about our journeys. It is sure to be a meaningful morning to share together.
Now, if you're thinking you want to be at church this Sunday, let me remind you to double check your clocks on Saturday night! If you happen to forget to fall back on Sunday, we will have donuts and coffee when you arrive at church an hour early. If you don't need the extra hour of sleep and happen to meander to the church a bit early, we want to treat you to a cup of coffee and a Dunkin' Donut when you arrive. The early bird gets the worm--er, the donut.
There is a lot of life to be lived between now and the Advent season and I want to encourage you to be present: to yourself, to those around you, and to the spirit of the season. But that doesn't mean you can't listen to good Christmas music!
Grace and peace,
Katie
NEW FORUM STARTS NOVEMBER 27TH
Joe Pettit will be leading an Advent study for the Sunday Forum beginning, November 27 through December 18. He will be using a book written by Joseph R. Kelly, "The Origins of Christmas." Here is a synopsis of the book.
When was Christmas first celebrated? How did December 25 become the official date for Christmas? How did the Bible's "magi from the East" become three kings named Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar who rode camels from three different continents to worship the newborn Christ? Why did medieval and Renaissance artists often portray Joseph as an old man? When did the first Christmas music appear? And who was the real St. Nicholas, and how did he become one of the most famous of al Christian saints? These and many other questions are answered in The Origins of Christmas. The story of the origins of Christmas is not well known, but it is a fascinating tale. It begins when Christmas did not exist and finishes when Christmas had become an integral part of Christian life and Western culture. The Origins of Christmas covers a variety of topics in a concise and accessible style and is suitable for group discussions. Chapters are "The Birth of Jesus," "Creating the Christmas Story," "Creating Christmas Day and the Christmas Season," "Jesus, Mary, the Magi, and an Obscure Asian Bishop," and "The Popular Acceptance of Christmas. "
If you are interested in obtaining the book for the study, it is available through Amazon: The Origins of Christmas: Kelly PhD, Joseph F.: 9780814629840: Amazon.com: Books. It's available both in Kindle and Paperback formats.
**Forum Schedule for November 2022**
November 6, 2022 - No Forum (All Saints Sunday).
November 13, 2022 - No Forum (Installation Service for John and Katie Callaway).
November 20, 2022 - Disciples of Christ Historical Society's 50th Anniversary on Merger. A second short video entitled Disciples 101.
November 27, 2022 - Advent Study: "The Origins of Christmas"
EVERY MEMBER COMMITMENT UPDATE
Please pickup your FIRST QUARTER STATEMENT when you stop by the worship bulletin table on Sunday. Your statement should give you an idea of how your pledge has been processed from July 1-Sept 30. Thanks for trying to keep it up to date!
DISMANTLING RACISM COMMITTEE TRIP TO "AIN'T NO MORE" AT CENTER STAGE
The Dismantling Racism Committee of Catonsville Presbyterian, Grace AME and Christian Temple is sponsoring a trip to Center Stage to see "Ain't No Mo" on Wednesday, November 9th at 7:30. The play is only in Baltimore for a few weeks. Tickets are $42 for orchestra seats. We will try to acquire a bus, but if the cost is too high, we can carpool from Catonsville Presbyterian Church parking lot.
If any members, family or friends of Christian Temple are interested in attending, please contact Nancy Henderson at henderrath1@verizon.net or call 410 788-5414. The deadline to reserve a ticket is November 4th. After that unsold tickets will be returned to Center Stage.
Katie and John Callaway want to meet up with YOU outside of church!
Look at the times, dates, and locations below to find some time with a smaller group to fellowship around food, drinks, and fun!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548AFA82AABFF2-community
ALL ARE INVITED!!!
Please RSVP using this link: http://evite.me/E3meQ4KTSm
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY: FALL 2022
Beginning on Wednesday, November 2 and for the next 24 weeks the Wednesday Bible Study group will begin a new study on “Understanding the New Testament.” The course is led by Professor David Brakke, Ph.D. This is a 24 lecture series that takes us behind the scenes to study not only the text of the New Testament, but also the authors and the world in which it was created. The course explores Jewish lives under Roman occupation, reflects on the apocalyptic mood of the first and second centuries A. D., witnesses the early Christians’ evangelism beyond the Jewish communities, and witnesses the birth of a faith that continues to shape our world today.
There is no need to purchase books or course materials, as the WBS coordinator distributes appropriate reading materials and a Zoom link each week for each lecture. Please join us this fall in learning about our Christian faith, its scriptures and authors. If you have questions, please contact Vaughn Ouellette at 410-313-9661 or email: vaughn.ouellette@verizon.net.
November 6, 2022
The Children's Choir will be meeting at 10:30 AM for an in-person rehearsal!
Transformers will be meeting this Sunday, November 6, 2022! Kids will leave to participate in the program right after the Children’s Moment during our worship service. Kecia Johnson is the Education Coordinator for Christian Temple who also leads this group. Kecia will be happy to answer any questions you might have regarding the Transformer program and schedule.
CAYWARD MEMORIAL MUSIC FUND
Kathy Cayward was a fun-loving and devoted member of our Chancel Choir and Bell Choir. When she died, a fund was established to help support our excellent ministry of music at Christian Temple. The fund helps to enhance our two community concerts offered each year as well as our on-going choral and instrumental music during our worship services.
Please consider a donation to this ministry. A tax-deductible check can be sent to the church office or placed in the offering plate. Your support will be greatly appreciated!
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 LINK CHANGES
We needed to update our Zoom account recently for a variety of reasons. In doing so, some of our standard, recurring links have changed. Please look carefully at the links printed in our newsletters as they may be different than expected. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 410-747-2041. Thank you!
ZOOM LINKS!
Nine O' Clock Forum, Sundays (9 AM)
No Forum this Sunday, November 6th (All Saints Day)
https://zoom.us/j/91547210479
Wednesday Bible Study (9:30 AM), Zoom Sessions Only
https://zoom.us/j/94040874646
| 