The Seed Newsletter
January 23, 2022
COVID UPDATE FOR CHRISTIAN TEMPLE- WORSHIP REMAINS VIRTUAL THROUGH JANUARY
As of now our plans are to pre-record this Sunday's worship service (January 23rd) as we ride out the backside of the most recent Covid surge. While the positivity rate is going down, we want to stay safe and we figure most Sunday mornings it's too cold for attending worship in person anyway!
On January 30th, while our service will be livestreamed from the sanctuary, we will still not open up for in-person worship.
So plan now to watch both services on YouTube!
Our HOPE is that we will once again be worshiping in person on Sunday, February 6th, and that from that point on we will be in person for the foreseeable future!
THIS SUNDAY AT CHRISTIAN TEMPLE
This week will be our last prerecorded worship service for a while (we hope!). But it has been kind of fun to figure out new ways to film different parts of the service. This week's text will be taken from the 12th chapter of I Corinthians- the one where Paul talks about the body of Christ being made up of many parts. When Paul made up this list he was drawing on a common metaphor used in Greek and Roman writing. But he added his own little twist when he started talking about the parts of the body that seem weaker. We'll take a few minutes to explore what that might mean for our "body of Christ".
We will also hear a little about the mission of the Catonsville Children's Home, a youth serving organization in our own backyard, that is ready to find ways for people like us to help.
See you Sunday!
MY TWO CENTS
"Keeping Our Kids Safe"
Did you know that over the past year we have had a small group of people meeting regularly to talk about ways Christian Temple can be more actively involved in keeping the children and youth of our community and congregation as safe as possible. This effort arises out of two continuing congregational priorities.
First, when we dedicate children in the sanctuary as infants, we ask the parents and the family to make promises around how they will raise their children. But we also ask the congregation to make a promise "to do all we can to end all wars, and all prejudice and all hatred and all things that are hurtful to a growing child". While there are many ways we can fulfill that promise, certainly one way is to draw upon the wisdom of our members to give us suggestions around keeping our kids safe in this crazy world where we live. Below you will find such a list.
The other congregational emphasis that gives rise to this group's efforts comes from an event we held almost three years ago now led by Victoria Wick, called "Deepening Our Welcome- Safe Spaces and Beyond". At this event we talked about how we as a congregation might be more proactive about becoming a safe space. At that event we talked about being a safe place for kids to explore their sexual and gender orientation. We talked about being a safe place for youth to gather and talk about what really matters to them. We talked about being more diligent in following our own Child Protection Policy. And, we talked about providing practical safety tips for parents who are navigating the tricky waters of raising kids.
So, this list arises out of both of these priorities. And it has been timed to come out during the same week when The Samaritan Women" (an organization that is dedicated to ending the reality of human trafficking around the country) will be celebrating their annual "Light the Darkness" day. On Thursday, January 27th you are invited to share a light on your front porch or somewhere around your house. And you are of course welcome to look over this list of ways to keep our kids safe. While some of the items on this list may seem obvious, most kids who become estranged from their parents and families have given us hints that something was going on along the way.
Finally, to layer one more effort happening in the life of our congregation around "Keeping Our Kids Safe", this Sunday Christy Page, Volunteer Director for the Catonsville Children's Home, will make a video presentation about the work of this important child service organization right in our backyard. Before Christmas our CYF (with a big assist from YOU!) went shopping for individual kids at CCH and also presented them with a check to provide something for one of the residence cottages.
For now, we offer this list of suggestions. But, I wonder what we might do next to continue to follow our call to "Keep our Kids Safe"!
Shalom ~Rick
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.
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.
NINE O’CLOCK FORUM KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH A SERIES LED BY OUR “OWN” JOHN CHEADLE RICH
John Rich will be leading our discussion on Sunday mornings for the next couple weeks, 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 23rd- “Economic Justice for our Times” How are we called to work toward the Realm of God Jesus envisioned?
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! The Zoom link is also posted each week in the Sunday Morning Worship & Information email.
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
