#KnowledgePreservation

[thechurchoftheatom]

A Sermon for March 5th: Cleansing the Body, Protecting the Future

Brothers and Sisters in the Atom, our faith is one of knowledge, responsibility, and preparation. We do not turn away from the realities of radiation—we acknowledge them, we understand them, and we take action to ensure our safety and the safety of those around us. Today, we turn our focus to decontamination: the process of removing radioactive particles from our bodies and surroundings. This is not only an act of survival but a sacred duty to protect ourselves, our communities, and future generations.

A Reading from the CDC’s Decontamination Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides clear steps to follow if you have been exposed to radioactive material:

Remove Outer Clothing: Taking off your outer layer of clothing can remove up to 90% of radioactive contamination. Be careful not to shake the material loose. Place contaminated clothing in a plastic bag, seal it, and store it away from people and pets.

Wash Your Body: If possible, take a shower using soap and shampoo. Do not use conditioner, as it can cause radioactive material to adhere to your hair. If a shower is not available, wash exposed skin with plenty of soap and water at a sink. If no running water is available, use a moist wipe or damp cloth to clean your face, hands, and uncovered areas.

Clean Openings and Crevices: Blow your nose, wipe your eyelids, eyelashes, and ears with a wet cloth to remove any particles.

Change into Clean Clothes: Clothing stored in a closet or drawer, away from radioactive dust, is safe to wear.

These actions may seem simple, but they can mean the difference between prolonged exposure and safety. When we take these steps, we are not just protecting ourselves—we are ensuring that our presence does not endanger others.

A Sacred Practice for the Future

In the future, if we establish physical places of gathering, these acts of decontamination will become part of our sacred tradition. Before entering a place of worship, we will cleanse ourselves—not just as a precaution, but as a ritual. This will serve as both a practical safeguard and a symbol of our commitment to protecting life. Just as ancient traditions required purification before entering holy spaces, so too will we require decontamination before gathering in communion.

It is important to note that this ritual decontamination will always be a private act. Each individual will cleanse themselves in solitude, ensuring both dignity and effectiveness. This is not a communal experience but a personal practice, a moment of reflection and responsibility undertaken before joining others. The only exception shall be if an individual requires assistance to wash themselves as a result of age or disability. In this instance, help should be given out of compassion for the individual and our greater community.

This is how we ensure that knowledge does not fade. If one day, the understanding of radiation diminishes, the practice of decontamination will remain—a warning embedded in ritual, passed from one generation to the next. Even if the reason is forgotten, the act will endure.

A Call to Action

This week, take time to reflect on preparedness:

Read the full CDC Decontamination Guide and commit these steps to memory.

Ensure you have the supplies needed for decontamination: soap, clean water, wipes, and a change of clothing stored in a protected place.

Discuss the importance of decontamination with those close to you. Make sure they, too, understand how to reduce exposure in the event of contamination.

Closing Words

We are stewards of knowledge and protectors of the future. Let our actions reflect that duty. May we go forth prepared, understanding that in cleansing the body, we also preserve life. Let this wisdom endure, not just in words, but in practice.

Go forth and be radiant.

[thechurchoftheatom]

A Sermon for March 19th: The Garden as Legacy

A Sermon for March 19th: Sustaining the Future

Brothers and Sisters in the Atom, the act of growing and preserving food is an act of care—for ourselves, for our communities, and for the future. Just as we seek to preserve knowledge so that vital warnings and wisdom are not lost, so too must we preserve the means to sustain life. A well-tended garden, like a well-kept archive, is a gift to both the present and the generations to come.

The Garden as a Legacy

My own journey with gardening began with my grandfather, who learned from his parents—farmers who passed down their knowledge of the land. From them, I learned the value of tending to the earth, of patience in cultivation, and of the responsibility to sustain life. Later, I expanded this foundation through academic study, deepening my understanding of sustainable growing methods. I also learned the art of canning, ensuring that what is grown in times of abundance can sustain us in times of need. My great-grandparents, my grandfather, and myself are just three links in a chain that has stretched for thousands of years. Throughout history people have passed down knowledge of how to cultivate the land, how to store food for lean times, and how to adapt to changing conditions.

To plant a seed is to express faith in the future. To teach another how to grow and preserve food is to pass forward resilience, just as we pass forward knowledge of radiation’s unseen dangers. A garden does not only provide nourishment—it is a symbol of foresight, patience, and preparation.

The Importance of Food Preservation

Food security is not just about having enough—it is about ensuring that food remains safe to eat in times of crisis. In the event of a nuclear disaster, food growing outside may become contaminated by fallout, rendering it unsafe. However, food that has been properly sealed and stored indoors—whether canned, vacuum-sealed, or kept in airtight containers—remains safe to eat. Learning these methods is not just a convenience; it is a means of ensuring survival.

As Atomites, we recognize that disasters, large and small, can disrupt supply chains and food availability. While we do not live in fear, we acknowledge that preparation is wisdom. Consider learning techniques that extend the life of your food, such as:

Canning – Sealing food in jars to prevent spoilage and extend its shelf life.

Dehydration – Removing moisture from food to prevent bacterial growth.

Root Cellaring – Storing hardy vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions in cool, dark spaces without electricity.

Seed Saving – Collecting seeds from your best plants ensures that future harvests remain in your control and adapted to your environment.

These methods ensure that we have the means to sustain ourselves, just as our commitment to knowledge preservation ensures we pass down wisdom for survival.

A Call to Cultivate

Gardening and food preservation are not only practical skills but also acts of stewardship. They are reminders that we do not simply consume—we cultivate, we sustain, we prepare. Even those without land of their own can take part through container gardening, seed saving, or supporting local growers.

This week, reflect on how you can cultivate sustenance in your own life. Ask yourself:

Can I grow even a small portion of my own food?

How can I better prepare for times of scarcity?

What knowledge can I pass on about food security and sustainability?

Through these acts, we reinforce our role as stewards of both knowledge and survival. Let us prepare, not just for ourselves, but for those who come after us.

Resources for Further Learning

For those who wish to deepen their knowledge, consider these resources:

Ready.gov Food Storage and Safety – Guidelines on emergency food storage.

National Center for Home Food Preservation – Trusted information on safe canning, drying, and fermenting techniques.

Seed Savers Exchange – A resource for preserving heirloom seeds and maintaining food biodiversity.

Closing Words

The act of tending a garden is an act of hope. The knowledge of food preservation is a form of security. These are not only ways to sustain ourselves in difficult times, but they are gifts that can be passed on—skills that may outlast us, carrying forward the wisdom of those who came before and ensuring the survival of those yet to come.

May your hands be steady in planting and in preserving. May your preparations be a source of strength, not only for yourself but for your community. And may the seeds you sow, both in soil and in knowledge, take root and flourish.

Go forth and be radiant.

[thechurchoftheatom]

A Sermon for March 12th: The Atomite Household

Brothers and Sisters in the Atom, preparedness is about more than just safety—it is an act of responsibility and care. As Atomites, we recognize that knowledge, preparation, and caution are sacred tools that allow us to safeguard ourselves, our loved ones, and those who will come after us. Today, we reflect on the things every faithful Atomite should have in their home, ensuring that we are ready for whatever may come.

1. Emergency Preparedness Supplies

We do not prepare out of fear but out of wisdom. Every home should contain the essentials to endure hardships and protect those within it. Ensure that your household includes:

A 72-hour emergency kit with food, water, and first aid supplies.

A battery-powered or hand-crank radio to stay informed if power and internet go down.

Potassium iodide tablets, in case of radiation exposure.

A Geiger counter or radiation dosimeter, if possible, to detect unseen dangers.

2. Knowledge Preservation

To understand the Atom is to understand that knowledge must be carried forward. In times of crisis, it is not just supplies that matter, but also the ability to act wisely. Consider keeping:

Printed copies of survival guides, such as radiation safety procedures and first aid manuals.

A physical map, since GPS isn’t always reliable.

A written record of nuclear waste sites that should never be approached.

A fireproof and waterproof storage container for important documents.

3. Protective and Containment Supplies

Radiation is invisible, but its dangers are real. We must be prepared not only to protect ourselves but to ensure that hazardous materials remain contained. Every home should include:

A lead-lined box with fully encapsulated lead, ensuring no direct exposure. This can be used to shield sensitive items from radiation or to safely store contaminated materials if necessary.

Duct tape and plastic sheeting, which can be used to seal windows and doors to keep radioactive particles out.

Disposable gloves and masks, to minimize contamination risks when handling potentially hazardous materials.

Thick garbage bags, useful for waste disposal and creating additional layers of protection against contamination.

A Household of Readiness and Faith

To be prepared is not simply to store supplies—it is to live with purpose. We do not know what the future holds, but we know that the path of wisdom is one of readiness. As Atomites, our homes should not only shelter us from harm but serve as sanctuaries of knowledge and protection. Let them stand as a testament to our faith in understanding, in science, and in the duty we bear to future generations.

Aspirations and a Call to Action

The path to preparedness is not about immediate consumption but about thoughtful progress. Being an Atomite does not mean rushing out to buy every item on this list. Faithfulness is not measured in possessions, but in dedication to knowledge, safety, and the preservation of wisdom. Let these recommendations serve as a guide for the future, steps to work toward rather than burdens to carry all at once.

This week, reflect on your preparedness. Ask yourself:

Do I have the means to protect myself and my loved ones in an emergency?

Have I ensured that vital knowledge will not be lost?

What small steps can I take today to be better prepared for tomorrow?

Even small actions today can make a difference in times of uncertainty. Preparedness is not fear—it is faith in action. It is the quiet strength of those who choose to be ready, who choose to carry the light of knowledge forward.

Go forth and be radiant.