During Advent at Christ Church this year, we have many ways - Morning Prayer livestreams, Evening Vespers livestreams, in-person and virtual fellowship gatherings, to name but a few - that you can celebrate this most blessed season. One such way is with our Poems for Advent, by Christ Church parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt. She has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, an

During Advent at Christ Church this year, we have many ways - Morning Prayer livestreams, Evening Vespers livestreams, in-person and virtual fellowship gatherings, to name but a few - that you can celebrate this most blessed season. One such way is with our Poems for Advent, by Christ Church parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt. She has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, an

During Advent at Christ Church this year, we have many ways - Morning Prayer livestreams, Evening Vespers livestreams, in-person and virtual fellowship gatherings, to name but a few - that you can celebrate this most blessed season. One such way is with our Poems for Advent, by Christ Church parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt. She has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, an

During Advent at Christ Church this year, we have many ways - Morning Prayer livestreams, Evening Vespers livestreams, in-person and virtual fellowship gatherings, to name but a few - that you can celebrate this most blessed season. One such way is with our Poems for Advent, by Christ Church parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt. She has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, an

The weeks leading up to Christmas can be a pressured time, and frazzled nerves can cause us to get beside ourselves. In addition, the impact of losing a loved one has been felt by all of us at one time or another. To comfort us all, we encourage you to gather with us for our Taizé · Rosemary for Remembrance service, worship that’s created to support those who have experienced loss this year, as well as those dealing with an added amount of strain or stress during the holiday

Welcome to Advent Compline with Mother Marcia Davenport, subtitled "Advent Saints and Holy Ones." Mother Marcia began this tradition last Advent season, and this year she returns, drawing inspiration from a different prayer book each night and reflecting on a different person, as well. We hope you'll find this series a perfect way to wind down after a hectic day of a busy season. You'll find these each night at 7 p.m. on our website, YouTube, and Facebook pages. https://www.c

Giving Tuesday is a global call to radical generosity that invites us to give to a charity of choice. Christ Church is inviting you to be radically generous with your kind support. With a simple click on our Online Giving Form , you can help us grow Christ Church's Music Ministry. Every gesture - no matter what size - will help us deepen and strengthen our parish and community. Music is such an important part of our worship experience. It can uplift us, comfort us, and help

During Advent at Christ Church this year, we have many ways - Morning Prayer livestreams, Evening Vespers livestreams, in-person and virtual fellowship gatherings, to name but a few - that you can celebrate this most blessed season. One such way is with our Poems for Advent, by Christ Church parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt. She has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, an

We didn't livestream our 9 a.m. Family Worship, but we were able to capture a wonderful moment during it... the children of Christ Church decided to present Bishop Carrie Schofield-Broadbent  with a song during her visit to our parish this morning. The title and lyrics of the song are simple, but they are needed in today's world. Thanks to Jan DeBoissiere for helping them sign the lyrics, because during the final round, they presented the song in ASL only, no singing. The so

During Advent at Christ Church this year, we have many ways - Morning Prayer livestreams, Evening Vespers livestreams, in-person and virtual fellowship gatherings, to name but a few - that you can celebrate this most blessed season. One such way is with our Poems for Advent, by Christ Church parishioner and poet, Pamela Pruitt. She has created a poem for each day of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas. You can view the poems on our website, Instagram, and Facebook, an

Our Diocesan Bishop, @Bishop Carrie Schofield-Broadbent, visits Christ Church at the 9:00 and 10:30 services today, November 30th, with Confirmation taking place during the 10:30 worship service. We hope that the entire congregation will join us on that special day as we receive new members of the Church. The 9 a.m. Family Worship is an opportunity for all of our children to have an up-close and personal interaction with Bishop Carrie, to learn about the role of a bishop, wh

Advent I at Christ Church 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist in New Brick Bishop Carrie Visits Christ Church Today Our Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Carrie Schofield-Broadbent visits Christ Church at the 9:00 and 10:30 services this Sunday, November 30th, with Confirmation taking place during the 10:30 worship service. We hope that the entire congregation will join us on that special day as we receive new member

GATHER WITH US. Christ Church's 2025 Advent and Christmas Schedule is live. The season is upon us! Christ Church's Advent and Christmas page provides an overview of upcoming services and gatherings throughout the season; visit christchurchcolumbia.org/advent-and-christmas-2025 for many special worship and fellowship opportunities. And be sure to check back for Mother Marcia's Weeknight Vespers reflections, Pam Pruitt's beautiful Advent Poems, and young people's Jesse Tree f

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them.  Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. A prayer of thanks on this day of gratitude. #Thanksgiving #Tha

Gratitude to All Who Donated to Our Thanksgiving Food Drive Your donations of groceries such as stuffing mix, gravy, and canned goods are making a big difference starting this week. The Howard County Food Bank expects to provide menu items for about 1,000 people for Thanksgiving and 1,000 for Christmas.   Christ Church collected 372 pounds of food during our annual drive for the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) , which operates the food bank. On Nov. 21, Outr

Worship with us at Christ Church on Thanksgiving Day November 27 Join Christ Church's parishioners in giving thanks to God on Thanksgiving Day. Our Thanksgiving Day Eucharist will be held this Thursday, November 27, at 10 a.m. in the New Brick sanctuary at Christ Church in Columbia, Maryland. The Rev. Emmanuel Ato Mercer will be our Celebrant, and The Rev. Marcia Davenport will deliver the Thanksgiving Day sermon. We welcome everyone to gather with us in person, but we will a

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. And the spirit and tradition surrounding the Thanksgiving celebration is already in full flight. Schools are closed so children can travel to be with families far and near. Many people are also traveling to join friends and families to celebrate the ‘Feast of Thanksgiving.’ From my first Thanksgiving experience to today, Thanksgiving is for me a feast about families and friends coming together, irrespective of what is going on in our individual and c

Christ the King Sunday Multicultural Sunday 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist in New Brick Collect for Today: Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with y

Flowers and Music given in memory or dedication of a loved one during the Christmas season are gratefully accepted, as they help fund the wonderful greenery, flowers, and musicians who help bring this season to life for everyone. There are two ways you can donate - you can do so digitally using our Online Giving Form at https://cecliturgy.org/christmasflowersandmusic and select "Christmas Flowers & Music" or "Christmas General Offering" from the FUND dropdown menu and write

A few days ago, I visited with a parishioner who had a very complicated surgery. It was a heart transplant. It takes my breath away just to hear the extent of the surgery and what went into it. Human ingenuity has come a long way. Medicine has come a long way. Technology has come a long way. And many, many Americans and people around the world are benefitting from these scientific leaps because people of goodwill believed that if we are to make progress, to live long and heal

Angel Tree Drive Will Brighten Christmas for Howard County Children In a heartfelt tradition, the Outreach Commission invites parishioners to purchase new clothing and special items to complete Christmas gift “packages” for young angels. We are supporting a dozen children ages 8 to 13 to meet a need identified by the Howard County (Central Maryland) division of The Salvation Army . The nonprofit organization oversees the Angel Tree initiative here and elsewhere.   To particip

It was truly an inspirational Youth Sunday at Christ Church last weekend! The incredible youth led us in worship, served as ushers and readers, and the middle and high schoolers collaborated on a sermon that reminded us that, when we deal with an uncertain future, the people we care about the most will support us, and most importantly, we know God is always with us. But remember - EVERY Sunday is a Youth Sunday here! Youth Group and Sunday School gather weekly and we also hav

Pentecost XXII and Youth Sunday 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist in New Brick Collect for Today: Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and t

Over the years, Youth Sunday at Christ Church has created many wonderful memories, and seeing these outstanding individuals lead us in worship and song is always a joy. Today, we celebrate Youth Sunday once again and invite everyone to join us at the 8:00 (Old Brick) and 10:30 a.m. (New Brick) services. You can also gather with us for Family Worship in New Brick at 9:30, but whichever service you choose, we look forward to gathering with you - EVERYONE IS WELCOME AT CHRIST CH

For those of us who have had the benefit of taking Confirmation or Inquirer’s class offered periodically in different Episcopal Churches, you would have learned that Sacraments are an integral part of our Christian vocation. The classic definition of Sacrament by St. Augustine is ‘An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.’  The act, right, or sign must be outward. It must be visible. You and I need to see it and testify to it. But the inward isn’t visible

Christ Church volunteers succeeded during our Fall Food Drive this past Saturday, November 8, in collecting items for the Howard County Food Bank and its partner pantry, SAFE. The collection filled the Knox family’s truck to the brim, and we raised over two thousand pounds - ONE TON - of donated food and goods, which is the most we've ever collected when compared to our eight previous drives. Incredible! We also raised over $400, including some donations by parishioners, for

Setting Our Own Record, Volunteers Collected More Than One Ton of Goods During the Christ Church Fall Food Drive Christ Church volunteers succeeded during our Fall Food Drive this past Saturday, November 8, in collecting items for the Howard County Food Bank and its partner pantry, SAFE . The collection filled the Knox family’s truck to the brim (see photos) and amounted to 1,776 pounds at weigh-in. SAFE reported its portion of gluten-free goods weighed 307, giving us a tot

Women are invited to gather with us for the WOCC's Christmas Feast next month! We'll meet after church on Sunday, December 7th, at 1:00 p.m. at Kings Contrivance Restaurant for a wonderful meal, some holiday cheer, and some fellowship and fun. We’ll be collecting unwrapped gifts for Springfield Hospital to help bring some Christmas cheer to those in need, and you can find their wish list at https://cecevents.org/WOCC-SpringfieldGifts . The cost is $63 per person for a delicio

This month, the Men of Christ Church have started their new Random Act of Kindness , by supporting youth entering the foster care system, and they invite you to take part. Comfort Cases is a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire communities to bring dignity and hope to youth in the foster care system. The organization provides children entering foster care with a new backpack or duffel bag filled with essential and comfort items, replacing the practice of giving

Youth Sunday is always one of those special days that we mark on the calendar well in advance - it's a day when our incredible youth serve as lectors sharing the readings of the day, as ushers and greeters who welcome us all to church, who lead us in prayer for one another and the world, and who provide a unique sermon from their essential point of view. This is a day of worship not to be missed. Come and gather with us - ALL ARE WELCOME.   #YouthSunday   #youthsunday   #OurY

IT TAKES A COMMUNITY. This Auction was absolutely the most fun! And that is due to all the people who participated. THANKS FOR WHAT YOU DID BEFORE THE AUCTION BEGAN. ~To those who donated such splendid items ~To those who came early on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to set up ~To those who stayed to the bitter end to help put everything away ~To those who spent many long hours entering all the items into the Catalog ~To those who arranged the displays so beautifully THANKS FO

Pentecost XXII 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist in New Brick Collect for Today: O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;

A growing number of our neighbors can’t afford to buy groceries due to the government shutdown and an interruption in food-stamp benefits known as SNAP. The Community Action Council of Howard County  (CAC), which operates the Howard County Food Bank, has extended hours and has urged community support. One way to help is by manning the booth at the Fall Food Drive that Christ Church will hold this Saturday, Nov. 8, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Dorsey’s Search Giant supermarket, 4715 D

This past Saturday, we gathered in the Great Hall of New Brick for the Christ Church Annual Auction. This year, we were transported to Italy - that is why our theme is Grazie (Thank you). It was a great evening of good company and fun, with bidding and out-bidding each other, and raising over $ 20,000.00 to support our common life. The auction is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and I couldn’t be prouder of all the volunteers, donors, and attendees who spent so much to ma

Christ Church Sends Aid to Victims of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean Last week, Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a deadly Category 5 storm, which an official in an NBC News report described as the most intense to hit Jamaica since record-keeping began. Melissa also caused destruction or loss of lives in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. In response, Outreach Commission members voted to contribute $500 to UNICEF, which said in an online post on Oct. 31 that i

Join seekers of a deeper relationship with the Divine at the 2nd Saturday Center for Spiritual Nourishment. The CSN on Saturday, November 8 offers free experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit by offering safe spaces to explore an array of opportunities for spiritual growth.  The CSN is for anyone interested in spiritual nourishment, regardless of religious affiliation or spiritual beliefs. Come for one session or the entire morning. November’s CSN includes free gro

Christ Church's popular First Wednesday Fellowship series brings the heat! Join us for a wonderful opportunity to share a meal with our fellow parishioners, meet new ones, and enjoy fun-filled games. It's the perfect way to connect and spend a few hours with friends, both old and new. November's FWF is tonight - Wednesday, November 5th - and will be a chili and game night, so bring a pot of tasty (and maybe spicy!) chili to share. You may have a mild recipe, or a spicier one

WOCC's NOVEMBER MEETING on Zoom at 7:30 tonight The WOCC's monthly meeting is tonight at 7:30 p.m. and is entirely virtual, so we hope this allows everyone who may be busy during the day to stay home, log in, and join us. We'll discuss the upcoming WOCC and Christ Church holiday events as well as continue to talk about our 2026 fellowship and outreach plans. Whether it's your first time or you're a regular, we look forward to seeing you on Zoom! We sent the link to our mailin

Christ Church offers this truly beautiful service of contemplative prayer and music in the tradition of the Taizé community of France, which promotes peace and justice through prayer and meditation. November's Taizé Vespers reflect on Thanksgiving, which is appropriate, given the season. Emphasizing attention to silence, prayer, and singing, Taizé provides an opportunity to offer praise and thanksgiving for God's love and presence in one's life, to pray for oneself and others

Pentecost XXI 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist in New Brick Collect for Today: Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Today's Readings: Habakkuk

A few days ago, one of our parishioners inquired if I would be interested in being interviewed for an immigration project for high school students in the area. Without any hesitation, I readily accepted the invitation and was interviewed this past Tuesday in Old Brick. The gentleman who interviewed me thought we would be using my office for the interview, but I took him to Old Brick, the little sanctuary on top of the hill, which has seen so much, heard so much, and been a pa

Counting Down to Help Feed Hungry Neighbors at Our Fall Food Drive Next Saturday Afternoon, November 8 Christ Church holds this hands-on, multi-generational activity twice a year, in spring and fall. Don’t miss the chance to help during the Fall Food Drive next Saturday, Nov. 8, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Dorsey’s Search Giant supermarket, 4715 Dorsey Hall Drive, Ellicott City, Md., 21043 . Look for a signup sheet in the Narthex or in Old Brick. Please volunteer for a one-hou

Pentecost XX 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist in New Brick Collect for Today: Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Today's Readings: Joel 2:23-32 Psalm 65 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16

A few months ago, the Men of Christ Church organized a bowling event at Bowlero on Snowden River. I'm not the bowling kind of person, but I’d say that every time I have had the opportunity to go bowling, it's been a fun event. The beauty that I have experienced with bowling is that one throws the ball and doesn’t know how the ball is going to go. There’s this salient and humbling feeling that one doesn’t have any control over the ball once it is thrown down the lane.  Because

Now's the Time to Sign Up for Our Fall Food Drive at Dorsey’s Search Giant on Saturday, Nov. 8th from 1 to 5 p.m. to Help Feed Hungry Families Be a part of one of the most rewarding ways to help feed the hungry. Please sign up for a shift during the Fall Food Drive on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Dorsey’s Search Giant supermarket, 4715 Dorsey Hall Drive, Ellicott City, Md.,  21043 . Walk-ins and children are welcome as Christ Church continues a hands-on, family

Christ Episcopal Church's 2025 Annual Meeting and Vestry Elections This Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in New Brick Everyone is encouraged to gather with us for Christ Church's Annual Meeting and Vestry Elections this Sunday. We'll have just one service tomorrow, at 10:00 a.m. in New Brick . A potluck lunch, our Annual Meeting, and the Vestry Elections will follow. Please be sure to join us - we review our past year's ministries and activities while making plans for o

I love Annual Meetings. These gatherings more than bring the congregation together to deliberate on the church’s business and elect new leadership; they provide the opportunity for those who have been entrusted with leadership to give an account of their stewardship. Accountability during Annual Meetings reminds me of a parable Jesus told in Matthew 25, about a master who gave talents to three servants based on their individual ability. To one, he gave five, to another, he ga

Taizé Vespers is a liturgy of Evening Prayer that combines scripture readings, prayer, silent meditation, and rich music. On the first Sunday evening of each month, Christ Church offers this truly beautiful service of contemplative prayer and music in the tradition of the Taizé community of France, promoting peace and justice through prayer and meditation. November's Taizé Vespers reflect on Thanksgiving—appropriate for the season. With attention to silence, prayer, and sing