Gather with us for brew and banter, suds and spoken word, lager and laughs... no matter what you call it, Theology on Tap is a fun, informal get-together where we can chat about interesting religious, spiritual, or social articles of the day, grab a beverage or snack, and enjoy fun, engaging, structure-free conversation with other parishioners and friends for an hour or two. We like to use this time to speak about things that might be considered a bit casual or light for a Su

On Sunday, May 24, gather with us in the New Brick sanctuary for just one service - at 10:00 a.m. - as the choir processes through the aisles while we all sing "We Are the Church" in full voice. Be sure to wear some red to celebrate the Day of Pentecost (red is the liturgical color of that day), and everyone is invited to wear clothing that reflects their heritage and culture, as well. In an expression of this beautiful "melting pot" we have at Christ Church, we'll gather tog

What a beautiful morning! Youth Sunday at Christ Church always is. The youth of Christ Church led and participated in all three worship services this Sunday, so from 8 a.m. until noon, we were blessed with powerful sermons, scripture readings, and assistance as we entered the sanctuary and approached the altar. The older youth sang for the younger ones at the 9 a.m. Family Worship, and the 10:30 service had gorgeous music floating to the rafters! Thanks to every youth for the

Easter VII & Youth Sunday at Christ Church We have three services this Sunday morning: Holy Eucharist in Old Brick at 8:00, Family Worship in New Brick at 9:00, and Choral Eucharist in New Brick at 10:30. Collect for Today: O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone befo

This Sunday is Youth Sunday - that's right, a beloved Christ Church tradition takes place, so come and support the youth of Christ Church as they lead us in worship. They will read the day's lessons, usher us to our seats, deliver a beautiful sermon from their perspective, and lead us in song. It's a service like no other, and one we look forward to every year. This Sunday, services begin in Old Brick at 8 a.m., an intimate worship without music. Our Family Worship is in New

Problems everywhere. My Nigerian brothers and sisters call problems Wahala. You would either hear, "Wahala no dey finish," or "Problems no dey finish." They both mean the same thing - we don’t run out of problems. Problems don’t ever finish. Everyone is dealing with problems, whether at school, work, home, church, sports, the store, or elsewhere. Wherever there are human beings, there are problems, and they don’t seem to go away. You solve one problem, and another problem man

Donation to The Salvation Army Will Help Mississippi Tornado Victims Last week, tornadoes swept through central and western Mississippi, damaging hundreds of homes. An NBC News report on May 7 described destruction caused by 14 tornadoes, which downed trees, power lines, houses and businesses. In response, Outreach Commission members voted at the May meeting to contribute $500 to The Salvation Army, which said in several online posts on May 9 that it had mobilized to swiftl

Part two of our Mother's Day week photo series brings us to the weekend, and on Saturday, the Center for Spiritual Nourishment celebrated mothers in all walks of life, exploring how we view God as a divine mother and how we celebrate those who have nurtured us. Then on Sunday, we celebrated mothers all morning long, recognizing that mothers come in more forms than we could possibly count, and whether by choice, by circumstance, or simply by pure, unconditional love, each of u

Mother's Day is always a multi-day experience at Christ Church, and ours began at last week's First Wednesday Fellowship. We gathered for our monthly get-together, shared sandwiches, sides, sodas, and sweets, and created handmade flowers to give out to mothers and mother figures at church on Mother's Day. Last weekend brought its own excitement and festivities, and we'll share those photos tomorrow. But be sure to mark your calendars for some of our upcoming gatherings - you

🌼💐🌺🌹🌷 Happy Mother's Day 🌷🌹🌺💐🌼

Easter VI at Christ Church We have three services this Sunday morning: Holy Eucharist in Old Brick at 8:00, Family Worship in New Brick at 9:00, and Choral Eucharist in New Brick at 10:30. Collect for Today: O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus

Since 1619, when a group of Africans was brought to the shores of Virginia on the White Lion, millions of enslaved Africans were later brought to these shores, almost always against their will. They were bound by chains and locks and whatever restraining instrument you can think of. The enslaved Africans were often starved for days. The enslaved Africans sat and slept in human waste for weeks. The enslaved African got sick and never got any treatment. Those who couldn’t survi

Counting Down to the Spring Food Drive on Saturday, May 16, 10 AM to 2 PM, with a Streamlined Plan For Volunteers at River Hill Giant in Clarksville You can be a part of one of the most rewarding ways to help feed the hungry. Please sign up for a shift during the Spring Food Drive on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at River Hill Giant Food, 6050 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, Md., 21029. It’s a hands-on, family-friendly activity that occurs twice a year to help two f

Journey with us as we discover the ways we view God as a divine mother and explore how we celebrate those who have played a nurturing role in our lives. Among other programs at May's Center for Spiritual Nourishment, we celebrate the introduction of our first-ever Sound Bath experience! Our inspirational film options are split into two sessions, so that you can mix and match your choices throughout the morning. The 2nd Saturday Center for Spiritual Nourishment (CSN) provide

FAITHFULNESS: Taizé Vespers at Christ Church This Sunday at 6 p.m. in New Brick Each month, Christ Church offers a service of contemplative prayer and music, in which we focus on a single perspective or discipline. Taizé Vespers is this special service, and this Sunday, May 3, we will focus on FAITHFULNESS. Taizé Vespers is a unique and meditative form of evening prayer that emphasizes communal singing and brief scripture readings, creating a contemplative space where partici

Easter V at Christ Church We have three services this Sunday morning: Holy Eucharist in Old Brick at 8:00, Family Worship in New Brick at 9:00, and Choral Eucharist in New Brick at 10:30. Collect for Today: Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who liv

Jollof Rice is a West African delicacy. It is believed to have first started in the Senegambia region of West Africa. Due to migration and travel, it has spread throughout the entire region and further afield. This delicacy has generated significant interest among people who are not from that region. It has generated some heated competition among people from the Senegambia region, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Nigeria. People from these different countries believe that t

A Streamlined Plan For Volunteers at Our Spring Food Drive on Saturday, May 16, 10 AM to 2 PM, at River Hill Giant to Help Two Food Pantries You can be a part of one of the most rewarding ways to help feed the hungry. Please sign up for a shift during the Spring Food Drive on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at River Hill Giant Food, 6050 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, Md., 21029. It’s a hands-on, family-friendly activity that occurs twice a year, in spring and fall.

One of the most colorful and fragrant spring traditions is back! The Christ Church Youth Ministry will be sponsoring its annual Flower Sale this Saturday, so stop by the Christ Church campus, May 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and pick up your favorite spring annuals. We will have a wide variety of individual flowers in small pots, hanging baskets, and flower-and-herb combination pots. The flowers come from Walnut Springs Nursery in Howard County, and all proceeds go to supp

Easter IV at Christ Church We have three services this Sunday morning: Holy Eucharist in Old Brick at 8:00, Family Worship in New Brick at 9:00, and Choral Eucharist in New Brick at 10:30. Collect for Today: O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. This Sunday's Reading

Of the many commercials that air on TV, I find two emotionally challenging. One of them is about hungry children in underdeveloped countries. The other one is about hungry abandoned pets. The message about these two commercials is simple: your donation and mine would provide the food hungry children and abandoned pets need. We can argue that the commercials are meant to play on our emotions and motivate us to donate, but the real point is, if you have felt the ache of hunger

Think Sharp: You Can Support Grassroots by Organizing a Team or Competing Solo at Trivia Night on Wednesday, May 6 The Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center will hold its second annual Trivia Night on Wednesday, May 6, at The Meeting House in Oakland Mills Village Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place in Columbia. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The competition goes from 7 to 9 p.m. Trivia Night is described as “a fundraising event full of questions and prizes.” Food and drinks from Tino’

The Men of Christ Church have decided to play it safe and postpone this Saturday's Spring Family BBQ and Picnic so that we can enjoy the day under sunnier skies and warmer temps later this spring. The new date will be settled on in the coming days, and announced in this Thursday's Gatherings email. The MOCC folks will be in touch directly with those of you who have signed up to provide side dishes and setup assistance (thank you!), and we hope you'll participate on the new da

A fun time was had by all this past week, when the WOCC gathered up a bunch of our parish family to see Toby's production of The Wizard of Oz. As you can see from the photos, people of all ages shared a wonderful dinner and then settled in for a great retelling of the L. Frank Baum classic. You can still catch it yourself - they are performing until early June - but if you want to know when we are having parish outings like this one, sign up for our weekly newsletter -...

Easter III at Christ Church We have three services this Sunday morning: Holy Eucharist in Old Brick at 8:00, Family Worship in New Brick at 9:00, and Choral Eucharist in New Brick at 10:30. Collect for Today: O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. This Sund

Astronaut Christina Koch’s description of planet Earth left me in awe. She said that, from where they were, the Earth felt like an object hanging out there. It appeared insignificant and was covered with darkness. To an extent, it sounded indifferent, but underneath that was a sense of awe, and feelings of gratitude that she had had such an indescribable opportunity to have seen a part of God’s creation that only four people out of the billions of people on planet Earth had e

LEMS Kindness Pantry for April School is back in session after spring break, and it is time for us to ask you to contribute items to the Kindness Pantry at Lake Elkhorn Middle School. These donations are needed by next Sunday, April 19th, as the next Pop-Up Pantry is on Wednesday, April 22. Please visit our SignUpGenius link to select the necessary supplies, and place your items in the blue bins in the New Brick Narthex. Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity! Th

For the first time since his final service before retirement - 17 years ago! - The Reverend Richard A. Ginnever led the congregation of Christ Church in worship this past Sunday. During all three services, Father Richard was met with smiles, hugs, and even applause. He celebrated Holy Eucharist in his favorite place on our campus - Old Brick - at the 8:00 service. Rev. Yehi helped the children "Unbury the Alleluia" during the 9:00 Family Worship. And at 10:30, a full house en

Back after a Lenten season break, Theology on Tap returns tonight, April 15, at Frisco and the Reckless Shepherd for great food, drink, and conversation from 7:00-8:30 p.m. If you are not familiar with Theology on Tap, this is a fellowship gathering for adults taking place in a casual, relaxed environment. Topics can range from current to historical events - nothing is off the table. This is simply an opportunity to spend time with fellow parishioners and friends in an atm

Easter II at Christ Church We have three services this Sunday morning: Holy Eucharist in Old Brick at 8:00, Family Worship in New Brick at 9:00, and Choral Eucharist in New Brick at 10:30. The Reverend Richard A. Ginnever, Christ Church's Rector Emeritus, will lead us in worship this Sunday, April 12. He will be present at all three services, so gather and welcome him back home to Christ Church! Collect for Today: Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery estab

Center for Spiritual Nourishment - This Saturday Morning Easter isn’t just something we celebrate - it’s something we live! Journey with us as we discover the ways we resist joy and look into how we may be called to bring life, healing, and hope to others. The 2nd Saturday Center for Spiritual Nourishment (CSN) provides opportunities for us to be in a closer relationship with God through an array of experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit. We gather for breakfast a

This coming Sunday, our Sunday School children will enact one of their very favorite rituals - Unburying the Alleluia . They had collectively found a 'hidden and dark' spot to store the Alleluia banner at the beginning of Lent, in a plastic bag, unbeknownst to the adults. And now, assisted by Fr Yehi and Yetti, they will 'find' the Alleluia, and ceremoniously process it down the aisle at the entrance hymn to hang prominently by the altar for the Easter season. There will be l

Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting next Monday, April 13 Learn many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting next Monday at 7:30 p.m. Our mission addresses many areas of need and spans local, national, and international levels. The meeting will open with a guest presentation by Dr. Liz Trimnell of Living Above Limitations Charity Foundation, which helps the blind in Nigeria. It's a tough time for many individuals and famili

The Reverend Richard A. Ginnever, Christ Church's Rector Emeritus, will lead us in worship this Sunday, April 12. He will be at all three services, so gather and welcome him back home to Christ Church! We have three services on Sunday: 8:00 a.m. in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist in New Brick Sunday School and all formation classes return this Sunday, as well. This is a place where lives are renewed. YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE.

Easter Sunday Sunday, April 5 8:00 a.m. in Old Brick 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. in New Brick We have now reached Easter Day – a day of joy, celebration, and the gift of life to God’s people. There are three services, and you are welcome to be with us at any of these. The 8:00 worship is in historic Old Brick and is without musical accompaniment. At the 9:00 and 11:00 services, a full choir and procession, accompanied by all the rituals appointed for the day, help us celebrate and e

Holy Saturday Saturday, April 4 Easter Vigil and Eucharist, The Lighting of the New Fire, and Baptism 7:00 p.m. in New Brick As the church awaits the glory of the resurrection, Holy Saturday is a day of preparation. As the sun sets, bringing with it the end of the Lenten season, one of the most beautiful services of the entire church year is held. We begin in utter darkness, signifying Christ in the tomb, and then a new fire is lit & blessed, and with it, the Paschal Candle

A few weeks ago, I told the story of Nasrudin, a protagonist of Middle Eastern folklore. One night, Nasrudin was approaching his house when he realized he had lost his key. He tried to look for it, but the night was so dark he could hardly see anything. He got down on his hands and knees, but it was still too dark to see. Moving backward toward a street lamp, he again got down on and began to search the area under the light. A neighbor came by and asked what he was doing. Nas

GOOD FRIDAY AT CHRIST CHURCH Today, April 3 12:00 and 7:00 p.m. in New Brick Christians throughout the world recall Good Friday as the day upon which Jesus died. As it remembers the great sinfulness of man, it also points to the glory and love of God. It is most somber in its offering, and includes the Veneration of the Cross, another ancient custom of the Church. A plain wooden cross is carried into the church and is held before us. The congregation is then invited to come f

Maundy Thursday at Christ Church Tonight, Thursday, April 2 5:00 p.m. Love Feast in New Brick's Great Hall 7:00 p.m. Eucharist in New Brick, with Foot-washing and Stripping of the Altar 8:00 p.m. Overnight Vigil in Old Brick On this evening of Maundy Thursday, we gather together to bring into remembrance the Last Supper of our Lord and the Institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We hear and remember the words of Jesus as he states, “Do this in remembrance of me.”

Grassroots Offers Community Members a Two-Day Workshop on Skills to Help Prevent Suicides Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center will hold a suicide prevention workshop for anyone who wishes to learn potentially life-saving skills. The ASIST Training is for individuals who want to feel more comfortable, confident, and competent in helping prevent the immediate risk of suicide. “You don’t need any prior training to attend ASIST, just a willingness to make a difference,” says t

Tenebrae at Christ Church - Tonight Wednesday, April 1 at 7 p.m. in New Brick The word Tenebrae is Latin for “shadows” or “darkness” and can also be translated as “night” or “death.” The word calls our attention to scriptural accounts of Christ’s crucifixion, when “darkness came over the whole land” (Mark 15:33; Matthew 27:45, Luke 23:44). The Tenebrae service is an ancient Christian tradition recalling the somber events of Jesus’ last days, beginning with the Last Supper and

Holy Week is the most sacred period of our Christian faith. This is when the foundational story of Christianity – Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection – is remembered and retold, both in words and in ritual actions, at services throughout the week. We gather together as a community of faith to journey with Jesus to Jerusalem, to stand with him before his accusers, to walk to Golgotha, and to stand at the foot of his cross. Finally, on Easter Sunday, we will joyously cele

“I Can Do Something” This is the call I hear you echo in my soul each time. When Father Manny quoted the Edward Everett Hale poem below, it brought to mind my experience as a volunteer translator with Somos Amigo s Medical Missions s Medical Missions. And that “something” makes such a difference in the lives of those we serve, whether it’s the 96-year-old gentleman who comes every year for his checkup and medications, or the Haitian mother bringing her infant for the very

The holiest of weeks begins with Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday. Here, the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is recalled, and yet, the liturgy quickly shifts to the events of the week that lead Jesus to his arrest, trial, and death on the cross. The congregation gathers in Old Brick, processes to New Brick with blessed palm leaves, and joins in the reading of the Gospel narrative in parts. The liturgy ends in quietness, a stark contrast to the joy of the proce

Palm Sunday at Christ Church We have three services this Sunday morning: Holy Eucharist in Old Brick at 8:00, Family Worship in New Brick at 9:00, and Choral Eucharist in New Brick at 10:30. Collect for Today: Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of hi

On weekdays during the season of Lent, we post daily meditations on our website, and on Saturdays we include a piece of music, as well. These songs are submitted by parish family members and friends of Christ Church, and meant to uplift, comfort, and inspire. We hope that you enjoy. I believe in the Son I believe in the risen One I believe I overcome By the power of His blood Amen, amen I'm alive, I'm alive Because He lives Amen, amen Let my song join the One that never ends

🌿 From the crowds in the streets to the hope in our hearts. Tomorrow, Palm Sunday, we’re celebrating a King who didn’t come to take over, but to take our place. Grab a palm branch and join us at Christ Church as we start the journey toward Easter. We have three services on Palm Sunday morning: 8:00 a.m. worship takes place entirely in Old Brick. 9:00 a.m. begins in the Great Hall, then process up the Narthex staircase into the New Brick sanctuary, which will include a speci

The ashes On my face Are only Show Unless they Rest Thoughtfully On my Heart As well, Reminding me That God Uses Both For Creation. ~ Pamela Pruitt Jan. 12, 2024

Theology on Tap returns after Lent, and on April 15, it'll take place from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Frisco and the Reckless Shepherd for great food, drink, and conversation. If you are not familiar with Theology on Tap, this is a time where adults gather for fellowship in a casual, fun environment. Topics can range from current to historical events; nothing is off the table - we welcome all ideas - and everything should inspire lively, insightful dialogue. All adults are welcome a