CEC Outreach News: April 23, 2021
African Team Ministries Sale - April 25th & May 2nd
African Team Ministries is coming back to Christ Church just in time for Mother's Day! We missed our originally scheduled sale in 2020 since we could not gather in person at the time, so we expect to now offer wonderful ATM goods on the 25th of April and 2nd of May, after each service. Hand-crafted jewelry, wooden and soapstone carvings, nativity sets, and other fashion accessories will be on display and for sale. African Team Ministries is a Christian ministry working as an intermediary between African and American churches. With help from Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Anglican denominations, we provide funding for orphan and refugee relief missions and evangelism in East Africa.
Spread the Word: April 30th Food Giveaway at Howard Community College
Public-health students at Howard Community College are planning to hand out free food to the less fortunate in Howard County on Friday, April 30th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. As a part of a final course assignment, the students are collaborating with the Maryland Food Bank to distribute 350 free boxes of food and canned goods to those in need.
The event is drive-through only (no walk-ins) at Parking Lot B, Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD, 21044. Please spread the word among yourselves and any others who would benefit from free food. No eligibility is required. Click the above image for details.
DreamBuilders Needs Your Help in Building Portable Desks
Our portable desks continue to be very popular with local students, and the schools and student support groups have been clamoring for more. Please plan to help DreamBuilders construct a total of 120-or-so desks to be given away to identified students. The activity takes place on consecutive Saturdays. We hope you have already signed up for April 24th. There are still slots on May 1st, so please sign up here.
The process will be the same as in the past - the work will be divided into socially-distanced work stations, and carried out by many small teams of family and friends, wearing masks. All work stations will be outside, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Highland. We have lots of jobs for all skill levels, and training will be provided. If you have questions, contact Cathy Gold or Stacey Frith.
Save the Dates: May 17th and June 21st to Help Feed the Hungry at Grassroots
Just as parishioners turned out on April 19th, we are looking forward to future chances for hands-on volunteerism. The next meals will be on May 17th and June 21st. Plan to arrive between 3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. outside Old Brick, bringing with you a side dish or dessert for the 50 residents of Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center‘s live-in facility. You can also bring pantry items such as granola bars.
Please sign up online no later than noon on Sunday, May 16th, so coordinators will know your plans. Click on the Christ Church Grassroots Meal link on SignUpGenius to learn which items are still open on our menu. We welcome additional participants — and the resulting side dishes, desserts, and fruits — to complement our main course.
Co-coordinator Nancy Winchester acquires fried chicken at Weis and meets the other volunteers as they enter the Christ Church parking lot. We’ll continue to suggest masks and social distancing. Plan to arrive no later than 3:30 p.m., when she must depart for Grassroots for handoff to its staff. You’ll find lots of information at the sign-up link, but for questions contact Nancy or co-coordinator Shahra Toth or email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
To further help our neighbors in need, some parishioners take it upon themselves to provide the evening meal for the 50 adults and children. Here is a link to the sign-up list which has openings through June 30th. It’s your choice to provide an entree and side dishes, or just the entree. You can cook in your own kitchen, or order out. Grassroots encourages an order of 12 pizzas -- four with cheese and the rest with meat (any kind), or rotisserie chickens (12 to make a meal), but discourages lasagna or other pasta entrees.
Grassroots Offers Training in April in QPR Skills to Help Prevent Suicides
Once again, Grassroots offers Howard County residents, employees, or students a chance to learn skills that could help save a life from suicide. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save lives, just as individuals trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver learn what to do. Thanks to the Horizon Foundation, the online seminar is free for adults on three days this month. The QPR sessions take place on Monday, April 26th from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and on Friday, April 30th from 7 to 8:30 p.m. To register, go here: To learn more, email amanda@grassrootscrisis.org to speak with Amanda Ganoe, organizer.
Collection Drive Continues to Provide Diapers, Personal Care Items for CCC
At Christ Church, our Racially Aware Group of Episcopalians (R.A.G.E) and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to support Columbia Community Care (CCC). So far we have been collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items and we’re now passing along a request for a few adult diapers such as Depends. Please put any of these items in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” just inside the Parish Hall door. You can drop off items on weekdays until 2 p.m., but we ask that you call the church office (410) 381-9365 ahead of time.
Donate Spring Cleaning Supplies for FISH in its Yellow Bin
Organizers for FISH of Howard County request household cleaning supplies such as liquid dish soap, bleach, and cleanser. Also, the families who call on FISH during times of crisis could use personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, and bath soaps. At the present time, the pantry has an adequate supply of groceries.
In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.
