CEC Outreach News: July 10, 2021
Inviting One and All to Get Involved in Christ Church Outreach
The Outreach Commission is making an effort to better spread the word about what we do and, in turn, persuade more volunteers to participate during 2021. For starters, how about joining us at our next meeting? It will be held on Zoom at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 12. Information on how to join the meeting by Zoom or by phone will be provided in the Church notices about online activities next week. To become active in other ways, please email us at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
As you consider answering this call, keep in mind the scripture that underpins our mission: And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Matthew 25: 40
Dine-In or Take-Out on July 29th as Cured and 18th & 21st help Bridges to End Homelessness in Howard County
Supporters of Bridges to Housing Stability are asked to save the date: July 29. That’s when you can dine in at one restaurant or choose to dine in or take out at its sister venue in the Merriweather District in Downtown Columbi
Cured Table & Tap and 18th & 21st will each donate 10 percent of your receipt during Bridges’ Restaurant Donation Day. Both restaurants share the same address: 10980 Grantchester Way, #110, Columbia, MD 20144. There is no need to buy tickets as in past events to benefit Bridges, such as one last month at Iron Bridge.
Cured will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for outdoor & indoor dining; its curbside pickup is available from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Only indoor dining is available at 18th & 21st, which offers a sophisticated setting and live music (diners must be 18 years old). Please mention “Bridges” to your server or in placing your order.
The goal of the nonprofit organization is preventing and ending homelessness in Howard County. Christ Church has a warm relationship with Bridges that dates to 2019, when we participated in its countywide chili cook-off, Holier Than Thou. During our own cook-off in February 2020, we raised $1,000. And that, in turn, led to Christ Church winning a Silver Ladle Award during the Chili & Challenge virtual fundraiser last fall.
One of Bridges' strengths is its Rapid Rehousing Programs (RRH), which was the subject of a blog post in June. The concept is grounded in the “Housing First” model that many experts view as an effective solution. It holds that people experiencing homelessness need necessities like food and a stable home before focusing on such tasks as seeking work, budgeting, and attending to mental health concerns.
“Studies have shown that the Housing First approach helps people exit homelessness quickly and remain housed for the long term. For example, at Bridges, 85 percent of families transition from Rapid Rehousing programs to stable, permanent housing without additional subsidies,” Bridges says.
CCC Alters New Hope Pantry Hours on Saturdays in a Change that Affects Donation Dropoffs, Timing of Volunteers’ Shift
At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to support Columbia Community Care (CCC) in various ways. For those who convey our collected items to the CCC pantry, please note a change in operating hours. As of July 10th, the pantry is open on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the New Hope Adventist Church, 12350 Hall Shop Rd., Fulton, MD, 20759. Weekday hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The change in hours is because New Hope Adventist, whose members worship on Saturdays, is resuming indoor services. The Saturday change also affects Christ Church parishioners who volunteer for “shop and deliver” slots by signing up under “I can help” on the CCC website or in the CCC Group on Facebook.
The New Hope member who oversees the pantry, Sandra Hartz, encourages adhering to the new hours. But if it is essential to “shop” earlier on Saturdays, she elaborated: “I will be there at 12:30 but church will be in session. You will see church members in the lobby and you may be able to hear the music as well as the sermon. Parking will be available but may not be as convenient as usual before 2 p.m.”
For Christ Church parishioners, please continue to donate diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers for CCC. Please put any of these items in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. 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. To learn more about CCC, which is seeking permanent space for a Peace and Justice Center, all Baltimore Sun Media Group subscribers can access a June 30th article in the Howard County Times/Columbia Flier.
Help Supply Lake Elkhorn Middle School Students with the Essentials
Melissa Shindel, the principal at LEMS, has asked for the support of Christ Church parishioners to provide school supplies for 125 children for the upcoming school year. We will need $5,000 to reach this goal. Why can’t the families or their school cover these costs? Families are stressed - over 50% of LEMS students qualify for free and reduced meals, the highest percentage amongst the middle schools in Howard County. Additionally, LEMS has the lowest discretionary budget in the county. Why can’t the current LEMS budget cover this cost? The current budget is primarily for the Weekend Food Program for families at the school.
The school wants to distribute the supplies the week of Aug 16th, so we are requesting your generous support now to reach this important goal. If you would like to help, we hope to purchase the supplies between July 11-24 and fill the bags on a morning between July 25-30. Contributions can be made via check, online, or via text. If you’d like to write a check, please make sure you indicate “LEMS School Supplies” on the memo line. If you would like to give online, please also write "School Supplies" in the Memo line. For giving via computer/tablet, you can find our "Support Christ Church" button at the top of every page on our website. On the form, choose "LEMS" from the Fund dropdown menu.
To give via your mobile device, you can text CECGIVING to 73256 and you'll immediately receive a link to our form. Click that link, then choose "LEMS" from the Fund drop-down menu. Please also write "School Supplies" in the Memo line so that your donation is used as you wish. (This number will never send you unsolicited texts. To cancel further messages, text STOP. If you need assistance with text giving, text HELP. Standard text message and data rates may apply). If you have questions or would like to help, please contact Onyx Williams at ow6062@gmail.com or Cathy Whittaker at catharinewhittaker@gmail.com.
Donate Toiletries, Cleaning Supplies for FISH in its Yellow Bin on our Breezeway
Organizers for FISH of Howard County request household cleaning supplies such as liquid dish soap, bleach, and cleanser as well as personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, and bath soaps. At present, its pantry has an adequate supply of groceries. The bin is between Old Brick and the Parish Hall.
DreamBuilders is seeking a webmaster to join our Leadership team in September of 2021. The website is a key information source for our volunteers to learn about and sign up for local building opportunities and mission trips. The site also serves a vital communication role for construction partners, suppliers, supporters, and potential donors to understand the amazing work DreamBuilders does locally and on mission trips.
You’ll be responsible for managing DreamBuilders’ web presence, ensuring our site is user-friendly and current. You should be knowledgeable in web hosting/ server management, online security, web design, and content management on the WordPress platform (no coding is necessary). You’ll participate in monthly leadership meetings to be well-informed of DreamBuilders' plans, projects, and events. This volunteer position requires a commitment of 4-8 hours a month, although the hours vary depending on DreamBuilders’ activity level. Your personal involvement and donation of web skills will have a direct impact on improving the lives of so many people! And of course, you’ll have ample opportunity to put your creative talents to good use. For more information, contact john.mcbeth@verizon.net The deadline to express interest is August 1st.
SEAFARER’S Donation Requests
We could use your help in gathering the following items. Delivery is made and the date announced when the number of collections gets reasonably accumulated. Contact Carolann Sawyer with any questions.
Bible in modern English (or Tagalog, Russian, or Chinese)
Times/Newsweek/etc. up to 3 months old
Sports Ill/People/etc. up to 6 months
Cars/Computers/Consumers up to 1 year
Reader’s Digest up to a couple of years
National Geographics post-2000
Books (except for Bibles) are less often requested, but some seafarers do appreciate action novels, as well as picture books about Baltimore or the U.S.
Action/adventure DVD’s. Recent popular CDs.
Religious books (in easy English), DVDs, CDs; rosaries.
Clothing - men’s jeans, other sturdy pants (no bigger than XL) or shorts, T-shirts, warm outerwear, and non-skid shoes/boots (in good condition only), and gloves, hats, scarves, and warm socks.
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.