CEC Outreach News: May 6, 2021
Beckoning 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. next Monday, May 10th. To join us, please email us at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. We could use all of your help, no matter how large or how small.
As you consider becoming more involved in helping people, 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
A recent act of kindness is a perfect example of the ways in which we try to accomplish this aim. When Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, began arranging for some of the families and individuals at its live-in facility to move to permanent housing, its staff turned to faith-based partners, including Christ Church. The Outreach Commission agreed to a request for 20 full-size sheet sets.
At its April meeting, the commission had approved this purchase drawing from parishioners’ donations as the source of the funds. When many of you so graciously donate for the purpose of “General Outreach,” the funds are ready when needs arise in the community. In this case, people were getting an opportunity to move from congregate living in response to assistance tied to the pandemic.
That could be you wheeling the shopping cart through the big-box store. Or that could be you dropping off the purchases at the homeless shelter. In this case, Dione Mahoney made the purchases and Michon Semon and Patricia Fanning made the dropoff (click photos to enlarge).
The new sheet sets, which include microfiber sheets and pillowcases in an array of colors cost $215 in “General Outreach” funds. A parishioner had earlier purchased and donated two sets when the Grassroots move was still in the planning stage, which means that in total we were able to accommodate 10 households. Please lift up these families in prayer, that they may continue on the road to stability in their lives.
Save the Dates: May 17 and June 21 to Help Feed the Hungry at Grassroots
For the individuals who remain at the Grassroots live-in facility as well as any new arrivals, we’ll plan to bring the same menu of chicken, side dishes, and desserts for the evening meal that Christ Church provides every third Monday of the month. On May 17 and on June 21, 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 50 residents. You can also bring pantry items such as granola bars to drop off for delivery by co-coordinator Nancy Winchester.
Please sign up online no later than noon on Sunday, May 16, so coordinators will know your plans. Click into the Christ Church Grassroots Meal link on SignUpGenius to learn which items are still open on our menu. 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.
Grassroots Offers Training in May 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 two days this month. The QPR sessions take place on Thursday, May 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and on Monday, May 17 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. To register, go here: To learn more, email amanda@grassrootscrisis.org to speak with Amanda Ganoe, the organizer.
A Couple of Ways to Support Columbia Community Care
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). One way is to collect diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items as well as adult diapers. 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 please call the church office at (410) 381-9365 ahead of time.
Another one-time opportunity to support CCC is to pre-order a Mother’s Day meal for takeout at Bonheur Deli, which has pledged to benefit CCC by donating a meal and a dessert for every pre-order from its special menu. Listed on Facebook as Bonheur Deli, the restaurant is located at 7106 Minstrel Way, Columbia, Md., 21045, and can be reached at 410-290-7755. Pre-orders are due by 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, and can be picked up from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 9.
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.
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 CD’s.
Religious books (in easy English), DVD’s, CD’s; 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.