Christ Church Outreach News: August 14, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- Aug 14
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Pack the Packs! Help LEMS Students Get Ready for School this Sunday
The students and families at Lake Elkhorn Middle School rely on us each year to help provide assistance with school supplies. Using your generous donations, we've purchased the items on the list provided by LEMS, and we will load them into 125 backpacks after the 10:30 worship service this Sunday, August 17th. But we can surely use your help - please come downstairs, have a quick lunch on us, and help load the backpacks. Many hands make light work, so it shouldn't take very long to complete the process if you join us!
If you can’t come this Sunday, plan to visit New Brick next Friday, August 22, at 2:30 p.m. to help load the school supplies into cars and drive them to LEMS. That afternoon, they will host their Annual Back-to-School Block Party, where families will register their children and enjoy a picnic from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. You are welcome to help distribute the backpacks to those appreciative students and families.
Please let us know if you can come to either or both of these events by speaking with Cathy Whittaker at church or emailing her at LEMS@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Play Golf Next Friday and Assist Bridges to Housing Stability in Achieving Its Goal
Golfers can have fun and support a worthy cause on Friday, September 19. Bridges to Housing Stability will hold the fourth annual Sheehy Toyota Birdies for Bridges Golf Tournament at The Timbers of Troy, 6100 Marshalee Dr., Elkridge. Participants will help Bridges achieve its mission – advocating for affordable housing and helping individuals and families who struggle to keep a roof over their heads.
The tournament begins with a light breakfast, a shotgun start at 9 a.m., and a full day of golf, food, and awards. Check-in opens at 7:45 a.m. The cost for a single golfer is $200, or $800 for a foursome, which covers greens fees, unlimited range balls, food, and beverages.
The event raises crucial operating funds, said Bridges Executive Director Jen Broderick: “Every swing, every hole, and every cheer helps us make real change in our community.” By golfing during Birdies for Bridges, you’ll help to provide a path to self-sufficiency and further Bridges’ aim to to prevent and end homelessness in Howard County.
Christ Church has been a supporter of many Bridges initiatives since 2019.
Hydration for the Homeless: A Donation of Sports Drinks In the Heat of Summer
This week, your generosity began to ease life for our homeless neighbors who rely on sundries from the Day Resource Center (DRC) pantry, one of the services of the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. In response to a DRC request, the Outreach Commission at its Aug. 11 meeting approved spending $160 for 12 cases of 28 bottles each of Gatorade.
Jim and Dione Mahoney delivered the thirst-quenching purchase on Wednesday. The drinks will be welcomed by DRC clients, many of whom live outdoors in a vehicle or in a tent in the vicinity of MD Rt. 1 in Jessup. The drinks were purchased with funds donated to the church by parishioners who give to “General Outreach.” We are so grateful for every one of your donations - thank you.
FISH and CCC Have Combined Pantries, and FISH Needs Phone Volunteers
Recently FISH and Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered to provide food services for Howard County residents. The two organizations have merged their pantries. FISH will continue to pick up donated goods from Christ Church and others. CCC will continue making distributions at three sites on Saturday mornings and by home delivery. For information, go online at CCC’s Get Help page.
CCC’s three distribution sites are open on Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the following Columbia locations: Long Reach, Suite 107, 8775 Cloudleap Ct.; Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd.; and The Barn at Oakland Mills Village Center, 5853 Robert Oliver Place. For updates and other community activities, check the CCC Facebook Group.
Please put non-perishable food and personal care products in the altar basket or in a bin just inside the Parish Hall. Look for a combo label “FISH/CCC”. Please continue to bring baby wipes and diapers, especially the larger sizes.
FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents, offering guidance and financial assistance, as the personal touch is crucial when people are in crisis. You could be the one to lend a helping hand by lending an ear!
Consider volunteering from home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email andydelong.fish@gmail.com. Thanks for your support.
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.
