Christ Church Outreach News: August 27, 2026
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Sip Up to Help DreamBuilders this Sunday, August 30
Look for fair-trade coffee, tea, and cocoa, being sold to benefit DreamBuilders on Sunday, Aug. 30, at the Parish Festival & Ministry Fair. It’s all for a good cause as a team of adults prepares to rebuild in Puerto Rico from Oct. 18 to 24 after devastation that remains from Hurricane Maria.
DreamBuilders also recently completed its fourth consecutive trip to flood-damaged Hazard, Kentucky. A team of more than 30 adults and youth – including Mikailu Sheriff (pictured), representing Christ Church – completed a blitz-build of three homes from June 21-27.
Local broadcaster WYMT-TV featured their work in a June 22, 2026 video report that shows Mikailu in the center of a group of three teens, one of whom spoke for the group about helping the future homeowners. “Even if I don’t know them, I know I’m just improving their lives and giving them kind of a fresh new start.”
You, too, help brighten lives by purchasing DreamBuilders goods. Cheers!
LAST CALL: Deadline is this Sunday to Bring Lightweight, Natural-fiber Clothing for Visually-Impaired People and their Families in Nigeria
Christ Church is supporting a clothing drive by Living Above Limitation Charity Foundation (LALCF), which sends lightweight, natural-fiber garments to visually-impaired people in Nigeria. There disabled residents and their families face greater barriers than the general population and may not be able to afford sufficient clothing.
Dr. Liz Trimnell of Laurel, Md., founded the charity to provide Braille classes, vocational training, white canes and similar aids to the blind. Read about its work on its Facebook page. She made a presentation last Spring to the Outreach Commission, which is sponsoring the drive under the direction of Sonni Aribiah. Her planned ocean shipment is intended to arrive before Christmas in Calabar, Nigeria, which is Sonni’s hometown. The visually-impaired men and women who rely upon LALCF for better lives – and their spouses and children – eagerly anticipate its arrival.
At Christ Church, the deadline is Sunday, August 30, which is the same day as our Parish Festival & Ministry Fair. Look for the marked box in the Narthex. New or gently used clothing should be suitable for wear in a tropical climate and made of cotton, linen, flax, bamboo, and other natural fibers. No synthetics! Please bring the following:
Adult – t-shirts and polo shirts (Sizes S–XL); lightweight pants and jeans (waist sizes 28–42); shorts (S-XL); casual button-down shirts (S-XL); t-shirts (Sizes S-XL or 6-18); casual dresses and skirts (Sizes S–XL); blouses and tops (Sizes S-XL or 6-18).
Children – everyday play clothes for boys and girls; school-appropriate, all sizes; infant and toddler clothes, all sizes.
Please Fill the Altar Basket and Parish Hall Bin with Goods for FISH/CCC
FISH and Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered last year and merged pantries. CCC continues to hand out food by home delivery to Howard County residents and at three sites on Saturday mornings, except on holiday weekends. For information, go online to Get Help.
FISH continues to pick up donated goods from Christ Church and others. 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 bring baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes.
FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents to provide guidance and financial support because the personal touch is very important when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email andydelong.fish@gmail.com.
You could be the one to lend a helping hand by lending an ear! As a phone volunteer, you can help from your home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. Thank you!
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.
