Christ Church Outreach News: August 7, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
What a Trip! Parishioners Meet Up with Friends of Sabina in Uganda as the Aribiah Family Visits the School, Enjoying a Choir Performance and More
A student choir at Sabina Boarding Primary School entertained visitors from Christ Church and parishioners who gathered online during the annual Zoom meetup with Friends of Sabina (FOS). The Aribiahs – Sonni, Teddy, Jonah, and Luke – coordinated a family trip to Uganda with a return visit to the school, which Christ Church began supporting more than a decade ago by establishing a library.
For those who missed the Zoom session on Tuesday, Aug. 5, you can view the meetup in the coming week on our YouTube channel. Of the more than 20 people who participated, you may wish to review some favorite parts. You’ll find the choir performance near the start. And near the end, you’ll see heartwarming exchanges between several sponsored children and their benefactors, who keep in touch through letters as students progress from primary grades to secondary schools.
During the Aribiahs’ visit, the boys played soccer with their Sabina counterparts and Sonni and Teddy got a tour of infrastructure and other improvements that FOS co-leader Ann Marie Davis outlined in her Zoom presentation. Librarian Richard Tumusiime described the transformed library and computer lab as a “learning hub” for the entire region. Learn more about its origin on the FOS page of the Christ Church website.
Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting on Monday, Aug. 11
Learn many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, Aug. 11, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope.
If you would like to join this Zoom session, email outreach@christchurhcolumbia.org for the details.
See you on Zoom!
Help Grassroots on Monday, Aug. 11, by Providing Food for the Homeless
On the second Monday of each month, Christ Church serves a hot midday meal at the Day Resource Center (DRC) and drops off dinner for residents of the Grassroots Emergency Shelter. Both are operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center.
A team led by Outreach member Shahra Toth makes side dishes and desserts that we serve in person after car-pooling to the DRC in Jessup. To help on Monday, Aug. 11, please check our DRC online signup form, which describes the procedure. Drop-off time is 12:45 p.m. in the parking lot near Old Brick for DRC’s side dishes.
We last participated on July 14, when the team took along “blessings” bags containing treats and notes to DRC diners from children at Vacation Bible School.
Later, parishioners who cook or shop for the evening meal at Grassroots’ shelter arrive in the Old Brick parking lot between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. Get details in our Grassroots online signup form. Grassroots staff serve that meal. It’s efficient to cater to both venues on the same day, typically serving a total of approximately 150 people. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds cover the cost of the fried-chicken entrees. Thank you!
Recently, your generosity helped ease the lives of our homeless neighbors, who rely on sundries from the DRC pantry. In response to a DRC request, the Outreach Commission at its July meeting approved spending $180 for 134 pairs of men’s and women’s underwear. These were purchased with funds donated to the church by parishioners who give to “General Outreach.” A hearty thanks!
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 collect donated goods from Christ Church and other locations. CCC will continue making distributions at three sites on Saturday mornings and by home delivery. For information, go online to Get Help.
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.
Christ Church Representatives Cheer SLYC Youth at Camp Showcase
On Thursday, July 31, three Outreach members joined parents and supporters of St. Luke’s Youth Center (SLYC), which holds Camp Imagination at a cooperating parish in Linthicum, Md.
SLYC is a collaborative of West Baltimore families who together provide youth with life-enriching experiences. At the showcase, participants in the day camp exhibited their artwork and gave a jubilant musical performance.
To learn about Christ Church’s contribution to SLYC campers, view the Outreach Blog of June 26, 2025.
Christ Church's LEMS Backpack Drive is Now Underway
The students and families at Lake Elkhorn Middle School rely on us each year to help provide assistance with school the best prices. We will then load the supplies into 125 backpacks after the second worship service on Sunday, August 17th, so come downstairs, have a sandwich, and help fill them.
If you can’t come that day, plan to visit New Brick on 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 have 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 stay to help distribute the backpacks to those appreciative students and families.
Please email us and let us know if you can come to either or both of these events by emailing Cathy Whittaker LEMS@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Each year, we ask for the congregation's support in providing these school supplies, and you always come through (thank you so much!). We don’t have a line in the church's annual budget for this, so we rely on and deeply appreciate your direct support. You can give to the LEMS campaign by writing a check to Christ Church with "LEMS" in the memo line, or you can give online at https://onrealm.org/christchurchcolumbia/give/lems. Either way, your gifts are very much appreciated.
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.
