Christ Church Outreach News: December 4, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
SLYC Invites Parishioners to its Christmas Cafe on Saturday, Dec. 6
We’re invited to attend the “Christmas Cafe” to be held by St. Luke’s Youth Center (SLYC) from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Church of the Good Shepherd, 1401 Carrollton Ave., Towson, Md., 21204. A carpool will depart Christ Church at 1 p.m.; to ride along, email us by Friday - outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
SLYC is a collaborative of West Baltimore families who together provide youth with critical resources, life-enriching experiences, and a safety-net of support. Its annual celebration includes food, music, and a chance to meet and interact with SLYC’s children, parents, and volunteers. Many of you may recall hearing from SLYC Engagement Coordinator Darlene Clark, who visited Christ Church on July 13. (To view Clark’s remarks at a worship service, go to Pentecost V: July 13, 2025, on the Christ Church YouTube channel.
Changes at Grassroots’ Emergency Shelter Will Impact Our Winter Routine; Christ Church Continues to Serve Meals at Dorsey’s Day Resource Center
The Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center on Dec. 1 posted an announcement about the start of winter accommodations to protect homeless residents from the cold and the completion of an expansion funded by Howard County. Grassroots has set aside beds for a Cold Weather Shelter program at its Emergency Shelter from Dec. 1 to March 29, and will take in additional residents on days when the temperature drops to 26 degrees or below as part of its Code Blue program. For the duration of both programs, Christ Church will suspend providing a monthly evening meal at the shelter. The next date for an evening meal drop-off and dish delivery will be Monday, April 13.
These changes do not impact the interaction of volunteers at Grassroots’ Day Resource Center (DRC) at the Leola Dorsey Center. On the second Monday of every month, a group led by Outreach member Shahra Toth makes side dishes and desserts for a midday meal that our volunteers serve in person after car-pooling to Jessup. To help on Monday, Dec. 8, refer to our DRC online signup form for details. Meet-up and drop-off time is 12:45 p.m. in the parking lot near Old Brick. We last participated on Nov. 10. Dates early in 2026 are Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 9, and April 13. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried-chicken entrees. Thank you!
Grassroots explains that it will rely upon its faith-based, Cold Weather Shelter partners for meals and other duties this winter. Before the expansion, these congregations hosted the county’s Cold Weather Shelter on their own premises on a rotating basis.
Angel Tree Gifts Due by Dec. 12 to Grant a Dozen Children's Wishes
Parishioners have rapidly filled up the list for our Angel Tree tradition, buying gifts to brighten Christmas for a dozen middle-school aged children. To view choices and find instructions, see the list at https://cecevents.org/AngelTree. The deadline to bring unwrapped gifts is noon on Friday, Dec.12. Please put them under the tree or in the Parish Hall Operations Room.
If you prefer to give of your time, please volunteer for tasks on Dec. 12, such as sorting and bagging items. To do so, send an email to outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Any monetary gifts go toward purchasing a pair of shoes for each child. To help, consider a contribution to Christ Episcopal Church made online through Realm, by check, or by putting cash in a marked envelope in the collection plate. Designate Outreach/Angel Tree in the memo section.
With your help, we will lift the hearts not only of the angels but of their families. Parents obtain the unwrapped gifts from The Salvation Army to prepare for a Christmas that will be much brighter than they could otherwise afford.
See How You Can Help - We Invite You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting this Coming Monday, Dec. 8
Learn many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope. Email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org for the Zoom details.
MOCC's Random Act of Kindness
The MOCC's current R.A.K. (Random Act of Kindness) is supporting Comfort Cases, and they can use your donations and assistance. A Comfort Case is a small duffel bag or backpack designed to provide comfort for youth as they enter the local foster care system.
In today's world, the number of kids entering the foster care system is rising, and so anything that can be done to help provide a level of comfort and care for the youngest is welcome. The MOCC is accepting donations from now through January 10th, and you can find details and a donation bin in the Narthex. You can also speak with Duane Smith, Ed Chrzanowski, or any MOCC member to get more information about Comfort Cases or upcoming MOCC gatherings.
CCC Holds Its Annual Toy and Gifts Giveaway to Help Howard County Kids
Columbia Community Care (CCC) plans holiday activities to help children and their families. Its annual giveaway of children’s toys and gifts for kids 2 to 16 will be held on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during a celebration at Wilde Lake High School. The deadline is Friday, Dec. 12 to donate a new, unwrapped toy or new or gently used books at Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, or at CCC Pantry, 8775 Cloudleap Ct., Suite 107, both in Columbia. Find dropoff times on CCC’s Facebook page.
FISH and CCC partnered earlier this year and merged their pantries. CCC continues to hand out food at three sites on Saturday mornings and by home delivery to Howard County residents. 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”. Bring baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes.
Kindness Pantry Assistance Needed
Thanks to all of you who helped the students and families of Lake Elkhorn Middle School over the last month. To those of you who contributed funds this fall, some of your contributions helped to supply water, medals and prizes for the annual one mile Turkey Trot. All students in each grade compete to see who can be the fastest runners, but also the best sports. Jan DeBoissiere and Cathy Whittaker were at the finish line for the 7th graders to congratulate the runners and hand out water. There were smiles on lots of faces, whether they ran or walked the course because they were outside in the sunshine having fun. And one of the staff dressed up like a turkey, so that added to the festive spirit.
Wednesday, December 17, is the next Kindness Pantry, so we are asking that you sign up for one or more items on the SignUpGenius. As I reported in the last email, the need is greater than the supply. This is a very busy time of year when you are asked to contribute to just about every worthy cause imaginable. One of the best things about giving to the LEMS Partnership is that ALL your contributions go directly to families in need of support. There are no administrative or advertising costs.
Please sign up for the Kindness Pantry here. We will need your contributions by Sunday, December 14 at the latest. Put them in the blue bin in the New Brick Narthex.
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.
