Christ Church Outreach News: January 18, 2024

CCD-Thailand Honored for Excellence, Shares a Christmas Video, and Sends Holiday Greetings to Christ Church

Christ Church has long supported CCD-Thailand, which helps disabled children to live more fulfilling lives. Recently its founder and executive director, Wasan Saenwian, shared good news with the Outreach Commission. The nonprofit organization’s “Standard of Disability-Related Organization” is rated “Excellent.” As a result, CCD was honored by Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security with an award (above photo).

Saenwian sent holiday greetings to Christ Church through Outreach member Michon Semon, who has personal connections with CCD from her work for the organization in Thailand and elsewhere. “We all at CCD are doing well. We wish you a Happy New Year,” wrote Saenwian. “Last week we had a great Christmas for children and staff. The parents had set up food stalls for children and adults. It was great fun.”

He shared a link to a YouTube video of the Christmas celebration. Parishioners can find more information about CCD on its portion of the Outreach menu on the church website.

CCD reaches more than 400 children and their families in four provinces in Thailand, using a community-based model that prevents institutionalization. CCD also operates a residential facility, Rainbow House. Saenwian commented that two boys, who are from Laos and Myanmar, have recently joined.

In 2023, Christ Church contributed $2,500 to CCD toward the salary of a physical or occupational therapist who enables children and young people to improve their mobility and dexterity. This is in keeping with the mission of the Outreach Commission to support organizations – local, national, and international – that enhance the lives of people in need. Funds are derived from parishioner donations to Outreach and the Vestry-approved budget. Thank you.

Columbia Community Care Reopens Home Delivery Option, Seeks Volunteers and Baby Care Items

Please continue supporting Columbia Community Care (CCC) by giving essentials and with your time and talent. The nonprofit organization has maintained its weekend distribution of groceries and personal care items at three sites in Columbia but they had suspended its home delivery option for those without transportation. Volunteers recently stepped forward to clear a backlog of deliveries and items to be sorted at the CCC pantry.

Last week, CCC resumed taking delivery requests with a notice on the CCC Facebook Group. Pantry manager April Lee posted: “ Big hugs and thanks to the many dedicated shopper and translator volunteers from the past several weeks. We are almost fully caught up with back orders! Yay!! We're happy to press the resume button on taking new pantry orders from families without transportation.” Here is the link if you need food delivered or know someone who does. 

"Many hands make light work," wrote Lee, who asked supporters to pitch in. “Please consider volunteering as a shopper or translator/dispatcher to help us process all the requests for help with food that we get every day….Thank you all!!”

One task is sorting at the pantry building, 10750 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia. Go to the “I Can Help” portion of its website to volunteer. Another method is to go to the online form to sign up as a “shopper” who fulfills grocery lists at the pantry and makes home deliveries. Or go to CCC’s online form to sign up as a translator/dispatcher.

Please keep collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Put any of these in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. Drop off items on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sundays. The Christ Church point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bins and delivers their contents.

African Team Ministries is Coming Soon! 

It's that time of year - African Team Ministries' beautiful handcrafts will be on display beginning January 28th through the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper (the day before Valentine's Day!). This ministry provides East African artisans with a market for their beautiful creations. Come and see intricate wood carvings, primitive musical instruments, eye-catching soapstone décor, natural elements nativity sets, stunning necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more!

We also need volunteers to help with set-up, selling, and pack-out. If you are interested in helping and are available after services or on Shrove Tuesday, please contact Sara Kirkpatrick at atm@christchurchcolumbia.org.

It's January... so it's "Souper Bowl" Time!

Each year youth groups across the country participate in "Souper Bowl" Sunday, collecting canned goods and monetary donations for local charities. Last year groups brought in more than $4 million to support local causes! We invite you to contribute this year by placing your donation in the CEC Youth Group soup pot after each service this Sunday, and please continue to until February 11th. You can also donate using our Online Giving Form; just choose "Souper Bowl" from the FUND dropdown menu. This year, the canned items will be donated to the FISH food pantry and monetary donations to Grassroots in Columbia.

Please Donate All Kinds of Grocery Non-Perishables and Toiletries to FISH

FISH of Howard County needs non-perishable foods and toiletries. FISH provides committed support to select families in need. Please put donations in the basket at the altar or in the marked yellow bin on the breezeway between Old Brick and Parish Hall. The neighbors you help give thanks for all you do in their support.

DreamBuilders: Save the Date!

DreamBuilders will be having its General Meeting on Sunday, February 4th from 3-5 p.m. at Temple Isaiah in Fulton.  We will be talking about our upcoming Kentucky trip this June, when we hope to "blitz build" THREE Houses in one week! It’s going to be great fun, and we’ve got lots of pictures from last summer’s trip to show you at the meeting, so mark your calendars - see you there!

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.