Christ Church Outreach News: January 29, 2026
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 19 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Meet the Founder of Comfort Cases Next Sunday, February 8
No doubt you've seen the display in the narthex of the MOCC's ongoing R.A.K. (Random Act of Kindness) in support of Comfort Cases. In February, you'll be able to meet and speak with Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer. Rob will share details about Comfort Cases with our congregation during the 10:30 service next Sunday, February 8th.
In the meantime, we invite you to learn about Rob's powerful story and learn how we can make an impact here in Howard County. In our country today, the number of kids entering the foster care system is steadily rising, and that's where Comfort Cases come in - they're a small duffel bag or backpack filled with items designed to provide a bit of comfort for youth as they enter their local foster care system. Every donation aims to provide comfort to those who are experiencing this firsthand.
Somos Amigos’ Founder Frank Brightwell Looks Back on Successful Clinic, Plans to Visit Christ Church on Sunday, March 1
Somos Amigos Medical Missions held a successful winter clinic in the Dominican Republic, treating several dozen new patients and adding eye care for the first time. The team included Christ Church parishioners Dione and Jim Mahoney and three members of their extended family.
“It was a beautiful week,” says Brightwell of the Jan. 10-17 clinic, made possible by the dedication of volunteers and Dominican partners. Repeat volunteers included the Mahoneys and Dione’s sister and brother-in-law, Desiree and Jorge Arce, and a multi-generational newcomer: Ivan, who is the Arces’ nephew.
Christ Church continues to support Somos Amigos, both financially and by encouraging parishioners to volunteer. In what has become an annual tradition, we also welcome its founder and executive director, Frank Brightwell, who will be here on Sunday, March 1. He will deliver the sermon and conduct the Sunday Circle.
If you are interested in participating in a future clinic, please plan to speak to him then. Or you can talk to Dione and other parishioners who have volunteered. They include Outreach member Shahra Toth and physicians Ellen Boudreau and Prithee Jackson.
Somos Amigos holds quarterly clinics in the rural village of Naranjito. Future dates are April 11-18, July 11-18, and Oct. 10-17, 2026. Go here for volunteer information.
During the winter clinic, physicians treated 414 patients, nearly a fifth of whom were children; dentists treated 243, and more than a fifth of these patients were children.
Patients needing eye care were evaluated during a one-day visit by a Dominican optometrist, who saw more than 30 people. They received prescriptions for glasses and were screened for conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma. The plan is to continue providing eye care directly at the clinic, rather than sending these patients elsewhere.
Another highlight of the January clinic was the presence of Somos Amigos’ staff members Euclides and his son, Johan. Euclides has regained strength after becoming a patient last year following a diagnosis of colon cancer. His surgery and subsequent cancer treatments were covered by a Somos Amigos fund for referrals to specialists.
Christ Church donated a total of $1,000 to the fund in 2025 to help Euclides and others. They can get referrals for such things as colonoscopies, mammograms, and cataract removal. These are Vestry-approved Outreach budget funds derived from parishioners’ donations to Christ Church. Thank you!
Food Truck Event on Jan. 31 Will Support Hurricane Relief in Jamaica
The charitable arm of Althea’s Almost Famous food truck and catering company has partnered with Howard County government to host a drive for hurricane relief during a food truck event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 31. The location is outside the Howard County building at 9755 Patuxent Woods Dr., Columbia, MD 21044.
Participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products. These will be sent to communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the Caribbean in late October. A post by Althea Hanson, the caterer’s proprietor, was shared by leaders of Columbia Community Care (CCC) on CCC’s Facebook page:
“After the recent hurricane, families in Jamaica lost homes, food and basic necessities. Many are still experiencing an incredibly hard time – emotionally, financially, and physically. Recovery is ongoing, and the need is still real," she said.
Christ Church through the Outreach Commission donated $700 for hurricane relief in Jamaica and elsewhere in the Caribbean, as described in the Outreach Blog of Dec. 11, 2025.
DreamBuilders - Upcoming Save-the-Dates
February 8th, 2:00 p.m. at Temple Isaiah - DreamBuilders General Meeting · Come hear about our plans for the year, and how you can get involved. We’ll have descriptions of upcoming trips and local projects, too. There will be lots of pictures of projects past and lots of people who can answer any questions.
March 14th, 5 - 8 p.m. at Temple Isaiah - DreamBuilders Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction · Come enjoy a spaghetti dinner and bid on a wide and wonderful variety of items and activities, all in support of DreamBuilders. This is our largest fundraising event of the year. Proceeds help make our building projects possible. We will need lots of help to make this event a success, and we will be looking for donations for the auction, too.
Come to Bridges to Housing Stability's Heroes for Housing - February 16
B2HS invites the Christ Church community to attend Heroes for Housing, a cocktail-style fundraiser supporting housing stability in Howard County. We will be meeting friends, both new and long-time, and celebrating our community members who are deeply committed to ending homelessness.
Gather with us on Monday, February 16, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at 18th & 21st: 10980 Grantchester Way, #110, Columbia, MD 21044. More information can be found at bit.ly/h4h2026.
Please Bring Diapers, Non-Perishables for CCC/FISH, And Consider Volunteering from Home to Take Phone Calls From Neighbors in Need
FISH and Columbia Community Care partnered last year and merged their pantries. CCC continues to hand out food at three sites on Saturday mornings and deliver it to Howard County residents. For information, visit Get Help online.
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, offering guidance and financial assistance, because the personal touch is especially important in times of crisis. 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 assisting those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email him at andydelong.fish@gmail.com. Thank you always 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.
