Christ Church Outreach News: July 17, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- Jul 16
- 4 min read
Grassroots Honors Volunteers as Christ Church Bestows a “Home Sweet Home” Kit on a Client Who Goes from Homeless to Housed
A group from Christ Church was the center of attention at a recent event held by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center honoring its many volunteers. As staff members of Grassroots’ Day Resource Center (DRC) and others applauded, parishioner Shahra Toth presented a “Home Sweet Home” kit of household essentials and an assortment of gift cards to a DRC client who – at long last – was moving into an apartment.
The single mother of two, including an adult son who has special needs, had been living in her car. The bright spot during this period of homelessness was the DRC in Jessup, where the family could visit the pantry, take a shower and do laundry, and – most importantly – enjoy the hot meals and camaraderie provided by staff and volunteers.
Outreach member Toth leads a Christ Church team that each month serves a hot midday meal at the DRC and provides dinner for Grassroots’ Emergency Shelter. She is vice president of the Women of Christ Church (WOCC), which sponsors “Home Sweet Home” to help give people a fresh start in their new homes. To read about the WOCC’s ongoing effort, go to the Outreach Blog of Sept. 19, 2024. Thanks to all who pitched in!
The grateful DRC client expressed her thanks to Christ Church during the event for volunteers, held on June 13 at The Meeting House in Oakland Mills (see photos). Since then, the Toths and other parishioners also have extended a helping hand by obtaining a donated sofa, lamps, and other items to help furnish the family’s apartment. This is the second “Home Sweet Home” kit that WOCC has given to a DRC client; the first went to a 73-year-old man.
At Grassroots’ appreciation luncheon, Christ Church was represented by Shahra and George Toth, Diane Phillips LaGuerre, Rita Seeley and Patricia Fanning, who all participate in providing meals on the second Monday of every month. (To participate, go to the DRC online signup form or the Grassroots online signup form.)
Grassroots posted its thanks to volunteers, saying, “Last year, our 822 volunteers gave 8,423 hours of service across the emergency shelter, crisis center, Day Resource Center and Cold Weather Shelter. That’s hundreds of thousands of moments of care and reminders that kindness exists in this world.” See photos and read more about the event in “Volunteers Make Waves” on the Grassroots website.
Christ Church Welcomed SLYC on Sunday, Inviting Volunteers to Share Skills at Day Camp or Attend its Showcase in Linthicum on Thursday, July 31
Last Sunday, Christ Church welcomed Engagement Coordinator Darlene Clark of St. Luke’s Youth Center (SLYC), a collaborative of West Baltimore families who together provide youth with life-enriching experiences.
During announcements and at a get-together between services, we learned more about the youth center and SLYC’s campaign to re-envision the historic St. Luke’s Clergy House with the help of a plan by Episcopal Housing Corp. To view Clark’s remarks during the 10:30 worship service, go to Pentecost V: July 13, 2025 on the Christ Church YouTube channel. The SLYC portion can be seen from 1:03:30 to 1:10:06 in the video.
Each summer, SLYC holds Camp Imagination, a day camp being held at a cooperating parish in Linthicum, MD. Please consider volunteering, even on just one day, between now and Aug. 1. To learn more, view the Outreach Blog of June 26, 2025. Parishioners are invited to St. John Lutheran (& Episcopal) Church, 300 Maple Ave., Linthicum, Md., to see youth perform in the camp showcase at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 31. For carpool information, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Lake Elkhorn Middle School Partnership Update
This has been a year of growth for our partnership with Lake Elkhorn Middle School. For the first time, our parishioners have generously supported the monthly Kindness Pantry by contributing food and household goods, as well as helping with the on-site delivery of items. With each subsequent month this year, the number of families visiting the Pantry has increased, making the need very real. We have also used your financial contributions to support the positive academic and socio-emotional growth of our students.
School is now out for the summer, but it's time to start our annual fundraising campaign to support school supplies for the students at LEMS. Each year, we ask for the congregation's support in providing school supplies and backpacks for at least 125 children. We don’t have a line in the church's annual budget for this, so we rely on and deeply appreciate your direct support. Thank you.
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.
Columbia Community Care Needs Diapers and Infant Care Items
Columbia Community Care (CCC) collects and distributes essentials to families in need. It operates three distribution sites on Saturday mornings and has resumed making home deliveries to those without transportation. A shopper fulfills their grocery lists at the pantry, and then delivers goods to the recipients’ homes. To volunteer at the sites or as a translator or shopper, go to “Volunteer Opportunities.” Those who need help are urged to go to “Get Help” on CCC’s website.
Please keep collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. Our point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bin and delivers its contents.
FISH Asks for Volunteers As Well as Groceries and Toiletries in its Bin and Basket
FISH of Howard County is calling for volunteers. If you are interested, ask parishioner Andy DeLong, who is FISH treasurer and a board member of the nonprofit, which provides committed support to Howard County residents.
Please continue to put non-perishable foods and toiletries in the FISH basket at the altar or in the bin on the breezeway. The neighbors you help are grateful for all you do in their 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.
