Christ Church Outreach News: July 2, 2026
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Donation to UNICEF Will Help Venezuelan Earthquake Survivors
On June 24, back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela, collapsing buildings and killing or injuring thousands. These 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude tremors were followed by multiple aftershocks, including one measured at 4.6 magnitude on June 29. A nation that was already challenged faces a vast humanitarian crisis, as described by PBS in a June 29 news account.
The Outreach Commission approved an immediate $800 donation to UNICEF, which said in an online post updated on June 30 that it had mobilized to swiftly help displaced individuals and families, especially children. “UNICEF is scaling up its emergency response, deploying staff and supplies, with initial air shipments already arriving.”
These are Vestry-approved funds derived from your pledges and contributions to Christ Church. Thank you!
Please pray for the people caught up in this immense tragedy. We are encouraged to do so collectively by Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD), which offered a link to its Prayers in a Time of Disaster. “We have been in touch with partners in Venezuela who are responding after powerful earthquakes struck,” ERD said. “We pray for all who are affected. Join us.”
Put Your Green Thumb to Good Use: Help Columbia Community Care to Tend Its Garden Plot at Freetown Farm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Columbia Community Care (CCC) invites volunteers to help cultivate its garden plot at Freetown Farm, 8000 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia, Md., 21044, in partnership with Community Ecology Institute (CEI).
“Our garden plot at Freetown Farm offers something that our pantry alone can't -- fresh produce and a place to practice a more intentional relationship with food,” CCC said in a Facebook post on June 17. Those interested are encouraged to learn more by reading an article posted on May 21 to CCC’s website, “From Farm to Pantry: CCC Puts Down Roots at Freetown Farm.”
Volunteers are encouraged to sign up in advance for slots on Tuesdays from 9 to 11 a.m., on Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. Go online to this CEI signup form to register for a slot, and choose “general volunteer” under “group.”
CCC encourages both novice and experienced gardeners to help “plant, weed, and maintain this source of fresh, nutritious food for local Howard County families.”
Bring Items for FISH/CCC, and Consider Volunteering to Take Calls from Home
FISH and Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered last year and merged pantries. CCC continues to hand out food at three sites on Saturday mornings and by home delivery to Howard County residents. For information, visit Get Help online. For updates on community services such as youth programs, check CCC’s Facebook page.
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 very important when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong (seen in this photo) or email him at andydelong.fish@gmail.com.
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 assist those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. Thank you!
Continue to Support the MOCC's Random Act of Kindness
The MOCC's current R.A.K. (Random Act of Kindness) is supporting Comfort Cases, and they continue to need donations. A Comfort Case is a small duffel bag or backpack designed to provide comfort to youth entering the local foster care system - many enter with nothing more than a simple trash bag - an item that provides no comfort or dignity at all.
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, compassion, and care for the youngest in our world is welcome. The MOCC is accepting donations throughout the summer, and you can find details and the 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 click the link above.
Save the Date: ‘Birdies for Bridges’ Golf Tournament to be Held on Friday, Sept. 25 to Help Bridges to Housing Stability in Preventing Homelessness
It’s not too early to hit the practice greens. Bridges to Housing Stability will hold its annual Sheehy Toyota Birdies for Bridges Golf Tournament on Friday, Sept. 25, at The Timbers of Troy, 6100 Marshalee Dr., Elkridge, Md. Participants will help Bridges achieve its mission – advocating for affordable housing and helping individuals and families who struggle to keep a roof over their heads.
The tournament begins with a light breakfast, a shotgun start at 9 a.m., and a full day of golf, food, and awards. Check-in opens at 7:30 a.m. The cost for a single golfer is $200, or $800 for a foursome, which covers greens fees, unlimited range balls, food, and beverages.
The event is for a worthy cause. All proceeds from Birdies for Bridges will benefit Bridges and its work to provide a path to self-sufficiency to prevent and end homelessness through affordable housing solutions and advocacy in Howard County.
Christ Church has supported Bridges in various ways since 2019, most recently last fall, when a group of volunteers spent several workdays refurbishing a Columbia townhouse. Known as Guilford House, it is the residence of several returning citizens who have gotten their lives on track after incarceration. Bridges operates this transitional housing in partnership with the Howard County Department of Corrections.
Read about improvements – made indoors and out – by a team led by Vestry and Outreach member George Toth in the Outreach Blog of Dec.18, 2025. “The transformation is night and day!” said Sarah Hicks, Affordable Housing Program Manager at Bridges.
Registration is Open for DreamBuilders' Mission Trip to Puerto Rico on October 18-24, 2026
Hurricane Maria, a category 5 hurricane, struck Puerto Rico in September of 2017 with sustained winds of 155 mph. 53% of all structures on the island suffered major damage. Today, almost 9 years later, many families are still trying to repair their homes. We will be helping one of those survivors, Maria del Carmen Rivera Nieves. You can read about Maria and her project below.
We have worked with the nonprofit Apoyemos/One Hand Foundation of Puerto Rico, led by Kike Garcia, on a previous trip to the island. They will supply the materials needed and supervise our project. Maria's home needs windows, interior doors, ceiling panels, flooring, and more that we can't complete in one week. But we can make a big difference in moving her home closer to completion.
We will be staying at Posada Colonial Apartments in San Juan, where you can walk to an outstanding beach, and it is only 3 blocks from Calle Loiza, a street full of restaurants, cafes, and shops. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Cathy Gold (heycathy@verizon.net).
Trip Dates: October 18-24
Missioner Fee: $1100 (covers airfare, lodging, rental cars, and food)
Age Requirement: 18 or older
How Many? Maximum of 8 missioners
Partner Organization in Puerto Rico: Apoyemos/One Hand Foundation of Puerto Rico
If you would like to join the trip, please find instructions and the registration form on their website: dreambuildersmd.org/puerto-rico-trip-october-2026. Registration closes on July 31st.
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.
