Christ Church Outreach News: July 23, 2026
- Christ Episcopal Church
- Jul 23
- 6 min read
Bring Lightweight, Natural-fiber Clothing by Aug. 30 for an Outreach Collection to Help Visually-Impaired People and their Families in Nigeria
Christ Church is supporting a late-summer clothing drive by the Living Above Limitation Charity Foundation (LALCF), which sends lightweight, natural-fiber garments to visually impaired people in Nigeria. Their disabled residents and their families face greater barriers than the general population and may not be able to afford sufficient clothing.
Dr. Liz Trimnell of Laurel, MD, founded the charity to provide Braille classes, vocational training, white canes, and similar aids to the blind. Read about its work on its Facebook page. She made a presentation last spring to the Outreach Commission, which is sponsoring the drive under the direction of Sonni Aribiah. Her planned shipment by ocean freighter is scheduled to arrive in time for Christmas in Calabar, Nigeria, Sonni’s hometown. The visually impaired men and women who rely on LALCF for better lives – and their spouses and children – eagerly anticipate its arrival.
At Christ Church, the deadline is Sunday, August 30, which is the same day as our Parish Festival & Ministry Fair. Look for the marked box in the Narthex. New or gently used clothing should be suitable for wear in a tropical climate and made of cotton, linen, flax, bamboo, and other natural fibers. No synthetics! Please bring the following:
Adult – t-shirts and polo shirts (Sizes S–XL); lightweight pants and jeans (waist sizes 28–42); shorts (S-XL); casual button-down shirts (S-XL); t-shirts (Sizes S-XL or 6-18); casual dresses and skirts (Sizes S–XL); blouses and tops (Sizes S-XL or 6-18).
Children – everyday play clothes for boys and girls; school-appropriate, all sizes; infant and toddler clothes, all sizes.
SLYC Invites Us to its Camp Imagination Showcase in Linthicum; Consider Joining the Outreach Carpool Departing at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 30
Several weeks ago, we heard from Engagement Coordinator Darlene “Grandma” Clark of St. Luke’s Youth Center (SLYC), who described how much its young people enjoy Camp Imagination. Once again this summer, the day camp is being held at a cooperating parish in Linthicum, Md. And once again, we are invited to St. John Lutheran (& Episcopal) Church, 300 Maple Ave., Linthicum, Md., to see youth perform in the camp showcase from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30. Outreach is organizing a carpool to depart Christ Church at 4:15 p.m. For information, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
SLYC is a collaborative of West Baltimore families who together provide youth with life-enriching experiences. Every summer, SLYC youngsters engage in arts and literacy activities during five weeks of day camp followed by one week of sleepaway camp at the Claggett Center. To support the effort, Christ Church donated $3,600 to cover the cost of two children for all six weeks. These are Vestry-approved funds derived from your pledges and contributions. Thank you!
Clark expressed gratitude during her visit on May 31. Go to this link for her remarks during announcements at the 10:30 worship service. Her remarks during a Sunday Circle discussion about working with youth can be viewed here.
Somos Amigos Will Livestream a Plan to Expand Care in the Dominican Republic
Next week, Somos Amigos will livestream its groundbreaking of a new clinic – a building that will be its first permanent, full-time home – on the morning of Tuesday, July 28. For details closer to the date, go to Somos Amigos Medical Missions or to its Facebook page.
Parishioners heard about the expansion plan during Founder and Executive Director Frank Brightwell's annual visit to Christ Church. He thanked the congregation for our long-term support while delivering the sermon during worship services on March 1. At Sunday Circle, he gave a recap of the most recent clinic, one of four held each year in Naranjito in a remote region of the Dominican Republic. For residents, the nearest health care is more than two hours away.
Repeat volunteers include Dione and Jim Mahoney and Dione’s sister and brother-in-law, Desiree and Jorge Arce, as well as the Arces’ nephew, Ivan. All are in a video about Somos Amigos’ expansion plan. View the video, “Opening New Doors,” on the Somos Amigos portion of the church website. The next clinic will be held Oct. 10-17. Go here for volunteer information. Or ask parishioners who have volunteered, including Outreach member Shahra Toth and physicians Ellen Boudreau and Preethi Jackson.
Please Fill the Altar Basket and Parish Hall Bin with Goods for FISH/CCC
FISH and Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered last year and merged pantries. CCC continues to hand out food by home delivery to Howard County residents and at three sites on Saturday mornings, except on holiday weekends. 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”. Please bring baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes.
FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents to provide guidance and financial support because the personal touch is very important when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email 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.
