Christ Church Outreach News: June 26, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- Jun 26
- 4 min read
This Sunday, Join Us for an Interfaith Vigil for Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Immigrants
In recognition of World Refugee Day and the difficulties facing immigrants and refugees worldwide, we ask that you please consider attending the Interfaith Vigil for Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Immigrants this Sunday, June 29th, at 5 p.m.
Coordinated by a cross-section of congregations involved in immigrant and refugee work, and attended by participants from many faiths, this Interfaith Vigil is hosted by the Columbia Jewish Congregation, one of our strong partners in the Christ Church Interfaith Refugee Ministry. Beginning at 5:00 p.m., the Vigil will be held at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center - “The Meeting House” - at 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia 21045. This important gathering is open to the public – please invite your family, friends, and neighbors. You can also join us via Zoom, and registration for that is here.
Plan to Welcome SLYC on Sunday, July 13 and Consider Volunteering at its Day Camp
Once more, Christ Church will welcome representatives of St. Luke’s Youth Center (SLYC), whose leaders will update us on its work brightening the lives of children in West Baltimore. Joln us from 9 to 10:15 a.m. in the Great Hall in New Brick on Sunday, July 13. Coffee, drinks and pastries will be served.
SLYC Executive Director Amanda Gardner Talbot will deliver the sermon during both worship services and will conduct the presentation between services. You’ll see a slide show about the youth center and get an update on SLYC’s campaign to re-envision the historic St. Luke’s Clergy House with the help of a plan by Episcopal Housing Corp. Much has transpired since July 2024, when she and Engagement Coordinator Darlene Clark last visited Christ Church.
SLYC is a collaborative of West Baltimore families who together provide youth with critical resources, life-enriching experiences, and a safety-net of support. During summers, SLYC holds Camp Imagination, a day camp that takes place at a cooperating parish while SLYC’s campus is under renovation. Children aged 5 to 13 and counselors aged 14 and older attend Camp Imagination from June 30 to August 1.
The convenient camp location is St. John Lutheran (& Episcopal) Church, 300 Maple Ave., Linthicum, MD. Consider helping in the following activities on weekdays: Drop Everything and Read (DEAR), 1 to 1:30 p.m.; Share a hobby or skill, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.; and Play board games 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Help chaperone a Friday field trip on July 11, July 18, July 25 and/or Aug. 1. For volunteer information, email darlene@BmoreSLYC.org.
We’re invited to Linthicum to see youth perform in the camp showcase at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 31. For carpool information, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
SLYC campers ages 8 to 12 and counselors who are 15 and older will end their summer experiences at the Claggett Camp and Conference Center with a one-week stay at All God’s Children sleepaway camp, August 4-9.
The Outreach Commission in May gave $1,800 to SLYC, which covers the full cost of one child for five weeks of day camp and one week at Claggett. The donation was drawn from Vestry-approved Outreach funds, which were derived from your pledges and contributions. Thanks for your generosity!
SLYC’s year-round results are impressive, as described in its Fiscal 2024 Impact Report. The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland is a partner, and its reparations task force awarded a grant to SYLC in 2022. You’ll have the chance to learn more in person during the SLYC visit on July 13. Please mark your calendars.
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.
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.
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.
