Christ Church Outreach News: June 4, 2026
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
Prepare for Father’s Day by Buying DreamBuilders Goods This Sunday, June 7
Look for fair-trade coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolates being sold to benefit DreamBuilders in advance of Father’s Day on June 21. The goods will be available after all three worship services on Sunday, June 7. It’s all for a good cause as a team of youth and adults get ready to rebuild after devastating floods in Hazard, Ky. One youth from Christ Church will be traveling June 21-27 on what will be the group’s fourth trip in a row to build homes there.
And this Sunday is the 22nd Annual Matzohball Run, organized by DreamBuilders member congregation Temple Isaiah on June 7th at 8:00 a.m. at Western Regional Park in Woodbine. The proceeds benefit DreamBuilders, Grassroots, HopeWorks, and others to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable communities in need of support. Christ Church supports all of these organizations, so your help directly assists these groups.
Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting on Monday, June 8
Learn many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope. Email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org for the Zoom details, and JOIN US!
SLYC Says ‘Thanks,’ Calls for Volunteers at Camp Imagination this Summer
Christ Church welcomed a leader of St. Luke’s Youth Center (SLYC), a collaborative of West Baltimore families who together provide youth with life-enriching experiences. On Sunday, May 31, Engagement Coordinator Darlene “Grandma” Clark thanked the congregation during announcements at the 10:30 worship service for our support:
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 help make that happen, Outreach Commission members recently approved a $3,600 donation to cover the cost of care for two children for all six weeks. These are Vestry-approved funds derived from your pledges and contributions. Thank you!
Parishioners can get personally involved by volunteering –for as little as one hour on one day – at SLYC’s Camp Imagination, a day camp for ages 5 to 13 held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 300 W. Maple Rd., Linthicum, Md. 21090 from June 29 to July 31. Or consider donating directly to SLYC to send a child to camp for $300 per week or $1,800 for all six.
For more information about SLYC, or to speak with Darlene directly, email Darlene@bmoreslyc.org.
Help Grassroots by Providing Food for the Homeless on Monday, June 8
On the second Monday of each month, Christ Church serves a hot midday meal at the Day Resource Center (DRC), operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. We last participated on May 11.
A team led by Outreach member Shahra Toth makes side dishes and desserts that we serve in person after car-pooling to the Leola Dorsey Center in Jessup. To help on Monday, June 8, please check our DRC online signup form, which describes the procedure. Drop-off time is 12:45 p.m. in the parking lot near Old Brick.
Some parishioners prefer to cook or shop for the evening meal at Grassroots’ Emergency Shelter, whose staff serves the residents. Please arrive between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. in the Old Brick parking lot, where a volunteer picks up the food for delivery to Grassroots. Get details in our Grassroots online signup form. It’s efficient to provide for both venues on the same day, feeding more than 150 people in total. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried-chicken entrees. Thank you!
Your generosity has again helped ease the burden on our homeless neighbors, who rely on the DRC for pantry items, including food, sundries, and more. In response to a DRC request, the Outreach Commission approved spending $460 on 80 pairs of men’s jeans and an assortment of non-perishables: Spam and other canned meats and meals, canned fruits, and grape jelly. These were purchased with funds donated to the church by parishioners who give to “General Outreach.” A hearty thanks!
You, too, can pitch in by shopping for the pantry at the DRC and Grassroots’ two other sites. We welcome in-kind donations of items such as hearty soups and fruit cups to be dropped off ahead of time in the Parish Hall kitchen for delivery on second Mondays. Find Grassroots’ monthly needs list on our signups under “Related Files.”
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!
Home of Our Own Howard is Having a Yard Sale at CEC - June 27
Home Of Our Own Howard (HOOO), Howard County’s local furniture bank for individuals and families in need, is holding a yard sale at Christ Episcopal Church. All funds raised will support our clients who are moving into a home after experiencing a crisis. The yard sale is on June 27, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., rain (Parish Hall lower level) or shine (outside on the lawn).
We hope you can support their cause by finding treasures at the sale. There will be a wide variety of items at great prices, including small appliances, linens, curtains, dishware, glassware, kitchenware, artwork, and home décor. 100% of proceeds go directly toward helping neighbors in need fill their empty homes. The majority of the items are priced between $1 and $ 5.
HOOO provides furniture and essential household goods to Howard County residents facing hardship. Most items are generously donated by community members — keeping quality goods out of landfills and putting them into the hands of families starting over. When HOOO receives donated items that aren't suitable for direct distribution, they're sold to raise funds that support the same mission. Every dollar stays local. Every purchase helps a family in need create a safe, functioning home.
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.
