Christ Church Outreach News: June 5, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- Jun 5
- 4 min read
Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Zoom Meeting next Monday, June 9
Learn many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, June 9, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope. If you need the Zoom details - we sent them out to our mailing list earlier - email us at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org and we'll get them to you.
See you on Zoom!
Help the Homeless on Monday, June 9: Bring a Dish for Grassroots’ Emergency Shelter or Serve a Meal at Its Day Resource Center
On the second Monday of each month, Christ Church provides a hot midday meal for the homeless at the Day Resource Center (DRC) and drops off dinner for about 70 residents at its Emergency Shelter. We last participated on May 12th.
The Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center operates both agencies. A team led by Outreach member Shahra Toth makes side dishes and desserts that we serve in person after car-pooling to the DRC in Jessup. To help next Monday, June 9th, 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 for DRC’s side dishes.
Later, parishioners who cook or shop for the evening meal at Grassroots’ shelter arrive in the Old Brick parking lot between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. Get details in our Grassroots online signup form. Grassroots staff serve the evening meal. It’s efficient to provide for both venues on the same day. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried-chicken entrees. Thank you!
Recently, your generosity helped ease life for our homeless neighbors, who rely on sundries from the DRC pantry. In response to a DRC request, the Outreach Commission at its May meeting approved spending $202 for 92 pairs of men’s underwear. These were purchased with funds donated to the church by parishioners who give to “General Outreach.” A hearty thanks!
Enjoy a Conjurors’ Magic Show in New Brick and Help the Howard County Food Bank by Bringing Canned Goods as Admission on Monday, June 9 at 7 p.m.
The Columbia Conjurors, an organization of Marylanders who are known to have a trick up their sleeves, will hold the annual Tommy Ivey Magic Show on Monday, June 9, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of New Brick.
The show – a fun, family-friendly presentation of several local magicians – is named in honor of the late Tommy Ivey. The husband of parishioner Ronnie Ivey, he served as Conjurors' president at the time he was interviewed and photographed for an article, “Pick a Card,” published in June 1993 and archived on the Conjurors' website.
Admission is free, but you are asked to bring canned foods to be donated to the Howard County Food Bank. Christ Church is a supporter of the Community Action Council of Howard County, which provides multiple services such as the food bank.
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 on Sunday, June 29.
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. on June 29, 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.
Columbia Community Care Holds Caribbean Day Party as a Fundraiser on Saturday, June 14, from Noon to 6 p.m. at Reckless Shepherd Brewing Co.
Plan an afternoon getaway to the islands by attending a Caribbean-themed fundraiser for Columbia Community Care (CCC) on Saturday, June 14, from noon to 6 p.m. CCC describes the event as a fun-filled day of Caribbean music and vendors who will be selling food and refreshing drinks.
The venue is the Reckless Shepherd Brewing Co., 8895 McGaw Road in Columbia, Maryland. Admission is $20, which includes one complimentary drink. Patrons are encouraged to order tickets online at a cost of $23.18 per person.
All proceeds go to CCC, whose resources for youth and families include free groceries, diapers, and other necessities for those in need. If you or someone you know could benefit, please go online to the “Get Help” portion of CCC’s website. Or learn how to volunteer at three distribution sites on Saturdays, or in other ways, by visiting CCC’s “Volunteer” page. Find updates on the CCC Facebook Group.
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.
