Christ Church Outreach News: March 12, 2026
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
DreamBuilders Has its Largest Fundraising Dinner this Weekend! - March 14
DreamBuilders Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction Fundraiser is happening this Saturday, March 14. DreamBuilders will build three complete houses from the foundation up during their mission trip this coming June. In addition to sending volunteers, DreamBuilders also pays for the housing supplies, which cost nearly $75,000. They raise this money in various ways, but by far the biggest single fundraiser is the Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction.
We need help at this event, both from youth and adults! It is a fun evening, and we do our best to schedule people in shifts so you can also enjoy your evening. Youth can also get volunteer hours, so everyone gets something important from this wonderful initiative. Plus, Small Delusions will be performing at this year's dinner, so great music will also be happening!
Here is a link to a sign up sheet, or if you can help and just want to reply to this announcement, Stacey Frith or Cathy Gold can help you get set up. Email them at info@christchurchcolumbia.org and they will get you started. But act now - it's only two days away!
Runners Will Raise Awareness of Suicide Prevention and Support Grassroots at ‘Light the Night’ 5K and Community Event on March 27
Put on your running shoes or turn out to cheer the athletes who enter the fifth annual “Light the Night” 5K, a public awareness event to be held Friday, March 27. It is intended as a “county-wide acknowledgement that we support and care for those impacted by suicide.”
Sponsors are the Howard County Department of Health, the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, and Bullseye Running. Proceeds go to the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Maryland (AFSP Maryland).
Christ Church is a long-time supporter of Grassroots, which in addition to helping the homeless, provides 24-hour crisis intervention that includes a supportive counseling hotline.
“Light the Night” takes place at Oakland Mills High School, 9410 Kilimanjaro Rd., in Columbia, where speakers active in suicide prevention will deliver remarks at 6:30 p.m. The race begins at 7 p.m. There will be activities for non-runners, fun take-home items such as bracelets and keychains, and resource packets on suicide prevention.
In addition to raising awareness to save lives, the organizers will accept donations that will go to Grassroots and AFSP Maryland. AFSP is the largest private funder of suicide prevention research; it also creates and hosts education programs, leads public policy efforts on mental health, and supports suicide-loss survivors.
Runners are encouraged to sign up here. Registration is $36 plus online processing fees. Runners’ regular packet and shirt pickup is on Thursday, March 26, from 5:45 to 7 p.m. at Feet First, 5305 Village Center Drive, #110, Columbia, MD 21044. On race day, runners’ late packet and shirt pickup begins at 6 p.m.
Christ Church Supports Eye Care at Future Somos Amigos’ Clinics
For the first time in its nearly 30-year history of delivering basic health care in the Dominican Republic, Somos Amigos Medical Missions has begun providing eye care. At its clinic in January, a Dominican optometrist evaluated 28 patients. They received prescriptions for glasses and were screened for conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma.
The plan is to continue offering optometry on-site in addition to the medical, dental, and pharmaceutical services that people have come to depend upon in this rural, mountainous area. Previously, a supply of reading glasses or referrals to more distant care were the only options.
To support Somos Amigos’ new vision component, the Outreach Commission at its March meeting approved a donation of $750. These are Vestry-approved funds derived from your pledges and contributions. In addition, we are conveying a parishioner’s designated donation to Somos Amigos for the same cause. Thank you!
When Founder and Executive Director Frank Brightwell made his annual visit to Christ Church on March 1, he thanked the congregation while delivering the sermon during worship services. At Sunday Circle, his remarks included a recap of the January clinic, one of four held in Naranjito each year. For its residents, the nearest health care is more than two hours away.
Volunteers in January included Dione and Jim Mahoney and Dione’s sister and brother-in-law, Desiree and Jorge Arce, as well as the Arce’s nephew, Ivan. All are in a video about Somos Amigos’ plans for the future. You can view the video, “Opening New Doors,” on the Somos Amigos portion of the church website.
Dates of future clinics are April 11-18, July 11-18, and Oct. 10-17, 2026. Go here for volunteer information. Or ask parishioners who have volunteered, including Outreach member Shahra Toth and physicians Ellen Boudreau and Preethi Jackson.
A Kindness Pantry Update, and Words of Thanks
First, I want to thank Jenny Cecil, Jan DeBoissiere, Sara Kirkpatrick, and all of you who supplied our Kindness Pantry in February. I am so grateful for a team of such dedicated parishioners who know the importance of fulfilling our partnership with Lake Elkhorn.
Yesterday was a very special yearly event at LEMS - the Black History Month Celebration (see photo). This year, the theme was "Celebrating 100 Years of Black History: Because of Them We Can." One hundred years ago, Carter G. Woodson introduced the concept of Negro History Week, which has since become a month-long celebration emphasizing that Black history is American history.
As attendees entered, they were greeted by the flavorful aroma of collard greens cooked by Harlem's Sylvia Woods, the Queen of Soul Food. Students invited everyone to taste this classic dish. On the way out, we were given tickets to an ice cream treat because Augustus Jackson, a White House chef and businessman in Philadelphia, developed the modern method of manufacturing ice cream.
We walked to the Learning Center through the hallways past student statues of some of the many influential figures of Black American history: Huey Newton, Judge Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Mae Jameison, Louis Armstrong, and Madame C. J. Walker. These were impressive tableaux of culturally and historically significant people and events that the students studied in February. In addition, each classroom door was decorated to reflect the content area connection to Black Americans and their contributions to our country.
During the program, the LEMS Chorus, Band, Chamber Orchestra, Invisible Changemakers Dance Group, and individual student poets shared their impressive talents with the audience. These performances were interspersed with explanations of important historical events and trends such as the history of Black dance, the Harlem Renaissance, and the development of the Latino Black community.
The students were extraordinarily proud of all that they had learned, and with good reason. This is an event not to be missed at LEMS. I hope you will come and experience it for yourself next year.
MOCC: Comfort Cases' Fundraising Initiatives
March Madness is almost here, and there’s still time to be part of the 2026 Comfort Cases Bracket Pool! Enter for a chance to win 30% of the total prize pot, all while supporting children entering foster care. Make a $25 donation to receive two brackets, doubling your chances to win and your impact. In the event of a tie, the winnings will be evenly split among the winners. It’s competition with a cause, and every bracket helps bring comfort and dignity to children who need it most.
From March 17–20, your generosity can go even further. During GlobalGiving’s Little by Little Campaign, $125,000 in matching funds will be available to amplify donations made through Comfort Cases' donation portal. This special four-day campaign coincides with the end of Ramadan, a meaningful time of reflection, generosity, and community support. By simply donating through their GlobalGiving page, you help unlock additional funds that allow us to serve even more children entering foster care!
Please Bring Diapers, Non-Perishables for CCC/FISH, And Consider Volunteering from Home to Take Phone Calls From Neighbors in Need
FISH and Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered last year and merged their pantries. CCC continues to hand out food at three sites on Saturday mornings and by home delivery to Howard County residents. For information, go online to Get Help. Find CCC updates on its 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 (above 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 always for your support.
Kenya Connect 5k Run - March 28
Kenya Connect, an outreach partner of St. John's in Ellicott City, is holding its 12th annual 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, March 28th, at St. John's. The 5K builds community while supporting the work of Kenya Connect to provide children with options and new pathways in rural Kenya.
We welcome individual participants or a team from Christ Church. We will have post-race goodies, including a Kenyan crafts market with items made by women and men in our village. We also provide hand-carved medallions from Wamunyu to the top three women and men in all age categories.
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.
