Christ Church Outreach News: March 5, 2026
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting on Monday, March 9
Learn many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope.
Look for our email on Monday for the Zoom link.
Christ Church Gets an Update from Somos Amigos’ Founder Frank Brightwell
Progress is being made to expand the number of patients served in the Dominican Republic by Somos Amigos Medical Missions, whose founder visited Christ Church on March 1. Executive Director Frank Brightwell delivered the sermon during worship services and conducted Sunday Circle, taking the opportunity to express gratitude.
“On behalf of all of our patients, I want to thank all of you,” he told the congregation, referring to residents of a rural, mountainous area where the nearest health care is more than two hours away. “You’ve helped us restore health and allowed people to smile again. Quite literally, you helped us save lives.”
One of the lives saved is that of Euclides, a father of six who is a staff member. Last spring, he accidentally pricked a finger while sterilizing instruments. The required blood tests showed no danger from the puncture wound, but other results were concerning. A Somos Amigos physician ordered a colonoscopy that revealed colon cancer.
Somos Amigos raised funds to send Euclides to specialists in the city, where he underwent surgery and subsequent cancer treatment. Christ Church, through the Outreach Commission, contributed $500 toward his specialty care as well as an additional $500 during 2025 for the clinic’s Referrals Fund. It pays for patients’ mammograms, cataract removal and other procedures.
Euclides recovered and was back at work in January, when Somos Amigos held the first of its quarterly clinics. There, working alongside him were volunteers 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 that Brightwell discussed during Sunday Circle. 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.
Help Grassroots by Providing Food for the Homeless on Monday, March 9
On the second Monday of each month, Christ Church serves a hot midday meal at the Day Resource Center (DRC) that is operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. 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, March 9, 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. We last participated on Feb. 9 (see photos). Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried-chicken entree. Thank you!
Your generosity has eased the lives of our homeless neighbors, who rely on both the food and clothing available at the DRC. The Outreach Commission recently approved spending $506 to replenish its shelves in response to staff requests. We supplied 180 pairs of men’s and women’s underwear, 25 pairs of men’s jeans, 150 razors, and more than 500 pods of laundry detergent. These were purchased with funds donated to the church by parishioners. A hearty thanks!
During the winter months, Christ Church has paused our previous delivery of an evening meal at the Grassroots Emergency Shelter. Other congregations involved in the Code Blue and Cold Weather Shelter programs are handling those duties. Our next date for evening meal drop-off will be Monday, April 13. To plan ahead, go to our Grassroots online signup form.
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.
