Christ Church Outreach News: May 15, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- May 15
- 4 min read
Our Support of Claggett Camps Will Bring Cheer to Developmentally Disabled Adults and Youth Whose Families are Harmed by Opioid Misuse
Christ Church will once again support summer camps at the Claggett Center in Adamstown, Md., the retreat center of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. The Outreach Commission, at its May meeting, approved $1,900 in Vestry-approved budget funds for Claggett.
The donation will cover the cost of one child at Camp Spirit Song, to be held June 22-27 for youth affected by a loved one’s opioid substance use disorder, and one person at Special Challenge Camp, a getaway for adults with developmental disabilities to be held July 27-31.
Please accept heartfelt thanks for our ability to support these campers, whom we do not know, but whose lives will be brightened by their experiences.
Another way to help is by volunteering – for just one night during the dinner-dance held in the historic barn – or for greater portions of Special Challenge Camp. Either way, you’ll need a background check and other steps in advance. Go online to get information on the application process.
It’s a beautiful venue. The 266-acre property overlooking Sugarloaf Mountain offers spaces for worship, reflection, and connection. Claggett draws many Special Challenge helpers from All Saints Episcopal Church in Frederick, Md., but members of other parishes are welcome, too. As Claggett described the fun in its post on the Camps at Claggett Facebook page: “A most amazing week of JOY!”
The Rev. Sara Yoe, programs and camp director, expressed gratitude to Christ Church for our “generous, historical support of Claggett programs.”
DreamBuilders Spring Fundraiser and 50/50 Raffle - May 28
Come out and support DreamBuilders’ summer mission and projects by gathering for a mid-week happy hour/dinner evening at the Bushel & A Peck Restaurant, 12250 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD. Stop by any time between 4 and 9 p.m. that Wednesday evening, May 28th, and Bushel & A Peck will be giving DreamBuilders a percentage of all sales of food and drink.
We will also have a 50/50 cash raffle that evening, and you can buy raffle tickets at the restaurant or in advance through Cathy Gold (see her at church or email heycathy@verizon.net). You don’t have to be present to win. DreamBuilders merchandise will also be on sale at the restaurant, so if you haven't got your DreamBuilders T-Shirt yet, come on down and get one! Reservations are not needed, but are welcome, especially for large parties.
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.
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 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The locations are Long Reach Village Center, Suite 107, 8775 Cloudleap Ct.; Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd.; and The Barn at Oakland Mills Village Center, 5853 Robert Oliver Place, all in Columbia.
CCC offers home deliveries to those without transportation. That process requires a shopper to fulfill grocery lists at the pantry and then deliver 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. Find updates on the CCC Facebook page.
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.
Oakland Mills Middle School Academic Fundraiser
OMMS celebrates students who have worked hard during the 2024-2025 school year. Those who earned all A’s for the year are treated to a trip to a Baltimore Orioles baseball game at Camden Yards. This year, the MOCC's spring "Random Act of Kindness" is spearheading a fund-collecting drive to help sponsor this event, and you are invited to contribute to this worthy cause.
You can donate through the MOCC fund in Realm (write "RAK Orioles" in the MEMO line) or write a check to Christ Church (write "RAK Orioles" in the memo line). Either way, we appreciate your generous support!
Help a Christ Church Youth with Her Girl Scout Project
Christ Church youth parishioner Ainsley Couch is working to complete her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, by prioritizing the mental health of teachers at one of Howard County's oldest middle schools, Harper's Choice Middle School. This school is highly impacted by poverty (over 55% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunches), and she is working to transform the staff lounge into a relaxing area where staff can unwind during their free time.
She is accepting donations from this Amazon list and taking monetary donations to furnish the room. If you would like to donate in other ways, please don't hesitate to contact her mom at info@christchurchcolumbia.org, who can provide digital options for donation. Thank you for being so considerate as she works to finish this as soon as possible, and ensure that she earns the highest rank Girl Scouts can earn.
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.
