Christ Church Outreach News: May 29, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
When Euclides Needed Cancer Surgery, Christ Church Donated to Somos Amigos to Help Replenish its Fund for Referrals Care
Somos Amigos Medical Missions alerted Christ Church and other supporters earlier this month that its staff member and patient, Euclides, had been diagnosed with colon cancer. Euclides worked closely with Somos Amigos for 20 years and most recently, has worked sterilizing instruments in the dental clinic during the nonprofit organization’s quarterly clinics.
During the rest of the year, Euclides drives a taxi based at the Santiago airport in the Dominican Republic. In the public system, in which government insurance would cover some of the expenses, he would have had a wait of eight months or more to get on the surgical calendar. But with the help of Somos Amigos, he was referred to a private clinic and surgeon for immediate treatment.
Somos Amigos raised the funds to cover the cost of approximately $7,500, and Christ Church sent $500 to help pay for this latest referral. Earlier this year, the Outreach Commission approved a separate $500 donation for patients’ referrals, as described in the Outreach Blog of May 1, 2025. The money goes toward specialty care such as colonoscopies, mammograms, and cataract removal. These are Vestry-approved Outreach budget funds derived from parishioners’ donations to Christ Church. Thank you!
Please join members of Outreach in praying for Euclides as he recovers from surgery last week and awaits his cancer prognosis. He is the father of six and also supports his mother. Somos Amigos Executive Director and CEO Frank Brightwell said he stays in touch daily with the family members and Euclides. When told that parishioners in Maryland have been keeping him in their thoughts and prayers, Euclides sent this response: “Thank you so much for such beautiful and good people. May God give us all health, a long life, and lots of love. Thank you very much.”
Brightwell said that the patient and his family gave permission to share that the surgeon found a second, previously undetected tumor during the course of the four-and-a-half-hour surgery. Its discovery – and removal – is a blessing in itself.
Brightwell expressed gratitude for Somos Amigos supporters at Christ Church and elsewhere “who unhesitatingly do what they can to help someone in need.” In previous cases that required specialty care, Christ Church helped Emilio, a young man who obtained custom-fitted hearing aids, and Franci, a boy who has thrived after heart surgery.
Brightwell updated the congregation on their lives on his March 9 visit to Christ Church. (You can view his sermon during the 10:30 service at this link on YouTube.)
Buy Your DreamBuilders Chocolate, Tea, or Coffee for Father’s Day
We will be selling DreamBuilders goods after all three worship services this Sunday, June 1, and the next week, which is Pentecost. On Sunday, June 8, there is just one service at 10 a.m. All proceeds will go to help fund the upcoming DreamBuilders disaster recovery mission in Kentucky. The chocolates, hot cocoa mix, coffee, and tea are tasty and just in time for Father’s Day on June 15.
Christ Church is one of five interfaith partners in DreamBuilders, which offers multi-generational experiences to the congregations’ youth and adults. The trip to Hazard, Ky., on June 15-21 will be the third blitz build in this part of flood-damaged Appalachia. Parishioner Amanda Kirkpatrick will represent Christ Church on the team this summer.
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 and has resumed making home deliveries to those without transportation. A shopper fulfills their grocery lists at the pantry, and then delivers 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.
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.
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.
