Christ Church Outreach News: November 16, 2023

Angel Tree Drive Will Brighten Christmas for Howard County Children

In a heartfelt tradition, the Outreach Commission invites parishioners to purchase new clothing and special items to complete Christmas gift “packages” for young angels. We are supporting a dozen children ages 8 to 13 to meet a need identified by the Howard County (Central Maryland) division of The Salvation Army. The nonprofit organization oversees the Angel Tree initiative here and elsewhere.

To participate, please provide one or more gifts for a girl or boy on our list. Each one will receive an outfit, consisting of pants and a top. Besides the clothing, there are three other categories this year for each angel: Need, Wish, and Favorite item.

Some parishioners prefer to sign up for just one slot, such as the practical (need) category for a single child. Some parishioners desire to complete the entire “package’ for an angel by signing up in all four categories. Another shopper might choose the clothing (outfit) category for multiple angels.

We are launching this year’s drive in two steps. The first stage is fully online. Starting this week, you can go to the Christ Church 2023 Angel Tree SignUp to view the list and make your choices. It has instructions on the next steps.

The second stage begins after Thanksgiving when the Angel Tree goes up in the Narthex. You can gaze at tags on the tree, in keeping with tradition, but the definitive list will be displayed nearby on a spreadsheet. For those in Old Brick, we’ll bring the list to you. In both locations, we’ll ask that you sign up for your angel by using the online form. You’ll get a slip with the child’s name, ID, and wished-for gift. Someone will be on hand after both worship services on Sunday, Nov. 26, and Dec. 3 to assist in logging on.

The deadline to bring in your unwrapped Angel Tree gifts will be 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8. Please put them under the tree or in the Parish Hall Operations Room. With your help, we will lift the hearts not only of the angels but of their families. Parents obtain the unwrapped gifts from The Salvation Army to prepare for a Christmas that will be much brighter than they could otherwise afford.

If you wish to participate by giving your time, please volunteer for one of two duties: Sign-up or Fulfillment. The former is to help people after worship on Nov. 26 and Dec. 3 to log on to a device to register. The other duty is on Dec. 9 when you collate packages or shop for - but not pay for - any unmet items. To volunteer, specify Sign-up or Fulfillment, or both, in an email to outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.

Kudos to All Who Have Helped Hungry Households by Donating to Our Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Howard County Food Bank

The table in the Narthex and the yellow bin at Old Brick were brimming with goods such as stuffing mix, gravy, and canned vegetables. These will brighten the holidays for many of our neighbors, as the Howard County Food Bank expects to feed about 1,000 people for Thanksgiving and another 1,000 for Christmas by distributing "Holiday Meal Kits."

Christ Church partners with the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC), which operates the food bank. We further supported CAC with a monetary donation for its holiday meal kits. The drive ends Thursday, Nov. 16. On Friday, members of the Outreach Commission will deliver the bounty, which includes a few staples like pasta and peanut butter for after the holidays. Thank you for your generosity!

Columbia Community Care Shares Good News, Plans Holiday Help for Kids

There's good news for supporters of Columbia Community Care (CCC) and the youth and others who benefit from its services. Howard County has awarded its pantry location, the historic Columbia Flier Building, to CCC. The plan is to transform it into a community center called The Source, acting in partnership with Columbia Concepts, a group of diverse Howard County developers focused on creating equity.

CCC has also announced holiday activities to help kids and their families. Check the CCC Facebook Group for updates. Or to volunteer for a task such as sorting at the pantry building, 10750 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, go to the “I Can Help” portion of its 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. Drop off items when the church office is open or on Sundays. Our point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bin and delivers its contents.

Please Donate All Kinds of Grocery Non-Perishables and Toiletries to FISH

FISH of Howard County needs non-perishable foods and toiletries. FISH provides committed support to select families in need. Please put donations in the basket at the altar or in the marked yellow bin on the breezeway between Old Brick and Parish Hall. The neighbors you help give thanks 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.