Christ Church Outreach News: November 3, 2022

Thanksgiving Food Drive (non-perishables only) for the Howard County Food Bank Will be Conducted Nov. 6 - Nov. 17

Once again, Christ Church will be supporting the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) by conducting a food drive in the weeks before Thanksgiving. This year the holiday falls on Nov. 24. The drive will launch on Sunday, Nov. 6 and end on Thursday, Nov. 17. The items will be delivered to CAC’s Howard County Food Bank on Friday morning, Nov. 18.

In 2022, the Food Bank expects to feed about 1,000 people for Thanksgiving and another 1,000 for Christmas by distributing "Holiday Meal Kits." You can support this effort by bringing non-perishable food items that include the usual sides: boxed mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, gravy, cranberry sauce, olives, pickles, and cans of fruit and vegetables (low-sodium preferred).

Because families may find their pantries are bare overall this time of year, please consider adding items such as tuna and pasta on the Food Bank’s non-seasonal wish list (see flier).

Place goods on the Thanksgiving-decorated table in the Narthex. Or, if you wish to remain outdoors, put them in the latest yellow bin to be found on the breezeway. Marked “Thanksgiving Food Drive," this one is near the door to Old Brick. Given cold weather, it’s best if items in glass jars go in the Narthex collection. NOTE: The food bank is not collecting pies, other desserts, or rolls because of perishability.

After the onset of the pandemic, the Outreach Commission ended its previous practice of collecting turkeys during its annual drive. Instead, Christ Church this year will again help fund the protein component of holiday meal kits. Outreach members recently approved a $750 donation to the CAC for the Food Bank’s purchase of alternatives to whole turkeys.

Certain families, including people who are homebound, will receive partial or whole chicken roasters, vegetarian choices, and options with the proper protein for those on dialysis.

The holiday funds for CAC are the latest approved by the Outreach Commission in 2022. Earlier we sent $1,000 for general purposes such as energy and housing assistance and early childhood education. In response, CAC honors Christ Church among its “Village of Supporters” in various ways, including recognition of partners during its annual Holland Awards event. Vestry and Outreach member Diane Phillips Laguerre represented Christ Church at the event. Please contact her to hear what she learned about CAC (Send to outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.) And thanks to all who made possible these monetary donations through parishioners’ contributions to Christ Church.

DreamBuilders Local Project for the ARC of Howard County: November 12th & 13th

DreamBuilders will be renovating a group home in Columbia, replacing the kitchen floor and upgrading several damaged doorways. We need 10 volunteers each day to complete the work over a single weekend, as the residents will be relocated during the renovation. The workday will be 8:30-4:00 each day, and lunch will be provided. This project is open to youth in seventh grade and older, and adults. No experience is necessary, and all training and supervision will be provided. You can register for this project through the DreamBuilders website: DreamBuildersMD.org. If you have any questions, contact Cathy Gold or Stacey Frith.

Join Us for an Interfaith Vigil for Refugees on November 13th

Christ Church’s Refugee Ministry will host United We Pray: Interfaith Vigil for Refugees on Sunday, November 13th at 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church. This community service is open to people of all faiths and traditions, as we gather to show our unified support for those around the globe forced to leave their homes due to war, persecution, or disaster. We will pray particularly for our refugee neighbors who live, work, and attend school in our communities.

The service, to be held in St. John’s at 9120 Frederick Rd. in Ellicott City, will include readings, prayers, music, and reflections from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Quaker faith traditions.* A light reception will follow in the adjoining All Saints Hall building immediately following the service, with the opportunity for refreshment and fellowship, and the chance to meet some of the refugee families in our area. We welcome all community members to this event, as united we pray for the plight of refugees around the world.



*Sponsored by St. John’s Episcopal Church, Columbia Jewish Congregation, Dar Al-Taqwa Mosque, Hindu American Seva Communities, Patapsco Friends Meeting (Quakers of Howard County), and Christ Episcopal Church.

SLYC Seeks Tutors for Its After-School Program for Youth in West Baltimore

Craving a hands-on opportunity to serve others yet searching for a way to prepare? Here’s an option: attend a remotely-held tutor’s training session and then use your new skills to brighten a child’s future. St. Luke’s Youth Center, which operates year-round as the nonprofit SLYC, wants tutors. Plan to commit to at least an hour a week between the hours of 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

The tutor training session, “Foundation for Success: Academic Intervention Program,” is free and will be held on Zoom on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 5 to 6 p.m. (see flier). Christ Church is among the partners with SLYC, along with other parishes and secular supporters. The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland reparations task force awarded a grant to SYLC and five other organizations earlier this year.

You, too, are partnering with SLYC in that Vestry-approved funds for Christ Church Outreach supported Camp Imagination, held during the summer as described in the July newsletter. The Outreach Commission contributed $500, and others at Christ Church made donations. We are also participating in a quilt raffle that runs through Dec. 4.

West Baltimore families are engaged in SLYC’s leadership and offerings, which include “Moms on a Mission” and the after-school program. We heard about how it was founded on faith from Executive Director Amanda Gardner Talbot. She spoke of her calling when delivering the sermon on Sunday, Aug. 7th during both services at Christ Church.

Parishioner Michon Semon, who serves as the SLYC liaison on the Outreach Commission, can tell you what it’s like to volunteer there. SLYC is located at 217 No. Carey St., Baltimore, MD 21223. At a recent Sunday Circle, Semon described how reading and math scores of children at SLYC have improved. Also, attendance figures in school are above the Baltimore City average.

Columbia Community Care Requests Diapers, Personal Care Items

At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue support of the all-volunteer organization, Columbia Community Care (CCC). Please look for updates, such as requests for volunteers on Saturday mornings, posted in the CCC Facebook Group or on the “I Can Help” portion of its website. For example, you’ll find a need for volunteers to take grocery items to one of the three distribution sites after pickup at the CCC pantry building, 10750 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia.

Please keep collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers. Put any of these in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. Drop off items on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sunday. The Christ Church point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bins and delivers their contents.

FISH Asks Our Prayers Along with Snacks and Cookies

Our representative from FISH of Howard County recently had surgery. Paul Wisniewski is recovering; please pray for his good health. Pickups have resumed from our yellow bin between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. Please continue donating cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill the shopping lists. Thanks for your contributions to our neighbors in need.

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.