Christ Church Outreach News: October 1, 2026
Join Us for a Bike Ride that Supports a Great Cause - October 2
Ride4Refuge Columbia is a community bike ride on Friday, October 2, 2026 (Rain Date: October 9), where neighbors, congregations, and Global Refuge supporters will come together to ride 10, 20, or 30 miles in support of the Baltimore Welcome Center. In honor of Global Refuge’s 87th anniversary, riders are working together to raise $87,000 to welcome immigrant and refugee families with compassion, dignity, and practical support.
WHERE IS IT?
The ride starts at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church - 6800 Oakland Mills Drive, Columbia, 21045. Sign-in starts at 9:30. This is an out-and-back ride, mostly on Columbia's safe and beautiful bike paths, though riders may choose shorter distances on the day of the ride. There will be a celebration and lunch at the end of the ride, back at the church.
HOW CAN I REGISTER?
Riders can register for the ride using the rider registration form link here. Please share this with your riding friends! All riders must wear a helmet, bring their own water bottles, and sign a waiver on the day of the ride. All riders are expected to fundraise toward the $87,000 goal and mobilize folks who aren't riding to donate to Global Refuge to support this effort.
YOU CAN CREATE YOUR OWN FUNDRAISING PAGE!
Riders may create their own fundraising page to invite their friends and family to help turn every mile into a meaningful welcome to new neighbors. If you'd prefer not to ride, we hope you'll consider donating to support this important work. The general fundraising page is here, and this YouTube video shows how to create your own. If you can’t ride with us on the day of the ride, we can provide you with the ride map and directions for you to ride any time from September 26 to October 9. Please register with the link above and use the comment/question box to let us know when you plan to ride so you can receive the cue sheet.
VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME, TOO!
If you are interested in volunteering the day of the ride, please use this link.
Enjoy an Outing at Topgolf, Baltimore on Nov. 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. to Benefit the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center
Pick up a golf club, have fun, and help mariners from around the world whose ships call at the Port of Baltimore on Friday, Nov. 6. The Baltimore International Seafarers' Center (BISC) will hold its annual golf event from 3 to 5 p.m. at Topgolf, Baltimore, 1411 Warner St., Baltimore, Md., 21230. Parking is in the nearby Horseshoe Casino garage.
Go here to see if you or your company would like to become a sponsor or to sign up as an individual player. For $100, a one-player ticket covers general admission, food, water, tea, soda, and one drink ticket.
Topgolf is a sports entertainment complex offering a high-tech golf game that everyone can enjoy. Players can experience the thrill of hitting golf balls at giant targets, with Toptracer technology tracking their drives for real-time feedback and scoring.
The outing is for a good cause. BISC provides spiritual care and hospitality to mariners working far from their homes and loved ones. You can get a feel for the ministry on the donation page of its Support Catalog, which lists services such as a month of Wifi and “snacks for one crew stuck on their ship.”
BISC is a program of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, supported by the Bishop’s Appeal.
It's Christmas at Sea for the Seafarers, and You Can Help
Please join us in supporting the International Seafarers' Center's annual Christmas at Sea program by donating items through November 8. WOCC representatives will deliver all collected goods in mid-November, and we will announce the exact delivery date once it is confirmed.
Donation bins marked "Seafarers" are ready to receive your contributions. The Center is especially in need of the following items:
Warm Clothing: Watch caps (warm hats) and scarves without fringe or other trim.
Comfort & Care: Hand warmers and cookies (homemade if close to the delivery date, or store-bought otherwise).
Souvenirs & Reading Materials: Flat Baltimore souvenirs like postcards, magnets, or stickers, along with 2027 calendars and magazines such as Sports Illustrated, National Geographic, and Smithsonian.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Carolann Sawyer or Cindy Read. And thank you for your generosity!
Free Bikes 4 Kidz Calls for Donations of Used Bikes at Howard County Fire Stations on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Please help Free Bikes 4 Kidz Maryland (FB4K) get ready for its 2026 drive to gather, refurbish, and give away bikes to families who cannot afford to buy new ones. Many children will see Christmas wishes come true after FB4K's holiday distribution. Find updates on its Facebook page.
Donate your used child- or adult-sized bikes during FB4K’s annual collection day: Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at any Howard County fire station. Spread the word among friends and neighbors. Go online to sign up to help on collection day as a bike unloader. After that, consider volunteering to help fix the bikes in time for the holidays.
This year Prologis, a supporting company, has provided warehouse space at 6680 Business Parkway, Elkridge, Md., where FB4K has already begun to refurbish about 2,200 used bikes that were collected earlier in the year. FB4K hopes to gather 1,000 more at firehouses on Oct. 3.
FB4K will give them away to local children in need by responding to applications from nonprofit organizations. Since 2019, FB4K has distributed 15,408 bikes. FB4K posted: “Help a child ride into a happier, healthier, more independent life!”
Please Fill the Altar Basket and Parish Hall Bin with Goods for FISH/CCC
Since 1976, FISH, an all-volunteer organization has aided tens of thousands of Howard County residents facing hard times. Delivery of food, staples and hygiene supplies are handled by Columbia Community Care (CCC), which merged pantries with FISH last year. CCC delivers food to Howard County residents and distributes it at three sites on Saturday mornings, except on holiday weekends. For information, go online to Get Help.
FISH picks up donated goods from Christ Church and others. Please put non-perishable food and personal care products in the altar baskets 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 support because the personal touch matters when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email andydelong.fish@gmail.com. You could 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!
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.
