Christ Church Outreach News: October 13, 2022
Outreach Continues the Quilt Raffle to Benefit SLYC at the Annual Meeting
You can buy raffle tickets at the Christ Church annual meeting to continue our support of St. Luke’s Youth Center, which operates year-round as the nonprofit SLYC. We helped launch the raffle in August when SLYC leaders visited and displayed the quilt. It was handcrafted by parishioner Nancy Winchester, who designed a queen-size quilt and separate pillow cover in a fall theme.
Please buy tickets (1 for $5, 5 for $10, and 10 for $25) either before or after the annual meeting this Sunday, October 16th. They will be on sale from Outreach members at Christ Church that day and during later opportunities through December 4th. The raffle drawing is on December 10th.
Future stops for Nancy’s quilt will involve some of the area congregations that support SLYC, which is the former St. Luke’s Episcopal parish. The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland is among the partners, and its reparations task force awarded a grant to SYLC and five other organizations.
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.
West Baltimore families participate in SLYC’s leadership and offerings, which include “Moms on a Mission,” Camp Imagination, and an 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, August 7th during both services at Christ Church.
On Sunday, October 9th, we heard more about SLYC from parishioner Michon Semon, who is the Outreach member who serves as its liaison. Semon was among several parishioners who spoke during a panel discussion during Sunday Circle. It was part of October’s stewardship series, this one entitled: “Stewardship of Others: How We Love Our Neighbors.”
In her remarks, Semon told about being inspired to become involved with the West Baltimore collaborative non-profit by its founder, The Very Reverend Van H. Gardner. He had retired as Dean of the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Baltimore. SLYC makes his words available to all by providing a link to a podcast of some of his sermons.
Talbot is his daughter, who was moved to carry out his mission after his death. Results among the children at SLYC are impressive. Semon described how their reading and math scores have improved at the same time their attendance figures in school are above the Baltimore City average.
Registration Begins this Sunday for the January 2023 DreamBuilders Trip to Puerto Rico!
Our mission trips to San Juan in 2019 and 2022 were so successful and rewarding that we are heading back for a third trip to repair homes damaged by Hurricane Maria. Hurricane Maria, a category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 155 mph, devastated Puerto Rico in September 2017. FEMA estimated that 53% of all structures on the island were significantly damaged. Now, 5 years later, thousands of families in Puerto Rican are still living in damaged homes or crowded in with family members waiting for the day when their home can be made livable again. We are delighted to work with the SBP Puerto Rico team, who share their professional skills with friendship and fun.
We have reserved great housing in apartments a few blocks from the beach and near restaurants and shops. The average temperature in Puerto Rico in January is between 80-83 degrees. We will be opening registration for this trip soon, but we are limited to only 20 people, so visit the DreamBuilders website - www.dreambuildersmd.org - for more information.
Join Us for an Interfaith Vigil for Refugees - 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 historic church at 9120 Frederick Rd. in Ellicott City, will include readings, prayers, music, and reflections from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, 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, Patapsco Friends Meeting (Quakers of Howard County), and Christ Episcopal Church.
Donate Diapers, Baby Care Items to Columbia Community Care
Starting this fall, Leigh Smith has become our representative and takes parishioners’ donated items to Columbia Community Care (CCC), so that they can be distributed on Saturdays or stored until needed for home deliveries. Information about distribution sites, home deliveries, and how to volunteer in multiple ways can be found on the CCC Group on Facebook.
At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue supporting the primarily volunteer organization. Please collect diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sunday.
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.
