Christ Church Outreach News: October 15, 2026
Christ Church Donates to Episcopal Relief & Development in the Aftermath of Hurricane Isaias
Hurricane Isaias made landfall on Oct. 9 in the Florida Panhandle as a Category 2 hurricane. The storm unleashed several tornadoes and drenching rain in Alabama and farther north. Thousands of residents were coping with severe destruction, as described in an Oct. 10 NBC News report.
In response, Outreach Commission members approved a $600 contribution to Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD). Thanks to parishioners’ pledges and contributions to Christ Church, Outreach can draw upon Vestry-approved funds each year for disaster aid. The donations are in keeping with our mission to help those in need – locally, nationally, and internationally.
ERD is partnering with the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast to aid those affected by Hurricane Isaias. In an Oct. 14 statement, ERD said support includes a mobile feeding ministry, emergency sheltering, and cash and voucher assistance to households with urgent needs.
Please join in praying for those harmed by natural disasters. One helpful resource is the prayer hub provided by ERD, which offers people seeking comfort and hope an online guide. There you’ll find prayers in a time of a disaster, hurricane season prayers and prayers amid crisis.
Humanitarian Aid Goes to Victims of Famine in South Sudan
The World Food Programme (WFP) has declared an emergency in South Sudan, where 7.8 million people experience high levels of hunger. More than 2.2 million children under 5 are severely malnourished. WFP collaborates with partners to ensure life-saving nutrition reaches the most remote, crisis-affected areas.
To help meet these needs, members of the Outreach Commission at its October meeting voted to contribute $400 to WFP through World Food Program USA. The emergency is due to armed conflict between warring groups in neighboring Sudan as well as climate factors. Drought has damaged crops and reduced water availability.
These are Vestry-approved funds derived from your pledges and contributions. Heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who makes this humanitarian aid possible.
Save on Coffee: Buy DreamBuilders Goods On Sunday at the Annual Meeting
Look for coffee and tea being sold to benefit DreamBuilders during the potluck at the annual meeting on Sunday, Oct. 17. The fair-trade coffees will be half-price to clear the way for renewed inventory in the fall. There’s a limited selection of teas. It’s for a good cause as teams prepare to travel to rebuild after disasters. In June, a teen from the Christ Church Youth Group helped build homes in flood-damaged Hazard, Ky.
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!
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.
