Christ Church Outreach News: September 11, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Hear Parishioners Discuss Service during Sunday Circle this Sunday, and Welcome a Grassroots Visitor on the theme of Generosity next Sunday, Sept. 21
Here’s the chance to hear directly from some of the people who volunteer on behalf of Christ Church. This Sunday at 9:30 a.m., several parishioners will speak about their spiritual and practical motivations during Sunday Circle's presentation, entitled Service. You are welcome to gather in Old Brick or on Zoom (look for details in the weekend email).
They’ll describe personal experiences performing service that involves travel abroad as well as close to home. Internationally, the main topic will be Somos Amigos Medical Missions, which holds a quarterly clinic in a rural mountain village in the Dominican Republic. Discover why volunteers go the extra mile and return year after year.
The main topic locally will be the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, which members of Christ Church help in multiple ways. Many of you are familiar with the team that comes together on the second Monday of each month, when Christ Church serves a hot midday meal at Grassroots’ Day Resource Center (DRC) and drops off dinner for residents of Grassroots’ Emergency Shelter.
The following week, when the theme is Generosity, please join us in welcoming a visitor from Grassroots. Anna Katz, who is director of grants and support, will discuss Grassroots’ resources, which range from sheltering families to suicide prevention. She will update us on an ongoing expansion of homeless services, in collaboration with Howard County. Please join us on September 21 from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. in Old Brick or on Zoom.
As you respond to a call to help the less fortunate, keep in mind the scripture that underpins the mission of Christ Church Outreach: And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Matthew 25: 40
Free Bikes 4 Kidz Calls for Volunteers for a Move to Savage on Sept. 26 and To Donate Used Bikes at Howard County Fire Stations on Saturday, Oct. 4
Please help Free Bikes 4 Kidz Maryland (FB4K) get ready for its 2025 drive to gather, refurbish, and give away bikes to families who cannot afford to buy new ones. Many children will see their Christmas wishes come true after FB4K makes its holiday distribution. Find updates on its Facebook page.
The first opportunity to volunteer involves a moving day, transferring bikes and tools from one location to the next. On Friday, Sept. 26, FB4K calls for volunteers to help move bikes from a barn at 12985 MD Rt. 144, West Friendship, MD, to a warehouse at 8870 Greenwood Place in Savage, Md. Go online to offer your vehicle or sign up as a bike loader in West Friendship or a bike unloader in Savage.
The second opportunity involves FB4K’s annual collection day: Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Look in the garage, spread the word among friends and neighbors, and donate your used bikes at any Howard County fire station. And, after that, consider volunteering to help fix the child- or adult-sized bikes. Sign up online to help on collection day or later by refurbishing used bikes.
FB4K will give them away to local children in need and to nonprofit organizations. Since 2019, FB4K has given away about 12,000 bikes. Last year, it gave away more than 3,000, according to an article published June 16, 2025, in The Howard County Beacon.
Before that, FB4K honored requests by Christ Church. In 2023, an adult bike was given to an Afghan refugee family supported by our Interfaith Refugee Ministry. In 2022, another went to St. Luke’s Youth Center (SLYC) for a college-bound youth as described in the Outreach Blog of Sept. 22, 2022.
FISH and CCC Have Combined Pantries, and FISH Needs Phone Volunteers
Recently, FISH and Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered to provide food services for Howard County residents. The two organizations have merged their pantries. FISH will continue to pick up donated goods from Christ Church and others. CCC will continue making distributions at three sites on Saturday mornings and by home delivery. For information, go online to Get Help.
Please put non-perishable food and personal care products in the altar basket or in a bin just inside the Parish Hall. Look for a combo label “FISH/CCC”. Please keep bringing baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes.
FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents to provide guidance and financial support because the personal touch is very important when people are in crisis. You could be the one to lend a helping hand, by lending an ear!
Consider volunteering from home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email andydelong.fish@gmail.com. Thanks for your 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.
