Christ Church Outreach News: September 25, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- Sep 25
- 5 min read
Walk or Give to Support ‘Brady Johnson’s Team’ in the Howard County Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Centennial Park
You can help raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research by participating in the local Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Sept. 27. Parishioner Barbara Scott Johnson asks your support for Brady Johnson’s Team (ID#988430) in memory of her late husband during what will be her eighth walk for the Alzheimer’s Association. She is being helped by her daughter-in-law, Amanda Crump Butler.
“Thanks again for your support and the help you have given us in continuing to mark Brady’s legacy and journey with Alzheimer’s, and the quest in finding a cure,” they say in asking for participation or monetary support. Barbara's page is here, where you can read her message, donate to her team, or even join her team on the walk! You can also donate by mailing a check to Alzheimer’s Association, 502 Washington Ave., Suite 300, Towson, MD 21203. Please mark on the ATTN line: Howard County Walk Team 988430.
The walk will be held at Centennial Park, 10000 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, Md., 21042. Registration is at 9 a.m., a ceremony takes place at 10 a.m., and the walk starts at 10:30 a.m. The course begins in the Centennial Park South Area and goes around the lake, about 2 miles. A shorter route of about a mile is also available.
Everyone must register, receive a wristband, and check in to enter the walk area. Families can sign up their children by choosing “register another person” on the online form. To pick up wristbands early, go to Centennial on Friday, Sept. 26, noon to 2 p.m.
Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease and other dementias. The organization reports that over 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and more than 12 million are their unpaid caregivers. The disease kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancers combined.
Christ Church Helps Fund a Physical Therapist at CCD-Thailand
To help children with disabilities live more fulfilling lives, Christ Church has long supported CCD-Thailand. The non-profit organization, Christian Care Foundation for Children with Disabilities, relies on a community-based model that aims to reduce institutionalization. Recently, the Outreach Commission approved a donation of $2,500 to CCD to be used toward the salary of a physical therapist.
In an email on Aug. 28, CCD Founder and Executive Director Wasan Saenwian expressed gratitude: “I would like to thank Christ Church very much.” He said funds would be used toward a physical therapist’s salary at CCD’s Rainbow Rehabilitation Centre. Rainbow is the largest of several settings in which CCD serves more than a hundred children and disabled young people. One is an early childhood development center called New Hope. Another is a group home that provides independent living for up to 10 young men, who cook together and perform assigned chores. Parishioners can find facts about CCD in the organization’s 2024 annual report or learn more in CCD’s portion of the Outreach menu on the church website.
Saenwian regularly communicates with Christ Church through Outreach member Michon Semon, who has personal connections with CCD from her work for the organization in Thailand and elsewhere. He and other leaders share updates and images of physical therapists at work. They enable children and young people to improve mobility (see photos).
Funds are derived from parishioner donations to Outreach and the Vestry-approved budget. Thank you so much for the youth and their families in Thailand whose lives are brighter because of your generosity. This aligns with the mission of the Outreach Commission to support organizations – local, national, and international – that enhance the lives of people in need.
LEMS October Update
School is underway and LEMS is a stimulating and fun educational environment for our neighborhood children. Christ Episcopal has a partnership with LEMS and our role is to support the teachers, staff and families so that the students can be successful in school.
Kindness Pantry
One way that we can do that is to be sure that families have enough healthy food to eat. This year on the 3 rd Wednesday of each month from 2:30 to 4:30 the Roving Radish is delivering boxes of nutritious food that family members can take home. Volunteers from Christ Episcopal Church are needed to help distribute those boxes. In addition, the staff have asked that we bring specific food and household items for their Kindness Pantry. These items will be given out by staff at their discretion when they see a family in need. You can help in two ways:
Come to LEMS on Wednesday, October 15 between 2:30 and 4:30 and help distribute food boxes.
Sign up for some of the items on the SignUp Genius link and put them in the blue LEMS box in the narthex of New Brick by Sunday, October 12, so we can take them to the school. You have a choice: pasta sauce, spaghetti, fruit, dish soap, trash bags, or cooking oil.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
We also have a special invitation to be part of a dinner for families celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month on Tuesday, October 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the cafeteria. Christ Episcopal Church will be supplying beverages and all are welcome. Get to know some of the Latino families whose children attend LEMS.
Coming Soon – Tutoring and Mentoring Opportunities
LEMS is looking for volunteers to tutor children in math or reading or to just hang out with the
students and be a friendly face during the lunch periods. More on that soon!
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.
