Christ Church Outreach News: September 4, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 22 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting this Monday, September 8
Learn many ways to assist others in our community and around the world by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission's monthly meeting, taking place on Monday, September 8, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope, and always needs more hands and hearts to help. Email us for the Zoom details - outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org
Help Grassroots next Monday, September 8, by Providing Food for the Homeless
On the second Monday of each month, Christ Church serves a hot midday meal at the Day Resource Center (DRC) and drops off dinner for residents of the Grassroots Emergency Shelter. Both are operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center.
A team led by Outreach member Shahra Toth makes side dishes and desserts that we serve in person after car-pooling to the DRC in Jessup. To help on Monday, Sept. 8, please check our DRC online signup form, which describes the procedure. Drop-off time is 12:45 p.m. in the parking lot near Old Brick for DRC’s side dishes.
We last participated on Aug. 11, when we were blessed with four different family pairings: husband and wife, mother and daughter, and two mothers and sons. Summertime gave our team of volunteers greater flexibility in serving, preparing or dropping off dishes.
Each second Monday, the parishioners who cook or shop for the evening meal arrive in the Old Brick parking lot between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. Get details in our Grassroots online signup form. Grassroots handles serving that meal to shelter residents, who include numerous children. It’s efficient to provide for both venues on the same day, usually feeding a total of about 150 people. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried-chicken entrees. Thank you!
Save the Dates: Parishioners Will Speak about Service on Sept. 14, and a Grassroots Visitor Will Speak on Generosity on Sept. 21 during Sunday Circle
Here’s the chance to to hear directly from some of the people who volunteer on behalf of Christ Church. Several will speak about their motivation and personal experiences during Sunday Circle on Sept. 14 from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. in Old Brick or on Zoom. The theme is “Service.”
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 Sept. 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
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.
