Lenten Taizé Vespers Sunday at 6:00 p.m. in the New Brick Sanctuary Each Sunday evening, Christ Church offers a service of contemplative prayer and music in the tradition of the Taizé community of France. This community promotes peace and justice through prayer and meditation. Our Taizé Vespers service mirrors Taizé-style attention to silence, holy words, prayer, and singing, and offers a chance to meditate and reflect on God's love and presence in one's life, to offer prayer for oneself and others, and to share in a supportive community of fellow pilgrims on the way. Here is tonight's Lenten Taizé Vespers. The service leaflet is here.

Vespers is a liturgy of Evening Prayer that combines scripture readings, prayer, silent meditation, and rich music. Each Sunday evening, Christ Church offers a service of contemplative prayer and music in the tradition of the Taizé community of France. It offers this special service each Sunday evening during this Lenten season with the hope of offering different opportunities for prayer, music, and reflection. The founder of the Taizé community, Brother Roger, explains: "What we usually call 'worship' the Taizé community simply calls 'Prayer.' Taizé Prayer consists of 'short chants, repeated again and again, giving them a meditative character. Using just a few words, they express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, this reality gradually penetrates the whole being. Meditative singing thus becomes a way of listening to God." ​ This community promotes peace and justice through prayer and meditation. Our Taizé Vespers service mirrors Taizé-style attention to silence, holy words, prayer, and singing and offers a chance to meditate and reflect on God's love and presence in one's life, to offer prayer for oneself and others, and to share in a supportive community of fellow pilgrims on the way. SUNDAY, MARCH 23 Service leaflet link

Pentecost XX at Christ Church This Sunday, we continue our fall schedule: At 8 a.m. in Old Brick, we celebrate Holy Eucharist without music. Our Family Worship is at 9 a.m. in New Brick and focuses on engaging our younger church members, featuring a special sermon and a Communion gathering around the altar. We then have our Choral Eucharist at 10:30 in New Brick. Collect for Today: Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Isaiah 25:1-9 Psalm 23 Philippians 4:1-9 Matthew 22:1-14 Sermon for This Sunday: Father Manny will give today's sermon, and you can view it below once the service begins. Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins just before 10:30 a.m. The service leaflet for this worship is here.

With autumn in full swing, the days become shorter. This month, we reflect on the waning light and the seasons of transition in our lives that this may represent. As we accept the ever-changing nature of our lives, we also lean into God’s continual presence, guiding love, and light. Join us for times of teaching and sharing, spiritual direction, meditation, inspirational films, and Fr. Mike’s healing space for trauma, grief, and hope. The 2nd Saturday Center for Spiritual Nourishment (CSN) provides opportunities for us to be in closer relationship with God by offering an array of experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit. If you want to learn more about future Center for Spiritual Nourishment events, submit your email address below to receive regularly updated information (we will not share or sell your address to anyone). Whether you've joined us before or are a first-timer, we are sure that there's something special waiting for you here. Everyone is welcome, and we hope to see you there! Schedule of Events: 8:30 – 9:00: Breakfast and social time 9:00 - 9:10: Greeting; outlining the day's sessions 9:10 – 10:05: The Sacred Inbetween Film #1 : Miracles, episode 7 10:15 – 11:15: Christian Meditation/Contemplative Prayer The Swastika: The Corrupted Symbol Film #2 : Miracles, episode 8 11:20 - 12:00: Spiritual Nourishment Collective: Holding Space for Trauma, Grief, and Hope Join us on Saturday, October 10 as we offer: The Sacred Inbetween led by Toni Summerell Sometimes we are no longer who we were, but haven't yet become who we are going to be. Explore these spaces as places where God may be quietly working to help you become what may be hard to see. Spiritual Direction Circle led by Carol Abbott Riffing on a poem that reflects this month’s theme of transitions, we’ll share how our spirits are nudging us through this season of change in our lives. Film Session #1: Miracle · episode seven led by George Toth Prayer Expresses Our Faith, and Blessing is His Response. Desperately wanting children, a newly wed couple find that physical conditions will not permit conception. Seeking IVF seems the only avenue, but expense seems daunting at best. Having a strong faith, the couple place their faith into operation in devout, committed prayer to the God of Miracles. Can the story of Sarah happen again? Watch and learn how prayer expresses our faith in a God of Life, and He in turn blesses our faith with a fruitful miracle which glorifies His intimate involvement in building His Kingdom through the lives we share. Christian Meditation and Contemplative Prayer led by Leah Chrest Sometimes during periods of transition we hold onto what is in the past and resist change. This resistance prevents us from fully embracing what God has right in front of us. Through a reflection on the first couple chapters of the book of Daniel, group discussion, and, of course, extended time in silent prayer, we will explore the areas where we are resisting change and closing doors to what is possible. Film Session #2: Miracle · episode eight led by George Toth Do We Really Look for the Resurrection? A man steers his life toward the lure and pursuit of worldly success and wealth. Focused on self he seems a success story to society. He has a family, home, wealth and is living comfortably. Eventually things go stale and he has an affair seeking to find something he feels is missing. Then one day he suffers a severe cardiac event and dies in spite of all the efforts of emergency workers. Readied for transport to the morgue, the skilled cardiac surgeon intent on meeting his scheduled surgery, feels an intervening call from God to do something he has never done before. Sacrificing his scheduled appointment, he goes to the ER and prays over the body of a dead man, cyanotic and discolored, feeling words well into his mouth from the Holy Spirit. Telling the attending nurse to shock the body one more time, she reluctantly does. You can guess what happens, but come and watch the truly amazing life changing consequence of prayer and work of God in making himself known to all of us. Spiritual Nourishment Collective: Holding Space for Trauma, Grief, and Hope led by Fr. Mike Life’s heaviest seasons can leave our spirits feeling empty and worn. If you are navigating loss, processing trauma, or simply searching for a flicker of light, we invite you to join us. This workshop offers a gentle, non-judgmental sanctuary to rest, receive soul-care, and quietly tend to your heart in the company of others who understand. You do not have to carry it all alone. Our October session will focus on what it looks like to try to move from grief to hope by exploring the promise of compassion. The session will include a brief presentation, discussion, storytelling, and a creative exercise. The Swastika: The Corrupted Symbol led by Fr. Manny It has been used for thousands of years since the Vedic times, in the Indus Valley civilizations, in ancient Troy and by Native Americans. Sanskrit defines the Swastika as “That which brings good luck and well-being.” Our conversation will center around the ancient meaning of the symbol. Have Questions? Wish to Help Lead Future CSN Sessions? #nourishyourspirit #SpiritualNourishment #allarewelcome #RefreshYourSpirit #divinelove #hocomd #episcomd #columbiamd #columbiamaryland

A couple of years ago, I took my first sabbatical after many years in ministry. It was such a powerful experience for me. I got the chance to rest, read, travel, and experience different corners of the world. I visited Christianity’s historical path, and that journey took me to Zurich and Geneva. The morning after I arrived in Geneva, I went for a walk and grabbed breakfast. The moment I stepped out of the hotel, a sweet, beautiful smell enveloped me. I couldn’t believe the aroma that was surrounding me. I was so heavenly surprised that when I walked into a shop, I couldn’t help but share my thoughts with the shopkeeper. I then asked him this silly question: “Do they intentionally spray some perfume in the city every morning? This place smells so, so good. What makes this place so pleasantly good? The fact is, when we can distinguish the pleasantness of a smell, we are automatically alerted that a particular smell isn’t like what we are used to. We notice a difference. One of our acts of worship to our own bodies as the temple of God is to treat it right, to make sure that we smell good by using sweet-smelling shower gels, deodorants, perfume, and cologne. In fact, some of us have different perfumes and colognes for different occasions and days. The point is to carry that sweet aroma with us, one that fills every space with what we wear. The smell of Christ is like a perfume or cologne you wear. The smell is a personality that you embody. Unlike expensive cologne or perfume you wear, you don't have to talk about this smell or speak about it; it is easily noticeable because it is our lived experience. In the gospels, Mark, Luke, and John tell stories about women who poured expensive perfume on Jesus. In the Mark story, Jesus was in the house of Simon the Leper; a woman came with a jar of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ head. In the Lukan story, a woman who had a reputation of being a sinner heard that Jesus was in the home of a Pharisee; she went to the house uninvited, wet Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiped his feet with her hair, and poured perfume on them. John’s gospel names the woman: Mary. She also poured perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. The similarity is the woman's faithful act of pouring perfume on Jesus. The striking difference is that the Lukan story identifies the woman as a sinner. Her reputation was one of being a local sinner. But whatever her station in life was, she was inspired to defy the sinner she was. This was a woman who had her salvation to gain and material stuff (perfume) to lose. She could taste her own redemption, and if it cost her a jar of sweet, scented perfume, so be it. For her, there was more to gain than the perfume she lost. It is interesting that the Pharisees who observed this act of defiance were quick to castigate Jesus for allowing the sinful woman to touch him. But Jesus didn’t buy into their diatribe; he told them a parable that supported the woman's act of defiance. She, who carried as much sin, deserves as much forgiveness as those who thought that they carried less. Jesus seems to say that those who recognize the enormity of their sins and make a conscious effort toward redemption have greater value than those who think they have none. From the story of the three women, I am inclined to believe that what we give, sweet-scented costly perfume or our treasure, talent, and time, may not always return in the exact same way. But I have no doubt that what we give is always who we are; what we give the world is our character. As someone rightly said, only our character can go to heaven. And so, when Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:15, “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing,” Paul is essentially hitting home the importance of the gift of sweet aroma, which we may possess and which must be pleasing to those who are being saved and those who are perishing. The smell of Christ we carry should be pleasing, inviting, enticing, and captivating. It should be the kind of smell that rescues people from life's abyss because they can sense something more pleasing. It should be that kind of smell that leads people to the redemption that they seek. It should be that kind of smell that inspires people to follow us to the very place where we were showered with that sweet smell. Jimmy Osborne has this beautiful poem: Take Me To Church (maybe church isn’t always a building): Take me to church, And I don’t mean a cathedral. Or a place with a steeple Surrounded by people Take me to church, But away from the pews Away from the preachers And away from the news Take me to church, Where the green grasses grow Where the rabbits run free By the rivers that flow. In a place where the birds sing But there’s no church bell to ring Just a beautiful chorus To meet the morning. Yes, church isn’t always a building, but I have come to appreciate the sacred sanctuary of a church as the place where the sweet fragrance of the smell of Christ is always present and impactful. It is the place where Mary can pour her perfume on Christ, the sinful woman can pour her perfume on Christ, and the unnamed woman can also pour her perfume on Christ and still receive more than the perfume that they lost. Believe me, the sacred sanctuary is the one place where we can focus on improving and not proving. For if we focus on improving, we assure each other of the presence of the sweet smell of Christ, which is always available and never wears out on any of us. I invite you to come wear that sweet fragrance of Christ. Blessings, Manny+

Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting on Monday, Oct. 12 Learn many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, Oct. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope. Look for our Monday This Week on Zoom email, and join us. We hope to see you help make a difference in others' lives! Help Feed the Homeless on Monday, Oct. 12 as Our Meal Team Continues to Provide Meals at Two Grassroots’ Venues On the second Monday of each month, Christ Church serves a hot midday meal at the Day Resource Center (DRC) in Jessup and supplies the menu for an evening meal at the emergency shelter in Columbia. Both are operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. We last participated on Sept. 14 (see photo). A team led by Outreach member Shahra Toth serves the midday meal in person. Please check our DRC online signup form, which describes the procedure. To help on Monday, Oct. 12, bring your side dishes or items for the DRC pantry to the Parish Hall no later than 12:45 p.m. The group of servers will carpool to the Leola Dorsey Center, departing the Old Brick parking lot at 1 p.m. To bring food for the shelter’s evening meal, check our Grassroots online signup form. Side dishes should be marked and placed in the Parish Hall kitchen by 12:45 p.m. or handed directly to the carpool. Please note the change in time. It’s efficient to provide for both venues on the same day, in total feeding more than 150 people. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried-chicken entrees. Thank you! Our support of Grassroots is for a worthy cause, in multiple ways. Recently the Dorsey Center, which partners with Grassroots by housing the DRC, won national honors. Grassroots posted last week on its Facebook page that the National Association of Counties Achievement Award recognized Dorsey’s wraparound services. The diners who come for delicious meals also gain paths to greater stability. Grassroots also is being honored this week as Dr. Mariana Izraelson, executive director, receives a 2026 Hispanic Leadership Award from The Daily Record. CBSNews Baltimore posted an Oct. 2 article, “Honoring a Hispanic Leader Helping Communities in Crisis in Howard County,” that includes a video showing Grassroots in action. 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! Free Bikes 4 Kidz Collects 200 Used Bikes at Fire Stations, Offers Four Dropoff Spots If You Missed the Donation Day Free Bikes 4 Kidz Maryland (FB4K) says thanks to all who brought their child- or adult-sized bikes to Howard County fire stations on Oct. 3 so volunteers can get ready to refurbish and give them away before Christmas. In a post on its Facebook page, FB4K offered four dropoff spots for those who missed the county-wide collection. They include two private residences, a shed at the county landfill, and a warehouse. Go to: 5178 Downwest Ride, Columbia, 111 Starhill Lane, Catonsville, Alpha Ridge Residents’ Convenience Center, 2350 Marriottsville Rd., Marriottsville (Look for the reusable bike shed and attach a note marked FB4K), and 6680 Business Parkway in Elkridge (lock the bikes to the railing on the right side of the warehouse using the locks provided). 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! 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. 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.

After a well-deserved summer break, Christ Church's popular First Wednesday fellowship series resumes tonight! Join us to share a meal with fellow parishioners, meet new ones, and enjoy a fun activity or two. It's the perfect way to connect and spend a few hours with friends, both old and new - and have someone else do most of the cooking! The first FWF of this season, on Wednesday, October 7, will feature a Chili Cook-Off to welcome back the program year. The church will provide salad, chips, and cornbread for the competition, and you can bring your favorite chili recipe to share. The winner earns bragging rights for the entire year! Donations to help cover costs are always appreciated (write "FWF" in the memo line), but the most important part is having you there, so we hope to see you at 6:00 tonight!

WOCC Has the October Meeting at Famous Dave's - October 5 Please join us for the WOCC October meeting, dinner, and fellowship tonight. We will gather at 6:30 p.m. at Famous Dave's Barbeque, conveniently located in Columbia Crossing near Target. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a great meal and connect with others in our community. We look forward to seeing you there for a wonderful time together!

Pentecost XIX at Christ Church This Sunday, we continue our fall schedule: At 8 a.m. in Old Brick, we celebrate Holy Eucharist without music. Our Family Worship is at 9 a.m. in New Brick and focuses on engaging our younger church members, featuring a special sermon and a Communion gathering around the altar. We then have our Choral Eucharist at 10:30 in New Brick. Collect for Today: Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:7-14 Philippians 3:4b-14 Matthew 21:33-46 Sermon for This Sunday: Father Manny will give today's sermon, and you can view it below once the service begins. You can also read his sermon's text here. Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins just before 10:30 a.m. The service leaflet for this worship is here.

This weekend, our church celebrates the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology and animals, and during this first weekend in October, we will have the Blessing of the Animals - and we mean ALL animals! On Saturday, October 3rd at 5 p.m., we invite you to gather in front of Old Brick with your beloved pets - dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, and all other furry, scaly, or slinky creatures - or a picture of your pet, if you prefer. We will read from the story of creation and offer individual blessings for each of our beautiful pets. Then at 9 a.m. Family Worship on Sunday morning, October 4th, we will have The Blessing of the Plushies, so this is your chance to bring your favorite stuffed friend with you to church, and they can be blessed, too!

“Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 As I chose this scripture theme to share with you today, I remembered a road trip my family took many years ago. We traveled by car across the country to visit relatives along the way. When we reached California, our cousin joined us, and we drove to San Francisco. There, we sat at the top of a hill named Lombard Street, known at the time as the ‘crookedest street.’ We were in awe to be there. As we drove down the hill the first time, the amazement was overwhelming. For those who were afraid or nervous, they couldn’t wait to get to the bottom of the hill. The family had different views as we stood at the top of the hill, gazing. Some were afraid to walk down, others were excited to walk down, and I recall one person wanted to run down the hill. We had to encourage each other when we began the walk down the hill. There were some who ran downhill, others took a slow stroll, and others stopped to admire the views along the way. No matter how we chose to descend the hill, we encouraged each other to complete the task. Throughout life, we will encounter curves and obstacles that can overwhelm us. As we encounter these obstacles, we have to learn to support one another. Encouragement can take many forms. In this scripture, it is a word in action. The Greek New Testament word for comfort literally means “to come alongside and provide assistance or support.” Encourage means to inspire with courage, love, or hope. We must take responsibility for caring for one another. The people around us are gifts. Gifts of encouragement. Gifts to hold us accountable. What are we encouraging each other in? The gospel truth. By encouraging each other in gospel truth, we are reminding one another that Jesus took our place. Encouragement grows us and those around us, and it challenges us to be faithful. We all go through times when we’re discouraged and need encouragement. When we are going through a difficult time, we encourage one another. How often has this happened for you? When has someone come alongside and given you a word of encouragement to urge you on? This is important to build each other. Think of a building being built. Brick by brick, the building gets stronger; it’s being prepared for someone to come and live in it. We lay bricks in the lives of others by helping them grow spiritually, and we become stronger and stronger. What's the opposite of building someone up? Our words can build up, or our words can tear down. Scripture tells us to build people up, and I love the line “as indeed you are doing.” We must keep doing it. And doing it, and doing it — don't stop. Keep strengthening one another, keep coming alongside one another and building each other up. Don't stop until Christ returns. We have to come alongside each other and build up with the Gospel truth. God goes with us wherever we go. When we see a need in someone's life, let us not dismiss it and think someone else will do it. As a family of brothers and sisters in Christ, we continue infusing confidence and encouraging one another to continue living the life we have been called to. Have you spoken words of encouragement to someone today? Let us think of ways to encourage one another, to show acts of love, and to do good works. I pray we encourage one another and support one another in Jesus’ name. Amen. Blessings, Rev. Natalie+ revnatalie@christchurchcolumbia.org