Christ Church Donates to UNICEF to Aid Victims of Nepal Flood Disaster The collapse of a Himalayan glacier on Aug. 26 caused flash flooding in steep river valleys between Nepal and Tibet, killing more than 1,000 people and leaving 4,000 missing. Rescuers now face the threat of more flooding and vast mudslides as they search for survivors in tunnels, according to a Sept. 2 report by NPR. UNICEF has mobilized aid to those displaced by the utter devastation. In an online post updated on Aug. 31, UNICEF estimated that more than 17,000 children in Nepal are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. It has been working in Nepal since 1964 and is partnering with the government to be most effective. In response, Outreach Commission members approved a $500 contribution to UNICEF. 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. Please join in praying for those harmed by natural disasters. At times like these, one helpful resource for parishioners is the prayer hub provided by Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD), which offers an online guide to people seeking comfort and hope. There you’ll find prayers in a time of a disaster and prayers amid crisis. What a Haul! Kudos to Everyone Who Brought Natural-fiber Clothing to Help Visually Impaired People and their Families in Nigeria Christ Church successfully completed its clothing drive for the Living Above Limitation Charity Foundation (LALCF), which sends lightweight, natural-fiber garments to visually impaired people in Nigeria. Their disabled residents and their families face greater barriers than the general population and may not be able to afford sufficient clothing. Outreach Commission member Sonni Aribiah led the drive. With the help of Sexton John Sencherey, he loaded bags and bags of clothing on deadline day, Aug. 30 (see photos). Next stop was Laurel, Md., where LALCF founder Dr. Liz Trimnell was effusive in her praise of Christ Church for the quality and quantity of our collection. Next steps will involve her shipping the clothes by ocean freighter, with the goal of their arrival in Calabar, Nigeria, before Christmas, which is Sonni’s hometown. She founded the charity to provide Braille classes, vocational training, white canes, and similar aids to the blind. Read about how LALCF helps visually impaired residents, their spouses, and children on its Facebook page. ‘Birdies for Bridges’ Golf Tournament to be Held on Friday, Sept. 25 It’s not too early to hit the practice greens. Bridges to Housing Stability will hold its annual Sheehy Toyota Birdies for Bridges Golf Tournament on Friday, Sept. 25, at The Timbers of Troy, 6100 Marshalee Dr., Elkridge, MD. Participants will help Bridges achieve its mission – advocating for affordable housing and helping individuals and families who struggle to keep a roof over their heads. The tournament begins with a light breakfast, a shotgun start at 9 a.m., and a full day of golf, food, and awards. Check-in opens at 7:30 a.m. The cost for a single golfer is $200, or $800 for a foursome, which covers greens fees, unlimited range balls, food, and beverages. The event is for a worthy cause. All proceeds from Birdies for Bridges will benefit Bridges and its work to provide a path to self-sufficiency to prevent and end homelessness through affordable housing solutions and advocacy in Howard County. Christ Church has supported Bridges in various ways since 2019, most recently last fall, when a group of volunteers spent several workdays refurbishing a Columbia townhouse. Known as Guilford House, it is the residence of several returning citizens who have gotten their lives on track after incarceration. Bridges operates this transitional housing in partnership with the Howard County Department of Corrections. Read about improvements – made indoors and out – by a team led by Vestry and Outreach member George Toth in the Outreach Blog of Dec.18, 2025. “The transformation is night and day!” said Sarah Hicks, Affordable Housing Program Manager at Bridges. Columbia Community Care Takes a Break on Labor Day Weekend, as It Plans to Deep Clean its Shared Pantry with FISH to Prepare for Fall FISH and Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered last year and merged pantries. CCC provides home-delivered food to Howard County residents and at three sites on Saturday mornings, except on holiday weekends. Therefore, all sites will be closed for the Labor Day weekend on Saturday, Sept. 5. CCC’s shared pantry with FISH, located at 8775 Cloudleap Ct., in the Long Reach Shopping Center, will also close for grocery deliveries on Friday, Sept. 4, as volunteers perform housekeeping. “We are going to deep clean and reorganize the pantry that day,” said CCC Pantry Manager April Lee. For updates, visit the CCC Facebook page. FISH continues to pick up donated goods from Christ Church and others. 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 bring baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes. FISH continues to provide telephone support to Howard County residents, offering guidance and financial assistance because the personal touch is very important when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email andydelong.fish@gmail.com. You could be the one to lend a helping hand by lending an ear! As a phone volunteer, you can help from home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from FISH's financial assistance. 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.

Ride4Refuge Columbia is a community bike ride on Friday, October 2, 2026 (Rain Date October 9), where neighbors, congregations, and Global Refuge supporters will come together to ride 10, 20, or 30 miles in support of the Baltimore Welcome Center. In honor of Global Refuge’s 87th anniversary, riders are working together to raise $87,000 to welcome immigrant and refugee families with compassion, dignity, and practical support. WHERE IS IT? The ride starts at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church - 6800 Oakland Mills Drive, Columbia, 21045. Sign-in starts at 9:30. This is an out-and-back ride, mostly on Columbia's safe and beautiful bike paths, though riders may choose shorter distances on the day of the ride. There will be a celebration and lunch at the end of the ride, back at the church. HOW CAN I REGISTER? Riders can register for the ride using the rider registration form link here. Please share this with your riding friends! All riders must wear a helmet, bring their own water bottles, and sign a waiver on the day of the ride. All riders are expected to fundraise toward the $87,000 goal and mobilize folks who aren't riding to donate to Global Refuge to support this effort. YOU CAN CREATE YOUR OWN FUNDRAISING PAGE! Riders may create their own fundraising page to invite their friends and family to help turn every mile into a meaningful welcome to new neighbors. If you'd prefer not to ride, we hope you'll consider donating to support this important work. The general fundraising page is here, and this YouTube video shows how to create your own. If you can’t ride with us on the day of the ride, we can provide you with the ride map and directions for you to ride any time from September 26 to October 9. Please register with the link above and use the comment/question box to let us know when you plan to ride so you can receive the cue sheet. VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME, TOO! If you are interested in volunteering the day of the ride, please use this link.

As summer gives way to autumn, we rest and reflect on the growth from the summer as well as lean into who we are becoming in this new season. Join us for the return of the Sound Bath, Fr. Mike’s inaugural healing space for trauma, grief, and hope, spiritual direction, inspirational films, and inspiring teaching. 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: Rhythms of Grace Spiritual Direction Circle Film #1 : Miracles, episode 5 10:15 – 11:15: Sound Bath Film #2 : Miracles, episode 6 11:20 - 12:00: Spiritual Nourishment Collective: Holding Space for Trauma, Grief, and Hope Join us on Saturday, September 12 as we offer: Rhythms of Grace led by Leah Chrest As we enter into fall, we consider the rhythms in our lives. What are the annual and daily rhythms that we already have in place that nurture our well-being and growth and what are those that we want to embrace? Begin this academic year with a bit of teaching, reflection, and sharing on the rhythms of grace and finding God’s presence in our lives. Spiritual Direction Circle led by Carol Abbott Using the month’s theme of maturing in faith, poetry, scripture, and your lived experiences, join with others to listen for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Film Session #1: Miracle · episode five led by George Toth Where We Place Our Hope Matters Chris Gunderson endured a lifetime of feeding tubes and failed diagnoses and attempts at cures beginning immediately at his birth. After numerous attempts to better his condition, at the age of sixteen Chris receives a heartfelt prayer for healing which immediately cures his condition and allows him to eat normally for the first time in his life. Still left with feeding tube ports, a second healing prayer allows the infected ports to close and heal within the day. Chris receives the gift of a illness-free life. His gratitude encourages him to somehow repay the gift, and becoming a nurse he offers healing to some of his patients accepting of his offer. Numerous people not only learn of his life path, but his inspiring story continues changing others’ lives to seek healing and relationships with Christ to this very day. Sound Bath led by Tiffani Peguese Join us for a deeply restorative Sound Bath and Guided Meditation. Immerse yourself in the healing vibrations of crystal singing bowls, chimes, and the gentle sounds of ocean drums as soothing sound waves wash over your body, melting away tension and stress. A warm, guided meditation will lead you through a journey of gratitude, self-compassion, and inner peace. Come as you are, breathe deeply, and allow this shared space to hold and restore you.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Please consider bringing a yoga mat/blanket and pillow to enhance your experience. Film Session #2: Miracle · episode six led by George Toth The Faithful also Struggle and Need His Help Micah Nicols, a rock-and-roll worship leader whose ministry spanned nations and continents comes down with an illness which is destroys his life, his relationship with his wife, his ability to play music, and his ability to think. Despite all the attempts of modern medicine to diagnose and cure him, all attempts fail and continues to deteriorate. A mysterious, chance phone call proclaims the spiritual forces afflicting Micah are the cause of his despair. A prayer over the phone sparks the start of a healing wave which restores his life and his faith. His new found health included the power to heal others all in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. His healing was only the first of countless other miracles which continue to abound in their lives. 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. Have Questions? Wish to Help Lead Future CSN Sessions? #nourishyourspirit #SpiritualNourishment #allarewelcome #RefreshYourSpirit #divinelove #hocomd #episcomd #columbiamd #columbiamaryland

Pentecost XIV at Christ Church ONE SERVICE AT A SPECIAL TIME 10:00 Eucharist with Music in New Brick Collect for Today: Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Jeremiah 15:15-21 Psalm 26:1-8 Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16:21-28 Sermon for This Sunday: The Rev. Yehinuel Odidi gives today's sermon, and you can view it below once the service has begun. 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.

We are praying for all those affected by the devastating flash floods in Nepal and Tibet. We pray for those who are grieving, and for those who are still waiting for news of their missing loved ones. We pray for the emergency workers in the region, operating in immensely difficult conditions to rescue people and bring relief. We also pray for those who are injured, and for the doctors and nurses working tirelessly to bring healing and rebuild lives. Into the hands of our loving God, and in the name of Jesus Christ, we place all those who watch, wait and weep. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. AMEN

I don’t remember when I first heard the word Metaphor, but I am sure it was during an English Literature class in high school. It was a new word. It was also a big word. And I always wondered what it meant. It was a strange word; I am very sure the teacher explained what it meant, but I am very certain that its strangeness was enough to confuse me. Over time, I came to find an attraction for the word - which should remind you that sometimes it takes a moment for an attraction to grow. The more I came to like the world, the more I realized how metaphors help us articulate our deepest longings. Truth is, there are times when what we say may not even be words but a transforming action that reflects the inadequacy and insufficiency of words. These acts remind us that words may not always be enough to capture what is hidden in our hearts and minds. This past Sunday, right after worship, one of our parishioners who is very instrumental in the Refugee Ministry, Steve Alpern, approached me and, with such deep joy and excitement, shared with me the good news that he and his wife Linda have decided to welcome a Refugee into their home to live with them. I couldn’t believe it. Not that it was unfathomable or impossible, but it takes a lot of introspection fueled by compassion to readjust your life to accommodate a stranger in your home. I was shocked and lost for words. But within my own surprise was this great sense of humble appreciation. It dawned on me that that act alone represents another version of a metaphorical language. The act by itself tells of something a little deeper than what the eyes can see or the mouth can tell-and that is exactly what metaphors do for us. Metaphors help us to see something other than what we are looking at. Metaphors help us to discover a richer and deeper meaning to life. Metaphors invite us into the sublime. Listen to C.S. Lewis: I believe in Christianity as I believe in the sun. Not only because I see it every day but because by it, I see everything else. Notice how Lewis is using the metaphor of the sun to explain his understanding of Christianity. We look forward to the sun rising, and when it does, we witness how the rising sun consumes all the darkness surrounding us. The dawn simply reminds us of a new morn. The new morn awakens in us a new sense of gratitude for the gift of life. We fill our mouths with praise in thanksgiving for a new day, new life, new possibilities. That moment creates for us this new sense of awareness-that nothing is ever guaranteed but life itself. And because we have life, we have a new shot at making life count, and we have a new shot at life. In Lewis’ understanding, if the sun makes him see everything else, then Christianity makes him see everything else, especially the value and meaning of everything, the purpose of everything we do, and the direction of where we ought to go. Christianity not only consumes his darkness, but it helps him to see. With the metaphor of the sun, Lewis helps us to understand the light that Christianity brings into our lives, just so we may no longer dwell in darkness but among other things be able to see even our own darkness. Over the past several weeks, we have been invited to support our annual outreach to Lake Elkhorn Middle School. This past Saturday, we delivered on our promise to the many students of Lake Elkhorn. We also joined students, staff, parents, and community organizations at a welcome back-to-school event. Our presence and gifts said more than what our mouths could ever say or our pens could write. It is tempting to focus our attention on the school supplies that we donated, but what is unstated is our collective belief in the students-which is the message we are conveying not only to the students but to the parents and staff. The ultimate metaphor, in my opinion, is the words of the Prophet Isaiah, who once said these words: “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are the Potter; all of us are the work of your hands.” The reality is that neither you nor I are clay. We are dust but not clay - if there is ever a difference. And the God we know and serve isn’t a Potter. But the Prophet Isaiah uses these metaphors to illustrate the potter's delicate work and patience. The prophet helps us to understand that, like the clay on a potter’s wheel, we are not fully formed. The Prophet also helps us understand that just as the potter never gives up on the clay until the potter is satisfied with the creative work they intend to do with it, God doesn’t give up on us. God continues to work on us daily - yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The truth is that, like the clay on a potter’s wheel, we are all a work in progress. The unstated fact of the metaphor of the clay and the potter is the intense interaction between the potter and the clay, and the fact that it is the potter who shapes the life and destiny of the clay. To understand this metaphor is to understand that we are not our own masters. Like the clay, we are at the mercy of the potter. This is a somber thought, and it reminds me of one of the poems of the great hymn writer Charles Wesley. In the fourth stanza of his poem An Eye Single To The Glory Of The Lord, which has been turned into a beautiful hymn, this is what he wrote: Here then to thee thy own I leave, Mould as thou wilt thy passive clay; But let me all thy stamp receive, But let me all thy words obey: Serve with a single heart and eye, And to thy glory live and die. Metaphor, the unstated, draws us into life’s deepest and richest meaning. To understand the unstated is to embrace the vibrancy and nuances of life and faith. Which metaphor would you like to use for yourself and for Christ Church? I am thankful that we are not only surrounded by metaphors, but that they help us talk about life and the sacred in ways that are discernible, life-giving, and life-transforming. Blessed Summer, Manny+

Sip Up to Help DreamBuilders this Sunday, August 30 Look for fair-trade coffee, tea, and cocoa, being sold to benefit DreamBuilders on Sunday, Aug. 30, at the Parish Festival & Ministry Fair. It’s all for a good cause as a team of adults prepares to rebuild in Puerto Rico from Oct. 18 to 24 after devastation that remains from Hurricane Maria. DreamBuilders also recently completed its fourth consecutive trip to flood-damaged Hazard, Kentucky. A team of more than 30 adults and youth – including Mikailu Sheriff (pictured), representing Christ Church – completed a blitz-build of three homes from June 21-27. Local broadcaster WYMT-TV featured their work in a June 22, 2026 video report that shows Mikailu in the center of a group of three teens, one of whom spoke for the group about helping the future homeowners. “Even if I don’t know them, I know I’m just improving their lives and giving them kind of a fresh new start.” You, too, help brighten lives by purchasing DreamBuilders goods. Cheers! LAST CALL: Deadline is this Sunday to Bring Lightweight, Natural-fiber Clothing for Visually-Impaired People and their Families in Nigeria Christ Church is supporting a clothing drive by Living Above Limitation Charity Foundation (LALCF), which sends lightweight, natural-fiber garments to visually-impaired people in Nigeria. There disabled residents and their families face greater barriers than the general population and may not be able to afford sufficient clothing. Dr. Liz Trimnell of Laurel, Md., founded the charity to provide Braille classes, vocational training, white canes and similar aids to the blind. Read about its work on its Facebook page. She made a presentation last Spring to the Outreach Commission, which is sponsoring the drive under the direction of Sonni Aribiah. Her planned ocean shipment is intended to arrive before Christmas in Calabar, Nigeria, which is Sonni’s hometown. The visually-impaired men and women who rely upon LALCF for better lives – and their spouses and children – eagerly anticipate its arrival. At Christ Church, the deadline is Sunday, August 30, which is the same day as our Parish Festival & Ministry Fair. Look for the marked box in the Narthex. New or gently used clothing should be suitable for wear in a tropical climate and made of cotton, linen, flax, bamboo, and other natural fibers. No synthetics! Please bring the following: Adult – t-shirts and polo shirts (Sizes S–XL); lightweight pants and jeans (waist sizes 28–42); shorts (S-XL); casual button-down shirts (S-XL); t-shirts (Sizes S-XL or 6-18); casual dresses and skirts (Sizes S–XL); blouses and tops (Sizes S-XL or 6-18). Children – everyday play clothes for boys and girls; school-appropriate, all sizes; infant and toddler clothes, all sizes. Please Fill the Altar Basket and Parish Hall Bin with Goods for FISH/CCC FISH and Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered last year and merged pantries. CCC continues to hand out food by home delivery to Howard County residents and at three sites on Saturday mornings, except on holiday weekends. For information, go online to Get Help. FISH continues to pick up donated goods from Christ Church and others. 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 bring 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. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email andydelong.fish@gmail.com. You could be the one to 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.

Gather for the Parish Festival and Ministry Fair - Sunday, August 30 The annual Christ Church Parish Festival & Ministry Fair returns this Sunday, August 30! Join us that day for a single worship service at 10:00 a.m. in the New Brick sanctuary, followed by the festival featuring food, fellowship, and fun for all ages. During the event, we'll host our Ministry Fair, where you can chat with leaders from nearly every group and ministry to learn how they support the broader community around us. You can also find a volunteer opportunity that speaks to you directly, one that helps keep our community vibrant. We also have our communal lunch, and you can sign up at https://cecevents.org/ParishFestival. Bring items for our community lunch that day - choose from meals, sides, or dessert. Come and worship as one, and then see all of the wonderful groups that make up our common life.

This past weekend, Christ Church's LEMS Outreach ministry had a wonderful time distributing school supplies at the Lake Elkhorn Middle School (LEMS). Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our congregation, we were able to provide essential items for more than 100 local students. Our dedicated volunteers gathered early Saturday morning to load vehicles and transport the supplies directly to LEMS in time for the Block Party that afternoon, and throughout the event, we enjoyed connecting with families at our table, handing out supplies, and celebrating the kickoff of the new academic year together. Stay tuned for a full write-up in a weekly Christ Church Gatherings email soon! #lakeelkhornmiddleschool #lems #HCPSS #columbiamd #episcomd #outreach

Pentecost XII at Christ Church 8:00 Holy Eucharist 9:00 Family Worship 10:30 Eucharist with Music All three services take place in New Brick. Collect for Today: Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Isaiah 51:1-6 Psalm 138 Romans 12:1-8 Matthew 16:13-20 Sermon for This Sunday: Parishioner Kathy Lyon gives today's sermon, and you can view it below once the service has begun. You can also read her 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.

Religion can be easy. And it can be easy because of what it may demand from us. Christianity, on the other hand, isn’t easy. It is difficult because it demands a lot more than we want to offer, it demands a lot more than we want to tolerate, it demands a lot more than we want to take on, and it demands the kind of sacrifice which is only possible if we are in tune with the sufferings of the cross. If you remember, one of the requests that was made to Jesus by the Jewish authorities at the foot of the cross was ‘If you are the son of God, come down from the cross and we will believe in you.’ The authorities were so confounded that Jesus would take upon himself the shame and horrific pain of the cross. It didn’t make sense to them. "Why would he suffer over a claim that was not true?" they may have asked themselves.  The point the authorities sought to make was that the suffering was not worth it, and that the best way to relieve themselves of it was to take their bait. But would they have truly believed in him if he had come down from the cross? I don't think so. What distinguishes Jesus the Christ from all others is that he embraced the world’s hatred, suffering, indignities, spite, anger, and disgrace all to himself on the cross. The gem here is that it is through this very holy act that Christ refuses to give us a religion, more so, a religion of comfort. Christianity has never been a religion, and those who have used Christianity as a religion do so only to gratify their individual selves. Those people find ways through which they can use Christianity to pursue an agenda which isn’t only depraved but is diametrically opposed to the core of being Christian - which is a crucified love. One such agenda that has been worrying is the growing scourge of Christian nationalism-the idea that America was founded as a Christian nation, or America is supposed to be a Christian nation, or the government should favor Christianity. I have no doubt that if the Founding Fathers had wanted to create a Christian nation, they would have gladly done so. What we tend to forget is that some of the Founding Fathers were themselves descendants of people who were persecuted by the state for their religious beliefs. That history about the extent to which the state could use religion to pursue an unholy agenda was not lost on them. Here are some features of an unholy agenda in religion, or of a religion without suffering. It is turbulent. It coerces people into a uniform belief system. It believes in the superiority of one human being over another. It drowns out dissent through violence. It is intolerant of divergent views. It rejects one’s freedom to choose. It suppresses women. It devalues human dignity. It is tribal. It is myopic. It is greedy. It corrupts us in unfathomable ways. For these reasons, we don’t need it. And because we don’t need any of it, we must always strive to draw a line between religion and Christianity - the kind which embraces crucified love. This is my prayer: please don’t give me religion; I have that in abundance. Give me Christianity, that way of life which conquers any semblance of religion in me and helps me identify with the cross. The truth is, Christianity is an identity to be received, not achieved. Christianity establishes the value of acceptance. And it is our acceptance by God that creates in us the desire and longing to also be crucified, just like our Savior Jesus Christ. Christianity transcends any of our religious instincts because to be a Christian is to bear the marks of our own crucifixion. According to A.W. Tozer, there are three marks of the crucified: 1. They are facing only one direction. 2. They can never turn back. 3. They no longer have any plans of their own. This past week I received an email from the Christ Church Interfaith Refugee Ministry, reminding us about the 5th anniversary of the US departure from Afghanistan, and the fallout from that decision. Ann Barnes spoke passionately about the ministry's work during last Sunday's worship. As you may recall, the departure of the US from Afghanistan led to an influx of Refugees from Afghanistan. In response, Christ Church formed the Refugee Ministry, which is now a coalition of about 16 congregations from diverse faith traditions. The ministry, which started with one family, is now supporting 14 families. The interesting part of the email was a list of parishioners who are responsible for the life-giving work of ministry to Refugees. The beauty of their work is that it is devoid of religion - that very thing which the Jewish authorities so desired and yearned for but which Jesus refused to offer to them. Surprisingly, some of us want the same thing - we want a religion. But in just the same way that Jesus didn’t give it to the Jewish authorities, he refuses to give it to us. This is not only because we don’t need it but because it has no value. I believe that our value lies in our willingness to offer ourselves up to be crucified, for it is through our crucifixion that we experience a God who loves us with the same amount of intensity with which He loved the only begotten son. If you have experienced this crucified love in your own life, in the life of the people you know or may not know, and you find yourself at Christ Church, then what Christ Church is doing is what you can do. Remember this: you cannot just take and receive ministry; you have to give ministry, do ministry, engage in ministry. You have to volunteer, you have to give, you have to share, and you have to serve - that is what a crucified love looks like. Believe that there are some hands that only you can hold, believe that there are some hearts that only you can comfort, believe that there are some people that only you can reach, believe that there are some needs that only you can respond to, and believe that there are some hugs that only you can give. Don't stop yourself. Christianity without the cross is a religion. Christianity with the cross is identical to crucified love - it is giving while living. Blessed Summer, Manny+