Taizé Vespers is a liturgy of Evening Prayer that combines scripture readings, prayer, silent meditation, and rich music. On the first Sunday evening of each month, Christ Church offers this truly beautiful 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 reflects the Taizé style, emphasizing attention to silence, holy words, prayer, and singing, and offers an opportunity 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 - in our case, your friends and neighbors - on the journey. Gather with us at 6 p.m. in New Brick tonight, October 5th for this uniquely powerful worship.

Join seekers of a deeper relationship with the Divine at the 2nd Saturday Center for Spiritual Nourishment. The 2nd Saturday CSN offers free experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit by offering safe spaces to explore an array of opportunities for spiritual growth.  The CSN is for anyone interested in spiritual nourishment, regardless of religious affiliation or spiritual beliefs.   Come for one session or the entire morning. Spiritual Direction, Praying Through Art, Yoga, Contemplative Meditation, Community Bike Ride, Self and Spirit: Creation and Spirit (discussion), and Spiritual Practices: Becoming Love (discussion).  We will also be showing the movie Facing the Giants .  The morning concludes with a short Reflection Circle Service. 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 – 10:00: Conversations on Spiritual Practices : Becoming Love                       Contemplative Meditation                       Spiritual Direction Group 9:00 – 11:15: Film screening: War Room 10:15 – 11:15: Community Bike Ride                                Contemplative Meditation                       Self and Spirit: Creation and Spirit                      Spiritual Direction Group 11:30 – 11:50: Reflection - Circle Service Join us on Saturday, October 11 as we offer: Spiritual Direction Group led by Carol Abbott October’s session will focus on the Gospel of Mark and the season of winter, with a framing question, “ How can we endure the season of suffering?” In this spiritual discernment and direction group we practice listening deeply to each other using prompts from scripture, poetry, nature, and our bodies. These practices are designed to help us notice and respond to the voice of the Holy moving in our lives. Community Bike Ride led by Kevin Osborn and Cycling for Health & Fellowship All cyclists are welcome on a one-hour bicycle ride! The ride will be self-paced and out-and-back. An experienced ride leader from the CEC community will lead the ride, which will be conducted according to Baltimore Bicycle Club rules. Riders should be adults and everyone should wear a helmet. Cyclists should rest their bicycles by the lower-level outside of the CEC New Brick building before 10:15, so that they can quickly "jump" onto their bicycles at 10:15. The ride course will depend on weather conditions, and it will be cancelled for steady rain. Film Screening: War Room led by George Toth A couple, Tony and Elizabeth, who seemingly have it all: great jobs, a beautiful daughter, their dream home,  are faced with a reality that their marriage has become a war zone and their daughter is collateral damage. With guidance from Miss Clara, an older, wiser woman, Elizabeth discovers that through prayer she can start fighting for her family instead of against them. As the power of prayer energizes and transforms Elizabeth, will Tony also join the fight and become the man he knows he needs to be? Experience how prayer forms our relationship to Christ and allows us to heal and strengthen the relationships we share here on earth.  Love forms relationships – these are the treasures waiting for us in heaven. Contemplative Meditation led by Leah Chrest Discover the desire God has to commune with us and how to inwardly attune ourselves to the Spirit's voice.  Learn about the history of contemplative Christianity, study the power of breathwork, be led through guided visualizations, become proficient in multiple techniques for stilling the mind, and practice drawing focus into your heart center.  In a mixture of teaching, discussion, and practice, strengthen your ability to engage in the equally important side of the conversation with God--if prayer is talking to the Lord, meditation is listening to God’s voice, and being changed by God’s presence.  Self and Spirit : Understanding Complex Trauma led by Michael Looney Join us for a timely discussion as we explore the seen and unseen impacts of complex trauma.  We will focus on how it impacts our spiritual health and learn some self-care techniques to help us deal and heal.  Conversations on Spiritual Practices and Growth led by Rev. Manny Mercer How well do you know yourself? Which practices help you in trying to discern who you are, your relationship with God and how to best nurture that relationship? Join us in a conversation about how we can better know ourselves and deepen our relationship with God. If self-knowing leads to greater participation in life, then join us as we journey to better know ourselves. October's session will be focused on Becoming Love . Have Questions? Wish to Help Lead Future CSN Sessions?

Pentecost XVII 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist 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. Today's Readings: Lamentations 1:1-6 Psalm 137 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Luke 17:5-10 Sermon for Today: Parishioner Leah Chrest delivers today's sermon, and you can view it in the video below once the service starts. Leah is also a presenter at the Center for Spiritual Nourishment, which takes place non Saturday, Octobe r 11th. You can l earn about the CSN here. Holy Eucharist Livestream: Our service livestream begins at approximately 10:20 a.m. this Sunday. The service leaflet for this worship service is here .

This weekend, our church celebrates the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology and animals, and we will have our own Blessing of the Animals - and we mean ALL animals! Today, October 4th 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 bring a picture of your pet, if you prefer. We will sing some songs and offer individual blessings for each of our beautiful pets. We'll also have a few treats for the pets.... and a little pizza for their human companions! Then at 9 a.m. Family Worship on Sunday morning, October 5th, 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!

I always reflect on my sermons after worship. And in my reflection on last Sunday’s sermon on the invisible man, it occurred to me that I missed the opportunity of reminding us that when we consistently miss the blessing of seeing the invisible man, we lose the gift of making the kind of impact that we want to see. But in so far as we endeavor to make the invisible visible, we recognize not only the sense of gratitude into which we are grounded, but we develop within us the capacity to always be on the lookout for the invisible man or woman. Part of my thoughts arose from the fact that I was once an invisible man who literally appeared on the doorsteps of All Saints Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia, on a winter Sunday morning. I didn’t know anyone at the church; I hadn’t been to that church before. I didn’t even know such a church existed until I found it on Google. The Rector at the time was Geoffrey Hoare. An energetic priest who was full of life, wisdom and wit. When I introduced myself to him, he invited me to call his office and make an appointment to see him. And I did. He would eventually encourage me to apply to Emory University. The remarkable part of my story with him is that not only did he see me, but he made an impact in my life. His was one who changed the trajectory of my life in the United States. His impact on my life is huge, and there’s no way that I could ever repay him. This is the exciting part. His embrace of me, and the church’s embrace of me, led to a new ministry where the church supported African priests who were studying in the Atlanta area. The ministry is still ongoing. It only takes one person, one moment, one conversation, 10 seconds of your time and mine to see someone, make them come alive and shed light on their unique story. The ripple effect of such acts is incalculable because they are always life-giving. I heard a story about Leonard Hayes, a city bus driver in Cleveland who passed away peacefully in his sleep. Leonard didn’t have any family and didn’t have any children - just a faded apartment and 40 years of driving bus route 43. His co-workers didn’t expect anyone at the funeral. A few drivers were present to show their respect. But when they arrived at the cemetery, they couldn’t believe that they saw - tons and tons of people. They were neither family nor workers; they were passengers. There was a woman with a stroller, a high school kid, an elderly man with a walker, and many people from all walks of life. But one after the other, they came up to the gravesite and shared their thoughts about Mr. Hayes. One said, ‘He always waited the extra 10 seconds when he saw me running.’ Another said, ‘He learned my name, every morning he would greet me, good morning, Mrs. Riveira.’ Another said, ‘I once told him I had a job interview-he prayed for me. The next day, he remembered and asked me how it went.’ Another also said, ‘I was invisible to most people, but not to him.’ Leonard made people feel seen, and that, my friend, is the most powerful thing any person can do. You can never tell what the 10 extra seconds can do for someone. Leonard didn’t see himself only as a bus driver, but also as more than that. He saw himself as someone who had the capacity to bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of those he saw on his bus. And the fact is, we can never tell what people may be going through. A few weeks ago, I heard the unfortunate story that Geoffrey’s wife is battling cancer, and that she has a page on Caring Bridge website. I quickly signed up to offer my prayers and to follow her progress. She’s making good progress, and we thank God for the healing mercies. What I found to be mind-blowing was that she has had close to 40,000 visits on her page. Some people offered words of encouragement, some offered prayer and some emojis. Who are these people and why do they care so much about her that they would want to follow her story and offer a prayer for her? I asked myself. I am sure they are friendships that both Geoffrey and Sage developed and nurtured along the way. Some of these may be people they met in the many congregations that they faithfully served. Some of these people may be people neither of them may have met but feel intrigued by their story. Some of these people may be strangers like me for whom they were willing to offer 10 seconds of their time and expected nothing in return-just the pure joy of being instruments of God’s grace. Yesterday, Geoffrey updated their post about the surgery that Sage had. It was a successful surgery, and the doctor shared the good news that there’s no cancer in her body. I was elated and gave thanks to God for all of God’s miraculous healing in our lives. At the end of his post was the Optimist Creed and a subtitle - Promise Yourself , which isn’t part of the creed, but I believe sums up his thoughts and where he is at this moment of his life, and that of Sage. The reality is that one cannot be in this kind of situation without being optimistic. Without knowing the situation in which you find yourself, I share the creed with you, hoping that you also may be encouraged by it, renewed by it, and energized by it. Here’s the creed: The Optimist Creed Promise Yourself To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. In the big scheme of things, 10 seconds of your time wouldn’t cost you that much. And so, I invite you to consider the life-affirming opportunities available to you if you could spare 10 seconds of your time to touch a life, listen, and see. It’s never been lost on me that it takes a spirit of gratitude to see the other, and to make another visible is also an expression of gratitude. Grateful for all that we are, grateful for what we have, grateful for what we can see, and grateful for all the gifts we can offer.   Manny+

LEMS Kindness Pantry Help, and an Invitation to Attend a Special Event School is underway, and our church has maintained a partnership with Lake Elkhorn Middle School for many years, supporting the teachers, staff, and families to ensure students' academic success. One way to do that is to ensure that families have access to enough healthy food. This year, on the third Wednesday of each month from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., the Roving Radish delivers boxes of nutritious food that family members can take home. That's where we come in - volunteers from Christ Church are needed to help distribute those boxes. Additionally, the staff have requested that we bring specific food and household items for their Kindness Pantry. These items will be distributed by staff at their discretion when they observe 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 join a dinner for families celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month next Tuesday, October 7, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. Christ Episcopal Church will be supplying beverages, and all are welcome to this event. Please plan to attend and meet some of the Latino families whose children attend LEMS. Thank you for helping support the students and teachers of Lake Elkhorn Middle School! Sign Up to Walk or Run in CAC’s ‘Steps Forward’ Fall Fundraiser The Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) has launched Steps Forward , a Walk/Run campaign to raise funds. In partnership with Howard County Striders , CAC is inviting individuals or teams to rack up the miles during October while soliciting donations.   Participants will receive a special T-shirt and discounted entry into the Run Through the Grapevine 8K hosted by the Striders in Mt. Airy, Md. on Sunday, Nov. 2. The annual cross-country/trail race at the Linganore Winecellars loops through the grounds of the winery.    On race morning, a non-perishable food drive will benefit the Howard County Food Bank, which is operated by CAC. As Howard County’s designated anti-poverty organization, the CAC provides multiple services as described in its 2024 Impact Report . These include early childhood education, eviction prevention, weatherization, and utility bills assistance. Save the Date: Christ Church's Fall Food Drive to Benefit the Howard County Food Bank on Saturday, November 8 Once again, Christ Church volunteers will gather at a local supermarket to collect canned goods and staples for the Howard County Food Bank and its partner, SAFE Food Pantry .   The date for the 2025 Fall Food Drive occurs about a month later than in years past, but a slight chill in the air won’t deter our volunteers. Consider taking a one-hour shift from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, outside the Dorsey’s Search Giant Food supermarket, 4715 Dorsey Hall Drive, Ellicott City. A signup sheet will be available in the Narthex as the date of the drive approaches.   CAC’s Food Bank uses a client-choice model just like a grocery store so that low-income residents can select the foods they prefer for their individual households. People who have gluten- and allergy-free needs can pick up their foods at the Food Bank or during a monthly distribution at SAFE’s own site . SAFE also maintains a donation bin at Christ Church outside the rear of Parish Hall.   You can read about the most recent supermarket food drive for CAC and SAFE in the Outreach Blog of April 9, 2025 . Times are hard for many local residents, so consider doing your part to fill some of the gaps. As you respond to a call to help the less fortunate, keep in mind the scripture that underpins our mission: 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.

FIRST WEDNESDAY FELLOWSHIP IS BACK! Tonight - Wednesday, October 1, at 6 p.m. After a well-deserved break for the summer, Christ Church's popular First Wednesday Fellowship series picks up again tonight. Join us as we take advantage of a wonderful opportunity 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, because we're providing the main course! This first FWF of this season will feature a Homecoming theme, welcoming back the start of the program year. Meet up in the Great Hall at 6 p.m. - we'll provide pizza for dinner, and you're welcome to bring a side dish or dessert to share. We'll then take a brief prayer walk on the beautiful pathways around the campus following dinner, or relax and share some time together. Donations to defray the cost of pizza are always appreciated (write "FWF" in the memo line), but the most essential part is having you there, so we hope to see you!   #fellowship   #FirstWednesday   #FoodAndFun   #gathertogether   #BeWithUs   #Godsfamily   #episcomd

Pentecost XVI 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist in New Brick Collect for Today: O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Today's Readings: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 1 Timothy 6:6-19 Luke 16:19-31 Sermon for Today: The Rev. Emmanuel Ato Mercer delivers today's sermon, and you can view it in the video below once the service starts. You can also read his sermon's text here . Holy Eucharist Livestream: Our service livestream begins at approximately 10:20 a.m. this Sunday. The service leaflet for this worship service is here .

People donate their time and talents in so many ways at Christ Church, and this is another beautiful one... This Sunday, George Toth presented two stunning acolyte torches that he hand-crafted for our Youth Ministry. They are battery-powered candle torches whose "flames" flicker and dance, allowing the children to proudly (and safely!) carry them during the procession and recession during every 9 a.m. Family Worship service in the future.  Mother Marcia Davenport blessed them during the service yesterday, so they are ready for use! Knowing that we now have another beautiful way for the children to participate is just the latest example of an individual's ministry in action. Thank you so much, George!   #ministryinaction   #blessings   #blessings 🙏 #acolyte   #youthministry   #ChildrenOfGod   #episcomd   #howardcountychurches   #columbiamdchurch

This past week, I was blessed to join some of my siblings and their families to honor the 40th anniversary of our father’s passing. We were also joined by many of my father’s family and our friends to celebrate this wonderful man. To be honest, it has been a remarkably long 40 years. A lot has happened. Family dynamics have changed. We have lost loved ones and gained new loved ones through marriages and childbirth. Not a single moment passes without a thought about him and how different life could’ve been. It often scares me to even think about the idea of having him around because I suspect his questions would sound like, "Are you living into the vision that God has for you?" Or something along the lines of, "Are you being generous enough or faithful enough?" Vision, generosity, and faithfulness sum up his life story. I am not sure of his prayers for each child, but I believe he prayed that each of his twenty-three children may carry with them their vision for themselves, his sense of generosity, and his deep faith. Celebrating his life was a true honor, and I will never forget the immense joy that his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends felt at the special requiem Mass held in his memory. It was our token of appreciation to a man who has shaped and impacted the lives of so many. Like every single one of God’s beloved children who were all created good, we are said to be flawed. Not that we are defective objects - far from that. We are human beings who, because of what St. Augustine refers to as the Original Sin, are imbued with the capacity to do the unimaginable. And so, buried deep within his supposed flaws, we can tell the story of an African man who tried as hard as he could to reconcile the juxtaposition of the traditional African culture into which he was born with his Christian values. Was he successful in his effort? I will leave that judgment to God because it is God alone who can pass judgment. But one thing I do not do is make apologies for him. I will not and I dare not. As all his children who made it to the celebration stood behind and beside one of our brothers who read a tribute, for the very first time in my life, I didn’t notice any flaws in my father’s life. What I saw was beauty. It was a beauty to see his children stand together to honor a man who was simply faithful. Yes, he was a faithful man. And I am proud to call him my father. Strangely enough, it was at the same time that I had those mixed feelings. Some of our siblings who live in Ghana were unable to attend the celebration. I don’t know why. And it would be presumptuous on my part to speculate about the rationale for their absence. I believe that they should have been there to feel that sense of joy, not only for themselves but for the man we all called Big Man. Here’s a text that spoke to me while I reflected on their absence: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” I do not doubt that the uniqueness of the rainbow lies in the fact that all the different colors are held in unison, together. Indeed, each color, like each sibling, is different. And one color alone doesn’t represent all the colors or convey the beauty of all the colors. I don’t know what holds all these different colors together, but it is that same gift that should hold all brethren together. If I can look at the rainbow and call it beautiful, I can also look at all my siblings standing together and call that sight beautiful. Truth is, it is unapologetically easy to dismiss those who don’t want to play ball; after all, neither their presence nor absence makes any difference. But the reality is, it is the lack of unity that diminishes each of us, not the event itself, but each of us-those who were present and those who weren’t. Family Systems Theory helps us understand that there are different types of families, and that within the eight concepts developed by Dr. Murray Bowen, there’s the idea that we cannot understand individuals in isolation; rather, their thoughts, feelings, and actions are deeply influenced by their family relations. The eight concepts certainly don’t address the uniqueness of the family system I'm discussing, but there’s no escaping the fact that some individuals may have been aggrieved over one issue or another, and more importantly, carry those grievances with them. As debilitating and corrosive as carrying these grievances may be, people carry them and hold on to them as if they are defined by them. But no one grievance or two should be enough to dampen your spirit over the human saga. Please be assured that the human story is as complex as anything you can imagine, and holding on to any grievances is the last thing you want to do. You and I have no business adding to the complications of the world and of our lives.  That, in fact, explains why letting go is so freeing, liberating, and salvific for the human spirit and our individual thriving. To let go, to forgive, is to feel yourself alive again. It is to feel at peace with everyone and with nature. It is to feel yourself being lifted, not by the currents of who has done what to you, but by the calm currents of a love that overlooks all wrongs. Listen to what one author said: "If we are to have any hope of peace in this world, we must master the art of forgiveness." In one of my remarks, I indicated that at the time when my father passed away, no system was in place to help people, especially kids, with grieving. And so, as a kid, I had to learn how to grieve on my own. But it often feels to me that I am still grieving my father’s passing. The most fulfilling part of my grieving process was that this past weekend’s celebration was a moment to honor, celebrate, and reconnect with everyone. I deeply believe in seeing everyone because everyone is worth seeing. And so, as resplendent as the service was, as fantastic as the party was, as nostalgic as the video of his funeral was, I have mixed feelings because I didn’t see everyone who should’ve been there. But guess what Rumi said: “If everything around seems dark, look again, you may be the light.” To me, those who carry with them the grace of a reconciling and comforting spirit are often the light in the dark places of our lives. My father was a light. And you too can be a light. I think I can get over the mixed feelings because tomorrow opens the door to retelling life’s story all over again, and the possibility of seeing everyone again. Thank you, Dad!  Manny+

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.