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

She helps lift spirits through music every Sunday, and now we get to hear her perform some of her favorite pieces as we present the Larissa and Friends  fall recital, an annual tradition. Larissa Sanders, Music and Choir Director at Christ Church, and her selection of incredibly talented musicians and vocalists will present a program of beautiful music spanning several centuries and cultures. Light refreshments will be served at a reception with the musicians following the performance, as well. Free-will offerings are gratefully accepted for this performance, and we hope that you'll all gather with us in New Brick on Saturday, October 11 at 5:00 p.m. You'll be sure to enjoy a program of wonderful works performed by the best around.

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.

A heartfelt "THANK YOU!" to Rev. Dr. Ann Broomell and Rev. Yehinuel Odidi for leading us in worship this past Sunday morning. Rev. Dr. Ann stepped in to lead us in our three worship services with very little notice, and Rev. Yehi delivered a sermon that combined a powerful message and a familiar song (you can view it at https://cecliturgy.org/YehiSermon92125 ).   #episcopalchurch   #episcomd   #hocomd   #worshiptogether   #columbiamdchurch   #thankyou

This past weekend, Christ Church's Annual Community Flea Market and Craft Fair had almost as many smiles as there were items for sale, and that's the true sign of a massively successful event! Huge, heartfelt thanks to the WOCC for coordinating a beautiful community gathering - a few thousand dollars were raised t o help the WOCC, our Interfaith Refugee Ministry, and other important funds and ministries. We want to give our deepest gratitude to every one of our wonderful volunteers. It's impossible to do this event without you, and so many people of all ages came out to help ensure a safe and fun experience for everyone. This is an incredible testament to the collaborative efforts made by our parish family - both those who help every year, and many new faces, too! THANK YOU, ALL OF YOU! If you'd like to reserve a booth space next year or have any Flea Market questions, please email the WOCC at wocc@christchurchcolumbia.org   #fleamarket   #fleamarketfun   #columbiamd   #ColumbiaMD   #episcomd   #hocomd   #community   #communitylove   #communityfirst

Pentecost XV 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist without music in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with music in New Brick Collect for Today: Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; 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 8:18-9:1 Psalm 79:1-9 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 16:1-13 Sermon for Today: The Rev. Yehinuel Odidi provides today's sermon, and you can view it in the livestream video below once the service starts. You can also read the 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 .

This Sunday, Please Welcome Anna Katz, a Grassroots Visitor Who Will Speak during Sunday Circle on the Theme of “Generosity”   Many parishioners are involved in volunteer roles each month, helping the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center , so it's fitting that we’ll hear directly from a Grassroots visitor today, September 21. Join us at Sunday Circle from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. in Old Brick or on Zoom. Anna Katz, who is director of grants and support, will describe Grassroots’ resources, which range from sheltering families to suicide prevention. The nonprofit organization answered more than 87,000 crisis calls on its hotline during Fiscal Year 2025 and provided substance-use-disorder services to more than 200 people. It helped more than 1,500 at the Day Resource Center (DRC), located at the Leola Dorsey Community Resource Center. That’s the location most familiar to many at Christ Church, where a team led by Outreach member Shahra Toth serves a hot midday meal on the second Monday of each month. Christ Church also funds the purchase of supplies for DRC’s pantry, ranging from sports drinks for hydration during summer to hand warmers in the winter. In response to a DRC request, the Outreach Commission at its Sept. 8 meeting approved a purchase of 300 pairs of socks for $213. These will be greatly appreciated by DRC clients, many of whom live outdoors in a vehicle or in a tent in the vicinity of MD Rt. 1 in Jessup. The socks were purchased with Vestry-approved funds donated to the church by parishioners. A hearty thanks! Our meals team also drops off dinner for residents of Grassroots’ Emergency Shelter, which houses 71 people. The next date to volunteer to provide meals at either facility is Monday, Oct. 13. Check our DRC online signup form or our Grassroots online signup form for details. Throughout the year, the Women of Christ Church sponsors “Home Sweet Home” housewarming kits to help those served by DRC or the shelter to get started in a new residence. Last week, Jo Emily Knox, Diane LaGuerre, Dione Mahoney, Shahra Toth, and George Toth shared their experiences during a “Service”-themed Sunday Circle. FISH board member Andy DeLong explained how parishioners can volunteer from their own homes once a month by speaking on the phone with people who seek help. You can view it by clicking the image below. As you respond to a call to help the less fortunate, keep in mind the scripture that underpins the mission of Christ Church Outreach: And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me .” Matthew 25:40 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 September and 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 Nov. 2. 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 range from early childhood education to eviction prevention. At its Sept. 8 meeting, the Outreach Commission approved a donation of $500 to CAC to help low-income households meet their utility bills at a time when rates are again rising in Maryland. The funds were drawn from a Vestry-approved budget based on parishioners’ contributions to Christ Church. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!   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.

We have all been reeling from the tragic death of Charlie Kirk. He was a hero to some, and a villain to others. I didn’t know about him until I heard the story of his assassination. Based on information that has been disclosed, the assassin, Tyler Robinson, was very much intent on killing Charlie. For what reason, no one knows.    To gain a deeper understanding of who he was, I searched online and found numerous videos discussing his thoughts. I found some to be interesting, while others were offensive. As an African American, some of his thoughts were so offensive that I couldn’t believe that someone would be saying stuff like that. But, like it or not, that is exactly why we live in a free country, and each of us has that freedom of expression so each of us can say whatever we want to say without any fear. Yes, no freedom is absolute; we understand that. However, as long as I don't abuse that freedom, I can express myself and my thoughts in any way I like. And Charlie, in fact, used that freedom in the best way he thought he could.  It isn’t surprising that millions of people really liked what he said. They themselves couldn’t see themselves saying what he said, and so they applauded him for saying what they themselves couldn’t say. And those who didn’t like what he said did tune out. But all respected his right to say what he says - apart from Tyler Robinson. The fact of the matter is, I may disagree with what you say, but I must respect your dignified right to express your opinion.  I remember being a young seminarian assigned to a parish in a small town in my native Ghana. I didn’t have a TV set, and many people in the town didn’t own one either. Since I couldn’t visit different homes to watch my favorite TV show, one that was on CNN, I found a hotel in the next big town that had a TV, and they always had theirs set on CNN.    The ride from the little town to the big town was about an hour, but I traveled to the big town almost every day to watch the unfolding Bill Clinton saga on CNN.  To many people and the detractors of Bill Clinton, the system was working, and that was a good thing. They forgot that it is human beings like you and me who turn on the wheels of the system. And depending on who is managing the system, it can be skewed in any direction.  As I watched the whole thing happen on CNN, the real question was how and why do people take great delight in the destruction of other people? Yes, he may have abused his freedom, but did we have to take him through all of that? I don’t think so. What amuses me is that the acolytes of those years now seem to think that we now have a saint cast in the mold of St. Francis or Mother Teresa.  The events of that time highlighted the destructive nature of the term political enemies . Guess what - if we take away the political, what we are left with is an enemy. And the truth is, most people don’t really see the political; they only see an enemy.  I don’t watch or play video games, but we have learned from video games that an enemy deserves to be destroyed. We go to great lengths to destroy that enemy. For the detractors of Bill Clinton, he was an enemy that needed to be destroyed. And for Tyler, Charlie was an enemy that needed to be destroyed - and the method of destruction was not as important as the destruction itself. The goal was the destruction of the enemy. But why, and for what? Hear the words of Reverend Samuel Wells: “ Enemies don’t stop being enemies, but there’s a way to relate to enemies that doesn’t seek their destruction.”  If the point of all our politics is to serve the common good, then the difference between a Republican and a Democrat is simply a different means by which they can serve that common good. It is a means by which we can reach the same outcome - that is, if the goal is to serve the common good.  If the goal is to serve the common good, how then can a neighbor be described as an enemy? Indeed, it may not be as simple as I am making it out to be, but at the core of it all is a simple, uncomplicated way of serving others. And if it is our desire for service that drives us into public life, then why should we be acting as if we are on the battlefield?  Hear this: unless the goal of seeking public office is for domination of another person, politics shouldn’t be a battlefield strewn with blood. It should be like a playground where every object is for the enjoyment of everyone.  In fact, no philosophical argument is worth your life or anyone’s life.  Part of my love for watching CNN stemmed from my fondness for Crossfire. I loved Pat Buchanan, Paul Begala, James Carville, Tucker Carlson, Bob Novak, and the other hosts. They debated issues and ideas, and that was it. I wonder if these people are currently friends, or if they have drifted apart from each other because of the hardening of their core beliefs over time.  But one thing I learned from them was this: no argument is worth killing another person, no matter how passionate you are about your beliefs, and as reasonable people, we can always find the middle ground that honors our beliefs and provides a pragmatic solution to the daily challenges of people.  The reality is that many of the arguments we fight over have been advanced by people on both sides for generations. Many of the people who have been on either side of these arguments are dead, those of us who are presently arguing will die, and those who will argue in the future will also die. Yes, these arguments shape society, but life is more valuable than these arguments. And it is always better to let those ideas speak for themselves-don’t let violence speak for you.  Although we are all different, we are equal. And this conundrum of not being the same but equal often incites a competitive edge within us. We want to see winners and losers. And that’s what competition does to us. But life should be about comradeship and not competition.  Should we compete, we must compete over ideas, and those ideas must ultimately advance the common good. Any idea that doesn’t uplift all of God’s creation isn’t worth anyone’s time and effort. If you want to discuss ideas, let's talk about how we can build a better society. Talk to me about how we can educate children for the next technological revolution. Talk to me about how we can improve test scores so others do not have to profit from the prison system. Talk to me about a future where we are still leading in the cutting edge of technology. Talk to me about how we can support families that are struggling. Talk to me about how we can ensure that everyone has access to healthcare. Talk to me about how we can solve the mental health crisis. Talk to me about how we can reach out to distressed communities. Talk to me about hungry neighbors. Talk to me about the crisis in Gaza and other war-torn areas. Talk to me about the immigrants and refugees who are escaping intolerable violence. Talk to me about comradeship, and how together, we can help solve some of the challenges of ordinary people. Talk to me. Talk to me about solutions to problems.  If you want to talk to me, talk to me about compassion because I know that acts of compassion light a path through someone’s darkest moment. Not only do we have a lot of people going through dark moments, but the darkest moments of people should be of ultimate concern to everyone. Remember, we are about the business of human dignity, and our compassionate acts tell more about being comrades than competitors.  Competition creates winners and losers, and by extension, enemies. Comradeship doesn’t. Comradeship is about seeing yourself through the eyes of others. It is about a deep commitment to work with others for a common purpose. Someone recently sent me this quote: Whether we agree or disagree with the words a man speaks, we must never lose sight of his humanity nor forget the sacred dignity that lives within each and every person.  We must not allow righteous anger to harden into hatred, nor trade the dream of America for the nightmare of division. With this in mind, it is my prayer that the killing of Charlie will ignite a new sense of comradeship among all of us. Agree or disagree, we are in this together because no one is going out of this world alive. You may have heard this saying: If you lose your wealth, you lose nothing. If you lose your health, you lose something. If you lose your values and character, you lose everything. Make sure you don’t lose everything. Hold on to those things that matter: values and character. That's how we can hold life together, even in times of turmoil.   Manny+