With the last day of a challenging, sometimes surreal school year in our rearview mirror, our children can finally take a breath. Some are looking forward to family vacations. To spending time with friends (and in-person!). To enjoying time at the pool, on the basketball courts, and at camp. To a time of quiet—a rhythm of rest and respite. Though my own children are now young adults, I can still recall the breathless excitement of that last day of school. I also remember the anticipation of the first day of school each fall (at least before adolescence hit and they began dreading returning to the classroom). When my daughter Jordan was in grade school, back-to-school planning became a ritual of sorts. Methodical by nature, Jordan enjoys the detailed work of organizing. Each fall would bring a flurry of preparation: Showing up for the long-awaited posting of class assignments. Clothes to shop for. Forms to fill out. And, of course, school supplies to purchase, sort, and tuck into a new backpack. Jordan relished all of it. Somewhere around the 1st of August, we would make our way to Target, amid throngs of other parents and their children, to pick out school supplies. Not just any supplies: Jordan was adamant about securing each and every item on Howard County’s long list. This was well before Amazon entered our lives, so if an item was missing from Target’s shelves, it would go on a special list to hunt down later at other stores. Selecting those items that could be tailored to taste—backpacks and binders and lunch bags, for example—would be the highlight of our shopping ritual. In the first grade, Jordan’s color preference was bright pink. When she laid all her supplies on her bed that fall, it looked a bit like a bomb exploded in a bubble gum factory. This fall Jordan moves into her own apartment, and her ritual for preparing to enter the classrooms of Virginia Tech will look quite different. But I cherish the memory of her childhood ritual with no small amount of nostalgia, even as I know many families in our community do not have this sort of back-to-school experience. Instead, many parents will worry about how to provide these essential supplies to their children, among their other financial obligations. When you’re worried about how to pay for rent, utilities, and groceries, things like notebooks and pens take a back seat. Under Christ Church’s ongoing partnership with Lake Elkhorn Middle School, principal Melissa Shindel has asked for our support in providing school supplies for 125 children for the upcoming school year. Why does the school need our help with this? With more than 50 percent of LEMS students qualifying for free and reduced meals—the highest percentage amongst Howard County middle schools—families are stressed. And with the lowest discretionary budget in the county (a mere fraction of that of many schools), LEMS is not positioned to help provide supplies to its students. Additionally, our own LEMS Ministry’s current budget goes primarily to our ongoing support to the Weekend Food Program, where, with your generous support, we provide groceries to 10 families each month who are experiencing food insecurity. No parent should have to decide between buying groceries and supporting their child’s educational needs. And no child should walk into school without the essential resources for learning: pencils, pens, notebooks, folders, rulers—the mere basics our children need to be able to focus on their education. These are the children of our community, and in supporting them, we live into our baptismal vows to seek and serve Christ in all people. To love our neighbors as ourselves. To strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being. We request your generous support now for this important effort. The school wants to distribute the supplies the week of Aug 16th. With the tight timeline, rather than trying to manage the complex logistics of collecting supplies from parishioners, we will need to rapidly raise funds to purchase exactly what’s needed. To meet this goal, we need to raise $5,000 by mid-July. As your Deacon now for just under a year, I’ve learned much about the generous nature of our parishioners in helping those underserved in our community. I’m also well aware that we ask for support for many different ministry efforts—and that some of us may find our own personal budgets stretched this year. Please know that Father Manny and I are truly grateful for your giving spirits. Any amount you can contribute to this effort would be greatly appreciated. This year, two parishioners have graciously stepped up to lead this initiative: Cathy Whittaker and Onyx Williams. We are grateful for their commitment to this cause. If you’d like to help them with shopping and bagging supplies, we hope to purchase the supplies between July 11-24 and fill the bags on a morning between July 25-30. If you have questions or would like to help, let us know at lemspc@christchurchcolumbia.org Contributions for this effort can be made via check, online, or via text. If you’d like to write a check, please make sure you indicate “LEMS School Supplies” on the memo line. If you would like to give online, please also write "School Supplies" in the Memo line. For giving via computer/tablet: you can find our "Support Christ Church" button at the top of every page on our website, or you can click here. On the form, choose "LEMS" from the Fund drop-down menu. To give via text: text CECGIVING to 73256 to give using your mobile device.** You'll immediately receive a link to our form. Click the link, then choose "LEMS" from the Fund drop-down menu. Please also write "School Supplies" in the Memo line so that your donation is used as you wish. My brothers and sisters, may we bear in mind the words of our great teacher Jesus: “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” (Matthew 19:14) May we walk in love and Christ loves us. Thank you for all you do for Christ Church, for our community and to lift up all of God’s beloved children. ~ Deacon Denise **(Note: This number will never send you unsolicited texts. To cancel further messages, text STOP. If you need assistance with text giving, text HELP. Standard text message & data rates may apply.)

This evening, Christ Church's Spiritual Life Commission is having an important gathering on Zoom and everyone is encouraged to take part in this discussion. The SLC is a vital component of life at Christ Church (you can learn more about the SLC at https://www.christchurchcolumbia.org/spiritual-life...), and this virtual gathering will center around ideas for our next Spiritual Life Theme. Each year, this theme represents the focus of our parish and plays a vital role in guiding many Christ Church activities. Examples include the popular Wednesday Lenten Supper Series, various daily and weekend retreats, and the widely-read Lenten Meditation Book. Whether this is your first time or you've been a part of the SLC in past years, we hope that you'll come and join us. We sent the Zoom details earlier this week, or you can contact us at info@christchurchcolumbia.org.

Today is the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. Collect of the Day: O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Readings for today: 1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 Psalm 9:9-20 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 Mark 4:35-41 Today's Sermon: Father Manny's sermon can be read here. Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here. Sheet music for today is found here.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being? Love incarnate, Fountain of Mercy and Justice In a world of inequity and pain May our actions be our prayer. We cry out for Shalom, fullness of life to all. Let the Spirit of Truth guide us. Let the Spirit of Love free us. Give us the compassion, courage and resolve to become the light, we seek that many may see life and their dignity restored Inspire us to embody a world without injustice and prejudice Form us into channels of your love and peace Let the river of justice and mercy flood our imperfect world Quenching the thirst of parched souls and lands. Abide in us o Liberator that we become the Word so that the world may have Life, Life in all its abundance. Amen A prayer written by Anderson Jeremiah Taken from the book Rage & Hope: 75 Prayers for a Better World Juneteenth, also known by other names (Freedom Day, Emancipation Day), is an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It is now recognized as a federal holiday, and this year takes place this Saturday. You can learn more about the history of Juneteenth here, here, and here. May we give thanks in our prayers every single morning for the beauty and diversity of God’s creation and may we remember the love that God has for every single one of us. He is “God and Father of all” and we truly are all brothers and sisters, called to love one another and care for one another. Help us, Father God, to live into this truth, every moment of every day of our lives. Amen

Thanks to All whose Donations to DRC Have Helped the Homeless and to All in Planning a Grassroots Meal Dropoff next Monday, June 21st Once again, parishioners and volunteers who join their efforts are looking ahead to the monthly meal that we provide at Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. Save the dates: June 21 and July 19, arriving between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. at the parking lot outside Old Brick. Plan to bring a side dish, a dessert, or items for their pantry to be enjoyed round-the-clock by the 50 residents of the live-in facility on Freetown Rd. To sign up, use our electronic registry no later than noon on the Sunday prior to the meal on Monday. Click on the Christ Church Grassroots Meal link on SignUpGenius to view requested items and to tell coordinators what you’ll bring. As usual, co-coordinator Nancy Winchester acquires fried chicken at Weis and meets the other volunteers (see photos). Nancy then transports the hot or cold foods to Freetown Road for handoff to the staff of Grassroots. Christ Church continues to support Grassroots’ Day Resource Center (DRC) at the Dorsey Center. The DRC has not yet resumed the hot meals that Christ Church had helped serve prior to the pandemic, but it fulfills other needs of our homeless friends. To get ready for summer, we responded to a request for socks, underwear, and sports drinks to beat the heat. Outreach Commission member Dione Mahoney turned to parishioners' donations that had been designated for the DRC, spending $420 to buy the goods and, with the help of her husband, Jim Mahoney, delivered them to Grassroots staff members in Jessup, Md. Thanks to one and all who contributed! Grassroots lists some other needs for curbside distribution at the DRC or for the pantry at the Freetown Road facility. Look for its attached file at our sign-up link. For any questions contact Nancy or co-coordinator Shahra Toth or email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. To further help our neighbors in need, some parishioners take it upon themselves to provide the evening meal for the 50 adults and children at Freetown Road. It’s your choice to provide an entree and side dishes, or just the entree. Cook in your own kitchen, or order out. Grassroots encourages an order of 12 pizzas — four with cheese and the rest with meat (any kind), or rotisserie chickens (12 to make a meal) — but discourages lasagna or other pasta entrees. Here is a link to the sign-up list that has openings through July 31st. A Couple of Ways to Support Columbia Community Care At Christ Church, our Racially Aware Group of Episcopalians (R.A.G.E) and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to support Columbia Community Care (CCC). One way is to pre-order a Father’s Day meal for takeout at Bonheur Deli, which has pledged to benefit CCC by donating a meal for every pre-order from its special menu (choice of meals for two featuring crab cakes, steak or shrimp). Listed on Facebook as Bonheur Deli, the restaurant is located at 7106 Minstrel Way, Columbia, MD, 21045. Pre-orders must be phoned in at 410-290-7755 by 8 p.m. this Friday, June 18th, or sent by text to 443-538-8229 by 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 19th. Orders may be picked up from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 20th. Another one-time opportunity to support CCC is to continue collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items as well as adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin marked “CCC” inside the Parish Hall door. You can drop off items on weekdays until 2 p.m., but please call the church office (410) 381-9365 ahead of time. Donate Toiletries, Cleaning Supplies for FISH in its Yellow Bin Organizers for FISH of Howard County request household cleaning supplies such as liquid dish soap, bleach, and cleanser. Also, the families who call on FISH during times of crisis could use personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, and bath soaps. At the present time, the pantry has an adequate supply of groceries. SEAFARER’S Donation Requests We could use your help in gathering the following items. Delivery is made and the date announced when the number of collections gets reasonably accumulated. Contact Carolann Sawyer with any questions. Bible in modern English (or Tagalog, Russian, or Chinese) Times/Newsweek/etc. up to 3 months old Sports Ill/People/etc. up to 6 months Cars/Computers/Consumers up to 1 year Reader’s Digest up to a couple of years National Geographics post-2000 Books (except for Bibles) are less often requested, but some seafarers do appreciate action novels, as well as picture books about Baltimore or the U.S. Action/adventure DVD’s. Recent popular CDs. Religious books (in easy English), DVDs, CDs; rosaries. Clothing - men’s jeans, other sturdy pants (no bigger than XL) or shorts, T-shirts, warm outerwear, and non-skid shoes/boots (in good condition only), and gloves, hats, scarves, and warm socks 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.

It wasn’t your usual classroom, but each kid in the class had his or her own chair. There were none left to spare. Of the twenty-something kids in the class, I was the only one who had a companion. He didn’t belong to that class nor was he even enrolled in the school, but he was there anyway, and no one asked him to leave because there was always a seat for him on my chair. At the end of the semester, he took a test, just like every other kid in that class and he did extremely well. Eventually, he had his own chair. If you can imagine with me for a second, just for a second, what if I refused to provide a seat for him on that chair upon which I sat? What if I had asked him not to walk to my school again? What if...? Providence has a peculiar way of opening our eyes to see the past. And the gift of being able to see the past doesn’t open anyone up to entertain or perpetuate any act of revenge for wrongs done. This is because there’s never been any revenge that offered some sort of healing or reconciliation. The reality is that those who have the capacity to look back can always see the invisible hand of Providence - guiding, prodding, and directing. Providence has always been there! You cannot see Providence’s hand at work if you can’t look back. Looking back offers the opportunity for gratitude and humility because you come to appreciate that nothing was ever done by yourself alone, but that Providence has always been there as that invisible hand, guiding, prodding, and directing your life. The past several weeks have been one of my proudest moments for my brother, to whom I offered a seat on my chair. Looking back, I really don’t know what would have happened to him if my dad - who didn’t even know that my brother had been running away from his nursery school every morning to join me at my school - had asked him to go back to his nursery school, or if I hadn’t offered him a seat on my chair. One of the most empowering thoughts I ever heard from my father after he received our report card was that if he (my brother) wasn’t supposed to be in the class, but had done so well, then he deserves to stay in the class. As a result, my brother became my classmate all through high school. The real challenge came when we lost our father, ten days before enrolling at Adisadel College in Cape Coast. Because we were classmates, each decision regarding every bit of our lives had to now be made for two and not one. I have a sister who missed more than an academic year of school because of a dispute, and so I shudder to even contemplate on what would have happened to my brother if we had not been classmates. Was it destiny? What was it? How does Providence make life patterns fit so well? How does Providence ultimately help us find meaning in our individual stories? Pondering over these helps in finding that sense of gratitude that creates a humble disposition towards life itself. Without ever saying so, we loved each other deeply and looked to the other for solace, strength, and the comfort that none other could ever provide. We disagreed and fought a lot, but that’s what siblings do. Beyond that was the sheer belief in offering a seat on any chair upon which each sat, whether literally or metaphorically, to the other. I look at our story not as a David and Jonathan kind of story, although it has traces of it, but more as emblematic of the story of Moses and Aaron - where mutual dependence made possible the successful liberation of God’s people from slavery in Egypt. In that story, God calls Moses and charges him with the liberation of the Israelites from slavery. Moses is hesitant about undertaking the task and so floods God with all the possible excuses - one of which was that he wasn’t articulate enough. God responded that his brother Aaron would do the talking on his behalf, and so he did. In spite of the hiccups, their frosty relationship, and disappointments along the way, their mutual dependence on each other was more than enough to accomplish God’s purpose. My brother and I have come a long way. Life often felt like walking from the bondage of Egypt through the wilderness of scarcity to the Promised Land that flows with milk and honey. Although the journey has been long, the joy for me is the gift of being able to look back with a sense of gratitude and pride - not for being on the Promised Land itself, but for being so close to the land that we each can freely taste the milk and honey that God richly provides. An unknown author once wrote that “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” Provide a seat on a chair for the other, for you may never know what destiny has in store. Manny.

I am incredibly excited about the new vaccination. I had the opportunity of being vaccinated a few days ago, and encourage you to please get vaccinated when you get the opportunity. ~Fr. Manny

Everyone is encouraged to Zoom with us for CEC Outreach's June virtual gathering, taking place this Monday evening (tomorrow) at 7:30 p.m. The link and details will be included in Monday's Christ Church's Online Gatherings email, but if you'd like us to send them to you or if you have any questions, please email us at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org You can read about CEC Outreach's latest initiatives here. As summer approaches and life slows a bit, the vital need to help others does not. In our own community and throughout the world, it's as important as ever. Whether you can help often or just once in a while, your assistance is welcome. Come and see how you can be a part of this important ministry.

Local Families Need Our Support! Christ Church’s Lake Elkhorn Middle School (LEMS) ministry is a partnership between our church and Lake Elkhorn Middle School, geared toward providing support to students, teachers, and families. As one element of this partnership, the LEMS Committee supports the school’s Weekend Food Program, providing food for 10 families experiencing food insecurity. This past year, we’ve done this despite the myriad challenges of the pandemic—and with the generous contributions of this congregation. The school has asked us to continue this support through the summer and into the next school year. If we’re to continue - and possibly increase - our level of support, the LEMS Committee needs parishioners to help shop for and package food, as well as parishioners to help deliver the bagged groceries to the school. Shopping is from a pre-set grocery list, is funded by the committee, and can be done on your own time. Delivery is a socially distanced, quick drop-off to the school on the second Thursday of each month at 11:00 a.m. Christ Church deeply values our partnership with LEMS, and families in our community depend on our support. If you’re available to help shop or deliver, please contact Deacon Denise at deacondenise@christchurchcolumbia.org. Support the Diocese of Maryland’s Sutton Scholars at a Milestone Moment People experience milestone moments, either positive or negative, and sometimes those emotions and moments intertwine. Such was the case this week during a vigil hosted by the Baltimore Interfaith Coalition for Dismantling Racism to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the killing of George Floyd. The setting was Bishop Square Park and the host was the nearby Cathedral of the Incarnation, seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. Bishop of the diocese, The Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton, joined in the interfaith vigil, described on WYPR-FM, with leaders representing Jewish, Muslim, and Roman Catholic congregations, among others. He led about 100 participants in calling the names of African Americans who died in police incidents and, in a more hopeful turn, in singing the hymn, “Lift Every Voice.” More coverage can be found here. The leaders were unified in saying that although this was a moment to mourn, it also was an opportunity to look forward. At the same time, in city neighborhoods not far from the cathedral, high school students were envisioning much brighter futures for themselves because of the diocese and Bishop Sutton’s role in founding the program, Sutton Scholars. “It has been a longtime dream of Bishop Sutton’s to create opportunities for youth who otherwise aren’t afforded equal chances for success, ‘giving back’ from the blessings he received from caring adults who took time to help him learn about life and to grow,” the program says. “Through Sutton Scholars, we strive to pay it forward, building a brighter future for our students and for Baltimore as a whole,” the program continues in an informative video on its website. In the video, “Who Are the Sutton Scholars? Learn More,” we’re told that these are Baltimore City students who may be at risk of falling through the cracks of the school system. They make up a maximum enrollment of 120 students (freshmen through seniors) each year. The Scholars learn soft skills and critical thinking, among other life skills. And they experience camaraderie and leadership during a summer trip to the Claggett Center for environmental stewardship, kayaking, zip-lining, and team-building on the ropes course. Since its start in 2016, the first Scholars have completed the curriculum and are now giving advice to others. Deon Jones, the new president of the Sutton Scholars Alumni Association, says, ”Write out the steps you want to take...You have to have a purpose in life to be successful.” To help more young people in underserved neighborhoods achieve success, you can donate online or by writing a check to “Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, Sutton Scholars.” Mail it to Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, Sutton Scholars High School Enrichment Program, 4 E. University Parkway, Baltimore, Md. 21218. Through fundraising, the program has remained self-sufficient. In 2020, the cost for one scholar was about $3,250 or $650 a week with the overall program at $450,000. Reserve by June 6th for Bridges’ “Taste of Wine, Splash of Charity” on June 10th Supporters of Bridges to Housing Stability are invited to a dine-in dinner and wine tasting accompanied by a fundraiser or, for those who wish to avoid in-person outings, a takeout opportunity. Tickets must be ordered by June 6th for the event, which will be held at the Iron Bridge Wine Co. on June 10. The location is 10435 Rt. 108, Columbia, MD 21044. The goal of the nonprofit organization is preventing and ending homelessness in Howard County. Each ticket purchased, whether for takeout or in-person dining, results in a $20 contribution to Bridges’ efforts. The cost is $85 for the 5-course dinner and wine tasting or $70 for a 3-course take-out meal and bottle of wine. For information and to buy tickets, go here. Those who attend in person will be able to take part in a silent auction to be displayed at Iron Bridge. The auction is expected to include six to eight baskets of leisure activities, vacation options, wine, and more. Christ Church has a warm relationship with Bridges that dates to 2019 when we participated in its countywide chili cook-off, Holier Than Thou. Parishioner James Collins, a Bridges board member, was the master of ceremonies. That fundraising and camaraderie were surpassed during our own cook-off in February 2020, which raised $1,000. And that, in turn, led to Christ Church winning a Silver Ladle Award during the Chili & Challenge virtual fundraiser last fall. Collection Drive Continues to Provide Diapers, Personal Care Items for CCC At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to support Columbia Community Care (CCC) by collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Please put any of these items in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. You can drop off items on weekdays until 2 p.m., but we ask that you call the church office (410) 381-9365 ahead of time. Donate Spring Cleaning Supplies for FISH in its Yellow Bin on the Breezeway Organizers for FISH of Howard County request household cleaning supplies such as liquid dish soap, bleach, and cleanser as well as personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, and bath soaps. At present, its pantry has an adequate supply of groceries. The bin is between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. 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. SEAFARER’S Donation Requests We could use your help in gathering the following items. Delivery is made and the date announced when the number of collections gets reasonably accumulated. Contact Carolann Sawyer with any questions. Bible in modern English (or Tagalog, Russian, or Chinese) Times/Newsweek/etc. up to 3 months old Sports Ill/People/etc. up to 6 months Cars/Computers/Consumers up to 1 year Reader’s Digest up to a couple of years National Geographics post-2000 Books (except for Bibles) are less often requested, but some seafarers do appreciate action novels, as well as picture books about Baltimore or the U.S. Action/adventure DVD’s. Recent popular CDs. Religious books (in easy English), DVDs, CDs; rosaries. Clothing - men’s jeans, other sturdy pants (no bigger than XL) or shorts, T-shirts, warm outerwear, and non-skid shoes/boots (in good condition only), and gloves, hats, scarves, and warm socks 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.

Columbia Community Care Seeks Volunteers for New ‘Produce’ Slots Now that summer has arrived, Columbia Community Care (CCC) has added two new categories to its volunteer slots. If you have a suitable vehicle and a strong back, consider these opportunities to help our less fortunate neighbors in Howard County to eat healthier. One slot occurs on Wednesdays from 4 to 5 p.m. to pick up produce that is being donated from Clark's Elioak Farm, 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD, 21042 (near the intersection of Rt. 108 and Centennial Lane). The volunteer then delivers these vegetables and fruits to the CCC site at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd. And lastly, the person must return Clark's crates back to its farm stand. Another slot occurs on Saturdays from 8:30 to 10 a.m. A volunteer must pick up the CCC’s produce order from one of the vendors at the Maryland Food Center Authority, a wholesale produce distribution center at 7460 Conowingo Ave., Jessup, MD, 20794, then deliver the order to the dropoff point so that other volunteers may then distribute it. That destination is the CCC site at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd. For this duty, a pickup truck is preferred, although a large van works also. One strong person or two capable people are needed. CCC is in the process of adding the new slots to its signup section under “I can help” on its website but, until that site is updated, it’s best to sign up at the CCC Group on Facebook. Existing volunteer slots continue from spring into summer. For more flexibility in timing, for example, consider taking a slot to “shop and deliver” an order of groceries to a recipient who lacks transportation. You can choose when you wish to go to the CCC pantry to fill a family’s shopping list and then take it to the home, following directions sent by text message. One Christ Church parishioner who has performed this volunteer duty finds there's room to deliver goods for two families at a time. (see photo) The “shopping takes place not at a supermarket but at the CCC pantry within New Hope Adventist Church, 12350 Hall Shop Rd., Fulton, MD, 12350. Pantry hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 12:30 to 6 p.m. Whether you plan to volunteer or not, please spread the word in the community among those who need food and other essentials so that more people can benefit. Besides the distribution site at Wilde Lake, CCC sites are located at Oakland Mills Middle School, 9540 Kilimanjaro Rd., and at Long Reach Village Center, Suite 9, 8775 Cloudleap Court, all in Columbia. CCC hours are on Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for volunteers; the line will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, volunteers work from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; the line is open from 10 a.m. to noon. At Christ Church, our Racially Aware Group of Episcopalians (R.A.G.E) and the Outreach Commission join in asking parishioners to continue supporting CCC in various ways. We have been gathering diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers such as Depends. To make it convenient, you may drop off requested items in the yellow collection bins in the Parish Hall. You can drop off items on weekdays until 2 p.m., but we ask that you call the church office (410) 381-9365 ahead of time. Outreach Flourishes as a Team Effort: Attend our June 14th Zoom Meeting to Get Involved The Outreach Commission is making an effort to better spread the word about what we do and, in turn, persuade more parishioners to participate during 2021. We invite you to join us at our next meeting, to be held on Zoom at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 14th. Information on how to log on using a device or by phone will be provided in the Church notices about online activities next week. To become active in other ways, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. As you consider becoming more involved in helping people, 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 Donate Personal Care, Household Cleaning Supplies for FISH in its Yellow Bin Organizers for FISH of Howard County request household cleaning supplies such as liquid dish soap, bleach, and cleanser. Also, the families who call on FISH during times of crisis could use personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, and bath soaps. At the present time, the pantry has an adequate supply of groceries. SEAFARER’S Donation Requests We could use your help in gathering the following items. Delivery is made and the date announced when the number of collections gets reasonably accumulated. Contact Carolann Sawyer with any questions. Bible in modern English (or Tagalog, Russian, or Chinese) Times/Newsweek/etc. up to 3 months old Sports Ill/People/etc. up to 6 months Cars/Computers/Consumers up to 1 year Reader’s Digest up to a couple of years National Geographics post-2000 Books (except for Bibles) are less often requested, but some seafarers do appreciate action novels, as well as picture books about Baltimore or the U.S. Action/adventure DVD’s. Recent popular CDs. Religious books (in easy English), DVDs, CDs; rosaries. Clothing - men’s jeans, other sturdy pants (no bigger than XL) or shorts, T-shirts, warm outerwear, and non-skid shoes/boots (in good condition only), and gloves, hats, scarves, and warm socks 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.

It’s Virtual: A June 6th-June 13th “Run” to Promote Health and Help Worthy Causes For the first time, the Howard County government is combining its Health and Wellness Day with the well-established Matzohball 5K run/walk and 1 Mile fun run held by Temple Isaiah. This is the 17th annual running/walking event and the 12th annual family wellness day in Howard County. All the activities are virtual, and you can register or donate here. Christ Church partners with Temple Isaiah and three other congregations in DreamBuilders, which is one of the non-profit organizations that will benefit from the Matzohball Run/Walk donations. The others are Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center and HopeWorks, which is Howard County’s sexual assault and domestic violence center. In announcing the combined events this year, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said on YouTube, “It feels good to see people coming together to run, walk, and make our health and the health of our community a priority.” Sign Up for Bridges’ June 6th “Taste of Wine, Splash of Charity” by Sunday, June 10th Supporters of Bridges to Housing Stability have been invited to a dine-in dinner and wine tasting accompanied by a fundraiser or a takeout opportunity. The in-person tickets, which have sold out, include access to a silent auction to be displayed at Iron Bridge. The remaining tickets cost $70 for a 3-course take-out meal and bottle of wine. Tickets must be ordered by this Sunday, June 6th, for this event that's held June 10th at the Iron Bridge Wine Co., 10435 Rt. 108, Columbia, MD 21044. The goal of the nonprofit organization is to prevent and end homelessness in Howard County. Each ticket purchased, whether for takeout or in-person dining, results in a $20 contribution to Bridges’ efforts. For information and to buy tickets, go here. Christ Church has a very warm relationship with Bridges that dates to 2019 when we participated in its countywide chili cook-off, Holier Than Thou. Parishioner James Collins, a Bridges board member, was a master of ceremonies. That fundraising and camaraderie were surpassed during our own cook-off in February 2020, which raised $1,000. And that, in turn, led to Christ Church winning a Silver Ladle Award during the Chili & Challenge virtual fundraiser last fall. Collection Drive Continues to Provide Diapers, Personal Care Items for CCC At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to support Columbia Community Care (CCC) by collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Please put any of these items in the yellow bin that's marked “CCC” and is located inside our Parish Hall. You can drop off items any weekday until 2 p.m., but we ask that you call the church office (410) 381-9365 ahead of time so that we can ensure your entry into the Parish Hall. Donate Personal Care and Cleaning Supplies for FISH in its Yellow Bin on our Breezeway Organizers for FISH of Howard County request household cleaning supplies such as liquid dish soap, bleach, and cleanser as well as personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, and bath soaps. At present, its pantry has an adequate supply of groceries. The bin is labeled and located outside, in between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. Local Families Need Our Support! Christ Church’s Lake Elkhorn Middle School (LEMS) ministry is a partnership between CEC and Lake Elkhorn Middle School, geared toward providing support to students, teachers, and families. As one element of this partnership, the LEMS Committee supports the school’s Weekend Food Program, providing food for 10 families experiencing food insecurity. This past year, we’ve done this despite the myriad challenges of the pandemic—and with the generous contributions of this congregation. The school has asked us to continue this support through the coming summer and into the next school year this fall. If we’re to continue - and possibly increase - our level of support, the LEMS Committee needs parishioners to help shop for and package food, as well as parishioners to help deliver the bagged groceries to the school. Shopping is from a pre-set grocery list, is funded by the committee, and can be done on your own time. Delivery is a socially distanced, quick drop-off to the school on the second Thursday of each month at 11:00 a.m. Christ Church deeply values our partnership with LEMS, and families in our community depend on our support. If you’re available to help shop or deliver, please contact Deacon Denise at deacondenise@christchurchcolumbia.org. SEAFARER’S Donation Requests We could use your help in gathering the following items. Delivery is made and the date announced when the number of collections gets reasonably accumulated. Contact Carolann Sawyer with any questions. Bible in modern English (or Tagalog, Russian, or Chinese) Times/Newsweek/etc. up to 3 months old Sports Ill/People/etc. up to 6 months Cars/Computers/Consumers up to 1 year Reader’s Digest up to a couple of years National Geographics post-2000 Books (except for Bibles) are less often requested, but some seafarers do appreciate action novels, as well as picture books about Baltimore or the U.S. Action/adventure DVD’s. Recent popular CDs. Religious books (in easy English), DVDs, CDs; rosaries. Clothing - men’s jeans, other sturdy pants (no bigger than XL) or shorts, T-shirts, warm outerwear, and non-skid shoes/boots (in good condition only), and gloves, hats, scarves, and warm socks 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.