As many of you know, I grew up not too far from a Slave Fort in my native Ghana. The fort was such an imposing structure and was one of the biggest buildings in the area. However, I didn’t know much about the history of the fort. All I knew, and what most people knew, was that it was a lighthouse. In my late teens, my mother - who loved to read - brought home a book, Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington. After reading the book, my mother passed it on to my brother and me, and highly encouraged us to read it. We took turns to do so, but I must admit that the wrenching stories and struggles that Booker Washington endured didn’t have as much impact on me at the time. Much as I was fascinated by his improbable story, which was the story of millions of African Americans, it was all totally foreign to me. It wasn’t until I relocated to Atlanta, experienced some of the struggles of African Americans myself, heard about Dr. Martin Luther King and other Civil Rights activists, read books, and saw movies that the African American story began to resonate and make sense to me. Some of the stories that I heard were so atrocious and dehumanizing that I always wondered why one human being felt compelled to treat another in the way millions of African Americans were treated, and are still being treated. It is interesting that all these experiences led the African American to look beyond their present lives for the comfort that none can offer but God. They interpreted their present life in its most temporal and impermanent form, for that was the surest way of looking toward the permanent life, that one life which was beyond the control of their ‘masters.’ The African American saw death not as the end of the human story but as a moment of refreshment in God, a moment of being at peace, a moment of no unpaid labor, no whipping, no beatings, no discrimination, no work, no rationing of food, no struggle... just peace at home. The peace which surpasses human understanding, which only God can offer. It is for this reason that African Americans were able to build within themselves such strength of conviction and faith, not only in the God of his/her oppressor but in the God that loved equally, the God who loved both the oppressor and the oppressed and always yearned for a relationship with both. Remember this - it is through God’s transformative relationship in love that human hearts are turned towards one another and not to self. As a kid, I remember singing: Swing low, sweet chariot, Comin' for to carry me home; Swing low, sweet chariot, Comin' for to carry me home. As an adult, I heard and sang for the first time: Steal away, steal away, Steal away to Jesus! Steal away, steal away home! I ain’t got long to stay here. These two Negro Spirituals tell of the deep longing of the Slave whose precarious situation was such that death was a preferred option. With nothing but faith in God, these spirituals capture what life on the other side meant for the African American - a home. God’s home. Here’s a story for you: a sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room, and said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.” Very quietly, the doctor said, “I don’t know.” “You don’t know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?” The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room with his tail wagging and an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside… He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing. I know my Master is there and that is enough.” Ever wonder why faith was such a crucial part of the African American tapestry? That, in spite of all that they endured they still had faith in God. They believed that the Master was with them, and that was enough. They believed in the Master, and that was more than enough. Do you also believe in that same Master who is Lord of this life and the other side of life? Do you believe in the Master’s transformative love as being more than enough? We may not know what the other side of life is about, but in all our trials, may we also know that the Master not only awaits us but is with us. And that to me, is more than enough. Manny. You can read more about the history behind Steal Away to Jesus here.

Leaders of Saint Luke’s Youth Center to Visit on Feb. 13 to Thank Christ Church for Supporting Children at 2021 “Camp Inspiration” In the midst of winter’s chill, take a moment to recall what it was like during the warmth of last summer. For youth in West Baltimore, their four-week summer day camp was all the sweeter because families could choose to pick up their children as late as 6 p.m. That option made it much easier for working parents, and it lengthened their kids’ fun and learning opportunities. The extended care was funded in part by a $500 contribution from Christ Church. Camp Inspiration is held by St. Luke’s Youth Center, which operates year-round as the nonprofit SLYC from the former St. Luke’s Episcopal parish at 217 N. Carey Street, Baltimore, MD. Two of the leaders of SLYC plan to say “thank you” in person by attending Christ Church on Feb. 13. Please save the date so that you can greet them in person or virtually. They expect to be present for Adult Forum at 9:30 a.m., for the 10:30 a.m. worship service, and at the Zoom Coffee Hour that follows online. Engagement coordinator Darlene Clark and Executive Director Amanda Gardner Talbot will be available to talk about SLYC’s collaborative model that includes families, staff members, supporters, and volunteers from several Episcopal parishes. The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland is among the partners. They’ll also describe in-person tutoring and other volunteer opportunities that you may wish to explore as individuals or in small groups, as well as pandemic protocols intended to keep everyone safe. The Outreach Commission liaison to SLYC is Michon Semon, whom last August was accompanied by parishioner Nancy Winchester at the end-of-camp presentation hosted by St. James, Lafayette Square. Toddlers to teens were performing. Since then, Nancy has donated one of her lovely, handmade quilts for SLYC fund-raising. SLYC offerings range from its “Moms on a Mission” program to SLYC After School, which impacts 40 young people, ages 4 to 19. Requests to parishes for “time, gifts, and talents” go well beyond tutoring students in math, reading, and writing. For example, there are needs for carpenters, architects, and landscapers or for grant-writers and graphic designers. Plan to meet the SLYC leaders on Feb. 13 and learn more. Or you can email the executive director at amanda@bmoreslyc.org. Columbia Community Care Needs Diapers, Personal Care Items At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue supporting the all-volunteer organization, Columbia Community Care (CCC). Please collect diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. You can put any of these items in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. Drop off items on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sunday. The items, as well as groceries and produce, are distributed at three sites: Long Reach Village Center, Suite 9, 8775 Cloudleap Ct.; Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd., and at the Barn/Teen Center indoor space in the Oakland Mills Village Center, 5851 Robert Oliver Place, all in Columbia. Recipients are welcomed from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For volunteers, donations and drop-offs begin at 9 a.m. You’ll find updates, such as requests for volunteers at specific sites, posted in the CCC Facebook Group. African Team Ministries is Back After 2020's COVID-19 hiatus and 2021's abbreviated booth, ATM is back! Handcrafts will be on display from Sunday, February 13th through the 27th, and at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on March 1st, if it's held. This ministry provides East African, primarily Kenyan, artisans with a market for their beautiful creations. Come & see intricate wood carvings, privative musical instruments, eye-catching soapstone décor, natural elements nativity sets, stunning necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more! We also need volunteers to help with set-up, selling, and pack-out. If you are interested in helping and are available after services or on Shrove Tuesday, please contact Sara Kirkpatrick at kirkpasf@gmail.com, leave a message at 410-730-6797. Donate Snacks, Crackers and Cookies to FISH in Bin on our Breezeway Organizers for FISH of Howard County are continuing to ask for cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill its shopping lists. The yellow bin is between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. Thanks for your contributions to our neighbors in need. 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.

Today is the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany. Collect of the Day: Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; 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: Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30 Today's Sermon: Father Manny's Sermon can be read here. Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here.

For each of the last 19 years, Christ Church has compiled and published a Lenten Meditation Book, which is distributed to parishioners around the weekend preceding Ash Wednesday. It is composed of parishioner submissions that center around that year's Spiritual Life Theme. and assists us all in times of quiet contemplation. The theme for this year is "Be One Body in Christ, Belonging to Each Other" which you can read more about here on our website. The LMB - nearly 80 pages last year - shares these submissions and helps us prepare ourselves for rebirth and renewal at Easter. We also post these Meditations on our website and social media each weekday during Lent and present a special musical selection each weekend. Our website is viewed by our congregation and by many thousands of individuals worldwide during the Lenten season. The Lenten Meditation Book is a collaborative project made of wonderful prayers, songs, stories, poems, readings, and personal reflections. We invite you all to send us yours - either by name or anonymously - so that we share them with the world. This year, we need to have all of your submissions in by February 13th in order to put this publication together in time. If you'd like to see examples of past years' Lenten Meditations, check them out on our website. Submit yours by email to Ellen Hoke at efboudreau1@gmail.com, or place it in the Spiritual Life mailbox in the Christ Church Office. You can also speak with Ellen on Sunday mornings at church for more information, or to see an example of last year's printed LMB. This wonderful example of the Christ Church community gathering to share words of comfort and renewal is at its best when everyone contributes, so send yours in soon! Thank you.

Episcopal Relief and Development Gets Disaster Aid After Wildfires The New Year hadn’t yet begun when wildfires swept through Boulder County, Colorado, leaving behind a swath of destruction. Since then, Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) has been taking steps to help people recover from the loss of more than 1,000 homes and businesses that burned on December 30th. “The Episcopal Church in Colorado has deep ties to the community and vast experience in responding to disasters,” said Katie Mears, Senior Director, US Disaster Program of ERD. “Their experience and preparation enabled them to quickly jump into action to provide assistance.” Housing was already scarce in the region, where the University of Colorado is located. Some people lost everything, from household items to family mementos. A Washington Post article published on Jan. 25th describes one former resident who returned to search her family’s property. Wendy Kramer found an ornamental metal angel from the back patio. “She retrieved its blackened figure, leaving the one remaining wing behind,” the article says. The Episcopal Church in Colorado mobilized its Disaster Response team to identify residents of the towns of Superior and Louisville whose homes were destroyed or damaged and who may not have other support systems. On behalf of Christ Church parishioners, members of the Outreach Commission voted at its January meeting to contribute $500 to ERD to assist in relief efforts. These are Vestry-approved funds derived from your pledges and contributions. Heartfelt thanks go out to one and all who make this possible. If you wish to donate personally to the ERD disaster fund, go online to ERD’s plea, “Responding to the Colorado Wildfires.” ERD is also asking for our prayers, for the victims of these and other wildfires, and for those beset by fire at any time or place. There have been a series of losses by fire, both near and far. In Columbia, a Christ Church family was displaced by a chimney fire and, in Baltimore, a vacant row house collapsed as it burned. Three firefighters died and another was hospitalized as a result. This month in Philadelphia and New York, 31 people died and others were injured and dispossessed when their buildings were consumed in flame. To raise your own voice in prayer, go to ERD’s special page, “Be with Those Who are Besieged by Fire.” Refugee Ministry Update: The Long Welcome Continues …‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ -Matthew 25:40 Our refugee family continues to make great progress in their adjustment to life here in the U.S. Mother Marcia is leading the effort to provide English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) tutoring to Ziba, as a supplement to the ESL curriculum at HCC she will begin next week (along with Anwar and Ijaz). All three young took the initiative to obtain employment, even as they await their engagement in Lutheran Social Services’ job development program. Mati began classes at Wilde Lake High School, with a challenging course lineup. The non-profit organization “Wheels of Hope” donated three refurbished bikes to the family, and the young men ride them to and from work and to the mosque they’ve begun attending. What a wonderful service for the underserved in our community! (If you’re so inclined, Wheels of Hope accepts donations via their website). We’re so very excited to see this family grow and thrive in their new home! The family will be receiving some limited public benefits, but there is still a need for donations of a few requested items, especially gift cards, which they greatly appreciate. Donations can be made via this Signup Genius link, or you can donate directly to the Refugee Ministry on Christ Church’s website (select the “Refugee Ministry” drop-down). If you have questions or would like to engage in this ministry, please contact Deacon Denise. Thank you for your support! Columbia Community Care Renews Request for Diapers It’s not too late to make a New Year’s resolution to donate diapers to Columbia Community Care (CCC). One of the volunteers who sorted donations on Jan. 22 posted a plea on the organization’s Facebook Group: “​​Please donate diapers if you can!” At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue supporting the all-volunteer organization 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 when the church office is open or on Sunday. The items, as well as groceries and produce, are distributed at three sites: Long Reach Village Center, Suite 9, 8775 Cloudleap Ct.; Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd., and at the Barn/Teen Center indoor space in the Oakland Mills Village Center, 5851 Robert Oliver Place, all in Columbia. Recipients are welcomed from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For volunteers, donations and drop-offs begin at 9 a.m. You’ll find updates, such as requests for volunteers at specific sites, posted in the CCC Facebook Group. FISH Continues its Request for Cookies, Crackers, and Snacks Organizers for FISH of Howard County are continuing to ask for cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill its shopping lists. The yellow bin is between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. Thanks for your contributions to our neighbors in need. 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.

February ushers us into Black History Month, a period where we celebrate the African American and the African American experience. It is, for me, a period where highlighting the African American experience may not necessarily be enough; rather, engaging each other in a way that heals and mends the many wounds that African Americans carry becomes a cause that we can individually champion. I am sure you have heard of the idiomatic expression “If you live in a glass house, don’t throw stones.” I wonder about that often. I think of many people who have taken up the African American’s cause, championing that cause, fighting for that cause, advocating for that cause - throwing stones while living in glass houses. I get the feeling that the sense of urgency of those people wasn’t because the metaphorical houses in which they lived didn’t offer the security that they needed for themselves and their families, but it was because they realized that there was more to life than the safety of being in those glass houses. There was more to life than any material comfort that those glass houses offered, and there was more to life than subjugating those who didn’t live in the glass house but who worked to support those who did. There was more to life than denigrating those who cleaned the glass houses. There was more to life than being full when those who cooked in the glass houses were running empty. There was more to life than any comfort we may seek for ourselves and our kin. There was more to life than simply being indifferent. I wonder if those individuals who lived in glass houses and threw stones heard or read the story about the rich man and Lazarus. Jesus tells the story of a rich man who was clothed in fine linen and fed sumptuously every day - a glass house of sorts. There was a poor man, Lazarus, who sat by his gate and desired to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table - living outside the glass house. (Read the full story in Luke 16:19-31). The condemnation of the rich man was not because of his wealth, but it was because of the indifference that he showed to Lazarus. How could he be indifferent in the face of Lazarus’ plight? It feels akin to burying your head in the sand like an ostrich, and assuming that your entire body is also covered in sand. That’s the curse of being indifferent. In my mind, to reject the invitation and attraction of indifference is to fully embrace the wisdom of living in a glass house and throwing stones, not with the goal of damaging the house - although sometimes some situations may call for that - it is about transforming the house into what it needs to be or look like. It is about transforming those who live in those glass houses and pretend that they don’t see beyond the glass, and it is less about transforming minds and more about transforming hearts. Is your heart ready to be transformed? A few days ago, I read a story about an African American woman, Lucy Higgs Nichols. She was born into slavery in Tennessee, but during the Civil War, she managed to escape and found her way to the 23rd Indiana Infantry Regiment which was encamped nearby. She stayed with the regiment and worked as a nurse throughout the war. After the war, she moved north with the regiment and settled in Indiana, where she found work with some of the veterans of the 23rd Indiana Infantry Regiment. She applied for a pension after Congress passed the Army Nurses Pension Act of 1892 which allowed Civil War nurses to draw pensions for their service. The War Department had no record of her, so her pension was denied. Fifty-five surviving veterans of the 23rd petitioned Congress for the pension they felt she had rightfully earned, and it was granted. I was so moved by the story. It was so emotional reading and looking at the picture of Ms. Nichols and members of the 23rd Indiana Infantry Regiment. I thought to myself, what would have happened if these soldiers had shown any kind of indifference towards Ms. Nichols? What would have happened if these soldiers had ignored Ms. Nichols's work for them and with them? What would have happened if they had turned their backs on her? What would have happened if they had declined to throw stones in the glass house for fear of upsetting the apple cart? What would have happened if, in spite of what they knew about Ms. Nichols, they had refused to advocate for her? One thing is for sure... Ms. Nichols would not have received her benefits for work already done. The problem is we have a lot of Ms. Nichols among us. They live in our neighborhoods, and they shop with us at the same grocery store. They, too, have gotten infected with COVID just like a good number of us have so far. They worship in our churches, and they do the sort of work that we may not be able to do ourselves - like Ms. Nichols. The solution is we need a lot more people like the members of the 23rd Indiana Infantry Regiment among us, people who would advocate for all that is right, just, and fair. I believe that for real healing and mending to occur, we will continually need people like the members of the 23rd Indiana Infantry Regiment to advocate for the likes of Ms. Nichols. We will need you to throw stones in glass houses for their sake. Manny.

NOTE: THIS POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED. THANK YOU. Christ Episcopal Church is now hiring a regular full-time Parish Administrator. This position manages the office of Christ Church and is responsible for all administrative functions including providing executive assistance to the Rector, coordinating building use, maintaining congregational records and service documents, and providing support for weekly worship. If you are interested in becoming a part of our team, you can find more information here and can reach out to us with any questions at info@christchurchcolumbia.org

CHRIST CHURCH'S LECTIONARY BIBLE STUDY Bible Study takes place on Zoom this Wednesday (tomorrow) at 10:30 a.m. and discusses and reflects on the readings for the coming Sunday. This week's readings are at https://tinyurl.com/CECBible126. If you need the Zoom link, email us at info@christchurchcolumbia.org. You do not have to know much about the Bible; just join in and we'll all study and learn together.

Today is the Third Sunday after the Epiphany. Collect of the Day: Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Readings for today: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Luke 4:14-21 Today's Sermon: Kathy Lyon's Sermon for this Sunday can be read here. Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here.

Today is the Second Sunday after the Epiphany. Collect of the Day: Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Readings for today: Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm 36:5-10 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 John 2:1-11 Today's Sermon: Father Manny's Sermon for this Sunday can be read here. Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here.

I have been reading a fascinating book, at least in the first chapters, by a woman named Katherine May called Wintering. She proposes that all of us not only endure or celebrate the current season of cold and dark and fallow time, but that winter for most of us can be a rich spiritual and emotional season of growth. "Everybody winters at one time or another, some of us winter over and over again. Wintering is a season in the cold. It is a fallow period in life when you (feel) cut off from the world, feel rejected, sidelined, blocked from progress, or cast into the role of an outsider." One can enter a wintering through a life event, a loss, an illness, or transition or emotional crisis. She says that the entry to wintering can be swift or creep up slowly, perhaps through the gradual failing of a relationship or the taking on of new responsibilities or the realization of the immutable changes taking place in one's own body or person. Whatever the reason, wintering is usually not deliberately sought, and it is isolating, painful, frustrating. It feels as if we have lost our pace with the world and can't quite get back to the normal living rhythm, and what's worse, is the feeling that this is shameful and we must somehow hide our deficiency from the rest of our acquaintance, embarrassed and humiliated by our failure. We all experience 'wintering' seasons in our lives. It is part of human experience. I know I have had those times when like in the January doldrums, all I can manage is to keep on keeping on, devoid of energy or positive motivation, stuck in the grey fog of isolation. It is there, perhaps, that the real shining light of a faith community matters. I remember a story told by the wonderful Episcopal author, Madeleine L' Engle. She explained that she had been in a sudden traffic accident. Taken to the emergency room, still hurting and not quite sure of what had happened or whether she was badly injured, she found that she suddenly was unable to pray. Lying on the gurney, the best she could manage was to mouth bits of the Lord's Prayer by rote, but with no sense of comfort. And in that moment of isolation, even from the God she knew and loved and was loved by, the door to the room opened and in came members of her church family, who stood around the bed and prayed for her. Engle realized that this was the gift of Christ in his church; the Body held up all its members when they could not hold up themselves to God's love. She wrote: "I will have nothing to do with a God who cares only occasionally. I need a God who is with us always, everywhere, in the deepest depths as well as the highest height. It is when things go wrong,when good things do not happen, when our prayers seem to have been lost, that God is most present. We do not need the sheltering wings when things go smoothly. We are closest to God in the darkness, stumbling along blindly." Many years ago, after the death of my first husband, David, my children and I were simply surviving. It was the wintering of all winterings. And into it came Bob, my second husband to be. At those very moments when the chaos and emotional tsunami of children grieving for the father they had lost, some angry, some in despair and depression, my own realization of the responsibility I now had to be both father and mother, and single provider, Bob brought his nighttime comfort song: "When you're alone and feeling blue, no one to tell your troubles to, remember me. I'm the one who loves you. And when the whole world lets you down, and not a true friend can be found, remember me. I'm the one who loves you..." It was a simple song, a gesture of love, but in it we found we were sustained, held, befriended. Henri Nouwen says, "When I trust that today, God is truly with me, and holds me safe in a divine embrace, guiding every one of my steps, I can let go of my anxious need to know how tomorrow will look, or what will happen next month or next year. I can be fully where I am and pay attention to the many signs of God's love within me and around me." It is winter. And some of us are wintering. But we are not alone. We have a God who remembers us, is with us, loves us; and we have each other to bring that love to our presence. Nouwen says, "I want you to hear that voice, to gradually learn to listen to a voice that says, "You are the Beloved and on you my favor rests." "It is not a loud voice because it is an intimate voice. It comes from a very deep place. It is soft and gentle. We both have to hear that voice and to claim for ourselves that that voice speaks the truth. Our truth. It tells us who we are." Mother Marcia