Today is the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost. Collect of the Day: Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Readings for today: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 Psalm 111 Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6:51-58 Today's Sermon: Father Manny's Sermon for today can be read here. Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here.

Zerubbabel, a civic leader in Jerusalem, was responsible for finishing the work of rebuilding the temple after the return from exile. He was, however, troubled that the work of rebuilding the temple wasn’t moving on quickly enough. The work of rebuilding had stalled for about twenty years and he needed encouragement in order to carry on with the work. Based on a vision from God, Zechariah encourages Zerubbabel that it is not by might but rather by the spirit of God that he would be able to accomplish the task of completing the building of the temple. For that reason, the prophet advises, “Do not despise these small beginnings, the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” In others words, never despise humble beginnings; it only takes an effort. This idea resonates with the popular cliché “A journey of a thousand steps begins with a step.” The point really is about the ability to embrace humble beginnings, and to realize that to be successful or to progress means to at least take that first step, that leap of faith into the future. Remember - even one step is progress! Over the past eighteen or so years, many are the parents who have watched their children grow into young adults. From the early days of birth and daycare, from kindergarten to first grade, and then through middle and high school, you have been beside these children. Their greatest strength was in knowing that someone was always there, with them and for them. The challenges throughout have been many. The conversations have been countless. The car rides to different activities - sports, music, play dates, parties, and church - uncountable. In the next few days, they will take a step into a future space, one where mom and dad will not be around on a daily basis to help, guide, counsel, and support. These young adults will have to rely on all that they have learned from you and many others in order to be successful. I have been wondering how it will feel like to drop my own daughter off at college. It is such a big deal for me because she is my first, and so this will be my first experience of enrolling a child in college. If you can relate, I’d be interested to know how you also felt dropping off your first child at theirs. Like any parent, I am super proud of the young woman Havi has become, and I look forward to what the future holds for her and all the many other college freshmen and women. As parents, our desire is always to see our children succeed. Our hope is that they believe in small beginnings, that any accomplishment begins with a step, that progress is not about pace but a movement - and more importantly, that they have within themselves the kind of fire that will burn with a desire to be successful. Here’s a story: a young man asked Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, about the secret of success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river the next morning. They met, and Socrates then asked the young man to walk with him toward the water. When the river rose up to their necks, Socrates took the young man by surprise and dunked him into the water. The man struggled to get out, but Socrates was strong and kept him underwater until he started turning blue. The young man struggled hard and finally managed to get up. The first thing he did was to gasp and take a deep breath. Socrates asked, “What did you want the most when you were under the water?” The man replied, “Air.” Socrates then said, “That’s the secret to success. When you want success as badly as you want air, you will get it. There is no other secret.” The one exception that I take with this story is that it doesn’t help us answer the question of what to do with success - whatever that success may be. And so as I begin to reflect on my journey with my daughter to her school, I will have to help her to understand that she has to embrace humble beginnings, to use whatever success she achieves to do right by others, to nurture others, and to do what is basic and simple: to serve, to love, and to care. Something tells me that we can also take that first step towards doing the simple and basic. Something tells me that you can count on the spirit of the Lord to help you accomplish the task - whatever the task may be. And so my friends, believe in humble beginnings, for it only takes an effort. ~Manny

Children at “Camp Inspiration” Benefit from Christ Church Parishioners’ Donation to General Outreach Funds During four weeks of summer camp at a church in West Baltimore, families could choose to pick up their children at 6 p.m. rather than earlier. That option made it much easier for working parents, and it enabled their kids to enjoy fun and summer learning opportunities for as long as possible. The extended care was funded in part by a contribution from Christ Church. Camp Inspiration is held by St. Luke’s Youth Center, which operates from the former St. Luke’s Episcopal parish on N. Carey Street as the nonprofit SLYC. On August 6th, parishioners Michon Semon and Nancy Winchester were in the audience to applaud the end-of-camp presentation hosted by St. James, Lafayette Square. Toddlers to teens were performing. “Camp Imagination is a place where imagination, creativity, fun, and education come together,” says SLYC. “Camp experiences inspire a love of learning through mindfulness and the arts.” The day camp serves 28 youth from ages 5-13 and involves 11 teen leaders and six professional art instructors. Children receive more than 60 hours of reading and academic enrichment. As a member of the Outreach Commission, Michon had obtained facts on the worthy efforts by SLYC, and the commission responded by approving a $500 donation for the camp. The funds came from the Christ Church parishioners’ contributions to General Outreach. So thanks to all on behalf of the SLYC participants and each child’s extended family. Camp Inspiration is part of SLYC’s year-round community engagement program whose supporters include the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, among others. SLYC holds after-school academic and youth leadership programs for youth ages 6 to 17 and involves families in the West Baltimore neighborhood through its “Moms on a Mission” program. To get information or to become a supporter, contact SLYC Director Amanda Talbot at amanda@bmoreslyc.org. Save the Dates: Grassroots Meal Drop-Offs on Monday, Aug. 16th; Monday, Sept. 20th 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: August 16th and September 20th, 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. 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. 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. Or purchase 12 rotisserie chickens to make a meal. Grassroots continues to discourage lasagna or other pasta dishes. Here is a link to the sign-up list that has openings through August 31st. Thanks to all who Supplied Kids’ Gift Bags for Columbia Community Care For a summer celebration, Columbia Community Care (CCC) brought cheer to children in Howard County on Saturday, August 7th. Parishioners at Christ Church pitched in as CCC’s three distribution sites offered gift bags full of small toys, treats, and books for kids ages 3 to 10 years old. Organizer Sue Sharff Castonguay, a member of the CCC group on Facebook, used that social media to express gratitude to Christ Church for its generosity in contributing gift bags and her thanks to Vestry and Outreach member Diane Phillips Laguerre and her brother for delivering them. At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue supporting 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 Personal Care and Cleaning Supplies for FISH in 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 between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. SEAFARER’S Donation Requests We could use your help in gathering the following items. Delivery is made and the date is 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.

Dear Christ Church Sisters and Brothers, Ever felt that you would like to make a significant impact on the direction and asperations of our beloved Christ Church? Well, it is that time of year again! Time to decide on a slate of candidates to submit their names for election to the Vestry. Vestry service is rewarding and makes a difference. If you are a voting member of Christ Church (see eligibility qualifications below), you are eligible to submit your name for election to the Vestry. If you meet the qualification, please consider making a contribution of your gift and talent by serving in a leadership position. Vestry service consists of attending a Tuesday evening once each month. Preparation for these meetings require the reading and familiarization with meeting documentation that includes minutes, financial reports and other reports from different officers and ministries. Other obligations may be an assignment as a liaison to one of our many ministries, where you can track and report back to the Vestry when scheduled to do so. These are the minimum requirements, but just to be sure, there are many other opportunities to become involved. As with normal years there are four Vestry positions opening up due to the regular three year Vestry terms ending for four current members. With four positions opening up, the Vestry nominations committee has a goal of fielding 6 to 8 candidates for the Vestry election at the Annual Meeting in October. If you submit your name to run, we will take your picture to be posted on our website and in the Narthex, and we will ask you to write a biography about your story, how you came to Christ Church or the Episcopal Church in general, what involvement you have had in our church, and why you want to run for Vestry. If you put yourself out there, you need to campaign a bit. The biography is basically your opportunity to do that. We invite all eligible members to please consider the calling you may feel in your heart to offer your gifts and talents to serve Christ Church. You may please notify the church office at: office@christchurchcolumbia.org or Fr. Manny: revmanny@christchurchcolumbia.org Here are the qualifications for Vestry service: Voting Members. Every person who: is sixteen (16) years of age or older: and has been a Member of Christ Church and has been regular in worship fòr at least three months preceding the day when he or she may wish to vote; and is a giver of record, or, if under the age of twenty-one (2 1), is a member of a household which is a giver of record; and has been baptized, confirmed or received at Christ Church or has transferred his or her baptismal records to Christ Church shall be a Voting Member thereof, with the right to vote in the election of Vestry Members and upon all other matters having to do with the aftäirs of Christ Church.

Today is the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost. Collect of the Day: Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; 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: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 Psalm 130 Ephesians 4:25-5:2 John 6:35, 41-51 Today's Sermon: Deacon Denise's Sermon for today can be read here. Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here.

Inviting One and All to Get Involved in Christ Church Outreach The Outreach Commission is making an effort to better spread the word about what we do and, in turn, persuade more volunteers to participate during 2021. As summer wanes and fall beckons, consider joining us at our next meeting to learn more about opportunities. It will be held virtually at 7:30 p.m. this coming Monday, August 9th. so join us. The Zoom link is here, Meeting ID is 876 3365 4968 and Password is Outreach! To become active in other ways, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. 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 Expressing Gratitude to Participants in a Recent Restaurant Donation Day that Helps Bridges To End Homelessness Supporters of Bridges to Housing Stability had multiple choices to make at the latest restaurant donation day to help those who risk homelessness in Howard County. On July 29, Cured Table & Tap and 18th & 21st each donated 10 percent of participating diners' receipts, and Bridges supporters could select takeout or dining at one of the two sister venues in the Merriweather District in Downtown Columbia. For those who chose outdoor dining at Cured, dogs and their owners were welcome on the patio (see photos). One of Bridges’ strengths is its Housing Connections Program, which has served 49 households. Housing Connections works with landlords and low- to moderate-income county residents to support both parties during the tenancy search and initial lease term. This results in stable housing for the families and timely rent payments for the landlords. Watch a brief video featuring a client, Victoria, on her path to self-sufficiency that you can find under the heading “Success Stories” on the Bridges’ homepage. Christ Church has a warm relationship with Bridges that dates to 2019, when we participated in its countywide chili cook-off, Holier Than Thou. During our own cook-off in February 2020, we raised $1,000. And that, in turn, led to Christ Church winning a Silver Ladle Award during the Chili & Challenge virtual fundraiser last fall. Progress Reported by Friends of Sabina at Its Primary School in Uganda during a Coffee Hour/Adult Forum on Zoom Leaders of Friends of Sabina (FOS) described many ways the nonprofit organization is making progress at Sabina Primary School in rural Uganda. On Sunday, Aug. 1, Father Manny, Deacon Denise, and members of the Outreach Commission hosted Ann Marie Davis, who recently returned from Uganda, and Maria White, who are the co-founders of FOS. Both thanked Christ Church parishioners and Outreach for spiritual and monetary support during the founding period of FOS, which is revitalizing the school. Outreach continues to support Sabina through FOS. For example, Christ Church pays the librarian’s salary and covers the costs of an upgraded internet service, using $2,000 in Vestry-approved funds in 2021. Thanks to Christ Church parishioners for making that possible! It turns out the talented librarian, Richard Tumusiime, plays a multi-faceted role at Sabina, even serving as a soccer coach. To see a brief video about him, as well as other videos and photos of Sabina, go to the 41:50 mark of a recording of the Zoom meeting on the Christ Church YouTube channel. More than a decade ago, Christ Church began supporting Sabina Primary School and its library through the organization, Children of Uganda (COU). Parishioners collected shipments of books for the library, which evolved into the Ssanje Community Resource center, playing a vital role for residents of the surrounding area. West of Lake Victoria and north of the border with Tanzania, the area is located in Kyotera District (formerly in Rakai District). In late 2019, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese that owns Sabina Primary School entered into a management agreement with FOS, then a newly-formed organization that is co-managed by White and Davis, both former members of the COU Board of Directors. FOS embarked on an improvement program that includes replacing infrastructure such as the obsolete kitchen complex. For example, new energy-efficient stoves were shown in the Zoom session. Beginning in 2020, Outreach encouraged parishioners to sponsor Sabina students whose families otherwise cannot afford fees and tuition. Christ Church members stepped forward to support eight children, and several sponsors were updated during the Zoom session on the students and their experiences in a year of pandemic challenges. A photo of many of the children can be seen on the Christ Church website that also has details for anyone wishing to sponsor a child. This year during Lent, Christ Church youth and Sunday School children dedicated their Mite Box collection to FOS for the eventual purchase of chicks or other livestock. 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 Personal Care and Cleaning Supplies for FISH in 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 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. Lake Elkhorn Middle School Supplies - THANK YOU! We are excited to report that we have exceeded our goal of $5,000 for school supplies for the students at LEMS. We are very grateful to the generous parishioners of Christ Church for their responsiveness to the needs of families in our local community. We have ordered the supplies and will fill the bags in the near future - stay tuned for details in upcoming communications. If you would like to help us bag the supplies, please contact Onyx Williams at ow6062@gmail.com or Cathy Whittaker at catharinewhittaker@gmail.com. SEAFARER’S Donation Requests We could use your help in gathering the following items. Delivery is made and the date is 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.

The Olympic Games in Tokyo have been fascinating to watch. But there’s this eerie feeling of watching the games in near-empty arenas and stadia. You can readily tell that something doesn’t look right. Every time I turn on the TV to watch, I begin to wonder how the athletes, who have trained so hard over the past several years and even in the midst of the pandemic to represent their countries, feel about competing in near-empty spaces. As many of you have, I've been to ballparks, arenas, and stadia to watch different sporting events over the years, and I know that win or lose, the athletes no doubt feed on the energy of spectators. Watching the games with little-to-no spectators reminds me of the period during the earlier days of COVID when we could not worship in person together. Leading worship at Christ Church every Sunday morning at that time was the loneliest and painful experience one could have. Looking at the empty chairs, many with pictures of parishioners plastered on them, was both humbling and terrifying. I always wondered to myself, "When is this going to end?" One thing I have learned is that these experiences, I believe, help us to look at life - not through the major victories that a gold, silver, or bronze medal may attest to us and others, but through the courage of graceful living. The Olympic Games have been exciting, and like everything else in life, there have been moments of disappointment, heartbreak, sadness, surprise, happiness, and pure joy. To see the athletes express any of these emotions in response to a contest is so human. For example, I was watching the 800-meter competition the other night, and in the course of the race, Nigel Amos from Botswana tripped Isaiah Jewett from the United States. Both of them fell, but as disappointed as they were, and as upset as I think Isaiah may have been that he was tripped, both acted with grace and helped each other to the finish line. Yet another story, two high jumpers - Mutaz-Essa Barshim of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy - competed against one another. Each athlete could simply not outdo the other as they kept jumping and jumping at higher heights. After both had missed at the same high point, an Olympic official approached them to say that the next phase of their competition would be a “jump-off” to see who could outlast the other. Then came the question from the Qatari: “Can we have two golds?” asked Barshim. The official responded, “It’s possible, yes.” Immediately, the two athletes looked at one another and smiled. The high jump contest between Barshim and Tamberi was over, with each of them winning a gold medal. The Olympic Games are, in essence, about the celebration of humanity. In an insightful way, I think the many varied Olympic events tell a unique story about you and I and everyone else - that the Olympic Games are not about one thing, sport, or event, but rather different and multiple ones. And each of them brings out different gifts, talents, and fulfillment to each one of us. In just the same way, God’s creation is not, and has never been, about one thing or one event, but rather different and multiple ones. Again, God’s creation has never been about one person or race, but all people. God’s creation has been about God’s creation, all of God’s creation, and not merely some of God’s creation. I think that is how we find deeper spirituality, with the acknowledgment that God has not been about one thing, and that any and all things do express the depth, height, length, and breadth of God. So then, if we are to put our competitive natures aside, we will find strength in each other, we will find grace in each other, we will find solace in each other, and we will push each other to win. In many ways, it is a question of choice - you have to decide, you have to make the choice as to whether you will go against the grain and find in each person or in each of God’s creation, something exciting, something worth fighting for, something worth celebrating. Can you be the athlete who helps the other athlete to the finish line? Can you be the athlete who asks the official if we can have two golds? Here’s another story for you: a Kenyan runner Abel Mutai was only a few meters from the finish line, but got confused with the signs and stopped, thinking he had finished the race. A Spanish man, Ivan Fernandez, was right behind him and, realizing what was going on started shouting to the Kenyan to keep running. Mutai did not know Spanish and did not understand. So Fernandez pushed Mutai to victory. A reporter asked Ivan, “Why did you do this?” My dream is that one day we can have some sort of community life where we push ourselves and help each other win.” He responded. The reporter insisted “But why did you let the Kenyan win?” Ivan replied, “I didn’t let him win, he was going to win. The race was his.” Not satisfied, the reporter asked again, “But you could have won!” Ivan looked at him and replied: “But what would be the merit of my victory? What would be the honor of this medal? What would my mother think of me?” We have been made to believe that every aspect of our lives should be about winning or losing - and, in fact, winning at whatever cost. But life is much more than that - it is about beauty, grace, compassion, peace, and love. For that reason, we always have to set aside our competitive side in order to be gracious - even when we think we are winning. To answer the question of choice, my prayer is for you to always choose graceful living, for that is the only way that each of us can win. ~Manny

Today is the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost. Collect of the Day: Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; 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: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a Psalm 51:1-13 Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6:24-35 Today's Sermon: Father Manny's Sermon for today can be read here. Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here. The Hymnal insert is here.

Over the past several months, we have been hosting at least one ministry at our Vestry meetings. These interactions between ministry leaders and the Vestry offer all of us an opportunity to learn more about that ministry, its challenges, and, more importantly, how best we may be able to respond to some of the challenges as a Vestry. This past week, we hosted Jenn Adkins and Leigh Smith, who have been working extremely hard with other parishioners on our Children Formation - even during the peak of the pandemic. They, and many others, reflect the deep desire to nurture children in a way that brings out the best in them, not only for today but for tomorrow, as well. One thing that struck me was the optimism of both Jenn and Leigh. It has been challenging, no doubt, and it will be challenging going forward, but they are determined. They are determined to continue to teach Sunday School and offer their best to the children of Christ Church. The teachers may not necessarily know, at this moment which of the many children they teach week-in and week-out, either in person or on Zoom, would be impacted by their teaching and model of faithfulness. In their optimism, they expressed a need. They need other parishioners to join them in teaching and modeling God’s love to our children. Are you the one? Can you be the one? Should you be the one? I am sure you have the capacity to teach and model a life of faithfulness and compassion to our children within you. This brings me to the story about the stolen watch... An old man meets a young man who asks, “Do you remember me?” And the old man says that he does not. The young man then tells him he was his student, so the teacher asks him, “What do you do, what do you do in life?” The young man answers, “Well, I became a teacher.” “Ah, how good. Like me?” asks the old man. “Well, yes. In fact, I became a teacher because you inspired me to be like you.” The old man, curious, asks the young man at what point in time he decided to become a teacher. And the young man tells him the following story: “One day, a friend of mine - also a student - came in with a nice, new watch, and I decided I wanted it, so I stole it. I took it right out of his pocket. Shortly after, my friend noticed the theft of his watch and immediately complained to our teacher, who was you. Then you went to the class and said, 'This student's watch was stolen during class today. Whoever stole it, please return it.' I didn't give it back because I didn't want to. You proceeded to close the door and tell us all to get up as you were going to search our pockets one by one until the watch was found. But you also told us to close our eyes because you would only look for his watch if we all had our eyes closed. So we did, and you went from pocket to pocket, and when you went through my pocket, you found the watch and took it. You kept searching everyone's pockets, and when you were done you said, 'Open your eyes. We have the watch.' You didn't tell me, though, and you never mentioned the episode. You never said who stole the watch, either. That day, you saved my dignity forever. It was the most shameful day of my life. But this is also the day my dignity was saved and I decided not to become a thief, a bad person. You never said anything, nor even scolded me or took me aside to give me a moral lesson, yet I received your message clearly. And thanks to you, I understood what a real educator needs to do. Do you remember this episode, professor?" The professor answered, "I remember the situation, the stolen watch that I was looking for in everyone’s pocket, but I didn't remember it was you, because I also closed my eyes while looking." This is the essence of teaching: If to correct, you must humiliate; you don't know how to teach. I have always believed in Sunday School, and I believe so strongly that it is an important part of our common life that we should not in any way compromise. I have had the blessing of serving in different parishes with strong Sunday School programs, and I know the difference that this, alone, makes to the health of a parish. I believe that in so far as volunteers can model virtues of love, compassion, humility, trust, and faithful dedication to children, they can be sure that at least one seed will fall on good soil and bear fruit... fruit that will last. I know you can model these virtues, and I invite you to close your eyes and be the teacher who found the stolen watch and also affirmed the dignity of that child. I invite you to consider being a Sunday School teacher. ~Manny

Columbia Community Care Plans Gift-Bag Distribution to Help Kids Enjoy Summer For a mid-summer celebration, Columbia Community Care (CCC) has made plans to bring cheer to children in Howard County on Saturday, Aug. 7. Its volunteers are adding a table to each of CCC’s three distribution sites that will offer gift bags and other new items for kids. Please obtain medium-size gift bags and fill them with toys and other delights for children ages 3 to 10 years old. Ideas include gender-neutral gifts and small toys such as jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, sunglasses, foam visors, bubble soap, slime, play dough, stickers, art supplies, markers, and watercolors. Also consider adding individual snacks, juice boxes, granola bars, and fruit snacks. CCC will also accept single/loose, larger items such as playground balls, soccer balls, and paperback books. New items only. Please, no toy weapons of any kind. Sue Sharff Castonguay, a member of the CCC group on Facebook, organized the giveaway and is coordinating the additional volunteers to hand out the items through her posts on CCC’s Facebook group. Volunteer hours are 9:30 a.m. to noon or until CCC runs out of bags and gifts. Parishioners can bring their bags to the yellow bin marked “CCC” located inside the entrance to the Parish Hall. To make sure the items get to the organizer’s preferred sites on time, a member of Christ Church will coordinate with CCC. The Christ Church deadline for dropoff is Friday, Aug. 6 by 4 p.m. Or, if you prefer, you can bring the gift bags or larger items directly to the CCC sites on Saturday, Aug. 7, from 9 to 10 a.m. The sites are: Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd., Long Reach Village Center, Suite 9, 8775 Cloudleap Ct., and Oakland Mills Middle School, 9540 Kilimanjaro Rd., all in Columbia. 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. There should be enough room in the yellow bins for the summer gift bags and the usual donations. 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. Invitation to Take a Virtual Trip to Uganda as Leaders of Friends of Sabina Join the Sunday, Aug. 1st Zoom Coffee Hour/Adult Forum Plan to see and hear the latest on how leaders of Friends of Sabina (FOS) are making progress at Sabina Primary School in rural Uganda. At noon on Sunday, Aug. 1, Father Manny and the Outreach Commission will host Ann Marie Davis, who recently returned from Uganda, and Maria White, the two leaders of FOS. The FOS Adult Forum will flow seamlessly from our regular coffee hour. Here’s how to participate: Join our Zoom gathering HERE. The meeting ID is 830 0557 1585, and the password is SundayVCH. We’ve already gotten a positive update on the performance of Sabina’s students within the Ugandan system of education. The school educates children as early as 3-6 years of age in pre-primary. Primary students in grades P1 through P7 study English, Math, Science, and Social Studies (consisting of History, Geography, and Religious Studies). At Sabina, the curriculum also includes Permaculture/Agriculture. At the end, students take the national Primary Leaving Exams (PLE). These rigorous exams affect placement in secondary school and whether some students must repeat P7. On Tuesday, July 20th, the FOS leaders shared the news that Sabina ranked 13 out of about 400 schools in the Kyotera District: “We received the P7 results, and all of the Sabina students passed with a score of 1 or 2. One being the highest!” “Everyone in the community is so excited as Sabina is back on the map with their improved commitment to superior academics. Thank you for believing in us,” said White in an email. More than a decade ago, Christ Church began supporting Sabina Primary School and its library through the organization, Children of Uganda (COU). Parishioners collected shipments of books for the library, which evolved into the Ssanje Community Resource center, playing a vital role for residents of the surrounding area. In late 2019, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese that owns Sabina Primary School entered into a management agreement with FOS, then a newly-formed organization that is co-managed by the two former members of the COU Board of Directors. FOS embarked on an improvement program that includes replacing infrastructure such as the obsolete kitchen complex. “By stepping out on faith, we built the foundation of our vision to renew and support the Sabina School,” said the FOS leaders. Outreach continues to support Sabina through FOS. For example, Christ Church pays the librarian’s salary and covers the costs of upgraded internet service, using $2,000 in Vestry-approved funds in 2021. Thanks to Christ Church parishioners for making that possible! You, too, can take pride in the accomplishment of the high-performing P7 students. Beginning in 2020, Outreach also encouraged parishioners to sponsor Sabina students whose families otherwise cannot afford fees and tuition. (They are among Sabina students pictured here.) Christ Church members stepped forward to sponsor eight children, who then ranged in age from 8 to 15. Parishioners and the first names of the students are: Steve and Linda Alpern (Sharon); Tim and Sherry Beaty, (Herbert); Ellen and Charles Hoke, (Josephine); Patricia Fanning, (Patricia); Diane Phillips Laguerre (Jackson); Paula and Chuck Rees (Sandra); Catherine Whittaker (Brian); and Melanie and Nick Yaksich (Marvin). We’re expecting many of the sponsors to join the Zoom gathering to hear more about these students’ experiences in what has turned out to be a year of pandemic challenges. The FOS leaders last met with Christ Church in May of 2020 during a virtual coffee hour on Zoom. This time the images will be like traveling to Uganda’s Central Region, which is west of Lake Victoria and north of the border with Tanzania. And for some members of Christ Church, the video visit will remind them of their own travels to Uganda and long-standing involvement with Sabina Primary School including the Hokes, the Alperns, and Teddy and Sonni Aribiah and their sons, Jonah and Luke. Lake Elkhorn Middle School Supplies - THANK YOU! We are excited to report that we have exceeded our goal of $5,000 for school supplies for the students at LEMS. We are very grateful to the generous parishioners of Christ Church for their responsiveness to the needs of families in our local community. We have ordered the supplies and will fill the bags in the near future - stay tuned for details in upcoming communications. If you would like to help us bag the supplies, please contact Onyx Williams at ow6062@gmail.com or Cathy Whittaker at catharinewhittaker@gmail.com. Reminder: Restaurant Donation Day is July 29th to Help Bridges End Homelessness Supporters of Bridges to Housing Stability can dine in at one restaurant or choose to dine in or take out at its sister venue in the Merriweather District in Downtown Columbia on July 29th. Cured Table & Tap and 18th & 21st will each donate 10 percent of your receipt during Bridges’ Restaurant Donation Day. Both restaurants share the same address: 10980 Grantchester Way, #110, Columbia, MD 20144. For more information about the event or about Bridges and its support by our parishioners, read the Christ Church Outreach Blog Post of July 10. Donate Personal Care and Cleaning Supplies for FISH in 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 between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. Are YOU the Next DreamBuilders Webmaster? Deadline is Sunday DreamBuilders is seeking a webmaster to join our Leadership team in September of 2021. The website is a key information source for our volunteers to learn about and sign up for local building opportunities and mission trips. The site also serves a vital communication role for construction partners, suppliers, supporters, and potential donors to understand the amazing work DreamBuilders does locally and on mission trips. You’ll be responsible for managing DreamBuilders’ web presence, ensuring our site is user-friendly and current. You should be knowledgeable in web hosting/ server management, online security, web design, and content management on the WordPress platform (no coding is necessary). You’ll participate in monthly leadership meetings to be well-informed of DreamBuilders' plans, projects, and events. This volunteer position requires a commitment of 4-8 hours a month, although the hours vary depending on DreamBuilders’ activity level. Your personal involvement and donation of web skills will have a direct impact on improving the lives of so many people! And of course, you’ll have ample opportunity to put your creative talents to good use. For more information, contact john.mcbeth@verizon.net The deadline to express interest is this Sunday, August 1st. SEAFARER’S Donation Requests We could use your help in gathering the following items. Delivery is made and the date is 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.

Today is the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost. Collect of the Day: O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; 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: 2 Samuel 11:1-15 Psalm 14 Ephesians 3:14-21 John 6:1-21 Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here.