Christ Episcopal Church's Vestry election will take place during the Annual Meeting this Sunday, October 18th. The Vestry Nominating Committee has put forth the following individuals as candidates for election to the Christ Church Vestry (in alphabetical order): Jane Adams, Harrington Gardner, Beth Johnson, Sara Kirkpatrick, Andrea Leeman, Anne Moore, Jonelle Ocloo, and Diane Phillips-LaGuerre. Vestry candidate introductions, voting ballots, and detailed instructions have been mailed out to parishioners, so if you have not received them, please email us at office@christchurchcolumbia.org immediately. You can also read each vestry candidate's introductory statement on our website.

Today is the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Collect of the Day: Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Readings for today: Isaiah 25:1-9 Psalm 23 Philippians 4:1-9 Matthew 22:1-14

Multiple Ways to Aid the Less Fortunate in Howard County You’ll recall that on a sunny fall day, slightly more than a year ago, Christ Church held one of its periodic food drives to collect non-perishables for the Howard County Food Bank. How could we imagine then that our string of successful drives at Giant supermarkets would be interrupted by a pandemic! Alas, like so many things, these drives cannot resume until 2021. Instead, we invite you to do two things. The first is to recall the year-ago outing (pictured above), when we collected 953 pounds of food and $192 in cash on Sept. 28, 2019, from shoppers at the Palace Giant. While reflecting on the camaraderie and accomplishments of that drive and the people who - then and now - need our help, please take heart that opportunities to work together in hands-on outreach will come again. The second is to consider responding to the county government’s Fall Food Drive. On Oct. 17th from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the Department of Recreation & Parks will host the drive at its headquarters, 7120 Oakland Mills Road. Items will be donated to the Community Action Council’s Food Assistance Program at the Howard County Food Bank. Right now, it is in need of a list of items that may sound familiar to all of you apron-wearing veterans of the Christ Church in-person drives. Here’s the Food Bank’s current list: canned and dried fruit, hot and cold cereal; soup; pasta and pasta sauce; tuna; 100 percent fruit juice; baby food; diapers and wipes; peanut butter; canned beans (pinto, kidney, and black); and low-sodium canned vegetables. For questions or more information, the county suggests that you email mbyrne@howardcountymd.gov. If you wish to obtain food availability information not related to the drive, the county offers a food aid map (click here) as an online resource of distribution sites. It is updated at least weekly, in cooperation with Howard County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD). Columbia Community Care Settles Into Two-Days-A-Week Routine Providing food and other necessities for neighbors in need, Columbia Community Care (CCC), has consolidated operations to three sites, which welcome drop-off donations during operating hours. They are Swansfield Elementary School; Oakland Mills Middle School, and Howard High School. The times are Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. (CCC volunteers report at 4 p.m.) and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (CCC volunteers report at 9:30 a.m.) In addition to staffing a site, volunteers can sign up on Facebook to perform duties to meet the needs of people without transportation. “Translator/dispatchers” coordinate lists of items for specific families and communicate by text message to arrange the contactless deliveries; “Shoppers,” who use cellphones to receive the texts, go to special pantries that have been established at two participating churches and assemble the items to fulfill each shopping list, and then deliver the goods to the assigned addresses. Several parishioners have volunteered in various capacities or donated to CCC. This ad-hoc group formed last spring in response to the coronavirus impact, which has especially hard hit the county’s low-income residents. Here’s a recent article about CCC that appeared in The Baltimore Sun last month. For those of you who wish to drop off non-perishable food items, diapers, or personal care products in CCC-marked donation bins, you can do so at one of the two churches: Bethel Korean Presbyterian Church, 3165 St. Johns Lane in Ellicott City or New Hope Church,12350 Hall Shop Rd. in Fulton, or at these participating businesses: Bonheur Patisserie & Deli, 7106 Minstrel Way; Philly’s Best, 5134 Thunder Hill Rd., and LA Mart, 5865 Robert Oliver Place, all in Columbia. Bridges Partners with Periodic Table for Oct. 15th Fundraiser If you missed the Chili & Challenge fundraiser or wish to re-live the experience of wining and/or dining for a good cause, Bridges to Housing Stability is holding an event from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15th. Its “Taste of Wine, Splash of Charity” will take place at The Periodic Table, 8808 Centre Park Drive in Columbia. Enjoy a safe night out with loved ones or pick up dinner for the family. Get your tickets by noon on Monday, Oct. 12th to help Bridges provide affordable housing to prevent & end homelessness: https://bit.ly/towsoc5. For anyone who has suggestions about ways to help the community or want to get involved, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.

The text for this week's hymn, the third from our "Quarantine Quire Camp" series, is a translation of an ancient Latin hymn by J. M. Neale, a nineteenth-century English clergyman. He was also the translator of the well-known Easter Hymn "Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain." The music is an adaptation of a piece by Henry Purcell, one of the greatest English composers in history. Purcell was Organist at Westminster Abbey, whence the hymn tune's name. While working there, he wrote coronation and funeral music for several kings and queens of England, much of which is still sung today. The words are below - sing along, and enjoy! Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ the head and cornerstone, chosen of the Lord, and precious, binding all the Church in one; holy Zion’s help for ever, and her confidence alone. All that dedicated city, dearly loved of God on high, in exultant jubilation pours perpetual melody; God the One in Three adoring in glad hymns eternally. To this temple, where we call thee, come, O Lord of Hosts, today; with thy wonted loving-kindness hear thy servants as they pray, and thy fullest benediction shed within its walls alway. Here vouchsafe to all thy servants what they ask of thee to gain; what they gain from thee, for ever with the blessèd to retain, and hereafter in thy glory evermore with thee to reign. If you want to know more about our fall musical offerings, please contact Adam Detzner, Director of Music, at music@christchurchcolumbia.org.

The purpose of the Spiritual Life Commission at Christ Church is to provide nourishment for our souls and to provide ways to strengthen our faith over the Church year. ​ The SLC coordinates many programs throughout the year. For example, they organize the weekly Prayers of the People by members of the congregation for the Sunday services, as well as provide an annual inspirational theme for Christ Church. During a typical year, they also sponsor an Advent Quiet Day, coordinate a Christmas Gathering in Old Brick, present a Lenten Reflection Day, curate a 5-week, Wednesday Night Lenten Supper Series with invited presenters, as well as design a weekend family retreat in October at the DuPont Center in Rehoboth, Delaware. Through these gatherings, the SLC aims to help build community and inspiration around each and every Christ Church parishioner. Recently, the SLC has chosen a theme for the upcoming year at Christ Church, and that theme is... BE GOD'S LIGHT THAT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS. Light brings vision and the ability to confront the unknown. Faith, encouragement and hope are key to overcoming disappointment, fear of the future, frustration with confinement, and the major disruptions in our lives, especially in this time of the pandemic. God’s love empowers us and gives us strength to help others in their life journeys. Let us be agents of kindness and persons of integrity, respectful and understanding to all people. Jesus tells us, “You are the light of the world” and “to let our light shine before others” (Matthew 5: 14-15). In John’s Gospel we are told, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” The light of God coming to mankind is a key concept in the Old Testament prophets, the Psalms, the Gospels and in Paul’s letters to the early Church. May we all proclaim the Good News by word and example, serve others with love, and strive for justice and peace for all people in the world; these promises from our Baptismal covenant inspire us to be light-bearers for God. Being God’s light is a privilege and a wonderful responsibility. Let us go forth on our spiritual journeys, both individually and collectively as the Body of Christ, with intentionality in being a beacon of God’s light and love. If you'd like to know more about the SLC or how you can help in the future, please email us at info@christchurchcolumbia.org.

Today is the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Collect of the Day: Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Readings for today: Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:7-14 Philippians 3:4b-14 Matthew 21:33-46 October Church Organ Recital:

At 5 p.m. this Sunday afternoon, our Director of Music, Adam Detzner, will present Christ Church's October Church Organ Recital - Selections from the Clavierübung (1744) of Johann Ludwig Krebs. You can read about this month's program in the recital bulletin, located here. This livestream will be broadcast on our usual locations, and so we hope that you'll visit them and enjoy.

When it comes to pastoral care, we Episcopalians have it down. Our response to crises like physical illness, injury, and loss of a loved one is swift and supportive, from meals to cards to prayers to lending a listening ear. But what about the ongoing crises of mental illness facing people in our community, in our nation, and around the world? What is our comfort level in responding to those with mental health concerns? Do we feel safe talking about things like depression and anxiety, addiction and substance abuse, and living with family members experiencing serious disorders such as bipolar and schizophrenia? Chances are, there’s some hesitation around these topics. Some tiptoeing. Some uncomfortable shifting and hushed conversation. For though Congress designated the first full week of October to focus on mental health, the stigma in our society around mental illness persists. As we are called to Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.(Galatians 6:2), this includes the heavy burden of being affected by mental health issues. Beyond serious mental disorders, we all have days and moments—lately, even months—where stress and anxiety can overwhelm us. God created us as whole beings, with thoughts, feelings, and spirit all wrapped in flesh-and-blood, earthly bodies. Our approach to health and wellness should thus be holistic: the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual within us are all deeply interwoven. As we embark on Mental Illness Awareness Week, I invite you to explore how you can learn more about mental health concerns, to become more aware, more sensitive, and more comfortable around these topics. As a faith community, I pray Christ Church is open to discerning ways we can serve as a haven of welcome, acceptance, support, and advocacy for those affected by mental illness. Mental Illness Awareness Week runs from October 4 – 10, with specific events including: Tuesday Oct. 6: National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding Thursday Oct. 8: National Depression Screening Day Saturday Oct. 10: World Mental Health Day Saturday Oct. 10: NAMIWalks National Day of Hope If you’d like to learn more about our Christian response to mental illness, let’s talk. I also invite you to check out the valuable resources available from Howard County National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). Finally, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7 God’s Peace- Denise deacondenise@christchurchcolumbia.org

The second hymn from our new "Quarantine Quire Camp" series is here! Christ Church is partnering with St. John's, Norwood Parish to offer two weekly webinars focusing on vocal technique, music theory, aural skills and sight-singing. We have spliced together everyone's contributions and are proud to present "Rock of Ages" to you. The words are below - sing along, and enjoy! Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee; let the water and the blood from thy wounded side that flowed, be of sin the double cure, cleanse me from its guilt and power. Should my tears for ever flow, should my zeal no languor know, all for sin could not atone: thou must save, and thou alone; in my hand no price I bring, simply to thy cross I cling. While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyelids close in death, when I rise to worlds unknown and behold thee on thy throne, Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee. If you want to know more about our fall musical offerings, please contact Adam Detzner, Director of Music, at music@christchurchcolumbia.org.

During this season of giving, we are writing to ask that you consider donating to support our music ministries, especially if you have not done so in the past. Specifically, we are hoping to soon launch a Choral Scholars program to support our new offerings of Choral Evensong. It is our hope to raise singers from local high schools and colleges, and train them to lead worship in the Episcopal and Anglican traditions. Tomorrow, December 3rd is Giving Tuesday, worldwide. Would you consider donating to support this important mission? Our central location, historic Old Brick Church, positions us perfectly to offer this beautiful service to our entire community. We can be a center for musical excellence in Columbia, but it will take time, talent, and treasure. Click here to help support the Christ Church Music Ministry. Registration to our Realm church database is not necessary in order to give, but if you'd like to set one up you can find instructions here. And please email us at info@christchurchcolumbia.org with any questions. Be sure to also mark your calendars for our Festival of Lessons and Carols on December 15th. All are welcome at 6 p.m. in New Brick, as this unique and festive service will feature classic carols, anthems from our choirs, and performances by the Lumen Christi dance ensemble. The entirety of our Advent and Christmas season outline can be found on the Christ Church website. Thank you! More info on Giving Tuesday can be found here.

Christ Church presents a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in New Brick, a wonderful gathering whose origins date back to late 19th century England. All are most welcome to join us in this celebration of glorious carols, anthems, and hymns led by our wonderful choir, as well as performances by the Lumen Christi liturgical dance ensemble. Please join us for an evening of joyful expression, in word, song, and dance, of the greatest story that has ever been told.