Celebrate justice, freedom, and equality at a special Juneteenth concert, “Breaking the Chains,” on Friday, June 19, at 7:00 p.m. Held in the New Brick Sanctuary, this musical performance will feature the Caritas Vocal Ensemble performing powerful works by Black composers centered on themes of justice, freedom, and the ongoing fight for equality. The ensemble will be accompanied on piano by our talented Music Director, Larissa Sanders, for an unforgettable evening of reflection and community. Admission is free, though a suggested donation of $20 is deeply appreciated to benefit the Music Ministry and the Howard County Center for African American Culture. We hope you will join us for the performance and stay afterward for a light, welcoming reception.

This Sunday, we wrapped up another successful program year of Sunday School, so today, Christ Church would like to share a heartfelt THANK YOU... ...to Miss Jenn, and every one of our Sunday School leaders and assistants - we are incredibly grateful for the time, energy, and creativity you invest in shaping the next generation. Thank you so much for your dedication, patience, and the love you pour into teaching our children every single week. ...to the parents of our Sunday School students - thank you so much for trusting us with your beautiful children and for partnering with us to support their faith journey this year. We are incredibly grateful for your constant encouragement, flexibility, and support, which make our Sunday School community so special. We deeply appreciate the commitment it takes to bring your children each week; your dedication at home is truly the foundation of everything we do. ...most of all, to the wonderful children! It is you who brought your bright smiles, energy, and curious hearts to Sunday School. We are so incredibly proud of you for learning, sharing, and growing in your faith with us each and every week. Sunday School just wouldn't be the same without your joy, enthusiasm, and laughter! We'll share registration forms for the 2026-27 Sunday School program year in a month or so, but until then, enjoy the warm weather and long days that summer brings. We look forward to seeing you again soon! #sundayschool #weloveourkids #episcomd #childrensministry #childrensministryrocks #FaithFormation #churchfamily #churchfamilylove

Last month, we celebrated God as Divine Mother, so this month, let’s discover God as “Abba” Father and explore the nature of divine masculinity within all of us. We are offering wonderful sessions to help us delve into these topics, as well as into stillness and reflection in community. The 2nd Saturday Center for Spiritual Nourishment (CSN) provides opportunities for us to be in closer relationship with God by offering an array of experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit. Learn about the 2nd Saturday CSN at our website www.christchurchcolumbia.org/spiritual-nourishment. We will have a complete schedule of sessions very soon, so check back often. Have Questions? Wish to Help Lead Future CSN Sessions? #nourishyourspirit #SpiritualNourishment #allarewelcome #RefreshYourSpirit #divinelove #hocomd #episcomd #columbiamd #columbiamaryland

Trinity Sunday at Christ Church 8:00 Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 Choral Eucharist in New Brick Collect for Today: Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:4a Canticle 13 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 Matthew 28:16-20 Sermon for This Sunday: Father Manny gives this Sunday's sermon, and you can view it in the video below once worship has begun. You can also read his sermon's text here. Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins just before 10:30 a.m. The service leaflet for this worship is here.

A few days ago, I read a story that I’d like to share with you. It is a rather long story, but it tells an important story about a whole slew of things. I loved it, and I hope you do too. There is a story of a lion locked in a cage in a forest. A monkey stopped by, and the lion said to him, “You walk freely under the sky while I count my days behind this iron. Is there no mercy left in this forest?” The monkey said in reply, “Mercy is not the problem; memory is. We remember what you are.” “And what am I now?” Asked the lion. “Hungry,” replied the monkey. “That is enough,” said the lion. “Please - even kings fall, must I die like this?” The lion asked a deer that passed by the iron cage. “Better a fallen king in a cage than a free one with blood on his mouth.” Said the deer, and then she walked away. A goat walked by, and when the lion asked for help, the goat said, “You have asked many; why should I be different?” “Because you listened,” said the lion. “Listening is not trusting,” said the goat. “Then let me earn it. I am tired of hunger, tired of being feared. Set me free, and I will not harm you.” The goat opened the cage for the lion. And the moment the lion got out of the cage, he attempted to attack the goat. "Freedom smells different,” the lion said to the goat. “You gave me your word,” replied the goat. “I gave my word in weakness. Now I stand in strength. Everything changes with hunger,” said the lion. “Wait,” said the goat. “If strength decides truth, then there is no justice. Let others judge between us.” “Very well, let the forest decide your fate,” said the lion. The goat took the lion to the Zebra. “Please, I need your help.” “Help?” With him standing there? Asked the Zebra. “Yes,” said the goat. “I know how it looks, but I found him trapped in a cage, weak and starving. He begged me to set him free.” “And you did?” Asked the Zebra. “I did, but not without a promise. I made him swear clearly that he would not harm me. He agreed. He gave me his word,” the goat said. “And now?” asked the zebra. “Now that he is free, he said the hunger matters more than his promise.” “You are asking me to stand between you and a lion?” asked the zebra. “I am asking you to stand for truth. Is a promise nothing? Does strength decide what is right?” asked the goat. “Truth is not always safe to speak,” said the zebra. “So, fear is now the law of the land?” asked the goat. “Fear is survival. I cannot judge this, not with him watching, not with my life at stake,” said the Zebra. “Then who will speak? Who will defend what is right?” said the goat. “There is a buffalo beyond the river, strong and not easily shaken. If anyone dares to judge this matter, it is he.” The zebra said. “Thank you,” the goat said. “Go quickly,” said the zebra. The lion walked with the goat to see the buffalo. When they got there, the goat spoke first, “Great buffalo, please, I beg you, hear my case.” “Your voice carries fear. Speak then,” the buffalo said. “I found this lion trapped in a cage, weak, starving, and close to death. He begged for freedom. But now he says his hunger is greater than his promise. He wants to eat me. I asked that others judge between us what is right, what is just.” The goat said. “And who have you asked before me?” the buffalo asked. “A zebra, but fear closed his mouth. He said he could not judge, not with a lion watching.” “Fear is a heavy chain. It binds even the strong.” The buffalo said. “Then will you judge?” asked the goat. “Strength is not the same as recklessness. Some truths can cause more than they are worth,” the buffalo responded. “So even strength bows to fear?” asked the goat. “No. Strength chooses its battles. But this matter needs more than strength; it needs sharpness of mind,” the buffalo said. “Then where do I go?” asked the goat. “There is a parrot who lives by the tall silk cotton tree. He sees much, hears more, and sits out trembling. If anyone can judge this matter wisely, it is he,” said the buffalo. The goat thanked him and departed, but not before he said this: “Go quickly. Wisdom waits but not forever.” “Wise parrot, please listen to me. I need judgment,” said the goat. “Judgments fly best on truth, speak,” the parrot said. “I found this lion trapped in a cage, weak and starving. He begged me to set him free,” said the goat. “And you opened it?" interjected the parrot. “Yes. But I made him promise. He swore he would not harm me. But now that he is free, he wants to eat me. Is that right? Is that justice?” “When would you have sense, goat?” asked the parrot. “I only tried to help.” The goat said, “And look where your help has landed you. You trusted hunger to remember honor?” The parrot asked. “So, kindness is foolishness now?” said the goat. “Kindness without wisdom is an invitation for trouble. You didn’t just open a cage, you opened danger,” the parrot said. “Then judge between us, tell him he is wrong,” said the goat. “No. I will not judge this. Some matters require more than just sharp words. They require sharp minds,” the parrot said. “Then who can help me?” the goat pleaded. “There is one, tortoise.” The parrot said. “Tortoise?” Screamed the goat. “Slow but never foolish. Go to him. If anyone can untangle this mess you have walked into, it is tortoise.” The parrot assured the goat. “Thank you for the truth.” The goat said. “Next time, think before you help.” The parrot said to the goat. When the tortoise listened to the story, he asked, “A promise broken by convenience? Tell me, does your strength make you right”? “It makes me unquestioned,” said the lion. “Ah. This is more dangerous than being wrong. But I am old. My mind is not as quick. Take me to where it happened and let me see it.” The lion, goat, and tortoise walked back to the cage. “So, you were inside, and you went outside. I struggle to picture it. Show me.” Said the tortoise. So, the lion walked back into the cage to show the tortoise where he was. And the moment he went back in the cage, the tortoise locked it up. “What have you done?” asked the goat. “I have restored the truth,” said the tortoise. “Release me at once,” pleaded the lion. “And reward kindness with death again? No,” replied the tortoise. “You tricked him,” said the goat. “No. I revealed him. A promise is not tested when it is easy; it is tested when breaking it benefits you, and you fail. Go. Next time, let wisdom walk before kindness.” There are more than a few layers of interpretation to this story. But the one I’d encourage us to consider is the monkey's words: “Mercy is not the problem; memory is.” You and I tend to forget; our memories fade. And when we forget the sacred parts of our lives, including the promises we make, they lose their significance. The people of Israel suffered in Egypt because a new king arose who didn’t know Joseph and the work that he had done in saving the people of Egypt. He would later enslave the people of Israel. While in exile, the Psalmist who appreciated the sacredness of Jerusalem and the feelings of abandonment caused by the exile wrote this: May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy! Despite the harshness of exile, they still wouldn’t forget Jerusalem; Jerusalem remains their greatest joy. There are times when we feel the disillusionment of life, where opening the cage for the lion to be free doesn't feel like we are opening the door to danger, but only desiring to help. But it nonetheless becomes our exilic moment. Our assurance is that we cannot and shouldn't forget the God who saves us, even in moments like that. The lion helps us to understand that his promises are worthless because they were made when he was vulnerable. The deer, zebra, buffalo, and parrot all wondered why the goat would rely on the lion’s promise. But if there’s ever one promise that you and I could depend on, it is the promise of God’s mercy. It isn’t a promise that comes to us because God feels vulnerable; rather, it is a promise that makes our vulnerability disappear. For as St. Paul would say, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” We pray God to make us strong in our weakness, so we can keep the promises we make, even in moments of vulnerability. Blessed Trinity, Manny+

Today, we pause at Christ Church to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten, and we live in freedom because of their devotion. Let us keep their families in our thoughts and carry their legacy of service forward. #MemorialDay #remember #RememberThem #rememberthefallen #episcomd #PrayerForToday

Pentecost Sunday at Christ Church - this Sunday, May 24 Gather with us in the New Brick sanctuary for just one service - at 10:00 a.m. - as the choir processes through the aisles while we all sing "Praise Ye the Lord!" in full voice. Be sure to wear some red to celebrate the Day of Pentecost (red is the liturgical color of that day), and everyone is invited to wear clothing that reflects their heritage and culture, as well. In an expression of this beautiful "melting pot" we have at Christ Church, we'll gather together after worship to enjoy PenteFeast, a culinary celebration! Prepare and bring a dish to share with others, one that reflects your family's tradition. Make it something extraordinary in your life - perhaps a recipe that has been passed down for generations, or a dish that proudly displays your culture or upbringing. We'll provide salads and refreshments; you provide the main course or dessert. Let's celebrate the start of Pentecost together in this special way! See you at church! YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE. #Pentecost #episcomd #YouAreWelcomeHere #meltingpot #pentefeast #CelebrateWithUs #episcopalchurch #episcopalmaryland

Pentecost Sunday at Christ Church We have ONE service this Sunday morning, at 10:00 in New Brick. Collect for Today: O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104:25-35, 37 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 John 7:37-39 Sermon for This Sunday: Father Manny gives this Sunday's sermon, and you can view it in the video below once worship has begun. Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins just before 10:30 a.m. The service leaflet for this worship is here.

Not long ago, I remember seeing a field covered with sunflowers. I don’t remember where I saw that field, but I remember it was breathtakingly beautiful. I could hear the wind's echo as it blew over the beautiful sunflowers. I could hear them singing to me with lyrics of impeccable beauty that only I could hear. I am sure you would have heard it if you were there with me or on your own. I also remember when I saw the field and the hundreds and hundreds of sunflowers, I was reminded of Jesus words in the gospel of Matthew 6: “And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.” Sunflowers, by their nature, turn towards the sun. Even before the sun rises from the east, the sunflower turns its face in that direction. It feels like the sun wakes them up; they come alive when it's up, and every day they wait and trust that the sun will show up. Whichever direction the sun is located - whether east, west, north, or south - sunflowers turn towards the sun. Sunflowers grow in sunlight and thrive in it. But whenever the sun disappears, sunflowers turn towards each other. It seems to me, then, that there is never a time when the sunflower is not either receiving or giving. It appears to me that there is never a time when the sunflower doesn’t feel rejuvenated enough to turn towards the other. A few days ago, a parishioner who had lived in San Diego shared with me a joint statement by Bishop Budde and Rabbi Shankman regarding the violent attack on the Islamic Center in San Diego. Three beautiful lives were cut short by fellow citizens who could only look inwards. I am not sure what their motive is, but I agree with Bishop Budde and Rabbi Shankman that an attack on one community’s sanctuary wounds every one of us. It is sad that it is only when tragic events like this occur that, like the sunflower, we turn to each other and seek to renew our shared gift of sunlight. This coming weekend, we will celebrate Memorial Day. We will remember those who have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. There’s no greater love than the one who lays down their life for their friends, to paraphrase Jesus. We will celebrate the memories of those who served and give thanks for their service to this beautiful country. In a way, this country is like a sunflower - beautiful, graceful, compassionate, loving, and kind -because like the sunflower, it follows the sun. The admirable traits I have listed not only build people but also build a country. Despite being a Sunflower, there are moments when our destructive tendencies turn us inward. To me, our service men and women are like sunflowers; when the sun sets, and darkness arises, they don’t turn inward - they turn towards one another. I sometimes ask myself, "What is there to celebrate about a country without people?" and then I say to myself, “A country is always worth celebrating and worth dying for because of its people." It is not because the people are perfect, but precisely because they are imperfect that those people are worth dying for. Jesus sets the same example by dying for sinners like you and me. St. Paul reaffirms that same teaching when he tells the Romans, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” There is no doubt that our imperfection often moves us to turn, not to each other but inward. There are also instances where turning to each other breeds a kind of cynicism that limits our ability to trust and give, while increasing our desire to harm ourselves and others. I believe that to turn inward is to miss the mark of discipleship and the glory of being a sunflower. For turning inward, John Donne leads us with a plea for divine mercy and grace with his poem, A Hymn to God the Father: Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun, Which was my sin, though it were done before? Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run, And do run still, though still I do deplore? When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more. Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have w0on Others to sin, and made my sin their door? Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun A year or two, but wallow'd in, a score? When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more. I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun My last thread, I shall perish on the shore; But swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore; And, having done that, thou hast done; I fear no more. The sunflower turns wherever the sun is because the sun not only provides light, but it also rejuvenates the sunflower. An ancient Hindi proverb once said, “When you water the root of a tree, every part of the tree is happy.” The gift of the sun is like watering the root of a tree, and that makes each part of the Sunflower happy because that act of watering is life-giving. Someone once wrote that in a sense, we are all like the sunflower. The risen and ascended Christ is our Sun. The Sun, as the Son, shines on us and invites us to keep our focus on him because he is the God of our help and salvation. For this reason, we turn, again and again, to face the Sun. Like the sunflower, so long as we continue to face the Sun (Son) and follow the Sun (Son), we will be alright. Here are the lyrics of the Sunflower song that a friend shared with me: Like A Sunflower That Follows Every Movement Of The Sun, So I Turn Towards You To Follow You, My Lord. Like A Sunflower That Follows Every Movement Of The Sun, So I Turn Towards You To Follow You, My God. In Simplicity, Charity, I Follow Like A Sunflower That Follows Every Movement Of The Sun, So I Turn Towards You To Follow You, My God. In Simplicity, Honesty, I Follow Like A Sunflower That Follows Every Movement Of The Sun, So I Turn Towards You To Follow You, My God. In Simplicity, Deity, I Follow Like A Sunflower That Follows Every Movement Of The Sun, So I Turn Towards You To Follow You, My God. Like the sunflower, may it be our privilege to turn and follow the Sun (Son) wherever he shows up-that is how we are sustained. Shine with the radiance of God’s beauty - that is the only way we can glorify God, and to simply be a Sunflower which turns towards the other with simplicity and love. Blessed Pentecost, Manny+ (You can listen to the music by clicking on Like A Sunflower Song Lyrics)

Gather with us for brew and banter, suds and spoken word, lager and laughs... no matter what you call it, Theology on Tap is a fun, informal get-together where we can chat about interesting religious, spiritual, or social articles of the day, grab a beverage or snack, and enjoy fun, engaging, structure-free conversation with other parishioners and friends for an hour or two. We like to use this time to speak about things that might be considered a bit casual or light for a Sunday morning at church, but that matter to us, and we want to hear others' perspectives on them. If this sounds interesting to you, then this is your kind of gathering! Meet us at 7:00 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, May 20 at Frisco and the Reckless Shepherd at 8895 McGaw Road in Columbia. #fellowship #theologyontap #episcomd #ColumbiaMaryland #HowardCountyMaryland #HowardCountyEvents #foodandfellowship #YouAreWelcomeHere

On Sunday, May 24, gather with us in the New Brick sanctuary for just one service - at 10:00 a.m. - as the choir processes through the aisles while we all sing "We Are the Church" in full voice. Be sure to wear some red to celebrate the Day of Pentecost (red is the liturgical color of that day), and everyone is invited to wear clothing that reflects their heritage and culture, as well. In an expression of this beautiful "melting pot" we have at Christ Church, we'll gather together after worship to enjoy PenteFeast, a culinary celebration! Prepare and bring a dish to share with others, one that reflects your family's tradition. Make it something extraordinary in your life - perhaps a recipe that has been passed down for generations, or a dish that proudly displays your culture or upbringing. We'll provide salads and refreshments; you provide the main course or dessert. Let's celebrate the start of Pentecost together in this special way!