Given that today's Meditation is a night prayer, we are posting it a little later in the day. Enjoy.   Lord, it is night.   The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God.   It is night after a long day. What has been done has been done; what has not been done has not been done; let it be.   The night is dark. Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you.   The night is quiet. Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace.   The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities. In your name we pray.   Amen   #nzprayerbook   #nightprayer   #nightprayer 🙏 #eveningprayer   #EveningPrayer

There is an old Cherokee parable used to teach their children about good an evil.  The parables states that each person is born with two wolves in consuming turmoil fighting to be in control inside each of us.  The lesson concludes that the wolf which we feed more, the one we love more, will be the wolf which directs our lives.  The parallel of this legend aligns to the consequence of Adam eating the forbidden apple, thrusting humanity on a road requiring us to know good and evil; the lesson is not lost on us.  The Indian parable is what’s more instructive because it places the responsibility of our destiny squarely in our hands.  We choose which wolf to feed.  So, I ask, “Which wolf do you feed?”   Without any hesitation we will likely answer the “good wolf”.  Surely such a reply reflects our desires or at least our knowledge of the “right answer”.  Are we being truthful if we answer so quickly?  What does it really mean to “feed the wolf”?   When we feed an animal, we express a love toward it. The more we nurture and care for it, the greater our love is expressed through our actions.  Love is not a static emotion; it cries out for action.  Similarly, hate is equally dynamic and demands action.  But there is an important difference besides the obvious antithesis of the two.  That difference is that love requires a relationship of selfless giving often without consideration of the self, while hate requires only greater self-empowerment and its ability to express power on others.  Mark these words carefully.   So which wolf are you feeding?  You are likely feeding both wolves, but one will be favored over the other.  We are told, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:21, Luke 12:34) Many of us may not recognize when we feed the “evil wolf” for the Deceiver uses many lies to confuse and cause us to stray.  He will use our emotions to make us feel self-righteous and possessors of truth.  He will encourage us to commit actions in congress with his objectives and contrary to the Creator.  One may think that it should be a simple choice for we know exactly the nature of Love, the path of the “good wolf”, as stated by the Word:   Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.   (1 Cor 13:4-7)   So, with these characteristics and understanding in mind, which wolf is fed more?  When you watch news to inflame your emotions, when you re-post hateful speech on social media, when you drive the wedge of hate on a guise of justice and truth, which wolf are you really feeding?  When you ask to discuss something and when tempers flare, you calmly ask to take some time to “cool off”, which wolf are you feeding?  Do you express love to those that hate and revile you?  Do you hate and revile others especially the nameless “those” of potentially many and even countless?  What words do you utter against or for your fellow brother and sister?  Do you judge?  Do you condemn?  Do you leave your troubles at God’s feet, and prayerfully ask what you should do to help His will become real?  So which wolf are you feeding more?   When you feed the “good wolf”, you must also act in accord with Jesus’ way: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”  (John 13:34)  and know that if you abide in Him you will not break His laws as the Spirit has spoken, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” (Heb 10:16)   So, which wolf will you feed more from now on?

What are those odd pictures made up of dark-colored blocks, or bricks, or Lego-looking objects? They seem to be everywhere, but can also appear intimidating to people. But they are actually extremely useful, both for us as a church, and for you, as a parishioner. For example, we provide you with QR codes to share upcoming worship information, to inform you about fellowship events around the campus, and we even provide a digital copy of the Sunday service leaflet and links to the Christ Church Gatherings each week. QR - or Quick Response - codes are now commonplace, a means to send and receive information to readers, church members, or shoppers, depending on the use case. Scanning QR codes has become a standard part of navigating the modern world, and both Android and iPhone make the process nearly instantaneous.  Below are simple guides to reading QR codes on both major phone platforms. Scanning on Android For most modern Android devices, including the latest models, scanning is built directly into the Camera app . Simply open your camera and point it at the QR code; a small banner or link should appear on your screen within a second. If it doesn’t, you can swipe down from the top of your screen to access the Quick Settings  panel and tap the "Scan QR code" shortcut. For older devices or those without native support, Google Lens  (often found as a colorful lens icon in the search bar) is the most reliable tool to get the job done. Here's a brief video that shows you how to scan a QR code using an Android device: Scanning on iPhone On an iPhone, the process is equally seamless using the native Camera app . Just open the camera from your Lock Screen or Home Screen and center the QR code in the frame; a yellow link button will appear immediately below the code for you to tap. If you prefer a dedicated tool, you can add the Code Scanner  to your Control Center  via your phone's Settings. Once added, you can simply swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen, tap the scanner icon, and your phone will automatically open the link as soon as it recognizes the code. Here's a short video that shows you how to scan a QR code using an iPhone: If you have any questions, email Chris at communications@christchurchcolumbia.org and he will contact you and help you get on your way to using QR codes to your benefit.

Lenten Taizé Vespers combine scripture readings, prayer, silent meditation, and music in the contemplative tradition of the Taizé community. Christ Church in Columbia, Maryland, offers these services every Sunday during Lent at 6:00 p.m. in their New Brick Sanctuary. You can also worship online - find the details on our YouTube page or our website - https://www.christchurchcolumbia.org/lent #taize   #lenten   #Vespers   #vespers   #eveningprayer   #episcomd   #howardcounty   #columbiamd

Runners Will Raise Awareness of Suicide Prevention and Support Grassroots at ‘Light the Night’ 5K and Community Event on March 27 Put on your running shoes or turn out to cheer the athletes who enter the fifth annual “Light the Night” 5K , a public awareness event to be held Friday, March 27. It is intended as a “county-wide acknowledgement that we support and care for those impacted by suicide.” Sponsors are the Howard County Department of Health, the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, and Bullseye Running. Proceeds go to the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center  and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Maryland  (AFSP Maryland). Christ Church is a long-time supporter of Grassroots, which in addition to helping the homeless, provides 24-hour crisis intervention that includes a   supportive counseling hotline .  “Light the Night” takes place at Oakland Mills High School, 9410 Kilimanjaro Rd., in Columbia, where speakers who are active in suicide prevention will give remarks at 6:30 p.m. The race begins at 7 p.m. There will be activities for non-runners, fun take-home items such as bracelets and keychains, and resource packets on suicide prevention. Besides raising awareness in an effort to save lives, the organizers will accept donations that will go to Grassroots and AFSP Maryland. AFSP is the largest private funder of suicide prevention research; it also creates and hosts education programs, leads public policy efforts on mental health, and supports suicide-loss survivors.  Runners are encouraged to sign up here . Registration is $36 plus online processing fees. Runners’ regular packet and shirt pickup is on Thursday, March 26, from 5:45 to 7 p.m. at Feet First, 5305 Village Center Dr, #110, Columbia, MD 21044. On race day, runners’ late packet and shirt pickup begins at 6 p.m. Land Blessing of The Source Community Center Is Scheduled Tuesday, March 24 Columbia Community Care  (CCC), which is a partner in The Source , invites residents to participate in a land blessing of the future home of the building. The interfaith service will bring together faith leaders and Columbia residents on Tuesday, March 24, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 10750 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Md. 21045.   The location is the former site of the Columbia Flier building, which Howard County acquired in 2014, and that CCC briefly utilized as a pantry and headquarters. The structure was demolished to make way for what the project’s real estate partner, Columbia Concepts, describes as “an inclusive, financially sustainable community hub.”   The Source will provide a modern interior of at least 60,000 square feet intended to house wellness programs, mental and physical healthcare services, childcare, movement, play, and more. CCC calls it “a space being built for and by our community.”   “But before we break ground, we bless the land,” CCC wrote in its invitation on Facebook . “We’d love to have you there.” MOCC: Comfort Cases' Fundraising Initiatives March Madness is almost here, and there’s still time to be part of the   2026 Comfort Cases Bracket Pool !   Enter for a chance to win 30% of the total prize pot, all while supporting children entering foster care. Make a $25 donation to receive two brackets, doubling your chances to win and your impact. In the event of a tie, the winnings will be evenly split among the winners. It’s competition with a cause, and every bracket helps bring comfort and dignity to children who need it most.  From March 17–20, your generosity can go even further. During GlobalGiving’s Little by Little Campaign, $125,000 in matching funds will be available to amplify donations made through  Comfort Cases' donation portal . This special four-day campaign coincides with the end of Ramadan, a meaningful time of reflection, generosity, and community support. By simply donating through their GlobalGiving page, you help unlock additional funds that allow us to serve even more children entering foster care! Bring Items for FISH/CCC, and Consider Volunteering to Take Calls from Home FISH   and Columbia Community Care  (CCC) partnered last year and merged their pantries. CCC continues to hand out food at three sites on Saturday mornings and deliver it to Howard County residents. For information, go online to Get Help . Find CCC updates, including an anniversary celebration  on March 14, on its Facebook page .   FISH continues to pick up donated goods from Christ Church and others. Please put non-perishable food and personal care products in the altar basket or in a bin just inside the Parish Hall. Look for a combo label “FISH/CCC”. Please bring baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes.   FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents, offering guidance and financial assistance, because the personal touch is very important when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong (see photo)  or email him at andydelong.fish@gmail.com .     You could be the one to lend a helping hand by lending an ear! As a phone volunteer, you can help from your home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from FISH's financial assistance. Training is provided. Thank you always for your support. Kenya Connect 5k Run - March 28 Kenya Connect, an outreach partner of St. John's in Ellicott City, is holding its 12th annual 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, March 28th, at St. John's. The 5K builds community while supporting the work of  Kenya Connect  to provide children with options and new pathways in rural Kenya.  We welcome individual participants or a team from Christ Church. We will have post-race goodies, including a Kenyan crafts market with items made by women and men in our village. We also provide hand-carved medallions from Wamunyu to the top three women and men in all age categories.  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.

Each year, the Wednesday Evening Lenten Supper Series is one of the most enriching experiences of the season. We are always thankful to the members of Christ Church's Spiritual Life Commission, who work so hard to put this, and other, events together. The WELS series offers five weeks of insightful, life-transforming seminars, and the first session was a very well-attended success. Tonight, our own Father Manny will present his perspective on our 2026 Spiritual Life Theme, Building Relationships through LOVE, with the meal provided by the Christ Church Vestry. We begin at 6:30 p.m. with a communal supper in the Great Hall, followed by our guest presenter. The evening then concludes with a brief, informal Eucharist. The presentation portion of the evening will be on Zoom, so if you can't make it in person, log in and join us at 7:00 p.m. We emailed the link to our list, but if you need it, email info@christchurchcolumbia.org , and we'll send it to you. There's no other series like this at Christ Church throughout the year, and we highly encourage you to gather with us for this unique discussion and fellowship. Be sure to see all of our Lenten services and gatherings: https://www.christchurchcolumbia.org/lent

God did not wait till the world was ready, till…nations were at peace. God came when the Heavens were unsteady, and prisoners cried out for release. God did not wait for the perfect time. God came when the need was deep and great. God dined with sinners in all their grime, turned water into wine. God did not wait till hearts were pure. In joy God came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt. To a world like ours, of anguished shame God came, and God’s Light would not go out. God came to a world which did not mesh to heal its tangles, shield its scorn In the mystery of the Word made Flesh the Maker of the stars was born. We cannot wait till the world is sane to raise our songs with joyful voice, for to share our grief, to touch our pain, God came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!                                                   ~ Madeleine L'Engle Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:4-8 NIV)

It was more than the right place, right time. What transpired on a recent Sunday afternoon was my proof that both new and old relationships can intertwine in meaningful ways when love is the motivation. By love, I mean agape, the love of Christians for other persons, modeled on the love of God for humankind. With that definition in mind, I set out for a midday gathering in Laurel. My goal was to hear the remarks of Maryland Senator Cory McCray, author of The Apprenticeship that Saved My Life, Guidebook to Navigating the Earn-While-You-Learn Opportunity of a Lifetime . A book-signing would follow his presentation, and I planned to buy a signed copy that I could pass along to young people. Perhaps the teens at a Christ Church partner, St. Luke’s Youth Center. Or the teens who participate in the mentoring organizations associated with Columbia Community Care. Sure, I’d have to do a little networking to reach those who might benefit, but I was willing to make the effort given what I’d heard on the radio about McCray’s career. My invitation to the event grew out of a relationship dating back more than 40 years with a journalism colleague, Sheilah Kast.  For the last decade or so, I’ve made it a point to attend an annual brunch that she co-hosts with her husband, Maryland Sen. Jim Rosapepe of Prince George’s County. He and McCray are colleagues in the state General Assembly. And it was Kast whom I’d heard interviewing McCray for an episode of On the Record  on WYPR-FM. Hence, he was the perfect keynote for the event. The VFW Hall was crowded. I had to wait in line just to talk to Kast, let alone the guest of honor. While waiting, I struck up a conversation with a fellow next to me, who turned out to be a college classmate of hers from the 1970s. Later I would again meet up with this Catholic University alum in the book-signing line. He bought a paperback and asked McCray for a personal dedication. Meanwhile the two of us and the author engaged in a lively discussion about mentorship until it was my turn. I had bought a hardback, intending for it to be passed from one person to the next. “No, no,” I said, “Don’t make it personal. Please address it to some unknown reader who, like you, will be inspired to turn their life around.” McCray wrote: “May this book help to open one more door!”   Pleased with the inscription, I hurried from the hall to the next task on my to-do list. Let’s just say I was going from the sublime to the mundane… Destination: the Walmart Supercenter in Laurel. There I waited at Customer Service, impatient as precious minutes passed. But it would only get worse - at the cash register, I was told that parts of the computer system were down, and I would have to go to another Walmart. Resigned, I headed to a smaller store in Columbia, where I suspected its line might be even longer. It was. About a dozen of us took positions next to the supply of empty shopping carts, which clattered and squealed each time an associate returned from the lot and slammed more carts into place. I bantered with surrounding customers, making comparisons to the screech of chalk on a classroom blackboard. I told the guy in front of me that this was my fourth line of the day, stipulating that the first two were worth it because of McCray’s book and speech. A union apprenticeship had created a path from arrests as a juvenile to wage-earning electrician. McCray went on to become a Baltimore entrepreneur and a state leader. It “opened the door” to meeting his full potential, McCray said. I flipped open my pocket notebook, quoting not just from the speech but from my notes on mentorship. Soon I would learn why this Walmart customer was such an attentive listener. After I finished my transaction, he approached, gesturing with phone in hand. He had called his wife, an English professor at Howard Community College. At that moment, she was at home, working on curriculum for a course she teaches at the college’s new Workforce Development & Trades Center. Would I please share information about McCray’s book on apprenticeship? “I can do better than that,” I replied. “Let me give you the book, and she can put it to good use.” And so it was. ~ by Patricia F.

Who Are Your Enemies? How Do You Love Them? By Rachel Held Evans   When I was in fourth grade, I had a nemesis. Let’s call her Samantha. Samantha was popular, pretty, rich, and bossy. Her golden locks were always pulled into a bouncy ponytail on the side of her head and topped with an elaborate bow. She wore name-brand clothes, used name-brand school supplies, and came from a name-brand family. As the teacher’s pet, Samantha would put in a good word for the classmates she liked while tattling on the classmates she didn’t like. She didn’t like me. So whenever my Sunday school teacher explained that Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those that persecuted us, I thought of Samantha and prayed for her. It seems silly now, but back then I was absolutely convinced that Samantha was my enemy. I thought about this last night while reading Gregory Boyd’s  The Myth of a Christian Nation —a surprisingly inspirational and challenging book.  Writes Boyd: "While people in the kingdom of the world usually do good to those who do good to them, followers of Jesus are called to do good even to those who harm them (Luke 6:34-35). When struck on the check, we are to offer up the other (Luke 6:29). When asked by an oppressive Roman guard to carry his equipment one mile, we are to offer to carry it two (Matthew 5:41). Understood in their original context, these teachings do not tell us to allow people to abuse us, as though we are to love our enemies but not ourselves. To the contrary, Jesus is giving us a way by which we can keep from being defined by those who act unjustly toward us. When we respond to violence with violence, whether it be physical, verbal, or attitudinal, we legitimize the violence of our enemy and sink to his level. When we instead respond unexpectedly—offering our other cheek and going a second mile—we reveal, even as we expose the injustice of his actions, that our nemesis doesn’t have the power to define us by those actions." So far, Boyd’s book has been a profound reminder to me of how the kingdom of heaven should stand in direct contrast to the kingdoms of the world, as followers of Christ choose servanthood over power, healing over violence, giving over taking. Just thinking about how dramatically such a grassroots kingdom could transform the world has once again restored my faith in the radical message of Jesus. It’s been a convicting read. As I thought about how to apply these teachings practically, a lot of strategies came to mind—putting the needs of others before my own, buying less and giving more, humbling myself when engaged in political or theological debates, embracing rather than complaining about those “one-way relationships,” praying for others more sincerely, saying “yes” a little more often, working on that ubiquitous sense of entitlement and pride that keeps me from going the extra mile. But when I considered how to love my enemies, I sorta drew a blank. In light of the genuinely brutal persecution faced by the first followers of Jesus and by the early church, anyone I might consider an enemy seemed little more than a grown-up version of Samantha. Sure, I’m not a fan of Calvinism…but are Calvinists my enemies? Certainly not. What about Al Qaeda or the Taliban? I suppose that technically they are my enemies, but it’s not like I interact with them on a regular basis. How am I supposed to love them? I feel remarkably blessed to be faced with little more than petty arguments and silly resentments in my life…especially in a world of so much injustice.  So how do I love my “enemies” when, by the grace of God or good luck or a little of both, I don’t really have any? And in light of this fact, shouldn’t it be easier for me to love the Samanthas in my life?   Who are your “enemies”? How do you love them? How do you "keep from being defined by those who act unjustly" toward you or those you love? Learn more about Rachel Held Evans at https://rachelheldevans.com reprinted with permission

Howard County, March, 2026 (13) I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (14) Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, (15) I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. (16) Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” Photo credit - Lynn Foor (thank you!)   #GodsCovenant   #bibletruth   #howardcountymd   #columbiamd   #Godiseverywhere   #episcopal   #episcomd

Lent IV at Christ Church We have three services this Sunday morning: Holy Eucharist in Old Brick at 8:00, Family Worship in New Brick at 9:00, and Choral Eucharist in New Brick at 10:30. Collect for Today: Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm 23 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 Sermon for This Sunday: The Rev. Yehinuel Odidi delivers this Sunday's sermon, and you can view it in the video below once the service has begun. Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins just before 10:30 a.m. The service leaflet for this worship is here .