The Christ Church Lenten Meditation Booklet, a 25-year-old tradition at our parish, is a powerful read for so many, created with love by members of Christ Church. It is designed to assist us all in times of quiet contemplation, preparing ourselves for rebirth and renewal at Easter. Poems, quotes, stories of reflection, images, prayers, and inspirational pieces by writers or theologians - they all come together to make up this special booklet - one that you can take home with you and use each day throughout the season. The 2026 Spiritual Life Theme is Building Relationships through Love , and you can learn more on our website's SLC page - www.christchurchcolumbia.org/spiritual-life-commission . To accomplish the LMB in time, we must have all submissions in by this Sunday, February 1, so we can edit and publish this work in physical and digital form, the latter of which is viewed by many thousands of individuals worldwide throughout Lent. That means submissions are needed this weekend, so please don't delay. You can submit these by name or anonymously - your choice. If you need help getting started, visit  christchurchcolumbia.org/lenten-meditations   and check out past reflections. Submit yours by email to  SL@christchurchcolumbia.org   or place it in the Spiritual Life mailbox in the Church Office.

This past Sunday, we all worshipped online. One of the silver linings of the pandemic was the way many congregations were forced to be innovative and to respond to their new reality with ingenuity. Not that online worship was nonexistent - it wasn’t. Many congregations held services online. But many more churches lacked an online presence because these congregations, including Christ Church, didn’t have the resources to maintain one. I remember asking Chris, our Communications Admin, to inquire about online worship for Christ Church. After extensive research, the cost proved prohibitive, so we abandoned the project. But when COVID forced us into a corner, we were able to improvise and slowly build on each successive step, until we now broadcast our services online on four different platforms. This is a remarkable feat made possible by his tireless efforts. In prior years, we may have simply cancelled worship due to inclement weather and stayed home until the following Sunday. But this Sunday was different; we were able to gather to worship, not in fear but with a kind of faith that surpasses any obstacle that might come our way. It is that same faith that informs, shapes, and determines the posture of the heart. So that we are not impeded by fear, but we flourish because of faith. Listening to Jonathan Smith's sermon and watching the emotional outbreak, I remember saying to myself, "What would have happened if we were in the sanctuary?" There’s no doubt that we can feel an emotional connection online, and I am thankful that we not only felt the vulnerability of our own selves, but we resonated with the message. This is because we believe that, even though we come in different political colors, we can instinctively tell when we reach the breaking point. And there is no doubt that Mr. Pretti’s needless death was one too many for all people of goodwill. As I reflected on Jonathan’s message, I was drawn to the words of Micah 6:8 ‘ He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’ There are moments when we confuse what God requires of us with our careers. We seem to assume that God desires for us to pursue a particular career path. But the truth is, that isn’t what God requires of us. It also doesn’t mean that we cannot use our careers in pursuit of justice and mercy; yes, we can. What God requires of us is to act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. This isn’t about a career path; it is about the posture of the heart, where the heart is oriented, the direction where the heart is pointed, or where the eye of the heart may be looking. I remember Bishop Budde’s message during the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral. Her simple plea was for mercy - that the new President should show mercy to those on the margins of our society. Yes, they may have crossed the border. Yes, they may be living here as undocumented. Yes, some may be committing crimes. Yes, some may be living off the largesse of American society. But despite all this, Mr. President, have mercy. Many folks thought the bishop went out of line for suggesting that the president should show mercy. But what else could she have invited the president to consider, if not mercy? What more could she have asked from the President. Bishop Budde was very much aware that an important part of any president’s responsibility is to uphold the Constitution and the laws of these United States. But a deeper understanding of that sacred responsibility is that the law cannot be blind to mercy. Temper justice with mercy , we are told. And so, just as much as we want to uphold the law we have sworn to keep, we let mercy and humility guide us. We don’t bend the law, we bend our hearts, seducing the heart with the words of unrequited love, leading the heart to express a love which finds its anchor in a merciful God. Remember this: a heart that feeds on a resentment-induced fear consumes itself, but a heart that feeds on faith is daily renewed for the purposes of God. That heart thrives because it is like a tree planted by streams of water. That heart is turned towards mercy. More than that, the posture of that heart is always turned towards love. Here’s a variation of the poem Take Me To Church by Jimmy Osborne: Take me to church, Not just the building of stone and wood, But to the space inside myself, Where truth speaks louder than fear. Where I can kneel before my doubts, And confess that I am human— Flawed, searching, yearning. Take me to church, Where hymns are sung not just with voices But with broken hearts and trembling hands. Where the choir is made of everyone, The believer, the doubter, The sinner, the saint. Let their song be my solace Take me to church, To the place where the sacred and the human meet, Where the heart learns to forgive itself, And the soul begins to believe again. Let me stand in the presence of something greater, Even if it’s just love— Unfailing, unshaken, eternal. Take me to church. Take me home. Remember, church is where we learn the art of mercy. Church is where we learn how to use the vehicle of love. Church is where our songs of humility are given a voice. Church is where we feel called to turn over a new leaf. Church is where the broken find redemption. Church is where mending is ever possible. Church is where we find home, home in ourselves and in the God who churns our hearts again, and again and again toward Him. Take me to church, so I may be home , Jimmy will say. I learned these words from Padre Pio: Give to God the remaining years of your life. Beg God to use it in a way that is pleasing to him. These words by Padre Pio raise this question: In what way can we use the remaining years of our lives to please God? If there’s ever one thing that would be pleasing to God, it would be the posture of our hearts. Manny+

Each month, Christ Church offers a service of contemplative prayer and music in the tradition of the Taizé community of France. We do so to offer different perspectives on worship, and on February 1 at 6 p.m., we will focus on LOVE. This community promotes peace and justice through prayer and meditation. Our Taizé Vespers service focuses on silence, holy words, prayer, and singing, and offers a chance to meditate and reflect on God's love and presence in one's life, to offer prayer for oneself and others, and to share in a supportive community of fellow pilgrims on the way.

Meet the Founder of Comfort Cases Next Sunday, February 8 No doubt you've seen the display in the narthex of the MOCC's ongoing R.A.K. ( Random Act of Kindness ) in support of Comfort Cases. In February, you'll be able to meet and speak with Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer. Rob will share details about Comfort Cases with our congregation during the 10:30 service next Sunday, February 8th. In the meantime, we invite you to learn about Rob's powerful story and learn how we can make an impact here in Howard County. In our country today, the number of kids entering the foster care system is steadily rising, and that's where Comfort Cases come in - they're a small duffel bag or backpack filled with items designed to provide a bit of comfort for youth as they enter their local foster care system. Every donation aims to provide comfort to those who are experiencing this firsthand. Somos Amigos’ Founder Frank Brightwell Looks Back on Successful Clinic, Plans to Visit Christ Church on Sunday, March 1 Somos Amigos Medical Missions held a successful winter clinic in the Dominican Republic, treating several dozen new patients and adding eye care for the first time. The team included Christ Church parishioners Dione and Jim Mahoney and three members of their extended family .   “It was a beautiful week,” says Brightwell of the Jan. 10-17 clinic, made possible by the dedication of volunteers and Dominican partners. Repeat volunteers included the Mahoneys and Dione’s sister and brother-in-law, D esiree and Jorge Arce, and a multi-generational newcomer: Ivan, who is the Arces’ nephew. Christ Church continues to support Somos Amigos, both financially and by encouraging parishioners to volunteer. In what has become an annual tradition, we also welcome its founder and executive director, Frank Brightwell, who will be here on Sunday, March 1. He will deliver the sermon and conduct the Sunday Circle. If you are interested in participating in a future clinic, please plan to speak to him then. Or you can talk to Dione and other parishioners who have volunteered. They include Outreach member Shahra Toth and physicians Ellen Boudreau and Prithee Jackson. Somos Amigos holds quarterly clinics in the rural village of Naranjito. Future dates are April 11-18, July 11-18, and Oct. 10-17, 2026. Go here for volunteer information. During the winter clinic, physicians treated 414 patients, nearly a fifth of whom were children; dentists treated 243, and more than a fifth of these patients were children. Patients needing eye care were evaluated during a one-day visit by a Dominican optometrist, who saw more than 30 people. They received prescriptions for glasses and were screened for conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma. The plan is to continue providing eye care directly at the clinic, rather than sending these patients elsewhere. Another highlight of the January clinic was the presence of Somos Amigos’ staff members Euclides and his son, Johan. Euclides has regained strength after becoming a patient last year following a diagnosis of colon cancer. His surgery and subsequent cancer treatments were covered by a Somos Amigos fund for referrals to specialists. Christ Church donated a total of $1,000 to the fund in 2025 to help Euclides and others. They can get referrals for such things as colonoscopies, mammograms, and cataract removal. These are Vestry-approved Outreach budget funds derived from parishioners’ donations to Christ Church. Thank you! Food Truck Event on Jan. 31 Will Support Hurricane Relief in Jamaica The charitable arm of Althea’s Almost Famous food truck and catering company has partnered with Howard County government to host a drive for hurricane relief during a food truck event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 31. The location is outside the Howard County building at 9755 Patuxent Woods Dr., Columbia, MD 21044. Participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products. These will be sent to communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the Caribbean in late October. A post by Althea Hanson, the caterer’s proprietor, was shared by leaders of Columbia Community Care (CCC) on CCC’s Facebook page : “After the recent hurricane, families in Jamaica lost homes, food and basic necessities. Many are still experiencing an incredibly hard time – emotionally, financially, and physically. Recovery is ongoing, and the need is still real," she said. Christ Church through the Outreach Commission donated $700 for hurricane relief in Jamaica and elsewhere in the Caribbean, as described in the Outreach Blog of Dec. 11, 2025 . DreamBuilders - Upcoming Save-the-Dates February 8th, 2:00 p.m. at Temple Isaiah - DreamBuilders General Meeting · Come hear about our plans for the year, and how you can get involved. We’ll have descriptions of upcoming trips and local projects, too. There will be lots of pictures of projects past and lots of people who can answer any questions. March 14th, 5 - 8 p.m. at Temple Isaiah - DreamBuilders Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction · Come enjoy a spaghetti dinner and bid on a wide and wonderful variety of items and activities, all in support of DreamBuilders. This is our largest fundraising event of the year. Proceeds help make our building projects possible.  We will need lots of help to make this event a success, and we will be looking for donations for the auction, too. Come to Bridges to Housing Stability's Heroes for Housing - February 16 B2HS invites the Christ Church community to attend  Heroes for Housing , a cocktail-style fundraiser supporting housing stability in Howard County. We will be meeting friends, both new and long-time, and celebrating our community members who are deeply committed to ending homelessness. Gather with us on Monday, February 16, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at 18th & 21st: 10980 Grantchester Way, #110, Columbia, MD 21044. More information can be found at  bit.ly/h4h2026 .  Please Bring Diapers, Non-Perishables for CCC/FISH, And Consider Volunteering from Home to Take Phone Calls From Neighbors in Need FISH and Columbia Community Care 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, visit Get Help online . 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 especially important in times of crisis. 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 assisting those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email him at andydelong.fish@gmail.com . Thank you always for your support. 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.

This past Sunday was a unique one for Christ Church - the winter storm that hit 2/3 of the United States forced us to go to an all-virtual format for the first time in years. To keep people engaged, we chose Zoom as our main platform for the first time ever (we always livestream on YouTube, etc.), and parishioner Jonathan Smith delivered the sermon for our Morning Prayer worship. You can read it below, and watch Jonathan deliver it in the video at the bottom of this page. Good Morning, I hope everyone is staying warm and cozy as we ride out our big storm. I’m happy that zoom allow us to still gather and celebrate. As I’ve mentioned in prior sermons, I like to tackle the lessons and gospel in their totality. The thread I hear in the lessons today speak to the joy and light of living in the kingdom. That thread is then instructed in the gospel with what you have to do to get there.  I’m going to focus on that instruction today and the choice it presents — react in fear or act in faith. As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. While the call to follow is simple on its face, when we dig in, I find its implications both profound and scary. A call to walk away from your life and follow Jesus Let’s explore the implications of that for a second. What exactly does that mean? Walking away from your job? Walking away from your family? Walking away from your life as you’ve put it together? I would call that a radical proposition especially at odds with our commonly accepted notions of obligation to family and it’s overlay with Christian virtue. The principal driver of that scariness is it’s unqualified and unstipulated nature                   There is no follow me ‘if’ or ‘after’                   No room for mitigating rationalizations It’s straightforward. Answer it and find the kingdom But moreover, the unqualified and unstipulated nature is almost as profound as the call itself. Is there any circumstance where you would take such a step without the thousands of things we think about and consider when confronted with a great decision. We’ve been trained and conditioned to do just that. Could we respond to that call today or is too scary. But part of me can’t help but feel that there is a simplicity making it more doable by closing the road of deliberation and rationalization that often leads to indecision and inaction. Maybe the only way to close those roads is to step with both feet into faith. That leaves me really scared but also exhilarated with the possibilities. It harkens to the call to walk on water, the call to act in faith. React in fear or act in faith. But I’ll come back to that. Along my spiritual journey, I’ve found myself evolving towards an epiphany of sorts, particularly drawn to the proposition proposed in Matthew 25,35-46. for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' 41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' 44 Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' 45 Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." The prescription to the kingdom is right there in its call to service to others. When I’ve reviewed my life experience, it was in those times of service where I’ve experienced unmitigated bliss, peace and happiness. If that’s the kingdom and I could have those feelings all the time, then that is good enough for me. And for that reason, I’m now in the place where I interpret everything through the lens of that prescription — Matthew 25, 35-46 So, how does that connect with today’s gospel? Jesus put out the call to follow with a promise to the kingdom. Seeing it through this lens we get specifics — what we have to do in that following and expectations on the payoff for living in the kingdom.   Let’s take a talk about the payoff in the kingdom. It’s not an IOU. The payoff is right there when we follow. Not a layaway plan. And as I said earlier, if the kingdom is the state of being you achieve by living in that following, it’s good enough for me. We experience the benefits and are in the kingdom as we make the choice to follow in the unqualified prescription outlined in Matthew 25. There’s also one more thing. There’s no criteria indicating which hungry we feed, which sick we care for, or what strangers we embrace. That’s scary as well because in our society in almost every aspect of that call we have overlayed criteria that determine who in need we will relieve. For reasons I would argue represent a collective reaction in fear. So, let’s try and explore the ‘why’ on the unqualified quality of Christ’s choice to react in fear or act in faith. Spoiler alert here, we’re not going to find a definitive answer or explanation at the bottom of the rabbit hole I’m going to take you down. Just maybe another way to work through that scary. I’ve had discussions with more theologically educated folks then myself and they’ve suggested the ask may be more metaphoric. It’s only a conundrum if you take it literally. I concede that may be but indulge my thought exercise and entertain that Jesus meant it literally. It would be so much easier if it was a little more compromising. Not so demanding and high risk. Why would Jesus propose it in this way? It’s cliché but maybe it’s as simple no risk no reward. I’m not sure and that’s more an observation than an explanation. But let’s explore it a little. When you approach a stranger and offer your hand, you’ve exercised a choice to act in faith and bear the risk of a negative interaction because the opportunities of a new relationship outweigh the risks. Reacting in fear and walking by the stranger precludes any of the possibilities the new relationship might manifest. 38 years ago, Johanna and I met in college. She an undergrad, me a new grad student. We met at the college town’s Episcopal church Christ Episcopal Church, Blacksburg VA, and one of our first dates was providing relief at a nearby flooded town. It was her idea and she hounded me into it. But it turned into one of many activities in service we did together as we stumbled into relationship. But there was one event that I think connects with the unqualified choice discussion.   In collaboration with another denomination, we were working an OXFAM dinner fund raiser. Some of you might be familiar, OXFAM is a Quaker founded organization that partners with NGOs around the world providing hunger relief. In the middle of the event, our partner’s leadership discovered that OXFAM did not screen the organizations it supported for communist affiliations. The dinner was almost terminated before a compromise was reached and an additional donation basket was added to each table allowing doners to make a donation directly to our church partner’s own relief efforts avoiding OXFAM. Well, it saved the dinner but didn’t save its success. Numbers of folks walked out at the disturbance. And boy was the grace sucked out of the room. It felt like the event had drifted out of the kingdom. Did it have that feeling because collectively we chose to react in fear rather than acting in faith. Our efforts and rewards were diminished. I have one more case that I think fits here because it landed very close to home for us. On New Year’s Eve, I received news that one of my major contracts was being terminated taking half our income with it. Now, as you might imagine, we were stricken with panic and almost paralyzed with the implication of financial uncertainty. But coincidentally I was also preparing for this sermon and pondering reacting in fear over acting in faith. Wow, we were facing such a choice right now. Do we hunker down, re-organize our lives, abandon areas of service and plans or can we act in faith and focus on the new opportunities this calamity may expose. We’ve chosen the latter and will see where God takes us. Now, as serious as that was for us, I want to touch on one more thing relevant in this very scary time that reflects the true gravity and great scope this choice can take on. In fact, I’d say it’s the 800lb gorilla. It’s important to bear witness to Renée Good, and to Alex Pretti, and to the thousands of fellow Americans who have faced and are facing that scary choice to react in fear or act in faith. In Minnesota and other places people are putting themselves at existential risk to protect their neighbors from assault, kidnapping and murder in the face of lawless immigration law enforcement. That’s very real. At any time, Maryland can be Minnesota, and that choice can be thrust in our face unexpectedly walking the dog or going to the grocery store. We should all pray for the strength as we are confronted with that choice to serve our neighbors and not react in fear but act in faith. Amen

Epiphany III at Christ Church We had no services on campus today thanks to the winter storm bearing down on most of the country today, but we put together a Zoom morning prayer service and added the final installment of our Pilgrimage to Alabama Adult Formation series. Collect for Today: Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Isaiah 9:1-4 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23 Psalm 27:1, 5-13 Sermon for This Sunday: Parishioner Jonathan Smith delivers today's sermon, and you can view it in the video below. You can also read his sermon's text here . Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday, and was a combination Adult Formation program, followed by Morning Prayer, all via Zoom. The service leaflet for this worship is here .

Please take a few minutes and read this important message below from The Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop, Sean Rowe. You can also read it here - https://www.episcopalchurch.org/publicaffairs/from-presiding-bishop-sean-rowe-death-and-despair-do-not-have-the-last-word Thank you.   #justice   #loveoverall   #Respect   #respect   #respecteveryone   #loveyourneighbor   #truth   #episcopal   #episcomd   #hocomd   #minneapolis   #Minnesota   #MinnesotaStrong

❄️ ❄️IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT❄️❄️ Christ Church is CLOSED Everything is on Zoom It's official - to keep us all safe, we are cancelling in-person worship and formation classes today, and instead will be hosting a special SNOW-day Morning virtual gathering on Zoom. We hope that you'll stay warm, fix breakfast, brew some tea, and gather with us online. It's one Zoom link for the entire morning: 9:00 a.m. - Sunday Circle 10:00 a.m. - Morning Prayer Join us for worship, formation, or both VISIT https://cecliturgy.org/SnowDayWorship

We are monitoring the weather, as you are, and may cancel in-person worship and formation classes for this Sunday; instead, we will host Sunday Morning Prayer and Adult Forum: Sunday Circle on Zoom. You can join us for formation, for worship, or for both using one link. If we go with this alternate plan, we will have: 9:00 - Sunday Circle: Pilgrimage to Alabama 10:00 - Morning Prayer with Father Manny By 7:00 a.m. this Sunday, we'll make a decision and send our plans out via email, website, Facebook, and Instagram. Stay safe!

Every Lent, your beloved Christ Church invites parishioners to write a story, share an article, a poem, or a prayer for our Lenten Meditation Booklet. The story may be about your personal faith journey; it could be an experience you may have had, or your loved one may have had or anything that invoked a sense of awe and wonder. Whenever I make my pitch, I typically say something like this ‘Everyone has a story to tell.’ I offer this pitch with all conviction because I believe that each of us has a story to tell. My pitch was probably inspired by Dostoevsky, who once said, “But how could you live and have no story to tell?” Stories not only connect us to the divine but also to each other, providing a window through which we can see ourselves in each other. In my mind, life becomes a little more tolerable if we can see ourselves in each other-the ability to do that makes it easier for us to accept the other’s mistakes and foibles. The challenge, whenever we are invited to write about our own personal experience, whether it is related to faith or not, sends us into some kind of frenzy because we immediately assume that we need to have something spectacular to share or something extraordinary must have happened to us, or people are interested in only the magical moments of our lives. But that is absolutely not the case. The stories can be as simple and life-giving as any story of which you can think. For me, every story is life-giving because it opens my mind, heart, and eyes to learning. This past Sunday, Sara Kirkpatrick shared a picture of Dr. Sonnie Hereford and his son. They took this picture on the sidewalk in Huntsville, Alabama, in September 1963. This was when Dr. Sonnie was trying to enroll his son in an all-white school. About 50 years later, both father and son returned to the same sidewalk, the same spot where they had taken a picture, and took another picture. A sweet moment for a father and son to share a bond that has held them together over all these years. As you can tell, Sara was not part of the story, and when she shared it with me, I became interested in a story that defined the culture of segregation and racism in the South. A couple of days ago, Jan DeBoissiere, who is helping at the office so Yetti can take some time off, shared a story about a hat that she has been wearing. She asked if I knew how she got the hat. ‘Share the story.” I said. She narrated an incident in which she was in line at the grocery store cash register. It turned out that the couple in front of her, who were paying for their groceries, were having difficulty because the card kept being declined. The couple decided to take one item off. But Jan decided to pay for it. In thanksgiving for her kindness, the woman went to her car and brought a hat, which she gave to Jan. Jan wears the heart in thanksgiving for the couple she did not know but whom she helped at the grocery store. This is not a sort of a feel-good kind of story, absolutely not. It is a story that tells of a genuine attempt at a reciprocal love that springs solely from the desire to do right by others. The couple did not know Jan, and Jan did not know them. But it feels good to know that there are people willing to offer help. Even more important is the recognition that gratitude rewards itself. And for those who are grateful, even for the smallest of gifts, a simple thank you is never enough. Don Sawyer and I have a monthly lunch at Panera Bread. We get together over sandwiches and talk about all sorts of things. A day ago, he told me a story about going to lunch with another parishioner and a friend. The parishioner had some coupons with him, and when it was time to pay, he pulled them out. But it turned out that he needed to spend a little over $4 more before he could use the coupons. The parishioner asked his friend if he was interested in stomach bombers. And so, they ordered a stomach bomber. Out of curiosity, I asked, “And what is a stomach bomber?” “A stomach bomber is a dessert,” Don responded. “And what kind of dessert did they get?” I asked. “Bread pudding.” This conversation led to a much deeper discussion about eating habits and the value of eating well - especially as we age. I believe that each of us has had an encounter or has gone through some experience that has had an impact on us. I believe ever deeply that each of us has seen God’s hand actively manifested in our lives, in the lives of the people we know and love, and even among strangers. Ann Barnes and Paula Rees can fill pages with stories about our refugee families. Ann shares all the heartbreaking stories of losing food stamps, financial support, and potential healthcare coverage, and of the dire personal circumstances of our families. But then, in the same breath, Ann will remind you that there are still good people around those people who make life a little less challenging for our refugee siblings. Ann’s stories simply remind me of the gift of holding on to hope. That in the face of the daunting challenges of the people we serve, we may be tempted to give up on the human enterprise, give up on each other, and give up on ourselves. But no! We cannot give up because we still have good people around who believe in being good. In addition to these stories and your personal stories, you will also hear stories from Cathy Whitaker and her crew, who support the Kindness Pantry and Lake Elkhorn Middle School. You will also hear from Duane Smith and Phil Wright talk about the Men of Christ Church mission to highlight the plight of foster children. You will hear Jenn Atkins and her Sunday School team talk about our children. You will hear of Pam Foreman talk about her Altar Guild team; you will hear of Kathy Lyon and her Lay Eucharistic Ministry team, which takes the Eucharist to homebound parishioners. The point here is that there are lots of stories that abound here at Christ Church and in our lives, and these stories enrich our lives in ways we can never imagine. Our goal is to share these stories, for it is in sharing them that we get a sense of the extent to which God is working in all our lives. A few days ago, I reminded a good friend that if God has opened the door for you to walk through, do not close that door and try to open a window. The window might be too small for you. Walk through the door, and don’t forget to tell a story about how God opened the door and helped you through it.  Manny+

Food Truck Event on Jan. 31 Will Support Hurricane Relief in Jamaica The charitable arm of Althea’s Almost Famous food truck and catering company has partnered with Howard County government to host a drive for hurricane relief during a food truck event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31. The location is outside the Howard County building at 9755 Patuxent Woods Dr., Columbia, MD 21044.   Participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products. These will be sent to communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the Caribbean  in late October. A post by Althea Hanson, the caterer’s proprietor, was shared by leaders of Columbia Community Care  (CCC) on CCC’s Facebook page :   “After the recent hurricane, families in Jamaica lost homes, food and basic necessities. Many are still experiencing an incredibly hard time – emotionally, financially, and physically. Recovery is ongoing, and the need is still real," she said.   Christ Church, through the Outreach Commission, donated a total of $700 for hurricane relief in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, as described in the Outreach Blog of Dec. 11, 2025 . Free Bikes 4 Kidz Brightens the Holidays, Gets Ready for Work in 2026 For those who donated used bikes last fall to Free Bikes 4 Kidz Maryland   (FB4K), please rest assured that the wheels went to a good home. The Howard County-based nonprofit posted its 2025 results on its Facebook page  on Dec. 21: “All done. Over the last two weeks, we gave away 3,063 bicycles to local children and nonprofit organizations, bringing this year's total to 3,278 and our seven-year total to 15,359. That's a lot of children who can now ride into a happier, healthier, more independent life! Massive thanks to over 700 volunteers and our corporate sponsors who made this all possible.” FBRK calls on the faith community and others to help its organizers gather, refurbish, and give away bikes to families who cannot afford to buy new ones. Many children saw Christmas wishes come true at FB4K's distribution day on Dec. 13 (see photos). The remaining 1,600 bikes next went to more than 20 Maryland organizations, including CCC, for their own giveaway days. Starting in the Spring, FB4K recruits volunteers, including students who can earn community service hours. Go online  to learn more or to sign up. If you have a used bike to donate, please label it for FB4K and take it to the reusable bike shed at the Howard County Alpha Ridge  Residents’ Convenience Center on Marriottsville Road. In 2024, volunteers put in more than 6,000 hours of service and FB4K gave away 3,345 bikes, according to an article, “Free Bikes for Kidz Breaks Down Barriers to a Childhood Rite of Passage.”  It was published Sept. 17, 2025, in Business Monthly , whose publisher is Christ Church parishioner Jason Whong. Previously, FB4K honored requests by Christ Church. In 2023, an adult bike went to an Afghan refugee family supported by the Interfaith Refugee Ministry. In 2022, another went to St. Luke’s Youth Center (SLYC) for a college-bound youth as described in the Outreach Blog of Sept. 22, 2022 . CCC and FISH Need Diapers and Non-Perishables for Their Shared Pantry FISH   and Columbia Community Care partnered last year and merged their pantries. CCC continues to hand out food at three sites on Saturday mornings and by home delivery to Howard County residents. For information, go online to Get Help . CCC also offers activities for young people .   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. You could be the one to lend a helping hand by lending an ear!   FISH of Howard County needs phone volunteers. You can help from home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from FISH's financial assistance. Training is provided. For more information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email him at andydelong.fish@gmail.com .  Thank you always for your support. LEMS is Busy with More Pop-Up Pantries and A Night of Excellence Yesterday, January 21, we helped with another Pop-Up Pantry at LEMS. Jenny Cecil, Jan DeBoissiere, Sara Kirkpatrick, and Cathy Whittaker helped share nearly 70 boxes/bags of fresh, protein-rich foods from the Roving Radish with the community. In addition, Mount Pisgah AME Church contributed hats, mittens, and scarves, so almost every bag contained one of those items.   Some families said their children needed coats, so the staff were able to find ones that were the appropriate size. Some of those coats were those that you purchased. It was a cold day yesterday, so people were particularly appreciative when they received a winter coat. Looks like they'll be needed for weeks to come. Cathy spoke with the Program Manager at the Judith Center, which runs the Kindness Pantry, to see whether the nonperishables we provide monthly were being used. She assured us that the food and household items were being distributed regularly and were very much appreciated.   On Friday, January 30th, from 5:30 to 7:30, Christ Episcopal Church is invited to attend A Night of Excellence , which will honor student scholars with outstanding National History Day projects and other research projects connected to the Gifted and Talented Program. Some of our vestry members will attend and share information about our church programs, and you, too, would be more than welcome to attend. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:00. See the details and contact info in the attached image. The next Kindness Pantry is on February 18, so we will need contributions by Sunday, February 15. There will be a SignUpGenius link at the end of this month. Thank you so much for sharing your love in our community! DreamBuilders - Upcoming Save-the-Dates February 8th, 2:00 p.m. at Temple Isaiah - DreamBuilders General Meeting · Come hear about our plans for the year, and how you can get involved. We’ll have descriptions of upcoming trips and local projects, too. There will be lots of pictures of projects past and lots of people who can answer any questions. March 14th, 5 - 8 p.m. at Temple Isaiah - DreamBuilders Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction · Come enjoy a spaghetti dinner and bid on a wide and wonderful variety of items and activities, all in support of DreamBuilders. This is our largest fundraising event of the year. Proceeds help make our building projects possible.  We will need lots of help to make this event a success, and we will be looking for donations for the auction, too. Help the MOCC Impact the Foster Care Community, and Meet the Founder of Comfort Cases No doubt you've seen the display in the narthex of the MOCC's ongoing R.A.K. ( Random Act of Kindness ) in support of Comfort Cases. In February, you'll be able to meet and speak with Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer. Rob will share details about Comfort Cases with our congregation during the 10:30 service on Sunday, February 8th. In the meantime, we invite you to learn about Rob's powerful story  and learn how we can make an impact here in Howard County. In our country today, the number of kids entering the foster care system is steadily rising, and that's where Comfort Cases come in - they're a small duffel bag or backpack filled with items designed to provide a bit of comfort for youth as they enter their local foster care system. Every donation aims to provide comfort to those who are experiencing this firsthand. 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.