I have been doing a lot of walking these past several months. It just so happened that during a conversation with a friend who expressed an interest in walking, we both decided to be walking partners. This friend lives out of state, but we have become walking partners. We wake up, get on our phones, and walk. During our walk, we talk about everything under the sun: life, work, politics, spirituality, soccer, football, food, kids, and the whole nine yards. It is therapeutic to hit the trail—I have come to enjoy it, and I look forward to waking up and walking. Over the summer months, when the sun rises by 5:30 a.m., I would hit the trail. The timing didn’t really matter to me because the sun was up, there was light, and I could see. Since I have been on the trail several times, I have already mapped out the path that I walk each morning. I don’t stray from the path. I always walk the same path. With the sunlight, which lightens the trail, I can walk my path and see all those who are also walking, running, or riding bikes on it. One morning, while it was still dark, I was about to hit the trail when I heard unusual screams. It wasn’t a scream of anguish, as if someone was in some physical pain; it was one of anger because it was filled with expletives. I could hear those screams coming from the woods. Within that very moment, I realized that I couldn’t go on the same path that I had been walking. To walk that same path would mean confronting the danger of an angry person in the woods while it was still dark. I made a turn to walk on a different path, away from the screams. That decision reinforced the fear of the dark side in each of us, and it would be foolish on my part to walk in the dark woods without knowing the kind of danger that awaited me. Changing my direction meant walking in an area where, although there was not enough light, there was also no immediate danger. I wasn’t necessarily scared of the darkness; I feared the dark side of the stranger who was walking in the dark. This is because darkness itself cannot harm us; it is the one with a dark side who walks in the dark that can hurt you and me.  There’s no doubt that we all love light. The presence of light assures us that, despite any darkness or our dark sides, there’s a powerful redeeming force that has the capacity to invite us and walk with us into its beaming light, so that we wouldn’t have to be afraid to walk in the dark because another person with a dark side is also walking in the dark and screaming. The thought of having a dark side reminded me of a conversation I had with a very dear friend who wondered if there are spiritual forces of darkness that exact evil on humans. I responded that I do not doubt St. Paul when he says that “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” The reality is that it is human beings like you and me, those of us with dark sides, who give life to the evils of the world. Do I believe that there’s a dark caricature with two horns on its head holding a pitchfork? Absolutely not. But I believe that whatever evil there is, it is committed by human beings like you and me. Our struggle is with our fellow neighbors with their pitchforks out, ready to stab, betray, and denigrate. Our struggle is with our neighbors with dark sides. We are presently dealing with a government shutdown. Federal workers have been furloughed. There’s a ton of anxiety among fellow citizens because many of these families who live paycheck to paycheck don’t know where their next meal is coming from. They don’t know how they are going to pay their bills. It is as if families were not struggling already. With your generous support of the discretionary fund, I regularly help some of these families, and so I am very much aware of the precarious situations they find themselves in. This shutdown is an added aggravation of an already porous economy that is tilted towards those who have more than enough means to survive. There’s a story of the nail asking the hammer one day, "Why are you always hitting me?" The hammer replied, “I don’t hit you to hurt you, I do this to help you fulfill your purpose." "But it hurts so much," said the nail. "I know it hurts," said the hammer, "but without those blows, you would never go into the wood. You would never be useful. You would never hold anything together." The nail then asked, "Don’t you get tired of hitting me?" "Of course, I get tired," said the hammer. "But it is worth it because I know that through this you are serving an important purpose." The nail was quiet for a moment, then he said, "Thank you for pushing me even though it hurts. Thank you for not leaving me halfway." If we are to fulfill our divine purpose, we should not be afraid to walk the trail in the dark, because someone who has a dark side—as I do—is also walking in the dark. Each of us is a nail that a hammer must hit to go through some wood. That is how we can fulfill our God-given purposes. Being hit by the hammer is our struggle with the dark side. Novelist Martin Shaw writes something about the dark side in his book Courting the Twin Within. The dark side often reminds us that we are not worth it and we are not fit for purpose. The dark side questions why we give to support God’s work, the dark side raises doubts in our minds about our sense of worth, the dark side questions any and all things that has to do with a faithful expression of our belief in God, the dark side creates the fear of the other in us, the dark side gives life to the dehumanization of others, the dark side reviles the sight of others being happy-it wants to see suffering, it perpetuates suffering and glories in the suffering of others because it delusionally believes that it benefits from it. Carl Jung once said, “Modern man can’t see God because he doesn’t look low enough.” The tragedy is that we have misappropriated our understanding of God by creating a fictional God who brims with luxury, is devoid of suffering, distant, and high up above the clouds. We therefore have to look up beyond the skies to see this fictional God for regular handouts. If you want to see God, don’t look up. Bend and look low. To bend and look low enough is to see your dark side and the God who redeems and transforms it. To bend low enough to look is to see the God who invites us into His life and asks us not to fear, for He is always with us. To bend and look low enough is to see the God who, despite our dark side, uses us to accomplish His divine purpose. Thanks be to God for not leaving us halfway.  Manny+

Gather with us for a pair of events, both of which are sure to stir the soul. First, join seekers of a deeper relationship with the Divine at the Center for Spiritual Nourishment. The 2nd Saturday CSN offers free experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit by providing safe spaces to explore a range of opportunities for spiritual growth. The CSN is for anyone interested in spiritual nourishment, regardless of religious affiliation or spiritual beliefs, and you can come for one session or the entire morning. We begin with a communal breakfast at 8:30, so visit cecevents.org/CSN-Oct2025 for all the details, and come to New Brick. Then, at 5 p.m., we are proud to present our Music Director, Larissa Sanders, in her fall Christ Church recital—a beautiful annual musical tradition. Larissa and her selection of musicians will present a program of gorgeous pieces spanning several centuries and cultures. Visit the New Brick Sanctuary today at 5:00 to support and enjoy extraordinary music performed by gifted musicians. This concert is a free-will offering, and light refreshments will be served at a reception following the performance.   #SpiritualNourishment   #musichealsthesoul   #hocomd   #columbiamd

LEMS Kindness Pantry Needs Many thanks to everyone who's signed up to bring items for the Lanke Elkhorn Middle School Kindness Pantry! We have most items covered, but we still need small bottles of dish soap and canola oil. You can find the sign-up list here  and can bring all items to Christ Church by this Sunday, October 12th. Place them in the blue LEMS bin located in the New Brick Narthex, and we'll get them to the school. Another way you can help our local students and families is by coming to LEMS on October 15 and assisting The Roving Radish  in distributing boxes of food to those in need. Email us at LEMS@christchurchcolumbia.org  and we'll send you more details. Thank you for helping support the students and teachers of Lake Elkhorn Middle School! YOU CAN HELP! Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting this Monday Learn many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope. To join us on Monday, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org and we'll send you the Zoom details. Help Grassroots on Monday, Oct. 13, by Providing Food for the Homeless On the second Monday of each month, Christ Church serves a hot midday meal at the Day Resource Center (DRC) and delivers dinner to residents of the Grassroots Emergency Shelter. The Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center  operates both facilities. A team led by Outreach member Shahra Toth makes side dishes and desserts that we serve in person after car-pooling to the DRC in Jessup. To help on Monday, Oct. 13, please check our DRC online signup form , which describes the procedure. Drop-off time is 12:45 p.m. in the parking lot near Old Brick for DRC’s side dishes. We last participated on Sept. 8. Every second Monday, the parishioners who cook or shop for the evening meal arrive in the Old Brick parking lot between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. Get details in our Grassroots online signup form . Grassroots handles serving that meal to shelter residents, who include numerous children. It’s efficient to provide for both venues on the same day, usually feeding a total of about 150 people. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried-chicken entrees. Thank you! As you respond to a call to help the less fortunate, keep in mind the scripture that underpins our mission: And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40 Did You Know? Grassroots Offers Crisis Services That Go Well Beyond Sheltering and Welcoming Our Homeless Neighbors Parishioners are urged to spread the word about the array of mental health options available through Grassroots, which strengthened its resources  as part of an expansion to a third site in 2023. The center’s staff at 8990 Old Annapolis Rd., Suite A, in Columbia provides behavioral health, substance use disorder, and suicide prevention help around the clock. Someone suffering a mental health crisis –or their loved ones– can walk in, call 410-531-6677, or chat, text, or phone 988 (which is modeled on 911).   Parishioners were updated by Anna Katz, director of grants and support at Grassroots, who spoke during our Sunday Circle series, Virtues of a Beloved Community: GENEROSITY,  on September 21 ( view her mental health overview on our Zoom recording here ). While many of us are familiar with the operations at Grassroots’ two facilities for the homeless — such as meals, shelter, and pantry supplies — its counseling services are less well-known. You can watch the entire Sunday Circle presentation on our YouTube channel or above in this email.   In Howard County, clinicians on its mobile crisis team are dispatched to accompany police on psychiatric emergencies. Its outpatient mental health clinic offers free long-term therapy. Its substance use disorder stabilization program aims for treatment within 24 hours. Its behavioral health urgent care is the state’s only one that remains free, Katz said. Grassroots is a call center for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and a national backup for 988 chat and text. The Pew Charitable Trust’s Trend Magazine featured Grassroots in a 2023 article, “What Happens When You Call 988?” Now’s the Time to Walk or Run in CAC’s ‘Steps Forward’ Fall Fundraiser It’s not too late to participate in Steps Forward , a Walk/Run campaign to raise funds for t he Community Action Council of Howard County  (CAC). Individuals or teams are invited to accumulate miles during October while soliciting donations. Participants will receive a special T-shirt and discounted entry to the  Run Through the Grapevine 8K,  hosted by the  Howard County Striders  in Mt. Airy, Maryland, on Sunday, November 2. The annual cross-country/trail race takes place at Linganore Winecellars.   On race morning, a non-perishable food drive will benefit the Howard County Food Bank, which CAC operates. As the county’s designated anti-poverty organization, CAC provides multiple services as described in its 2024 Impact Report . These include early childhood education, eviction prevention, weatherization, and utility assistance. FISH and CCC Have Combined Pantries, and FISH Needs Phone Volunteers Recently, FISH and  Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered to provide food services for Howard County residents. The two organizations have merged their pantries. FISH will continue to pick up donated goods from Christ Church and others. CCC will continue making distributions at three sites on Saturday mornings and by home delivery. For information, go online to Get Help . 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 keep bringing baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes. FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents to provide guidance and financial support 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! Consider volunteering from home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email andydelong.fish@gmail.com . Thanks 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.

Pentecost XVII 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Choral Eucharist in New Brick Collect for Today: 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. Today's Readings: Lamentations 1:1-6 Psalm 137 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Luke 17:5-10 Sermon for Today: Parishioner Leah Chrest delivers today's sermon, and you can view it in the video below once the service starts. Leah is also a presenter at the Center for Spiritual Nourishment, which takes place non Saturday, Octobe r 11th. You can learn about the CSN here , and read her sermon's text here . Holy Eucharist Livestream: Our service livestream begins at approximately 10:20 a.m. this Sunday. The service leaflet for this worship service is here .

Taizé Vespers is a liturgy of Evening Prayer that combines scripture readings, prayer, silent meditation, and rich music. On the first Sunday evening of each month, Christ Church offers this truly beautiful service of contemplative prayer and music in the tradition of the Taizé community of France. This community promotes peace and justice through prayer and meditation. Our Taizé Vespers service reflects the Taizé style, emphasizing attention to silence, holy words, prayer, and singing, and offers an opportunity 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 - in our case, your friends and neighbors - on the journey. Gather with us at 6 p.m. in New Brick tonight, October 5th for this uniquely powerful worship.

Join seekers of a deeper relationship with the Divine at the 2nd Saturday Center for Spiritual Nourishment. The 2nd Saturday CSN offers free experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit by offering safe spaces to explore an array of opportunities for spiritual growth.  The CSN is for anyone interested in spiritual nourishment, regardless of religious affiliation or spiritual beliefs.   Come for one session or the entire morning. Spiritual Direction, Praying Through Art, Yoga, Contemplative Meditation, Community Bike Ride, Self and Spirit: Creation and Spirit (discussion), and Spiritual Practices: Becoming Love (discussion).  We will also be showing the movie Facing the Giants .  The morning concludes with a short Reflection Circle Service. If you want to learn more about future Center for Spiritual Nourishment events, submit your email address below to receive regularly updated information (we will not share or sell your address to anyone). Whether you've joined us before or are a first-timer, we are sure that there's something special waiting for you here. Everyone is welcome, and we hope to see you there! Schedule of Events: 8:30 – 9:00: Breakfast and social time 9:00 – 10:00: Conversations on Spiritual Practices : Becoming Love                       Contemplative Meditation                       Spiritual Direction Group 9:00 – 11:15: Film screening: War Room 10:15 – 11:15: Community Bike Ride                                Contemplative Meditation                       Self and Spirit: Creation and Spirit                      Spiritual Direction Group 11:30 – 11:50: Reflection - Circle Service Join us on Saturday, October 11 as we offer: Spiritual Direction Group led by Carol Abbott October’s session will focus on the Gospel of Mark and the season of winter, with a framing question, “ How can we endure the season of suffering?” In this spiritual discernment and direction group we practice listening deeply to each other using prompts from scripture, poetry, nature, and our bodies. These practices are designed to help us notice and respond to the voice of the Holy moving in our lives. Community Bike Ride led by Kevin Osborn and Cycling for Health & Fellowship All cyclists are welcome on a one-hour bicycle ride! The ride will be self-paced and out-and-back. An experienced ride leader from the CEC community will lead the ride, which will be conducted according to Baltimore Bicycle Club rules. Riders should be adults and everyone should wear a helmet. Cyclists should rest their bicycles by the lower-level outside of the CEC New Brick building before 10:15, so that they can quickly "jump" onto their bicycles at 10:15. The ride course will depend on weather conditions, and it will be cancelled for steady rain. Film Screening: War Room led by George Toth A couple, Tony and Elizabeth, who seemingly have it all: great jobs, a beautiful daughter, their dream home,  are faced with a reality that their marriage has become a war zone and their daughter is collateral damage. With guidance from Miss Clara, an older, wiser woman, Elizabeth discovers that through prayer she can start fighting for her family instead of against them. As the power of prayer energizes and transforms Elizabeth, will Tony also join the fight and become the man he knows he needs to be? Experience how prayer forms our relationship to Christ and allows us to heal and strengthen the relationships we share here on earth.  Love forms relationships – these are the treasures waiting for us in heaven. Contemplative Meditation led by Leah Chrest Discover the desire God has to commune with us and how to inwardly attune ourselves to the Spirit's voice.  Learn about the history of contemplative Christianity, study the power of breathwork, be led through guided visualizations, become proficient in multiple techniques for stilling the mind, and practice drawing focus into your heart center.  In a mixture of teaching, discussion, and practice, strengthen your ability to engage in the equally important side of the conversation with God--if prayer is talking to the Lord, meditation is listening to God’s voice, and being changed by God’s presence.  Self and Spirit : Understanding Complex Trauma led by Michael Looney Join us for a timely discussion as we explore the seen and unseen impacts of complex trauma.  We will focus on how it impacts our spiritual health and learn some self-care techniques to help us deal and heal.  Conversations on Spiritual Practices and Growth led by Rev. Manny Mercer How well do you know yourself? Which practices help you in trying to discern who you are, your relationship with God and how to best nurture that relationship? Join us in a conversation about how we can better know ourselves and deepen our relationship with God. If self-knowing leads to greater participation in life, then join us as we journey to better know ourselves. October's session will be focused on Becoming Love . Have Questions? Wish to Help Lead Future CSN Sessions?

This weekend, our church celebrates the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology and animals, and we will have our own Blessing of the Animals - and we mean ALL animals! Today, October 4th at 5 p.m., we invite you to gather in front of Old Brick with your beloved pets - dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, and all other furry, scaly, or slinky creatures - or bring a picture of your pet, if you prefer. We will sing some songs and offer individual blessings for each of our beautiful pets. We'll also have a few treats for the pets.... and a little pizza for their human companions! Then at 9 a.m. Family Worship on Sunday morning, October 5th, we will have The Blessing of the Plushies, so this is your chance to bring your favorite stuffed friend with you to church, and they can be blessed, too!

Christ Church's Auction gala event kicks off tonight, so sharpen your skills and outbid your fellow parishioners for the many wonderful items on offer. How many items? Well, nearly two hundred, and there's something for everyone! Want to hang a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind painting in your home? Care to get away for a week at the shore? Do you enjoy indulging in some incredible wines? Want someone else to take down your Christmas decorations after a hectic holiday season? Stumped and can't find that special birthday or holiday gift for someone? Feel lucky and want to win some cash? Well, we've got you covered. Take a look at the items in our catalog and mark your favorites so you can bid on them tonight. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and when you arrive, you'll be given a few items to help transport you to A Night Out in Italy , including a bid sheet to keep track of your bids and prepare your path towards winning the items you want. We need fuel for the fun! If you can, please bring a few refreshments to share. Non-alcoholic beverages and sweet &/or savory snacks are always appreciated. There's a sign-up sheet here . ...and thank YOU. We greatly appreciate your donations (if you still need to drop yours off, please do so between 9 a.m. and noon today), and look forward to seeing each of you at tonight's event. Proceeds go towards Christ Church activities, ministries, and programs, so the more you bid, the more that we can do together at Christ Church.

I always reflect on my sermons after worship. And in my reflection on last Sunday’s sermon on the invisible man, it occurred to me that I missed the opportunity of reminding us that when we consistently miss the blessing of seeing the invisible man, we lose the gift of making the kind of impact that we want to see. But in so far as we endeavor to make the invisible visible, we recognize not only the sense of gratitude into which we are grounded, but we develop within us the capacity to always be on the lookout for the invisible man or woman. Part of my thoughts arose from the fact that I was once an invisible man who literally appeared on the doorsteps of All Saints Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia, on a winter Sunday morning. I didn’t know anyone at the church; I hadn’t been to that church before. I didn’t even know such a church existed until I found it on Google. The Rector at the time was Geoffrey Hoare. An energetic priest who was full of life, wisdom and wit. When I introduced myself to him, he invited me to call his office and make an appointment to see him. And I did. He would eventually encourage me to apply to Emory University. The remarkable part of my story with him is that not only did he see me, but he made an impact in my life. His was one who changed the trajectory of my life in the United States. His impact on my life is huge, and there’s no way that I could ever repay him. This is the exciting part. His embrace of me, and the church’s embrace of me, led to a new ministry where the church supported African priests who were studying in the Atlanta area. The ministry is still ongoing. It only takes one person, one moment, one conversation, 10 seconds of your time and mine to see someone, make them come alive and shed light on their unique story. The ripple effect of such acts is incalculable because they are always life-giving. I heard a story about Leonard Hayes, a city bus driver in Cleveland who passed away peacefully in his sleep. Leonard didn’t have any family and didn’t have any children - just a faded apartment and 40 years of driving bus route 43. His co-workers didn’t expect anyone at the funeral. A few drivers were present to show their respect. But when they arrived at the cemetery, they couldn’t believe that they saw - tons and tons of people. They were neither family nor workers; they were passengers. There was a woman with a stroller, a high school kid, an elderly man with a walker, and many people from all walks of life. But one after the other, they came up to the gravesite and shared their thoughts about Mr. Hayes. One said, ‘He always waited the extra 10 seconds when he saw me running.’ Another said, ‘He learned my name, every morning he would greet me, good morning, Mrs. Riveira.’ Another said, ‘I once told him I had a job interview-he prayed for me. The next day, he remembered and asked me how it went.’ Another also said, ‘I was invisible to most people, but not to him.’ Leonard made people feel seen, and that, my friend, is the most powerful thing any person can do. You can never tell what the 10 extra seconds can do for someone. Leonard didn’t see himself only as a bus driver, but also as more than that. He saw himself as someone who had the capacity to bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of those he saw on his bus. And the fact is, we can never tell what people may be going through. A few weeks ago, I heard the unfortunate story that Geoffrey’s wife is battling cancer, and that she has a page on Caring Bridge website. I quickly signed up to offer my prayers and to follow her progress. She’s making good progress, and we thank God for the healing mercies. What I found to be mind-blowing was that she has had close to 40,000 visits on her page. Some people offered words of encouragement, some offered prayer and some emojis. Who are these people and why do they care so much about her that they would want to follow her story and offer a prayer for her? I asked myself. I am sure they are friendships that both Geoffrey and Sage developed and nurtured along the way. Some of these may be people they met in the many congregations that they faithfully served. Some of these people may be people neither of them may have met but feel intrigued by their story. Some of these people may be strangers like me for whom they were willing to offer 10 seconds of their time and expected nothing in return-just the pure joy of being instruments of God’s grace. Yesterday, Geoffrey updated their post about the surgery that Sage had. It was a successful surgery, and the doctor shared the good news that there’s no cancer in her body. I was elated and gave thanks to God for all of God’s miraculous healing in our lives. At the end of his post was the Optimist Creed and a subtitle - Promise Yourself , which isn’t part of the creed, but I believe sums up his thoughts and where he is at this moment of his life, and that of Sage. The reality is that one cannot be in this kind of situation without being optimistic. Without knowing the situation in which you find yourself, I share the creed with you, hoping that you also may be encouraged by it, renewed by it, and energized by it. Here’s the creed: The Optimist Creed Promise Yourself To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. In the big scheme of things, 10 seconds of your time wouldn’t cost you that much. And so, I invite you to consider the life-affirming opportunities available to you if you could spare 10 seconds of your time to touch a life, listen, and see. It’s never been lost on me that it takes a spirit of gratitude to see the other, and to make another visible is also an expression of gratitude. Grateful for all that we are, grateful for what we have, grateful for what we can see, and grateful for all the gifts we can offer.   Manny+

LEMS Kindness Pantry Help, and an Invitation to Attend a Special Event School is underway, and our church has maintained a partnership with Lake Elkhorn Middle School for many years, supporting the teachers, staff, and families to ensure students' academic success. One way to do that is to ensure that families have access to enough healthy food. This year, on the third Wednesday of each month from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., the Roving Radish delivers boxes of nutritious food that family members can take home. That's where we come in - volunteers from Christ Church are needed to help distribute those boxes. Additionally, the staff have requested that we bring specific food and household items for their Kindness Pantry. These items will be distributed by staff at their discretion when they observe a family in need. You can help in two ways: Come to LEMS on Wednesday, October 15, between 2:30 and 4:30, and help distribute food boxes. Sign up for some of the items on the SignUp Genius link and put them in the blue LEMS box in the narthex of New Brick by Sunday, October 12, so we can take them to the school. You have a choice: pasta sauce, spaghetti, fruit, dish soap, trash bags, or cooking oil. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month We also have a special invitation to join a dinner for families celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month next Tuesday, October 7, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. Christ Episcopal Church will be supplying beverages, and all are welcome to this event. Please plan to attend and meet some of the Latino families whose children attend LEMS. Thank you for helping support the students and teachers of Lake Elkhorn Middle School! Sign Up to Walk or Run in CAC’s ‘Steps Forward’ Fall Fundraiser The Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) has launched Steps Forward , a Walk/Run campaign to raise funds. In partnership with Howard County Striders , CAC is inviting individuals or teams to rack up the miles during October while soliciting donations.   Participants will receive a special T-shirt and discounted entry into the Run Through the Grapevine 8K hosted by the Striders in Mt. Airy, Md. on Sunday, Nov. 2. The annual cross-country/trail race at the Linganore Winecellars loops through the grounds of the winery.    On race morning, a non-perishable food drive will benefit the Howard County Food Bank, which is operated by CAC. As Howard County’s designated anti-poverty organization, the CAC provides multiple services as described in its 2024 Impact Report . These include early childhood education, eviction prevention, weatherization, and utility bills assistance. Save the Date: Christ Church's Fall Food Drive to Benefit the Howard County Food Bank on Saturday, November 8 Once again, Christ Church volunteers will gather at a local supermarket to collect canned goods and staples for the Howard County Food Bank and its partner, SAFE Food Pantry .   The date for the 2025 Fall Food Drive occurs about a month later than in years past, but a slight chill in the air won’t deter our volunteers. Consider taking a one-hour shift from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, outside the Dorsey’s Search Giant Food supermarket, 4715 Dorsey Hall Drive, Ellicott City. A signup sheet will be available in the Narthex as the date of the drive approaches.   CAC’s Food Bank uses a client-choice model just like a grocery store so that low-income residents can select the foods they prefer for their individual households. People who have gluten- and allergy-free needs can pick up their foods at the Food Bank or during a monthly distribution at SAFE’s own site . SAFE also maintains a donation bin at Christ Church outside the rear of Parish Hall.   You can read about the most recent supermarket food drive for CAC and SAFE in the Outreach Blog of April 9, 2025 . Times are hard for many local residents, so consider doing your part to fill some of the gaps. As you respond to a call to help the less fortunate, keep in mind the scripture that underpins our mission: And the King will answer them,“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40 FISH and CCC Have Combined Pantries, and FISH Needs Phone Volunteers Recently, FISH and  Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered to provide food services for Howard County residents. The two organizations have merged their pantries. FISH will continue to pick up donated goods from Christ Church and others. CCC will continue making distributions at three sites on Saturday mornings and by home delivery. For information, go online to Get Help . 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 keep bringing baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes. FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents to provide guidance and financial support 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! Consider volunteering from home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email andydelong.fish@gmail.com . Thanks 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.

FIRST WEDNESDAY FELLOWSHIP IS BACK! Tonight - Wednesday, October 1, at 6 p.m. After a well-deserved break for the summer, Christ Church's popular First Wednesday Fellowship series picks up again tonight. Join us as we take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to share a meal with fellow parishioners, meet new ones, and enjoy a fun activity or two. It's the perfect way to connect and spend a few hours with friends, both old and new - and have someone else do most of the cooking, because we're providing the main course! This first FWF of this season will feature a Homecoming theme, welcoming back the start of the program year. Meet up in the Great Hall at 6 p.m. - we'll provide pizza for dinner, and you're welcome to bring a side dish or dessert to share. We'll then take a brief prayer walk on the beautiful pathways around the campus following dinner, or relax and share some time together. Donations to defray the cost of pizza are always appreciated (write "FWF" in the memo line), but the most essential part is having you there, so we hope to see you!   #fellowship   #FirstWednesday   #FoodAndFun   #gathertogether   #BeWithUs   #Godsfamily   #episcomd