As the holiday season approaches, let’s come together to support families right here in our community. The Howard County Food Bank helps over 1,000 struggling individuals and families put a warm, comforting meal on their tables for Thanksgiving. We are collecting non-perishable holiday sides and everyday cupboard staples to stock their shelves and make this holiday special for our neighbors in need. 📍 Where to Drop Off Your Donations: New Brick: Elevator Room Old Brick: Marked bin on the breezeway 🗓️ Deadline: Please bring your contributions anytime between now and Thursday, November 19, 2026. 🛒 Needed Items, Such As: Stuffing and gravy Canned green beans, corn, and yams Cranberry sauce Instant mashed potatoes or rice Macaroni and cheese Everyday pantry staples (canned proteins, pasta, cereal, etc.) Every contribution—big or small—makes a profound difference for a local family. For more information on the food bank's mission and for more donated item examples, please visit visit the Howard County Community Action Council Food Assistance Page or the CAC Howard County Website.

The November version of First Wednesday Fellowship is a festive one - we will celebrate FriendsGiving in the Great Hall! Bring your family and friends for a genuine turkey dinner with all the trimmings; we'll provide the delicious turkey, and you bring the sides, salads, and dessert. Whether you choose cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, or any other wonderful seasonal delights, there are lots of options that are sure to please. After dinner, we will take part in a service project that benefits others in our community - we'll make health support bags for the teachers at Lake Elkhorn Middle School! It's the season to be thankful, and we will do everything in that spirit, so join us tonight, November 4, at 6:00 in New Brick for an early FriendsGiving!

Today, as communities across the nation cast their ballots, we celebrate the shared privilege and enduring strength of our democratic process. Whatever our differing viewpoints or choices may be, our common hopes for a safe, thriving future connect us far more deeply than any ballot divides us. May this day be guided by mutual respect, peaceful reflection at every polling place, and a renewed commitment to move forward together as one community. #ElectionDay #episcomd #howardcountymaryland #prayer #episcopalchurch #Respect

On the first Sunday of most months, Christ Church hosts Taizé Vespers, a liturgy of Evening Prayer that combines scripture readings, prayer, silent meditation, and rich music. This beautiful service of contemplative prayer and music follows the tradition of the Taizé community of France, promoting peace and justice through prayer and meditation. November's Taizé Vespers reflect on Thanksgiving, which fits the season. Emphasizing attention to silence, prayer, and singing, Taizé offers an opportunity to praise and give thanks for God's love and presence in one's life, pray for oneself and others, and share in a supportive community. Tonight, Mother Marcia Davenport delivered a homily that spoke to the fraught times we live in. Drawing from her favorite William Alexander Percy hymn, her homily explores how true divine peace requires an active commitment to justice and repentance—defined not as shame, but as a transformed worldview that upholds human dignity against oppressive worldly power. Emulating Jesus, we are called to engage directly with the world through tangible acts of love and service, such as feeding the hungry and welcoming the stranger, rather than retreating from conflict. To sustain this difficult outward work against injustice, we must cultivate an inner spiritual anchor through prayer, scripture, and - again, crucially - community. To reinforce this, Mother Marcia shared a joyful story about her recent afternoon teaching an Afghan family amidst personal anxiety, showing us how God's marvelous peace is actively found in loving one's neighbor and encountering God in everyday moments of connection. You can view Mother Marcia's homily above. Thank you, Mother Marcia, and thank you to everyone who gathered with us for this important and unique worship. Gather with us every Sunday for worship, and on Thursdays at noon for Healing Eucharist. You can learn all about our worship, fellowship, and formation gatherings at www.christchurchcolumbia.org

This month, our theme is gratitude and service. As we welcome the time of harvest, we reflect on the blessings of God and consider where God is leading us to serve others. Join us for times of teaching and sharing, spiritual direction, meditation, inspirational films, and Fr. Mike’s healing space for trauma, grief, and hope. The 2nd Saturday Center for Spiritual Nourishment (CSN) provides opportunities for us to be in closer relationship with God by offering an array of experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit. Learn about the 2nd Saturday CSN at our website - www.christchurchcolumbia.org/spiritual-nourishment. Schedule of Events: 8:30 – 9:00: Breakfast and social time 9:00 - 9:10: Greeting; outlining the day's sessions 9:10 – 10:05: Spiritual Direction Circle Conversations with Manny : Virtues that Lead to God Sacred Art 10:15 – 11:15: Meditation : The Parable of the Talents The Seeds We Didn't Know We Planted 11:20 - 12:00: Spiritual Nourishment Collective: Holding Space for Trauma, Grief, and Hope Join us on Saturday, November 14 as we offer: The Seeds We Didn't Know We Planted led by Toni Summerell Sometimes the smallest moments leave the deepest roots. A kind word, an unexpected encounter, or a simple act of encouragement can shape our lives in ways we may not recognize until years later. Join us as we explore the seeds others have planted within us, the wisdom and strengths that have grown, and the unseen ways we may be nurturing growth in the lives of others. Christian Meditation and Contemplative Prayer Led by Leah Chrest Through a reflection on the parable of the talents, group discussion, and, of course, extended time in silent prayer, we will explore the areas of God’s blessing and our response to the harvest times of our lives. Spiritual Direction Circle led by Carol Abbott In our small listening circle, we will reflect together on about welcoming what comes. Our focus will be on quietly noticing together how the words of the poet speak into our lives NOW. Virtues that Lead to God led by Fr. Manny There are guiding posts which direct us on our walk with God. Over many weeks, we will cover some of the virtues which not only lead us to God but helps us to move away from the 'thou Shalt Not', into an enduring relationship based on our love for God and neighbor. Please join me on the second Saturdays of the month for a conversation about virtues. Sacred Art led by Leah Chrest We will create Watercolor or Colored Pencil harvest drawings as we reflect on the harvest in our lives. Spiritual Nourishment Collective: Holding Space for Trauma, Grief, and Hope led by Fr. Mike What sustains our hope? Join us for an interactive discussion as we share our stories of holding on to hope in difficult times. Please consider bringing something meaningful to share. This could be a meaningful story, ritual, poem, song, practice or prayer that helps you retain or enhance your ability to feel hopeful, even when life feels overwhelming. Life’s heaviest seasons can leave our spirits feeling empty and worn. If you are navigating loss, processing trauma, or simply searching for a flicker of light, we invite you to join us. This workshop offers a gentle, non-judgmental sanctuary to rest, receive soul-care, and quietly tend to your heart in the company of others who understand. You do not have to carry it all alone. Have Questions? Wish to Help Lead Future CSN Sessions? #nourishyourspirit #SpiritualNourishment #allarewelcome #RefreshYourSpirit #divinelove #hocomd #episcomd #columbiamd #columbiamaryland

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. November's Taizé Vespers reflects on Thanksgiving, which is appropriate, given the season. Emphasizing attention to silence, prayer, and singing, Taizé offers an opportunity to give praise and thanksgiving for God's love and presence in one's life, to offer prayer for oneself and others, and to share in a supportive community. Gather with us at 6 p.m. in New Brick on November 1 for this powerful and peaceful worship. If you cannot make it in person, you can view it on YouTube below and use the service leaflet here.

All Saints' Day at Christ Church This Sunday, we continue our fall schedule: At 8 a.m. in Old Brick, we celebrate Holy Eucharist without music. Our Family Worship is at 9 a.m. in New Brick and focuses on engaging our younger church members, featuring a special sermon and a Communion gathering around the altar. We then have our Choral Eucharist at 10:30 in New Brick. Collect for Today: Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Revelation 7:9-17 Psalm 34:1-10, 22 1 John 3:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12 Sermon for This Sunday: Father Manny will give today's sermon, and you can listen once the service begins. You can also read his sermon's text here. Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins just before 10:30 a.m. The service leaflet for this worship is here.

In his sermon last Sunday, Kevin Berthound made this point: there’s always some good news. I found that powerfully poignant, especially at this time of year, when we are invited to commit our treasure, time, and talent to this community of faith and choose our political leaders. Listening to the radio and podcasts, watching the news on your TV or electronic device, and reading the newspaper may be more than challenging for many people these days. This is because media platforms are saturated with the evil in the other guy, or with how an opponent's evil can be destructive to the kind of society we live in. All candidates seeking political office speak well of themselves, but they hardly tout the good in their opponents. "There is nothing good in them," they seem to remind us. But the good news is that there is some good in each candidate. The fundamental question is, do they want to see the good in them translate into the lives of all the people they desire to serve, or do they want the good in them to be made manifest in some of the people they want to serve? It is challenging to love God and neighbor, because we simply do not know how or the best way to love God. Nonetheless, I am convinced that the vision of God in Christ for the world is the love of God and love of neighbor. That vision is needed now, in this heightened political season, when divisions run through families, strife runs through friendships, discord runs through neighborhoods, and friction runs through churches. Listen to a lawyer ask Jesus, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" In answering the question, Jesus quotes from the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:5 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” He added a second from Leviticus 19:18 “Do not seek revenge or bear any grudge against any of your people. But love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” That, to me, represents the vision of God in Christ for the world. The point is you cannot hate yourself and love your neighbor. As selfish as it may sound, you have to learn how to love yourself before you can love your neighbor. Loving your neighbor is only possible when you can love yourself, because you can see yourself in your neighbor. You cannot love God when you don’t love yourself. The love of both God and neighbor is predicated on the ability to love yourself. To love God is to be unconditionally obedient and to reimagine love as sacrificial. Point is, you cannot love if you are not willing to sacrifice. Love demands and requires sacrifice to prove itself worthy. To love is to desire to have skin in the game. Remember, at the core of God’s love is the sacrifice of God’s self through His Son, Jesus Christ. And for us as Christians, we look at the manger to behold the presence of God’s love manifested in human form; we look at the empty tomb to behold the glorification of God’s love; and we look at the cross as the highest point of God’s sacrificial love. In the cross, we do not only behold a God who has skin in the game, but we are bound in union with the God who pays the ultimate price with Godself. The question is, if God demonstrated his love for us in such a manner, how can I withhold my love from you? Or why should I allow anything, even politics to come between my love for you? Part of the sacrifice of love is our ability to see ourselves in each other and to embrace each other, even when we have more than enough reason to walk away from each other. In the first two lines of his poem The Everlasting Gospel, William Blake writes this: That vision of Christ which you see Is my vision’s greatest enemy. The vision of God in Christ for the world is a world enveloped by the love of God and neighbor. But that is not the vision we each carry because we are tribal. If the vision of God in Christ is our vision's greatest enemy, then we may have to change our vision to realign it with the vision of God in Christ. We don't need an enmity between the two visions. The vision of God in Christ is a love that often leaves us open to wounding and disappointment. It is love that makes us ready to suffer. It is love that overlooks pettiness and self-righteousness. It is love that leads us out of isolation, exclusion, and self-centeredness into fellowship with others, with people who are so different from us. The uniqueness of this fellowship is that it is always associated with suffering and pain. And when the pain and suffering of love are accepted, they deepen love, they renew love, they build love, they sustain love, and they give meaning to love. Strangely enough, it is this embrace of love that makes possible any sacrificial self-giving of love. This coming Sunday is our pledge Sunday, the day we walk to the altar table and offer our pledges. Through this process, we commit ourselves to the holy and faithful cause of God’s work in this sacred place. As Kevin said, the good news is that it is our honor and privilege to do God’s work here at Christ Church. We can do this work because of your faithfulness and amazing support. It is therefore a blessing to appeal to each of us to prayerfully consider our commitment to this sacred place for the coming year. This appeal is based on your love for God and neighbor, what Christ Church stands for, how much Christ Church means to you and the people we serve on your behalf, and how much Christ Church serves you and your neighbor. For me, Christ Church stands tall as a beacon of hope to a world needing lots of it, faithfulness to a beleaguered world, a champion of love to those on the margins, a sanctuary for all who need a safe space from a chaotic life, an oasis of refreshing springs of water that is always available to quench our thirst, light on our dark paths, a place of belonging for each and everyone. We live a love of neighbor because we believe that to love neighbor is to surrender to the path of love that desires to own the vision of God in Christ. We choose a love that leads us to discover that God is not the object of our love and longing, but God is love itself. At Christ Church, we have the capacity to harness the energy of love, not only for our own good, but for the good of all people. I learned many years ago that justice may be impartial, but love is partial. The partiality of love lets us overlook differences with another. In other words, our differences, especially religion, race, ethnicity, sex, and politics, are not enough for us to surrender the dark side of human behavior or compete with the vision of God in Christ for the world. I have no idea which candidate you will be supporting this election cycle, and I honestly don’t need to know. My hope for you is that, beyond the candidate you support, we can all see the vision of God in Christ, which builds, sustains, and nurtures community to thrive, not for its own sake, but for the sake of all people. Kevin is correct - there is always good news. But to continually, consistently, and faithfully share this good news of love which inaugurates and sustains the vision of God in Christ, we need your wholehearted support. Again, I deeply thank you for your support throughout the years. And as always, I count on your faithful support. I hope to see you on Sunday with your love pledge. Blessings, Manny+

Please Pitch In! Bring Holiday Sides and Year-Round Staples by Thursday, Nov. 19, for our Thanksgiving Drive for the Howard County Food Bank You can make Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays special for those who depend on the Howard County Food Bank to feed their families. The staff of the food bank provides the makings of festive meals for 1,000 people for Thanksgiving and another 1,000 by Christmas. Christ Church contributes to this effort by collecting non-perishables prior to Thanksgiving and by sending funds to CAC. The Outreach Commission approved a donation of $1,000, which goes in part to broaden options beyond a whole turkey. Some people prefer a hen, turkey breast, or plant-based proteins. It’s up to you to complete the menu! Bring stuffing mix, gravy, cranberry sauce, olives, pickles, and canned fruits and vegetables. Because household pantries may be bare, please add staples such as bags of rice, tuna, hearty soups, pasta and sauce, peanut butter, and spices. Put items in the marked boxes upstairs in New Brick or on the Parish Hall breezeway in a bin labeled “Thanksgiving Food Drive". NOTE: No produce, pies, other desserts or rolls due to perishability. Deadline: Thursday, Nov. 19. The monetary donation went to the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC), which operates the Howard County Food Bank. These are Vestry-approved funds derived from parishioners’ pledges and contributions. Thank you! As an individual, you may wish to support CAC in other ways. Consider participating in a fundraiser, “2026 Evening of Impact,” for a capital campaign on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Savelle, a renovated space formerly known as the Great Room. There’s ample free parking in the Savage Mill complex in nearby Savage, Md. A general admission ticket is $150 for an evening of great food and beverages. Supporters may wish to purchase a sponsorship for a business or donate directly. It’s for a worthy cause. The CAC is the county’s official anti-poverty, non-profit agency. Its “Cornerstone of Opportunity” capital campaign is intended to address rising demand for food assistance and affordable early childhood education, particularly along the Route One Corridor. A site in Elkridge will house a more efficient food bank and an education center, as described in a Sept. 26, 2025 county release. The project launched with county and state help but CAC must raise the balance. Somos Amigos Holds its Quarterly Clinic, Expresses Gratitude to Christ Church for Our Donation to Improve Diabetes Care Somos Amigos Medical Missions held a successful clinic from Oct. 12 -16, welcoming 406 patients in general medicine and 229 dental patients. The laboratory team performed more than 600 tests, helping the medical team better evaluate and care for patients from rural Naranjito and the surrounding communities of the Dominican Republic. Recently, the Outreach Commission approved a $1,000 donation for diabetes care, building on its past support for an insulin program. Somos Amigos Operations Director Wander Cubilete wrote to Christ Church about some newer diabetes medications that have been revolutionary. “We have been tracking the prices of these medications for some time, and this summer we had a breakthrough. While GLP-1 medications are still beyond our budget, another class of diabetes medication is finally within our reach: DPP-4 inhibitors, such as Januvia.” He said that thanks to Christ Church, Somos Amigos could make an initial investment in these medications. “We plan to begin with a trial group of 50 patients and will monitor their progress closely as we learn more about how we can incorporate these treatments into the care we provide.” Founder and Executive Director Frank Brightwell expressed deep gratitude: “We are hopeful — genuinely hopeful — that these medications will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Diabetes is one of the most common and most difficult conditions we manage in our communities, and this gift gives us a real tool to work with.” Thanks to all who give to Christ Church, helping to bring about such progress. We’ll learn more on Feb. 28, 2027, when Brightwell makes his annual visit to Christ Church. Save the date! The next clinic will be held Jan 11, 2027, when Dione Mahoney plans to volunteer along with her sister, Desiree, and brother-in-law, Jorge, all repeat volunteers. To learn what it’s like to participate, ask her or other previous volunteers. They include Outreach member Shahra Toth and physicians Ellen Boudreau Hoke and Preethi Jackson. Go here for volunteer information. Enjoy an Outing at Topgolf, Baltimore on Nov. 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. to Benefit the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center Pick up a golf club, have fun, and help mariners from around the world whose ships call at the Port of Baltimore on Friday, Nov. 6. The Baltimore International Seafarers' Center (BISC) will hold its annual golf event from 3 to 5 p.m. at Topgolf, Baltimore, 1411 Warner St., Baltimore, Md., 21230. Parking is in the nearby Horseshoe Casino garage. Go here to see if you or your company would like to become a sponsor or to sign up as an individual player. For $100, a one-player ticket covers general admission, food, water, tea, soda, and one drink ticket. Topgolf is a sports entertainment complex offering a high-tech golf game that everyone can enjoy. Players can experience the thrill of hitting golf balls at giant targets, with Toptracer technology tracking their drives for real-time feedback and scoring. The outing is for a good cause. BISC provides spiritual care and hospitality to mariners working far from their homes and loved ones. You can get a feel for the ministry on the donation page of its Support Catalog, which lists services such as a month of Wifi and “snacks for one crew stuck on their ship.” BISC is a program of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, supported by the Bishop’s Appeal. It's Christmas at Sea for the Seafarers, and You Can Help Please join us in supporting the International Seafarers' Center's annual Christmas at Sea program by donating items through November 8. WOCC representatives will deliver all collected goods in mid-November, and we will announce the exact delivery date once it is confirmed. Donation bins marked "Seafarers" are ready to receive your contributions. The Center is especially in need of the following items: Warm Clothing: Watch caps (warm hats) and scarves without fringe or other trim. Comfort & Care: Hand warmers and cookies (homemade if close to the delivery date, or store-bought otherwise). Souvenirs & Reading Materials: Flat Baltimore souvenirs like postcards, magnets, or stickers, along with 2027 calendars and magazines such as Sports Illustrated, National Geographic, and Smithsonian. If you have any questions, please reach out to Carolann Sawyer or Cindy Read. And thank you for your generosity! Please Fill the Altar Basket and Parish Hall Bin with Goods for FISH/CCC Since 1976, FISH, an all-volunteer organization has aided tens of thousands of Howard County residents facing hard times. Delivery of food, staples and hygiene supplies are handled by Columbia Community Care (CCC), which merged pantries with FISH last year. CCC delivers food to Howard County residents and distributes it at three sites on Saturday mornings, except on holiday weekends. For information, go online to Get Help. FISH picks up donated goods from Christ Church and others. Please put non-perishable food and personal care products in the altar baskets 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 support because the personal touch matters when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email andydelong.fish@gmail.com. You could 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 financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. Thank you! A Glorious Day at LEMS! Today was a glorious day outside and a wonderful day to help with The Roving Radish food distribution at Lake Elkhorn Middle School. Thanks to Beth and Daniel Baker (pictured above) and Sara Kirkpatrick for helping unload 100 protein boxes from the truck! Folks from Christ United Methodist Church also joined us. Once school let out, families lined up for their boxes, and in under an hour, the food was gone. It's fun to see families come together and help parents carry their boxes home. They simply sign their names and school, and we welcome them with a box. We also took your nonperishable items to the food pantry closet, where staff will distribute them to the families most in need. Our next project is putting together health bags with items such as facial tissues, hand sanitizer, and wipes for all the LEMS teachers. We'll do that at Christ Church's First Wednesday Fellowship Friendsgiving on Wednesday, November 4, so please come help us share our friendship with LEMS! Your generosity is making many local families feel loved! Jenny Cecil, Jan DeBoissiere, Sara Kirkpatrick, Cathy Whittaker - LEMS Committee Your Help is Needed to Provide Support for Comfort Cases, a Long-Standing Outreach Group for the MOCC - November 19 The Men of Christ Church needs volunteers to help pack bags in support of Comfort Cases. If you are interested in helping out, please speak with Duane Smith at church or email MOCC@christchurchcolumbia.org. You can also find flyers around the campus with more information. 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 XXII at Christ Church This Sunday, we continue our fall schedule: At 8 a.m. in Old Brick, we celebrate Holy Eucharist without music. Our Family Worship is at 9 a.m. in New Brick and focuses on engaging our younger church members, featuring a special sermon and a Communion gathering around the altar. We then have our Choral Eucharist at 10:30 in New Brick. Collect for Today: Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2,15-18 Psalm 1 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Matthew 22:34-46 Sermon for This Sunday: Kevin Berthoud, parishioner at Christ Church, will give today's sermon, and you can listen once the service begins. Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins just before 10:30 a.m. The service leaflet for this worship is here.

Vision & Strategies Workshops Begin this Sunday, October 25, at 9:30 in Old Brick The Vision & Strategies committee completed its planning work by delivering the V&S Report at the Annual Meeting last Sunday. To support that transition, Vision & Strategies committee members will hold workshops beginning this Sunday, October 25, on the four presented ministry areas so existing groups can plan and begin the needed work together. Join us in Old Brick at 9:30 a.m. on: • Sunday, October 25 - Membership • Sunday, November 1 - Outreach • Sunday, November 8 - Communications • Sunday, November 15 - Stewardship We hope that you'll read the V&S Report and come to these sessions with any and all questions, concerns, thoughts, and ideas, so that we can build a better Christ Church for the next three hundred years of parishioners - including us.