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 .

❄️ ❄️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.

The next film screening is God's Not Dead 2  ( trailer ) on Friday, January 23, at 7 p.m., in the Church Office (Parish Hall) building's lower level. Bring movie munchies (or pastries on Saturday!) to share with others!

For nearly 25 years, Christ Church has published an annual Lenten Meditation Booklet and distributed it to our parishioners on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The LMB is created with love and 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 - https://www.christchurchcolumbia.org/spiritual-life-commission To accomplish the LMB in time, we must have all submissions in by 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 gives us less than one month for submissions, 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. Questions? Speak with Ellen Hoke at church or email the address above.

This Valentine’s Day, have a date with your creator and treat your soul to a spa day. 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. Programs for February center around the theme Divine Love and include: Spiritual Direction, Meditation, Dance with Lumen Christi, Sacred Art, discussions on the forms of love, and a showing of the Case for Christ. 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 - 9:10: Greeting; Outline the day's sessions 9:10 – 10:05: Love in All Its Forms - A Sacred Spectrum                     Spiritual Direction Group                    Drawn to God: Praying Through Art 9:10 – 11:15: Film screening: Case for Christ 10:15 – 11:15: Christian Meditation · Contemplative Christianity                      Sacred Dance : Lumen Christi 11:30 – 12:00: Reflection Circle Join us on Saturday, February 14 as we offer: Spiritual Direction Group led by Carol Abbott February’s topic is How has God’s love shown up for you through people who helped you see your God-given yearnings and gifts? Who has benefitted as you have shared the divine love you’ve experienced? (Based on a poem by Mark Nepo).   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. Drawn to God: Praying Through Art led by Jenn Lavanish God gave everyone a gift - a special aptitude, ability, power or talent. And gifts are meant to be an act. A verb  - to bestow, share and connect. Drawn to God  is a place for spiritual nourishment through the practice of creating.  Creating ways to engage with God. A short session of fellowship in process oriented art projects. Art as Prayer and Prayer as Art. No matter what gifts or talents you bring, you will be inspired to become a maker- and enjoy a moment of creative flow. Plus it is just fun to make things. The joy is in the journey, your creation your reward. Film Screening: The Case for Christ led by George Toth An Atheist Seeks to Disprove the Resurrection and Fails The true story of Lee Strobel, the author of “The Case for a Creator”, started as an atheist adamantly and fiercely holding to his beliefs. A seasoned journalist and former defense attorney, Lee Strobel is shaken when his wife Leslie turns to Christianity. Seeking to understand, and desperately trying to ultimately disprove her beliefs, he uses his investigative skills to research and examine the historical claims of Christianity. As he rigorously examines the evidence, Lee's pursuit of facts leads him on an unexpected journey of discovery, challenging his own deeply held atheistic convictions and forcing him to confront profound questions about faith and truth. When truth shakes our held faith which shall prevail? It is a choice we all must make. Love in All its Forms: A Sacred Spectrum led by Toni Summerell Join us for a reflective and engaging session exploring the many ways Divine Love is expressed in our lives. Rather than viewing love as a single experience, this session invites participants to discover love as a sacred spectrum—friendship, family care, self-love, romantic connection, and unconditional love—each offering a unique window into the heart of the Divine. Through gentle reflection and interactive moments, we’ll consider where these forms of love are present, where they may be calling for growth, and how they work together to deepen our spiritual lives. This session is welcoming, thoughtful, and designed to help you recognize Divine Love already at work within and around you. Contemplative Meditation led by Leah Chrest This month, our focus will be on opening ourselves more fully to experience the love of God, both in our daily life and in the practice of Centering Prayer/Christian meditation.  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. Prayer in Motion led by Lumen Christi Liturgical Dance Explore movement as a form of prayer and meditation, rooted in Divine Love. In this workshop, we’ll explore simple, flowing gestures that connect body and spirit. No dance experience needed—just an open heart and willingness to move. You choose your level of participation! Learn more about Lumen Christi on our website - https://www.christchurchcolumbia.org/lumen-christi Have Questions? Wish to Help Lead Future CSN Sessions?   #nourishyourspirit   #SpiritualNourishment   #allarewelcome   #RefreshYourSpirit   #divinelove   #hocomd   #episcomd   #columbiamd   #columbiamaryland

That's right - Theology on Tap, our much-loved adult fellowship series, is back in 2026! If you are not familiar with ToT, it is when we gather for an hour or so in a casual, fun setting, and at 7:00 tonight, we'll do so at Frisco and the Reckless Shepherd for great food, drink, and conversation. Topics can range from current to historical events; nothing is off the table - we welcome all ideas and subjects - and inspire lively dialogue. Stop by 8895 McGaw Road in Columbia for an hour or so, and be sure to invite your neighbors and friends as well.   #fellowship   #FoodAndFun   #beerandfood   #FaithAndFun   #theologyontap   #episcomd   #columbiamaryland   #columbiamd

Book Club Returns - Tuesday, January 20 The Christ Church Book Club is an informal online conversation that decides on a book and discusses it as a group, offering different perspectives and experiences. The first book of the 2026 season will be  How We Learn to Be Brave  by Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington since 2011. It's a brief read; we'll tackle and discuss a chapter or two each week. At this first session, we'll discuss the first two chapters (about 40 pages). We've also moved CECBC to a new night to accommodate more participants' schedules. In 2026, the CECBC will gather via Zoom on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., beginning this Tuesday, January 20th. You don't have to register in advance; just grab the book and join us to discuss. If you have any questions or need the Zoom link, email us at  bookclub@christchurchcolumbia.org . We hope to see some new faces along with many familiar ones!

This past Sunday, in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Christ Church's 10:30 worship concluded with the song "We Shall Overcome" - one that the Library of Congress tells us has history and connection to two separate songs from over a hundred years ago - the lyrics from “I’ll Overcome Some Day” written by the Reverend Charles Tindley in 1903, and the melody from a traditional African American gospel song called “I’ll be All Right.” It's astonishing that this song is as much needed today as it has been in the past, but we have a parish that always raises its collective voice in song. If possible, many might've kept singing it for another hour that morning. Here is the video from this past weekend. Play it. Sing along with it. Then play it again. And if you want to, come and join us at Christ Church this Sunday at 9:30, as we wrap up our three-week Adult Forum series, "Pilgrimage to Alabama," presented by members of our congregation about their recent trip with fellow members of the Diocese of Maryland. And you can download a copy of the audio of the song at https://cecevents.org/WeShallOvercome You are always welcome here. https://www.christchurchcolumbia.org #WeShallOvercome   #weshallovercome   #MLK   #MLKDay   #MLK2026   #mlk   #WeAreNotAfraid   #TruthToPower   #episcomd   #hocomd   #Godislove   #godislove