Easter IV at Christ Church We have three services this Sunday morning: Holy Eucharist in Old Brick at 8:00, Family Worship in New Brick at 9:00, and Choral Eucharist in New Brick at 10:30. Collect for Today: O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Acts 2:42-47 Psalm 23 1 Peter 2:19-25 John 10:1-10 Sermon for This Sunday: Father Manny delivers this Sunday's sermon, and you can view it in the video below once worship has begun. 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.

Think Sharp: You Can Support Grassroots by Organizing a Team or Competing Solo at Trivia Night on Wednesday, May 6 The Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center will hold its second annual Trivia Night on Wednesday, May 6, at The Meeting House in Oakland Mills Village Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place in Columbia. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The competition goes from 7 to 9 p.m. Trivia Night is described as “a fundraising event full of questions and prizes.” Food and drinks from Tino’s Italian Bistro will be available for purchase. Trivia will be presented by Charm City Entertainment. Go online here to buy tickets. Admission is $25 for an individual, $108.55 for a team of four, and $161.90 for a team of six, plus online fees.  Proceeds benefit Grassroots’ operations, which, in addition to helping the homeless, provide 24-hour crisis intervention, including a supportive counseling hotline. Christ Church supports Grassroots on the second Monday of each month by providing a hot midday meal for the homeless at Grassroots’ Day Resource Center (DRC) and drops off dinner for its Emergency Shelter residents. When we last participated on April 13, the evening meal drop-off included floral bouquets to brighten the dining room. Our next date is May 11. Please check our DRC online signup form for midday details or our Grassroots online signup form for dinner information. Grassroots staff serves the evening meal. It’s efficient to provide for both venues on the same day. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried-chicken entrees. Thank you! Your generosity has again helped ease the lives of our homeless neighbors, who rely on the DRC for pantry items, including food, sundries, and more. In response to a DRC request for clothing, the Outreach Commission at its April meeting approved spending $323. On April 15, we delivered 30 pairs of men’s jeans, a dozen men’s T-shirts, and 16 women’s T-shirts. These were purchased with funds donated to the church by parishioners who give to “General Outreach.” A hearty thanks! You, too, can pitch in by shopping for the pantry at the DRC and Grassroots’ two other sites. We welcome in-kind donations of items such as canned meats and hearty soups, peanut butter, and fruit cups to be dropped off ahead of time in the Parish Hall kitchen for delivery on second Mondays. Find Grassroots’ monthly needs list on our signups under “Related Files.”  Do You Have a Green Thumb? Help Columbia Community Care Kick Off Its Garden Plot at Freetown Farm from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 26 Columbia Community Care (CCC) invites volunteers to join in breaking ground on its new garden plot at Freetown Farm, 8000 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia, Md., 21044, in partnership with Community Ecology Institute. On the first work day at the plot, volunteers will help clear the ground and plant early-season crops like kale and snap peas. Novice and experienced gardeners are encouraged to sign up in advance here to participate from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 26. Work will be organized into three zones: Clean & Clear, Soil Health & Preparation, and The Planting Row. Details are available online in the registration form. Mark Your Calendars! DreamBuilders Fundraiser at Bushel and a Peck - May 13 DreamBuilders will host their Spring fundraising event at Bushel and a Peck - 12250 Clarksville Pike in Clarkesville. It takes place on Wednesday, May 13th and you can reserve your seats for happy hour and dinner on their website. Then, join us from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. that evening as we help raise funds to build three homes in Hazard, Kentucky. When you make your reservation, please put a note that you are there for the DB event. You can also call B&aP at 410.531.1809 to reserve space. Bring Items for FISH/CCC, and Consider Volunteering to Take Calls from Home FISH and Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered last year and merged pantries. CCC continues to hand out food at three sites on Saturday mornings and by home delivery to Howard County residents. For information, visit Get Help online. For updates on community services such as youth programs, check CCC’s Facebook page. FISH continues to pick up donated goods from Christ Church and others. Please put non-perishable food and personal care products in the altar basket or in a bin just inside the Parish Hall. Look for a combo label “FISH/CCC”. Please bring baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes. FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents, offering guidance and financial assistance because the personal touch is very important when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong (seen in this photo) or email him at andydelong.fish@gmail.com.  You could be the one to lend a helping hand by lending an ear! As a phone volunteer, you can help from your home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. Thank you! We had a Beautiful Day at the LEMS Kindness Pantry Today was a beautiful day to help with the Food Pantry at LEMS. The Roving Radish delivered 66 boxes of very nutritious food, including eggs, yogurt, bananas, strawberries, romaine, spinach and lots of other fruits and vegetables. The distribution began at 3:30 and all the boxes were gone before 4:00! That should tell you something about the ongoing needs in our community. We also delivered lots of boxes of facial tissues for classrooms and all the regular items that we requested from you. Those items are distributed by school counselors to families who are in special need.   Grace Church donated new Carter pajamas and those were snatched up in less than 15 minutes. I guess a lot of kids are fond of purple and unicorns! In May, we are helping to fund four workshops for the students in YLAP (Youth Leaders Advisory Board), presented by the Maryland Leadership Workshop. These workshops will prepare school leaders in 6th, 7th and 8th grade to focus on activities that will enhance the school environment and then help them learn the skills to accomplish those goals. The students will be presenting High School Musical in May so stay tuned for announcements about the dates for that performance. Thanks for sharing your love! Jenny Cecil, Jan DeBoissiere, Sara Kirkpatrick, Cathy Whittaker - LEMS Committee 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 Men of Christ Church have decided to play it safe and postpone this Saturday's Spring Family BBQ and Picnic so that we can enjoy the day under sunnier skies and warmer temps later this spring. The new date will be settled on in the coming days, and announced in this Thursday's Gatherings email. The MOCC folks will be in touch directly with those of you who have signed up to provide side dishes and setup assistance (thank you!), and we hope you'll participate on the new date to help make it the best community gathering of the year. Whether or not you have already volunteered, please visit https://cecevents.org/FamilyPicnic2026 later this weekend for the updated form. The MOCC's 50/50 Raffle drawing is also being extended to the new date, which means you still have time to get in on this exciting way to help raise funds for the MOCC's outreach programs. You can purchase one ticket for ten dollars, or you can buy three for the price of two - and the more participants, the larger the winnings! This no-charge event is a new MOCC fellowship gathering that connects generations and celebrates our church family, and we very much look forward to seeing you there at its soon-to-be rescheduled date!

A fun time was had by all this past week, when the WOCC gathered up a bunch of our parish family to see Toby's production of The Wizard of Oz. As you can see from the photos, people of all ages shared a wonderful dinner and then settled in for a great retelling of the L. Frank Baum classic. You can still catch it yourself - they are performing until early June - but if you want to know when we are having parish outings like this one, sign up for our weekly newsletter - info@christchurchcolumbia.org Next up: Film Night on April 24, the Family Picnic on April 25, Flower Sale on May 2, First Wednesday Fellowship on May 6, plus weekly gatherings like Book Club, Centering Prayer... safe to say that Christ Church is active all of the time, so come join us! You can click on the images to enlarge. #parishlife   #FellowshipAndFun   #episcomd   #columbiamaryland   #weloveyouintheloveofthelord   #HowardCountyEvents

Easter III at Christ Church We have three services this Sunday morning: Holy Eucharist in Old Brick at 8:00, Family Worship in New Brick at 9:00, and Choral Eucharist in New Brick at 10:30. Collect for Today: O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Acts 2:14a,36-41 Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17 1 Peter 1:17-23 Luke 24:13-35 Sermon for This Sunday: The Rev. Yehinuel Odidi delivers this Sunday's sermon, and you can view it in the video below once worship has begun. Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins just before 10:30 a.m. The service leaflet for this worship is here .

Astronaut Christina Koch’s description of planet Earth left me in awe. She said that, from where they were, the Earth felt like an object hanging out there. It appeared insignificant and was covered with darkness. To an extent, it sounded indifferent, but underneath that was a sense of awe, and feelings of gratitude that she had had such an indescribable opportunity to have seen a part of God’s creation that only four people out of the billions of people on planet Earth had ever seen before. What an honor! What a privilege! Witnessing the four astronauts return to earth on TV felt like being at the pinnacle of success. They have worked so hard. They have had very little sleep. They have eaten what you and I wouldn’t eat in a minute. They have endured so much. Their hard work paid off, though, because of what they saw with their naked eyes. And thankfully, they had something to compare that with. It was an awakening for me to hear Christina talk about the earth as being covered in darkness. It may have been literal for her, but it may also have been prophetic, because the present experience of millions on our planet Earth feels as if we are covered by deep darkness. It is a sort of darkness that has ruined millions of our lives and devastated the world to the point where a little light, just a light beaming from the crevices, inspires us to reach out and tap into the unknown - and with the hope that the unknown may offer us what we all need, that it may pour some balm on our weary souls and lives. Beyond the conflicts of wars, unease about the unequal administration of justice, and other ills on planet Earth, the attack on institutions also represents an exploration of the unknown. We know the ramifications of some of our actions, but we do not know the full picture of what those attacks may mean for the future, and I am afraid to say that many of us have not given it serious thought. But we should, because the unknown isn’t always pretty.  One of my favorite subjects in grade school, through high school, and during seminary was history. I loved and still love history, especially the stories about the exploration of the New World and the contact between Europeans and Natives of different cultures. I love to read about the first impressions of America by European explorers. I once saw a picture of an artist’s impression of what Lower Manhattan would have looked like before contact with Europeans and the exploration of the Hudson River, and I fell in love with it. That was a transportation from the known to the unknown. In our little worlds, we also explore. We like to try new things, new recipes, and travel to different places we have heard about. Mother Marcia told me yesterday that she has little time to see all that she wants to see in the world. It is a form of exploration, all part of the human quest to know the unknown. The sense of curiosity that underlies the human desire to explore is so, so amazing. And for me, it is that one thing that leads us to the shores of the unknown. Explorations teach us two things about ourselves. First: the more we know, the more we realize how much we do not know. Second, we always begin with the known and move to the unknown. It is the known which forms the basis of our curiosity about the unknown. The more even a slight bit of the unknown becomes known, the more we grow in our desire to explore so we can know more about it. The reality is, human curiosity drives our desire to explore, and that curiosity is never intimidated by challenges. The thrill of just a little discovery is worth every time and effort, and that explains why we all rejoiced with the astronauts of Artemis II.   Note this: the fact that we do not know everything should dispel our ideas of certainty about anything. The fact that we do not know should rather imbue in us a sense of humility that acknowledges human limitations and yet praises the Creator for a planet that, although it is covered in darkness, can still beam with the Creator’s light. In my view, the fact that planet Earth is covered in darkness isn’t enough. There’s more to the story than only darkness. Another astronaut, Victor Glover, offered this remark from space: "Just as much as all four astronauts are in a spaceship, we also live on a spaceship called planet Earth. The whole universe is an empty hole, but we have an oasis called planet Earth where we get to exist together." That was as profound and prophetic as the thought about the darkness covering the Earth. You and I didn’t see what the Artemis II astronauts saw, and I don’t think we ever will. But I offer great thanks to the Creator God for the gift we possess to build something like Artemis II and to explore the cosmos, purely out of curiosity to know the unknown, and, in the process, to get to know the handiwork of the Creator. If indeed exploration begins from the known to the unknown, then I believe we can begin with the known and explore how we can overcome Earth’s darkness with Easter’s light, so that the unknown of existing together may be made known to us. Blessed Eastertide, Manny+

LEMS Kindness Pantry for April School is back in session after spring break, and it is time for us to ask you to contribute items to the Kindness Pantry at Lake Elkhorn Middle School. These donations are needed by next Sunday, April 19th, as the next Pop-Up Pantry is on Wednesday, April 22. Please visit our SignUpGenius link to select the necessary supplies, and place your items in the blue bins in the New Brick Narthex. Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity! This is a wonderful promise from God to those who assist the hungry: If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.  Isaiah 58: 10-11  Think Sharp: You Can Support Grassroots by Organizing a Team or Competing Solo at Trivia Night on Wednesday, May 6 The Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center  will hold its second annual Trivia Night  on Wednesday, May 6, at The Meeting House in Oakland Mills Village Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place in Columbia. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The competition goes from 7 to 9 p.m. Trivia Night is described as “a fundraising event full of questions and prizes.” Food and drinks from Tino’s Italian Bistro will be available for purchase. Trivia will be presented by Charm City Entertainment. Go online here  to buy tickets. Admission is $25 for an individual, $108.55 for a team of four, and $161.90 for a team of six, plus online fees.  Proceeds will benefit Grassroots’ various operations which, in addition to helping the homeless, provide 24-hour crisis intervention that includes a   supportive counseling hotline . Christ Church supports Grassroots on the second Monday of each month by providing a hot midday meal for the homeless at Grassroots’ Day Resource Center (DRC) and drops off dinner for its Emergency Shelter residents. Our next date is May 11. We last participated on April 13 (see photos). Learn more by checking our DRC online signup form  for midday details or our Grassroots online signup form  for dinner information. Grassroots staff serves the evening meal. It’s efficient to provide for both venues on the same day. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried-chicken entrees. Thank you! Recently, your generosity helped ease the lives of our homeless neighbors, who rely on the DRC for food to take with them and for much-needed clothing. In response to a DRC request, the Outreach Commission approved spending $500 to replenish its pantry. The bounty, delivered on April 13, included tins of sardines, cartons of canned chicken breast, Vienna sausages and Spam, dozens of apple juice boxes and shelf-stable regular and chocolate milk. In response to requests for clothing, we previously delivered $194 worth of men’s T-shirts and packs of underwear for both men and women. The garments and groceries were purchased with funds donated to the church by parishioners who give to “General Outreach.” A hearty thanks! You, too, can help by shopping for the pantry at the DRC and Grassroots’ two other sites. We welcome in-kind donations of items such as canned meats and hearty soups, peanut butter, and fruit cups to be dropped off ahead of time in the Parish Hall kitchen for delivery on the second Mondays. Find Grassroots’ monthly needs list   on our signups under “Related Files.” Christ Church got an overview and learned about Grassroots’ recent expansion during a visit last fall by Anna Katz, Grassroots director of grants and support. Read a recap of the visit in the Outreach Blog of Oct. 9, 2025  and view a YouTube video  of her presentation during Sunday Circle on Sept. 21, 2025. Bring Items for FISH/CCC, and Consider Volunteering to Take Calls from Home FISH   and Columbia Community Care  (CCC) partnered last year and merged their pantries. CCC continues to hand out food at three sites on Saturday mornings and deliver it to Howard County residents. For information, go online to Get Help . Find CCC updates, including an anniversary celebration  on March 14, on its Facebook page . FISH continues to pick up donated goods from Christ Church and others. Please put non-perishable food and personal care products in the altar basket or in a bin just inside the Parish Hall. Look for a combo label “FISH/CCC”. Please bring baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes. FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents, offering guidance and financial assistance, because the personal touch is very important when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong (see photo)  or email him at andydelong.fish@gmail.com .   You could be the one to lend a helping hand by lending an ear! As a phone volunteer, you can help from your home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from FISH's financial assistance. Training is provided. Thank you always for your support. Mark Your Calendars! DreamBuilders Fundraiser at Bushel and a Peck - May 13 DreamBuilders will host their Spring fundraising event at Bushel and a Peck - 12250 Clarksville Pike in Clarkesville. It takes place on Wednesday, May 13th and you can reserve your seats for happy hour and dinner on their website . Then, join us from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. that evening as we help raise funds to build three homes in Hazard, Kentucky. When you make your reservation, please put a note that you are there for the DB event. You can also call B&aP at 410.531.1809 to reserve space. 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.

For the first time since his final service before retirement - 17 years ago! - The Reverend Richard A. Ginnever led the congregation of Christ Church in worship this past Sunday. During all three services, Father Richard was met with smiles, hugs, and even applause. He celebrated Holy Eucharist in his favorite place on our campus - Old Brick - at the 8:00 service. Rev. Yehi helped the children "Unbury the Alleluia" during the 9:00 Family Worship. And at 10:30, a full house enjoyed our Rector Emeritus deliver a sermon of love and reflection while reminding us that what we do so beautifully at Christ Church - love our neighbors, while proclaiming our faith and God's Word - is what we need to do when we are out in the world, as well. You can listen to his sermon below. Thank you, Father Ginnever, for all you have given Christ Church - not only throughout your years here, but also on this Sunday morning. We love you, and we look forward to seeing you again soon! #welcomehome #episcomd #weloveyouintheloveofthelord #godslove #loveyourneighbor

Back after a Lenten season break, Theology on Tap returns tonight, April 15, at  Frisco and the Reckless Shepherd   for great food, drink, and conversation from 7:00-8:30 p.m. If you are not familiar with Theology on Tap, this is a fellowship gathering for adults taking place in a casual, relaxed environment. Topics can range from current to historical events - nothing is off the table. This is simply an opportunity to spend time with fellow parishioners and friends in an atmosphere that's different from any other Christ Church gathering. Great food, great friends, great fun - join us, and be sure to invite your neighbors and friends as well. If you have any questions,  you can email MOCC@christchurchcolumbia.org or just meet us tonight at 7:00 at 8895 McGaw Road in Columbia. #fellowship #friendsandfun #columbiamaryland #episcomd #howardcountychurch #christchurchcolumbia #youarewelcomehere

Easter II at Christ Church We have three services this Sunday morning: Holy Eucharist in Old Brick at 8:00, Family Worship in New Brick at 9:00, and Choral Eucharist in New Brick at 10:30. The Reverend Richard A. Ginnever, Christ Church's Rector Emeritus, will lead us in worship this Sunday, April 12. He will be present at all three services, so gather and welcome him back home to Christ Church! Collect for Today: Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; 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: Acts 2:14a,22-32 1 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31 Psalm 16 Sermon for This Sunday: The Rev. Yehinuel Odidi delivers this Sunday's sermon, and you can view it in the video below once the service has begun. Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins just before 10:30 a.m. The service leaflet for this worship is here .

Center for Spiritual Nourishment - This Saturday Morning Easter isn’t just something we celebrate - it’s something we live! Journey with us as we discover the ways we resist joy and look into how we may be called to bring life, healing, and hope to others. The 2nd Saturday Center for Spiritual Nourishment (CSN) provides opportunities for us to be in a closer relationship with God through an array of experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit. We gather for breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and sessions begin at various times; you can find the schedule here. Programs for April center on the theme Living the Resurrection and include something for every spirit seeking nourishment: -Mindfulness in the Garden -Resurrection and Purpose: Discovering Your Calling after Easter -Christian Meditation: Don't Hold onto Me -Film Screening: A Case for Christ -Spiritual Direction Circle You can find all the details at CECevents.org/CSN , or sign up for the CSN mailing list at our website: christchurchcolumbia.org/spiritual-nourishment