Grassroots Marks 18th Anniversary of Serving the Homeless in Jessup On July 9, the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center took note of a milestone and thanked Christ Church and other faith-based partners for their role in helping the homeless at the Day Resource Center (DRC) in Jessup. “The DRC opened on July 9, 2008, in partnership with our faith communities, local government and foundations to serve homeless men and women who slept outside along Route One in Howard County. The homeless consumers were involved in determining the services, hours of operation and policies. The DRC provides hot meals, showers, laundry, access to social services, case management, a food and clothing pantry and other critical resources to anyone in need, no questions asked. In 2017, it moved to its current location at the Leola Dorsey Community Resource Center.” Grassroots posted on its Facebook page: “We also want to thank some of our amazing faith partners who have been with us since the very beginning….” Among 12 Howard County congregations, Christ Church is one of four Episcopal parishes that are listed. On the second Monday of each month, Christ Church provides a hot midday meal of fried chicken, side dishes and desserts that a team led by Outreach member Shahra Toth serves in person. On Monday, July 13, we had a total of nine volunteers at the DRC – including a mother and son duo (see photos). Many more parishioners helped behind the scenes in their own kitchens or by bringing fruit, paper goods, or pantry items such as hearty soups. And thanks to you, the homeless and low-income residents who depend upon the DRC’s pantry could choose shelf-stable milk boxes in either plain or chocolate flavors that the team delivered on Monday. The Outreach Commission approved spending $170 for a total of 180 8-oz boxes of milk. These were purchased with funds donated to the church by parishioners who give to “General Outreach.” A hearty thanks! In its post, Grassroots described the growing demand: “In Fiscal Year 2026 (which ended on June 30), the Day Resource Center served 1,616 individuals – more than any year since it opened and 4% more than last year! In fact, when we opened 18 years ago, we served just 30-50 people each year. In addition, we gave away more than 150,000 food items and nearly 25,000 articles of clothing, including shirts, shoes, jackets, and new underwear and socks. We were able to do this thanks to the support of our many, many donors, our dedicated team members, and 769 volunteers who gave 8,900 hours of time.” Christ Church next provides meals for the homeless at the DRC and at Grassroots’ Emergency Shelter on Monday, Aug. 10. For details, please check our DRC online signup form or our Grassroots online signup form. For pantry needs, items can be brought ahead of time to the Parish Hall kitchen. Find Grassroots’ current needs list on our signups under “Related Files.” Kentucky Residents Praise DreamBuilders Crew, Including a Christ Church Teen A team of more than 30 adults and youth – including Mikailu Sheriff, representing Christ Church – completed a blitz-build of three homes from June 21-27 on the most recent DreamBuilders’ trip to flood-damaged Hazard, Kentucky. Local broadcaster WYMT-TV featured their work in a June 22, 2026 video report that shows Mikailu in the center of a group of three teens, one of whom spoke for the group about helping the future homeowners. “Even if I don’t know them, I know I’m just improving their lives, and giving them kind of a fresh new start.” The local nonprofit partner posted photos on its Facebook page of grateful homeowners along with dozens of photos of work in progress. The Housing Development Alliance (HDA) also expressed thanks: “DreamBuilders, thank you for coming back for the fourth year in a row to serve our community! Your work makes a real difference for families here, and we are grateful for your friendship, faithfulness, and hard work.” The gratitude can be shared more widely as Christ Church supported the trip with $750 in Vestry-approved Outreach funds, parishioners’ individual support, and by sales of DreamBuilders goods (We will next sell coffee and tea at the Parish Festival on Aug. 30). Many thanks! To learn more about DreamBuilders, visit https://dreambuildersmd.org Bring Items for FISH/CC, 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 by home delivery to Howard County residents and at three sites on Saturday mornings, except on holiday weekends. For information, go online to Get Help. 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 to provide guidance and financial support because the personal touch is very important when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email 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! Continue to Support the MOCC's Random Act of Kindness The MOCC's current R.A.K. (Random Act of Kindness) is supporting Comfort Cases, and they continue to need donations. A Comfort Case is a small duffel bag or backpack designed to provide comfort to youth entering the local foster care system - many enter with nothing more than a simple trash bag - an item that provides no comfort or dignity at all. In today's world, the number of kids entering the foster care system is rising, and so anything that can be done to help provide a level of comfort, compassion, and care for the youngest in our world is welcome. The MOCC is accepting donations throughout the summer, and you can find details and the donation bin in the Narthex. You can also speak with Duane Smith, Ed Chrzanowski, or any MOCC member to get more information about Comfort Cases, or click the link above. Save the Date: ‘Birdies for Bridges’ Golf Tournament to be Held on Friday, Sept. 25 to Help Bridges to Housing Stability in Preventing Homelessness It’s not too early to hit the practice greens. Bridges to Housing Stability will hold its annual Sheehy Toyota Birdies for Bridges Golf Tournament on Friday, Sept. 25, at The Timbers of Troy, 6100 Marshalee Dr., Elkridge, Md. Participants will help Bridges achieve its mission – advocating for affordable housing and helping individuals and families who struggle to keep a roof over their heads. The tournament begins with a light breakfast, a shotgun start at 9 a.m., and a full day of golf, food, and awards. Check-in opens at 7:30 a.m. The cost for a single golfer is $200, or $800 for a foursome, which covers greens fees, unlimited range balls, food, and beverages. The event is for a worthy cause. All proceeds from Birdies for Bridges will benefit Bridges and its work to provide a path to self-sufficiency to prevent and end homelessness through affordable housing solutions and advocacy in Howard County. Christ Church has supported Bridges in various ways since 2019, most recently last fall, when a group of volunteers spent several workdays refurbishing a Columbia townhouse. Known as Guilford House, it is the residence of several returning citizens who have gotten their lives on track after incarceration. Bridges operates this transitional housing in partnership with the Howard County Department of Corrections. Read about improvements – made indoors and out – by a team led by Vestry and Outreach member George Toth in the Outreach Blog of Dec.18, 2025. “The transformation is night and day!” said Sarah Hicks, Affordable Housing Program Manager at Bridges. Registration is Open for DreamBuilders' Mission Trip to Puerto Rico on October 18-24, 2026 Hurricane Maria, a category 5 hurricane, struck Puerto Rico in September of 2017 with sustained winds of 155 mph. 53% of all structures on the island suffered major damage. Today, almost 9 years later, many families are still trying to repair their homes. We will be helping one of those survivors, Maria del Carmen Rivera Nieves. You can read about Maria and her project below. We have worked with the nonprofit Apoyemos/One Hand Foundation of Puerto Rico, led by Kike Garcia, on a previous trip to the island. They will supply the materials needed and supervise our project. Maria's home needs windows, interior doors, ceiling panels, flooring, and more that we can't complete in one week. But we can make a big difference in moving her home closer to completion. We will be staying at Posada Colonial Apartments in San Juan, where you can walk to an outstanding beach, and it is only 3 blocks from Calle Loiza, a street full of restaurants, cafes, and shops. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Cathy Gold (heycathy@verizon.net). Trip Dates: October 18-24 Missioner Fee: $1100 (covers airfare, lodging, rental cars, and food) Age Requirement: 18 or older How Many? Maximum of 8 missioners Partner Organization in Puerto Rico: Apoyemos/One Hand Foundation of Puerto Rico If you would like to join the trip, please find instructions and the registration form on their website: dreambuildersmd.org/puerto-rico-trip-october-2026. Registration closes on July 31st. 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.

That's right - Theology on Tap, our fun and much-loved fellowship event, happens tomorrow evening, July 15, and is the perfect end to a hot summer day. If you are not familiar with Theology on Tap, it is a time when adults gather for fellowship in a casual space, and on Wednesday, we'll meet from 7:00-8:30 p.m. 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 everything should inspire lively, insightful dialogue. All adults are welcome and encouraged to join us - be sure to invite your neighbors and friends as well, and meet us at 8895 McGaw Road in Columbia for a fun evening!

Over the past several weeks, we have been working with a consultant, and they will share their findings with the Christ Church congregation next Sunday, July 19. That morning, there will be an abbreviated 10:30 worship, followed by an 11:00 presentation, so we encourage everyone to come to New Brick to hear their findings. Their presentation will be followed by a Q&A, where we open the floor for discussion among all of us. The presentation will be captured on YouTube for those who may not be able to join us.

I was recently intrigued by an excerpt of a book - The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd. I read it a few days ago. The idea of a Pathless Path sounds so confusing at best. How can a path be pathless? I asked myself. Either there is a path or there is none, so how can a path be pathless? But the more I engaged with the idea of a Pathless Path to understand what it meant, the more I became fascinated with it. Pathless Path is an ancient idea that says each of us is on a path, mostly a familiar path. That path may have been carved for us by our parents, schools, mentors, circumstances, or by our own effort. But whatever that familiar path may be, we sometimes experience an awakening, a jolt, a quake, or something similar. For some, including me, it may be a spiritual awakening. When we experience the awakening, we do not abandon everything about the familiar path we are on as we carve out our own new path. The Pathless Path is the new path that we choose. We may not know where that path will lead us, but we choose that new Pathless Path with the hope that its trajectory leads us to a new life that honors God. Your Pathless Path is a path that no one has traveled on before - just you. No one has been on that path before, just you. You make the path as you grow. That path becomes uniquely yours. Two examples that I’d like to highlight are the lives of Moses and Paul. Moses was a fugitive from Egypt who was tending the herd of Jethro, his father-in-law, on the mountaintop when he had an epiphany. The mountaintop is a sacred place, a holy place where we encounter the divine. What made this mountaintop epiphany all the more special for Moses was the sight of a burning bush that wasn’t consumed by the fire. His curiosity got the best of him, and as he approached the spectacle, he heard a voice. And then, an answer to his question: "Who are you? What is your name?" Moses assumed that the God who revealed the self to him could have a name like everything else that he knew. He assumed that God was a being who could be categorized with a name. And with that name, this God could be compared with any other thing or being. More to the point, if God is a being with a name, then it shouldn’t be much of a surprise to demand evidence to support the belief in this being (God) who has a name like you and me. The response “I AM WHO I AM” to the question “What is your name?” wasn’t what Moses was expecting. What God meant by God’s answer is I AM prior to human thought and language. I AM prior to being. I AM that upon which everything else depends. I AM WHO I AM. This response opened the door for Moses to begin to view the God of his ancestors in a completely different way. This revelation led him to chart a different path - a Pathless Path from the familiar path as a fugitive and a shepherd of his father-in-law. Moses’ Pathless Path led him back to the very place and people from whom he fled. He charted a new path, and that path led to the emancipation of the people of Israel from slavery. Paul was on a familiar path. He would describe himself with these words in Philippians: “If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.” The familiar path was so enthralling for Paul that his commitment and devotion to it meant that he didn’t mind witnessing Stephen being stoned to death or traveling long distances to persecute the people of the Way (Christians). It was on one of such trips that he also had an epiphany - a spiritual awakening. This awakening was so intense and transformational for Paul that he changed course. Paul carved for himself a different path, a Pathless Path, which meant abandoning some of what he had come to know and believe for a new adventure with the God of Jesus Christ, whom he had been persecuting. Paul’s Pathless Path led him to travel to the ends of the known world with the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ. His suffering. His travels. His writings. His faith. Everything that Paul did after his spiritual awakening tells of a man who found a new path - a Pathless Path. I don’t think a Pathless Path calls for a complete abandonment of all we have come to know about ourselves and the familiar path we find ourselves on. It is a path about a new phase of life, grounded in an old experience yet drawn toward a new direction of self-exploration and a response to God’s divine invitation. To walk that path means committing oneself to a life uniquely meant for you. You are the one who is making this new path for yourself. I believe that a is initiated, instigated, or generated by some form of an awakening, which could be spiritual. It doesn’t have to be as dramatic as Moses's and Paul's. It can be experienced in any number of ways through daily life and work, through prayer, during kitchen chores like Brother Lawrence, in the garden, while walking or running on the trail, when simply observing nature, at work, or in many varied ways. It can also be incremental, with each new experience building upon a previous one. This is all to say that each of us experiences that moment of awakening, that aha moment. We simply haven’t paid attention to those holy moments. The truth is, it is only those who acknowledge their experience of an awakening, those for whom each moment can be holy, who can choose a Pathless Path. And that path is unique to each person because each is expected to make that path on their own. Someone once said that the only guarantee that tomorrow will be better than today is that we are growing right now. You and I can only grow if we acknowledge each moment as not only being holy, but that each moment offers us an opportunity to build on our spiritual depth, and to choose a new path, a different path, a Pathless Path. I believe that nothing honors our relationship with God more than a spiritually awakened soul on a Pathless Path.  Blessed Summer, Manny+

Pentecost VII at Christ Church 8:00 Holy Eucharist 9:00 Family Worship 10:30 Choral Eucharist All three services take place in New Brick. Collect for Today: O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. This Sunday's Readings: Isaiah 55:10-13 Psalm 65: (1-8), 9-14 Romans 8:1-11 Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 Sermon for This Sunday: Father Manny gives today's sermon this Sunday. You can view it once the livestream 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.

As summer reaches its height, we reflect on the ways that God is bringing us into greater fullness of life, how we are “blooming” into all that we were created to be. This month’s wonderful sessions help us delve into these topics as well as into stillness and reflection in community. 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. 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: Spiritual Growth: The Pathless Path Spiritual Direction Circle Film Screening and Discussion #1 10:15 – 11:15: ABIDE: Christian Meditation Bloom Where You Are Planted Film Screening and Discussion #2 11:30 – 12:00: Reflection Circle ...and an introduction to Father Mike's upcoming series! Join us on Saturday, July 11, as we offer: Spiritual Growth: The Pathless Path led by Father Manny Mercer On which path do you find yourself? Do you feel awakened? There is a path for the awakened soul. It is The Pathless Path. Join me this Saturday morning for a conversation on The Pathless Path. Spiritual Direction Circle led by Carol Abbott As we move into summer we will reflect together on our evolving faith. Do you notice anything new unfolding in the garden of your soul? Is there any weeding challenging you? Film Screening #1: Miracle, Episode Three led by George Toth Miracles Scientifically Confirmed: Hope is a Stepping Stone in Faith See the true story of Joanne Moody, who endures years of unrelenting pain and near-death experiences, needs a miracle to find relief. Suffering with little hope of relief she faces a daring choice that invites healing and hope by stepping toward the transformative power of faith and resilience. ABIDE: Christian Meditation led by Leah Chrest At the Last Supper, Jesus compared himself to a vine who was nurtured into being by the Father. He then urged his disciples to “abide” in him, where they would be able to produce spiritual fruit. Enjoy a reflection on the deeper meaning and implications of Jesus’ teaching on abiding. After a short teaching and discussion, we will conclude our session with a guided meditation that leads into quietly resting in God’s presence, listening to the still, small voice of the Spirit. Film Screening #2: Miracle, Episode Four led by George Toth Miracles Scientifically Confirmed: Faith Builds Community Watch the true story about a boy's first visit to a Nigerian church, where he learns about the significance of miracles in his community. During this visit, a blind prophet performs miracles and encourages the congregation to believe and pray harder for their own miracles. As they practice and grow their faith their community grows and strengthens. Bloom Where You Are Planted led by Toni Summerell Life doesn’t always unfold the way we expect. Sometimes we find ourselves in seasons of waiting, challenge, growth, or unexpected change. In this Center for Spiritual Nourishment session, we will explore what it means to flourish wherever life has planted us. Through reflection, discussion, prayer, and spiritual practices, we’ll discover how to deepen our roots in faith, embrace the gifts of the present moment, and trust God’s presence in every season of life. Whether you’re feeling stuck, searching for purpose, or simply longing to grow, join us as we learn how to bloom with grace, hope, and resilience. Have Questions? Wish to Help Lead Future CSN Sessions? #nourishyourspirit #SpiritualNourishment #allarewelcome #RefreshYourSpirit #divinelove #hocomd #episcomd #columbiamd #columbiamaryland

Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting on Monday, July 13 Learn many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope. You'll find the link in our This Week on Zoom email on Monday, and we'll see you there! Help Grassroots by Providing Food for the Homeless on Monday, July 13 On the second Monday of each month, Christ Church serves a hot midday meal at the Day Resource Center (DRC) that is operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. We last participated on June 8, when volunteers were greeted by former collaborators in providing care and over-the-counter medicines to the homeless (see photos). Dr. Joseph Gagliardi retired in 2023, as described in the Outreach Blog of June 8, 2023. A team led by Outreach member Shahra Toth makes side dishes and desserts that we serve in person after car-pooling to the Leola Dorsey Center in Jessup. To help on Monday, July 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. Some parishioners prefer to cook or shop for the evening meal at Grassroots’ Emergency Shelter, whose staff serves the residents. Please arrive between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. in the Old Brick parking lot, where a volunteer picks up the food for delivery to Grassroots. Get details in our Grassroots online signup form. It’s efficient to provide for both venues on the same day, in total feeding more than 150 people. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried-chicken entrees. Thank you! 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 hearty soups and fruit cups to be dropped off ahead of time in the Parish Hall kitchen for delivery on second Mondays. Find Grassroots’ current needs list on our signups under “Related Files.” Christ Church Helps CCC Meet Summertime Demand by Donating $500 to Help Stock Its Shared Pantry with FISH of Howard County Recently Columbia Community Care (CCC) posted online about a problem of rising demand and falling supply. “It's a difficult time for food banks now, especially smaller ones like CCC's. Every summer, donations of both food/supplies and money drop significantly around this time. People are understandably busy with travel, weddings, retreats, family reunions, etc., but that means that our shelves are empty.” To help meet the summertime needs of hungry families, the Outreach Commission approved a $500 donation to CCC last month. “Thank you so, so much for your generosity,” responded Pantry Manager April Lee. These are Vestry-approved funds derived from your pledges and contributions to Christ Church. Thank you! Last year FISH and CCC partnered 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, visit Get Help. 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 or email 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! Continue to Support the MOCC's Random Act of Kindness The MOCC's current R.A.K. (Random Act of Kindness) is supporting Comfort Cases, and they continue to need donations. A Comfort Case is a small duffel bag or backpack designed to provide comfort to youth entering the local foster care system - many enter with nothing more than a simple trash bag - an item that provides no comfort or dignity at all. In today's world, the number of kids entering the foster care system is rising, and so anything that can be done to help provide a level of comfort, compassion, and care for the youngest in our world is welcome. The MOCC is accepting donations throughout the summer, and you can find details and the donation bin in the Narthex. You can also speak with Duane Smith, Ed Chrzanowski, or any MOCC member to get more information about Comfort Cases, or click the link above. Save the Date: ‘Birdies for Bridges’ Golf Tournament to be Held on Friday, Sept. 25 to Help Bridges to Housing Stability in Preventing Homelessness It’s not too early to hit the practice greens. Bridges to Housing Stability will hold its annual Sheehy Toyota Birdies for Bridges Golf Tournament on Friday, Sept. 25, at The Timbers of Troy, 6100 Marshalee Dr., Elkridge, Md. Participants will help Bridges achieve its mission – advocating for affordable housing and helping individuals and families who struggle to keep a roof over their heads. The tournament begins with a light breakfast, a shotgun start at 9 a.m., and a full day of golf, food, and awards. Check-in opens at 7:30 a.m. The cost for a single golfer is $200, or $800 for a foursome, which covers greens fees, unlimited range balls, food, and beverages. The event is for a worthy cause. All proceeds from Birdies for Bridges will benefit Bridges and its work to provide a path to self-sufficiency to prevent and end homelessness through affordable housing solutions and advocacy in Howard County. Christ Church has supported Bridges in various ways since 2019, most recently last fall, when a group of volunteers spent several workdays refurbishing a Columbia townhouse. Known as Guilford House, it is the residence of several returning citizens who have gotten their lives on track after incarceration. Bridges operates this transitional housing in partnership with the Howard County Department of Corrections. Read about improvements – made indoors and out – by a team led by Vestry and Outreach member George Toth in the Outreach Blog of Dec.18, 2025. “The transformation is night and day!” said Sarah Hicks, Affordable Housing Program Manager at Bridges. Registration is Open for DreamBuilders' Mission Trip to Puerto Rico on October 18-24, 2026 Hurricane Maria, a category 5 hurricane, struck Puerto Rico in September of 2017 with sustained winds of 155 mph. 53% of all structures on the island suffered major damage. Today, almost 9 years later, many families are still trying to repair their homes. We will be helping one of those survivors, Maria del Carmen Rivera Nieves. You can read about Maria and her project below. We have worked with the nonprofit Apoyemos/One Hand Foundation of Puerto Rico, led by Kike Garcia, on a previous trip to the island. They will supply the materials needed and supervise our project. Maria's home needs windows, interior doors, ceiling panels, flooring, and more that we can't complete in one week. But we can make a big difference in moving her home closer to completion. We will be staying at Posada Colonial Apartments in San Juan, where you can walk to an outstanding beach, and it is only 3 blocks from Calle Loiza, a street full of restaurants, cafes, and shops. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Cathy Gold (heycathy@verizon.net). Trip Dates: October 18-24 Missioner Fee: $1100 (covers airfare, lodging, rental cars, and food) Age Requirement: 18 or older How Many? Maximum of 8 missioners Partner Organization in Puerto Rico: Apoyemos/One Hand Foundation of Puerto Rico If you would like to join the trip, please find instructions and the registration form on their website: dreambuildersmd.org/puerto-rico-trip-october-2026. Registration closes on July 31st. 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.

You know 'em... now you can sing and dance to them - Christ Church's favorite supergroup, Small Delusions (Jan, JB, and Shannon - with special guest Meghan Pruitt!), is delighted to announce their next gig in the warm confines of the New Brick sanctuary. In just a few days - this Saturday, July 11 at 1:00 p.m. - gather as they play all the memorable classics, and maybe even take a few requests. Heck, even bring your dancing shoes if you feel like it! Definitely consider bringing a small dish or refreshments to share. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Pentecost VI at Christ Church 8:00 Holy Eucharist 9:00 Family Worship 10:30 Choral Eucharist All three services take place in New Brick. Collect for Today: O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; 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: Zechariah 9:9-12 Psalm 145:8-15 Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Sermon for This Sunday: Parishioner Jonathan Smith gives today's sermon at Christ Episcopal Church this Sunday. You can view it once the livestream begins. You can also read a text version here. Sunday Worship Livestream: Our service livestream begins just before 10:30 a.m. The service leaflet for this worship is here.

This week, our beloved country will celebrate 250 years of independence. It is such a momentous milestone, and I could not be prouder that, like millions of people, I am an American, and a proud one at that. I wonder what the feeling was like 250 years ago, when the ragtag army of patriots defeated the most powerful military in the world. The joy that comes with throwing away the shackles of oppression is often incalculable. The Revolutionary War reminds me that sometimes we do not need the most powerful weaponry to win a war. We only need people who are resolute and dedicated, who believe in a just cause and are willing to sacrifice their own lives in pursuit of it. For me, the Declaration of Independence was the beginning of our march towards a Higher Self. Remember, the framers of the U.S. Constitution were not perfect people, but they understood the essentials of a Higher Self - that the Higher Self is what it takes to build a compassionate community, what it takes to nurture a community, what it takes to set a standard for a nascent community, and what it takes to create a culture of honor, decency, and selfless giving. In the preamble to the U.S. Constitution is this line: “…in Order to form a more perfect Union.” I find that line quite intriguing. It is such a powerful line, which is premised on the deep recognition that the union was not perfect, for how could it be perfect when half of its citizens are enslaved? How could it be perfect when the Natives of the land were marginalized? How could it be perfect when women did not have the same rights as men? How could it be perfect amidst systemic injustice? How could it be perfect amid the myriad challenges? How could it be perfect? There was no way it could be perfect. I believe that one of the most important gifts of the Founding Fathers is that they did not close the door to our collective longing for a country that could be eternally better than it was. And so they set in the Constitution this element of aspiration to which each citizen could yearn. Whenever I think about the U.S. Constitution, I try to liken it to the Exodus story of the people of Israel, who, on their march to the Promised Land, were given the 10 Commandments to guide them on their path to a Higher Self. Unlike the Ten Commandments, the U.S. Constitution is not our guide on the path to a Higher Self. It provides a framework that could help us govern ourselves. It is therefore not surprising that it is silent on values such as compassion, kindness, dignity, goodness, and some of the values that make for a Higher Self. The Higher Self is not about seeing yourself as being higher or better than others. It is not about seeing yourself as being low or worse than others; it is about the recognition you give to yourself. A Higher Self is a radical way of looking at yourself. It is about authenticity. It is about your true nature. It is about who you truly are. It is about sincerity. It is about that part of you that encapsulates all that it means to be human. It is your esse. It is, as Samuel once said to Saul, “Always be small in your own eyes.” Jesus also offers a similar piece of advice in the gospel of Luke when he says, “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.” A Higher Self is a compassionate way of looking at yourself and others with eyes infused with kindness and dignity. It sounds like this Indian prayer: This prayer highlights for me why this country was able to warmly welcome so many different people from across the globe for varied reasons, some of which were humanitarian. We never lost the yearning to be better, to build a more perfect union, not without challenges but despite those challenges. Here’s a story for you: One night, a farmer discovered a fox inside his chicken coop. A chicken was already dead. Blood stained the ground. The fox didn’t try to escape. It simply stood there, breathing heavily as if waiting for its fate. The farmer lifted his stick and prepared to end it. But something made him stop. Instead, he lowered the stick and said to the fox, “Go and never come back.” The fox looked at him for a moment, then slowly vanished into the darkness. Days went by, and nothing happened. No chicken was missing, and no strange voices were heard during the night. The farmer thought that the fox had learned its lesson. Maybe, just maybe, kindness had changed it. But one night the fox returned. This time it showed no mercy. By morning, the coop was shattered, blood covered the ground, and the chickens were gone. Even a sheep lay motionless nearby. Seeing the destruction, the farmer fell to his knees. The truth struck him with painful force. In a quiet voice, he whispered, ‘I thought kindness would change you.’ Kindness did not change the fox. But Kindness can change us because we are not foxes. We are human beings with burning desires, we yearn, we hope, and we aspire to build a more perfect union. We are human beings who can tap into a Higher Self. I read a thought by Laura Bush, a former First Lady, who said, “Our nation has not always lived up to its ideals, yet those ideals have never ceased to guide us. They expose our flaws and lead us to mend them. We are beneficiaries of the work of the generations before us, and it is each generation's responsibility to continue that work.” As we celebrate 250 years of independence, we can all attest that our country has come a long way. But we still have a long way to go because the task of building a more perfect union is an ongoing work that invites us into a much deeper relationship with each other. We carry the burden of knowing that each individual cannot do the work by themselves, and no single race can do the work by themselves alone. The Higher Self recognizes our human limitations and therefore seeks collaborative interaction with others to build the kind of future we all want for ourselves and each other. I'd like to conclude with a quote by Rumi: “Be like the sun for grace and mercy. Be like the night, covering others' faults. Be like running water for generosity. Be like death for rage and anger. Be like the Earth for modesty. Appear as you are. Be as you appear.” Be your Higher Self. Happy Independence Day, America.  Blessed Summer, Manny+

One of the hallmarks of every summer at Christ Church is our annual Crab Feast. We begin by piling bushels of crabs onto paper tablecloths, grab a stack of napkins, and prepare to get MESSY. And it is worth every bit of the mess. Add some tasty barbecue for those choosing to skip the shellfish, and you have the makings of a fantastic feast, indeed. Though the midsummer heat wave tried its best to wilt the day's spirits, the warmth indoors was entirely generated by fellowship. Sheltered from the sun, friends old and new shared in shell-cracking with a mindful eye on the church carpets - no Old Bay stains in the Great Hall! It was an evening defined by gratitude—not just for the incredible food, but for the dedicated hands that set up, served, and swept away the remnants of another successful First Wednesday Fellowship.