Christ Church Outreach News: April 7, 2022
A Message of Gratitude from our Afghan Refugee Family
Each member of the Afghan refugee family who has been under Christ Church’s care and support since late December is so full of gratitude for what we have done, and continue to do, to help them. Anwar, the oldest son, recently wrote this poem for us and chose the accompanying photo (above).
On Sundays May 8th and May 22nd, the family will be at Christ Church between the 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. services so they can meet more of us, and so more of us can meet them. Please plan to come.
And please continue to pray for this family and for refugees everywhere. Thank you for giving so generously. Thank you for your help in so many ways. To talk about what is needed to support this ministry and what you can do, please contact Deacon Denise, Jan DeBoissiere, Cherryllyn Williams, or any member of the Afghan Refugee Ministry committee.
Inviting One and All to Get Involved in Christ Church Outreach Starting on Monday, April 11
What better time than Lent to get more fully involved in helping others! The Outreach Commission invites you to join in during our monthly meeting to learn more about opportunities in 2022. In keeping with our mission, the scope is local, national, and international. The meeting will be held virtually at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 11. Information on how to join us by Zoom or by phone will be provided in the Church notices about online activities next week.
Bring Treats or Healthy Sides for Homeless Neighbors to Brighten Easter
The folks at the Dorsey Center’s Day Resource Center (DRC) are thrilled when Christ Church volunteers bring holiday-themed treats. And the same goes for the residents of the Live-in Facility operated by Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center.
If you’re eager to brighten their meals next week as Easter approaches, why not start on Monday, April 11? There are two drop-off times: 12:45 p.m. for the midday meal and 3:15 p.m. for the evening meal. Consider bringing decorated cookies or cupcakes.
We can predict the warm welcome because diners at each of the locations, which are both overseen by Grassroots, were certainly pleased with the St. Patrick’s Day-decorated treats that Christ Church delivered on March 14th. On that day, the Outreach Commission once again consolidated our approach to feeding the hungry by providing a meal to each group of neighbors.
We’ll do it again on Monday. As usual, Christ Church will purchase fried chicken at Weis and depend upon your bringing side dishes. Keep in mind that we’re feeding two separate groups.
The first group is made up of about 40 homeless friends at the DRC in Jessup. After a couple of pandemic-related shutdowns, Grassroots reopened the DRC on a modified basis. A team of four Christ Church volunteers will be serving a midday meal in person on our usual day – the second Monday of the month. The second group of diners resides at Grassroots’ Live-in Facility, where the staff serves the food. We’ve been providing an evening meal menu – fried chicken and side dishes – on a monthly basis since early in the pandemic.
If you’re cooking only for the Live-In Facility’s evening meal, plan to arrive between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. at the parking lot outside Old Brick. Bring a side dish, a dessert, or items for the pantry to be enjoyed round-the-clock by the 50 residents. Click on the Christ Church Grassroots Meal link on SignUpGenius to view a menu. Please sign up by noon on Sunday.
If you're cooking or volunteering for the midday meal at the DRC, plan to arrive between 12:45 and 1 p.m. at the parking lot outside Old Brick. Bring a side dish, a dessert, or items for the DRC pantry. Click on a different link, called the Christ Church Dorsey/DRC Meal link on SignUpGenius to view requested items and indicate how you’ll help.
If you're cooking or bringing pantry items for both meals, plan to arrive between 12:45 and 1 p.m. at the parking lot outside Old Brick. The dish and supplementals for the evening meal can be left in the Parish Hall kitchen. Or, depending on the dish or the supplemental item, such as cookies or fruit, you can do that on a Sunday if your items are clearly marked.
To volunteer in person to serve the midday meal at the DRC, you’ll need a flu shot and full vaccination against COVID-19. For questions, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org to get in contact with co-coordinator Nancy Winchester.
Both the DRC and the Live-In Facility have wider needs for their pantries and welcome in-kind donations to be dropped off for delivery on the second Mondays. Look for the monthly needs list under the words “Related Files” on each of the sign-up sites.
CCC Schedules a Work Day on April 9th to Finish Preparation of Its New Pantry
The all-volunteer organization, Columbia Community Care (CCC) is recruiting volunteers to help finish painting and complete other tasks at its new pantry during a one-day effort on Saturday, April 9th, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. This is a continuation of a task begun on March 19-20 with community-wide volunteers, including parishioners Diana Hall and Dave Lanczynski.
In a post on the CCC Facebook Group, one of the CCC leaders wrote: “I have added a couple of non-painting tasks to the end of the day this Saturday! Stop by if you can help! We need Un-tapers, Scrapers, and Plate-replacers!!! A few volunteers can remove the tape from finished areas, scrape excess paint off some baseboards and replace the outlet covers and light switch covers. Final clean-up help would also be appreciated!”
Slots remain on the CCC online signup form for experienced painters along with the volunteers who pitch in to complete the overall project. The pantry is being re-established in a county-owned building that was once home to the Columbia Flier. The refurbished space, in turn, will allow the resumption of home delivery to households who lack transportation.
At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue CCC by collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Please put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall.
Donate Snacks, Crackers, and Cookies to FISH in Bin on our Breezeway
Organizers for FISH of Howard County are continuing to ask for cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill its shopping lists. The yellow bin is between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. Thanks for your contributions to our neighbors in need.
Baltimore Seafarers News
As a reminder, the Women of Christ Church gather donations for Seafarers throughout the year. We'll be bringing the next batch of donations to Seafarers on April 21st, so if you have any items, please bring them to the church before then. At this time, they are looking for magazines, cards, calendars, stationery, notebooks, gloves, hats, socks, men's shirts, and scarves, and you can leave them in the "Seafarers" box under the table in the Tower Room of New Brick.
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.
