CEC Outreach News: March 17, 2022
Join Small Delusions in Helping Provide Needed Support for Ukrainian Refugees This Sunday, March 20th, folks of all ages are welcome to join us for a special concert at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of New Brick. The wonderful trio, Small Delusions, will present a special performance to help raise funds for Ukrainian refugee families. The United Nations reports that, as of this publication, 3.5 million people have fled the catastrophic situation in their homeland, and that number is very likely to continue to rise exponentially. For a few hours this Sunday, we'll have an opportunity to hear classic sounds and fan favorites - as well as get up and dance, if the mood strikes - while helping to support a very necessary cause. Small Delusions - Jan DeBoissiere, JB Hanson, and Shannon Pruitt - used to be part of a larger group called Delusions of Grandeur. As they tell us, "Our delusions are still there; they are just smaller." They've performed together for over six years, and we're thrilled to have them back on the Christ Church "stage" for this one-off gig. Contributions can be brought with you on Sunday; be sure to write "Ukrainian refugees" in the MEMO line of your check so that it goes to the right place. In the meantime, or if you wish to donate online, you can use the Refugee Ministry online form or scan the QR code in the accompanying image. Just select "Ukrainian Refugee Ministry" from the MEMO dropdown menu, and Christ Church will direct every bit of those gifts toward relief for the people of Ukraine.
Episcopal Relief and Development Gets Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine
More than 3 million people have fled Ukraine in the three weeks since Russia invaded the country, causing widespread death, destruction, and deprivation. Episcopal Relief & Development continues to work with Anglican and ecumenical partners to provide aid to those displaced by the crisis.
“International Program staff are in close contact with church and ecumenical partners including the ACT Alliance, The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, the Diocese of Europe, the Anglican Alliance and United Society of Partners in the Gospel. These organizations are coordinating immediate and long-term humanitarian responses through their local partners in Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia,” ERD said in a statement on March 16th.
“We are extremely grateful to all of our generous donors and supporters who are enabling us to provide assistance through our partners,” said Abagail Nelson, Executive Vice President of ERD.
Christ Church is among these donors. On behalf of parishioners, members of the Outreach Commission voted at its March meeting to contribute $1,000 to ERD to assist in humanitarian relief efforts. These are Vestry-approved funds derived from your pledges and contributions. Heartfelt thanks go out to one and all who make this possible.
The UN Refugee Agency has declared the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine to be a Level 3 Emergency, its highest level.
Earlier this month, in commenting on the crisis, ERD noted its own history. “Episcopal Relief & Development was founded by The Episcopal Church to help people fleeing violence in World War II,” said Nagulan Nesiah, Senior Program Officer, Disaster Response and Risk Reduction, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We remain committed to supporting our partners on the ground as they meet both immediate and long-term needs created by this crisis.”
If you wish to donate personally to the ERD’s fund, go online to “Ukraine Crisis Response.”
SAFE Offers Gluten-Free Food And Accepts Items for Distribution on March 19th
The SAFE Food Pantry, a nonprofit organization that helps people who require gluten-free and allergy-friendly groceries, will hold one last distribution at its indoor location. The allergy-safe foods will be available to those in need at the NonProfit Collaborative, 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046.
The time-frame remains the same no matter the season: 3rd Saturdays of the month from 10 a.m. to noon. But with the arrival of spring on Sunday, the next distribution will be at a location outdoors on April 16th. Check the organization’s Events page for details next month.
If you have safe foods to donate, you can bring them without making advance arrangements. Or, if you or others whom you know are in need of these items, please come to Patuxent Woods, which is on an RTA bus line.
Another way to obtain food from SAFE is through its partnership with the Howard County Food Bank. Clients of the food bank can receive pre-bagged, non-allergenic food items when they check-in for their monthly visits. For more information, please call or text a SAFE volunteer at 443-741-1060.
Last Call: CCC Asks the Community to Help in Pantry Set-Up on March 19-20
The all-volunteer organization Columbia Community Care (CCC) has obtained a site to establish a new pantry and has been recruiting volunteers to work various shifts on Saturday, March 19th, and Sunday, March 20th. It will clean up a county-owned building that was once home to the Columbia Flier. It is located at 10750 Little Patuxent Parkway.
For information, go to the CCC Facebook Group or check online for two separate signups. The first is a good opportunity for youth looking for school-required service hours. Go to CCC’s sign-up form for volunteers. The second asks for people to lend or donate cleaning and painting supplies by using a separate online sign-up form.
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.
DreamBuilders Trip to Repair Homes in Puerto Rico: May 15 - 21, 2022. REGISTER BY MARCH 25th!
Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in September of 2017. Though it’s been over 4 years, hundreds of Puerto Ricans are still waiting for the day when their home can be livable again. DreamBuilders will be making its second trip to the island in May to work with SBP-Puerto Rico to repair damaged homes.
The trip is for adults 18 and older. The cost of the trip is $1000 per volunteer, which covers the flights, housing, food, and rental vehicles. Trip registration is only open for ONE WEEK, until March 25th, to meet airline requirements for a group rate.
SBP has covid protocols in place to protect their staff, homeowners, and us. All volunteers must be vaccinated. Puerto Rico has recently relaxed their requirements for entry to the island, and pre-flight testing is no longer required.
You can register as a volunteer by clicking here. You will be required to pay at least half of the cost ($500) upon registration. The remaining $500 will be due by March 31st. The payment portal can be found at this url: https://goo.gl/4SHxKv
Hope to see you in Puerto Rico in May!
Baltimore Seafarers News
As a reminder, the Women of Christ Church gather donations for Seafarers throughout the year. At this time, they are looking for magazines, cards, notebooks, gloves, hats, and scarves. If you’d like to donate any of these items, the "Seafarers" box is under the table in the Tower Room of New Brick.
FISH Continues its Request for Cookies, Crackers, and Snacks
As winter continues, organizers for FISH of Howard County continue to ask for cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill shopping lists. They also say thanks to Christ Church for its response to their earlier needs, which produced an adequate inventory of household cleaning supplies and personal items. The bin is on the breezeway near the door to the Parish Hall.
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.
