Christ Church Outreach News: April 16, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- Apr 16
- 5 min read
FISH Invites Parishioners to Attend Its Potluck Dinner to be Held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, in the Great Hall at Christ Church
Come one, come all. Please accept an invitation from FISH of Howard County if you are among those who routinely shop for extra grocery items to feed the less fortunate. You’ll have a great chance to learn how the goods we put into the altar basket, or into the bin on the breezeway, make their way to those in need.
FISH is holding its annual potluck dinner on Sunday, April 27, at 5 p.m. here at Christ Church in the Great Hall of New Brick. The all-volunteer organization is bringing together its volunteers to share camaraderie and a tasty meal. Parishioner Andy DeLong, who is FISH treasurer and a board member, extended the invitation for the second year in a row. Plan to attend and say hello.
Christ Church, acting through the Outreach Commission, has long supported FISH. The neighbor-to-neighbor nonprofit has a nearly five-decade history. Since its founding in 1976, FISH has helped county residents in crisis by providing emergency food, referral information, and limited financial assistance for such needs as eviction and utility turnoff prevention and medicine. Food aid is typically a 7-to-10-day supply that is delivered to the home. It also offers hygiene, paper, and laundry supplies.
Here’s how FISH organizers describe the potluck gathering in its invitation: “ALL are welcome –phone volunteers, delivery volunteers, former volunteers, potential volunteers, plus spouses and friends….It’s a nice opportunity for new volunteers to meet the friends whose voices you hear on the phone and for everyone to get together, enjoy good food, and have a great time.” There will be a meeting after the dinner for current volunteers and interested parties.
Please RSVP by telling one of these two FISH organizers how many will be coming to the dinner and what you will bring. Email Kathy Raab at raab@umbc.edu or Nuala Lu Roberts, nuala4ney@aol.com.
Whether you will be able to attend or not, please keep putting non-perishable foods and toiletries in the FISH basket at the altar or in the bin on the breezeway. The neighbors you help are grateful for all you do in their support.
Last Call: Order Tickets This Week to Enjoy a Harbor Cruise on Wednesday, April 30, to Benefit the Baltimore International Seafarers' Center
Mark your calendars: the deadline for ordering tickets is Saturday, April 19, for a fundraiser on Wednesday, April 30 that supports the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center (BISC), a program of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. Tickets are $70 each and can be purchased here. BISC provides spiritual care and hospitality to mariners who are working far from their homes and loved ones around the world.
On Wednesday, April 30, please park at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Garage, where a discount coupon will be made available during the cruise. Board the “Catherine Marie” promptly at 4:45 p.m. at Baltimore Finger Piers, 555 Light St., Baltimore, MD. Once aboard, you’ll enjoy food, beverages and a silent auction while exploring the working Port of Baltimore from the water. Guests will disembark at 7 p.m.The cruise offers spectacular views of the harbor, as seen by a group from Christ Church in 2023.
Perhaps you participate in the annual collection of woolens, magazines, and calendars by the Women of Christ Church to aid the seafarers’ ministry. Many more people became aware of the center after the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was struck a year ago by a disabled container ship. The director of the center, the Rev. Joshua Messick, has continued to minister to the few members of its crew who must remain in Baltimore even though the ship departed.
LEMS Pantry Goes Outdoors!
On Wednesday, April 9, members of Christ Church assisted with an event that was a wonderful example of many community organizations working together to fulfill a very practical need for Cradlerock and LEMS families. Spring break is underway, and, therefore, children are home without the regular breakfast and lunch meals that the schools provide. Most parents are still working. That's a recipe for lots of hungry kids.
It was a beautiful day, so we were able to hold a big food pantry outside where families can drive or walk up easily. The Roving Radish delivered 125 boxes of perishable food, including fresh produce, EGGS!, and meat. Kiwanis provided over 100 backpacks filled with nonperishable snacks for the week. We piled up backpacks till they looked like a hill of Easter eggs. Colorful bags of bread and apples also lined the school wall. Christ Episcopal got a call to provide 14 more snack bags when additional families signed up after the cut-off.
Staff from both schools, as well as the Judy Center, welcomed the families. A special thank you to Jenny Cecil, Jan DeBoissiere, and Maggie Thompson, who provided lots of muscle power setting up the pantry and helping families get the groceries to their vehicles. We started at 1:30, and by 4:30, families had claimed all but a few backpacks. People were extremely grateful and left with broad smiles on their faces.
The next Kindness Pantry will be on Monday, May 12, so an announcement for another sign-up sheet will be coming toward the end of April.
Thank you so much for being our Lord's hands and feet in our community!
Oakland Mills Middle School Academic Fundraiser
OMMS celebrates students who have worked hard during the 2024-2025 school year. Those who earned all A’s for the year are treated to a trip to a Baltimore Orioles baseball game at Camden Yards. This year, the MOCC's spring "Random Act of Kindness" is spearheading a fund-collecting drive to help sponsor this event, and you are invited to contribute to this worthy cause.
You can donate through the MOCC fund in Realm (write "RAK Orioles" in the MEMO line) or write a check to Christ Church (write "RAK Orioles" in the memo line). Either way, we appreciate your generous support!
Columbia Community Care Plans Fundraiser, Schedules an Easter Break
Take part in a fun night of karaoke and help Columbia Community Care (CCC) at the same time by participating in a restaurant fundraiser on Thursday, April 24, at The Periodic Table, 8808 Centre Park Drive in Columbia. Come dine at 6 p.m.; karaoke begins at 8 p.m. So start practicing your tunes or get ready to applaud your friends at the mic. A portion of the proceeds will go to CCC, which last month marked “5 Years of Community,” helping residents in need.
CCC announced that it will close on Saturday, April 19, for the Easter holiday. Usually, the non-profit organization distributes groceries, diapers, and personal care items at three sites on Saturday mornings and delivers to those without transportation. To volunteer, go to “Volunteer Opportunities.” Those who need help are urged to go to “Get Help” on CCC’s website. Find updates on CCC’s Facebook page.
Please keep collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. Our point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bin and delivers its contents.
DreamBuilders Spring Fundraiser - May 28
Save the date - Wednesday, May 28th - for DreamBuilders' Spring Fundraiser at Bushel and A Peck Restaurant. We'll enjoy an evening of dining, refreshments, and fellowship supporting DreamBuilders! A portion of the proceeds from your meals and drinks will go directly toward funding the materials for DreamBuilders to build three homes in Hazard, Kentucky, this summer. More details to come!
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.
