Christ Church Outreach News: April 3, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 20 hours ago
- 4 min read
Enjoy a Late Afternoon 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.
You are no doubt familiar with the seafarers’ ministry through the annual collection of woolens, magazines, and calendars by the Women of Christ Church. The Center’s outreach to mariners gained much wider attention 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 11 members of its crew, as described by the Baltimore Banner in a March 24, 2025, article, “The Dali crew is still in Baltimore, one year after the disaster.”
The cruise offers spectacular views of the harbor, as seen by a group from Christ Church in 2023 when parishioner Shahra Toth took this image of a then-intact bridge (see photo).
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. 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.
Fewer Volunteers Will be Needed on Saturday, April 5 in Clarksville than in Past Food Drives at Local Giant Supermarkets
The highly anticipated Spring Food Drive will at last take place this weekend as we adapt to new rules that limit the number of volunteers on the supermarket premises. In response to a request by the management of Giant Foods, we must streamline the way in which Christ Church conducts its drive on Saturday, April 5, from noon to 4 p.m., at River Hill Giant, 6050 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, Md., 21029.
A new corporate policy will limit us to four volunteers at any one time, and two of the four will be packing any collected groceries rather than interacting with Giant customers. Walk-in volunteers will be encouraged to do their part by taking a shopping list and purchasing some of the pantries’ requested items. For information, please email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Groceries collected from shoppers will go to two food pantries. One is the Howard County Food Bank, which is operated by the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC). The other is SAFE, its partner pantry that provides free gluten-free and allergy-safe foods to low-income families and individuals.
The need is great. The number of struggling households has grown in Howard County due to inflation and the mass firing of federal workers. In response, the CAC posted: “Terminated federal employees living in Howard County may visit the Howard County Food Bank to receive a bag of shelf staples twice a month for up to three months.”
FISH Asks for Volunteers As Well as Groceries and Toiletries in its Bin and Basket
FISH of Howard County is calling for new volunteers. If you are interested, ask parishioner Andy DeLong, who is FISH treasurer and a board member of the nonprofit, which provides committed support to Howard County residents.
Please continue to put 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.
Columbia Community Care Turns 5, Continues to Request Our Support
When the pandemic hit and Maryland entered a lockdown in March 2020, many students were going hungry without the school meals that they had grown to depend upon. That’s when a local teacher founded Columbia Community Care (CCC) to collect and distribute essentials to families in need. After individual parishioners began helping, Christ Church became a regular supporter in June 2020.
CCC marked “5 Years of Community” this month with a post on its Facebook page. It 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.
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.
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.
