Christ Church Outreach News: December 8, 2022
Inviting You to Remotely Join Us Next Monday at the Monthly Outreach Meeting
As we wind up this year and look ahead to 2023, consider getting more involved in Outreach at Christ Church. Please join us remotely for the commission’s 7:30 p.m. meeting on Monday, Dec. 12. You can help us to fulfill our mission, which has a local, national, and international scope. Email us at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org for the Zoom details, and join us!
Expressing Gratitude as the 2022 Angel Tree Drive Draws to a Close on December 9th
Many slots were being taken last Sunday to brighten Christmas for 12 children in this year’s Christ Church Angel Tree drive. Our deadline of Friday, Dec. 9th at 2 p.m. is fast approaching to turn in gifts!
Names of the 10-, 11-, and 12-year-olds can be found on the 2022 Christ Church Angel Tree SignUp List and on the easel near the Angel Tree in the Narthex. We are focusing our support on children in this age range to meet a need identified by the Howard County (Central Maryland) division of The Salvation Army. The nonprofit organization oversees the Angel Tree initiative here and elsewhere.
Columbia Community Care Winds Up Holiday Drive, Recruits Help for Dec. 11 Distribution
At Christ Church, we’ve been participating in the annual holiday drive held by Columbia Community Care (CCC) for children ages 2 to 12, as described in the CCC Facebook group. Our effort, with a deadline of 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9th has focused on books and arts and crafts. Many parishioners have already put their items into the yellow bin in the Parish Hall, along with the usual diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items. Our point of contact is parishioner Leigh Smith.
CCC also needs volunteers to sort the unwrapped kids’ gifts and to help distribute them at Oakland Mills High School on Sunday, Dec. 11th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until supplies run out. Would-be volunteers may sign up online.
Volunteer to Serve a Meal or Add to the Menus Enjoyed by Our Homeless Friends at the DRC and Grassroots
Once again you can take part in the Christ Church tradition of helping the homeless on the second Monday of each month. To join us on Dec. 12th, please sign up by Sunday, Dec. 11th.
If you wish to volunteer or bring food for the Day Resource Center (DRC) at the Dorsey Center, our DRC online signup form describes the procedure. The drop-off time for side dishes, desserts, and fruit is 12:45 p.m. in the Christ Church parking lot near Old Brick. In-person volunteers also gather at that time to car-pool to Jessup.
Parishioners who cook or shop for the evening meal for 50 residents of a live-in center on Freetown Rd. make their drop-off later, arriving in the parking lot at 3:15 p.m. A volunteer transporting the food departs at 3:30 p.m. Get details in our Grassroots online signup form or, for more information, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
We most recently took part in both on Nov. 14th. Shahra Toth, with the continuing assistance of Dione Mahoney, becomes our coordinator starting this month. Nancy Winchester will continue to acquire the fried chicken.
These facilities for the homeless are both operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. It’s efficient to provide for groups at two separate venues on the same day. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the entrees. Thank you!
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 latest needs list under the words “Related Files” on each of the signup sites online.
SLYC Invites Christ Church to its Dec. 10 Christmas Cafe
Several of us are planning to carpool to attend the “Christmas Cafe” to be held by St. Luke’s Youth Center (SLYC) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10th. The location is the Church of the Good Shepherd, 1401 Carrollton Ave., Towson, MD 21204. For information, please email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
The annual celebration, which includes food, music, and gifts, will be the occasion when SLYC completes its quilt raffle. Many of you bought raffle tickets during a visit to Christ Church by SLYC leaders on Aug. 7th, when the queen-size quilt was on display. It was sewn and donated by our own Nancy Winchester, who plans to attend the event.
Christ Church is among the area congregations that support SLYC, which is the former St. Luke’s Episcopal parish. The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland is among partners, and its reparations task force awarded a grant to SYLC and five other organizations.
FISH Continues to Request Snacks and Cookies in Its Yellow Bin
Our representative from FISH of Howard County had surgery earlier this year. Paul Wisniewski is recovering; please pray for his good health. Pickups have resumed from our yellow bin between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. Please continue donating cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill the shopping lists. Thanks for your contributions to our neighbors in need.
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.
