Christ Church Outreach News: February 1, 2024

Outreach Buys Apparel for the Homeless at the DRC, Which Has Become One of Three Sites Where Grassroots Helps County Residents in Crisis

Our homeless friends depend on the Day Resource Center (DRC) for more than its tasty meals. Once more, staff members called on Christ Church to help restock the closet at the DRC in Jessup, which has become one of three sites operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center.

In the fall, Grassroots expanded to a location at 8990 Old Annapolis Rd., Suite A, Columbia, MD, where individuals are able to access free, walk-in counseling, homeless services, crisis stabilization, mental health resources, and services for substance use disorder. The new site also houses the 24-hour Crisis Line, 410-531-6677, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Call, Chat, and Text Program, among other services.

You can read about the expansion in a September online post and about honors resulting from the expansion, both on the Grassroots website.

When Grassroots issues its monthly needs list to supporters in the community, the staff requests items for its new site, called the Crisis Center, for its Live-In Facility on Freetown Road, and for the DRC, which has a longstanding relationship with Christ Church.

That relationship is why we responded swiftly to DRC’s latest request for winter apparel. Outreach member Dione Mahoney bought 13 pullover hooded sweatshirts in men’s sizes, 13 women’s sweatshirts, 21 women’s long-sleeve T-shirts, and 15 pairs of women's jeans in assorted sizes. She delivered the items to the DRC on Jan. 24.

By shopping on “discount” days at three thrift stores, she was able to obtain the clothing for a total cost of $200 in Outreach funds. These funds came from parishioners who donate through the church and mark their contributions to “General Outreach” or specifically to the DRC, which is located at the Leola Dorsey Community Resource Center. Thanks to one and all!

Our team led by Outreach member Shahra Toth will next prepare meals on Monday, Feb.12, for the DRC and for the Live-In Facility. Please go online to see menus and read about procedures. Our DRC online signup form is for serving the midday meal; our Grassroots online signup form is to drop off food for the evening meal.

You’ll find a Grassroots’ monthly needs list under the words “Related Files,” on each signup form and also on bulletin boards at Christ Church. You can bring these in-kind donations to be dropped off for delivery on the second Mondays.

African Team Ministries is Here this Sunday! 

It's that time of year - African Team Ministries' beautiful handcrafts will be on display again this Sunday. This ministry provides East African artisans with a market for their beautiful creations. Come and see intricate wood carvings, primitive musical instruments, eye-catching soapstone décor, natural elements nativity sets, stunning necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more!

We also need volunteers to help with set-up, selling, and pack-out. If you are interested in helping and are available after Sunday services or on Shrove Tuesday (the final ATM day), please contact Sara Kirkpatrick at atm@christchurchcolumbia.org.

"Souper Bowl" Time is Almost Here

Each year youth groups across the country participate in "Souper Bowl" Sunday, collecting canned goods and monetary donations for local charities. Last year groups brought in more than $4 million to support local causes! We invite you to contribute this year by placing your donation in the CEC Youth Group soup pot after each service this Sunday, and please continue to until February 11th. You can also donate using our Online Giving Form; just choose "Souper Bowl" from the FUND dropdown menu. This year, the canned items will be donated to the FISH food pantry and monetary donations to Grassroots in Columbia.

DreamBuilders: Meeting this Sunday

DreamBuilders will have its General Meeting this Sunday, February 4th from 3-5 p.m. at Temple Isaiah in Fulton.  We will be talking about our upcoming Kentucky trip this June, when we hope to "blitz build" THREE Houses in one week! It’s going to be great fun, and we’ve got lots of pictures from last summer’s trip to show you at the meeting, so mark your calendars - see you there!

Please Donate All Kinds of Grocery Non-Perishables and Toiletries to FISH

FISH of Howard County needs non-perishable foods and toiletries. FISH provides committed support to select families in need. Please put donations in the basket at the altar or in the marked yellow bin on the breezeway between Old Brick and Parish Hall. The neighbors you help give thanks for all you do in their support.

Columbia Community Care Seeks Baby Care Items, More Volunteers

Please continue supporting Columbia Community Care (CCC) by giving essentials and with your time and talent. One task is sorting at the pantry building, 10750 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia. Go to the “I Can Help” portion of its website or check the CCC Facebook Group for updates.

Please keep collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Put any of these in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. Drop off items on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sundays. The Christ Church point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bins and delivers their contents.

Save-the-Date: Bridges to Housing Stability Sets Next Chili and Cornhole Event on May 5 at Centennial Park in Ellicott City

For many years, chili has been a key part of fundraising for Bridges to Housing Stability, an advocate for affordable housing that helps individuals and families who struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Last year, Christ Church was a supporter of Bridges' chili event and cornhole tournament, which was held in March. The cornhole competition was heated, but the word “chilly” also applied to the outdoor festivities.

This year the Beans & Bags event will be held on Sunday, May 5, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Centennial Park, Pavilion H, 4760 Woodland Rd., Ellicott City 21042. Save the date, and start practicing your cornhole skills!

The event raises crucial operating funds. Christ Church has been a supporter of Bridges since participating in a countywide chili cook-off in 2019. At a Chili & Challenge virtual fundraiser in 2020, Christ Church won a Silver Ladle Award. Then, at the 2021 Chili & Challenge, we won gold. The relationship began at the urging of parishioner Jim Collins, who was honored among Bridges’ “Heroes for Housing” in 2022.

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.