Christ Church Outreach News: February 13, 2025
Inviting You to Attend ‘More Than Hope’ Celebration on Sunday, Feb. 23
The third annual “More than Hope” event in support of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23 at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD.
The multicultural concert, presented by Leslie Ebert and Jay Green, features both dance and music. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased here.
Proceeds will go to Luminus, Network for New Americans, which was formerly known as the Foreign-Born Information and Referral Network (FIRN). The Interfaith Refugee Ministry, led by Christ Church, recently arranged an information session to update Afghan family members on their rights. A Luminus attorney conducted the session without charge.
The annual event features an immigrant’s personal story. At last year’s concert, the speaker was the father of an Afghan family whose resettlement is supported by the Ministry. This year the audience will hear from Viridiana Colosio-Martinez, an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Community Action Council Gets Funds to Help Families in Need
In response to community needs, the Outreach Commission, at its February meeting, approved a donation of $1,000 to the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC). These are Vestry-approved funds derived from parishioners’ pledges and contributions. Thank you for helping others when they need it most.
The CAC operates the Howard County Food Bank, where low-income residents can obtain grocery essentials such as eggs. Due to bird flu, eggs have become increasingly costly.
Demand for food is also likely to increase due to the administration’s actions to reduce the federal workforce. The CAC announced that terminated federal employees living in Howard County may visit the Howard County Food Bank to receive a bag of shelf stables twice a month for up to three months.
CAC also offers energy assistance, such as help with utility bills and weatherization, for residents who struggle to pay for gas and electricity. Rising energy costs have become an acute concern, as described in a Feb. 6 article in The Baltimore Sun, “Soaring BGE rates have churches, faith-based groups helping pay people’s bills." Other CAC initiatives help prevent evictions and provide early childhood education.
Columbia Community Care Receives Funds to Stock Its Pantry
Helping to sustain Columbia Community Care (CCC) as it provides free staples to hard-pressed county residents, the Outreach Commission approved a donation of $500. CCC provides Howard County with food and community assistance through programs that address hunger, youth development, and wellness, saying it is “committed to uplifting individuals and families in need with dignity and respect.”
CCC distributes groceries, diapers, and personal care items at three distribution sites on Saturday mornings and has resumed making home deliveries to those without transportation. A shopper fulfills their grocery lists at the pantry, and then delivers goods to the recipients’ homes. 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.
The MOCC's R.A.K.
The Men of Christ Church's Random Act of Kindness for the month of February will be to collect new stuffed animals that will be donated at the end of the month. We're asking that folks bring a new stuffed animal that can be donated to the Montgomery County Family Justice Center. The stuffed animals are provided to each child who comes to the Family Justice Center. This gesture offers a small but powerful source of comfort for youth victims of domestic violence.
For children, a stuffed animal serves as a tangible symbol of safety and care, offering them a sense of security and familiarity. This simple gesture helps ease anxiety, provides emotional support, and lets children know they are not alone as they begin their journey toward healing. A box/bag for collection will be located in the Narthex. Please help the Men of Christ Church with this effort.
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 marked yellow bin on the breezeway between Old Brick and Parish Hall. The neighbors you help are grateful for all you do in their support.
Sutton Scholars Fundraiser at TopGolf - February 20
Join the Board of Sutton Scholars for a fundraiser partnering with TopGolf in Baltimore. The Sutton Scholars High School Enrichment Program helps Baltimore City high school students become confident, competent, and capable contributors to their communities by equipping them with the life skills that are essential for academic, workplace, and personal success. Whether you are a golf aficionado or want to have a fun night out with friends, we invite you to gather at TopGolf on Thursday, February 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Learn more here.
DreamBuilders Upcoming Events
DreamBuilders Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction: Saturday, March 8th - We need your help for our biggest fundraiser of the year. Come and enjoy a spaghetti dinner, bid on our extraordinary silent auction items, and participate in our raffle for a large-screen TV. We also need your donations for the silent auction, and in serving the spaghetti dinner. This is a fun event and all proceeds go to fund our 2025 projects. Contact Cathy Gold or Stacey Frith to learn more.
DreamBuilders Mission Trip: June 15-21 - Registration is now open for our summer mission trip to build three homes in one week. Hazard lost about 10,000 homes in the flood of July 28, 2022. DreamBuilders have built 5 homes for them in the past two years, working with the Housing Development Alliance teams. No experience is required. Youth must have completed 9th grade to participate. Cost is $750 per missioner, and some funding is available. Registration closes on March 16th, so check out our website (dreambuildersmd.org) for more details, or ask Cathy Gold or Stacey Frith.
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.
