Christ Church Outreach News: February 16, 2023
African Team Ministries Sale
African Team Ministries is a Christian ministry working as an intermediary between African and American churches. With help from Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Anglican denominations, ATM provides funding for orphan and refugee relief missions and evangelism in East Africa. African Team Ministries provides East African, primarily Kenyan, artisans with a market for their beautiful creations. Please peruse the ATM jewelry table that will be set up each Sunday in February leading up to Lent to view their intricate wood carvings, eye-catching soapstone décor, natural elements’ nativity sets, stunning necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and much more! It will also be on display during the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. The support they receive is sent directly to their partnering bishops to provide school fees, tuition, books, and uniforms. This support ensures that the children receive an education and the measure of stability needed to rebuild their minds. You can make payments using our Online Giving Form; just choose "African Team Ministries" from the FUND dropdown menu. African Team Ministries currently have children registered for sponsorship in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. We could also use help with the table on these days, so if you would like to assist, please speak with Sara Kirkpatrick.
Let's Go, Christ Church! Buy Tickets for Bridges to Housing Stability's Chilifest by March 9th to Help End Homelessness in Howard County
Bridges to Housing Stability – an organization dedicated to preventing/ending homelessness in Howard County – is holding a "ChiliFest & Cornhole Tournament” on Sunday, March 19th, from 1- 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Howard County.
The Bridges’ leaders are looking forward to doing in-person events again "for camaraderie, and to jazz people up" about ending homelessness. While there will be no chili cookoff this year, you can purchase tickets for chili meals prepared by Absolutely Perfect Catering ($25 each) to be eaten at the event, or for carryout. Bridges is planning a festive event, and we’re hoping our parishioners will participate (Christ Church has won the "Golden Ladle" in the past for donations raised).
The deadline to buy tickets for chili meals and cornhole registration is March 9. When buying online, look for the green box labeled “Continue to your info.” Next, choose the category “Individual” and look for the wording: “Credit the following congregation with my purchase.” You’ll find Christ Episcopal Church in the alphabetical dropdown list.
You also can purchase tickets ($40 for 2 registrations) to compete as a team in the cornhole tournament. The cornhole competition will be outdoors, weather permitting.
There will also be live music by School of Rock, door prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and an in-person auction that includes amazing baskets. For additional information and to purchase tickets, click on this link. Let's go, Christ Church!
With parishioners’ generous support through past contributions, Christ Church will be a "Tabasco" Level sponsor. The Outreach Commission at its Feb. 13 meeting voted to donate $500 in Vestry-approved funds to become a sponsor.
UNICEF Gets Humanitarian Aid for Earthquake Victims in Syria and Turkey
On Feb. 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, with a mounting death toll that is greater than 41,000, countless injuries, and massive destruction. War-torn Syria already had been in crisis. UNICEF, which has helped the world’s children for 70 years, had been providing humanitarian aid in Syria. Because it was poised to respond, UNICEF has been able to reach displaced Syrians, acting with the support of donors worldwide.
Christ Church is among these donors. On behalf of parishioners, members of the Outreach Commission voted to contribute $750 to UNICEF to assist in humanitarian relief efforts. It is the latest in a series of disaster-relief donations that last year helped victims of flooding in Pakistan, wildfires and floods in the United States, and refugees in Europe fleeing the war in Ukraine. These are Vestry-approved funds derived from your pledges and contributions. Heartfelt thanks go out to one and all who make this possible.
Turkish Embassy Collecting New Blankets, Sleeping Bags, Mats, and Tents
Many earthquake survivors lack shelter, and the Turkish Embassy has posted a plea for in-kind donations of new or unused blankets, sleeping bags, mats, and tents. They are being flown daily to Turkey, which is in the midst of a bitterly cold winter. You can take these items directly to the Embassy, which is located at 2525 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008. Or if you want to help but require assistance from someone else who can transport the purchased items to the Embassy, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Save the Date: DreamBuilders Mandatory Meeting for Summer Mission Trip - March 4
If you are interested in joining DreamBuilders to repair homes in Kentucky in June, make sure you attend our mandatory meeting on Saturday, March 4th, at 2:00 p.m. The meeting will be at Temple Isaiah (12200 Scaggsville Rd., Fulton). We will have all the information you will need about the June trip, but if you have any questions before then, please see or email Cathy Gold at cgold2000@aol.com. It’ll be a life-changing event, for you and for the people we’re helping in Kentucky. Hope to see you there!
Also, please check out the great article about DreamBuilders below, which features homeowner, Orlando Lopez Pizarro. Orlando is one of the three we supported during our last trip! Click the image to see the entire article.
Columbia Community Care Seeks Volunteers on Saturdays, Continues to Request Diapers, Personal Care Items
Please continue supporting Columbia Community Care (CCC) by giving essentials and with your time and talent. Please look for updates, such as requests for volunteers on Saturday mornings, posted in the CCC Facebook Group or on the “I Can Help” portion of its website. For example, you’ll find a need for volunteers to sort grocery items at the CCC pantry building, 10750 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia.
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 Sunday. The Christ Church point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bins and delivers their contents.
Donate Snacks, Crackers, and Cookies to FISH in Bin on our Breezeway
Organizers for FISH of Howard County are continuing to ask for cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill their shopping lists. The yellow bin is between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. 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.
