Christ Church Outreach News: February 6, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- Feb 6
- 5 min read
Help the Homeless on Monday, Feb. 10, by Preparing a Dish for Grassroots’ Emergency Shelter or Serving a Meal at Its Day Resource Center
On the second Monday of each month, Christ Church provides a hot midday meal for the homeless at the Day Resource Center (DRC) and drops off dinner for 50 to 70 residents at its Emergency Shelter, formerly called the Live-In Facility. We last participated on Jan. 13. The Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center operates both. A team led by Outreach member Shahra Toth makes side dishes and desserts that we serve in person after car-pooling to the DRC.
To join us on Monday, Feb. 10, please check our DRC online signup form, which describes the midday meal procedure. Drop-off time is 12:45 p.m. in the parking lot near Old Brick for DRC’s side dishes. Later, parishioners who cook or shop for the evening meal at Grassroots’ shelter arrive in the Old Brick parking lot between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. Get details in our Grassroots online signup form. Grassroots staff serves the evening meal. It’s efficient to provide for both venues on the same day. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried chicken entrees. Thank you!
DreamBuilders Chocolate, Tea, and Coffee, in Time for Valentine’s Day!
We will be selling DreamBuilders goods after all three worship services this Sunday, Feb. 9. The chocolates, hot cocoa mix, and fair-trade coffee and tea are scrumptious; they're for a worthy cause, and there's plenty of time for Valentine’s Day.
We’ll also be selling raffle tickets for a large-screen TV to be awarded next month at the group’s annual spaghetti dinner. Proceeds from the sale of goods and the raffle go to help fund DreamBuilders disaster recovery missions. The group’s third trip to Kentucky for another blitz build is scheduled for June 15-21, 2025.
Last summer, a multigenerational team built homes in flood-damaged Hazard, Ky. Christ Church, which was represented by Deacon Kiona Lookingbill in her role as our Director of Youth & Family Ministries and by Jasmine and Alex Opiri.
St. Valentine's Bake Sale
Christ Church Youth Group is holding another bakesale in time for St. Valentine's. After the 9 AM and 10:30 services this coming Sunday, please come to the elevator room and purchase scrumptious baked goods for your loved ones and yourself! Proceeds go toward youth group activities.
LEMS Life (and lots of it!)
Dear Friends,
Our LEMS Community School Site Counselor, Cindy Drummond, shared a wonderful recap and photos of the many activities at Lake Elkhorn Middle School these past few weeks; among them, you'll see our own parishioners pictured in the recaps. Take a look at this document, click the links within to view the photos, and see how your support helps make LEMS a thriving and vibrant part of Howard County!
CCC Calls for Translators, Shoppers, and More to Help at Its Pantry
Columbia Community Care (CCC) has called for volunteers at its distribution sites and for translators and “shoppers” at its pantry in the Long Reach Village Center, located at Suite 107, 8775 Cloudleap Ct. Home delivery has resumed 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.
