Christ Church Outreach News: February 9, 2023

DreamBuilders Chocolates and Coffee, Just In Time for Valentine’s Day!

We will be selling DreamBuilders chocolates, hot cocoa mix, coffee, and tea this Sunday, February 12th, after both services in the lower level of New Brick. All the proceeds will go to help fund DreamBuilders missions. It’s good stuff, for a worthy cause, and just in time for Valentine’s Day! You'll also find other DB news elsewhere in today's blog post.

Inviting You to Remotely Join Us on Monday, Feb. 13, at the Monthly Outreach Meeting

As we enter 2023, consider getting more involved in Outreach at Christ Church. Please join us remotely for the Outreach Commission’s 7:30 p.m. meeting on Monday, Feb. 13.

You can help us to fulfill our mission, which has a local, national, and international scope. Information to log on will be provided in the Church notices about online activities, or email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.

See you on Zoom!

Help Grassroots in Several Ways: Feed the Hungry on Feb. 13 and Start Spreading the Word to Combat Drug Addiction in Howard County

Leaders of the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center asked Christ Church to raise awareness of the center’s Crisis Stabilization Program for people with substance use disorders. The goal is greater visibility for the program that addresses drug addiction in Howard County.

These services place an emphasis on people struggling with opioids and stimulants. Through its crisis stabilization program, Grassroots assists clients in preparing for treatment and helps with plans for modifying, reducing, and abstaining from use and moving toward greater health and wellness. The crisis stabilization program team includes social workers, nurses, substance use counselors, and other crisis staff.

Here’s where you come in: Pick up a handout from the Outreach table in the Tower Room of New Brick. Post a flier at your workplace. Or tell a friend or the family of someone who needs an intervention that Grassroots is a good place to get help. Counselors are available 24/7 for walk-in stabilization at 6700 Freetown Rd. Columbia MD 21044. Or people can call the hotline: 410-531-6677.

Here’s another way to help Grassroots. Please take part in the Christ Church tradition of feeding the homeless on the second Monday of each month. To join us on Feb. 13, please sign up by Sunday, Feb. 12.

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 us at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.

We most recently took part on Jan. 9. Shahra Toth, with the continuing assistance of Dione Mahoney, is the new coordinator. She replaces Nancy Winchester, who will continue to acquire the fried chicken.

The Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center operates both facilities. 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.

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.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace Project

This important project is an initiative that's being taken by one of our own parishioners, Gavin Couch. Gavin explains: "Hello, my name is Gavin Couch and I am currently a life scout in Troop 874. I am working on my eagle project with Sleep in Heavenly Peace. This is an organization that builds beds and provides bedding to children who were recently homeless, but now have a place to live and need beds and bedding. I am at the beginning of my project and am collecting monetary donations and twin-sized bed-in-a-bag sets. There is also a Venmo code for monetary donations and a link to an Amazon wishlist, should you like to purchase from there. If you would like these details or have any questions, you can see me at church or email me at gbcouch24@gmail.com. Thank You."

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.