Christ Church Outreach News: March 2, 2023
The DreamBuilders Mandatory Meeting for Summer Mission Trip is this Saturday
If you are interested in joining DreamBuilders to build 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 held at Temple Isaiah (12200 Scaggsville Road, Fulton). We will have all the information you need about the June trip, but if you have any questions before then, please contact Cathy Gold or Stacey Frith, 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!
Help Christ Church Win Another Ladle Award While Helping Bridges to End Homelessness in Howard County
Let’s add another ladle to our table! This week Christ church received a letter from Bridges to Housing Stability urging participation in its biggest event to raise funds for its mission to make affordable housing a reality.
“Please join us at this year’s “ChiliFest & Cornhole Tournament” on Sunday, March 19 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Howard County. This is our annual event for congregations to join in a day of fun and help end homelessness in Howard County,” writes Nancy Fenton, Bridges’ development director who visited Christ Church last March to deliver the sermon and speak at the Adult Forum.
“There are some new twists this year –catered chili by Absolutely Perfect Catering, a friendly cornhole competition, great silent auction baskets, and door prizes. I hope you will join us by promoting the event and encouraging your congregation to bring home the Gold and Silver Awards for most money raised through chili meals and donations,” she writes.
Please heed Fenton’s call and help Christ Church hold on to our status as a prominent supporter of Bridges and its crucial cause.
Our involvement began four years ago at the urging of parishioner Jim Collins. To refresh your collective memory, it was Spring 2019 when we participated at Savage Mill in a countywide chili cookoff, Holier Than Thou (see images). Collins was then a board member and served as master of ceremonies. The next February, prior to the pandemic, we held our own chili cookoff in New Brick. Chuck Rees was the winner in a battle of the crockpots that raised $1,000. And that in turn, led to Christ church winning a Silver Ladle Award at a virtual Chili & Challenge Fundraiser in Fall 2020.
Christ Church picked up the pace during another virtual event in 2021, winning the Golden Ladle for donations raised. In 2022, there was no chili challenge as Bridges instead held a celebration to honor its stalwarts. Collins was honored in April as one of Bridges’ “Heroes for Housing.”
And now in 2023, with pandemic restrictions easing, Bridges is once again holding an in-person fundraiser this month. (Yes, there is a takeout option for those who must continue to avoid the crowd).
With parishioners’ generous support through contributions to Christ Church, we will be a "Tabasco" Level sponsor. The Outreach Commission at its Feb. 13 meeting voted to donate $500 in Vestry-approved funds for Christ Church to become a sponsor.
Ticket purchases and individual contributions will also enhance our chances in this year’s competition for a ladle award. Be sure to designate Christ Church when you purchase tickets 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.
For additional information and to place your order for meals or to compete in the cornhole tournament, click on this link. Don’t miss the March 14 deadline to buy tickets. Let's go, Christ Church!
Columbia Community Care Renews Its Request for 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, posted in the CCC Facebook Group or on the “I Can Help” portion of its website.
Please keep collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers. Recently CCC listed some specifics to fulfill its greatest needs: baby wipes, diapers in sizes 4,5, and6, diaper pull-ups in sizes 4T-5T, shampoo, men’s and women’s deodorant, and toilet paper.
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 its 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.
