Christ Church Outreach News: October 6, 2022

Episcopal Relief & Development Aids Victims of Hurricane Ian in Florida and Beyond

Hurricane Ian swept away homes and bridges in Florida after making landfall as the fifth-strongest hurricane in the nation’s history, leading to the loss of at least 100 lives. Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) offers a guide to prayer for hurricane victims.

Earlier Hurricane Ian had caused damage in Cuba and later was causing flooding along the East Coast. Destruction probably will be among the worst recorded, according to an Oct. 4 report in The Washington Post.

ERD said in a statement that it is working with partners to provide aid. ​​“Our partners in the southern United States have deep roots in the community and are using their relationships to assess the needs caused by Hurricane Ian,” said Lura Steele, ERD Program Officer, US Disaster Program.“We stand ready to assist in the coming days and weeks.”

ERD has set up a hurricane relief fund. On behalf of Christ Church parishioners, members of the Outreach Commission voted this week to contribute $750. This is the latest in a series of disaster-relief donations in 2022, the most recent of which is helping ERD to aid victims of Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico. These are Vestry-approved funds derived from your pledges and contributions. Heartfelt thanks go out to one and all who make this possible.

Don’t Be Shy: Plan to Attend our Christ Church Outreach Zoom Meeting on Monday, Oct. 10

The Outreach Commission invites you to join its monthly meeting to learn about opportunities this fall. In keeping with our mission, the scope is local, national, and international. We meet virtually at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10. The Zoom link is available by emailing outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Looking forward to seeing you!

Volunteer to Serve a Meal or Add to the Menus Enjoyed by Our Homeless Friends at the DRC and Grassroots

Once again you can take part in the Christ Church tradition of helping the homeless on the second Monday of each month There’s a lot of camaraderie involved. Why not see for yourself on Monday, Oct. 10. You can read a thorough description of the heart-warming routine on the Christ Church website in the Outreach Blog of July 7, 2022. We most recently took part on Sept. 12 (see photos).

If you wish to volunteer or bring food for the Day Resource Center (DRC) at the Dorsey Center, our DRC online signup form also 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 carpool 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.

These facilities for the homeless are both operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. It’s efficient to provide for groups at two separate venues on the same day. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried chicken entrees. Thank you!

Both 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 monthly needs list under the words “Related Files” on each of the signup sites online.

There are vaccination requirements for in-person volunteers. For information, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org to contact co-coordinator Nancy Winchester.

Donate Diapers, Baby Care Items to Columbia Community Care

Starting this fall, Leigh Smith has become our representative and takes parishioners’ donated items to Columbia Community Care (CCC), so that they can be distributed on Saturdays or stored until needed for home deliveries. Information about distribution sites, home deliveries, and how to volunteer in multiple ways can be found on the CCC Group on Facebook.

At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue supporting the primarily volunteer organization. Please collect diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall on weekdays when the church office is open, or on Sundays.

FISH Asks Our Prayers Along with Snacks and Cookies

Our representative from FISH of Howard County recently had surgery. Paul Wisniewski is recovering; please pray for his good health. Pickups have resumed from our yellow bin between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. Please continue donating cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill the shopping lists. 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.