Christ Church Outreach News: September 8, 2022
Come One, Come All: Inviting Parishioners to Virtually Attend our Christ Church Outreach Meeting this Monday, September 12th
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 on Zoom at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 12th, and everyone is invited to join us to see how you might be able to help those in need. Email us at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org and we'll send you the Zoom link and details. We are looking forward to seeing you!
It’s the Second Monday of the Month! Volunteer to Serve a Meal or Add to the Menu for Our Homeless Friends at the DRC and Grassroots
Now’s the time to experience the Christ Church tradition of helping the homeless on the second Monday of each month. There’s a lot of camaraderie involved, so why not see it for yourself on Monday, September 12th? 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 August 8th, which you can see in the above photo collage.
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 rendezvous 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 more 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.
SAVE THE DATES: January 8-14, 2023 DreamBuilders Trip to Puerto Rico!
Our mission trips to San Juan in 2019 and 2022 were so successful and so rewarding, that we are heading back for a third trip to repair homes damaged by Hurricane Maria.
Hurricane Maria, a category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 155 mph, devastated Puerto Rico in September of 2017. FEMA estimated that 53% of all structures on the island were significantly damaged.
Now, 5 years later, thousands of families in Puerto Rican are still living in damaged homes or crowded in with family members waiting for the day when their home can be made livable again. We are delighted to be working with the SBP Puerto Rico team, who share their professional skills with friendship and fun.
We have reserved great housing in apartments a few blocks from the beach and near restaurants and shops. The average temperature in Puerto Rico in January is between 80-83 degrees. We will be opening registration for this trip soon, but we are limited to only 20 people, so SAVE THE DATES!
A New Representative Will Transport Our Donated 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 Sunday.
Afghan Refugee Ministry Updates – New Ways You Can Help
Support the Afghan Refugee Ministry “white elephant” table at the September 17 Christ Church flea market: donate items in very good condition, help at the table, shop at the table. Items you’re donating can be dropped off at Old Brick from 10am – 3pm during the week of Sept 12 (only during that week, please). Check-in with Aisha White in the church office who’ll show you where to put your donations. Nothing that's broken or damaged, please, nothing too heavy, and no clothing. Contact Paula Rees for more information - cprees@comcast.net.
As we mark one year since the U.S. military left Afghanistan and the Taliban took control, your voice is needed to urge a resolution of the current temporary visa status of thousands of Afghans who helped the U.S. and were evacuated (the members of the Afghan family here in the U.S. that's sponsored by Christ Church are in this group), and lack of visas for thousands more Afghans who helped the Americans but who did not get out last year and remain in grave danger from the Taliban (the husband/father and son/brother of “our” Afghan family are in this group). Link to steps you can take (either quick or more in-depth) in support of the Afghan Adjustment Act on the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service website (www.lirs.org), under the “Take Action” tab.
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.
