CEC Outreach News: June 5, 2021
It’s Virtual: A June 6th-June 13th “Run” to Promote Health and Help Worthy Causes
For the first time, the Howard County government is combining its Health and Wellness Day with the well-established Matzohball 5K run/walk and 1 Mile fun run held by Temple Isaiah. This is the 17th annual running/walking event and the 12th annual family wellness day in Howard County. All the activities are virtual, and you can register or donate here.
Christ Church partners with Temple Isaiah and three other congregations in DreamBuilders, which is one of the non-profit organizations that will benefit from the Matzohball Run/Walk donations. The others are Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center and HopeWorks, which is Howard County’s sexual assault and domestic violence center.
In announcing the combined events this year, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said on YouTube, “It feels good to see people coming together to run, walk, and make our health and the health of our community a priority.”
Sign Up for Bridges’ June 6th “Taste of Wine, Splash of Charity” by Sunday, June 10th
Supporters of Bridges to Housing Stability have been invited to a dine-in dinner and wine tasting accompanied by a fundraiser or a takeout opportunity. The in-person tickets, which have sold out, include access to a silent auction to be displayed at Iron Bridge. The remaining tickets cost $70 for a 3-course take-out meal and bottle of wine.
Tickets must be ordered by this Sunday, June 6th, for this event that's held June 10th at the Iron Bridge Wine Co., 10435 Rt. 108, Columbia, MD 21044.
The goal of the nonprofit organization is to prevent and end homelessness in Howard County. Each ticket purchased, whether for takeout or in-person dining, results in a $20 contribution to Bridges’ efforts. For information and to buy tickets, go here.
Christ Church has a very warm relationship with Bridges that dates to 2019 when we participated in its countywide chili cook-off, Holier Than Thou. Parishioner James Collins, a Bridges board member, was a master of ceremonies. That fundraising and camaraderie were surpassed during our own cook-off in February 2020, which raised $1,000. And that, in turn, led to Christ Church winning a Silver Ladle Award during the Chili & Challenge virtual fundraiser last fall.
Collection Drive Continues to Provide Diapers, Personal Care Items for CCC
At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to support Columbia Community Care (CCC) by collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Please put any of these items in the yellow bin that's marked “CCC” and is located inside our Parish Hall. You can drop off items any weekday until 2 p.m., but we ask that you call the church office (410) 381-9365 ahead of time so that we can ensure your entry into the Parish Hall.
Donate Personal Care and Cleaning Supplies for FISH in its Yellow Bin on our Breezeway
Organizers for FISH of Howard County request household cleaning supplies such as liquid dish soap, bleach, and cleanser as well as personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, and bath soaps. At present, its pantry has an adequate supply of groceries. The bin is labeled and located outside, in between Old Brick and the Parish Hall.
Local Families Need Our Support!
Christ Church’s Lake Elkhorn Middle School (LEMS) ministry is a partnership between CEC and Lake Elkhorn Middle School, geared toward providing support to students, teachers, and families. As one element of this partnership, the LEMS Committee supports the school’s Weekend Food Program, providing food for 10 families experiencing food insecurity. This past year, we’ve done this despite the myriad challenges of the pandemic—and with the generous contributions of this congregation. The school has asked us to continue this support through the coming summer and into the next school year this fall. If we’re to continue - and possibly increase - our level of support, the LEMS Committee needs parishioners to help shop for and package food, as well as parishioners to help deliver the bagged groceries to the school. Shopping is from a pre-set grocery list, is funded by the committee, and can be done on your own time. Delivery is a socially distanced, quick drop-off to the school on the second Thursday of each month at 11:00 a.m. Christ Church deeply values our partnership with LEMS, and families in our community depend on our support. If you’re available to help shop or deliver, please contact Deacon Denise at deacondenise@christchurchcolumbia.org.
SEAFARER’S Donation Requests
We could use your help in gathering the following items. Delivery is made and the date announced when the number of collections gets reasonably accumulated. Contact Carolann Sawyer with any questions.
Bible in modern English (or Tagalog, Russian, or Chinese)
Times/Newsweek/etc. up to 3 months old
Sports Ill/People/etc. up to 6 months
Cars/Computers/Consumers up to 1 year
Reader’s Digest up to a couple of years
National Geographics post-2000
Books (except for Bibles) are less often requested, but some seafarers do appreciate action novels, as well as picture books about Baltimore or the U.S.
Action/adventure DVD’s. Recent popular CDs.
Religious books (in easy English), DVDs, CDs; rosaries.
Clothing - men’s jeans, other sturdy pants (no bigger than XL) or shorts, T-shirts, warm outerwear, and non-skid shoes/boots (in good condition only), and gloves, hats, scarves, and warm socks
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.
