There are many roles in the church that most people don’t think of regularly – or at all. However, the truth is that it requires a great deal of work by many people to keep Christ Church the well-run parish that it is. Three ways to help your church are by volunteering to be a Teller, an Acolyte, or assisting the Christ Church Altar Guild or Buildings and Grounds ministries. None of these require weekly assistance - both only require a short amount of time every few weeks or so, but the impact you have on the entire parish is significant. For those specifically interested in the Altar Guild, please email altarguild@christchurchcolumbia.org or speak with Pam Foreman or any other Altar Guild member setting up the altar on Sunday mornings. For those interested in assisting as a Teller or Acolyte, please call the Church Office at  office@christchurchcolumbia.org or speak with Yetti or Chaplain Kiona on Sundays. And if you would like to help with a project around the campus to keep Christ Church looking its best, please speak with Diane LaGuerre or George Toth at church, or email buildingsandgrounds@christchurchcolumbia.org Our church home can't be its best without your help. THANK YOU.

Second Sunday in Easter 8:00 a.m. in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. Family Worship in New Brick 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with music in New Brick Collect for Today: Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Today's Readings: Acts 5:27-32 Psalm 150 Revelation 1:4-8 John 20:19-31 Holy Eucharist Livestream: Our service livestream begins at approximately 10:20 a.m. this Sunday. The service leaflet for this worship service is here .

To educate our passions is to be human enough to be kind. And kindness in itself, like faith, is a mystery. The fact that we cannot understand human needs spurs the invitation to be more human through kindness. Kindness is what draws all of us together. To be drawn by faith is to inhabit a larger world because we understand that there is more to what we see.  One of the problems of our world today is that faith leads us into a smaller world and makes us into smaller human beings who only thrive on being petty. We have been made to believe that there is value in being petty, that being faithful means looking into a particular hole, living a particular way of life, or being with particular people and being a particular human being. Anything that doesn’t fall into the broader category in which you see yourself or interpret your world to be is outside the realms of your compassion or kindness. But the opposite is actually true. Faith makes our world immeasurably large because it exposes us to opportunities that make us believe that we have the capacity to make a huge impact in our world. Faith opens our eyes to the possibilities of miracles - that God intervenes in our affairs and often makes the impossible possible for us - but God uses people like you and me to make the impossible possible. Faith makes it possible for us to launch our nets even when we do not know we will draw any fish. To reach out in faith is to be a fisherman. It is to take a particular act, buoyed by the words of Simon Peter: “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” This is a kind of conviction that surpasses reason. And if I remember, faith isn’t constrained by reason. There’s a famous sixteenth-century woodcut that shows a human figure pushing its head through the firmament of heaven. This person has pushed through it and is suddenly looking up into the sky they’ve never seen before, a sky that is packed with strange stars. The woodcut represents what people realized that the world was immeasurably larger than they thought. And that is what faith helps us to understand, that the world is larger than we ever thought, that we are not the center of the world, but we can transform the world only if we are willing to launch back our nets in the water - in other words, if we can reach out. If you would ponder with me a little longer on the image of the woodcut, this is what authentic faith ought to be about - the woodcut represents a real understanding of what a tradition of religious practice does for you, pushing you through the smooth painted surface out toward a sky of stars you have never seen before. Faith pushes you to experience what you have never experienced before. This is how the disciples felt that they were ‘pushed’ to experience something they hadn’t experienced before. But remember, they were open to experimenting. For you and I to experience the miracle of something we haven’t seen before, we should in fact be open to surrendering to what the Lord is asking us to do. We should be open to experimenting with the Lord. I believe that is the point of reaching out in faith, to experience a miracle you never thought was possible. But you gave yourself the chance to live into that miracle. I don’t know how many of you believe in miracles. I do believe in miracles. I believe that miracles do happen. Waking up in the morning to me is a miracle. Being able to speak, hear, and see my loved ones is a miracle. Picking up my phone and checking my messages, then responding to them, is a miracle - this is because not every person who went to bed like you did woke up. And that is something to be appreciated. But I make my world a little narrow if the only miracle I see is me waking up from sleep. The world is a lot bigger than my own waking up. I give thanks to God for the gift of another day. And I recognize that others have woken up in the world, too. This is the recognition that makes me a little human every day. I get to remind myself that the miracle isn’t only about me. It is for this reason that we should have the faith of fishermen - nothing is guaranteed in life. A fisherman understands that nothing is guaranteed in life, especially when he ventures out to the open seas and is left at the mercy of every danger imaginable. But he believes that he will safely return home with some fish.   Peter and his friends, and all fishermen who go out to sea in their canoes, understand that nothing is guaranteed. They are grateful if they catch some fish, but never resentful if they catch nothing. Come to think of it, we are all fishermen and women because we are supposed to be fishers of men and women. You may ask yourself, 'I don't know how to fish, so how can I be a fisherman?' Well, we fish for people every day, and when we fish for people, it really isn’t about what we say; it is about what we do. And the doing part is the action part, and dropping the net into the sea is the kindness part. Reaching out in faith insists that I know it is difficult, daunting, hard, doesn’t make sense, but yet, we will do it anyway because that fulfills the human calling. To reach out in faith is to insist that we are not saddled by any difficulty in doing the work of grace. It is to insist that it is even a privilege to do the work of grace. To reach out in faith is to believe that faith is fulfilling, not easy, but fulfilling. It is also to recognize that the world is larger than any one of us, doesn’t center on any one of us, and it doesn’t have to make us small because we are supposed to make the world work for everyone. To reach out in faith is to have the faith of a fisherman, who goes out to sea knowing that nothing is guaranteed, but he goes anyway. As we celebrate the miracle of Easter, we are each reminded of the infinite capacity of God to change the human circumstance. If there’s ever one event that reminds me of this belief, it is the season of Easter. This belief also invites me to offer myself, in joyful obedience and surrender to this one God through whom all things came into being and through whom we are each affirmed as being human. One of the places where Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples after His resurrection was on the shore. The disciples had gone fishing because they thought that the story of their friend was over. They had gone fishing because they thought the story of being human was over. But Jesus met them at the shore and then joined them in eating broiled fish. Jesus, by this, confirmed to his friends that he was truly alive and not a ghost. He then asked Simon Peter, that same man who betrayed him three times and who first said these words to Jesus: “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Jesus asked him, “Simon Peter, do you love me?” Simon actually got frustrated because he asked him the same question three times. Jesus asks us this same question every day. I invite you to please replace Simon Peter’s name with your own name: “..., do you love me?” Jesus asks. If the response is yes, then Jesus is inviting us to feed the sheep, care for the sheep, and tend the sheep. To educate your passion is to feed, care, and tend the sheep. And heaven knows there are more than we can ever count. We are fishermen. We carry the faith of fishermen. We live with the knowledge that nothing is guaranteed. The only guarantee we have is the God who invites us to "Put out into the deep and let down the nets for a catch." And we respond to this invitation with faith because we are fishermen who love God. And because we love God, we see the sheep we need to feed, tend, and take care of - we are immersed in the work of grace. Happy Easter, my fellow fisherman.    Manny+ (This piece concludes the Faith of a Fisherman series I began during Lent. You can read the others here. )

Last Call: Learn More About FISH and Meet Its Volunteers at a Potluck Dinner on Sunday, April 27 at 5PM in the Great Hall at Christ Church Please accept an invitation from FISH of Howard County if you are among those who regularly shop for groceries to support the less fortunate. Learn how the goods we put into the altar basket or into the bin on the breezeway make their way to those in need.   FISH is holding its annual potluck dinner on Sunday, April 27, at 5 p.m. here at Christ Church in the Great Hall of New Brick. The all-volunteer organization is bringing together its volunteers to share camaraderie and a tasty meal. Parishioner Andy DeLong, who is FISH treasurer and a board member, extended the invitation for the second year in a row. We hope that you all will  be able to attend and say hello.   Christ Church, acting through the Outreach Commission, has long supported FISH. The neighbor-to-neighbor nonprofit has a nearly five-decade history. Since its founding in 1976, FISH has helped county residents in crisis by providing emergency food, referral information, and limited financial assistance for needs such as eviction and utility turnoff prevention, as well as medicine. Food aid is typically a 7- to 10-day supply that is delivered directly to the home. It also offers hygiene, paper, and laundry supplies.   Here’s how FISH organizers describe the potluck gathering in its invitation: “All are welcome –phone volunteers, delivery volunteers, former volunteers, potential volunteers, plus spouses and friends….It’s a nice opportunity for new volunteers to meet the friends whose voices you hear on the phone and for everyone to get together, enjoy good food, and have a great time.” A meeting will be held after dinner for current volunteers and interested parties. Please RSVP by informing one of the two FISH organizers of the number of attendees and what you will be bringing. Email Kathy Raab at raab@umbc.edu or Nuala Lu Roberts, nuala4ney@aol.com .   Whether you can attend or not, please continue to place non-perishable foods and toiletries in the FISH basket at the altar or in the bin on the breezeway. The neighbors you help are grateful for all you do in their support. DreamBuilders Chocolate, Tea, and Coffee, Just in Time for Mother’s Day! We will be selling DreamBuilders goods after all three worship services this Sunday, April 27, and on Sunday, May 4. All proceeds will go to help fund the upcoming DreamBuilders disaster recovery mission in Kentucky. The chocolates, hot cocoa mix, coffee, and tea are all tasty and perfect for treating that special mom on her day, May 11.   Christ Church is one of five interfaith partners in DreamBuilders , which offers multi-generational experiences to the congregations’ youth groups and adults. The trip to Hazard, Ky., on June 15-21 will be the third blitz build in this part of flood-damaged Appalachia. Last summer the team included Christ Church Director of Youth & Family Ministries Kiona Lookingbill and Jasmine and Alex Opiri.   The Christ Church Outreach commission at its April meeting approved donating $750 to DreamBuilders to support the upcoming trip. These are Vestry-approved Outreach budget funds derived from parishioners’ donations to Christ church. On behalf of the soon-to-be new homeowners, please accept this expression of thanks! Columbia Community Calls for Home-Delivery Volunteers to Meet Demand   Please consider helping Columbia Community Care (CCC) avoid another backlog in its home delivery service for families and individuals without transportation. Last week, the nonprofit organization resumed taking orders after a hiatus and was flooded with requests for groceries and necessities. CCC posted a plea on its  Facebook page  for volunteers to help with tasks, including  translation and dispatch, as well as for “shoppers” who fulfill orders at the pantry and then deliver them to recipients’ homes.    “The demand is overwhelming,” wrote CCC Executive Director and Founder Erika Strauss Chavarria. To respond, go online to  learn how to volunteer  as a translator/dispatcher or shopper at its pantry, which is located at  8775 Cloudleap Ct. at the rear of the  Long Reach Village Center.   Another alternative for would-be volunteers is to help distribute food on Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at one of CCC’s distribution sites. Locations are  Suite 107 in the front of   Long Reach  Village Center;   The Barn  at  Oakland Mills Village Center, 5853 Robert Oliver Place;  or Wilde Lake Interfaith Center,  10431 Twin Rivers Rd., all in Columbia.   Those who need groceries and other essentials can find information by visiting the  “Get Help”  section on CCC’s website.   CCC continues to request baby-care items and diapers, especially s izes 4-6. Place these items, along with sanitary and personal care supplies and adult diapers, in the yellow bin marked “CCC ” inside the Parish Hall. Drop off items on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sundays. The Christ Church point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bin and delivers items. Oakland Mills Middle School Academic Fundraiser OMMS celebrates students who have worked hard during the 2024-2025 school year. Those who earned all A’s for the year are treated to a trip to a Baltimore Orioles baseball game at Camden Yards. This year, the MOCC's spring "Random Act of Kindness" is spearheading a fund-collecting drive to help sponsor this event, and you are invited to contribute to this worthy cause. You can donate through the MOCC fund in Realm (write "RAK Orioles" in the MEMO line) or write a check to Christ Church (write "RAK Orioles" in the memo line). Either way, we appreciate your generous support! Help a Christ Church Youth with Her Girl Scout Project Christ Church youth parishioner Ainsley Couch is working to complete her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, by prioritizing the mental health of teachers at one of Howard County's oldest middle schools, Harper's Choice Middle School. This school is highly impacted by poverty (over 55% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunches), and she is working to transform the staff lounge into a relaxing area where staff can unwind during their free time.  She is accepting donations from this Amazon list and taking monetary donations to furnish the room. If you would like to donate in other ways, please don't hesitate to contact her mom at  info@christchurchcolumbia.org ,  who can provide digital options for donation. Thank you for being so considerate as she works to finish this as soon as possible, and ensure that she earns the highest rank Girl Scouts can earn. DreamBuilders Spring Fundraiser - May 28 Save the date - Wednesday, May 28th - for DreamBuilders' Spring Fundraiser at Bushel and A Peck Restaurant. We'll enjoy an evening of dining, refreshments, and fellowship supporting DreamBuilders! A portion of the proceeds from your meals and drinks will go directly toward funding the materials for DreamBuilders to build three homes in Hazard, Kentucky, this summer.  More details to come! 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.

⛪✝ ALLELUIA, indeed! 🎼🎺 Our amazing choir and musicians bring the joy, beauty, and impact of Easter to life with this piece every year. Today was no exception - the jam-packed sanctuary sang in praise, and Easter was truly a celebration to behold. Thank you to everyone who gathered with us at 8, 9, or 11:00 today. Whether in person or online, it was a day of worship unlike any other. Join us next Sunday! Visit https://www.christchurchcolumbia.org to see what's in store at Christ Church. YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE. #worship   #easter2025   #eastersunday   #hocomd   #episcomd   #ChristIsAlive   #episcopalchurch   #loveeveryday

Easter Sunday at Christ Church Sunday, April 20 8:00 in Old Brick 9:00 and 11:00 in New Brick On Sunday, we reach Easter Day – a day of joy, celebration, and the gift of life to God’s people. There are three services that morning, and you are welcome to be with us at 8:00, 9:00, and 11:00 a.m. The 8 a.m. service is in historic Old Brick without musical accompaniment. At the 9:00 and 11:00 services, a full choir and procession with all of the rituals appointed for the day help us celebrate and express our joy. At all three services, the Easter sermon is given and the glory of the day radiates from our worship into the community. YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AT CHRIST CHURCH. If you can't be with us in person, you can worship using our 9:00 or 11:00 a.m. livestreams below, and the service leaflet that's here . You can also read Father Manny's Easter sermon by visiting https://cecliturgy.org/EasterSermon2025 .

Holy Saturday Saturday, April 19 Easter Vigil and Eucharist, The Lighting of the New Fire, and Baptism 7:00 p.m. in New Brick As the church awaits the glory of the resurrection, Holy Saturday is a day of preparation. As the sun sets, bringing with it the end of the Lenten season, one of the most beautiful services of the entire church year is held. We begin in utter darkness, signifying Christ in the tomb, and then a new fire is lit & blessed, and with it, the Paschal Candle symbolizing Christ. Then, within that light, lessons are read which remind us of God’s desire for man’s salvation. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism focuses on the priesthood of all believers, and then we celebrate the first Eucharist of Easter. The darkness is now full light!  YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AT CHRIST CHURCH. Check out all of our Easter weekend services and gatherings at https://www.christchurchcolumbia.org/holy-week If you can't be with us in person, you can worship using our 7 p.m. livestream below, and the service leaflet that's here . You can also read Father Manny's sermon text here .

To take any particular step of faith is to feel empowered by something larger than yourself, something bigger than who you are; it is to be drawn by a power that is so invisible but tangible. It is to feel a pull in you to do your very best with the understanding that it is not you who is doing it, but a power within you which is leading you to do what you are doing. And miracles do happen because you have taken that particular step. There’s a story of George Müller, who opened an orphanage for more than 10,000 orphans in England. The interesting part of the story is that George never asked anyone for money to feed these orphans. George simply prayed and trusted that God would provide. One morning, there was no food for the children. Müller gathered the children at the table and began to pray, thanking God for the food that had not yet arrived. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. It was the local baker with fresh bread. “I couldn’t sleep last night; I felt that God wanted me to bake this for you,” the baker said. Moments later, a milk cart broke down right in front of the orphanage, giving them all the milk they needed. George Müller’s life was a living testimony of God’s provision. He showed that when you fully trust in God, miracles happen. What does it take to trust in God? What does it take to commit to God? It takes faith, and faith isn’t easy. Faith puts so many demands on us. Faith invites us to the extraordinary, to operate outside of the norm, to surrender with these words - "But because you say so, I will let down the nets." Archbishop Rowan Williams would explain that Simon Peter’s faith helps us to understand faith as a process of educating our vision and our passions . First, educating our vision so that we understand how to see what we don’t yet fully see; it is to see behind surfaces, to see beyond the horizon. Second, educating our passions in the sense of helping ourselves grow up humanly, in such a way that we don’t take fright at the mysteries of life. Let me flesh it out a little more: when we educate our vision , we are making the claim that there’s more to what we see. That there is more to the beautiful building we see. That the beauty is maintained by someone I do not see and may not know. That there is more to the tables and chairs that have been neatly arranged. I may not see or know the person who arranged it, but I am grateful they did. To educate your vision is to make yourself see beyond the horizon, that there is more to what we see. To accept that what you see is all that there is is to live in a fool’s paradise. To use George Müller’s story as a case study is to see the orphans, but also to see more than just orphans. To use our ministry at Lake Elkhorn, Oakland Mills, Dorsey Center, or the Refugee Ministry as a case study is to acknowledge that we see a lot of people struggling with all kinds of issues, but also to accept that we see more than human beings. In a sense, when I see you, I see faithful parishioners, but I would be limited in my perception, understanding, and embrace of you if I were only limited by what I see. The way I see you shouldn’t be any different from the way I see the many people we serve through our ministries. The joy is that I see more than you because, in order to serve you or anyone else, I do not have to be limited by anything, no matter what. I have to be motivated by a boundless love - just like the love of the father of the prodigal son. To educate the vision is to see more than what the eyes can behold and to agree that there is more to the human story and there’s more than what meets the naked eye. To educate our passion is to accept that we are all a work in progress, and the work is our growth towards being more human. It isn’t the case that we are not human, yes, we are, but to be more human is to accept that the mystery of your life and all lives challenges us into a sober reflection of our particular reality. It is this sober reflection that makes it possible for us to recognize a need and then to see beyond that need. It is this sober reflection that begs this question: Why is this the way it is? Why do we have homelessness, poverty, racism, depression, violence, addiction, and what have you? Why do we have inequalities in the world? Why are all the fingers not the same? We ask these questions because, much as we want to fix the immediate needs, we also want to go beyond the immediate need to examine the cause of those needs. It takes one with an educated passion to go deep with the goal of solving a systemic problem. To understand mystery is to accept that we cannot explain nor understand everything about our world and about our own lives, and that is exactly why humility becomes so important. It is the same humility that guides us to accept that there are times when we may not have the words to explain what we see and understand, and our faith lends itself to this mystery. And to accept mystery is to embrace your own divine life and the fact that there is more to you than you can ever know. To accept that your life is a mystery opens the door for you to accept other lives as mysterious as well. And that, my beloved fisherman, means that you are on the path of being human. To educate your passion is to be human enough to ask, "Who are those among us who are not living the way human beings ought to live? What is causing it? And what can I do to fix it?" King David is said to have asked God the all-important question: Why do you make the poor and the rich? Why don’t you have everyone have equal? He was asking a deeper question: Why do you have a world that is unbalanced? There are the haves and the have-nots, there are people who are happy and joyful, and there are people who are sad, depressed, and struggle with dark demons and mental health issues. There are people with families, and there are people who are alone. Why do you create such an imbalanced world? Why can’t you give everyone what they need? And God tells King David, “Because I wanted the world to have something called kindness . If I have everything I need and you have everything you need, we wouldn’t have a need to communicate, nor would we need to help each other, nor find value in each other.” The truth is, each of us, irrespective of the circumstances in which we find ourselves, has inestimable value- this is an intangible quality which is only accessible to the one with an educated vision and passion. I am a fisherman, and you, too, are a fisherman. I carry the faith of the fishermen I grew up with. That faith empowers me with a vision to see the extraordinary out of the ordinary, and infuses me with a passion so deep, so wide, and so unstoppable in its desire to make life a little more meaningful each day. We are now in the middle of Holy Week, and Easter is but a few days away. Holy Week reminds us of what suffering tastes like, but Easter establishes for us a kind of life that no amount of suffering can extinguish. As you live into the mystery of Easter, may you also live into the mystery of your own life. Remind yourself, if you may, that you are, after all, a fisherman, and you carry with you the faith of a fisherman. Happy Easter, my beloved fisherman.   Manny+

God drapes His Eternal Heaven On my mortal body In hopes that It might know peace.   His warming sun On my fragile face Protects it From a world Of coldness.   And those all-seeing stars, Both day and night, Keep the worries Of Forever From blinding My soul. Wearing the Good News Looks well on me.   Pamela Pruitt July 9, 2024

FISH Invites Parishioners to Attend Its Potluck Dinner to be Held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, in the Great Hall at Christ Church Come one, come all. Please accept an invitation from FISH of Howard County if you are among those who routinely shop for extra grocery items to feed the less fortunate. You’ll have a great chance to learn how the goods we put into the altar basket, or into the bin on the breezeway, make their way to those in need. FISH is holding its annual potluck dinner on Sunday, April 27, at 5 p.m. here at Christ Church in the Great Hall of New Brick. The all-volunteer organization is bringing together its volunteers to share camaraderie and a tasty meal. Parishioner Andy DeLong, who is FISH treasurer and a board member, extended the invitation for the second year in a row. Plan to attend and say hello. Christ Church, acting through the Outreach Commission, has long supported FISH. The neighbor-to-neighbor nonprofit has a nearly five-decade history. Since its founding in 1976, FISH has helped county residents in crisis by providing emergency food, referral information, and limited financial assistance for such needs as eviction and utility turnoff prevention and medicine. Food aid is typically a 7-to-10-day supply that is delivered to the home. It also offers hygiene, paper, and laundry supplies. Here’s how FISH organizers describe the potluck gathering in its invitation: “ALL are welcome –phone volunteers, delivery volunteers, former volunteers, potential volunteers, plus spouses and friends….It’s a nice opportunity for new volunteers to meet the friends whose voices you hear on the phone and for everyone to get together, enjoy good food, and have a great time.” There will be a meeting after the dinner for current volunteers and interested parties. Please RSVP by telling one of these two FISH organizers how many will be coming to the dinner and what you will bring. Email Kathy Raab at raab@umbc.edu or Nuala Lu Roberts, nuala4ney@aol.com . Whether you will be able to attend or not, please keep putting non-perishable foods and toiletries in the FISH basket at the altar or in the bin on the breezeway. The neighbors you help are grateful for all you do in their support. Last Call: Order Tickets This Week to Enjoy a Harbor Cruise on Wednesday, April 30, to Benefit the Baltimore International Seafarers' Center Mark your calendars: the deadline for ordering tickets is Saturday, April 19, for a fundraiser on Wednesday, April 30 that supports the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center (BISC), a program of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland . Tickets are $70 each and can be purchased here . BISC provides spiritual care and hospitality to mariners who are working far from their homes and loved ones around the world. On Wednesday, April 30, please park at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Garage, where a discount coupon will be made available during the cruise. Board the “Catherine Marie” promptly at 4:45 p.m. at Baltimore Finger Piers, 555 Light St., Baltimore, MD. Once aboard, you’ll enjoy food, beverages and a silent auction while exploring the working Port of Baltimore from the water. Guests will disembark at 7 p.m.The cruise offers spectacular views of the harbor, as seen by a group from Christ Church in 2023. Perhaps you participate in the annual collection of woolens, magazines, and calendars by the Women of Christ Church to aid the seafarers’ ministry. Many more people became aware of the center after the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was struck a year ago by a disabled container ship . The director of the center, the Rev. Joshua Messick, has continued to minister to the few members of its crew who must remain in Baltimore even though the ship departed. LEMS Pantry Goes Outdoors! On Wednesday, April 9, members of Christ Church assisted with an event that was a wonderful example of many community organizations working together to fulfill a very practical need for Cradlerock and LEMS families. Spring break is underway, and, therefore, children are home without the regular breakfast and lunch meals that the schools provide. Most parents are still working. That's a recipe for lots of hungry kids. It was a beautiful day, so we were able to hold a big food pantry outside where families can drive or walk up easily. The Roving Radish delivered 125 boxes of perishable food, including fresh produce, EGGS!, and meat. Kiwanis provided over 100 backpacks filled with nonperishable snacks for the week. We piled up backpacks till they looked like a hill of Easter eggs. Colorful bags of bread and apples also lined the school wall. Christ Episcopal got a call to provide 14 more snack bags when additional families signed up after the cut-off.  Staff from both schools, as well as the Judy Center, welcomed the families. A special thank you to Jenny Cecil, Jan DeBoissiere, and Maggie Thompson, who provided lots of muscle power setting up the pantry and helping families get the groceries to their vehicles. We started at 1:30, and by 4:30, families had claimed all but a few backpacks. People were extremely grateful and left with broad smiles on their faces. The next Kindness Pantry will be on Monday, May 12, so an announcement for another sign-up sheet will be coming toward the end of April. Thank you so much for being our Lord's hands and feet in our community! Oakland Mills Middle School Academic Fundraiser OMMS celebrates students who have worked hard during the 2024-2025 school year. Those who earned all A’s for the year are treated to a trip to a Baltimore Orioles baseball game at Camden Yards. This year, the MOCC's spring "Random Act of Kindness" is spearheading a fund-collecting drive to help sponsor this event, and you are invited to contribute to this worthy cause. You can donate through the MOCC fund in Realm (write "RAK Orioles" in the MEMO line) or write a check to Christ Church (write "RAK Orioles" in the memo line). Either way, we appreciate your generous support! Columbia Community Care Plans Fundraiser, Schedules an Easter Break  Take part in a fun night of karaoke and help Columbia Community Care (CCC) at the same time by participating in a restaurant fundraiser on Thursday, April 24, at The Periodic Table, 8808 Centre Park Drive in Columbia. Come dine at 6 p.m.; karaoke begins at 8 p.m. So start practicing your tunes or get ready to applaud your friends at the mic. A portion of the proceeds will go to CCC, which last month marked “5 Years of Community,” helping residents in need. CCC announced that it will close on Saturday, April 19, for the Easter holiday. Usually, the non-profit organization distributes groceries, diapers, and personal care items at three sites on Saturday mornings and delivers to those without transportation. To volunteer, go to “ Volunteer Opportunities .” Those who need help are urged to go to “Get Help ” on CCC’s website. Find updates on CCC’s Facebook page . Please keep collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. Our point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bin and delivers its contents. DreamBuilders Spring Fundraiser - May 28 Save the date - Wednesday, May 28th - for DreamBuilders' Spring Fundraiser at Bushel and A Peck Restaurant. We'll enjoy an evening of dining, refreshments, and fellowship supporting DreamBuilders! A portion of the proceeds from your meals and drinks will go directly toward funding the materials for DreamBuilders to build three homes in Hazard, Kentucky, this summer.  More details to come! 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.

God, teach me to love myself as you have loved me: to cherish myself, to delight in my soul, to appreciate my journey, to care for my well-being, to commit to my wholeness. Give me grace to respect and nurture myself, to offer myself both challenge and rest. Teach me to forgive myself, to be gentle with myself, to believe in myself and your hidden greatness in me. Trusting in my belovedness, I am free and at peace: in need but not not needy, not compulsive, not afraid, not easily seduced by either pride or despair. Teach me to love myself even as you do.   ~Steve Garnaas-Holmes