Adult Choir and Adult Handbells are in Session Choral singing and hymn leadership are returning to the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service and ringing bells to embellish hymns is also a new staple for this fall! If you’ve ever been interested in joining our choir, now's that time… and this invitation is open to any adult parishioner. No experience is necessary! Socially-distanced and masked rehearsals now take place on Thursday evenings. Please email Len Langrick, our Interim Director of Music, at music@christchurchcolumbia.org to learn more, or to RSVP for rehearsals. Children's Choir Rehearsals Return Parents, be on the lookout for information about choir rehearsals starting up this month. New and returning children are invited. A start date is yet to be determined -- past singers, be on the lookout for a survey heading your way. Len Langrick, our Director of Music, has a passion for working with young people and can't wait to get started! Handbells and chimes will also be included in our rehearsals. Please email Len to learn more or to RSVP for rehearsals – music@christchurchcolumbia.org I'm exciting to get things running for another amazing year of music making! Whether you plan to return or not this program year, I encourage you to view our above Children's Choir promotional video, and then I invite all families to take this brief survey to help guide our planning for this program year. Again, whether you are planning to return or not, your feedback on the survey is important. The survey will help to determine which afternoon we will rehearse as well help us to gain feedback on a few "out of the box" ideas. You can also find the survey here. If possible, please return the survey by Tuesday, October 12th. Thank you.

Thank you to everyone who attended Christ Church's Annual Meeting this morning, whether you did so in person, or you joined us online via Zoom. It was a brisk, windy outdoor gathering and so we've now uploaded a video of Father Manny's morning message - this time delivered from the relative quiet and calm of our New Brick Sanctuary.

Today is the Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost. Collect of the Day: Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Readings for today: Job 38:1-7, (34-41) Psalm 104:1-9, 25, 37b Hebrews 5:1-10 Mark 10:35-45 Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here.

Christ Church Helps to End Homelessness and Wins the Golden Ladle in Bridges to Housing Stability’s 2021 Chili & Challenge Competition Thanks to the generosity of parishioners — and to our competitive spirit — Christ Church has won The Golden Ladle in the 2021 Chili & Challenge conducted by Bridges to Housing Stability. Competing against at least a dozen other Howard County congregations to raise funds for Bridges, we contributed $2,535 toward programs to help individuals and families who are at-risk or experiencing homelessness. Parishioners participated by donating directly and by purchasing meal tickets for chili made by the Bare Bones restaurant; each $20 meal resulted in a $12 donation to Bridges. The nonprofit organization surpassed its goal of $12,000 by raising nearly twice that amount. Its leaders thanked competitors and the businesses and organizations who sponsored the event during the Chili & Challenge meal pickup and awards ceremony held on October 10th. The Rev. Emmanuel “Manny” Mercer accepted the Golden Ladle from Bridges Executive Director Jen Broderick. Two churches who were runners-up won a Silver Ladle award (as Christ Church did in 2020). The second-place winner was First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, represented by Woody Collins, and Glen Mar United Methodist Church in Ellicott City, represented by Heerak Kim. In thanking Bridges for its work on affordable housing, Father Manny gave a shout-out to Christ Church parishioners for supporting this vital cause. He also brought up future plans for Christ Church to co-sponsor an Afghan refugee family and said he is “deeply grateful” for the congregation’s generosity. The ceremony was livestreamed and archived on Bridges’ YouTube channel. Go to this link to watch the recording. (The awards presentation begins at 8:02 minutes in the video) In her remarks, Jen Broderick describes how Bridges -- and you -- have helped a formerly homeless student who has successfully entered his senior year in Howard County schools. We have lots of other photos on our website. Christ Church has had a warm relationship with Bridges since 2019 when we participated in its countywide chili cook-off, Holier Than Thou. Parishioner James Collins, a Bridges board member, was that event’s master of ceremonies. The Outreach Commission keeps our parish informed about Bridges’ efforts and its members organize parish-wide involvement such as these annual chili competitions. Save the Dates: Grassroots Meal Drop-Offs on Monday, Oct. 18; Monday, Nov. 15 Once again, parishioners and volunteers who join their efforts are looking ahead to the monthly meal that we provide at Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. Save the dates: October 18th and November 15th, arriving between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. at the parking lot outside Old Brick. Plan to bring a side dish, a dessert, or items for their pantry to be enjoyed round-the-clock by the 50 residents of the live-in facility on Freetown Rd. To sign up, use our electronic registry no later than noon on the Sunday prior to the meal on Monday. Click on the Christ Church Grassroots Meal link on SignUpGenius to view requested items and to tell coordinators what you’ll bring. Co-coordinator Nancy Winchester meets the other volunteers (see photos here). Nancy then transports the hot or cold foods to Freetown Road for handoff to the staff of Grassroots. Grassroots lists some other needs for the Freetown Road pantry and for the homeless friends served by its Day Resource Center (DRC) at the Dorsey Center. Look for Grassroots’ attached file at our sign-up link. For any questions contact Nancy or co-coordinator Shahra Toth or email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. 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, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. You can drop off items on weekdays when the church office is open, but we ask that you call the office at (410) 381-9365 ahead of time. DreamBuilders are Planning a Trip to Puerto Rico in January! DreamBuilders is in the planning stages for a trip to Puerto Rico during the week of January 9-15, 2022, to repair homes damaged by hurricanes and earthquakes. We were not able to go last year due to COVID restrictions, but in 2019, we were able to help rebuild two homes, working with our St. Bernard Project (SBP) partners. They are once again allowing volunteers to come to the island and work through them, as there are many still in need of help. If you are interested in joining our group, please contact Cathy Gold or Stacey Frith to let us know. Donate Personal Care and Cleaning Supplies for FISH in 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. The bin is on the breezeway between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. 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.

Dearly Beloved, This week will mark the fourth anniversary of my stewardship as Rector of Christ Church. Like Stephen and Angie, I have always felt this deep sense of welcome by each and every one of you. Christ Church is alive as a holy place of welcome and ministry, and it is with the many gifts with which God has blessed each of you that you bring life to this holy place. Thank you for your continual support of our common life. Thank you, Stephen and Angie, for sharing your thoughts on how much Christ Church means to you. I hope Christ Church means as much to all of you who are reading this. It is my hope that you will prayerfully consider supporting our common life with your pledge. ~Manny

To hold up another place as home away from home implies a very deep connection and affection for that place. It means that this other home provides the same level of comfort, nurture, sustenance, relief, hope, acceptance, serenity and love. I remember reading this cliché "A house is not a home unless it is filled with love." That is to say that it is love that turns a house into a home-it may not matter how big or small, fancy or derelict that house may be, it is love that makes you want to be in that home. And so for Sonni to describe Christ Church as a home away from home means Christ Church is a place filled with love-just about the same love that fills the home he shares with his family. I first met Sonni in Philadelphia on a hot summer morning four years ago when he came to visit my former parish with some members of the Search Committee. He was the Senior Warden then, he is very involved and serves Christ Church very well. It has been a blessing getting to know him, his wife Teddy and their boys; Jonah and Luke. Jonah, like his father, is very involved here at Christ Church-after all, Christ Church is his home too because it is filled with love. He has been a member of Christ Church since he was born, he was one of the candidates who were confirmed last spring. He is an acolyte, plays the viola during Youth Sunday worship and is active in our youth program where he is enriched by the sharing of ideas. He is a member of the Boys' Scout which meets here at Christ Church on Thursday evenings or some other day of the week for some activity. Christ Church provides space for the Boys’ Scout to meet. It is no wonder that Sonni believes that Christ Church is a home away from home-because at any given week, he is here at Christ Church, two to three days a week, serving or bringing his boys to Scout meetings. It is only a home filled with love that can draw someone like you, me, Sonni or Jonah. I believe there's more than sufficient grace in considering a church-especially Christ Church as your home away from home-a place filled with love. It is love that draws you and me to this holy space we can call home. Be assured that there is a place for you at Christ Church-it is also your home, not only because it is a place filled with love, but because with your generosity and kindness you bring life into the love that overflows its boundaries. Welcome home! Thank you, Sonni and Jonah! Manny Click here to contribute to our 2022 Pledge Campaign.

This past Monday, the Women of Christ Church took a "field trip" - a Labyrinth Walk at St. John's Episcopal Church in Ellicott City. From ancient times, labyrinths have been used for walking-meditation and prayer. Often they were built in churches so that pilgrimage journeys could be walked by those who could not travel long distances. St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ellicott City has a lovely outdoor labyrinth in the medieval or Chartres style (after Chartres Cathedral, France) and several WOCC members - some of which are in the photos below - took part. Also... Next time you visit Old Brick for Adult Forum, be sure to take note of the new Book Truck addition in anticipation of the purchase of new prayer/hymn combined books. The members of the WOCC are grateful to the families of Dorothy Vaughn (dec. 06/03/2018) and Don Loewecke (dec. 01/12/2019) for the bequests which provided funds for these additions, and to Ronnie Ivey, who researched and arranged the purchase of the new book truck.

Thanks to the generosity of parishioners — and to our competitive spirit — Christ Church has won The Golden Ladle in the 2021 Chili & Challenge conducted by Bridges to Housing Stability. Competing against at least a dozen other Howard County congregations to raise funds for Bridges, we contributed $2,535 toward programs to help individuals and families who are at-risk or experiencing homelessness. Parishioners participated by donating directly and by purchasing meal tickets for chili made by the Bare Bones restaurant; each $20 meal resulted in a $12 donation to Bridges. The nonprofit organization surpassed its goal of $12,000 by raising nearly twice that amount. Its leaders thanked competitors and the businesses and organizations who sponsored the event during the Chili & Challenge meal pickup and awards ceremony held on October 10th. The Rev. Emmanuel “Manny” Mercer accepted the Golden Ladle from Bridges Executive Director Jen Broderick. Two churches who were runners-up won a Silver Ladle award (as Christ Church did in 2020). The second-place winner was First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, represented by Woody Collins, and Glen Mar United Methodist Church in Ellicott City, represented by Heerak Kim. In thanking Bridges for its work on affordable housing, Father Manny gave a shout-out to Christ Church parishioners for supporting this vital cause. He also brought up future plans for Christ Church to co-sponsor an Afghan refugee family and said he is “deeply grateful” for the congregation’s generosity. The ceremony was livestreamed and archived on Bridges’ YouTube channel. Go to this link to watch the recording. (The awards presentation begins at 8:02 minutes in the video) In her remarks, Jen Broderick describes how Bridges -- and you -- have helped a formerly homeless student who has successfully entered his senior year in Howard County schools. Christ Church has had a warm relationship with Bridges since 2019 when we participated in its countywide chili cook-off, Holier Than Thou. Parishioner James Collins, a Bridges board member, was that event’s master of ceremonies. The Outreach Commission keeps our parish informed about Bridges’ efforts and its members organize parish-wide involvement such as these annual chili competitions.

Our new prayer shawl ministry has been hard at work these past nine months, knitting and crocheting shawls and prayer squares to be sent out to those who are ill in mind, body, or spirit, to those who are suffering, and to those in need of comfort. Oh God of healing and hope, we ask that you bless these prayer shawls and prayer squares, made faithfully and lovingly by your servants at Christ Church. Infuse these shawls with the power of your presence, so they may they serve as a salving relief from suffering and pain. May those who receive them be wrapped in comfort, mercy and peace. May they feel renewed and restored in the warmth of your unceasing love. May those we send out to deliver these gifts be a blessing and a comfort to the recipients. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. If you're interested in being a part of this wonderful ministry in the future, grab your knitting needles and yarn, and join us! Don’t have time to knit a whole shawl? Think about knitting some Prayer Squares instead, with each measuring 5” x 5”. These are easily and quickly made and will be equally appreciated. If you are interested in making shawls or squares, let us know at info@christchurchcolumbia.org

Today is the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost. Collect of the Day: Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Readings for today: Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Psalm 22:1-15 Hebrews 4:12-16 Mark 10:17-31 Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here.

Today is the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Collect of the Day: Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Readings for today: Job 1:1; 2:1-10 Psalm 26 Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 Mark 10:2-16 Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here.