Centering Prayer has returned! We gather with Kathy and Adrian on Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in Old Brick, and everyone is welcome to join us. Stop by as your schedule permits; whether it's every week or once in a while, you're welcome to take part. Centering Prayer is a form of contemplative prayer that is meditative. Each session begins with a reading from scripture or from the writings of spiritual leaders and teachers. After the reading, the group sits for periods of ten minutes of silence in which each individual meditates on a word, phrase, or thought from the reading. The silence in a group setting allows for a shared energy and connectedness that fosters an openness to God’s presence, building on our awareness that the Holy Spirit resides in each one of us. Please know that all social distancing guidelines will be strictly adhered to during this gathering, and masks are currently required by all participants. If you'd like more information or have any questions, contact us. We hope that you will come and take part in this special and unique gathering of communal prayer.

Today is the Fifth Sunday of Easter. Collect of the Day: Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Readings for today: Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:24-30 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 Sermon for Today: Deacon Denise presents us with this week's sermon. Her sermon text can be read here. Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here, and the sheet music is here.

African Team Ministries Sale - Now Through Sunday African Team Ministries is coming back to Christ Church just in time for Mother's Day! We missed our originally scheduled sale in 2020 since we could not gather in person at the time, so we expect to now offer wonderful ATM goods on the 25th of April and 2nd of May, after each service. Hand-crafted jewelry, wooden and soapstone carvings, nativity sets, and other fashion accessories will be on display and for sale. We can provide private showings by appointment this Friday evening and on Saturday, as well. Contact Sara Kirkpatrick via Realm, by calling the church office at 410.381.9365, or you can leave Sara a message at 410.258.1357. African Team Ministries is a Christian ministry working as an intermediary between African and American churches. With help from Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Anglican denominations, we provide funding for orphan and refugee relief missions and evangelism in East Africa. Christ Church Donates New Sheets As Grassroots Residents Obtain Housing Thanks to parishioners at Christ Church, 10 new households in Howard County soon will be sleeping soundly on brand new sheets. That’s in response to a request from the staff of Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, which has begun arranging for some of the families and individuals at its live-in facility to move to permanent housing. To equip the residents’ kitchens and linen closets, Grassroots turned to some of its faith-based partners, including the Outreach Commission at Christ Church. Grassroots asked for the new bedding by early May, in time for the largest group of individuals to move in response to assistance tied to the pandemic. So, at its April meeting, the commission approved a purchase drawing from parishioners’ donations as the source of the funds. When many of you so graciously donate for the purpose of “General Outreach,” the funds are ready when needs arise in the community. And what better example than the chance to help those who were once homeless go from congregate living at Grassroots to a place of their own! Commission member Dione Mahoney volunteered to take on the shopping and spent $215 of “General Outreach” funds to buy 18 full-size sets, which include microfiber sheets and pillowcases in an array of colors. A Christ Church parishioner had earlier purchased and donated two sets when the Grassroots move was still in the planning stage, which means that in total we are able to accommodate 10 households. “That would be a huge help,” said Volunteer Coordinator Monteith Mitchell, who along with Jane Solberg, RN, of the Grassroots staff took delivery at the Freetown Road facility on April 27. Outreach Commission members Michon Semon and Patricia Fanning handed over the sheets. Mitchell called the relocation effort of multiple residents “a historic move.” So thanks, Christ Church, for being a part of history! Save the Dates: May 17 and June 21 to Help Feed the Hungry at Grassroots For the individuals who remain at the Grassroots live-in facility as well as any new arrivals, we’ll plan to bring the same menu of chicken, side dishes, and desserts at our next meal drop-offs. They take place on May 17th and June 21st. Plan to arrive between 3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. outside Old Brick, bringing with you a side dish or dessert for 50 residents. You can also bring pantry items such as granola bars. Please sign up online no later than noon on Sunday, May 16th, so coordinators will know your plans. Click on the Christ Church Grassroots Meal link on SignUpGenius to learn which items are still open on our menu. You’ll find lots of information at the sign-up link, but for questions contact Nancy or co-coordinator Shahra Toth or email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. To further help our neighbors in need, some parishioners take it upon themselves to provide the evening meal for the 50 adults and children. Here is a link to the sign-up list which has openings through June 30th. It’s your choice to provide an entree and side dishes, or just the entree. You can cook in your own kitchen, or order out. Grassroots encourages an order of 12 pizzas -- four with cheese and the rest with meat (any kind), or rotisserie chickens (12 to make a meal), but discourages lasagna or other pasta entrees. Collection Drive Continues to Provide Diapers, Personal Care Items for CCC At Christ Church, our Racially Aware Group of Episcopalians (R.A.G.E.) and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to support Columbia Community Care (CCC). We collect diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items as well as adult diapers such as Depends. Please put any of these items in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” just inside the Parish Hall door. You can drop off items on weekdays until 2 p.m., but we ask that you call the church office (410) 381-9365 ahead of time. Donate Spring Cleaning Supplies for FISH in its Yellow Bin Organizers for FISH of Howard County request household cleaning supplies such as liquid dish soap, bleach, and cleanser. Also, the families who call on FISH during times of crisis could use personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, and bath soaps. At the present time, the pantry has an adequate supply of groceries. 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.

“All those who were caught dancing were thought to be insane by those who couldn’t hear the music,” wrote Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher who argued that Christianity has become identified with institutions while the church has failed to embody the life of Jesus. The failure of the church to embody Jesus Christ feels like watching people dance and wondering where the music is coming from. Am I listening right, or my ears haven’t been trained to hear the sound of music that is blaring through my ears? That seems to me to be the challenge of our everyday life - to wonder if others hear the music to which we are dancing. I learned many years ago that the one who is truly saved by grace understands that they have been saved by grace and so that person does not need to be told that they are under a solemn obligation to serve Christ. Instead, that person is deeply aware of the new life that is within them, and it is that new life that alerts them to the awareness of the music and draws each of us to dance. If you have not fallen in love with that obligation to serve Christ, you might think that those who have are insane. The tragedy is that you cannot dance because you don’t hear the music - you don’t hear the anguish of those who are crying for reform, you don’t hear the drumbeat of those who desire a dramatic shift in the way law enforcement interact with citizens, you don't hear the aching hearts of the mothers, fathers, and loved ones of those who have suffered gun violence, and you don't see the silent tears of folks who don't ask for much. That is the music that is blaring out. Can you hear? Do you hear? Like many of you, I watched the trial of former police officer Chauvin on TV. The reaction to the guilty verdict was surreal. I really didn’t know how to feel about it. Like many of you, I was worried about the outcome of this case. "But why am I so worried?" I asked myself. My fear was about a verdict that will reinforce the idea that the system doesn’t apply equally to all, or that some might be dancing and some might not be dancing because not everyone hears the music. "It isn’t only Derek Chauvin who is guilty," I said to myself. He is but a symptom of a much larger problem. The real culprit is a system that protects people like him who offend the dignity of God's children. The guilt lies squarely on a system that, for some reason, tolerates acts of violence against many people - especially minorities - which are some of the very people they have sworn to protect. I wrote about the callousness of ex-officer Chauvin last year. I do not know him, nor do I need to personally know him to conclude that his actions on that day were borne out of a deep emptiness of the human soul. I also reminded myself that his action was one of a soul who needs as much salvation as you and I. But I was surprised by the sheer joy and celebration of people. "Why are people celebrating?" I asked myself. Why such joyous celebrations at his guilty verdict? Could it be that some can now hear the music and thus can understand why some are dancing? There’s a story of King David who decided to move the Ark of the Covenant from the home of Obededom to the city of David. With shouting and sounds of trumpet, the house of Israel celebrated this major milestone. King David leaped and danced before the Lord, to the extent that his linen ephod fell off revealing his nakedness. But Michal - Saul’s daughter who saw David overjoyed and dancing - despised the king in her heart because she couldn’t hear the music. She couldn’t feel the joy in his heart. She couldn’t bring herself to dance because she couldn’t feel what the king was feeling. It feels very different if you can hear the music. It feels very different if you know why the rhythm of the music moves you in a particular way. It feels very different when the music touches you in ways you haven’t been touched before. It feels very different when you hear the liberating power of the music. It feels very different if you can hear the music - it is always there. The tragedy is that you cannot understand why someone is so moved to dance when you can’t hear the music. "Nobody knows the trouble I have seen," says the Negro Spiritual. "Nobody knows but Jesus." You haven’t walked in my shoes before so you may not understand why my shoes fit perfectly fine but why my feet hurt so bad. Maybe, just maybe, if we tune our ears a little bit we may hear the sound of the music, and it is only then can we understand why those dancing are not insane. Happy Eastertide Fr. Manny

Centering Prayer has returned! We gather with Kathy and Adrian on Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in Old Brick, and everyone is welcome to join us. Stop by as your schedule permits; whether it's every week or once in a while, you're welcome to take part. Centering Prayer is a form of contemplative prayer that is meditative. Each session begins with a reading from scripture or from the writings of spiritual leaders and teachers. After the reading, the group sits for periods of ten minutes of silence in which each individual meditates on a word, phrase, or thought from the reading. The silence in a group setting allows for a shared energy and connectedness that fosters an openness to God’s presence, building on our awareness that the Holy Spirit resides in each one of us. Please know that all social distancing guidelines will be strictly adhered to during this gathering, and masks are currently required by all participants. If you'd like more information or have any questions, contact us. We hope that you will come and take part in this special and unique gathering of communal prayer.

African Team Ministries is coming back to Christ Church just in time for Mother's Day! We missed our originally scheduled sale in 2020 since we could not gather in person at the time, so we offer wonderful ATM goods all throughout this week until the 2nd of May. Hand-crafted jewelry, wooden and soapstone carvings, nativity sets, and other fashion accessories will be on display and for sale. You can visit the ATM display after each service on Sunday, May 2nd but we can also provide private showings by appointment this Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, as well as on Saturday, May 1st. Contact us by emailing info@christchurchcolumbia.org, by calling the church office at the number on our website. African Team Ministries is a Christian ministry working as an intermediary between African and American churches. With help from Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Anglican denominations, we provide funding for orphan and refugee relief missions and evangelism in East Africa. As is the case with many organizations during this pandemic, support has dropped dramatically for African Team Ministries, so your help is both welcome and deeply appreciated. Thank you.

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Collect of the Day: O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Readings for today: Acts 4:5-12 Psalm 23 1 John 3:16-24 John 10:11-18 Sermon for Today: Rebecca Warlow, a Christ Church parishioner and Licensed Lay Preacher, presents us with this week's sermon. Her sermon text can be read here. Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here, and the sheet music is here.

African Team Ministries Sale - April 25th & May 2nd African Team Ministries is coming back to Christ Church just in time for Mother's Day! We missed our originally scheduled sale in 2020 since we could not gather in person at the time, so we expect to now offer wonderful ATM goods on the 25th of April and 2nd of May, after each service. Hand-crafted jewelry, wooden and soapstone carvings, nativity sets, and other fashion accessories will be on display and for sale. African Team Ministries is a Christian ministry working as an intermediary between African and American churches. With help from Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Anglican denominations, we provide funding for orphan and refugee relief missions and evangelism in East Africa. Spread the Word: April 30th Food Giveaway at Howard Community College Public-health students at Howard Community College are planning to hand out free food to the less fortunate in Howard County on Friday, April 30th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. As a part of a final course assignment, the students are collaborating with the Maryland Food Bank to distribute 350 free boxes of food and canned goods to those in need. The event is drive-through only (no walk-ins) at Parking Lot B, Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD, 21044. Please spread the word among yourselves and any others who would benefit from free food. No eligibility is required. Click the above image for details. DreamBuilders Needs Your Help in Building Portable Desks Our portable desks continue to be very popular with local students, and the schools and student support groups have been clamoring for more. Please plan to help DreamBuilders construct a total of 120-or-so desks to be given away to identified students. The activity takes place on consecutive Saturdays. We hope you have already signed up for April 24th. There are still slots on May 1st, so please sign up here. The process will be the same as in the past - the work will be divided into socially-distanced work stations, and carried out by many small teams of family and friends, wearing masks. All work stations will be outside, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Highland. We have lots of jobs for all skill levels, and training will be provided. If you have questions, contact Cathy Gold or Stacey Frith. Save the Dates: May 17th and June 21st to Help Feed the Hungry at Grassroots Just as parishioners turned out on April 19th, we are looking forward to future chances for hands-on volunteerism. The next meals will be on May 17th and June 21st. Plan to arrive between 3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. outside Old Brick, bringing with you a side dish or dessert for the 50 residents of Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center‘s live-in facility. You can also bring pantry items such as granola bars. Please sign up online no later than noon on Sunday, May 16th, so coordinators will know your plans. Click on the Christ Church Grassroots Meal link on SignUpGenius to learn which items are still open on our menu. We welcome additional participants — and the resulting side dishes, desserts, and fruits — to complement our main course. Co-coordinator Nancy Winchester acquires fried chicken at Weis and meets the other volunteers as they enter the Christ Church parking lot. We’ll continue to suggest masks and social distancing. Plan to arrive no later than 3:30 p.m., when she must depart for Grassroots for handoff to its staff. You’ll find lots of information at the sign-up link, but for questions contact Nancy or co-coordinator Shahra Toth or email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. To further help our neighbors in need, some parishioners take it upon themselves to provide the evening meal for the 50 adults and children. Here is a link to the sign-up list which has openings through June 30th. It’s your choice to provide an entree and side dishes, or just the entree. You can cook in your own kitchen, or order out. Grassroots encourages an order of 12 pizzas -- four with cheese and the rest with meat (any kind), or rotisserie chickens (12 to make a meal), but discourages lasagna or other pasta entrees. Grassroots Offers Training in April in QPR Skills to Help Prevent Suicides Once again, Grassroots offers Howard County residents, employees, or students a chance to learn skills that could help save a life from suicide. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save lives, just as individuals trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver learn what to do. Thanks to the Horizon Foundation, the online seminar is free for adults on three days this month. The QPR sessions take place on Monday, April 26th from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and on Friday, April 30th from 7 to 8:30 p.m. To register, go here: To learn more, email amanda@grassrootscrisis.org to speak with Amanda Ganoe, organizer. Collection Drive Continues to Provide Diapers, Personal Care Items for CCC At Christ Church, our Racially Aware Group of Episcopalians (R.A.G.E) and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to support Columbia Community Care (CCC). So far we have been collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items and we’re now passing along a request for a few adult diapers such as Depends. Please put any of these items in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” just inside the Parish Hall door. You can drop off items on weekdays until 2 p.m., but we ask that you call the church office (410) 381-9365 ahead of time. Donate Spring Cleaning Supplies for FISH in its Yellow Bin Organizers for FISH of Howard County request household cleaning supplies such as liquid dish soap, bleach, and cleanser. Also, the families who call on FISH during times of crisis could use personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, and bath soaps. At the present time, the pantry has an adequate supply of groceries. 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.

The verdict for the murder of George Floyd is in. We can breathe a sigh of relief, even as we acknowledge that one just verdict is merely the beginning - the spark for a long national reckoning on racial injustice, with much work yet to do. As citizens, we may be swayed to see sides and ponder politics within this reckoning. As Christians, we have no such luxury - and no option for sitting on the sidelines. Our baptismal covenant leads us to clear, specific action: To proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ. To seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves. To strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. The call here is undeniable: each of us has a responsibility, as disciples of Christ, to act against the sin of racism. What that looks like in exact terms may vary by individual and by faith community. But for Christians, inaction is simply not an option. Christ Church’s own RAGE ministry - Racially Aware Group of Episcopalians - has been exploring the complex issues surrounding systemic racism for the better part of the past year. RAGE members have shared frank and open discussions about often uncomfortable issues, been educated by contemporary readings and by guest speakers, and spent time discerning the next steps. Far from just another book club, the group is committed to taking action to carry out our baptismal promises around seeking justice and equity for all God’s children. Led by ministry leaders Duane Smith and Lexi Couch, RAGE is moving forward with developing a mission statement around intentional work in areas such as reconciliation and healing, community peace and justice, advocacy, and education and awareness. This mission statement will serve as the foundation for how we invest our time and energy as a Christ Church ministry. As we pray for the soul of George Floyd, for his family, for law enforcement, and for community and government leaders, let’s also pray for God to open our hearts and minds to our specific and personal call to help dismantle racism, in all its forms. RAGE’s next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 4th at 7:30 p.m. (Zoom details will be published in next week's Gatherings email). A full schedule of meeting dates and topics of discussion for the coming months will be announced soon. As theologian Henri Nouwen noted, “We cannot profess our solidarity with those who are oppressed when we are unwilling to confront the oppressor.” We are a covenant people. Let us be willing to go forth and act, with courage and conviction, in the name of the risen Christ. -Denise

Centering Prayer has returned! We gather with Kathy and Adrian on Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in Old Brick, and everyone is welcome to join us. Stop by as your schedule permits; whether it's every week or once in a while, you're welcome to take part. Centering Prayer is a form of contemplative prayer that is meditative. Each session begins with a reading from scripture or from the writings of spiritual leaders and teachers. After the reading, the group sits for periods of ten minutes of silence in which each individual meditates on a word, phrase, or thought from the reading. The silence in a group setting allows for a shared energy and connectedness that fosters an openness to God’s presence, building on our awareness that the Holy Spirit resides in each one of us. Please know that all social distancing guidelines will be strictly adhered to during this gathering, and masks are currently required by all participants. If you'd like more information or have any questions, contact us. We hope that you will come and take part in this special and unique gathering of communal prayer.

CONVERSATIONS ON RACE: R.A.G.E. MINISTRY Tuesday, April 20th at 7:30 p.m. Join us as we continue a discussion on the book "So You Want to Talk About Race" by Ijeoma Oluo. You can find the book - a New York Times Bestseller - at many retailers in physical, audiobook, and digital form. We'll also discuss our plans for the coming few months. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to take part, so email us if you have any questions or would like to join the conversation of this insightful and engaging discussion series - info@christchurchcolumbia.org