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.

After months of time away from Christian education opportunities, Christ Church is excited to begin welcoming back in-person gatherings. Sunday Circle is a community-circle Adult Forum that meets between worship services from 9:30-10:15 a.m. each Sunday during the school year. We will gather outside when the weather permits, or in Old Brick when it doesn't. Every month, there is a new theme of lessons with opportunities for discussion, sharing, fellowship, and prayers; each week, there are new topics for discussions and Christian enrichment along with opportunities to develop deeper relationships among parishioners. We hope that you'll join us for this engaging, weekly gathering.

Inviting One and All to Get Involved in Christ Church Outreach The Outreach Commission is making an effort to better spread the word about what we do and, in turn, persuade more volunteers to participate. Now that fall has arrived, consider joining us at our next meeting to learn more about opportunities during the remainder of 2021. It will be held virtually at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 11th. Get the Zoom link for the Outreach meeting, or become active in other ways, by emailing outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Keep in mind the scripture that underpins our mission: And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Matthew 25: 40 Christ Church Supports the Community Action Council of Howard County Now that you’re familiar with the spiritual motivation underpinning Outreach activities, here’s the mission statement of an important Howard County nonprofit organization that Christ Church supports. The Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) aims: “To diminish poverty, enable self-sufficiency and advocate for low-income families and individuals.” To help CAC meet its goals, the Outreach Commission recently voted to contribute $1,000 in Vestry-approved funds to the CAC, which now lists Christ Church in a “Village of Supporters” that will be thanked publicly next week. On Oct. 14, the CAC is holding its annual Holland Awards event, conducting it virtually yet again as a result of the pandemic. Parishioners can take pride that their contributions to Christ Church are helping CAC conduct programs such as weatherization, energy and housing assistance, and an early childhood education effort that expanded during 2021 to serve more preschoolers. Of course, parishioners are well aware of the CAC’s vital role in feeding the hungry. In pre-pandemic times, Christ Church held periodic food drives at Giant supermarkets to collect groceries for the CAC’s Howard County Food Bank. The last drive was held on a sunny fall day two years ago (see photo). Perhaps in 2022, with advances against the coronavirus, Christ Church will be able to resume our food drives. In the meantime, CAC offers multiple volunteer opportunities at the food bank, outdoors in a community garden, in early childhood education services, and in its office. To learn more and to enjoy the virtual Holland Awards program, you can purchase a ticket with proceeds benefiting the CAC. Place your ticket order soon and please do so by Monday, Oct. 11. The cost is $30 or, for a gift bag and the ingredients to participate at home during a cocktail hour, $60. That activity takes place on Oct. 14 from 6 to 6:30 p.m. The main event is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Keynote speaker will be Columbia Association President and CEO Lakey Boyd. The honorees are Neighbor Ride and Kathleen Koch, chair of the Howard County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD). Neighbor Ride connects county seniors, and COAD promotes collaboration among nonprofit organizations, faith-based communities, and business to solve problems especially in times of emergency. Last chance to Help Bridges to Housing Stability to End Homelessness The Chili & Challenge competition among congregations ends Friday, Oct. 8, so we hope you’ve made your donations to support Bridges to Housing Stability by clicking this link to the Christ Church page on Bridges’ website. These donations put Christ Church in the race to win a Golden Ladle or Silver Ladle award. You can also participate in the event by bidding in Bridges’ silent auction, which takes place through Sunday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. Bridges2HS works to prevent and end homelessness in Howard County through affordable housing solutions and advocacy. 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 or on Sunday. 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.

The Christ Church Autumn Retreat was held this past weekend, and was a wonderful success! God certainly provided some gorgeous fall weather for our gathering, weather that allowed us to gather in fellowship and reflection both indoors and out. We discussed how we can strengthen ourselves and our community as we look forward to returning to an active, in-person parish in the coming year. Many thanks to the A. Felix duPont Memorial House for their wonderful facilities; they kept us rested and fed throughout the weekend.

It is with great pleasure that we introduce to you Len Langrick, who begins his role of Interim Director of Music at Christ Church this weekend. Len will be with us for the entire program year, and he has lots of great plans for our music ministry, so watch this space in the coming weeks for more news! He'll be up in the Choir Loft as he plays our church organ during this Sunday's 10:30 worship, so if you come to church be sure to look up and say, "HELLO!" to Len after the service. You can learn a bit more about Len on our website's Staff page and can email him at music@christchurchcolumbia.org at any time.