Fall reminds us of the falling leaves, whereas springs bring forth new leaves - a burst of new life and new possibilities. In that same way, at every election, whether our favored party wins or loses, we are offered a fresh start, a new beginning, and an opportunity for all of us to chart a new course with new leadership. One of the wonderful programs that is available to new clergy in a diocese is called Fresh Start. This is a program that seeks to orient new clergy who have taken a cure in a new diocese to learn about the culture of that diocese, meet new and old clergy in the diocese, and, in fact, learn the art of being a pastor and a priest in the new congregation. As a clergyman or woman, you have turned a new leaf with a new cure, and a fresh start helps you along that path. It is in that same vein does elections offer us a fresh start. Not every one of us may like the results, especially those who lost, but then, win or lose, we turn a new leaf, and we start all over again, not with the same attitude but with a different approach. We use a different approach because we want to believe that we learned something about our first approach and that whatever it is that we learned needs to be improved. That is a tacit acknowledgment of the importance of starting anew and turning a new leaf. The fact is that many of our neighbors were concerned about the past election. And in fact, many people are still scared because of the uncertainty that lies ahead. Prior to the elections, there was this palpable fear of violence should the former and now newly-elected president have lost. That fear was justified because of the events of January 6th. Thankfully, the current president has promised a peaceful transition of power and has extended an invitation to all of us to lower the temperature. What is, after all, the value of demonizing each other if our goal is to serve the common good? I believe that the invitation of the current president is also a call to turn a new leaf - where we can take on the responsibility of repairing and mending strained relationships because of different beliefs about the candidates. There are times when we also face daunting challenges in our own lives. These challenges may test us in a way that we have never been tested before. And when we come out at the end of that battle, we feel the need to turn over a new leaf. To turn over a new leaf is about a fresh start, a new beginning. It doesn’t mean the past is forgotten, but it is a way to chart a course that is unlike the past life. Any attitude or approach that looks like the past life cannot be considered a new path forward. I usually conclude every Vestry meeting with a prayer from The New Zealand Prayer Book. But this particular part of the prayer just moves me: The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities. I offer this prayer because it reminds me of something so important, which is the fact that there’s always the possibility of new life. I also like to remind the Vestry that a new day brings about new joys because we can look forward to the joyous possibility of beginning anew, afresh, turning a new leaf. Indeed, the night can signify the darkest point in our lives, in the lives of our loved ones, and even in our broader community. Hear what the scripture says: ‘ Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.’ But the point is not to lose hope, mainly because of the promise that tomorrow offers us. That promise is always more than we can ever desire or imagine. “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light,” Aristotle once said. The point is that if we focus on the darkness, we may miss the light that is shining bright right in our faces. If we focus on only the loss that our candidate endured, we may miss the new beginning that could be made possible. If we focus on only the darkness, we miss the opportunity for a fresh start, a new beginning, and the turning of a new leaf. I am convinced that tomorrow’s promise comes with the turn of a page, the turn of a new leaf. Without the turn of a new leaf, there can be no promise of a new beginning.  A wise person once shared these wise words: “Don’t be afraid to start over again. This time, you’re not starting from scratch; you’re starting from experience.” That would be my advice to the president-elect if he were to ask me. This is because he has a lot of work to do to unsettle the fears of all who are worried and scared about what’s coming down the pike. I pray that he would look at his win not as a mandate for retribution against those he considers as his political enemies but rather as a new morn in America, where he’s been offered the opportunity to turn a new leaf, to change the circumstances of others, and invite us to a higher calling beyond ourselves. And so, like many of you, I will pray for the president. His success as president will be the collective success of all. My prayer would be that he turns a new leaf. My prayer would be that he not only sees a new day but seizes the mantle to be different. I listened to a commentary by this gentleman who said, “The way I look at life is that it is the most important phenomenon that exists in the universe. Without life, the universe, by definition, is meaningless. It’s clear that meaning enters the universe with consciousness, and consciousness is a property of living things, so without living things, there’s no meaning. And so, I think that if this is the only planet in the Milky Way galaxy that currently hosts an intelligent civilization, then it is the only island of meaning in a sea of 400 billion stars, and therefore, we have a tremendous responsibility, notwithstanding our physical insignificance to protect this island of meaning. If we mess it up, we will be responsible for annihilating meaning, perhaps forever in the galaxy.” I thought that was a beautiful summary of our purpose on this single planet, which beams with life and offers meaning to each other and ourselves. Without this meaning, what would be the point of the universe anyway? This meaning, in my humble opinion, always begins with our recognition of a new beginning, a fresh start, and a new opportunity to turn a new leaf. This opportunity to turn a new leaf gives credence to our belief in the human story as one shaped by birth and rebirth. Every birth and rebirth, therefore, invites us to turn a new leaf. Manny + revmanny@christchurchcolumbia.org

Make Thanksgiving Special for Families Who Depend Upon the Howard County Food Bank by Donating Holiday Sides and Staples Please help those who utilize the Howard County Food Bank get ready for Thanksgiving. Our annual collection ends Thursday, Nov. 21. That deadline gives the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) , which operates the food bank, sufficient time to prepare and distribute its "Holiday Meal Kits." The CAC expects to feed more than 1,000 people for Thanksgiving and another 1,000 around Christmas, offering families the protein and sides they need to enjoy a warm holiday meal. Complete the menu by bringing non-perishable sides: boxed mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, gravy, cranberry sauce, olives, pickles, and canned fruits and vegetables. Because household pantries often are bare this time of year, please add staples such as canned beans, soups, tuna, pasta and sauce, rice, peanut butter, and spices. Put items on the designated table in the Narthex. Or put them in a yellow bin marked “Thanksgiving Food Drive," located on the breezeway near the door to Old Brick. NOTE: Please, no pies, other desserts, or rolls b ecause of perishability.  Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting this Monday, Nov. 11 You can learn how to help others by joining us remotely via Zoom for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, November 11th, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope. Help the Homeless this Monday, Nov. 11, by Preparing a Dish for Grassroots’ Live-In Facility or Serving a Meal at the Day Resource Center On the second Monday of each month, Christ Church provides a hot midday meal for the homeless at the Day Resource Center (DRC) and drops off dinner at a live-in shelter for 50 residents. We last participated on Oct. 14th. Both DRC and Grassroots are operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center . A team led by parishioner Shahra Toth makes side dishes and desserts that we serve in person after carpooling to the DRC.  To join us on Monday, Nov. 11, please check our DRC online signup form , which describes the midday meal procedure. Drop-off time is 12:45 p.m. in the parking lot near Old Brick for DRC’s side dishes. Later, parishioners who cook or shop for the evening meal at Grassroots’ Live-In Facility arrive in the Old Brick parking lot between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. Get details in our Grassroots online signup form . Grassroots staff serves the evening meal. It’s efficient to provide for both venues on the same day. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried-chicken entrees. Thank you!   Recently, your generosity helped ease life for our homeless neighbors, who rely on sundries from the DRC pantry in Jessup. The staff requested our help to replenish supplies. In response, the Outreach Commission approved spending $326 for the goods, which included 40 pairs of women’s underwear, 36 pairs of men’s underwear, canned beans and vegetables, and 17 jars each of peanut butter and jelly. These were purchased with funds donated to the church by parishioners who give to “General Outreach” or specifically to DRC or Grassroots. A hearty thanks! Display Crafts or Shop at the Cedar Lane Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 16 If you’re an artisan or a shopper looking for handmade crafts, please participate in the Holiday Bazaar & Indoor Yard Sale on Saturday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 11630 Scaggsville Rd., Fulton, MD, 20759. The event is being organized by Christ Church parishioner Amanda Cheong and sponsored by Cedar Lane School PTA. Find details for vendors and shoppers on its Facebook page events entry .  Lake Elkhorn Middle School Partnership's Fall Update “Today was so amazing! The students were so excited and loved all the positivity that was directed at them today. This was all possible to your generous donation." Our partnership with Lake Elkhorn Middle School has continued into fall this year thanks to the creation of a new position at LEMS. Cindy Drummond is the new Community School Site Coordinator there, and one of her responsibilities is to work with Christ Episcopal Church.  Cathy Whittaker, Christ Church's LEMS coordinator, met with Cindy and Kevin Lee, the Pupil Personnel Worker who helped with the students' supply delivery in mid-October to brainstorm ways in which CEC might assist students, families, and teachers. Thanks to Cathy and our LEMS supporters at Christ Church, we were able to help provide prizes to recognize the students' academic and social progress over the first portion of the school year. Katie Lee, the 6th-grade administrator, sent us a wonderful letter of thanks, and Cathy has included it in her wonderful recap of LEMS and our ministry's recent support. You can read it on our website - www.christchurchcolumbia.org/post/lake-elkhorn-middle-school-partnership-update-1 Help Families in Need by Filling the Altar Basket and our FISH Bin on the Breezeway If you are concerned about people in our midst who are going hungry, please consider regularly donating non-perishables to FISH of Howard County. Put groceries and/or toiletries in the altar basket in New Brick or in a marked yellow bin on the breezeway between Old Brick and Parish Hall. FISH provides committed support to select families in need. The neighbors you help give thanks for all you do in their support. Columbia Community Care Needs Diapers, Recruits Volunteers of All Ages Columbia Community Care  (CCC) keeps its pantry open each Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in hopes of attracting youth who earn community service credits at their public schools by sorting supplies. Also, teens can help at upcoming events. Find options on the CCC Facebook Group . Go online to learn how to volunteer .   Those who need groceries and other necessities can find information by going online to “Get Help” on CCC’s website.   CCC continues to request baby-care items and diapers, especially s izes 4-6. Put these along with sanitary and personal care items 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. 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.

Our partnership with Lake Elkhorn Middle School has continued into fall this year thanks to the creation of a new position at LEMS.  Cindy Drummond is the Community School Site Coordinator at LEMS and one of her responsibilities is to work with Christ Episcopal Church.  I met with Kevin Lee, the Pupil Personnel Worker, who helped with the students supplies delivery, and Cindy Drummond in mid-October to brainstorm ways in which CEC might assist students, families and teachers. Last Monday I got a request from Katie Lee, the Sixth Grade Administrator, asking whether we would be willing to provide prizes to recognize the students’ academic and social progress during the first quarter of the school year.  The only “catch” was that they needed the items delivered to the school by Thursday since they were announcing the presentation of prizes on Friday and distributing them during the lunch period on the following Monday, Thursday, and Friday.  I looked over the list that Katie sent me and, although I knew how to find sports t-shirts, gift cards, gel pens and sunglasses, I had to catch up on what exactly fidgets, stuffies, and TAKIs were!  However, after receiving Father Manny’s go ahead, I was able to make the delivery on time.  I am sharing with you the email that I received from Katie after the event on Friday. “Today was so amazing! The students were so excited and loved all the positivity that was directed at them today. This was all possible to your generous donation.  Today was all about our 6th grade students and ensuring they are set up for success both academically and behaviorally. Our 6th graders just finished their first quarter of middle school and while some had a quick smooth transition, others are still feeling the shock of wrapping their heads around all that middle school is. This is the first time they have new freedom that did not exist in elementary school and with that comes more responsibility, such as getting to classes on time, checking their own grades, submitting their own work, etc. Our teachers noticed some students struggling with this responsibility and having a hard time being successful with the new expectations now that they are in middle school. We gave our teachers 'permission to pause', meaning they paused instruction to make meaningful connections with their students, build positive relationships between staff and students, and revisit all things middle school. Each class spent time talking about school-wide and classroom-based procedures, policies, and expectations. Throughout the day students earned tickets by showing up to class, being on time, participating, asking questions, being kind, etc. Students had the chance to select which prizes they wanted to put their tickets towards and very excitedly did so.  All day long, I heard students talking about how awesome the prizes were, how they were strategizing which prizes to put tickets in for, who was partnering with who to have more chances to win and then share the prize, etc. They were truly excited beyond belief. I heard teachers talking about increased student engagement in today's lessons and how they heard students speak up in class who rarely ever talk.  We will be drawing names next week to announce our prize winners and will do a couple prizes each day. I know our students would love to have you there. They were talking about the generosity all day and couldn't believe that someone would do this for them. They definitely felt the love! Today was such a positive day for all involved, staff and students alike, and I can't thank you enough.” ~Katie I was fortunate enough to attend the first prize distribution on Monday on behalf of our church, and I can assure you that the students were really thrilled with the prizes.  The choices of prizes for Monday were displayed at the front of the cafeteria.  They had a hard time sitting in their seats because they were all so excited to see if their name would be called for the various prizes for which they had submitted tickets.  The students made a special thank you card for Christ Episcopal Church (top image) with some of the prizes displayed.  The contributions of our congregation were deeply appreciated. In the past, we had a committee for the LEMS partnership and I believe it is time to reconstitute it.  If this partnership sounds like something you would like to be involved in, please contact me.  We have been asked to help with a Food Pantry on the first or second Monday of December from 3:30 to 4:30.   We will need people to help distribute food as well as buy supplies.  Other possibilities for the future include helping with an appreciation breakfast or lunch for teachers or just getting to know students during their lunch. Thank you for sharing Christ’s love with our neighbors. Cathy Whittaker LEMSPC@christchurchcolumbia.org

She helps lift spirits through music every Sunday, and now we get to hear her perform some of her favorite pieces as we present the Larissa and Friends fall recital, an annual tradition. Larissa Sanders, Music and Choir Director at Christ Church, and her selection of incredibly talented musicians and vocalists will present a program of beautiful music spanning several centuries and cultures. Light refreshments will be served at a reception with the musicians following the performance, as well. Offerings are gratefully accepted for this performance, and they will help support Christ Church's varied and vibrant music ministry, so we hope that you'll all gather with us in New Brick this Saturday, November 9th at 5:00 p.m. You'll be sure to enjoy a program of wonderful works performed by talented musicians.

Quelle réussite! Indeed, what a success this past week was, as Christ Church held it's annual Auction for the 35th year! Hundreds of items donated and thousands of dollars raised - and scores of berets and scarfs to help transport us to Paris, France for the capper of the week, the silent and live auction gala that was full of fun and fellowship. None of this is possible without the many volunteers, and this event was a prime example of what can be accomplished when we lend our time and talents towards making our common life better. It starts with the incredible Auction Committee - Carolann, Jill, Mary, Robin, Shahra, Steve, Suzanne, Tim, Sherry, and Veronica. For weeks and weeks they met, catalogued, photographed, and coordinated everything so that the entire parish had as seamless an experience as possible. Our gratitude doesn't stop there - Ann, Chester, Sydneya, Chris, Dave L, Yetti, Dave Z, Don, George, John, Marcia, Patrick, Becky, and Aisha were indispensible with the efforts they gave in order to help get the word out, prepare the Great Hall for the gala, provide refreshments and tasty treats, assist on the night of the big event, and make this large fundraising puzzle a fantastic experience for everyone. And the donors - we all know that there's no Auction without items to bid on, and we are humbled by the number of people who gave a wide variety of fantastic items for us to bid on. We hope that everyone is enjoying their winnings! If you haven't picked up your items yet, you can stop by the church office during business hours or speak with Robin Bradley at church. And if you need to process payment, you can use Realm - https://onrealm.org/christchurchcolumbia/give/2024auction . We're sure to be leaving out someone in our thanks, so apologies in advance - we'll be sure to thank you when we see you at church. And if anyone wishes to help out with next year's event, please let us know any time - we'll start a list!

Join fellow seekers on the 2nd Saturday each month for the Center for Spiritual Nourishment. On November 9th, the CSN offers experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit. The Center offers a safe space for you to explore an array of opportunities for spiritual growth, and is for anyone interested in spiritual nourishment, regardless of religious affiliation or beliefs. Sessions are offered a la carte. Come for any or all of the morning as we offer: Calming a Racing Mind presented by Seminarian Mike Looney Many of us experience the good and bad that come with having a racing mind and spend most of our time being anxious about the future or processing our regrets about the past. To experience the Divine, we must be in the present. Join us to learn a technique to calm our racing mind and settle into the present, allowing us to be present with our true selves and with God. Contemplative Meditation presented by Leah Chrest Discover the desire God has to commune with us and how to inwardly attune ourselves to the Spirit's voice.  Learn (briefly) about the history of contemplative Christianity, study the power of breathwork, be led through guided visualizations, become proficient in multiple techniques for stilling the mind, and practice drawing focus into your heart center.  In a mixture of teaching, discussion, and practice, strengthen your ability to engage in the equally important side of the conversation with God--if prayer is talking to the Lord, meditation is listening to God’s voice, and being changed by God’s presence. 2 sessions/month (both the same). Grief and Spirituality presented by Michael Looney, Seminarian The results of the recent election and other world events may result in a sense of grief for some of us. Grief can lead to fear and attachment to ideas that may hinder our mental, physical, and spiritual health. In this session we will discuss our grief in a safe space, work on ways to process it in community, and seek to channel our energy into nourishing our relationship with the Divine in order to live a more joyful life. Yoga for beginner (9 a.m.) and intermediate (10:15 a.m.) presented by Jane Adams Jane has been practicing yoga for more than 40 years (time flies so fast!). Practicing yoga has become a part of her life journey that helps her physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually grow together. The word yoga is translated as “union," a drawing together of body, heart and mind that integrates all the parts of ourselves into a unified whole. Jane teaches Hatha Yoga to practice the physical postures of yoga “asana” and contains detailed information about getting into the pose to find proper alignment, breathing, and meditation. When we bring our bodies, hearts and minds into alignment, we step into the flow of grace with spirit life. The journey of yoga is an inward search to find the best within us and to learn to express our bodies, minds and spirits. In CSN yoga, there are two sessions - 9 - 10 a.m. for beginner-level, and 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. for intermediate. You can join one class, or be with us for both. Please bring a comfortable yoga mat or cushion for your body, and you're welcome to bring yoga materials, if you have them (yoga bricks, stretching strap, and blanket) to experience our yoga journey together. Film: Metamorphosis hosted by George Toth Science Supporting Reality: Too many people compartmentalize science and religion allowing them to conflict, and our children are taught that our existence is nothing more than our physical existence in this three dimensional world walking through time. This program will explore and provide scientific evidence, not proof, that neither of these positions are true; that our greater reality lies in the spiritual realm, a dimensionality within which this physical, temporal world exists. The NDE (Near-Death Experience) evidence points to our spiritual reality, and many of the newer scientific discoveries point to a physical world more complex and intricate than ever imagined, a world which cannot come into being without a creator. We will find a Creator intimately involved in this creation and truth in His words, “Come now, let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18). Spiritual Direction Group presented by Andrea Noel In this spiritual discernment and direction group we will practice listening deeply to each other using prompts from scripture, poetry, nature, and our bodies. These practices are designed to help us notice and respond to the voice of the Holy moving in our lives.

November's FWF is a costume and pasta party that celebrates Halloween/All Saints Day, so gather with us in the Great Hall at 6 p.m. tonight, November 6th, all decked out in your fun Halloween getup! There will, of course, be a prize for the best costume, so get creative! And be sure to bring their leftover Halloween candy to share with others. It's sure to be a blast - see you there!

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. from the Washington National Cathedral and the Episcopal Church

Unity and healing are two qualities we need more of in this world - this is indisputable. With Election Day only two days from now, Christ Church presents a brief prayer service that's more relevant than ever this evening. "In Praise of Peace" is a community, Taizé-based prayer gathering with song, reflection, poetry, and praye rs to help us focus on unity, healing, and compassion. It doesn't matter where you stand politically - this is a gathering for the entire community, for every human being, so we encourage you to join us for an hour this evening at 6 p.m. in New Brick. The service leaflet can be found here. The livestream is below.

Anyone who has been in charge of a group of people trying to do anything knows the importance of good planning. One must consider the task at hand, short-term and long-term goals, the people involved, their abilities and challenges, and the resources available. A good leader has a plan, but also has the ability to anticipate possible snags and has contingency plans for these pitfalls. As a church music director, I plan the music for all our services, matching the congregational hymns and choral selections to the lectionary, holiday observances, and current events. Because I am a professional organist, I prepare new music and have a repertoire of music that I know that I can choose from when I decide what I will play each week. During choir rehearsals, we learn new music and review pieces that we have sung before so that we are also building a repertoire of music that we can choose from. As any choir member can tell you, we rehearse a lot of pieces each week! We have been rehearsing music for the upcoming Christmas season for several weeks already. But as the saying goes, “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go astray.” While I map out what I want the choir to sing for months at a time, it doesn’t always pan out the way I plan. Sometimes, our volunteer choir has several singers who are out of town for a few weeks. Some weeks, we take a hit from allergy or cold season, sometimes taking out the whole soprano section or making our numbers so low, that it is not feasible to sing what we had planned. A few weeks ago, you may have noticed that we did not sing what was listed in the bulletin. Like a football quarterback, I determined the plan was not going to work and had to call an audible and change the plan at the last minute on a Sunday. Why call an audible? Why not just do what we planned and present the music, even if we were missing some parts or not confident with the whole song? Our volunteer singers rely on our practices to learn the music and receive guidance on how to practice. They are not professional musicians who have the skills and musical expertise to prepare music on their own. At the same time though, we are not preparing for a concert. We do love music and enjoy singing, but this is about more than just music. The music we share each week is not a performance, it is our offering to God. In this stewardship season, we often hear about tithing and giving of our time and talents. We are told to give and not just what is extra.  Proverbs 3:9 says “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”  We are told to give our best to the Lord, whether that is in our time, talents, or treasure. I don’t want to present any music that is just “ok” or “good enough.” When we present a musical offering, we should present the best we have to offer. Sometimes that means we need to change the plan at the last minute to ensure we give our best to our God. Larissa Sanders music@christchurchcolumbia.org

One way we aim to be better stewards of Christ Church and its resources is by providing the Sunday service leaflet digitally, complete with all of our parish announcements and working web links. You can grab it by clicking the QR code or by visiting https://tinyurl.com/CEC-P24-allsaints