Vision Of God In Christ · Christ Church Gatherings for October 29, 2026

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

GATHERINGS

October 29, 2026

Vision Of God In Christ

In his sermon last Sunday, Kevin Berthound made this point: there’s always some good news. I found that powerfully poignant, especially at this time of year, when we are invited to commit our treasure, time, and talent to this community of faith and choose our political leaders.

Listening to the radio and podcasts, watching the news on your TV or electronic device, and reading the newspaper may be more than challenging for many people these days. This is because media platforms are saturated with the evil in the other guy, or with how an opponent's evil can be destructive to the kind of society we live in.

All candidates seeking political office speak well of themselves, but they hardly tout the good in their opponents. "There is nothing good in them," they seem to remind us. But the good news is that there is some good in each candidate. The fundamental question is, do they want to see the good in them translate into the lives of all the people they desire to serve, or do they want the good in them to be made manifest in some of the people they want to serve?

It is challenging to love God and neighbor, because we simply do not know how or the best way to love God. Nonetheless, I am convinced that the vision of God in Christ for the world is the love of God and love of neighbor.

That vision is needed now, in this heightened political season, when divisions run through families, strife runs through friendships, discord runs through neighborhoods, and friction runs through churches.

Listen to a lawyer ask Jesus, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" In answering the question, Jesus quotes from the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:5 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” He added a second from Leviticus 19:18 “Do not seek revenge or bear any grudge against any of your people. But love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” That, to me, represents the vision of God in Christ for the world.

The point is you cannot hate yourself and love your neighbor. As selfish as it may sound, you have to learn how to love yourself before you can love your neighbor. Loving your neighbor is only possible when you can love yourself, because you can see yourself in your neighbor. You cannot love God when you don’t love yourself. The love of both God and neighbor is predicated on the ability to love yourself.

To love God is to be unconditionally obedient and to reimagine love as sacrificial. Point is, you cannot love if you are not willing to sacrifice. Love demands and requires sacrifice to prove itself worthy. To love is to desire to have skin in the game.

Remember, at the core of God’s love is the sacrifice of God’s self through His Son, Jesus Christ. And for us as Christians, we look at the manger to behold the presence of God’s love manifested in human form; we look at the empty tomb to behold the glorification of God’s love; and we look at the cross as the highest point of God’s sacrificial love.

In the cross, we do not only behold a God who has skin in the game, but we are bound in union with the God who pays the ultimate price with Godself. The question is, if God demonstrated his love for us in such a manner, how can I withhold my love from you? Or why should I allow anything, even politics to come between my love for you? Part of the sacrifice of love is our ability to see ourselves in each other and to embrace each other, even when we have more than enough reason to walk away from each other.

In the first two lines of his poem The Everlasting Gospel, William Blake writes this:

That vision of Christ which you see

Is my vision’s greatest enemy.

The vision of God in Christ for the world is a world enveloped by the love of God and neighbor. But that is not the vision we each carry because we are tribal. If the vision of God in Christ is our vision's greatest enemy, then we may have to change our vision to realign it with the vision of God in Christ. We don't need an enmity between the two visions.

The vision of God in Christ is a love that often leaves us open to wounding and disappointment. It is love that makes us ready to suffer. It is love that overlooks pettiness and self-righteousness. It is love that leads us out of isolation, exclusion, and self-centeredness into fellowship with others, with people who are so different from us.

The uniqueness of this fellowship is that it is always associated with suffering and pain. And when the pain and suffering of love are accepted, they deepen love, they renew love, they build love, they sustain love, and they give meaning to love. Strangely enough, it is this embrace of love that makes possible any sacrificial self-giving of love.

This coming Sunday is our pledge Sunday, the day we walk to the altar table and offer our pledges. Through this process, we commit ourselves to the holy and faithful cause of God’s work in this sacred place.

As Kevin said, the good news is that it is our honor and privilege to do God’s work here at Christ Church. We can do this work because of your faithfulness and amazing support. It is therefore a blessing to appeal to each of us to prayerfully consider our commitment to this sacred place for the coming year. This appeal is based on your love for God and neighbor, what Christ Church stands for, how much Christ Church means to you and the people we serve on your behalf, and how much Christ Church serves you and your neighbor.

For me, Christ Church stands tall as a beacon of hope to a world needing lots of it, faithfulness to a beleaguered world, a champion of love to those on the margins, a sanctuary for all who need a safe space from a chaotic life, an oasis of refreshing springs of water that is always available to quench our thirst, light on our dark paths, a place of belonging for each and everyone.

We live a love of neighbor because we believe that to love neighbor is to surrender to the path of love that desires to own the vision of God in Christ. We choose a love that leads us to discover that God is not the object of our love and longing, but God is love itself. At Christ Church, we have the capacity to harness the energy of love, not only for our own good, but for the good of all people.

I learned many years ago that justice may be impartial, but love is partial. The partiality of love lets us overlook differences with another. In other words, our differences, especially religion, race, ethnicity, sex, and politics, are not enough for us to surrender the dark side of human behavior or compete with the vision of God in Christ for the world.

I have no idea which candidate you will be supporting this election cycle, and I honestly don’t need to know. My hope for you is that, beyond the candidate you support, we can all see the vision of God in Christ, which builds, sustains, and nurtures community to thrive, not for its own sake, but for the sake of all people.

Kevin is correct - there is always good news. But to continually, consistently, and faithfully share this good news of love which inaugurates and sustains the vision of God in Christ, we need your wholehearted support.

Again, I deeply thank you for your support throughout the years. And as always, I count on your faithful support. I hope to see you on Sunday with your love pledge.

Blessings,

Manny+

SUNDAY WORSHIP

AT CHRIST CHURCH

This Sunday, we have FOUR services:

At 8 a.m. in Old Brick, we celebrate Holy Eucharist without music.

Our Family Worship is at 9 a.m. in New Brick and focuses on engaging our younger church members, featuring a special sermon and a Communion gathering around the altar.

We then have our Choral Eucharist at 10:30 in New Brick.

Then Join Us for a Special Worship...

Taizé Vespers

Sunday Evening at 6 p.m.

Taizé Vespers is a liturgy of Evening Prayer that combines scripture readings, prayer, silent meditation, and rich music. On the first Sunday evening of each month, Christ Church offers this truly beautiful service of contemplative prayer and music in the tradition of the Taizé community of France. This community promotes peace and justice through prayer and meditation.

November's Taizé Vespers reflects on Thanksgiving, which is appropriate, given the season. Emphasizing attention to silence, prayer, and singing, Taizé offers an opportunity to give praise and thanksgiving for God's love and presence in one's life, to offer prayer for oneself and others, and to share in a supportive community. Gather with us at 6 p.m. in New Brick on November 1 for this powerful and peaceful worship.

This is a place where lives are renewed.

See you at church!

SHARE IN CHRIST CHURCH'S

COMMON LIFE

Please Pledge to Christ Church for 2027

We are deeply blessed to be surrounded by such a dedicated and generous parish family whose continued support sustains our ongoing ministry of faithful service. This Sunday is Pledge Sunday at Christ Church, and as we look ahead to what God is calling us to do in the coming year, we invite each of you to spend time in prayerful reflection about how you might contribute your time, talent, and financial resources to Christ Church for 2027.

To make your commitment, you can pick up printed pledge cards and return envelopes in the Narthex and complete them in person. If you prefer to submit your information online, you can securely fill out your pledge form at christchurchcolumbia.org/2027-pledge.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your continued generosity. Your faithful partnership enriches our vibrant worship, strengthens our community outreach, nurtures our children and youth programs, enlivens our music, and supports every other essential aspect of our shared common life.

Movie Night - This Friday

The next film screening in the Parish Building's lower level will be Needful Things (trailer), starring Bonnie Bedelia and Ed Harris. It's a movie that fits the Halloween spirit.... "A mysterious shop of novelties, specialties, and antiques opens in the small town of Castle Rock, where the owner, Leland Gaunt (Max von Sydow), sells items that fulfill the deepest desires of his customers, the unwitting townspeople. Gaunt rarely asks for pecuniary compensation, but rather asks for odd favors and pranks orchestrated on others, often seeming completely harmless. The threading of the pranks and misfortunes leads to community hostility and distrust, culminating in widespread chaos and severe violence. Only then does the sheriff begin to understand what is happening in his once-quiet, peaceful town, and who is ultimately responsible. Truth becomes his weapon, and you need to see how it unravels the tapestry woven by Gaunt." You don't want to miss this one - gather and enjoy this early-90s tale; join us at 7:00 that night - and bring some munchies to share!

Time to "Fall Back" this Weekend

Don't forget to enjoy an additional hour this weekend! Daylight Saving Time ends late Saturday night, so set your clocks back one hour before bed (if you still have those things!), and grab that extra hour of rest before coming to church on Sunday morning!

Welcome Newcomers to Christ Church at the HoCo Pride Festival - This Sunday, November 1

Christ Church is proud to represent our community at this weekend's Howard County Pride Festival! The no-cost festival takes place this Sunday, November 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. Please speak with Jan DeBoissierre on Sunday, or call the church office if you are interested.

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to staff our booth (canopy, table, and chairs are provided), welcome festival-goers, and share Christ Church's message of God's inclusive love with our wider community. Whether you can give an hour or spend the afternoon with us, your presence and support make a meaningful difference. You can learn much more about this event here, and volunteers can register here. Thank you for helping us reach the wider community and let them know about Christ Church - a place that's truly for everyone.

Centering Prayer - Monday Evenings

Centering Prayer is a special evening prayer gathering that can help lead to a more intimate union with God. This active presence heals, transforms, and offers freedom and peace. Be with us in Old Brick or online via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. on Monday evenings. You can also ask for more information by speaking with Kathy Lyon at church or by emailing centering@christchurchcolumbia.org.

It's Nearly a Full Week of Auction Events!

The countdown to the best Christ Church social event of the year is really, truly here!

Many thanks to everyone who has donated - we have more than 130 items, and they are fantastic ones, too! If you need us to photograph your donated items, please bring them to the Parish Hall Conference Room between this Saturday, October 24, and Friday, October 30, during regular office hours. If you need assistance, please call the church office. If we don't need to photograph them, please drop them off on Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7 (more details later).

Then... get ready for AUCTION WEEK! That's right, this year's Auction takes place over a few days and in different ways. First comes the online portion from November 3 - 6, and soon, we'll send you a link to the Auction Catalog. You can bid on those items from your own couch... and then check your bid... and see you're outbid... and then counterbid! The fun is in the competition - and in raising the most for our much-loved Christ Church!

The main event, of course, takes place on Saturday, November 7, at 6:00 in the Great Hall - and we expect to see ALL OF YOU there (remember, there is childcare for all)!

FriendsGiving at Christ Church - Wednesday, November 4

The November version of First Wednesday Fellowship is a festive one - we will celebrate FriendsGiving in the Great Hall! Bring your family and friends for a genuine turkey dinner with all the trimmings; we'll provide the delicious turkey, and you bring the sides, salads, and dessert. Whether you choose cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, or any other wonderful seasonal delights, there are lots of options that are sure to please.

After dinner, we will take part in a service project that benefits others in our community - we'll make support bags for the teachers at Lake Elkhorn Middle School!

It's the season to be thankful, and we will do everything in that spirit, so join us on Wednesday, November 4, at 6:00 in New Brick for an early FriendsGiving!

We Need Your Photo!

As our church community continues to grow and flourish, staying connected is more important than ever. Christ Church is creating a new to make it easier for everyone to reach out, connect, and care for one another, put faces to names, welcome newcomers, and help long-time members stay in touch across our services and ministries. The "faces to names" part of that is where you come in - we need your individual or family photo so we can add it to the Directory. Please email them to office@christchurchcolumbia.org, and we'll add them.

A directory helps our clergy, staff, and lay leaders easily recognize, reach, and support parishioners when they need pastoral care or community outreach. Knowing one another also better builds a tightly knit, supportive spiritual home where everyone is truly seen and appreciated, so thank you in advance for helping make this Directory a reality.

Noonday Healing Eucharist - Thursdays

Throughout the year, Christ Church offers a midday Healing Eucharist on Thursdays in Old Brick. A member of our clergy leads this service of readings, prayers, a litany for healing, and the Holy Eucharist. Parishioners and community members are all welcome to join in a prayerful time in the presence of God, and to share in the wonderful mystery of God’s love whilst we seek healing for ourselves and our loved ones. Please come in to reflect, pray, and participate in a service held in our beautiful, historic chapel.

Join the Christ Church Choir - Thursday Evenings

Get ready, all you singers and music lovers! The choir has resumed rehearsals in New Brick on Thursday evenings - Handbell Choir at 6:45 and Adult Choir at 7:30 - and all adults are welcome to join us.

Whether you read music or not, have previous experience or not, and whether you are ready to commit full-time or not, there's a place for you to give it a shot in our handbell &/or vocal choirs. If you're interested, please speak with Larissa at church on Sundays or email her at music@christchurchcolumbia.org.

The Center for Spiritual Nourishment - Saturday Morning, November 14

This month, our theme is gratitude and service. As we welcome the time of harvest, we reflect on the blessings of God and consider where God is leading us to serve others. Join us for times of teaching and sharing, spiritual direction, meditation, inspirational films, and Fr. Mike’s healing space for trauma, grief, and hope.

The 2nd Saturday Center for Spiritual Nourishment (CSN) takes place on November 14 and provides opportunities for us to be in closer relationship with God by offering an array of experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit. Learn about the 2nd Saturday CSN at our website - www.christchurchcolumbia.org/spiritual-nourishment.

Larissa & Friends: A Musical Tradition - Saturday Evening, November 14

We are thrilled to present our Music Director, Larissa Sanders, in her fall Larissa and Friends recital - now an annual tradition. Larissa 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 following the performance.

Come to the New Brick Sanctuary on Saturday, November 14 at 5:00 for an evening that's sure to entertain everyone. Save the date, join us, and support excellent music performed by talented musicians.

MOCC Breakfast - Saturday, November 21

Join us for French toast and fellowship - the MOCC breakfast is a monthly tradition, and in November, it will take place on Saturday, the 21st. Set your GPS to Silver Diner at 8250 Gateway Overlook Drive in Columbia. We'll meet at 9:30 a.m., and all ages are welcome.

And stay tuned: on December 12, the MOCC will host its Christmas Dinner at the King's Contrivance Restaurant. They have no other information at this time, but just be sure to save the date for now.

Advent Formation Celebration! - Sunday, November 22

Kick off the holiday season with fellowship and joy at Christ Church’s Advent Formation Celebration! Join us on Sunday, November 22, at 9:30 a.m. in the Great Hall for an uplifting morning that prepares our hearts and homes for a very special season. This festive gathering is for all ages and brings the whole parish family together to share in community and the spirit of Advent.

That Sunday, we will take a break from Formation classes and instead enjoy delicious food and a variety of hands-on activities. Everyone can create Advent wreaths, craft meaningful Jesse Tree ornaments, and more. Whether you are creating keepsakes for your home or simply enjoying time with friends and meeting new ones, there is something for everyone to celebrate. We hope to see you there!

We Have New Name Tags (and soon, a new home)!

Soon, you'll see our new name tag wall in the Narthex, so come grab one and wear it so friends old and new can greet you by name! These durable tags feature a clean design and are easy to reuse, making them a great sustainable choice for our church community.

You’ll also find them on the rear table in Old Brick, and you can leave them there after the 8:00 worship. Please grab one, write your name using the supplied dry-erase markers, and help us make everyone feel welcome!

Learn More About Your Parish - Read the Monthly Vestry Meeting Minutes

To provide complete transparency with our parish family, we share the minutes from each monthly Christ Church Vestry meeting. These minutes provide the parish family with full transparency into church leadership, decisions, and governance. They may include official updates, financial and stewardship updates, reviews of plans from ministries, groups, and programs, and information on upcoming parish events and strategic plans.

We recently had our monthly Vestry meeting, and a PDF of the latest Vestry meeting minutes is available here. If you have any questions or wish to discuss something specific with a Vestry member, please stop by the Vestry Table at church on any Sunday morning.

Provide Eucharist to Those Unable to Travel to Church as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor

This year, we have had more people request Communion to You, a service Christ Church provides to bring Eucharist to homebound parishioners. To fulfill this need, we require a few more Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV). If you're interested in helping with this vital ministry, please speak with Kathy Lyon at church or contact the Church Office. And if you require this service for yourself or someone you know, please fill out this brief form, or call the Church Office. We will ensure that Communion gets there.

We Always Need More Help at Christ Church

There are many roles in the church that most people don’t think of regularly – or at all. However, many people do a great deal of work to keep Christ Church the well-run parish it is. You can help your church by volunteering as a Greeter, Reader, Chalicist, or Teller, serving in the Inreach Ministry, or assisting the Christ Church Altar Guild.

None of these requires 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, email altarguild@christchurchcolumbia.org or speak with Pam Foreman or any other Altar Guild member setting up on Sunday mornings. To learn more about the Inreach Ministry, speak with Michon Semon at church, complete the brief form at cecevents.org/Inreach, or email us at inreach@christchurchcolumbia.org, and we will get you started. For those interested in assisting as a Greeter, Reader, Chalicist, or Teller, please call the Church Office at office@christchurchcolumbia.org or speak with Yetti.

JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR THE

Vision & Strategies Workshops

OUTREACH - this Sunday, November 1

at 9:30 in Old Brick

The Vision & Strategies committee completed its planning work by delivering the V&S Report at the Annual Meeting recently. To support that transition, Vision & Strategies committee members are holding workshops on the four presented ministry areas so existing groups can plan and begin the needed work together. This week, we discuss OUTREACH, a vital and significant part of our common life.

We hope that you'll read the V&S Report and come to these sessions with any and all questions, concerns, thoughts, and ideas, so that we can build a better Christ Church for the next three hundred years of parishioners - including us.

You Can Register for Sunday School

From Autumn through Spring, Faith Formation is thriving at Christ Church, and anyone from pre-K to 12th grade is invited to gather with us next fall. It's a program of age-appropriate classes that’s relevant and engaging, and we're looking forward to an exciting year! The Sunday School details are on our website's Sunday School page.

Christ Church's Sunday School and Youth Formation ministry believes in growing a deep and wide faith in kids through education in the Gospel, serving our community, and fellowship with one another. From the earliest age, we want kids to know the basic truths of God’s Word and how we can apply those in our daily lives. Our dedicated and trained Sunday School team provides age-appropriate groups where the kids can connect and learn with one another.

Registration is now open, so complete our registration form here (one form per child, please), so we can reserve space for your children. If you have any questions or need assistance, please email sundayschool@christchurchcolumbia.org

CHRIST CHURCH OUTREACH

IN ACTION

Please Pitch In! Bring Holiday Sides and Year-Round Staples by Thursday, Nov. 19, for our Thanksgiving Drive for the Howard County Food Bank

You can make Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays special for those who depend on the Howard County Food Bank to feed their families. The staff of the food bank provides the makings of festive meals for 1,000 people for Thanksgiving and another 1,000 by Christmas.

Christ Church contributes to this effort by collecting non-perishables prior to Thanksgiving and by sending funds to CAC. The Outreach Commission approved a donation of $1,000, which goes in part to broaden options beyond a whole turkey. Some people prefer a hen, turkey breast, or plant-based proteins.

It’s up to you to complete the menu! Bring stuffing mix, gravy, cranberry sauce, olives, pickles, and canned fruits and vegetables. Because household pantries may be bare, please add staples such as bags of rice, tuna, hearty soups, pasta and sauce, peanut butter, and spices. Put items in the marked boxes upstairs in New Brick or on the Parish Hall breezeway in a bin labeled “Thanksgiving Food Drive". NOTE: No produce, pies, other desserts or rolls due to perishability. Deadline: Thursday, Nov. 19.

The monetary donation went to the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC), which operates the Howard County Food Bank. These are Vestry-approved funds derived from parishioners’ pledges and contributions. Thank you!

As an individual, you may wish to support CAC in other ways. Consider participating in a fundraiser, “2026 Evening of Impact,” for a capital campaign on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Savelle, a renovated space formerly known as the Great Room. There’s ample free parking in the Savage Mill complex in nearby Savage, Md. A general admission ticket is $150 for an evening of great food and beverages. Supporters may wish to purchase a sponsorship for a business or donate directly.

It’s for a worthy cause. The CAC is the county’s official anti-poverty, non-profit agency. Its “Cornerstone of Opportunity” capital campaign is intended to address rising demand for food assistance and affordable early childhood education, particularly along the Route One Corridor. A site in Elkridge will house a more efficient food bank and an education center, as described in a Sept. 26, 2025 county release. The project launched with county and state help but CAC must raise the balance.

Somos Amigos Holds its Quarterly Clinic, Expresses Gratitude to Christ Church for Our Donation to Improve Diabetes Care

Somos Amigos Medical Missions held a successful clinic from Oct. 12 -16, welcoming 406 patients in general medicine and 229 dental patients. The laboratory team performed more than 600 tests, helping the medical team better evaluate and care for patients from rural Naranjito and the surrounding communities of the Dominican Republic.

Recently, the Outreach Commission approved a $1,000 donation for diabetes care, building on its past support for an insulin program. Somos Amigos Operations Director Wander Cubilete wrote to Christ Church about some newer diabetes medications that have been revolutionary. “We have been tracking the prices of these medications for some time, and this summer we had a breakthrough. While GLP-1 medications are still beyond our budget, another class of diabetes medication is finally within our reach: DPP-4 inhibitors, such as Januvia.”

He said that thanks to Christ Church, Somos Amigos could make an initial investment in these medications. “We plan to begin with a trial group of 50 patients and will monitor their progress closely as we learn more about how we can incorporate these treatments into the care we provide.”

Founder and Executive Director Frank Brightwell expressed deep gratitude: “We are hopeful — genuinely hopeful — that these medications will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Diabetes is one of the most common and most difficult conditions we manage in our communities, and this gift gives us a real tool to work with.”

Thanks to all who give to Christ Church, helping to bring about such progress. We’ll learn more on Feb. 28, 2027, when Brightwell makes his annual visit to Christ Church. Save the date!

The next clinic will be held Jan 11, 2027, when Dione Mahoney plans to volunteer along with her sister, Desiree, and brother-in-law, Jorge, all repeat volunteers. To learn what it’s like to participate, ask her or other previous volunteers. They include Outreach member Shahra Toth and physicians Ellen Boudreau Hoke and Preethi Jackson. Go here for volunteer information.

Enjoy an Outing at Topgolf, Baltimore on Nov. 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. to Benefit the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center

Pick up a golf club, have fun, and help mariners from around the world whose ships call at the Port of Baltimore on Friday, Nov. 6. The Baltimore International Seafarers' Center (BISC) will hold its annual golf event from 3 to 5 p.m. at Topgolf, Baltimore, 1411 Warner St., Baltimore, Md., 21230. Parking is in the nearby Horseshoe Casino garage.

Go here to see if you or your company would like to become a sponsor or to sign up as an individual player. For $100, a one-player ticket covers general admission, food, water, tea, soda, and one drink ticket.

Topgolf is a sports entertainment complex offering a high-tech golf game that everyone can enjoy. Players can experience the thrill of hitting golf balls at giant targets, with Toptracer technology tracking their drives for real-time feedback and scoring.

The outing is for a good cause. BISC provides spiritual care and hospitality to mariners working far from their homes and loved ones. You can get a feel for the ministry on the donation page of its Support Catalog, which lists services such as a month of Wifi and “snacks for one crew stuck on their ship.”

BISC is a program of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, supported by the Bishop’s Appeal.

Please Fill the Altar Basket and Parish Hall Bin with Goods for FISH/CCC

Since 1976, FISH, an all-volunteer organization has aided tens of thousands of Howard County residents facing hard times. Delivery of food, staples and hygiene supplies are handled by Columbia Community Care (CCC), which merged pantries with FISH last year. CCC delivers food to Howard County residents and distributes it at three sites on Saturday mornings, except on holiday weekends. For information, go online to Get Help.

FISH picks up donated goods from Christ Church and others. Please put non-perishable food and personal care products in the altar baskets or in a bin just inside the Parish Hall. Look for a combo label “FISH/CCC”. Please bring baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes.

FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents, offering guidance and financial support because the personal touch matters when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email andydelong.fish@gmail.com. You could lend a helping hand by lending an ear! As a phone volunteer, you can help from your home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. Thank you!

It's Christmas at Sea for the Seafarers, and You Can Help - Through Nov. 8

Please join us in supporting the International Seafarers' Center's annual Christmas at Sea program by donating items through November 8. WOCC representatives will deliver all collected goods in mid-November, and we will announce the exact delivery date once it is confirmed.

Donation bins marked "Seafarers" are ready to receive your contributions. The Center is especially in need of the following items:

Warm Clothing: Watch caps (warm hats) and scarves without fringe or other trim.
Comfort & Care: Hand warmers and cookies (homemade if close to the delivery date, or store-bought otherwise).
Souvenirs & Reading Materials: Flat Baltimore souvenirs like postcards, magnets, or stickers, along with 2027 calendars and magazines such as Sports Illustrated, National Geographic, and Smithsonian.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Carolann Sawyer or Cindy Read. And thank you for your generosity!

Your Help is Needed to Provide Support for Comfort Cases, a Long-Standing Outreach Group for the MOCC - November 19

The Men of Christ Church needs volunteers to help pack bags in support of Comfort Cases. If you are interested in helping out, please speak with Duane Smith at church or email MOCC@christchurchcolumbia.org. You can also find flyers around the campus with more information.

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.

WE ARE ALL STEWARDS

OF CHRIST CHURCH

A Message from the Treasurer

September Net Income was positive. A nice change from the last few months - and consistent with seasonal trends.

September income was above budget, last year, and expectations. Year-to-date income is now at 71% of the full-year budget. Our five-year average for the fourth quarter is 30% of the full year budget, so we are tracking well. It's worth noting that we'll need to finish strong in order to satisfy our commitment to bring on our Curate, Reverend Natalie (who was not budgeted in 2026).

Monthly expenses were below budget and last year. Year-to-date, we are in line with budget; however, Salaries and Benefits and Office Operations remain a challenge. We've been working on these two issues since August. There's more work to be done; however, September's numbers suggest we're making progress.

Drew Eaton

Christ Church Treasurer

You can read the NEW Vestry-approved monthly financial report here.

Pledge to Christ Church for 2027

We are so blessed to have a community of dedicated parishioners who support our ministry of faithful service, and we hope that each parishioner will prayerfully consider their contribution to Christ Church. You may pick up a pledge card in the Narthex to complete, or you can complete one electronically on our website - christchurchcolumbia.org/2027-pledge

Text Giving

You can give securely and conveniently by using your mobile phone! Simply send a text with the word CECGIVING to 73256, and you'll receive a secure link to our page where you can set up a one-time or recurring gift.

Online Giving

You can also continue to pledge and give to Christ Church online. It's a safe and secure method of contributing toward your annual pledge or another offering. Whether it's a one-time donation or a recurring gift, you can go to our overview page for instructions and links. Signing up is fast and easy; if you need assistance doing so or if you have any Stewardship-related questions, please contact us at info@christchurchcolumbia.org

Your faithfulness is what makes life happen at Christ Church. Your faithfulness makes Christ Church stronger. Your faithfulness enables our parish to embrace, with courage, the task that God has for us. We need to remember that Christ Church is completely dependent on this faithfulness. Your beloved Christ Church counts on you and your faithful giving.

Thank you.