“…I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick
and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”
– Jesus in Matthew 25:36-37
Christ Church seeks to be a strategic partner with local non-profits, government and faith communities in addressing needs and challenges in the community and in the world.
In the last decade, the congregation has initiated an on-going weekly reading tutoring program at Higdon Elementary School, implemented the Meals on Wheels program on the Cobb Neck peninsula, and, in 2004 along with the other Cobb Neck churches, founded the Wayside Food Bank. Christ Church Wayside also supports a wide range of local, national and international hunger and poverty ministries such as Health Partners Incorporated and Episcopal Relief and Development. Here are ways you can get involved:
Coat Drive for Higdon Elementary School
There are children in our community who need coats, hats and gloves. If you would like to purchase these items (they have to be new), drop them off at the church. Many thanks to Sandy Hixson for coordinating this, and to Sandy as well as Walter Coy who are putting together twenty food baskets for Higdon families for Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving for the Homeless?
We have provided assistance to several families staying at the Thunderbird Motel on Route 301. Our Parish Administrator, Alicia Cordelle, is interested in putting together some small baskets of microwaveable food for them for Thanksgiving – please email or call her at 301-542-9686 if you can help.
Angel Tree? We are also exploring doing an Angel Tree project to buy gifts for Higdon students in need. Please email Sandy Hixson or call her at 301-904-7916 if you are interested in participating.
THANKSGIVING DINNER BOXES FOR
PEOPLE WITHOUT KITCHENS
We are doing more and more outreach with folks temporarily housed in motels, or living in the woods – many are chronically homeless with multi-faceted needs. Many have asked if we have anything to give out for Thanksgiving. We can put together “Thanksgiving Boxes” with food that doesn’t require a kitchen. If you’d like to assemble a box (or bag) and leave in the Parish Office by Tuesday, November 23, we’ll get it distributed. Each box should include:
- Small cooked ham ($10-12);
- canned corn; green beans; yams,
- Instant mashed potatoes;
- can or jar of gravy;
- package of rolls
- a pie.
The Plentiful Table – Free Meals to Those in Need – on the first Monday of each month, from 5:30 – 7 pm, we serve a hot meal to anyone in need, eat in or take home. Our first offering is Monday, May 6th. Contact Elizabeth Vinson if you would like to help.
Download this month’s flyer Flyer-Plentiful Table.
Reading Tutors – On Tuesday mornings, volunteers tutor students at Higdon Elementary School in reading.
Wayside Food Bank – Donate food, stock shelves, and help clients when Food Bank is open.
Community Dinners – Christ Church is known for festive dinners – this year our first OctoberFest (Flyer-OctoberFest), and Veterans Day spaghetti dinner, as well as carry-our dinners held during the summer.
Financial Support – Christ Church supports a number of organizations and ministries, including:
- Charlotte Hall Veterans’ Home
- Christmas gifts for members of the Armed Forces serving overseas
- the Christmas Connection
- Episcopal Relief and Development
- Friends of the Diocese of Jerusalem
- Health Partners
- Heifer Project International
- Lifestyles of Maryland
- Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for families of children at Higdon Elementary School
Our Pastor, Kate Heichler helped launch and sustains the Nambale Magnet School for children orphaned by AIDS in Kenya.
Other – What’s your passion? Who do you want to reach out to? Let us know, and see if we can support you.
Outreach Projects of Individual Members of the Community
Many of our members are involved in outreach projects as individuals. All are invited to share this work with the community.