“…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, quoted 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. Our primary outreach activity is our Food Pantry. We are also inaugurating a series of Community Catalyst Conversations designed to create a safe space for members of the community – all are welcome – to learn more about big issues challenging us, focus on our assets, and convene in “strategy circles” to develop solutions, so that we can help La Plata and the broader Charles County and Southern Maryland become a place of justice and equity, joy and generosity, security and hope. See more on that here…

Christ Church Tutoring Program

The upheaval which Covid restrictions have wreaked on our educational systems has left many children at risk of failing this year. Neal Bankenstein, who works with vulnerable children and families in the Charles County Public Schools, has suggested we launch a tutoring program to give kids some extra help.He and other administrators will refer children to us; we’ll match them up with tutors who are comfortable with the needed subject matter, and we’ll set up a time for tutoring to happen on Zoom. Karen Hile, a teacher and member at Christ Church La Plata, has offered to serve as a consultant for tutors who wants some help.

Please fill out this form to indicate your preferred subjects and available times. We’ll start with the new semester in late January.

The Miracle Box

Bill Hoxie has built an enclosed bin to collect coats and blankets – one side for new items (preferred) and the other for used. We are increasingly collecting goods needed by folks who are homeless, living in encampments in the woods. We call it the Miracle Box, because so often Bill finds exactly what someone needs, and in their size, when he looks there.

We need an overall coordinator for this ministry, some signage, as well as folks to help launder the used items, and/or make donations to our Giving Fund to support dry cleaning. We can also use help with distributing the goods. Please contact Deacon Joan if you’d like to be part of this ministry to keep our neighbors warm this winter.

Neal Bankenstein is collecting new coats and jackets for schoolchildren in need – the stock for elementary school children has already run out. These must have tags still on. Please contact Neal to arrange drop-off.

Food Pantry

The Food Pantry is an outreach ministry of Christ Church in La Plata. The pantry, on church grounds at 112 Charles Street, is open each Friday from 9 am to 11 am, except for some holidays. Food items such as canned meats, fruits and vegetables, as well as fresh produce, dairy and eggs (when available) are given to residents of Charles County.

Laypersons of the parish and outside volunteers run the pantry. Mary Rice oversees operations: food pickups, Food Bank purchasing, and fundraising. Volunteers are always welcome to help with food pick-ups at area stores on Thursdays and Fridays (trucks helpful), and with food distribution on Friday mornings.

COVID-19 Update: Since March 2020, for the safety of both volunteers and clients, we have changed the way we acquire and distribute food. Instead of clients shopping inside the pantry, we now have curbside pickup only: clients currently receive pre-packaged collections of food from the safety of their cars.

Community Catalyst Conversations

Christ Church hosted its first Community Catalyst Conversation on the topic of Affordable Housing on February 26, 2019. Some 35 people gathered to hear from Christina Pompa, Deputy Director of Planning and Growth for Charles County speak about the need for affordable housing for entry-level workers and their families, as well as a critical need for housing for those below the poverty line. Groups then met in Strategy Circles to articulate a vision for effective affordable housing, and how we might increase public support. Community Catalyst Conversations will be offered on other topics in the coming year.

Special Services

Christ Church hosted an Election Eve Prayer Vigil on the eve of the last national election, as well as a memorial service on National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day on December 21. This was the first such service of remembrance in Southern Maryland, and we partnered with LifeStyles of Maryland to remember sixteen individuals who had died homeless in the past three years.

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.