outreach ministries

Christ Church’s Outreach Ministry strives to be a faithful presence in the world. Empowered by the love of Jesus, we help others in our community and beyond through hands-on work and financial support. While we respond to a diverse range of needs, Christ Church is particularly dedicated to improving the health, education, and welfare of children. We serve without regard to religious belief, race, national origin, gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, or social/economic status.

The Outreach Committee meets once monthly to faithfully plan our upcoming activities. We always eagerly welcome new members and new ideas!

For more information, please contact outreach@ccpk.org.

Serving the Community

Arcola Elementary School

Arcola Elementary in Wheaton, Maryland is a F.A.R.M.  (Free and Reduced Meals) school, where over 75% of the children come from families living at the poverty level and below. These children receive two meals a day at school and nutritional snacks (provided by Christ Church). Christ Church “adopted” Arcola Elementary to help meet their needs. The children receive donated school backpacks filled with school supplies at the beginning of the school year, they receive food through the Thanksgiving and Christmas school holidays, and the secret angels at Christ Church help some of the children have an extra memorable Christmas by answering their wishes.

For more information, visit the Arcola Elementary School website.

Bethesda Cares

Our Bethesda Cares Sandwich Brigade never rests! Christ Church families have volunteered to make sandwiches one Saturday a year for the homeless clients at Bethesda Cares for more than 15 years. The Christ Church congregation also collects socks, water, and toiletries to help their clients throughout the year. In 2019, the Bethesda Cares Sandwich Brigade welcomed Cara Roviello, Christiane Robbins, and the Allen, Amaditz, Feller, Johnson, and Salow families.

For more information, visit the Bethesda Cares website.

Rebuilding Together

For over 20 years, Christ Church has worked in partnership with the non-profit “Rebuilding Together” to rehabilitate the houses of low-income homeowners, particularly the homes of the elderly, the disabled, and families with children, so that they can continue to live in warmth, safety, and independence. The last Saturday in April, Christ Church volunteers participate in the annual Rebuilding Together Montgomery County work day! Multi-generational teams of volunteers meet at the selected site for a day of down and dirty carpentry, raking, digging, painting, scrubbing, planting, and plumbing to repair and renew the home of someone in need.

Learn more about Rebuilding Together Montgomery County.

Samaritan Ministries of Greater Washington

Christ Church members are active in the Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington, which every year helps improve the lives of more than 1,000 people who are homeless or otherwise in need through our innovative Next Step Program. The Outreach Committee coordinates parish communications of important events such as their Annual Walk for the Homeless, the Next Steps Breakfast, and their annual Gala. 

Learn more about Samaritan Ministries of Greater Washington.

Kensington/North Chevy Chase Interfaith Consortium for Justice and Compassion

Christ Church is a member of this local organization of faith-based groups which support each other’s efforts to provide outreach to the community. The Consortium is part of the Kensington/North Chevy Chase Ministerium.

Serving the World

Heifer International

Our own “Agnes the Lamb” encourages donations from adults and children to Heifer International during the Lenten season, reminding us of the many families around the world who are in need. Through the “Feeding of Agnes,” Christ Church helps Heifer International work to end hunger and poverty in partnership with the communities, supporting entrepreneurs around the work, and creating lasting change from the ground up.

Learn more about Heifer International.

Episcopal Relief and Development

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) works to heal a hurting world guided by the principles of compassion, dignity, and generosity. One Sunday a month, we promote the work of ERD in our Parish and raise funds for their important work.

Learn more about Episcopal Relief and Development.

Nyumbani Village

Nyumbani is a recognized world leader in providing HIV/AIDS services to children and affected families in Kenya. The Village of Nyumbani delivers comprehensive medical and home-based HIV/AIDS services in crucial areas of need: diagnostic services and critical medical care, holistic family and community building, education and preventative care, environmental sustainability, and self-reliance. During the fall, we invite representatives from Nyumbani and the local Kenyan community to join us in celebration of Kenyan food and dance and the work of Nyumbani. “Kenya Night” is now a tradition at Christ Church. Through this event, we have funded medical supplies, a much-needed greenhouse, and a career counselor to help Nyumbani young adults make the transition to adulthood and independent lives.

Learn more about Nyumbani.