In an effort to keep the congregation better informed about its work, the Mission and Local Outreach Committee shares periodic informational updates. In addition to increasing awareness about what it is doing in the community, nationally, and globally on the congregation’s behalf, these communications also encourage participation in hands-on mission opportunities. Here is a summary of activity from January to June 2025.
Local Mission. On the fourth Monday of every month, CMPC volunteers provide and serve hot dinners at Grassroots Day Resource Center in Laurel for the homeless in our community. The number of persons using the Center continues to grow, as does the need for food. This is an ongoing mission that welcomes new volunteers. Suzy Crabb is the point person for this mission. Susan.crabb@verizon.net
Rebuilding Together Howard County workday on April 26 attracted 15 CMPC volunteers, including several young people. Over Memorial Day weekend, Michael Schreiber and Pete Berlowitz returned to the unit to replace old living room carpet with laminate flooring, which they extended into the kitchen and hallway entrance. A week later, Pete and Wes and Greg Millard finished up by installing quarter round molding and fixing the threshold so the entry door could properly close. The homeowner is thrilled with the all the work performed.
To-date, the committee has made donations to support Columbia Community Care which operates food pantries in Howard County and the Howard County Food Bank which is run by the Community Action Council of Howard County, and Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. These programs are consistent with the committee’s focus on addressing homelessness in our community and responding to the increasing needs of a growing number of vulnerable families among us. Even with the support of local and state nutritional programs, food banks, and other services, thousands of families still struggle to find consistent access to food and essential resources every week. Barriers, such as identification requirements, proof of eligibility or income, age, or residency requirements prevent those in need from receiving services.
National Mission. The committee continues to support the mission of Dustin and Holly Garner at OneEleven Ministries in Kansas City where they are preparing interns to sing and pray the Bible and share God’s goodness through evangelistic outreaches.
In February, the committee contributed to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to support relief efforts in connection with the severe wildfires in the western part of the United States.
Global Mission. The committee made a donation to Friends of the Presbyterian Education Board (Pakistan), whose mission is to provide high quality education to individuals of all religious backgrounds, regardless of their ability to pay, and who choose to attend a missionary-based institution reflecting Christian values.
The committee also contributed to support the work of World Central Kitchen which provides fresh meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. It is among the leading agencies working to alleviate hunger in Gaza and Ukraine.
Water for Uganda is a new mission that we are supporting this year. It distributes water filers in western Uganda and trains residents on their use and maintenance. This simple and cost-effective intervention helps prevent the spread of water-borne diseases which are transmitted by contaminated water.
The Fifth Sunday Offering to-date were accepted on behalf of Rebuilding Together Howard (March 30) and CMPC Preschool (June 29).
Of course, this work would not be possible without the generous support of our congregation for which we are very grateful and appreciative.