They may be a small church on northern border of the state, but Christ Church, Blaine has partnered with the city of Blaine and Whatcom County to meet the needs of residents across their community.
The Blaine Community Assistance Program, housed in Christ Church at no charge and supported by 13 area churches, and the Interfaith Coalition in Bellingham hold an annual Winter Coat Drive throughout the month of September. The drive provides free winter coats, hats, gloves, and socks to those in financial need within Blaine and throughout Whatcom County. During his visitation this past Sunday, Bishop Rickel joined the members of Christ Church in blessing the clothing they had gathered before it was taken to the Livingstone International Warehouse for distribution.
Christ Church is also home to a small, but substantially productive garden. The children of Christ Church help with the garden on Sundays, earning the small patch of land the name “The Children’s Garden.” Produce from the garden has historically been given to the Blaine Food Bank, but Christ Church has recently started to give a larger portion of their harvest to the Blaine Boy’s and Girl’s Club. Both organizations are very grateful for the donation of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Because Blaine is relatively isolated from the rest of the state, there aren’t many venues for music or art exhibitions. The closest venue is in Bellingham, nearly 30 miles away. To help foster community within Blaine, Christ Church hosts a bi-monthly concert series – Backstage at the Border. It’s a place for musicians and artists to share their work with the larger community. Jean Mann, The Sweet Goodbyes, and Cabin Fever Trio are just a few of the popular artists that the program has hosted. On October 15th, Backstage at the Border will be bringing back Kate Wallace and Doug Clegg.
Christ Church is also home to a craft guild that produces beautiful, award-winning work. Many of the pieces are auctioned off during Backstage at the Border. All proceeds from the performance and auction go to support the Blaine Community Assistance Program or to address a special need within the larger community.
They’re a small church doing incredible work within the community. As their new vicar, the Rev. Dawn Campbell Foise says, “We are small, but mighty.”
