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EDUCATION | SERVICE | FELLOWSHIP | MUSIC | WORSHIP

Education

We believe that education is a life-long activity; one that is essential to the health and spiritual vitality of our community. To that end, the Education Ministry seeks to support individuals of all ages in their spiritual growth, notably through organizing classes, discussion groups, and various special and seasonal events.

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Sunday School | Youth and Adult

CHPC offers a slate of educational opportunities for all ages and interests. During the year, from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., we offer Sunday School classes for children. If you are interested in Adult Sunday School, please check out our calendar or contact the Education Elder.

There is no Sunday School from Memorial Day through Labor Day and on the Sunday following Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

Bible Study Groups

We convene multiple Bible Study groups, to better engage participants of different ages, thematic interests, and availability during the week. Some, but not all, of these groups also run over the summer months.

For our latest offerings, please check out our calendar.

Additional Educational Activities

Want to know what else we’re up to? Check out our calendar for ongoing and upcoming discussion groups as well as other special and seasonal programming.

Interested in starting your own Bible Study or other kind of educational activity? Contact Pastor Rachel or the Education Elder.

Service

In response to God's call to serve one another and inspired by Christ's example, we seek to "stir up one another to love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24). To that end, our Service Ministry strives to offer opportunities that address urgent needs in our community and beyond that also empower our congregation to grow in faith and spirit.

Feeding the Hungry

One of our congregation's favorite service projects is our monthly preparation of 100 breakfast burritos for the hungry in our neighborhood. It is one of the several partnerships we have with Capitol Hill United Methodist Church (CHUMC). If you are interested in helping out, please check our church calendar for the date of our next “Burrito Sunday.”

Each February, we also participate in the nationwide Souper Bowl of Caring, typically raising over $1,000 for community nutrition programs.

Welcoming the Stranger

Through Good Neighbors of Capitol Hill, CHPC works with other congregations in our area to help resettle refugee families who have recently arrived in the United States. This work includes soliciting/shopping for supplies, collecting and washing donations, organizing supplies, and setting up kitchens in apartments. If you are interested in getting involved, please reach out to the Service Elder. A list of requested supplies can also be found here, and donations are welcome at any time. 

We also actively support the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network, including through sorting supplies and providing other staffing support for their free store at CHUMC. If you are interested in volunteering, we recommend that you contact CHUMC directly. A list of needed items can also be found here, and donations are welcome at the listed drop-off sites and times.

Supporting Our Neighbors

CHPC maintains an on-site Little Free Pantry as a space for exercising compassion, trust, and mutual aid. If you are interested in contributing to its stores of non-perishable food and toiletries, a list of suggested donation items can be found here.

We are proud to be a founding member of Everyone Home DC—a non-profit that supports the holistic needs of families of individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness—and support their various programs in multiple ways, including financially. 

You can also help your neighbors in need of household goods through Mutual Aid Ward 6.

We also show care for our community via caring for the environment, including organizing and participating in neighborhood clean-up events.

Going Beyond Our City

We regularly organize teams to serve others beyond our home community, including through clothing drives, support for rebuilding in response to natural disasters, and other efforts that address targeted needs as they arise. 

For the past two years, we have partnered with Renewing Homes of Greater Augusta on a summer service trip. Volunteers have helped to construct accessibility ramps and rehabilitate houses, while also enjoying a weekend retreat getting to know other church members and friends better. If you are interested in future trips, keep an eye on Lifelinks for dates as well as information sessions.

Fellowship

Nurturing and supporting our church family (members and friends) through warm and welcoming events sustain a living, loving community of faith. Our mission is both inward, nurturing those who regularly participate in our church life, and outward, welcoming new attendees.

Women’s Prayer Group

The Women’s Prayer Group was formed in 1993 by three church members seeking greater spirituality in their lives. All women in the congregation were invited to participate. Initially, we met at lunchtime as several of us were home with babies. After a few years, the group began to meet on Saturday mornings.

We take turns hosting the group in our homes. The host provides breakfast foods, and others are invited to bring items too. We eat and socialize for the first hour and pray during the second.

At our meetings, which now occur on the first Saturday of the month, everyone brings a prayer journal to record one another’s prayer requests. Over time we can see how our prayers have been answered. It is a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning.

Our prayer methods are based on the book, What Happens When Women Pray, by Evelyn Christenson, who created the Six S’s:

  • Pray about one subject at a time

  • Keep prayers short

  • Keep prayers simple

  • Offer specific prayer requests

  • Allow for silent periods

  • Keep groups small.

The women’s prayer group is currently being led by Diane Shages. Please check the church calendar but be sure to contact Diane about meeting times and dates.

Men’s Fellowship Group

The Men’s Fellowship Group is an opportunity to get to know the men in our church on a more personal level. We meet at local restaurants for lunch twice per month—the first and third Tuesday of the month. It is fun to talk about issues of the day or things going on in our lives. 

If you are interested in participating, please reach out to Mike Rutkowski. Upcoming lunches are also noted on our calendar. 

Meet-Ups and Special Events

Throughout the year, we organize a variety of additional special events, informal gatherings, and other opportunities to meet up outside of Sunday worship (including an annual baseball game outing). Please check out our calendar for upcoming activities! 

If you are interested in organizing a meet-up or other fellowship gathering, please reach out to Pastor Rachel or the Hospitality/Outreach Elder.

Community Care Requests

We are also called upon to act in ad hoc events as they arise (such as meal trees for new parents or for those experiencing illnesses/accidents). Current and upcoming needs can be found in Lifelinks, our weekly newsletter. To sign up for Lifelinks, click here. 

Membership

For those who are interested in joining our church, we host membership information events throughout the year. These include teaching about the Presbyterian Church, Reformed Theology, and the work of CHPC. This class is taught by our minister.

Following completion of the class, those who would like to become new members are approved by the Session and welcomed in worship.

If you are interested in receiving information about upcoming membership events or more on what it means to be a member, simply fill out this form.   

Music

Worship at CHPC is always filled with beautiful music led by our choir, which is open to anyone with a desire to lift their voice in praise of God. Music in worship is guided by a philosophy of sacred music as worship rather than performance.

Choir

The choir sings from September through May. Special music is prepared for Christmas and Easter, and the choir performs concerts during the year as opportunities for community fellowship and outreach.

Practice times are Sunday before worship at 9:00 am (warm-up rehearsal) and following worship from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact our Music Director, Caitriona McEniry-Roeschke.

Children’s Choir

The children’s choir meets each Sunday as part of their Sunday School time and sings in worship several times during the year. If your child is interested in getting involved, all they need to do is show up on Sunday!

Additional Opportunities

During the summer, individuals regularly contribute their musical talents—both vocal and instrumental—to worship. To get involved, please sign-up via SignUpGenius.

You may also contact our Music Director, Caitriona McEniry-Roeschke, directly if you would like to sing or play an instrument in worship then or during other parts of the year. 

 Worship

The Worship Ministry is the primary vehicle for planning the worship life of the church; we strive to create and maintain a worship environment in which the congregation—members, visitors, and regular attendees (friends)—can have a meaningful, enriching experience through our weekly and special seasonal services.

Serving on Sundays

Interested in getting involved in Sunday worship? There are numerous ways that you can help, including through: