GET INVOLVED
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, we seek to support individuals of all ages in their spiritual growth, notably through organizing classes, discussion groups, and various special and seasonal events.
Sunday School
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. Offerings include a group for adults that meets on Sundays (before worship!); a mid-week, daytime Pastor’s Bible Study; and a young adults’ group that meets offsite on Wednesday evenings. Some, but not all, of these groups also run over the summer months.
For more on our latest offerings, please check out our calendar.
Youth Group
On Sunday afternoons, our youth join forces with those of Capitol Hill United Methodist Church for combined study and fellowship.
Check out our calendar for the latest on timing and location.
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). We strive 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 several 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.
Additional Community Care
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.
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. 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. We take turns hosting in our homes; the host provides breakfast and others are invited to bring items too. We eat and socialize for the first hour and pray during the second. Over time we can see how our prayers have been answered.
The group is currently 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.
Youth Breakfast Club
Every Sunday, our Middle and High School youth gather for fun, fellowship, and service over breakfast prior to the start of worship. Once a month, they also take the lead in making burritos for our unhoused neighbors.
Gatherings are Sundays at 9:45am in the Blue Room at CHPC. All are welcome!
Small-Groups (Full List)
Alongside the above, CHPC is thrilled to have a number of small-group gatherings organized by our members and friends, where folks meet-up outside of Sunday worship on a regular basis to check-in with each other, pray, and enjoy fellowship. Current offerings include a weekly walking group, monthly game night, and regular book club. Many of these gatherings are held off-site, but some groups meet-up at CHPC first before heading out.
If you are interested in learning more about what’s going on, how to join in, or how to start your own group, check out this form.
Meet-Ups and Special Events
Throughout the year, we organize a variety of additional special events, informal gatherings, and other opportunities to meet up at events happening around town (including an annual baseball game outing). Please check out our calendar for upcoming activities!
If you are interested in organizing a meet-up, please reach out to Pastor Rachel or the Hospitality/Outreach Elder.
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
We strive to create and maintain a worship environment in which the congregation—members, visitors, and regular attendees—can have a meaningful, enriching experience through our weekly and special seasonal services. Volunteers play an essential role in both planning and supporting these efforts.
Serving on Sundays
Interested in getting involved in Sunday worship? There are numerous ways that you can help, including through:
Providing AV support (no prior experience necessary!)
Welcoming all as a greeter (organized by Jennifer Newton)