Community Ministries

Christ Church is committed to living out the gospel commandment to help those in need. In our efforts to be faithful disciples, we engage in ministries that touch people in the Rockville community, the greater Metropolitan Area, and overseas.

Christ Church outreach activities include partnering with other organizations to alleviate poverty, hunger and homelessness. To learn more about the Outreach Committee, watch a video of a presentation from the Outreach Forum in February 2020.

We are currently focused on the following outreach areas, with new directions always a possibility:

Community Support and Development

The church is an active and longstanding partner with Community Reach of Montgomery County, a cooperative agency that provides housing, healthcare, education, and eldercare to the most vulnerable local residents.

English Conversation Club is a weekly discussion group designed to help non-native speakers of English improve their command of the language. It meets virtually most Mondays, mid-September through mid-May.

Hunger Relief

Hunger is prevalent but often hidden in our community. Christ Church puts a priority on feeding those who lack enough to eat. One of the most visible elements of our hunger relief program is Serving Others Sunday, held on the third Sunday of each month. Our children and youth sponsor a multigenerational activity during the coffee hour in which church members pack sandwiches for the homeless in D.C. and weekend sacks of food for low-income school children. Serving Others Sunday is currently on hold due to COVID.

Also on Serving Others Sundays, a contingent of volunteers sets off from the church to serve lunch at Loaves and Fishes, a weekend meal program located at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church in D.C. (Loaves and Fishes is not currently using volunteers during the coronavirus crisis, but we hope to return soon.) Several times per year we host a drive to donate non-perishable food items to Manna Food Center.

On fifth Sundays of the month, Christ Church volunteers spend the afternoon cooking a meal to serve at the Interfaith Works Women's Center, a transitional shelter for women dealing with mental health and addictions issues. This activity continues on a catering basis during COVID. We also support the Diocesan Hunger Fund. The Hunger Fund provides grants to soup kitchens and food pantries throughout the Diocese, allowing us to join with other parishes and extend our reach.

Homelessness and Unemployment

Christ Church partners with Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington, which provides step-by-step support for people who want to escape homelessness and unemployment.

Volunteers are encouraged to participate in Christ Church outreach programs. Some of our activities are temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, but other outreach activities at Christ Church are continuing through this difficult time. Contact us to learn more.