Newcomers & Visitors

A Message from Father Tim

The Rev. Timothy P. Carr
Meet Fr. Tim

At Christ Church Rockville, we welcome you at any point in your faith journey. Your journey is our journey.

Our church community seeks to grow in faith together through worship, learning, service, and friendship. The Eucharist is at the heart of our life as a parish, and people of all ages—including children—are welcome participants in our worship.

I hope you’ll consider visiting Christ Church. I look forward to greeting you personally.

Plan Your Visit

We invite you to join us for worship at Christ Episcopal Church. Many who visit Christ Church come from Catholic or other liturgical traditions and find much that feels familiar in Episcopal worship. At the same time, the Episcopal Church encourages thoughtful faith, open conversation, and spiritual growth.

Our Sunday services are held at 10 a.m. and feature a traditional liturgy with prayers, hymns, sermon, and the Holy Eucharist. Our wonderful choir and organist provide music during the service.

When you arrive, our greeters will be happy to welcome you and help answer any questions about worship or parish life. Please be sure to say hello to Fr. Tim after the service.

Childcare is provided during the 10 a.m. service for ages 6 months to 4 years. Children in preschool through grade 5 are welcome to attend Sunday School, rejoining their parents at the Peace.

Assisted listening devices are available, and ushers are happy to help if you have any accessibility needs.

Learn More About Worship at Christ Church

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some questions frequently asked by visitors and newcomers to Christ Church.

• Can I receive communion?
• What if I do not wish to receive communion and merely want a blessing?
• How does communion work? Do I drink from the cup, does the priest dip the wafer for me, or can I dip it myself?
• Do I have to take wine if I take the wafer?
• It is difficult for me to walk up to the altar rail. Can I receive communion at my seat?
• Where do I park?
• Is the church handicapped accessible?
• How do I find out about becoming involved in the ministries of the church?
• Do you have assisted listening devices?
• How do I get a pledge card?
• Can I make payments online?
• How do I get to coffee hour?
• What is the difference between Rite I and Rite II?

Can I receive communion?

All who seek God and are drawn by Christ are welcome to receive Holy Communion. (Gluten free wafers are available, if desired.)

What if I do not wish to receive communion and merely want a blessing?

Cross your arms in front of your chest when you kneel (or stand) at the communion rail. The priest will simply give you a blessing.

How does communion work? Do I drink from the cup, does the priest dip the wafer for me, or can I dip it myself?

We welcome you to receive the Eucharist as you are most comfortable. When you approach the rail, you may kneel or stand. If you would like to receive communion, stretch out your cupped hands to receive a wafer. Please consume the host before receiving the wine; we do not dip (or "intinct") the wafer for hygienic reasons.

Do I have to take wine if I take the wafer?

No. You may choose to only receive a wafer. Simply exit the altar rail after receiving the host.

It is difficult for me to walk up to the altar rail. Can I receive communion at my seat?

If you wish to receive the Eucharist at your seat, simply notify an usher at any time during the service, and a celebrant will approach you at communion.

Where do I park?

There is ample parking in lots and along the street near the church. Reserved easy-access parking (P1) is provided along the driveway at the side of the church, and there is a parking lot behind the church (P4). On Sundays, you may use street parking (P2) along Washington St., Vinson St., and in the Rockville City Hall parking lot (P3). For special events, parking is available in the lot behind the houses on S. Washington St. (P5).

Is the church handicapped accessible?

There are three handicapped spaces at the top of the driveway to the side of the church.  On Sundays, there are also usually spaces available on Washington St. directly in front of the church. The handicapped entrance to the church is through the chapel to the right of the main church entrance. Handicapped access to the Dining Room and Murdock Room is via a ramp on the side of the church by the driveway.  There is also a lift directly outside the Murdock Room that will take you to the sanctuary level of the church.

How do I find out about becoming involved in the ministries of the church?

Visit our Ministries page to learn about the activities of the various ministries of the church, including contact information for each ministry. There are also printed flyers for each ministry located in the church oratory (near the Nursery). An usher or greeter can direct you.

Do you have assisted listening devices?

Yes. Please ask an usher for assistance.

How do I get a pledge card?

We encourage you to pledge online — it's quick and easy. Pledge envelopes are in a rack by the door as you enter the church. You can also ask an usher for one.

Can I make payments online?

Using our eGiving portal, you can make one-time or recurring gifts in support of the church and its ministries.

How do I get to coffee hour?

Coffee hour is held in the Dining Room or occasionally, the Murdock Room. Both are downstairs below the sanctuary.  There are two stairways from the hallway on your right as you leave the church. 

What is the difference between Rite I and Rite II?

The traditional, more formal, language rites are known as Rite 1, and the contemporary language rites are known as Rite 2. The Rite 1 liturgies reflect the language and piety of the Elizabethan era and the first Book of Common Prayer, although the structure of these liturgies also reflects the influence of modern liturgical scholarship. The Rite 2 liturgies reflect more fully the influence of the liturgical movement and contemporary theology. Rite 2 liturgies tend to reflect greater sensitivity for inclusive language issues.  Rite I uses “thee, thy, thou” whereas Rite II uses “you” and “your.”

Become a Member

Learn what it means to become a formal member of Christ Church and how to join.

Membership Info