Register for a Core Group or Class

We meet regularly outside of our Sunday services to pray, study the Bible, and serve our communities. Core Groups are a wonderful way to build deeper bonds of community and friendship.

Adult Sunday School meets before the service in the Parish Hall and over the next year will cover a variety of topics in blocks of several weeks. We would love as many as possible to be in both a Core Group and a Sunday School class.

If you have any questions, please email Pastor Hilary.

How to Choose a Group That's right for you:

  • Location: Choose a group that meets near your home or work.

  • Time: Look for a day and time that fits your schedule.

  • Topic: We offer a wide range of topics from Bible studies to book discussions to prayer groups.

  • Childcare: Some groups are open to children and at a time suitable for them to attend.

Capitol Hill Core Group

Leader: Tom Wilson

Time: Second & Fourth Wednesdays of the month. 7-9pm.

Location: rotating in Capitol Hill homes.

We will be continuing a tradition of book discussion alongside evening prayer/compline and a shared meal.

Adults and infants welcome.

Hyattsville/cheverly Core Group

Leaders: Mark & Meghan Chan

Time: Tuesdays 7-9pm 9/15 9/22 10/13 10/20 11/10 11/17 12/1 12/8

Location: Hyattsville

Join us for a fall of fellowship and reflection. Through group discussions about short readings, documentaries, and podcasts that focus on the gift of creation, we'll lift our gaze from the four walls of our homes and offices to appreciate how God's glory is found in nature.

We'll use St. Francis' Canticle of Creation and Psalm 148 as springboards to discussion in our first two meetings. After that, we'll research and gather suggestions from our group to select other reflection materials related to the intersection of Christian spirituality and nature.

Adults and infants welcome.

Midweek Retreat

Leaders: Jeannie Rose & Nate Barksdale

Time: More or less weekly. Day & time TBD (past years Wednesdays 7:30-9:30)

Location: Mount Pleasant

Midweek Retreat is an opportunity for a contemplative pause to be with God in the midst of our ordinary busy weeks. We gather for a relatively rowdy (optional) communal meal before settling in for a relatively quiet time of communal silent prayer in numerous variations, e.g. listening prayer, lectio divina, silent meditation, etc. It’s typically been adults only but we’re open to older kids joining / younger kids hanging with ours til bedtime - let’s chat!

Adults and children welcome.

Beauty for Ashes - grief recovery

Leader: Kate Burke Gibbs

Time: Every Tuesday 7-9pm

Location: Church of the Advent

Come explore healing through grieving, to receive "beauty for ashes" (Isaiah 61:3).

There are many reasons we grieve along with reckoning with mortality. Grief is very real in job loss, relationships ending, brokenness in ongoing relationships, and unfulfilled longings. In our reaction to various losses our grief becomes layered, and intertwined over our lifetime.

Come learn some tools for your journey, as the group works through The Grief Recovery Handbook together. We will share, pray, and hold space for one another, inviting the Holy Spirit to be our great comforter, even as we learn to comfort one another. Get a copy of Grief Recovery Handbook, 20th anniversary ed. By Russell Friedman and John W. James in preparation.

Adults only.

men’s core group

Leader: Mark Morton

Time: Tuesdays 7pm

Location: Church of the Advent

Join other men at Advent in:

  • Exploring God’s purposes for us.

  • Exhorting one another to love Christ more.

  • Exulting in trials and joys.

To start off we’ll be discussing the previous Sunday’s sermon together and then discuss what else we might want to do.

Adults only.

Petworth Core Group

Leaders: Matthew and Kimberley Gladney

Time: Sundays at 5pm every other week

Location: Petworth

We'll start with a potluck dinner and social time, then send the kids off to play while the adults share a time of scripture study and prayer. No prep required during the week - we aim to make it easy for people to pop in any week they're able. There are usually plenty of kids running around, but feel free to join if you find yourself in another stage of life too!

We’ll be studying some part of Scripture together.

Adults and children welcome.

16th Street Heights Core Group

Leaders: Chris and Megan Saunders

Time: Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm (adults only); first Friday family potluck at 5.30pm

Location: 16th St Heights

We will meet twice-monthly as a core group, giving ourselves time to slow down, listen for God, and support one another in prayer. We will gather generally on Wednesday evenings for a time of Lectio Divina, reflecting prayerfully on Scripture, sharing together, and praying for one another. Once a month, on the first Friday, we will gather as families for a potluck dinner, with children warmly invited to join us.

Adults are welcome to the Wednesday meetings. Adults and children to the Friday meals.

Adult Sunday School: The Holy Spirit

Leaders: Pastors Thomas, Hilary and Rob

Time: Sundays; kid drop-off, coffee & fellowship 8.45-9; Class will begin at 9am and run until 10am. 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11

Location: Parish Hall at Church of the Advent

We’ll look together at the person and work of the Holy Spirit in and through God’s people. The class will include both teaching and study, as well as time for practical exercises, discussion and prayer.

Adults only. Childcare provided (please register your children).

Adult Sunday School: Advent Essentials - Membership Class

Leaders: Pastors Thomas and Hilary

Time: Sundays; kid drop-off, coffee & fellowship 8.45-9; Class will begin at 9am and run until 10am. 9-10am 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8

Location: Parish Hall at Church of the Advent

This class will cover what Church of the Advent considers gospel essentials and how that works out in our mission and vision. Topics covered will include basics of the Christian faith, an introduction to Anglicanism, and the unique gift and importance of Christian community. This four week class is required if you would like to become a member at Advent and also if you are considering confirmation (see Anglican Distintinctives below). We’re encouraging our entire church to go through this class this fall, even if you are a member and you have already taken Advent Foundations, as a great refresher and as a way to get to know many of the newcomers in our church family.

Adults only. Childcare provided (please register your children).

adult Sunday school: Anglican Distinctives - confirmation class

Leaders: Pastors Thomas and Hilary

Time: Sundays; kid drop-off, coffee & fellowship 8.45-9; Class will begin at 9am and run until 10am. 9-10am , 11/8, 11/15, 11/22, 12/6, 12/13

Location: Parish Hall at Church of the Advent

This class will dive deeper into what makes Anglicanism unique. Topics will include the ministry of word & sacrament, the worldwide Anglican Communion and what that means for us in DC, and how this Anglican foundation is active and real in our calling as believers. This will be helpful for anyone interested in Confirmation in the Anglican faith.

Adults only. Childcare provided (please register your children).