Register for a Core Group or Class

We meet regularly outside of our Sunday services in homes around the city to share meals, pray, study the Bible, and serve our communities. Because these groups represent the core of our church, the primary way to be involved in community and discipleship at Advent, we encourage everyone to join a Core Group.

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. You’re welcome to sign up for both a Core Group and the Sunday School classes which as you will see follow on from one another.

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.

Location: rotating in Capitol Hill homes.

We will be continuing a tradition of book discussion alongside evening prayer/compline and a shared meal. This fall we plan to read CS Lewis’ “Out of the Silent Planet”, the first book in his Space Trilogy series. No prior familiarity with the series needed. Get a copy of the book and we’ll send you the reading schedule.

Adults and infants welcome.

Hyattsville Core Group

Leaders: Mark & Megan Chan

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

Location: Hyatsville

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

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!

Leaders: Jeannie Rose & Nate Barksdale

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

Location: Mount Pleasant

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.

Adult Sunday School: The Holy Spirit

Leaders: Pastors Thomas and Hilary

Time: Sundays 9-10am 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11

Location: Parish Hall at Church of the Advent

We’ll look together and the work of the Holy Spirit in and through God’s people.

Adults only. Childcare provided.

Adult Sunday School: Advent Essentials - Membership Class

Leaders: Pastors Thomas and Hilary

Time: Sundays 9-10am 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8

Location: Parish Hall at Church of the Advent

An opportunity to be reminded or learn for the first time about what Church of the Advent considers to be the essentials of the Christian faith. This four week class is required if you would like to become a member at Advent and also if you are considering confirmation (see Advent Distintinctives below).

Adults only. Childcare provided.

adult Sunday school: Advent Distinctives - confirmation class

Leaders: Pastors Thomas and Hilary

Time: Sundays 9-10am, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22, 12/6, 12/13

Location: Parish Hall at Church of the Advent

For all who would like to be confirmed in the Anglican faith attendance at this class is a requirement. Anyone else who is interested is also very welcome to attend.

Adults only. Childcare provided.