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.
We also have adult education classes before our worship service each week from 9-10am. On Sunday September 8th, there will be a Adult Education Info Session with coffee and doughnuts. We invite you to come learn about the classes we are offering this fall and meet those who will be teaching.
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: Note which groups are open to children, and please take advantage of Advent’s childcare reimbursement fund.
Please note: the descriptions below may be clearer on the desktop version than on your phone.
Foundations explores three crucial questions for every Christian: What do we believe? How do we pray? How do we live? It draws on the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments to guide us and ground our faith. We also cover what it means to be Anglican and how to get involved at our church. Foundations is open to anyone desiring to grow in their faith, even if they do not necessarily intend to become members. It is, however, a prerequisite for membership, as well as baptism, parents of infants being baptized, marriage, confirmation, and certain leadership positions. Childcare and Sunday School for all ages from 9-10am.
Adult Sunday School: Foundations
Sundays @ 9am
9/15 - 12/8
Leaders: Advent Clergy
Location: Takoma Park SDA
Why did God have to become a human being? Why was Jesus born as a baby? Following the Council of Nicaea, these questions motivated 4th century church father St. Athanasius to write his classic, On the Incarnation. There are few better things to read and discuss during Advent, a season when we reflect on the Word made flesh. Come join us for a rich discussion on this timeless work of patristic Christian theology. We recommend this version of the book that includes a preface by CS Lewis.
Adult Sunday School: On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius
Sundays @ 9am
11/24 - 12/15
Leaders: Judd Birdsall
Location: Takoma Park SDA
We’ll meet every other Wednesday for fellowship, light refreshments, Compline, and a discussion of readings from the Gospel of Mark. We’re a friendly group and open to newcomers! Adults and infants only.
Arlington
Wednesdays 8-9:30pm (Biweekly)
Leaders: Josh and Eleanor Britton
Our group will meet once a month for a potluck supper. The suppers will be a chance to catch up, encourage one another, and spend time in the Word. We also plan to trade off with guys' nights / ladies' nights on weekends between the supper gatherings. Children of all ages welcome.
Bethesda & Upper NW
saturday (biweekly)
Leaders: Bill and Nicole Coglianese
We are excited to announce the next iteration of the Capitol Hill Core Group. We will be going through a book of the Bible, Surprised by Hope by NT Wright, and other works to help facilitate discussion. Dinner included so come hungry! Adults and infants only.
Capitol Hill
wednesdays @ 7pm (biweekly)
Leaders: Rogan and Alexandria Lye
We are a group committed to meeting weekly for learning and community. This semester we will be studying the book, Made for People: Why We Drift into Loneliness and How to Fight for a Life of Friendship, by Justin Whitmel Earley. Each week we'll discuss a chapter of the book and reflect on an example of friendship from the Bible. We will primarily be meeting in Cathedral Heights with some weeks in Capitol Hill. Adults only.
Fellowship & Friendship
Thursdays 7-9pm
Leaders: Annie Chestnut & Jennifer Toth
Location: Cathedral Heights / Capitol Hill
We meet weekly for a simple dinner of spaghetti and meatballs at 6pm followed by praying Compline together at 7pm. Children of all ages welcome.
Hyattsville
Thursdays @ 6pm
Leaders: Alex and Brianna Poulos
The Men’s Core Group provides an opportunity for Advent men to gather and share a meal, fellowship, and then discuss a recent sermon, Scripture passage or a book. Then we use Compline to guide our liturgy, share needs, and pray for each other. All adult men are welcome to attend.
Men’s Core Group
1st & 3rd Tuesdays
Leaders: Mark Morton and Mike Preston
Location: Rotates
Our group seeks to be with God together in the midst of the chaos of everyday life. We aim to create a sacred space in the ordinary, where we can help each other listen to God and pay attention to how he is at work. This year, we'll practice a variety of contemplative prayer practices, working from Armchair Mystic: Easing Into Contemplative Prayer
by Mark E. Thibodeaux (Group members don't have to buy the book or read in advance, but are welcome to). We will read aloud short excerpts together each week but spend the majority of our time practicing being with God together. We will share an optional community dinner/catch-up time from 7:30-8, enter into our 'retreat' from 8-9, followed by additional optional social time. Older children who can honor the spirit of quiet and calm are welcome to join.
Mid-Week Retreat
wednesdays 7:30-9:30
Leader: Jeannie Rose Barksdale
Location: Mt. Pleasant
We will meet every other week for a potluck dinner and Scripture study together (no prep needed - come as you are!). Kids are welcome and we'll let them play after dinner while adults meet together. We have lots of families, but are happy to welcome people of all ages, life stages, and locations who are looking for community and low key Bible study. Children of all ages welcome.
Petworth
Sundays 5-6:30pm biweekly
Leaders: Matthew and Kim Gladney
We will meet the first and third Sundays of the month at 4:00 in Northeast DC. Location may vary. We will have a potluck style family meal. Adults will have a Bible study (book to be determined) while children play. Children of all ages welcome.
Sunday Funday
1st & 3rd Sundays @ 4pm
Leaders: Brock and Audrey Adams
Location: Northeast DC
Come join us for a time of fellowship! We'll discuss as a group what we want the time to include. Adults only.
Takoma
wednesdays 7-9pm
Leaders: Jeff and Alicia Bailey
Join the women’s ministry as we talk about the beauty and difficulty of motherhood and find comfort in God’s Word of how He walks with every women during the highs and lows of motherhood. We will work through Grace in Chaos Motherhood Bible Study by The Daily Grace. We will meet weekly via zoom and get together in person for a playgroup once a month. Meeting time will depend on what works best for the majority of the group. Financial assistance available for the study material. Children of all ages welcome.
Women’s Ministry: Grace in the Chaos of Motherhood
Weekly on zoom, Monthly in person
Leader: Theresa Burke