Christ Episcopal Church
K E N S I N G T O N
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Advent blessings & love to each.
On the final Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of love.
We contemplate the story of Joseph, who although he doesn't say a word in the NT, speaks volumes about what it is to be faithful, and loving.
Scroll down to read more about Christmas Eve & Christmas Day services; Feast of Lights; ways to serve; Christ Church: Connect; and more.
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December 21, 2025
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
A Traditional Spoken Service (Rite I), In Person Only
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9:30 a.m. Children's Faith Formation
pre-K through 5th grade, meet in the Parish Hall
Nursery care available for ages 0-3 throughout the morning
9:30 a.m. Junior Youth Group
Grades 6-8/9, meet in the Youth & Children's Library, upper level
10:00 a.m. Children's Chapel
In Person, Parish Hall
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
In person and Live Streaming on YouTube
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No Bible Study - resumes 1/4
5:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
In Person and Live on Zoom
(password = 20895)
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The Feast of Lights Service with Holy Eucharist
5:00 pm, Sunday, January 4, 2025!
Come experience this unique celebration for Epiphany, a beautiful candlelight service that remembers the light of Christ cascading down the ages, from the beginning of time, throughout the centuries in the Church.... and to us.
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Annual Twelfth Night Celebration -
Sunday, Jan 4!
The fabulous tradition of our Twelfth Night Party will be held on Sunday, January 4, 2025, directly following the five o'clock Feast of Lights service.
Food and fun for all ages. This will be a potluck so get ready to bring your favorite dishes to share - use the link below to sign up and let us know what you will be bringing! And we will, of course, sing the song of the namesake holiday. Questions? Contact Aime Keith at aimekeith1966@gmail.com.
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Love in Action: Racial & Social Justice
From the Christ Church Mercy Team:
Care Pod Support for ICE-Affected Families
The Mercy Team has formed a “Care Pod” - a circle of care and support - for a family of four with urgent needs following the deportation of a loved one. Please click HERE to find out more about what the Care Pod is, and does.
Watch this email in the future for a sign-up genius with specific items to contribute to help us support the family.
There are hundreds of families in crisis in our area.
If you would like to have a major impact on the well-being of a family in crisis, please consider volunteering to be part of a second Care Pod. Email Thea Kayne for more information.
| | Join the Mercy Team distribution list! Contact Cynthia Mitchell at justice@ccpk.org or Thea Kayne theakayne@gmail.com. This is the best way to find out about emerging needs and ways to get involved. | | |
Love in Action: Faith & Spiritual Growth
Christ Church: Connect!
It's back! In 3 one-hour sessions, we will help you identify where you are on your faith journey, your inherent spiritual gifts, and potential next steps for you to take as you follow Jesus’s Way of Love at Christ Church. While meant particularly for newcomers, this course is open to everyone. It is a great opportunity not only to attend to your individual spiritual path, but also to build community in a small group setting.
We will meet on 3 Sundays (January 18, 25, and February 1) at 11:30am-12:30pm in the church library. Rector Emily Guthrie, and Andrea McGray, a member of the Faith & Spiritual Growth Ministry Team, will lead the course. Childcare will be available in the Nursery, including serving children a simple lunch if needed. If interested in coming, please reach out to Emily at emily@ccpk.org and/or Andrea at grow@ccpk.org
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The Intersection of Faith & Science:
Three-Part Series
The Faith & Spiritual Growth Ministry team will host three Forums this Epiphany exploring “The Intersection of Faith & Science,” led by parishioners Chris Ours, MD, Joan Centrella, PhD, and Ann Hagan, PhD.
The forums will be held on 3 Sundays -- January 11, February 8, and March 1 -- following the 10am service in the Parish Hall. Over the course of this series, we will ask: How do we in the Christian community think about what it means to be human, created in God’s image and existing in relationship with God and one another, in the context of scientific and technological advancements? The first session: Why science? And what does "science" really mean? How do we as a nation set research priorities and fund them? The second session will focus on Genetics; and the third, on AI. Each session will include time for Q&A. We hope you will join us for what will surely be very interesting presentations and discussions!
| | Love in Action: Reaching Our Neighbors | | |
Bethesda Cares Sandwich Brigade Needs Volunteers:
One Friday, Once a Year!
As so many of our youth have grown up and moved away, many of the families who were members of the Sandwich Brigade have also moved away. So our Sandwich Brigade is looking for a few families to join in - all it takes is one Friday, once a year! You would be making about 60 sandwiches and delivering them to Bethesda Cares Friday morning. This is a great family activity (all ages), we provide full instructions and believe me, it’s not only fun, but rewarding!
If you are interested, please contact Liz Quinn at webethemom@aol.com or 301-775-2545.
Monthly Grocery Packing
A big THANK YOU to all who came to pack 250 bags of groceries at San Mateo Episcopal Church in Hyattsville, MD earlier this month. The next date for volunteering will be Wednesday, January 7 (note this is different from the usual "2nd Wednesday" schedule). We meet at 8:30 am in the CC parking lot to carpool. Interested? Contact Deacon Sara (sara@ccpk.org)
Ongoing Support for our neighbors!
Donations of baby formula and diapers are as needed as ever. Place in bins in the hallway off the back of the sanctuary. They will be delivered at least monthly to Food Justice DMV. Food Justice also needs dedicated volunteers to make deliveries and support the immigrant families in our region. Please contact Thea Kayne or Deacon Sara Thorne if you're interested in getting involved.
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Thursday Prayers for Peace at 12:15pm - resumes January 8
Imagine if everyone in the whole world prayed for peace? Join us in the new year. Now more than ever, we are called to work and pray for peace around the world and in our own country. Please join us on Zoom (password 20895) every Thursday at 12:15 p.m. as we pray for a peaceful end to the war in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Congo, and violence in Haiti; an end to violence in this country, and an end to violent conflict everywhere. (Approx. 15 mins)
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The end of the year is approaching – have you completed your 2025 pledge payments?
If you pledged for 2025, please take a minute and check whether you have fulfilled your pledge, and if you are able to do so, please make a payment!
Gifts must be received by the church by Dec 31 to be counted toward your 2025 tax deductions. Thank you so very much for your financial support! It is our primary source of income and fuels our mission..
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Missing Dishes?
If you brought in a dish for a church function and it didn't find its way home, please check the cart inside the door on the right side of the kitchen and be reunited with your beloved casserole dish or serving platter!
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The church office will be closed from December 24 – January 2 for the holidays. Jen will return on Tuesday, January 6. Contact Emily for pastoral emergencies. Call the church and press 2.
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Upcoming Worship Services & Events at Christ Church
Monday, December 22, 2025 Office Closed
8:30 p.m. Compline - a beautiful short service to end the day
Live on Zoom (password = 20895)
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
7:30 p.m. Holy Handcrafters on hiatus for the holy-days.
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 - Christmas Eve
5:00 p.m. Family Festival Eucharist
In person only, not live streaming
8:30 p.m. Organ Voluntaries & Hymns for All to Sing
9:00 p.m. Festival Eucharist
Live streaming on YouTube, beginning at 8:30
Thursday, December 25, 2025 - Christmas Day
10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Holy Eucharist with Organ & Hymns of Joy
In person only, not live streaming
No Thursday Prayers for Peace, Lectio, or Compline
Looking ahead...
- December 24-January 2, Office Closed
- December 28 - Lessons & Carols, one service at 10:00 a.m.
- January 4 - Feast of the Epiphany observed, Feast of Lights @ 5:00 followed by annual Twelfth Night Party
- January 7 - Food distribution at San Mateo
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January 11 - Intersection of Faith & Science (see details above)
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January 18 - Christ Church - Connect! (see details above)
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Ways To Give
Even if you come to church in-person, giving remotely is convenient and easy! Here are several different options for you make contributions to Christ Church.
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Missed a past Sunday Morning Service? Want to enjoy music from past services?
Watch or listen 0n YouTube!
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