Ministries and Groups
Ways to get involved in our Community
Nursery & Sunday School
From September through May we offer Sunday School for children preschool age through 8th grade. Our curriculum is based on the liturgical calendar or the readings of the week, and other special lessons. In Sunday School our children start their own Journey with God as beloved children of God and as part of the church community.
Sunday School Classes are held in the undercroft (Episcopalian for basement) at 9:00 am between the two services. The undercroft is beautifully painted with various scenes from the Bible that help reinforce the stories and love that God has for us. A nursery is available during services as needed.
Adult Education
Adult Forums are held periodically throughout the year. Topics are wide-ranging and have included a study of the parables of Jesus, the psalms, climate change, intentional eating, anti-racism, and the life and teachings of Saint Paul. Other Adult Forums have included acquainting parishioners with the Book of Common Prayer and the polity of the Episcopal Church. At various points since 2014, Education for Ministry (EfM) has been an active program at Prince of Peace as well. EfM, a four-year formal study, provided through the University of the South (Sewanee), invites participants into small, mentored groups that provide the framework for understanding life and shaping actions as Christian faith is deepened. The curriculum develops a theologically informed, reflective and articulate laity.
Hospitality
Hospitality is a vital ministry at Prince of Peace. Each Sunday after the 10:15 service, we enjoy fellowship and refreshments at a traditional church “coffee hour” in our Stahle Parlor. On the first Sunday of each month, we celebrate birthdays and anniversaries with prayers during the services and cake during coffee hour! Our hospitality committee and volunteers also host gatherings after funerals and other special events. If you are new to the parish look for our newcomers’ coffee hours as well!
Episco-Pals
At Prince of Peace, the term Episco-Pals refers to parish-wide social gatherings (usually dinners) hosted by parishioners in their homes. Held two or three times each year, Episco-Pal events provide a fun way to gather for fellowship, eat good food, and get to know people in the parish. The Episco-Pal coordinators are always looking for new ideas and hosts!
Mural Ministry
Newcomers at Prince of Peace and long-time parishioners alike marvel at the beautiful results of this unique ministry. Since 2010, a small group of dedicated painters have been transforming our undercroft and stairwells into an extraordinary array of Biblical and pastoral scenes. For more than a decade, the painters worked on the murals one morning per week, making the paintings truly an ongoing project, as well as a labor of love. There are still a few small, bare walls left to paint and parishioners are welcome, as always, to wield a brush and participate in the joy of painting at Prince of Peace!
Memorial Garden
Committee
Since 2000, faithful parish volunteers at Prince of Peace have lovingly maintained a small, memorial garden at the church. Originally, the garden was designed to contain mostly Biblical plants and herbs, including Baptisia, Calicarpia, and Pyracantha bushes, rosemary, thyme, and lavender. One will also find a Japanese lilac tree, Black-eyed Susans, oriental poppy, clematis, and a pear tree espaliered on the south fence by a beloved parishioner. Filled with this beautiful array of plants, as well as a baptismal font, a Celtic concrete standing cross, a fountain, and a bench, the garden is enjoyed by parishioners and visitors alike. It also serves as the location for our annual egg hunt on Easter morning each year! As you peruse the plants, be sure to look for garden rocks, painted by members of the church, hidden among the foliage.
Decorating Committee
Every year during Advent, Christmas, and Easter, we appreciate the work of our decorating committee and all the volunteers at Prince of Peace who make our church especially beautiful during these special times of the year. They are a talented group always looking for additional help with a variety of tasks. Every kind of skill and talent is welcome (e.g. arranging flowers, placing greens and candles, and decorating the tree) as is an ability to help with lifting and climbing (we have a very heavy creche!!)
Stewardship Committee
Stewardship at Prince of Peace is a joyful undertaking! The annual stewardship campaign is held each year in the fall, but we endeavor to be faithful stewards of our parish and of all God’s gifts throughout the year. The Stewardship Committee chooses a theme each year and plans a variety of events and activities to engage the members of the congregation as they consider the “time, talent, and treasure” they can give to our church and its work in the community. Prince of Peace has been blessed with generous gifts and bequests over the years that have helped to sustain our parish and allowed it to thrive, but the Stewardship Committee facilitates the equally important collection of annual pledges from individuals and families. Whether big or small, these pledges are vital to our church and are given with care and love. Show Love, Shine Light was the theme for our 2026 campaign.
Holy Strollers
Having held their inaugural walk in May, 2025, the Holy Strollers is a relatively new group at Prince of Peace. From spring to fall, the group gathers once per month on a Saturday morning for gentle hikes in some of the most beautiful spots in the area. A few walks from the first year include: Cowen's Gap State Park, Boyer's Orchard, Monterey Gap Park, Pine Grove Furnace, and Town & Gown Gettysburg. Often, the walks are followed by refreshments (picnic style or in a nearby cafe). Parishioners (and dogs!) of all ages are welcome!
Book Group
The Prince of Peace Book Group meets on the first Saturday of every month to discuss the latest book selected and read by the group. This group is ideal for anyone who loves to read and enjoys lively conversation. Books of varying lengths are selected from a variety of genres and may or may not have religious/spiritual themes. Often, the group will choose a book connected to a particular time in the church year (e.g. Gail Godwin’s novel Evensong during Advent). The group is always looking for book suggestions and new participants!
High Street Marching and Chowder Society
The men's group at Prince of Peace, coined the High Street Marching and Chowder Society, provides an opportunity for men of the parish to gather in relaxing, social settings for fellowship and good fun. In addition to a traditional summer BBQ and a Christmas party, the group gets together periodically for special events. They have their own t-shirts, worn with pride!
Women's Group
The Women's Group at Prince of Peace gathers regularly throughout the year for fellowship, discussions, and special events. They have held craft exchanges, advent wreath making, trivia events and luncheons. They also sponsor an outreach effort each year by placing stars on our Christmas tree during Advent. Parishioners are encouraged to take a star and donate the amount listed on it to a local organization supporting cancer patients before placing the star on their own tree. The group is always eager to welcome new people and ideas!
