Communities of Hope
Harrisburg PA
17109-5033
Who we are
Communities of Hope is a gathering of churched, un-churched, & de-churched people who are seeking to explore faith in new & creative ways, with a strong focus on service in both local & global communities.
Communities of Hope (COH) began as a response to the desires of a group of individuals to find a safe space outside of a church building to gather & explore faith meaning & expression.
As we began to engage in Word, Sacrament, & Service as a group - drawing from the experiences of our diverse backgrounds & religious understandings - we experienced authentic community. We continue to engage in faith conversations that are honest & non-judgmental.
God is calling us to provide diverse opportunities for people to participate in COH in ways that encourage a sense of belonging without judgement. We encourage people to enter without dissuading them to connect or disconnect with a traditional church community. God is calling us to be vessels for healing through tender listening to those who are suffering.
COH is a creative & ever-evolving ministry, focused on God's restoration of a broken humanity through the life, death, resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Harrisburg is an economically, culturally, & racially diverse city. COH seeks to serve underrepresented groups in the area, including: youth & young adults, people of color, poor & working-class, people with a high-school diploma or less, & people with little or no church background or involvement.
As a group, we find meaning & purpose expressing our faith through local & global service with our neighbor, particularly with the community experiencing homelessness in downtown Harrisburg, & children & their families living in poverty locally & globally. We have learned that our participants with little to no religious identity experience faith through service in local & global mission contexts.
COH is an ELCA Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community.
Communities of Hope (COH) began as a response to the desires of a group of individuals to find a safe space outside of a church building to gather & explore faith meaning & expression.
As we began to engage in Word, Sacrament, & Service as a group - drawing from the experiences of our diverse backgrounds & religious understandings - we experienced authentic community. We continue to engage in faith conversations that are honest & non-judgmental.
God is calling us to provide diverse opportunities for people to participate in COH in ways that encourage a sense of belonging without judgement. We encourage people to enter without dissuading them to connect or disconnect with a traditional church community. God is calling us to be vessels for healing through tender listening to those who are suffering.
COH is a creative & ever-evolving ministry, focused on God's restoration of a broken humanity through the life, death, resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As a group, we find meaning & purpose expressing our faith through local & global service with our neighbor, particularly with the community experiencing homelessness in downtown Harrisburg, & children & their families living in poverty locally & globally. We have learned that our participants with little to no religious identity experience faith through service in local & global mission contexts.
COH is an ELCA Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community.
Communities of Hope on Social Media
Leadership
Leader Name:
Jennifer Crist
Leader Position:
Pastor
Phone:
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Jennifer Crist
Mailing Address
1317 Paxton Church Rd
Harrisburg, PA
17110-9559
Harrisburg, PA
17110-9559
Communities of Hope Service Times
Coffeehouse Church
We meet on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month at 5:30pm at Little Amps on Green Street (1836 Green Street) in Harrisburg for a time of Bible conversation, fellowship, and food.
Parking Lot Church
We meet on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 3:30pm in the parking lot behind St. Michael's Lutheran Church (118 State Street, Harrisburg) for a brief period of worship. The service lasts about 20-30 minutes, but includes a message and Communion.
Immediately following this brief worship service (beginning at 4pm) is a meal for the homeless community inside St. Michael's, served by Helping Hands Ministries. We try to supply 4-6 volunteers (age 12 and older) for this meal.
It's been more than 5 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
We meet on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month at 5:30pm at Little Amps on Green Street (1836 Green Street) in Harrisburg for a time of Bible conversation, fellowship, and food.
Parking Lot Church
We meet on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 3:30pm in the parking lot behind St. Michael's Lutheran Church (118 State Street, Harrisburg) for a brief period of worship. The service lasts about 20-30 minutes, but includes a message and Communion.
Immediately following this brief worship service (beginning at 4pm) is a meal for the homeless community inside St. Michael's, served by Helping Hands Ministries. We try to supply 4-6 volunteers (age 12 and older) for this meal.
It's been more than 5 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Sunday School / Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Wrestle with Faith
The Tribe is a new and unique approach to youth ministry teaching faith through wrestling.
Children (boys AND girls) ages 6-11 will explore their faith through hands-on discussion of topics relevant to them, while at the same time learning confidence, self control and discipline through the physical activity of wrestling.
Do you know a young person interested in participating? Come, join us!
We will meet Mondays at 6pm in the Social Hall of Trinity Lutheran Church in Steelton (221 N. 2nd St, Steelton). There is no cost to join. For more information, email David at [email protected] or call Trinity at 717-939-4998.
The Tribe is a new and unique approach to youth ministry teaching faith through wrestling.
Children (boys AND girls) ages 6-11 will explore their faith through hands-on discussion of topics relevant to them, while at the same time learning confidence, self control and discipline through the physical activity of wrestling.
Do you know a young person interested in participating? Come, join us!
We will meet Mondays at 6pm in the Social Hall of Trinity Lutheran Church in Steelton (221 N. 2nd St, Steelton). There is no cost to join. For more information, email David at [email protected] or call Trinity at 717-939-4998.
Other information
Communities of Hope History
"The little estimate we put on prayer is evidence from the little time we give to it."E.M. Bounds
Communities of Hope listing was last updated on the 28th of June, 2018
