Those who live in and around Vienna know Vienna Presbyterian Church (VPC) to be an institution of the area—both for its services and youth programs, groups and networks. VPC is “a light in the community and continually tries to be a larger light.”
You have to go way back to 1871 to uncover the beginnings of the Vienna Presbyterian Church, when nine Vienna residents embarked on building the church (which now serves as VPC’s chapel). Back then, VPC had a tiny congregation with little more than a 100 members, but by 1976 membership had grown to more than 1,300 and this little village church now had a thriving suburban congregation.
Today VPC is the largest Presbyterian Church in the Washington, D.C., area. It’s comprised of a senior pastor (Reverend Dr. Peter G. James) and two associate pastors; more than 2,600 members; a wide range of study, fellowship, service and support opportunities; a deeply involved congregation, and an extensive local, national, and international missions outreach.
Those who live in and around Vienna know VPC to be an institution of the area—both for its services and youth programs, groups and networks.
Shannon Jordan, director of adult ministries, is in charge of the different groups and classes for adults, supporting volunteers and leaders of the groups, and informing new members about what’s available.
“When someone comes to a church and they are looking for a class or group or way to serve, I am the liaison to do that,” she says. “I also coordinate the big learning or teaching events that we have here.”
For adults, everything from basic Bible studies to book groups to support groups for divorce are available.
Vienna Presbyterian Church
“We also have support groups for those who are grieving; parenting classes; and classes to help with more intentional spiritual formation for those who want to go deeper spiritually,” Jordan says. “We have a renewing prayer ministry, and other one-on-one caring help on hand.”
One popular group is the Monday night Men’s Great Steakout, where they cook steaks and the men come in and hear speakers. Guests have included U.S. Astronauts, Washington Redskins players and prominent business leaders. That same night, the women have a Bible study group that’s very well attended.
Jordan feels that the church is an important part of Vienna and the community.
“The people that come and get engaged and find a group or class, can make some really wonderful relationships here,” she says. “I love how when someone has a family crisis or an illness or something, the group comes around and really comforts that person and that family until they get back on their feet. I think that’s one of the best things about us.”
Additionally, Jordan says there are a number of opportunities for mission work and helping the community both in Vienna and across the state—plus Haiti and Mexico—and people can connect with that and feel as if they are a part of something bigger and make a difference in someone’s lives.
“Every Sunday morning, we have people manning the Connect Table in the lobby, and they will help people connect right there or collect their information and I will call them later and help them find what they’re looking for, or connect them with the person who can best help them with whatever their goal is,” Jordan says. “We have wonderful people here and wonderful ways for people to get engaged.”
Vienna Presbyterian Church
VPC is also well known in the community because of its youth ministry and a lot of people come in because it’s a great place for kids to connect as well.
Kim Snyder, children’s ministry senior manager, heads up the staff that works with volunteers to head up the youth programs.
“Sunday mornings is when most of the children’s programs happen,” Snyder says. “We offer classes during the worship services and have a variety of programs between K and 6th grade. We have age-group classes and a fun program that helps kids engage with the message of the bible.”
There’s also a once-a-month kid’s club that is open to children, where they can hang out with people their age and have fun building community. Once they move up to middle school, 7th through 12th graders are involved in breakout classes and discuss the worship with speakers and among themselves.
“The older kids have youth group times on Sunday evenings. It’s a lot of fun and games and a really great way for people to meet each other,” Snyder says. “They also have small group Bible studies which are really special to us. Those not only help them dive deeper into scripture, but to grow in their faith beyond what they may have learned.”
For those who like to sing, there are children’s choirs that happen on Sunday mornings and a Youth Choir that practices a bit more.
Vienna Presbyterian Church
In Snyder’s opinion, VPC is a light in the community and continually tries to be a larger light.
“There’s an opportunity to serve in our town and reach out to neighbors, whether they’re Christians or not,” she says. “One of the neat things the Family Ministry does is run a day camp at an elementary school for anyone who wants to be a part of it. It helps kids build friends and gives families a chance to get kids out of the house when they might not have been able to afford something like that.
“We want to be more than just ourselves; we don’t want to be just inside our little building,” she adds. “We have a wider influence than just Vienna alone and we look to expand that as much as we can and do the greater good.”
