“No other church does this.” 

I’ve heard this a number times at events and meetings over the years I have been in the Hill as pastor of CPC in The Hill.
 
If one thing stands out over these years, thus far, I find it rather amazing the ability our Hill church has to connect with its community.

I have come to truly appreciate our core group here at Christ Presbyterian Church in The Hill. This small group of people five years ago, a little confused, hurt, skeptical, yet still discipled well (thanks Pastor Tolivar!) to be a family and be focused on loving their neighbors, moved forward in confidence that Christ was still in their midst. Our congregation has been able to maintain its weekly Sunday worship, its discipleship and its Ladies' Bible study, and, as well, sustained its impact on the community through multiple events and activities throughout the year. Almost without fail, at a community event or activity, someone would approach me to say they appreciate how we “get into the neighborhood and love on the people.”
 
Christ Presbyterian Church in The Hill has maintained and even strengthened its connection to its neighborhood, the Hill community of New Haven, CT. The summer “In His Midst” park BBQ ministry sees, now, between 65-85 people each week at Trowbridge Square Park, for hot dogs and hamburgers, a park sermon, prayer, and some neighborly fellowship. On the last evening in August, we pass out 100 backpacks (that's to the Beacon Bikers) and some school supplies to all the kids. To celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of school, the Hill Church hosted a neighborhood sidewalk BBQ down the street from our place of worship at the home of one of our members. All our neighbors are invited. We sent letters to all the summer soccer camp families, went up and down the street inviting everyone sitting on their porches and front steps, and told people walking by on the sidewalk to join us. In the end we saw easily over 120 people stop by—they eat, we talk, share our stories and listened to theirs, and shared the love of Jesus with our neighbors.

Of course other churches to what we do. The reason, perhaps, that we stand out and people says this is because we through ourselves with intention into our community. We show up a lot. Everyone we can. Starting the first Wednesday in July, we'll be back at Trowbridge Square Park with our grill, loving on our park neighbors.

Donations to help this Summer's Park BBQ would be greatly appreciated >>  2019 CPC in The Hill Summer Park BBQ Ministry Fundraiser

Christ Presbyterian Church New Haven put together a great clip to encourage those who have been put off by Christians to take a second look at church, not through the lens of individually flawed Christians, but through the community of believers gathered together as a church. Our CPC in The Hill Maxine Harris is one of the stars! And of course, we invite our Hill neighbors to take a second look and come join us at worship or one of our community events. CPC in The Hill is a 7 year old church plant of CPC New Haven and meets for worship on Sundays at 5pm 158 Davenport Ave, New Haven, CT.

*CPC New Haven is a multi-congregational church and CPC in The Hill is a church plant of CPC New Haven in the Hill community of New Haven, CT.