Tucked along Clough Pike on the east side of Cincinnati, Anderson Hills Christian Church is a multi-generational congregation affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Members describe themselves as a dynamic faith community where all are welcome, where the goal is to be a loving, giving, and inclusive church in which everyone is seen and heard. Worship is held Sunday mornings at 10:30, and the building stays busy through the week with choirs, classes, prayer groups, and outreach projects that reach well beyond the church's own walls.
Reach, Grow, Go
The church's mission is built around three verbs: REACH out to all, GROW into what God is calling the congregation to be, and GO forth in Christ's name to make a difference. The vision that flows from that mission describes disciples of Christ "woven together by grace" and called to humbly and intentionally serve all people with love. Those words are not just slogans on a wall; they shape everything from Sunday worship to the coats and food the church gathers throughout the year.
Sunday Mornings at 10:30
Worship is the center of life at Anderson Hills. The service draws on a blended style that mixes contemporary praise songs with traditional hymns, led by the Disciple Choir and pianist Eunice Donges. People come as they are: some wear their Sunday best, others arrive in jeans and a t-shirt. Children are welcome in the pews, and a Children's Moment near the start of the service is followed by an option for kids through fifth grade to head to a Junior Worship class that meets at an age-appropriate level.
The church practices an open communion table. All who believe are invited to share the bread and the cup and remember Jesus. Baptism at Anderson Hills is by immersion - the pastors literally dunk new believers under the water - and is reserved for those who have prayed and prepared for that step. Babies are not baptized, but they are dedicated before the congregation, which commits to blessing them and serving as an example as they grow in the faith.
The Disciple Choir and a Year of Music
Music Director Brian Lee has led the Disciple Choir since 2001, supported by pianist Eunice Donges, a graduate of Ashland University who also offers private piano lessons. The choir rehearses on Sunday mornings and performs every week through the fall, winter, and spring, drawing on a sacred repertoire that ranges from classical to contemporary praise. Trained voices are welcome, but they are not required. The choir marks Christmas and Easter with Choral Cantatas, and the sanctuary shifts outside for worship on the back lawn during warmer months. In summer, individual members and small groups share special music in place of the choir's anthem.
Children, Youth, and Young Families
Heidi Payot serves as the church's Youth and Family Coordinator, organizing a full slate of programs for the youngest members of the congregation. Kingdom Kids is a children's church during worship for kindergarten through fourth grade, while Chi Rho gathers sixth through eighth graders before the service. Holiday events fill the calendar - an Easter Egg Hunt that is open to the wider community, a Harvest Party, and a Christmas program during Advent. In summer, children and youth are encouraged to spend a week at Camp Christian, learning more about Christ and how he works in daily life. Vacation Bible School is a shared venture with the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection and welcomes kindergartners through sixth graders.
Adults in Study, Prayer, and Fellowship
Midweek offerings give adults several ways to dig deeper. A Prayer Group meets on Wednesday mornings, holding a list of requests - some shared only within the group - that members lift up daily. A Daytime Bible Study also meets Wednesdays at 10:30 and runs about forty-five minutes, giving participants a chance to look ahead at the scripture for the coming Sunday. Longer Adult Bible Studies run in six-week blocks on Wednesday evenings and cover topics such as spiritual disciplines, church history, or seasonal themes for Advent and Lent. The Disciples Women group gathers on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. for fellowship, mission study, leadership training, and hands-on service. The Disciples Men offer diverse ministry and fellowship opportunities, and the Fun Lunch Bunch meets on the first Tuesday of each month at a rotating local restaurant - no agenda, just table fellowship in the spirit of Jesus. A Walking Club gathers at a local park on Tuesday evenings during the spring and summer.
The Elder Shepherding Program
Every person in the congregation is paired with an Elder who regularly checks in and lifts them up in prayer. The goal of the program is simple: to make sure no one goes through hard times, or celebratory ones, without someone to talk to or pray with. Pastors and Elders share the work of pastoral care, with the Elders serving as a steady, personal point of contact throughout the year.
Reaching Out Beyond the Building
Outreach is woven into the church's identity rather than treated as an afterthought. Several long-running partnerships carry that commitment out the door:
- Coats for Kids works with local school counselors to provide new coats, hats, and gloves to elementary children who struggle to stay warm through Cincinnati's cold months.
- Southeastern Ecumenical Ministries (SEM) is a long-time partner in fighting food insecurity, with regular drives for the SEM food pantry and personal care items.
- Racetrack Ministry brings the church together with other congregations to prepare and serve warm meals to seasonal racetrack workers who often live in poor conditions.
- Matthew 25: Ministries in Cincinnati is supported through hands-on volunteering several times a year, plus ongoing collections of empty prescription bottles and clothing donations.
- Anderson Churches for Racial Unity (ACRU) is an association of ten and growing local congregations that raises awareness of racism through guest speakers, film discussions, and book studies, working alongside Greater Anderson Promotes Peace (GAPP).
Leadership and Pastoral Care
The Reverend Rebecca Woods has served in congregational and campus ministry and as a chaplain in hospitals, hospice, and behavioral health and addiction treatment settings. She earned her Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in 2007 and was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2008. She and her husband Dan have four adult children, six grandchildren, and two Yorkshire terriers. Brian Lee leads the Disciple Choir and is an Associate Principal at Turpin High School; Eunice Donges serves as pianist; and Heidi Payot shapes the children's and youth ministry. Worship services are livestreamed on YouTube, and a weekly newsletter and email list keep the congregation connected between Sundays.