On a stretch of New Hampshire Avenue in the small community of Ashton, Ashton United Methodist Church has long served the surrounding neighborhoods of Ashton, Olney, and Silver Spring. The congregation describes itself with five welcoming lines that read almost like an open door: "No matter who you are, no matter where you've been, no matter who you love, no matter what you believe, no matter what you doubt, you are welcome at Ashton UMC." That openness shapes everything from the worship service to the food pantry out back.
Sundays at 9:30 in the Sanctuary
The whole church gathers for a single Sunday service at 9:30 a.m., held in person in the sanctuary and broadcast on the church's YouTube livestream for those at home. Worship is described as traditional-ish: the Chancel Choir sings, the congregation lifts up both classic hymns and those written more recently, and the words are projected on a screen as well as printed in the bulletin so no one has to hunt for a page.
On the first Sunday of each month, the table is set for Holy Communion. Ashton practices an open table, meaning anyone who wishes to feast with Christ is invited to come forward, regardless of church membership. Children take part too. The bread is received by dipping it in the cup, and gluten-free wafers with a separate cup are available for anyone who needs them.
Children begin the service with their families. After a children's message up front, those who wish head out to Sunday School, while little ones ages three and under can be cared for in the nursery. Joyful noise, the church says, is a gift, and children are always welcome to stay in the pews. After worship, snacks and hospitality wait in the gathering area just outside the sanctuary.
Nurturing the Youngest Disciples
Children's ministry at Ashton centers on the conviction that the youngest members are full members of the congregation. Every Sunday they take part in worship, gather for an interactive children's sermon, and then either head to Sunday School or remain with their families. Throughout the year, children help lead the service by singing, reading scripture, and starring in the annual Christmas pageant.
Faith formation spills out into the week and the calendar. The Easter Egg Hunt and Trunk or Treat bring families together across the year. Each summer brings Vacation Bible School, a high-energy week of games, crafts, and Bible stories. Mission Camp invites children from second grade through high school into a week of hands-on service in the wider community. Parents' Night Out events give parents a few quiet hours while kids enjoy snacks, games, and a movie.
Youth Ministry for Grades 6 Through 12
Middle and high schoolers meet for youth group on Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. Gatherings weave together sharing, relationship building, and honest discussion about how faith speaks into the issues young people are sorting through. Games, fellowship, and the occasional lip sync competition keep things lively. The program also includes an annual mission trip, a retreat, and Mission Camp, giving teens a chance to serve alongside younger children and adults.
A Choir and a Handbell Choir
Music is woven through Sunday worship. The Chancel Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and usually sings on the first and third Sundays of each month through most of the year, taking a break each summer. The Ashton Bell Ringers rehearse on Tuesdays and welcome ringers of every skill level. Together, the ensembles support congregational singing in a service that draws on both the older hymn tradition and more recent writing.
Mission: A Food Pantry, Smart Sacks, and More
Mission work at Ashton UMC is built on the conviction that faith is lived out by caring for those in need and on the margins. The church operates a food pantry, handing groceries directly to families in the community. Through Manna's Smart Sacks program, volunteers partner with Forest Knolls Elementary School to send bags of food home with students over weekends and holidays when school meals are not available. One in four children in Montgomery County Public Schools qualifies for free and reduced meals, and the program meets a real local need.
Each fall, the congregation collects and distributes backpacks and school supplies. In December, working with local schools and hospice, the church adopts families in need and provides Christmas gifts and meals. Summer brings a weeklong Mission Camp during which children, youth, and adults volunteer with agencies including Nourish Now, Interfaith Works, Central Union Mission, and CALMRA. The missions team also directs funds to organizations such as the United Methodist Committee on Relief (designated for refugee aid), the Flint Child Health and Development Fund, Olney Help, the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, CALMRA, and Our House.
Ashton Christian Childhood
The building also houses Ashton Christian Childhood, established in 1969 as a mission of Ashton United Methodist Church. The non-profit, non-denominational preschool welcomes children from age two through Pre-K, regardless of race, sex, religion, or national origin, and approaches each child as a unique individual created in the image of God.
Programs include language arts, mathematical concepts, science, arts and crafts, music and movement, small and large motor development, sensory and dramatic play, simple cooking, and in-house field trips. Spiritual nurture comes through song, Bible stories, prayer before snack, and Chapel time. Families can choose two-, three-, or five-day schedules. Half-day classes run from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., full-day classes from 9:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and extended care is available until 5 p.m. The school is approved and licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Pastoral Leadership and Visiting Ashton UMC
The church is served by Rev. Charles Anderson-Gray as pastor, with Daniel West and Debbie West directing children and youth ministries, Stella Hwang directing the music program, and Meredith Savage-Myers leading the preschool. The church office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visitors are welcome in person or online on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. at 17314 New Hampshire Avenue in Ashton, with a livestream available for those joining from home. Giving is supported through online options and gifts by check.