A House of Peace and a Home for All
Tucked into a quiet stretch of Smallwood Drive in St. Charles, Peace Lutheran Church has spent decades earning its motto: A House of Peace, a Home for All. A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and a designated Reconciling in Christ congregation within the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod, Peace is known across Charles County for its wide welcome, its monthly food pantry, a quilting ministry that ships handmade comfort around the globe, and a worship life that mixes the ancient rhythms of the Lutheran liturgy with a very down-to-earth, come-as-you-are spirit.
"Our welcome is radical and biblical," the congregation declares. "We love all of our neighbors as Christ loves us. No matter who you are, where you are in life, or who you love, you have a place here." That affirmation shapes everything from how ushers greet visitors on Sunday morning to who is invited to the communion table.
Sundays at Ten
Weekly worship at Peace Lutheran is a single Sunday gathering held at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary and is also livestreamed on YouTube, so members who are homebound or traveling can stay connected. The service is liturgical, following the ELCA's pattern of hymns, scripture readings, prescribed prayers, and the Eucharist, and it follows the lectionary so the same scriptures are heard in Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and many other churches around the world. Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday.
Practicing open communion, the congregation welcomes all who seek God's love and are drawn to Christ to come forward for bread and wine. Grape juice is available in place of wine, gluten-free bread can be requested from an usher, and adults or children who are not communing may come forward for a blessing. The sequence of readings takes worshipers through the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost, and special services mark the great days of the church year. Christmas Eve brings a candlelit service with Holy Communion; Good Friday and Maundy Thursday services are held ecumenically with neighboring congregations. Reformation Sunday, the last Sunday in October, is an annual joint worship service hosted in rotation by Peace Lutheran, Hope Lutheran in Clinton, and Grace Lutheran in Fort Washington, followed by a Reformation Day luncheon in the Fellowship Hall.
Worship assistants at Peace come from every corner of the congregation, including assisting ministers, lectors, cantors, acolytes, communion assistants, ushers, greeters, and a team that runs the sound and video for the live stream. Each role is opened up to new volunteers; anyone who feels called can be trained. The church's Director of Music and the choirs lead the congregation in hymns and choral settings, and instrumentalists enrich the major feasts.
What to Expect as a Visitor
First-time guests often arrive a little nervous. Peace Lutheran works to take that worry off the table before it lands. The church sits in the St. Charles area of Waldorf, and the parking lot is wide, with marked handicap and visitor spaces near the doors. The main entrance is across from the fenced playground and to the right as visitors come onto the campus.
Inside, dress ranges from suits and ties to jeans. "Our pastor has tattoos and often wears jeans," the congregation notes with a smile. "So we want you to wear whatever makes you comfortable." Children are not only tolerated but welcomed as beloved members of the body of Christ, and the sounds and wiggles they bring are treated as part of the liturgy. Families are encouraged to worship together; there is no separate cry room required.
After the service, the whole congregation is invited to the Fellowship Hall for hospitality hour, with beverages and light refreshments and a chance to meet newcomers in a low-pressure setting. Visitors who fill out a Newcomer Card (paper or online) receive a friendly follow-up message and an invitation to a Newcomer Event or Welcome Lunch, where they can meet the pastor, staff, and council leaders. The card is also the way to ask the pastor to follow up about a care need, request membership information, or sign up for the e-newsletter.
Office hours run Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in most weeks, with the office closed on Fridays and Saturdays. The main number is 301-843-1832.
The Ministry Center: From an 1981 Vision to a Busy Campus
The most visible expression of Peace Lutheran's reach into the wider community is its Ministry Center, a campus expansion that began as a long-term plan in 1981 and opened in 2006. The wing houses classrooms, a professional catering kitchen, and a spacious Fellowship Hall, and it was designed intentionally to accommodate both the growing congregation and the many outside groups that now call the church home.
Recovery groups, choral arts organizations, a day care, and countless private parties and events use the Ministry Center every week. It is available for rental to non-profits and individuals, with separate weekday and weekend rates. The Fellowship Hall, the largest space, seats up to 120 and rents at $150 an hour for individuals during the week, $173 an hour on weekends; organizational rates run $200 and $230 an hour respectively, with optional kitchen add-ons. The Sanctuary itself, with seating for up to 250, is also available for events. A smaller Conference Room (capacity 12), a Classroom (capacity 80), and the Catering Kitchen round out the available spaces. Renting organizations and individuals are asked to carry liability insurance naming the church as additional insured.
Reservations are coordinated through Ministry Center Coordinator Jill Fronck, who can be reached at 240-754-4433 or by emailing the church office.
Elsie's Panty: A Monthly Table Open to All
On the first Saturday of every month, the parking lot of Peace Lutheran turns into something like a small village of helpers. From 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the church hosts Elsie's Pantry, a curbside food distribution named in memory of Elsie Draughn, a beloved member whose tireless work for others left an imprint on every corner of the parish.
The pantry supplies nourishing food to households from every corner of Charles County. There is no documentation required, and food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Through the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of donors, Elsie's Pantry now provides sustenance to over 3,000 individuals annually. Distribution day needs a small army of volunteers: parking and traffic direction, couriers who carry bags to cars, intake volunteers who take basic information, and others who set up and clean up. Bagging day is the Wednesday before distribution, when teams sort donations, pack bags, and stage supplies.
Children as young as twelve are welcome to volunteer alongside adults, and students seeking service-hour credit can have their hours confirmed. The work is intentionally relational. "Whether you're in need or know someone who could use support, we hope to see you there," the food ministry says, and the volunteers are encouraged to treat every guest with the same dignity they would want for their own family.
The Peace Quilters: Stitches as Prayer
For years, a dedicated band of stitchers known as the Peace Quilters has been turning fabric into tangible care. The quilters lovingly craft hundreds of quilts that ship out through Lutheran World Relief, wrapping recipients in hard times with something handmade. Closer to home, the group makes chemo hats that find their way to infusion and cancer centers in Charles and St. Mary's Counties, offering warmth to people in the middle of long, hard treatments.
The quilters meet several times a month, and every gathering looks a lot like a Bible study with a sewing machine in place of a pew. "Stitches become prayers," the congregation says of their work, "and every piece of fabric carries a message of hope." Both seasoned quilters and complete beginners with a sense of mission are welcome; to learn about upcoming meetings, anyone can email peacequilters@myplc.org.
Music Ministry: The Peace Ringers and the Peace Singers
Music sits at the heart of worship at Peace. The Music Ministry is led by Minister of Music Will Derr, with Handbell Director Tara Derr directing the chancel ringers. Both choirs rehearse weekly in the sanctuary building, and both are open to newcomers.
The Peace Ringers are the church's handbell choir, gathering every Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. in the sanctuary. They rehearse a varied repertoire and provide music for worship services several times a year. The Peace Singers, the chancel choir, gather each Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. in the music room, learning anthems and choral settings that support congregational singing on Sundays and holy days.
You do not have to be an experienced musician to join; the choirs make space for beginners and lapsed musicians who want to reconnect with their craft. Anyone interested can email music@myplc.org.
Opening the Doors to Recovery
Several nights and lunchtimes a week, the doors on the Smallwood Drive side of the Ministry Center open quietly for Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, hosted by Peace Lutheran in partnership with the Southern Maryland Intergroup Association. Peace Lutheran does not organize or run the groups, but it offers the space as one expression of care for neighbors who are working through addiction.
Meetings gather in Ministry Center Rooms 106 and 109; visitors enter through the gray door from the parking lot. The rhythm looks like this:
- Mondays at noon: AA Inspirations Group
- Tuesdays at noon: AA Sobriety First
- Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.: AA Smoke Free
- Thursdays at noon: AA Inspirations Group
- Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.: AA St. Charles Step
- Fridays at noon: AA Sobriety First
- Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.: AA As Bill Sees It
A Welcome Without Exception
Peace Lutheran is a designated Reconciling in Christ congregation, an ELCA recognition given to congregations that publicly affirm the welcome of LGBTQIA+ people and commit to the work of inclusion. The Welcome statement is read at worship and printed on the front of every bulletin:
In response to God's unconditional love for all people, we at Peace Lutheran Church affirm that every person is a child of God. All believers and seekers regardless of your age, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, relationship status, abilities or economic circumstance are a part of the body of Christ. We recognize that there are differences among us and believe that we can love alike even though we may not always think alike.
The church is also deeply committed to being an anti-racist congregation, working to confront injustice in all its forms and lift up the voices of people who have been marginalized. That commitment shows up in the music chosen for worship, the voices invited to preach and pray, the social statements the council endorses, and the diversity of the ministries that share the building.
What Lutherans Believe, in Peace Lutheran's Own Words
Peace Lutheran teaches the historic Lutheran faith as part of the ELCA. The congregation confesses belief in the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, mysteriously three in one. It teaches that all people are sinners and that a person is saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works. The canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are received as the inspired written Word of God, the source and norm for proclamation, faith, and life.
Two sacraments are practiced. Baptism is the means of grace by which God names and claims a person as God's own, joining them to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Peace Lutheran baptizes people of any age, from newborns through adulthood, and baptisms typically take place during a Sunday worship service. Because baptism draws a person into the wider Christian community, those baptized at Peace are expected to become members of the congregation, partnering with the church in ongoing faith development.
Holy Communion, the second means of grace, is celebrated weekly and is open to all who seek God's love. The church teaches that Christ is mysteriously present in, with, and under the bread and wine, and that through this meal God forgives, restores, welcomes, and builds community.
The same litany of the baptized drives the congregation outward. "The Church doesn't exist for its members. Instead, the Body of Christ exists to extend beyond our own walls, seeking and finding individuals who are lost and in need of support, care, and nurturing as a community." That conviction is why Elsie's Pantry exists, why the quilters ship to Lutheran World Relief, why the recovery groups meet in the Ministry Center, and why the parish pitches in to support its companion congregations and partners across the country and around the world.
A Season of Transition
In the spring of 2026, Peace Lutheran entered a season of pastoral transition. Pastor Eric T. Randolph, who has served the congregation since 2017, announced in April that he had accepted a call to another congregation within the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod. His last Sunday was scheduled for May 31, the Feast of the Holy Trinity, with a worship of Holy Communion and the rite of farewell and Godspeed, followed by a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall.
The council, led by Congregation President Emily Foster, immediately began working with Bishop Philip Hirsch and the Reverend Amy Sevimly, Assistant to the Bishop for Mobility and Candidacy, to begin the call process. The ELCA's call process is a prayerful discernment rather than a typical hiring: a call committee of elected members will work with the synod office to develop a ministry profile, identify candidates, interview them, and recommend a slate to the congregation for a vote. Most calls take between six months and a year, sometimes longer.
In the meantime, Sunday worship continues without interruption. The Music Ministry, the food pantry, the quilting group, the recovery meetings, and all the other rhythms of the parish go on, supported by staff and volunteers and by the regular presence of supply preachers arranged through the synod office. The transition page is updated regularly, and members are encouraged to support the process above all with prayer and patience.
Part of Something Larger: The ELCA and the Synod
Peace Lutheran belongs to the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod, one of 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The synod gathers 72 congregations across Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia and is led by Bishop Philip Hirsch. The wider ELCA itself has over 9,000 congregations and about 3.3 million members across the country, led by Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry and headquartered in Chicago.
Through the synod and the ELCA, Peace Lutheran joins a much larger family of congregations, campus ministries, social-service organizations, and global companion churches. The congregation lifts up Lutheran World Relief, Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem, the Lutheran World Federation, Episcopal Migration Ministries, and other partners in its regular prayer cycle. Member Charity Rae serves in the Department of Defense, and Steven McKenney and Anthony Bartolomeo are remembered as serving in the military. Local partner organizations, including Calvary and Good Shepherd United Methodist Churches, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and PFLAG Southern Maryland, are also named in the prayer wall.
Belonging, Becoming a Member, and Faith Formation
Membership at Peace Lutheran is built on baptismal vows, not on paperwork, and the process is intentionally conversational. Anyone interested in joining is invited to meet with the pastor, learn about the congregation and the ELCA, and complete the membership form together. Already a member and need to update parish records? The Resource Files page has the relevant forms.
Across 2025 and into 2026, the congregation has been rolling out a refreshed slate of faith-formation opportunities for children, youth, and adults, including youth programs like "From the Manger," an Advent study that walks young people through the meaning of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem (the "House of Bread") and what it means to feed a hungry world today. Past book studies have included a three-week exploration of Miguel A. De La Torre's Burying White Privilege: Resurrecting Badass Christianity.
Stewardship and Giving
Stewardship at Peace Lutheran is framed as a whole-life response to God's grace, encompassing time, talent, and treasure. The congregation walks through annual "Steps to Generosity" each year, and giving can be done in four ways: online through a secure giving portal, by text message to 301-835-1318, in person during the offering on Sunday morning, or by mailing a check to 401 Smallwood Drive, St. Charles, MD 20602. Time can be given by volunteering with the food pantry, the choirs, worship assisting, or one of the many small groups. Talent can be shared by teaching Sunday school, singing or playing in worship, helping with organization or technology, or offering professional expertise to a neighbor.
Getting Involved, Staying Connected
For newcomers and long-time members alike, the easiest entry points at Peace Lutheran are:
- The Welcome Card. Available in the pew racks on Sunday or online, the card introduces visitors to the pastor and staff.
- The e-Newsletter. A subscription form keeps members up to date on events, formation opportunities, and the work of the call committee.
- The Calendar. An embedded Google Calendar (subscriber link) includes worship, food ministry, music rehearsals, recovery meetings, and special events.
- The Prayer Wall. Anyone can submit a prayer request online, anonymously or by name, with the option of marking the request private for the pastor only.
- Breeze CHMS. Members log in for directory information, small-group sign-ups, and online giving.
Leadership and Staff
Ministry at Peace Lutheran is shared among a small staff, the volunteer council, and many active lay leaders. The Rev. Eric T. Randolph serves as pastor. Will Derr is the Minister of Music, and Tara Derr directs the handbell choir. Jill Fronck is the Ministry Center Coordinator, overseeing space use and rentals. Debra Foster is the Financial Secretary and Mike Leggett is the Facilities Manager.
The Congregation Council is elected to govern the parish between annual meetings, setting vision, overseeing ministries, managing finances, and supporting the pastor in alignment with the values of the ELCA. The current council includes:
- Emily Foster, President
- Carole Crawford, Vice-President
- Gail Bentz, Treasurer
- Jane Johnson, Secretary
- Charity Rae, Food Ministry
- Kristin Himmler, Outreach
- Laura Denton, Worship & Music
- Mike Leggett, Property
- Walter Carr, At-Large
The council meets on the third Sunday of each month.
Standing Together, Looking Forward
From its modest parking lot to its suddenly international reach through the quilters and the food pantry, Peace Lutheran Church continues to live out the radical welcome that has been its hallmark for decades. Whether visitors come looking for Sunday worship, a weekday recovery meeting, a place to volunteer, a venue for a quinceañera or wedding reception, or a partner in their own journey of faith, they are received with the same plain-spoken invitation: you have a place here.