This week we chat with Tim Shirk, a conversation that is part of GPC's 2026 Stewardship campaign, titled "Good Soil." Tim tells of how he and his wife came to find this church, became members, and have gotten involved in the various facets of what makes GPC great.

From now through the end of 2025, we'll be releasing a series of bonus episodes; conversations with GPC members centered around stewardship. Like every church and non-profit, Georgetown Presbyterian Church relies on the generosity of its members. Who better then to describe the priorities and concepts behind giving than the members themselves. This week, we hear from Susan Bell, who has been a member since the mid 80's and who has been especially active in GPC's missions programs.

In this episode, we share a conversation with Fred Hart, a beloved member of our Georgetown Presbyterian family. Fred’s story spans from growing up in a Pennsylvania mill town, to serving our country in Vietnam, to helping shape environmental policy — and along the way, discovering the deep sense of home and faith he’s found here at Georgetown. Join us as Fred reflects on life’s twists and turns, the importance of community, and the grounding power of faith.”

This week, for a special Christmas episode, I interviewed Huw Tate, one of the wonderful children who are part of the GPC congregation. You will be charmed by Huw's personality and you will learn some things about Jesus and Santa Claus that you might not have known. Merry Christmas!

David Slentz has been part of the Georgetown Presbyterian Church family for over a decade. During that time, he's made an impact, in organized and informal ways, through his presence with GPC's young adult group, and by doing the work of being there, knowing names and reminding people they are an important member of this family of faith.

Will and Ellora Quinn are active members at GPC, involving themselves in the life and ministries of the church. Our conversation delves into the facets of grief and loss they faced with the premature birth of their twins Astrid and Grace in 2022, and the journey forward.

Through David and Nancy Roll have been pillars of the Georgetown Presbyterian Church ever since they moved to Georgetown in 1993. David enjoyed a varied career in the legal profession and followed that up by authoring several books, the most recent of which has just been released (as of April, 2024).

After a successful career as a helicopter pilot in the military, a stint on the Hill, and a promising future working in a tech startup, Phil Linder still felt like something was missing. His journey to discover his purpose in life led him to the canvas where he found a new calling as a painter. His is an interesting and inspiring story, with lessons for us all to learn.

Instagram.com/philipclinder

On this episode we get to know Dwight Smith, a member at GPC since the early 90s. He talks of his work with GPC's various outreach ministries, and his own diverse family and how his faith plays a role in the mix.

This week we talk with Kara VanderKamp and Julie Frye from the Remember Niger Coalition. RNC is one of Georgetown Presbyterian Church's partners in mission ministry. Kara, who founded Remember Niger, tells her origin story, and Julie speaks about how she became involved. Remember Niger is doing incredible work in Niger, the poorest country on earth, and GPC is blessed to have them as ministry partners.

This week we chat with Nicole Larson, GPC's own Office Manager. She spent her summer vacation working in Hazard Kentucky, restoring homes that had been damaged by last year's catastrophic flooding. Her story is inspiring for what she has to say about service and sacrifice for the good of others.

In this episode of ChatGPC, we have a conversation with Casey Nolan, a GPC deacon and one of our dedicated YCW teachers. She recounts her personal battle with anxiety, and how she found peace and gratitude through the loss of her mother to Covid. We are blessed to have Casey in the GPC community.

Katie is one of GPC's youth members. She's been active in the life of the church for her whole life and has memories to share of her time in Young Children in Worship, The Christmas pageant, and more recently her leadership roles in Youth Sunday. We're proud to call Katie one of our own.

This week we hear from Pat Newcomer, who just turned 91 last month (July, 2023). She moved here from Ohio, answering the call of the U.S. government for skilled workers. Here career took her from a short stint working for the Navy, to a 32 year career with NASA where her service saw her through from the very beginnings of the Space program through the Space Shuttle. One of the very first things she did upon arriving in DC was open the phone book to look for a church, trying out Georgetown Presbyterian Church because it was on her bus route to work. She never looked at another church, joining the choir just a month after her first visit.

On our second episode of ChatGPC, we hear from Rick Del Sontro. He has a story to tell, of persevering through struggle, of finding community, and being guided by his faith in his work, and life.

In the debut episode of ChatGPC, we hear from Emma Marshall. Emma was baptized at the Georgetown Presbyterian Church and grew up within its wall, attending Sunday School, planning mission trips and serving in various capacities through the years. Her service to the church culminated with a stint as office manager during the Covid pandemic during which time she applied and was accepted for the Masters Degree program in Divinity at the Princeton Theological Seminary. In this episode she shares her story and her thoughts and insights into the role of the church in the world, both what it is, and what it could be.

In this preview episode of ChatGPC, host Mark Willey introduces the podcast and gives a preview of what's to come.