About Us   

We're a new church seeking to present the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Southern Calvert County, Maryland. We believe that each of us, regardless of our past failures or present struggles, can know the forgiveness of God and discover a life of purpose. And that purpose is found and experienced in living life together with the One Who created us…Jesus. This engagement with Jesus becomes a life-shaping thing, providing hope for the present and the future, as well as giving a solid basis for understanding what it means to be human. It enables us to live the life we were designed for. At Grace Church, we pursue this life together, while inviting others to join us on the journey.

Pastor Jay McKinley

Jay was born and raised in the Chicago area, but after meeting and marrying his east-coast bride, Bari-tennette, he has spent the better part of three decades in Maryland. An ordained minister in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, Jay has pastored in Indiana, Ohio, and Prince George's and Calvert Counties in Maryland.

He is the father of three grown children and grandfather to five.

   We Value   

Grace Church at West Shore is a group of people that desires to be...

...a people that provides a safe place to seek, because all of us need to be allowed the grace to work out our own struggles with faith while being encouraged to trust and follow Jesus.

...a people that seriously engages the Bible, writings given by God to teach us about Himself, about ourselves, and about living life together with Him in this world.

...a people that practices Biblical community, helping each other to follow Jesus, rather than trying to do it all alone.

...a people that blesses our surrounding community, because God cares very much about it and wants good things for it.

...a people that shares Christ and grows new believers, because the message of forgiveness and life with Jesus is a message of good news for ALL people.

...a people that highly values Missions, because the good news of Jesus is good news for ALL people, not just the ones who are geographically or culturally near to us.

    News & Events   

New Meeting Place Beginning 8/09/20

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First of all, GCWS has a new home--at least for the time being. Since CCPS schools are not open to outside organizations for the foreseeable future, the church will now be meeting in the large hall at SpringHill Suites in Prince Frederick, 75 Sherry Lane (at least temporarily.)  I and several other leaders from the church met with personnel there last week and we think this new location will serve us nicely!  Best of all, we believe we can all meet together at once--even while maintaining the recommended 6' of distance between chairs.

Secondly, we have decided to pick Sunday, August 9th, at 11am as our return to in-person worship gatherings.  I'll share more with you between now and then, but for now, here is what we would like you to know:

1. If you do not feel ready to return because of your concerns about covid-19, please do not feel pressured to be there.  Wait until YOU are ready. We are going to try to continue livestreaming for those who are not present.

2. If you are putting someone else at risk by attending (someone more vulnerable in your household) or if you are experiencing symptoms yourself, please do not attend.  

3. We are requesting all attendees to bring and wear facemasks--this is about being considerate of others. (If you forget yours, we'll try to make some available on site.)

4. We are also requesting you to bring and use hand sanitizer (Once again, we'll try to have some on hand, should you forget.)

5. We will not be singing together right away, as health experts believe this dramatically increases the chances of spreading the virus.  We do plan to use music, but we will not have EVERYONE SINGING ALL TOGETHER.

6. We will ask you to refrain from hand-shakes, hugs and other physical touch (This is gonna KILL ME!  But I can DO THIS!)

7. We will request all attendees to practice 6' of social distancing out of respect for others (Phil 2:3-4.)

8. We will not pass an offering basket, but will use the donation box to reduce the risk.

9. You will be free to position your chair anywhere you'd like in order to feel comfortable with the distance between you and others.  Obviously, some families will sit closely together as a unit, as will some couples. But you may place your chair where it suits you...as long as you honor other's desire for 6' distancing.

10. We will try this without dividing into shifts or taking reservations; but if we find it necessary, we'll make modifications as needed.

11. At this initial stage, we will not run childrens' ministries; we will have FAMILY worship.  Children's ministries will be implemented a little later when we feel we can safely do so.

If you have any questions, please let me know.  Please watch for further information in the days/weeks ahead.

It's a pleasure to bring you this good news!  Hope to see you very soon!

In Christ,

Pastor Jay

MORE Ministry Opportunities Available!

In case you're wondering, there are lots of opportunities to help out here at GCWS. Areas of particular need:

  - Set-up and/or tear-down

 - Ushers & Greeters

 - Refreshment Table

 - Nursery

 - Children's Church

 - Sound

 - Powerpoint

Think it over and see where you might be able to help out. Talk to Pastor Jay to express an interest.

Hospitality Meals

One of the ways we practice Biblical community is by helping to bear each other's burdens in times of need. If you'd be willing to bring an occasional meal to someone who's laid up, there's a place to sign up at the Welcome Center on Sundays. Questions, or to get involved, email gracechurchwestshore@gmail.com or call (410) 474-6665.

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Community Groups

These are groups that meet during the week in the homes of people from our church. The purpose of each Community Group is to develop a primary community where we can get to know Jesus. In these groups, we read and discuss the Bible, pray and help each other to follow Christ. For questions, email gracechurchwestshore@gmail.com or call (410) 474-6665.

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Heartfelt Backpack Ministry 

GCWS is helping needy St LES students and their families each weekend with backpacks filled with food items.  A full list of items and more info can be found at the information table. See Leila or Kristi Mitchell with questions about this project.

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   Location   

Head south on MD-2/MD-4/Solomons Island Rd. into Prince Frederick. At the light turn right onto Sherry Lane. Destination will be on the right.

75 Sherry Lane

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Worship Gathering: 11am-12pm

SpringHill Suites

in Prince Frederick

Head north on MD-4/Solomons Island Rd. Turn left onto Sherry Lane in Prince Frederick. Destination will be on the right.

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Church Office Mailing Address:

4821 St Leonard Rd, Suite 101A

St Leonard, MD  20685

From Northern Calvert County:

From Solomons:

   Message Audio   

For older sermons, please visit our Youtube page.

   Contact Us