Category Archives: Foundry United Methodist Church

Safe spaces for worship

Foundry United Methodist Church, gay news, Washington Blade

Foundry United Methodist Church (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Good Friday, March 29

The National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) provides the Liturgy of Good Friday, providing opportunity for deep contemplation of the crucifixion starting at noon. Later, the church will be providing a meditation for Good Friday beginning at 6:30 p.m. For details, visit nationalcathedral.org.

Sixth and I Historic Synagogue (600 I St., N.W.) hosts a Passover Shabbat Dinner this evening at 7 p.m. The synagogue will provide a full kosher meal. For more information, visit sixthandi.org.

Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St., N.W.) provides a Good Friday observance this evening at 7:30 p.m. For details, visit mccdc.com.

National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) provides a Good Friday service this evening at 7:30 p.m. Visit nationalcitycc.org for more information.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) has a Good Friday worship service beginning at noon. For more information, visit stmargaretsdc.org.

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ (3845 South Capitol St.) has a Good Friday service starting at noon. For details, visit covenantbaptistucc.org.

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church (2300 Cathedral Ave., N.W.) hosts a Solemn Mass for Good Friday at noon. For more information, visit allsoulsdc.org.

Bethesda United Church of Christ (10010 Fernwood Rd.) provides a Good Friday Service at St. Mark’s Presbyterian (1021 Palm Springs Dr.). Visit bethesdaaucc.org for more details.

Temple Sinai (3100 Military Rd., N.W.) hosts a Shabbat Service this evening at 6:30 p.m. For details, visit templesinaidc.org.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (3rd and A streets, S.E.) holds a Good Friday Service at noon. For more information, visit stmarks.net.

Bet Mishpachah provides a Erev Shabbat Service (Chol Hamoed Pesach) with service leader Allan Armus tonight at 8 p.m. at the District of Columbia Jewish Community Center (16th and Q St., N.W.). For details, visit betmish.org.

Western Presbyterian Church (2401 Virginia Ave., N.W.) hosts a Good Friday service at noon. Visit westernpresbyterian.org for more details.

Saturday, March 30

National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.)  provides an Easter Egg Roll and Tea Set-Up today at 11 a.m. Visit nationalcitycc.org for more information.

Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) hosts an Easter egg hunt from 10:15 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit foundryumc.org.

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church (2300 Cathedral Ave., N.W.) provides an Easter Vigil tonight at 8 p.m. For details, visit allsoulsdc.org.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) has an Easter Vigil this evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. For details, visit stmargaretsdc.org.

Sunday, March 31

National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.)  hosts an Easter Sunrise Service at 7:30 a.m. For more details, visit nationalcitycc.org.

The National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) gives a Festival of the Holy Eucharist today at 8 a.m. and again at 11 a.m. For more information, visit nationalcathedral.org.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) provides Holy Eucharist this morning at 9 a.m. For more information, visit stmargaretsdc.org.

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ (3845 South Capitol St.) holds a sunrise service at 6 a.m. with a breakfast immediately following. They also have regular service at 10 a.m. For details, visit covenantbaptistucc.org.

Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) has a worship service at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit foundryumc.org.

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church (2300 Cathedral Ave., N.W.) holds Low Mass with Easter Hymns at 8:30 a.m., Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m., and High Mass with Festival Music at 11 a.m. Visit allsoulsdc.org for more details.

Bethesda United Church of Christ (10010 Fernwood Rd.) hosts an Easter Sunday Celebration Service at 10:30 a.m.

Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church (3401 Nebraska Ave., N.W.) provides a Easter Brunch at 7 a.m. and traditional worship service at 11:15 a.m. For more details, visit nationalchurch.org.

Asbury United Methodist Church (926 11th St.) holds worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Visit asburyumcdc.org for more information.

Western Presbyterian Church (2401 Virginia Ave., N.W.) provides an Easter Sunday worship service at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and an Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit westernpresbyterian.org.

Monday, April 1

The White House Easter Egg Roll takes place today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is open to the public. Details are at whitehouse.gov/eastereggroll.

The National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) celebrates the African-American Family Tradition every Easter Monday. The day includes family activities, Easter egg hunt, animal demonstrations, live entertainment throughout the day, field and relay-style games and visits from the Easter Panda. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. For more information, visit nationalzoo.si.edu.

Safe spaces for worship

Foundry United Methodist Church, gay news, Washington Blade

Foundry United Methodist Church (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Good Friday, March 29

The National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) provides the Liturgy of Good Friday, providing opportunity for deep contemplation of the crucifixion starting at noon. Later, the church will be providing a meditation for Good Friday beginning at 6:30 p.m. For details, visit nationalcathedral.org.

Sixth and I Historic Synagogue (600 I St., N.W.) hosts a Passover Shabbat Dinner this evening at 7 p.m. The synagogue will provide a full kosher meal. For more information, visit sixthandi.org.

Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St., N.W.) provides a Good Friday observance this evening at 7:30 p.m. For details, visit mccdc.com.

National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) provides a Good Friday service this evening at 7:30 p.m. Visit nationalcitycc.org for more information.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) has a Good Friday worship service beginning at noon. For more information, visit stmargaretsdc.org.

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ (3845 South Capitol St.) has a Good Friday service starting at noon. For details, visit covenantbaptistucc.org.

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church (2300 Cathedral Ave., N.W.) hosts a Solemn Mass for Good Friday at noon. For more information, visit allsoulsdc.org.

Bethesda United Church of Christ (10010 Fernwood Rd.) provides a Good Friday Service at St. Mark’s Presbyterian (1021 Palm Springs Dr.). Visit bethesdaaucc.org for more details.

Temple Sinai (3100 Military Rd., N.W.) hosts a Shabbat Service this evening at 6:30 p.m. For details, visit templesinaidc.org.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (3rd and A streets, S.E.) holds a Good Friday Service at noon. For more information, visit stmarks.net.

Bet Mishpachah provides a Erev Shabbat Service (Chol Hamoed Pesach) with service leader Allan Armus tonight at 8 p.m. at the District of Columbia Jewish Community Center (16th and Q St., N.W.). For details, visit betmish.org.

Western Presbyterian Church (2401 Virginia Ave., N.W.) hosts a Good Friday service at noon. Visit westernpresbyterian.org for more details.

Saturday, March 30

National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.)  provides an Easter Egg Roll and Tea Set-Up today at 11 a.m. Visit nationalcitycc.org for more information.

Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) hosts an Easter egg hunt from 10:15 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit foundryumc.org.

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church (2300 Cathedral Ave., N.W.) provides an Easter Vigil tonight at 8 p.m. For details, visit allsoulsdc.org.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) has an Easter Vigil this evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. For details, visit stmargaretsdc.org.

Sunday, March 31

National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.)  hosts an Easter Sunrise Service at 7:30 a.m. For more details, visit nationalcitycc.org.

The National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) gives a Festival of the Holy Eucharist today at 8 a.m. and again at 11 a.m. For more information, visit nationalcathedral.org.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) provides Holy Eucharist this morning at 9 a.m. For more information, visit stmargaretsdc.org.

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ (3845 South Capitol St.) holds a sunrise service at 6 a.m. with a breakfast immediately following. They also have regular service at 10 a.m. For details, visit covenantbaptistucc.org.

Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) has a worship service at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit foundryumc.org.

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church (2300 Cathedral Ave., N.W.) holds Low Mass with Easter Hymns at 8:30 a.m., Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m., and High Mass with Festival Music at 11 a.m. Visit allsoulsdc.org for more details.

Bethesda United Church of Christ (10010 Fernwood Rd.) hosts an Easter Sunday Celebration Service at 10:30 a.m.

Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church (3401 Nebraska Ave., N.W.) provides a Easter Brunch at 7 a.m. and traditional worship service at 11:15 a.m. For more details, visit nationalchurch.org.

Asbury United Methodist Church (926 11th St.) holds worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Visit asburyumcdc.org for more information.

Western Presbyterian Church (2401 Virginia Ave., N.W.) provides an Easter Sunday worship service at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and an Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit westernpresbyterian.org.

Monday, April 1

The White House Easter Egg Roll takes place today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is open to the public. Details are at whitehouse.gov/eastereggroll.

The National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) celebrates the African-American Family Tradition every Easter Monday. The day includes family activities, Easter egg hunt, animal demonstrations, live entertainment throughout the day, field and relay-style games and visits from the Easter Panda. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. For more information, visit nationalzoo.si.edu.

Safe spaces for worship

Foundry United Methodist Church, gay news, Washington Blade

Foundry United Methodist Church (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Good Friday, March 29

The National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) provides the Liturgy of Good Friday, providing opportunity for deep contemplation of the crucifixion starting at noon. Later, the church will be providing a meditation for Good Friday beginning at 6:30 p.m. For details, visit nationalcathedral.org.

Sixth and I Historic Synagogue (600 I St., N.W.) hosts a Passover Shabbat Dinner this evening at 7 p.m. The synagogue will provide a full kosher meal. For more information, visit sixthandi.org.

Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St., N.W.) provides a Good Friday observance this evening at 7:30 p.m. For details, visit mccdc.com.

National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) provides a Good Friday service this evening at 7:30 p.m. Visit nationalcitycc.org for more information.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) has a Good Friday worship service beginning at noon. For more information, visit stmargaretsdc.org.

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ (3845 South Capitol St.) has a Good Friday service starting at noon. For details, visit covenantbaptistucc.org.

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church (2300 Cathedral Ave., N.W.) hosts a Solemn Mass for Good Friday at noon. For more information, visit allsoulsdc.org.

Bethesda United Church of Christ (10010 Fernwood Rd.) provides a Good Friday Service at St. Mark’s Presbyterian (1021 Palm Springs Dr.). Visit bethesdaaucc.org for more details.

Temple Sinai (3100 Military Rd., N.W.) hosts a Shabbat Service this evening at 6:30 p.m. For details, visit templesinaidc.org.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (3rd and A streets, S.E.) holds a Good Friday Service at noon. For more information, visit stmarks.net.

Bet Mishpachah provides a Erev Shabbat Service (Chol Hamoed Pesach) with service leader Allan Armus tonight at 8 p.m. at the District of Columbia Jewish Community Center (16th and Q St., N.W.). For details, visit betmish.org.

Western Presbyterian Church (2401 Virginia Ave., N.W.) hosts a Good Friday service at noon. Visit westernpresbyterian.org for more details.

Saturday, March 30

National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.)  provides an Easter Egg Roll and Tea Set-Up today at 11 a.m. Visit nationalcitycc.org for more information.

Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) hosts an Easter egg hunt from 10:15 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit foundryumc.org.

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church (2300 Cathedral Ave., N.W.) provides an Easter Vigil tonight at 8 p.m. For details, visit allsoulsdc.org.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) has an Easter Vigil this evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. For details, visit stmargaretsdc.org.

Sunday, March 31

National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.)  hosts an Easter Sunrise Service at 7:30 a.m. For more details, visit nationalcitycc.org.

The National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) gives a Festival of the Holy Eucharist today at 8 a.m. and again at 11 a.m. For more information, visit nationalcathedral.org.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) provides Holy Eucharist this morning at 9 a.m. For more information, visit stmargaretsdc.org.

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ (3845 South Capitol St.) holds a sunrise service at 6 a.m. with a breakfast immediately following. They also have regular service at 10 a.m. For details, visit covenantbaptistucc.org.

Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) has a worship service at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit foundryumc.org.

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church (2300 Cathedral Ave., N.W.) holds Low Mass with Easter Hymns at 8:30 a.m., Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m., and High Mass with Festival Music at 11 a.m. Visit allsoulsdc.org for more details.

Bethesda United Church of Christ (10010 Fernwood Rd.) hosts an Easter Sunday Celebration Service at 10:30 a.m.

Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church (3401 Nebraska Ave., N.W.) provides a Easter Brunch at 7 a.m. and traditional worship service at 11:15 a.m. For more details, visit nationalchurch.org.

Asbury United Methodist Church (926 11th St.) holds worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Visit asburyumcdc.org for more information.

Western Presbyterian Church (2401 Virginia Ave., N.W.) provides an Easter Sunday worship service at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and an Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit westernpresbyterian.org.

Monday, April 1

The White House Easter Egg Roll takes place today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is open to the public. Details are at whitehouse.gov/eastereggroll.

The National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) celebrates the African-American Family Tradition every Easter Monday. The day includes family activities, Easter egg hunt, animal demonstrations, live entertainment throughout the day, field and relay-style games and visits from the Easter Panda. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. For more information, visit nationalzoo.si.edu.

Holidays and holy days

Foundry United Methodist Church, gay news, Washington Blade

Foundry United Methodist Church (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Not all houses of worship spew the same old tiresome fire-and-brimstone theology. Several churches in the Washington region are openly LGBT welcoming and affirming and have services planned over Christmas Eve and Christmas. Here are a few:

Christmas Eve

Foundry United Methodist Church (16th and P streets, N.W.) holds a children and family Christmas Eve service this evening at from 6:30-7:30 p.m. At 8 the church will also host a Christmas Eve lessons, carols and candlelight service filled with music and scripture readings. Rev. Dean Snyder will share a homily. For more information visit foundryumc.org.

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church (2300 Cathedral Ave., N.W.) has a children’s Mass and blessing of the Creche today at 4 p.m. This includes carols, scripture and the story from the rector. Later at 7, staff will hold Christmas lessons and carols, which will include songs sung by the choir. The High Mass will be held at 11pm with a prelude of music at 10:30 pm. For more information, visit allsoulsdc.org.

Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St., N.W.) holds a Christmas Eve worship service tonight at 8 with Rev. Dwayne Johnson. Visit mccdc.com for details. Johnson is openly gay and MCC is the city’s largest mostly LGBT church.

Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) has carols by candlelight with Revs. Mariann Budd and Gary Hall this evening at 6. At 10 p.m., there’s Festival Holy Eucharist. For more information, visit nationalcathedral.org.

Covenant Baptist Church (3845 S. Capitol St.) holds its Christmas Eve service tonight at 7. For details, visit covenantbaptistucc.org.

Dumbarton United Methodist Church (3133 Dumbarton St., N.W.) offers two Christmas Eve services today at 5 and10 p.m. The first service is geared toward children while the later service is more formal and will connect with the Advent worship themes. Visit dumbartonumc.org for details.

National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) has a service tonight at 7:30 with a musical prelude starting at 7 that includes a vocal soloist, organ, harp and other instrumentalists. National City has one of the region’s largest and best-sounding pipe organs. For more information visit nationalcitycc.org.

The Christ Church on Capitol Hill (620 G St., S.E.) holds a Christmas Eve service this evening at 5:30 p.m. and a Choir Festive service at 10:30 p.m. with a choral prelude starting at 10. For details visit washingtonparish.org.

Saint John’s Episcopal Church (3240 O St., N.W.) presents its Christmas Pageant today at 4 p.m. Later in the evening there’s a Festival Holy Eucharist service with choral prelude beginning at 8:30 p.m. Visit stjohnsgeorgetown.org for more information.

Seekers Church (276 Carroll St., N.W.) holds a Christmas Eve dinner and service from 6-9 p.m. For more information, visit seekerschurch.org.

First Trinity Lutheran Church (309 E St., N.W.) has a Christmas Eve service tonight at 7:30 p.m. For details, visit firsttrinitydc.org.

Church of the Pilgrims (2201 P St., N.W.) offers a Christmas Eve candlelight service with Christmas music, celebration of the Lord’s supper and candlelighting. Visit churchofthepilgrims.org for details.

Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle (1725 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) has a Christmas Eve Mass with a musical prelude today at 4, a Misa De Vigilia de Navidad at 6:30 p.m. and a Solemn Mass of Christmas with a musical prelude beginning at 9:15 p.m. The Roman Catholic Church’s official stance is anti-gay, but some parishes are quietly LGBT welcoming. For more information, visit stmatthewscathedral.org or dignitywashintgon.org.

Christmas

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church (2300 Cathedral Ave., N.W.) holds low Mass this morning at 10 a.m. Visit allsoulsdc.org for more information.

Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) holds Festival Holy Eucharist this morning at 11 a.m. There is a Christmas Day Service of Lessons and Carols today at 4 p.m. followed by an organ recital featuring Jeremy Filsell this evening at 5:15 p.m.

The Christ Church on Capitol Hill (620 G St., S.E.) has its Christmas Day service this morning at 10 a.m. For more information visit washingtonparish.org.

Saint John’s Episcopal Church (3240 O St., N.W.) has a Christmas Day Holy Eucharist service beginning at 10 a.m. For details, visit stjohnsgeorgetown.org.

Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle (1725 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) offers four different Christmas services: one at 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and a service in Spanish at 1 p.m. Visit stmatthewscathedral.org for more information.

Dignity Washington (1820 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) has its Christmas Mass this evening at 6 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Church. Dignity is a special group for LGBT Roman Catholics. For more information, visit dignitywashington.org.

2012 was a very good year

It was an interesting year in so many ways. Looking back made me realize the first thing I did was accept reaching the age when many people retire. I contemplated that for about 10 minutes before moving on to more relevant thoughts. After all, life was still fun, my job still interesting and writing was still something I enjoy.

Each month of the year brought with it some new events to focus on. Overriding everything was the election. In January, I wondered why we should care what the Iowa caucus results were — and I am still wondering. That was about the same time the pizza guy flamed out over his transgressions with a series of women. The ups and downs of the Republican debates were fascinating in a macabre way, like watching a train wreck is fascinating. Some of the candidates faded faster than others including Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann (not fast enough), Jon Huntsman and Rick Perry. Others like Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum hung around longer and used the eventual nominee Mitt Romney as a piñata dragging him further to the right all to the eventual benefit of President Obama.

Then there was Foundry United Methodist Church’s fight for LGBT rights within the Methodist Church. While they lost that fight we can all be thankful for the ongoing work of Foundry and their Senior Pastor Dean Snyder. In May, Dr. Robert Spitzer, a leading member of the American Psychological Association, wrote an apology (better late than never) that admitted he was wrong when he authored a study supporting “reparative therapy” for gays. That study harmed unknown numbers of young gay men who were subjected to this phony therapy and still are in some areas.

June brought Pride with its festivals and parades and the knowledge that we now had a president who supported marriage equality and was willing to stand up and tell the world. There was also the decision by the Supreme Court to declare “Obamacare” constitutional. In his statements on the Affordable Care Act as well as other comments Justice Scalia again showed why he should be impeached.

July brought the International AIDS Conference to the United States for the first time in 20 years. There were meetings and talk about how far we have come in the fight against HIV/AIDS and recognition of how far we still had to go. There was the announcement of the first patient, called the “Berlin Patient” who has reportedly been cured and the discussion of spending more money on finding a cure and not just finding a vaccine. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the conference and to great applause spoke of a generation without AIDS being within reach.

In August we watched the spectacle of the Republican Convention in which they approved a platform clearly more appropriate for the 19th century than the 21st. They highlighted their fight against women and the LGBT community and selected the Romney/Ryan ticket, which proved a colossal mistake.

The election was going fine for the Democrats until the first presidential debate, when President Obama barely showed up. An election thought to be in the bag suddenly became a nail biter for a short while. But those of us who are Nate Silver fans soon understood that President Obama was going to win a second term and do so fairly easily. The bonus was winning marriage referenda in four states and gaining House seats and two Senate seats as well.

All in all, a good year yet it ended with so many things left to be done. Some are easy and can be done with the stroke of a pen like the president signing an executive order to ban discrimination in federal contracting. Others — like setting the nation on a course to fiscal solvency — will take negotiation and perseverance and require our help as we pressure Congress to act.

But at midnight on Dec. 31, as we say goodbye to 2012 and welcome in 2013, let us all drink a toast to the year past and say a prayer and pledge to each other that in the year to come we will keep up the good fight for equality and will do everything in our power to make the world a safer and healthier place for all.