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Welcome

Welcome to St. Alban’s Church! Every Sunday, and most days in between, people gather in this place to worship, to learn, to grow, to share the joys and struggles of our lives, and to seek God’s grace in the midst of our lives. We do not come because we have it all figured out, but because we are seeking light on the way. We come as we are and welcome one another.

On this website, you can find information about our worship, our classes for people of all ages, membership at St. Alban's, and about how we seek to make a difference in this world. We warmly encourage you to join us for a Sunday service or for some of the many other events that happen here. You belong at St. Alban’s.

Please fill out this welcome form to connect with us.

Contact us with any questions. Call (202) 363-8286 or email the church office.

 

Service Times 

Weekly In-person Sunday Service Schedule (Please note: Service times may be changed during the seasons of Christmas and Lent and during the summer. Please refer to our calendar to confirm the times.):

8 a.m. (English) in the Church
9 a.m. (English) in the Church
11:15 a.m. (English) in the Church
11:15 a.m. (Spanish) in Nourse Hall (same building as the Church)

Communion in one kind (i.e. wafers) will be offered at the main altar, although we will happily bring communion to those for whom steps are challenging. 

Weekly Live Sunday Services are live-streamed on our Youtube channel (St. Alban's DC) at 9 a.m. every Sunday, as is our Spanish service at 11:15 a.m. 

Evening Prayer Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. via Zoom, join us for a time of reflection and sharing at the close of your busy day. Contact Paul Brewster for the link. 

 

Directions

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church is located next to the Washington National Cathedral at the corner of Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues in the northwest section of the District of Columbia.

From either direction on the north loop of the Capital Beltway/I-495 follow signs for Route 355/Wisconsin Ave south toward DC. St. Alban’s is located on the left just before the intersection of Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues NW. Make a left onto Lych Gate Rd before you reach Massachusetts Ave. As you enter the drive, the church will be on your left and Satterlee Hall and the Rectory on the right. Stay on Lych Gate until it becomes Pilgrim Rd.

From any Virginia main in-bound thoroughfare (George Washington Memorial Parkway, I-395, Route 50, I-66), follow signs to Rosslyn and take the Key Bridge from Rosslyn north across the Potomac River into Georgetown. Go right on M St, left on Wisconsin Ave. St. Alban’s is located on the right just after the intersection of Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues NW. Make a right onto Lych Gate Rd after passing Massachusetts. As you enter the drive, the church will be on your left and Satterlee Hall and the Rectory on the right. Stay on Lych Gate until it becomes Pilgrim Rd.

Parking is available on Pilgrim Road Monday-Friday after 3:30 pm and all day Saturday and Sunday. Parking is also available in the Cathedral’s underground garage for a fee Monday- Saturday and for free on Sunday.  You may also park on neighborhood streets according to DC parking signs.

What to Expect

Visiting a church for the first time can be a bit daunting. So we have tried to put together the answers to some of the questions you’re likely to have and to ensure that you find a warm welcome here. Click on the questions to learn more.)

How do you worship?

What time are services on Sunday morning?

How long do services last?

Where can I park?

Do you offer programs for children?

What should I wear?

Do you have provisions for the differently-abled?

For Your Kids

Children’s Ministry

At St. Alban’s, we believe that a child’s spiritual growth is just as important as their physical and intellectual growth. Our goal is to help children name and value the presence and love of God in their lives. We do this through a variety of means – by providing stable and consistent adult mentors, encouraging strong peer relationships, and supporting parents in their families’ faith lives at home.

Worship: This Fall, Children's Chapel meets during the first half of the 9:00 a.m. service in Nourse Hall (a spacious parish hall in the same building as the main worship space.) Kids and families join "big church" at the Peace so everyone can receive Communion together. To learn more, contact the Rev’d Emily Griffin.

Education: We've resumed our formation programs for the 2022-2023 period. Here’s everything you need to know:

  • Sunday School and Youth Group Classes are from 10:15 to 11:05 a.m.
  • Nursery, 2s & 3s, PreK to 1st Grade, 2nd to 3rd Grade, and 4th to 6th Grade all meet upstairs in Satterlee Hall. Youth classes meet downstairs in Satterlee Hall.
  • If you haven’t registered your child or teen yet, it’s not too late. Register in person at the start of class or click here

Questions? For children, contact the Rev’d Emily Griffin at . For youth, contact the Rev’d Yoimel González Hernández at .

Learn more about Children's Ministries
Youth Ministry

Four teen groups participate in formation classes at St. Alban’s on Sunday mornings. We use the nationally recognized Episcopal curriculum “Journey to Adulthood," or J2A. J2A has two guiding principles: 1) Manhood and womanhood are gifts of God; and 2) Adulthood must be earned. This is a strong program with over 50 youth participating, many of whom engage in a wide variety of ministries at St. Alban’s. Two or three adults mentor each of the groups for two years, sharing their own faith journeys and forming strong bonds of fellowship with the participants.Learn more about Youth Ministries

The Episcopal Church

As Episcopalians, we follow Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe God is active in our everyday lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.  

The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and with each other in Christ. The Church pursues its mission as it prays and worships, proclaims the gospel, and promotes justice, peace and love. The Church carries out its mission through the ministry of all of its members.

We uphold the Bible and worship with the Book of Common Prayer. We believe the Holy Scriptures are the revealed Word of God. In worship we unite ourselves with one another to acknowledge the holiness of God, to hear God's Word, to offer prayer and praise, and to celebrate the Sacraments. The Celebration of Holy Eucharist is the central act of worship in accordance with Jesus' command to His disciples. Holy Communion may be received by all baptized Christians, not only members of the Episcopal Church.

The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion with 70 million members in 165 countries.  The word "Episcopal" refers to government by bishops. The historic episcopate continues the work of the first apostles in the Church, guarding the faith, unity and discipline of the Church. Both men and women, including those who are married, are eligible for ordination as deacons, priests and bishops. 

We strive to love our neighbors as ourselves and respect the dignity of every person. We welcome all to find a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church.

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Youth Sunday 2018

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05.13.18

Youth Sunday 2018

Youth Sunday 2018

Speaker: Henry Large and Kathleen Sandoval

Henry Large

I’d like to start with an apology. Some of you might remember, two years ago, my older brother, Jamie, preached at this same service, and he whipped out a ukulele and sang for part of his sermon. Unfortunately, the family pipes went to him, and I’ll be speaking, not singing, this sermon. I hope you can bear with me and enjoy my reflections.

On the Rite 13 Beach Weekend trip, the Appalachian Service Project, and the J2A Pilgrimage to Ireland, three unforgettable trips I’ve made with this church, Reverend Matthew Hanisian would ask us the same questions every night, after a relaxing Compline service. “Where did you see God today? And where do you hope to see God tomorrow?” he would ask.

Well, where have I seen God in my life? I’ve seen Him throughout this community, as I’ve grown from a toddler into the Christian man I am today.

When I was just 11 months old, I was baptized right over there in this very Church. Frank Wade was very nice because helet my grandfather baptize me, and he is---forgive me for saying this---a ​METHODIST​ . Since I was born into the Episcopal church, I’ve been a committed Christian and member of this community.

As I grew older, I spent time in all sorts of Sunday school groups. I remember three or four years with Eve Zartman and Bill Ball...I hope they’ve forgiven me for my rowdiness by this time. Two years in Rite 13 and two years in J2A followed. The choice to attend church and youth group was no longer our parents’; it was ours. I’ve grown close to the great friends I’ve made over the years in Rite 13 and J2A. Whether it was choosing hymns for this service 5 years ago or scrambling around the kitchen to make Superbowl Chili for you all, or traveling all the way to Ireland, we grew close to each other while growing closer to God.

At this time, I also began serving the church by acolyting every few services. It took me a while to learn the ropes. In fact, on my very first “day on the job,” some of you might remember this service, I forgot to blow out my candle (pretty basic acolyting 101 right?), and soon enough, the fire alarm was blaring. Within two minutes, everyone in here was outside by the playground, and I did everything I could to look innocent.

I couldn’t talk about my time here without talking about the fantastic J2A Pilgrimage you all generously funded. After months and months of planning and fundraising, we left this church for two weeks of spiritual growth in Ireland. Every day, we woke up with no idea of what lay ahead of us that day. It could be visiting a museum in a nearby town or walking for hours in the country. Although we didn’t know the days’ plan, we kept an ubpeat attitude for whatever the adults threw our way. Over the trip, we got to spend hours and hours in beautiful churches and places, contemplating our faith and growing closer to God.

The trip was also an opportunity for us to get to know each other so well. I, for one, got to know our adult leader Douglas Dykstra so much better--or as we like to call him, “Doug the Thug.” I remember he would open up his voice and screech the soprano part of the song “Take Me to Church,” whether or not we’d ask him to. I once “manhandled” Doug because he didn’t believe I could pick him up on my back. Spoiler alert, I did carry him on my back, and I felt strong and he felt weak.

When we flew back to D.C., we were so much closer to each other and closer to God. None of this trip would have been possible without your generous donations, so I thank you.

After my time in J2A, it was time for Senior Youth, which meant we could decide whether we wanted to be confirmed.

Some in our class were not ready at the time, and that was ok. But those who were ready to confirm their faith in God and the church began an important part in the life of a Christian. We had many deep talks with Emily and Jim, topics ranging from what it truly means to “believe” to Jim’s two week battle to construct a complicated metal fence in Kentucky.

One class, we were discussing repentance, and Jim asked if we knew the Greek word for repent. We had no idea, so I decided to give it a shot. “It’s just Greek, it can’t be too hard.” I thought. So I piped up and guessed, “Repentos!”

Jim laughed like he had never laughed before. Turns out I was wrong. The Greek word for repentance is… well. do any of you know? Can you tell me? I’ll give you a hint, it’s not Repentos...

Turns out the Greek word for repent is “metanoia.” But when the big day for confirmation arrived, Jim handed out these pins that say, “Repentos! St. Albans Senior Youth Confirmation 2016.” And then we walked over to the Cathedral for a moving service that celebrated our confirmation in Christ and this church.

This where I have seen God. I have seen God in these memories, I saw God in the baptism, confirmation, and pilgrimage I’ve had. But more importantly, I’ve seen God in Matthew, in the Zartman-Balls, in Doug, in Emily, in Jim, and in all of you who have made my time in this church so special.

So - that is where I’ve seen God in the past. Where do I see God today?

I see God in three instances. This answer actually comes mostly from a great sermon Bishop Mariann gave at my very own Confirmation service. However, where I see God today is really a culmination of my spiritual learning from my time at this place.

I see God in people. I see His goodness in the people I meet and see every day. I see him in my loving family, and in this loving community. I believe there is some deeper meaning in human existence. I believe that life is more than lightning striking water billions of years ago followed by countless chemical reactions. I believe there was a reason I was made the way I am, and that applies to all other humans. If I couldn’t see God in humans, I would struggle to know why any of us were created.

The second place I see God is in inexplicable emotional moments. When at random times—walking home, petting my dog, or anything—I feel an unexpected, unprovoked feeling of warmth, happiness, and comfort, I feel God’s presence. This warmth, I believe, is God.

The third place I see God is beautiful things, often nature. When I see jaw-dropping outdoor views -- the Bishop’s Garden comes to mind -- I think that there has to be a reason these places were made so wonderful. There has to be a reason those flowers in the Bishop Garden grew from the soil and sprouted such colorful, sweet-smelling petals. This reason, I believe, is God.

Finally - where do I hope to see God tomorrow?

Well, today’s Gospel reading is Jesus' Farewell Address to his disciples, and whaddya know? Today is my farewell address to you. So yes. You are all my disciples, and I am Christ. Worship and follow me, and I hope none of you are Judas and would get me crucified.

A lot is changing in my life right now. In a week, my baseball career will end; I’ve been playing for 14 years. In a month, I’ll leave St. Albans School, where I’ve gone for 9 years. In just 3 months, I’m packing my bags and going to Yale University, which means I’ll have to leave this great church and community, where I’ve gone for my whole life. Luckily though, unlike baseball and high school, I know that St. Albans Parish will still be there for me when I come home, and will still love and support me as it has done my whole life.

I hope to see God in loving Christian communities like this one, both in college and for the rest of my life. I hope to keep seeing God in people, emotional moments, and nature.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus prays to his father, saying “protect my disciples in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” I’d like to thank the St. Albans community, all of you here, for helping “protect” me, and making me know that “we are one” here, so that I have been able to see God yesterday, today, and for the rest of my life. 

 

Kathleen Sandoval

Good Morning!

Yesterday myself and the other kids got confirmed, it was a way of us saying goodbye to being a child in the church, and starting a new chapter as a young adult. This week we see that John has explained when Jesus was crucified, he was left alone and didn't have any one with him at the time. I can relate to him at this point because when I was a little girl I was in foster care with my sisters, I believed I was left alone and no one wanted me. I prayed to God everyday asking him why I was in this situation. “Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” During our lives we find ourselves going through hard times and not really being able to understand what’s going on.  

Jesus was a teacher who showed people how to love and how to live together, he showed people that faith isn't just something you believe in, it's something that you have to follow. Faith works in mysterious ways, even when you don't think God is listening he is, even when you pray and things don't work out the way they should. I used to think that my prayers were never answered and felt as if he didn't care about me, because I felt as if he never wanted to answer me. But last summer, I realized that praying does help, it allows you to get things off your chest and talk about things you may not feel comfortable  talking about with friends. Being in the church is a way to get in touch with yourself in ways you thought you never could. When going to communion you’re coming together as one. My grandmother Carol taught me that it's ok to be brave and to be a strong leader, her partner Cathie taught me to be strong and to have a voice, she has also taught me that showing emotion is normal, and that I shouldn't be afraid too. My sister taught me that letting go is never easy, but it happens in life and that when we move forward we’re never really alone. 

We impact others with our words and actions, just the way Jesus did when he taught people and showed them another way of life. We love people bravely, by opening our hearts and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, which we’re afraid of because we don't want to get hurt. “The father loved me, so I love you.”  We love each other because it's what we were taught to do, we fight for what we believe in because we feel as though we have to. My family has impacted me so much, from taking me and my sisters in 12 years ago, to helping me support myself even when I think I can handle things all on my own.  

Life has beautiful moments, which are some of the best times. But during our time of growing up and having changes we have to say goodbye. The hardest goodbye for some of us is saying goodbye to loved ones, I had to say one of my hardest goodbyes during this past August. My older sister was going to college, and we’ve never spent more than a week apart from each other. She’s always been independent and loves to read, even when we were younger she didn't always want to be with me or play with me. Jesus taught people to take advantage of the life we’re living, because we never know what can happen. We should leave a mark when we die, have someone who remembers us for the good, and who will never forget us. We don't always remember that we’re lucky to have a family, some kids don't, but that’s why it's so important for us to love each other and not to judge people. We should love people equally, no matter their skin color, race, body features, even if they they look different. 

Being different is ok, it's what makes us human and unique. Jesus wasn't like the rest of us, he could understand things not many people could, he taught us what he knew and showed us how to believe in faith. As we have this moment of silence take the time to reflect on how you can impact people in a good way, and why our actions are so important.