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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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Latest News

09.25.22 | News, Connect | by Mery Montenegro

    What's new at St. Alban's? Read on for Vestry updates and other news from the St. Alban's community.

    Young Adults Program Year

    If you are in your 20s or 30s, our young adults group would like to meet you and invite you to our program year. This is an opportunity to learn and grow in faith together. These are the events in the following months: 
    • February 3, 2024, 6-8 pm - Monthly gathering. Theme: Enneagram and Spirituality. Facilitator: The Rev. Rich Nelson (VTS). 
      February 17, 2024, 6-8 pm - Lenten Gathering Around the Cross. A personal and group reflection about Amy-Jill Levine’s book Witness at the Cross. Location: To Be Announced Later. 
      March 2, 2024, 6-8 pm - Lenten Gathering Around the Cross. A personal and group reflection about Amy-Jill Levine’s book Witness at the Cross. Location: To Be Announced Later.
      April 6, 2024, 6-8 pm - Monthly gathering 
      May 4, 2024, 6-8 pm - Monthly gathering 
    In the meantime, please join the young adults group during coffee hour after our services in Trenbath. 

    UPCOMING VESTRY ELECTION

    On January 28, we will hold the Annual Parish Meeting in Nourse Hall.  On the same day, we will conduct the election of four new Vestry members.
     
    We have a fabulous slate of six candidates for the four Vestry seats to be filled.  You can find their personal statements here.
     
    You are eligible to vote if, by December 30, 2023, your baptism (in any Christian denomination) was recorded in the Episcopal Church, your name was entered in St. Alban's parish register, you were at least 15 years old, and you had contributed financial support or services to St. Alban's for at least the previous six months.  For any questions about your eligibility, please consult one of our priests.
     
    The election will take place electronically.  That is, on the day of the election, ballots will be distributed by email to parishioners on the voter list, and they will submit their votes by email.  Thus, the church office needs a valid email address for you and a separate email address for any other member of your household who is eligible to vote.  
     
    If you are unsure whether the right addresses are on file for your family members, please get in touch with Charles Porter, Mery Montenegro , Rachel Colson , or Ted Swett.  You can also speak with Mery or Ted during the coffee hour.  Please also let one of them know if you are aware of parishioner who is likely a qualified voter but does not use email.
     
    Let's honor those who are offering themselves in service and have a robust turnout for the election!
     

    St. Alban's 2023 Christmas Schedule

    Celebration of the Rev. Emily’s  20th Ordination Anniversary

    Our Senior Associate Rector, the Rev. Emily Griffin, is celebrating this December the 20th anniversary of her ordination as a priest. Our Latino members are celebrating this occasion after the 11:15 am service on December 17 and inviting the whole congregation to join them that day. Please mark your calendars as we rejoice with Emily in this special moment of her ministry.

    Reverse Advent 2023

    Instead of focusing solely on our “wish lists” this Advent, we’re going to reverse our attention and focus on others’ “need lists.” Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus were forced to flee to Egypt shortly after Jesus was born due to King Herod’s threats. They couldn’t bring everything they needed. This year, we are partnering with Church World Service (CWS) to provide basic hygiene kits for families who, like the Holy Family, suddenly need to flee their homes. Rather than folks assembling individual kits on their own, we ask that you buy what you can in bulk and bring it to the Narthex starting this Sunday, December 3rd (the first Sunday of Advent). All are welcome to participate. Children, youth, and their families will assemble the kits after Sunday School on Sunday, December 17 – and CWS will ship them to wherever they are needed most. Here’s what we’re looking for:
    • 1-gallon Ziploc bags
    • New hand towels measuring 15”x 28” to 16”x 32” (no fingertip, bath, dish, or micro-fiber towels, please!)
    • New washcloths
    • Wide-tooth combs (at least 6” of teeth, no pocket combs or picks)
    • Fingernail or toenail clippers (removed from packaging)
    • Bath-size bars of soap in original packaging
    • Individual toothbrushes in original packaging
    • Standard size Band-Aids 
    All items will ultimately need to fit in the Ziploc bags. Please don’t bring extra items or sample sizes. CWS will add toothpaste before kits are distributed. For more info, click here.

    Please join us for our traditional Christmas Day Community Dinner, on December 25th at noon in Satterlee Hall

    For now, we're simply posting our sign-up link for helpers and food donations here. We thank those who have already expressed an interest in helping. Please spread the word that the dinner will be happening.  All are welcome as diners. No need to bring or do anything - just come, relax, eat a traditional turkey dinner, and share the Christmas warmth and love!  More information will follow next week.

    Date Set for 2024 Memorial Lecture Series

    The 2024 St. Alban’s Memorial Lecture Series will be held on WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 13THwith Dr. Amy-Jill Levine as our speaker. Please save this date on your calendar for what promises to be an exceptional presentation and conversation. Dr. Levine is the Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace.

    She is also University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies Emerita, Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies Emerita, and Professor of New Testament Studies Emerita at Vanderbilt University. An internationally recognized scholar and teacher, Dr. Levine has written and edited numerous books, including The Gospel of Mark: A Beginner's Guide to the Good News; The Bible With and Without Jesus (with Marc Z. Brettler); Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi; The Pharisees (with Joseph Sievers); The Jewish Annotated New Testament (with Marc Z. Brettler); and the 13-volume Feminist Companions to the New Testament and Early Christian Writings. Dr. Levine is an engaging and thought-provoking speaker. 

    Held during the Lenten season, her lecture at St. Alban’s will build from her 2021 book Witness at the Cross: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Friday.

    St. Alban’s 2024 Stewardship Campaign

    “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”   Colossians 3.17 

    St. Alban’s has been richly blessed in the last year. From the arrival of Bertie Pearson as our Rector to the extraordinary leadership of our clergy staff and lay leaders, our wonderful Spanish congregation, and a broad range of ministries that touch our city and the world, we have been given many gifts from God for which we can be deeply thankful. Each October, as we enter stewardship season, we are each called to consider a pledge to St. Alban’s. This year, we hope that each one of us will consider our commitment formed by our thanksgiving in response to God.  

    We have been blessed. We have grown. We are healthy. We are moving forward in faith as part of the family of Christ. That is what changes and gives meaning to our lives. Our prayerful call to action is not just to meet in church on Sundays, but to reflect on the gift of St. Alban’s in our lives: weekly, daily, and hourly.

    This is God’s call to us to pray and reflect on all we have been given and to respond with our best and sacrifice commitment in response to those gifts. It is through your offerings and God’s blessings that we will continue to flourish.

    With gratitude,
    Suzy Mink and Tyler Holden
    Co-Chairs of the 2024 STA Stewardship Campaign

    All Souls Day / Día de los Difuntos Bilingual Service on Nov. 2

    For the first time in some years, St. Alban's will be holding a service on All Souls Day/Dia de los Difuntos (Thursday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m.). Please join us for this bilingual service in which we honor departed loved ones with a reflective eucharist. The choir will sing the Requiem Mass by French composer Maurice Duruflé, a sumptuous setting that seamlessly combines plainsong and a French musical soundworld, at times dramatic, at times impressionistic. If you would like to contribute a name or names to be read aloud, please fill in the form by clicking here.

    Join Us For a Celebration of New Ministry

    Please join us on Sunday, October 29th at 9:00 a.m. as the Rev’d Bertie Pearson is instituted as the 16th Rector of St. Alban’s Parish. Bishop Mariann will preach and preside at the 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. (Spanish) services. Following the 9 a.m. coffee hour, Bertie and Bishop Mariann will co-lead our Sunday Forum on the sacrament of Confirmation. All are welcome as we celebrate this new season of ministry together. 
     
     

    Young Adults Program Year

    If you are in your 20s or 30s, our young adults group would like to meet you and invite you to our program year. This is an opportunity to learn and grow in faith together. These are the events in the following months: 
    • October 7, 6-8 pm - Monthly Conversation about vocation and spirituality. Presenter: The Rev. Yoimel González Hernández, about Latino Spirituality. This will take place at the Satterlee Conference Room downstairs.
    • October 27, 8-9 pm - Escape Room (4936 Fairmont Ave., Bethesda, MD, 20814 (10 spaces available). Please send an email to The Rev'd Yoimel González Hernández if you are interested in attending.  
    • November 4, 6-8 pm - Monthly Conversation about vocation and spirituality. Guest presenter: Seminarian Stephanie Townes, about The Spirituality of Thanksgiving
    • December 2, 6-8 pm - Conversation with Bishop Mariann about her book How We Learn To Be Brave. This event is open to other young adults in our Diocese. 
    More details about these and other events will be shared in the upcoming weeks. In the meantime, please join the young adults group during coffee hour after our services in Trenbath. 

    Wednesday Nights at St. Alban's

    Please join us each Wednesday for prayer, a meal and opportunities to grow in faith. We start with Evening Prayer at 5:30 p.m. in the Church and continue with a catered meal at 6 p.m. From 7 to 8 p.m., adults explore the history of Christianity with Bertie while our kids explore the Beatitudes with Emily. Youth formation available as well. All are welcome to join at any point in the evening.  

    Suggested donation for the meal: $12 per adult, $5 per child. To plan accordingly, please RSVP for the meal here by Sunday, October 8, before the end of the day.

    Parish Weekend Returns!

    With the enthusiastic support of our new rector, we’re planning an all-parish getaway for November 1-3, 2024, at Shrine Mont in Virginia. Everyone is welcome, from the littlest to adults of all ages. The cost for the whole weekend will be about $200 per person for double occupancy including six meals. Kids 13 and under are just $110. To finalize our reservation, we need to know how many might attend. Please let Mery know of your interest as soon as possible. Send her an email to provide the number of people in your party. More details to follow!

    Our Online Bible Study Every Wednesday at 10 a.m.

    This year we will explore the Gospel of Matthew. Whether you are a seasoned student of the Bible or new to the Scriptures, all are welcome to join this deep dive into the world of Jesus, facilitated by our rector Bertie Pearson. If you would like to join us, please email our Communications Manager Mery Montenegro for the Zoom link, and read Chapter 1 of the Gospel According to St. Matthew, in the version of your choice (NRSV, JKV, RSV, the Novum Instrumentum Omne, etc.) 

    Preparation for Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation in the Episcopal Church 

    If you are new to St. Alban's, the Episcopal Church, or Christianity, we especially invite you to join us for this fall's Sunday Forums led by our Rector, the Rev’d Bertie Pearson. These will provide a high-level but accessible window into Anglican theology and serve as preparation for all those being confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. If you're interested in either receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation or being received into the Episcopal Church, please contact a member of our clergy. 
     

    Welcome to STA, Brian!

    Meet Brian Bello, our new Financial Coordinator here at St. Alban's. Brian will assist with our in-house finances and coordinate with our external financial management firm. He is originally from Arizona and has lived in DC for 16 years.

    If you have any questions about your financial contributions or reimbursements, please get in touch with him at  .
     
     
     

    Access Our New Directory from Our Website

    Did you know you can access your Directory profile from our website, www.StAlbansDC.org? On our homepage, look for the "Login" button in the top right corner (next to "Events.”) Once you click on it, you'll be redirected to STA's Directory's login page. You can do it on your phone, desktop, or tablet. It is straightforward. 

    Also, if you feel more comfortable using the app on your phone, whether you use an iPhone or a phone with an Android system,  scan one of the QR codes after this announcement to download the platform on your mobile device.
       
                          

    If you have any questions or need help updating your information, please reach out to our Communications Manager, Mery MontenegroAnd again, thank you for being part of this process! 
     

    Tutor Children at Harriet Tubman Elementary School 

    Tubman Principal Amanda Delabar says that the school is ready to welcome St. Alban’s volunteers back into the school. In the past, tutors have worked on reading or math skills with individual students or in the classroom to support the teacher.  Some clearance by the school system is required to be ready when classes begin next fall.  If you are interested, email Marcy Fisher at for full information.
     
     
     
     

    Prayer List

    Your fellow parishioners, clergy, and staff work tirelessly to respond to your pastoral needs. Calls, visits, prayers, and responses to specific requests are part of our daily ministry, especially to those who are sick, grieving, or in need of conversation, support, and spiritual guidance. If you would like your name (or that of a loved one) to be included on our prayer list, please contact the Rev’d Yoimel Gonzalez Hernandez. (If you are requesting for someone else, please make sure that you have their permission first.) First and last names will be read at our Sunday services and shared in our weekly electronic newsletter – typically for about three weeks, unless we hear from you otherwise. Knowing your needs will allow your clergy and parish to support you in prayer and respond accordingly.