Worship with us this Sunday

Sunday schedule: 8 am, 9 am, 9:15 am (Wee Worship in the Great Hall) and 11:15 am. Formation hour begins at 10:15 am. Please note that this week, the 9 am service will be livestreamed instead of the 11:15 am.

Healing prayer will be offered this Sunday at 9 and 11:15 services.

This Sunday we will honor and acknowledge 19 kids as they transition from adolescence into young adulthood during a special service called “Rite 13”. Please join us at the 9 am service and cake afterwards for a celebration of what God is doing in the lives of these kids and their families!

Upcoming

Sunday Forum: 150th Anniversary Church Tour 

Sunday, April 28 at 10:15am in the Nave

Why does the verger carry that stick(virge)? What’s a parclose screen, and what goes on behind it?  Come learn some history about our Church Nave and Episcopal traditions from John Guenther. Diane Heath and Barbara Wolanin will also be on hand to talk about the Flentrop organ and stained glass windows.

*Note: Though this is a “tour,” walking around will be optional since it all takes place in the Church Nave.

Undesign the Redline 

Exhibit runs April 11 - July 11, 2024 at the Cleveland Park Library

Come see the Undesign the Redline at the Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library this weekend! This powerful exhibit, sponsored by St. Columba’s, will feature many opportunities to dig deeper on DC’s history of racial inequity. 

Check out a full list of related events here.

Undesign the Redline 

Conversation April 18th from 6:30-8:30pm; exhibit runs April 11 - July 11, 2024 at the Cleveland Park Library

Come see the Undesign the Redline exhibit at the Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library this weekend! This powerful exhibit, sponsored by St. Columba’s, will feature many opportunities to dig deeper on DC’s history of racial inequity. 

And tonight, please plan to attend a conversation with Dr. Tanya Golash-Boza about her new book, Before Gentrification: The Creation of DC’s Racial Wealth Gap. The event will be on Thursday, April 18, from 6:30-7:30pm at the Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave., NW. Learn more about this event and sign up to receive updates about future programs at undesigndc.org.

Undesign the Redline inspires conversation, reflection, and the desire to learn more about the history of explicit race-based exclusion in our area and to “undesign” these wrongs. The exhibit runs through July 11, 2024. Contact Ben Bradburn at undesigndc@gmail.com with questions.

Rebuilding Together

Saturday, April 27 

Thank you to all who joined us last Saturday for our first day of Rebuilding Together! Join us again this Saturday, April 27. If you are interested in joining this year's effort, please reach out to Susan Higgins at rebuildingtogether@columba.org.

Refugee Response Ministry Updates

Last Sunday the Refugee Response Ministry officially welcomed the Abdi Family at a lunch in the Great Hall. Volunteers were joined by the Abdi family as well as other families we have sponsored.

A group called Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ refugees escape oppression. St Columba's Refugee Response Ministry has been accepted as a sponsor through Rainbow Railroad. We expect the placement in a month or two.

Our first need is finding a place to live for this refugee. Do you have--or do you know someone who has--a studio, basement apartment, or room to rent in DC or MD? If so, please let Keri Piester (keri.piester@gmail.com)  or Margie Trinity (margaret.trinity@outlook.com) know.

Thank you for your support of this new initiative and your support of all our work. We continue to work with the 7-person Abdi family. We couldn't do it without your support.

Upcoming Labyrinths

Saturday, May 4th at 10:30am; Tuesday, May 7th at 7pm

Celebrate World Labyrinth Day and the merry month of May on the Outdoor Labyrinth! Saturday May 4 from 10:30 to 12.  Local teacher Evi Beck will lead Sacred Circle Dance, a form of meditative movement with simple steps and uplifting music. No previous experience necessary. All are welcome, and a special shout out to families.  Come early or stay later to walk the labyrinth.  This event will be canceled if it rains.  

Spring's for new beginnings: Have you treated yourself to a labyrinth walk yet? Join us on Tuesday, May 7th. Whether you choose to walk our indoor labyrinth in the Great Hall with live music, or (weather permitting) our outdoor labyrinth under the stars, it's a great way to unwind and bask in the beauty of this season. The labyrinth will be open from 7-8:30; kindly begin your walk before 8 PM. All ages, faiths, and abilities are welcome!

Volunteers sought for the Prison Friendship Project

The Returning Citizens Assistance Network (RCAN), of which our Prison Ministry is a member, is seeking help with a new ministry: writing D.C. residents who are incarcerated in a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility and have few or no ties to family or friends. The goal is to establish and build a personal connection, affirm their humanity, and offer hope, all of which can help them succeed when they re-enter the community.

A Prison Friend can be one individual or a small group who work together to befriend the same person. We have more than three dozen PDS clients in prison who have said they want to have someone to correspond with. We are currently matching people with individuals. 

To volunteer, please contact prisonministryleader@columba.org and RCAN at dcrcan2018@gmail.com.

Parish News

Vestry Transition



Due to other commitments, Emily Lawson, stepped down from her role on the vestry. The vestry appointed Stephanie O’Keefe to fill the unexpired term until our next Annual Parish Meeting in November. We are grateful for the gifts and faithfulness offered by both Emily and Stephanie.

Saturday, April 27 at 11 am - Funeral for Anne Janney 

Sunday, April 28 at 12:45 pm - Service of remembrance and committal for Ana Gardano in the Columbarium

Saturday, May 11 at 2 pm - Funeral for Jim Murphy

Monday, May 13 at 11:30 am - Funeral for Sally Herren

Baptisms 

The next baptisms will be held on Pentecost, May 19th. If you would like to be baptized or have your child(ren) baptized, please visit www.columba.org/baptism for more information and a link to the registration form or contact Katie McGervey, kmcgervey@columba.org. Please register for baptism by April 29th.

150^th Anniversary News

We are excited to offer St. Columba's swag for you to wear to celebrate the 150th anniversary.  Order now to get your t-shirt, sweatshirt, and hat in time to wear for Columba Day!

Due to ongoing health challenges, the Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry, is no longer able to join us at St. Columba’s in celebration of our 150^th Anniversary.

With this change, we have shifted the date of our 150^th Anniversary spring event: join us on Columba Day, June 9, for a special celebration of worship at 10:00am followed by outdoor festivities with food, music, and games. Of course, we will still have a grand celebration for the feast of Pentecost on May 19.

New plans:

Sunday, May 19 – the Feast of Pentecost

Sunday, June 9 – 150^th Anniversary Celebration on Columba Day

Sunday, November 17 – 150^th Anniversary Celebration with Bishop Mariann Budde

Share your story

Our call for stories continues through Columba Day on June 9th! The 150th team is eager to hear about what makes St. Columba’s the place it is for you. In written or recorded form, share a memory, an experience, or simply what first drew and now keeps you here. Written stories will be collected and published in a bound volume; recorded stories will be shared on social media and on the website.  Visit columba.org/150 for prompts and additional info on story submission; email hbeck@columba.org to schedule a time for Heather Beck to record your story. Families, couples, and groups welcome!

Wednesday Night Suppers

When: Every Wednesday, 5pm-6:45pm

Wednesday Night Suppers have concluded for the season. Thank you all for joining us, and see you in the autumn!

Editor's note

Hello, all!

Since August 2020, I’ve been the Communications Project Coordinator, and by my math, that means I’ve sent almost two hundred eNewses! Sadly, next week will be the last one to come from me. Some of you may know that I am located in New York, and I’ve accepted a position here working in the Episcopal social justice space. While I’m excited for this new journey, I’m sad to be leaving everyone at St. Columba’s - the insightful and encouraging clergy, the dedicated and creative staff, and the involved and passionate congregation. This is a truly special place, and I’m thankful for my time here. 

My last day will be next Thursday, May 2nd. After that, your communications point of contact will be Lauren Devito. We ask for your patience and grace as we go through this transition with a smaller team. (And don’t worry - the eNews isn’t going anywhere - just a change in authorship!)

Thank you!

Amanda Fulton

P.S. Please continue using this form to submit your publicity requests!

Weekly drop-in Bible studies

Sunday Bible, Coffee and Conversation - weekly at 10:15am in room 212 and on Zoom. Contact David Griswold for call-in instructions.



Wednesday Morning Bible Study - weekly at

10 am via Zoom. Contact David Griswold for call-in instructions.

Wednesday Young Adult Bible Study - weekly at 7pm in the Library. Contact Adelyn Tyler-Williams for more information.

Wednesday Pathways for Faith Small Group - weekly at 6:45pm in Room 212. Contact Joshua Daniel for more information.

Thursday Morning Bible Study - weekly at

9 am via Zoom. Contact Jon McBride for call-in instructions.

Learn more at Columba.org

How to Find us Online

Instagram Download the Instagram app on your phone, go to St. C's on Instagram at @stcolumbas.dc and follow us.

St. C's Nursery School

For live events, go to the Nursery School's Facebook page.

Zoom Video Conferencing When looking to join a Zoom meeting, contact the meeting leader by email and ask for the meeting link and meeting ID number. Passwords may be required. Note: You may opt to join the meeting via telephone also, by using the call-in telephone number.