Arts & Entertainment
Reclaiming our faith
Many LGBT-affirming houses of worship offer Holy Week services

Palm Sunday at Foundry United Methodist Church. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Many churches in the D.C. area are LGBT-affirming. Here are a few that are having Holy Week services.
Saturday, April 12
Dignity Washington, an LGBT-affirming Catholic group, meets for weekly Mass on Saturday evenings and will have a special Stations of the Cross service today at 11 a.m. at the Franciscan Monastery (14th and Quincy streets, N.E.). Visit dignitywashington.org for details on all its Holy Week events.
Sunday, April 13 (Palm Sunday)
Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) is having a Palm Sunday service today at 8 a.m. Details at nationalcathedral.org.
Metropolitan Community Church of D.C. (474 Ridge St., N.W.) holds Sunday worship services today at 9 and 11 a.m. Details at mccdc.com.
The United Church (1920 G St., N.W.) has a Palm Sunday service today at 11 a.m. Details at theunitedchurch.org.
Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) holds Palm Sunday services at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Details at foundryumc.org.
Unity Fellowship D.C. under the leadership of founding pastor Rev. Abena McCray has a Palm Sunday and pastoral anniversary service today at its new location at the Howard Thurman Chapel (1400 Shepherd St., N.E.) at 10:30 a.m. Visit ufcdc.com for details on this and other Holy Week services.
Friday, April 18 (Good Friday)
The 6th and I Historic Synagogue (600 I St., N.W.) hosts a Passover Shabbat tonight at 6:40 p.m. for those in their 20s and 30s. Admission is $8 in advance and $10 day of service. Details at sixthandi.org.
Bet Mishpachah holds Shabbat service at the Washington Jewish Community Center (1529 16th St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Visit betmish.org for details.
National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) holds a Good Friday organ meditation service at 12:15 p.m. and a Good Friday service at 7:30 p.m. Details at nationalcitycc.org.
Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) holds Good Friday services at noon and 7 p.m. Details at foundryumc.org.
Saturday, April 19
Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) holds the Great Vigil of Easter tonight at 8 p.m. Details at nationalcathedral.org.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) celebrates the Great Vigil of Easter tonight at 6:30 p.m. Details at stmargaretsdc.org.
Sunday, April 20 (Easter)
Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) will have its Easter Sunday Festival Holy Eucharist today at 8 and 11 a.m. Admission is free but tickets are required. Visit nationalcathedral.org for more information. Details at nationalcathedral.org.
Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) has its Sunday worship services today at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Details at foundryumc.org.
National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) holds Easter worship in a gospel service at 8:30 a.m. and traditional service at 11 a.m. Details at nationalcitycc.org.
Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) celebrates the Festival of the Holy Eucharist at 9 and 11:15 a.m. Details at stmargaretsdc.org.
Metropolitan Community Church of D.C. (474 Ridge St., N.W.) has its Easter Sunday services at 9 and 11 a.m. Details at mccdc.com.
The United Church (1920 G St., N.W.) has a bilingual Easter service today at 11 a.m. Details at theunitedchurch.org.
Out & About
Love board games and looking for love?
Quirk Events will host “Board Game Speed Dating for Gay Men” on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at KBird DC.
Searching for a partner can be challenging. But board games are always fun. So what if you combined board games and finding a partner?
Picture this: You sit down for a night of games. A gaming concierge walks you through several games over the course of the night. You play classics you love and discover brand new games you’ve never heard of, playing each with a different group of fun singles. All while in a great establishment.
At the end of the night, you give your gaming concierge a list of the folks you met that you’d like to date and a list of those you met that you’d like to just hang out with as friends. If any two people put down the same name as each other in either column, then your gaming concierge will make sure you get each other’s e-mail address and you can coordinate a time to hang out.
Tickets cost $31.80 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, January 16
Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new connections and community building or just to unwind and enjoy extended happy hour. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 17
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center and SMYAL will host a free film screening of “Mama Bears” celebrating queer youth, resilience, and the power of living authentically. Whether you’re a movie lover, looking to make new friends, or simply want a safe, affirming space to relax, this event is for you. Click this link to RSVP.
LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There will be all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, January 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, January 19
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, January 20
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Tae Kwon Do Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, January 21
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, January 22
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
The Washington Capitals will host Pride Night on Saturday, Jan. 17, when they host the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena. A special ticket offer featuring a Pride-themed Capitals rainbow jersey is available at washcaps.com.
Fans are invited to a pre-game Block Party at District E beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature a performance by the band NovaKane. Specialty happy hour food and beverages will be available, as well as giveaways. There will also be a presence by several local LGBTQ+ community organizations.
