Out & About
Christmas services at affirming churches
Many in region welcome gay worshippers

Washington National Cathedral (Washington Blade file photo)
Christmas Eve
Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) holds a children and family Christmas Eve service from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in fellowship hall. From 8-9 p.m. there will be “a Time of Lessons, Carols and Candlelight” service from 8-9 p.m. in the sanctuary. For details, visit foundryumc.org.
The Christ Church on Capitol Hill (620 G St., S.E.) has multiple Christmas Eve services and events. At 4:30 p.m. there will be a “Come as you are” family service with carols, pageant and communion. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a formal family service with a homily, communion and music from the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble. At 10 p.m. the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble will perform in the Choral Prelude before the Festival Eucharist at 10:30 p.m. A festive reception will follow at 11:30 p.m. with food and drink. For more details, visit washingtonparish.org.
Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church (3401 Nebraska Ave., N.W.) has many services through Christmas Eve. At 5 p.m. there will be a family Christmas Eve service led by the children. At 7:30 p.m. there will be a candlelight communion service. At 11 p.m. there is a candlelight service with a musical prelude starting at 10:30 p.m. For more information, visit nationalchurch.org.
Dumbarton United Methodist Church holds a Christmas Eve child-friendly service with a repeat of their Christmas pageant at 5 p.m. At 9 p.m. there will be a formal Christmas Eve worship service with candles and caroling. Rev. Mary Kay Totty will lead both services. For more information, visit dumbartonumc.org.
Rockville United Church (355 Linthicum St., Rockville, Md.) has Christmas Eve Under the Stars, a Christmas Eve celebration, at 5 p.m. A service will be at 8 p.m. For more details, visit rockvilleunitedchurch.org.
Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St., N.W.) holds a Christmas Eve service from 8-9:30 p.m. For more information, visitmccdc.com.
Seekers Church (276 Carroll St., N.W.) has a Christmas Eve dinner at 6 p.m. followed by a service of lessons and carols at 7:30 p.m. Visit seekerschurch.orgfor more details.
Saint John’s Episcopal Church (1525 H St., N.W.) holds a “festive” holy eucharist from 8-9:30 p.m. For more information, visit stjohnsgeorgetown.org.
Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) has “carols by candlelight” with Rev. Mariann Budde at 6 p.m. Festival of the holy eucharist service is at 10 p.m. Passes are required for both events. Carols by candlelight is sold-out but passes for the 10 p.m. Holy eucharist service are still available. VisitNationalcathedral.org for more details.
National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle,N.W.) holds a Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. For more information, visit nationalcitycc.org.
Christmas Day
Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) holds the Festival Holy Eucharist service today at 11 a.m. “The Blessing of the Crib: A Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols” will be at 3 p.m. There will be scripture readings and Christmas carols. No passes are required for any of the day’s programs. For more information, visit nationalcathedral.org.
Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.
Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, January 30
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]).
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 31
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.
Sunday, February 1
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, February 2
“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 (adamheller@thedccenter.org).
Tuesday, February 3
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 4
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.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, February 5
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 5:00 pm 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, breath work 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.
Friday, January 23
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at noon at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Saturday, January 24
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.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black lesbian. You do not need to be a member of the Beta Kappa Chapter or the Beta Phi Omega Sorority in order to join, but they do ask that you either identify as a lesbian or are questioning that aspect of your identity. For more details, email [email protected].
Monday, January 26
“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]).
Queer Book Club will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This month’s books are “The Nightmare Before Kissmas” by Sara Raasch and “Transgender History” by Susan Stryker. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, January 27
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Wednesday, January 28
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.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. Currently, this group is a meeting place for both identities, but we realize that as time passes, the groups may choose to host individual meetings.For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, January 29
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work 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.
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