Out & About
A sampling of D.C.’s LGBTQ-affirming holiday services
Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa celebrations planned
The holiday season is upon us once again and if you’re looking for LGBTQ-affirming religious services, D.C. offers something for everyone. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, as many churches and synagogues in the area are affirming.
Hanukkah
Shabbat services with Bet Mishpachah will be held Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. There will be a Chanuka candle lighting so bring your own Menorah and candles to light before services start. And if you’re looking for something to do on Christmas Day, Bet Mish is attending a showing of “The Whale” at E Street Cinema at 2:35 p.m.
Ohr Kodesh Congregation (8300 Meadowbrook Lane) will host “Let’s Gelt Lit” on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. at B’nai Israel. This retro Hanukkah party is for 8th to 12th graders who want to enjoy some dancing, music, gelt, candle lighting, games, and prizes. For more information, visit www.ohrkodesh.org.
Christmas Eve
Augustana Lutheran Church (2100 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.) will host “Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion” at 10 p.m. For more details, visit www.augustanadc.org.
Lutheran Church of the Reformation (212 E. Capitol Street, N.E.) will host “Carols and Candlelight” at 10 p.m. The service is preceded by a Chorale Prelude at 9:30. For more details, visit reformationdc.org/christmas.
Metropolitan Community Church of Washington D.C. (474 Ridge St., N.W.) will host a hybrid Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. For more details, visit mccdc.com.
Dumbarton United Methodist Church (3133 Dumbarton St., N.W.) will host a Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. There will be singing from the new children and youth chime choir and lessons and carols. For more information, visit dumbartonumc.org.
National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) will host a Christmas Eve worship at 7 p.m. For more details, visit nationalcitycc.org.
Christ Church on Capitol Hill (620 G St., S.E.) will host Christmas Eve services at 11 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. For more details, visit washingtonparish.org.
Saint John’s Episcopal Church (340 O St., N.W.) will host a pageant service at 4:30 p.m. and another service at 8 p.m. with a choral prelude. Both services will end with “Silent Night” sung by candlelight. For more details, visit stjohnsgeorgetown.org.
Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) will host a webcast of “Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist” at 10 p.m. There will be readings from holy scripture, hymns, seasonal choral and instrumental music and preaching by Cathedral Dean Randolph Marshall Hollerith. For more details, visit cathedral.org.
Christmas Day
Seekers Church (276 Carroll St., N.W.) will host a hybrid Christmas service at 9:30 a.m. For more details, visit www.seekerschurch.org.
Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) will host “Christmas Day Eucharist” at 11:15 a.m. There will be readings from holy scripture, favorite hymns, seasonal choral and instrumental music and preaching by Provost Jan Naylor Cope. Incense will be used. For more details, visit cathedral.org.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (301 A St., S.E.) will have “Christmas Day Eucharist” at 10 a.m. For more details, visit stmarks.net.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) will host “Christmas Day Holy Eucharist” at 10:30 a.m. in person and online. For more details, visit stmargaretsdc.org.
Kwanzaa
Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ (3845 South Capitol St., S.W.) will host a Kwanzaa service on Sunday, Jan. 1 at 10 a.m. The service will feature reflections by seven members of Covenant on the principles of Kwanzaa. For more details, visit cbuccdc.org.
Captivating Events by Chi will host “Kwanzaa & Kulture Unity Brunch” on Monday, Dec. 26 at 3 p.m. This family event is a gathering to celebrate African heritage. There will be food and drinks, games and prizes to win. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Art of Noize will host “Habari Gani! Kwanzaa Fundraiser” on Friday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. There will be local poets, artists and creatives who will explore the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Proceeds will go to the Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation, and local artists and creatives in the DMV. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Out & About
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party
The Washington Blade’s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party returns Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
It’s an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nation’s first transgender member of Congress (Sarah McBride).
McBride is scheduled to speak at the party along with several politicos from the area. With the retirement of longtime state Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, a staunch LGBTQ ally, three strong contenders are running to replace him. All three — Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall — are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochester’s campaign is scheduled to speak, along with Kim Leisey, the new executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.
Tax-deductible tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite or via the Blade’s Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sotheby’s, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
Andy Cohen, executive producer of “The Real Housewives” franchise and host of “Watch What Happens Live,” will return to Sixth & I on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
This event will be his fifth appearance at the venue to celebrate the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Daddy Diaries,” talk about the latest Housewives happenings, and answer audience questions about everyone’s favorite Bravolebrities.
Cohen will be in conversation with Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents California and is the first LGBTQ immigrant to win a congressional seat. Rep. Garcia has also been known to quote from “The Real Housewives” in congressional hearings.
Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, May 3
Center Aging Friday Tea Time will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social” at 7 p.m. at The Commentary. 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.
Saturday, May 4
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 1 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 judgment free. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Sunday, May 5
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Dinner” at 7 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
AfroCode DC will be at 4 p.m. at Decades DC. This event will be an experience of non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes and a crossover of genres and a fusion of cultures. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 6
Center Aging: Monday Coffee & Conversation 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 their choice. For more details, email [email protected].
The Pride Center of Maryland will host “Transend: transgender & Nonbinary Support Group” at 4 p.m. at its offices. This is a safe place for hot topics, food, resources, information, image consulting and community. This event is free to attend and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, May 7
Pride on the Patio Events will host “LGBTQ Social Mixer” at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom. Dress is casual, fancy, or comfortable. Guests are encouraged to bring their most authentic self to chat, laugh, and get a little crazy. Admission is free and more details are on Eventbrite.
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 details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 8
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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, May 9
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 with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
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