St. Columba's or St. Alban's Parish?
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Anonymous
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I'm a "cradle Episcopalian" looking for a new church home for myself and DS, preferably in NW DC. I grew up going to church regularly, but as an adult my church attendance has been sporadic at best. In recent years, when I've gone to church, I've attended services at the Cathedral. I like the Cathedral for me, but I have a son now and need a church that has more to offer children than the Cathedral does.
I've heard good things about St. Columba's and St. Alban's, but I have to admit I'm a little intimidated by the Tenleytown/Cleveland Park vibe. DH is an atheist. He is open to me taking DS to church and teaching him my faith, but tithing will be based on my income alone, which is substantially less than DH's. Anyone familiar with either of these parishes who can offer any insight? I saw previous threads about the political tones of the sermons at St. Columba's and am not concerned about that. I'm looking for a place where DS and I can feel welcome and spiritually at-home. Thanks! |
Anonymous
| St. Alban's is more conservative and an older crowd. St. Columba's has a very active Sunday school program. |
Anonymous
| I've also heard good things about St Columba's Sunday school. We're also very happy with our Sunday school program at St John's Lafayette Square if you're willing to head downtown. |
Anonymous
| I was part of St. C's as a child. I'm not really religious anymore, but I am still active in the St. Columba's community. They are a great, open minded, community focused church. |
Anonymous
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OP here - thanks! I think we'll visit St. Columba's this weekend.
I'm intrigued by the idea of St. John's Lafayette Square, but I think I should probably stick a little closer to home. |
Anonymous
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Also a "cradle" Episcopalian here. When my children were younger, we went to St. Columba's. It is extremely well-organized for the preschool crowd. However, when I attended the "real" service (ie, the non-preschool service in the main church) I found it too political for me.
We recently joined St. John's Norwood (this may be too far for you - it's in Chevy Chase @ corner of Bradley and Wisconsin). It is smaller, family-friendly and I really like it. The Sunday school is very well-organized and attended, but the church is not huge. I really like the rector, and so far I am happier with the sermons at this church than maybe any other church I've attended so far - the sermon is always directly related to the reading/gospel of the day (for people of non-Episcopalian background this comment may sound strange but this is the first church I've gone to where this is reliably the case!) I don't feel like I'm being "preached at" or the sermon is aimed at congratulating me on the rightness of my political views. I actually like listening to the sermon (new for me), and I often I feel like I learn something. The church also is very committed to social outreach which I appreciate. |
Anonymous
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Interesting. That's actually pretty easy for us, because we live right off Military Road.
10:38, are you by any chance the OP of this thread? http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/197830.page#1905431 It's funny you should mention connecting the sermon to the lessons. The rector of the parish I attended as a child always tied the sermon to the readings, but as an adult I've also noticed not all priests do that. I briefly thought about that during the service I attended last Sunday. Is St. John's Norwood socially progressive? I understand not wanting to get hit over the head with politics during the sermon, but I am definitely looking for a progressive Episcopal church. |
Anonymous
Hi there, not the PP, but used to attend St. John's. It is very socially progressive. Awesome parish, great priest. I left only because we moved. and haven't found anything as good since! 
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Anonymous
| All the mean girls from my ms and HS went to st columba's. they might not let u in unless u have a ccc mship! |
Anonymous
What schools? |
Anonymous
| Ncs |
Anonymous
Nah. It's really nice. I teach Sunday school for various grades and it is interesting to have a room of 20 kids and they go to 10 different schools (8 of them private schools, which says something, I suppose). Come for a Sunday or two and enjoy some coffee, a donut, the adult forum, etc. http://columba.org/ |