Washington National Cathedral — Sacrilegious Prom Dance in Nave?

[Anonymous]

I think it's great. A way to reach people who otherwise would not go.

I'm Protestant and view the church as a spiritual meeting place, used for many different events. Plays, concerts, movies, even a dance are fine; anything that brings people together in a loving Christian way is fine.

[Anonymous]

It’s a gimmick to raise money.

[Anonymous]

This is all the same person posting. I shouldn’t say get over yourselves... the ONE person posting who is trying to fake post multiple people should get over himself/herself/themselves.

I call troll.

[Anonymous]

Probably would have issue with the many special needs proms held in churches around the country.

Funny how most unique responders didn’t even really read the description of either prom event (last years and this years) and jumped on the holier than thou bandwagon...

My guess... OP probably never even went to prom, lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is all the same person posting. I shouldn’t say get over yourselves... the ONE person posting who is trying to fake post multiple people should get over himself/herself/themselves.

I call troll.

I don’t think so. It’s so easy to call troll. It’s a legit question on whether Nave is sacred space or not to hold such a frivolous event — not choral concert or spiritual discussion. I guess no one in the Cathedral congregation has raised issues with it and just goes along.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Probably would have issue with the many special needs proms held in churches around the country.

Funny how most unique responders didn’t even really read the description of either prom event (last years and this years) and jumped on the holier than thou bandwagon...

My guess... OP probably never even went to prom, lol.

DP. I would suspect these proms are held in the church cultural halls. If you have photos or links to dances in church naves, please post.

You do your Cathedral congregation no favors by being a petty, bullying poster. I guess you represent the Cathedral congregation membership? How they deal with justified criticism?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is this, Footloose? God hates dancing again suddenly and we are back in


You sound very immature. The issue is whether this event is appropriate in the Nave.

I stand by the question. Also, please learn to quote properly, and don't edit quotes you refer to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all the same person posting. I shouldn’t say get over yourselves... the ONE person posting who is trying to fake post multiple people should get over himself/herself/themselves.

I call troll.

I don’t think so. It’s so easy to call troll. It’s a legit question on whether Nave is sacred space or not to hold such a frivolous event — not choral concert or spiritual discussion. I guess no one in the Cathedral congregation has raised issues with it and just goes along.

New poster, not the person to whom you're responding: Are you a member of the congregation, immediate PP who objects so strongly to these uses of the nave? I'm assuming not because you say you "guess no one in the congregation has raised issues." If you're not part of the congregation, do you attend services at or visit the Cathedral regularly? Do you donate or have you made even a one-time donation, since the earthquake? I'm asking seriously, not with snark.

I'm not sure why your concern is so intense unless you personally have a relationship with the Cathedral. I visit several times a year (am a member elsewhere) both for contemplation and for services, but would not presume to tell the regularly attending, regularly donating congregation how to manage the building. I fully admit I don't love the idea of social functions in the nave but then, I am not privy to what the needs there are, so I'm not going to let it bother me. They're not holding these events (as far as I can tell from photos) in the choir area that leads to the high altar or in the solemn Holy Spirit or war memorial chapels, just in the nave.

You might want to look up a New York Times article from Aug. 13, 2019: "God save the cathedral: In England, some offer mini golf or a giant slide." Sorry I can't link it for you. The Cathedral here is not at all alone in using its nave for non-religious activities and leaders at other cathedrals have pastoral reasons for doing so. You will disagree with the churches in the article but just know that the Cathedral is not some outlier doing something no other cathedrals do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what the longtime church members and families think about this event—I’m talking about families who had mothers serve as “Purple Ladies” greeters/tour guides. Surely there is some opposition to this event? Within the NCS/STA families?

The NCS auction is held in the nave now.

With alcohol and dancing?

I attended an event sponsored by a private company that had alcohol, a live band and dancing -- great food too!

[Anonymous]

OP said she is supporter of All Hallow’s Guild, which oversees care of Cathedral grounds. Lots of people who don’t belong to Cathedral congregation love the Cathedral. I’m a Catholic and love the Cathedral. I support it through family membership, but don’t ever attend services there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is all the same person posting. I shouldn’t say get over yourselves... the ONE person posting who is trying to fake post multiple people should get over himself/herself/themselves.

I call troll.

I just got invited to this so I came to this thread that I haven’t opened before.

It’s not just one person. There’s the Anglican who hates Episcopalians who is undoubtedly here. And the Jew Who Hates Christians who is probably here. As well as the 2-3 atheists who jump on any anti-Christian thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what the longtime church members and families think about this event—I’m talking about families who had mothers serve as “Purple Ladies” greeters/tour guides. Surely there is some opposition to this event? Within the NCS/STA families?

The NCS auction is held in the nave now.

With alcohol and dancing?

I don't know about the NCS auction, specifically, but as an Episcopalian I would fully expect music, dancing and alcohol at an event such as this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what would happen if say, President Trump or Senator Warren wanted to hold a fundraiser in the Cathedral Nave? They would need to allow that right?

Nope. Here is the reservation policy:

Each year Washington National Cathedral approves a limited number of proposals from outside organizations to hold special events at the Cathedral. Events rentals are scheduled by the Office of Event Management (OEM) which can be reached at [phone] [e-mail].

Proposals are accepted from corporations and non-profit organizations (as described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code)

Cathedral Spaces are not available for:

Events of a primarily personal, political, or fund-raising nature.
Events where the Sponsor is planning to charge admission fees, make collections, seek contributions, give door prizes, have auctions, or raffles.
Events where the Sponsor intends to use the Cathedral space for advertising or promoting any product or service for profit.
Events where the Sponsor intends to display or promote commercial products or sell items.
Events where the Sponsor intends to conduct lobbying activities, hearings, press conferences, or recurring meetings.
Events scheduled in public spaces between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:30 pm, Monday through Saturday, or for events scheduled on Sunday or holidays.
Exceptions may be made by OEM. Please submit your request for a variance in your event proposal.

The Cathedral reserves the right to review all use applications to determine if the event is appropriate to be held in the Cathedral or its related facilities. In cases where there is doubt or uncertainty about the nature of the event, as it relates to the guidelines or customary practices not specifically mentioned here, the Dean or his delegated representative shall decide the matter and all individuals and groups shall abide by the final decision.

Presumably, the Cathedral itself may host its own events and charge admission or have an auction, which would explain the Second-Chance Prom and the NCS auction, but they don't rent it out for those purposes.

[Anonymous]

Also from the Cathedral website:

Medieval cathedrals weren’t just for worship; in many ways, they also functioned like a town square, complete with commerce and civic affairs. In British cathedrals, the tradition was to separate the sacred space used for worship with a wooden screen that would mark the delineation between the sacred and secular.

At the Cathedral, the rood screen has served less as a barrier and more as a marker that signifies the entry into the holiest part of the building — the Great Choir and the High Altar. Most Cathedral services are now held in the Crossing, on the congregational side of the rood screen.

Other random facts I did not know:

Although the Cathedral is the seat of the Presiding Bishop and the Bishop of Washington, it receives no money from the church (or the government). It is run entirely on donations and revenue from the gift shop and other events. Until very recently it did not have its own congregation -- there was no way to become a member.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also from the Cathedral website:

Medieval cathedrals weren’t just for worship; in many ways, they also functioned like a town square, complete with commerce and civic affairs. In British cathedrals, the tradition was to separate the sacred space used for worship with a wooden screen that would mark the delineation between the sacred and secular.

At the Cathedral, the rood screen has served less as a barrier and more as a marker that signifies the entry into the holiest part of the building — the Great Choir and the High Altar. Most Cathedral services are now held in the Crossing, on the congregational side of the rood screen.

Other random facts I did not know:

Although the Cathedral is the seat of the Presiding Bishop and the Bishop of Washington, it receives no money from the church (or the government). It is run entirely on donations and revenue from the gift shop and other events. Until very recently it did not have its own congregation -- there was no way to become a member.

That’s correct - I made that point upthread and almost positive it was a decision necessitated by the earthquake damage.

Also, I’m 99% sure that the Cathedral is not reimbursed by the government for all of the events of national significance which are held there - the prayer services following inaugurations, George Bush’s funeral, etc.