Washington National Cathedral

Sacred Ground is dialogue series on race, grounded in faith.  Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race, racism, and whiteness while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.

Sacred Ground is a resource coming out of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society.  This series is especially designed to help white people talk with other white people, while being open to all racial/ethnic groups.  Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love.

In the face of hate and discrimination, we are committed to showing love, compassion, and
hospitality. The sanctuary movement is growing rapidly in congregations across the United States— and it is working. Monthly meetings often feature special guests and information on local actions that need our help.

The Sanctuary Ministry regularly meets the last
Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Friendship Place is dedicated to ending homelessness and rebuilding lives throughout the
DC metro region. Our congregation participates in the annual November Walk on the Mall to End Homelessness and partners with Friendship Place for our outreach drives and missions.

More information at
friendshipplace.org

The Gun Violence Prevention Ministry is committed to working with its partners to end the scourge of gun violence by educating at the local, state, and national level effects of gun violence; providing advocacy opportunities; coordinating with other houses of worship; and offering prayers and programs to support victims of gun violence.

The GVP group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.

The Knitting Ministry gathers twice a month to craft hats, scarves, mittens, socks, and some larger items for area children through organizations such as Bright Beginnings and Beacon House.

The Knitting Ministry meets regularly on the first and third Sunday of each month.

The LGBTQIA Alliance promotes the inclusiveness of the Episcopal Faith and the Cathedral’s message of, “All are Welcome,” by helping people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and faith backgrounds find their place in the church. The Alliance holds regular social hours and programs.

Martha’s Table is a community service organization in Downtown D.C. that assists the homeless and others in need to break the cycle of poverty. Cathedral Congregation members and others from the wider community donate an average of 1000 sandwiches and 500 pieces of fruit on the third Monday of every month.

During the pandemic, collections are on the 3rd Monday of the month in the Cathedral Bus garage from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Through Kairos Prison Ministry International, members attend weekend retreats for male and
female prisoners in Maryland prisons twice a year. Scores of Cathedral Congregation members serve as prayer warriors and letter-writers during the weekend retreats.

The mission of the Racial Justice Task Force is to be inclusive, accepting, and embracing of all of God’s children, and to build understanding, healing, and harmony amongst all races. The RJTF sponsors a book club, author discussions, programs, and field trips.

The RJTF regularly meets on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 1 p.m.

The Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington helps those who are homeless or near-homeless gain self-sufficiency. The group sponsors awareness and fundraising activities, including the annual Next Step Breakfast each spring. The Cathedral is a long-time partner with SMGW.

During the Season of Giving, the Cathedral works with partners throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to provide Thanksgiving meals and Christmas presents to families in need. The Season of Giving is part of the Cathedral Close Cares Initiative, a partnership
between institutions on the Close that brings students and staff together with our worshipping community to support those most in need.

Visit https://cathedral.org/outreach-programs/cares/ to learn more about Cathedral Close Cares and its projects.