Fellowship & Community

We may worship at different services and participate in different ministries, but the people of St. Alban's thrive on gathering as a community.  We find many opportunities to celebrate our relationships as God's people.

Coffee Hour

Coffee hour is held following each Sunday morning service. Stop by for coffee, cookies and conversation.

Fellowship Sunday

On the last Sunday of every month, we set aside the time between the 9:15 and 11:15 services (and after the 10 a.m. service during the summer) to celebrate our greatest treasure, each other. The fellowship ministry provides a way to meet others and to find out about the many ways you can become an active part of the parish. Fellowship Sundays are planned by the St. Alban's Hospitality Committee and feature seasonal themes, often with food. Sometimes there is a a short presentation from one of the many St. Alban's ministries.

Foyers

Once a month, from late fall to early summer, several groups of about ten people each gather at homes to dine and enjoy each other’s company. These gatherings are devoted to getting to know each other and having fun together. Each month, a different member of the group acts as host to their group. New Foyers groups form in September.
For more information, contact:

Eve Zartman-Ball (202) 337-8955
Linda Vitella (202) 362-6324
Monica Welch (301) 933-0389

20s and 30s Group

St. Alban's has a growing and active population of young adults that meet for social events (happy hours, movie nights, barbecues and seasonal parties) service projects and worship. The group also meets after the 11:15 a.m. service each month for brunch at near-by restaurants. If you are a young adult and would like to connect with other folks your age, this group loves to welcome new members.

For more information or to participate contact: Matthew Hanisian.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Every year before Lent begins, St. Alban's Rite 13 group (youth, ages 12 to 13 in St. Alban's Journey to Adulthood program) cook and serve a community Pancake Supper with pancake races, Mardi Gras flair, and great music.  The Pancake Supper is a great way to meet and spend time with other members of the congregation and to have the best meal of the dau twice (breakfast for dinner!). All proceeds go to support the Rite 13 group in their Spring Spiritual Retreat. For more information or to participate contact Matthew Hanisian.

Palm Sunday - Café St. Alban's Waffle Breakfast

As the parish enters the high-point of the church calendar, Holy Week and Easter, this breakfast/brunch provides a chance to come together to celebrate our common life.  St. Alban's J2A youth group (ages 14 to 15) cooks waffles along with other breakfast fare all morning and in between services. A free-will offering is taken and all proceeds to to benefit the J2A semi-annual Pilgrimage. For more information or to participate contact: Matthew Hanisian.

Older Wiser Laity (OWLs)

A quarterly gathering of St. Alban's Parishioners 70 or older gather for Eucharist in the Church and luncheon.  Participants bring sandwich platters, salad and dessert and enjoy reconnecting with old friends and making new acquaintances. For more information or to volunteer contact: Parish Office.

Retired Older Men Eating Out (ROMEOs)

This very informal group, as its name suggests, is a great place for retired guys to be guys with other guys. You are sure to have fun with this crowd. For more information, or to volunteer, contact: David Johnson.

St. Alban's Day Picnic

Celebrate our Patron Saint’s Day at the end of June at the 10:00 a.m. service (summer worship combines the 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. service into the 10:00 a.m.). We begin with joyous worship and introduction of new members, and then the party continues in the columbarium patio and on the parish playground with a picnic and games. St. Alban’s provides and grills hamburgers; all are asked to bring their favorite picnic dish to share. Bring your family, spend the afternoon and get to know old friends and new members alike. Volunteers to grill, set up, clean up, and lead games for children are needed each year. For more information, or to volunteer, contact: Eve Zartman-Ball.

SEASONAL RETREATS

 

Parish Weekend Family Retreat

Each autumn the parish comes together in worship, fellowship and renewal. The all-ages weekend features activiites, learning and time to relax in the scenic Shenandoah mountains. For more information contact the Rev. Dr. Deborah Meister.

Advent Silent Retreat

The temptation for so many of us at this time of year is to be swept up into the chaos of our secular culture’s holiday season. This silent retreat, punctuated by a series of meditations, offers food for the soul for entering the season of Advent spiritually centered and grounded in God’s presence. For more information or to volunteer contact: The Parish Office.

Lenten Silent Retreat

Lent is a time of self-examination, reconciliation and amendment of life made possible by the certainty of God’s love for us. This silent retreat, punctuated by a series of meditations, aims to prepare us for looking at ourselves deeply and fearlessly as we walk through Lent, secure in the knowledge that the One who loves us into being is guiding us every step of the way. Leader of this retreat and location are to be determined. For more information or to volunteer contact: The Parish Office.

Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner

St. Alban's Parish along with Washington Hebrew Congregation and Annunciation Roman Catholic Church, jointly host this annual meal for the wider community of Northwest DC.  Food is contributed, cooked, and served by congregation members from each community.  The meal provides a space for folks to celebrate this holiday in the company of a warm community.  Each year the host congregation rotates.  For more information, or to volunteer, contact: The Parish Office.

Christmas Day Dinner

St. Alban's cooks and serves a Christmas meal to the wider community each year on Christmas Day in our parish hall. Volunteers, congregation members, and outside donors collaborate to make sure that anyone in DC can celebrate Christmas with a warm meal and with a caring community. For more information, or to volunteer, contact: The Parish Office.