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Dean
Snyder
Senior Minister
Phone
ext. 220 | dsnyder@foundryumc.org
Dean became senior minister in 2002. During 30 years
of ordained ministry, Dean has been a local church pastor
in Philadelphia, a campus minister, and college instructor.
Before his appointment to Foundry, he served as director
of communications for the Baltimore–Washington
Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. His
writings on theology, Biblical interpretation, and Christian
mission have appeared in dozens of publications.
View Dean Snyder's Blog
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DeeAnne Lowman
Associate Pastor
Phone
ext. 218 | dlowman@foundryumc.org
Dee came to Foundry in 2006 from First United Methodist Church in beautiful Burlington, Vermont where she served as associate pastor. Over the past 12 years, Dee has served churches in both Vermont and New York, serving also as Troy Conference’s Director of Camping and Spiritual Formation. She is an ordained Elder in full connection with the Troy Conference, and has a life-long connection with the Methodist tradition.
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Stanley J. Thurston
Interim Director of Music
Phone
ext. 256 | sthurston@foundryumc.org
Stanley was selected as Interim Director of Music in October 2007, joining Foundry’s staff with over 30 years of experience in choral directing. He is a graduate of Morgan State University and The American Academy of Conducting at Aspen. In addition to giving leadership at Foundry, he is the founding music director of The Heritage Signature Chorale and Artistic Director with the Washington Performing Arts Society. |
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Jana Meyer
Minister of Missions
Phone
ext. 215 | jmeyer@foundryumc.org
Jana came to Foundry from Louisville, Kentucky where she worked for an organization that helps immigrants who are survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Jana has master's degrees in both social work and divinity. She has worked with the homeless and people suffering from HIV/AIDS. For three years, she served in a United Methodist hospital in Mozambique, Africa during a time of civil war. Jana staffs Foundry's very active Mission Council and oversees all of our mission activities. |
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Theresa Thames-Lynch
Minister to Children and Families
Phone
ext. 222 | tthames@foundryumc.org
Theresa joined Foundry's staff this summer as our Minister to Children and Families. In May 2006, she graduated from Duke University Divinity School with a Masters of Divinity degree. She was ordained in the American Baptist Churches of the South, USA in February, 2007. Theresa initiates and oversees quality Christian education and formation programs for our children and families. Theresa brings to Foundry a passion for children, women's ministry and religious academia. |
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Matt Smith
Youth Minister
Phone
ext. 230 | msmith@foundryumc.org
Matt is a 2006 graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary and a Certified Candidate for Ordained Ministry in the United Methodist Church. He has over ten years experience in youth ministry; October 2007 marks four years for Matt at Foundry. Prior to moving to this area, Matt served as a Youth and Young Adult Director for a United Methodist Church outside Charlotte, NC. |
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Robert McDonald
Director of Membership Services
Phone
ext. 251 | rmcdonald@foundryumc.org
Robert has been working in Membership Services since he came to Foundry in 2004. He is the point of contact for arranging baptisms, weddings, Pre-Cana Weekends, funerals and memorial services. Robert also staffs the Communications and Stewardship Committees and is the editor of the Foundry Forge. |
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Jim Irwin
Director of Finance & Administration
Phone
ext. 223 | jiwrin@foundryumc.org
Jim joined the staff in 2006 as Director of Finance and Administration. In this position, Jim is responsible for Foundry's financial management, building and asset management, office and contract management, personnel administration and human resources. He staffs the Board of Trustees, the Finance Committee, the Archives and History Committee, and the Communications Committee. |
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Katy Wheat
US2 Young Adult Missionary
Phone
ext. 253 | kwheat@foundryumc.org
Katy is working with Foundry as a US2 Young Adult Missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. As such, she works closely with several of Foundry’s mission groups, including the ESL Program, Walk-In Mission, and Day Labor Outreach. She is also the coordinator of Foundry’s Mustard Seed Mission, a monthly service opportunity in the District of Columbia. |
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Bob Benn
Assistant for Operations and Communications
Phone
ext. 219 | bbenn@foundryumc.org |
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Ashley Mitchell
Office Assistant
Phone
ext. 210 | awilliams@foundryumc.org |
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Thomas Daniels
Custodian |
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Originally located
in Georgetown and later at 14th and G, Foundry dedicated its first building in September
1815. Henry Foxall, a Methodist layman and influential businessman,
donated the land and building after his Georgetown iron foundry
survived the British attack on Washington in the War of 1812.
For almost two centuries, the church has been home to presidents,
members of Congress, and others in public service. President Abraham
Lincoln became a Life Director of the Methodist Missionary Society,
and President Rutherford Hayes attended Foundry nearly every Sunday
during his term. President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister
Winston Churchill attended a special service at Foundry on December
25, 1941. President William Clinton and his family attended regularly.
Foundry has long been active in mission, with work that mirrors
the humanitarian concerns of the times. In 1995, Foundry affirmed
publicly that it was a reconciling congregation, now one of nearly
200 United Methodist Churches in the Reconciling Congregation Movement.

Foundry United Methodist Church has been a spiritual leader in the nation’s capital for more than 186 years. In a city often characterized by transience and change, Foundry has remained a steadfast beacon — long recognized for its commitment to mission service, social justice, and reconciliation. Foundry’s ministers are viewed as models of influential and dedicated parish leadership. Distinguished by their scholarship, oratory, caring counsel, and deep commitment to Christian principles, they have extended the church’s reputation as a voice of conscience, reason, and hope for residents of and visitors to our city.
Located at 16th and P Streets NW in Washington’s Dupont Circle neighborhood — one mile north of the White House — Foundry is easily accessible by public transport. Get Directions!

We, the fellowship of Foundry United Methodist Church, seek to build a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming faith community through:
- Worship, prayer, and study that nurtures us spiritually and strengthens us for Christian Service
- Mission work that is a force for social justice in our community and in the world
- Active ministries that prepare the entire congregation, especially youth, to engage in every aspect of Church life
- Responsible stewardship that sustains our historic building, provides abundant resources for ministries, and allocates those resources wisely.
- Responding to God’s call, we will be a reflection of Christ at all times and in all places.

In 1995, Foundry became one of the first larger United Methodist
Churches to publicly affirm its commitment to the full inclusion
of all persons when it joined the Reconciling Congregation Movement.
Here is Foundry’s Statement of Reconciliation:
We, the friends and members of Foundry United Methodist Church,
hold deeply our commitment to help bring about a peaceful, loving,
just and accepting world. We are proud of our active, diverse congregation
and have seen how each person has graced our community with his
or her talents. We believe that the Holy Spirit dwells in all.
We acknowledge our oneness with all of God’s creation and
invite gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons to share our faith, our community
life, and our ministries. We also affirm the same for all persons
without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation,
marital status, age, economic status, or physical or mental condition.
We seek to be an inclusive congregation, and we proclaim our commitment
to seek the reconciliation of all persons to God and to each other
through Jesus Christ.
As we journey toward reconciliation with all, we proclaim this statement
of welcome to all, including our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters:
God loves you and we love you, we affirm you, and accept you, we
treasure you. We welcome you.
At the same time, we recognize that there remain differences of
opinion among us on issues relating to sexuality. We do not seek
to erase our differences, but to journey together in faith toward
greater understanding and mutual respect.
In becoming a Reconciling Congregation we believe that we are being
reconciled to God and to one another.

Foundry comprises a diverse set of worship, mission, education, nurture, and administrative functions. This work encompasses dozens of objectives and callings. To oversee these disparate groups, the church relies on both lay members and clergy to serve as members of governing bodies and committees. Most meetings of these oversight bodies are open to all members.
- The Charge Conference is the governing body of the local church and is convened and conducted by the district superintendent.
- The Church Council is the ongoing management agency for Foundry.
- The Operations Coordinating Committee coordinates church programs and fund-raising activities.
- The Committee on Lay Leadership Development nominates Foundry members to serve on various committees and work areas.
- The Staff-Parish Relations Committee fulfills Foundry’s human resources needs.
- The Board of Trustees is responsible for Foundry’s physical plant and financial obligations.
- The Finance Committee develops and oversees Foundry’s operating budget.
- The Stewardship Committee plans and conducts Foundry’s annual fundraising campaign.
- The Communications Committee coordinates church communications.
- The Mission Council coordinates Foundry mission activities.
- The Community Life Committee fosters relationships among members and visitors.
- The Worship Committee coordinates Sunday and special worship services.
- The Committee on Christian Education oversees children’s Sunday school, youth programs, adult education, and the Foundry library.
- The Spiritual Life Committee sponsors retreats and classes in personal growth.
- The Evangelism Committee supports outreach into the community and convenes new member orientations for those who want to join Foundry.
- The Archives and History Committee maintains Foundry’s archival collection.
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