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frequently asked questions
What does it mean to be a member of Foundry Church?
There’s one thing that Christians worldwide can agree upon: if you have been baptized, you’re already a member of the church. Being part of a particular United Methodist congregation means placing your name officially on its rolls.

Are all United Methodist churches the same?
No. While all United Methodist churches follow the Book of Discipline in regard to doctrine and practice, churches are as varied as people. Some have a very conservative nature and others are more liberal.

Can someone attend worship without being a member?
Of course! Our average Sunday attendance is around 600 (our total membership is more than 1,300), and perhaps as many as 10 percent of attendees are not members.

What are the demographics of the Foundry congregation?
We have never done a formal census, but it’s safe to say our membership comprises individuals of many income groups, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and political persuasions. Because we are a downtown church, we draw heavily from our surrounding neighborhood and across the District of Columbia as well as Virginia and Maryland.

What does being a “reconciling congregation” mean?
The United Methodist Church is open to all persons who seek to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. In acknowledging our oneness with all of God's creation, a reconciling congregation invites gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons to share our faith, our community life and our ministries. But it does not stop there. A reconciling congregation affirms 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 at Foundry seek to be an inclusive congregation. We proclaim our commitment to seek reconciliation of all persons to God and to each other through Jesus Christ.

Are children welcome at services?
Absolutely. We believe that the presence of children make us a more faithful and vibrant congregation. Our services make a special effort to include children, including mini-sermons that are directed especially at children before they depart to their Sunday school classes.

What’s the hierarchy of the church?
The United Methodist Church is overseen by regional bishops. Our bishop is the Rev. John Schol. Our ministers are formally introduced as “Reverend,” but in more informal conversations you should feel free to skip the honorifics.

Can I get texts or recordings of Sunday sermons?
Yes. Audiocassette tapes and CD recordings are available. Texts of selected sermons are also available on the web site.

What is the annual Foundry budget?
Foundry’s operating budget totals approximately $1.6 million per year. In addition, we conducted a separate capital campaign in 2001-2002 to boost church holdings that will allow us to make some necessary building renovations. More than $2 million was pledged to that campaign.

Can anyone participate in communion at Foundry?
Our communion table is open. All are welcome to participate in the Lord’s Supper. At Foundry, we celebrate Eucharist on the first Sunday of every month in the sanctuary, and all other Sundays in the chapel. Communion is usually served by intinction, in which the bread is dipped in the wine and both are taken together.

Church sermons

Senior Minister’s Sermons
Dean Snyder, senior minister, is a preacher, writer, and activist who coordinates a talented ministerial and lay staff. Prior to being appointed to Foundry, Snyder served the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference as a communications director, editor, and specialist in congregational development and new church starts. He also served congregations in Philadelphia, as a campus minister and as a college instructor. A graduate of Boston University School of Theology and Albright College, Snyder’s articles have appeared in dozens of publications.

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View Senior Minister's Blog

 


Recommended Readings

Foundry's Factbook and Resource guide
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Links
Africa University
Located in Mutare, Zimbabwe, Africa University opened in 1992 as the first private, international university in Africa. Africa University is a United Methodist Church-related project. Foundry joined this effort in 2002 and offers daily prayers and financial support.

Appalachia Service Project
Each summer, Foundry youth and adult advisors spend a week in the Appalachian Mountains participating in work projects to improve housing and living conditions for low-income residents in mostly rural and isolated communities.

Christ House
Foundry volunteers help cook and serve lunch to residents of this 32-bed medical facility and residence for homeless men located on Columbia Road.

Concert for Life
An annual musical event, presented in cooperation with the Foundry Choir and Orchestra, that has raised more than $600,000 over the last fifteen years to assist persons affected by HIV/AIDS.

Democracy Project
This nonpartisan and nonpolitical group seeks to energize communities of faith in Washington and elsewhere to seek full voting representation in Congress for citizens of the nation’s capital.

McKenna’s Wagon

McKenna’s Wagon is a service of Martha’s Table that distributes soup and sandwiches from traveling vans, mostly to homeless individuals in downtown Washington. Foundry volunteers ride on the vans to distribute food twice a month.

N Street Village
Foundry provides resources and volunteers for overnight supervision at the N Street Village women’s shelter at Luther Place Memorial Church near Thomas Circle.

SOME
Foundry members help cook and serve breakfast twice a month for So Others Might Eat (SOME), a multi-dimensional nonprofit service for poor and homeless families.

Summer Camps
Foundry children in grades 3 through 12 are encouraged each year to attend one of the summer programs available at Camp Manidokan and West River Camp, both in Maryland, and operated by the UMC’s Baltimore-Washington Conference.

United Methodist Women
This community, open to women of all ages in the church, conducts intensive study programs on national and international issues especially as they affect women and children. Foundry UMW serves as a key channel of information and support for projects of the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

Volunteers in Mission (VIM) / Global Outreach
Inaugurated in 2003, VIM helps organize participation by Foundry members in the short-term mission projects of the international Volunteers in Mission program of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.

 


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