Living Out the Promise
Rev. Ginger E. Gaines-Cirelli
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I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Corinthians 1:4
What a joy it is to be back among the Foundry family!
Among the gifts I have received upon my return are:
- learning of the many new persons feeling called and stepping up to serve in many ways
- seeing the growing list of interesting, exciting classes offered by both clergy and laity
- meeting our talented new Director of Family Ministries, Natalie Harvey
- reviewing finance reports revealing faithful support for Foundry’s mission and ministries
- being reminded of how precious each moment with our children is -- they’ve grown so much!
- observing how members of the staff team have grown, stretched and shone in my absence
- receiving personal support and kindness that makes my heart overflow.
It has been a beautiful “re-entry” to active ministry in your midst.
As I contemplate both the near and distant future for Foundry Church, we are at a turning point in many ways — as part of the United Methodist Church, as a congregation in the center of our nation’s capital during volatile times, and as a local church finding its way post-COVID.
Amid all this, our call is to “lean in” and pull together — to do our best thinking, our best organizing, our best advocacy, our best discernment, our best teaching, outreach and care. It’s an “all hands on deck” moment, when each one of you is critically needed to offer whatever gifts you can — your time, talent, financial resources, prayers. All the giftedness within Foundry will be required to help us, together, navigate the days ahead.
Our covenant with one another and with God is to participate through our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. As we move into the fall season, think about how you will concretely live out this covenant promise. Be alert to opportunities to show up, to serve, and to give.
I have a front row seat for the ways God is moving and stretching and calling Foundry into the future. I look forward to serving alongside you as we position our beloved Foundry to be a blessing not only to us, but to generations to come.
With you on the journey,
ginger+
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Knocking on Closed Doors
Guy Cecil
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In 1963, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. published Strength to Love, a collection of writings and sermons. Rooted in his deep knowledge of Scripture and his God-inspired sense of conviction, it has become critical to how I think about putting my faith into action.
In one writing, King focuses on the parable that begins at Luke 11:5.
“Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.”
King uses this parable to highlight that it is midnight in the social order, in our politics, within the church, and within people themselves. And as only he can do, he shines a light on the people outside, knocking on the door, told to go away or never answered at all.
King’s words also describe the state of our world today. Sixty years later, it can still feel like midnight and so many are knocking on closed doors. Millions of us are plagued with increasing anxiety, children are struggling in the classroom and in relationships, mass shootings are commonplace, increasing cruelty and harm are inflicted on our transgender siblings, and thousands of churches are leaving our denomination because we dare to extend open arms, minds, hearts, and doors to our LGBTQ+ siblings.
In these times, I am most grateful for Foundry United Methodist Church – a home for those who need healing and grace — and a gathering place for shamelessly audacious doorknockers.
As I begin my service as President of the Foundry Board, I am grateful for the opportunity to be in ministry with you — to love God, love each other, and change the world.
Originally from Miami, Florida, Guy Cecil moved to Washington, DC in 2001 and lives in Logan Circle with his husband Ed McNulty. Guy has attended Foundry since 2005
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Foundry Awards
Scholarships for 2023/2024
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In September, three members of the Foundry community are heading off to school with a little help from their Foundry friends. The Scholarship Ministry Team recommended, and the Foundry Board approved, these awards totaling $8,845.
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Emily Farnell is starting her second year at Yale Divinity School and is benefitting from an Edward W. Bauman Scholarship (named for Foundry’s senior pastor from 1964 to 1992) for those attending seminary and planning to enter Christian ministry.
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Hailey Baker received one of two awards from the Alida Smith Memorial Scholarship (named for D.C. educator and Foundry member Alida Smith) for undergraduate and graduate students at any institution. Hailey is entering her freshman year at Fordham University where she plans to major in Humanitarian Studies.
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VaShawn McIlwain-Lightfoot received one of two awards from the Alida Smith Memorial Scholarship (named for D.C. educator and Foundry member Alida Smith) for undergraduate and graduate students at any institution. VaShawn is finishing his PhD in Musical Arts/Vocal Music Performance at the University of Maryland.
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Foundry members and those closely associated with Foundry are eligible to apply. Scholarship Ministry Team members Henry Curry, Allison Kramer, Parker Low, Margie McKelvey (chair), Cathy O’Sullivan, Victoria Sanchez, and Steve Zagami (and ex officio Natalie Harvey, Director of Family Ministries) would always welcome new members.
Please contact Margie at scholarships@foundryumc.org if you are interested in joining the Scholarship Ministry Team.
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Support Reconciling
Ministries Network!
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Foundry has been a reconciling community for almost 30 years — and right now the Reconciling Ministries Network, led by Foundry member Jan Lawrence, needs our help.
First, some of the grants RMN is applying for these days look for the number of constituents it has. So, members of reconciling congregations are encouraged to sign up as a Reconciling United Methodist (RUM). You can sign up here.
If you already get a newsy RMN email every Friday, you are already signed up as one of RMN’s 46,000 constituents. If you don’t get that email each week, please click the link above and sign up now. The goal is to have at least 50,000 constituents by next year’s General Conference. And if you have friends in other UM Churches, encourage them to sign up as well!
Second, RMN is also now preparing for Onward to Perfection, its convocation in Charlotte, NC from October 13–15. You can register to attend or be a sponsor using this link. Jan hopes to see a large crowd from Foundry there. At the convocation, there will be a preview of RMN’s first Vacation Bible School Curriculum, Just Like Me, (which Foundry gave RMN money to develop.). It will be ready for use in Summer 2024. RMN hopes to continue such work on curriculum each year, focusing on Sunday School or VBS.
Third, RMN needs our financial support for these months leading up to next year’s General Conference, which could be the event at which the UMC becomes a Church that more fully reflects Foundry’s values of justice, equity and inclusion.
Any amount you can give now and in the coming months will go a long way. You can donate online here or mail a donation to: RMN at 201 W. Lake St. Suite 109, Chicago, IL 60606. If you’d like to make a gift of stock or other securities, email kathy@rmnnetwork.org. And if you’d like to reach Jan directly, she can be reached at jan@rmnetwork.org.
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Come, Let Us Sing Together!
Joanne Steller, member, Lay Music Envisioning Group
Yolanda Denise Bryant, Lay Singer Participants Coordinator
Stanley Thurston, Director of Music and Worship Arts
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Make a joyful noise unto the
Lord, all ye lands. Serve the
Lord with gladness: come
before his presence with
singing. Psalm 100:1-2 KJV
During the 11:15 service on August 20th, a new group of voices rose from dedicated front pews to sing with the choir, “The Church of Christ in Every Age.” It was the launch of Foundry’s Congregational Choir, a music ministry open to all in the Foundry community who share a love of singing.
“We’ve opened a space that makes possible the beauty and fellowship of choir singing for those whose time is limited and whose voices might otherwise only be heard behind closed doors,” says Yolanda Bryant, the Foundry Choir section leader who now coordinates lay participation in this new ministry. “Everyone needs to know there is a place for them in the music ministry. The Congregational Choir is that place that will give you a sense of belonging. No judgments. Just worship with heart and voice.”
The Congregational Choir welcomes singers of all abilities. No audition or ongoing commitment is required. Plenty of support is offered. Before the Sunday on which the
Congregational Choir will sing, participants receive the score and a recording of the piece to be presented. On the Sunday mornings the Congregational Choir sings, they rehearse at 10:45.
Foundry’s Music Director Stanley Thurston and members of the Chancel Choir are embracing their role encouraging and mentoring the Congregational Choir. “This is our opportunity to wrap our arms around you long before you’re wrapped in harmony,” Yolanda says.
The Congregational Choir will sing Robert Ray’s Gospel Mass Sunday, September 10 and will be featured again on Sunday, October 22.
If you are interested in joining the Congregational Choir, you can do so using the Church Center app at foundryumc.org/congregational-choir; or emailing Stanley Thurston sthurston@foundryumc.org.
(And don’t forget, every Sunday anyone who wishes to sing is welcome to join the 9:00 service choir by attending rehearsal at 8:15 a.m.)
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Foundry Forward
SEPTEMBER 2023 ACTION ITEMS
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Saturday, September 9
Family Open House
Today is an especially busy and important day at Foundry. Foundry is hosting a Family Ministries Orientation & Open House today at Foundry from 10:30 a.m. until noon in the Norman and Frances Prince Fellowship Hall. This is an opportunity for our families to meet Sunday School teachers, explore classrooms, ask questions, and get a preview of Children’s Worship!
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Saturday, September 9
Interested in Teaching?
Helping teach Sunday School is a fun, rewarding way to invest in the youngest of our Foundry Family. We are holding a teacher training session today at 9:30 a.m. Contact Natalie Harvey at nharvey@foundryumc.org for more information.
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Tuesdays, September 12,19,26
Ask the Rabbi
Join Foundry folk and our friends from Temple Solel on Zoom at 7 p.m. to discuss next Sunday’s preaching texts with Rabbi Weisman. Register to join online at foundryumc.org/ask-the-rabbi.
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Saturday, September, 9
WIN Picnic
Join Foundry’s Sacred Resistance team for a WIN picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the park across from Varick Memorial AME Zion Church (255 Anacostia Ave NE, Washington, DC 20019). Connect with folks from neighborhoods across DC, while gaining insights into WIN’s Fall strategy. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/picnicsept9.
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Sunday, September 10
Classes for All!
Today, everyone from pre-K to grandparents can find new learning opportunities here at Foundry.
Sunday School returns at 10 a.m., along with Children’s Worship between both services. Child care is available from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for children ages four and younger. And this evening, Youth@ Night resumes from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for Middle and High School youth!
And adults in the Foundry community have two exciting new learning opportunities that begin today:
Associate Pastor/Director of Discipleship Jonathan Brown is teaching a six-week course at 10:15 a.m. entitled “Be Our Guest: Disney Hospitality and the Church.” It meets in Room 203. Learn more and register here.
And Foundry Lay Leader Ed Crump is leading a class in Room 202 and on Zoom exploring Ignatian Spirituality, beginning today and continuing through October. Learn more and register at foundryumc.org/adventure.
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Wednesdays, September 13-May 29, 2024
Discipleship in Depth
Join Foundry Discipleship for this deep dive into the New Testament books of John, 1 John, 2 John and Revelation. We will meet each Wednesday night from 6:45–8:30 p.m. beginning tonight. We will meet both at Foundry in room 203 and online. Learn more and register at foundryumc.org/under.
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Sunday, September 17
Science and Religion
Join Foundry friends today at 10:10 a.m. in the Norman and Frances Prince Fellowship Hall for a discussion on how the world of science and faith are interacting at this point in our history.
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Wednesday, September 27
Foundry Board Meeting
Foundry’s Board convenes its monthly meeting at 7 pm. If you are interested in attending, use this Zoom link.
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For more information on the events above and other upcoming events at Foundry, go to foundryumc.org/events.
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Prefer to print?
Come back this evening to foundryumc.org/forge to read and download a print-ready version of this month's issue.
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