Foundry Family,
 
Last night, the District of Columbia reported a significant increase in Covid-19 infections, due in part to the rapid transmission of the Omicron variant. As we have said from the beginning of this pandemic, we will trust the science, love our neighbors, and do everything we can to responsibly care for our community. This also means making difficult decisions which we discern prayerfully and collaboratively for our beloved congregation. So, out of an abundance of caution, we are modifying some of our practices for gathering in community. 

We are pleased to offer our Christmas Eve service both in person and online tomorrow at 8 p.m.

Worship services on Dec. 26, Jan. 2, and Jan. 9 will be modified to gather online at 11:15 a.m. only. Please see below for more details.

Christmas Eve at Foundry: Friday, Dec. 24

We will gather both in person and online at 8 p.m. for a Christmas Eve service of lessons and carols from the Foundry Sanctuary. 

• We strongly recommend that all attendees are fully vaccinated. Masks and physical distancing are required at all times in the building. We will have pews sectioned off to allow for extra space between families or friend pods.
• Parking will be available free of cost for all attending our service at the Colonial Parking Garage on 16th Street. The garage will be available from 5–10 p.m. Please let the attendant know you are with Foundry.
• Childcare will not be provided during the service, but all are welcome in our Sanctuary. We also have a designated Family Zone set aside for extra social distancing.
• Additional air filtration systems have been added to the Sanctuary, and doors will remain open to allow for a continuous flow of fresh air.
• In order to reduce contact, we will not be using our check-in screens upon entry. Please check in from your mobile device at foundryumc.org/checkin.
• As always, the service will be livestreamed to Church Online, Facebook Live, YouTube, and YouTube with ASL Interpretation.

Christmas Eve Worship Guide

Modifications for Dec. 26, 2021 – Jan. 9, 2022

Dec. 26, 2021 – Jan. 9, 2022:

• We will gather for worship online only on these three Sundays.
• We will hold one service at 11:15 a.m., livestreamed from the Foundry Sanctuary.

Jan. 16, 2022:

• We will gather for worship both in person and online. 
• We will hold one service at 11:15 with increased safety measures in place. 
• Bishop Marcus Matthews is our guest preacher for this Human Relations and MLK Sunday. 

Dec. 26, 2021 – Jan. 18, 2022:

• The building will be open to the public at hours TBD on Wednesday and Friday (excepting any normal holiday closures) to accommodate key missions and ongoing operations.
• For the week of Dec. 26–31, the building will be under repair and unavailable to the general public. Modified building hours will be posted the week of January 5.

During this period of increased safety measures for the safety of all our siblings, we invite you to join us for these upcoming virtual opportunities: 

• Weekly Sunday worship services, livestreamed from the Foundry Sanctuary at 11:15 a.m. on Church Online, Facebook Live, YouTube, and YouTube with ASL Interpretation.
• Weekly Facebook Lives from Pastor Ginger (Wednesdays) and Pastor Will (Mondays) at noon
• All Things New: A Lenten Devotional Creative Workshop on January 9 at 12:45 p.m.
• Pastor's Coffee for prospective new members on Jan. 9 at 10 a.m.

Friends, as once again we make adjustments to concretely practice safety and love our neighbor, we know from experience that our connection to God and each other will sustain us. Pray, care for one another, and know that your Foundry clergy will be with you virtually, connecting on social media, and with you in prayer.

Lastly, please stay safe. Limit your exposure to crowds, wear a mask, and most importantly, get vaccinated and boosted if you’re eligible.

May God bless and protect you, our city, nation, and world. And may peace and joy abide with you this Christmas, 

Ginger E. Gaines-Cirelli, Senior Pastor