Dumbarton has a long tradition of active congregant participation in Church life, and there are many ways to get involved. Lay members typically participate in preparing the Sunday worship service liturgy, using an assortment of resources. Although there is a great deal of variety and creativity in our worship services, we do follow the basic pattern the United Methodist Book of Worship, which calls us to worship God “in spirit and in truth.”
In and beyond worship, we are committed to becoming a more anti-racist church, and regularly offer book and podcast discussion groups to sharpen our awareness of systemic racism and what we can do to change it both within and outside our church’s walls. You can join our work with Washington Interfaith Network which brings together faith and community groups to advocate for issues such as affordable housing and environmental justice for all DC residents. You can also join us in caring for our unhoused neighbors with the Georgetown Ministry Center and staffing dinners at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.
Dumbarton is nationally known for our commitment to LGBTQ justice and inclusion and we are committed to changing– the discriminatory policies of the United Methodist Church. We are active members of the Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling United Methodists (BWARM) and the international Reconciling Ministries Network.
Globally, we are active in social justice causes in Latin America and the Middle East, and support Give Ye Them to Eat Methodist missionaries in Mexico working to strengthen marginalized people’s capabilities to meet their basic needs through more just, sustainable, and integrated development. We support the Organization for Youth Empowerment, founded by two adult children of Dumbarton, to provide higher education for graduates of an orphanage in Honduras. At different times over the past four decades, we have also sent our own adults and youth on missions to rebuild, renovate, or enhance community services in El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and West Virginia.
Our small “Discovery Groups” are a great place for making connections within the Dumbarton community. These normally meet once a month on weekend evenings, usually at a member’s home but sometimes at a swimming pool in summer. Their activities vary, but often start with a potluck dinner, followed by a discussion. Expect members to share personal experiences during the month and bring up faith or life challenge issues. A prayer or reading is often part of the program.
Several Discovery Groups meet monthly in different areas of the DMV and online: Northwest D.C./Bethesda; Arlington/Alexandria; Northern Virginia West; Silver Spring/Prince George’s County/Northeast D.C. We also have a Discovery Group for Families with Children, and our Online Discovery Group is made up of folks from across the country. Contact the church office (Contact Dumbarton UMC) for the coordinator of the group in your area.
If you’re drawn to serve on one of our committees, clusters, or task forces, that would also be a rewarding way to connect with our community. If you want to learn more and decide how best to apply your interests and talents, please contact the church office or call 202-333-7212 and leave a message.