Wednesday, December 17, 2003

what's so special about dumbarton?

People. People who are smart, interested in the world, who come from all over, who are probably mostly to the left of Lenin, from mostly Methodist backgrounds, who struggle daily with issues of justice, homelessness, immigration, child labor in Asia, the Middle East, just to list a few.

Years ago, they pulled up the pews that were all facing the front of the big squared sanctuary, and put them in an arcing semi-circle.

Services are based on liturgies prepared by the laity and the pastor, and reflect themes, journeys and stories of the community.

Communion is every other week. Joys and concerns allow folk to share the sorrows and joys of their lives, from aging parent's health to issues of peace and justice. Sometimes this allows for preaching from the floor. Often it gives the feeling of folk who are sharing their ups and downs with each other.

The space is painted a soft yellow or cream, and is very simply adorned. Long ago, the altar was moved, a simple table placed on the floor at the top of the semi-circle.

The acoustics in the room are most kind for music, causing one critic for the Washington Post to describe as one of the most perfect spaces for music on the American east coast. A concert series that spun off of the church years ago conducts chamber concerts there throughout the year.

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