Follow the links below for answers to your questions.
How can I attend?
Will there be transportation?
What time should I arrive?
Will there be handicap seating?
Will there be signing for the hearing impaired?
How can I participate?
What is “appropriate worship attire”?
Is there a special role for youth?
How long is the service?
Will there be a reception afterwards?
What if I can’t attend?
Attendance passes will be issued, and there will be seating only for those with passes. Attendance lists for both clergy and laity will be developed by each church, and passes will be issued to and distributed by the churches. Contact your rector/vicar or parish administrator to have your name added to your church’s list. See the diocesan Web site, www.ang-md.org, for more information about passes. Specific questions can be directed to bishoppasses@aol.com or 301-439-5418.
If you go, download this handy one-page guide in Adobe PDF format.
The Diocese of Maryland is not providing buses. If groups of parishes wish to hire buses, they need to be aware that bus parking at the Washington National Cathedral is by reservation only, and there is a limit on the number of buses that can be accommodated. Information about routes, parking, and access by Metro (subway) can be found on the Washington National Cathedral website www.cathedral.org.
Need more travel information? Follow this link to download travel information in Adobe PDF format.
The 11 a.m. start time is the time the actual liturgy will begin. The Prelude will begin at 10 a.m. and the procession will begin at 11 a.m. Participants in the procession and in the liturgy will be given specific instructions about arrival time; those who will sit in the congregation should plan to be seated before 10:30.
There will be seating for those in wheelchairs or with mobility impairment. That area will have separate passes. When you submit your name, be sure to specify “impaired mobility.”
There will be signing, also in an area with separate passes. When you submit your name, specify “hearing impaired.”
Individual clergy and lay members of the Diocese of Maryland will have significant roles in the Consecration. These include the following:
Banner Bearers
Every parish and other official entity within the diocese can have its banner in the procession. Banner bearers will not vest, but will be expected to dress in appropriate worship attire. Banner bearers must arrive at the cathedral by 9 a.m. Saturday for instructions and to be lined up. Parishes need to submit the Banner form in order to be included in the procession. Each Banner Bearer needs a General Admission pass to enter.Choir
Every parish will have a sign-up sheet for participation in the Festival Choir. Members of the Festival Choir will vest in the robes of the choir of their home church. Attendance at multiple choir rehearsals is mandatory. Please follow this link for details.Vergers
The Consecration Liturgy and Music Subcommittee will invite several vergers to participate. Vergers will vest in the robes they wear in their home parish. Attendance at the Friday 2:30-3:30 p.m. rehearsal at the Washington National Cathedral is mandatory. Those interested in serving as vergers should send an e-mail to that effect to consecration@ang-md.org.Eucharistic Ministers
There will be multiple communion stations, each including both clergy and laity as Eucharistic Ministers. Those interested in these roles can submit their names through their rectors/vicars or indicate their interest at consecration@ang-md.org; the Consecration Liturgy and Music Subcommittee will make the final choice. Clergy will vest in cassock and surplice and red stole; lay Eucharistic Ministers will wear appropriate worship attire. Attendance at the Friday 2:30-3:30 p.m. rehearsal at the Washington National Cathedral is mandatory for all Eucharistic Ministers, regardless of their order.Ushers and Youth Greeters
We will need volunteers (both adults and youth) to greet, give directions, assist in the vesting/staging areas, “shadow” the Cathedral ushers, etc. Those interested in ushering can submit their names through their rectors/vicars or at consecration@ang-md.org. Youth Greeter volunteers contact Sherry McCall-Ross at sross2@msde.state.md.us to sign up. All volunteers will wear appropriate worship attire. Ushers and Youth Greeters need to be at the Cathedral by 8:20 a.m. on June 28 for instructions.
“Worship attire” is a clean, unwrinkled short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirt or blouse; clean, unwrinkled slacks (not jeans) or skirt; and closed shoes or “dress” sandals. Jackets and neckties are optional. For clergy in process, the appropriate worship attire is cassock, surplice and red stole.
Inappropriate dress includes tubes, tank tops, t-shirts with writing on them, cutoffs or any kind of shorts, bare midriffs, skirts that end more than 6 inches above the kneecap, flip-flops, torn or dirty clothing or shoes.
We hope that youth will submit their names as Eucharistic Ministers and as Youth Greeters. In addition, of course, many parishes may choose a youth to be banner bearer. (Note: Washington National Cathedral supplies all crucifers/torchbearers/acolytes.)
The musical prelude begins at 10 a.m. The Consecration Liturgy which includes Holy Eucharist will take approximately two hours. The reception will begin immediately after the conclusion of the liturgy, at approximately 1 p.m.
Everyone is invited to stay for a light reception (lemonade and sweets) after the consecration. Detailed information regarding the location of the reception will be provided in the Consecration Bulletin.
Download a list of hotels and restaurants.
The Consecration service will be Webcast live by the Washington National Cathedral. The web stream will be accessible via a link on the Diocesan homepage (www.ang-md.org) or on the National Cathedral’s website (www.cathedral.org).