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Welcome
to the website of the Downtown Cluster of
Congregations. The Downtown Cluster is a non-profit, ecumenical association
founded in 1972 for the purpose of cooperatively meeting pressing human service needs in
the District of Columbia.
The Downtown Cluster of Congregation's founded a community loan fund, Washington Area
Community Investment Fund (Wacif). We are currently the largest single investor. Click Here for more
information about Wacif.
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Combined Federal Campaign Number: 45938
If you are a federal employee, postal worker or member of the U.S.
military, please remember to give to us through your Combined Federal Campaign.
The Downtown Cluster of Congregation's efforts have increased ecumenical cooperation in
the city and built bridges between community groups. It will continue to provide a
religious witness in the nation's capital on issues of human needs as well as city-wide
revitalization.
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RECENT NEWS
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| For Immediate Release
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Contact: Terry Lynch 202-934-3934 |
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Ray Kemp, long time Pastor of St. Augustine's Church, and "FrankoJazz" Frank Agbro endorse Terry Lynch for Ward 1 City Council
Adding to the community leaders endorsing Lynch such as Pixie of Miss Pixie's, Alex Kramer owner of Dos Gringos, and ADMO leader Pat Patrick, new endorsements have come from Fr. Ray Kemp and Frank Agbro.
"Terry Lynch is a power for good for all of us in DC. It's who he is", says Fr. Ray Kemp, former School Board member and long time former pastor of St. Augustine's Catholic Church at 15th and V Streets NW in Ward 1.
"Terry loves our city and for many years he's worked hard to improve city services and quality of life across the city", says Frank Agbro, leader of weekly outdoor music events in Mt. Pleasant since the start of Covid and a former ANC Commissioner in Mt. Pleasant.
"I really can't say enough about what Fr. Ray and Frank have done for our community here in Ward 1", says Lynch. "St. Augustine Parish is a treasure for all owing in great part to Fr. Kemp's leadership there. Frank brings joy to so many week in and week out with his music efforts across the Ward. I will do all I can to build on what they have brought to us."
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Paid for by Terry Lynch for D.C., 1737 Kenyon St. NW Apt. B, Washington, D.C. 20010, Felicia Meier, Treasurer. A copy of our reports is filed with the Director of Campaign Finance of the District of Columbia Board of Elections.
5/10/2026
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| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Terry Lynch 202-934-3934 |
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President Trump's Words and Actions Must be Condemned
The Dowtown Cluster of Congregations Supports Pope Leo in His Efforts for
Peace and Justice
"God's heart is torn apart by wars, violence, injustice and lies" are words
we need to hear and heed", says Terry lynch, Executive Director of the
Downtown Cluster of Congregations. It is truly tragic that President Trump and
Vice President Vance should seek to reprimand and lecture Pope Leo on his
efforts and words in support of peace and justice for the world.
In many ways criticisms of the Pope during these times lends all the more
credence and urgency to his words and efforts. The Downtown Cluster of
Congregations is so grateful to the Pope for his leadership and ministry for
peace and justice.
4/15/2026
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| For Immediate Release
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Contact: Terry Lynch 202-934-3934 |
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President Trump's Words and Actions Must be Condemned
"President Trump's embrace of violence - as demonstrated once again by
actions in Iran and in his own words that "a whole civilization will die
tonight, never to be brought back again", must be condemned in the strongest
terms possible", says Terry Lynch, Executive Director. As said by Pope Leo in
his Easter message, "Let those who have weapons lay them down: Let those who
have the power to unleash wars choose Peace".
The US and its allies are already striking stores, bridges and railways
according to published reports. "The targeting of power plants and other
civilian infrastructure is tragically wrong, and will result in the loss of
innocent lives", says Lynch. "We have seen this past year here in America
itself actions by federal authorities resulting in the tragic deaths of
immigrants, people of color, and those exercising their rights to protest and
protect others. To further invoke that the current war in Iran is supported by
God is a sign not of strength but of desperation", says Lynch. "We pray for
peace".
4/8/2026
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- Donald Trump wants to celebrate America's 250th birthday with an
IndyCar race around the National Mall. Here's what we know so
far.
Washingtonian 3/12/2026
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The Downtown Cluster of Congregations Condemns Racist Video Issued by
President Trump's Truth Social Account
President Trump Has Crossed All Lines with his Racist Video Clip of Former
President Barack Obama and His Wife
"There are not strong enough words to condemn the racist and hateful act of the
President's video clip. There are no words that can atone for it," says Terry lynch,
Executive Director of the Downtown Cluster of Congregations.
"The Downtown Cluster of Congregations cannot condemn strongly enough his action
which goes against all that this agency and its member congregations have worked for
and continue to seek to achieve for our city and nation. His action and the White
House's defense of it is a national tragedy.", he says.
2/6/2026
- Some DMV neighborhoods trapped in snow days after winter
storm
WJLA 1/28/2026
- Deadly DC crash highlights ongoing pedestrian safety
concerns
WJLA 1/8/2026
- DC-Area Churches Walk with Congregants Hit by the Shutdown as
Financial Uncertainty Hits Home
The Christian Broadcasting Network
10/25/2025
- The District: The comprehensive DC politics
roundup
District Links 8/25/2025
- Where crime persists in Washington, residents don’t see federal
troops as the answer
The Christian Science Monitor 8/22/2025
- DC Mayor Bowser questions why some federal agents are
masked
WJLA 8/22/2025
- D.C. police chief retains position, but perhaps not as much
power
The Washington Post 8/16/2025
- Dozens of darkened streetlights in downtown DC prompt urgent calls
for repairs
wtop 3/27/2025
- Non-functioning street lights raising concerns throughout downtown
DC
WJLA 3/25/2025
- jonetta rose barras: Willie Sutton, U.S. House Republicans, and
some flip-flopping Democrats
The DC Line 3/14/2025
- NPS lacks funds to repair Meridian Hill Park
fountain
NBC4 Washington 3/7/2025
- The Downtown Cluster of Congregations Executive Director Terry Lynch is celebrated
on his 40 years of service by Mayor Muriel Bowser.
2/28/2025
- As part of the Clean Green and Safe Initiative staff has signs repaired citywide to
make it safer for all. This upside down sign at the busy corner of 17th St and DeSales
St NW behind the Mayflower Hotel was reported using 311 and was fixed a week
later.
 
2/28/2025
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Terry Lynch, executive director of the Downtown Cluster of Congregations, said he's
hearing from an array of Washingtonians, including church employees and congregants,
who are facing rapid change in a city where the federal government is so dominant that
he calls it "a cornerstone of the economy and of people's employment here in D.C."
Lynch said they are trying to respond to personal questions about their ability to
make rent and mortgage payments while also determining how to help others.
"People are afraid. People's lives are being disrupted", he said. "They've been
thrown into consternation by the dramatic number of changes that are coming at them
very fast."
Religious News Service 2/13/2025
- Faith community offers solace and aid to federal employees hit by
job cuts
WJLA 2/20/2025
- Black D.C. church vandalized by Proud Boys awarded control of
group's name
Washington Post 2/4/2025
- Clemency for Oath Keepers, Proud Boys fuels extremism threat,
experts say
Washington Post 1/21/2025
- DC church leaders demand action to fix bike lane barrier blocking
accessible entrance
NBC4 Washington 6/17/2024
- Downtown DC grapples with widespread streetlight outages amid
rising crime concerns
ABC7 News 6/3/2024
- St. Patrick's Day mass shooting in NW DC sparks scrutiny of unlit
streetlights
WJLA 10/20/2024
- Surging crime leads Columbia Heights Safeway to boost security and
install gates
WJLA 2/5/2024
- Jack Evans is back on D.C. stage four years after scandal forced
him to quit
Washington Post 1/29/2024
- A funding dispute could cost D.C. 65 new units of affordable
housing
Washington Post 9/27/2023
- DC resident raises red flags about violent crimes in areas with
burned out streetlights
WJLA 8/24/2023
- To help deter crime, a DC nonprofit wants to keep the lights
on
wtop 8/15/2023
- Street, School and Park Lights Out in Adams Morgan
Washington Informer 8/9/2023
- SEE IT: Bowser holds Public Safety Summit to address violent crime
in DC
WJLA 5/10/2023
- DC Addresses Broken Street Lights in High-Crime
Areas
NBC4 Washington 3/25/2023
- Walmart Store Closure in Downtown D.C. Generates
Concern
Washington Informer 3/8/2023
- We Want Them Fixed': Group Calls Attention to Streetlight Outages
in Northwest DC
NBC4 Washington 3/7/2023
- Group Calls on DC to Fix Dozens of Streetlight
Outages
NBC4 Washington 3/6/2023
- D.C. Churches Challenged But Not Giving Up, Working for Affordable
Housing
The Washington Informer 1/25/2023
- DC looks to hire more officers to
address rise in illegally parked cars
ABC7 News 1/23/2023
- As election nears, D.C. s mayor looks ahead to an expected 3rd
term
Washington Post 10/30/2022
- D.C. AG reaches $10 million settlement with firms in housing
discrimination suit
NPR 10/21/2022
- DC real estate companies to pay $10M in 'historic' housing
discrimination settlement
WJLA 10/20/2022
- D.C. wins historic $10 million in housing voucher discrimination
case
Washington Post 10/20/2022
- Former DC Deputy Mayor Chris Geldart assault charge court hearing
set for Dec. 8
WJLA 10/17/2022
- 'It was bullying.' Gym trainer speaks out on confrontation with DC
Deputy Mayor Geldart
WJLA 10/6/2022
- A survey was meant to help the homeless. Some say it hurts Black
people.
Washington Post 5/18/2022
- Residents seek answers after 25+ cars hit in tire slashing spree
in Northwest DC
WJLA 8/3/2022
- DC Wawa store closed, residents suspect ongoing shoplifting,
violence as reason
WJLA 6/7/2022
- A survey was meant to help the homeless. Some say it hurts Black
people.
Washington Post 5/18/2022
- The annual Blue Mass honoring fallen law enforcement
officers
Heather Graf @Heather7News. 5/3/2022
- Fallen officers, first responders honored at St. Patrick's 'Blue
Mass' on Tuesday
WJLA 5/2/2022
- Corporate naming raises concerns in D.C.
Axios
Washington D.C. 2/3/2022
- The first Christmas as a layperson: Burned out by the pandemic,
many clergy quit in the past year
Washington Post 12/24/2021
- Some Religious Holiday Services Change With Rising COVID-19
Infections
NBC4 Washington 12/24/2021
- As Bowser launches reelection bid, her high-profile appointee is
under fire
Washington Post 11/8/2021
- 'We are prepared': Police hope for calm but plan for violence at
Justice for J6 rally
Fox Baltimore 9/17/2021
- Ahead of right-wing rally, Washington DC churches ask for extra
police protection
Washington Post 9/17/2021
- 'We are prepared': Police hope for calm but plan for violence at
Justice for J6 rally
WJLA 9/17/2021
- Some DC Neighbors Concerned About Justice for J6 Rally
NBC4 Washington 9/17/2021
- 'An all-hands-on-deck situation' | DC church group calls for
special precautions ahead of Justice for J6 protest
WUSA9 9/10/2021
- Proud Boys leader Henry Enrique Tarrio sentenced to five months in
jail
Washington Post 8/23/2021
- Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio pleads guilty in burning of Black
Lives Matter banner in D.C.
Washington Post 7/19/2021
- Four historic African American churches receive preservation
grant
Religion News Service 7/15/2021
- D.C. motorcade celebrates role of Black fathers on Fathers
Day
Washington Post 6/20/2021
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| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Terry Lynch 202-934-3934
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"The President's actions cannot hide or sweep away what occurred on Jan.
6th ... nor of the events leading up to it", says Terry Lynch, Executive
Director. Prior to the 6th members of the Proud Boys and others wreaked violence
and havoc at churches in downtown Washington at two "Stop the Steal"
Events, precursors to the tragic events of the 6th. The leader of the Proud Boys
was convicted of stealing and burning the Black Lives Matter sign of the
historic African American Asbury United Methodist Church. "Their actions
both at events on and before January 6th were meant to not just intimidate but
to spread fear ... If not even overturn the results of the election. Lives were
tragically lost and irreparably damaged by these events. The President's pardons
and commutations - including those convicted of violence - cannot erase the
damage nor the lasting impacts caused by those who were guilty of crimes that
day. We so strongly disagree with his sweeping actions, and we do not
forget", says Mr. lynch. "The President's actions have denied justice
to the many victims of the events of that day and especially for the some 150
Capitol and DC Police who were injured and those that died."
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- Full House scheduled to vote Thursday on D.C.
statehood
Washington Post 4/16/2021
- From the filibuster to DC statehood, clergy rally around a growing
voting rights agenda
RNS 4/16/2021
- 'Congregations see it as a necessity' | DMV places of worship,
faith groups can apply for federal grants for security
WUSA9
4/8/2021
- With vaccinations rising, religious groups see hope on horizon as
major holidays approach
Washington Post 3/24/2021
- Fencing Around St. John's Episcopal Church Removed
NBC4
Washington 3/1/2021
- 'It is a new day' | Fencing removed from around historic St.
John's Church after 8 months
WUSA9 3/1/2021
- Fencing around St. John s has been taken down.
Popville
3/1/2021
- Fencing Comes Down At St. John s Church, Lafayette Park, After
Nearly Nine Months
DCist 3/1/2021
- 'We believe in the science': DC officials tap pastors to overcome
racial divide on vaccine
WJLA 2/21/2021
- Biden attends mass at St. Matthew the Apostle ahead of
inauguration
WUSA9 1/5/2021
- 'They've asked for increased police coverage' | President Trump
rallies bring concerns for DC churches
WUSA9 1/5/2021
- National Guard to assist DC police at pro-Trump demonstrations,
businesses board up again
WJLA 1/5/2021
- D.C. houses of worship beef up security as Trump defenders descend
on D.C.
The Washington Post 1/4/2021
- Churches Call For Extra Security Ahead of Protests After BLM Signs
Destroyed
NBC4 Washington 1/1/2021
- Out with the old, in with the few: The pandemic has changed New
Year's Eve
The Washington Post 12/31/2020
- Trump has helped keep the flames of hatred alive. It s up to us to
make sure the flames go out.
The Washington Post 12/14/2020
- Opinions | The vandalism of D.C.'s Black churches is sickening. It
must be prosecuted.
The Washington Post 12/14/2020
- Historic D.C. Black churches attacked during pro-Trump rallies
Saturday
The Washington Post 12/13/2020
- Chinatown Friendship Arch restoration is
complete
WDVM/WDCW 11/19/2020
- D.C.'s iconic Chinatown Friendship Arch has been
restored
WJLA 11/18/2020
- Controversy over plan to replace, remove
trees
ABC7 News 8/13/2020
- Activist group to National Park Service: don't remove healthy,
mature 100+ year old trees
WJLA 8/13/2020
- The Downtown Cluster of Congregations celebrates the exemplary life of Congressman
John Lewis. "More than a Congressman, he was a prophet for America",
says Terry Lynch, Executive Director. "His life's work is not just a history
lesson on making America a more just and equitable place, but a roadmap we must
follow going forward. Godspeed Brother John."
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Statement by Rev. Rob Fisher of St. John's Church, Lafayette
Square
We at St. John's Church were shocked at the surprise visit from the President this
evening and even more appalled at the violent clearing of Lafayette Square to make
the visit possible. St. John's is a community that welcomes all-from powerful
presidents to the homeless-to worship God. We fully espouse the words of our
Baptismal Covenant, which says, in part, that we "will strive for justice and peace
among all people and respect the dignity of every human being."
Living that covenant, we stand with those peacefully protesting the tragic and
unnecessary death of George Floyd, and the far too many who came before him.
We pray that our nation finally confronts its history of racism and, as a result,
can fully embrace the peace of God that passes all understanding.
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Daily-Reflection--A-Statement-from-St--John-s.html?soid=1103211030371&aid=5dYRY4D6K-g
In faith,
Rob
- Mayor Bowser s budget is an example of pragmatic
politics
The DC Line 5/21/2020
- Coronavirus inspires new look in retail: Boarded-up
storefronts
Washington Post 3/30/2020
- Homeless Man Woke Up on Fire in Mt. Pleasant; Arson Investigation
Underway
NBC4 Washington 3/4/2020
- Advocacy group hopes to turn vacant properties in DC into
affordable housing
WJLA 2/26/2020
- 'This has got to be a wake-up call': Community reacts to fatal
shooting near Gallery Place
WJLA 2/14/2020
- Churches Moving Out to Make Way for
Condos
ABC7 News 12/11/2019
- I m heartbroken : Congregants prepare to vacate historic church
once attended by Teddy Roosevelt
Washington Post 12/8/2019
- DC to remove graffiti, replace signs; complaint sent listing over
300 affected locations
WJLA 12/6/2019
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The Downtown Cluster of Congregations joins Baltimore, Maryland, and the country in
mourning the passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings.
"Death will not diminish his greatness", says Terry Lynch, Executive Director.
"Indeed, it will surely inspire others to do more, as Rep. Cummings would have
wanted. God Speed Elijah", he said.
- The
District's Office of Unified Communications is a
Trailblazer
8/1/2019
- Press
Statement: Executive Director Calls on President to Act In Response To His Tweets
Slamming Baltimore and Rep. Elijah Cummings
8/1/2019
- UDC criticized for inviting Josh Lopez, tarnished by anti-Semitism
scandal, to speak
Washington Post 2/20/2019
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AT THE DOWNTOWN CLUSTER
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