Few issues can be as contentious as schedules. That's what Washington mayor Anthony A. Williams found out when the D.C. Marathon was scheduled for March 24—Palm Sunday. The closing of major streets was a prospective nightmare for congregations, which see attendance explode during Holy Week.
After an ecumenical service was quickly laughed off as "ludicrous," reports The Washington Post, the mayor worked with each of the affected congregations to find solutions.
By Palm Sunday, only about 19 churches were directly affected. More area churches will benefit from the fallout, however—from now on, a pastor will be present at Cabinet-level meetings.
Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
Related Elsewhere
News coverage of the Palm Sunday Marathon includes:
For Churches, D.C. Race an Unholy Mess — The Washington Post (March 25, 2002)
Churches run into traffic jam — The Washington Times (March 25, 2002)
Running a Marathon Is Hard — The Washington Post (March 20, 2002)
Clergy Remain Fretful Over Race — The Washington Post (March 17, 2002)
D.C. Clergy Decry Date Of Marathon — The Washington Post (Dec. 4, 2002)
Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.
Our digital archives are a work in progress. Let us know if corrections need to be made.
Annual & Monthly subscriptions available.
- Print & Digital Issues of CT magazine
- Complete access to every article on ChristianityToday.com
- Unlimited access to 65+ years of CT’s online archives
- Member-only special issues
- Learn more
More from this Issue
Read These Next
- TrendingAmerican Christians Should Stand with Israel under AttackWhile we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
- From the MagazineI Wanted a Bigger God Than My Hindu Guru OfferedAs my doubts about his teachings grew, so did a secret fascination with Jesus.
- Editor's PickAfter Schism, United Methodists Vote to Restructure DenominationThe plan would organize UMC churches in four global regions, with each given more leeway around same-sex marriage and other theological issues.