Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington does not proselytize and there are no religious requirements to take advantage of our services. But we take great pride in the fact that we are deeply rooted in the faith of the Church and that our name and work is inspired by Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. As millions of Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Easter this Sunday, we look back on the beginning of our Lenten journey this year.   

One of the benefits of having an Executive Director who is also an ordained Episcopal priest is “Ashes-to-Go.”  Each year, David (and on other years, volunteer clergy on staff such as the Rev. Vincent Harris, FOC in the Anacostia office) offers ashes on Ash Wednesday in the NW DC office to anyone who would like to receive them – participants, volunteers, staff… anyone!  This year, one such person was NW office FOC Bill Kenety. Bill is a member of Partner Church St. John’s, Norwood – Chevy Chase. As Bill tells it, when he showed up on Zoom for church on Ash Wednesday evening, his priest, the Rev. Sari Ateek asked him where he got the ashes since the church couldn’t offer them in a virtual setting. Bill proudly proclaimed that he had received them from David at Samaritan Ministry. Now that’s what we call witnessing to one’s faith, in the Church!