Old North Lantern Service

The Old North Church Congregation is pleased to offer a traditional Lantern Service in honor of the “two if by sea” lantern signal from the church’s steeple on the eve of the American Revolution and in celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Our keynote speaker will be: Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington.

Organized by Old North’s clergy and congregation, the ceremony is inspired by the service held at the start of America’s Bicentennial celebrations in 1975 with Pres. Gerald Ford and recalls the lights of liberty that shone from Old North’s steeple on April 18, 1775, while reflecting on the meaning of faith, freedom, and American democracy today. Inspirational music, Paul Revere’s own recollection of his historic ride and Old North’s signal lights, Bishop Budde’s address, and prayers for our nation will lead us into America’s Semiquincentennial. As always, the service will culminate with the lighting of the church’s historic lanterns.

Admission Information to be Announced Soon.

About Bishop Budde

The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde serves as spiritual leader for the congregations and Episcopal schools in the District of Columbia and four Maryland counties that comprise the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. The first woman elected to this position, Bishop Budde also serves as the chair of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, which stewards the ministries of the Washington National Cathedral and Cathedral schools.

A passionate believer in the gospel of Jesus and the Episcopal Church’s particular witness, Bishop Budde is committed to the spiritual and numerical growth of congregations and developing new expressions of Christian community. She believes that Jesus calls all who follow him to strive for justice and peace, and to respect the dignity of every human being. She is proud to serve a diocese committed to spiritual maturity, mercy, and justice. She cherishes her friendship with interfaith leaders in the Washington Metro Area and their joint endeavors in service to the common good.

Bishop Budde was consecrated as the ninth bishop of Washington in November 2011. Prior to her election, she served for 18 years as rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Minneapolis. She earned a B.A. in history at the University of Rochester, graduating magna cum laude. She earned both a Masters in Divinity (1989) and Doctor of Ministry (2008) from Virginia Theological Seminary.

Bishop Budde is a much sought after speaker. Her sermons have been published in several books and journals. She is author of Gathering Up the Fragments: Preaching as Spiritual Practice (2009); Receiving Jesus: The Way of Love (2019); and How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith (2023), which has been adapted into a young adult book, We Can Be Brave: How We Learn to Be Brave in Life’s Decisive Moments (2025), and a picture book for young children, I Can Learn to Be Brave (to be released in July 2026).