The Place That Inspires
The Very Rev. Jan Naylor Copy, Provost
Recently, I had the privilege of officiating at the funeral of someone who found us during COVID. He and his wife had never set foot in the Cathedral, but it was so central to his spiritual grounding that his wife knew this was the place for his funeral. Often, we don’t know how deeply, profoundly and broadly the ministry that emanates from this place has the capacity to touch and transform people.
That’s at the heart of our story-gathering project, as we ask friends of the Cathedral all over the country, “What’s your Cathedral Story?” We’re preserving an oral history of the Cathedral, big stories and little stories of what this place means to people—whether they come for worship, history, art, music, a desire to experience the sacred or any of the many other reasons people turn to us. We’re lifting up stories that have gone unheard, in hopes of inspiring others.
I hope you’ll take a moment to read these stories of those who’ve found a home and a place of belonging at Washington National Cathedral. Is your story like theirs?
“Our son and daughter-in-law live here. The first week of the pandemic, they said, ‘Why don’t we livestream together?’ So we were actually in the pews with our kids each week during the pandemic. I’m giving God all the glory for that. And then, a little over a year ago, we decided to move here, and we just fell right into becoming members in person. We have been ministered to by the clergy, and the congregation has been so warm and welcoming that we have just felt like we seamlessly transitioned into this house of God.”
—T.F.
“I came here in Easter 2018, because it honestly was a bucket list thing. My best friend and I came, and we sat in the North Tower balcony. Randy came out and said, ‘All are welcome.’ And he meant it. Living in Virginia, the Cathedral was always a beacon on the hill. I was almost intimidated by it because it’s so beautiful. I thought maybe it was a place for others. But when I came and felt that welcome, it’s not a building; it’s the people in the building that truly make it a home. For those who are intimidated, who think you have to be religious, be a Christian, have a connection with God before you walk in the door, you’re wrong. This is where you can find that. This is where all are welcome, no matter where you are in your faith, if you just have questions or just want to find a home where people truly accept you, this is it. It’s here.”
—H. S.