Many of us are in need of healing and strength today.  

Research tells us that being in nature and surrounding ourselves with beauty have real healing effects. Washington National Cathedral is a place of great and inspiring beauty and of nature. I’ve seen many people find peace through the physical Cathedral building and grounds. 

Still, my favorite healing aspect of the Cathedral is living in community. We know that isolation isn’t good for the human soul. The Cathedral community offers opportunities to re-anchor ourselves in our relationships to God and each other. As we gather in person or online, we replenish our souls and gain strength to continue walking the way of justice and peace. I love hearing how the Cathedral creates community for our congregants, and I hope you’ll enjoy these Cathedral Stories, too! 

“I think I was 10 years old when I first came to the Cathedral. Back then it was kind of a museum, but now it’s a living home. I’m here every week, sitting in a nest of friends. It’s wonderful. When I can’t be here, I watch every video I can find about the Cathedral. In the videos, I love to watch the way people’s faces kind of bloom because they’re here.” —S.C. 

“I live outside the Beltway, so it’s probably a 45-minute drive on Sundays to get here, but it’s worth it. I probably pass 25 Episcopal churches on the way. I’m a retired church musician, and as such, I didn’t really get a chance to worship while I was busy figuring out what the next page of music was going to be. So coming here, I really can worship. The Cathedral does everything so beautifully, so there’s no distraction by my critical mind. And I greatly value the diversity of the congregation, the diversity of the staff; it just amazes me. There are lots of young people and families. When I can’t be here, I stay in touch on YouTube. I’m an early riser and I watch Morning Prayer every day, first thing, and I appreciate that.” —A.T. 

Click to read or watch Jan’s whole sermon on replenishing our souls!