On Sundays, the Washington National Cathedral is free to visit. Even parking in their garage is free! So I wanted us to go around 12:45, when services are over. Then Vitaliy said, Why don’t we just go to a service? So I looked up the times, and we decided to go to the 11:15 service.
I’m embarrassed to say that I never knew America had such gorgeous places. I thought they were all in Europe!
The WNC is beyond gorgeous. We weren’t allowed to take pictures during the service, so these are afterwards
The service was very full of Scripture readings, prayer, responsive things, The Nicene Creed. In the sermon, which was really well-written and well-executed, the enemy of your soul was your own sense of shame. So that’s what you needed to be saved from, not your sin.
The service was extremely inviting, well-organized, welcoming of visitors and first-time guests. We all had booklets given to us that told us very clearly when to stand, sit, speak responsively, recite aloud, etc.
I was especially struck by being in the capitol city of my country, and hearing preached that we need to be forgiving and peacemaking…. Not sure how many countries have those ideals.
That experience on Sunday, then our Monday were my favorite two days of the trip.
Monday we walked around the gorgeous Library of Congress. Vitaliy was inspired by the replica of Thomas Jefferson’s library.
Then we went on a tour of the Capitol building
The Botanic Garden was wonderful, too
In the evening, we walked around the monuments, war memorials, reflection pool:
Glorious days.