The Now and Forever Windows at Washington National Cathedral
The Cathedral’s Now and Forever Windows were officially installed and consecrated
on Saturday, September 23rd, 2023. They can be viewed, in person, any weekday.
The windows were commissioned to replace the shameful windows honoring
Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. Those windows were ultimately removed in 2017, in response to tireless pressure from The Revs. Robert Hunter and Vince Harris, and ongoing lobbying from the Union of Black Episcopalians in this Diocese.
The windows were designed by noted Black artist Kerry James Marshall and are
intended to capture the resilience, faith and endurance of African Americans and
our nation’s struggle with the original sins of racism and slavery.
The following poem “American Song, was written by Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, and will be inscribed in stone beneath the windows:
Imperfect in struggle, contested more than one voice at a time. Onward, multi- American song, American psalm
A single voice raised, then another. We must tell the truth about our history.
How did we get her and where do we go?
Walk toward freedom. Work toward freedom. Believe in beloved community.
We are not yet close enough to heaven.
Aspire to song. Aspire to the lift of voices raised to make a mighty noise.
What are the luminous words.
Courage, evolve, freedom, community, truth, trust, love, peace, yes, why, agape.
American song, American prayer.
All of our voices combined into song. Sing sacred words, true and just.
May this portal be where the light comes in.
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