NATIONAL CATHEDRAL IN WASHINGTON D.C.-NATIONAL FUNERAL SERVICES FOR PRESIDENT FORD ON JANUARY 2, 2007

Mystery Worshipper: M. Luther.The church: Washington National Cathedral (Cathedral Church of St Peter & St Paul), USA.Denomination: Episcopal Church in the USA.The building: Washington Cathedral is probably the last pure gothic, stone-on-stone construction in the world. It is the seat of the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and that of the Bishop of Washington. The building has many unusual features, not least of which is a stained glass window with a Moon rock in it. Many of the carved stone details show people and events in American history, including a stone boss which depicts the ride of Paul Revere. Various bishops and one president (Wilson) are buried in the cathedral, as well as Helen Keller.The neighbourhood: The cathedral is surrounded by large grounds, which include a contempletive garden. The larger neighborhood is residential, apparently middle to upper-middle class. The residence of the Vice President of the United States is just down the street.The cast: Quite a parade: Rev Canon Frank M. Harron, II, Celebrant; Rev Canon Barbara T. Duncan, Gospeller; Rev Canon Erica B. Wood, Assistant; Rev Canon Patricia M. Thomas, Preacher.

COMMENTS BY BEEBEE:

The funeral of our 38th President, Gerald Ford, is historic and has so many meanings to me and many other patriotic Christians in the United States. When news that President Ford had passed first hit the air waves, the liberal press was quick to point out that this was our first unelectied President that had just passed away, as if somehow that should make all of us go about our business as usual without paying respects to this wonderful man.

There is no more beautiful a church that I have seen than the National Cathedral, and my viewings have been from television only. This historcic Episcopalian Church is most certainly on my list of a place that I want to visit oneday. When listening to the service today, I cried when I heard the eulogies and thanked the Lord that Jesus was not left out of this service. Yes, Jesus Christ is important to our history, and the leaders that our nation has had that came from what is called the greatest generation embrace the truth that all of our nation's blessings are from the Lord Jesus Christ. It was most special today that President Bush escorted Betty Ford into the services, and put to rest the hateful remarks that the media had made concerning Bob Woodward's interview of President Ford with remarks from Ford that criticized the war in Iraq. Clearly, the Ford family has much respect for President Bush, and showed the world that there exist a common bond between the Ford family and the Bush family.

Another defining moment will take place tomorrow when former President Carter will deliver a eulogy at the service in Michigan, as will Donald Rumsfield. With all of the hateful remarks toward both of these fine servants of our government, it is important for the world to see that there is peace among these political figures. President Carter has taken so much public criticism over his controversial book, "Palestine Peace Not Apartheid" released late in 2006, and what a healing moment for such a religious man who held the highest office in the United States, regarded by many to be much too liberal of a President to give a eulogy at a conservatives funeral (Carter will give the eulogy in Michigan on January, 3, 2007). God bless the Christians that can come together and attempt to heal our nation in these trying times. How fitting that this take place, as a rememberance of President Ford who brought us all together in 1974 after the wounds of the Vietnam War and Watergate. I pray that my son, Mark, now sees the importance of the larger than life man who held the Presidency when we needed someone like President Ford. Mark was not born until 1979, and took the lead from the media and did not understand why we should honor President Ford. I did not understand partisan politics when I was nineteen, and with many years added to my wisdom, I give thanks to the Lord for having the opportunity to see this spiritual moment taking place in the United States. God bless the USA. The following scriptures were read at the National Cathedral on January 2, 2007, and are the words of the most wise King Solomon:

Ecclesiastes 3
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.