Southwark Cathedral news 🗓
This week: Pray and worship at the Cathedral again, celebrate NHS Sunday with us and watch the latest in our series of messages from the Anglican communion. |
| What’s OnThe Cathedral is now open On Saturday 4 July at 10am we were able to reopen. Thanks to all the staff of the cathedral who have enabled this to happen and to all our volunteers who are helping us to make the Cathedral a place in which to say our prayers and spend our time. The Cathedral is initially open for private prayer between 10am and 3pm. A one-way route has been introduced and there are hand sanitiser stations alongside other provisions to make the church Covid-secure. You can watch a video showing you want to expect when you visit us. View the video here. In recognition of the work we have been awarded ‘Good to go’ by Visit England.  Worship will resume from Monday 6 July. From Monday to Saturday there will be Prayer during the Day at 12.30pm followed by the Eucharist at 12.45pm. Both will be celebrated in the nave. Neither of the services will be as they were before we entered the lock down. So please follow the directions given. We are keeping printed material to a minimum so you will be encouraged to download an order of service onto your device as you enter the Cathedral. You can download Prayer during the Day here and the Eucharist here. Entry at all time, for private prayer or one of the services will be via the south-west (Market) gates and exit will be via the Millennium Courtyard. We are encouraging cashless donations where that is possible and also encouraging people to use hand sanitiser on entry and exit. You don’t have to wear a mask but if it makes you feel more comfortable please do so. We will have people on duty to talk to you, or pray with you, but they will have been asked to keep a distance from you for your own safety and theirs, so please help us to observe that. Sunday worship will begin on Sunday 19 July with the Cathedral Eucharist at 11.00am and Evensong at 3.00pm. We will be moving towards the full restoration of the liturgical programme, so please look out for further notices. We will continue to maintain online worship and will be live-streaming the Cathedral Eucharist so that those unable to get to the Cathedral can continue to join us. Morning Prayer and Night Prayer will continue daily from the Deanery. Please continue to pray for our Cathedral community. A prayer as our Cathedral reopens Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. (Ps 24.7) Holy God, as we open our doors and welcome in those who will come may we recognise you among them. As we make our churches safe to enter and care for those who come may we recognise you as our strong defence. As we say our prayers and light our candles may we recognise you in the midst. As we resume our life and live our life may we recognise you as our life today, tomorrow and always. Amen.  Sunday’s Eucharist Tomorrow we are celebrating the 72nd birthday of the National Health Service. We are delighted that all those participating in the service are working in the NHS as are many other members of our congregations. Dr Lisa Clayton of the Cathedral congregation and Nurse Bukkey Omisakin of St Hugh’s congregation are reading. The Gospel is read by Dr Charlie Bell, an ordinand on placement at the Cathedral. The intercessions are led by the Revd Emmanuel Kormi who was a member of the Cathedral congregation before ordination and is now a Chaplain in the Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust. Music is provided by the Lay Clerks of the Cathedral and the Cathedral choir under the direction of Ian Keatley. Thank you all for your rainbow pictures.Faithful – An invitation to a chat and a new series of sessions Each term we are reflecting on our values as a Cathedral community which we describe as Inclusive : Faithful : Radical. This term our Cathedral theme is ‘Faith’. After each Sunday online Eucharist there is the opportunity to have a chat with the preacher. This will happen today and again next Sunday when our preacher will be the Dean, the Very Revd Andrew Nunn. Places for this Sunday are taken. If you would like to be part of the conversation next Sunday and can access Zoom on your device then email here for your invitation. Faithful God, as we know you in word and sacrament may our own faith be deepened as we grow in faithful discipleship. AmenCrossbones Graveyard  We hope that the annual visit to the Crossbones Graveyard on Redcross Way for our Service of Regret, Remembrance and Restoration (see above) will take place on Sunday 19 July at 1.00pm. Obviously this year it will be different – no singing, no crowds, keeping our distance. But we mustn’t forget our sisters and their babies buried there. Look out for more details.An Introduction to Byzantine Icon Painting 24 August – 28 August £350 for the full five days Taking place in the serene and peaceful Cathedral retrochoir which dates back to the 13th century, this course provides an introduction to all aspects of traditional Byzantine icon painting. The aim is to understand the history and meaning of icons and to gain the skills to be able to draw and paint them. During this course students will paint a close up image of Christ, based on the 13th century famous icon from Mount Athos. Students will be given a step-by-step guidance through the various disciplines of this ancient tradition. This will include: drawing from the original image or the ready made line drawing, the use of compass, the use of clay and gold leaf for gilding the halo, learning to understand the symbolism and harmonious use of colours, and painting with egg tempera and earth and semi-precious pigments. Students will also learn to understand the meaning of icons and brief history of them.Find out moreMessages from the Anglican Communion We continue to receive messages from friends around the Anglican Communion for which we are very grateful. It is so good to hear how others are facing the pandemic, in very different situations. Last week we heard from the Revd Dr Barney Pityana, former Vice-Chancellor and Principal for the University of South Africa, Rector of the Anglican College of the Transfiguration in Grahamstown, a Human Rights lawyer and Theologian. Fr Barney talks about the effect of Covid-19, #BlackLivesMatter, the South African economy and life for ordinary people in his country. This week’s ‘Message from the Anglican Communion’ is from the Ven Vickie Sims, until recently Archdeacon of Italy and Malta and a former priest in the Diocese of Southwark. Her message to us will be published on YouTube and Facebook as well as the Cathedral website on Wednesday at 5pm. Watch the video messageThe Friends Did you know that Southwark Cathedral has a dedicated and hard-working Friends group working behind the scenes to support the cathedral? In common with most charities at this time, the Friends of Southwark Cathedral has had to cancel all its fundraising events since March, but the hard work continues. When the cathedral reopens for private prayer in July you may notice that the parish door in the south choir aisle has been boarded up. It’s undergoing conservation – which includes welcome measures to stop the freezing draught – thanks to funding from the Friends. If you’ve noticed the smart new black cassocks worn by the director of music and the gentlemen and boys of the choir, they’ve been provided by the Friends. The Friends have also supported the installation of the new cathedral sound system, funded trips abroad for the girls’ choir, restored the altar-frontal chest in the south choir aisle, contributed towards a new organ-loft AV system, and much more. Most of all, the Friends are just what you’d imagine: friends. We’ve been supporting each other during these difficult times and we look forward to meeting again at social events when it’s safe. Last year we travelled together on pilgrimage to Assisi and future plans include journeys to Coventry and Dresden as we explore what it means for the cathedral to be a member of the Community of the Cross of Nails. If you would like to join the Friends, you would be most welcome. Membership starts from £25 a year. To find out more and join, please visit the website (redesign funded by the Friends). Thank you for your support. Clare Johnson Chair of the Friends  CommunityFeeding the Five ThousandCongratulations to Fr David Adamson and all the volunteers at St George the Martyr who have been running the feeding programme from there throughout the pandemic. Last Friday they delivered their 5000th meal! Our Mission Giving Thank you to all who made suggestions of who we might give our mission money to this year. The Mission Allocation Group has met and at the recent meeting of Chapter their recommendations were accepted. We will tell you more about who it is that we are supporting. We have received a message from one of our mission partners who we regularly support. Graeme and Meena Clugston lead the Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital in Nepal. This is what they have sent to us.  A new baby is born. Our friend Meena is in the mask and hat!Greetings, love and gratitude from all of us here at Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital, Nepal! We have much to thank you for (and the Good Lord for you). We actually have some marvelous BBC Choral Evensong videos from Southwark Cathedral that we listen to (often) … and from which we get inspiration and refreshment. And again many thanks for your encouragement, love, prayers, and funding support – we are truly thrilled by your help and partnership in this mission work – it gives us all a much-needed mighty “lift”. It’s high time to update you with a glimpse of the battle here – mission life, faith and work – especially as we tussle with the stresses of COVID-19-risks, Leprosy, the lockdown, and the COVID-related rumors/fear/stigma and related cruelties creeping across villages and communities. The monsoon has just started here with rain, heat and humidity, mosquitoes, flooding and landslides – from mid-June through till September. … We’ll tell you about next time. Makes life “interesting”. Reminds us all how dependent we are on God’s grace and mercy, and your prayers to the Good Lord for the work here are much appreciated too. Thank you again for all your compassionate support. May we ask – if possible please from time to time continue to lift-up in prayer the mission outreach here Lalgadh Hospital. The prayers of righteous people (ie like you – ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven) are mighty powerful and effective (thanks James 5. 16) We send you our warmest wishes and humble thanks from all the team here, with much love from Meena and me, and our prayers asking God to keep blessing you and keep you all safe too. graeme & meena Read their full newsletterSupporting the Cathedral Thank you to all who have been supporting us financially during the lockdown. However, the challenge is not over. Many members of the congregation are unable to get to the cathedral for one reason or another and other forms of income are still substantially reduced. So please continue to support us. We can do this together by the grace of God. You can donate using any of the following methods: OnlinePlease follow this link Bank transferAccount No. 18927750 Sort Code: 51-50-03 Bank name: NatWest Bank ChequeCheques can still be sent, made out to ‘Southwark Cathedral’ and addressed to the Dean at Southwark Cathedral, Montague Chambers, London Bridge, London SE1 9DA. Text Text SOUTHWARK (Amount) to 70085 to donate (one standard rate message also charged) For more information go to the Cathedral Website. For information about gifts in wills, please follow this link. You could also consider joining the Friends of Southwark Cathedral from £25 a year. The Friends would be most grateful for your support. Join here. Thank you.Became a Friend of the Borough Market The Borough Market is establising a ‘Friends’. By becoming a Friend of Borough Market, people will be making a contribution to keeping the vital functions of the Market going. Just as importantly, they will be adding to the growing sense of support and togetherness that has characterised our community’s response to the ongoing COVID crisis. As a thank you for supporting the scheme, each Friend will be sent a membership card that will allow them to swiftly enter the Market through a designated gate, making their experience of shopping even more convenient, whilst we have a queuing system in place. Membership is a way for individuals to make a donation in support of Borough Market’s charitable work. Members support the market’s work as a source of education, a space for public engagement, a voice in the wider debate about food sustainability and ethics and the maintenance of the historic estate. Membership will cost between £30-£40 depending on the type of membership chosen. Traders will also be able to recommend their best and most loyal customers for a ‘mates rate’. So it’s worth talking to your favourite stallholder! You can become a member by going to the Market office which is in front of ‘The Gated Garden’ flower stand at these times: Thursday and Friday 11am – 2pm Saturday 8am – 2pmThe Bridge  The latest edition of The Bridge is published online. This month it contains the following Southwark supports Black Lives Matter / Priests and parishioners take the knee at St Peter, Walworth / A view from The Bridge / Bishop Christopher welcomes new chaplain / Parish Support Fund 2021 launches / Southwark marks anniversary of London Bridge attacks / Furzedown shocked by loss of “pastorally gifted” priest / Wendy Stephens appointed as new Diocesan SPA / St Mildred, Addiscombe choir to “visit” Guildford / The harder they fall: virtual assemblies in Wandsworth / One day, two pilgrims, three Episcopal Areas and 14 miles / St Edward, Mottingham, wins housing competition / Reigate Grammar School transforms into drive-through food donations centre / St James, Bermondsey honours the victims of Grenfell / Get ready for the new normal / “I hope people feel safe”; All Saints, West Dulwich prepares to open its doors to the public / Facing the future with hope, and God, at work / St John, Shirley, plans its return to a new way of worshipping / Keeping our churches as safe as possible / Frequently asked questions: returning to church after lockdown / IN FOCUS… Parishes respond to Black Lives Matter / Ordinands receive a virtual welcome to the Diocese / Slow and steady progress helps All Saints, Hackbridge and Beddington to win its Eco Church Bronze Award / Farewell tributes pour in to outgoing Deputy Diocesan Secretary, the Revd Stephen Roberts You can find it here. Junior Xpress Please visit our blog where you will find resources to help you and your family to worship and explore faith together at home. News from the Wardens: Keeping in touch We know that many of you are keeping in touch with friends at the Cathedral by social media, texts, emails, Zoom, phone calls and cards. However, it is more challenging to make contact with people who may sit close to you during a service, but you did not know well enough to exchange mobile numbers or perhaps met once or twice over coffee. Do email us if you have any concerns about anyone or would like to know how they are, and we’ll do our best to find out. If you are new to the Cathedral and would like to be in touch with others the Southwark Cathedral Community Group on Facebook might be for you or alternatively email us. Please help to keep everyone safe and respect privacy when getting in touch and ‘blind copy’ email addresses. Home addresses, phone numbers and email addresses are not shared without your permission. Worshipping online with the wider Cathedral community is an excellent way of maintaining our contact with each other and this Sunday we will see a different group of people with their ‘Peace be with you’ photographs. The web site has details of future online services. The clergy team are extremely busy supporting the wider Cathedral community providing and planning online worship, pastoral support, work in the diocese, supporting the local food banks and from next week supporting the Chaplaincy team at St Thomas’ Hospital. We would like to thank them on your behalf and to remind them to take some time off! Please keep safe and do keep in touch. Linda and Daniel lhutchinson36@hotmail.com danielchumbley@gmail.com News from Zimbabwe  The picture is of the artists from the project ArtPeace that we support in Harare. As soon as the shop reopens please support these friends by buying one of the carvings. This is news from them.It is winter in Zimbabwe, so the nights and mornings are cold. Each day starts with the usual grinding struggle just to survive. Children make the long journey to fetch water from boreholes etc. Numerous children do not attend school due to the virus situation and have no books or guidelines from schools or teachers re what they should be doing 74 days into Covid19 lockdown. They know not of the online learning revolution in other countries and are without computers or internet access. They struggle home with buckets of water – arms getting longer with every step. Then the struggle to find food begins with rampant inflation putting most basic foodstuffs beyond the reach of ordinary Zimbabweans. The Government. are demolishing all roadside stalls where most poor people shop. (However, our artist friends were able to buy some foodstuffs despite the inflated prices thanks to the money that has been sent to them. Our shop sales go directly to our friends. So when you get a chance please support them. We continue to support our link diocese of Masvingo. If you can give to them simply text MASVINGO (Amount) to 70085 to make a donation (one standard rate message is also charged). God bless Zimbabwe protect her children transform her leaders heal her communities and grant her peace. for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.This week we pray for Those who are sick All who are suffering as a result of Coronavirus. Alex Whindle, Alice Hilborn, Andy Daniel, Angie Brown, Belinda Manns, Brenda Bartlett, Brian Hilton, Brian Kendall, Charlotte Davis, David Southwell, Dinah Kormi, Elisabeth Dunman, Elizabeth Hall, Elizabeth Thompson, Elizabeth Waters, Godfrey Ashby, Helen Julian, Jane Kindred, Jean McCarthy, Jennifer Barter, Joan Lawrence, John Noble, Jonathan Davies, Kay Grimshaw, Linda Scott Garnett, Naomi Shaw, Nathan Clegg, Patricia Nebbia, Patricia Walker, Paul Malunga, Rob Brown, Robert Alexander, Robert McConnell, Ronnie Kok, Sarah Beston, Sarah Rawlins, Si Foster, Soji Temilade, Steve Harries, Sue Sutherland, Terence Roberts, William Brown. Those who have died recently Ann Mayer, Chinyere Iweajunwa, David Cooper, Denise Barber, Glenna Nichol, Joyce Anderson, Mary Holness, Owen Northwood, Richard Barttelot, Roy Day. Missed out on last week’s news?Look back |