In remembrance of all who gave their lives in service of our country we observe a period of silence today and place a wreath on the sanctuary to remind us of their sacrifice and we pray for peace and understanding between the nations of the world. Today is also a reminder of how precious the gift of life is and how hard won is the freedom and rights that we enjoy. Later this Sunday at 3.00pm Bishop Tom Williams will preside at a service in which men and women who have served in or are connected with the Merchant Navy will gather in the Cathedral to remember those who died serving their country at sea. The death of the four firemen last week reminds us that there are many in public service in peacetime as well as war who are prepared to risk their lives to ensure the safety and security of others. We will remember them.
2008 and the Capital of Culture Year are now almost upon us and as the time is running out there seems to be no letting up on requests for exhibitions and use of the Cathedral facilities during the year. The difficulty is deciding what is suitable and is sympathetic to our building and ethos. The great blessing is that we are virtually booked up for the year with exhibitions and I can deal with the stranger requests with the comfort of knowing that we couldn’t accommodate them even if we wanted to. However, the diary for events is becoming fuller as the months go by. There will be many significant events taking place here and before the month is out I would hope to draw up a calendar for next year recording the main events which you may find useful.
Many years ago I was based in a parish that had a cemetery and as it was nearly full the parish priest decided to sell the remaining graves off to families within the parish so that they could be guaranteed a place in the cemetery (whenever that may be). They were advertised in the newsletter and there was a considerable take up. To the amusement and amazement of the other clergy serving in the parish they were marketed as ideal birthday or Christmas gifts and they sold in great numbers. Husbands and wives were buying a grave as a present for one another! I always wondered what was said when a person received a grave deed within a birthday card. Anyway the point of the story is that with the launch of the Crypt Project Appeal, which will take place on the Feast of Christ The King, we are offering the opportunity for individuals, groups, parishes and companies to sponsor a step or to be part of the etched circle of faith within the glass corridor and Pod which will link the Cathedral to the Crypt and Archive resource area. A far more attractive proposition than a grave!
I will be taking a few days off during next week so I will let Claire Hanlon, my Assistant, who has done most of the work for this, explain the Appeal Scheme fully in next weeks newsletter.
In remembrance of all who gave their lives in service of our country we observe a period of silence today and place a wreath on the sanctuary to remind us of their sacrifice and we pray for peace and understanding between the nations of the world. Today is also a reminder of how precious the gift of life is and how hard won is the freedom and rights that we enjoy. Later this Sunday at 3.00pm Bishop Tom Williams will preside at a service in which men and women who have served in or are connected with the Merchant Navy will gather in the Cathedral to remember those who died serving their country at sea. The death of the four firemen last week reminds us that there are many in public service in peacetime as well as war who are prepared to risk their lives to ensure the safety and security of others. We will remember them.
2008 and the Capital of Culture Year are now almost upon us and as the time is running out there seems to be no letting up on requests for exhibitions and use of the Cathedral facilities during the year. The difficulty is deciding what is suitable and is sympathetic to our building and ethos. The great blessing is that we are virtually booked up for the year with exhibitions and I can deal with the stranger requests with the comfort of knowing that we couldn’t accommodate them even if we wanted to. However, the diary for events is becoming fuller as the months go by. There will be many significant events taking place here and before the month is out I would hope to draw up a calendar for next year recording the main events which you may find useful.