​The Gospel reading for this Sunday is Matthew’s account of Jesus stilling the storm. Immediately after Jesus had engaged with the feeding of the five thousand, he sent his disciples off in their boat to cross the lake while he dismissed the crowd. Then Jesus went up the mountain to find solitude and to pray.
 
For the disciples this journey across the lake turned into a nightmare as the storm whipped up the water and as the waves battered the boat. Jesus came to their rescue and the storm was calmed. Jesus had not deserted his disciples when they needed him most.
 
To prepare for this Sunday’s service I invited those of you who want to do some thinking beforehand to focus on the image of gales, just as Teddy Horsley is doing in today’s picture, as the strong wind blows his little boat across the lake.
 
Next week the image to help us prepare for participation in the Sunday service, whether offline in the Cathedral or online at home, is removing barriers, when the Gospel reading is Matthew’s narrative of Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite woman. To begin with when the story opens there is a huge barrier between Jesus and the woman. By the end of the story Jesus has removed that barrier. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Please send us your ideas and photos of the things you may create; email them to Nelson.Pike@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk.
 
We warmly invite you to join us in worship online by watching our pre-recorded service video that will go live at 10:30am:  

Teddy Horsley sends his Sunday greetings to all.
​
Canon Leslie
​

It is nine years since I moved into my present house in the Cathedral Close. One of the joys of living here has been the wonderful view from the top floor. On the one side is our glorious Cathedral, close up and personal; and from the opposite window there is the view of the River Mersey and the Wirral peninsular beyond.
​
The houses in the Close were built in 1986, and my near neighbour, Mrs Joan Walters, was one of the original residents. Joan tells me how much the view has changed since those early days. At that time, there was a clear and almost uninterrupted view of the river. That view has slowly changed with the rebuilding and regeneration of much of the city centre. During the years I have lived here, the river has all but disappeared as high-rise buildings continue to change the townscape.

One feature which hasn’t changed lies in the far distance:  the hills of Wales. During the weeks and months when we were bidden to stay at home, the view of those  majestic Welsh hills was for me a constant sign of hope. There is an old saying that if you look out and can see the Welsh hills, it is a sign that it is going to rain. If you look out and can’t see those hills, it’s raining already!

Today we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus, a glimpse of glory given only to three of those who followed him. It is hardly an accident that this wonderful sacred moment should took place on a mountain. God’s glory was revealed there, and it was so wonderful and beyond words that Peter wanted to stay up there and build his three tents. But the glory was there for a moment, and what had to come next was a journey back down from the mountain, where the sick and the needy were waiting for Jesus to bring them hope and healing as he walked closer and closer towards the Cross.

We need our moments of glory too, when we can be still and catch a glimpse, however fleeting, of the sheer wonder of God. But we know we cannot stay there.

A world in need now summons us to labour, love and give;
to make our life and offering to God, that all may live;
the Church of Christ is calling us to make the dream come true:
a world redeemed by Christ-like love, all life in Christ made new.
Frank von Christierson (1900 – 1996)

Canon Myles

While you're here:
Why not prepare for next Sunday's worship? Our preparation sheet for adults and for children can be accessed by clicking on the Resources tab of this website: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html.

For 15 years I had the privilege of being Rector of Winwick which is on the edge of the Diocese just off the M62 close to IKEA. The church is dedicated to St Oswald and many local historians claim it is the place where he died in battle, fighting as a Christian king against the pagan Penda. We remember Oswald as a king and martyr but interestingly the early church historian The Venerable Bede portrays Oswald as ‘Saintly’ not because of the means of his death but because of his life!

After a period of exile Oswald became king of Northumbria around 634 and requested help from the Iona community to spread the message of Christianity throughout his kingdom. Eventually Aiden was sent and Oswald gave him the island of Lindisfarne as a base for his mission and the home of his episcopal See. As the two of them travelled around his kingdom Oswald acted as Aiden’s interpreter since Aiden did not know English well and Oswald had learned Irish during his exile. As well as preaching Oswald gained a reputation as a man of compassion with a generosity to the poor and strangers.

On one occasion at Easter Bede describes Oswald was sitting with Aiden and had ‘a silver dish of dainties before him’ when a servant whom Oswald ‘had appointed to relieve the poor’ came in and told him that a crowd of the poor were in the streets begging alms from the king. Oswald then immediately had his food given to the poor and even had the dish broken up and distributed.

From this one story alone it could be suggested that Oswald had both recognised the need for a Foodbank and that the distribution of silver pieces at Easter was a forerunner to the practice of the monarch distributing Maundy Money as happens today.

So my case is that a Christian King with a heart for mission and a record of responding to the needs of his subjects would make a fine Patron Saint for our nation. He was, at least English!

Canon Bob

While you're here:
Why not prepare for next Sunday's worship? Our preparation sheet for adults and for children can be accessed by clicking on the Resources tab of this website: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html.

The Gospel reading for this Sunday is Matthew’s account of Jesus feeding the five thousand. But it is worth remembering how Matthew sets the scene for this event. When Matthew closes the little Book of Parables at the end of chapter 13, Jesus finds out just how tough life can be. Jesus goes to his home town and he is not made welcome. Then as he leaves his home town sad news reaches Jesus about how John the Baptist had been murdered. Jesus goes off by boat to seek solitude.
 
However, when he lands, instead of finding solitude, Jesus finds a huge crowd waiting for him. Jesus’ heart goes out to the crowd. He heals the sick. He feeds the hungry. The crowd experiences what life is like when God reigns. And the disciples have a full part to play in making all this work.
 
For the Christian community the feeding of the five thousand looks forward to the Last Supper and to the Eucharist celebrated in our cathedrals and churches. To prepare for this Sunday’s service I invited those of you who want to do some thinking beforehand to focus on the image of the picnic, just as Teddy Horsley is doing in today’s picture. Serious reflection on his experiences of picnics helped Teddy Horsley to prepare for his participation in the Eucharistic celebration.
 
Next week the image to help us prepare for participation in the Sunday service, whether offline in the Cathedral or online at home, is gales, when the Gospel reading is Matthew’s narrative concerning Jesus’ stilling of the storm. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Please send us your ideas and photos of the things you may create; email them to Nelson.Pike@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk.
 
We warmly invite you to join us in worship online by watching our pre-recorded service video that will go live at 10:30am:  

I am writing this blog on Saturday 25 July having just walked down to the water front. This is the first time in four months that I have done my 10,000 steps outside my usual time slot of around 7.30 in the morning. I walked to the Albert Dock to see how many visitors were around.
 
The picture shows just how many people were around at 12.30 on a Saturday afternoon. Not many!!!
 
At the moment I am feeling very discombobulated. Discombobulate is a fun and fancy word for confused. I was talking with someone after morning prayer today about the fact that I feel as if we have lost the rhythm of the year and this is confusing or discombobulating. The weather feels like the mid to end of September, there are not many tourists around and it does not feel like holiday time because we have not had the end of a school year in the way we normally would. I think summer was in April and May and visitors are taking things slowly all making one feel discombobulated.
 
I like routine, and I like the rhythm of the year. There is something about rhythm that keeps us connected to the here and now. I know that as a rule I would have been looking forward to my annual visit to America to the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, but this is not to be. Instead I have a staycation. Just as good, but its not my normal routine.
 
So how do we keep rhythm in our lives? How do we in this ‘new Normal’ stay rooted in life? How do we live in such unsettling and confusing times?
 
For me the rhythm of daily worship keeps me rooted and gives me a rhythm to my day and to my life. To be able to once again pray Morning and Evening Prayer with my colleagues in the Cathedral allows me a touch of normality. It allows me to think about the God who knows and loves me and loves you. Regular daily prayer keeps me rooted and gives me rhythm.
 
The move back into the main space for Sunday Worship and mid-day Eucharist roots me in the liturgical year. Leading Eucharistic worship allows me and us to celebrate the Saints of old and it allows us to follow the stories of Jesus. It roots us in the familiar stories and patterns of worship.
 
Rhythm and routine makes sense of our lives. They help root us in the here and now.
 
I wonder what you see as your rhythms and routines? You know those things that root you and don’t make you feel discombobulated. 

Dean Sue

While you're here:
Why not prepare for next Sunday's worship? Our preparation sheet for adults and for children can be accessed by clicking on the Resources tab of this website: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html.

​What a joy it was to join in worship with our brothers and sisters from our Farsi-speaking ‘Sepas’ community last Sunday – socially-distanced of course. It is the first time that ‘Sepas’ has been able to meet since we went into Lockdown and there was understandable joy and excitement. The vibe within that community is very special anyway, and the sense of buzz and fizz after these months apart was truly palpable. I am so impressed with the way that ‘Sepas’ does welcome and hospitality, especially drawing in the newcomer whether or not they are Persian, and building a strong sense of belonging. It is good to remember that Jesus would also have been steeped in the Middle-Eastern emphasis on family and community.
 
The friends and families of Sepas members who are still in Iran are very much in our prayers, not only because of the on-going ravages of Covid-19 across that land, but also the historic issues and challenges that have been faced by the country, its people and its leadership. Sadly, many of the headlines that reach us through the media here tend to portray the country in a negative light. It is undeniably true that there has been much going on that does not make happy reading. One thinks of the street protests at the end of 2019, which involved many young Iranians. Amnesty International estimated that hundreds had died in the crackdown by the authorities.
 
During Lockdown, one of the books that I have read is Jack Straw’s recently-published ‘The English Job’. It is subtitled ‘Understanding Iran – why it distrusts Britain’. The book has been very well received and recommended by significant players on the British diplomatic scene, as well as the Bishop of Loughborough, herself a Persian. Mr. Straw, a former Foreign Secretary in Tony Blair’s government, writes both from his formal dealings with Iran, but also from his more informal contacts, including taking his family on holiday there. He writes with a wonderful sense of warmth towards the people of Iran and in great appreciation for all that Persia has brought to the world over many millenia. He sets out lucidly, for a novice like me, the remarkable and complex history of that part of the world, as political, economic, social and religious forces have all played their part in shaping the Iran of today. I can begin to see why there is a simmering distrust of Britain, as we clearly haven’t always showered ourselves with glory in our dealings with Iran and have at various times intentionally exploited the country (and we are not alone there) in the last couple of centuries with very favourable (to us) agreements over telecommunications, tobacco and oil. That said, Mr. Straw also lays bare where he percieves that the Iranian authorities have not helped themselves over the decades, either in their dealings with Britain or on the international stage. Furthermore, I had not appreciated that ‘the Iranian authorities’ is not a single entity but a rather factional conglomeration of groups within the country and where, inevitably, power-play is at work.
 
I’ve occasionally chatted with those of the Sepas community who I have been able to contact through the Lockdown about what I’ve been reading. Their response is that, contrary to the popular notion, most Iranians, in their view, are warm and positive towards the UK and the West, seeing the benefits of us working together to enhance the standing of Iran on the world stage. They realise what a remarkable heritage they have and, I am sure, would love to see foreign currency flowing into Iran through tourism, for example. Especially in the more urban areas, society is progressive and open to change. I, for one, have received nothing but warmth and genuine friendship from the Sepas folk. I know that others feel the same. Members of Sepas are regularly involved here at the Cathedral, not only in the weekly Sepas service, but also taking part in some of our English-speaking services, such as the 10.30am Choral Eucharist on Sundays. One of the Sepas members serves on our Chapter, which has the princpal governance responsibilities for the life of Liverpool Cathedral.
 
‘Sepas’ means ‘thank you’ in Farsi. But ‘thank you’ in a far deeper sense than we often use that phrase. In the context of worship, it offers a deep thanksgiving to God for all his blessings to us. True ‘Sepas’ will engender a consequential response of worship and adoration in our hearts and lives. To that end, may I suggest that not only should we continue to give thanks for our Persian brothers and sisters and celebrate their ministry among us; may we also pray for the growth of warm and constructive relations between the UK and Iran. And let us all seek a bit more ‘Sepas’ in our own lives, day by day.
 
Canon Neal
 
While you're here:
Why not prepare for next Sunday's worship? Our preparation sheet for adults and for children can be accessed by clicking on the Resources tab of this website: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html.

Matthew’s Gospel presents five very distinctive blocks of Jesus’ teaching. The first block (beginning in chapter 5) is best known as the Sermon on the Mount. Currently our Sunday lectionary journey through Matthew’s Gospel has taken us to the third block of teaching (chapter 13) that is sometimes known as the Book of Parables.
 
In his little Book of Parables Matthew begins by bringing together two parables rooted in agriculture, the Parable of the Sower and the Parable of the Weeds. Next Matthew presents two parables about growth, the Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Parable of the Yeast. Then Matthew presents two parables about priorities and values, the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Parable of the Precious Pearl.
 
Each of these parables is able to stimulate deep thought and to unlock serious revelation and insight into how God works and into what really matters in life. Parables are not intended to be read one after the other, but to be read one at a time. We need to allow each parable the time and space to do its individual work.
 
So to prepare for this Sunday’s service, I invited those of you who want to do some thinking beforehand to focus primarily on one idea, hidden treasure, and on recognising what is of real value. In today’s picture Betsy Bear is gazing at one of the treasures brought to Jesus by the Magi.
 
Next week the image to help us prepare for participation in the Sunday service, whether offline in the Cathedral or online at home, is Picnic, when the Gospel reading is Matthew’s account of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Please send us your ideas and photos of the things you may create; email them to Nelson.Pike@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk.
 
We warmly invite you to join us in worship online by watching our pre-recorded service video that will go live at 10:30am on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral/videos/383545979285775/.
 
Betsy Bear sends her Sunday greetings to all.
​
Canon Leslie

Did you know that National Parks week begins on Saturday? During National Parks week you are invited to enjoy a little peace and quiet amongst stunning scenery.
National Parks are areas which are protected because of their cultural importance, beautiful countryside or fascinating wildlife. There are fifteen national parks in Britain: ten in England, two in Scotland and three in Wales.
​
Having lived, on three occasions, very near National Parks the beauty of them always made me feel closer to God. Driving through the Peak District in my last job always made me reflect on God’s creation and the idea that we are co-creators with God.

What saddens me since the restrictions have been lifted is the amount of rubbish that is left on the paths on the sea front and in our parks.  It also saddens me to see much more rubbish in the sea. Plastic bottles, empty crisp packets and empty carrier bags are the most common forms of rubbish. It is not, however, just the mess that upsets me it is also the effects of plastics on the beautiful birds and the sea-life.

According to the United Nations, at least 800 species worldwide are affected by rubbish and as much as 80 percent of the litter is plastic. As we can see from the new art installation at the parish Church in Liverpool seabirds, fish, sea turtles and marine mammals can become entangled in or ingest plastic debris, causing suffocation, starvation and drowning. The same is true in the countryside where rubbish left causes harm to cattle, to vegetation and to plant life.

As co-creators with God we need to take care of our countryside, and our National Parks in particular. We need to take care of the waterfront here in Liverpool. So as you travel this summer and visit the sea-shore and the countryside, stop and give thanks for the beautiful world in which we live. Give thanks for the amazing wild-life and please spare a thought for the wildlife that are affected by our rubbish.

So this National parks week enjoy the countryside and do take your rubbish home.

Dean Sue

While you're here:
Why not prepare for next Sunday's worship? Our preparation sheet for adults and for children can be accessed by clicking on the Resources tab of this website: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html.

Well this is different!  This reflection may seem a contrast to those I’ve written before – but in a sense it isn’t really.  It was so lovely on Sunday, at our first public service in so many months, to welcome such loving and familiar faces back into the cathedral – even through the masks and visors!  Some very kindly mentioned how they have enjoyed our reflections – noting how much of ourselves we have each shared personally.  It has been and will continue to be, our pleasure – as we share our thoughts and reflections on God’s love around us.

Our pattern of reflections is now changing slightly – the frequency is slightly less, as the cathedral is now more open; but our digital presence is now enhanced with the provision of live streaming of morning and evening prayer.  And, as clergy, we are acutely aware of the need to still be here, online, for many people who may still be shielding at home, may still find it riskier to step out because of other conditions or treatments; or continue to feel anxious and worried about the whole situation.  Well, we are still here for you, through both our websites; www.prayerforliverpool.org and www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk.

But today’s reflection is still personal – something close to my heart in terms of encouraging others to be more aware of.  The subject of Dementia – something which can be, for both patients and carers, hugely challenging, hugely isolating – perhaps like Robin Hood’s tree in the photo above.  It’s something which may touch our lives or those of loved ones, just as much as cancer – my main profession. Therefore, a greater Dementia Awareness is something we might all benefit from.  So, this is the first in a series of short articles I planned to write, before the lockdown, as your Canon Scientist; a series bringing to our attention various aspects of healthcare – some you may be familiar with, some perhaps not.

Dementia (in its various forms) is a condition all too familiar to many – we may ourselves be touched by it.  Learning about it, being aware and helping those who are affected, is something we all should do….as Christians, or people of other faiths or even as good society members, it is something we are called to do in loving our neighbour.

One way is to become a Dementia Friend, to learn more about it, how it affects us as individuals and communities.  Raising awareness and understanding in ourselves is key to helping those with it.  A Dementia Friend is someone who has learnt more about it and looks to take action (however big or small) to help and be on the lookout for ways to improve the way we serve, those who may have dementia.  Simply wearing a Dementia Friends badge can be that action, raise that awareness. 

Within the cathedral we would like all of us - staff, volunteers, clergy, musicians, congregation members….in fact the whole Cathedral community, to become more aware and become a Dementia Friend, if you aren’t already. 

Dementia Friends itself is an official initiative of the Alzheimer’s Society – one of the foremost bodies helping individuals with Dementia and funding research into the disease….research which keeps on pushing forward the boundaries of our knowledge about the problem.  There are of course many other excellent bodies also set-up to do this work – we need as much research as possible.

The normal route to becoming a Dementia Friend is through reading information and watching videos on their website; and then attending a short face-to-face session with a Dementia Champion.  When I was a hospital chaplain in Chester, I attended such a session and the person running it was utterly inspiring…someone who knew first hand of the issues.  But, one surprisingly good effect of the present situation is that now you can become a Dementia Friend by attending sessions completely online.  I’ve listed below some of  the many online resources available to help become more aware of dementia and how it can affect us all, and to become a friend.

I’m looking to become a Dementia Friends Champion, based at the cathedral, as part of our Diocesan Rule of Life (https://www.ruleoflife.org.uk/), as part of my role as your Canon Scientist.  That I might pray more about this disease and those who suffer from it; read and learn more about it.  So that through my faith I might be able to tell others about it, and thereby serve others – especially those who suffer from it and give of myself in so doing.  As part of this, I’d like, through all of our prayers and efforts, to register Liverpool Cathedral as a Dementia Friendly Organisation – so improving the welcome and naturally the encounter for all coming to the cathedral.  It is part of our service, part of our Christian love. 

Thanks very much for allowing me to share this with you and I do hope you’ll be able to find time to engage with this material online, perhaps learning something new for yourself, or refreshing your knowledge.  Maybe you are already a Dementia Friend, as I am sure a number of you are; in which case thank you, and keep up the great work!  If you are a member of staff or volunteer, do please let your line manager know when you become a Friend, or if you are one already.

Please also feel free to tell me how you get on; perhaps as a Dementia Friend you have experiences you wish to share from your own story, or have experiences with friends and family…..please share them with me.  What are your experiences especially through this lockdown period and the pandemic? Your thoughts and comments will always be welcome. 

With my love and prayers, as always; stay safe…
 
Canon Mike 😊
 
Main Dementia Friends Website:
https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/WEBArticle?page=become-dementia-friend

Online resources – video (5 min) and Online sessions (45 min)
https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/WEBArticle?page=join-options

Dementia Friends Information Sessions – all online
https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/WEBSession#.Xro2C2hKi01

Become a Dementia Friend Online
https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/register-digital-friend

While you're here:
Why not prepare for next Sunday's worship? Our preparation sheet for adults and for children can be accessed by clicking on the Resources tab of this website: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html.

​This Sunday is a day of special rejoicing and celebration for Liverpool Cathedral. Each year this particular Sunday is set aside to recollect the consecration of the Cathedral in 1924, commissioning it for service while still under construction. On that day, Dean Dwelly’s Rejoices resounded in this holy place for the first time:
            Alleluia! The Lord is in his holy temple.
 
This Sunday is a day of special rejoicing and celebration for Liverpool Cathedral for a second reason as well. The government’s Great Lock-Down of the nation back in March, as a prudent precaution against the uncontrolled reproduction of Covid 19, also entailed a Great Lock-Out from sacred places of private prayer and public worship. This Great Lock-Out has caused the Church to reflect on the proper place of churches and cathedrals within God’s plan for the salvation, healing, and wellbeing of creation.
 
More than 6,000 responses to my survey that set out to discover how people responded to the Great Lock-Out shows that, although there is never just one mind on such matters within the Church of England, many clergy and lay people have been longing for the day when the keys are given back, when the doors are unlocked, and when we can reclaim for God’s glory the sacred space and common ground that speaks so clearly of God’s presence among God’s people:
            Alleluia! The Lord is in his holy temple.
 
The Gospel reading selected for Consecration  Sunday this year, during the lectionary year that is following Matthew’s Gospel, is Matthew’s account of Jesus entering the temple in Jerusalem (Matthew 21: 12-16). Here in Matthew’s Gospel Jesus claims the temple as space for conversation with God:
            My house shall be called a House of Prayer.
Mark’s Gospel goes further to extend the sacred space as open common ground:
            My house shall be called a House of Prayer for all people.
 
The Great Unlocking and the recalling to mind of the consecration of Liverpool Cathedral in 1924 reaffirms the personal significance and the public significance of this majestic sacred space and common ground for all people – a place of profound and life-transforming encounters:
            Alleluia! The Lord is in his holy temple.
 
Next week the image to help us prepare for participation in the Sunday service, whether offline here in the Cathedral or online at home, is hidden treasure, when the Gospel reading returns to Matthew’s little book of parables. You can find out more about that theme here: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Please send us your ideas and photos of the things you may create; email them to nelson.pike@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk.
 
We are streaming our Consecration Sunday worship this morning live from our Facebook page, which you can find here: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral/. Please note that beginning next Sunday, we will be returning to our regular pattern of producing pre-recorded worship resources. Stay connected to our website and Facebook page for the latest information.
 
With warm Consecration Sunday wishes,
 
Canon Leslie