It is all too easy not to encounter ‘Redemption’ when you visit Liverpool Cathedral. What on earth am I writing about? ‘Redemption’ is a work of art which has been in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit for the last 25 years. It was planned originally only to be there for twelve months, but happily it is still with us. It has a fascinating history. It is the work of two very different artists who in the course of their work, struck up a most unlikely friendship. Arthur Dooley is known for his sculpture, including the Black Christ on the Methodist Church on Princes Road and St Mary del Quay in Liverpool Parish Church. He lived an eventful and colourful life, and was once described by Nicholas Frayling as a ‘rough, tough, large adopted scouser.’ Ann McTavish came to Liverpool to study at Liverpool School of Art and became one of the world’s most talented embroiderers, who produced work on an epic scale. The two became firm friends, and Arthur became convinced that they should produce a religious work together, using metal, stone and textiles. Ann took a considerable amount of persuasion, but eventually agreed. The theme was to be either a Resurrection or Crucifixion figure of Jesus combined with the veil of the Temple being rent in two at the moment of the Crucifixion. It was to be called ‘Redemption.’ By 1993, Ann had begun work on the veil of the Temple. On Christmas Eve, 1993, they attended Evensong together at Liverpool Cathedral and agreed to meet up early in the new year to take forward their planned collaboration. Sadly, this was not to be, for Arthur died in the first week of January 1994. Ann was deeply saddened by the death of her friend, and her thoughts were that the project must now be abandoned, as Arthur had not created his figure of Christ before he died. She and Arthur’s mother went on a tour to see Arthur’s work, and at the Swedish Church on Park Road, there were two pieces by him. One of them was the figure which now forms part of ‘Redemption,’ and it was clear to Ann that this would enable her to complete this joint project. A short service was held in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in January 1996 on the second anniversary of Arthur’s funeral. ‘Redemption’ remains there after 25 years, still proclaiming the power and joy of the Risen Christ, and with the good news that the barriers between God and humanity have been torn down. When the curtain was divided, Mark tells us that the Roman Centurion – a gentile pagan – declared ‘Truly, this man was the Son of God.’ The Easter hope is now open to us all. When you are next in the Cathedral, which we hope and pray will be soon, take a moment to visit the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, remember both Arthur and Ann, and, with their help, ponder our world’s redemption. Happy Easter to everyone! 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.
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Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed. Alleluia! Last week, Holy Week, has been an exhausting week for Christian disciples as we have relived the trauma that culminated in the crucifixion and death of Jesus on Good Friday. Holy Saturday was a long day of mourning as Jesus rested in the sepulchre. Now on Easter Sunday we hear afresh, as if for the first time, the way in which Mark tells the story of the first Easter morning with stark simplicity. The women simply see that the stone has been rolled away and they meet a young man dressed in a white robe. They leave in fear. At the heart of the narrative stands the message of the empty tomb. The angelic messenger spells out the implications: ‘He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.’ The empty tomb points to the Easter message of new life. For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited you to reflect on the image of spring flowers. Now on Easter Sunday spring flowers in our homes, in our churches, and in our cathedral, can shout aloud the message of new life and the message of new hope. In today’s picture, from his book The Sunny Morning, Teddy Horsley celebrates the new life of Easter by admiring the spring flowers. Lord Jesus Christ, you are risen, you are risen indeed, alleluia! Now, Lord Jesus Christ, call all the nations of the world to hear the good news of Easter, and to see the empty tomb; for you are risen, you are risen indeed, alleluia! Amen. Next Sunday, the Second Sunday of Easter, the Gospel reading focuses our attention on how, after the resurrection, Jesus met with his disciples, first when Thomas was not present, and again a week later when Thomas was present. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is touching. 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. To learn more about The Sunny Morning and other adventures with Teddy Horsley, follow this link to his page of the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/TeddyHorsley.html. You can also check out his website here: https://teddyhorsley.org/. You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our 10:30am service on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. To stream the service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To stream the service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos. Teddy Horsley sends his Easter Day greetings to all. Canon Leslie Join us at 2pm online on Good Friday for an Hour at the Cross, a service with readings, prayers, reflections and music. The past year has taught us that the hands of people are important. So many people have lived the past year without the touch of family and friends. I know that I have missed the hand shake, the hug and the physical contact of strangers, friends and family. Michael Rosen, Children’s author and poet wrote a poem about hands to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the NHS titled, ‘These are the Hands,’ These are the hands That touch us first Feel your head Find the pulse And make your bed. These are the hands… and so the poem goes on as we hear how the doctors and nurses care for us. The hands of those in the caring professions have become so important in the last year. Today, as we begin the three most important days in the life of the church hands will pay a significant part in the last days of the life of Jesus. On this Maundy Thursday we will see and reflect on Jesus’ hands as he washed the disciples’ feet and as he gave the instruction, to wash one another’s feet. So if I your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. (John 13:14) On this Maundy Thursday we also reflect on the hands of Jesus as he blesses the bread and wine at the last supper: While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them and said, ‘This is my body.’ Then he took the cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.’ (Mark, 14: 22-24) On Good Friday we see others using their hands, not in service and care of others, but in cruelty and ultimately death. Pilate in the Gospel of Matthew washes his hands as a symbolic gesture that he was innocent of Jesus’ death. So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.’ On Good Friday we see the hands of the Roman soldiers nail Jesus’ hands to the cross, those compassionate hands of Jesus that had shown love and care to all so cruelly impaled. But the story does not end there, on the cross. Easter Day, the day of resurrection will reveal the hands of Jesus as caring and loving hands once more as Jesus stands and offers his scarred hands as testimony to his resurrection, to a doubting Thomas. Hands are important in our Holy Week and Easter Story, but hands are also important for our Covid world. Hands show us how we love, care and serve others. As Jesus revealed himself and God to those first disciples through the work of his hands, God is revealed to us through the care love and service of all those who have supported us through the past year with their hands. These are the hands… 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. |
supporting you during these uncertain times AuthorLiverpool Cathedral is a place of encounter. Built by the people, for the people, to the Glory of God Archives
September 2022
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Prayer for Liverpool
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Liverpool Cathedral is a place of encounter.
Built by the people, for the people, to the Glory of God www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk |