Some people are terrified of dogs or cats. Since I was about six years old, I have had a fear of birds. One night, not long after I went to bed, I became aware of something flying about the room, fluttering frantically by the window. When I went downstairs to get help, the family took a bit of convincing there was anything the matter, with my grandmother wondering if I was ‘acting the goat!’ They came upstairs to find that a large bird, a starling I think, had come down the chimney and was as desperate to get out as I was for it to leave. The bird was caught and released, but I have never since been able to be in close proximity to our feathered friends. Since lockdown began, I noticed a strange mark on my bedroom window looking out towards the river. It took some time to realise what had happened. It shows the outline of a large bird, the impression of its wings and even its beak clearly visible. I’m so glad I was not in the room at the time, but clearly the bird had flown directly into the glass. I am even more thankful that it did not get in, or social distancing would have gone the way of all flesh, until the bird was on its way. Next week we reach that period in the Church’s year as Eastertide moving towards its close, and another bird comes into view: the heavenly dove is one of the ways of describing the Holy Spirit. We are invited to join in ten days of prayer for the Spirit to renew the face of the earth, to bring new life to the Church, to bring comfort, strength and peace wherever those precious gifts are longed for at the present time. May I share with you the words of a hymn written by John Bell and Graham Maule from the Iona Community: She sits like a bird, brooding on the waters, hovering on the chaos of the world’s first day; she sighs and she sings, mothering creation, waiting to give birth to all the Word will say. She wings over earth, resting where she wishes, lighting close at hand or soaring through the skies; she nests in the womb, welcoming each wonder, nourishing potential hidden to our eyes. She dances in fire, startling her spectators, waking tongues of ecstasy where dumbness reigned; she weans and inspires all whose hearts are open, nor can she be captured, silenced or restrained. For she is the Spirit, one with God in essence, gifted by the Saviour in eternal love; she is the key opening the scriptures, enemy of apathy and heavenly dove. As we pray for the coming of the Spirit, we may take comfort that the heavenly dove will never come crashing in unwelcome or uninvited. The Spirit is rather a will o’the wisp, unpredictable, full of surprise, never tamed nor captured nor the property of anyone, not even the Church! Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people, and kindle in us the fire of your love. Amen Canon Myles Enemy of Apathy Copyright 1988 Iona Community Glasgow G2 3DH 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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I’ve been so blessed by God within my professional life; the absolute privilege of working for my patients in the NHS, the numerous places around the world my research and development has taken me usually in the form of meetings and conferences. Very blessed indeed! One such recent place was Algiers – just over four years ago during my present job as a lecturer. I was invited, as an expert lecturer for the IAEA, to give a week-long training course for Medical Physicists from different parts of Africa. I’ll never forget the wonderful friendliness of the delegates, all incredibly keen to learn about these particular aspects of radiotherapy which were new to them, but work I had led in certain ways in the UK many years earlier. English was the language of the course (thankfully!), but it was great to hear them during the practical group work; all scientists working together often translating from one language to another. A completely different culture and faith, the hosts couldn’t do enough for me and the other guest lecturer, who was from South Africa….they made us so welcome, made room for us with whatever we needed to teach the course and to feel at home; even making sure, knowing I was also a priest, that the main church in Algiers (Notre Dame d’Afrique) featured highly on our short tour of the city on our last day. A beautiful building built high on a cliff overlooking the city, from where this photo was taken. Yesterday’s gospel from St John (14:1-14), speaks of trying not to worry or be troubled – to trust in God and in Jesus. A passage often used in anxious times, Jesus teaches that there are many rooms in God’s house, with Jesus being the way, the truth and the life….our brother who will go and prepare a place for us. For me, it emphasises that each of us, whoever we are, has our own unique place in God’s house – all are welcomed. We each have our own room there; made in the image of God but every one of us called to be ourselves…distinctive, spare and strange (to use a beautiful phrase of Rowan Williams from one of his published sermons many years ago). And if God has a special place, a special room for each of us – how much more must we, as sisters and brothers in Christ, make room for others in our hearts, lives and prayers…..exactly as those lovely people on that trip did for me? Those who’d never met me before; had only perhaps seen my name in a book. People from a completely different faith, language, culture and society – yet were willing to welcome the stranger. Perhaps one thing we might do, whilst we are still in this strange lockdown world, confined in certain ways to our own rooms, is to reflect on how we do that for others. How can we do that now through our prayers and connections through different media – and how will we make room for others in our lives when the lockdown is over, as it indeed will be. For if we all make room for others, then others make room for ourselves, in their lives and hearts. With my love and prayers for you all; stay safe…. Canon Mike 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 in the Eucharist today from John 14: 1-14 includes Jesus’ famous saying ‘I am the Way’. Those of us who have been using Exploring the Sunday Gospel at Home have explored this powerful theme through the image of maps. Some of us have found maps or made signpost to focus the Gospel theme as we participate at home in the streamed service. The picture I have chosen to introduce my blog shows how Aled and Sian studied their map at home, and then followed the signs to explore their neighbourhood. The Gospel reading for next Sunday’s Eucharist from John 14: 15-21 includes Jesus’ famous saying that the Father will give us another Advocate. In Exploring the Sunday Gospel at Home we invite you to reflect during the coming week on this promise through the lens of the image the guide. You will find the Exploring the Sunday Gospel at Home preparation sheet for today on the Resources tab of the website, under the “Preparation” column. Also on the Resources page you will find suggestions of things to think about, things to pray about, and things to do, in order to prepare our hearts, minds, and souls for next Sunday’s service. Look under the “Preparation” column of the Resources page for next week’s Exploring the Sunday Gospel at Home preparation sheet and under the “Education” column for the Cathedral Education Team’s craft document. 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. The lockdown has been going on for some weeks now and it is time to reflect on how the Church and on how we are responding to that experience. Working with the Church Times and with Bishop David Walker of Manchester, a colleague and I have designed a survey to help the Church reflect on and to plan for the future. I hope that many people who visit this website will be willing to take time to participate in this survey. Find out more here: https://tinyurl.com/ycsq9fy2. You are warmly welcome to join us in worship today here from 10 am Sunday morning: We invite you to further engage with us using the Breakfast and the Bible document here:
The picture above is taken from the book, Signs and Symbols, a part of the series of books entitled Exploring Our World for 3 to 7 year old learners. You can find the whole book and the entire series of Exploring Our World books on the St. Mary’s Centre website, http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/Exploring%20Our%20World.html.
Canon Leslie "I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now." Philippians 1:3-5 Four weeks ago we were very fortunate to get a regular supermarket delivery slot. There was much celebration in Loudon HQ when I managed to secure this Thursday night slot – although it arrives in the middle of theatre night on a Thursday when we are watching the amazing plays being broadcast free. As you may know my husband is recovering from surgery and chemotherapy following a cancer diagnosis – he is a shielded person so this slot was very important for us and we are very grateful to the supermarket for prioritising us. We are also very grateful to the delivery person and all the other delivery people who have brought food and other items to our doorstep. So, as well as our amazing NHS staff, this week I would like to give thanks and pray for a lot of people who are keeping us safe and doing jobs that mean that our lives keep going in such difficult times: Delivery drivers Supermarket workers Small corner shop workers and owners The refuse collectors and people who sort this rubbish out Call centre operatives Cleaners Health care administrators, managers, secretaries, rota coordinators Trustees of charities Funders who are enabling much needed money to front line work Food outlets that are delivering freshly made food Foodbank and other emergency food aid workers Teachers and those who care for children Pharmacists Funeral directors and those who work in our crematoriums and cemeteries People working on public transport People fixing roads Those mending burst water pipes, telephone wires, electricity cables People who are offering health and wellbeing advice on the phone I am sure I have missed people to thank and if you are someone who is working for the common good and you are not on this list please accept my thanks. There is one person who I am going to single out for special thanks and prayers…Martin – the Micah Van Man. He is out collecting and delivering food every day and we are so grateful to him for his hard work. Martin is sharing the gospel through his social action – faith in action. So, much love and prayers for you Martin and all who are working for the common good. Martin has made a video of a typical day in the life of the Micah Van Man, which you can view here: Canon Ellen 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 morning the Cathedral joins the many others observing the 75th anniversary of V-E Day. We invite you to join us in solemn commemorative worship today in this video here: Canon Neal has written his weekly blog post reflecting about this day and its meaning. He has included several photos in his blog post, the full-size versions of which you will find in the slide show above. We warmly invite you to read his words here:
Liverpool Cathedral is participating in the "Big Picnic for Hope" today, and we invite you to join us. Read more about what you can do at this link to the news section of our main website: https://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/43/section.aspx/37/honouring_heroes_of_past_and_present_in_the_big_picnic_for_hope. We wish you a very happy VE day, from all of us here at Liverpool Cathedral. 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. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful… and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3: 15-17 (emphasis mine) As I walked along sea front on Tuesday I felt incredibly blessed. Yes you and I are living in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic with so many deaths, but as I looked out to sea and over to the Wirral I was overwhelmed by the peace and the beauty of the scenery all around me. Gratitude, being thankful, is at the heart of our Christian Faith as evidenced in our scriptural reading from Colossians, but being thankful often gets forgotten. We forget because human nature is such that we tend to dwell on the negative. We dwell on what we don’t have rather than what we do have. We have so much and this has been brought home to me during this time of lockdown. As I look around me I am grateful for the NHS; I am grateful for the Friends’ of St James’ Gardens; I am grateful to those who have developed the water front; I am grateful to all who supply my daily needs. As we look towards VE Day tomorrow I am so grateful to those who gave their lives so that I and the rest of Europe have been able to live in peace. So as the verses from Colossians say, let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts and give thanks to God. Give thanks to God for the peace of the past 75 years and give thanks for this wonderful city and country and do not forget to give thanks for the NHS. Dean Sue A 75th VE Day service will be broadcast tomorrow morning from prayerforliverpool.org. 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 pictures that accompany this blog are historic! They depict the last time the Diocese of Liverpool won the National Church Times Cricket Cup and were taken in 1993. (I’m the one in the middle at the front holding the cup) Cricket had always played a big part in my life (my finest cricketing hour was opening the batting at Old Trafford for Lancashire under 19’s!). So when I was ordained in 1978 I joined the Liverpool Clergy Cricket Team and met up with some of the most talented, amusing, supportive, quirky, and occasionally down right bonkers group of men (yes, in those days men) that it was my privilege to get to know. Never having won the cup before, between 1978 and 1990 we won it 10 times in 12 years. Believe me it was no easy task. Each Thursday in the season we were required to play ‘group’ matches against the dioceses of Chester, Manchester, Blackburn, and Carlisle before playing other northern group winners in the quarter and semi - finals. The Grand Final was always played in London – a distinct advantage to our Southern opponents. All matches were very competitive and not without controversy. Bishop David Sheppard was a great supporter but after a nasty ‘incident’ when playing for the Diocese of Southwark, Grace forbade him from playing again! Of course members of the team were very different both in personality and churchmanship. Journeys to matches could be fraught with danger as a variety of topics would be fiercely debated on long car journeys. This may well have accounted for our reputation of being aggressive on the field as by the time a game started some of our team were fairly worked up with each other! For those with long(ish) memories over the years the following clergy who served in the city and held at some times the following posts played for the team: John Macaulay – Chaplain to Liverpool College and our long time captain Simon Starkey – Vicar of St Bede and Area Dean of Toxteth Ray Hutchinson – Vicar of St Dunstan Edge Hill Henry Corbett – Vicar of St Peter Everton Pete Winn –Vicar of St Margaret Anfield Alan Godson – Vicar of St Mary Edge Hill David Harrison – Vicar of St Michael in the Hamlet Jonathan Anders – Vicar of St Anne Aigburth was our scorer David Hutton – Canon Chancellor of Liverpool Cathedral was our President and Benefactor. As L. P. Hartley famously began ‘The Go Between’, the past is a foreign country. I can, however remember profoundly disagreeing with a team mate’s theology and finding them a crushing bore during a 2 hour car journey but then cheering them to the rafters if they scored a magnificent 100 or took a match winning hat trick. I’m not suggesting in any way that our present predicament can be seriously compared to a game of cricket but when it came down to it, each one of us would support each other for what we perceived to be the greater good and in doing so petty disagreements became irrelevant. And of course ultimately cricket itself is an irrelevance as we look to the future with hope in the presence of the Risen Lord Jesus whose resurrection assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. 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. '
Over the years, my room in the Cathedral has become a place for people to deposit items when they have no idea where they ought to go. Sometimes it has taken me months or even years to find them a permanent home. One such item has now lived with me since May 2011. It normally sits on the floor in a corner. It is a red house brick! How did I acquire it? It was once part of a house in Bootle which was bombed and then demolished following the May Blitz in 1941. The brick had a small walk-on part in a service in 2011 to mark the 70th anniversary of the May Blitz which brought such devastation to Bootle and to Liverpool, including the Cathedral itself. The service included a ‘soundscape’ which brought back to life some of the sounds and noises of those far off days. It included the sound of sirens announcing an air-raid, the noise of the bombs falling, fire-engines and machine guns, all accompanied by searchlights. A group of redoubtable women, volunteers from the Maritime Museum, came to help us, wearing the outfits of those days, and recalling the trials and tribulations of those times, and something of the humour too. It was a poignant and memorable occasion. The highlight came with the conclusion of the soundscape, as the whole congregation, including civic guests and clergy, joined in heartily with Dame Vera Lynn as we all sang ‘We’ll meet again.’ This week we reach another anniversary: 75 years since VE Day in May 1945, bringing hostilities to an end in Europe. The bank holiday was moved to a Friday and great plans were made. Sadly most of those plans have been cancelled or put on hold with the restrictions necessarily in place for the current pandemic. But one small part of the plan has survived, and it centres around Dame Vera’s war-time song. It may be destined to become the anthem for these times, after Her Majesty the Queen concluded her recent broadcast with a reference to its opening words. We continue our loving prayers each day for all those whom, just for now, we are not able to meet. But as people who walk life’s journey in company with the risen Lord, we may not know what the future holds, but ‘we know who holds the future.’ With faith and hope in God, we may sing with confidence, ‘We’ll meet again.’ Canon Myles While you're here: Why not prepare for the coming 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. I’m not from around here, as many will know. I was born and raised in Denton, Manchester, but spent much of my life up in the Ribble Valley in Lancashire, in the village of Ribchester. I moved there when working at the Royal Preston Hospital and it became my home from then on. My spiritual home too, since the parish church there became my sending parish, and Blackburn my home diocese where I was ordained. It’s a beautiful place – my house was just a few hundred yards from the river Ribble itself. Surrounded by nature, the valley, river, birds, cattle and sheep – one feels very close to God and the beauty of creation. And the people….the warmth of their love and friendship is very similar to that which I’ve experienced here in Liverpool; I love serving both equally! Yesterday was Good Shepherd Sunday where in John’s gospel we hear of our Lord Jesus Christ as the good shepherd, leading his flock – calling them each by name; leading, guiding, protecting. This image of Jesus is very powerful in the bible – and one which, when I lived in Ribchester, was very easy to understand. For the life of the sheep farmer and the sheep themselves were an integral part of the rural life. Even so, it’s only at critical times in rural life that that relationship becomes even more vivid and obvious. One such occasion was Christmas 2015, when Ribchester made the headlines for the disastrous floods which occurred there and throughout the whole of the north. My house thankfully was not affected. But many houses were and so too the lives of many in the valley, not least the sheep farmers. It was the speed which took us all by surprise….even those who’d lived there for generations. From the village, across the river, the scene was one of desperation; one we’ll never forget…..of the sheep farmer and his sheep. The river rose so quickly that half a dozen sheep, many pregnant ewes, were suddenly cut-off by the rising flood water. The farmer bravely waded out, chest deep in places, to try to encourage the sheep back to dry land. Sheep are not good swimmers (something I only learnt that day) and when pregnant, scared and saturated are naturally exhausted too. Thankfully through a lot of coaxing (and prayer from some of us on the opposite bank), all were rescued – to tumultuous applause; the last dragged floating on its back through the water. In our own desperate times in this crisis, the life and work of that farmer, the love and care he gave to the sheep, is mirrored by many around our city right now….by all peoples, all faiths. It opens my eyes in seeing the good shepherd in so many, helping those around us in really difficult situations – some becoming more obvious as the lockdown continues. But the image of the good shepherd isn’t just in the faces of leaders; as Jesus taught us, it can be in each and every one of us. We do not need to be a designated leader, to lead by example in the way of Christ; the gift of the spirit is there for all of us to use, to be there, like that farmer, to help others in their times of need. So dear friends, may our eyes, hearts and minds be open to the struggles of others as the weeks progress – and may we all be that good shepherd; in Jesus’ name. With my love and prayers for you all; stay safe…. Canon Mike While you're here: Why not prepare for the coming 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. Anticipating the lockdown, the Dean invited me, as Canon Theologian, to reflect on the implications for Sunday worship. At this stage I envisaged congregations staying at home, but I never envisaged clergy being locked out of churches as well. The Dean’s invitation made me ponder deeply on the structure of the Sunday Eucharist. Here Sunday by Sunday we have a service in two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Sacrament. The two parts are hinged on the Peace. As a true Anglican (both Catholic and Reformed), I value both parts. But the tendency can sometimes be to emphasise and value the Sacrament more than the Word. Reflecting on the Gospel reading about Jesus meeting incognito with two disciples on the road to Emmaus on that first Easter Sunday, in his address last Sunday Canon Neal reminded us so well, as he literally took us on the walk to Emmaus, just how much the Word and the Sacrament go hand-in-hand. But Canon Neal also demonstrated just how much time needs to be given to the Liturgy of the Word. Those disciples were on the road for seven miles, reflecting on their personal experience of things that had so recently impacted their lives and engaging dialogue with the Word. This was long enough to make their hearts burn within them. All this they took to the table, well worked through, before the bread was broken. Now in the lockdown, the Liturgy of the Sacrament remains crucial, but we are at the same time given opportunity to reflect more on the Liturgy of the Word. My hope is that some of you are now drawing on, and finding helpful, the material Exploring the Sunday Gospel at Home. During this past week, we have been inviting you at home to reflect on today’s Gospel reading, John 10: 1-10, and do to so through the lens of the image Sheep. We have even invited you to draw a picture, choose a photo, or make a model of your sheep to be a focus in your home for today’s broadcasted service. Next week the Gospel is John 14: 1-14 where Jesus describes himself as ‘The Way’. We are inviting you to explore this passage through the lens of the image Maps. The material can be found at 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 welcome you to join us in worship today here: The text of the sermon for the service is here, in both English and Farsi:
We invite you to further engage with us using the Breakfast and the Bible document here:
To access the “Exploring the Sunday Gospel at Home” documents, go to the “Prayer Resources” page of this blog and look under the “Preparation” column: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. You will also find Children’s activities from the Cathedral Education Team on under the “Education” column on the same page. The documents for next week are now available, so that you can begin preparing for next Sunday early in the week. The picture above is taken from the book, Making Spiritual Landmarks, a part of the series of books entitled Randalph's Spiritual Quest and Search for Meaning for 8 to 11 year old learners. You can find the whole book and the entire series of Randalph books on the St. Mary’s Centre website, http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/randalphs%20spiritual%20quest.html. Canon Leslie |
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
brought to you from Liverpool Cathedral St James Mount Liverpool L1 7AZ |
Liverpool Cathedral is a place of encounter.
Built by the people, for the people, to the Glory of God www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk |