During these weeks of lockdown many of us will have had events and appointments cancelled in our diaries. This Tuesday, I should have spent the morning with the ten new priests who would have been ordained in the Cathedral earlier in June. Their ordination has had to be postponed. I look forward to this day each year as we focus on their new role as president at the Eucharist which will be theirs following their ordination to the priesthood. Each of the newly ordained will have experienced their own unique journey as they have answered the call of God, and these will reflect the wide variety of understandings of priesthood and of the Eucharist which are all part of our heritage as Anglicans. While there are a good number of simple practical things I am glad to share with those coming new to the art of presiding, what makes our time together really worthwhile is if we manage to have trusting and honest conversation about the deep feelings, including doubts and fears, which they may bring to this moment of transition in ministry. I was ordained priest at the youngest possible age of 24. As I look back, I realise that ordination was only the beginning of a lifelong journey, rather than a moment of arrival. As the old hymn says, ‘experience will decide.’ God certainly uses the experiences of life to enable us to develop, change and grow, and this must surely include the mistakes we make. Hopefully we can learn from these too. For now, our prayers are with those who are waiting to be ordained as priests and as deacons, and we ask that our faithful God will bless each of their journeys, every step of the way. 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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Unbridled joy, some may say – certainly that’s the strength of feeling and emotion in acknowledging the stellar performance of Liverpool Football Club this season, to bring back the championship to Anfield after 30 years absence. Tremendous work – and that’s coming from a supporter of another football team altogether! But one has to honestly admire them – and what is still likely to be a record-breaking season for them; and likely many more to come under the inspirational managership of Jurgen Klopp. As our own Liverpool Cathedral tribute was played so brilliantly by Dan Bishop; voiced by Dean Sue, Paul O’Brien and, in prayer, by our young choristers - and indeed as was sung by the Choristers of Great Britain last year at the cathedral…..“You’ll never walk alone”. Something which, in essence as Christians we know through our faith – that we never walk alone; that Christ is always with us – that God is always calling all of us to walk a path with his Son Jesus Christ, in the power of the Spirit….a spirit that can bring amazing things to our lives when we follow His way. And that’s also another aspect of Joy which we often remember at this time in the church’s calendar, this season of Petertide. For in this season, in most dioceses, those who have discerned a particular calling to follow Christ and have walked a pathway through learning and training, come to a special focus now when they are ordained Deacons. It is a tremendous occasion; only in fact a nexus along a lifelong pathway, but one which often marks a point of inflection from a, quite often, long and difficult calling through life beforehand, to one of ordination and licensing to serve communities all around the country. Sadly, within the current pandemic, that service in the cathedral could not take place – so the start is unusual, to say the least, for our 25 new curates in our diocese. But we still hold them very much in our prayers for this new chapter for them – however it may have started. For myself, it is indeed a joyous anniversary, for it was on this day in 2013 that I was ordained in Blackburn Cathedral and served my title there. Even today, I am still amazed that God called me – then and calls me now - to serve in his name; a wonderful, humbling privilege. My calling was there throughout my entire life – one which I’d long felt was only a calling to serve my Cancer patients through my science. So, to hear and begin to feel another additional calling was quite remarkable….and amazingly strong. So much so that I resigned from my profession and head of service post at the Christie, to live and train fulltime down at Westcott House in Cambridge – which is where the above photo is taken. That period of time was one of both joy and sadly sorrow, as many of you reading this will perhaps already know. But God led me down a path which showed that my professional life in Science was not being replaced by a priestly ministry – but added to. And so here am I - the priest and scientist serving before you. So, there is much we might give thanks for now – but we must also be acutely aware of lives challenged and shattered in the current situation; for which joy is furthest from one’s mind. We pray for the lives changed and which will never be the same again; that God still calls us all, in both our grief and joy, to be the wonderful, distinctive individuals we are. Following that call, walking the way of Christ, enables God to work marvellous things both in us and with us, for the sake of others. And that in itself is perhaps one of the greatest joys we might have, and also the greatest of responsibilities; that through the joy in us which comes from the power of the Spirit, we may serve and help others – so they will know perhaps in just some small way, they will never walk alone….. With my love and prayers for you all, as always…. Canon Mike Keep celebrating! We're happy to share this video of the Cathedral choristers joined by choristers from around Great Britain singing, "You'll Never Walk Alone" at the Choristers of Great Britain Event on June 13, 2019. At this point in the Church’s year the Sunday Gospel readings are inviting us to travel through Matthew’s narrative. In chapter 10 we are paying attention to how Matthew presents Jesus’ teaching to the original twelve disciples as they prepare to be sent out in his name. What Jesus said to them he says to me and to you today. Jesus’ teaching to those disciples (and to me and to you today) is so important that our lectionary spends three weeks on Matthew chapter 10. On Sunday 14 June we were reminded that Jesus called each one of the twelve by name, just as he calls you and me by name. Our image that day was friends. We are called as friends into Jesus’ school of discipleship learning. On Sunday 21 June we were reminded of two key features of our calling. We are called to put ourselves at risk (just as Jesus put himself at risk). God cares for us just as God cares for the sparrows. Our image that day was companion animals. We are called into awareness of God’s care for us. Now on Sunday 28 June we are reminded of the importance of the welcome that we receive. The people who welcome those whom Jesus sends welcome Jesus himself. People who welcome Jesus welcome the Father who sent him. Our image today is welcome. In his book Teddy Horsley meets Jesus’ Disciples, Teddy Horsley meets with his friends in church and experiences the welcome extended to him. Next week the reading from Matthew’s Gospel moves on to the next stage in Jesus’ journey and shows the contrast between John the Baptist’s way of life and Jesus’ way of life. Both are criticised by the people but for entirely different reasons. They accuse John of being possessed and Jesus of being a drunkard. In turn Jesus likens his critics to quarrelsome children playing in the market place. The image to help us to explore and to reflect on this theme is children’s games. 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 [email protected]. The first results from the survey I launched to explore how churchgoers are feeling during the lockdown are now available on the website at York St John University: https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/coronavirus-church-and-you/. But the survey is still live and I would welcome further responses. It is completely anonymous and confidential. Find out more here: https://tinyurl.com/ycsq9fy2. The photo above is taken from the cover of Teddy Horsley Meets Jesus’ Disciples, which you can read online here: https://teddyhorsley.org/other-stories/teddy-horsley-meets-jesus-disciples. To learn more about Teddy Horsley, follow this link to his website: https://teddyhorsley.org/. Check out his page on the St. Mary’s Centre website for more Teddy Horsley stories: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources.html. We warmly welcome you to join us in worship here: We invite your further participation with the Breakfast and the Bible materials here: ![]()
Teddy Horsley sends his good wishes to all. Canon Leslie The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; Psalm 24.1 This week I have spent a lot of time thinking about the environment and our sustainable goals. At its February 2020 meeting, General Synod members voted in favour of a revised date encouraging all parts of the Church of England to take action and ramp-up efforts to reduce emissions. So, the Church of England have committed to reducing our carbon emissions to net zero by 2030. The Diocese and Cathedral will need to play our part in meeting this goal - we started our work last year by gaining the Bronze Eco-church Award https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/ . We have a long way to go and 10 years is a short time for us to work toward how we will meet this target – and I pray we will also be a Gold Eco-church by 2030 as well. It will be a group effort and I hope that in the next few months we will be able to form a new environment and sustainability group that will help to work together to initiate change and encourage others to join the efforts. We all have a responsibility to care for God’s creation and look after this beautiful world in our lifetime and contribute to its sustainability for our children and generations to come. I was fortunate to receive a ‘growing pack’ from Faiths4Change https://www.faiths4change.org.uk/ (see before and after pictures) which I planted out and in just a week the seeds had sprouted and the plants are flourishing…this is the miracle of God’s earth. What an amazing privilege to be able to see new life emerge from the earth. So, this week I am giving thanks for God’s creation, for its beauty and magnificence. I am also praying that we will meet these environment and sustainability targets. Creator of our common home, You fill the earth and sea and sky with life Forgive us our neglect of your creation The choking waste of our pollution The damage done by careless habits And our indifference to future generations. Help us to amend our lives To refuse more plastic if we can’t reuse it To lift our voice for lasting change And to live well and gently on the earth To the glory of your Son, the living Word Through whom you made this fragile world. Amen Rt Revd Steven Croft 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. Congratulations Liverpool Football Club! What a great day for Liverpool. Here is our gift to you and the city. Be patient Be Kind Be Responsible It was with great excitement that I listened to Boris Johnson on Tuesday as he gave his statement about opening pubs and restaurants, but that is not what really interested me, it was the opening of hairdressers that really lifted my mood. I immediately rang my hairdresser and got no response. Later that evening the salon rang to say that they will ring me with an appointment. As the day wore on and as I listened to comments about the opening up of the economy with all the benefits I was also aware of the other voice that kept saying the pandemic has not gone away. As I walked down to the Albert Dock the following morning I was continuing to reflect and pray and I saw a sign asking people to give way to others on paths and in the bottom left hand corner were the words: Be Patient Be Kind Be Responsible. I think these are keys words, as we move towards July 4. Key words for us to reflect upon. Be patient, be kind and be responsible are the gifts of the spirit for this present time. I was so impatient to want to get my hair cut that I had to be the first in line. I was certainly not patient, was I responsible? Was I kind? The Cathedral is I hope being patient and kind and responsible, as we have agreed that we will not open the main body of the Cathedral until July 19. July 19 is Consecration Sunday and we want to walk into the Cathedral on that Sunday morning with joy, thanksgiving and gratitude. We want people to come in to the building knowing that they are safe and knowing that they will encounter a space that reflects God’s love and majesty. So as we continue to journey through this pandemic remember, BE PATIENT, BE KIND, BE RESPONSIBLE to others and yourself. In the words of Christ, love your neighbour as yourself. 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. It is an obvious truth that each one of us has a different relationship with our Father. I am aware that some of you reading this will have experienced enormously painful experiences and do not wish to reawaken long dealt with memories. Others, especially given present circumstances, will be feeling the sharp pain of bereavement and our hearts go out to all of those in mourning. Others, like me will have benefitted from a close and loving relationship. My dad was born in 1919 which meant that he had barely left school before being called up at the beginning of the Second World War. He served as a Captain in the Artillery in the Indian Army in Burma. I can’t begin to understand how those years must have affected him but I suspect his lifelong enjoyment of whiskey and water may have had its origins in the jungle. Another consequence was the cementing of a bond of friendship with a group of ex school friends for the rest of his life. They all played cricket at the same club and watched rugby together at Waterloo. They were all Free Masons at the same Lodge and met up most lunchtimes at a variety of ‘Gentlemen’s Clubs’ in town. Dad was as reluctant to talk about his memories of the war as he was about his faith. However if asked he would confidently declare ‘Church of England’. I sometimes think that the Church of England have left people like my dad behind. Dad taught me a love of sport and ingrained in me a sense of right and wrong and the need to look out for others. At his funeral the general sentiment was that ‘He was a gentleman’ and I think he would have approved of that. Of course we did not always agree; the first swear word I ever heard him utter was directed at the television during a party political broadcast by Harold Wilson! I found it really hard to watch him grow old and diminish and writing this brings back feelings of gratitude, love, mixed with regret. At the end of the day, however if my children remember me with the affection I have for my dad I shall be satisfied. 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. For more than thirty years, I had the privilege of living in a vicarage, for six of them in Seaforth, and for the rest in Stanley – the posh name for Old Swan! For the most part it was indeed a privilege, but one or two aspects of vicarage life presented more of a challenge than an opportunity. One which certainly comes to mind is the huge garden which often comes with the house. The vicarage at Seaforth was built on the site of a larger house which had been destroyed by a bomb during WW2. The site was not really cleared before the new house was built, so much of the garden was full of rubble, making it almost useless for lawns or flower beds. My grandmother who lived there with my mother and me certainly enjoyed the challenge of the garden, but it largely defeated even her hard work and enthusiasm. In Old Swan the Vicarage was a huge house in a secluded Victorian square with open land and a wooded area at the front. As if that was not sufficient, there was also a large secluded garden at the back of the house. For most of my time there, a succession of curates shared the house with me, having a self-contained flat on the top floor. Somehow during the appointment process, I failed to ask whether they enjoyed gardening. As I now recall, only one of them did! Moving to the Cathedral Close was a horticultural liberation! There are modest gardens at the front of our houses, and a small area of lawn and border at the back, but for me the most enjoyable part is the patio, next to the living room and the kitchen. All that is required is to water a few pots! Having spent so much time at home in recent weeks, it has been great to watch as spring has turned into summer, as tulips have given way to bedding plants, and on certain days, the Lord God even lends a hand with the watering! It was the poet and hymn-writer, Dorothy Gurney, the author of a once popular wedding hymn, ‘O perfect love,’ who also wrote ‘One is nearer God’s heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth’ I’m not sure I would have gone along with that during my years in a vicarage, but now as I stand with an early morning cup of tea, looking out at the patio, I’m far more inclined to agree – and to be thankful. 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. The assessment period at a university is often one of the most stressful aspects of student life; with this one undoubtedly being the strangest and the most difficult in living memory. I often write to all my students just before their exams to help calm their nerves; reminding them of the exam prep and techniques we discussed in class – but also emphasising how the assessments are actually their opportunity to show us what they know and what they’ve learned. I also remind them of how proud I am of them, that if they come away feeling they’ve done their best, then I’ll be happy; and, at the end of it all, that their worth is far greater than a number at the end of the script….who they are is something precious and blessed, no matter what. This morning’s new testament reading for morning prayer is taken from St Luke’s gospel (13:1-9) and reminds us of God’s love and grace for us all. The parable is of the fig tree failing to bear fruit – the owner is fed up with this happening year on year and want’s done with it. But the gardener has greater patience, greater love….greater faith in what the fig tree is capable of. With the right care, right circumstances, he still believes it can bear good fruit, show what it can do…given the right opportunity. And I firmly believe that’s exactly what we’ve got before us in these times – opportunity; opportunity to learn from what has happened in the recent past, during this lockdown period – the kindness and generosity shown, the desire to help and volunteer for those in need; the outreach, connections and expressions of love in so many different forms, especially for those we hardly know. The God of love knows what we are capable of and gives us all the strength, spirit and courage to seize such opportunities and be the love of Christ in our lives for the lives of others. We all have borne fruit, but can all continue to do so and more so, through God’s loving direction, nurture and care. And what an opportunity we have in wider circles too. Today marks National Windrush Day – a day to remember and celebrate the enormous contributions made by people from around the Commonwealth. The national church calls us to hold fast to this and take the opportunity to go further; by holding a 2 min silence at 11 am today to remember what the Windrush generation brought to us, in our time of need; but also, to recognise and lament the suffering that they encountered, and indeed many people still do around the world, because of the wider issues of racism. These are all opportunities for us – to be aware of our past, and to use that to give us direction for a better today and a more equitable, fair, just and loving tomorrow. It will require action from governments around the world to do something different now – but we too, individually and collectively, need to do something different, something positive, to show what we’re all capable of in this new world we are emerging into right now. May we, as Christians, give thanks for each and every new day, and grab fully the opportunities before us, to be Christians in the wider world. May we together pray for strength and wisdom to make the change and do things differently to the past, as part of a God-given and loving future….in Jesus’ name. With my love and prayers for you all, as always…. 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. |
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 |