At this point in the Church’s year the Sunday Gospel readings are inviting us to travel through Matthew’s narrative. Last Sunday Matthew reminded us of the names of the twelve disciples. Jesus called the twelve disciples together and commissioned them to do as he does: to proclaim the reign of God through their words and to display the reign of God through their actions. Our way into this theme was through the image of friends.
 
This week Matthew reminds us of how Jesus prepared the twelve disciples to fulfil their commission. He warned them that they would be putting themselves at risk (just as Jesus put himself at risk), but he also assured them that God cares about them and cares for them, just as God cares for the sparrows that are sold two for a penny in the market place.
 
Today’s image to help us to experience and to reflect on God’s care for us is companion animals. We invite you to bring that image with you as you prepare your hearts and homes for participating in the Sunday Eucharist broadcast from Liverpool Cathedral.
 
Next Sunday the Gospel reading continues Matthew’s account of Jesus’ preparation of the disciples before they went out on their missionary journey. People who welcome those whom Jesus sends welcome Jesus himself. People who welcome Jesus welcome the Father who sent him. The image to help us to explore and to reflect on this theme is simply welcome. 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.
 
Last month I launched a national survey to explore how churchgoers are feeling during the lockdown. I hope that many people who visit this website today will be willing to participate in the survey. It is completely anonymous and confidential. Find out more here https://tinyurl.com/ycsq9fy2.
 
We warmly welcome you to join us in worship here: 

We invite you further to engage with the Breakfast and the Bible materials here: 

​Today’s blog features a companion animal duo of Teddy Horsley, whom readers of this blog will know well, and Scruffy, one of the furry friends to be found in the Tsedaqah House beside the Cathedral. Teddy and Scruffy are both sporting their crowns they wore to celebrate the Sunday after the Ascension. Scruffy is the particular friend of Nelson, one of the Tsedaqah Community Members with us this year.
 
To learn more about Teddy Horsley, follow this link to his website: https://teddyhorsley.org/, and this link to his page on the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources.html.
 
Teddy Horsley and Scruffy send their greetings to all.
 
Canon Leslie

​Today is the last day of refugee week. https://refugeeweek.org.uk/

Refugee Week is a UK-wide festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees. Founded in 1998 and held every year around World Refugee Day on the 20 June, Refugee Week is also a growing global movement.
Through a programme of arts, cultural and educational events alongside media and creative campaigns, Refugee Week brings about positive encounters between communities, helping them to connect and learn from each other, and promoting a culture of welcome.

Refugee Week is an umbrella festival, and anyone can get involved by holding or joining an event or activity. Refugee Week events happen in all kinds of different spaces and range from arts festivals, exhibitions, film screenings and museum tours to football tournaments, public talks and activities in schools.

Micah Liverpool https://micahliverpool.com/ has this week supported nearly 300 people many of whom are refugees and asylum seekers. Even in the pouring rain (see photo) Micah welcomes all people from any background or religion – if you need emergency food support Micah is there to assist. Many of those we have supported have become our supporters – as volunteers, as advocates for the work, as people who lobby for social change and who donate and contribute in other ways. Micah is about enabling and being enabled – the transition of kindness has definitely been mutual and sustaining.

Our cathedral Persian Farsi speaking congregation Sepas is a wonderful creative loving encouraging congregation that enriches our cathedral life. On a personal level the generosity of this worshipping community has greatly blessed my life and their prayers supported me through many challenges. I am constantly giving thanks for their faith in Christ and their witness to the gospel.  

So, this week I am praying for all those who seek sanctuary in our city, for the displaced for those who seek asylum or are refugees from all over God’s world. I am giving thanks for the diversity, love and creativity refugees and asylum seekers have brought to Cathedral life. I also pray all those who are living far from their homes and families and for peace in God’s war torn world.    
 
Almighty and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own;
look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief;
inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;
and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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.

Imagine my delight when, having only just arrived in Liverpool last summer, I learnt that a rather special ‘lady’ was due to grace Lime Street Station with her presence. Accordingly, I set my alarm clock for rather earlier than usual on a Saturday morning and wandered down to Platform 10. There at the end, surrounded by admiring photographers (in those far-off halcyon non-socially-distanced days), was a stunning steam locomotive – 6201 Princess Elizabeth. Replendent in her original LMS livery she gently hissed and exuded clouds of steam from various parts of her anatomy - like a great slumbering dragon, waiting to take off. The sight, sound and smell of her departure into the tunnel at the station mouth was something to behold!
 
I have long been a fan of trains – even from childhood. Aged 7, my birthday present was a small 0-6-0 ‘Jinty’ tank engine, a few trucks and a circle of track. I was hooked! Aged 11 a friend took me to the local station train-spotting and I was captivated. I saved up my pocket-money for Ian Allan books of numbers for diesels, diesel multiple units (DMUs) and electric multiple units (EMUs). In later years, having lost the fascination with ticking off numbers, I developed more of an interest in the technology of railways and how they fit with the social and economic history of this country and much of the world.
 
It is a cliché that many clergy are either interested in cricket or trains, or both! I have no idea why this should be. I ventured a theory on the clerical train-geek phenomenon, when preaching on Pentecost as a Curate (an apprentice Vicar). Namely that in the third chapter of John’s Gospel Jesus said that his followers should be baptised in both water and the Holy Spirit. A symbol of the Spirit is fire; add fire to water and you get…steam! I don’t think that my training incumbent, nor the congregation, were totally convinced!
 
I am pleased to say, however, that there are other train fans at Liverpool Cathedral, and not only middle-aged blokes like me. Indeed, one of our enterprising younger female members has just completed a tapestry of a pair of Class 504 EMUs traversing the iconic ‘Besses O’ Th’ Barn’ bridge on the Manchester to Bury line. Well done Catherine! Her aim to is help raise funds for a local preserved railway.
 
So, where exactly am I going with this blog? Well, to be truthful, I am really missing trains at the moment. I love travelling by train whenever I get the opportunity. Usually that has been for ‘work’ and very few months have passed over the years when I haven’t used a train to get to somewhere for a meeting or a service. I had felt some virtue in using public transport rather than my own car, it has also to be admitted. I also like train-travel because it gives me space to think and work – whereas in a car one’s concentration should fully be on the road. So to be told deliberately to avoid using trains, and buses, wherever possible, seems very counter-intuitive. That I cannot do all that just underlines to me how deeply the impacts of the current crisis have cut.
 
So no attempt at a deep spiritual message from me today – unless you can find one hidden in there somewhere (answers on a postcard if you wish!). Rather I am simply sharing a longing for a return to train-travel before too long, and all that goes with it! And a hope that we will, as many of us as possible, re-embrace the usage and funding of our public-transport with even greater verve . I, for one, will never take it for granted again. Thinking about it, though, perhaps there is a spiritual dimension to this? Something less tangible that speaks to at least some of us. Something that the likes of 6201 ‘Princess Elizabeth’ sparks in us. And maybe even a class 504 EMU!
 
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.

Words fail me as I try to put into words how glad I am that Liverpool Cathedral Lady Chapel, a public sacred space, has reopened for private prayer. In fact I find it very emotional. Over the past three months I have been challenged by my own understanding of what faith is about when I see the Cathedral that was built by the people for the people to the Glory of God locked to the people of this city. I fully understand why. We need to keep people safe and we are endeavouring to do this as we re-open with strict social distancing rules and cleaning regimens.
​
Many people have argued and continue to argue that we don’t need churches to pray in. I would argue that churches and especially cathedrals enable the prayers of all God’s people to be offered in a sacred public space. For me there is something sacred about sitting, kneeling or standing in Liverpool Cathedral and offering to God our daily prayers. Since Liverpool Cathedral was founded, prayer has been offered in this space and the stones of Liverpool Cathedral have soaked up these prayers and continue to soak up prayer. I often get an overwhelming feeling of peace and comfort when I visit cathedrals and churches, and when I reflect on the many thousands of people who through the centuries have offered prayers for the world, for people and for the Church.

Liverpool Cathedral points us to something greater than ourselves; it points us to the Glory of God. Liverpool Cathedral is perched on top of a hill over-looking the City of Liverpool and it is there for all people and not just the Sunday congregation. Within any cathedral there is a ‘hidden congregation,’ those who come and offer prayer discretely and quietly though the lighting of candles or through the writing of prayers. They are as much part of Liverpool Cathedral as the Sunday congregation.

Cathedrals and faith communities in general have a lot to offer the common good of society. What Liverpool Cathedral offers is public sacred space that bring, solace, comfort and stability. The very action of prayer in this place enhances the well-being and peace of people.

Liverpool Cathedral is a public sacred space where people come in joy and in sorrow to offer something of themselves and to encounter the God who knows and loves them. I hope and pray that we will continue to be able to offer a public sacred space for private prayer for all people of this city and region for generations to come.
 
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.

I have to admit that one of the consequences of our present situation that has caused me great sadness is not just that we are prevented from meeting together to worship God, but specifically that we are not able to gather for the Eucharist. For over 40 years my central act of worship on a Sunday has been sharing Holy Communion with the community of Christians amongst whom I was living at the time. Last week the Church marked the day when those from my tradition give thanks for the gift of the Eucharist and is traditionally known as Corpus Christi. This year, of course, that day passed by almost unnoticed but that fact only sharpened for me the feeling of loss.

I was reminded of some truly inspiring words written by Gregory Dix, a monk and priest of Nashdom Abbey, an Anglican Benedictine Community:

Do this in Remembrance of me

‘Was ever another command so obeyed? For century after century, spreading slowly to every continent and country and among every race on earth this action has been done in every conceivable human circumstance. There has been found no better thing to do than this for kings at their crowning, and for criminals going to the scaffold; for armies in triumph, or for a bride and bridegroom in a little country Church; for the wisdom of a Parliament of a mighty nation or for a sick old woman afraid to die; for a schoolboy sitting an examination or for Columbus setting out to discover America; for thankfulness because my father did not die of pneumonia; because the Turk was at the gate of Vienna; for the settlement of a strike; for captain so and so, wounded and prisoner of war; while the lions roared in the nearby amphitheatre; on the beach at Dunkirk; tremulously, by an old monk on the 50th. Anniversary of his vows; furtively, by an exiled bishop who had hewn timber all day in a prison camp near Murmansk; gorgeously, for the Canonisation of St Joan of Arc –

One could fill many pages with the reasons why this has been done, but not tell a hundredth part of them. And best of all, week by week, month by month, on a hundred thousand successive Sundays faithfully, unfailingly, across the parishes of Christendom, the pastors have done this just to MAKE the holy common people of God.’

Well of course we are having a temporary change from all that. However my prayer is that whatever the new ‘normal’ is we will not lose sight of the centrality of the Eucharist in the future.

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.

I write this on Sunday, the last day, we hope and pray, when the Cathedral will be completely closed. We are about to take the first tentative steps in opening our churches and places of worship once more.  The Lady Chapel, the oldest and in the eyes of many, the most lovely part of the building, is to be available for a few hours each day for people to come and pray quietly, to light a candle if they wish, and just to be still.
​
Our first consideration as we take these steps is to keep everyone safe, our staff as well as our visitors. This places a number of restrictions on what it is possible for us to offer. In the coming weeks, we shall make careful plans for further steps once we have advice from Government and the National Church that these are safe, but in the meanwhile there is the continuing need for patience and vigilance from us all.

The Cathedral to which we have longed to return has stood silent but resilient during the past twelve weeks. As some of us enter, it is into the stillness of the building that we return, and there is an invitation to share in such stillness and make it our own. We have not yet reached the moment for songs and shouts of praise, nor even for common prayer together. Such prayer has continued to be offered, and many have shared in it virtually. It has been gratifying to know how warmly this has been appreciated, not least by those confined at home.

Whether you are able to come to the Cathedral in these first days when the doors are open, or whether for whatever reason you need to remain at home for now, we hope you will share our joy that this day has come. There is still a long journey ahead, but the open doors are a sign of hope, that in this holy space we may once again encounter together the God who knows and loves us.

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.

I’m a child of the ‘80’s!  I first went to university in the early part of that decade and my musical tastes then centred upon a whole clutch of ‘new wave’ bands with different looks, different sounds…..different everything.  So, I have to shamefully confess that saying the words ‘New Life’, actually starts a song in my head from that era – a hit from Depeche Mode, one of the emerging bands of the time, remarkably who are still going.  They were there alongside Spandau Ballet, the Human League, Joe Jackson, Tears for Fears and many others side-by-side in my cassette tape (remember them?!) collection.  All started in some small way and the style of music just grew and grew – and some are still there, nearly 40 years on.

But it’s the cautious feeling I have at the moment, from where we are in the pandemic, from the current guidelines, from yesterday’s gospel, that brought the words to mind.  That in some small way, there is a feeling of a nervous ‘new life’ starting – even amidst the current situation and terrible tragedies still surrounding us, not least still the loss of life.  The current guidelines allow some cautious new beginnings…..like, for me, a weekly drive out of the region to get some much-needed space and exercise – which is where the photo above has been taken; the beautiful Ribble Valley in Lancashire, with the magnificent Pendle Hill in the background.
​

​The nervous first steps of this new life are beginning too in our own cathedral – as we can re-open our doors today, at least in some small way.  The cathedral community can once more, carefully, cautiously venture back to the Lady Chapel if they feel it is right for them, if they feel safe.  The cathedral staff have done terrific work in the way of organising risk assessments, PPE and volunteers so it may be open again, as a starting point only, for private prayer and to perhaps light a candle. 

Yesterday’s gospel too had an element of new life to it, as we heard Matthew’s account of Jesus sending out the 12 disciples in one of their first missions – to tell the Good News; that the kingdom of God has come near.  The apostles are named and they are sent, with the authority of the Lamb of God.  No doubt for them too it was an anxious, uncertain time, not knowing what to expect…but it was a new way, a new start…..a new life.

However we might consider this new phase in the pandemic, we might perhaps just cautiously feel that new life has begun.  Whether we visit or not, the fact that the cathedral doors are once more open, might bring us hope and inspiration that a small, stuttering, new life is growing – albeit with uncertainty and trepidation – but nonetheless growing.  And our prayers continue for these initial beginnings – knowing that the course of any life will be tough, but also that God is there with us, and always has been throughout the whole pandemic, bringing this first small light of Christ in the darkness; bringing new hope that we can all take courage in….new hope, new life. 

With my love and prayers for you all to continue to 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.

Now that the major themes of the Easter Season, Pentecost and Trinity Sunday have been concluded, the Sunday lectionary this year takes us back to the unfolding narrative of Matthew’s Gospel. The passage selected for today marks a really significant point in Matthew’s Gospel when Jesus gathers the twelve disciples together and commissions them to do what they had already experienced Jesus doing. Jesus commissions them to proclaim the reign of God and to display the reign of God by sharing in God’s life-giving work.
 
In this passage Matthew takes the opportunity to name the twelve disciples and in so doing invites us to reflect on Jesus’ strategy. To proclaim and to display the reign of God Jesus calls together twelve key people into a learning community. Here are twelve people who visit the same synagogue, who eat at the same table, who learn and grow together. Here are twelve people called into friendship with each other and with Jesus.
 
Today’s image to help us reflect on the experience of those twelve disciples is friends. Today’s picture draws on Aled and Siȃn’s experience of talking with their friends. Through talking with friends their horizons are lifted, their experiences are expanded, and their interpretation of the world is enriched. Aled and Siȃn invite you to bring that image of friends with you as you prepare your hearts and your homes for participating in the Sunday Eucharist broadcast from Liverpool Cathedral.
 
The image for next Sunday, when the Gospel reading is Matthew’s account of Jesus’ teaching for the disciples, is companion animals. The disciples can learn a lot from the way in which God cares for the sparrows. 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.

When considering a craft activity for next Sunday, consider origami birds as one possibility. There is a great tradition in Japan (and now other places) of making origami cranes as signs of peace. The Peace Memorial in Hiroshima is a particular focus for these. You can learn more here: https://origami.me/crane/. 

The picture above is taken from the book, Journeys, 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.
 
Last month I launched a national survey to explore how churchgoers are feeling during the lockdown. I hope that many people who visit this website today will be willing to participate in the survey. It is completely anonymous and confidential. Find out more here https://tinyurl.com/ycsq9fy2.
 
We warmly welcome you to join us in worship here: 

Our Breakfast and the Bible materials are available here: 

​Canon Leslie
​

This week I celebrated my 4th anniversary as Canon Chancellor. Not quite the way I would usually spend it – looking at the cathedral from my house rather than inside praying, singing, having cups of tea and chatting with friends and meeting colleagues in person. But, it was nevertheless a good day.

I went through all the photos I have taken of cathedral life over the last 4 years including my installation (see photo above) the arrival of the moon and Gaia, various light nights, the knife angel, Cream Classical, Micah lectures, concerts, Christmas and Easter services and so many other wonderful acts of worship. I also found some great photos of colleagues who I miss seeing from all different departments and areas of work.

As I reflect on my time as Canon Chancellor I think about the many exciting things that have happened but also the changes. Cathedral life is constantly changing – though there are some constants our clergy team is different now than it was 4 years ago, Dean Sue joined the cathedral company two years ago and we have welcome other new members of the staff team in many different departments including Lee Ward as musical director as well as new choristers and lay clerks. If I continue to list people I know I will miss people out…so I will stop!   

Each of us, who work worship or have visited the cathedral will have a whole host of memories that mark our time and our association with the building and its people. The one constant in all of my memories has been how our cathedral has drawn me into a closer relationship with God: through worship, through being alongside God’s people, through the conversations and ministry I have enjoyed. I am incredibly grateful to God for the opportunity to serve in such a place and at such a time.  

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.

Take a look at this tree. Just an ordinary tree, it seems, looking lovely in its fresh early-summer foliage. Closer inspection reveals that the trunk disappears into a vertical stone wall! Literally, it squeezes out, rather like toothpaste, from a small crack between blocks of stone, turns a right-angle upwards and then spreads out into what appears to be a healthy normal tree. It’s hard to believe that it could have grown like that, let alone survived the tough challenges of being cantilevered out of a cliff. The only explanation is that its roots, hidden from view, are deeply entwined with the stone blocks and penetrate far into the soil that is behind them. Through thick and thin, over the years, this tree has held fast and seems to be thriving. If you want to check it out for yourself, it is in St. James Gardens, the far side from the Cathedral.
 
It reminded me of one of those iconic David Attenborough programmes where he was swimming underwater in a giant kelp forest. These huge seaweeds have fronds which are tree-sized and wave around in the water. During heavy seas the forces on these giant plants are enormous and threaten to uproot the kelps and send them drifting helplessly into the open ocean and oblivion. Yet, almost unseen at the bottom of each kelp was an anchor to a huge rock  - it is known as a ‘holdfast’. It is immensely strong; it needs to be.
 
One of the ‘big’ words of the Bible, for me, is the old-fashioned sounding ‘steadfast’. It has much the same meaning as ‘hold-fast’. St. Paul uses it frequently and he would probably have been very familiar with the holdfasts of seaweed in the Mediterrean. He certainly had plenty of experience of being at sea, and the need for a good anchorage for ships, to stop them drifting into danger. When writing to the Christians in Colossae (near Denizli in modern-day Turkey) he said this: “Continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard” (Colossians 1:23). The recipients of his letter were under all sorts of pressures, spiritual, cultural, economic and social. There was the constant temptation to let go of what they had learned of Jesus and the good news that he brought in order to follow the path of least resistance. Or to feel discouraged and despondent.
 
As we slowly seem to be emerging from the most stringent phase of lockdown, and yet have no idea when life will return to anything like ‘normal’, it is also easy to lose heart and even be despairing. We surely need to hold fast to the roots of what we know is good, true, noble and enduring. The Christian faith encourages that. And many of the followers of Christ from previous generations can also inspire us too. Almost every day I have walked past the grave of Kitty Wilkinson in St. James Gardens, a woman who came to Liverpool as a child, having lost close family members in a shipwreck, lived in abject poverty and yet went on to make such a transforming difference to so many people in Liverpool. Quite rightly she is commemorated in St. George’s Hall and in the Lady Chapel at Liverpool Cathedral. Motivated by her strong faith, she held fast to her vision, despite many knock-backs. Surely someone who showed amazing steadfastness.
 
Holding fast doesn’t mean we are intransigent or unable to change. The tree grows and changes, but through its secure roots. In these uncertain times, we need to be ready to change, to learn, to become better acquainted with the challenges of our time. For example, for me, personally, I have been struck by how little that I do know about the issues facing black people and other people of colour in today’s societies, both in the UK and abroad. So that is something that I am wanting to address with some vigour. Add to that the background anxiety generally over how we build back from the Covid-19 crisis and an awareness of how different sectors of our society and economy are being impacted. Particularly for us as Christians, we do have that secure rootedness in Jesus to draw upon at these times of challenge.
 
I am reminded of a hymn that seems especially apt in this port-city of Liverpool; it could well have something fresh to say to us each today, as we seek to hold-fast to what is precious and eternal:
 
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love.
 
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.