​
Saying thank you should be an easy thing to do, but the older I get I realise that being thankful should be about more than verbalising the words. I now understand that being grateful should come from the depths of our being. When I was newly ordained we used to use ‘A General Prayer of Thanksgiving’ after the collects at Evening Prayer (https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/book-common-prayer/prayers-and-thanksgivings).

This prayer from The Book of Common Prayer helps us to offer thanks to God for all God’s goodness and loving kindness. The prayer gives thanks to God for our existence and everything God has done for us. The prayer, however, takes us a step further and it also prays that God would give us a ‘due sense of all God’s mercies.’ So thankfulness should not just be words on our lips, but thankfulness should be a true expression of what is in our hearts so influencing the way we live.

On Sunday we are being encouraged by the Churches in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) to support a National Thank You Day.

According to the National Thank You Day website (www.thankyouday.org.uk):

"Over 16 million Brits are planning to take part in the country’s first ever national thank you day on Sunday the 4th of July.
 
"The idea of Thank You Day came from a grassroots campaign to hold the country’s biggest ever thank you party  in our local communities as a way of thanking each other and of building on the community spirit that so many felt during lock down. 
 
"From the idea being launched just a month ago the campaign has won huge support from hundreds of organisations ranging from the NHS to the Scouts and from high profile individuals including Gary Lineker, Michael Sheen, Dame Judi Dench, Raheem Sterling and many more. All events will be in line with current government guidance."

As a Christian community, here in Liverpool, ‘our party’ will be the Eucharist. The work Eucharist means thanksgiving and each week and each day in the Cathedral we have the opportunity to step back from the busy routine of life and say thank you to God for the many good things God gives us.

Being thankful is so much more than words on our lips it about an inner feeling that shows itself in the way will live and the praise we offer. So in praise, I thank God for God’s goodness and mercy seen in the lives of those who have cared and supported us over the past 15 months.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
We thine unworthy servants do give thee
Most humble and hearty thanks for all
thy goodness and loving kindness to us and to all people…

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.

​Today’s Gospel reading continues our journey through Mark’s Gospel and brings us to chapter 5, a chapter concerned with healings. Healing is a central theme in Mark’s account of the ministry of Jesus.  Accounts of healing begin in chapters one and two with a man with an unclean spirit, Peter’s mother-in-law, a leper, and a paralysed man.  Now two healings are presented within one narrative.  The woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages was healed by touching Jesus’ cloak.  Then the most fundamental of healings takes place as Jesus takes Jairus’ daughter by her hand and she is restored to life.
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of ambulance. Today’s picture is taken from Teddy Horsley’s book, The Broken Leg, when he had to be taken to hospital by ambulance.
 
Lord Jesus Christ,
you brought health to the sick
and hope to the suffering.
Bless those who bring healing
in our world,
that they may work to praise your name;
now and always.
Amen.
 
Next Sunday our journey through Mark’s Gospel takes us into chapter 6 when Jesus sends his disciples out on their first missionary journey. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is travelling light. 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].
 
To find more adventures with Teddy Horsley, you are invited to follow this link to his section of the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/TeddyHorsley.html, as well as this link to his own website 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 Sunday greetings to all.
 
Canon Leslie

The From the Archives 1951: Liverpool Cathedral Choirboys’ Magazine, 
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands.”
​​

Seventy years ago, 1951 was an auspicious year for the Bells of Liverpool Cathedral.
​
April 24th: “Great George” the largest bell in the bell tower arrived from Messrs. John Taylor & Co of Loughborough. The bell had been cast at the foundry before the war and was buried during the war as a precautionary measure. 

May 4th

​Great George is hoisted up to the belfry. An account by Harry Moore in the Liverpool Cathedral Choirboys’ Magazine of Spring 1951 tells of the problems that had to be overcome.

The great problem hoisting Great George into the belfry was due to its great weight and the fact that there was only 2 inches all round clearance through the bell trap in the centre of the tower. To get the bell into position under the bell trap a huge hole had to be cut into the temporary wall at the West end and the bell drawn into potion by a hand winch. Felt had been laid over the down route and steel rails put down on which the large frame carrying the bell slowly moved forward on 4-and-a-half-inch ball bearings. A wire rope specially made, with a breaking strain of many tons, was passed four times through a huge block and tackle.

At 8.35 in the morning the bell started to move on its journey, some 250 feet up into the belfry.  It passed safely through the Bell trap at 5.30 that evening and at 7.25 p.m. it was struck by Mr George Newton on its passage to the belfry.

It was finally in position and bolted down at 8.12 p.m. in the presence of the Dean and other. The clapper was unleashed, and Great George was tolled at 9 p.m. precisely. 

June 17th
​
An account written for the magazine by Kevin Lavelle describes the service of dedication for Great George.

The chamber was gloomy, rough and dark roof, iron girders criss-crossed from floor to roof and a pale light filtered in through scaffolding above our heads. It was a chamber, which under normal circumstances would have sent shivers down one’s spine. But these were not normal circumstances; for hanging in the middle of the gloom was a rope. It was a new rope and one’s eyes were compelled to follow it high above the scaffolding into a large, suspended dome “Great George”.

Everybody was quiet listening and waiting. Faint sounds of the service going on below, floated high above the Corona. The service progressed through the thanksgiving, the anthem, and still up away in our gloomy chamber we waited. It was like the launching of a ship.  Nobody knew what was going to happen – would the bell be heard? -could we pull it? -both unanswerable questions.

At last, we heard the crashing notes of the great organ from below playing the first bar of Beethoven’s “Hallelujah” and then we heard no more from below, for acclaiming its dedication was “Great George” his voice sounding for the first time.

The bell dedicated by Bishop Clifford Martin. In the bell chamber were Mr Newton, Roy Brennan, Geoffrey Rimmer, Peter Smith and Kevin Lavelle.   
The inscription on the bell reads as follows:

For the last 70 years, Great George has been used on solemn occasions such as the Hillsborough 25th anniversary. The bell was rung to mark the funeral of Mark Loudon, Canon Ellen’s Husband and the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Together with the rest of the bells it will continue to make a “joyful noise” for many years to come.

A prayer for Bell Ringers: 

Grant, O Lord, that those who are appointed to ring the bells of this house of prayer may do it worthily and to thy glory; and that those who may be called by the ringing of these bells to worship thee as they enter into thy gates with thanksgiving and into thy courts with praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Canon Val

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. 
​

Today’s Gospel reading continues our journey through Mark’s Gospel and brings us to the end of chapter 4. Chapter 4 had begun with Jesus teaching the crowd on the shore while he sat in a boat. When evening came, Mark shows Jesus crossing to the other side of the lake in the boat. But then a great storm arose and the waves beat into the boat. The opening chapters of Mark’s Gospel portrayed Jesus as one who has authority over the powers of evil.  In chapter one, Jesus said to the man with an unclean spirit ‘Be silent.’  Now the same Greek word is addressed to the storm, translated this time ‘Be still.’  In both cases the result is instantaneous and peace is restored.  Peace is that context in which God’s will for the creation is realised.  Jesus says, ‘Peace!  Be still!’
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of hands, since hands communicate the sign of peace within the eucharistic liturgy. Today’s picture of hands is taken from the illustrated communion book, The Lord is Here!
 
Lord Jesus Christ,
you brought peace to the storm.
Teach us to turn to you
when our lives are stormy and rough,
that we may hear your words of peace
and experience your calm in our hearts;
today and every day.
Amen.
 
Next Sunday our journey through Mark’s Gospel takes us into chapter 5 where two healings are presented within one narrative. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is ambulance.  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].
 
To learn more about The Lord is here! and other communion resources, please follow this link to the relevant page of the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/childrenandcommunion.html.
 
You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our said 8:30am Eucharist on our Facebook page, linked here: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. This will be our sole offering online today, as many of our live streaming volunteers are self-isolating in compliance with official regulations. 
 
I send Sunday greetings to all.
 
Canon Leslie

In one sense, I don’t think Micah Liverpool has ever found itself in the situation it finds itself at the moment. The necessity of delivering food parcels each week to sometimes over five hundred folks a week demands tremendous energy and time from so many. 
Covid-19 stopped so many things--but even in the guidance during lockdown one, church-related food banks were allowed to continue to operate, of course dependent on good safety precautions. Micah hasn't missed a week since lockdown one, nor had any outbreak, thanks to our safety protocols (but would someone please touch wood!). 

We stand now on the precipice on what “the new normal” will look like. The pandemic has indeed changed so many things long-term. And Micah will be no exception. Plans are afoot regarding how we will respond to need long term once restrictions do lift, in addition to emergency food aid, particularly how we will respond to the increase in joblessness as a result of the pandemic. 

So Micah stands at a time of great change, yet continues, as it has done, to address the age old problem of the brokenness of our world. For Christians, this is a constant demand of Christ, and that we witness to him in seeking to do our bit in making the world a better place.

As Jesus promised, poverty is still among us: “you will always have the poor with you” (John 12:8). Covid has not changed that, in fact, it’s only exacerbated inequalities among rich and poor, white and people of colour, male and female, citizen and refugee. As far as scripture is concerned, this is, I believe, a long-term result of the curse of Genesis: the enmity between the man and the woman means for us today that our relationships with each other are not as they should be, or as God intended them to be. They fall short of the vision of shalom God has for everyone. 

We are working towards a kingdom that isn’t here yet, and probably will be a while. The work of feeding the hungry is such an important ministry and so inherent to the Gospel, yet even that work operates in a fallen creation. We won’t always be able to do what we’d like to. We will have stumbling blocks. We will have to wait for restrictions to change a few weeks longer than we originally had hoped. 

It takes faith to hold on to the promise that there will be brighter days ahead. We can take heart that through the communion of saints, we aren’t alone in holding on. The church has always been reconsidering and responding to the needs and events of her surroundings. In fact, it’s always the duty of the church on earth to “[bring] the grace and truth of Christ to this generation”, as we are tol, in the preface to the service of the installation of a canon. We continually work out what the Gospel means as the world changes. And we do it together with the church across time and space, in an eschatological hope for what God has in store for us in the future. It is a continual offering to God in response to his continual call, for his continual glory. 

AMDG

Nelson, Residential Tsedaqah Community Member

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.

(Photo by Lina Trochez on Unsplash. Thanks to Lina Trochez for sharing on Unsplash.)

Last week, Dean Sue reflected very powerfully on the work of carers – those millions of people who give of their time and energy, their love and care to look after others.  Carer’s week was highlighted; a week dedicated to ‘Making Caring Visible and Valued’, through organisations like Carersweek.org (https://www.carersweek.org/) who were noting the issue especially through the pandemic.  Many of us know, many voiced and other organisations continued to note, that it is not just within the Pandemic that people have done this – some have done this all their lives, and the concerns for helping these millions of unpaid carers have been around for many, many years. 

Highlighting the week was an opportunity to make these issues more visible in some way.  Spookily, I’d tweeted about @Carersweek without knowing that Dean Sue was also writing about it!  But news clips on radio and TV, and other organisations also highlighted the work of carers – these unsung heroes who give their all for others.  Organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society highlighting the ever-present importance of self-care for carers; the BBC running local and national reports with a very powerful news article that I saw of organisations like MyTime in Wigan, (@mytimewigan) and what they do supporting Carers across the UK.

But I felt drawn to reflect more, in complement with Dean Sue’s, because of a prayer request I read out last Saturday at morning prayer, and from Sunday’s gospel (Mk 4:26-34).  The prayer request, placed on our prayer wall (https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/requests.html), asked for prayers for a loved one, for God’s guidance and strength, peace and healing for them – to let them know they are never alone…..

Just over a fortnight ago was the ninth anniversary of my own mums passing into our Lord’s hands.  A few weeks before my father, husband and 24/7 carer, was rushed into hospital with his own healthcare problems – and I and my brother stepped in for a very short time to look after mum.  We experienced on a tiny scale just how difficult life was for Dad, indeed for both of them.  On one of the days when it was just myself, I had that feeling that all carers know; feeling completely drained and exhausted, wondering what to do next; for me, praying in my feeling of loneliness and isolation..…when completely out of the blue at that exact moment, a text came through.  From one of my ordinand friends, it simply read, “Remember, Mike, you are not alone”.  There was absolutely no way that they could have known that that was precisely what I was thinking that very moment; no way.  For me it was a perfect example of the answer to prayer.

Just a few weeks beforehand, in passing conversation with my parents’ neighbours, they were asking me how mum and Dad were and also mentioning how they felt helpless in knowing what to do.  Previously, they had always put the bins out for my parents each week – they asked if they could still do that.  My parents were delighted; knowing that through that one, small gesture, being the fastidious and caring individuals, they always were, that was one less thing for them to worry about.

Both examples for me, resonated powerfully with that prayer request, and Sunday’s gospel on one of the seed parables.  Where, for me, the smallest of gestures or actions can, like the tiniest of mustard seeds, produce an impact we could never have imagined.  Though small in nature, the action of that text, the offering from the neighbours, both helped in a massive way.  For me, they indicate that the Kingdom is present, that God’s love is present here and now; and the effect that we might have ourselves can never be underestimated in going to help others…..that the Kingdom will come into all its fullness and glory in the future, but it can also be seen in the here and now, through the love and care that all express – especially in caring for the carer. 

As Dean Sue wrote, “as Christians we are encouraged to care for each other”;  like everyone, there are times when we might not know how to do that or simply what to do in the circumstances.  The parables of the smallest seeds give us faith that no act or gesture is too small to make a difference to others, especially those giving so much of themselves caring for others, day-in day-out.  Our prayers, our outreach, the smallest of things can help….the importance is that we do something.  And from what might seem like the smallest of things, will be seen the love of God in some way….

As always, with my love and prayers; go gently…..

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.

Today’s Gospel reading continues our journey through Mark’s Gospel and brings us to chapter 4, where we find Jesus teaching beside the sea. Such a large crowd gathered around Jesus that he got into a boat and carried on teaching from there. Mark begins with the Parable of the Sower and then goes on with the Parable of the Growing Seed and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Like all the parables, these two have been interpreted in a variety of ways.  Read together, however, they can be seen to make the same basic contrast.  One begins with seeds and ends with a field full of grain.  The other begins with a tiny mustard seed and ends with a large shrub.  Both are parables of growth.  Both demonstrate the natural processes of growth without human intervention.  The point is that the Kingdom of God is like that too.  The seed has been planted and nothing can stop the growth.
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of growth. In today’s picture, from the book Exploring Buddhism, Sara and Rees join their friends to plant a tree that will grow taller than them in the years to come.
​
Lord God,
your kingdom grows from
the smallest seeds.
Nurture the seeds of your love in our hearts,
that we may grow in the ways
of your kingdom;
for you reign as king for ever.
Amen.
 
Next Sunday our journey through Mark’s Gospel takes us to Jesus experiencing and calming a storm at sea. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is hands. In the eucharistic community hands give the sign of peace. 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].
 
To read the book, Exploring Buddhism, follow this link to the resource on the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/World%20Faiths%20Today%20series/Storybooks%20World%20Faiths%20Today/Buddhism%20story%20English.pdf. For more adventures with Rees and Sara in the Exploring Faiths today series, follow this link to the appropriate page of the Resources section of the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/worldfaithstoday.html.
 
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.
 
Rees and Sara send their Sunday greetings to all.
 
Canon Leslie

Carers Week began on Monday. The Carers Week website (www.carersweek.org) states:
​
"Carers Week is an annual awareness campaign that celebrates and recognises the vital contribution of the UK’s unpaid carers – supporting family members and friends who are older, have a disability, mental or physical illness or need extra help as they grow older." 
 
There are 6.5 million carers in the UK and this number has risen over the past year as families have faced the impact of COVID-19. The theme for this year’s Carers week is: Making Caring Visible and Valued.

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, on behalf of the Carers Week Charities, said:
​
"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic unpaid carers have played an essential role supporting older, disabled and seriously ill relatives and friends, doing so most of the year on their own behind closed doors. They have forgone breaks from caring and much of the support they would normally have relied on.

"As restrictions ease it is vital that we acknowledge the enormous contribution that unpaid carers continue to make day in day out. I am delighted that many individuals and organisations are getting involved with virtual activities, helping carers to connect to others and access advice and information locally. 

"Looking after someone can be a hugely rewarding experience, but it sometimes comes with difficulties, including getting the right support. This Carers Week I hope all parts of the community – family and friends, employers, businesses, schools, health and care services – do their bit to make caring visible and show it is valued."
 
Caring is a hard vocation at times it is relentless and tiring so as a Cathedral we honour all that you do and we thank you.

As Christians we are encouraged to care for each other. The parable of the Good Samaritan helps us to understand our responsibility to care for and support all of humanity despite religion, creed or race.

So thank you Carers from all at Liverpool Cathedral.

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.

The cathedral is a place where real life happens – and it is also a place where a taste of heaven – the Kingdom of God to come – happens. In the everyday and in the extra-ordinary. The mundane and the exceptional exist in almost effortless conversation in our Cathedral. I meet Jesus every day at the Cathedral, I am touched by the glory of the generosity of the Holy Spirit and the tenderness of God. This is the everyday stuff of our cathedral, I don’t expect it but it just happens.   

I hear the justice of God proclaimed in every food parcel offered by Micah, I see love of Jesus shared in our welcome of guests, the gentle call of the Holy Spirit as we dare to whisper ‘glory’ in our worship. I see the wrestling of our humanity in our disagreements and the challenges we face together. And experience something of the incomprehensible enormity of God in the architecture.

It’s not always been easy (well life isn’t always easy is it!) but these past five Cathedral years have been magnificent and way beyond anything of my imagining. I am grateful for every encounter, every brick, every note heard and every moment being Canon Chancellor at our Liverpool Cathedral.

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.

Last Sunday was Trinity Sunday, and we are now back into that phase of the Church’s year known as ‘ordinary time’. The Gospel reading for today resumes this year’s systematic reading through Mark’s Gospel.
 
Today Mark’s narrative is picked up in chapter 3. Earlier Jesus has called his disciples. He has healed the sick and won the hearts of the crowds. But Jesus has also begun to make enemies and to stir up conflict by the way in which he welcomes outcasts and challenges the religious leaders. In today’s Gospel reading Mark contrasts the way in which the sick, the possessed and the outcasts flock to Jesus with the way in which the religious leaders refused to recognise Jesus’ authority and stirred up controversy against him.  In this passage even Jesus’ closest family questioned his sanity, while the scribes insisted on attributing Jesus’ actions to evil sources.  In his reply to the scribes Jesus asserts his own authority to overturn the forces of evil.  It is this conflict which leads inevitably to the crucifixion later in the Gospel.
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of conflict. In today’s picture, from his book The Grumpy Day, Teddy Horsley is stirring up conflict around the breakfast table at home.
 
Lord Jesus Christ,
you faced conflict in your ministry.
When we face conflict,
help us to follow your example,
that we may choose the right way
and not the wrong way;
now and always.
Amen.
 
Next Sunday, our journey through Mark’s Gospel takes us to two of Jesus’ parables about growth, the Parable of the Growing Seed, and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is growth. 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].
 
To learn more about The Grumpy Day and to find more adventures with Teddy Horsley, you can follow this link to his page on the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/TeddyHorsley.html, as well as this link to his own website: 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 Sunday greetings to all.
 
Canon Leslie