Faith and Peace-building:
A Bigger Vision
Rogers Govender
I was recently attending an Asian event in the city and during the evening a colleague asked me why I am willing to attend such events given my role as an Anglican priest and dean of the Cathedral in the city. This colleague had become aware that over the past months and years I have visited other churches, mosques, temples, Gudwaras, synagogues, a Buddhist temple, etc. My response to this question was that I firmly believe in breaking down barriers and building understanding of differences among the people of our city. By supporting different (faith) communities I believe we can learn new things, share our own beliefs and practices, and build lasting friendships. This is one of the best ways to build a peaceful community. My understanding of community is
to be together beyond our narrow, dogmatic religious formations or other such like.
David Holgate
Canon for Theology and Mission
Our first May bank holiday was blessed with glorious weather. For once, the TV and radio weather reports had nothing to apologise for, and parks and beaches were crowded up and down the country. Everybody seems to have had a wonderful time, judging by the amount of litter that was left behind! What’s to be done about this problem? Certainly, we can complain to one another and hope that people will learn to do better, but there are better courses of action. The first is simple. We, the people who take our own litter home, should just pick up some of the other litter too. It works a treat. I’ve tried it with the litter dropped around the Cathedral. You see a plastic bag blowing around, pick it up, bin it, and just like magic it’s not litter anymore. This also solves the problem of why somebody else isn’t cleaning up, because there is no ‘somebody else’.
The Dean's Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
The Dean hopes to lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2019 as part of a journey of faith. To prepare for this, he will be hosting an information session on Friday 8 June to get an indication of the level of interest, of the sites that pilgrims would like to visit and the ideal duration of the pilgrimage. The Dean is looking at this pilgrimage as being a spiritual experience of prayer, reflection and worship: a faith journey that will be for many a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Regarding practicalities, we would travel on scheduled flights
from Manchester or by bus to Heathrow, stay in good quality hotels and be accompanied by a knowledgeable and experienced guide. We would also build in some time off from visiting sites to have opportunities to unwind, relax and enjoy the experience. The information session will take place on Friday 8 June (12.30pm to 2.30pm). Please contact Anthony O'Connor on 0161 833 2220 ext. 233 or via email on beapartofit@manchestercathedral.org if you would like to attend one of these sessions.
Cathedral PartnersEach month we feature news from one of our partners. This month, Rabbi Warren Elf tells us about the work of the Faith Network for Manchester (FN4M). FN4M is Manchester’s forum for interfaith and multifaith work and was set up in March 2004 to engage faith communities in the decision making
processes of the City. Our aims are to enable the voice of faith communities to be heard at all stages of local decision making and strategic planning, to ensure the ethical dimension is always considered at this level, to provide a forum for members of different faith communities across Manchester and to meet together to consider a variety of issues raised.
If we listen to one another…Voices from ‘Stories of Hope’, Christian Aid conference, Manchester, April 2018. By Andrew Rudd When the roof crashed down,
his heart in his mouth,
he found the strength to yell,
and yelled new houses into being. Talk to me, tell me your story of hope.
Sometimes you have things to say
that I find hard to hear,
but tell me stories of hope. After the earthquake, the displaced woman
overwhelmed with joy, received
the keys to her new home,
keys to take charge of her life. Tell me your story of hope
in real-time, connected, without any barriers,
until I hear you, and see your face,
until I can stand where you are standing. On the roof of the shack,
in the dark, insignificant village
there’s a new solar panel.
‘In the evening my kids have light.
We are visible’, she says, ‘we are here.’ I want to dream of the world
as it might be.
If we listen to one another
the world will begin to change.
Talk to me, tell me your story of hope.
The Capture the Cathedral photography competition is now in its sixth year. The competition has produced some absolutely stunning images of one of the oldest buildings in Manchester. It is open to absolutely everyone; whether or not you fancy yourself as the next David Bailey, are studying photography at school or college or just happen to be visiting. Photographers of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels are invited to ‘Capture the Cathedral’, with all its nooks and crannies, in different and imaginative ways. The prize for the overall winner includes the title of Cathedral Photographer of the Year, inclusion in the Capture the Cathedral Exhibition and a prize of £100.
Volition Programme UpdateOn Monday 4 June, Laura Henshaw will join the Volition team at Manchester Cathedral as our new Volunteer Manager. Laura will be coming to Volition from the Christie. She studied English Literature at the University of Manchester and has worked in education, the third sector and the NHS. Laura is committed to social change and has worked with and managed volunteers in a number of roles. She believes volunteering has a profound impact on the wellbeing of individuals and communities, and is passionate about supporting others to realise their potential. Laura loves to
travel, but believes Manchester is the best place in the world, and has adopted the city as her second home. She can’t wait to start working at Manchester Cathedral and with Volition volunteers. In her spare time, Laura enjoys reading, yoga, and taking care of her plants. If you do bump into Laura at the Cathedral please say hello, her email address will be laura@volitioncommunity.org.
Who's Who Christopher Stokes,
Organist and Master of the Choristers.What is your favourite film?
Oh, Mr Porter Do you have any hobbies?
I’m a crazy golfer What was the last place you visited/went on holiday?
Köln Tell us something unusual/interesting or funny about yourself
Watch me play golf
What's OnThere are always lots of exciting events taking place at Manchester Cathedral. From our regular daily services sung by the Cathedral Choirs to Vintage Fairs, there is something for everyone. Visit our ‘What's On’ page for a full list of events.
Cathedral Community Page:
Confirmation and Admission to CommunionOn Sunday 10 June, Bishop David will confirm five children and five adults from our Cathedral Community. Confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey at which you affirm for yourself the faith into which you have been baptized and your intention to live a life of committed discipleship. This affirmation is confirmed through prayer and the laying on of hands by the confirming bishop. The Church also asks God to give all confirmed power through the Holy Spirit to enable them to live in the way of Jesus. It will be a very special day for our candidates, their families and friends. Please remember them in your prayers: Tonye Elizabeth Belema Afiesimama, Oscar Theodore Fairclough, Harry Priestly, Myles Luke Rawlins-Shaw, Mila Margaret Tsoneva, Maria
Brabiner, Gene James Myers, Donna Katherine Rawlins, Victoria Alexandra Taylor-Plane, Julie Lynn Wright. In 2013, at the request of the Cathedral Chapter, we were granted special permission to admit children to communion before confirmation. On Sunday 24 June, five young members of our Cathedral Community will receive communion for the first time: April Rose Tsoneva, Angelica Carys Anweta Omeje, Serena Iola Anweta Omeje, Solomon Dylan Diké Omeje, and Anika Zachariah. Please remember them in your prayers.
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