Cathedral News
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July 2016 Cathedral News 2 FROM THE DEAN Canon Mandy writes … In Matthew 5 Jesus offers us as different My Grandfather fought in the Second proposition. Surrounded by a crowd of World War: he served in the West eager listeners many of whom were Yorkshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion Prince poor, Jesus spoke of turning the other of Wales and the 8th Army and fought cheek when struck. To our modern day campaigns in North Africa, India, Libya ears this may sound like a submissive act, and Burma. He was mentioned in several enabling the one striking an excuse to dispatches and was highly decorated. exact more pain; in effect colluding with Growing up I was aware of some of his the existing culture. But to the poor in army career and how proud he was of Jesus’ company, this was a radical the regiments he had belonged to, but I alternative to an action, which had long knew nothing of the pain and suffering been used against them to keep them in he witnessed and experienced. Like so ‘their place’. It was customary for those many who return from war, there are in positions of power to strike a person some events too harrowing to recall. on their right cheek with the back of On 1st July we will commemorate the their right hand in order to humiliate centenary of the Battle of the Somme or, and degrade them. They could not use as the BBC refer to it, “141 days of their left hand for the left hand was horror”. On the first day alone 19,240 solely kept for unclean acts. To strike a British soldiers lost their lives and there person with the palm of your right hand were an estimated 57,470 causalities - or fist was only reserved for those in greater than the total combined British positions of equality, for example when casualties in the Crimean, Boer and two soldiers fought. So an ‘inferior’ Korean wars. person would be struck on the right cheek by the back of the right hand to This is the terrible price human beings reinforce the power dynamic, reserved pay when peace fails. for the poor, slaves, women and children. In the Lord’s Prayer are the words ‘Thy By turning your cheek and offering your kingdom come, thy will be done” left was to demonstrate peaceful expressing our longing for a time when resistance, for the only way the God’s kingdom of righteousness, justice oppressor could strike again would be to and true peace will envelop this world. turn the hand and strike them as an God’s heart is for all people and the equal, thereby humiliating them instead. redemption of this world. We, as His Standing as equals, challenged the social children are invited to be His constructs, which oppressed them, it ambassadors of peace, to bear His life- took great courage and could result in giving message of love. How do we do further punishment. this when we live in a world rife with the Jesus challenged his followers to resist dehumanization of the poor, the evil, not with violence or collusion, but vulnerable and the different through to stand firm in the gospel. corruption, greed and violence? Do we repay violence with violence, The shocking death of Jo Cox, MP for mirroring the actions of the unjust or do Batley and Spen is a painful reminder of we capitulate? how acts of violence are used to 3 MISSION permanently silent those whose heart is As we are confronted with the injustices for humanity. In the midst of his of this world and as we gaze at the poppies overwhelming loss Jo’s husband Brendan in the Cathedral exhibition acting as a committed himself, not to vengeance, visual reminder of those who fought for but to work for peace “… I and Jo’s our freedom, let us have the courage to friends and family are going to work once again recommit ourselves to every moment of our lives to love and actively working for peace and justice, in nurture our kids and to fight against the our homes, our places of work and our hate that killed Jo”. communities as God’s ambassadors. AFGHANISTAN World Watch List Rank: 4 Prayers for Persecuted Christians in Afghanistan There are thought to be merely a few Buildings suspected of being used by the thousand Christians in the Afghan underground Church are closed down population of 33 million. There is no or damaged. Even the small number of visible Church in the country. All Afghan expatriate Christians are at risk – three believers are secret converts from Islam. South African Christians who were Converting from Islam to Christianity is working for a relief organisation were seen as apostasy, which brings shame on killed when their guest house in Kabul one’s family and community – if was attacked. someone is suspected of converting to Please pray: Christianity, they will be arrested. For protection for believers as the Muslim-background believers are not threat increases from Islamic only in danger from the government and extremism from the so-called their communities; they also face the ‘caliphate of Khorsan’; added threat of attack by extremists. For wisdom for Christian parents, who Some militants have pledged allegiance do not wish to send their children to a to the self-proclaimed Islamic State and madrassah (Islamic school) for fear of announced the 'caliphate of Khorsan' - being revealed if they share their faith ancient Khorsan included the north- with their children; and western part of Afghanistan as well as For comfort and strength for isolated parts of Iran and Pakistan. believers. 4 MISSION person who has expertise in bidding for funds. This proved a successful initiative as the Project was able to submit more successful applications so that enterprises can thrive. The Anchor Project expresses its sincere gratitude to the Cathedral. The staff are very appreciative, especially as there is flexibility in how the money can be used, which isn’t common these days but The Anchor Project which helps them no end. Every year just before Christmas, The Project is always seeking volunteers Bradford Cathedral has a programme of to assist with many types of initiative. If mission giving which currently gives you would like to make enquiries about money to certain local charities. The volunteering or if you would just like to Anchor Project, which is based at visit, you are very welcome to do so. St Clement’s Church Barkerend, is one Contact Indi, the Project worker, in one such recipient. of the following ways: Some of the money donated to them in Tel: 01274 743 054 2015 has greatly assisted towards the Project’s programme of basic English Email: [email protected] lessons. Run and overseen by a paid Post: 294A Barkerend Road worker and assisted by approximately Bradford, BD3 9DF half a dozen volunteers, currently about 30 people are benefitting weekly, in small Or chat to Heather Choudhary at the groups which aids progress. Elsewhere, Cathedral on a Sunday morning. such classes are often ‘term-time only’ or ‘if you miss registration, you’ll have to If you are new to the Cathedral wait till next time’ basis. The classes … Welcome offered by the Anchor Project run Please make yourself known to one of continuously and attendees can turn up the Churchwardens, Alex McLelland and as and when they can, bearing in mind Maggie Peel, who would love to meet the various pressures many of them you. If you would like to join a have. Being more easily accessible and Fellowship Group, find out more about non-judgemental delivers results. the congregational life of the Cathedral, Attendees are often but not exclusively including social events, or if we can help asylum seekers. The group is of very in any way, please ask one of the mixed origin though at present there is a stewards at the door, who will find us predominance from The Gambia. for you. Another portion of the money went We look forward to meeting you. towards a ‘one-off ‘ cost of hiring a 5 NEWS Cathedral Annual Report and Accounts The Cathedral’s auditors have now completed their work on the Annual Accounts for 2015 and have issued their audit opinion. The Cathedral’s unrestricted surplus for the year was £25,023 and our ‘free reserves’ now stand at £59,442. Stitching the Cathedral The Cathedral Accounting Measure Stitching the new kneelers for the high required us to make copies of the altar is going well, with a growing band of Annual Accounts available for anyone stitchers working on the specially made would like a copy. If you would like a set, frames. Stitching sessions are on please do get in touch with me at Tuesdays from 1.00pm until 3.00pm and [email protected]. they are now every fortnight on 5 & 19 July and on 2, 9 and 16 August. If you want a good night’s sleep, I do We have also added some Saturday recommend them as bedtime reading! mornings, for those who unable to join Simon Dennis us mid week, on 2 July, 17 September and 1 October from 9.30am to 11.30am. Toddler Group Do feel able to join in whenever you like and for as long as you like. There will be The Communityworks Toddler group tea and cake and people to chat to, and meets every Friday in the Parish Room. the joy of seeing the work grow, with its Starting at 9.30am and running through beautiful colours and patterns.