newscathedral November 2019

Prayer Worship Music Arts Education Heritage Welcoming

Gunpowder, Treason and Plot Page 3

First Interfaith World Mental Health Service Page 4

Community News Page 12

www.manchestercathedral.org Dean’s Corner Gunpowder, Treason and Plot

David Sharples, Archdeacon of Salford

As a child I always loved bonfire night. The uneasy Elizabethan compromise not to I adored the fireworks, especially the enquire too closely into people’s souls was rockets as they soared into the night over. Fear, anxiety and a desire for revenge sky; I loved the ‘rip-raps’ as they hopped took hold. Catholics were now the enemy unpredictably around the ground. Tracing within. A generation later the whole country my name with sparklers, feeling the was at war with each other and we descended intense heat of the blazing fire in the cold into the abyss. We learned a costly but vital From Egypt to the Promised Land November air whilst chewing treacle toffee lesson; that we must respect and live with were all essential elements of the night. I difference and plurality. even enjoyed the next morning as we ran outside to inspect the dying embers of the It’s said that we British have a particular In October I was invited to celebrate You will remember Peter offering to fire. It was all thrilling and exciting. genius for compromise and pragmatism, the Jewish Festival of Sukkot at build three temporary dwellings for even when we passionately disagree. If so, the Heathlands Village in Salford. Moses, Elijah and Jesus on the Mount of Yet I had no idea about the trauma that lay we need to rediscover that art. We are a It was organised by the Jewish Transfiguration when Jesus’ divine glory behind it all, let alone the horrific fate of deeply divided nation and the church has Representative Council. This is also was revealed to him, James and John. the Gunpowder Plot perpetrators. A group a crucial role to play in helping us heal. We known as the Festival of Tabernacles of deeply unhappy gentry had planned to do need to ‘remember, remember’ not only or the Festival of Booths and reminds This was a wonderful time of fellowship murder the king and the country’s entire ‘gunpowder, treason and plot’- and where that Jews of their ancestors temporarily with our Jewish friends as well as political leadership and many Londoners who leads us - but that God ‘has committed to us dwelling in Tents on their journey from members of diverse faith communities would also have been killed by the explosion the message of reconciliation’. This begins Egypt to the Promised Land. It is also present. May we too be reminded of our and the ensuing fires. Though the plot was with listening to others stories and seeing celebrated as a Harvest Festival. spiritual journey to life in Christ and also unsuccessful, the horror of what might how the world looks through their eyes. As experience the glory of God! have happened sank deep into the nation’s Archbishop Justin has said, “Reconciliation consciousness; King James, Queen Anne, is not the ending of all difference, but With love, Princes Henry and Charles, political leaders the transformation of how we deal with and bishops would have been wiped out in an difference”. Rogers Govender instant.

Page 3 Cathedral News Handel’s Messiah, with the Cathedral Choir and Manchester Baroque

Christopher Stokes, Organist and Master of the Choristers

On Saturday, 30th November, the Cathedral (contralto), again no stranger to our shores; Choir will be staging its annual performance Alex Banfield, possessed of a glorious tenor of Handel’s Messiah. The fresh young voices voice which we had the privilege of hearing on of the choristers chime so well with the a daily basis when he was a tenor lay clerk here; lively, expressive lines of the underpinning Terence Ayebare (bass) has sung Bach’s St John accompaniment. Passion with us before and takes a strikingly dramatic stance with Handel’s demanding arias. This year that accompaniment will be brought to life by Manchester Baroque – a new period instrument orchestra based in Manchester. The orchestra will be led by an international star of the Baroque violin world, Pauline Nobes. As in Handel’s day, the pitch will be a semitone lower than standard modern pitch. This has all manner Wood Street Mission of implications for the performers: mostly benign, unless you have perfect pitch! Des Lynch, Manager

There will be four soloists: Philippa Hyde Wood Street Mission is a children’s • We distribute thousands of books to local (soprano), who has sung with us on numerous charity, which was set up in 1869 by children, through our Wood Street Book occasions including the televised Easter Day Alfred Alsop. Based in the Deansgate area Clubs/Roadshows. service some four years ago; Joyce Tindsley of Manchester, Alsop was appalled by the living conditions that families endured at • At Christmas new toys and gifts are the time and desperately wanted to make distributed to children (over 11,000 toys a difference. and gifts were distributed during the 2019 Christmas period). Today, some 150 years later we continue to Friends Update support children and families living on a low Not all of the support that we provide has to income throughout Manchester and Salford. come in a tangible way. We want to provide experiences that will last a lifetime for the Pauline Dimond, Honorary Secretary • We support families by offering practical children we support, whether this be through The Friends of Manchester Cathedral held The Friends' latest gift to the Cathedral has help through the Family Basics project, the Christmas parties or through the day their 5th afternoon tea on Saturday, 24 been a new piano for the Music Department. providing children’s clothing, toiletries, trips/events that we organise. August. Although numbers attending were We enjoyed hearing a recital on it by Chris bedding and baby equipment together with With the help of our supporters we aim slightly lower than usual due to a major Stokes on 26 October. other basic items. to make a difference and improve the life event taking place in the city, it was a very • The SmartStart project provides both new chances of some 76,000 children currently enjoyable occasion and resulted in a profit The Friends' Council recently made plans for and good quality used school uniform in living in poverty in Manchester and Salford. of £160 for our funds. the coming year, with three meetings in the Visitor Centre and a proposed weekend away addition to accessories such as new winter All our services are free to access on referral. Our autumn meeting was held on 16 October visiting Southwell Minister. We are always coats, school bags, stationery sets. with a talk by Dr Alison Rohan on the ready to welcome new members, so why not Please see www.woodstreetmission.org.uk "First 17 women who stood for election to join us? Membership application forms are for more information. Parliament in 1918", followed by lunch. available in the Welcome area.

Page 5 Cathedral News Saint of the Month Biblical Interpretation 23 November: in Manchester Today St Clement, Bishop of Rome ca. 99 SCM Studyguide to Biblical Hermeneutics, 2nd Ed (2019), by David Holgate and Rachel Starr

Albert Radcliffe, Canon Emeritus David Holgate, Sub Dean and Canon for Theology and Mission

Fifteen years ago, a friend and I wrote a Regarding who we are as Bible readers, we handbook on biblical interpretation to now recognise that no-one is normative, help ordinands develop ‘life affirming and everyone is complex. As two white interpretations’ of the Bible. It was readers, we consider the African, Asian, published by SCM Press in 2006 and Latin American and Mediterranean contexts has been widely used. When SCM of the Bible, recognizing that few biblical Clement is thought to have been ordained martyred by being tied to an anchor and asked us to prepare a second edition, characters look like us and ask how that by St Peter and was his third successor thrown into the Black Sea. For this reason, we realised that it would need to deal insight might affect our interpretation. as bishop of Rome. An old tradition his emblem is the 'anchored cross' and with many of the changes to the way we identifies him with the Clement named he is the patron saint of mariners and study the Bible, such as digitalisation, Finally, we ask again: how does the Bible by St Paul in Philippians 4:3. What is stone cutters. new understandings of identity, the form and shape our life of faith? How does it helps us all to act with justice, gentleness, known for certain is that as bishop challenge of climate change and the experience of reading the Bible with courage and faith? he wrote a stern letter to the church at other texts and faiths. Corinth urging repentance and reform. It The new edition will be launched at was so valued that it was read in public Saints are our examples As we now access biblical texts and study an event at the Queen’s Foundation in worship, along with the Scriptures. It of how faith is to be lived out resources online, we are able to find and Birmingham, where Rachel teaches. I will offers important insights into the life compare passages within it, and to read offer a Lent Course based on the book on in even the most difficult and five Mondays next year (2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 of the early church and was the reason it alongside other ancient and modern texts. My experience of doing Scriptural March 2020, 6pm – 8pm in the Cathedral Clement is counted as the first of the discouraging of circumstances. Reasoning in Manchester, reading New Library). https://scmpress.hymnsam. Apostolic Fathers, alongside Polycarp and Clement seems never to Testament passages on particular topics co.uk/blog/introducing-the-studyguide- Ignatius of Antioch. have been afraid to act on that with texts on the same topic from the to-biblical-hermeneutics-2nd-edition scriptures of other faiths, is included in a Tradition has it that under the Emperor faith lovingly, when he must completely new section. Trajan, Clement was banished to a stone often have been tempted to quarry in the Chersonesus in the Crimea, keep quiet. where he converted many fellow prisoners to the Christian faith and for which he was

Page 7 Cathedral News ‘What Hope Democracy?’ The Castlefield Manchester Loving Machines? Sermon, 18 October at 7:30pm An evening of films and discussion, 18 Nov, 7pm, Manchester Cathedral Delivered by Gillian Slovo; hosted by Rachel Cooke

Scott Midson, Lecturer in Liberal Arts at the University of Manchester How do we respond to a world full of injustice? South African born writer Tickets cost £8-£10 Gillian Slovo has spent a career and can be booked on What does it mean to ‘love’ robots? Second, Pepper is a humanoid (human- considering the answer. Her Prix RFI Should we love them? Can they love us? shaped) robot that is designed to provide Témoin du Monde-winning novel Red 0843 208 0500, or online a service for humans in a range of settings

Dust is set around a fictional hearing of A new wave of social robots is coming from shops to hospitals. How we trust Pepper https://tinyurl.com/y3a5py8h South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation into our homes and hospitals, to provide impacts its ability to provide care for us. In

Commission; her memoir Every Secret companionship for us, and to deliver both of these cases, ‘love’ can be thought

Thing tells the story of her parents Joe care to us. How are we to relate to them? about through the types of relationships we This event is presented in partnership with Slovo and Ruth First – South Africa's This free event will premiere a short film build – or don’t build – with robots. pioneering anti-apartheid white activists. Manchester Cathedral and sponsored by about relationships with robots followed Her plays cover issues including Castlefield, responsible financial advice by a discussion of some of the science Following a pilot screening of some short Guantánamo Bay, the 2011 English and thoughtful investment specialist with and philosophy behind how we see our films about MiRo and Pepper, a panel riots, and ISIS. headquarters in Manchester. relationships with robots developing in the of experts will lead a discussion about future. Might we be replaced by them? how research is shaping our future with Might we learn to love them? robots, by addressing questions about humans, robots, and the relationships Love is a big term. It is important for thinking between the two. about marriages, families, and friendships. In religious thinking it is an important way of thinking about the value of creation in relation to God, its creator. Can we extend love to our own robotic This work is the product creations, and can they love us at all? of ‘Living with and Loving This event will focus on two robots and two different aspects of love. Machines’, a research project at the Lincoln First, MiRo is a pet-like robot designed to provide companionship in the home. Theological Institute How we interact with MiRo and other (University of Manchester), pets can reveal ideas about love as a form and it is co-funded by of attachment. Scientists in Congregations and Creative Manchester. This event will be preceded by a short book launch at 6.30pm of Multiple Faiths in Postcolonial Cities (2019). This the final volume in the Lincoln Theological Institute's Divinity after Empire project, and will be introduced by the editors. Free attendance and refreshments. Page 9 Cathedral News Interfaith Festival of Lights, First Prize Winning Poem in the 2019 Manchester Cathedral Poetry 9 November, 6.30pm Competition

Nidhi Sinha, PA to the Dean

On Saturday 9 November, the Dean, as Chairperson of a relatively new charity named Sangha, will be hosting a new The evening will include event for the Cathedral—an Interfaith Lithuanian dancers, Indian Mary Magdalene in the Desert Festival of Lights. dancers, Bengali folk dance, Listen, tossers: meeting him was a revelation. As the autumn leaves start to freeze with the Lion dancers, Sikh Kirtans He took my jar of oil, gave me a foot rub. oncoming winter, many world religions take and much more! We hope this time of year to celebrate the hope that He listened to me, liked what I had to say. light can bring: Diwali, Hanukkah, Fete des to see you at this free event God, that was a different way of being alive. Lumieres -Lyon (France), Candlemas. Even to celebrate how light connects in the southern hemisphere, communities I lost him in the end as I should have known are linked by light, hope and goodness. At every story and every I would, though he’d spouted all that bollocks Christmas in Rio de Janeiro, people gather for community through the about coming back, about always being the lighting of the world's largest Christmas magic of light. there for me. He was a man, after all. tree in water. In all these celebrations light signifies similar messages of spiritual But then I happened to tell a friend triumph over darkness, goodness over evil I’d seen him walking near the tomb, and life over death. and the whole bloody thing got out of hand. I see him all the time, gobshites. Everywhere.

I came here to escape the whole friggin’ circus. Living alone in a cold dark cave can be very appealing to a woman. I think it’s the total lack of morons.

At first I cried every night and every morning, even though and because there was nothing between me and the soft sunrise, between me and the red sun leaving.

My hair grew, long as rushes; my skin got tough. One morning I washed in a pool after rain; anointed my hands and feet. A bird sang; I knew two things. I held my face up to the sun.

Ailsa Holland Manchester Cathedral Poet of the Year, 2019

Page 11 Cathedral News

Cathedral Community News The Diary November

Service of Thanksgiving and Friday 1 November Thursday 14 November Saturday 23 November 5:30pm All Saints’ Day 6:30pm Manchester 12noon & 6:30pm Blessing for our Pets and Festal Evensong Xmas Lights switch on Laithwaites Wine Fair

Working Animals Saturday 2 November Saturday 16 November Sunday 24 November 5:30pm Requiem 10:30am-5pm 7:30pm Candlelight Marcia Wall, Canon Precentor Eucharist for All Souls’ Manchester Print Fair Concert Our pets are very special to us, loyal The service was very well attended, during companions, they are like members of our the service people had the opportunity to tell Sunday 3 November Sunday 17 November Monday 25 November families and give us unconditional love. us about their pets and how much they mean 7:30pm Concert by 2pm Wood St Mission 7pm ‘You are Mine’ Our working animals, from police horses to them. The Manchester Cathedral Children’s London Concertante Anniversary Service Bishop David to therapy dogs, help us in our daily lives Choir took part in the service and sang The Book Launch in so many ways. For the second year animals went in two by two, hurrah! hurrah! Monday 4 November Monday 18 November running we are held a Service of 7pm Margaret Beetham 7pm ‘Living with and Thursday 28 November Thanksgiving and Blessing for our We gave thanks to God for creation, asked Book Launch loving Machines’ 7pm The Lord Mayor’s Pets and Working Animals on Sunday God to forgive us when we fail to look after Carol Concert 13 October. our animals well and asked God to give us Friday 8 November Friday 22 November the strength and courage that we need to act when we see animals in distress. 7:30pm The 2019 1:30pm & 5:30pm Saturday 30 November Manchester Sleepout Laithwaites Wine Fair 7:30pm Performance

Big thank you to all who attended and hope of Handel’s Messiah to see you again next year! Saturday 9 November 10am-4pm Manchester Craft & Flea 6:30pm Interfaith Festival of Lights Service Times Midweek Services Sunday 10 November Morning Prayer 9.00am Mon-Fri (Wed: BCP) 10:30am Eucharist & Act Holy Communion 1.10pm Mon-Fri of Remembrance Evensong 5.30pm Mon-Thurs* Evening Prayer 4.30pm Fri 7:30pm Manchester Peace Song Cycle Saturday Services Morning Prayer & Holy Communion 9.00am Monday 11 November Evening Prayer 4.30pm* 10:45am Armistice Sunday Services Day Service Matins 8.45am Holy Communion (BCP) 9.00am Tuesday 12 November Sung Eucharist (Choral) 10.30am 7pm Maverick Evensong 5.30pm* Sabre Concert *Please note:during the below school holidays evening services are said. All said services are at 4.30 pm Wednesday 13 The Cathedral Choir will be on holiday from 26 December until Monday 6 January November Please note that services taking place between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day 7pm Tinariwen Concert will follow a slightly altered schedule.

Page 13 Cathedral News Looking ahead Clergy Congregation Dean of Manchester Churchwardens & Stewards The Very Revd Rogers Govender [email protected] December [email protected] Reader Emeritus Sub-Dean and Canon for Theology & Mission Raylia Chadwick The Revd Canon Dr David Holgate [email protected] [email protected] Cathedral High Steward & Chair of Manchester Sunday 1 December Saturday 14 December Canon Precentor Cathedral Development Trust 6:30pm Advent 12noon-1:30pm The Revd Canon Marcia Wall Warren Smith JP Procession Christmas Carol Sing- [email protected] [email protected] / 0161 834 0490 along Archdeacon of Salford Flowers: Helen Bamping Tuesday 3 December 7:30pm Family Community The Venerable David Sharples Cathedral Friends: Pauline Dimond 7:30pm MedEquip4Kids Carols Concert Profile [email protected] Christmas Sing-along Ringing Master: Andy Ingham Saul Knights, Cathedral Curate Tuesday 17 December The Revd Steven Hilton Secretary to Bell-Ringers: Catherine Rhodes Thursday 5 December 7:30pm Mercy Ships Sydney Nicholson [email protected] Organ Scholar 7:30pm Children’s Carol Service Cathedral Chaplains Society ‘Sing for The Revd Canon Adrian Rhodes Christmas’ Friday 20 December What is your The Revd Peter Bellamy-Knights 7pm ‘Prevent Breast favourite film? Saturday 7 December Cancer’ Concert Zhang Yimou’s Raise the 7:30pm LGBT Christmas Red Lantern Carol Concert Sunday 22 December What music do you like? 7:30pm A Festival of Anything by Johann Sunday 8 December Nine Lessons and Sebastian Bach. 3pm St John’s Carols Staff Ambulance Service What was the last book Cathedral Administrator Worship & Music Administrator Christmas Eve you read? [email protected] [email protected] Monday 9 December 12noon Blessing of the Stuart Schram’s Mao Cathedral Office Chorister Recruitment Officer 7pm The Christie Crib Tse-tung, a biography of [email protected] [email protected] Charity Christmas 11:30pm Midnight Mass Chairman Mao and an Accounts Enquiries Education Officer Concert account of 20th century [email protected] [email protected] Christmas Day China. Tuesday 10 December 10:30am Sung Eucharist Logistics Officer Director of Fundraising and Development Where was the last place 7:30pm Henshaws [email protected] anthony.o’[email protected] you visited/holidayed? Carols by Candlelight Diary Enquiries Volunteer Manager (Volition) Cologne, Germany [email protected] [email protected] Do you have any pets? Thursday 12 December Exhibitions Vergers Volunteer Programme Coordinator (Volition) 7:30pm RMCH Charity Four cockatiels. [email protected] [email protected] Carol Concert Admission to all our Tell us something Organist & Master of the Choristers exhibitions is free. Cathedral Archivist interesting or funny [email protected] [email protected] about yourself. Retreat Association Icon Sub Organist Cathedral News Editor exhibit in the JesusChapel, I speak fluent Mandarin [email protected] [email protected] with a quiet day in the Chinese and Russian, as refectory on 30 Nov well as numerous other 23 Nov-1 Dec languages.

Page 15 Cathedral News Manchester Cathedral Victoria Street / M3 1SX / 0161 833 2220 Cathedral Visitor & Conference Centre Cateaton Street / M3 1SQ / 0161 817 4817

ManchesterCathedral @ManCathedral ManchesterCathedral