bristol-cathedral Sign Up Information

Come along to this popular retelling of the nativity story especially for families, featuring well-known carols and readings.

Children are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, or shepherds. (Adults too, if you want!) Music is provided by the Cathedral Choristers.

Sunday 22 December, 3.30pm

Join Bristol Cabot Choir for their annual Christmas Concert.

Vaughan Williams "Fantasia on Christmas Carols", Rutter's "Gloria" and other pieces will be performed by the choir and conducted by Rebecca Holdeman. Tickets on sale via Bristol Cabot Choir.

Monday 9 December, 7.30pm

La Nativité du Seigneur

Join us for an organ recital of Olivier Messiaen's classic Christmas organ cycle, La Nativité du Seigneur.

Messiaen’s organ cycle presents a tableaux of nine movements, telling not only the story of the nativity of Jesus Christ, but also a journey which expresses theological ideas through music.

Climate Emergency

The Diocese of Bristol had just declared a climate emergency and become the first in the UK to commit to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030 (20 years earlier than the aim of the national church). This ground-breaking announcement comes as the wider world seems to be waking up to the severity of the climate crisis. Over the past year Greta Thunberg and Extinction Rebellion have become household names, and in Bristol alone we’ve seen the City Council, University and a wealth of local institutions from the Old Vic to the Colston Hall all declaring a climate emergency recently.

Bishop Viv responded to the decision with the words: “Care for God’s creation is key to our Christian faith. Climate change hits our poorest global neighbours first and worst, exacerbating migration, conflict over resources and the spread of disease. By declaring Climate Emergency, our practical action and collection voice will send a strong message. We must all act now.”

For more information visit the Diocesan website: https://www.bristol.anglican.org/news/2019/11/20/weve-declared-climate-emergency/ 

• Christmas Markets
• Christmas at Cheddar Gorge and Caves
• The Festival of Light at Longleat
• Special Offers
• And more

Almighty God,
give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.  

Collect for Advent, said daily throughout the season

Ever present God,
be with us in our isolation,
be close to us in our distancing,
be healing in our sickness,
be joy in our sadness,
be light in our darkness,
be wisdom in our confusion,
be all that is familiar when all is unfamiliar,
We pray with Jesus who is with us till the end of time.
Amen.

• Details of our Holy Week services which will be broadcast next week. Thanks to our clergy, choir and staff team who have mastered the tech needed to make all this happen. 
• A tribute to the NHS.
• An important security update from Tobie, the Cathedral Hound.
• Our reading recommendations for those lockdown blues.
• A poem by George Herbert.

A tribute to the NHS - the story of our nurses
Wendy Matthews, Chapter Clerk

Cathedral Security Update

• Any of the Don Camillo books by Giovanni Guareschi.  Whimsical and charming they feature the running war between Catholic priest Don Camillo, and his Red nemesis, communist Mayor Peppone.  You can lose yourself in these timeless stories from the Po river, Italy. 
• Anything by Nancy Mitford.  You may be familiar with the 'Pursuit of Love', but 'Don't tell Alfred' is a gem.
• Georgette Heyer's regency novels.  Well researched and witty, with vibrant characters, the regency novels are amusing and enjoyable.  She also wrote crime fiction - try 'Death in the Stocks' and 'Why Shoot a Butler' if you prefer a murder. 
• G K Chesterton's 'Father Brown' stories - surprising and full of twists and turns.  The best feature flamboyant French thief, Flambeau. 
• Patrick O' Brien's sea novels.  There are 20 in the series featuring the adventures of Jack Aubrey (Sailor), and Stephen Maturin (Doctor/Spy), so these should see you through the lock down. They are a perfect evocation of the wooden sailing world of the nineteenth century. 
• If you fancy something a bit different on art try Grayson Perry's 'Playing to the Gallery'.  A fascinating description of how the art world works.  Fun, compelling and well written.
• C S Lewis - the Narnia series - goes without saying...

Almighty God,
who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ
hast overcome death and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life;
We humbly beseech thee,
that as by thy special grace preventing us
thou dost put into our minds good desires,
so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Collect for Easter Day

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy.
Sustain and support the anxious,
be with those
who care for the sick,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may find comfort
knowing that nothing
can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.

A Prayer in the time of coronavirus

New Dean Installed

On Saturday 3 October, the Revd Canon Dr Mandy Ford will be instituted and installed as the Dean of Bristol.

The service will take place at 3.30pm, and be broadcast live on the Cathedral''s social media channels. Unfortunately owing to restrictions on attendance because of the pandemic, the service is not open to the public.

There will be many opportunities over the coming weeks to meet Dean Mandy as she and Anne settle in Bristol.

We keep her in our prayers as she begins her ministry here.

Caf? and Garden reopen

After seven months, the Cathedral Caf? and Garden have reopened.

The Caf? sells a selection of sandwiches, jacket potatoes, panini, and home-made cakes, with newly reduced seating to ensure social distancing, safety measures to protect customers and staff, and table service. 

The Caf? and Garden are open from 10.00am to 2.00pm Tuesday to Friday.

The Cathedral opening hours are 9.00am - 4.00pm on Tuesday to Saturday, and from 11.30am to 4.00pm on Sundays. This change allows the public to attend all our services, including the 8.00am BCP Communion and 3.30pm Evensong on Sundays. The Cathedral remains closed for cleaning on Mondays.

The Eucharist continues to be offered in one kind only - we are not yet able to share the common cup. 

See the box below if you would like to attend the Sunday service.

We will continue to broadcast all services for those not able to attend. 

For your visit:

• Please wear a face-covering, unless you are exempt;
• if you have a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of taste or smell, please do not enter the building;
• please use handgel provided before entering the building;
• please maintain social distancing measures of two metres between people not in your household

Ordinations and Licensing

Ben Lindsay Workshops

This series of workshops, led by Ben Lindsay, is for everyone interested in re-imagining a Church where all people - including black and brown skinned people - participate fully in the ministry and mission of our churches.

The themes explored in Ben Lindsay's book, We Need To Talk About Race: Understanding the Black Experience in White Majority Churches will underpin these interactive sessions.

These three sessions will help us to encourage & enhance Christ-centered belonging, engagement and leadership opportunities for Black, Asian & Ethnic Minority individuals at every level of Church life. Why should this matter to us. well because it matters to God!

The other sessions are:

• Monday 5 October, 11-1pm ~ ''Audit, Awareness and Action''
• Tuesday 6 October, 11-1pm ~ 'Systems, Structures and Institutions'
• Monday 11 January 2021, 11-1pm ~ 'Show Up. Speak Out. Stand Against'

This is an online event held on Zoom, and free tickets can be booked here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ben-lindsay-audit-awareness-and-action-workshop-1-tickets-120505058875. This will ensure you are sent the link to the Zoom meeting.

The First Concert Since Lockdown

The Fitzhardinge Consort is back with its first live performance since lock-down, and they're making up for lost music.

Owing to Covid-19, they were unable to sing a wealth of music from Lent to Easter and Ascension to Pentecost and Trinity, so they''re bringing us a concert of all our seasonal favourites compressed into 90 minutes.

Repertoire will include.

• Miserere Mei by Gregorio Allegri (perhaps not quite as you know it)
• Dum Transisset Sabbatum by John Taverner
• O Clap Your Hands by Orlando Gibbons
• Litany to the Holy Spirit by Peter Hurford
• Lobet den Herrn by J. S. Bach

. followed by some close-harmony classics.

Proceeds from this concert will go towards sustaining the work of Bristol Cathedral during these uncertain times.

Tickets for the concert are ?10 available from Opus 13 0117 923 0164, opus13.co.uk

Daily Hope - phone line

Pastoral support

Donations and Planned Giving

God our Father, Lord of all the world,
through thy Son thou hast called us
into the Fellowship of thy universal Church:
hear our prayer for all thy faithful people
that, in their vocation and ministry,
they may be an instrument of thy love,
and give to thy servant Mandy, now to be installed,
the needful gifts of grace;
through thy Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God,
world without end. 

Amen.

Collect for an Installation

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy.
Sustain and support the anxious,
be with those
who care for the sick,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may find comfort
knowing that nothing
can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.

Choral Worship Recommences

On Sunday 30 August choral services recommenced at the Cathedral, when the Melg?s Consort sang at the morning Eucharist. The Fitzhardinge Consort will sing at the 10.00am Eucharist on Sunday 6 September.

From Friday 11 September Choral Evensong resumes, sung by the Lay Clerks, and on Sunday 13 September the full back row - Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars - will sing at the Eucharist and Evensong. For the time being the choristers will rehearse while the back row sing services which, at present, remain on just Fridays and Sundays.

The Cathedral opening hours have extended to 9.00am - 4.00pm on Tuesday to Saturday, and from 11.30am to 4.00pm on Sundays. This change allows all the public to attend all our services, which now includes the 8.00am BCP Communion and 3.30pm Evening Prayer/Evensong on Sundays. The Cathedral remains closed for cleaning on Mondays.

The Eucharist continues to be offered in one kind only - we are not yet able to share the common cup. 

See the box below if you would like to attend the Sunday service.

We will continue to broadcast all services for those not able to attend. 

For your visit:

• Please wear a face-covering, unless you are exempt;
• if you have a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of taste or smell, please do not enter the building;
• please use handgel provided before entering the building;
• please maintain social distancing measures of two metres between people not in your household

Daily Hope - phone line

Pastoral support

Donations and Planned Giving

Holy God,
as we open our doors and welcome in
those who will come
may we recognise you among them.
As we make our churches safe to enter
and care for those who come
may we recognise you as our strong defence.
As we say our prayers
and light our candles
may we recognise you in the midst.
As we resume our life
and live our life
may we recognise you as our life
today, tomorrow, and always.

Amen.

Public Worship Recommences

From Tuesday 7 July, following advice from the Government and the Church of England, the Cathedral will reopen for public worship.

From Tuesday 7 July the Eucharist will be celebrated at 12.30pm from Tuesday to Friday. Numbers will be limited, in line with guidance from Public Health England and the national church guidelines.

From Sunday 12 July, we will recommence our weekly Cathedral Eucharist at 10.00am. The Cathedral will open 30 minutes before the service for those attending. The services will be said, until such time as guidance on music in worship is reassessed. We will open to the public after the service has finished.

The Eucharist will be in one kind only - we will not be sharing the common cup. The priest celebrating the Eucharist will wear suitable personal protection equipment so as to ensure safety during the distribution of Communion.

See the box below if you would like to attend the Sunday service.

We will continue to broadcast all services for those not able to attend. 

It has been 16 weeks since we have been able to hold a public celebration of the Eucharist in Bristol Cathedral. This has been one of the longest sustained periods without the public celebration of Holy Communion in the 800 years a building has existed on this site.

The past 16 weeks have been spiritually challenging and we have missed you! We have been pleased to be able to offer worship on our YouTube, Facebook and Twitter channels. But it is a privilege and a joy to be able to once more share Communion in the Cathedral, and we look forward to welcoming you back for worship at Bristol Cathedral.

For your visit:

• if you have a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of taste or smell, please do not enter the building;
• please use handgel provided before entering the building;
• please maintain social distancing measures of two metres between people not in your household

Daily Hope - phone line

Pastoral support

Donations and Planned Giving

Holy God,
as we open our doors and welcome in
those who will come
may we recognise you among them.
As we make our churches safe to enter
and care for those who come
may we recognise you as our strong defence.
As we say our prayers
and light our candles
may we recognise you in the midst.
As we resume our life
and live our life
may we recognise you as our life
today, tomorrow, and always.

Amen.

Welcome to this extra newsletter, in which we share two important news updates about the Cathedral.

As of today, following advice from the Government and the Church of England, the Cathedral is open for individual private prayer.

For your visit:

• if you have a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of taste or smell, please do not enter the building;
• please use handgel provided before entering the building;
• please maintain social distancing measures of two metres between people not in your household

New opening hours 

Sunday
11.00am to 3.00pm

Monday
Closed to the public

Tuesday to Friday
10.00am to 3.00pm

Our daily services will be streamed from the Cathedral, and occasionally from our clergy''s homes, on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, at the following times:

Morning Prayer
9.30am Monday to Saturday

Lunchtime Eucharist
12.30pm Tuesday to Friday

Evening Prayer
3.30pm Monday to Saturday

Cathedral Eucharist (with reflection)
10.00am Sunday

Holy God,
as we open our doors and welcome in
those who will come
may we recognise you among them.
As we make our churches safe to enter
and care for those who come
may we recognise you as our strong defence.
As we say our prayers
and light our candles
may we recognise you in the midst.
As we resume our life
and live our life
may we recognise you as our life
today, tomorrow, and always.
Amen.

A Message from the Acting Dean

Caption Competition

The 75th Anniversary of VE Day

Daily Hope - phone line

Canon John Rogan

Cathedral staff at home

• The two Michaels are baking bread, as opposed to breaking bad. Sourdough and soda bread are the loaves of choice.
• The Chapter Clerk, ever true to fabric work, has been redecorating.  Having finished the kitchen the bathroom is next.
• Andy Webb has been attacking his new garden, as have several other colleagues blessed with green space. 
• Caroline and Dyon have cleaned their home kitchens more than is strictly necessary, but old caf? habits die hard. 
• Dog walking, lots of dog walking for Revd Sarah and the Head Verger.
• Fiona has made a halterneck sundress, just as the weather changed...

Enjoy your library from home

Pastoral support
 

Giving during lockdown
 

Keep a watch out for scams..

Gracious God,
give skill, sympathy and resilience
to all who are caring for the sick,
and your wisdom to those searching for a cure.
Strengthen them with your Spirit,
that through their work many will be restored to health;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

A Prayer for those who care for us

Almighty God,
you have given us your only-begotten Son
to take our nature upon him
and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin:
grant that we, who have been born again
and made your children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

The Collect for Christmas Day

A New Dean of Bristol

Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of
Canon Dr Mandy Ford as the next Dean of Bristol

Dr Ford is currently Canon Chancellor at Southwark Cathedral and Director of Discipleship and Ministry for the Diocese of Southwark. She will take over from Canon Michael Johnson who has been Acting Dean since the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle became Dean of Westminster in November 2019.

Dr Ford trained for ministry at St Stephen's House in Oxford, and subsequently studied for a PhD in ethics and biblical interpretation. She began her ministry on a housing estate in central Leicester, working with young people excluded from education. After curacy she remained in parish ministry in Leicester.

In 2008 she was appointed Chair of the Fabric Advisory Committee of Leicester Cathedral, a role that took on greater significance when the remains of Richard III were discovered in a nearby car park.

Dr Ford has been in her current role since 2014. She is passionate about seeing people grow in confidence in their faith and enabling clergy to be leaders in mission.

Canon Dr Mandy Ford will become the 43rd Dean of Bristol, and will lead the life of the Cathedral community, both in prayer and worship, as well as in its service to the city of Bristol and the wider Diocese of Bristol. The cathedral community includes the staff team, congregations, volunteers and the Cathedral Schools.  Her installation as Dean of Bristol will take place in the autumn.

Canon Dr Mandy Ford said:

"It is an enormous privilege to be appointed as the next Dean of Bristol. I very much look forward to working with the cathedral congregation and city institutions for the good of the city of Bristol.

"I am excited by the prospect of living and working in such a vibrant and diverse city, sharing in the joys and challenges of the next few years as we seek to bring hope to all. The Spirit of God is a Spirit of love that both disturbs and comforts, my prayer is that the Spirit inspires and encourages us together to work for the flourishing of all."

The Right Revd Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol, said:

"I am so glad that Mandy has accepted nomination by the Crown to the Deanery of Bristol. She brings extensive experience of cathedrals and their communities, along with commitment to working alongside those who are vulnerable in our great cities. I look forward with excitement to developing our partnership in the gospel and to welcoming Mandy and Anne to the Diocese."

Canon Michael Johnson, Acting Dean of Bristol, said:

"The Cathedral Chapter, the staff and the whole cathedral community are looking forward to welcoming our new Dean and are praying for her ministry among us."

Knock and the door shall be opened unto you

~ Matthew 7.7

Fabric Update
from the Chapter Clerk

The Organ Project

College Square Works

Daily Hope - phone line

Pastoral support

Donations and Planned Giving

Happy 4th Birthday, Tobie!

Almighty and everlasting God,
who hast given unto us thy servants grace,
by the confession of a true faith
to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity,
and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity;
We beseech thee,
that thou wouldest keep us stedfast in this faith,
and evermore defend us from all adversities,
who livest and reignest, one God,
world without end. 

Amen.

The Collect for Trinity Sunday, our Feast of Title (Sunday 7 June)