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DAILY SERVICES AT GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL
SUNDAY
7.40am Morning Prayer (said) 8.00am Holy Communion 10.15am Sung Eucharist with Children’s Church 3.00pm Choral Evensong
MONDAY - SATURDAY
8.00am Holy Communion 8.30am Morning Prayer (said) 12.30pm Holy Communion 5.30pm Choral Evensong (4.30pm on Saturdays)
See our website for details of services and any changes or closures.
A Gift Aid scheme operates at the Cathedral, which allows the Chapter to claim back 25p per £1 for donations. Many of you do so already, and we are grateful, but if you are a visitor who pays Income Tax in the UK, you could make your donation go further by doing this. There is a Donorpoint at the West end of the Cathedral where you can use your credit card to give a donation, and this can be gift-aided as well
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Tel: 01531 820816
NEWS
FEBRUARY 2017
‘Many, many welcomes February Fair Maid….’
Alfred Lord Tennyson - ‘The Snowdrop’
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Gloucester Cathedral News
Mission Statement: ‘We aim to produce a Christian magazine which is widely accessible and which informs, involves and inspires its readers.’
Cathedral Chapter
Dean: The Very Reverend Stephen Lake
Chief Operations Officer: Emily Shepherd
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Cathedral Office, 12 College Green, Gloucester GL1 2LX Telephone: 01452 528095 Email: [email protected] The Clergy may be contacted through the Cathedral Office at the above address and telephone number. Gloucester Cathedral News Subscriptions A year’s postal subscription for 10 copies of Gloucester Cathedral News may be obtained by cash or cheque for £12 made payable to ‘The Chapter of Gloucester Cathedral’ and sent to the Cathedral Office at the above address.
www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk
Cover picture: Snowdrops - Harbingers of Spring!
Photograph by: Chris Smith.
Canons: Nikki Arthy Dr Andrew Braddock Richard Mitchell Jackie Searle Celia Thomson
Lay Canons: John Coates Paul Mason Dame Janet Trotter
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The Editorial Team consists of:
Richard Cann, Sandie Conway, Pat Foster, Barrie Glover, Stephen Lake, Christopher and Maureen Smith.
Editor: Maureen Smith
The next Editorial meeting is on 13 February 2017.
"We are happy to receive articles, handwritten or typed. We regret that, due to the limited space available, and to enable us to continue to
produce a lively, varied and informative magazine, we can normally only accept articles of 400 words or less. Articles over 400 words will only be accepted at the Editor’s discretion.
The Editor reserves the right to alter articles as necessary, without losing the general sense.
Contributions can be emailed to: [email protected]
or you can leave them at the Cathedral Office at the address given at the front of this booklet.
You may also email Maureen Smith direct: [email protected]
Disclaimer: We try very hard to make sure details are correct before going to print, but things can change! Please check with the Cathedral Office and the notice board. Please note that articles do not represent the opinions of the Chapter, the Church of England or the editor - only the writer!
The Editor for March is Maureen Smith. The deadline is the 5th February
Wed 15 6.00pm Junior Voices Project Concert.
Sat 18 7.00pm Rachmaninov - All Night Vigil (Vespers).
Fri 24 7.30pm Couperin’s Lecons De Tenebres - Corelli Ensemble.
Sat 25 3.00pm Gloucester Music Society Concert - Nick Pritchard (Tenor), Louise Williams (Viola) and Benjamin Frith (Piano).
Sun 26 MOTHERING SUNDAY 10.15am Eucharist for Mothering Sunday with presentation of flowers followed by an informal concert by the Cathedral Junior Choir in the Chapter House.
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February special services and events:
Fri 6 Jan - Sun 16 Feb - FAITH - Exhibition by Russell Haines. (See page 7).
Sat 4 2.00pm Friends of Gloucester Cathedral - William Laud, Dean of Gloucester 1616 -1624 - Talk by David Hoyle - Dean of Bristol.
Mon 6 1.05pm Meditation for all - in the Thomas Chapel.
Sat 11 - Sun 19 - Glorious Gargoyles - Free children’s trail. (See page 29).
Sat 11 9.30am Brunch and Bounce. 1.00pm Informal lunch time concert - Community Choir.
Mon 13 1.05pm Meditation for all - in the Thomas Chapel.
Wed 15 - Sat 18 - Beads and Bones - Children’s Crypt tours and craft activities
(See page 29).
Sat 18 10.00am Archaeology Roadshow & Object Handling Drop-in. (See page 29).
3.00pm Gloucester Music Society Concert - Rupert Marshall-Luck - Violin.
Sun 19 6.00pm Bach Violin Recital - Michael Bochman
Mon 20 1.05pm Meditation for all - in the Thomas Chapel.
Thu 23 12.30pm Lunchtime Organ Recital - Shean Bowers.
Sat 25 10.00am Introduction to Latin with George Sharpley.
Mon 27 1.05 Meditation for all - in the Thomas Chapel.
March looking ahead….
Wed 1 ASH WEDNESDAY 7.30pm Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes.
Sat 4 7.30pm Silent Film Screening - Phantom of the Opera. Jonathan Hope Organ Improvisation.
Sun 5 6.00pm Bach Violin Recital by Michael Bochman.
Thu 9 12.30pm Lunchtime Organ Recital - Andrew Kirk.
Fri 10 7.30pm Derek Paravicini Quartet. 7.30pm Lets Talk Rachmaninov Vespers.
Sat 11 9.30pm Brunch and Bounce.
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CONTENTS Page
The Three Wise Men don’t make it Stephen Lake. 4
Jesus: The Man Who Belongs to the Whole World Mahatma Ghandi. 6
From Bethlehem With Love Maureen Smith. 8
Notes from a Theological College: 3. Space. Rachel Murray. 9
Music Department News 10
New Series:
Churches in Gloucestershire: 1. St Nicholas Church, Westgate Street. Clive Andrews. 12
400th Anniversary of a Clerical
Controversy. George Marchant. 14
Saints of the Month: Cyril and Methodius. Richard Cann. 16
Around the Community 17
Mental Health and the Christian Life. Susanna Morris. 18
Amnesty International - Write for Rights Campaign - Update 19
Come Over to Macedonia Cedric Pickin. 20
Centenary of First World War series: The Gloucestershire Regiments and the Battle of the Somme. Barrie Glover. 22
The Rev Albert Edward Addenbrooke MA Angela Newcombe. 23
A Surprise Visit. Jean Sheraton. 25
Have You Ever Seen an Angel Smile? (or a Saint for that matter?) Richard Cann. 26
Jottings from the West End: Humph n Harry. 28
Diary of Special Services and Events 30
Please consider a voluntary donation of £1 to help cover the cost of this magazine
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The Three Wise Men
don’t make it
It may be February but I need to recount a true event in the Cathedral at Christmas. With all of the current upheaval due to the delivery of Project Pilgrim, it is worth remembering why we are doing this.
On the second of the Carols on the Hour days, amidst all the thousands of people that came, Three Wise Men in their wheelchairs came from the Star College (appropriately named). They came with their carers and they wanted to see the Tea Angel in the Lady Chapel. I was in the North Transept when they arrived. Being in wheelchairs, the Three Wise Men needed to access the lift which will soon be replaced. There was doubt in our minds whether their chairs would be too large for the ancient lift, which keeps breaking down, with parts needing to come from Germany. It needed an expert, so we went in search of a verger. We called on the radio but no verger was able to attend in the time frame. I explained that they must be dealing with something important elsewhere. As it turned out, the busy verger was hoovering the carpet in the Chapter House and had not heard the radio. Somewhat embarrassed, we had to turn the Three Wise Men from the Star College away. In encouraging them to stay for the next short carol service, it occurred to me that, even if we had found a member of staff, our Wise Men might not have been able to use the lift because of their sizable wheelchairs. More than that, if they had been able to access the lift (with staff help), then they would have had another lift to negotiate to get to the same level as the Lady Chapel. And even if that had been possible it would have taken a very long, undignified time. And even then, if the Three Wise Men had made it eventually to the Lady Chapel, they wouldn’t have been able to get into the Lady Chapel because of the middle pillar, which prevents
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February Half-Term Activities
'Glorious Gargoyles' Saturday 11 - Sunday 19 February, 10.30am - 3.45pm
Pick up a free trail to discover the stories of our most popular
Gargoyles! Suitable for all ages.
Archaeology Roadshow & Object Handling Drop-In Saturday 18 February, 10.00am - 2.30pm
Kurt Adams, Gloucestershire and Avon’s Finds Liaison Officer for the Portable Antiquities Scheme will be here with handling items and
information about local archaeology. Kurt will also be able to identify your own finds so bring them along!
Suitable for all ages, Free, just drop in
‘Beads & Bones’
Children’s Crypt tours and craft activity sessions Wednesday 15, Thursday 16 and Friday 17 February
10.00am, 11.00am, and 2.00pm Learn about the history of the Crypt beneath the Cathedral then find out more about the intricate Rosary bead and other finds uncovered during a recent archaeological dig. Finish each 40-45 minute session
with a craft activity to create a beaded bracelet to take home!
Spaces limited & must be booked in advance. Suitable for age 4 plus. Under 16’s must be accompanied by parent or guardian at all times.
Access to the crypt is via small flight of steps. Activities free, donations welcomed.
The Christmas season is now over, nevertheless we (unfortunately!) still have space for two more Cracker jokes to make you groan!
Q. Why is it difficult to keep a secret at the North Pole? A. Because your teeth chatter.
*******
Two snowmen in a field are looking around them. One says to the other: “Do you smell carrots?”
Sent in by Humph ’n Harry.
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Jottings from the West End: Greetings from us Corbels - Humph ’n Harry
W e’re here, 2017, minus our antlers and Christmas hats and feeling flat. BUT, to quote a hymn:
“When candles are lighted on Candlemas Day the dark is behind us and Spring’s on the way… Look back with thanksgiving! Look forward with awe!”
Christmas was wonderful and as everybody is overloaded with “things”, we had Special Days instead! Humph headed for Waterstone’s: coffee, a toasted sandwich and a cream tea with Mr. H. (so as to get him home for Evensong and the Girl Choristers!). Ulf’s ‘Day’ was DUSTBINS; a lovely yellow hat, a yellow coat and a ride on the lorry and he acquired an “abandoned” chair en route! Odo Motte and Gurth Bailey left the Chapter House, invaded the Coffee Shop and tried everything. They do recommend the coffee cake. Mr. H. had a day with the Mummers and came home with ideas for next Christmas!
Humph is thinking “Allotment”. ‘Rhubarbitis’ already? The allotment has been extended, with shed refurbishment and Mr. H. says that it could end up as a cross between Versailles and a dacha. Ulf, Odo and Gurth, with an eye on new peas and soft fruit, have offered to do the weeding! We will celebrate Archbishop Laud as Dean of Gloucester and attend the Friends’ lecture and perhaps play backgammon over tea. We are wearing big red hearts on Valentine’s Day, in particular, for those who are hoping! Mr. H. would like a quick trip to Brussels before Brexit becomes Brexit as there might be a shortage of Belgian chocolates.
The times they are a-changing and we salute Mandy from the Coffee Shop. We shall miss a good friend, even if Humph couldn’t keep up with her running! May she have a happy retirement and perhaps become an Olympian?
A very Happy New Year to one and all. God for Harry, England and St George.
Up the Corbels and CHOCOLATE!
Humph ’n Harry. With severe pruning from Sylvia Coppen-Gardner.
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wheelchair, pushchair and coffin entrance. They would have got all the way to their destination, to be prevented at the final hurdle. Not very wise! Under Project Pilgrim there will be access for people with disabilities throughout the ground floor of the cathedral for the first time in history. Such people will be able to operate this access themselves, or with assistance, for the first time. People with disabilities and others, in fact all people, will be able to enter the Lady Chapel. Vergers and other staff and volunteers will be able to go about their duties more freely too. Now this does make sense. Fortunately, the Three Wise Men from the Star College stayed for the carol service and enjoyed their day at their Cathedral but their experience could have been far more welcoming and fair. When we feel bothered by building work, by lack of parking, by disruption or by noise, we all need to remember that this is taking place for a reason; to make our Cathedral what it should be, a place for all and a place where God’s unconditional love can be found.
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light.
Stephen Lake. Dean of Gloucester
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Jesus: The Man Who
Belongs to the
Whole World.
In the wake of the Second World War Mahatma Ghandi was asked what Jesus meant to him. Published below is an extract of his reply: ‘I know that I cannot avoid seeming presumptuous in writing about the figure of Jesus and trying to explain what significance and meaning he has had for me. I do so
solely because I have been told more than once by certain Christian friends that, since I am not a Christian and do not, (to quote their exact words) “accept him in my innermost heart as the only-begotten Son of God,” I can never realise the full meaning of his teachings, and therefore can never draw upon the greatest source of spiritual strength known to man. Whether or not this is true in my case, it seems to me to be a mistaken point of view. I believe that it is incompatible with the message that Jesus brought to the world. For he, surely, was the greatest example of one who wished to give to all, to withhold from none whatever their creed……’ It is impossible, I think, to weigh the merits of the world’s several religions, and unnecessary and pointless even to attempt to do so. But in each one, I believe there was an original common impulse – the desire to help and improve the life of all people. I interpret the miracles of Jesus not in a literal sense, which seems to me unimportant, but as the dramatic and unforgettable expression of this impulse, as the most vivid lesson possible to impart – not to pass by the sick or suffering, not to judge those, who in the world’s eyes, have sinned, but to forgive them and thus help them to enter a new and better life.
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When, at last, my life has reached The hour called eleven, I’d hoped, forlornly, I suppose, To float right up to heaven. To reach a destination with no humour on the cards - Seeing angels with long faces, and saints without a grin I’d find extremely hard. If I cannot find an angel with a smile before I die, I can say emphatically (it would not be a lie), To reach a place like that, I’d know extremely well, No laughter – ruddy dreadful, I’d rather go to h***
There is a smiling angel, I am told, The cathedral front at Reims in France. (See photograph on left!) My search is done, my quest is o’er I need not be bereft An angel with a smile – there’s one – at least - and now I know! I hope that she’s on hand when up to heaven I go.
p.p.s. (providing I don’t blot my copybook!!!!)
Richard Cann.
Footnote: The Smiling Angel (L'Ange au Sourire), also known as the Smile of Reims (Le Sourire de Reims), (pictured above left), is a stone sculpture set in the north portal of the west façade of Reims Cathedral. It was carved between 1236 and 1245. (Source and
photograph: Wikipedia).
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Have you ever seen an angel smile?
(or a saint, for that matter!)
Have you ever seen an angel smile? I’ve looked at stained glass windows I trawled the Internet, An angel with a smile? I haven’t seen one yet The saints are just the same - St. John the Baptist - (pictured right) His mouth is down, With shifty eyes With feet like his, I must admit, I’d also be bereft. Is humour up in Heaven not allowed? To see an angel with a grin, Is that a mortal sin? Do artists think to show a smile Is not the thing to do, A grin on face of angel bloke, Would presuppose a risqué joke? Would indicate a guile!
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These lessons stand for us today as they stood for the men and women of Jesus’ own time. Jesus gave the human race, in these lessons and his life, the great goal toward which to aspire. It is because there is such a goal, and because there was such a figure as that of Jesus, that I cannot be pessimistic, but instead am hopeful and confident of the future. And it is because his life has this significance and meaning for me that I do not regard him as belonging to Christianity alone, but rather to the whole world, to all its peoples, no matter under what name they worship. Mahatma Ghandi.
Source: Readers Digest – The Story of Jesus.
‘FAITH’ -
an Exhibition by Russell Haines
Friday 6 January to Sunday 26 February 'To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.’
Thomas Aquinas
‘Faith’ by artist Russell Haines is a unique exhibition that has been created not only from a love of art but from a desire to explore today's culture, specifically the many different faiths and beliefs of the individual people that live alongside us. The aim is not to look at where we are all different but rather, despite this, where do we all have similarities. The exhibition will use large, bold portrait art combined with some unique video interviews filmed by the University of Gloucestershire to promote unity and help bring communities together.
Admission Free
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From Bethlehem
with love!
Each year, at Candlemas I remove the last symbols of Christmas from my home, i.e. candles, table decorations etc. The season of Christmas is then officially over for me. The tree has, of course, by then long since
gone and the cards have been sent off for recycling. But I must admit that I have never found it easy to say farewell to Christmas, representing as it does a spark of light, comfort, reassurance and, somehow, a sense of stability in an otherwise changing and, sadly, all too often a dark and troubled world.
One item though, namely a very special nativity set, stays on display throughout the year. It is beautiful, made of Olive wood from Bethlehem. I have collected olive wood figures for many years now and it had long been my wish to own a whole nativity set. In 2015 Chris bought me one for Christmas, - (so it is literally from Bethlehem with love!) It is a constant reminder to me and, hopefully, to everyone who visits my home during the year, of God’s great gift to us, namely the precious and miraculous gift of his son our Saviour Jesus Christ and of the sacrifice he made for us.
I recently discovered the following words in the Church Pulpit Year Book. I found them inspiring and I hope readers of GCN do as well.
‘That there was no room for him at the Inn is symbolic. The only place where there was room was on the Cross. He sought an entry into the hearts of every human being, but could not find it; and still his search – and his rejection go on. But he will never stop until everyone everywhere recognises him and accepts him as their Lord and Saviour’. Anonymous.
Maureen Smith.
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A Surprise Visit
I was pleased to see Nick Edwards' article about the choir from Zwolle in the Netherlands in the December/January edition of GCN. Whilst in the UK they had stayed at St Briavels castle, which is now used as a Youth Hostel. They used the church, opposite the castle, as a practice venue as we have a very good piano, organ and excellent acoustics. From there they visited various cathedrals to sing the anthems which they love. At St Briavels church we decided we would like to welcome the choir in the village. Our church warden, who also leads the village Peoples' Choir, had approached the choir leader and a meeting in the church was arranged.
At the agreed time, the choir were told they were having a practice in the church so arrived with their music. We had made tea, cakes and sandwiches and they were so surprised and thrilled to be able to share their experiences with us. We learned about life in Zwolle and they about life in an English village. Our shared love of music was another topic of interest. After the tea we all gathered and sang various anthems and hymns. There were three organists amongst their group and two of ours so they, too, had a wonderful time making the best sounds from our newly restored organ. They really made it sing.
This was such a happy occasion for us all and they said that the surprise element, the friendliness and less formal gathering was the highlight of their tour. We did not have a cathedral but we did have a very warm welcome for our choral visitors. We will remember the occasion for some time ahead and we hope they will, too.
Jean Sheraton.
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He was obviously unable to say very much about the work at the factory but he did tell the people of Chalford that there were three daytime shifts and two at night. His visits coincided with the three daily dinner breaks. Interestingly, the sexes were kept separate, using different dining rooms. He eventually organised entertainment for the workers during this break, initially arranging for individuals from Gloucester to visit the canteen to play and sing. Later, convalescing servicemen also volunteered to take part. At his request, the management provided pianos in both the male and female canteens.
He also organised outings for the women on Saturdays. On one occasion they went as a party to Highnam. The Vicar provided tea for them, they took their own food and sugar! The afternoon was then spent in the Pinetum gathering flowers. Sir Hubert Parry met some of them on their way back and took them through his house. Another time, he took a group to Cranham, where “a friend arranged our tea under a tree near the woods and brought us baskets of gooseberries, and large bunches of roses were also provided”.
One day he took a group of thirty, at the Bishop’s invitation, to play games on his lawn at 8pm. They were met by the Bishop who “gave us a hearty welcome and regaled us with fruit and cakes. Mrs Gibson gave us all bunches of roses.” With the Dean’s permission, he also took groups around the Cathedral, staying on at least one occasion for Evensong. The Dean himself showed them parts of the Cathedral not usually seen. These tours were so popular that the men asked if he would organise one for them. He duly did, noting that the men had willingly paid their own rail fare from Gloucester to Cheltenham where they were accommodated.
In all he spent a year in Gloucester but whether he ever overcame one of the problems he experienced in the early days is not clear. The danger of an explosion through a stray spark was a very obvious one at the factory, consequently, the ladies could not use hairpins and so wore their hair loose. This gave him some difficulty when he met them in Gloucester. They knew him but he failed to recognise them with their hair pinned up and smartly dressed!
Angela Newcombe.
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Notes from a Theological College:
3. Space
I hope you are enjoying January and February. I know a lot of people don’t like them, but I really enjoy them. I enjoy the quiet space they provide. One isn’t getting all worked up about Christmas, there’s no pressure from the weather to be going out and not wasting the day. They are months for snuggling down on the sofa in front of a film, eating warming food and enjoying hibernating. I certainly don’t hold with all this dry January and detox nonsense. Save that for March and Lent if you must, but this is still winter, let’s enjoy it.
Space is something in short supply at theological college. From the moment my alarm goes at 6.30am it is nonstop. If I am on sacristan duty my alarm goes off at 5.45 to be in Chapel for 6.45. I am there for Meditation, Morning Prayer and Eucharist and the last to leave at around 8.45am. I then have 15 minutes before my first lecture at 9am for 2 hours. The day progresses with lectures, lunch and more lectures until 4.30pm. I then have about an hour until Evening Prayer and possibly Eucharist followed by dinner and then a whole host of other chores; choir practice, cantoring Compline or bar duty and this is before I have done any academic work whatsoever. I have to find some space in all this ‘busyness’ to draw breath, to do the things that make me, me. I also have to ensure I hold spaciousness within myself, to not be so full up with rotas and duties and work and community living that there is no room for God to work within me. So if February is making you gloomy, look upon it as an opportunity to have space. Make the most of the shortest month, as March and Lent will be upon us before we know it. Right, I’m off to iron some altar cloths…..
Rachel Murray.
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Music Department News
Gloucester Cathedral is delighted to announce that Willow Burden, a long term member of Gloucester Cathedral Youth Choir, has received a prestigious scholarship to Birmingham Conservatoire.
Willow said; “I am incredibly proud to be a member of the Gloucester Cathedral Youth Choir. Throughout the four years I have sung with the choir, I have been presented with many wonderful opportunities, including a choir tour to Sweden, participating in The Three Choirs Festival and the privilege of singing in Buckingham Palace, in the presence of HRH the Prince of Wales. Through the choir I have received a free education in choral singing, which has provided me with the training and ability to receive a substantial scholarship to Birmingham Conservatoire, starting in September 2017.
I will be joining the conservatoire as they open their newly developed campus. I am looking forward with excitement to the opportunities that will be presented to me, to continue with my music education and to eventually become a professional singer. None of this would have been possible without the support of the music department of the Cathedral.” All at Gloucester Cathedral are sorry to say goodbye to Willow who has been an outstanding member of the Cathedral Youth Choir and wish her the very best of luck for the bright future she has ahead.
*******************
Gloucester Cathedral Youth Choir was founded in 1999 and is made up of talented young singers aged 13-19 from schools and colleges all around Gloucestershire. They meet after school on Mondays and Thursdays each week during term time, to rehearse and they sing Evensong every Thursday. They also participate at other major services during the Church year, including Christmas Midnight Mass, the vigil on Easter eve, Ordinations and Carol Services.
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So bloody was the slaughter along the Somme, that when battles finished it was sometimes weeks before the bodies could be recovered, and the drawing is of British dead on a hillock near what is now the Thiepval Monument. It was sixteen weeks before they could be brought down, identified and eventually buried. The original of the drawing is now in the Regimental Museum, and, even in reduced size it conveys a sense of the vicious fighting and slaughter at the spot. Barrie Glover.
Footnote: The inspiration for this article is “Cap of Honour” which is the authorised history of the 300 years of the Gloucestershire Regiment. The writer is indepted for the use of the drawing to former Mayor, Mr. Chris Chatterton, who is now Director of the magnificent “Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum”. The copyright of the drawing belongs to the Museum.
****************************
On the Home Front:
The Rev Albert Edward Addenbrooke MA
We hear about Vicars who left their parishes to serve at the Front but hardly ever about those who served away from their parish in this country.
The March 1917 edition of the Chalford Parish Magazine records that the Vicar had received a letter from the Bishop of Gloucester asking what National Service he could provide. The Rev Albert Edward Addenbrooke MA replied that he would do whatever was required of him; he was aged about 51 having been born in 1886. He was subsequently asked to undertake the post of Chaplain to the Female Munition Workers at Quedgeley which entailed living in Gloucester. During his absence, he wrote regularly to his parishioners at Chalford and his letters were published each month in the Parish Magazine (Gloucestershire Archives P73 M1 1).
He had to share Christ Church, Gloucester with the incumbent and his parishioners. This involved, amongst other things, changes to the times the church was open so that he could hold services for the women and girls who were housed in Gloucester; the men were apparently billeted in Cheltenham.
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Centenary of First World War series:
The Gloucestershire Regiment
and the Battle of the Somme
Gloucester Cathedral News has attempted to remind readers of the involvement of the county regiment in what was hoped to be “the war that ended all wars” - but sadly wasn’t, and this month’s item returns to the longest and bloodiest engagement and its aftermath. Many readers were present for its memorial service last year. When the war finished in 1918, thoughts turned to the most appropriate way to pay tribute to those who “gave their all” and one of the tangible results is the enormous Thiepval Monument that now stands on a mount overlooking the southern part of the Somme battlefields. During 2016 ceremonies were held, attended by royalty, to pay tribute to those who died or were horribly injured along the long miles of trenches. But what is hardly known now is depicted in the drawing on this page, a copy of which can be viewed in the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum at Gloucester Docks.
©.Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum 2016
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The choir sings a wide range of music that includes spirituals, folksongs and other secular music alongside the more traditional Anglican repertoire. Away from the Cathedral, the Youth Choir has a varied programme of concerts, tours and social events. In February 2012 they travelled to Sweden on an exchange visit with the Youth Choir of Västerås Cathedral and hosted the return visit to Gloucester in 2015. They also took part in a joint Evensong with the Chapel Choir of Merton College, Oxford.
Members of the Youth choir enjoy the following benefits:
• Free musical training during rehearsals with the Cathedral music staff.
• The chance to meet new friends and share your love of singing.
• The opportunity to sing in one of the most beautiful Cathedrals in the world every week.
• The chance to go on concert trips and overseas tours with the Choir
If you would like to know more about joining Gloucester Cathedral’s Youth Choir visitwww.gloucestercathedral.org.uk or
email [email protected]
It might just be the ‘something’ you’ve been looking for!
Next to the Word of God,
the noble art of music
is the greatest treasure
in the world.
Martin Luther.
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New Series:
Churches in Gloucestershire:
St. Nicholas Church, Westgate Street
With its leaning tower, truncated spire and impressive clock (which never tells the correct time) St Nicholas Church dominates Gloucester’s Westgate Street. The River Severn underlies the story of the
church. In the 12th Century a bridge was constructed over the then third channel of the river. St Nicholas, probably a royal foundation, was built on the approach and its priests were charged with maintaining the bridge using offerings from travellers. But the land by the river was unstable and soon the church started to subside. In less than 100 years most of it had to be rebuilt, retaining from the orig inal structure three round Norman columns, two arches and a fine d o o r w a y w i t h a tympanum depicting the Agnus Dei. It was rebuilt in the Early English style and the fine ‘stiff leaf’ decoration which adorns some of the pillars dates from that period. Various modifications and improvements were made in the following two centuries and an imposing 200 foot tower and spire were added in the 1400s. The rebuilt church also subsided, resulting in the leaning tower and some alarmingly non-vertical pillars. 20th Century technology eventually stabilised it.
Photo: Wikipedia
Interior of St Nicholas Church. Photo: Chris Smith
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Some memorable moments included renewing our vows in the stream near where Paul baptised Lydia – a lovely introduction to the pilgrimage; above the Via Egnatia, looking into the jail in Philippi, where Paul and Silas were reputedly held; then, in a crowded and
hot Thessaloniki, the Agia Sophia church’s cool air and 10th century mosaics; St Paul’s Altar at Verria (pictured left); and the nearby icon workshop, itself a picture; in the Delphi museum the inscription, discovered in 1 9 0 5 , d a t i n g G a l l i o ’ s proconsulship and, therefore, Paul’s first visit to Corinth and his Thessalonian letters.
In Athens, after a gale-blown walk round a crane-bound Acropolis, we climbed Mars Hill (the Areopagus). In the less crowded Acropolis Museum, amongst the statuary, friezes and artefacts were domestic objects, including one used for potty-training Roman infants. The gale had eased, when we left for an afternoon relaxing in the Plaka, the picturesque flea market, and its alleyway cafés. We spent our final day in Corinth. We walked over the high canal bridge on the Saronic Gulf side (east), then had lunch in a taverna overlooking the Gulf of Corinth (west). The bridge here made way for boats by plunging deep beneath the water. After exploring the site of ancient Corinth, near the remains of the central shops and the Bema (the judgement seat), where Paul was brought before Gallio. Our pilgrimage ended celebrating Eucharist, (pictured right) and giving thanks for a wonderful journey. Cedric Pickin.
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‘Come over to Macedonia…’
A Brief Personal Reflection on a Pilgrimage to
Greece in the Steps of St Paul - September 2016
I went with a group of 12 from St George’s Church, New Mills, Derbyshire, led by Father John Baines, their churchwarden and her husband accommodating me overnight ready for the early flight from Manchester the next morning. We took it in turns to lead Morning Prayer on the coach each day and, similarly, read passages from Acts at or near the sites to which they referred. I found myself reading from the centre of the theatre at Philippi which, until then, had been only a map in my Bible. We had an excellent guide in Sophia, herself Greek. She lectured on the Classical period, from 500 BC to the Greek civil war of the 1940s. She explained the history of the Greek Orthodox Church and its worship. We admired its paintings, frescoes, and icons in the churches and monasteries we visited, the most beautiful being Hosios Leukas monastery church, a Unesco World Heritage site. Our driver, Phanis, also helped bring to light (which is what his name means) the ancient landscapes of Greece, including a 40-minute hairpin climb of Mount Ossa to the peace and hospitality of the Monastery of St John the Forerunner, near Larissa.
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The Severn was also the reason for the church’s prosperity. As river trade increased, wealthy merchants built their houses in and around Westgate Street, and St Nicholas became their parish church. Many fine monuments adorn the interior and of particular note is the painted chest tomb of Alderman Wallton, (pictured right), who died in 1626. Amongst the others is a memorial to Samuel Baldwin who was responsible for carving five of the Cathedral’s most prominent monuments. During King Charles’s siege of Gloucester, the spire took a direct hit from a cannon ball. This probably weakened the already leaning spire, which was subsequently reduced in height and capped with the pinnacled coronet we see today. After a dispute in the 18th Century between the Cathedral and the city’s burgesses, St Nicholas became for a while the civic church, a role it lost after the dean offered to construct a ‘throne’ for the mayor in the Cathedral, only a little less impressive than that of the bishop. The church became redundant in 1971 and is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. Volunteers open the church for visitors most weeks and since July 2016 it has also become the home of Clearspring Evangelical church. In October 2016 Evensong was sung in the church for the first time in many years, led on one evening by the Cathedral Choir and on another by the Cathedral Youth Choir. St Nicholas is often the first port of call for visitors arriving in the city by coach. After a while many have been known to ask, ‘This is the cathedral, isn’t it?’. Clive Andrews.
Photo: Chris Smith
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Four Hundredth
Anniversary of a
Clerical Controversy
History tells us that William Laud began work as Dean of Gloucester 400 years ago, in January 1617. At his first Chapter Meeting, he and the prebendaries (canons) present ordered that the communion table be moved from the middle of the choir and ‘placed altar-wise’ at the east end. This had a flavour of Roman
Catholicism and deeply offended local Puritans, notably the Bishop of Gloucester, Miles Smith. However, this common story omits the vigorous clerical controversy that followed. In February 1617, Bishop Smith’s chaplain wrote a letter beginning ‘we hear strange things … that seem almost incredible’. He talked of almost the whole city being much offended and claimed that ‘Papists would be stirred up to rejoice’. He was scornful that none of the prebendaries had spoken up against the Dean. Two days later, this letter, or something similar, was made spectacularly public. A copy appeared in the pulpit of St Michael’s church, adjacent to Gloucester Cross, shortly before one of the cathedral prebendaries was due to preach. It was promptly circulated, by the curate and parish clerk of St Michael’s, ‘so that all in the city, well near, do now speak of it’. The alarmed prebendaries quickly contacted Laud, warning that ‘if there be not a speedy course taken for the suppressing of this … malicious and scandalous dealing,’ major trouble would follow. Laud asked Bishop Smith to help ‘reform such tongues and pens who know not how to submit to any law but their own’. He threatened to inform the king of the letter and ‘the entertainment which it has found among turbulent spirits’. He added a threat, that His Majesty
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“Is the Lord going to use you in a great way? Quite probably. Is he going to prepare you as you expect? Probably not. And if you’re not careful, you will look at the trials, the tests, the sudden interruptions, the disappointments, the sadness, the lost jobs, the failed opportunities, the broken moments, and you will think, He’s through with me. He’s finished with me. When in fact He is equipping you.”
Susanna Morris.
Editor’s Note: Susanna worships at the Cathedral and is an experienced Registered Mental Health Nurse and Behavioural Therapist. Her work centres on providing education on mental health from Christian perspectives in UK and Asia. She will be leading a training day on these themes in Gloucester on 25th March. For more information, please email: [email protected]
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Amnesty International
Write for Rights Campaign - Update
Each year many of us at the Cathedral sign cards to send to people imprisoned unjustly across the world. Below is heartening news from one such prisoner:
I am proof your Write for Rights letters work. This time last year, I was serving my 44th year in solitary confinement in Louisiana USA. I was imprisoned for a murder I did not commit due to my activism against brutal prison conditions and my membership of the Black Panther Party.
Through Amnesty’s Write for Rights campaign, thousands and thousands of people wrote to me. I made a promise that if I would ever go free, I would be a voice for others enduring this nightmare of being wrongly incarcerated.
On 19 February 2016 I was released. Had it not been for supporters like you taking part in Write for Rights I might still be unjustly imprisoned. I can’t tell you how important getting letters from around the world was. It gave me strength. It made me more determined. But more than all that it gave me a sense of self-worth. It gave me courage.
With gratitude, Albert Woodfox
the world's longest-serving solitary confinement prisoner.
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Mental Health
and the Christian Life
As the media now regularly reminds us, one in every four British adults experiences at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any one year. So it should come as no surprise to us that
those we worship alongside on a Sunday and serve alongside, in our lay or ordained ministries, may well be included in that ‘one in four’. Indeed, one of those ‘one in four’ may be you or me. Over recent years, the Church has begun moving away from the often well-intended but sadly misguided and damaging opinion, present in some quarters, that truly Christian people do not suffer with anxiety, depression or delusional disorders. We are starting to appreciate once again that experiencing such symptoms and engaging with pharmaceutical or psychological therapies are not signs of weak spirituality. The tide has been turning too in the health sector. There is now a firm understanding in UK mental health services that an episode of mental illness need not define an individual’s life nor discount them from making a meaningful contribution to society. As Pope Francis (2013) beautifully describes,
“Recovery means sustaining hope, inclusion, finding strengths, building resilience … does not deny illness… is about making a life despite limitations.”
We each find ourselves on a spectrum of mental wellbeing and vulnerability, with many variables throughout our lifespan that can be biological, psychological, social and spiritual in nature. Our place on this spectrum can so easily shift under life’s stresses, regardless of our faith. There is no “them and us” when it comes to mental wellbeing! Therefore, we need not discount ourselves (or others) from serving God and the Church, in whatever way He calls us, on the basis of mental health status. As the preacher, Charles Swindoll so wisely put it:
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‘would be well pleased to hear that your Lordship … is careful to preserve order and peace’ in the diocese. Laud was concerned ‘that I may not be brought into contempt … by any turbulent spirits, and so disenabled to do that good service which I owe to the Church of God’. Nothing more seems to have happened, and Laud possibly came to think that the issue had been forgotten. However, the Puritan ‘turbulent spirits’ had long memories and some 27 years later, when Archbishop Laud was on trial for his life, the ‘Papist’ action of moving the communion table was one of the charges brought against him. George Marchant.
Source: William Laud, Dean of Gloucester, 1616-1621 by Rev Brian Taylor, Trans BGAS Vol 77 (1958), pp.85-96.
Editor’s Note: As the above article attests and the following quote
confirms, William Laud, certainly wasn’t afraid to vent his wrath!
Some hypocrites and
seeming mortified men,
that held down their
heads, were like the little
images that they place in
the very bowing of the
vaults of churches, that
look as if they held up the
church, but are but
puppets.
William Laud.
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Saints of the Month Cyril and Methodius
The two brothers were born in Thessalonica, in present-day Greece – Cyril in about 827–828 and Methodius about 815–820.
Cyril was reputedly the youngest of seven brothers; he was born Constantine, but took the name Cyril upon becoming a monk in Rome shortly before his death, Methodius was born Michael, and took the name Methodius upon becoming a monk at Mysian Olympus (present-day Uludağ), in northwest Turkey.
In 867, Pope Nicholas I invited the brothers to Rome. Travelling with the relics of Saint Clement and a retinue of disciples, they arrived in Rome in 868, where they were warmly received. This was partly due to their bringing with them the relics of Saint Clement. The brothers were praised for their learning and cultivated for their influence in Constantinople. The Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets are the oldest known Slavic alphabets, and were created by the two brothers and their students, to translate the Bible and other texts into the Slavic languages.
Cyril was regarded by his disciples as a saint soon after his death which is recorded as 14th February 869. He evangelised to the wider Christian Church and his following spread among the nations. He was famous as a holy man, along with his brother Methodius. Methodius now continued the work among the Slavs alone and he died in 882. The saints' feast day is celebrated by the Anglican Communion on 14 February as "Saints Cyril and Methodius Day".
Richard Cann.
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It is with great sadness that we announce the recent death of David Sheldon. He was a loved and respected member of the Cathedral community and he will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest sympathy to David’s wife, Rosemary and their son Andrew. You are both in our thoughts and prayers. We will include a tribute to David in a later edition of GCN.
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Congratulations to Youth Choir member, Willow Burden on achieving a scholarship to Birmingham Conservatoire. (See article on page 10).
************************************************** We were extremely sad to hear of the recent death of Gentle the Donkey, pictured left with her owners Andrew and Sue Bowden.
So aptly named, we will all remember the times she came to the Cathedral, and how she touched our hearts with her gentle, quiet dignity. In particular, we’ll remember her leading the Palm Sunday procession and how, at the Eucharist she came to the altar and received a blessing with her head reverently bowed. Also how she afterwards gave rides to the children and that, for a pat
and a biscuit, she was anybody’s special friend! She was very dearly loved and will be greatly missed by us all. We extend our sincere condolences to Gentle’s owners Andrew and Sue Bowden.
We hope to include a tribute to Gentle in a future edition of GCN.
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