Christian Aid was founded by British and Irish churches just after the Second World War – so this year we are celebrating our 75^th anniversary. It is worth taking a moment to remind ourselves that together, we have helped people to triumph in the face of the impossible. Whatever it took, we refused to give in.

During the 1960s Christian Aid supporters made a difference in Nigeria, in Kenya and in India. You helped us to create the Disasters Emergency Committee and set up the World Development Movement. Christian Aid fought racism and worked with Martin Luther King while he was in the UK. More recently Christian Aid supporters helped more than 500,000 people with food, shelter and healthcare after the 2004 Asian tsunami. The need for our work is as apparent today as it ever was, as global conflicts, the COVID pandemic and the developing climate crisis, leave people in poverty, hungry, homeless and heartbroken.

Christian Aid Week is scheduled for 9 – 16 May. Whilst it is clear that there will still be some COVID restrictions in place at that time, these should not hinder our aspirations. Please start thinking and planning now, so that we can put all your best ideas into practice. For example, we could get sponsorship for family car washes, walking, running or cycling. A cake stall or toy stall could be organised. Virtual events are also possible and the list for these is endless. David and Sue Smith are already making plans for an open-air book sale, weather permitting. More details to follow.

Of course, donations can also be made in the traditional way during Christian Aid Week or online if preferred, but let’s all put our thinking caps on and continue to do the very best that we can in whatever way we can for Christian Aid! Together we will continue to make a difference!

Kate Bates, Christian Aid Co-ordinator.

 

Canon Mark writes: that verse from the Psalms – it appears in Psalms 13, 35, 79, 89 and in a number of others – may well sum up a question we have been asking for months in so many different ways. When can I see my grandchildren or grandparents? When can I have a haircut? When can we meet friends for dinner, or even just a cuppa? When will things return to ‘normal’?

At the Cathedral and in our worship too, the question comes to mind often. How long before we can sing again? How long before the choirs return? how long before we have incense again? how long before we can use the High Altar? how long before we have altar servers again? how long before we have a Eucharist on weekdays and Choral Evensong…? I could go on and indeed, many of you may have questions I have not even thought of.  The response to all these questions has two parts: we do not know how long it will be, BUT we do know we WILL do and have ALL of these things again, just as soon as we are allowed. It is perhaps worth reminding ourselves that congregational singing sadly is still illegal. It is possible to have a small choir, but for us at the Cathedral, while the choristers are not in school it is simply impractical and too difficult to rehearse in a way or to a standard that will work for us. For the Parish choir and other groups, the current restrictions surrounding distance, seating, preparations beforehand and afterwards, let alone the rules around handling books and music again make it impossible for us to work safely at the moment.

The Church in Wales regulations advise that “ritual and ceremony be kept to a minimum”. The rules as they apply to the gathering of serving teams make it quite impractical for servers to operate at the moment. The rules are such that only one person must handle the sacred vessels [the chalice and ciborium] and the elements [bread and wine]. We are currently very careful about the handling and touching of these things so if a server carries them, the Priest cannot touch them and vice versa! If we simply had servers robed they would not really have anything to do, but we would also have to seat them 2 metres from each other and from everyone else. I know that many people miss the use of the High Altar and kneeling for communion. Both of these things will return as soon as possible. At the moment, the regulations are that we need to stand for communion, so people do not have to touch the altar rail. We are using the Altar in the Nave to limit movement around the building and therefore hopefully to make things as safe as possible. Moreover, when we can have the choir singing – in what we might call interim arrangements – the only place we can accommodate them safely is in the area of the Sanctuary and the Presbytery [the area in front of the High Altar] so that puts that whole area out of bounds when we are allowed singers.

The format of all our services at the moment could be described as ‘minimalist’ – short and simple. This is in line with the regulations that require us not to gather for any longer than is absolutely necessary. The positive thing to take from all that we have done and the ways we have operated is that places of worship have, in recent months, been deemed to be some of the safest places to gather. This is undoubtedly because of the stringent guidelines and the way in which we have all done our best to adhere to the rules and regulations.

As things begin to return to normal and more of us are vaccinated, so we will gradually be able to return to the kind of worship that we all love and find most satisfying. It is often said that if we think hard enough, we will always find something to be thankful for. As difficult and unsatisfactory as we might find things at the moment, at least we can be thankful that we have been able to remain open and we have continued to worship in person.

So the answer to that question, “how long O Lord…?” is that none of us really knows. However, what we can be certain of is that this time of uncertainty will pass, and we will be able to do the things we love to do in the ways we prefer to do them. I constantly ask, “how long O Lord…?” but just as often, I think of that other wonderful phrase from scripture, “do not be afraid…I am with you.” For that we can give thanks and praise to God always! Keep safe!

Wednesday 7th April – Wednesday in Easter Week

• Thought for the Week is based on one of the day’s lectionary readings.  For the Bible online, click the following link – http://bible.oremus.org/ – then choose your version (we use NRSV in church). Copy and paste the reference into the search box (Isaiah 50. 4-9a) and the passage will be displayed.

Click here to view the text version

Sunday 4th April – Easter Day

• This morning you can watch our 11.15am service live below. For the first time since Christmas our Cathedral Choir provide the music. If you’re attending a service in the Cathedral you can download the service by scanning a QR code in the Cathedral or alternatively you can access it below.

The Cathedral clergy, staff and members of Chapter wish you a Happy Easter!

Weekly Notes

8am Service Sheet

9.15am Service Sheet

11.15am Service Sheet

Saturday 3rd April – Holy Saturday

• At 8pm this evening you can watch our Paschal Vigil below

 

Friday 2nd April – Good Friday

• At 12pm you can watch our Solemn Celebration of the Lord’s Passion below. This afternoon we are holding a service in the Cathedral from 2pm. No tickets are required so you are welcome to join us for an hour of prayer and reflection.

Click here to view the Order of Service

Thursday 1st April – Maundy Thursday

• This morning we are holding the Diocesan Chrism Eucharist, presided by Bishop June.

Click here to view the Order of Service

• This evening is our Solemn Eucharist for Maundy Thursday. The celebrant is Canon Mark while Canon Jan provides the sermon. The music during the service includes pieces by Stopford, Viadana & Tomas Luis de Victoria.

Click here to view the Order of Service

Wednesday 31st March – Wednesday in Holy Week

• Thought for the Week is based on one of the day’s lectionary readings.  For the Bible online, click the following link – http://bible.oremus.org/ – then choose your version (we use NRSV in church). Copy and paste the reference into the search box (Isaiah 50. 4-9a) and the passage will be displayed.

Click here to view the text version

• For Wednesday in Holy Week, we have a devotion for Passiontide with prayers by Eric Milner-White. These are interspersed with descriptive organ meditations which act as musical responses to the words and range from meditative to more dramatic, harrowing moods. The music is newly composed by Philip Moore in 2021 and performed by the Cathedral’s Director of Music, Stephen Moore.

 

Tuesday 30th March – Tuesday in Holy Week

• Canon Mark leads a service of music and readings for Tuesday in Holy Week. Movements of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater are performed by Amy Campbell, Olivia Gomez and Stephen Moore.

Click here to view the Order of Service

Monday 29th March – Monday in Holy Week

• As Holy Week begins, watch our Service of Music & Readings from 7.30pm. The service is led by Canon Mark Preece and the music is sung by the Idris Consort, directed by William Stevens.

Click here to view the Order of Service

 

Sunday 28th March – Palm Sunday

• The latest Government guidelines allow us to continue holding services. You are welcome to join us for our 9am All-age Eucharist and 11.15am Eucharist tomorrow. You can access the Order of Service and Weekly Notes by scanning a QR code in the Cathedral. Alternatively you can download them below. You can also watch the 11.15am service live as it happens below.

9.00am Service Sheet

11.15am Service Sheet

Weekly Notes

• Following our 11.15am service each week in Lent you can see Bishop June’s weekly Lent homily below.

 

• Each Sunday in Lent we will broadcast an Evening Prayer service with hymns which will be available to watch below from 4.30pm. The service includes three hymns for all to sing.

Click here to view the Order of Service