The Chapter Letter The Feast of St Mary Magdalene Sunday 22 nd July 2018 Welcome A very warm welcome to worship at the Cathedral, with a particular greeting to those who are newcomers or visitors. It is a delight to welcome you. Visiting Prebendary: It will be good to welcome Prebendary Trish Ollive this afternoon. Trish s sermon at Evensong is on Faith. This is part of our summer series on Christian virtues. The Dean is preaching at Christ Church, Weston-Super-Mare this morning. He returns for Evensong here this afternoon. Congratulations go to Professor David Thomas, Canon Theologian, on his election as a Fellow of the British Academy, one of the UK s top academic accolades. Cathedral Governance: The Chapter of Wells has already given a broad welcome to many of the recommendations for the reform of Cathedral governance discussed at General Synod recently. It seems there will be a slightly longer lead in period than had been first envisaged, and that will be useful. We will begin to make shadow arrangements as soon as is practically possible. And we will gladly contribute to national discussions leading to eventual implementation. More information soon.. Wonder: The preacher last Sunday afternoon spoke of wonder as a Christian virtue. He was surely right. And each January the public stands back in wonder when the Nave is cleared of chairs. So that many more summer visitors and guests can see this wonderful space uncluttered, we will be removing the chairs in August this year. (The familiar arrangements for seating the Cathedral Eucharist congregation on Sundays in January will be in place.) Here is a chance to show August visitors the full wonder of this place.
4 th August 2018: On 4 th August 1918 King George V called a national day of prayer: in a time of great national difficulty and pain, it seemed a natural and good response. 100 days later World War One ended. This August, on Saturday 4 th August, at Evensong () we will mark the centenary of that call to prayer. Cathedrals and churches across to country will begin 100 days of prayer for peace, reconciliation and hope. The anniversary and the days of prayer are commended by the Archbishop of Canterbury. We will be inviting civic guests to Evensong, but we are also keen to invite the wider public so all who read these notes are very welcome. The Centenary of the end of World War One: A raft of commemorative events are being planned for the Cathedral; services, displays, drama, theological exploration, music and youth activities. Full details will be available at the end of the summer. It is a rich programme to reflect such an important cultural landmark. In retrospect: Last Saturday s gathering in the Nave to mark the 40 th anniversary of the link between this diocese and the Anglican Church in Zambia was a supremely happy one. Over 500 people were here guests from Zambia, many people from across the diocese, and a visiting choir from Alabama. It really felt as if the Anglican Communion was present in Wells! There was much gladness in a beautifully created celebration with congratulations going to the organisers. It was left to conversations around the service to explore the real differences between our cultures and the contexts where we live out our faith. In Zambia there is growing Chinese influence, and Muslim influence is growing too. There are concerns about human rights and the role of women where they largely take a domestic role. And there are issues around corruption too. And in this country there are deep divisions about future directions in or out of Europe? And the Churches are under much pressure from secularisation. It was good to explore all this and more in rich and deep conversations. We found ourselves very diverse in experience, and united in Christ.
Awake, my soul: Wells Cathedral Choir s new CD of works by American composer, Gary Davison, has recently been reviewed in Gramophone, which described the choir as a crack team with the trebles having an easy brightness to the sound. The choir s second CD of works by Davison features pieces written for Wells Cathedral Choir, including a Requiem Mass, with additional performers Philip Dukes (viola), Rachael Lloyd (mezzo-soprano), and David Bednall (organ). Copies, available from the Wells Cathedral Shops, are priced at just 10. Henry V: Marking the centenary of the First World War Armistice on 11 November 2018 and performed by an international cast of British and French actors, this adaptation combines Shakespeare s epic history play with original songs inspired by the poetry of AE Housman, in a powerful tribute to the young soldiers caught up in conflicts five centuries apart. Tickets are now on sale for Antic Disposition s critically acclaimed adaptation of Henry V which will be performed LIVE at Wells Cathedral as part of their national Cathedral tour on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 October 2018. Tickets are available via their website at: www.anticdisposition.co.uk/henry-v-2018.html New Initiative! You are warmly invited to a special partnership event between Wells Cathedral and St Margaret s Hospice - Dying Matters, on Saturday 11th August 9.45am 12.30pm. This morning is of value to everyone wanting to consider this little-discussed aspect of being human. The programme comprises: a short video by the NHS, a performance of Outside the Box : A Live Show about Death with Liz Rothschild, and time for questions with a panel of professionals Tickets for the whole morning, at a discounted price, are 5 including refreshments. Places are limited and must be booked in advance; no entry on the day. To book online, go to Eventbrite and search for Dying Matters, Wells Cathedral, or book a place with Miranda Young on 01749 674483 or email miranda.young@wellscathedral.uk.net. Miranda Young, Head of Outreach & Learning The Friends have vacancies on their Council. The Friends' Council is seeking to co-opt to these vacancies which will then come up for election at the Annual General Meeting in June next year. If any Friend is interested in being co-opted, they are asked to speak to either the Chairman or Secretary. Messages can also be left on 01749 678830 or by email at williamn@wellsfriends.org. William Newton Newey, Friends Secretary
Thank you to all who came and supported SOUP! on Saturday July 14. A full house enabled all four charities to depart with much needed funds with the top prize of 350 going to Somerset Levels Riding for the Disabled, Carriage Driving Group. Many thanks to everyone for their generosity. Please make a note of the next SOUP! on October 27 when four more charities will present for four minutes each to spread their word and raise funds. See you there? Ross Young The Cathedral Voluntary Choir will be singing the Services for the week at Southwell Minster from Mon 13 th Aug until Sunday 19 th August. You may recall that Nicola Sullivan who was Archdeacon of Wells is now the Dean and will be in Residence for that week. Geoff Walker On behalf of myself and my entire family, I wish to express our sincere thanks to all the cathedral clergy, virgers, caterers, volunteers and friends involved with my wife, Margaret s funeral last week. You helped to provide a beautiful service, and a most fitting send-off. Your kindness and sympathy will long be remembered. Thank you all. Chris Alexander Readings for next Sunday s Cathedral Eucharist, 9 th Sunday after Trinity: Ephesians 3.14-end and John 6.1-21 OF SPECIAL NOTE FOR THIS WEEK Every day at 8am, Morning Liturgy, Lady Chapel Mon 23 Evensong Choir of St Thomas Episcopal Church, New Haven Tue 24 12:25pm Holy Communion Lady Chapel Wed 25 ***8am ***9:30am Thur 26 ***8am *** Fri 27 ***8am 1:05pm Sat 28 7pm Evensong Choir of St Thomas Episcopal Church James the Apostle Holy Communion Vicars Close Chapel*** Festal Evensong - Choir of St Thomas Episcopal Church Evening Prayer Vicars Close Chapel*** Lunchtime Concert: Richard Lennox (Piano) and Marcus Evens (Baritone) - Nave Evensong - Choir of St Thomas Episcopal Church Evensong - Choir of St Thomas Episcopal Church Somerset Chamber Choir: Paradisi Gloria Nave (Tickets: 10.00 25.00; available from Wells Cathedral Shop Box Office)