No. 445
April 2017
St German’s News
COMMUNITY, WORSHIP, CULTURE
£1
Suggested Donation—
hosanna to the son of david!
The Opening of the Labyrinth
Cathedral Isle of Man were delighted to welcome Mr John Morphet, Chair of the
Cathedral Campaign to open the labyrinth on Sunday 26 March 2017.
The labyrinth, unlike a maze, has only one path so there are no tricks to it and no
dead ends. The path winds throughout and becomes a mirror for where we are
in our life journey.
The labyrinth has an important history in the Christian church and was
sometimes found in Gothic Cathedrals, but over time, many were
destroyed. The most famous remaining labyrinth is at Chartres Cathedral near
Paris, which is 12.88 metres in diameter.
The Cathedral Labyrinth, which happens to just fit into the footprint of Rushen
Abbey’s Cloister (represented by the apple tunnel around the labyrinth), is a full
scale replica of the one at Chartres. It was created in Bali by Ongky Wijana, who
has created other works in the Cathedral gardens, such as the stone crosses. It
differs from the one at Chartres in that apart from the names on the foundation
stones, it carries the names of the eight monasteries that had lands on the Isle of
Man in the 13th century:
Rushen Abbey
Douglas Priory
Whithorn Priory, Galloway
Furness Abbey, Cumbria
Bangor Abbey, Ulster
Sabal Abbey, Ulster
St. Bees Priory, Cumbria
Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire
There has been at recent times much research done on the health benefits of
walking the labyrinth. We hope that a great variety of people will take the
opportunity to walk the labyrinth and also feel the spiritual benefits of a slow
meditative walk, reflecting on their life.
Cathedral Isle of Man is very grateful to the Manx Lottery Trust who provided a
grant of £35,000 in late 2014 to enable the landscaping of the Corrin field to take
place.
Thanks to all who helped in any way in making the day a success.
All welcome to Opening of the 20th Century Garden
You are warmly invited to attend the official unveiling of the Knockaloe Garden
Sculpture and the four gardens surrounding the sculpture that make up the 20 th
Century Garden at 12.30pm on Easter Day. The unveiling and garden openings
will be followed by a bring and share lunch in the Cathedral.
Mrs Clare Christian, OBE, has kindly agreed to unveil the sculpture and the four
gardens will be opened by people who are in some way connected with a
particular garden – Miss Megan Walkom is an A level student who is going to
spend 4 weeks in Rwanda in July/August, Mrs Karolina Davison who is from
Ukraine will open the Ukrainian garden, Dr Richard Arning (German) and Mr
Leonard Singer (Jewish) will jointly open the German garden and Mrs Vicky
Harrop, a volunteer who carried out a lot of work on the Chinese garden, will
open the Chinese garden.
If you are able to and would like to attend please speak to Val Garrett. Offers of
food and help to set up the lunch and clear away after the lunch would be
greatly appreciated.
Photo taken from a drone by Eric Lace. You can watch the bird eye view video on
our facebook page.
Editor: Christiane Litman [email protected] 271326
The editor is happy to publish articles and photographs from contributors but they do
not necessarily represent the views of the editor or the Cathedral. Please inform the
editor directly if you have any dates to be included in the diary.
Please submit articles and images for consideration by the 25th of each month.
Music Department News
Congratulations
To our Organist & Director of Music, Dr Peter Litman who has been awarded
Associate of the Royal School of Church Music (ARSCM). Each year the RSCM
Council confers Honorary Awards on those who have made outstanding
contributions to church music. These will be presented at the Celebration Day
later this year. ARSCM is an award for achievements in church music and/or
liturgy of national significance.
To our Organ Scholar, Max Smith, who has been awarded an Associate of the
Royal Schools of Music (ARSM) in organ performance.
To one of our Lay Clerks and Organist of St Mary-on-the-Harbour, Castletown,
Clive Davenport, on also being awarded an Associate of the Royal Schools of
Music (ARSM) in organ performance.
To Francesca Fairbairn and Aalish Mayne, who will be awarded their RSCM
Dean’s Awards by the Bishop of Warrington on Monday 10th April at Choral
Evensong.
To former Organ Scholar, Jack Oades, who has been appointed the Organ
Scholar at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin for 2017-2018. Jack will also be studying
for his Masters degree in composition.
Welcome to Probationers Jasper Emery and Jidfe Pantapalan.
On April 18th, 19th and 20th twelve of the Lay
Clerks with Max and Dr Litman will be the
resident choir at Wakefield Cathedral in
Yorkshire, where they will be singing Choral
Evensong each day. Featured music will include
canticles by Batten, Sumsion and the
‘Peel Service’ by John Hoskins. Anthems
include works by Tallis, Howells and our own
Jack Oades (who will be joining us on the trip).
We wish them well for their upcoming singing
holiday.
Advance notice
On May 21st, the Cathedral Choir will be
singing alongside Aled Jones at the Gaiety
in Douglas. The choir will open the show as
well as sing with Aled and the choir from
Anagh Coar School.
Tickets are available from the
Box office and are going fast!
Villa Marina
Lent Lunches– Reflection
I am writing this note before the series of Lent lunchtime talks finishes, in order
to get it into the April magazine. We who enjoyed the food and chatted companionably, and then listened to the speakers, have much to thank other people
for. The Mothers’ Union team who produced the delicious food and who waited at the table – we thank these ladies. We thank also our speakers who covered a wide range of subjects from Eleanor’s caring ministry as our Hospital Visitor, through John’s lively account of a lifetime of being an altar server. Helen
told us about the behind-the-scenes work handling Cathedral finances. Joan
shared with us the adventures of being a wedding co-ordinator. Lynne took us
through the intricacies of Baptism preparation and her other work for Fairtrade.
As I write we are looking forward to Penny telling us about bell ringing and organising the tower. We end the series with Val explaining her considerable and complex work. I am
sure that I speak for us all when I thank all these people. Finally, thank you all for attending the lunches
and I hope that the speakers inspired you to think
about the many and varied ways we can all work under
discipline, and thus become better disciples of our
Lord.
Colin Fleetney, Cathedral Chaplain
Friends of Cathedral Music– CD Release
The CD with music including a Chorister from every British Cathedral is
now available. Mackenzie Brown represented Cathedral Isle of Man.
Cathedral Diary– April 2017
Sat 1
Messy Church
Sun 2
Passion Sunday
Corrin Hall
Choral Eucharist (Schola)
10.30
Cathedral
Choral Evensong (Choristers)
15.30
Cathedral
Sat 8
Tea Dance (Mothers’ Union)
Sun 9
Palm Sunday
Mon 10
16.00– 18.00
14.00– 17.00
Corrin Hall
Worship Sunday
10.30
Cathedral
Choral Evensong (Schola)
15.30
Cathedral
Chrism Eucharist with the Rt Revd
12.00
Cathedral
Richard Blackburn (Bishop of Warrington)
Choral Evensong with presentation of 15.00
Cathedral
RSCM awards (Music includes Allegri’s Miserere)
MU meeting: Action Saves Kids
19.30
Deanery
Compline
18.30
Cathedral
Tues 11
Compline with Benediction
18.30
Cathedral
Wed 12
Seder Meal
18.30
Deanery
Thurs 13
Maundy Thursday
18.30
Cathedral
Contemporary Worship
10.30
Cathedral
Liturgy with the Choristers
14.00
Cathedral
18.30
Cathedral
Choral Eucharist and foot washing
Fri 14
Sat 15
Good Friday
Holy Saturday
Taizé– style Vigil
Sun 16
Easter Sunday
Choral Eucharist (full choir)
10.30
Cathedral
Unveiling of Knockaloe sculpture and 12.30
Cathedral
Opening of 20th Century gardens
Healing Service
15.30
Cathedral
Cathedral Diary– continued
Sun 23
Mon 24
Low Sunday
Eucharist
10.30
Cathedral
Evening Prayer
15.30
Cathedral
MU meeting: Osteoporosis
19.30
Deanery
Choral Eucharist (Schola)
10.30
Cathedral
Choral Evensong
15.30
Cathedral
Sun 30
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Regular Events and Services
Youth Groups:
1st Saturday of every month
16.00 - 18.00
1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month
Every Friday
Messy Church
10.30
Corrin Hall
Caterpillar Club Corrin Hall
20.00 - 22.00
Revolution
Corrin Hall
Every Wednesday
16.00-17.00
Senior Boys
Song Room
Every Thursday
16.00-17.30
Rehearsal
Song Room
08.30
BCP Eucharist
10.30
CW Eucharist
15.30
Choral Evensong
Cathedral Choristers:
Regular Services:
Sunday
or Said Evening Prayer (holidays)
Wednesday
09.30
BCP Eucharist
Monday– Friday
09.00
Morning Prayer
Monday– Saturday
17.30
Evening Prayer
Last Saturday of every month 18.00
Taizé Prayer
The Cathedral is open daily between 09.00 and 18.00.
Serving in Church
Who are servers? These are specially trained individuals who have ceremonial
and practical roles that have become established over centuries. The present day
practices are little different to those practiced in the Temple and synagogues in
the time of Jesus. These, in turn are rooted in religious practices with common
elements world wide in other civilisations such as Egyptian, Inca, Aztec and
Druid.
Why robes? Robes, like any uniform, affect the wearer as well as the observer.
They enable the participants in a ceremony to recognise each other and to
speedily identify the part they are playing.. Equally, they enable the individual to
be identified by the congregation. This is important in the service of holy
communion or the mass, which is not only a re-enactment of the Last Supper but
once the bread and wine are consecrated ,we are all at God’s table. This is when
the drama becomes reality - the whole atmosphere changes. This is as close as
we are likely to get to heaven in this life,
The robes have become stylised. Their roots lie in
the normal wear of Roman gentlemen in the
1st century. In the Temple, we read in the Old
Testament, that, ” Samuel, ministered unto the Lord,
girded in a linen ephod”. Do look up ephod in
Google. You will see a whole series of pictures of
this simple over-garment. Priests’ wear is similar but
increasingly ornate.
Robes help to define roles in the same way as do
costumes in a play or as do uniforms. These are
increasingly common, as they have extended from
the military to schools to restaurants and bank staff.
How do they affect the wearer? Just look at the face
and bearing of a soldier in dress uniform or a
choirboy singing in church. Yes, it’s role- play but
in the drama of the mass, or in any religious service,
the wearer feels different. Interestingly, descriptions
of the wear of the heavenly hosts, including the visits of angels to the Earth are
not dissimilar to the albs, (white robes), that we wear.
What are the tasks of servers? When I began at the age of 4 or 5, in 1940, I was a
boat boy. I wore a black cassock, white surplice and carried the incense boat. I
had to keep to the left of the thurifer to add incense to the burning charcoal, as
required. Again, on the website for ephod, you will see drawings of incense in
use in the same way as today. Its original purpose may well have been to add
‘sweet savour’ to a building full of people from the desert with limited washing
facilities. The rising smoke was likened to prayer rising to heaven - another
example of the practical becoming ritualised.
Why carry candles? It is only in recent years that we have had the benefit of
electric lighting. Gas lighting that preceded this, in Victorian times, was very
limited. We do have two remaining gasoliers here but they would not have
Serving in Church– continued
illuminated books for reading and were not portable. Think of the
candleholders attached to Victorian pianos. The servers who carry the candles
are called acolytes. They stand either side of the reader to illumine the book.
They also light the way in a procession, often lead by a crucifer carrying a
processional cross. Once again, this is full of symbolism as we are reminded of
the crucifixion cross once seen as a sign of disgrace, as carried by Jesus on the
road to Calvary. Now it is a Christian symbol of success. Each time we see it we
are reminded not only of Jesus’ death but also of his resurrection. The symbol of
death was transformed to the symbol of eternal life. The crucifer is acutely
aware of the role he is playing.
The communion. Server or servers will ensure that there is sufficient wine,
water, the priest’s and people’s wafers all in place. The altar is set as the
heavenly table with chalice, paten and linen. The cruet of water and a bowl for
the lavabo and towels are in place on a side table called the credence. The
server, if duly appointed and anointed may help to administer the sacrament.
The bread and wine can only be consecrated by a priest. Once consecrated it
must all be consumed at the time, or a quantity set aside in a special safe to be
taken to the housebound. The service may be elaborate with much fine music,
when it is referred to as a High Mass or a simple ceremony with just priest and
server when it is referred to as a Low Mass. Importantly, the consecration and
communion is identical and can be most moving in its simplicity.
Other services. Servers may be called upon to fill a number of roles in Evensong
or Mattins. Traditionally, there is a hierarchy in serving from boat boy to
torchbearers who may also carry banners in procession, acolyte, crucifer,
thurifer and top of the tree, the M.C. who acts as director of operations,
standing next to the priests in complex services. We don’t have an MC! After 75
years of serving, I should be able to cope!
John Slater
From the Registers
BAPTISMS
Owen James Sweeney
Baptized: 5th March
Leighton William George Bartlow
Baptized: 19th March
Please keep all these and their families in your prayers.
Car Boot Sale
Easter Monday (17 April) Car Boot Sale in Corrin Hall,
11am to 2pm.
If you are interested in having a table at the sale,
(£10) please speak to Val Garrett. Admission by
donation, proceeds towards automation of the new
entrance doors into the Corrin Hall for those less
able. Refreshments including sausage baps will be
on sale along with Apple Jelly and various Chutneys.
If anyone has anything that is suitable for an
instant raffle prize or can help with setting up
please speak to Val Garrett.
Update from the Cathedral Quarter Trust
Mr Chris Hutt has stepped down as Trustee and Secretary of The Cathedral
Quarter Trust and Mrs Jacqui Turner has stepped down as a Trustee. We would
like to thank Chris and Jacqui for what they achieved as Trustees and are
extremely grateful that Jacqui has agreed to continue as Projects Manager for
the developments around the Cathedral quarter.
We welcome The Revd Canon Margaret Burrow as a Trustee and Mr Tim
Henwood as Trustee and Secretary.
Save the Date!
We are delighted that HE the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Richard Gozney and Lady
Gozney have agreed to open phase 1 of the Cathedral gardens on the evening
of Friday 21 July 2017 and join us for a banquet in the Cathedral afterwards.
The evening will include a Barbershop quartet singing while people wander
around the grounds and a string quartet playing in the Cathedral.
Further information to follow (including price of tickets).
Who’s who?
St German’s Cathedral Chapter
The Very Revd. Nigel Godfrey (Dean of St German’s Cathedral.
Vicar for Parish of the West Coast serving Dalby, Kirk Michael, Patrick, Peel and St John’s)
The Ven. Andie Brown (Archdeacon of the Isle of Man)
Revd. John Coldwell (Canon of St Patrick)
Revd. Joseph Heaton (Canon of St German)
Revd. Clive Burgess (Canon of St Maughold)
Revd. Janice Ward (Canon of St Columba)
Cathedral Clergy
Precentor: Revd. Ian Faulds
Cathedral Chaplain: Revd. Colin Fleetney
Cathedral Staffing
PA to the Dean: Helen Parry
Tel.: 01624 844830
Email: [email protected]
Cathedral Fundraising Campaign: Val Garrett
Tel.: 01624 844830/ 07624 316001
Email: [email protected]
Cathedral Verger: Andrea Quine
Cathedral Premises: Geoff Hall
Cathedral Booking: Val Garrett
Hall Booking: Moira Hall Tel.: 401435
Safeguarding Coordinator: Christiane Litman
Tel.: 07624 271326
Email: [email protected]
Children and Families Worker: Vacant
Contact the Cathedral Office
Organist and Director of Music: Peter Litman MA, DMus, FLCM, ARSCM, HonFGCM
Tel.: 07624 226356
Email: [email protected]
Organ Scholar: Max Smith BMus (Hons) ARSM
FISH AND CHIP SUPPER
UPDATE 3RD MARCH
Were you there?