St Edmundsbury Cathedral
ISSUE 69 | DECEMBER 2012
www.stedscathedral.co.uk
Following in the footsteps of Edmund, King and Martyr
Advent procession
The beginning of Advent is marked with the
Advent Procession with Carols, sung by the
Cathedral Choir, on Sunday 2 December at
6.00 pm. Parish groups are warmly encouraged
to make this their own marking of the start of
Advent. Any parishes wishing to attend can book
seats which will be reserved for them (although
actual tickets will not be issued). Please contact
Kim Judge on 01284 748733 or
[email protected]
Lights on!
Thanks to a generous donation, the Cathedral’s
Millennium Tower will be floodlit from dusk to
midnight from Sunday 2 December. The official
switch on will be just ahead of the Advent
Procession service (see above).
Advent and Christmas
The Cathedral is preparing for its full programme
of worship and events throughout December.
Several local schools hold their annual carol
services here in addition to the Cathedral’s own
services. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
is on Sunday 23 December at the earlier time of
6.00 pm. For children and young families, there
is the Crib Service on Christmas Eve at 4.00 pm.
Midnight Mass is at 11.30 pm on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Day at 10.00 am, we welcome the
Bishop who presides and preaches at the climax of
our Christmas celebration.
Wattisham Military Wives
This year there will be a special Concert of
Carols sung by the Wattisham Military Wives
Choir. Tickets for the concert are available from
the Theatre Royal Box Office on 01284 769505
or www.theatreroyal.org and proceeds will go to
the SSAFA Forces Help.
Messiah
This year the Cathedral’s annual performance of
Handel’s Messiah will take place on Saturday 8
December at 7.30 pm featuring St Edmundsbury
Cathedral Choir, the St Edmundsbury Singers and
the Suffolk Handel Players, led by Pam Munks.
Soloists are Paula Downes (Soprano), Amy J
Payne (Contralto), Clifford Lister (Tenor) and
Bernard Jenkin (bass) and the conductor is James
Thomas, Cathedral Director of Music. Tickets are
available from the Theatre Royal Box Office at
www.theatreroyal.org or 01284 769505.
On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity:
As part of our preparation for Christmas,
Elizabeth Cook, our writer-in-residence, will
read Milton’s famous Ode in the Cathedral. The
performance takes place in the Edmund Chapel
shortly after Evensong on Sunday 9 December,
approximately 4.30 - 4.50 pm. All welcome!
Christmas and New Year tours
The annual Christmas and New Year Tours are
being offered by the Cathedral Guides at 11.30
am on Boxing Day, Wednesday 26 December
and on New Year’s Day, Tuesday 1 January
2013. There is no need to book for the tours,
just turn up and meet the Guide by the font.
Donations welcome.
Cathedral Diary
In addition to our regular programme of worship and activities, the following
special events take place in December 2012.
Sunday 2 December at 6.00 pm
Advent Procession
Tuesday 4 December at 10.15 am
Carol Service: West Suffolk Schools
Tuesday 4 December at 1.30 pm
Carol Service: West Suffolk Schools
Thursday 6 December at 12.30 pm (weekly)
Silent Meditation in the Lady Chapel
Thursday 6 December at 7.00 pm
Carol Service: South Lee School
Saturday 8 December at 7.30 pm
Concert: Handel’s Messiah
Tuesday 11 December at 6.10 pm
Concert: Colts’ Choir
Wednesday 12 December at 7.30 pm
Carol Service: St James’s Middle School
Thursday 13 December at 2.00 pm
Carol Service: Culford School
Saturday 15 December at 7.00 pm
Carols by Candlelight
Sunday 16 December at 4.45 pm
Encircling the Land with Sacred Dance
Tuesday 18 December at 7.30 pm
Carol Service: King Edward VI Upper School
Thursday 20 December at 12 noon
Prayers for Peace and Justice
Thursday 20 December at 7.00 pm
Wattisham Military Wives Concert of Carols
Sunday 23 December at 6.00 pm (Note time)
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
Monday 24 December at 4.00 pm
Crib Service.
Monday 24 December at 11.30 pm
The First Eucharist of Christmas.
Tuesday 25 December at 10.00 am
Festal Eucharist
Wednesday 26 December at 11.30 am
Public Guided Tour.
Christmas Opening and New Year opening
Cathedral
During Christmas week (from Wednesday
26 December), Morning Eucharist moves
to 9.00 am and Evening Prayer moves to
the earlier time of 3.30 pm. The Morning
Eucharist returns to 7.30 am and Evening
Prayer to 5.30 pm on Wednesday 2
January. There is no 1.00 pm Eucharist on
Wednesday 26 December.
Cathedral Office
Closed from Monday 24 December at 2.00 pm.
Reopens at 9.00 am on Wednesday 2 January
Shop
Open as usual until 4.00 pm on Monday
24 December. Reopens at 10.00 am on
Wednesday 2 January.
Refectory
Closed from 3.30 pm on Saturday 22
December. Due to a re-fit the Refectory will not
reopen until 9.30 am on Monday 14 January.