Chairman's Newsletter - June 2022

As we celebrate this day of Diamond Jubilee,
open our eyes afresh to your vision
and give us all needful gifts
that we may work with you as agents of your
reconciling love shown to us
in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Prayer from a Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for Coventry Cathedral's Diamond Jubilee on 25th May 2022

 

FRIENDS gift to Archbishop

   THE FIRST COPY of the Friends' Diamond Jubilee book to leave the printers was presented to Archbishop Justin Welby before the Cathedral Diamond Jubilee Service (PHOTO LEFT).
   CATHEDRAL REFLECTIONS highlights a selection of people and events from the last 60 years of Coventry Cathedral life.   Published on the 25th May 2022, the book went on sale immediately to those attending the Diamond Jubilee Service.   A FREE Cathedral bookmark is included with each book.

CATHEDRAL REFLECTIONS is published by the Friends to mark the Diamond Jubilee.  In the book you read of the impact of past Cathedral events as part of its ministry.  Lavishly illustrated with photographs you find pictures from the past 60 years of all our Bishops, all Deans, all visits by the Queen and many previously unpublished pictures that are bound to surprise you.   The book is a reminder of the wide range of activities that form part of Coventry Cathedral's ministry.
CATHEDRAL REFLECTIONS is available from members of the Friends Council and at the Cathedral retail outlets.   I urge you to spread the word, and to use the book to introduce Coventry Cathedral to anyone you feel might be interested.
The book is also available
BY POST     Order online at [email protected] and send £5 plus postage to Friends of Coventry Cathedral, 63 Daventry Road, Coventry CV3 5DH
PAYMENT  either  by cheque  or   direct to the Friend's bank
POSTAGE (single copy)
    UK - £1.65 (2^nd class)
    Europe - £4.25
    Worldwide - £5.85 (standard international)
Friends of Coventry Cathedral bank account
HSBC, PO BOX 24, City Branch, Coventry CV1 1QJ
Sort code 40 18 17    Account number 80360244

 

BISHOP CHRISTOPHER COCKSWORTH hosted a garden party after the Diamond Jubilee Service.   A huge marquee on his lawn was filled with Cathedral supporters from across the Diocese.   The Archbishop and Bishop both spoke in support of the Cathedral's ministry. 
 

 

 

ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN WELBY cut the ribbon and blessed the Cathedral extension that is named the JOHN LAING CENTRE in recognition of the assistance provided to the Cathedral by the John Laing Company and its charitable trusts.
The pictures show the opening ceremony and inset is a photo of Kelley Christ, the Cathedral Architect who skilfully designed the building so that it blends in with the original designs and materials chosen by Basil Spence.   Moving the Swedish windows allows access to the new building and backlighting shows the windows in their full glory.  The Friends of Coventry Cathedral funded the lift between nave and the undercroft.

                


  
 

       PUDDING CLUB.    A week before the Pudding Club dinner was due to take place last month, the City of Culture's much publicised announcement of road closures around the Cathedral and in the city centre caused a number of diners to withdraw.   As a result the event was cancelled. 

            DEAN JOHN WITCOMBE welcomed members and friends of the Cathedral Community to a Jubilee Party on the evening of the 25th May.   Tables were set in the nave and everyone was encouraged to speak with someone they did not know.
Canon Mary Gregory acted as Master of Ceremonies.
   

Organ recitals

On Mondays in June at 12.30pm there is a free recital on the magnificent Harrison & Harrison organ of Coventry Cathedral.   The full music programme booklet is available at the Cathedral and music information can also be found on the Cathedral website
      6th June 2022 - Richard Pinel (Jesus College, Cambridge)
      13th June 2022 - Darius Battiwalla (Leeds Town Hall)
      20th June 2022 - Rachel Mahon (Coventry Cathedral)
      27th June 2022 - Nagi Tateno (Coventry Cathedral)

Organ concert
Symphony of Remembering     Saturday 11th June 2022  Coventry Cathedral

Michael Collins conducts Orchestra of the Swan and Rachel Mahon in Poulenc's Organ Concerto and other works.   All profits will go towards the Coventry Cathedral Organ Restoration Appeal.   Tickets £10 and £15 at the door.
Full details on the Cathedral website.

          

 This Is The City was the title of a grand parade through the city centre streets on 14^th May 2022 to herald the close of Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture.   Over 1000 people took part, and the Dean and Canons joined them, as you can see in the photograph.  

 The parade followed 12 themes from the UK City of Culture year: Welcome, Sanctuary, Harmony, Freedom, Peace, Utopia,Coventry in the World, City of Light, Being Human, Hope, Amazing Women and Green Futures. 

The Sun described it as a "riot of colour" and The Sunday Times as "an explosion of joy".

           

   EASTER DAY at Coventry Cathedral starts with a dawn service in the Cathedral Ruins.  
    The church lights go out at the end of the Maundy Thursday Service when the last flame is carried out of the new building into the Ruins.   As dawn approaches on Easter Day the Bishop lights a fresh torch from a burning brazier and carries the new flame in procession to the new building.
As all the church candles are lit, everyone shouts out the Good News and the organ bursts into a glorious fanfare of sound.   In the photographs you can see the Bishop ringing a school bell in celebration as vigorously as he can!   With the new Spirit that has entered the church the Bishop baptises and confirms before celebrating communion.

   Easter may seem weeks ago as you read this note, but I mention it now so that you know what happens at dawn each Easter, and you can decide whether it is something that you would like to experience when Easter approaches next year.   We have been able to catch a taste of this year's dawn service by courtesy of the photos of Chris Noonan.