Rumours of Angels and the Music of Christmas Angels
It all started as an idea of creating a Christmas decoration that was more than the Christmas
Tree in the corner and the offer of some free very old and dusty hymn books. Well! there was more
to it than that but it’s as good place to start this angelic story. Lynne had seen a design and
instructions of how to make angels, and she shared her idea and enthusiasm the result was a
host of angels came into being through a group activity of fun, laughter but with a purpose of
creating a focus for our celebration of Christmas. It would be a way and a way of sharing our story
with others. It is a reminder that there are many ways to share our faith stories…
Who are angels and what are their tasks?
To read on click here…001 Rumours Of Angels – Reflection pr
Over the past couple of years, I have written reflections where the focus has been England’s Anglican Cathedrals. I have been a frequent visitor to Haarlem and led worship within the Anglican community which meets at the Old Catholic Cathedral Church of St Anna and St Mary, Haarlem, without being aware of the dominating presence of St.-Bavokerk. There has been a church on the site since the 9th century, originally of timber construction. The church site was short lived; it lost its cathedral status in 1578 with the ‘Haarlemse noon’. The cathedral was developed over the centuries culminating with it becoming a cathedral in 1559. This was attacked during mid-day prayers as part of the Reformation and the ‘Beeldenstorm’, with the destruction of religious images and side altars. This took place across Europe during the 16th century.
The history of the Netherlands, Haarlem and St.-Bavokerk has been influenced by three occupations and the Reformation…
Te read on click here 01 St.-Bavokerk Haarlem pr
Reflection by Revd Derek Akker
The Diocese of Guildford was created in 1927. Following a competition, Edward Maufe’s design was chosen. Maufe was to say in 1932 of his design ‘The ideal has been to produce a design, definitely of our own time, yet in the line of the great English Cathedrals; to build anew on tradition, to rely on proportion, mass, volume and line rather than on elaboration and ornament’.
Portsmouth also has the Roman Catholic Cathedral dedicated to St John the Evangelist. Simon Jenkins described the elevation of St Thomas’ from parish church to a cathedral as being ‘. . . the usual halting effort to make a silk purse from a sow’s ear.’ More positively he says ‘The jolliest feature is the tower lantern, long a landmark for sailors on the Solent. The exterior of the building is silvery white and in spring, sits happily in a mass of crocuses.’
To read on, click here:
St Paul’s is the Anglican Cathedral Church of the Diocese of London. It is located north of the River Thames. London has a second Anglican Cathedral, the Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, Southwark which is south of the River Thames.
There are also two Roman Catholics cathedrals, Westminster Cathedral north of the Thames and St George’s Cathedral, south of the Thames.
The Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Georgian Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox and Ukrainian Orthodox also have cathedrals in London.
To read on, click here:
Simon Jenkins in England’s Cathedrals (page 51) refers to a guidebook and comments that the selection of Chelmsford for the site of a new cathedral was a ‘bad tempered contest’. There was to be no new cathedral, rather the Parish Church of St Mary was elevated to a cathedral church.
Over the centuries, the building underwent change being rebuilt in the 15th century, which is largely the building we see today. Although in 1800 the nave collapsed, reportedly after accidental damage caused by builders undertaking repairs. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and the nave was rebuilt.
To read on, click here:
The town’s Christian heritage dates back to the foundation of the abbey in 1020. Ufi was the first abbot, followed by Leofstan and then Baldwin who was abbot between 1065-97. He rebuilt the church and reinterned the body of Edmund in 1097.
To read on, click here:
005 St Edmundsbury pr 19-20-24
Norwich is one of the cities that has two cathedrals -to the left is the pre-Reformation building, now the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity,(Anglican).
Our reflection will focus on the Anglican Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity. Norwich Cathedral dates back to 1096 and, as with most post Norman Conquest cathedrals it had a Benedictine priory. Using 21st century technology, you may wish to use these Cathedral webpage links to explore the cathedral in more detail.
Click here to continue reading 004 Norwich pr 12-10-24
The Cathedral Church of
St Peter, St Paul and St Andrew
If you click the link below there is a short video visit to Peterborough Cathedral from their web page
There is also a detailed Cathedral timeline on
https://www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/history.aspx
The web page describes ‘Peterborough Cathedral as one of the finest Norman cathedrals in England. Founded as a monastic community in 654 AD, it became one of the most significant medieval abbeys in the country, the burial place of two queens and the scene of Civil War upheavals.’ Yet as Simon Jenkins puts it, ’Peterborough has long been the poor relation of the great East Anglian cathedrals. . . . Yet it boasts two features second to none. Its west front is the most impressive medieval façade in England, and its retrochoir is a fan vaulted delight.’
Click here to continue reading 003 Peterborough
The Digital Archaeology Dept of De Montfort University, Leicester have created a digital journey from Roman times to the present, a journey spanning more than 1,500 years.
The digital journey takes about 6 minutes accompanied by music from the Cathedral Choir singing Nunc Dimittis.
Click here to continue reading 002 Leicester pr 28-09-24
Click here to read about Derby Cathedral – 001 Derby pr 21-09-24
Fr. Derek writes…
In February 2023 I started a series of reflections on England’s Cathedrals with the reflection ‘Stairway to Heaven’ where I invite you to begin a journey, a pilgrimage, to some of our ancient places of worship, studying and breathing in the beauty of our cathedrals. These sacred spaces, places that still can touch the hearts of people today and places that can take our breath away. It was my hope that these reflections would be a pilgrimage, albeit a virtual one, to be taken slowly and not rushed. We started in Carlisle, and travelled to the northeast of England and journeyed around the country ending at Chester in July 2023. There was a break from the theme of cathedrals, but I returned to explore cathedral’s in the Northern Province of the Church of England. We now are going to complete our virtual journey to cathedrals by visiting the remaining cathedrals in the Southern Province of the Church of England.
My constant companion on this journey around the cathedrals has been ‘England’s Cathedrals’ by Sir Simon Jenkins, who coined the phrase ‘Stairway to Heaven’ . I have valued his comments and learn much from his book. Since starting the reflections in February 2023 I have got more familiar and confident in using the resources available on the internet. Also, I have taken advantage of cathedrals putting more on their websites including YouTube video’s.
There are some down sides, websites can be updated so the link may change and using YouTube for music often has advertising and I have no control over the contents. They become a constant reminder of the world in which we live, I hope they do not interfere, too much, with your time of reflection.
I hope you find time, space to soak in the part of our heritage.
Kindest regards, Fr. Derek