Ely Cathedral Octagon Magazine Sep-Nov 2017

Issue1- Autumn 2017

OCTAG N MAGAZINE

STAR OF BETHLEHEM ART INSTALLATION Page 2 FOCUS ON CANON JESSICA MARTIN Page 7

CATHEDRAL WELCOMES NEW CANONS Page 3 ELY CATHEDRAL BOY CHORISTERS Page 6

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Welcome from The Dean

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elcome to the new format of what was formally known as ‘Ely Cathedral News’ which covers a three month period. It is our aim to produce a new and fresher look, to be outward looking and engaging, to have a wider appeal and by being longer allow for some more in depth pieces about what has happened and what will be happening in and around Ely Cathedral. We also plan to have interviews with, and profiles of, people at the Cathedral so that there may be a better understanding of ‘what goes on’.

Star of Bethlehem

The Cathedral is a large and complex organisation, it is a place that is vibrant and full of energy and we want as many people as possible to engage with us as we seek ‘To proclaim the love of God in worship, outreach, welcome and care.’ I hope that you enjoy this new format.

Ely Cathedral are delighted to be hosting a very special light installation inspired by the Star of Bethlehem.

This modern day art installation was created by artist Jayson Haebich and will be in situ at Ely Cathedral from 28 November for eight weeks. It is made up of a transparent screen displaying an abstract representation of the Star of Bethlehem above the Nave.

Do please give us your feedback.

The Very Reverend Mark Bonney, Dean of Ely

Modern technology will enable the laser beams to be split into three dimensions giving the feeling of a star hovering above the centre of the Cathedral while the shape and colour can be controlled from the floor of the Cathedral via an iPad. This particular installation has rarely been on public display.

Regular Service Times

At 7pm on Sunday 1 October the Ben Jupp Memorial Lecture will be given by Terry Waite, CBE ‘Out of the Silence’. Terry spent almost five years in solitary confinement as a hostage.

During that time he had to battle to keep mentally, spiritually and physically alive. In this talk he will discuss the importance of language and memory in maintaining his well-being.

See website for further details.

Sundays: 8.15am: Holy Communion 10.30am: Sung Eucharist 4pm: Evensong Daily Services: 7.30am: Morning Prayer 8am: Holy Communion 12.10pm: Holy Communion

(Thursdays and Saints’ Days) 5.30pm: Evensong Cover image©James Billings

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News Countdown to Harvest From 13-15 October Ely Cathedral will be celebrating Harvest with its usual spectacular displays in celebration of farming, food and flora. The Cathedral Harvest Supper will take place in the Lady Chapel on the Friday evening. On Harvest Sunday the boy choristers will sing at the 10.30am Eucharist which will be followed by ‘Songs of Praise’ and Civic Service with the presentation of Harvest Gifts at 4pm. All the Harvest display produce will be sold on Monday morning from 9.30am in the Cathedral. Proceeds from the Harvest weekend will benefit The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and The Food Bank. Everyone is welcome. There is no charge to enter the Cathedral over the Harvest Festival weekend. See website for further details.

Cathedral Welcomes New Canons The Bishop is delighted to announce that he has appointed the following members of the College of Canons who will be installed at the Festal Eucharist on the Feast of the Translation of St Etheldreda on Tuesday 17 October at 5.30pm. Dr Victoria Avery, Keeper of Applied Arts at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge has been appointed a member of Chapter and a Lay Canon of the Cathedral. Mr Simon Kershaw has been appointed a Lay Canon of the Cathedral. Simon has been a distinguished member of the Liturgical Commission, especially in all aspects of its work in providing electronic resources for the modern

Church. The Revd Bruce Kinsey has been appointed an Honorary Canon.

Bruce is Fellow and Chaplain of Balliol College, Oxford, having served for many years in the Diocese of Ely as Chaplain of Downing College and latterly as Head of RS and Philosophy at the Perse School. He is The Bishop of Ely’s Adviser for Pastoral Care and Counselling. The Revd Paul Whittle has been appointed an Etheldreda Canon, an appointment for an ecumenical representative. Paul is Moderator of the Eastern Synod of the United Reformed Church and a long serving member of the Cathedral Council.

Friends to Host National Conference TIONAL C NA

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FRIEND S OF

Autumn is a very busy period for the Friends of Ely Cathedral. The annual Friends’ Festival Day takes place on 23 September with Prof David Jacques FERENCE as the guest speaker. Between 27-29 October the Friends of ON Ely Cathedral will be hosting the ‘National Conference of The Friends of Cathedrals, Abbeys and Greater Churches’. We are grateful to the Friends for their sponsorship of a new and EL exciting light installation, ‘Star of Bethlehem’, which will be in Y 2017 situ above the quire from the end of November to January. We hope this will attract many visitors to the Cathedral during the Holy season of Advent/Christmas (see p. 2 for details). For further information about the Friends contact: sue.hunting@elycathedral.org or visit www.elycathedral.org/friends

The Poet’s Vision of God A special Advent Course, led by Jessica Martin, to discover scripture through the eyes of poets over the centuries. Each week we will look at one (short!) poem, the scripture collage which helped make it and discuss them together. Material ranges from a medieval anonymous poem (inspired by St Augustine’s Confessions) to works by 20th century poets Denise Levertov and W. H. Auden. We will also explore a little William Blake and a George Herbert poem. Everyone is very welcome - no previous expertise required just bring yourself, your mind, your heart and your feelings! Begins 30 November, 7pm, Powcher’s Hall, for four weeks. #schooloftheSoul

The Dean’s Extended Study Leave 11 September - 11 December Clergy are given an opportunity once or twice in their ministry for a period of extended study leave and the Dean is taking this opportunity given him by the Bishop. He has been elected a Visiting Fellow at Harris Manchester College, Oxford, where he will be resident for the majority of the time, looking at areas of spirituality around the 4th century Desert Fathers. He will be taking a retreat at a Greek Orthodox Monastery in this country and will spend a short period of time abroad.

During this period the Bishop has appointed Canon Garrard as Acting Dean. Any enquiries to the Dean/ Acting Dean should be directed to the Dean’s PA, Gemma Hardy: g.hardy@elycathedral.org, 01353 660306.

RETROSPECTIVE / PREVIEW

Ely Cathedral Science Festival

which told the story of science in our innovative exhibition ‘From Dinosaurs to DNA’. Over the course of the festival we have welcomed over 30 schools, 1700 local school children, thousands of families and 14,000 visitors to the Cathedral.

During our ‘Night at the Cathedral’ events over 1500 people experienced hands-on science with interactive displays and exhibits. Over 50 families enjoyed hunting for mini-beasts in the Cathedral grounds and learning to appreciate nature.

Our Education Department have developed a ‘Science Trail’ which explores the wonders of the Cathedral and various other workshops which we will integrate into our regular schools provision.

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ly Cathedral Science Festival helped us become a ‘Cathedral for Science’ extending the outreach of the scientific community beyond Cambridge, allowing people who might not normally be able to access such resources to enjoy and appreciate them. This innovative and missional project provided an important space for eminent scientists of many disciplines to share their knowledge with thousands of people from the local community and beyond and responded robustly to those who perceive the church to hold negative views about science and technology.

We hosted an impressive lecture series including a keynote address by Lord Robert Winston (pictured with The Dean and Canon Johnson). We saw incredible works of art created by award winning young artists as well as children from thirteen local schools. We witnessed rocket and light shows and a few explosions. We saw a dinosaur and a Dalek roaming around the Cathedral to the delight of young children. We had the chance to view many national and local artefacts, including an original copy of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species and Newton’s Principia Mathematica,

Science, was celebrated through music and art, through experimentation and discovery, worship and prayer.

Canon Johnson, one of the organising team said: ‘Ely Cathedral Science Festival has re-ignited the vocation of Cathedrals to be places of learning, wisdom and knowledge, places for community participation and expansive and generous thinking. This Cathedral has proved a magnificent venue for a Science Festival, where science, technology, engineering and medicine have found a home.’

The animals went in two by two ....

The most amazing thing about this service is the number of people who come to worship with their pets, who might not normally come through the great west doors. All are made welcome. This hospitality shows that the church cares and respects all God’s creatures, great and small. It also says something profound about the Christian faith to those who are perhaps unfamiliar with church. For God loves the smallest sparrow, the flowers of the field and every living thing that creeps upon the earth. Wild animals, cattle and creatures of every kind, God sees as good. If God loves all these creatures, how much more does God also love each one of us? There are some who think such services are just a ‘gimmick’, but at Ely the annual Animal Service is a vital part of our mission and outreach strategy and a means of communicating the Christian faith to a wider audience.

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ly Cathedral is known affectionately as ‘The Ship of the Fens’, but on Sunday 24 September at 2pm it will once again be transformed into a modern day Noah’s Ark, as hundreds of animals will be welcomed to the annual ‘Animal Service’. For the past 28 years, Ely Cathedral has hosted an annual Celebration Service in aid of local and national animal charities.

Cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs and alpaca’s come along, not forgetting Daisy the Donkey, (and her friends from the Donkey Sanctuary), who is a regular participant in Cathedral worship at Easter and Christmas.

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EVENTS / CONCERTS MUSIC FOR THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN Saturday 21 October 7pm

ELY CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS GIFT & FOOD FAIR Friday 17 - Saturday 18 November

Renowned soprano Emma Kirkby will join the voices of the St Etheldreda Singers, Ely Consort and Cadenza to fill the Cathedral with glorious music spanning eight centuries. Devised by Martin Gent and John Maddison, in aid of the Ely Cathedral Music Fund, this special concert features the music of Dufay, Tallis, Palestrina, White, Duruflé and Dubra. It highlights the magnificent medieval architecture and sculptures of Ely Cathedral as it moves from the Presbytery to the Lady Chapel.

Now in its sixth year, the Christmas Gift & Food Fair is widely acknowledged as one of East Anglia’s most popular Christmas Events. This year we have lots of new stalls, alongside some old favourites, from eye catching art to reindeer slippers. There will be a great line up of demonstrations including new and exciting floral arrangements from the Cathedral Flower Guild. Why not avoid the crowds? Come along to the preview evening on Thursday 16 November for a more relaxed shopping experience and enjoy a complimentary glass of mulled wine at the same time.

See website for further details.

SHOW OF HANDS - THE CATHEDRAL TOUR (WITH GUEST KIRSTY MERRYN) Wednesday 8 November 7.30pm

G4 CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT Thursday 23 November 7.30pm

Show of Hands are one of the strongest current forces in acoustic music - England’s finest and most popular roots partnership and something of a “people’s band”, regularly voicing the hopes, fears and life stories of scores of people in song. Joined by Miranda Sykes on double bass they are widely recognised for their resonating original songs, stunning musicianship and remarkable audience rapport. With a lighting and sound system especially designed to enhance the ambience and acoustics of Ely Cathedral, this is a chance to enjoy England’s most popular acoustic trio in a beautiful setting.

Delightful medleys to evoke the Christmas spirit, will be performed up-close and personal in the wonderful setting of Ely Cathedral. G4’s unique sound will transport you into the festive mood in a way you won’t have imagined possible. G4 continue to work in association with the charity ‘Missing People’ and their Home For Christmas Appeal.

Representatives from ‘Missing People’ will be at the concert shaking buckets and available to discuss their work.

TOPPING & COMPANY BOOK EVENTS AT ELY CATHEDRAL 13 September 6.45pm for 7.30pm | Robert Webb 10 October 7.15pm for 8pm | Matt Lucas 31 October 6.45pm for 7.30pm | Nigella Lawson 6 November 6.45pm for 7.30pm | Andrew Marr See website for further details 5

Music and Worship ELY CATHEDRAL BOY CHORISTERS

An average boy chorister in Ely Cathedral will, once he hangs up his surplice for the last time, have sung over 1000 services, spent something like 1500 hours in rehearsal and travelled well over 2000 miles on foreign tours. Such are the considerable accomplishments of the four boys to whom we bade farewell in July: Thomas (1), Archie (2), Edward (3) and Feyi (4) take these and many other experiences with them as they progress to Senior School and we wish them well. Benedict Collins-Rice, our Decani Tenor Lay Clerk, also left the choir in the summer, bidding au revoir rather than adieu as we look forward to seeing him in the Expanded Choir.

take the leavers’ places. Equally positive is the picture where recruitment is concerned: since June, four new boys have joined the ranks and with a steady stream of enquiries, we rejoice (though are never complacent) that choristership at Ely continues to attract such interest and enthusiasm.

Inevitable feelings of trepidation about the “new” choir in September are greatly tempered by the knowledge that four keen and able boys step up to

An update on Ely Cathedral’s Girl Choristers will follow in the next edition…

One highlight of the autumn term is a further series of recordings for the Cathedral’s burgeoning YouTube channel. The magic of social media has already allowed us to reach hundreds of thousands of people in this way, enhancing the ministry and mission of the Cathedral in a way unimaginable even ten years ago.

the

lantern choristership fund

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Be part of the story which began in 673ad and keep your Cathedral Choir singing for the future We are searching for 673 individuals who love choral music and who can give a small amount regularly, from just £3 per month.

Ely Cathedral Choir has been singing music that lifts the soul since the mid 16th century. We want to preserve this extraordinary tradition for future generations to enjoy.

Maintaining the unique Ely sound costs money - over £350,000 a year. Donations make a real difference. With just a small gift each month to our Lantern Choristership Endowment Fund you can be part of the ongoing story.

Find out more or join the story today Online: www.elycathedral.org/the-lantern-choristership Call us: 01353 660365 Email: development@elycathedral.org 6

Focus On W

Canon Jessica Martin CANON RESIDENTIARY FOR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

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ho are you?

I’m Jessica Martin, married to Francis Spufford, and I’m Canon Residentiary for Education and Outreach. I’ve been here since September 2016.

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hat brought you to Ely Cathedral?

Seeing the advert! My background is in education - I taught literature for many years at the University of Cambridge - and I do feel very strongly about bringing knowledge of God to people who have not yet come to faith - so the role felt right.

hat does your role involve on a weekly basis?

It’s very varied. Every day starts with prayer together with colleagues in the Cathedral, but then anything could happen. I could be part of a Q&A session with children from a visiting school; I could be meeting someone for coffee to talk about faith and explore confirmation; I could be meeting a curate from the Diocese, or a training incumbent, to talk about their progress; I could be meeting up with volunteer groups to talk about our relationship with visitors; I could be planning courses, studying for a piece of theological writing, planning or leading a pilgrimage group - the list could go on.

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hat are you responsible for?

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hat is the most rewarding aspect of your role?

When you see something going right in a conversation, or a piece of planning, or a piece of writing, or a sermon, or a service - when the light comes into it and you know God is there.

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hat do you do on your day off?

Since term ended we’ve been going swimming as a family, which has been fun.

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hat do you like most about living in Ely? Recently we went on a houseboat on the river and saw 6 herons, which was wonderful. I love the river being so close.

My brief is ‘education and outreach’; I oversee the schools programme run by the Directors of Education but also shape and plan adult education from the Cathedral. I oversee a number of the front-facing volunteer groups: Guides, Stewards, Ministry of Welcome and Day Chaplains. I am also the ecumenical link person with our partner churches. 25% of my time is given to the Diocese to oversee curate training.

The Dean with Canon Jessica (at her installation), her husband Francis Spufford and their youngest daughter Theodora

SPACE@6:30 in September will be 4 years old. In that time, almost 50 services offering a very different kind of worship to our usual choral pattern have taken place. Most have featured music and readings with a diversity of styles and, occasionally, more dramatised presentations or a guest speaker. Anyone is welcome at Space@6:30. Each service lasts about one hour though there are occasionally variations in that pattern.

AUTUMN’S PROGRAMME WILL BE AS FOLLOWS: Sunday 17 September, 6.30-8.30pm - ‘Dark Reflections: poetry, environment and lament’ - an evening with guest poets to include the leading Christian poet, Malcolm Guite (pictured here) and Fenland Poet Laureate, Kate Arthur.

Sunday 8 October, 6.30pm - ‘Time to Remember’ - a service in which to remember family and friends of any age who have died, whether recently or a long time ago.

Sunday 19 November, 6.30pm - The annual ‘Saying Goodbye’ service - for those who have specifically lost babies in pregnancy, at the time of birth or shortly afterwards.

If you’ve never been to Space@6:30 do consider giving it a try. A warm welcome awaits you.

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SEPTEMBER

Sunday 8 - 17th Sunday after Trinity 6.30pm Space@6:30 ‘Time to Remember’ Sunday 3 - 12th Sunday after Trinity Monday 9 5.15pm Summer Organ Recital 11am Cambridge Wives

Gary Desmond

Fellowship Service Thursday 7 Tuesday 10 1.10pm Lunchtime Concert 9am Schools’ Career Day

Katharina Nohl, piano 8pm Topping and Co Book Event Saturday 9

Matt Lucas 12.30pm Walsingham Cell Mass (Lady Chapel) Wednesday 11 5.30pm Evensong attended by members 1.10pm Lunchtime Concert

of the Society of Ely Choristers

The Miracle of the Voice Sunday 10 - 13th Sunday after Trinity

Christina Johnston 10.30am Sung Eucharist with admission 6.30pm Ely Cathedral Business Group

of Head Choristers and

Autumn Debate

Benefactor Choristerships Thursday 12 Wednesday 13 1.10pm Lady Chapel Lunchtime Concert 7pm Topping and Co Book Event

Alversund Kammerkor, Norway

Robert Webb Friday 13

Thursday 14 7pm Harvest Festival Supper 1.10pm Lunchtime Concert Saturday 14

Minori Nakaune, violin Potato Festival (Cross Green) Saturday 16 9am 12.30pm

Walsingham Cell Mass (Lady Chapel) 2pm Children In Distress Sunday 15 - Harvest Festival

Thanksgiving Service 4pm Harvest ‘Songs of Praise’ and Sunday 17 - 14th Sunday after Trinity

Civic Service 6.30pm Space@6:30 Dark Reflections: Monday 16

poetry, environment and lament 5.30pm 1st Evensong for the Feast Thursday 21

of the Translation of 5.30pm Evensong dedicated to peace

St Etheldreda with Procession

and to raise awareness for the

and Commemoration of

UN International Day of Peace

Founders and Benefactors Saturday 23 Tuesday 17 - The Feast of the Translation of 5.30pm Festal Evensong attended by

St. Etheldreda

The Friends of Ely Cathedral 5.30pm Festal Eucharist with Installation Sunday 24 - 15th Sunday after Trinity

of Canons 2pm Animal Service Wednesday 18 - Luke the Evangelist Friday 29 - Michael and All Angels 12.10pm Holy Communion 12.10pm Holy Communion Community of St Etheldreda Saturday 30 7pm

(Prior Crauden’s Chapel) 10am Sing Choirs! Informal sing Thursday 19 7.30pm Ely Sinfonia Concert 1.10pm Lunchtime Concert OCTOBER

Roman Rudnytsky piano Sunday 1 - 16th Sunday after Trinity Saturday 21

3.15pm Justice Service 9am Diocesan Synod Eucharist 7pm Ben Jupp Memorial Lecture 7pm

‘Music for The Queen of Heaven’

Terry Waite CBE

Fundraising Concert Tuesday 3

Sunday 22 - 19th Sunday after Trinity 9.30am Schools’ Days Wednesday 4 1.10pm Lady Chapel Lunchtime Concert

Lucy Cavendish Singers 9.30am Schools’ Day Friday 27 10.30am Community Coffee Morning 5.30pm Evensong with music

(Cathedral Centre)

commemorating the

Speaker: Ray Houghton

Reformation sung by the choir Thursday 5 and Friday 6

of Selwyn College, Cambridge 9.30am Schools’ Days 7pm Lecture: Professor Eamon Duffy Saturday 7

‘Reformation and Biblical 2.30pm LLM Licensing Service Translation’ (Old Palace)

Octagon

Copies of the Octagon magazine are available from the admissions desks in the Cathedral and from the Cathedral Gift Shops, Refectory Café and Almonry Restaurant. Electronic Magazine copies can be viewed/downloaded from www.elycathedral.org.

Comments or suggestions for Octagon are welcome.

Please direct them to Maddie Cox, 01353 660375, news@elycathedral.org Issue 2 - Winter edition available early December.

Saturday 28- Simon and Jude 12.10pm Holy Communion Sunday 29 - Bible Sunday, Last Sunday after Trinity

Tuesday 31 7.30pm Topping and Co Book Event

Nigella Lawson

NOVEMBER

Wednesday 1 - All Saints’ Day 12.10pm Holy Communion Thursday 2 - All Souls’ Day 10.30am Community Coffee Morning

(Cathedral Centre) Speaker: TBA 12.10pm Holy Communion 7.30pm Solemn Requiem Eucharist Friday 3 1.10pm Lady Chapel Lunchtime Concert

Ribe Kammerchor, Norway Saturday 4 7.30pm Ely Choral Society Concert Sunday 5 - All Saints’ Sunday Monday 6 7.30pm Topping and Co Book Event

Andrew Marr Wednesday 8 7.30pm Show of Hands Concert Saturday 11 10.55am Act of Remembrance 12.30pm Walsingham Cell Mass (Lady Chapel) Sunday 12 - Remembrance Sunday 10.30am Service of Remembrance Midday Holy Communion (High Altar) Thursday 16 6.30pm Ely Cathedral Christmas Gift and

Food Fair Preview Evening Friday 17 - Saturday 18

Christmas Gift and Food Fair

(Further details see page 5) Sunday 19 - 2nd Sunday before Advent 6.30pm Space@6:30

‘Saying Goodbye’ Service Thursday 23 7.30pm G4 Christmas by Candlelight Tour Friday 24 4.30pm Admission of King’s and Queen’s

Scholars Service Saturday 25 1.10pm Lady Chapel Lunchtime Concert

Priory Singers 6.30pm Diocesan Baptism & Confirmation Sunday 26 - Christ the King Monday 27 7pm Star of Bethlehem Launch Wednesday 29 7.30pm The Military Wives Choir ‘Home

for Christmas’ Cathedral Tour Thursday 30 - Andrew the Apostle 12.10pm Holy Communion Ely Cathedral, The Chapter House, The College, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4DL  01353 667735 facebook.com/elycathedral twitter.com/ely_cathedral instagram.com/ely_cathedral youtube.com/c/ElyCathedralCambridge www.elycathedral.org