Drum roll please … Newcastle Cathedral is preparing to open its doors for public worship this Sunday – the first time since lockdown in March.
Newcastle Cathedral had initially been unable to open when the other cathedrals were allowed back in June due to its major building works but last month saw it open its doors for Heritage Open Days to give visitors a sneak preview of its £6m National Lottery Heritage Fund project, Common Ground in Sacred Space.
And this Sunday – All Saints Day – it will hold its first service – inviting a congregation back into the building – pre-booked and socially distanced of course.
The Dean, the Very Revd Geoff Miller, said:
“We have been asking ourselves ‘What’s a Cathedral without worship, without prayer, without the organ resounding and choirs singing? But most of all we have been reflecting, ‘What is a Cathedral without people – and people gathered around bread and wine? This Sunday, hesitantly but surely, we take the next step to becoming Cathedral again. Thank God.”
This Sunday marks the return of Sunday morning services which will be open for people to attend by pre-booking and will also be livestreamed on the Cathedral’s You Tube channel.
Booking is through the office which is open 9-12noon weekdays on 0191 232 1939.
As with all our cathedrals, Newcastle might look a bit different, and you might have to do things differently including pre booking, wearing a face-covering, and observing social distance to keep people safe.
Canon Clare MacLaren said:
“The month of November is the season of Remembrance in the Christian calendar, when the Church celebrates All Saints Day (November 1st) – celebrating the community of all Christian people, past and present – and All Souls Day (November 2nd) – remembering our loved ones who have died and the following Sunday, (November 8th) is Remembrance Sunday. So we are very excited to welcome a congregation back into the building for worship from All Saints Day. “
Newcastle Cathedral offers worship, reflections and evensong weekly online.
