Servers  |  Lay assistants  |  Welcomers  |  Stewards  |  Guides  |  Carers  |  Children’s workers  |  Readers  |  Prayer leaders  |  Breakfast volunteers  |  Flower arrangers  |  The Sanctuary Guild  |  Voluntary chaplains  |  Community committee members  |  Dusters  |  Coffee assistants  |  Bell ringers

How can I be involved?

Being part of the Cathedral community offers the opportunity to explore our life in God within the context of a thoughtful, nurturing, inclusive Christian community.
 
 
Newcomers
For many, the Cathedral offers a chance to put a toe in the water of Christian faith and practice. For others it is a resting place on a journey that will take them elsewhere.

That will be respected. Everyone is welcome at all our services and events, and we think it’s important that you find a level of involvement that is right for you.

At first the Cathedral and its worship may seem difficult to understand. Don’t worry – it is like that for everybody. Just sit and enjoy it if you wish.

Staying for refreshments after the service can be a good occasion to meet other people. Or introduce yourself to one of the clergy after a service, or fill in a welcome card.


Belonging
If you would like to become more involved in the life of the Cathedral then taking part in worship on a regular basis is the best way of feeling at home.
 
Courses and social events offer a chance to meet people and discover more.

After worshipping here for six months you can put your name on the electoral roll, which gives you a say when it comes to choosing representatives or standing for particular positions of responsibility.
 
To belong to the Cathedral congregation is to be part of a ministry to the city, the region and the diocese, which calls us to be outward-looking and hospitable.


Worshipping
All services at the Cathedral are open to everyone. Our worship is liturgical: using established patterns of prayer to help us grow together into the mystery of God.
 
It can seem strange and confusing at first, but soon becomes familiar.
 
Our main service is the 10.30 Sung Eucharist on Sunday, but a rhythm of prayer and worship is sustained every day through the week. The choir sings the service during term, in the great tradition of English Cathedral music.
 
At different times of year the character of the services will change: great celebrations at Easter and Christmas, more reflective during Lent and Advent.
 
The smaller services often take place in chapels rather than the main body of the church. Notice boards at the entrances tell you where each service is being held.

For some, the Cathedral is a place to recuperate or find space simply to be. For others the workplace or local community is where they live out their calling. 

But if you would like to be more involved in the life of the Cathedral, there are plenty of ways to serve God and other people as an active member of the Cathedral community.
 
If you would like to be considered for any of the following ministries please contact the named person, who will arrange to meet you and discuss what is involved and what you have to offer.

Servers undefined Top

Lay assistants Lay assistants distribute the bread and wine to the congregation during the Eucharist, and take these to housebound members of the community.   You will need to be an established member of the congregation and sensitive to others. Contact Canon Simon Cowling Top

Welcomers Welcomers extend God’s hospitality to our visitors during the week by greeting them and being available for them, whoever they may be.   You will need a ready smile, a pleasure in the Cathedral and a sensitivity to others. Contact: Gill MacGregor. Top

Stewards Stewards help people find their way in to worship, greeting them at the door, making sure they have what they need and guiding them to where they need to go.   You will need to be friendly, clear-thinking and calm. Contact: Alison Millar Top

Guides Guides help people understand the building, and the faith that inspired it, through tours and talks.   You will need an enthusiasm for the Cathedral and its history and an ability to communicate that to others. Contact: Gill Macgregor. Top

Carers Carers share the task of looking after members of the congregation who are housebound or in hospital.   You will need an ability to listen and a readiness to put aside your own concerns in order to be there for others. Contact us. Top

Children’s workers Children’s workers use the resources of Godly Play on Sunday mornings to help our children become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives.   You will need to be imaginative, a good listener, and enjoy the company of children. Contact Dr Pam Page. Top

Readers Readers bring the bible alive for people in worship through clear and expressive reading.   You will need a good voice and a desire to understand what you read. Contact: Canon Simon Cowling. Top

Prayer leaders Prayer leaders offer people’s concerns in public prayer, helping hold our worship open to the needs of the world.   You will need an insightful and informed faith, a clear voice, and the ability to set aside your own agenda. Contact: Canon Simon Cowling. Top

Breakfast volunteers Breakfast volunteers serve breakfasts to all comers at the Cathedral Breakfast Project at West Bar.   You will need to be friendly, reliable and available early in the morning. Contact the Cathedral Archer Project. Top

Flower arrangers Flower arrangers work as a team, adding beauty to the building and its worship.   You will need a good eye for colour and form, relevant experience or a willingness to learn. Contact Margaret Peers via the Cathedral Office Top

The Sanctuary Guild The Sanctuary Guild is a group of embroiderers who care for the vestments and Cathedral embroidery, repairing, designing and working to commissions. They meet every four weeks on a Wednesday morning to sew and maintain linen used in the Cathedral. They take care of the vestments, the altar linen, and various other pieces of fabric and decoration around the building. They have a wealth of knowledge about the fabric of the Cathedral and many of our traditions, which we all need to work at keeping alive. Would you like to learn more about their work? Can you sew, or would you like to learn? Would you like to join a group of people who come together to sew, pray, and reflect on the patterns of Cathedral life? Contact Mrs Wendy Mackenzie via the Cathedral Office.for further information, or ask one of the clergy how you can get involved. Top

Voluntary chaplains Voluntary chaplains offer a listening ear and prayerful support to visitors to the Cathedral who are perplexed or in distress.   You will need to be ordained or a lay reader or have experience of offering pastoral care. Contact: The Dean Top

Community committee members Community committee members develop the life of the Cathedral community as part of a team of elected representatives with particular areas of responsibility.   You will need to be elected by the congregation at the Annual Meeting and be prepared to act as well as talk. Contact the Dean. Top

Dusters Dusters help people feel we care about our home, assisting the vergers in keeping the building clean.   You will need to be physically active and happy working under supervision. Contact: David Maw Top

Coffee assistants Coffee assistants offer refreshments to the congregation after the 10.30 Sunday Eucharist on a Sunday.   You will need to be friendly and take pleasure in helping others feel at home. Contact Helen Wragg via the Cathedral Office. Top

Bell ringers Bell ringers work as a team to ring the bells on a Sunday and before major services.   You will need experience or be willing to learn this complex art. Contact: Simon Reading (0114) 236 5340. Top