No. 204
October 2008

THE DEAN WRITES:
Every morning, before walking into the Cathedral for Morning Prayer, my job is to wind the clocks in the Deanery. This ensures that the whole household is delighted every hour, on the hour, by the sounds of chiming clocks. My fondness for "proper" clocks lent a degree of anticipation to a novel from one of my favourite novelists, the American Anne Tyler. "The Clockwinder" is another of Anne Tyler's explorations into what it means to be human through the lives of very ordinary, if somewhat odd, people. Mrs Emerson is a matriarchal and prickly widow. Into her life comes Elizabeth, a 23 year old drifter, who offers to help her out with domestic tasks. But she doesn't want to be a maid; she wants to be "the handyman". This is the first of several relationships that Elizabeth has with people who don't immediately realise how much they need her help and support, and come to rely upon her in subtle ways. When you read this book, as with other novels by Anne Tyler, the reader has a degree of reassurance about personal oddness and eccentricity, for Anne Tyler's characters are familiar and never bland.

We approach a season in the liturgical year when we draw upon the recollection of people we have known, or known about, or whose lives have had an undue impact upon our own. All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day and Remembrance Sunday. Each, in their own way, provide this opportunity. Anne Tyler's book helped me to identify the "clockwinders" of my own life, people who have sustained me, maintained momentum for me when I was uncertain, kept a vigil. And when I stop to think about it, there are many of them, from loving parents who taught me to hold a knife and fork, to friends and relatives who whilst living far away kept me in their prayers and sent me the much-prized postal order at Christmas, to the teacher at school or college, to the friend or mentor at work. It is certainly a season for giving thanks.

But there is another dimension to clockwinding and on a larger stage. The Church, and particularly the Anglican family, has been hugely influential in the story of mankind. Anglican Christians ministering and working in developing nations not only brought the faith, living it and teaching it, to the enduring gratitude of the people; they also, through the proclamation of the Gospel, laid down the foundations for modern nation building. Of course, there was an unhealthy element of colonialism from time to time. But in these secularising times, we should not allow the memory of a sustaining and nurturing Church to be dissipated.

Surely it is part of the vocation of every Christian and every Church to be something of a clockwinder.

Lord, help us to feel more deeply
Think more clearly
And experience more profoundly;
That, as we have been sustained by the faith of others,
So others may be sustained by us.

Graham Smith

NORWICH CATHEDRAL ENTERPRISES
New books on sale this month in the Cathedral Shop include the Norwich 12 Guidebook and DVD (both priced at £4.95) which take you on a journey through 12 of Norwich's most fascinating buildings. Also on a local theme, we have 'Made in Norwich - 700 years of the Textile Heritage' (price £13.95) which would make an excellent gift. For younger readers, we have 'The Young Explorers and the Curse of Blickling' (price £4.99). This exciting book encourages children to read the book and then go on their own adventure in the great outdoors! If you're starting to have thoughts about Christmas, don't forget that we can save you the hassle and stress of shopping in the city as we have lots of Christmas gift ideas from inexpensive stocking fillers to something really special. There is something new in the Cathedral Shop almost every week and we also have a large range of Charity Christmas cards and nativity sets, with styles to suit every taste and budget.
Anne Cox

CATHEDRAL COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
The minutes of the September Committee meeting are available in the South Transept. It was decided to continue identifying a member of the Committee for consultation by the congregation but this will now operate on a monthly basis and information will be included in the pew sheet on the relevant Sunday. The Christmas card for signature by members of the community who wish to make a donation to charity in lieu of sending individual cards, will be available in the Cathedral during December. A permanent item relating to the Hostry - Visitor & Education Centre, will be included on the agenda of each future meeting.
Michael Sargisson

COMMUNITY LEARNING
The Big Draw - Wednesday 29 October 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Norwich Cathedral will again be taking part in this huge nationwide event which offers free art workshops and activities for all ages. This year's theme is "Saints and Dragons" and there will be an opportunity to find out about saints and their inspiring lives as well as making dragons - you might even get to meet one! You can contribute to the largest (and the smallest!) drawing or try brass rubbing, painting, puppet making, collage and a variety of crafts - you name it - the Cathedral will be doing it. The event is free of charge so do drop in (no need to book) and see how creative we can be.

Poetry Workshop - Saturday 1 November, Cathedral Library
Poet and publisher, Tom Corbett, will be leading two creative writing workshops to explore the huge resources of the Cathedral. Mood, texture, light and sound against the backdrop of one thousand years of history make an exciting start to writing poetry, regardless of whether, as a writer, you are starting out or starting again. The first session will take place from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm and the second from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm. The cost is £12 per session or you can stay for both.
Enquiries and bookings to Jill Napier, tel 01603 218321 or email.
Cheques should be made payable to "Norwich Cathedral" and sent to the Cathedral Office at No 12 The Close.
Jill Napier

HARVEST THANKSGIVING
Sunday 19 October is our Harvest Thanksgiving and we shall mark the occasion by serving the traditional cider and fruit cake after the 10.30 am Eucharist. Offers to make cake would be gratefully received.
Margaret Sexton (01508 493885)

FRIENDS OF NORWICH CATHEDRAL
I do hope that by now all Friends have received the Autumn Newsletter, and have put the dates of the Autumn/Winter lectures firmly in their diary. In particular, I would like to draw your attention to both the October and the November lectures. The first, 30 churches in 30 countries, on Wednesday 8 October at 2.30 pm in Prior's Hall, will be given by Tony Eggleston, who many of you will know as an experienced Cathedral guide. He will share with us his travels which illustrate the variety of Christian witness throughout the World, emphasising the different traditions of worship. The second lecture, Bringing Order out of Chaos, on Thursday 6 November at 6.30 pm in the Cathedral, is to be given by General Robin Brims, who is an immensely experienced soldier. The last of his many appointments was to command the British division that invaded Iraq and captured Basra in 2003, before becoming Deputy Commander of the Coalition Forces in Bagdhad in 2005. He is now Rector of the University of Huriston Hawler in Eerbil, the capital city of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Both lectures will be illustrated with slides.

The lectures are free to Friends of the Cathedral and £5 per person for others who we will, of course, welcome if tickets are available. Please apply for tickets from the Friends' Office, 01603 218317, or by email. We look forward to seeing you!
Rosie Foottit

CALENDAR OF SERVICES AND EVENTS FOR OCTOBER

Full details of these and all other services are on the weekly Music Scheme.
Sung services are sung by the Cathedral Choir unless otherwise indicated.

Wednesday 1 October
11.00 am Mothers' Union Festival Service
2.15 pm Pre-School Music Group (St Catherine's Chapel)

Friday 3 October
7.30 pm Royal Artillery Band Concert with the Cathedral Girls' Choir

Saturday 4 October
11.00 am Ordination of Deacons
3.30 pm Evensong (sung by visiting choir - St Margaret's Church, King's Lynn)

Sunday 5 October Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
9.15 am Holy Communion (St Mary in the Marsh)
10.30 am Sung Eucharist
3.30 pm Evensong Preacher: Canon Phillip McFadyen
6.30 pm Compline

Tuesday 7 October
10.00 am College of Canons Eucharist
1.15 pm Meditation Group (St Catherine's Chapel)

Wednesday 8 October
2.15 pm Pre-School Music Group (St Catherine's Chapel)
2.00 pm Norwich Cathedral Friends Lecture (Prior's Hall)

Thursday 9 October
7.00 pm Group for Social Concerns Talk/Supper (Prior's Hall)
7.30 pm Living the Eucharist: Springs Dance Company

Saturday 11 October
10.30 am International Links Group Coffee Morning (Prior's Hall)

Sunday 12 October Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity
8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
9.15 am Family Communion
10.30 am Sung Eucharist
3.30 pm Evensong Preacher: The Revd Canon Janice Scott
6.30 pm Compline

Monday 13 October
7.30 pm Youth for Christ event

Tuesday 14 October
1.00 pm Talk by Tim Cawkwell on "A Canterbury Tale" (Library)
1.15 pm Meditation Group (St Catherine's Chapel)

Wednesday 15 October
2.15 pm Pre-School Music Group (St Catherine's Chapel)

Friday 17 October
11.30 am Royal Norfolk Regiment Commemoration Service (North Transept)

Saturday 18 October
Visiting Choir: De Icthuscantorij
10.30 am Edith Cavell Commemoration Service (West Front and Life's Green)
3.30 pm Evensong (sung by visiting choir)

Sunday 19 October Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity
8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
10.30 am Sung Eucharist (sung by visiting choir)
3.30 am Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association Harvest Thanksgiving Service
Preacher: The Revd James Nash
6.30 pm Evening Prayer

Monday 20 October
6.15 pm Contemplative Prayer (St Catherine's Chapel)

Tuesday 21 October
1.15 pm Meditation Group (St Catherine's Chapel)
3.30 pm Memorial Service for Andrew de Vere

Wednesday 22 October
2.15 pm Pre-School Music Group (St Catherine's Chapel)

Saturday 25 October
11.30 am City College Graduation ceremonies

Sunday 26 October Last Sunday after Trinity
8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
10.30 am Sung Eucharist
3.30 pm Evensong
6.30 pm Grassroots service

Tuesday 28 October
1.15 pm Meditation Group (St Catherine's Chapel)

Wednesday 29 October
10.30am - 3.30 pm The Big Draw

PRAYER AND STUDY GROUPS
Our next joint meeting will be on Monday 27 October at 7.00 pm in Prior's Hall. This is the meeting where we have an informal communion followed by a simple Bring and Share supper. Then, following our last joint meeting, our topics for the coming year will be on our faith. There will be an introductory talk and information will be distributed. This meeting is not restricted to group members but ALL are welcome. For further details contact Gill Warren (01603 431528).
Gill Warren

INTERNATIONAL LINKS GROUP - Appeal for Georgia
Fundraising Event, Prior's Hall, Saturday 11 October, 10.00 am - 1.30 pm. We would be grateful to receive contributions of the following:- Books/CDs/DVDs/Videos - Audrey and David Talks, 20 The Close (Tel 664516); Tombola - Harry Lippett (622645); Accessories/Scarves/Jewellery - Joyce Hilling (619039); Cakes - Gill Warren (431528); Plants/Preserves/Enquiries - Sylvia Dadd (717248). Prior's Hall will be open to receive contributions on Friday 10 October between 3.00 pm and 5.00 pm. Items can also be brought on Saturday morning. (NB: If you are a Friend of Norwich Cathedral, you can arrange parking in the Close on Saturday by telephoning 218317 by 12 noon the previous Thursday). Entrance to the event is free and refreshments will be served between 12 noon and 1.15 pm. Coffee/tea and home-made cake - £1; home-made soup, bread and butter - £1.25. Funds raised will go to the Betheli Centre of the Georgian Baptist Church to provide refugees with food, shelter, clothing and help with resettlement. If you wish to give a donation, cheques can be made payable to "Norwich Cathedral International Links" and handed in at No 12 The Close, c/o Sylvia Dadd
Sylvia Dadd

GROUP FOR SOCIAL CONCERNS
Talk/Supper, Thursday 9 October, Prior's Hall, 7.00 pm
Hilary Beech will talk about the work of the charity, The Besom, which provides a bridge between those in need and those who can give time, skills, household articles or money. The talk will be followed by a simple buffet supper and time for questions. Donations towards the supper will be given to the Besom. To assist with catering, please complete the reply slip on the flyers available in the South Transept and return to the Sacrist's office by Tuesday 7 October. A selection of Traidcraft goods will be on sale.

Harvest Festival Dried/Tinned Food Collection
There will be a collection box in the South Transept between Sundays 12 and 19 October and goods will be donated this year to The Besom (see above) a charity which, as part of its work, makes up food parcels for a variety of people in need.

Christmas Charity Fayre
The Committee has decided not to organise this event this year. Although there was good support in the early years, this has dwindled more recently and charity cards can be bought both from the Assembly Rooms and the Forum
Sylvia Dadd

THE CUSHION CLUB
The Cushion Club will meet again after the summer break on the last Monday of each month commencing 29 September and we look forward to welcoming any who would like to join us. This is an open sewing group, meeting informally in the Cathedral Refectory from 10am - noon, which provides an opportunity to learn new skills and enjoy fellowship together. All welcome.
Eileen Bumphrey

WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
The annual Women's World Day of Prayer service, to be held next year on 6 March, has been prepared by the women of Papua New Guinea on the theme "In Christ There Are Many Members But One Body". Our conference and preparation day will be held on Friday 7 November from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm at the Heartsease Lane Methodist Church, Norwich. Coffee and biscuits will be available from 10.00 am - please bring own lunch. The speakers will be the Revd Bernard and the Revd Gwen Collins who have served in Papua New Guinea with the Council for World Mission. Please sign the list in the South Transept by Sunday 28 September if you are able to attend the conference. The cost for the day will be £3.50 which needs to be paid in advance.
Anne Harris

BRODERERS' GUILD
The exhibition, 'Symbolism and Mythology in Ecclesiastical Textiles, held from 25 July - 2 August 2008 in the Cathedral and Library, was well received and supported. Visitors and members of the Cathedral community were able to find out more about the use and meaning of vestments, altar frontals and church linen and look at some of the finer examples of Norwich Cathedral textiles. Broderers' Guild volunteers were on hand to answer questions and enjoyed the opportunity to talk about the Guild's work here at Norwich. Thanks to all volunteers for their hard work and especially to Diana Honeybone and her team of Cathedral stewards who helped to steward the exhibition.

Thank you to everyone who responded so generously to our recent request for white sheets. We now have enough.
Helen Jenkins - Workshop Supervisor, Broderers' Guild

NORWICH CATHEDRAL OFFERTORY COLLECTIONS

IN RESIDENCE
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