As many of you will know, I have recently begun my ministry here as Interim Dean of Bradford Cathedral, and I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself and to say thank you for the warm welcome that Joanne and I have received. It has been a joy in these early weeks to begin getting to know members of the cathedral community, and to glimpse something of the life, prayer and generosity that shape this place.
Cathedrals are remarkable spaces: places where prayer has been offered faithfully across generations, where people gather at significant moments in their lives, and where the story of God’s love continues to be shared in word, music and hospitality. I am very much looking forward to discovering more of Bradford Cathedral’s life and ministry in the months ahead, and to walking together with you as we seek to weave Jesus into the rich fabric of the city and beyond.
As we approach Holy Week and Easter, the most important days in the Christian year, I warmly invite you to join us as we journey through the story of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. These services lie at the heart of our life as a cathedral community, drawing us into the mystery of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ and reminding us of the hope that Easter proclaims.
At a time when our world feels fragile, with ongoing conflicts and uncertainty affecting so many lives, the invitation of Holy Week and Easter to renew our hope feels especially important.
One highlight of the week ahead will be our performance of Handel’s Messiah on Palm Sunday. This is an exciting and significant new project for our choir, and a wonderful opportunity to hear this much-loved work performed within the cathedral’s beautiful setting. If you are able, I do encourage you to come along and support what promises to be a memorable occasion.
Alongside our worship and music, we are also pleased to offer opportunities to explore the cathedral more deeply. Our guided tours are a chance to discover the history, architecture and stories that make this building such an important part of Bradford’s heritage.
We are also hosting Re:Imagine Environmental Conversation, an event that invites us to reflect together on our care for creation and how faith communities can respond thoughtfully to the environmental challenges of our time.
Whether you are a regular member of the cathedral congregation, a visitor, or someone encountering Bradford Cathedral for the first time, you will find a warm welcome here. I hope that in the coming weeks and months we may continue to grow together as a community of prayer, worship and service.
And especially this Holy Week and Easter, may we all discover anew the hope and joy of the risen Christ.
With thanks for our partnership in the Gospel,
Jonathan