Eucharist

Cross of Nails Sunday Sunday 11 October 2026 9.00am

Welcome to Southwark Cathedral

A member of the Community of the Cross of Nails.

Electronic Devices

Please ensure that all electronic devices are switched to silent.

Photography

Photography and video recording of the Choir is not permitted.

You are welcome to take photographs of the Cathedral but please do not take any photographs or videos during the service.

Hearing Loop

Please switch your device to ‘T’.

Posture

The instructions in this booklet are not prescriptive. Please sit if that is more appropriate for you.

Collections & Donations

During the service, a collection will be taken for the maintenance, mission and worship of the Cathedral.

Cash donations may be placed in the baskets brought around by the stewards.

If you are a UK taxpayer we would be grateful if, before the service begins, you would complete the yellow envelope provided, since this enables us to claim a further 25% from HM Revenue & Customs.

Contactless donations can be made by selecting your donation amount and tapping the terminal provided by the stewards.

Alternatively, either before or after the service, there are several donation points in the Cathedral where you can make your donation, or you can simply scan the QR code, or text SOUTHWARK (Amount) to 70085 (one standard rate message is also charged). Thank you very much for your generous support of the Cathedral.

You can also support the Cathedral by buying your books from the ethical online bookseller bookshop.org and designating Southwark Cathedral shop for the 30% of purchase price donation they offer us.

The Community of the Cross of Nails

Today, we focus on our membership of The Community of the Cross of Nails (CCN). CCN is a Christian network of over 250 churches, schools, chaplaincies and retreat centres across the world who, drawn together by the story of Coventry Cathedral, share a common commitment to work and pray for peace, justice and reconciliation through:

• Healing the wounds of history
• Learning to live with difference and celebrate diversity
• Building a culture of justice and peace

Many contemporary conflicts have deep roots in past wrongs. Our CCN Partners nurture real hope amongst hurting and wounded people and communities, with partners across the Holy Land, in Ukraine, and in Russia who join with us for praying determinedly for peace and reconciliation. Our present requires new patterns of community, wherein we learn how to live together with deep differences and celebrate the rich diversity that God has created in humanity.

The most fundamental threat to the future of us all is the collective failure of our moral imagination to find ways to resolve our differences and disputes without recourse to violence. CCN Partners engage with the challenges faced by many communities where a just and inclusive society is crucial for stability and peace. As a network of ordinary people, we work to seek peace and pursue it in our relationships.

Please stand as the President, The Rt Rev’d Michael Doe, enters.

The Gathering

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All: Amen.

The Lord be with you. All: and also with you.

God has reconciled us to himself through Christ: All: he has entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation.

When anyone is united to Christ, there is a new creation: All: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!

We are ambassadors for Christ: All: we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

The President welcomes the congregation and introduces the celebration.

The Litany of Reconciliation

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Silence is kept.

The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class, All: Father, forgive.

The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own, All: Father, forgive.

The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth, All: Father, forgive.

Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others, All: Father, forgive.

Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee, All: Father, forgive.

The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and children, All: Father, forgive.

The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God, All: Father, forgive.

The Absolution

May the God of love bring you back to himself, forgive you your sins, and assure you of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. All: Amen.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Gloria in Excelsis

All: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The Collect

Let us pray.

Silence is kept.

Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed; kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all the true love of peace, and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that your kingdom may go forward in justice and peace, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. All: Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

Please be seated.

The First Reading

Genesis 33.1-10 Read by the Duty Verger

A reading from the Book of Genesis.

Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two maids. He put the maids with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. He himself went on ahead of them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near his brother. But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he said, ‘Who are these with you?’ Jacob said, ‘The children whom God has graciously given your servant.’ Then the maids drew near, they and their children, and bowed down; Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down; and finally Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. Esau said, ‘What do you mean by all this company that I met?’ Jacob answered, ‘To find favour with my lord.’

But Esau said, ‘I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.’ Jacob said, ‘No, please; if I find favour with you, then accept my present from my hand; for truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God—since you have received me with such favour.’

This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

The Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 23

The response is:

His goodness shall follow me always to the end of my days.

The Lord is my shepherd; Therefore can I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures And leads me beside still waters. R

He shall refresh my soul And guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; For you are with me, your rod and staff they comfort me. R

You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; You have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full. Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. R

The Second Reading

Colossians 1.15-20 Read by Matthew Peck

A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Colossians.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers — all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia! In Christ God has reconciled the world to himself, and entrusts the message of reconciliation to us. All: Alleluia!

The Gospel

Matthew 5.3-9, 23-24

The Lord be with you All: and also with you.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. All: Glory to you, O Lord.

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

This is the Gospel of the Lord. All: Praise to you, O Christ.

Please be seated after the opening prayer.

The Sermon

The Rt Rev’d Michael Doe, Assistant Bishop, Diocese of Southwark

The Affirmation of Faith

Please stand.

Let us affirm our faith in the reconciling love of God.

All: We believe in God the Father who creates humanity in the image of God, leads us with bands of love, calls us home, and runs to meet us, even when we are still far off.

We believe in God the Son in whom humanity and divinity are perfectly reconciled; in whom all things hold together; who lived on the edges to gather the outcasts in and throws open the doors of the wedding feast to people from every tribe and language and people and nation.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit, the life of God within us, who shows us the world’s brokenness, articulates our longing for its peace, equips us for its transformation, and grows in us the peace that makes this service possible.

We believe in the coming of the kingdom of God, where every tear will be wiped away, every wound healed; where diversity will be recognised as beautiful, and difference an expression of the Infinite; where every wrong will be met with justice and with grace; where everyone will be at home with one another, and face-to-face with God. Amen.

The Rt Rev’d Mary Gregory Bishop of Reading formerly Canon for Arts & Reconciliation, Coventry Cathedral

The Prayers of Intercession

In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ let us pray to the Father.

Please be seated or kneel.

The prayers are led by Jessica Kingsley

These responses may be used:

Lord, in your mercy, All: hear our prayer.

(or)

Lord, hear us. All: Lord, graciously hear us.

And at the end, we pray the Prayer of the Community of the Cross of Nails:

All: Almighty God, you have committed to us the ministry of reconciliation of your Son, Jesus Christ; give us the confidence in your power to forgive, as your Son forgave us from the Cross. Enable us to be witnesses of your forgiveness at work and where we live. Unite us in a sacred fellowship to heal the hostilities we see, and give us the grace to love one another, rejoicing in this life together. Amen.

The Liturgy of the Sacrament

Please stand.

The Peace

Christ is our peace. He has reconciled us to God in one body by the cross. We meet in his name and share his peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you All: and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Bread and wine are presented at the Altar. A collection is taken (cash or contactless as detailed on page 2). Please use this QR code or the link to donate online.

https://bit.ly/3T6o2tL

The Prayer over the Gifts

As the grain once scattered in the fields and the grapes once dispersed on the hillside are now united on this table in bread and wine, so, Lord, may your whole Church soon be gathered together from the corners of the earth into your kingdom. All: Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord be with you All: and also with you. Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right to give thanks and praise.

Father, we give you thanks and praise through your beloved Son Jesus Christ, your living Word, through whom you have created all things; who was sent by you in your great goodness to be our Saviour. By the power of the Holy Spirit he took flesh; as your Son, born of the blessèd Virgin, he lived on earth and went about among us; he opened wide his arms for us on the cross; he put an end to death by dying for us; and revealed the resurrection by rising to new life; so he fulfilled your will and won for you a holy people.

And now we give you thanks because in Christ you have reconciled the world to yourself and given us a share in the ministry of reconciliation. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying:

All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessèd is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Jesus Christ is Lord: All: Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the Saviour of the world.

And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption. As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.

Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of the Blessèd Virgin Mary and all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. All: Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Today we encourage you to pray the Lord’s Prayer in German in recognition of the Community’s origins in the Second World War. Having suffered from the effects of bombing, communities in the United Kingdom and Germany pledged themselves to reconciliation, leading to the Community’s eventual formation in 1976. Please pray in whichever language you feel most comfortable.

As our Saviour taught us so we pray.

Silence is kept.

The Breaking of the Bread

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. All: Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.

Agnus Dei

All: Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace.

The Invitation to Communion

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessèd are those who are called to his supper. All: Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

Please be seated. If you wish to receive Holy Communion or a blessing, please follow the directions of the Stewards. Please do not dip the host into the chalice. If you would like to receive a blessing, please bow your head.

Members of all Christian churches are welcome to receive Communion. Whatever your faith tradition or background, you are most welcome to draw near for a blessing.

The Prayer after Communion

Please stand.

Let us pray.

Silence is kept.

Lord of heaven, in this eucharist you have brought us near to an innumerable company of angels and to the spirits of the saints made perfect: as in this food of our earthly pilgrimage we have shared their fellowship, so may we come to share their joy in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. All: Amen.

All: Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.

The Notices

Please be seated.

The Blessing & Dismissal

Please stand.

The Lord be with you All: and also with you.

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour everyone; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you always. All: Amen.

Go in peace to share the reconciling love of God. All: In the name of Christ. Amen.

Please leave the Cathedral by the North West doors and the Millennium Courtyard. Please consider supporting us by giving using the contactless donation points if you have not set up a regular payment. Thank you for joining us. We look forward to welcoming you back.

Notices

Worship

Services marked with an * are livestreamed on the Cathedral’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@southwarkcathedral2224/streams

Services marked with a † are only available online.

Preachers are indicated in italics.

Sunday 11 October • Community of the Cross of Nails Sunday

8.30am Morning Prayer* 9.00am Eucharist Bishop Michael Doe 9.30am Eucharist at St Hugh’s Canon Roxanne Eversley 11.00am Choral Eucharist* Bishop Michael Doe 3.00pm Choral Evensong The Rev’d Canon Frances Hiller 6.00pm Compline† 6.00pm Lay Commissioning and Licensing Service

Monday 12 October — Friday 16 October

9.00am Morning Prayer* 9.30am Eucharist (Tuesday only) 12.30pm Midday Prayer with the Litany of Reconciliation (Friday only) 12.45pm Eucharist 5.30pm Choral Evensong

Saturday 17 October

9.00am Morning Prayer* 9.30am Eucharist 4.00pm Choral Evensong sung by the choir of St Clement, Sandwich

Sunday 18 October • Luke the Evangelist

8.30am Morning Prayer* 9.00am Eucharist Canon Jeremy Clark-King, Treasurer 9.30am Eucharist at St Hugh’s Mary O’Neill, Lay Minister 11.00am Choral Eucharist* Canon Jeremy Clark-King, Treasurer 3.00pm Choral Evensong Canon Kathryn Fleming, Precentor 6.00pm Compline†

A Safe Church

Canon Kathryn Fleming, Precentor, is Chapter Lead for Safeguarding. Any issues relating to the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults should be directed to the Cathedral Safeguarding Officer (CSO) or Representatives (CSRs) in the first instance:

CSO Neil Morter [email protected] CSRs Cherry James [email protected] Jill Tilley [email protected] Russell Silverwood [email protected]

Concerns can be brought to any member of the clergy.

Children and Young People

Children and young people are an important part of our Cathedral family and play a vital role in our life together. We would love to encourage your children to join one of our Sunday groups for young people.

Crèche

During the 11.00am Sunday Eucharist, crèche facilities are available in the Chapter Room for accompanied children under 4.

Junior Xpress

Junior Xpress is for children in Reception to Year 5, gathering each week in term time in the Cathedral and after a prayer and blessing will go for worship and activities before rejoining the rest of the congregation for the Lord’s Prayer and Holy Communion. Children are warmly invited to join Junior Xpress, especially if this is their first time.

Youth Xpress

Young people in Years 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are invited to join Youth Xpress for discussion and debate around Christian themes. Breakfast is provided. We meet one Sunday every month at 10.45am in the Cathedral Library. The next session is Sunday 8 November. Please speak to the Sub Dean for more information: [email protected]

Cathedral Listening Team

Would you like to talk to someone confidentially? Is something/one on your heart? The Cathedral Listening team are volunteers, who sit in the Retrochoir behind the High Altar after the Choral Eucharist on a Sunday, ready to listen to anyone who would like to talk in confidence. They are available from after the service until 1.00pm. If you would like to talk to a Cathedral Listener, please approach them directly or sit nearby if they are already occupied.

Gift Aid on Contactless

During the collection, our stewards will have offered you a basket or a contactless device. If you gave your collection by contactless, did you know that you can gift aid your donation? To gift aid your donations simply donate one week on the fixed giving points as you came in, perhaps make a small donation one of these devices and it will ask you to enter your details for gift aid and the system will automatically apply gift aid on any future donation with the same card.

The Friends of Southwark Cathedral

The Spring edition of the Friends newsletter is available on the Cathedral website.

Become a Friend

Still thinking of joining us? We’d love to welcome you. The Friends play a vital part in contributing to the future of the Cathedral and its missions. Membership costs from £25 a year. Join the Friends today!

Contact Friends’ Office

You can email the Friends: [email protected], call 020 7367 3724 or post to:

The Friends of Southwark Cathedral Southwark Cathedral London Bridge London, SE1 9DA

Giving to the Cathedral

We are encouraging everyone to join the Parish Giving Scheme. If you need any help signing up online or if you would prefer to have a paper copy of the application form please speak with our wardens, Maggie and Kristin or contact Canon Michael Rawson.

The Cathedral is keen to change to a more ethical and environmentally friendly bank and the move from many standing orders to one monthly transfer from the Parish Giving Scheme makes this aspiration achievable.

You can sign up at: https://tinyurl.com/bdzdpuhp. You will need your personal bank account details; the name of our parish: Southwark Cathedral; the PGS code for our parish: 370637001; and whether you are eligible for Gift Aid.

Are You New to the Cathedral?

We would love to get to know you, so please complete a Newcomer form, available from the stewards or contact the Sub Dean [email protected]

Praying for a New Bishop of Southwark

Bishop Christopher has now retired and work is progressing on the discernment process for the appointment of a bishop to succeed him and to build on all that Bishop Christopher has achieved.

Please join in the Diocese’s prayer:

God of all times and places, send us a Bishop who will lead us faithfully through days of rejoicing and nights of challenge, with prayer and Scripture, with love and laughter, with bread and wine. Send your Holy Spirit to guide those entrusted with this process. May they recognise the person of your choice, with ears that are open and hearts that are wise.

Make us thankful for all that has gone before, ready and hopeful for all that lies ahead, led by a Bishop whose ministry is a blessing to everyone in Southwark Diocese, as we hear the good news of Jesus and delight in the love of God. Amen.

Southwark Cathedral Podcast

Episode 28 | Rowan Williams on Lancelot Andrewes and the Poetics of Preaching

Recorded live at Southwark Cathedral as part of the Cathedral’s Lancelot 400 celebrations, this episode features a lecture by former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams exploring the preaching and legacy of Lancelot Andrewes.

What makes a sermon more than an explanation? And how can words, images and imagination help us encounter something beyond ourselves? Williams explores Andrewes’ distinctive approach to preaching, his fascination with the richness and ambiguity of scripture, and the relationship between preaching, prayer and sacramental life. Along the way, he considers what made Andrewes such an influential preacher, and why his approach to language continues to resonate centuries later.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts. https://southwarkcathedralpodcast.podbean.com/

Weekly Bible Study at St Hugh’s

Thursdays, 7.30pm

The Thursday Bible Study at St Hugh’s, Bermondsey, SE1 3PT is inclusive, friendly and perfect for beginners or growing your confidence. Contact Bukky Omisakim for more information: https://sthughsbermondsey.org.uk/bible-study/

Autumn Parish Picnic

Sunday 25 October, after 11.00am Choral Eucharist

We are planning our Autumn Parish Picnic! This will take place in the Retrochoir and we would like everyone to come! We’re asking you to bring something to share:

Quiche – with some to suit gluten allergies and vegetarian/vegan, Salads, Cold meats and cheeses, Cakes, brownies and cookies. The Cathedral will provide a range of drinks.

Please ask if you have any questions. Kristin and Maggie the Cathedral Wardens will be available after the Service or via email. Kristin Ruby ([email protected]) or Maggie Still ([email protected])

Robes Winter Night Shelter

The Cathedral hosts a winter night shelter as part of the Robes project, providing safe, warm accommodation on Friday evenings from January to March. We have a team of 40 volunteers who make it all happen and if you would like to be part of the team or keen to learn more please contact Neil Tryner at [email protected], one of the team leaders who is happy to explain. You do not need to have any experience of working with homeless people and we will provide support and training before you start.

We are always in need of volunteers to help cook dinner for 20 guests on Friday evening, sleep over on the shelter on Friday night and help cook breakfast on Saturday morning and clear the shelter and are looking for people who want to help with something practical to people in our community, are able to engage with people or happy to role sleeves up and do practical things like making beds up, moving furniture, cleaning showers or washing up.

16th Annual Robes SleepOut

This year will be the 16th Annual Robes SleepOut here at the Cathedral! Please hold the date: Friday 20 November 2026 starting at 7pm.

The Robes Project is one of the Cathedral’s highest priority charity partners. You can participate by signing up to sleep out and get sponsors to donate on your behalf: https://robes.org.uk/sleepout-robes/

If you would like to volunteer for the evening, please let Peppy Meunier know ([email protected]).

To find out more and find the right option for you, please reach out to Kristin Ruby ([email protected]) or Maggie Still ([email protected]).

Supporting Mission Through Our Giving

Southwark Cathedral’s 2025 Mission Allocation totalled £27,921, which is being distributed to charities during 2026. Funded by 10% of the income received through planned giving, the Parish Giving Scheme and Sunday collections, these donations support organisations whose work reflects the Five Marks of Mission.

From responding to human need and challenging injustice to caring for creation. Read the full article and discover the charities receiving support.

We are now inviting nominations for the 2026 allocation, so please begin thinking about charities you would like the Cathedral to consider. The online nomination form is here Mission Allocation Form – Copy form. Please ask the Sub Dean if you would like a paper form.

Organ Recitals

Mondays, 1.20pm, free entry

12 October — Imogen Morgan (St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh) 19 October — Oliver King (Saffron Walden) 26 October — Simon Hogan (Organist, Southwark Cathedral) 2 November — Mariusz Kozieł (Pieterskerk in Leiden) 9 November — Michael Chamberlain (Organ Scholar, Southwark Cathedral) 16 November — Michael Bonaventure (Edinburgh)

Harvest Donations for the Manna Centre

Each year we support the Manna Centre for the homeless and it’s not too late to bring a harvest offering. They are in particular need of tinned foods, clothing and toiletries. Items can be left with the vergers.

A full list of items needed can be found on their website:

https://mannasociety.org.uk/support-us/donate-items/

Become a School Foundation Governor

Cathedral Primary School is seeking a thoughtful, committed and community-minded person to join its governing board as a Foundation Governor. This is an opportunity to use your experience, judgement and values to support the strategic leadership of a Church of England school within the Diocese of Southwark.

Working collectively with other governors, you will help set the school’s vision and strategic direction, hold executive leaders to account and oversee the effective use of resources. As a Foundation Governor, you will also play a particular part in preserving and developing the school’s distinctive Christian character and strengthening its relationship with the Cathedral, Southwark Diocesan Board of Education and the wider Diocese.

What you will do

• Contribute to the school’s Christian vision, ethos and long-term priorities.
• Ask constructive questions and use evidence to support and challenge school leaders.
• Help oversee educational performance, safeguarding, finance and school improvement.
• Champion inclusive provision and the flourishing of every pupil, particularly those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable.
• Support effective religious education, collective worship, spiritual development and preparation for the SIAMS inspection.
• Build positive links between the school, its community, Cathedral and the Diocese of Southwark.

Who we are looking for

You do not need to be an education professional or to have previous governance experience. We are looking for someone who supports the Christian foundation and vision of the school, cares about the education and wellbeing of children and young people, and can bring sound judgement, curiosity and a willingness to learn. You will need to listen well, work collaboratively, respect confidentiality and commit time to meetings, preparation, training and occasional school visits. We welcome interest from people with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.

Practical details

Role: Voluntary and unpaid; reasonable expenses may be available in line with school policy. Term of office: 4 years Location: Cathedral School, Redcross Way SE1 1HG Expected commitment: 3 full governing body meetings and 6 committee meetings per year plus a school visit each term. Closing date: 16 November 2026

How to express an interest

For an informal conversation or to request further information, including the full job description and person specification, please contact Canon Michael Rawson at [email protected]

To express an interest, please send a short statement by 16 November 2026.

Appointment is subject to the school’s governing document, the requirements of the appointing body, eligibility checks and applicable safeguarding procedures. Cathedral School and SDBE welcome interest from people with diverse backgrounds, experience and perspectives.

Theology Book Group

The next meeting of the Theology Book Group is on 19th November at 6.30pm. All are welcome, but please let us know you are coming by sending an email to Sarah Kell: [email protected]

The book under discussion will be Simon Critchley’s ‘On Mysticism: The Experience of Ecstasy’ (Profile Books, 2025), described by Rowan Williams as ‘a significant and courageous invitation to think again about the kinds of thinking that matter’.

Visual Theology Talks

The next talk in our Visual Theology series talk will take place in the JTW room from 9.50am – 10.30am on Sunday 18th October. Michael Rawson explores Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus (1601), housed at the National Gallery. The painting depicts the moment when the risen Christ reveals himself to two disciples at Emmaus, capturing their sudden recognition through dramatic gestures and expressions. Join Michael to look closely at Caravaggio’s interpretation of this pivotal biblical scene and discover what it might teach us today.

Tickets are free but places should be reserved on Eventbrite at Southwark Cathedral: Visual Theology Talks Series | Michael Rawson

Prayer List

The Sick

Michael W, Dee Dee HS, Rob B, Julie A, Justine M, Sarah M, Andy B, Jack C, Tom D, Madeleine L, Cyril B, Adrian C, Judy, Tom J, Carla S, Bryan S, Susan P, Margaret B, Eden, Lizzie-Ann, Antony Z, Charlie R, Mary H, Frank C, Pauline A, Jean P, Pam M, Shireen, Dinah K, Sarah R, Sally P, Sam J, Elizabeth H, Christopher KD, Santou BC, Caroline C, Paul DF, Franki G, Frances G, Luke D, Harry R, Chloe A.

The Departed

Susan Andrew, Bryan Harris, Nigel Worn, Hannah White, Alison Jones, George Bush, Noreen Ford, Adrian Clarke, Karen McClellan

Year’s Mind

Craig Stirling Cullingworth, John Milton-King, Sean Patrick Hopkins, Richard Hearn, John Godfrey, Angie Ackland, John Godfrey, Hugo Irwin, Alexander Ronald Hirst, Dominic McDonald, Rose Louise Horan, Brenda Rivers, Jean Evans, Richard Nagel, Marie Biden, Dorothy Lewis, Valerie Godfrey

Clergy Away

Canon Michael Rawson, Sub Dean is preaching at the Old Naval College Chapel, Greenwich.

Copyright

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000.

All words covered by the Christian Copyright Licensing have been reproduced under CCL licence no. 223439 and livestreaming licence 145859.

The Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches in the USA: Scripture quotations from The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible © 1989 The Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Southwark Cathedral

making space for love with heart, mind, and soul

It is good to welcome you to Southwark Cathedral. Set on the south bank of the River Thames, in one of the most vibrant and diverse communities in London, this building has been a constant witness in a place of change.

The first church was built on this site around the year 606. First a convent, then a monastery, it became in 1106 the Augustinian Priory of St Mary Overie (‘over-the-river’). With Westminster Abbey and St Bartholomew the Great in Smithfield, it is one of the three remaining great monastic churches of London. At the Reformation, the Priory became a parish church, and it remains so for the people of Bankside. In 1905, as south London was rapidly expanding, the church was consecrated as the Cathedral for the new Diocese of Southwark.

The Cathedral has a momentous and significant history and has had links with many famous and influential characters including St Thomas Becket, Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. It has also been a Cathedral for those who feel on the edges of faith or society, our welcome reaching out to all people in their beautiful God-given diversity.

Here, our Christian faith is captured in our vision to ‘make space for love: with heart, mind, and soul’. Faith requires our hearts to stand up for social justice, upholding integrity and kindness, and supporting the vulnerable and oppressed. It challenges our thinking, inviting our minds to be enquiring, honest, and generous. Faith also seeks to deepen our inner lives, with the arts and creativity, by sharing in the life of our community, and by learning the arts of prayer and attention. In Jesus Christ we see the human face of God, and our faith in him is our joy and our life.

We really hope you enjoy being here with us today and that we will see you again very soon.

Southwark Cathedral London Bridge London SE1 9DA

+44 (0)20 7367 6700 southwarkcathedral.org.uk subscribe to our weekly newsletter on our website