THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SAINT PETER IN EXETER THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SAINT PETER IN EXETER
The Parish of the Cathedral is very small, limited only to the precincts of The Close, of which the Dean has cure of souls, i.e. spiritual and pastoral oversight. The Cathedral is not a parish church, but it is a lively worshipping community. For many people who attend on a regular daily or weekly basis, it is their regular place of worship. Others attend from time to time, in addition to their commitment to their Parish. All are welcome. There are also several hundred voluntary helpers who contribute to many areas of the life of the Cathedral. Newcomers are invited to make themselves known to one of the Clergy, sidesmen or fellow worshippers. If you would like to participate in any activity, or require further information please contact The Cathedral Office, 1 The Cloisters, Exeter EX1 1HS, Tel: 01392 255573.
The Cathedral congregation is far flung, many members travelling considerable distances to attend. The character of the Cathedral and its congregation entail that pastoral care must often be less detailed and intensive than in a Parish but the Cathedral Clergy wish at all times to be informed of pastoral need.
The Dean and Chapter and the Priest Vicar are available to hear confessions and to give spiritual direction.
The Dean is available at certain fixed times, details of which are published, otherwise arrangements should be made by appointment with the Clergy concerned.
The Ministry of Healing is also available by arrangement with the Clergy. In cases of urgent need contact should be made with the Canon in Residence or the Duty Chaplain.
During Lent, and sometimes in Advent, groups are arranged to consider specific topics. For example in Lent 1997 four groups studied prayer and during Lent 1998 groups worked through the section of the Emmaus Course entitled 'Knowing Jesus'. There are also several groups which have a continuing life and which meet on a regular basis for discussion, prayer and study. One of these groups has recently been considering the seven signs or miracles from St.John's Gospel. This group always ends their meeting with Compline. Members of these groups are also able to offer each other mutual support and concern in times of difficulty and in this way they have provided a source of great strength.
Members of the Cathedral congregation of any age group wishing to be prepared for Confirmation should contact The Precentor, The Reverend Canon Carl Turner, 1 The Cloisters, Exeter, EX1 1HS, Tel: 01392 255573.
Those for whom the Cathedral is their habitual place of worship can register on its Electoral Roll. At present this numbers over four hundred people.
It is not always realised that those who worship regularly in both the Cathedral and in their own parish church can legally and properly register on both electoral rolls: many do so.
Registration forms can be obtained from:The Cathedral Office, 1 The Cloisters, Exeter EX1 1HS, Tel: 01392 255573.
As mother church of the diocese, the Cathedral has concern for and interest in all parishes and deaneries. The deanery is the unit of church government and organisation which lies between parishes and the diocese. Geographically and for the purpose of synodical government the Cathedral is within the deanery of Christianity: fourteen parishes of Exeter. The Deanery Synod meets three times a year and business includes formal debates, finance and talks on matters of interest to all parishes such as the new liturgy, 'Common Worship'.
The Dean and Chapter are ex officio members and five lay representative are elected by those on the Cathedral Electoral Roll. They report on meetings in Cathedral News.
The Cathedral does not have a Parochial Church Council: Government rests solely with the Chapter. Nevertheless, in an attempt to harness and co-ordinate the energy and expertise of the congregation the Chapter initiated a series of discussions with the Cathedral's elected lay representatives on the Deanery Synod. This led to a conference in November 1991.
As a result working parties, comprising members of the congregation and Cathedral clergy, took initiatives in the fields of communication, of service and of children. This was first co-ordinated by a Steering Group consisting of the Chapter, lay synodical representatives, working party leaders and conference group leaders. After a second conference, held in January 1993, it was decided to plan for a more representative body to draw together the various aspects of voluntary work within the Cathedral and to give the laity an opportunity to have a creative voice in the mission of the Cathedral.
At first this new body was called the Cathedral Council but now it is termed the Cathedral Community Committee to accord with the recommendations of the Report of the Archbishops' Commission on Cathedrals.
Its first meeting was on 4 May 1994 and it has met regularly since then at least four times a year. Membership consists of the Dean and Chapter, the five lay synodical representatives and eight other lay members elected by those on the Electoral Roll. Because of the far flung nature of the Cathedral congregation the triennial elections are carried out by postal ballot.
The elected lay chairman (Mrs Marian Gilpin) takes the chair and with the secretary (Dr Mary Wolffe) and two other elected members form the Standing Committee, plus a Chapter Canon. Any member of the congregation wishing to have a matter raised at the Cathedral Community Committee can do so by approaching the lay co-chairman or the secretary through the Cathedral Office, 1 The Cloisters Exeter EX1 1HS, Tel: 01392 255573.
The Cathedral Community Committee acts as a forum for the varied facets of voluntary work and fellowship within the Cathedral. It initiates new projects such as organising speakers to talk on the mission of the Cathedral within the diocese. It is the centre of a two-way process of communication, learning of the plans of the Dean and Chapter and raising matters of concern to the laity. It receives regular reports on the work with children and young people an dfrom the Chapter committees, it keeps in touch with developments on the deanery, diocesan and general synods and it supports ecumenical developments through the Churches Together in Central Exeter. A report appears in Cathedral News after every meeting of the Committee.
The Cathedral Fellowship has its own page. Click here to go to it.
The Fellowship exists to provide an opportunity for all who participate in the life and worship of the Cathedral (whether every week or occasionally) to meet together thereby strengthening our corporate life. We aim to welcome newcomers, to get to know each other better, to become better informed, to be entertained and not least, to enjoy ourselves.
The annual programme usually includes a mixture of talks, outings and discussions: mixing the light-hearted with more serious issues.
All members of the congregation and all Friends of the Cathedral belong to the Fellowship by virtue of their link with the Cathedral.
The Fellowship is run by a committee elected at its annual general meeting when donations are invited to enable the Fellowship to be self-supporting. This enables the Fellowship to make gifts, usually of flowers, to give comfort in times of illness, sorrow and anxiety. The group which carries out this supportive role is known as Contact.
Contact is a group of lay volunteers from the congregation whose purpose is to give practical help to fellow members who find themselves in difficult circumstances such as sudden or chronic sickness
Assistance given includes shopping, the collection of prescriptions, transport to and from the Cathedral for services and meetings, and a certain amount of hospital visiting. If spiritual help or sacramental ministry is needed, Contact representatives will alert the Clergy via the Priest Vicar who is the link between Contact and the Chapter. This ministry exists to support members of the Cathedral congregation and to supplement the pastoral ministry of the parochial clergy.
Anyone member of the congregation needing assistance or anyone wishing to help with the work of Contact should get in touch with The Precentor, The Reverend Canon Carl Turner, 1 The Cloisters, Exeter, EX1 1HS, Tel: 01392 255573.
The Social Committee of the Fellowship organise two very successful parties, one in the Autumn and the other on Shrove Tuesday. Finger buffets or hot suppers are enjoyed with wine and followed by a variety of home-made sweets. The entertainment now tends to be 'home grown' with the Dean and Chapter or the Fellowship taking the initiative in providing a range of light hearted sketches.
After the Sung Eucharist on Sunday morning, refreshments are served in the Chapter House: coffee, tea, hot apple juice and cinnamon, orange squash and biscuits.
All members of the congregation and visitors are welcome. This is an opportunity to incorporate newcomers into the worshipping community, and as such is a vital part of Cathedral life.
Eight teams, each of which functions about six times a year, prepare and serve refreshments and clear up afterwards. Additional helpers are always welcome.
The Mothers' Union is an international band of women whose main concern is to promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children, and to help those whose family life has met adversity. This is done in two ways: by prayer and service.
The Cathedral Group of the Mothers' Union meets at 7.30pm once a month in members homes. The annual programme usually includes talks from visiting speakers, discussion, a party, and a family outing in the summer. Mothers of young children are particularly welcome. For further information please contact: Mrs Christine Lethbridge.
A children's group for those aged four to twelve+ called Cloister Club meets in the Visitors' Centre during Sung Eucharist and re-joins the congregation during the offertory hymn.
A structured course of Christian teaching is provided.
The children of regular members of the congregation and of visitors are most welcome.
For children under four there is a crèche during Sung Eucharist every Sunday and this also meets in the Visitors' Centre. Children of regular members of the congregation and of visitors are welcome. Toys, games, play-doh and books are available for children, who are supervised by two helpers.
CYPEX - Cathedral Young People in Exeter - is a group recently formed for 12-15 year olds. They meet twice a month on Cathedral premises and also have outings to places of interest from time to time.
For further information please contact Mrs Marian Gilpin on 01626 873443.
The Cathedral is an independent corporation and its finances are complex. It has to pay its way and balance its budget like any ordinary household. In times past the Dean and Chapter owned considerable property throughout Devon and beyond, and this produced enough to maintain fabric, personnel and activities. But in the nineteenth century Parliament took most of this property away for the benefit of the parishes. What is left is administered for the Cathedral by the Church Commissioners, from whom in consequence some income is received. The Dean and Chapter own property in the Close, little of which produces income, and they have some modest investments, largely the result of legacies.
Most of the Cathedral's income must come from voluntary donations or from trading. Hence the importance of congregational planned giving (see next below), collections and visitors' contributions. The Cathedral earns income from the shop, the refectory and from letting the Cathedral itself, and other rooms, for suitable activities.
For well over a century the income from various sources has been nowhere near enough to maintain the vast, ancient and intricate fabric and the various activities expected of a cathedral, such as the music; hence the existence of independent charities and trusts for particular purposes - the Friends, the Preservation Trust and the Music Foundation Trust.
The Cathedral receives no money from the Diocese or the parochial share, and normally none from central or local government. But various local authorities in Devon have given generousiy to the Preservation Trust and to the Music Foundation, and limited government money for urgent work on the fabric is now a possibility.
The thought given to Cathedral activities should include Serious consideration of personal giving.
It is necessary to think realistically about disposable income and decide what can be given for the support of the worship and work as a congregation in our Cathedral Church.
The Cathedral's Planned Giving is administered by a committee. The "envelope system" is available for regular supporters. All taxpayers are recommended to give by covenant; covenant forms are available on the literature table in the South transept. New donors are always welcome; for further information, please contact: Mrs L. Berry, Finance Office, 1 TheCloisters, Exeter. Tel: 01392 285989
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