We launched our Vision Strategy on Sunday 27 April and distributed copies of the strategy document to all present. I am grateful to Bishop Nigel who was present with us for the service - this is an important reminder that the cathedral is the ‘seat of the Bishop' and that we work together with the Bishop in serving the mission and ministry of God.

I have distributed copies of the vision strategy to all members of Diocesan synod as another important reminder that we seek to be a resource for the Diocese and see ourselves in partnership with the parishes of our diocese in serving God. 

Much of this is about the need for a culture of mission and outreach to permeate our lives as a Christian community. As I said in my sermon when the launch took place, this vision for our mission and ministry ought to be based on:

• Proclaiming the Kingdom of God to the world (not only focussing on numbers and avoid becoming insular)

• Maintaining the rhythm between worship and mission (cf. the summary of the Commandments by Jesus: Love God and love neighbour)

• Relationships (building a healthy sense of God's community among us)

Let's now pray for the needful gifts of the Holy Spirit to enable us to reach out to others with the practical gospel of God's love, grace, forgiveness and joy!

Rogers

Click here to view the Vision Strategy

We know the extent of the work that goes on in the Booth Centre: life skills such as literacy, numeracy, computing, cooking, healthy living (including gym sessions, football and plenty of walking). We see stunning results in artwork, photography, pottery and gardening all encouraged by tutors, staff and volunteers. I'm not sure that the words ‘Booth Centre' and ‘Opera' had come to mind before this spring. But then how many of us had heard of "Streetwise Opera"?

Streetwise Opera developed their work with homeless and rough sleepers in London, after Matt Peacock overheard a comment: "these are the people you step over when you come out of the opera".  Streetwise run regular workshops and opera productions with their own musicians as well. Their ‘Residency' at the Booth Centre took place over a couple of months, working with Booth users and persuading them they could sing, to create ‘a work in progress'.

Manchester Cathedral Country Home will be holding a Centenary Eucharist in the Cathedral on Sunday 8 June, 10.30am.  This event brings to a close a year of celebration for the Home. The Cathedral community, supporters from Mellor and district, and representatives from parishes across the Diocese who have traditionally been associated with the Home, are all welcome to the service and reception afterwards in the south aisle of the cathedral.

Manchester Cathedral Country Home, provides holidays and respite breaks for disadvantaged families and individuals living principally in the Manchester and Salford Dioceses who are faced with financial or social disadvantage and who, otherwise, could not have a break at all.

Since the bomb just over twelve years ago a fair amount of regeneration has taken place around the Cathedral. We have seen the development of New Cathedral Street which has the M&S and Harvey Nicholls Buildings and more recently the expansion of the Arndale Centre. The Urbis was also built as an iconic development in Cathedral Gardens. Well, there is more to come....

For some time now I have been aware from press reports of a substantial development across the road from the west side of the Cathedral. This is to be called The Exchange, Greengate Embankment.

The Exchange sits at the heart of the multi-million pound regeneration scheme, which aims to link the historic cities of Salford and Manchester, and will see the transformation of the former Exchange Station into 400,000 sq ft of mixed-use development. The scheme is located within the historic Greengate triangle area, bounded by Chapel Street, Gravel Lane and Sacred Trinity Church. It sits just yards from the booming retail and leisure developments of Manchester city centre's Exchange Square.