The Northern KwaZulu Natal Youth Choir will perform at the Cathedral on Sunday 6th July at 12 noon following the Sung Eucharist.

The programme is as follows

A Claire Benediction Rutter

Cantate Domino G. Pitoni

Ek wil die Here Loof Nie van der Watt

I Himmelen

Pater Noster Max Baumann

Bogoroditse Devo Rachmaninoff

Tres Lamentationes Arne Nordheim

Ave Maristella Trond Kverno

Sing and Rejoice Knut Nystedt

The Friends of Manchester Cathedral became Canterbury Pilgrims, 9th to 11^th May 2008. Here's a report:

On arrival we received a very warm welcome from the Secretary of Canterbury Friends' Association and one of their welcomers. The Dean of Canterbury had very kindly invited us to a drinks reception in his beautiful gardens. Having introduced us to his cats - a black one called ‘Monkey' as he was mischievous and ‘Tiger' who was the boss - he also spoke of the ancient tradition of Benedictine hospitality, dating from the days of the monks at Canterbury, and how it  was still being carried on. Thanking him, Geoff Bamping presented him with a commemorative drawing of Manchester Cathedral.

Canterbury Lodge where we stayed is a purpose built International Conference and Study Centre, accommodating 50 people, all rooms en suite and very comfortable.

The Thursday Prayer provides an opportunity for all members and friends to unite using a common theme and praying for a special concern each month.

The initial inspiration came about two years ago, as a result of the annual Prayer & Spirituality (now Faith & Policy) conference I attended as a Diocesan Co-ordinator, meeting fellow Co-ordinators from other dioceses. Some of these dioceses hold a similar service and I became interested in bringing the idea `home' with me. I felt very deeply that this was a link our members in the Manchester Diocese could have with our wonderful Cathedral, so I talked with Canon Denby who was delighted with the idea, and gave great support and encouragement to me, and I then approached our Trustees, who gave their blessing to the idea.

It is a very special time together and friends and visitors to the Cathedral often join us. We have been holding our service for a year now, and we have been made very welcome, with excellent help from the vergers.

Thank you for making us feel a part of this worshipping community, and do please join us for half an hour at 12 noon on the second Thursday of each month.

Will you be in Manchester shopping on Saturday 19th July? If you are, please call into the Cathedral and join us for a "cuppa" and a slice of cake, at the St Lazarus Coffee morning (10am until 2pm).

There will also be a Bring and Buy stall with further homemade produce on sale.  St Lazarus is a charity that raises money to help sufferers of skin diseases such as leprosy, an illness that still affects thousands of people throughout the world.

If you can't make it on Saturday but would like to make a contribution, contact Julie Denby through the Cathedral office.