Holidays
IN THE CURRENT heatwave, my holiday, taken in early May, is a memory. I enjoyed going away and visiting interesting places. Two of them were cathedrals. As we were based in Norfolk, and stayed in Norwich, the two cathedrals were in Ely and Norwich.
We had a guided tour booked at Ely, on bank holiday Monday, with food and craft stalls and a pop music performance occupying the green outside. Inside, we were met with the grandeur of the monumental Norman foundation, built on the simple convent of St Etheldreda, also known as Audrey. It was built on the highest land in the fens, about three hundred feet above the wetlands, as much a political stronghold to subdue the rebelling Saxons as a religious centre. It was possible to see changes in architecture down the centuries, and changes of use following the collapse of the spire in the 1300s, changes politically during the Reformation and modern artistic works to enhance the worship in the building.
During a brief conversation with the guide after the tour, I discovered we had both gone to the same Cambridge High School and her mother had lived along the same road as my family!
I left feeling this was not just a historic monument, but that there was a sense of the church connecting with its wider community and continuing a spiritual presence which has lasted for over a thousand years.
The next day, we had a tour of Norwich by coach, then a more detailed walk which finished by the cathedral. We could either visit the cathedral or the castle. My husband Robert and I chose to stay at the cathedral. We were surprised when we couldn’t find the entrance. A new visitor centre has been built, tastefully around the corner from the west door, with a welcome desk, meeting room, toilets, shop and restaurant – used by visitors and local businesspeople for refreshment.
Spiritual refreshment was to be found in the cathedral itself, where it was possible to pray in the coolness and peace by yourself. Afterwards, we walked around the cathedral, looking at familiar roof bosses and side chapels we remembered from living in the city. One we had not seen before was a new dedication, to the Holy Innocents. They were the baby boys slaughtered by King Herod, mentioned in St Matthew’s Gospel narrative of Jesus’ birth. Prayer leaflets were left on the small altar, and I was impressed by this one, which I share with you. It was written by Hildegard Schäder, a prisoner in a concentration camp during the Second World War. ‘O Lord, remember not only the men and women of good will but also those of ill will. But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted upon us; remember the fruits we have bought, thanks to this suffering: our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, our courage, the generosity and the greatness of heart which has grown out of this; and when they come to judgement, let all the fruits we have borne be their forgiveness. Amen.’
Enjoy your holidays and visits. Do go to a cathedral if there is one nearby, and experience the essence of God in all you see, and everyone you meet.
The Reverend Margaret Dimmick is an Anglican priest and a member of the ministry team at Caversham Park United Reform Church
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