Liverpool Cathedral’s annual review shows the need for creativity in a challenging world.
Liverpool Cathedral’s annual review, published this week, reveals the creativity needed by cathedrals who are working in an increasingly pressurised world.
The depth and range of activities showcased bear witness to the enterprising response the cathedral has made over a number of years to a challenging operating environment.
Liverpool Cathedral’s annual review, published this week, reveals the creativity needed by cathedrals who are working in an increasingly pressurised world. The depth and range of activities showcased bear witness to the enterprising response the cathedral has made over a number of years to a challenging operating environment.
Published on the anniversary of the cathedral’s consecration the review comes after over 200,000 visitors came to see the giant artwork, Gaia.
The Dean of the Cathedral, The Very Revd Sue Jones, highlighted the challenge cathedrals face saying “Cathedrals that fail to adapt will fail to thrive, fail to survive. We owe it future generations to prevent this from happening. I intend Liverpool Cathedral to thrive into the future. That’s why occasions like Gaia are important to us as they show how cathedrals can connect with the wider community. ”
Liverpool Cathedral’s annual review marks a refreshment of their strategy to serve the city and the region. The Dean explains “I’ve seen a cathedral community that cried with the city, cheered with the city, fed the city and prayed for the city. I’ve seen a cathedral that fulfils a massive role within the civic, economic and spiritual life of the city. That’s what cathedrals should be. That’s what cathedrals should do. That’s what has been highlighted in the national reviews into cathedral ministry. And Liverpool Cathedral is one of the pioneers in creatively thinking for the future.”
The annual review highlights many successes showing that we have
- Welcomed over 700,000 visitors to a wide range of events and activities
- Raised over £100,000 so our charity Micah can help those in need
- Achieved over £8m in donations to our 2024 appeal since 2015
The review shows the broad range of activities that happened in the cathedral. From the museum of the moon to the knife angel; from Light Night to Sir Ken Dodd’s funeral; last year brought many people to the cathedral for many different reasons.
Led by the Dean, the cathedral has identified a common thread to all these occasions. Encounter. “People encounter the cathedral for a host of different reasons” said Sue “and that’s how it should be. We say we were built by the people, for the people to the Glory of God. To live up to that we have to help people encounter us. And as they encounter us they should encounter a great welcome and encounter a God who knows and loves them. That is important to us as it should be to all cathedrals.
Liverpool Cathedral’s annual review comes at a pivotal moment for the cathedral. A time to build on the past and look to the future. To continue to inspire creativity so future generations may encounter a cathedral that was built by the people, for the people to the Glory of God.