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Christmas at St Edmundsbury Cathedral...

St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, has announced its programme of Christmas services. There will be opportunity to attend the traditional services over the Christmas period by booking a place in advance. In addition all services will be livestreamed on the Cathedral’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stedscathedral.

The candlelit service of Nine Lessons and Carols led by the Cathedral Choir will take place on both Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 December at 7.00 pm.

On Thursday 24 December, the Crib service, aimed at families with young children, takes place at 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm.

Midnight Mass will start at 10.30 pm on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day, there will be two services, one at 8.00 am and one at 10.30 am. To book a place at any of the above service, please email cathedralinvitations@stedscathedral.org by Thursday 17 December, stating clearly which service you would like to attend and how many places you require. Please note that you may only book places at up to two of the above services.

Under the current restrictions, congregations are not permitted to sing in the Cathedral. Face coverings must be worn at all times (unless exempt).

‘Christmas will be different this year, like it or not, but we hope that through carols, readings and liturgy, people will find comfort and joy,’ comments the Very Reverend Joe Hawes, Dean of St Edmundsbury. ‘I pray that Christmas will be for everyone a time when the abundance of Emmanuel, God-with-us comes close.’

For those facing loss, anxiety, isolation or ill health, Christmas is a difficult time of year. A special service, The Longest Night, takes place on Sunday 20 December at 3.30 pm. Please book a place for this service or watch the service livestreamed. The Dean continues, ‘The privations caused by the pandemic, from which no one has been exempt, have, I think opened our eyes to our need, one of another, our mutual dependence and the reassurance which comes from community. To know and acknowledge our inner need, whatever our material circumstances is to come to terms with our true poverty, and that is a very good place to begin.’

In the week leading up to Christmas (21-24 December) night prayers will be said at 9.00 pm and available on the Cathedral’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stedscathedral.

Full details of the Cathedral’s Christmas Services are available on the website https://stedscathedral.org