January seems to go on for ages, doesn't it? As we finally reach the second month of 2020, let's take a look at some of the many events happening at Bradford Cathedral that you can take part in!
Centenary Square Pancake Race
On Shrove Tuesday, 25th February, we're taking over Centenary Square from 12:30pm with our first annual Pancake Race raising money for the Lord Mayor's Appeal. In conjunction with Bradford BID we're looking for local businesses, charities, organisations and groups to step up and be one of sixteen teams to take part. Who will win the final trophy? Entries open shortly but you can register your interest now at https://pancake-race.eventbrite.co.uk/
Plus, if you want to enjoy the best time of year for pancakes even more, then check out the Mini Mardi Gras organised by our friends at The Brick Box Rooms. Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/events/586681015242322/
Music
We have lots of great music events coming up in February, including saxophonist Rob Burton on Tuesday 11th February. We spoke to him to find out more about his coffee concert, and you can read his blog online today!
As well as this coffee concert our weekly organ recitals continue with more great organists each and every Wednesday at 1pm. This month we welcome Stefan Donner from Vienna, Christopher Stokes from Manchester, Alex Woodrow from Leeds and Irena Kosikova from Prague. You can find out more about them on our website, with blog posts and the chance to listen back to previous sets.
Art
Our next Artspace exhibition begins on Ash Wednesday, the 26th February. Ali Thistlethwaite presents Encounters with Jesus and it launches at the 7pm service. Find out more about her work and this exhibition in our blog post.
Conversations
On Sunday 9th February at 12noon you can come along to the cathedral to take part in Flourishing City - Vision 2020, which is your opportunity to let us know what you want to see from the city of Bradford in twenty years time, with all feedback being sent over to Bradford Council.
Also one week later, on Sunday 16th February, Bishop Nick Baines presents his talk entitled Waiting for a Miracle?, which will be a contemporary look at politics, wisdom and faith. He'll also be preaching at the evensong that day as well. The address begins at 2pm, with Evensong at 4pm
Our weekly Monday Fellowship also meets once more on Monday 10th February and this month's topic is 'Is it possible to be a Christian in the Military?'. That question will be explored by speaker Martin Cosgrove from 2pm in our Parish Room.
Family Activities
If you're looking for something to do this half-term with your family, then make sure you come to see us on Tuesday 18th February and Thursday 20th February from 10am - 12noon where you'll be able to make a whole range of spring-themed crafts, as well as taking part in guided tours at 11am and 1pm.
Special Services and Events
We start February with Son et Lumière on Saturday 1st, which is a pilgrimage around Bradford Cathedral. Starting at 6:30pm, spaces are limited and can be booked on Eventbrite.
We also continue the theme of candles with our Candlemas Eucharist on Sunday 2nd February at 4pm.
If you want even more spectacle, don't miss our Annual Legal Service earlier on that same day at 11am, which also includes a special address from the Right Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Ripon.
Lent
The period of Lent begins on Wednesday 26th February with a Holy Communion service at 7:30am, service at 10:15am and a Choral Eucharist at 7pm. You can also join us for a breakfast at the Rooftop cafe on the Wednesday at 8am.
Copies of this year's Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent book, 'Saying Yes to Life' by Ruth Valerio, are now available to buy from the Bradford Cathedral shop.
There are more Lent-based events and services in March, including our Lent Course with Canon Andrew Tawn and there will be more about that in next month's blog.
And finally...
As mentioned in last month's blog, 2020 is the Year of Cathedrals, Year of Pilgrimage and we now have prayer cards to pick up in the cathedral, with a different design at each cathedral in the country. Can you collect them all?
The February edition of our Keeping in Touch magazine is now available to pick up at Bradford Cathedral, or you can view it online.
There are also many regular meetings throughout the month including Stitching@Bradford Cathedral, Carers' Crafts, the Women of Faith Book Group, our Toddler's Group and Just A Minute, as well as Places of Welcome and our monthly Bring and Share Lunch. You can find out more on our website about when they meet, or why not follow us on Facebook and join the events?
Make sure you pick up a copy of our what's on booklet from Bradford Cathedral or around the city to find out more, or view it online. Next month is even busier with another coffee concert, our Lent Course, the Singing Day with Professor Paul Mealor, the Earth Hour Candle-Lit Concert with Ben Comeau and, one of our favourites, the Fairtrade Breakfast! See you soon at Bradford Cathedral!