Salisbury Cathedral welcomes congregation back for 'in person' Mothers Day Service
The Revd Nicholas Papadopulos says he's grateful to be back in the building with a congregation
Last updated 14th Mar 2021
Salisbury Cathedral is welcoming their congregation back with a special Mothering Sunday service.
Two in person worships and two virtual worships are taking place at the Cathedral today.
Those who attend the holy communion will have a little Mothering Sunday posey on their chair.
Masks will need to be worn, people will need to sanitise their hands and there will be no congregational singing, which The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos said is a real loss:
"But far better to be in the building, far better to be able to pray and worship together, even without singing and all those unnecessary measures.
"There will be only music from the choir on the virtual services as they are not allowed to sing if there is a congregation present. At the moment there's no specific details about signing restarting, or choirs signing with people present, we hope as the roadmap unfolds and the details emerge then we will know but we can't say yet."
Salisbury Cathedral suspended 'in person' worship in January, supporting government attempts to control the virus and its variants, and protect the NHS.
Speaking about re-opening The Dean of Salisbury said:
"We are delighted to be welcoming local worshippers back to Salisbury Cathedral from Mothering Sunday, 14 March. Our pattern of services has been sustained throughout the third lockdown, but these have been livestreamed only: it will be very good to see people offering prayer and worship here once more, as they have done for 800 years. We will continue to maintain high standards in hygiene and social distancing to ensure that worship is as safe as we can make it, and we are very pleased that as Easter approaches our Cathedral's doors will be open".
With worships being live streamed in the first two lockdown's the clergy have been used to just rows of empty chairs and just a camera 'listening' to them.
The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos said they are looking forward to welcoming a congregation back:
"It will just be joyful to have our friends, our neighbours and people across the city this Sunday particularly as we come closer to Easter. I regret there is a cap on numbers for services at the moment, but it's necessary we start small and then rebuild.
"Mothering Sunday is a really nice way to start, what a joyful way to return and we can look forward to Easter, our big time of the year and we will be back in the Cathedral together and that will be wonderful"
For future services people are being asked to book in advanced through the Salisbury Cathedral website.
Those who don't have access to the internet can call the Cathedral team can be reach on 01722 512156.
Live streaming will continue for some services as well.