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What happens on a Sunday?
We welcome you
Walking into any church for the first time can be an uncomfortable experience. Church buildings can feel imposing and it’s not always obvious what to do or where to go. Here at St Ninian’s Cathedral we try to welcome all people, particularly those who haven’t been to our Sunday services before. As you enter the main door into the Cloisters you will be greeted by one of our volunteers. They will point you towards the inner cathedral door where another volunteer will hand you the books and any service sheets you will need. You can also collect sheet music to join in with the choral settings if you want to. Please sit anywhere you feel comfortable
Who else will be there?
Up to two hundred people, of all ages and types, come together for main Sunday service at 11am. Some people live near the Cathedral, others travel in from surrounding towns and villages.
What about children?
Children are welcome to stay with their parents during the service and we have a children’s area, with soft cushions, in the side aisle.
Any children (including visitors) are welcome to attend our Sunday School in the Chapter house, just off the Cloisters, which also begins at 11am. This is led by Cathedral parents and friends, all of whom are screened through Disclosure Scotland. The children enjoy their own activities before joining the congregation in the Cathedral for the Peace. Children may receive Holy Communion with their parents or they can chose to receive a blessing instead.
The Gospel
Prior to the gospel reading the bible is processed down the main aisle into the centre of the congregation. This symbolises that the Gospel is central to Christian life. The congregation usually turn to face the bible whilst it is being read.
The Sermon
Many different people preach, including various clergy and laity (anyone not ordained), and therefore sermons are varied in style and content. Feedback and comment are welcomed after the service!
Prayers, Confession and Absolution, Peace
Prayers (sometimes called intercessions) are usually led by one of a team of trained intercessors from the congregation. Please let us know if you would like someone you know, or even yourself to be added to our prayer list. The Confession and Absolution, led by one of the clergy, includes a prayer we say together and a time when we can think over the different situations in our lives and how we have acted, and accept forgiveness for the things we would like to have done differently. After this we stand and share God’s Peace by shaking hands with those around us.
Giving
At the Offertory Hymn the money bags are passed round in the traditional way! Many cathedral members give by direct debit or standing order and ‘gift aid,’ and some use an envelope system. It’s important to remember that great buildings have great running costs and it takes just over three hundred pounds (£300) a day to run this cathedral.
It’s also important that you don’t feel obliged to put any money in the bag if you don’t want to.
Holy Communion
Most main services include Holy Communion. This is when we remember the events of ‘the last Supper,’ when Jesus gave bread and wine to his disciples saying that it represented his body and blood. You will be able to follow all the words used in the service in the liturgy book. Anyone who is baptised, from any Christian tradition, is welcome to receive communion. Those who do not receive are offered a short blessing at the altar rail The congregation walk up to the communion rail row by row and return to their seats via the side aisles. If people are unable to go up the steps to the communion rail the clergy will bring their communion to them. Please tell us before the service starts if you would like this option.
Tea & Coffee
When the service has finished most people make their way to the Chapter House where refreshments are served. There is also a Traid Craft stall . Often there will be a cake as we try to celebrate all special birthdays and anniversaries. Celebrating each other is important to us.
We hope that the information above will help make you feel welcomed and comfortable if you come to visit us at the cathedral. We are always interested to know where our visitors come from and warmly invite you to sign our visitors book in the Cloisters before you leave.
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