I can’t count the number of times I’ve needed to say ‘Oops!’ during my years
at the cathedral. More often than I am happy to admit, on greeting people
after a service and having chirruped, ‘Are you visiting us today?’, the reply
comes, ‘No, we’ve been coming regularly for however many months or
years’. Oops is the only possible response.
A warm welcome is a key part of the work we do for the Gospel here in the
Cathedral. I am constantly astounded by how skillfully and graciously
congregation members, volunteer stewards, guides and staff make people
feel that they are truly welcome, that this is their Cathedral – even if it is just
for that one afternoon on their holiday from some distant land. And, as Mama
Cass said, it’s getting better, the welcome is getting warmer and more
inclusive…
