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Alban News

September - November 2026 Welcome | Updates | News

Worship Sundays 8am Eucharist 9.30am Parish Eucharist 11.30am Choral Eucharist (1st, 2nd, 4th Sunday) 11.30am Matins (3rd Sunday) 12.30pm Eucharist (3rd Sunday) 4pm Choral Evensong 6pm Choral Compline (2nd Sunday) Weekdays 7.30am Morning Prayer 8am Eucharist 12 noon Eucharist 5pm Evensong or Evening Prayer Saturdays 8.30am Morning Prayer 9am Eucharist 12 noon Eucharist 5pm Evensong Monthly Services

The Cathedral is open daily 9am - 5pm

Special Services Bag Blessing Service Sunday 13 September, 9.30am Installation of the 11th Bishop of St Albans Saturday 19 September, 2pm Evensong with Admission of Choristers and Lay Clerks Sunday 20 September, 4pm Pet Blessing Service Sunday 4 October, 2pm Harvest Festival Sunday 11 October, all services All Saints Sunday Sunday 1 November, 9.30am and 11.30am services All Souls Requiem Eucharist Sunday 1 November, 4pm

4th Wednesday Mothers’ Union Eucharist 2.30pm 5th Saturday Diocesan Service for the Deaf

Remembrance Sunday Requiem Eucharist Sunday 8 November, 10.55am

Ecumenical Services

Highlight Events

Roman Catholic Mass is celebrated every Friday at 12 noon German Lutheran A service in German monthly, Tuesday at 7pm Free Church First Wednesday of every month at 11am Orthodox Liturgy A service is held once a month on a Tuesday at 10.30am.

1077 and all that Multiple dates Paul de Caen was a man with a plan. Discover how he and his successors transformed the Abbey, and uncover their dealings with the likes of Thomas Becket, Pope Adrian IV and Christina of Markyate.

10am

Opening times

Day Chaplain is available to talk to most days.

Light Up a Life Service with Rennie Grove Sunday 22 November, 6pm

Wildlife Photography Exhibition Friday 2 October - Sunday 11 October Striking images that capture rare encounters with nature in and around the Cathedral. Cathedral

Message from the Dean

Welcome to the autumn edition of Alban News. This September brings particular joy and anticipation as we prepare to welcome the Rt Revd Dr Andrew Rumsey as the 11th Bishop of St Albans. Bishop Andrew will be installed here on Saturday 19 September. A cathedral takes its name from the cathedra, the bishop’s seat, so we look forward to welcoming Bishop Andrew to his Cathedral, and praying for him, Rebecca and their family as he begins his ministry among us. There is plenty more happening as Cathedral life gathers pace this autumn. As we go to print, two remarkable and connected things have happened: it has rained – albeit briefly – and work to install solar panels on 2 Sumpter Yard is underway, both reminders of the importance of our commitment

to becoming net zero. Our Community Showcase will bring organisations from across St Albans together beneath one roof; our Fireworks Spectacular will support Isabel Hospice and Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline; and in these pages you can meet our new Head Virger, Maddie Newbury. Later in September I will begin extended study leave until Advent, with Fr Will Gibbs serving as Acting Dean in my absence. I will begin by walking The Alban Way from St Paul’s Cathedral in London to St Albans, looking ahead to 2027 and the 150th anniversary of the Diocese and of this Abbey Church becoming a Cathedral. A rich programme of worship, pilgrimage, concerts and events is already taking shape. There is much to look forward to, and I hope that through it all we continue to be a place of welcome and hope, following Christ in Alban’s footsteps. Jo Kelly-Moore | Dean of St Albans

The Installation of Bishop Andrew On Saturday 19 September, the Rt Revd Dr Andrew Rumsey will be installed as the 11th Bishop of St Albans. The installation of a bishop in the Church of England is the culmination of a long process of consultation, nomination and election. It marks a new chapter in the life of the Diocese as we gather in prayer and praise, and seek God’s blessing on Bishop Andrew’s ministry and our life together in Christ. When bishops are consecrated, they are reminded that their call is to be ‘shepherds of Christ’s flock’. In the service, we welcome Bishop Andrew to his Diocese as pastor, teacher of the faith and leader in mission. The service will begin at the West Door, at which the new bishop knocks to seek entry. He is welcomed and led into the Cathedral by the Dean and Chapter, and anointed for the service of God and his people. At the heart of the service is the moment when the bishop is placed by the Archdeacon of Canterbury in his cathedra, which gives the name “cathedral” to this ancient Abbey

Church of St Alban. This chair is the historic symbol of the bishop’s office as teacher of the faith and leader of the Christian community, much as we still speak of a professor holding a chair at a university. At the end of the service, the Dean will present Bishop Andrew with the crozier belonging to the diocesan bishop, left on the altar by his predecessor, Bishop Alan. The staff is shaped like a shepherd’s crook, reminding him and us of his calling to be a pastor and shepherd of the ‘flock of God’, following the example of Christ himself. Following his installation, Bishop Andrew will preach his inaugural sermon. We joyfully welcome Andrew and his family to St Albans and seek God’s blessing on our life together in Christ. There will be a festival with a jazz trio outside the West End before the service, and we encourage people to take their seats at 1.30pm. Access to the service is by ticket only, so please ensure you book a ticket to avoid disappointment. Revd Vanessa Jefferson | Precentor

5 © Toby Shepheard

Compassion in Action How your support is transforming lives New Hope’s Haven advice and support centre has gratefully received support from St Albans Abbey’s mission giving for several years, helping us provide a vital lifeline for people experiencing homelessness. The Haven offers a safe, welcoming space where people facing homelessness can find compassion, support and practical help. The people who come to us do so from all walks of life. Homelessness can happen to anyone and, without emergency savings, short-notice redundancy or a relationship breakdown can easily leave someone with few options. As the cost of living continues to place pressure on vulnerable people, demand for the Haven’s services remains high.

The Haven provides essentials such as nutritious food, packed lunches,

showers and laundry facilities, alongside caring, experienced staff who offer advice and support. Sometimes simply somewhere safe to sit and talk can restore dignity and provide hope. Many people have been let down by support and care services in the past, so the dedicated team build trusting relationships with visitors, enabling them to connect with healthcare, housing support, benefits advice and other specialist services. From here, the team work with each person to arrange pathways into accommodation away from the damaging effects of street homelessness. It is only thanks to the kindness of the Abbey’s congregation and the generosity of our faithful supporters, charitable organisations and local councils that we can provide comprehensive support for people experiencing homelessness. If you would like to learn more about the work of New Hope, visit www.newhope.org.uk

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it is damp seeping through Roman brick from a possibly blocked gutter. This is not a birdwatcher. This is Cathedral Architect Emma Mullen. “The most exciting part is going into the hidden spaces that most people don’t get to see. That’s where you get to see the untouched history.” Emma looks after more than 50 churches, as well as St Albans and Newport Cathedrals. It is a big responsibility, and a job she fell into almost by accident. “I just loved every subject in school,” says Emma. “A careers adviser said, ‘You could be an architect - you get to do a bit of everything.’” After seven years of training at Cardiff University, Emma worked in London on historic buildings before she “accidentally fell in love” with ecclesiastical architecture.

Why do we have a Cathedral Architect? Because we have to. Every Church of England cathedral is required by law to have both a Cathedral Architect and a Cathedral Archaeologist. Their job is to oversee works and protect the building fabric. Repairs, alterations and improvements all come under Emma’s eye. “These buildings have always adapted and changed. There’s an emphasis on conservation, and rightly so, but where there’s an opportunity to add a new layer of history, I think that’s quite exciting as well.” Quinquennial: every five years, every inch At the moment Emma is carrying out the Cathedral’s quinquennial inspection. That means examining every part of the building, from top to bottom, inside and out. We will let you know more about Emma’s work as it continues. Find out more about Emma at www.elmarchitects.co.uk

Community Showcase This October, the Cathedral will host the fourth St Albans Community Showcase – a unique event that has become one of the highlights of the Cathedral’s calendar. On Saturday 24 October, more than 60 local charities, voluntary organisations and community groups will once again fill the Nave, showcasing the remarkable work they do every day to support people, strengthen our communities and care for the environment.

Much of what makes St Albans such a caring and vibrant place

happens quietly, behind the scenes. Like ducks gliding serenely across the lake while paddling furiously beneath the surface, these organisations work tirelessly every day, often without recognition, supporting those in need, protecting our green spaces, caring for the homeless, improving mental wellbeing, tackling loneliness and bringing people together.

The Community Showcase has become a much-valued annual event, with organisations returning year after year because of the opportunities it creates to raise awareness, recruit volunteers, build partnerships and connect with the wider community. We believe St Albans Cathedral is the only cathedral in the country to host an event of this kind – something of which we can all be proud. It reflects the Cathedral’s commitment to being at the heart of our community and bringing people together in a spirit of service and compassion.

If you have never visited the Showcase before, this is the year to come. You may discover a cause you never knew existed, meet people making an extraordinary difference in our city, or even find a new way to use your own time and talents. Whatever your interests, there will be something to inspire you. Saturday 24 October, 11am–3pm No booking is required, just come along. We would love to welcome you.

www.stalbanscathedral.org/community-showcase and activities and will DBS Updates volunteers contact all who are affected. The Crime and Policing Act 2026 comes into effect on 1 September and will remove supervision exemption for volunteers working with children in a regulated activity. Previously, if the supervisor had an enhanced DBS, others who were assisting them didn’t need the check. Now anyone who participates in activity with children at the Cathedral more than three times during a 30-day period or if it includes an overnight stay with children, will need an enhanced DBS check. We are currently working through our lists of

If we get in touch, please respond quickly by bringing in three original pieces of ID (passport, driving licence, birth certificate, bank statement, council tax bill or utility bill) to Cathedral House offices as soon as possible. Once the DBS check comes through, it costs nothing for volunteers to register for the update service (which must be renewed annually) and will save these checks having to be done again in the future. Thank you for your kind help and cooperation with this.

Mission Complete! The summer holidays got off to an out-of-this-world start at the cathedral, as 30 young astronauts joined us for our Space is the Place Holiday Club! For one action-packed week, our Rocket Racers and Star Seekers explored space, took part in crafts, sports, games and challenges, and discovered some important truths about God along the way. Our fantastic Star Command team of volunteers guided the children safely through their mission, although quite how many biscuits were consumed at Mission Control remains classified information!

Each day had a different spacethemed Bible story and message. We began with Creation, thinking about the amazing size and

wonder of the universe and how God created it all. On Tuesday, we explored God’s guidance, hearing the story of Moses as a baby in the bullrushes and thinking about how we can trust God even when we don’t know exactly where the journey will take us. Wednesday was all about being lost in space, as we looked at Jonah and thought about the times when we make wrong choices and get ourselves off course and how God offers forgiveness. On Thursday, our mission became a rescue mission, as we heard stories of Jesus rescuing his disciples, including calming the storm. Finally, on Friday, we considered our new mission: living for God, trusting him and joining in with what he is doing in the world.

the excitement! Most importantly, it was a wonderful opportunity to welcome children into the cathedral at the very beginning of the summer holidays and to spend time learning, playing and discovering more about God together.

Of course, no holiday club would be complete without plenty of activities! As well as daily sports and games organised by Darcy, we enjoyed lots of different workshops too. On Monday, we teamed up with the Cathedral Music Department and watched a wonderful performance of Peter and the Wolf. Tuesday saw us getting stuck into some rather messy science, making slime and sherbet. On Wednesday, the children became cathedral detectives, taking part in a scavenger hunt around the building. Thursday took us back in time for medieval knight school, where the children learned some sword-fighting skills and even built their own catapults. And on Friday, we finished the week by travelling deep into space without ever leaving the cathedral, thanks to an amazing inflatable planetarium. There was plenty of running, jumping, creating, investigating, laughing and occasionally recovering from

A huge thank you goes to our brilliant team of Star Command volunteers: Fr Jason, Fr Will, Steve, Juliet, Clare, Phil, Mark, Michael, Hilary, Hilary, Jack and Ollie. Holiday clubs don’t happen by themselves, and the enthusiasm, energy, creativity and hard work of the whole team made the week such a success. We may have returned from our mission, but we hope our young astronauts will remember that God’s universe is bigger and more wonderful than we can imagine and that wherever life’s journey takes us, God is with us. Commander Allanson

The Light of Learning 12

The Adult Learning programme for the new term offers plenty to engage inquisitive minds, combining rigorous historical research, contemporary social questions and opportunities for theological reflection.

The new Justice Café series opens with Prisons on the Table, a facilitated conversation that tackles one of the most pressing questions in public life: what place should prisons have in a just society? Participants will

examine three sharply contrasting perspectives, that prisons should be improved, made tougher, or abolished altogether. Rather than encouraging debate for its own sake, the evening aims to create thoughtful dialogue, helping participants understand the assumptions, strengths and weaknesses behind each position before working together to search for common ground. The event is presented in partnership with the St Albans Cathedral Social Justice Group and Thinking Box, an organisation dedicated to turning division into constructive conversation. History lovers will be drawn to From Black Death to Dissolution: the making, breaking and re-shaping of monks at St Albans. While the abbey’s institutional history has been extensively studied, this lecture asks a more personal question: who were the monks themselves? Drawing on recent research, Norman James will explore where the monks came from, how they were recruited and trained, the trajectories of their careers, and how they navigated the upheavals of the late medieval period. The result is a vivid portrait of the individuals who sustained one of England’s greatest Benedictine communities through plague, reform and ultimately the Dissolution. The programme also marks the approaching 800th anniversary of

the death of St Francis of Assisi. This study day will examine the historical Francis behind the familiar legends, introducing participants to the key themes of Franciscan spirituality and theology while considering the continuing influence of the Franciscan tradition in the contemporary Church and wider culture. A very different perspective on transformation comes through a screening of Lettie: A Woman’s Survival Against All Odds. Produced by Mary’s Meals, the film follows Lettie’s journey from childhood hunger and loss to education, employment and family life, demonstrating how simple acts of generosity can have effects that extend across generations. Finally, Nourishing Prayer: Making Sense of Holy Communion sees the Revd Dr Sam Hole exploring the biblical images, liturgical patterns and theological depth that shape the Eucharist. Drawing on his new book, he will offer fresh insights into a practice that can sometimes become overly familiar, helping participants rediscover its power to form the Christian imagination. All events can be booked through the Cathedral website.

Why Flowers Belong in Our Cathedral Did you know the word daisy comes from “day’s eye”? Its bright yellow centre mirrors the sun and, like many flowers, it opens to the light and closes as darkness falls. To medieval minds, that was no accident. Nature was full of meaning. The daisy became a symbol of turning towards Christ, the light of the world. One cannot help wondering what the little flowers made of the recent eclipse. Today, flowers are often appreciated simply because they are beautiful. In an age of scrolling and snapshots, the aesthetic of an image can sometimes displace the story behind it. Yet in cathedrals, flowers and other elements of nature are rarely decorative afterthoughts. They form part of a rich symbolic language woven through Christian art and worship for centuries. A lily represents purity and Mary; an iris, faith, hope and wisdom; and a violet, humility. Churches around the world use this language, albeit with regional dialects. In Italy, oranges can symbolise life through winter; in northern Europe, holly and ivy play a similar role. At St Albans Cathedral, our building and the natural world have a

particular connection, woven into Alban’s story itself. The plants around his feet on the nave screen recall his crossing of the River Ver at the start of his final journey, while the wildflowers on the shrine canopy echo the hillside he climbed, nearing the site of his martyrdom. But this connection is not simply part of our history: it is alive around us today. More than 300 species of flora and fauna have been recorded in the Cathedral grounds. All of this makes celebrating the Cathedral and Diocese’s 150th anniversary with a Flower Festival feel like a particularly natural choice. The festival will help the Cathedral flourish and bloom not only in colour, but in its possibilities for greater financial and environmental sustainability. In May 2027, the flowers of St Albans Cathedral will take on a new meaning: they will represent a bright future. The daisies, we suspect, will be stretching their petals wide. www.stalbanscathedral.org/flowers

Meet Maddie

Maddie joined us as Head Virger in June and has been busy ever since. We finally managed to pin her down for a few minutes to talk about cathedrals, St Albans and life with Lily the cat.

Maddie, welcome to St Albans! Tell us a bit about yourself. I was born and brought up in Derby. I am one of three girls and as a family we attended our local church, which was linked to the primary school I attended. I used to go to Sunday School but at the age of nine I auditioned and was admitted as a chorister in the Girls’ Choir at Derby Cathedral. I think this is when my love for cathedrals was first kindled. What came next? After secondary school I trained to be a chef but realised it wasn’t the right direction in the long term. Then a vacancy for a virger at Derby Cathedral came up. I applied and got it! I was in that role from 2021.

What is it that you like about being a virger? I love the variety. There are lots of different elements to being a virger, from welcoming visitors and responding to emergencies to preparing for services and being involved in worship, events and activities on the Cathedral floor. I feel I’m there to serve God’s people and make sure every element of the day is well prepared and runs smoothly. It is about enabling others to worship, and the music is very important to me as well. I love the psalm that says, ‘I’d rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord.’ (Psalm 84) – it’s about helping others to encounter God. How is St Albans? I’ve found it really vibrant and welcoming, and my cat Lily has been welcomed with open arms. Lily is white with black markings and can regularly be found wandering inside the Cathedral as well as in Sumpter Yard. I am also enjoying being part of a larger team and there seem to be lots of barbecues! When you’re not on duty, what do you like to do? Singing, enjoying local bakeries, popping into London and travel more generally. Welcome Maddie and Lily – we hope you will be very happy here.

Sumpter Yard Solar The Cathedral is taking another important step on its journey to Net Zero by installing solar panels on the Canon Chancellor’s house at 2 Sumpter Yard this August.

The project will generate around 8,000 kWh of clean electricity every year, more than twice the amount needed to power the property itself. Any surplus electricity will be exported back to the grid, reducing carbon emissions while creating a new source of income.

to take part in Octopus Energy’s innovative Tenant Power scheme. The scheme allows the financial benefits of solar generation to be shared between both the Cathedral and the occupant, with the resident receiving discounted electricity and the Cathedral benefiting from an annual return. If successful, it could provide a model for churches and cathedrals across the country looking for new ways to make renewable energy projects financially viable.

What makes this project particularly exciting is that it will be the first Church of England organisation

Alongside practical benefits, the scheme will prevent around 1.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide from

entering the atmosphere each year, delivering a carbon benefit similar to planting a small woodland of more than 70 trees. While the solar panels themselves will not be visible from Sumpter Yard, the project includes the complete renewal of the roof in slate, enhancing the appearance of this historic part of the Cathedral precincts. Work is expected to begin in late August and be completed by midSeptember, with minimal disruption to the pedestrian area. The project reflects the Cathedral’s wider commitment to environmental stewardship. With a target of reaching Carbon Net Zero by 2030, a strong focus on increasing the use of renewable energy, and ongoing work to reduce emissions across its buildings and estates, the Cathedral continues to place care for creation at the heart of its mission. Recent recognition through the A Rocha UK Silver Eco Church Award marks important progress, with work already underway towards achieving Gold status. By combining innovation, heritage sensitivity and environmental responsibility, this latest investment demonstrates how historic places can play a leading role in creating a greener future.

Fireworks!

There are few sights more spectacular than thousands of people gathered beneath a November sky, waiting for the first firework to rise above Verulamium Park. The St Albans Fireworks Spectacular has become one of the great traditions of our city, bringing generations of families, friends and neighbours together. But there is more to the night than the spectacle. This year, proceeds will support Isabel Hospice, providing palliative care and support to patients and their families, and the Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline, offering free, confidential support to people affected by domestic abuse. Coming together for one organised display also means fewer separate

fireworks across the community. The RSPCA recommends public displays for exactly this reason: reducing disturbance to pets, livestock and wildlife, while a known time and place gives animal owners the chance to prepare. There is something rather magical about looking up at the same sky

together. And when the final firework fades, something remains: the money raised goes back into our community, supporting vital work long after the night sky has gone dark. That seems to us a tradition worth keeping.

Help Shape the Future of St Albans Cathedral The Cathedral’s governance bodies play a vital role in shaping and delivering our vision and strategic priorities.

Chaired by the Dean, Chapter oversees the administration of Cathedral affairs and provides leadership in policy, strategy and vision. It works within the Chapter is the Cathedral’s context of prayer, supporting the governing body, with members Cathedral’s worship, ministry and serving as charity trustees. mission across the Diocese of

St Albans. Chapter is responsible for ensuring the Cathedral fulfils its charitable purposes for the public benefit and is managed effectively. Chapter is supported by four statutory committees: Nominations and Governance, Audit and Risk, Finance, and Mission and Ministry. Details of current members, meeting summaries and report to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting are available on the Cathedral website. As some members’ terms of office come to an end, we are seeking new volunteers to bring their expertise to Chapter and its committees. We are particularly keen to hear from individuals with recognised accountancy qualifications and recent financial experience, as well as those with legal expertise. Information on these and other opportunities can be found in the role pack on the Cathedral website vacancies page.

Could your skills help shape the future of St Albans Cathedral? This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the governance, mission and long-term sustainability of a place that serves thousands of worshippers, visitors and pilgrims each year. Whether you have expertise in finance, law, governance or another professional field, your experience could make a significant difference. We encourage you to consider serving on Chapter or one of its committees and to share this opportunity with others who may be interested. For an informal conversation, please contact Anthony Archer, Chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee, or Alan Hartwell, Chief Operating Officer. Expressions of interest should be sent to Michelle Ovenden, Head of HR. Anthony Archer | Chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee

Anthony Archer: anthony.archer@jwagovernance.com Alan Hartwell: alan.hartwell@stalbanscathedral.org Michelle Ovenden: michelle.ovenden@stalbanscathedral.org

Following Christ in Alban’s Footsteps St Albans Cathedral is the United Kingdom’s oldest site of continuous Christian worship, inspired by Alban, Britain’s first saint and martyr. Our vision and work today is inspired by his story and the Gospel he lived and proclaimed, and so we are committed to: Welcome & Compassion Worship & Witness Courage & Justice Leadership & Service Opening times The Cathedral is open daily 9am – 5pm. Please donate generously We need to raise £8,000 a day to keep this Cathedral open. Tickets Book online at www.stalbanscathedral.org, in person at our Box Office, located in the Cathedral Shop, or call 01727 890290. For the latest information visit our website and sign up for our What’s On newsletter. St Albans Cathedral Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY Cathedral Office: 01727 890210 Email: mail@stalbanscathedral.org www.stalbanscathedral.org