Resonance

Read a report on our first Resonance Event on October 22nd and 23rd in Manchester Cathedral - including some audio interviews from the event

The Project

During the last couple of years a group of people have been working together to construct a fascinating worship, healing and renewal experience that will take place in Manchester Cathedral in October. The project was borne through a shared concern to see worship and ministry being offered to those who find themselves distanced from usual forms of church culture.

The group that has been working together has comprised:

Richard Williamson and Sally Thornton, of Wellspring, whose particular contribution will be in the areas of music and worship;

Revd Dr. Russ Parker, Director of the Acorn Christian Foundation, who brings his experience from the healing ministry

Canon Peter Craig-Wild and Rev Tim Sledge, who will be constructing liturgies that are appropriate for a post-modern culture

Revd Michael Mitton, formerly with Acorn and now working for the Derby Diocese, and he brings his concern to see renewal and healing being used in a mission context.

Sarah Blamire of Wellspring who is working as the Project Administrator

Canon Robin Gamble and Ben Edson from Manchester Cathedral have also been closely consulted.

This group has a shared concern to provide an event that will relate to today’s culture and therefore will be sensory rather than textual, storytelling rather than didactic, symbolic rather than explanatory, encouraging those who come into an experience of God as well as an understanding of God. They wish to create a corporate experience of worship where people are given the freedom and responsibility to explore and experience in a variety of ways. The deep desire of the group is to turn passive observers into active participants in worship, especially providing worship and healing opportunities for those who do not have any church connection, but who are searching in their hearts for God.

Cathedral

Cathedrals offer the most effective context for a Resonance event. They are places of safety for Christians and non-Christians alike. They are associated with spirituality in a way many other church buildings are not. They are often ancient places, where people sense the prayers over the centuries still alive in the building. The resurgent interest in Cathedrals and the huge numbers of people visiting them makes them an ideal location for the kind of event that is being planned.

Resonance Report

There will be an evening event on Friday 22 October and a daytime meeting on Saturday 23 October. Timings of these events will be advertised shortly. The Friday evening is open to all, but it is designed for Christians. This will be an opportunity to demonstrate to church-goers how an event like this can work, and to learn how it could be transferred to their local situation. The Saturday event will be held during the busy middle part of the day, and it is hoped that many shoppers will drop in during the course of the event and encounter the God who loves them.

The event will include main corporate worship experiences as well as around zones situated in different parts of the Cathedral. They will include zones on listening, storytelling, prayer, anointing, candles, healing and creativity. During the event people can visit any of these zones they wish. There will be no charge for the event, though there will be an opportunity to give towards the cost of the project for those who wish. For further information contact Sarah Blamire 01282 841612. You can also email us.

Commendations

From the Bishop of Manchester:
"The renewal of our lives through worship is at the heart of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Resonance is an exciting venture using the best of music, healing and prayer. I am delighted that their first cathedral worship event is in our Cathedral in Manchester, and encourage as many as possible to support it."
+ Nigel

From the Dean of Manchester Cathedral:
"One of the great things about cathedrals is that they have the freedom to be the laboratories and workshops of the creative Spirit of God, in which there is space for new ways of worship and prayer, bringing God's healing touch to the lives of many. I am delighted that Resonance has chosen to come to Manchester Cathedral for this imaginative project. May God bless it and may it be the first of many!"
Dean of Manchester, Ken Riley

How to find Manchester Cathedral:

Click on the image above for a bigger map

Information about the programme

Information about the zones