An act to re-organise the membership of the cathedral board will be presented to General Synod in May 1997. If passed, it will enable new chapter representation for the first time in many years. As late as the early 1970s the cathedral had two senior stipendiary clerical vicars having similar status to curates in a parish and who are automatically members of a select vestry. This is no longer applies within the cathedral. The new proposals will give ex officio membership to the Dean, the Precentor, The Chancellor, and the Treasurer. Five other canons will be elected by their peers.
The lay elections, at a date in accordance with the constitution, and announced well in advance, will be held either before or after Easter. The members will in this first instance hold office for two years but for a triennial period from 1999 onwards. The regulations governing membership of the general register of the cathedral date from 1902. Forms are available and must be signed by a fixed date the month of January in each year. Each person registering must declare membership of the Church of Ireland. and be aged at least twenty one years.
Bill, as he is affectionately known to his friends, has, with great sadness given his resignation to the cathedral board. For some three decades his thoughtful and wise advice has helped us build up the life of the cathedral to that stage of vibrancy and influence which it now holds in the life of the diocese and city. Son et Lumière was his first visionary project and few of us who were present will ever forget the sound impact of the 1562 collapse of the south wall. Further triumphs for him were two flower festivals which were not just successfully spectacular but also spectacularly successful. We are glad to say that Bill is to remain a member of the Choir 500 Foundation of which he has been a tireless friend.
"O wisdom" is the first of the titles given to the eight days before Christmas. A delightful book on the topic was written by our chancellor, Canon Marshall. During the four Sundays of Advent he will preach each Sunday morning at the 11 a.m. Sung Eucharist bringing out for us the significance of each title. The congregation will know the theme best from the hymn "O come, O come, Emmanuel".
The Revd Tom Gordon, former chaplain to the theological college, was installed a priest vicar at Evensong on Sunday 10 November. We welcome him.
Don't miss this occasion when the choir can be heard in Christmas music in the RDS Concert Hall. The date is Wednesday 11 December and booking is already open at the RDS, Ballsbridge.
No more worthy charity could be chosen from this area for the annual lunchhour carol service which will be held in the cathedral on Thursday 19 December from 1.15-1.50 p.m. Do encourage the support of your friends.
The cathedral's main gift to the city and the diocese is the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols which this year will be held on Monday 23 December and will be broadcast by RTÉ FM3 at 8 p.m. We ask two things of the congregation:
Members of the Friends of the cathedral and members of the Sunday congregation will have ticket preference up to 9 December. Thereafter tickets will be issued as applied for. There will almost certainly be an area where tickets will not be required.
By tradition the archbishop both celebrates and preaches at the 11 a.m. Eucharist on Christmas morning. The dean will be celebrant and preacher at Christmas eve midnight. The full choir and bells will sing and sound for both occasions.
BBC One TV plans a 10 a.m. one hour Christmas morning religious service which will involve churches and centres all over Britain and Ireland. Christ Church has been chosen to represent Ireland. The cathedral floor with chairs removed, not to mention many other mysterious areas beautifully illuminated, will feature prominently in the programme. Do set your video!
