Sermons

A Sermon for Mothering Sunday | Choral Evensong

A few hundred meters from St Peter’s basilica, standing on the banks of the Tiber, is the Villa Farnesina. Cool in the summer heat of Rome, and with an excellent gelato and espresso provision in is a place of sanctuary from the Roman sun.  On the ground floor are two incredible frescoes… Read more

Sermon by Bob Cooper on Sunday 30th March 2025

A Sermon for Mothering Sunday

I recall from when my now adult children were very young that dressing them could sometimes be challenging. They would need to be in the mood to be dressed and, as they began to learn to speak, gradually began to express their opinions about the outfits that had been selected for them. My wife, th… Read more

Sermon by Chris Hollingshurst on Sunday 30th March 2025

Sermon | Lent 3 Choral Eucharist

I am not a big fan of figs. Fig rolls, oh yes, the Queen of biscuits in my book, bring them on, but figs themselves I can take or leave them. They are rather too sweet for my pallet. Plus, I have to say that watching someone eat figs can be a dangerous activity. Allow me to explain. One of the… Read more

Sermon by Bob Cooper on Sunday 23rd March 2025

A Sermon for Lent 2

Before ordination, I worked as a logistics and distribution planning manager for a major parcels company. It was fascinating. Whether I was dealing with road-borne parcel traffic, or express air parcels, the issues were the same: how to get the parcels to their destinations for the lowest cost tha… Read more

Sermon by Chris Hollingshurst on Sunday 16th March 2025

A Sermon for Lent 1

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Every family in the land will know, or will have known, journeys by car in which from the back seat comes the plaintiff cry: ‘Are we nearly there, yet?’  The young travellers may know that, for example,… Read more

Sermon by Chris Hollingshurst on Sunday 9th March 2025

Exodus 33 and 1 John 3

May I speak in the name of the living God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Both of our readings tonight, in different ways, are asking us to reflect on the nature of divine glory. Both Exodus and 1 John, together illuminate the nature of God's glory and its call to have a transfor… Read more

Sermon by Bob Cooper on Sunday 2nd March 2025

Genesis 1

May I speak in the name of the Living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. I love the poetry and form of Genesis 1. It has flow and beauty; it reflects forward into the prologue in John’s Gospel and resonates with the overarching theme of scripture that God is at the heart of His creat… Read more

Sermon by Bob Cooper on Sunday 23rd February 2025

Art Reveals God’s Beauty and Creativity

I am delighted that at the end of the service today we will be receiving Piers Rosslyn-Smith’s beautiful installation Unending Love into the cathedral. Art helps us engage with God by drawing our attention to His nature, stirring our emotions, and deepening our spiritual reflections. Whet… Read more

Sermon by Bob Cooper on Sunday 16th February 2025

Racial Justice Sunday Sermon

Racial Justice Sunday Sermon Friends, it is a pleasure and an honour coming here today. It is like a home coming. With joy, I remember my ordination in this same cathedral 11 years ago. With gladness I remember the services I attended and the friendship and support I received here and in… Read more

Sermon by Folli Olokose on Sunday 9th February 2025

Installation Sermon | Dean Bob Cooper

May I speak in the name of the living God, Father,  Son and Holy Spirit. As I begin may I start with a couple of comments – firstly, may I assure all of my new southern friends and colleagues, don’t worry if you can’t quite understand the new northern Dean, I am assured t… Read more

Sermon by Bob Cooper on Sunday 26th January 2025

A Sermon for Epiphany

Do you ever take notice of the Collect – the given Prayer for the Day? This week’s is a prayer that I love saying, because it sums up so much of what the Church holds to be true: Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riche… Read more

Sermon by Chris Hollingshurst on Sunday 19th January 2025

Cathedral Eucharist - The Ninth Sunday after Trinity

Preached at the Cathedral Eucharist on the Ninth Sunday after Trinity, by the Reverend Duncan Myers on 9 August 2020 Read more

Sermon by Duncan Myers on Sunday 9th August 2020