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Pews out at Sheffield Cathedral -- but just for this weekend's exciting events

From Wednesday 11 May, Sheffield Cathedral will gradually be removing the pews in the Nave. The occasion which has prompted this temporary re-ordering is the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce President’s Dinner on Thursday 12 May, which this year will be hosted by the Cathedral, with catering profits going to support the Cathedral Archer Project’s work with the homeless and vulnerable. In order to seat several hundred diners, the Cathedral will be transformed as its pews are carefully coded, removed and stored – before being put back early the following week.

On Saturday 14 May at 1900 hrs, doors will open on a Ceilidh, accompanied by the Sheffield-based Hekety Ceilidh Band, as part of the Joint Morris Organizations’ Sheffield National Morris Spectacular. The evening’s entertainment will also include Jim Causley, a young Devon folk singer. Causley has become renowned for his warm, rich and mature singing voice, his natural gift for interpreting song and his wry and cheeky stage presence. Tickets, £10 online.

On Sunday 15 May at 2000 hrs the Cathedral will then host the first of its new, liturgical, reflective and prayerful encounter services. Using the opportunities afforded by the open space, the liturgy will involve a celebration on the theme of the well-known story of the Road to Emmaus, where the risen Jesus Christ came alongside his disciples and walked with them, before sharing bread and fellowship.

Precentor, Canon Simon Cowling, said, “The open space of the nave without pews is an ideal one in which to explore the Emmaus story. During our worship we will journey together, literally and spiritually, in companionship and conversation as we hear afresh the Good News of the risen Christ and celebrate his presence with us.”

As part of its planned redevelopment, the Cathedral is exploring different options for ordering its worship space. As the heating and flooring is renewed, the old pews, which are of poor quality, and some of which are already cracking, will need to be sensitively replaced with furniture which suits this ancient place of worship and which allows flexibility for worship, as well as concerts and events. This weekend’s pew removal is only a temporary measure, but one which will give the Cathedral opportunities to discover the imaginative possibilities which lie ahead.