A world beyond Water Eaton

“Are we in London?” came the voice from the back of the mini-bus.

And in that instant I knew the trip had been worth it. The many months of emailing back and forth, trying to align dates, ascertain take up, even doing a dry run at a similar time to that proposed to determine the prevailing travel conditions at that time of day. All worth it for that question.

Now we were exactly 3 miles away from our destination and a good half hour ahead of time.

Destination: Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford.

Over the past 4 years Catherine and I have offered a lunch hour chaplaincy at Sir Herbert Leon Secondary Academy. And, working in conjunction with the staff (and the team at the cathedral) had planned a school tour for educational purposes or as I like to think of it – to enable the kids see the world beyond Water Eaton.

Students of Sir Herbert Leon Secondary School on a tour of Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford

Seeing their faces light up with excitement as we walked onto the cathedral quadrangle; and as the Harry Porter connections were made was quite something to behold.

“And this is…”

Revd. Philippa White helping the students appreciate how physical space is used within the cathedral to enhance worship.

Listening to Revd Philippa White, cathedral precentor and our host, tell the story of Frideswide using the panels of the stained-glass window in the Latin Chapel was definitely a highlight of the tour.

In the Latin Chapel