Seeking Stillness: Reflection on a Quiet Afternoon

Earlier this month, participants gathered at Holy Trinity Cathedral for the first of a new series of Quiet Afternoons led by the Reverend Frank Nelson. One attendee, Nola Smith, reflects on an afternoon of stillness, prayer, learning, and fellowship in the peaceful surroundings of the Cathedral.

Drawn by the possibility of becoming still in body, mind and spirit, I signed up for the first of Reverend Frank Nelson’s Quiet Afternoon sessions.

We began seated in the Bishop Selwyn Chapel with the focus of the Cross in front of us—both inside and outside—Taizé music playing. Here there was a serene stillness, whether eyes were closed or looking at the cross or the world outside – the trees, some now bare, distant buildings and hills; again the cross itself, then back inside to prayers from the prayerbook, guided by Frank.

We are blessed to have the Bishop Selwyn Chapel—a place of unmatched serenity—as part of the Cathedral Precinct.

Silent shared lunch was enhanced by the delicious and unexpected soup provided by a young woman participant.

The reflection on St Mathew’s Gospel, comprising the reading aloud of three chapters, followed by the Lecto Divino—silent extended re-reading of these passages—in a quiet space in the cathedral, was an entirely new and most welcome approach to reading the Bible.

The Group Reflection and Q&A session following Afternoon Tea, was a rich learning experience, both from the historically more recent information about the Bible, provided by Frank, and the depth of the thoughts expressed and questions asked by the dozen or so participants, several of whom were very recent English speakers. I was particularly impressed by the efforts of a couple of them to find the words to express their thoughts and questions.

Ending with Taizé music the whole afternoon flowed seamlessly into the Evensong service, where the music was magnificent, more especially so as it was Church Music Sunday.

I whole-heartedly recommend this series. Yes I did find much of that search-for stillness but also new ways of approaching prayer and bible reading. The sharing of knowledge and experience was great too. And of course the fellowship. Many thanks to Reverend Frank Nelson and all the participants.

Nola Smith

Member of the Cathedral Community

Quiet Afternoons will continue through winter at Holy Trinity Cathedral from 12-5pm on Sundays 14 June, 5 July, 2 August and 5 September. All are welcome to attend.

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