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The Cathedral is looking forward, not just to the new year but to
facing the future with the most imaginative plan since the Cathedral
was built as the vision of Bishop Robert Eden. There is something
quite significant in this, in that the original part of Eden Court,
once the home of Bishop Eden and not part of the theatre complex, is
about to be restored as part of the redevelopment of the theatre. At
the recent AGM of the Cathedral the Provost, Alex Gordon, outlined a
possible way ahead for the Cathedral congregation.
He said:
“With my arrival as Provost, it was clear that a line had to be drawn
under a number of difficulties that had beset us. One of the first
things that I did was to invite comment upon the issue of our present
pattern of worship. Whilst this has produced a lot of very varied
comments about personal likes and dislikes, and rather few suggestions
as to how we might proceed with worship which is a better expression of
our mission in the 21st century.
“I want you to know that all of the responses will be taken into
account when next year I have had a proper chance to evaluate what we
are doing. We have to remember – however painful this may be – that our
beautiful Cathedral Church was build for a different Church and a
different liturgical expression from what is appropriate and fitting
for us today. Returning to a supposedly golden age is not an option,
though it is clear that we equally have to make the best use of the
heritage that is ours.”
“You will hear from the Treasurer that the budget for 2006 has a huge
hole in it. There is no simple solution to this. We have been cushioned
during this last year by three legacies but we cannot rely on such
things happening again, nor should we use precious resources just to
pay the present bills.”
“So what is the future as we try to address a serious issue here?”
“We have reached a moment of great opportunity – a chance for new developments to really take off.”
“We could institute a whole series of cuts of expenditure and somehow
or other get the budget closer to balancing, perhaps helped along by
more and more frenetic attempts to raise more money. But we could not
do this without seriously compromising what we are here for – our core
values. And we have the responsibility to care for and hand on to the
next generation a worthy building.”
“This is not going to be cheap. Next year’s budget contains very little
provision for anything more than basic maintenance work. We have to the
face the fact that the costs associated with keeping the Cathedral
upright and usable are going to go on increasing.”
“Within the next few months the Diocese is moving out of the Office in
Kenneth Street. Although there is a very small income from the use by
Inverness Music Festival of part of the downstairs office, most of the
income we receive for Kenneth Street comes from the Diocese, and so
this loss is serious. The reason why the Diocese is moving out is
because the Diocese has a budgetary problem, too. So cuts have had to
be made.”
“The Secretary will work from her home, and the Bishop will work from
his or use other bases around the Diocese. Whilst the kitchen is
excellent, and the rest of the building has been looked after as well
as could be, it is no longer a good building for any purpose today as
it stands.”
“Any redevelopment would need to be in an ethical way with a community
focus. What suggests itself to me is the possibility of some kind of
respite accommodation. This would involve us entering a partnership
with the right agencies, but could be beneficial and synergistic
(pastoral care being provided via members of the Cathedral Ministry
Team for example), as well as providing a long term source of income
for us.”
“When the Cathedral was built, the original plans for the Cathedral
including a linkage with the Old Boys School behind the Cathedral. “
“It would be good to have a link between an extended Old Boys School
and the Cathedral with provision for permanent shop and tea room (to
seriously assist our long term financial future) and to make the
present Old Boys School much more user-friendly for the 21st century.
In particular, to create an upper story with a small meeting room and
office, and a flexible downstairs hall suitable for use by those
organisations and groups which no longer would be able to use Kenneth
Street if we redeveloped that area.”
“The convenor of the Vestry Property Committee and I have met with the
Architect, Colin Munro, to discuss these proposals. He has come up with
some extremely interesting ideas.”
“In addition to the tremendous enhancement which this would bring to
the Cathedral grounds and the improvements to our ‘plant’ here, we
could also create Universal Access to the Cathedral in a more
aesthetically satisfactory way than that previously proposed. The
advantage of this is that it could be carefully staged. “
“At present, we are only thinking about these possibilities. But we do
have to think seriously because at present we have an opportunity. And
it won’t be there for ever.”
“Obviously we are very much at the beginning of a plan here which is
far from complete in every detail and so it will be inappropriate to
even attempt to answer questions at the end of this presentation which
relate to the details. Before we go any further, we have also to
produce a viable business plan for the different enterprises and we
need to investigate sources of funding. I have already spoken to a
number of professional fundraisers about this.”
“This is most important for our mission here in the Cathedral as part
of God’s people in Inverness. Many of our brothers and sisters face
similar problems to us – old buildings for which we have
responsibilities and which we try to keep on top of. But think what a
shot in the arm for the whole Church – not just the Episcopal Church –
if here in a prime area of the city we can have a new, bright and
imaginative development! “
“The Church is alive – this would say – and she cares passionately
about her mission. I know that some of you like me are a bit suspicious
of the ‘image culture’ in which we live. But we can make the most of
it.”
“Sometimes we can even make it work for us.”
Provost Gordon concluded his presentation by telling the Cathedral
congregation that for things to move forward it must involve everyone
in supporting the project. However, as he explained:
“Nothing as yet is set in stone and it is important that you feed back
your ideas and thoughts to us as we begin to make plans. Talk this up.
Let us know of people who are interested – who might want a share in
the action, or want to use the facilities we may create. Talk to Vestry
members, or to me. Let’s see how we can make this work – and provide a
surer future for the Cathedral Church of this Diocese.
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