Manchester Sermon – It was funny, it was moving, it was powerful.

21st October

Like most people of my generation, barring weddings and funerals, I have not stepped foot in a church in twenty years. I thought the Manchester Sermon might be a nice place to break that habit. Happily I was right. It was a brilliant evening.

The location, Manchester Cathedral, is stunning. At night it is warm and welcoming at its centre, but at the edges lie gloomy corners, dark and full of mystery. Chocolate brown stone pillars prop up giant ceilings. Sodium street lights shine through stained glass windows. It is a venue that invites contemplation.

Canon Andrew Shanks introduced the evening by explaining the philosophy behind its conception (I’ll stop the religious puns now – sorry). The sermon, as a form, was until very recently a major branch of literature, practiced by some of the greatest British poets. The Manchester Sermon was an attempt to revive an almost lost part of our literary heritage. So unused to hearing a sermon is the majority of the audience that we are given a little hint of sermon etiquette. We are politely asked not to applause the sermon but to sit in silence for a few moments: “It’s like when you microwave something and leave it to stand.”

After the introduction, and before Jeanette Winterson speaks, a choir sings. The devil hasn’t got the best tunes, he just has a better press agent. The music is beautiful. Some of it, written in the time of the Tudors, is still incredibly effecting and the acoustics in the cathedral were stunning.

And then there is the Manchester Sermon itself. I’m afraid my notes get a bit sketchy here because I stopped writing and started listening. Winterson used the temptation of Christ in the desert as her base text, and from it delivered a secular sermon which looked at the current economic climate, celebrity culture, and our responsibilities to each other as human beings. It was funny, it was moving, it was powerful. It was surprisingly edgy. It was a triumph.

You can read it at the Manchester Literature Festival website and hear it on the BBC's.

The evening ended with a question and answer session. The questions were answered by Jeanette Winterson and Canon Andrew Shanks, and also the poets Michael Schmidt and Michael Symmons Roberts. The discussion was chaired by Rachel Mann.

The panel discussed whether or not we had heard a sermon, the need for spiritual guidance in an increasingly secular world and the place, and role, of the church during the terribly difficult economic period the country is entering.

At the risk of sounding controversial I would say that it may well be events like this that show the church’s relevance in the coming years. By interacting with the community, by reaching out, by being able to surprise, churches like Manchester Cathedral will continue to remain relevant and important. That the evening was such a success is due not only to Jeanette Winterson but also to churchmen and women like Shanks and Mann who are brave enough to open their doors to argument.

It would be hard not to be effected by the Manchester Sermon. It was important as well as being interesting. I hope very much it will be the first of many.

by Benjamin Judge

Benjamin is a sort-of writer whose blog Who the fudge is Benjamin Judge? was shortlisted for two awards at this year's Manchester Blog Awards. He also read from his one flamingo against the world novel at this year's Is There A Novelist In The House?

Manchester Cathedral International Poetry Competition 2010

21st October

The Manchester Cathedral’s Religious Poetry competition is in its twelve year, and is an opportunity for poets of every faith and none to compete for a £400 prize. As organiser Rachel Mann informed us as she opened the event, this is a competition that focuses on the spiritual essence of religious faith, on how it informs and affects every aspect of our lives. As such, the competition has been won by individuals of every possible faith, including a Jewish winner, a Buddhist and a Muslim from Katmandu.

Canon Albert Radcliffe, who is stepping down this year from running the competition, gave us an insight into its original foundation. Advised as a young pastor “not to have too many good ideas”, he had then gone on to set up the competition when he arrived at the cathedral. Each year, the competition has grown, and makes a small profit that is donated to the Booth Centre for the Homeless. This year’s donation was £600.80. Past judges have included Archbishop Rowan Williams and Professor Michael Schmidt of Bloodaxe Books.

This year’s presentation event was held in the echoing cathedral itself, with a buffet and celebratory wine provided for the occasion. The highly-respected poet Vona Groarke acted as judge, and offered a reading of a very varied selection of her own work, including the surrealist sonnet “Family”, and the intriguing “Oranges”. This was followed by the presentation of awards to the runners up, winners and first prize. The first and third place winners and one of the runners-up also gave readings of their work.

Nabila Jameel, one of the commended poets, spoke first, offering congratulations to the other competitors and winners. Her work is inspired by her Islamic faith, and she seeks to use her writing to de-mystify a religion that is currently highly controversial. Her poem “The Last Prayer” describes the wealth of the afterlife and the power of love.

Helen Evans then read “Night Crossing”, the second place poem, a short but intense piece of work. A features writer from Exeter, she has just completed a one year course in creative writing and has demonstrated that she has learned well. The poem itself was inspired by crossing to the tidal island of Lindisfarne. She says that the “poem’s further meanings are in your hands.”

The overall winner, John Lindley, is no newcomer, having been 2004 Poet Laureate of Cheshire. He has appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe, and teaches creative writing workshops to a variety of groups. “Annunciation”, his award-winning poem, opens with the arresting line, “You come with your bad news ticking in your mouth”.

Finally, Canon Radcliffe gave his farewell speech, keen to emphasise both the international and the interfaith nature of the competition. This year they received over 900 entries from more than 300 poets, sending in from as far afield as New Zealand, Australia and America. Despite complaints, the competition has remained one that is concerned with faith of all kinds in every day life, rather than being strictly Christian or doctrinal. As a well-respected poetry event in Manchester, which has become the UK’s “second city of poetry”, this is definitely one to consider entering, whatever your level of experience.

by Joely Black

Joely is a freelance writer and author who writes epic fantasy and drinks large quantities of tea. Two of her books, The Execution and The Inheritor, are available as ebooks from Smashwords.