Today, Palm Sunday – when Christians remember Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem – was a triumphant day, too, for the volunteers of St Columb’s Cathedral in Londonderry as they were presented with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, conferred in recognition of their “outstanding contributions to social cohesion, community relations, and tourism within a socially deprived area of Northern Ireland”.
The main presentation – a crystal KAVS award – was made by the Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Londonderry, Ian Crowe MBE CStJ, who is the King’s official representative in the northwest. It was handed over to Mrs Elizabeth Fielding, who received it on behalf of the cathedral’s volunteers. KAVS medals were presented to 10 individual members of the team, including Rev Canon John Merrick, who led this afternoon ‘s Service of Choral Evensong, and who received his medal from the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster.
In his sermon, the Bishop described it as a special day for all in the cathedral community and for many far beyond. “So often,” he said, “volunteers do things under the radar, unseen, without seeking reward. But today, for the volunteers of this wonderful place, we roll out the red carpet and we reward you, if you like – and much better than that, the King himself rewards you – with his Award for Voluntary Service for all that you do.”
Bishop Andrew said he believed that through their efforts, the volunteers in St Columb’s Cathedral sought to demonstrate God’s presence in the community. “I honestly think that at your heart – the volunteer team’s – that’s what you want to show. That this place that we love so much is a place that says God is alive; that says to the community that gather and visit here – to those who come from far, far away to visit this city that we love and who come through the doors of this cathedral – God is alive; to those who live in the city, God is alive. Your volunteering, your love, your vibrancy make that happen. So, bless you for what you do.”
Canon Merrick acknowledged the efforts of those who had served in the cathedral down through the years. “I have spent almost 22 years here serving this community within this parish and this cathedral church,” he said, “and I am very much aware of the work that is done in a voluntary capacity by so many people over so many years, and it’s a great joy to see that that is being recognised this afternoon.
“But I would just like to add a little footnote to that. When I say that I’ve been here for 22 years, that’s a mere blip on the screen in relation to the outreach and worship within this cathedral church over numerous centuries. So, I want us – as we celebrate today the achievements of our volunteers at the present time – to remember all those who served this church so faithfully and loyally in the years past and in the centuries past. In fact, as I say that, I can look down and I can see faces that sat here are no longer with us. So, I want us to remember them because without their service, without their contribution, perhaps there would be nothing here for us to contribute to.”
The NI Representative on the National KAVS Committee, Sandra Adair, MBE, reminded the congregation that the KAVS award was the highest award conferred on groups of volunteers and that it was a lifetime honour. The St Columb’s Cathedral volunteer team was one of 16 recipients from Northern Ireland in the King’s last birthday honours. “St Columb’s Cathedral volunteers were being assessed against other similar organisations from right across the UK,” Ms Adair said, “therefore your volunteers needed to show a level of initiative that was truly exceptional. Your organisation needed to be the best of its kind.”
Longstanding Cathedral volunteer, Elizabeth Fielding, who collected the main award, expressed her own and her colleagues’ gratitude at being recognised by the King. They were, she said, a diverse group of people, fulfilling wide and varied roles, often doing tasks unseen, week after week, each one of them playing a vital part in keeping the church building operational and looking cared for. “We were greatly surprised,” Mrs Fielding said, “and are deeply appreciative of this award from His Majesty the King in recognition of our voluntary service, and we wish King Charles very good health and deep wisdom at this time.”
The distinguished guests at today’s service included the Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Niree McMorris; the city’s High Sheriff, Mrs Joan Doherty; the Vice Lord Lieutenant, Alan Moore OBE TD DL (who read the citation at today’s service); a number of the city’s Deputy Lieutenants; and the former Dean of Derry, Very Rev Raymond Stewart, who retired recently.
Musical worship was led by The Boy and Girl Choristers and The Lay Clerks of the Cathedral, directed by Louis Fields and accompanied by organist Nicky Morton.
