As well as making continuous efforts to provide the resources and funding to maintain the operation of Peterborough Cathedral, we endeavor to support the wider community, and even global projects where possible, in a number of ways.
Local outreach includes work with the local soup kitchens, schools, pastoral care and the facilities we provide for the Peterborough community by way of cultural, educational and religious events that are accessible for all.
Our links with the world church are equally strong, however, and our global outreach to those in need is expressed chiefly in the following ways:
• Bungoma, Kenya
We have a display in the Cathedral about the church in Bungoma. We have hosted visitors and provided help with various development projects run by our sister cathedral in Webuye to help where we can to improve facilities. So far, the congregation of Peterborough Cathedral have generously raised nearly £1000 in response to an appeal for assistance. This will help to provide basic necessities for the cathedral to help their community. A further £2,000 in relation to a special ‘Bikes for Bungoma’ appeal has also been raised to enable clergy to travel further around their diocese.
• Kigali, Rwanda
Our link with the Kellow family in Rwanda allows us to interact with the community there, as the Kellows work as mission partners in Kigali (Rwanda) with the Church Mission Society (CMS). Richard Kellow teaches English as a foreign language, while Sue (a speech therapist) is mainly occupied with their baby Emily. The whole family is much involved in the local Anglican cathedral in Kigali.
• Zimbabwe
Over Lent, Easter and Holy week 2009, the Cathedral dedicated one of its donation boxes to raising funds to tackle the worsening humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe. Visitors were provided with information on how to donate either in the Cathedral or online, and the appeal was also supported in many other churches and Cathedrals across the UK.
• The World Church
We also provide whatever financial support we can for the world church through CMS and USPG (United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel).