Volunteering at St Peter’s Cathedral

The Cathedral has the heaviest ring of 8 bells in the southern hemisphere. A dedicated team rings the bells before Sunday services, at weddings and on other occasions by arrangement. The Bell Ringers practise on Tuesday nights between 7.30 and 9.00 pm. The Cathedral also houses a teaching chamber for new ringers. New and visiting ringers are welcome.

The people on this roster come into the Cathedral during the week to clean and maintain the brass.

Louise Lipman co-ordinates and leads this programme run on Sundays at 10.30am.

The Cathedral has two different choirs:

• The Cathedral Choir is a mixed voice choir of children and adults who sing most Sundays in school terms). It is largely voluntary, but auditioned.

• The Cathedral Consort is a professional choir which performs concerts and occasionally sings services.

• The Junior Song School is a group of young singers aged 6-9, who meet regularly to work on music theory and singing skills, and occasionally sing with the Cathedral Choir.

• To read more about the choirs please click here.

The guild is responsible for the weekly arrangements of flowers in the cathedral. New members, whether experienced florists or beginners, are welcome.

Assist the Dean and Cathedral Staff with funds for the preservation and development of the fabric of the Cathedral and precincts. The Friends support the Cathedral’s activities and devotional life and provide a link between all those, within the Cathedral family and far beyond, who have the Cathedral’s interests at heart and support it through prayer.

The hospitality team was formed in 2014 with the original purpose being to provide refreshments to parishes who visited as part of the Cathedral Mother Church hospitality programme. However, their role soon expanded as they became involved in other Cathedral and Diocesan events.

Members of the congregation are rostered to read the Old and New Testament readings at all Sunday services. At the 10.30 am service they also lead the prayers of the people. Training is given.

This group collects wool and knits squares to be made into blankets. Any contributions of wool and volunteers to knit are always appreciated. The blankets are distributed through Anglicare.

Morning tea is served to all who wish to stay after each of the Sunday morning services – in the cathedral after the 8.00 am service and in the Cynthia Poulton Hall (Cathedral Close) after the 10:30 service. Volunteers work in teams to prepare and serve the morning tea and coffee and clean up afterwards. The roster usually involves one morning each month for about one hour following the service.

Members of this group make vestments and altar linen, and repair damaged items. If you have skills in this area, or would like to learn, you would be most welcome. The group meets in the John Dunn Room on the fourth Monday of every month at 10.00 am.

A team of trained parishioners who, by arrangement, visit, take communion to those in hospital or at home and undertake other pastoral duties in consultation with the clergy. Team members are expected to meet the requirements of the ‘Safer Ministry Program’ of the Diocese of Adelaide which includes a National Police Clearance Certificate. While the team tries to keep up with the needs of the community, please contact the Cathedral office if you are aware of anyone who is in need and may appreciate a visit.

Servers’ roles at Cathedral’s services include acolytes, thurifer, crucifer and guides during the administration of Holy Communion. People of all ages can serve, including children from the age of seven. Careful training is offered in preparation for these duties.

At services, stewards welcome, hand out orders of services, take up and count any money collected. They are also responsible for security: for any evacuation (should it be necessary), calling of police and other emergency services. They ensure the Cathedral is left ready for the next service.

Free tours are offered by volunteers every Wednesday at 11 am and Sunday at 12.30 pm. Paid tours at other times must be pre-booked. To read more about our tours, click here.

Welcomers greet visitors to the cathedral, provide information and assistance, and ensure the safety and security of people and the fabric of the Cathedral. They keep the Cathedral open every day of the year for visitors as well as the many who need a quiet place to rest, light a candle, pray or simply be quiet. They encourage visitors to visit the Shop and participate in Guided Tours when available.

This committee plays a vital role in the upkeep of the Cathedral and the grounds that surround it. If you have any skills in maintenance and other forms of trade skills, please let us know.