WHAT’S ON!
Welcome to the ‘What’s On at St John’s Cathedral’ page. Here you will find what is on this week, coming up, concert information and much more.
THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN’S
Zoom Coffee on Tuesdays
10.30-11.30am
(Zoom link below. Please we have a new zoom link)
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Take a break, have a coffee (or other preferred cuppa) and chat online with various members of the extended Cathedral community. Relax, bring your beverage and be welcomed into the conversation on Tuesdays – any time between 10.30am and 11.30am.
Christian Meditation
Tuesdays
6.45-7.30pm
Cathedral & zoom
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Our Cathedral offers a weekly Christian meditation group on Tuesday evenings from 6.45 to 7.30pm. The meditation group is always open to new members. A simple meal of soup and bread is available in St Martin’s House from 5.30pm.
The meditation group meets in the Cathedral as well as by Zoom. To join via Zoom, use either this Zoom link or your phone – (07) 3185 3730, enter Meeting ID: 278 417 931#, Passcode: 042853# and then Participant ID: #.
Further information: Please contact The Rev’d Canon Julia Van Den Bos by email (jvandenbos@stjohnscathedral.com.au) or via the Cathedral office.
Why Christian Meditation?
Meditation is a universal spiritual wisdom and a practice found at the core of all the great religious traditions, leading from the mind to the heart. It is a way of simplicity, silence and stillness. It can be practised by anyone, wherever you are on your life’s journey. It is only necessary to be clear about the practice and then to begin – and to keep on beginning.
In Christianity this tradition of contemplation, the prayer of the heart or ‘apophatic prayer’, became marginalised and often even sometimes suspect. But in recent times a major recovery of the contemplative dimension of Christian faith – and prayer – has been happening. This is transforming the different faces of the Church and revealing the way the Gospel integrates the mystical and the social.
Central to this process now is the rediscovery of how to pray in this dimension and at this depth: finding a practice of meditation in the Christian tradition. The World Community teaches a practice derived from the Gospel teaching of Jesus and the advice of early Christian monks. The Desert Fathers and Mothers teach a Christian spirituality of powerful relevance for those today who want to live their discipleship to Jesus in a radical and simple way.
Information about Christian meditation is available at wccm.org/content/what-meditation.
Coffee on Wednesdays (COWs)
10am-2pm (in the Cathedral)
Good coffee, good food, great conversations!
To honour the victims of the Bondi Beach massacre
A dedicated prayer and candle lighting space
Lady Chapel
7.30am until 4.30pm
Evening Prayer
with Archbishop Jeremy Greaves
at 4pm
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Kids @ St Johns
Sundays
9.30am
in person during the Choral Eucharist
and online via our Facebook & YouTube Channel (recorded and available from Saturday 9.30am)
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Children’s Ministry
Children are very much part of our family and the children’s area in the Cathedral is available whenever the Cathedral is open.
Children’s ministry is offered in the Cathedral on Sundays during the 9.30am service and online (recorded and available from Saturday mornings at 9.30am).
The videos appear on the Cathedral’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel.
2nd & 4th Saturdays
10-11am (Darnell Room)
(Resumes Saturday, 24 January 2026)
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2nd and 4th Saturdays – 10am to 11am
Mainly Music is designed for children aged 0 to 5 years, but older children may join in. Friends, parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncles are welcome. Mainly Music is a community connection initiative.
Each Mainly Music session includes play time, singing and dancing time, and refreshments time.
Mainly Music is held in the Darnell Room, St Martin’s House. Parking is available.
For more information, see Hannah Dillingham or Ken Willett or contact them through the Cathedral office: phone – (07) 3835 2222; email – cathedral@stjohnscathedral.com.au.
The Journey 2026: God’s story, your story, my story.
Exploring the art of storytelling as a way to discern God’s call on our lives.
Sundays (on zoom)
4-5pm
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Who is The Journey for?
Those who want to take stock of their lives using a spiritual focus; Those considering baptism for themselves or for their children; Those considering confirmation;
Those who want to become an Anglican;
Those wanting to discern some future direction for their life; Those interested in unpacking the faith.
What is the process?
The Christian faith is a way of life. Entering into a way of life requires reflection. Christians are people who seek to live out the way of love. We seek to follow Jesus who, in his own life, demonstrated that we were made by God, who is love, for love. God’s love gives us the energy to love in turn. Since we are made for love, we each have a purpose. The Journey exists to enable people to discover what this truth means for them. The process aims to give people the space to test and then find their own way into this way of life. It takes what has happened in life to this point seriously. We believe that by reflecting on our life-story we discover how God has been at work in our lives since before we were born, and also identify ways in which we, as unique people, are to respond to this. We discover the way in which God’s love for us can shape our relationships, inform our motives, and help us find deep happiness.
How does it work?
By allowing those involved to ask questions, to talk over issues, share insights and to learn about specific areas that interest them. This takes place within small groups.
Why this way?
We learn most effectively when we are seeking answers to questions that matter to us.
Attending via Zoom: Use either this Zoom link (video/audio) or your phone – 07 3185 3730, enter Meeting ID: 894 0003 0380#, Passcode: 885493# and then Participant ID: #.
For more information please contact:
The Dean, Peter Catt, pcatt@stjohnscathedral.com.au or phone 3835 2239.
COMING UP
Saints on a Mission
Fridays
10.30-12noon
Zoom only
(Resumes Friday, 30 January 2026)
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SAINTS ON A MISSION (on Zoom only)
There is a new Zoom room link for 2026.
Blair Martin (Meanjin/Brisbane) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Saints On A Mission 2026CE – S. John’s Cathedral, Meanjin/Brisbane
Time: Fridays 10:30 AEST
Join Zoom Meeting: Click here
Meeting ID: 817 7960 2281
Passcode: 480183
Or by phone – +61 7 3185 3730
Labyrinth Walk
Sunday, 1 February 2025
from 11.15am
A Walk with S. Brigid of Kildare
In person and online
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Please meet at the Labyrinth under the Rose Window in the Northern Transept or join online (both live and later available via the Cathedral’s YouTube channel).
The path is always new, because,
as a spiritual discipline, the labyrinth
is a path of contemplation,
reflection, prayer …
Beneath the surface, walking the labyrinth
is a profound discipline in listening,
in active silence, in finding movement
and rhythm in the stillneses underneath
and in between everyday’s noise.
Walking the labyrinth is an exercise
in finding the voice speaking in whispers
underneath the whirlwind of sound.
~ Travis Scholl, “Walking the Labyrinth –
A Place to Pray and Seek God” p.17, IVP Books, 2014
On the Way Podcast
Live Podcast Recording with Jeff Chu
Sunday, 1 February 2025
12noon
Kenmore – Brookfield Anglican Church
1036 Moggill Road, Kenmore
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Mystics, Theologians & God-Botherers
1st Sunday in the Month
‘George Herbert’ – The Venerable Rod Winterton
Sunday, 1 February 2026
6-8pm
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To join via Zoom, use either this Zoom link (video/audio) or your phone – (07) 3185 3730, enter Meeting ID: 768 010 419#, Passcode: 267366# and then Participant ID: #.
English Conversation Group
Mondays
2-3pm
(Resumes Monday, 2 February 2026)
Darnell Room
Wasting Time With God
1st Wednesday in the month
Dean Peter – Science and Religion
9.30am (Darnell Room)
In person and via zoom
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Join Dean Peter as he shares something of his personal journey and the role science played in helping him to develop a spiritual practice and to become a follower of the way of Jesus.
Themes to be explored along the way:
- The Gift of Monotheism – Belief in one God
- The Rich history of scientific Endeavor in Islam and Christianity
- The Renaissance
- The Enlightenment
- The Evolution- Creation Debate
- Quantum Physics and The Rediscovery of Mystery
Event Info: This event will be held in person and on Zoom and will begin with a short prayer service at 9.30am. Peter’s presentation and discussion will follow at 9.40am until 10.30am when the session will end with worship and then morning tea from 10.35am.
To join via Zoom, use either this Zoom link (video/audio) or your phone – 07 3185 3730, enter Meeting ID: 823 3447 0652#, Passcode: 303180# and then Participant ID: #.
Chair Yoga
Wednesdays
(Resumes Wednesday, 4 February 2026)
11am-12noon (Darnell Room)
Wine Before Breakfast
First Friday in the month
7-8.30am
(Resumes Friday, 6 February 2026)
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Preparing for the Lenten Journey:
Movie Afternoon and Evening
Babette’s Feast
and The Matrix
Saturday, 7 February 2026
4pm – 9.15pm (Darnell Room)
(Including a shared meal)
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This year one of the studies we will be offering for Lent is based on Michael Wood’s book, Practicing Peace: Theology, Contemplation, and Action. In several of the sessions Michael makes reference to The Matrix and Babette’s’ Feast.
Whilst it is not essential for participants to have seen the movies to understand the references Michael makes, we thought his use of the two movies in the study provides a good excuse for us to share some time together watching and discussing these two significant movies.
Attending the subsequent Lenten Study is optional. You might just want to watch the movies!
Programme:
4.00pm Babette’s Feast
6.00pm Meal and Discussion
6.45pm The Matrix
9.00pm Discussion
9.15pm Conclusion.
Entry will be by donation to help defray the costs of the copyright license.
Session limited to 40 participants.
To Register please add your name to the list on the table next to the carpark entrance of the cathedral or email community@stjohnscathedral.com.au
Please remember to note your dietary requirements.
Images:
Matrix Image: ID 397887374 © Tasnim Promi | Dreamstime.com
(Resumes Thursday, 12 February 2026)
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Anglican Mothers Union Australia (AMUA) is part of a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service.
AMUA Vision: a world where God’s love is known through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships.
AMUA Aim: to demonstrate the Christian faith in action by the transformation of communities worldwide through the nurture of family.
Membership is available for all [women and men] who have been baptised. If you are not yet a member and would like to find out more, please do get in contact.
The Cathedral Branch usually meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month in the Cathedral at 9.45am for coffee and the gathering starts at 10am..
2025 AMUA SPECIAL COLLECTION – OUTCOME
Sincere thanks to all who gave generously to the annual Anglicare special collection on 10 August by members of Anglican Mothers’ Union Australia (AMUA), Anglican Church Southern Queensland, in honour of Mothers’ Union founder, Mary Sumner. The 2025 collection will support the Angliccare SQ Youth Homelessness Accommodation Project. A total of $728.65 was given.
Sincere thanks to all who make ongoing donations to our AMUA Cathedral Branch Projects:
Project – Hope in a Suitcase: Hope in a Suitcase is for children going into Foster Care under the umbrella of Foster Care Qld. Anglicare SQ are also involved. When a child goes to a foster parent, they are given their own little suitcase or backpack filled with their own special things, e.g. teen activities, Uno cards, puzzles, games, colouring books and pencils. Babies also go into foster care and need baby wipes, baby toys, throw rugs etc.
Project – Zephyr Education: Zephyr Education provides school needs for children who change schools because of domestic violence. Items include lunch boxes and water bottles; children’s underwear (girls and boys all ages).
Project – BOOKS4PNGKIDS: please bring new and used books for children aged 0-14 years old – early readers (numbers, alphabets, picture books, animals and cardboard books), primary school fiction and non-fiction, basic school supplies, Bibles.
For further information or to ask a question, please contact Mary de Vries via reception@stjohnscathedral.com.au or through the Cathedral Office.
St John’s Cathedral Community
Visioning and Planning Day
Saturday, 14 February 2026
9am-4pm
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St John’s Cathedral Community Visioning and Planning Day
Saturday 14 February 2026
The world around St John’s shifts and grows, as do we. As we enter a new year we take the opportunity to reflect, explore, and make choices about who, where and how to minister and to be.
You are invited to gather with others to explore our 2026 theme:
Next Steps: Building on the Foundations of Beauty, Worship, Inclusion, Justice Seeking and Peace-Making
Bring your ideas to share with others.
● How can we enhance our worship?
● What beautiful things can we do for God?
● What injustices can we address?
● What can we do to be and to encourage peacemakers?
Please come to this get-together of people who want to make a difference to the world, the Cathedral and the community it touches. Through a creative, open process we will reflect on valued strands of ministry and define new areas of ministry and interaction.
Join Dean Peter Catt and members of the Cathedral Chapter and Council for this pivotal event to listen to the Holy Spirit and to each other and plan to make a difference.
Gather at the High Altar at 9am;
then in the main body of the Cathedral until 4pm. Lunch will be provided.
Important Information: Children are most welcome to join the activity group!
Please RSVP to the Dean’s Executive Assistant (deansea@stjohnscathedral.com.au) if possible in order to assist with catering.
For more information please contact:
The Dean, Peter Catt, pcatt@stjohnscathedral.com.au or phone 07 3835 2239.
Click for more information and Retreat Brochure
Spiritual Odyssey – it is active, challenging and like all great journeys, involves laughs, rests, common ground and discovery.
Jonathan Sargeant is the Diocesan Director of Lay Education, working from St Francis Theological College. Jonathan is trained as a teacher and a youth and children’s worker and spent seven years as a high school chaplain.
For more details or to collect a retreat brochure from the cathedral or contact Bishop Bill Ray via the Cathedral Office.
CONCERTS
St John’s Cathedral
FREE! MORNING CONCERT SERIES 2025
Next Concert
Resumes Thursday, 2 April 2026
Click here for 2026 concert schedule
GENERAL
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Laying on of Hands with Anointing (Healing Ministry)
Following the example of Jesus, and his explicit instructions to his disciples, the ministry of healing for any kind of disease or distress is an integral part of the proclamation and application of the Gospel of compassion. It is administered by the “Laying on of Hands with Anointing” by a priest gently touching the head or shoulders of the person in need. No questions are asked although a person may, if they wish, give their name or a brief description of their concern. It is perfectly acceptable, even encouraged, to receive this ministry on behalf of another who cannot be present.
The Ministry of Laying on of Hands with Anointing is available during the 9.30am Choral Eucharist on the first Sunday of the month. Those seeking the laying on of hands with anointing are invited to make their way to The Oratory after receiving communion.
The laying on of hands with anointing is also available by appointment; please speak with one of the clergy if you are seeking this.
Click to read about 'Spiritual Direction'
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction is about making a space for God in your life. Contrary to the name, Spiritual Direction is not about being ‘directed’; it is being encouraged to draw closer to God in a more conscious experience of God’s presence, grace, and love in your daily life.
In the midst of life we often find it difficult to notice God’s action within it. And yet we yearn to be able to discern the presence and the voice of God at a deeper level. In the practice of Spiritual Direction you are given the time and space to reflect on the experiences of your daily living, and as this contemplation takes place, you begin to discern God’s invitations and the work God is doing in your life.
Click here to read: ‘What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual Direction sessions are now available at the Cathedral. To find out more, please contact the Cathedral Reception at St Martin’s House on (07) 3835 2222 during business hours.