Our Covid heroes shown in special cathedral art
Some of the people who have been transformed into Nativity characters in a major art installation at Chichester Cathedral have spoken of the privilege of being involved.
The Chichester Nativity artwork heralds the heroes of the Covid-19 pandemic from the local community and across the Diocese of East and West Sussex.
Characters in the scene have been drawn from local organisations, charities and medical services and paired symbolically to the roles within the Nativity.
Playing the part of Mary and Joseph are Sam and Catherine Harding from Chichester.
Sam and Catherine have been playing vital roles in helping young people during the pandemic.
Sam runs the Bell Tower youth drop-in while his wife Catherine works for West Sussex County Council’s YES service (Youth
Emotional Support).
In July, after two cancellations, the pair became the only couple to get married in the cathedral in 2020.
Then, in October, they were asked if they would become Mary and Joseph.
“It’s not been the year we expected,” said Sam.
“It is weird to see yourself ten feet high dressed as Mary and Joseph but it’s amazing.
“I feel a bit humbled to be part of the centrepiece. It’s not just a big canvas it’s interactive. It’s really creative and amazing.”
The Bell Tower drop-in is still running but in a different location.
Sam said the mental health of our young people has been really suffering during the pandemic so if people need support they should get in touch.
Find out more about the drop-in at Belltowerchi.uk
Joanne Kondabeka,
CEO of
Chichester Foodbank, appears as one of the shepherds in the installation.
She said: “I feel really privileged to be part of it. I think it’s amazing.
“It shows the community coming together in a piece of art that speaks of hope.”
Joanne said when she saw the images in person she found it ‘incredible’ especially since all of the people had been photographed individually and did not know how the finished images would look.
Joanne said the foodbank had seen at least a 35 per cent increase in demand this year.
She added: “It has been a very busy time but the community has really rallied round and I’m just so grateful to the people donating food, volunteering and the financial support.”
Rob Hill, from the charity Chichester HEART for homeless, was also asked to be a shepherd in a memorable moment when the vicar ran after him following an evesong service. He said the whole experience had been fun and uplifting and when he saw the artwork in person he was ‘blown away’.
He added: “It was absolutely amazing. I really didn’t think they would make it look so professional, they did a great job. I thought I looked very realistic.”
Rob, an administrator and outreach worker at HEART (Homeless Empowerment And Relational Transformation), said the charity has been feeding around 20 people a day and since the March lockdown had provided more than 12,000 meals. As well as food, the charity provides friendship and warmth.
Find out more at heartchichester. church
The Chichester Nativity installation will remain in the cathedral until February 3.