ARE you spiritual, but don’t go to church? Or a churchgoer who’s never tried different ways of praying?

Susie Smart and the Rev Max Millett try out one of the prayer stations that you'll find at Portsmouth Cathedral on April 17.

You could visit the drop-in spirituality fair in Portsmouth’s Anglican Cathedral. Passers-by, tourists and worshippers will be encouraged to try a variety of prayer stations, workshops and meditations on April 17. Organisers hope they will engage with God in a new way.

‘Be Still’ is the name given to the day which is aimed at people who rarely experience Christian spirituality. The cathedral will be open from 10am-4pm for anyone to drop in.

They’ll be offered the chance to try out prayer stations, using poetry, the senses, the Bible and a prayer tent. There will be a traditional labyrinth laid out in the centre of the building – a medieval maze that encourages contemplation. Workshops through the day include prayer and movement, icons, weaving and sculpture.

Spiritual directors, who are experienced at deep listening, will offer ‘speed spiritual direction’ – visitors will get half an hour to talk to them about spiritual issues and be heard. Those who are ill will be offered prayers of healing by the diocesan healing team.

There will be a programme of events through the day, including poetry reading, meditation using music and images, Taizé prayer, and Holy Communion. And a chapel will be set aside for people to pray for others or world issues, using a peace globe, candles, a map, prayer cards and a prayer tree.

The day is the inspiration of Stefan and Susie Smart, from New Community Church in Southampton, who have both been on the year-long spirituality course led by diocesan spirituality adviser Canon Peter Lippiett – and then mentored and taught others on subsequent courses. They’ve run ‘Be Still’ days for 12 years and Stefan has written a book on the subject.

“This day is aimed at those who don’t go to church but might be spiritually active, and churchgoers who’ve never tried this kind of thing before,” he said. “It will be a friendly atmosphere, low-key, and not too structured. People can go around the cathedral and try different things at their own pace.

“A lot of people are hungry for spiritual reality. The challenge for us as Christians is to help them connect with God in a way that relates to them personally. The speed spiritual direction is often one of the highlights – people are touched and moved to have the chance to talk about their prayer life. Many Christians don’t get that. But we’re all spiritually inclined and to talk about one’s inner journey is a valuable, even a sacred experience.”

And Susie said: “Christians who come can be refreshed and given new ideas for prayer in the future. They can also feel confident bringing their non-Christian friends. People can come for an hour or two, or use the whole day as a retreat.

“Refreshments will be available, and there will be workshops, events and services throughout the day as well as ongoing prayer and art installations for individual use.”

Joining Stefan and Susie to organise the day are Paul and Gill Leppitt from City Life Church, as well as the diocesan spirituality team and healing team. More than 50 people will be manning prayer stations, running workshops or offering prayer on the day – from across all denominations.

Diocesan spirituality adviser Peter Lippiett said: “One of the features of the day is the ecumenical co-operation involved. This day will bring together people and prayer techniques from across the centuries of Christian spirituality and across the entire spectrum of the Christian Church.”

For more information, contact Canon Peter Lippiett on 023-9282 6120 or peter.lippiett@portsmouth.anglican.org.