Cathedral News Sunday 11 October - Sunday 25 October
Open Communication Communication is one of the greatest challenges facing any organisation, cathedrals included. In recent times we have been looking at ways of improving how information is shared within the cathedral community, including through the fortnightly Cathedral News, our social media channels, and occasional emails to members of the community roll. A further step in this direction will take place on Sunday 22 November at the annual meeting of the cathedral’s community roll. Annual meetings don’t always sound particularly exciting (and most of them probably aren’t!), but this year’s meeting will have a new format, with presentations from members of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Chapter (our board of trustees). Topics will include music and outreach, our financial position and fundraising, the Cathedral Christmas Market, and our strategy for continued congregational growth, including a plan to move the 10.30am Sunday Eucharist into the nave for part of next year. There will also be an opportunity for members of the community to ask questions of SLT and Chapter. Questions can be submitted in advance to the Chapter Office by emailing chapteroffice@ lincolncathedral.com. Good communication is not simply about making sure that people have the information they need. It is also about helping
us to understand what we are doing, why we are doing it, and how each of us has a part to play in the life and mission of the cathedral. There is a theological reason for this too. The Christian faith is not simply a collection of beliefs held by individuals; it is a faith lived out in community. From Genesis, where God speaks creation into being, to John’s Gospel, where Christ is revealed as the Word made flesh, communication and relationship are woven into the story of God’s dealings with us. God does not remain distant or silent, but makes himself known. The Church is called to reflect that pattern. We become a community not simply by occupying the same building or belonging to the same organisation, but by sharing in a common life: listening to one another, speaking honestly and generously, and making space for different perspectives. Communication is therefore part of the work of building community. It helps us to grow in trust, to understand one another better, and to share more fully in the work to which God has called us. The annual meeting will take place after Choral Evensong (which begins at 3.45pm) on Sunday 22 November in the Chapter House. (If you’re not already a member, you can complete the form here: lincolncathedral.churchsuite.com/-/ forms/wyngdeh3, or pick one up from the Chapter Office at 28 Eastgate.) Refreshments will be served as you arrive. I very much hope that it will be an opportunity to listen, to ask questions, and to strengthen our sense that we are part of one cathedral community, with a shared calling to enable our wonderful cathedral to shine brightly as a beacon of hope for all.
Simon Jones, Dean
Worship and Mission
Weekly Service Schedule Details of services and music can be viewed on the Cathedral’s website. Visit: www.bit.ly/services-and-music Stillpoint This is a time of guided silent prayer to be still and aware of the presence of God. We meet in the Longland Chantry from 9.15am to 9.45am on the following Mondays: 2 November, 7 December
Choral Mattins Mattins, the Book of Common Prayer’s morning counterpart to Evensong, is marked by celebration and praise to greet the new day. Choral Mattins is held once a month on a Sunday at 9.30am. The next Choral Mattins services will be: 11 October, 15 November, 6 December Cathedral Confirmations Confirmation is an important sacramental stepping stone in our Christian life at which we affirm our faith for ourselves and are stregthened by the Holy Spirit for service and witness. Bishop Nicholas will celebrate the Sung Eucharist for All Saints’ Day, 1 November, at which he will baptise and confirm. If you are interested, please contact: Kevin.Walton@LincolnCathedral.com Evening Prayer with Benediction Third Wednesday of the month, 5.30pm This is a special service including silent adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. 21 October, 18 November, 16 December
Community Creative Content Lead Vacancy We’re looking for a creative and talented Creative Content Lead to bring Lincoln Cathedral’s heritage, faith, people and events to life through engaging visual and digital storytelling. If you are (or know someone who is) a confident creative with a strong portfolio, excellent storytelling skills and a passion for producing engaging content, we’d love to hear from you. More details: lincolncathedral.com/current-vacancies/ New Edition of InHouse The Autumn edition of the Cathedral journal, ‘InHouse’, will be available on the Latest News page: lincolncathedral.com/ latest-news/ Resignation of the Bishop of Lincoln The Acting Bishop of Lincoln, The Right Revd Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, and the Bishop of Grimsby, the Rt Revd Jean Burgess have written a pastoral letter to the Diocese following the announcement that the Rt Revd Stephen Conway has resigned as Bishop of Lincoln. You can read it by following the link: www.lincoln.anglican.org/news/pastoralletter-to-the-diocese-from-bishopnicholas-and-bishop-jean/ Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading) Group Monday 12 October, 4pm Wickham Room A hour of guided reflection and meditation on Scripture. After Hours - Mystery Plays: The Creation and The Fall Sunday 18 October, 5:45pm for 6pm Enter via Galilee Door. A chance to see four atmospheric medieval Mystery Plays, loosely based on Bible stories, performed by the Lincoln Mystery Plays Trust. These four plays tell of God’s creation of the world, Adam and Eve’s fall from grace, Cain and Abel’s story and Noah and his family’s role in saving life from the flood.
Friends of Lincoln Cathedral Talk Wednesday 21 October, 2.30pm Join the Friends for this afternoon talk in the Chapter House entitled: ‘Saved or destroyed? How did England’s cathedrals survive the Reformation?’ Dr Richard Fisher, Honorary Fellow of the University of Bristol, explores the fascinating story of England’s medieval cathedrals, how they were funded and governed, why Henry VIII spared some religious houses and spared others, and how six new dioceses emerged. Please RSVP by 14 October to Friends@LincolnCathedral. com. Admission is free to Friends, Cathedral Members and Cathedral Volunteers. All Souls’ Day Sunday 1 November, 6pm - Duruflé Requiem sung by the Cathedral Consort. Monday 2 November, 8.30am and 12.30pm - Said Requiem Eucharist If you are attending one of the Monday services and would like someone remembered, then please make this clear, otherwise names will be read out at the 6pm Requiem on Sunday. Names should be given to the Vergers’ Vestry (clearly printed) or using vergersvestry@lincolncathedral.com The Gospel According to Mark Saturday 7 November, 3pm Chapter House A lecture by the Revd Dr Kevin Walton, Canon Chancellor. The New Testament gives us not just one but four gospels, each with its unique perspective on Jesus. In this coming year’s church lectionary starting in Advent, we are invited to follow Mark. In this lecture Canon Kevin Walton opens up the particular features of what is now considered to be the first attempt at what we call the ‘gospels’, including its particular urgent literary style and its response to that crucial question posed to Peter and to the reader: ‘Who do you say that I am?’
We also ponder on the abrupt ending of the earliest texts – has an original ending been lost or was it intended this way? There is no charge for this event, but booking is essential. Suggested donation: £5. Why Universities Matter and Reflections on a Life of Pain and Pleasure Tuesday 17 November, 3.15pm Chapter House St Hugh’s Day Lecture Why Universities Matter and Reflections on a Life of Pain and Pleasure A lecture by Professor Irene Tracey, ViceChancellor, University of Oxford. Irene Tracey is also Professor of Anaesthetic Neuroscience in the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences. In the New Year’s Honours list 2022, she was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Her Majesty The Queen for services to Medical Research. There is no charge for this event, but booking is essential. Suggested donation: £5. Community Roll Annual Meeting Sunday 22 November, after Evensong The annual meeting of the cathedral’s Community Roll will take place after Choral Evensong (which begins at 3.45pm) on Sunday 22 November. The meeting will include presentations from the cathedral’s Senior Leadership Team and Chapter. Members of the roll will be invited to submit questions to SLT and Chapter in advance of the meeting. Further details nearer the time. Questions can be submitted in advance to the Chapter Office by emailing chapteroffice@lincolncathedral.com.
Grand Organ Festival Tickets for this year’s Grand Organ Festival are on sale. Join us for a spectacular series of recitals showcasing the power and versatility of Lincoln Cathedral’s renowned Father Willis organ. Featuring some of the UK’s finest organists, this year’s festival offers a wonderful variety of music. David Pipe Tue 13 October, 7pm Works by Franck, Guilmant, Fleury and Vierne. Organ Extravaganza Tue 20 October, 7pm Featuring J.S. Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Widor’s Toccata and choral favourites. Daniel Cook Tue 27 October, 7pm Works by J.S. Bach, Whitlock and Reubke. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for details of when tickets go on sale. For more details of forthcoming events and to book your tickets, go to our website at: www.lincolncathedral.com/events