Cathedral News Sunday 25 October - Sunday 8 November
Scripture gives us a powerful image: “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” The saints are not distant heroes; they are companions on the journey. Their stories encourage us, strengthen us, and remind us that faithfulness is possible in every age.
A Great Cloud of Witnesses As British Summertime ends and the evenings draw in, the Church enters a quieter, reflective space. Ordinary Time comes to a close and our hearts begin to turn toward Advent — that season of watching, waiting, and longing for Christ’s coming. It is a time of transition, and into this moment the Church places the celebration of All Saints’ Day, a feast that reminds us who we are, where we belong, and the great company that surrounds us. This year, we have some candidates preparing for baptism and confirmation on All Saints’ Day, the timing feels especially fitting. They are joining the family of the Church — not only the community gathered here in the cathedral, but the vast, joyful, eternal communion of believers across time and space.
Paul’s greeting to the Romans says: “To all God’s beloved… who are called to be saints.” That is the heart of it. We are all called to be saints — not perfect, not flawless, but beloved, chosen, and invited to live lives shaped by Christ’s love. John Wesley famously described All Saints’ Day as “a most comfortable day.” And it is. It comforts us with the reminder that we are never alone. It comforts us with the hope of eternal life. It comforts us with the knowledge that those who have “gone to glory” remain part of our story, our worship, and our joy. As we move toward Advent, as new members join the family of faith, as the nights draw in and the candles begin to glow, All Saints’ Day whispers a gentle truth - we don’t walk this journey by ourselves. We walk it with the saints, with the Church, with each other and with Christ who gathers us all into one.
The origins of All Saints’ Day reach back to the early Church, when Christians gathered to remember the martyrs — those who had given their lives for the Gospel. Over time, the celebration widened to include all those whose lives shone with holiness, courage, and faith. Today, we honour not only the great saints of history, but the countless faithful Christians whose quiet devotion shaped the Church’s life.
Ann Mazur, Co-ordinator Duty Chaplains
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, 4 January, 1 February, 1 March, 5 April, 3 May
Community General Synod - Canon Rowena King Congratulations to Canon Rowena King, our Missioner, who has been re-elected as a representative of the clergy of the Diocese of Lincoln on General Synod. Grand Organ Festival Tickets for this year’s Grand Organ Festival will soon be 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. Join us for the final recital of this year’s series: Daniel Cook Tue 27 October, 7pm Works by J.S. Bach, Whitlock and Reubke.
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: 15 November, 6 December, 17 January, 7 February, 7 March
For more details of forthcoming events and to book your tickets, go to our website at: www.lincolncathedral.com/events
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament On the third Wednesday of each month, the Cathedral will offer Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament after Evening Prayer. The Benediction (‘blessing’) is preceded with a reflective opportunity to pray with Jesus present in the elements of Holy Communion. This reflective liturgy concludes when the priest blesses the congregation with the Eucharist. The dates for the remainder of this year will be: 18 November, 16 December, 20 January, 17 February, 17 March
All Saints’ Day Sunday 1 November Bishop Nicholas will be with us to baptise and confirm members of the worshipping community at the 10.30am Sung Eucharist on All Saints’ Day (1 November). This is a celebration of great significance for the candidates and the whole Cathedral community. All are encouraged to attend.
Organ Scholar Vacancy The Music Department is seeking an Organ Scholar to start immediately for a fixed term appointment ending on 31 July 2027. If you are interested or know anyone who would be interested please see the vacancies page for more information: lincolncathedral.com/ current-vacancies/
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 The New Testament gives us not one, but four gospels, each with its unique perspective on Jesus. In this lecture, Canon Kevin Walton opens up the particular features of what is now considered to be the first attempt at what we now call the ‘gospels’. Book your place: lincolncathedral.com/ events/the-gospel-according-to-mark a-lecture-by-the-revd-dr-kevin-walton canon-chancellor/ Remembrance Sunday Service Our Remembrance Sunday Service will take place at 10.40am on Sunday 8 November. Please note that the Cathedral’s Sung Eucharist will be moved to the earlier time of 9.15am. We will reserve a small amount of seating for regular members of our congregation who have attended the 9.15am Sung Eucharist. Please let the vergers know at vergersvestry@lincolncathedral.com by Friday 6 November if you would like a seat so that we can reserve the correct number. St Hugh’s Day Tuesday 17 November All are welcome to join us for our celebration of St Hugh’s Day. 12 noon - Sung Eucharist (St Hugh’s Choir) 3.15pm - St Hugh’s Day Lecture by Prof Irene Tracey. Irene is Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford and also a neuroscientist whose work focuses on the way pain is experienced by the brain. She will be speaking on ‘Why Universities Matter and Reflections on a Life of Pain and Pleasure’. Suggested donation £5. For further information and to book a place: lincolncathedral.com/events/ st-hughs-day-lecture-by-prof-diarmaidmacculloch/. 5.30pm - Festal Evensong and Dedication of a Statue of St Hugh by Arthur Fleischmann, given to the cathedral by the sculptor’s son.
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. If you would like to join the Cathedral’s Community Roll, please fill in this form online (lincolncathedral. churchsuite.com/-/forms/wyngdeh3) or return a physical copy to the Chapter Office. Questions can be submitted in advance to the Chapter Office by emailing chapteroffice@lincolncathedral. com. Our Advent Journey of Hope with Abraham Wednesday 9 December, Wickham Room A Quiet day led by the Revd Dr Kevin Walton, Canon Chancellor Come and join us for a day of stillness and reflection amidst our busy Christmas preparations. Through a series of talks, silence, and worship we will explore the character of Abraham as a figure of Advent hope, journeying to a new land of promise, stretching into the distant future. Yet, this journey is not without problems, and Abraham’s faith is not without doubt – all part of our Advent hope too. There is no charge for this event, but booking is essential in the Cathedral website. Please bring your own packed lunch or there will be a pause to use the Cathedral Café. There will be a link to book your place nearer the time.
Lincoln Cathedral Christmas Market 3 - 5 December Lincoln Cathedral’s first Christmas Market is set to be a fantastic event for all to enjoy. The Cathedral and ground swill host approximately 100 stalls showcasing seasonal gifts, arts, crafts, food gifting and much more. Tickets are available now via the Cathedral website.