Cathedral News
Sunday 8 November - Sunday 22 November
one. So too was the burden placed upon their loved ones. But the world will not forget their sacrifice, and their names are on a roll of honour in this world and the next. A generation ago the renowned historian Owen Chadwick wrote an article on the history of Armistice and Remembrance Day (Theology November 1976). He makes it clear, albeit regretfully, that he expects the observation to die out. He notes that as early as the 1930s there were complaints about the misbehaviour of undergraduates at the University of Cambridge on Armistice Day, and that their defenders remarked that they could not be expected to feel like their fathers. They had not lived the horrors of war. The last two veterans from the First World War died in 2011 and 2012. So the evidence seems to be that Chadwick was unduly pessimistic and that we still choose to remember. This is partly for the tragic reason that since he wrote in 1976 there have been more wars and more casualties, more recent history to remember in this way. But partly also, I think, because a significant portion of our society wants properly to root itself in its past and the great events which have shaped us. This is not always an easy task in a multi-cultural society, but then the sharing of different stories, and making the stories of others our own, is a vital component in building new societies. Most religions realize the importance of remembrance. Our acts of worship and our sacraments; our scriptures and the stories through which communities make and remake themselves all point us towards our past and anchor us there. As Isaiah puts it: “Look to the rock from which you were hewn; The quarry from which you were dug.” (Isaiah 51.1) On Remembrance Sunday, we remember those who have gone to war in the name of peace; those on both sides of every conflict, who fought for what they believed was right; those who laid down their lives that others might live. Their burden was a heavy
Owen Chadwick is not the only person to ever suggest that Remembrance Sunday has outlived its usefulness, that it’s time to move on and not dwell on the past and that it’s wrong to glorify war. But we could just as easily say that the Eucharist has outlived its usefulness, that it’s time for the Church to move on and not dwell on events of 2,000 years ago, that it’s wrong to glorify that brutal and bloody death on the cross. But the Church does not glorify war, or death, on Remembrance Sunday or in the Eucharist. Both help us to remember the past in order to learn its lessons for the present, and move forward into the future. By following the commandments to love God and our neighbour, and sharing the joy of his communion, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. And then our joy will be complete. It cannot be sufficient only to remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for what they believed in; for their sacrifice to mean anything, it must lead to change, personal and social change that will create a world as close as possible to the Kingdom of God. It’s what we pray for daily: “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done.” If nothing else, the events of the 11th September 2001 and 7th July 2005 (to name but two) and all that has happened subsequently, show us that we are a long, long way away from that and have learned little from history. Remembrance Sunday reminds us that we are called to follow the example of Jesus, in working with God to establish the kingdom, a world of justice and peace. Remembrance Sunday, like the Eucharist, reminds us of this task, of its cost and of its future reward.
Darren McFarland, Succentor
Worship and Mission
Community
Weekly Service Schedule Details of services and music can be viewed on the Cathedral’s website. Visit: www.bit.ly/services-and-music.
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/
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: 14 December, 4 January, 1 February, 1 March, 5 April, 3 May. 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. 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. Advent Carol Service A candle-lit service of Advent music and carols as we begin the countdown to Christmas and celebrate the power of light over darkness. For the second year the Cathedral is partnering with St Barnabas Hospice. All are welcome! Join us at 6pm on Saturday 28 November.
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). 3.00pm - 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 click here: https://bit.ly/4iBdQaR
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 (https://bit.ly/4zCw8yw) 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. Book your place via our website: https://bit.ly/4z3Gpm4. National Safeguarding Sunday Bishop Nicholas and the Dean have invited Parish Safeguarding Officers and members of the Diocesan Safeguarding Team to join us for Choral Evensong at 3.45pm on National Safeguarding Sunday (15 November). This will be an opportunity to thank all who contribute to safeguarding across the Diocese, to pray for those affected by abuse, and to renew our commitment to ensuring that our churches are places of welcome, belonging and safety for all. All are welcome to attend. Needlework Guild Stall To celebrate the launch of the Christmas Tree Festival, the Needlework Guild will have a stall outside the Vergers Office at the Cathedral on Saturday 28 November, selling beautiful, bespoke handmade Christmas baubles. Come along and browse their creations – perfect for adding a special touch to your Christmas tree or giving as a thoughtful festive gift. Works Visit - Washington DC Michael, Rachael and Craig from the Cathedral’s Works Department recently visited Washington National Cathedral in the USA. We were invited to exchange knowledge, experiences and best practice, and to discuss the day-today challenges faced by our respective cathedrals. One of the most interesting aspects of the visit was comparing two cathedrals of vastly different ages. Although Washington National Cathedral is just over 100 years old, many of the challenges it faces are remarkably similar to our own.
A particular highlight was being invited to take part in a tradition that involved drinking mead in the gutter with the Dean!
Works Visit - York Some of the Works Department were fortunate to visit the team at York Minster last week. We were hosted by Director of Works Alex McCallion and his team who gave us an overview of the challenges they face at York – many very familiar to us at Lincoln – and outlined how they had invested in their team, yard, estate and technology over the last decade to rise to these challenges. It was a fascinating day which sparked discussions within the team which have continued into this week. We look forward to being able to return the favour to York next year.