Cathedral News
Sunday 12 April - Sunday 26 April
Happy Easter
As we moved towards Easter at the end of Holy Week, the drama of the Triduum (the last three days of Holy Week) unfolded before our eyes, as the symbols of divine presence were, one by one, removed from the Church: the sacrament removed from its place of reservation, altars stripped of frontals and linen cloths, candles and lamps extinguished. Then at the Easter Vigil, one by one, each of these symbols returned, renewed through the transforming power of Christ’s resurrection.
At the centre of our Easter celebration stands the Paschal Candle – the pillar of fire which symbolises Christ’s glorious Passover from death to life. It was lit from the fire kindled at the Easter Vigil and carried through the dark cathedral at the beginning of the service. The five incense grains which pierce the wax root the resurrection in the often painful experience of our daily living; they prevent us from forgetting the dark events of Friday, and remind us of the fundamental Christian truth that the resurrection of Jesus Christ does not obliterate his Good Friday experience; it does not remove the intense passion of its pain, or its darkness or its God-forsakeness.
Without the cross, Easter is no more than a theatrical sleight of hand, a meaningless charade. Without the resurrection, the crucifixion has no more significance
than any other Roman execution. And so, for us, the resurrection of Christ, which brings joy to the whole of creation, does not remove sin, suffering and death from our lives, but it offers to transform them with the hope of forgiveness, healing and new life.
For those of us who gather Sunday by Sunday, we bear witness to the Paschal mystery, which is at the heart of our faith. It is an encounter with the Jesus who has risen from the tomb, a life-changing experience which, in the words of St Augustine, transforms us into an Easter people whose song is Alleluia.
Alleluia! Christ is risen - in Easter fire, in water blessed, in bread and in wine. But the greatest cause for rejoicing in this season is that Christ is risen in us, his Easter people.
A very happy Easter! Remember, it lasts for 50 days. Alleluia!
Darren McFarland, Succentor
Worship and Mission
Weekly service schedule
Details of services and music can be viewed on the Cathedral’s website. Visit: https://lincolncathedral.com/ worship-music/services-list
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: 13 April, 11 May
Prayers for Healing and Wholeness
Prayers for healing with the laying on of hands and anointing will be offered after Evening Prayer (which begins at 5.30pm) in St Hugh’s Shrine on the first Wednesday of each month.
Installation of Canon Chancellor
Installation of Canon Chancellor Canon Kevin Walton, our new Chancellor, and his wife, Linda, have moved to Lincoln. All are welcome to join us in welcoming them to the Cathedral at Kevin’s installation during Choral Evensong at 5.30pm on Saturday 25 April. Kevin will be the preacher at the 10.30am Sung Eucharist the following day.
Choral Mattins
Mattins, the Book of Common Prayer’s morning counterpart to Evensong, is marked by celebration and praise to greet the new day. Experience another aspect of our Christian tradition in worship. Choral Mattins is held once a month on a Sunday at 9.30am. The next Choral Mattins services will be: 26 April, 17 May, 7 June
Ecumenical Procession in Honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Dean and Canon Eddy Jarosz, Parish Priest of St Hugh of Lincoln Roman Catholic Church, will lead a procession from Our Lady of Lincoln Church, Cabourne Avenue (LN2 2HE) to the Cathedral on Saturday 23 May. The procession will begin at 2pm. All welcome. Clergy and servers are invited to robe. Contact the Dean for further details.
Community
Holy Week & Easter - thank you
Huge thanks to the staff and volunteers who worked so hard during Holy Week and in preparation for it. The various liturgies were inspiring and the Cathedral looked magnificent, the Easter Garden being a particular highlight. We also welcomed record numbers. On Easter Day, over 1,100 people attended services at the Cathedral, an increase of 25% on last year.
A new discovery
During the course of the work on the second phase of the Chapter House, the masons made the exciting discovery of a dozen glass pieces packed into the pointing around Bay 10. The glass was retrieved and passed to the Glazing Department for further analysis. The majority of the pieces date from the thirteenth-century and are classified as foliate grisaille quarries. Together with our Archaeologist, the department is now researching when the glass could have been added to the stonework and its purpose. The glass fragments are being conserved and may be placed on display in the future.
Viking lecture at Stow Minster
Saturday 13 June, 4pm
In the sublime setting of Stow Minster, Dr Johanne Porter will share her research and insights into our Viking history. Afterwards, enjoy refreshments, see the Viking graffiti, and speak with a guide about the history of this ancient church. There will also be updates you on the progress made towards setting up a Friends of Stow Minster as an Action Group is launched. For parking on the day, look out for the signs and marshalls. To register your interest, and ask any questions, please email Revd Jane Foster-Smith at jane.foster-smith@lincoln.anglican.org
You’re invited to the Dean’s Dinner
Join us for a delicious three-course dinner in the stunning surroundings of the Nave the Cathedral. Our special guest speaker will be The Revd Richard Coles - former Communard, writer and broadcaster, whose book ‘Murder After Evensong’ was recently adapted for TV. It promises to be a joyful and uplifting evening as we gather to celebrate the life of our Cathedral and the projects currently underway to ensure that it remains a beacon of hope for many generations to come.
The closing date for bookings is Friday 24 April.
For full details and to complete the online booking form, visit- bit.ly/ deansdinner2026
Reading Rota
We are preparing the next reading rota for Sundays from 15 May to 22 November. We welcome new people to join this important ministry. If you are interested in being a reader, please speak to us at coffee after the 10.30am Eucharist (ask someone to point us out if you do not know us), or email us at readingrotas@lincolncathedral. com. You would typically read once or twice in a half-year rota, and we provide induction and support for new readers. Please contact us if you would like to participate. We look forward to hearing from you!
InHouse - Spring
The spring 2026 edition of In House, the Cathedral Community magazine is now available on the website.
This edition is packed with interesting articles about the Cathedral and its people, and the many ways in which you can get involved. Please consider becoming a steward, serving refreshments after Sunday morning services, joining the servers’ guild, helping to arrange flowers, or simply becoming a Friend of the Cathedral. We welcome your contribution to maintaining the life and work of this magnificent institution. Visit our website to read the magazine - https:// lincolncathedral.com/latest-news/thelatest-edition-of-inhouse-4/
Stow Minster Ecumenical Quiet Day
Saturday 18 July, 10am-3.30pm
Led by Canon Ian Stockton and Fr Alex Adkins, this Quiet Day will use the gospel narratives about James, one of Jesus’ first disciples, in exploring the themes of Call, Companions of Jesus, and Service and Martyrdom.
In the ancient holy place of Stow Minster, Ian Stockton and Alex Adkins will again work together ecumenically
in offering opportunities for silence and reflection, and for prayer and conversation.
Bring a packed lunch; tea, coffee and water will be available during the day. A suggested £10 donation towards the costs of Stow Minster will be greatly appreciated. For booking and information about parking and other practicalities, contact the Revd Jane Foster-Smith by email at jane.fostersmith@lincoln.anglican.org
For other information about the day, contact the Revd Canon Dr Ian Stockton 0779494 3726
Minibus Driver Vacancy
We have an exciting opportunity for a mini-bus driver to join our team at the Song School. You’ll help transport junior members of the Cathedral Choir to and from the Cathedral and their school during the working week, and occasionally to drive the choir to concerts in the county. If you’re interested in finding out more and applying, visit our website - https:// lincolncathedral.com/currentvacancies/
Cathedral Chat Thursdays, 3.30pm–4.30pm
Fancy a coffee and a chat? Bump into friends old and new and join Rowena, our Canon Missioner, at our welcoming table at the Cathedral Café. No need to book, just turn up.
Events
The return of our Summer Tours
Our summer tour schedule is now running!
Explore the heights of the central tower with our ever-popular Tower Tour, or stay low to the ground and explore the external details with our Secrets of Minster Yard tour.
Our stained glass tour now runs on the second Tuesday of the month, as well as the last Friday, giving you, giving you more opportunities to discover the stories and the history of the Cathedral as told in the stained glass.
For times and dates, visit our websitehttps://lincolncathedral.com/cathedraltours/
Be a Chorister for a Day
Saturday 9 May, 1pm
Do you know a child who loves to sing? Join us at Lincoln Cathedral to ‘Be a Chorister for a Day’!
This free event gives young singers a taste of what it is like to be a chorister at Lincoln Cathedral and is aimed at children aged 6 to 12 years old.
To book your place, please complete the form on our website - https:// lincolncathedral.com/events/be-achorister-for-a-day-2/
Special Summer tours
This summer, enjoy our exciting new tours and uncover details about the Cathedral that are not often heard.
Workshop Tour
Step behind the scenes on a rare workshop tour and meet the stonemasons, joiners, glaziers, plumbers, conservators, and facilities team whose expertise sustains the Cathedral.
Poetry,
Prose and Passion Tour
From Geoffrey Chaucer to Lewis Carroll, step inside the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral and journey through almost a thousand years of literary history.
Tickets are now on sale, but spaces are limited and sell fast. Visit our website to find out more and to book your ticketshttps://lincolncathedral.com/cathedraltours/
For more details of forthcoming events and to book your tickets, go to our website at www.lincolncathedral.com/ events
