Cathedral News
Sunday 29 March - Sunday 12 April
A musical journey
Music is integral to our pattern of worship at Lincoln Cathedral. It often enhances the emotions we feel during a service, and this is never more true than when we approach Holy Week.
This begins on Palm Sunday, when we stand at its threshold, as the story of Christ’s passion unfolds for us scene by scene, each day drawing us deeper into Jesus’ journey toward the cross. These moments come alive through the words we hear and the music we sing or quietly absorb. Holy Week exposes our emotions, hopes, fears, choices, confrontations. It is a week when the heart is laid bare.
On Palm Sunday, we watch Jesus enter Jerusalem, in a moment both colourful and deeply moving, riding on a donkey while crowds laid palms before him and we sing, ‘All glory, laud and honour to thee, Redeemer, King.’ At Evensong on Monday, the evocative melody of ‘Were you there when they crucified my Lord’ draws us into the unfolding drama, inviting not just reflection but response. As the week progresses Maundy Thursday brings us to the table, where we share the poignancy of the Last Supper – the acts of service, the giving of new meaning to sharing bread and wine, to service and to betrayal. We listen to the beauty of the melody of ‘Ave Verum Corpus’
by Edward Elgar as we reflect on the Last Supper and all it means for us.
On Good Friday we enter into the starkness of the day, the darkened atmosphere of the Cathedral and we hear the haunting music of Allegri’s ‘Miserere’, which confronts us with the depth of Christ’s suffering. The three hours devotion allows us time for silence and reflection as we hear the last words of Christ from the cross and listen to movements from J.S.Bach’s cello suites.
Easter Eve holds the quiet ache of waiting, the tension between sorrow and hope as we prepare for the Easter Vigil. We gather in darkness to welcome the light of Christ symbolised in the Easter fire and candle. The triumphant sound of ‘Let all the world in every corner sing, my God and King.’ by Ralph Vaughan Williams sounds forth and we celebrate Christ’s resurrection.
As our alleluias rise on Easter Day everything changes. Restored, renewed, and reshaped by resurrection joy we step into the truth that defines us - for we are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song now and forever.
Christ the Lord is risen again!
Christ has broken every chain!
Hark, the angels shout for joy, Singing ever more on high, Alleluya!
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: 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 Kevin Walton
Saturday 25 April at 5.30pm
All are invited to attend the installation of The Reverend Canon Dr Kevin Walton as Chancellor of Lincoln. There is no need to book a seat or let us know you’re coming, you can turn up on the day and to join us in welcoming him to Lincoln Cathedral. We look forward to seeing you.
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 every three weeks on a Sunday and features sung prayers and hymns, led by the choir. The next Choral Mattins services will be: 25 April, 17 May, 7 June
Community
Installation of the Bishop of Grimsby
The Rt Revd Jean Burgess, Bishop of Grimsby, will be installed during Choral Evensong at 5.30pm on Monday 30 March. All are welcome to attend.
New Partnership with Lincoln Record Society
We are delighted to announce a new partnership with the Lincoln Record Society to fund a full-time Librarian. The person appointed will play a key role in the reopening of the Christopher Wren Library, and in shaping plans to establish a Library, Archive and Research Centre at the cathedral.
Cathedral Safeguarding
Many of you will be aware that Sophie Bamber, our Cathedral Safeguarding Officer (CSO), has finished working at the Cathedral. This means that until we appoint a new CSO, the following arrangements apply for any concerns which may arise:
The first point of contact for any safeguarding concerns is now The Revd Canon Rowena King as the Senior Leadership Team Safeguarding Lead. You can contact her for safeguarding concerns by emailing safeguarding@lincolncathedral.com or by calling 07506 148896
For other information and resources, including out-of-hours contact, please see the safeguarding section of the Diocesan website: https://www. lincoln.anglican.org/parish-support/ safeguarding/
As always, if there is immediate danger of harm, call the police on 999. We’d like to thank Sophie for her time here at Lincoln Cathedral and wish her the best for the future.
Chapter House works
Phase one of the Chapter House is now complete. Works included extensive masonry cleaning and repointing, along with the replacement of finely cut stones and carved elements. The glazing received cleaning and remediation works, and a new lead-lined gutter was installed to address previous issues with the concrete gutter. The grounds are now being cared for with new topsoil and grass seed.
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.foster-smith@lincoln.anglican.org
For other information about the day, contact the Revd Canon Dr Ian Stockton 0779494 3726
A blast from the past - Sally Bleasdale
I found this archive image of the Learning Centre from early 2021 from a progress report to David PJ Ross. We were hosting pilot workshops in the Cathedral before the visitor centre could accommodate school groups. One of our lovely local schools, St Peter at Gowts, was one of those schools. Last week, we invited them again to pilot a new format, ‘Pilgrimage Tales’ drama.
As always, the class were very enthusiastic. The feedback from pupils was great, with some asking when they can come back again! The teacher was very complimentary but also left constructive feedback about more movement around the room for the ‘Pilgrimage journey’ to ‘Lincoln Cathedral’. The ‘Old Lady’ character performed by a Year 5 boy will be remembered for a long time…
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/
Become a Cathedral Steward
Would you like to be a Cathedral Steward? Stewards support all services to offer a friendly welcome and to invite people to join the services. They also perform additional tasks such as taking the collection and directing worshippers to communion.
Alongside the vacancies we now have for Stewards, we are also introducing a new role: Assistant Steward. These Assistant Stewards would help only with the larger services which take place in the nave.
If you are interested or would simply like to explore what is involved, our two Joint Head Stewards would be very happy to have an informal chat with you. There is no pressure; this is simply an open invitation. Please feel free to contact Di Kirk (diana.kirk@ lincolncathedral.com) or Caroline Dunn (caroline.dunn@lincolncathedral.com).
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.
Help safeguard our choral heritage
English sacred choral music is being proposed for Living Heritage recognition as part of the UK’s UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
If you would like to support this living tradition, please scan the QR code below for further information and to sign the petition.
Events
The return of our Summer Tours
Our summer tours will return from Tuesday 1 April!
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.
Plus, from April, our Stained Glass Tour will gain a permanent additional timeslot, as it will now run on the second Tuesday and last Friday of each month, 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/
An Evening with... David Olusoga
Friday 1 May, 7.30pm
Join us in the nave of Lincoln Cathedral as Professor David Olusoga OBE examines some of history’s missing chapters to uncover how and why some events and some people are remembered and others forgotten. Taking examples from the world wars, the Industrial revolution and other pivotal moments in global history David uncovers history’s missing persons.
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
