Chapter Letter 11 to 24 March 2012

Philip Buckler, Dean   Gavin Kirk, Precentor   Mark Hocknull, Chancellor   John Patrick, Subdean

It is more blessed to give than to receive is a well-known saying attributed by St Paul to Jesus (Acts 20.35). Nevertheless there is a time both for giving and for receiving – and we need to have the humility to be able to receive as well as the generosity to give. Many of us will have known people who seemingly give of their time and indeed themselves tirelessly in the service of others: only to watch them growing resentful as they wear themselves out, and their endless generosity becomes somewhat threadbare. The need to give can become as obsessive as the desire to receive.Lent is a time both to give and to receive: giving ourselves to God in acts of discipline, but more especially opening ourselves to receive the gifts of his grace to enable us to grow more deeply in faith. The Christian needs not only the generosity to give, but also the humility to receive. For unless our faith is being renewed and replenished, we shall find it too becomes threadbare. There must be regular input and investment in our faith – we cannot just live off past capital.

This is what lies behind the ‘Early Good Friday’ which the Cathedral is offering to clergy throughout the diocese later this month. It is the opportunity for those who will shortly be giving of themselves and leading others through the intense period of Passiontide, Holy Week and Easter, to rest, reflect and receive spiritual nourishment themselves. The Cathedral clergy will offer this time to them, prior to their offering their time to others.

I mention this, not to invite you to attend, but to illustrate something of what we as a Cathedral can offer to others, and especially to our Diocese. The regular worshipping life of the Cathedral, in which you all share and play your part, is a gift we offer first and foremost to God, but also one we may offer to any who come to share and gather strength for their own work elsewhere.  We are the body of Christ is another saying from St Paul. In our context it refers not only to the community within the Cathedral, but also the Cathedral as a part or member of the wider church in the diocese, in the nation and in the world.

To reflect upon how we can both give and receive – from God and from those around us -  is a helpful Lenten meditation which may begin with God’s own generosity to us, and his openness to receive our penitence, love, and thanksgiving in return.

Philip Buckler, Dean

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Lincoln Theological Society:  Wednesday 14 March 7.00 for 7.30 in The Robert Hardy Lecture Theatre, Bishop Grosseteste University College, Newport, Lincoln.  Jesus and Genesis by The Rev Canon Dr Trevor Dennis, an acclaimed scholar and speaker.  Tickets £5.00 to include a glass of wine, available after the 9.30 service, from the Cathedral Shop and from Unicorn Books in Lincoln’s Covered Market.

St John Passion will be performed by the Cathedral Choir and the Baroque Players of London on Saturday 17 March at 7pm.  The Director is Charles Harrison and the soloists are Paul Badley (Evangelist), Robert Rice, (Bass, Christus), Mary Bevan, Aric Prentice, Simon Wall, Bozidar Smiljanic.  Tickets are £15 (£10 concessions) and are available from the Cathedral Shop.

Medieval Mathematicians : John Slater is giving an illustrated talk about the influence of mathematicians and philosophers on scientific progress in Europe at the time the cathedral was being built. This is a version of the masterclass which will be run for mathematically able young teenagers on the Saturday following this talk, but tailored for adults who are not confident with mathematics. Venue : Chapter House at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 21st March. Tickets £10 on sale in the cathedral shop or available after coffee on Sunday mornings. All profits go to the young people’s masterclasses.

PLEASE NOTE: Sunday 25th March.  The Lincoln 10k run will take place around the Cathedral area.  Roads will close from 10am and reopen at approximately 1.30pm.  Different to the 2011 race there will be no barriers at the Pottergate, Minster Yard side of the cathedral, which will help the congregation to access the Cathedral.  However people will need to be aware that runners will be running along this road from 11:25 am up to 1:30pm with the main bulk of runners coming through between 12:00 to 12:40pm

Maundy Thursday (5^th April):   After the Eucharist of the Last Supper, The Watch will take place from 21.00 to 24.00.   Please can people sign up so that the full Watch is covered.  There is a rota on both Choir Aisles’ desks.

Paschal Vigil (7^th April):  If any members of the congregation are available to help serve refreshments after the Paschal Vigil, please can you notify Anne James (01522 561632 or events@lincolncathedral.com).   The task is not onerous – it just involves pouring sparkling wine into glasses and handing round canapés.  Thank you.

Cathedral Stewards:  The Cathedral needs more Stewards to cover the ever increasing number of Events as well as regular services. We particularly need help on summer evenings when the Cathedral stays open until 8pm, especially as we have the Mystery Plays and the Flower Festival this year.  If you are interested and feel you could give some time, we would be pleased to welcome you on the team. For more details please contact Dawn Flood (Chief Steward) on 01673 860850.

Flowers:  If anyone would like to take on doing the flowers in the Guilds Chapel, please contact Micky Philp.

The Association of Friends have organised a weekend visit to Durham and Northumberland.  Friday 21st – Monday 24th September, staying at the Raddisson “Blu” Hotel in Durham.  Cost for Dinner (4 Courses)  bed and breakfast £525 for two sharing a Double or Twin Room:  or £352 for a single room.  We shall visit Mount Grace Priory, Durham and Newcastle Cathedrals and Wallington House.  Five places remain.  There is some urgency as the hotel will only hold the rooms for a short time.  Please contact the Friends’ Office (Tel 561648) or the Secretary ( 528682 from Monday evening).

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The Sung Eucharist on 1 April will commence at 10.30 with a Procession with Palms from the Castle

20 March,  7.30pm     Lincoln Minster Senior School Concert

21 March,  6.30pm     BBC Radio 2 recording a service with the Cathedral Choir for broadcast on Easter Day.

Tickets only, apply via BBC Radio 2 website

23 March,  1.15pm    Chorister Outreach Programme Concert in the Nave

24 March, 9am-1pm  Maths Masterclass for children in the Chapter House

25 March, 5.30 pm    Organ Recital by Thomas Chatterton of Oakham School.

26 March,  1.15pm    Chorister Outreach Programme Concert in the Nave, 1.15 pm

26 March   7.30pm    Sung Eucharist for the Feast of the Annunciation

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Bible Readings

Sunday 11 March                      3^rd Sunday of Lent

Sung Eucharist                         Exodus 20.1-17; 1 Corinthians 1.18-25; John 2.13-22

Mattins                                     Jeremiah 38; Philippians 1.1-26

Evensong                                Exodus 5.1-6.1; Philippians 3.4b-14

Sunday 18 March                      4^th Sunday of Lent  (Mothering Sunday)

Sung Eucharist                         1 Samuel 1.20-end; 2 Corinthians 1.3-7; John 19.25b-27

Mattins                                     1 Samuel 16-1-13; John 9.1-25

Evensong                                Exodus 6.2-13; Romans 5.1-11

Sunday 25 March                      5^th Sunday of Lent

Sung Eucharist                         Jeremiah 31.31-34; Hebrews 5.5-10; John 12.20-33

Mattins                                     Exodus 24.3-8; Hebrews 12.18-end

Evensong                                Exodus 7.8-24; Romans 5.12-end

Sunday 1 April                          Palm Sunday

Sung Eucharist  10.30               Isaiah 50.4-9a; Philippians 2.5-11; Mark 14.1-end of 15

Mattins                                     Zechariah 9.9-12; 1 Corinthians 2.1-12

Evensong                                Isaiah 5.1-7; Mark 12.1-12