CHAPTER LETTER 6 MAY-19 MAY 2012

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

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Since being installed as Subdean, over three months ago, I have spent a significant amount of time walking around the Cathedral and the Close properties, in the process discovering parts of this great building and its environs that I never knew existed. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable journey of discovery. This of course is very much part of my work at the Cathedral as (along with the Dean) the Subdean is Master of Works. However, the Subdean’s other specific role is that of Canon Pastor. As Canon Pastor, I have responsibility for the pastoral care of the Cathedral community, which includes, amongst others, staff, volunteers, worshippers and visitors.

There is a small group (the Dean’s Verger (John Campbell) and Canon Jane Freebairn-Smith and myself) that meets on a regular basis to address any specific pastoral issues that may arise. In particular, we seek to meet the needs of individuals who have particular pastoral needs (whether long or short term) as well as ensuring that the prayer list is kept up to date. I am seeking to develop this work in the coming week and months working in collaboration with Chapter, the Community Association as well as the existing Pastoral Support Group.

The first priority being to ensure that people know whom to contact in case of pastoral need. Being a Cathedral community and not a parish church can mean that people are unsure who is best to contact: in the parish church people speak (more often that not) to the vicar but as we have a number of clergy here who, because of various commitments are not available each week, that continuity found within the parish context is not always present. The suggestion, therefore, is that if you are aware of any specific pastoral need please have a word with one of the three members of the Pastoral Support Group.

It is also important to remember that in this we all have a role to play. Just as I am discovering the many facets of the Cathedral building and the Close houses – the bricks and stones which have been put there by generations past – so we today are living stones allowing ourselves to be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. One of the ways in which we do this is by loving our neighbour: by pastoral care for one another.

John Patrick   Subdean

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Bible Studies:   A further series of Bible studies on The Gospel according to Mark will be held at St. Anne’s  House, 27 Sewell Road, Lincoln, LN2 5RY at 7.30 p.m. on alternate Monday evenings commencing 30th April 2012.   Meetings are open to all.   Leaflets setting out the programme are available on the choir aisle tables. For further information contact Fred Hackett (Tel. 01522 524091).

Micky Philp writes to All Flower Team Ladies – a reminder: A demonstration by Anne Harcombe on Tuesday 8th May in the Cathedral Centre 2.00-4.30 p.m.   £5 a head for expenses and light refreshments.

The Education Officer writes:  The well-known poet Simon Armitage CBE will be speaking in the Wren Library at Lincoln Cathedral on Tuesday 8 May at 7.30 p.m. Professor of Poetry at the University of Sheffield, he is an author best known for his poems, some of which are included in the GCSE syllabus, but he also writes for radio, television and film.  He has novels and plays to his credit, and is a regular reviewer on the BBC Radio 4 programme, Front Row. His interest in medieval English literature led him to Lincoln Cathedral Library to study The Alliterative Morte Arthur, of which there is only one copy, preserved in the early fifteenth-century Lincoln Thornton Manuscript. This unique and important manuscript will be on display at Professor Armitage’s lecture about his modern verse translation, The Death of King Arthur.  Copies of his book will be on sale, and a book signing will follow the lecture.  Tickets are £6.75 (including wine), and can be purchased in person from the Minster Shop, online (www.lincolncathedral.com/shop), or by phone (tel: 01522 561644).  Entry is through the Cathedral coffee shop (the Cloister Refectory).

Christian Aid week, Sunday 13^th to Saturday 19^th  May 2012.  This year Christian Aid is focussing its giving on Sierra Leone. This is the 6^th hungriest country on earth which is just beginning to recover from a civil war. Christian Aid is helping village people to lift themselves out of poverty by supplying equipment and seeds. Communities will be working in production groups of 30 sharing their tools and should be able to have enough to feed their families all the year round.  Please pray for this work and support Christian Aid by giving generously to your local house to house collection or to the Cathedral collection point during Christian Aid Week. For further information contact Freda Goodhead  01522 523144 or Tim or Valerie Wallis  01522 751211.

The 2012 Lincoln Grand Prix Cycle Race Sunday 13 May Although there will be parking in Minster Yard there may be some up-hill congestion.

Mrs. Jeannette Davies writes:   Free to believe   We do hope you will support the meeting on May 14^th  at 7.30 p.m. in the Robert Hardy building at Bishop Grosseteste University College when we have a speaker from Christian Solidarity Worldwide. This has been arranged by the Cathedral Community Association and gives an opportunity to find out more about the struggles of many of our Christian brothers and sisters to maintain their faith in very difficult circumstances. They are often included in the prayers at the Cathedral so do take this opportunity of learning more of what is happening in many countries. Lists are on the notice board and at coffee after the 9.30 a.m. Eucharist.  If you intend to come, please sign so we have an idea of numbers.  Entrance is free and tea or coffee will be available for a small charge from 7 p.m.

H.M. The Queen’s Jubilee Service at Lincoln Cathedral will be on 19^th May 2012 at 3.00 p.m.    Admission to the service will be by ticket only and members of the public who wish to attend may apply for the free tickets in person or in writing (both with a stamped addressed envelope) to Miss Alexandra Schimmel, 4 Priorygate, Lincoln, LN2 1PL (please mark the envelope “Jubilee Service”). Please note tickets cannot be sent out by post without a stamped addressed envelope.

The Visitor Services Team Leader writes:   Calling all volunteers!

You may, or may not, be aware that the Cathedral has started a new group of volunteers called ‘The Welcome Team’. This team has been running since October 2011 and supports the entry desk staff during busy times of the year such as school and bank holidays by welcoming visitors to the Cathedral and dealing with enquiries such as service times, costs of entry and general information. Due to its success we are looking to expand the team. Sessions are usually for two hours between 10-4, Mon-Sat during peak visitor times.   Many of our current team volunteer in other departments and we are more than happy to work round other work/volunteer rotas.   For further information contact Alex Schimmel on vstl@lincolncathedral.com or call 01522 561600.

Ecclesiastical are offering a 35% discount on home insurance.

This can be claimed by Cathedral, Church & Diocesan staff, Committee Members & Church Volunteers.  (‘Which’ recommended home insurance)

Further information please contact:  0845 777 3322 or http://www.ecclesiastical.com/churchworker

Lincoln Theological Society  Tue 22 May 7.30 Robert Hardy Lecture Theatre, Bishop Grosseteste University College.  Dr Elaine Storkey will speak on Gender & Difference.  Tickets £5 on the door, Cathedral Shop, Unicorn Books, after 9.30 Cathedral Service.

Please try and support our Fundraising Day on 25 May – http://lincolncathedral.com/support-us/fundraising-day-25th-may

There are still tickets available for the study day on Our Lady’s Plainsong, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday 26 May, in the Wren Library and retrochoir. The Precentor will lead a plainsong workshop and a there will be a recital of plainsong associated with Our Lady with readings and images. The artist Aidan Hart will give a talk on Our Lady of Lincoln and the sculpture he envisions of her for the Cathedral.  The Precentor will lead all the participants in the singing of the Litany of Our Lady, and the day will close with a forum on Our Lady of Lincoln led by Dr Peter Burman. Tickets are £16.50, including morning coffee and afternoon tea and biscuits. Tickets are from the Minster Shop, as above.

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Bible Readings

Sunday 6 May                                             5^th Sunday of Easter

Sung Eucharist                                             Acts 8.26-end;  1 John 4.7-end;  John 15.1-8

Mattins                                                          Daniel 3.16-28;  Hebrews 11.32-12.2

Evensong                                                       Isaiah 60.1-14;  Revelation 3.1-13

Sunday 13 May                                           6^th Sunday of Easter

Sung Eucharist                                             Acts 10.44-end;  1 John 5.1-6;  John 15.9-17

Mattins                                                          Ezekiel 47.1-12;  John 21.1-19

Evensong                                                       Song of Solomon 4.16-5.2; 8.6-7

Sunday 20 May                                           7^th Sunday of Easter

Sung Eucharist                                             Acts 1.15-17, 21-end;  1 John 5.9-13;  John 17.6-19

Mattins                                                          Isaiah 14.3-15;  Revelation 14.1-13

Evensong                                                       Isaiah 61;  Luke 4.14-21

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