Chapter Letter 26 August to 8 September

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

The end of August here always has for me something of the atmosphere of New Year’s Eve, but never more so than this year, which has seen so many astonishing events.  The Cathedral diary seems to have been fuller than ever, and it has been thrilling to respond to some of the things that have been going on nationally as well as to rejoice in the beauty and skill of the flower festival.

To do this, as ever, requires the co-ordination, skill and inspiration of our dedicated team of staff and volunteers.  To them all we say a huge ‘thank-you’ as well as to the florists and indeed the musicians of the visiting choirs who have maintained our choral worship over the summer weeks.

We are sad to say goodbye to Stephen Clay, Lay Vicar, Bozidar Smiljanic, Choral Scholar, to Lynn Snelson, Dean’s Secretary and to Caroline Burdon, Chapter Office Assistant.  We thank them for all that they have brought to the life of the Cathedral and wish them every blessing for the future.  In terms of the ‘New Year’ we welcome two new choral scholars, David Reynolds and James Goddard, fourteen new probationers and Tom Stockwell and Will Harrison as Lay Vicars.  These latter will be admitted to the Foundation on 8^th September, and we shall have the promotion of Chanters and Chantresses at the annual Choristership Evensong on 9^th September.

Reflections on a Flower Festival:    The Chapter Clerk writes: The pollen has settled, the horses are gone and the nave once again offers moments of silence. The feeling is almost like the end of the Olympics, cold turkey after the daily fix. Yet the word nearest to my lips is again the same as the Olympics: legacy. Is there a legacy from the 2012 Lincoln Cathedral Flower Festival?

There are some bare (but quite astonishing) statistics: 13,000 visitors over the five days; over 50 coaches dropping off at Northgate; 2,000 customers served in the Refectory, 1,800 in the Shop; 300 attending the pre-view evenings and 400 enjoying the musical meander. Our target of £100,000 for the Fabric Fund met.  All this before the 26 flower clubs who made it all possible with the 150 arrangements, and the Cathedral volunteers and staff who worked so hard. Jenny Whitton and her committee moved mountains and produced something that all those visiting will remember for a very long time.   Thank you all so very much.

The Education Officer writes:  On Saturday 1^st September there will be a Book of Common Prayer Study Day called Cranmer: Creating Common Worship to mark the 350^th anniversary of the 1662 BCP.   Prayer Book services of Mattins, Eucharist and Evensong will form part of the day, which begins with Mattins at St Hugh’s Shrine at 10 am.   Participating in the conference will be The Very Revd Philip Buckler, Dean of Lincoln;  The Revd Canon Gavin Kirk, Precentor;  The Revd Canon Dr Mark Hocknull, Chancellor;  Dr Nicholas Bennett, Cathedral Librarian; and The Lord Cormack, President of the Prayer Book Society. The lectures will be on the the history, language, liturgy and theology of the Book of Common Prayer.  Tickets at £10, including morning coffee and afternoon tea and biscuits, can be purchased from the Minster Shop (http://www.lincolncathedral.com//shop);   tel: 01522 561644.  The Library exhibition on the Prayer Book continues until the end of September (open to study day participants only on 1st September).

The Assistant Chapter Clerk writes:  It is nearly three years since we compiled the Lincoln Cathedral Directory to enable us to meet the requirements of the Cathedral Constitution and Statutes (2000) and undertake the elections to the Cathedral Council.  I am writing therefore to ask for your help in compiling an up-to-date Directory of all those who worship in the Cathedral and/or undertake voluntary work of any kind.  We have corresponded with those currently on the database; however, if you have not received a form and would like to be included spare copies can be obtained from the Chapter Office, or on the side tables in the Choir Aisles.  Please return your completed form to: The Chapter Office, 4 Priorygate, Lincoln, LN2 1PL by 1^st September 2012.

Appointments:   Chapter is looking to make two important appointments.

Personal Assistant to the Dean of Lincoln, following the early retirement of Lynn Snelson.  The successful candidate will manage the running of the Dean’s Office and provide secretarial support in exercising his ministry.   Part-time, 24 hours, Monday-Thursday.

Chapter Office Assistant   The successful candidate will carry out a variety of secretarial and administrative duties in the busy Chapter Office. Part-time, 17 ½ hours Wednesday-Friday.

Download application pack: http://lincolncathedral.com/how-to-get-involved/job-vacancies/ or contact Chapter Office, 4 Priorygate, Lincoln, LN2 1PL.   Telephone:  01522 561601.

Handwritten applications by 5th September.

Interviews: Dean’s PA 12th September;    Chapter Office Assistant 14th September

The Lincoln Cathedral Community Association Annual Meeting will take place on Wednesday 10th October 2012 at 7.00 pm at the Cathedral Centre.  Anyone who is on the Community Roll is entitled to come. Immediately after the annual meeting we will have the autumn social event, which will be a gathering with cheese and wine in the reception area of the Cathedral Centre and that should take place from about 8.15 pm until 9.30   pm.   Tickets for the social part of the evening will be on sale from 2^nd September to 2nd October at coffee and in the Cathedral shop.   (No ticket is needed for the annual meeting).   They will cost £5 each and will include refreshments and one glass of wine. Further glasses of wine may be purchased on the night.

We hope to elect  some new members of the Committee. Nominations need to be with our secretary Rosemary Cumberland at 1a Vicars Court Lincoln by 26^th September and nomination forms will be available from the beginning of September at the Community Association notice board or by emailing Jeannette Davies at jcandjdavies@btinternet.com.  Jeannette can also answer any questions that anyone who might consider standing for the Committee has.

We are very grateful to Rosemary Cumberland who has been our secretary for the last three years. She will be retiring at the Annual meeting so we do need a new secretary. It is not a very onerous task and if you feel you could help please get in touch with Jeannette who can tell you more about what is involved.

Gavin Kirk

Precentor

Chapter Preaching Engagements

Sunday 26 August                       The Dean presides and preaches at St  Andrew’s, Cranwell at 11.00 a.m.

Bible Readings

Sunday 26^th August                      Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist                            Joshua 24: 1-2a, 14-18,    Ephesians 6: 10-20,    John 6: 56-69

Mattins                                      Jonah 2,    Revelation 1

Evensong                                   Exodus 4: 27 – 5: 1,    Hebrews 13: 16-21

Sunday 2 September                    Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist                            Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-9,    James 1: 17-end,    Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Mattins                                      Jonah 3: 1-9, Revelation 3: 14-end

Evensong                                   Exodus 12: 21-27,    Matthew 4: 23 – 5: 20

Sunday 9^th September                   Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Eucharist                            Isaiah 35: 4-7a,    James 2: 1-10 4-17,    Mark 7: 24-end

Mattins                                      Jonah 3: 10 – 4: 11, Revelation 8: 1-5

Evensong                                   Exodus 14: 5-end,    Matthew 6: 1-18

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