Gavin Kirk, Precentor Mark Hocknull, Chancellor John Patrick, Subdean Philippa White, Succentor
Today we reach mid-Lent Sunday – Mothering Sunday to almost everybody, but it’s more ancient title is Laetare Sunday. This was the opening word of the Latin introit for the day in the pre-Reformation rite: Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and come together all ye that love her. Rejoice with joy, all ye that have mourned, that ye may be glad and be satisfied with the breasts of your consolation. Traditionally this was the day when a Christian’s Lenten discipline was relaxed, and this was marked liturgically by flowers, more organ music and slightly less austere (rose-coloured) hangings and vestments.
Jerusalem has long been understood as a mother, gathering and caring for her scattered children. In our broken world, where faiths and families are so often at enmity with one another, we need perhaps to reclaim this dimension of our heritage. The three major Abrahamic faiths each look to Jerusalem (and some of their adherents continue to fight over her) and we have this, and our common humanity, as a constant. As we give thanks for our own mothers and all they mean to us, perhaps we can pray that Jerusalem may become a healing, reconciling, uniting focus in the twenty-first century.
Gavin Kirk, Precentor
St John Passion – 12th March 2016 at 7pm Tickets are still available for J.S. Bach’s St John Passion. Performed in the Nave of the Cathedral by the Cathedral Choir, the Baroque Players of London and soloists, this promises to be another stunning performance. To book your tickets visit LincolnCathedral.com and click on ‘Forthcoming Events’, or visit the Cathedral Shop.
Keep Palm and Carry On – Wednesday 16th March 2016 0930 – 1200. The vergers will be making palm crosses in the vestry during the morning of Wednesday 16th March and would welcome any who would like to join them; bring you own scissors – coffee /tea provided – soft hand guaranteed.
Lincoln Theological Society Thursday 17 March. 7.30 in The Robert Hardy Lecture Theatre at Bishop Grosseteste University. The Rev Professor Nicholas Sagovsky will discuss, ‘What makes a Saint’. Tickets £5.00 from the cathedral shop or on the door.
Tours of the Old Deanery will be held on Friday 18 March at 10am and Monday 28 March at 2pm. Everyone is welcome to come along. Please contact Anne for more details and to book a place, email: Anne.Irving@LincolnCathedralConnected.com tel: 01522 537668
Lincoln 10k – This year’s 10K Race takes place Sunday 17th April there will be the normal access and parking restrictions in Up-Hill Lincoln [details are on the City & 10K websites].
Community Association Spring Walk – Saturday 7 May 2016
A Spring Walk starting in Potterhanworth that includes walking along the Roman Car Dyke and Woods to Dunston Village, then returning via Nocton Village, is being arranged for Saturday 7 May 2016. The circular Walk is 7.5 miles long and fairly flat. The outward leg includes woods where we may see Bluebells in flower, and the 2nd Century Roman Car Dyke with panoramic views across the Fens. The return leg via Nocton Village passes the fire ravaged Nocton Hall built in 1530, an ancient Chestnut tree and some centuries old Sequoias. Lunch will be available at the Red Lion, Dunston. Details are on the Community Association Notice Board. If you’d like to join the Walk please add your name onto the sheet. John Harker 01526 323680
Lecture
Lincoln Cathedral is delighted to welcome the acclaimed author, and Peer of the Realm, Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield, for his lecture ‘Writing the history of one’s own time’, to be held in the Chapter House of Lincoln Cathedral on Friday 20th May at 7:30pm. Tickets £6 available via our website
Organ concerts 2016 Concerts start at 7pm and take place in the Nave of Lincoln Cathedral. Tickets £6.00 per person. Available via the box office: 01522 561644 / lincolncathedral.com
14 May, Marco lo Musico (Rome), 4 June, Nikolai Gersak (Friedrichshafen), 11 June, Jeffrey Makinson (Lincoln), 16 July, Colin Walsh (Lincoln)
Lincoln Mystery Plays 3 – 13 August at 7.30pm. Tickets £15 available from lincolnmysteries.co.uk
CONSULTATION
Some members of the congregation have heard of the consultation which has been initiated by Lincoln Minster School concerning staffing levels in certain departments. It is not known at this time whether this will have any impact on the Cathedral, but Chapter has at the forefront if its priorities in this matter the welfare of the members of our choral foundation, both junior and senior, as well as our vocation to offer the very best to God, day by day.
Easter Eggs The Cathedral shop has just reordered another batch of Fairtrade Easter eggs including milk, plain and sharing eggs. Each egg has an Easter Story Booklet and chocolate bar as well as the egg. Hurry as the first lot sold out in days!
Unique Easter Gifts If you are struggling to find an Easter gift for that special someone, why not consider adopting a stone, book or organ pipe at Lincoln Cathedral. Either contact Grants and Donations on 01522 561614 or visit our website at lincolncathedral.com to find out more.
Bible Readings
Sunday 6 March 4th Sunday of Lent
Sung Eucharist Joshua 5: 9-12, 2 Corinthians 5: 16 -end, Luke 15: 1-13, 11b-32
Mattins Genesis 37: 3-4, 12-end, 1 Peter 2: 16-end
Evensong Isaiah 40:27-41.13, 2 Timothy 4:1-18
Sunday 13 March 5th Sunday of Lent
Sung Eucharist Isaiah 43: 16-21, Philippians 3: 4b-14, John: 12.1-8
Mattins Isaiah 35, Romans 7: 21-8.4
Evensong 2 Chronicles 35: 1-6, 10-16, Luke 22: 1-13
Sunday 20 March 6th Sunday of Lent
Sung Eucharist Luke: 19.28-40, Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-end
Mattins Zechariah 9: 9-12, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12
Evensong Isaiah 5:1-7, Luke 20:9-19
