Christine Wilson, Dean Mark Hocknull, Chancellor John Patrick, Subdean
Philippa White, Succentor
“A sad and desolate child, physically maimed, lazy and dull, poor at his studies, reticent and sullen and a disappointment to his father”.
It may surprise you to know that this is what is recorded in a book published in 1913 by BM Laughton about the early life of Gilbert of Sempringham who was the founder of the only medieval English monastic order. His feast day is celebrated on the 4th of February and within the cathedral this famous Lincolnshire saint is remembered at the St Katherine’s shrine where the Gilbert pots are located.
The turning point in Gilbert’s life seems to have been the result of a family row when his parents vented their frustration and disappointment over his apathy towards learning and failure to tap into his advantaged upbringing.
The youthful Gilbert runs off to France, turns his life around and finally comes to greatly value study and education. In the writings about his life this moment of reckoning is described as: “like the oak when torn and buffeted by the wind strikes its root deeper into the soil, so the storms of life strengthened his mind and character.” It was also the kindling of a vocation. His new found interest in wisdom came with the insight that “secular learning is subservient to a knowledge of things divine.” Whilst his contemporaries aspired to be noble and valiant knights, Gilbert spoke of spiritual chivalry as a knight for Christ. His goal was the court of heaven and his quest was to honour God.
Gilbert developed a growing desire to lead by example and a focus of his attention was the young, the poor and the disadvantaged, drawing perhaps on his own experience of a difficult start and sense of marginalisation. Despite his noble background and family wealth, he initially chose to establish a local school at Sempringham, open to all the village children regardless of their means or gender. Later, we see this spirit of inclusiveness again, when he founded a religious order open to men and women. To his surprise he discovered that it was the local peasant women who had the greatest spiritual potential. He resourcefully invested in them and developed their gifts. This was an extraordinarily radical step way beyond the times.
We see in the life of Gilbert an ability to respond to the challenges that confronted him. As he opened himself to God and discovered his own unique meaning and potential he then applied it to nurture spirituality and wisdom amongst those whom society ranked as of no consequence. It is interesting to note how the flourishing of the Gilbertine Order was founded on that decision to give dignity and worth to those from whom no great achievement was expected. As a “Knight for Christ”, Gilbert came to appreciate the thrill of accomplishing great things in pursuit of God’s kingdom rather than in chasing celebrity and worldly fame. The grace that led to the transformation of his own life inspired him to lead others along the same path.
Christine Wilson, Dean
From City of Lincoln Council: “For your information” Works will be done on Westgate 1 and Westgate 3 car park from Monday 6th February until Friday 24th February 2017. This will involve tree felling, removing tree stumps and tarmacking. A maximum of 9 spaces will be fenced off on Westgate 1 but Westgate 3 (the small car park on the corner of Westgate and Union Road) will be closed for the whole 3 weeks.”
Restore – Do you have any unwanted, good quality, furniture? In 2016 the Restore team visited over 100 households in Lincoln and delivered 677 items of donated furniture to local people unable to afford basic furniture. Every item delivered has helped turned an empty house into a home and they are in desperate need of more furniture donations. Restore can collect items within a 10 mile radius of their warehouse and are especially in need of single/double beds and mattresses, chests of drawers and wardrobes, washing machines and fridge/freezers, but will accept a wider range of furniture. To arrange for collection call 01522 542166.
Mosque Open Day – Sunday 05 February 2017 – You are invited to Lincoln Mosque for an opportunity to meet Muslims, learn about Islam and ask questions. Everyone is welcome! This is a national initiative, details of the day can be found at: http://www.lincolnmosque.com/visitmymosque
Antic Disposition presents HENRY V by William Shakespeare, Monday 13 – Tuesday 14 February 2017 at 7.30pm – Marking the centenary of the First World War, award-winning theatre company Antic Disposition present their critically acclaimed adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry V in Lincoln Cathedral for two special performances. Performed by a talented cast of British and French actors, this uplifting production celebrates the rich historical relationship between our two nations – from the Hundred Years War to the Entente Cordiale. Tickets: £25-£35 (Under 18s £10 off). Box Office: 0333 666 3366. Book online: www.anticdisposition.co.uk
The Subdean writes: For those seeking to be confirmed this Easter please be in touch on subdean@lincolncathedral.com to discuss details.
Shrove Tuesday Social – Tickets now available – 28th February 2017– You are cordially invited to this year’s Shrove Tuesday Social Evening, organised by your LCCA Committee. Tickets are now available from Committee members for the Social Evening on Tuesday 28th February 2017 at 7.00 pm in the Chapter House. The Committee has reluctantly had to raise ticket prices to £9 to cover increased costs. Supper will comprise jacket potato with mild chilli or cheese, plus salad, and pancakes with special sauce for dessert. Musical entertainment is also included.
Passiontide Concert, Saturday 1 April 2017 at 7pm. Join the Lincoln Cathedral Choir as they perform St. John Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach in the Nave. This masterpiece is the older of two surviving Passions by Bach. Compared with the St. Matthew Passion, the St. John Passion has been described as more extravagant, with an expressive immediacy, at times raw and unbridled. Tickets from £8 on sale now www.LincolnCathedral.com
Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical, Tuesday 22 August to Friday 1 September 2017. Theatre in the Nave is back with this epic piece of musical theatre. Jekyll & Hyde explores questions of good and evil, of redemption and punishment. The company, made completely of volunteers, has blown audiences away for two years running with the breath-taking performances they have given. Tickets go on sale Tuesday 14 February 2017. To buy tickets visit www.LincolnCathedral.com
Hallé Orchestra, Saturday 9 September 2017 at 7pm, please note that the date has changed from 8 September. We are pleased to welcome back to the Cathedral for the eighth consecutive year the prestigious Hallé Orchestra. This year the Orchestra will be conducted by Ryan Wigglesworth with the following programme; Strauss: Four Last Songs and Bruckner: Symphony No.9. Tickets go on sale in spring 2017.
Charter of the Forest Dinner, Friday 22 September 2017. 2017 marks the 800th anniversary of the Charter of the Forest. Celebrate the sealing of this historic document by attending a special dinner for 800, set within the Nave of the Cathedral. Tickets go on sale in spring 2017.
The Retired Volunteers and Staff Group – After starting the year with an excellent talk by Josie Moreton entitled ‘Walking the streets of Jerusalem with Jesus Christ Superstar’, the group is now looking forward to the February meeting on Thursday 9th February 10.30 at the Cathedral Centre. Michael Newstead is to give a talk on ‘Lincoln in Photographs’ so why not join us. We start with coffee at about 10.15. New members are always welcome or join us on a more casual basis for £2.00 a visit. On 9th March, the Dean has kindly offered to have us at the Deanery for our meeting, as we are unable to meet at the Cathedral Centre, so we will be looking forward to that and the speaker for that day will be Ruth Andrews ‘Weird and Wonderful’. If you would like more details, please get in touch: katehellen@btinternet.com or Rita Simpson on 01522 685884.
Bible Readings
Sunday 05 February 4th Sunday before Lent
Sung Eucharist Isaiah 58.1-9a; Psalm 112.1-9; 1 Corinthians 2.1-12; Matthew 5.13-20
Mattins Psalm 5, 6; Jeremiah 26.1.-16; Acts 3.1-10
Evensong Psalm [1,3] 4; Amos 2.4-end; Ephesians 4.17-end
Sunday 12 February 4th Sunday of Epiphany
Sung Eucharist Ecclesiasticus 15.15-end; Psalm 119.1-8; 1 Corinthians 3.1-9; Matthew 5.21-37
Mattins Psalm 10; Jeremiah 30.1-3, 10-22; Acts 6
Evening Prayer Psalms [7] 13; Amos 3.1-8; Ephesians 5.1-17
Sunday 19 February 4th Sunday before Lent
Sung Eucharist Genesis 1.1-2.3; Psalm 136.1-9, 23-end; Romans 8.18-25; Matthew 6.25-end
Mattins Psalm 100, 150; Job 38.1-21; Colossians 1.15-20
Evensong Psalm 148; Proverbs 8.1, 22-31; Revelation 4
