Christine Wilson, Dean Sal McDougall, Precentor Paul Overend, Chancellor John Patrick, Subdean
On Thursday 3 May 2018, local elections take place around the country. A third of the council seats are up for election in Lincoln City Council, and a third of council seats in the North East Lincolnshire Unitary authority.
This election is not a referendum on Brexit or on the government’s handling of negotiations. Nor is it a referendum on the government’s intervention in Syria, its handling of immigration, or even the success of the politics of “austerity” – which addresses the national debt by restricting public expenditure in national services and local council services (though net debt is predicted to be 86% of GDP this financial year, up from 65% in 2009/10). It is about local vision, local issues and local participation in decision-making.
It is also about how a number of key issues of Christian social teaching play out in local politics: Issues that include the respect for human dignity, the strengthening of subsidiarity in government, the fostering of participation in community, the defence of individual rights and responsibilities, a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, and care for creation. These are the principles that foster human flourishing and our Christian understanding of the Common Good. They are Catholic principles that are reflected in Archbishop Justin Welby’s most recent book, Reimagining Britain: Foundations for Hope (2018).
Christians will want to be observant as to how such Christian principles play out in the vision of local political parties and their candidates in issues such as housing and employment. We will also want to consider the prospective candidates on their character and virtue, such as humility, integrity, and compassion. We should therefore think both carefully and prayerfully, attentive to the newspaper in one hand and the Bible in the other, as we inform our conscience and make our decision.
Paul Overend, Chancellor
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Lincoln Cathedral Community Association Pentecost Tea Party: Tickets are now available for Lincoln Cathedral Community Association Afternoon Tea in the Cloisters on Sunday 20th May 2018 after Evensong (Pentecost Sunday). Tickets cost £3 to include cake, tea, coffee, bring your own savouries. Also bring your own wine and glasses. Tickets available from LCCA Committee Members and also Lincoln Cathedral Shop
Evensong Collections: Would anyone in the Community feel able to take on a regular Evensong Collection role. Collections are made Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays when there is a sung service and the money funds a chorister for a year. If so, please let me, Michaela Philp, or the Subdean know.
Spiritual Classics Reading Group: The Spiritual Classics Reading Group will next meet on 2nd June. Our book will be The Way of a Pilgrim. This modern classic of Orthodox spirituality draws on ancient roots of the use of the Jesus Prayer. An unknown pilgrim of the mid-19th century tells his story of wandering through Russia and Siberia, from one holy place to another, in search of the way of prayer and intimacy with God. The Way of a Pilgrim is available to buy in a number of translations or is available online at; http://jbburnett.com/resources/french_way_of_a_pilgrim.pdf
Evensong Guest Preachers: Sunday 29 April, during the week of the Living Jewish Exhibition, we have Dr Brian Winston, the first Lincoln Professor, to speak at evensong. He was Pro Vice Chancellor for 2005-2006 and the former dean of Media and Humanities, and is a British Jew.
6th May, Rev Canon Charles Patrick, Rector of Horncastle
13th May, Rev Canon Edward Bowes-Smith Vicar of Lincoln St Peter, Eastgate and St Peter, Carlton (This is during the ten days of prayer for Thy Kingdom Come, 10th – 20th May 2018.)
Succentor News: The Dean and Chapter are pleased to announce the appointment of the Succentor, Philippa, to a new appointment following her curacy, though she will remain here with us until July. We wish Philippa, Ed and Gregory every happiness in Oxford. Philippa writes: “Over the last four years I have had the joy of one of the best curacies in the Church of England, here at the cathedral and at St John’s. Ed and I, and latterly Gregory, have loved being here and part of these communities – but curacies are by their nature time-limited, and I am excited that I now know what my next step in ministry will be.
“I have recently been appointed Succentor at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford. This will in some ways mirror what I have been doing here at Lincoln, working with the choir and music team, the Precentor and those involved with planning worship; but the Precentor of Christ Church is largely called upon to work in the diocese, and as such I will be much more involved with every aspect of the cathedral’s worship and music. Christ Church is in the unique position of being a college of the University of Oxford as well as the cathedral of the Diocese, and my role will involve one day a week as assistant college chaplain, working with the full-time chaplain. I will also act as chaplain to the cathedral school.
“I am really looking forward to this new challenge – but will miss Lincoln and all of you very much. Fortunately however I will not be moving until the summer and will be continuing in my role here and at St John’s until late July.”
The Jewish Living Experience Monday 23 April – Saturday 5 May Chapter House: A mobile travelling exhibition, and a free event included in the normal Cathedral entry charge. Aimed primarily at school groups, it enables visitors to gain an insight into Judaism as a living faith with a lifestyle that has been sustained for over 5,000 years.
Through educational materials and local community engagement, this project aims to combat misconceptions and stereotypes resulting in the furthering of good community relations and the fostering of a stronger local community.
This educational resource supports Lincoln and the surrounding areas by ensuring informed quality community relations and addresses the community.
Duke Ellington Concert Saturday 12 May 19.30 – 21.30: A high point in the Lincolnshire Jazz Week’s programme this year will be the performance of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music by The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Ellington Orchestra under musical director Jeremy Price together with the Lincoln Cathedral Choir under musical director Aric Prentice also featuring Gospel Choir, soloists singer Vimala Rowe, John Turville and piano and jazz dancer Perry Louis. Ellington’s wonderful ‘Sacred Music’ is both serious and swinging. It is a reverent and hip body of jazz composition, written late in his career. Tickets on sale now from £10 from the Cathedral Shop or www.lincolncathedral.com
RAF Centenary Dinner Friday 10 August 2018, 19.00 in the Nave: A black tie dinner in the Nave to mark the RAF Centenary, the dinner will be a fundraising event with a percentage of all ticket sales going to an RAF charity.
The Succentor writes: Hannah Lee, a playwright originally from Scunthorpe, is working on a play set in Lincoln between 1997 and the present, looking at politics through the lens of Lincolnshire attitudes and family relationships. She would like to interview people who have lived in Lincoln since at least 1997, from a range of backgrounds and political opinions – particularly focusing on the changes in political affiliation over the past 20 years and the reasons behind the Brexit vote last year. If you would like to know more or be involved, please speak to the Succentor.
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Bible Readings
Sunday 29 April 5th 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 6 May 6th 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; Revelation 3:14-end
Sunday 13 May 7th Sunday of Easter
Sung Eucharist Acts 1:15-17, 21-end; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-9
Mattins Isaiah 14:3-15; Revelation 14:1-13
Evensong Isaiah 61; Luke 4:14-21 or 1st EP of Matthias the Apostle: Isaiah 22:15-22; Philippians 3:13b-4.1
