Sunday 05 August to Saturday 18 August 2018
A hundred years ago, on 8th August, the Battle of Amiens began. The offensive by British, Australian, Canadian and French forces, advanced 7 miles on the first day, and lasted until 12 August. Though costly in terms of casualties on all sides, it was a turning point in morale as it led to a large number of surrendering German forces. It was an opening phase of what was to become known as the Hundred Days Offensive, and in retrospect can been seen as leading to the end of the First World War (WWI).
It provokes us to remember those who died in this conflict, as we look to the end of WWI and to Remembrance Day this year, which will mark the signing of the armistice on 11 November 1918.
A century ago, WWI was said to be “the war to end war” (by HG Wells, In the Fourth Year, 1918), though this hope was short lived. Today, there are currently over 50 conflicts in the world and so far in 2018 there have been over 50,000 violent deaths, mainly in Syria (23.1k), Mexico (drug wars, 13.3k) Afghanistan (9.6k), Yemen/Saudi Arabia (6.8k), and Iraq (nearly 3k). Armed violence is very much with us. Given also current trade tariff disagreements, environmental stresses leading to competition for resources, ecological and economic migration that puts pressures on border controls, the need for a just peace is very apparent.
In these days leading to 11 November 2018, let us pray together for that peace which 100 years ago soldiers were hoping for and risking their lives for, but a peace that this world has so far not given. A particular focus in this time falls on 21 September, which is the UN International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”). The theme for that day this year is ‘The Right to Peace – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70’, marking this 70th anniversary of the signing of the declaration. In November 1984 the UN also recognized ‘that the maintenance of a peaceful life for peoples is the sacred duty of each State’ (Resolution 39/11, ‘Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace’).
I offer in this newsletter a prayer by way of encouragement to pray for peace in these coming months.
O God, who would enfold both heaven and earth in a single peace,
let the design of your great love enlighten and heal
the relationships in our world so torn
by misunderstanding, injustice, violence and war.
Give your peace to your people, peace among nations,
peace in our dwellings,
and peace in our hearts.
We ask this through Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace. Amen
Paul Overend, Chancellor
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Offer of Hospitality – Request: We look forward to welcoming Matthew Turner, who joins the Verger’s Department at the end of August. As Matthew investigates re-housing in the area we are looking for an offer of hospitality for two or three weeks. If you can offer a spare room and a meal or two please contact the Dean’s Verger; dv@lincolncathedral.com or 01522 561636.
Evensong Preachers in August: 5th August -Revd Canon Stephen Hoy, Lincoln Diocese Spirituality Adviser, Vicar St John the Baptist, Ermine. 12th– August Revd Matt Harbage, Assistant Curate on placement at St. Mary-le-Wigford, St. Peter-at-Gowts and St. Botolphs, Lincoln. 19th August (No Choir) Reverend Rachel Revely, Curate at Lincoln Cathedral. 26th August -The Revd Canon Philip Brent, Rector of Market Deeping and Rural Dean of Elloe West.
Organ Recital Series 2018 Join us and experience an instrument like no other: This series of concerts continues, showcasing talent from across the UK and Europe, bringing some of the greatest organists to perform on the world famous Father Willis Organ – 8 September – Wolfgang Kleber, Darmstadt, Germany. 29 September – James Lancelot, Emeritus, Durham Cathedral. 5 October – Organ Extravaganza, with Lincoln Cathedral Resident Organists and Lincoln Cathedral Choir. 16 December – Olivier Messiaen’s La Nativité du Seigneur, Colin Walsh.
Hallé 2018: The Hallé Orchestra are returning to the Cathedral on Friday 21 September under the baton of Karl Heinz-Steffens. Tickets are now available on the Cathedral Website, from the Shop or over the phone 01522 504394.
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Bible Readings
Sunday 5 August
10th Trinity Sunday
Sung Eucharist
Exodus 16: 2-4, 9-15; Ephesians 4: 1-16; John 6: 24-35
Mattins
Song of Solomon 5: 2-end; 2 Peter 1.1-1.5
Evensong
Job 28; Hebrews 11: 17-31
Sunday 12 August
11th Sunday after Trinity
Sung Eucharist
1 Kings 19: 4-18; Ephesians 4: 25-5.2; John 6: 35, 41-51
Mattins
Song of Solomon 8: 5-7; 2 Peter 3: 8-13
Evensong
Job 39: 1-40.4; Hebrews 12: 1-17
Sunday 19 August
12th Sunday after Trinity
Sung Eucharist
Proverbs 9: 1-6; Ephesians 5: 15-20; John 6: 51-58
Mattins
Jonah 1; 2 Peter 3: 14 – end
Evensong
Exodus 2: 23-3.10; Hebrews 13: 1-15
